All You Need To Know About Dental Implants

Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth. They are strong and durable, and they can give you a natural-looking smile. If you are considering dental implants, you probably have many questions. This guide will answer all of your questions about dental implants, including what they are, how they work, and how much they cost.

5 Things To Consider Before Getting Dental Implants

Dental implants might be the right solution for you, but there are a few things to consider before you make your decision.

1. The Cost of Dental Implants

A consequence of their many benefits, dental implants are one of the most expensive dental procedures. The cost of a single implant can range from $1,000 to $3,000. The cost of the implant, the abutment (a metal connector that attaches the implant to the tooth), and the crown (the artificial tooth) can add up to $5,000 or more.

It’s crucial to compare the cost of dental implants with the cost of other dental procedures, such as dentures and bridges. While dentures and bridges are less expensive up front, they will eventually need to be replaced, which can add to the overall cost. Dental implants are a more permanent solution, and they will usually last a lifetime with proper care.

The last thing you want to consider is whether or not your insurance will cover the cost of dental implants. Unfortunately, most insurance plans do not cover dental implants. However, some insurance plans will cover a portion of the cost of the implant, the abutment, or the crown. Check with your insurance provider to see if they offer any coverage for dental implants.

2. The Condition of Your Mouth

Unless your mouth is healthy, you might not be a good candidate for dental implants. There are two main conditions that can affect your ability to get dental implants: jawbone loss and gum disease.

A key requirement for dental implants is a strong jawbone. The implant must be able to fuse with the jawbone in order to be successful. If you have lost bone in your jaw, you might need a bone graft before you can get dental implants.

Additionally, you must have healthy gums to be a good candidate for dental implants. If you have gum disease, you will need to treat the disease before you can get dental implants.

3. The Type of Implant You Need

Many factors will affect the type of implant you need, including the location of the implant, the condition of your jawbone, and your overall health.

This particular type of implant is the most common. It is placed in the jawbone, and it consists of a metal screw that is topped with a metal post.

When considering subperiosteal implants, your doctor will place a metal frame on the jawbone below the gum tissue. The metal frame will support the artificial tooth (or teeth).

4. The Location of the Implant

Dental implants can be placed in either the upper or lower jaw. The location of the implant will affect the type of implant you need, as well as the cost of the procedure.

What we’re trying to say is, it’s generally more expensive to place an implant in the front of the mouth than in the back. This is because the front teeth are more visible, and therefore the implants must be more esthetically pleasing.

Double implants are two implants that are placed in the upper or lower jaw on either side of the mouth. This type of implant is usually used to support a denture.

5. Your Overall Health

Your wellbeing is an important consideration when deciding whether or not to get dental implants. There are two main factors that can affect your overall health: medical conditions and medications.

There are a few medical conditions that can affect your ability to get dental implants, such as diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. If you have any of these conditions, you will need to be sure that they are under control before you can get dental implants.

Certain drugs, such as steroids and immunosuppressants, can affect your ability to heal. If you are taking any of these medications, you will need to be sure that you are healthy enough to heal before you can get dental implants.

7 Advantages of Implant-Supported Overdentures

If you have dentures, you might be considering getting dental implants to support them. Implant-supported dentures have many benefits over traditional dentures, including increased chewing efficiency, increased comfort, and improved appearance.

1. Increased chewing efficiency

If you have implant-supported dentures, you will be able to chew your food more effectively than with traditional dentures. This is because the implants will provide stability for your dentures, and you will not have to worry about them slipping or moving around in your mouth.

2. Increased comfort

A common solution for people with traditional dentures is to use adhesives to keep the dentures in place. However, these adhesives can be messy and uncomfortable. With implant-supported dentures, you will not have to use adhesives, and you will not have to worry about the dentures slipping or moving around in your mouth.

3. Enhanced speech

Dentures may affect your speech, and you may have to learn to speak differently with dentures. However, with implant-supported dentures, you will not have to worry about your dentures affecting your speech.

4. Improved appearance

Dentures that are supported by implants will look and feel more natural than traditional dentures. Additionally, implant-supported dentures will not cover up as much of your gums, and you will be able to show off your natural smile.

5. Improved self-esteem and quality of life

Having Dentures that look and feel natural can improve your self-esteem and your quality of life. You will not have to worry about your dentures slipping or moving around in your mouth, and you will be able to eat and speak normally.

6. Reduced risk of bone loss in the jaw

Another pro of implant-supported dentures is that they can help to prevent bone loss in the jaw. When you have traditional dentures, the bone in your jaw can start to shrink away, which can cause your face to look sunken in. However, with implant-supported dentures, the implants will help to stimulate the bone and prevent bone loss.

7. They are permanent

In contrast to traditional dentures, which will eventually need to be replaced, implant-supported dentures are a permanent solution. Once the implants are in place, they will usually last a lifetime.

Conclusion

Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth. They are strong and durable, and they can give you a natural-looking smile. If you are considering dental implants, there are a few things to consider, including the cost, the condition of your mouth, and your overall health. However, the advantages of implant-supported dentures, such as increased chewing efficiency, increased comfort, and improved appearance, make them a great choice for many people.

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.

What Is the Cause of Dental Bone Loss?

There are many issues that we may experience with our oral health but one of the more severe problems that can occur is a problem with bone loss. Understanding what causes bone loss can help you to avoid problems in many cases. If you are already experiencing dental bone loss, there may be some things that can be done in order to correct it or to keep it from getting any worse.

One of the more common reasons why people experience dental bone loss is because they are missing teeth. It could be that they were missing them from a young age or, as we get older, we may end up having teeth pulled and we never have an implant inserted in the area. If the tooth is not replaced or if there are multiple teeth that are not replaced, the bone is eventually going to dissipate and be reabsorbed into your body.

The bone is supported and preserved because your teeth are in place and they are used for chewing. As you continue to chew, it is that stimulation and the pressure that it exerts on the bone that keeps it in place and thriving. After your teeth are missing, there is nothing to keep the bone in place so you may lose up to 25% of your bone from that area in the first year after the tooth is extracted.

Another common reason why you may experience dental bone loss is because of a type of bacteria that leads to a problem known as periodontitis. The teeth may still be in place but there are ligaments that connect the bone that supports the teeth to the tooth itself. When you have periodontitis, bacteria that is in the area will eventually eat away the bone that supports the tooth and it will also affect those ligaments that hold the tooth in place as well.

Unfortunately, when you experience dental bone loss, it is a problem that is typically going to be permanent. You might wonder if replacing the teeth with implants or getting dentures is going to correct the problem because it would cause the chewing to take place again. In reality, the stimulation provided by dentures is only approximately 10% of what is experienced by your natural teeth. That isn’t enough to cause the bone to grow back.

When the teeth are removed from the upper jaw, it can even cause further problems because the bone is reabsorbed into the body as it is expanded further into the area of the sinus cavity. Since the teeth are no longer in place, the pressure that is inside of the cavity can cause the bone that is surrounding the sinuses in that area to be re-absorbed.

There are also additional reasons why you may experience a problem with bone loss. These include misaligned teeth, bone infections and facial tumors that would cause some of the bone to be removed along with the tumor itself.

Individuals with dentures may also experience a type of bone loss that is easily seen. This bone loss is so severe that it ends up collapsing the lower part of the face.

Although building back up the bone after it is gone is next to impossible, it may be possible to prevent bone loss by having a replacement tooth inserted immediately when one is lost. This type of a dental implant will act like a normal tooth and provide the stimulus that is necessary to keep the bone healthy. In addition, you may consider some other forms of treatment, such as bone grafting or a sinus lift. It isn’t as effective as an implant, but it may help.

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!