Category: Implants

All About Dental Implants: Benefits, Process, and More

It’s crucial to take care of your teeth and overall oral health. Regular brushing, flossing, and visits to the dentist can help prevent problems like cavities and gum disease. But what if you’re missing one or more teeth? Dental implants are a popular and effective solution for missing teeth. Keep reading to learn more about dental implants, including the benefits, the process, and what to expect.

Why Dental Implants Might Be Right For You

A plethora of people choose dental implants to replace their missing teeth. Dental implants are small titanium posts that are placed in the jawbone to serve as the roots of your new teeth. They are a popular choice because they offer many benefits, including:

Feel and Look Like Natural Teeth

Dental implants can give you back your smile. They look and feel like your natural teeth, so you can eat and speak without worry.

Preserve Facial Structure

Dental implants improve your oral health by preserving your facial structure. When you lose teeth, your jawbone begins to shrink. Dental implants help to keep your jawbone healthy and strong.

Lifetime

Although dental implants are a major investment, they can last a lifetime with proper care. Once they are placed, you won’t need to worry about replacing them like you would with dentures or bridges.

Improve Speech

Dental implants can help you to speak more clearly. Dentures and bridges can sometimes slip, causing you to mumble your words. Dental implants are securely placed in your mouth, allowing you to speak with confidence.

Versatile

The cost of dental implants varies depending on the number of teeth you are replacing and the type of implants you choose. But in general, they are a more versatile and durable solution than dentures or bridges.

Your Guide To Getting Dental Implants

Going through the process of getting dental implants takes time, but it is worth it for the many benefits they offer. The process usually takes several months and involves the following steps:

Schedule a Consultation With a Dentist or Oral Surgeon

The first step is to schedule a consultation with a dentist or oral surgeon. They will assess your oral health and determine if dental implants are the right solution for you.

Have a Thorough Dental Exam

While meeting with your dentist, they will thoroughly examine your mouth, teeth, and gums. They will also take X-rays to get a better look at your jawbone.

Get a CT Scan

CT scans are often used to plan dental implant surgery. They provide a detailed 3D image of your jawbone, which helps your dentist determine the best placement for your implants.

Receive Dental Implants

The dental implant surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia. During the surgery, your dentist will make small incisions in your gums and place the implants in your jawbone.

Have the Abutment Placed on Your Dental Implants

Once your gums have healed, you will need to have an abutment placed on your dental implants. The abutment is a small connector piece that helps to secure your new teeth in place.

Get Your New Teeth

The last thing you need to do is get your new teeth. Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and use them to create a custom set of dentures, bridges, or crowns.

Maintain Your Dental Implants

In order to keep your dental implants in good condition, it’s important to brush and floss regularly. You should also see your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.

Conclusion

Dental implants may be a big investment, but they offer many benefits. If you are missing one or more teeth, talk to your dentist about whether dental implants are right for you.

Why You Should Consider Seeing a Board Certified Periodontist

A certified periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are experts in the use of dental implants to replace missing teeth. They also have special training and experience in the treatment of gum disease and the placement of dental implants. certified periodontists have completed a minimum of three years of additional training beyond dental school. Many periodontists have completed a four- or six-year periodontal residency program after dental school.

Reasons To Choose a Board Certified Periodontist

A lot of people don’t realize that there’s a difference between a regular dentist and a board certified periodontist. Here are 11 reasons why you should consider seeing a board certified periodontist:

Board certified periodontists must complete extensive training.

A licensed dentist who wants to become a board certified periodontist must complete an accredited periodontal residency program. This program is typically three years in length and includes both didactic (classroom) and clinical training. In addition, board certified periodontists must pass a written examination and an oral examination.

They are up-to-date on the latest technology and treatments.

A board certified periodontist is required to maintain their certification by completing continuing education courses. This ensures that they are up-to-date on the latest technology and treatments.

They use the most effective and minimally invasive treatments.

Credentialed periodontists use the most effective and minimally invasive treatments available. This means that you can be sure that you are getting the best possible care.

They are experts in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease.

Licensed periodontists are experts in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease. They can provide you with the best possible care to keep your gums healthy.

They are skilled in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.

Qualified periodontists are skilled in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. They can help you to restore your smile with dental implants.

They have extensive experience in treating gum recession.

A board certified periodontist has extensive experience in treating gum recession. They can help you to achieve and maintain healthy gums.

They are experts in the treatment of gum disease.

A board certified periodontist is an expert in the treatment of gum disease. They can provide you with the best possible care to keep your gums healthy.

They can help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health.

Credentialed periodontists can help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health. They can provide you with the best possible care to keep your mouth healthy.

They are committed to providing the best possible care for their patients.

A certified periodontist is committed to providing the best possible care for their patients. They are passionate about their work and are dedicated to their patients.

10. They are passionate about their work and are dedicated to their patients.

A board certified periodontist is passionate about their work and is dedicated to their patients. They are committed to providing the best possible care for their patients.

11. They are members of the American Academy of Periodontology.

A certified periodontist is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology. This is the leading professional organization for periodontists.

Everything You Need To Know About Dental Implants

Dealing with missing teeth is something that a majority of people have to do at some point in their lives. However, dealing with missing teeth is never an easy task. A lot of people wonder what the steps are to effectively deal with missing teeth. Below, we will discuss dental implants and we will be going over what makes it a good option for those that are considering getting them.

What Is It?

“A dental implant is an artificial tooth that is surgically aligned and placed in your mouth. It is implanted into your jaw and made up of bone-like materials,” says Dr. Farnham, a dentist who offers dental implants in Jacksonville. He continues, “That way, your jaw accepts the material and fuses with your bone to better support it. There are different kinds of implants that you could get and we’ll cover a few of them in this article.”

Advantages Of Implants:

1. No Shifting.

Perhaps one of the main advantages of getting implants is the ability to not have to worry about any sort of shifting. Because you are going to have greater stability with it, it is not going to be something that you have to regularly worry about. Also, because it is going to fuse with your jawbone, it can feel as though it is your natural tooth given it being surgically placed and attached.

2. Cleaning.

The cleaning of implants is going to be largely the same as you would a normal tooth. There are not going to be any extra things that you have to do in order to keep your implants clean like you might have to do with other options that you would be considering. Because implants are not removable, you don’t have to worry about taking them out like you would dentures.

3. No Support Required.

Because the entire process involves your jaw fusing around the implant, you are not going to have to worry about wearing down your teeth next to the missing gap. Whereas, when you end up using other methods of replacing a tooth, you would have to worry about your surrounding teeth getting damaged or moved because of it. With implants, the tooth requires no extra support from the neighboring teeth which means that you will be able to avoid having to damage or mess with your other teeth.

4. Prevents Shifting.

Because you are going to be able to effectively fill the gap left by your missing tooth, it will help to prevent any sort of shifting that would naturally occur if you were to leave the missing gap alone. If you have a gap in your mouth, your teeth naturally move to try to close it. By filling the gap with an implant, you will not have to worry about that happening.

5. Better Looking.

Another good thing that you are going to get when you invest in something like an implant is the ability to have a much better looking solution to your missing tooth. Unlike other options, an implant is going to provide you with a good way to cover up the gap. Because it can look as if it is a real tooth unlike other options, it is an ideal solution for many that want to retain their smile.

Downsides:

1. Cost.

The primary downside to a dental implant is the cost factor. If you are going to be getting a dental implant, you are likely going to have to be willing and able to shell out a lot of money for it. The procedure itself is going to be costly versus some of the other more budget-friendly options that you might be thinking about going with. As long as you are willing and able to pay the extra cost, it is the preferred method for a majority of people that are looking for a solution.

Overall, there are a lot of things that you are going to want to become familiar with when you are trying to figure out whether or not a dental implant is the best option. While it is going to be a much more expensive solution to a missing tooth than other options that you might be able to choose from, it is going to be a preferred option for a lot of people because of the many advantages that it comes with.

Why You Should Choose to Invest In Treatment From a Periodontist

A periodontist is a trained dentist that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases that affect the gums and bones inside of the mouth. Not only does a periodontist need to go to 4 years of dental school, but they have to complete a minimum of 3 more years of specialization courses. Throughout the extra education that is required, they learn the advanced techniques to diagnose and treat various forms of periodontal disease and how to properly place dental implants. Along with this, they are also typically trained in a lot of forms of cosmetic procedures as well. Below, we will be going over some of the reasons you will want to choose to invest in the treatment from a periodontist and what you should look for and expect.

Reasons Why You Should Choose a Periodontist:

1. Better Suited To Treat Advanced Disease.

One of the biggest reasons you will want to opt for the treatment from a periodontist is because they are much better suited to treat advanced diseases. Because a traditional dentist is not required to go through advanced training, they are not going to be in the position to help treat advanced diseases in the mouth whether it’s gum or bone related. They have the education and experience necessary to provide you with the best diagnosis and treatment in the industry. Whereas a dentist would only be able to tell you whats viewable from the surface, they will likely end up referring you to a periodontist anyways.

2. They Handle Cosmetic Issues Too.

Another reason to consider heading to a periodontist is that they are fully capable of handling cosmetic issues as well. You are going to be able to get some cosmetic work done if you so wish. This is great for those that are looking to get all of their dental work completed in the same place with the same dentist. Instead of having to travel from dentist to dentist, you will be able to choose a periodontist and get all of the necessary work done with them.

3. Customized Treatment Plan.

Because a periodontist is fully trained in providing custom treatments and solutions to their patients, they will x-ray your entire mouth including every single tooth, the jaw, and even the oral structures in your mouth. They will then fully examine it and come up with a fully customized treatment program that is designed to enhance the overall health of your entire mouth. They will discuss this treatment plan with you and you will be able to ask any questions that you might have available. If there is anything that you are unclear about, you can ask them about it.

What To Expect?

When you visit a periodontist, you can expect them to take x-rays of your entire mouth. They will also be examining your jaw joints, head, neck, mouth, throat, and your teeth and gums. They do this in order to get a full and proper interpretation of what is going on with your bone development, jaw, and everything else. By getting a full idea of what is going on, they will be in a better place to be able to properly diagnose you and give you customized treatment advice and options. Having everything they need to make a full and organized plan for your treatment is going to help you get the best possible results from your treatment.

During your visit, you will likely also be asked about any medications that you might be taking, your medical history, whether or not you are dealing with medical problems, any diseases that can be linked to your mouth and gums, and more. Medication that you might be taking can have negative effects on various parts of your mouth. Therefore, a periodontist needs to have an accurate understanding of it in order to fully and accurately diagnosis you and figure out what is going on. By having a full and clear picture, they will be able to better examine you and figure out what might be causing certain issues to present themselves. They will be able to treat you much better by having your history.

Overall, there are plenty of reasons to choose a periodontist for your needs. Not only will they be in the best possible position to assist you in bettering your oral care, but they are much better suited for diagnosing and treating advanced diseases that are occurring in your mouth whether it’s with your bone or soft tissue. Therefore, you will be able to get the best possible oral care by going to a periodontist with the extra 3 years of training if you are someone that is dealing with gum disease or any other advanced disease in your mouth.

How To Tell If You Might Need Dental Implants

If you have had teeth pulled or are likely going to have teeth pulled, you may be in the market for something called a dental implant. This is a replacement tooth that is put directly into your head, with a bit of re-enforcement, that keeps you from having to use dentures and from having bone loss that is typical when a large number of teeth are being pulled. This isn’t going to work for everyone and unless you know that you are a good candidate, your dentist might not even suggest it, however, you might want to bring it up the next time they talk about pulling a tooth.

The first requirement is, of course, going to be that you have some teeth missing or that at least one is going to be pulled. The minimum number of teeth that need to be missing for an implant is one, so if you need at least one tooth, then you will likely be able to get an implant done. People who are missing a large number of teeth may find that they have too many missing for the work to be done, so it is better to ask about them sooner rather than later.

Asking before work is done will allow a dentist to make the necessary adjustments to the work that they are doing to try and make sure that you are a good candidate. If the extraction is a particularly tricky one this might add a bit of time on to the procedure, and maybe a bit of cost, but it will end up saving you in the long run. The prep work will involve making sure that the bone is strong enough to handle the implant and that your other teeth are in good enough condition to have it put in place as well.

If you have generally good dental health you will likely be a good candidate as well. This is because the implant will need to be taken care of like other teeth. You will need to brush and otherwise take care of your teeth like you always would to prevent any issues from happening with the new tooth.

Finally, you will likely be a good candidate if you are able to bite hard foods without any problems. Jaw pain when you bite hard foods may indicate that you won’t be able to receive one of these implants. However, this is not always going to be the case. Jaw pain may just be from the cavity that you have, from swelling, or from other issues that don’t indicate an issue with your jawbone. X-rays taken by your dentist will tell you if there are any problems preventing you from getting an implant.

Implants are one of the best ways to preserve a smile and to keep you from having problems with eating and other tooth-related activities later in life. There is very little difference with how an implant and a real tooth act, and once the implant has fully healed most people can’t tell the difference.

At the end of the day, the only person who can truly tell you if you will be a good candidate for dental implants is going to be your dentist. However, most dentists will be more than happy to work with you to ensure that you can get an implant and that you can maintain your smile without the addition of dentures and the messy creams that accompany them in your life. If you are going to have a tooth pulled, ask your dentist if implants are the way to go.

What Is Dental Root Resorption

A person once visited his dentist and while a routine examination was being done, a hole was discovered at the gum line in his upper front tooth. The dentist informed him that he was dealing with a “root resorption” and that it was not clear whether the could be saved. If you ever receive such a prognosis, it is important to know exactly what you are dealing with.

What is Root Resorption?

Root resorption in adults is a troublesome but uncommon dental condition where the body’s own cells dissolve and eat away the structure of the tooth. It is not a problem for growing children, but it is a natural process by which the roots of a baby’s teeth are removed thus facilitating their replacement with the permanent teeth.

Root resorption in permanent teeth can start on the inside of the tooth also known as internal resorption or it can start outward then work its way inward also known as external resorption. External resorption is the most common of the two.

The effects of cervical or external resorption the patient in the example was describing occurs near the gum line at the cervical region of the tooth. In the early stages, the condition produces pink spots where the enamel has been compromised and filled with pink colored cells that cause the damage. The spots eventually progress to cavity-like areas.

Deposition (adding to) and resorption (breakdown) are normal processes used by the body to maintain balance. It is especially true of bone where it is a response to the usual stressors of tension and pressure. The processes are actually responsible for allowing the orthodontic movement of the teeth to happen. However, once adult teeth form they don’t typically resorb.

The exact nature of external cervical resorption (ECR) is still not completely understood, but several factors can increase the chances of a person developing it. Root resorption can happen in later years if excessive orthodontic force is applied to teeth. Traumatized teeth can equally suffer damage to the periodontal ligament. The ligament attaches teeth to bone and if disturbed can cause resorption.

Habits such as bruxism or grinding of teeth as well as some dental procedures such as the intra-coronal bleaching of teeth can make a person more predisposed to external cervical resorption. However, the majority of people with the risk factors still never develop the problem.

ECR is typically observed in the upper front teeth and on the lower first molars. The condition is painless and can go unnoticed for a while, first appearing as a distinct dark spot on a routine x-ray examination. However, this is rather unfortunate since the longer it stays untreated, the more the damage it is likely to do.

The progression of the damage further results in an erosion of the structure of the tooth’s root with both the inner and outer layers being eroded away. Eventually, the affected tooth appears like it has a cavity. Unlike cavities that are much more common problems, the damaged area (lesion) caused by the ECR does not feel sticky to a dental probe.

Upon the discovery of root resorption, it should be treated without delay to prevent further damage since the destruction can be rapid. However, as the dentist in the example above stated, it is not always possible to save the affected tooth. The treatment method will depend on the progression of the problem when it was detected.

For small lesions, it is sometimes possible to expose the affected portion of the root of the tooth with minor gum surgery. The tissue cells responsible for the damage are removed and a filling material in the color of the tooth usually a glass ionomer cement or composite resin is used for repairing the tooth.

A single-tooth orthodontic procedure is sometimes recommended prior to surgery. With the treatment, the tooth is moved outward from the jawbone gradually. As the tooth moves, the gum tissue also moves along with it, and new bone is built behind. The final contours of the gum line eventually line up and gum recession at the affected tooth can be prevented.

If ECR reaches the area close to the dental pulp, root canal treatment may be needed. The more invasive and extensive the resorption, the less the chances of saving the tooth. Often, in cases of advanced ECR, the better option would be to extract the tooth and have it replaced with a dental implant.

It is not possible to see the extent of the damage sometimes or even determine whether or not extraction is necessary until the root is exposed by surgery. However, Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans are able to identify small anatomical structures inside the tissues in 3 dimensions with much more accuracy than a standard x-ray. CBCT is a high-tech imaging technology that can help increase the accuracy of advanced treatment planning.

Hopefully, this brief explanation has helped you understand more about root resorption. Root resorption might be uncommon, but it can be treated successfully!