The Dental Place

How Dental Implants Have Revolutionized Treatment for Tooth Loss

April 5, 2017

Implant dentistry has become fairly standard for restoring tooth loss. The technology for dental implants was discovered by a dentist in Sweden in the 1950’s quite by accident. He had placed a titanium rod in the leg of a rabbit, and when he tried to retrieve the rod he found the rabbit’s bone had fused so thoroughly with the titanium, he could not remove it.

Subsequent testing led to experimenting with a human subject. And working in a smaller area such as the jaw seemed a better idea to the scientists. Coined osseointegration, the fusion of bone and titanium has led us to where we are today … successful dental implants that actually restore dentition to as close to biological teeth as possible.

The patient undergoes preliminary testing to qualify for dental implants, and a review of overall health is completed. A very thorough dental exam includes x-rays to determine bone strength in the jaw where tooth loss has occurred.

Insufficient bone does not automatically disqualify the patient for dental implants. There are procedures that can enhance bone where needed. Tobacco use is detrimental to the success of dental implants and is strongly discouraged. Infection can endanger the implant as well so the patient is encouraged to brush and floss to keep the area clean and healthy.

The procedure gets underway with surgically placing the titanium post in gum tissue where bone loss has occurred. During the healing period, bone fuses to the implant to form a support system for the restoration that will eventually cover the implant. This support works much like the roots of a natural tooth providing the strength and stability needed.

Once healing is completed and x-rays have determined that the post and bone have successfully merged, your dentist will attach an abutment to the implant … the restoration will be permanently cemented to that abutment. The replacement tooth has been made to match surrounding teeth in size, contour, and color. Your implant will blend so naturally no one will be able to tell it is not your natural tooth.

And with your newly restored tooth, you will be able to resume eating all the foods you love. speak without fear of slippage and smile with self-confidence. Implant dentistry has allowed you to appreciate life once again thanks to a procedure that should last a lifetime.

Contact our office today to schedule a consult with our dental team!

How does endodontic treatment save a tooth?

March 20, 2017

Endodontic treatment is more commonly known as root canal therapy. And while no one wants to undergo a root canal, this treatment can mean the difference between saving your tooth or losing it.

Whenever a patient has suffered trauma to a tooth impacting the nerve; or if infection has permeated the root of the tooth due to a fracture, dental decay, or disease … endodontic treatment is usually needed.

An x-ray usually provides the evidence to show whether a root canal is needed. Symptoms the patient may be experiencing include discomfort, swelling of the face or jaw, and/or sensitivity to temperature. Your family dentist may be able to perform the root canal, but very often the patient is referred to an endodontist to perform treatment.

The number of roots and their position are determined; the tooth is segregated to keep it dry (a rubber dam is placed); anesthetic is injected to numb the area; and the procedure can begin.

An access point is drilled into the tooth requiring treatment. Endodontic files are then employed to remove the contents of the root canals including nerve tissue, blood, and pulp. If infection is present it is removed as well. An assistant is most often on hand to suction away the contents.

Once a permanent tooth has erupted, the nerve is no longer needed for the tooth to survive. When treatment is completed, pain is no longer felt. Without this treatment, the only other option would have been tooth extraction. This is never a better choice if the tooth can be saved.

The access point for endodontic treatment must be sealed upon being assured all infection has been cured and the procedure is deemed successful. Options to seal the tooth usually depend on which tooth was treated. Front teeth may be sealed using a tooth colored composite resin.

The access point for molar teeth are sealed with a crown. The tooth is filed down, and a temporary is placed while the crown is being made at the dental lab. In about two weeks, the patient returns for seating. Very often another x-ray is taken to be assured the root is healthy once again; if so the crown is permanently cemented in place; and the tooth is saved.

Root canal therapy is a much better option than dealing with the aftermath following tooth loss. Don’t put it off! Contact our office today to schedule your appointment!

Chipped Denture: What are my options?

March 6, 2017

The attempt to perform a repair on your own chipped denture using glue or denture paste is tempting, but never recommended. You should contact your dentist right away to schedule an appointment for your best option.

If your denture is older, you may have experienced gum tissue shrinkage which can change the way dentures fit. An improperly fitting prosthesis can mean you are not chewing correctly which can present problems in fit, function, and appearance, and may lead to a break or chip in your denture. Biting down on something hard or awkwardly can result in dislodging a tooth in your denture or fracturing the porcelain.

An accidental drop in the sink or to the floor can break or chip the porcelain. You should always work with your denture over a soft surface – place a towel in the sink or on a counter top in the event of an accidental drop.

If you are in a hurry or away from home you may be tempted to purchase a denture repair kit to provide a temporary solution. But it is important to note that an amateur repair may result in doing more damage to your denture as well as create additional problems such as sore spots on your gums. Or if the repair is not done correctly, it could look bad or not function right.

If you are away from home, a simple phone call to your own dentist will provide you with the information needed to find a local dental provider to help or offer you the assistance you need until you can get home.

Taking proper care of your denture will extend its life … never boil or microwave your denture to disinfect it – this can warp it, changing the way it fits. Make sure to store it properly when not being worn. And clean it using the proper tools – the brush and paste you use for your biological teeth are too harsh for your denture.

For more tips about denture care, contact our team at The Dental Place today!

Things You May Not Know About Dental Implants

February 20, 2017

Tooth loss can occur for many reasons … a traumatic event, excessive dental decay, gum disease, or teeth may not have erupted normally. Dental implants provide an ideal solution to restore dentition allowing the patient to eat all the foods they, speak clearly, and have their dignity restored allowing them to laugh, eat, speak, and smile in public without embarrassment.

When first introduced many decades ago, dental implants were not as commonly used as they are today. But research and experience has shown that there are many advantages to dental implants over other traditional methods of tooth replacement.

A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed in gum tissue where one or more teeth are missing. Titanium is the ideal metal for this procedure as it allows bone to integrate allowing it to become a permanent part of your dentition offering the same support for the final restoration that your tooth’s roots do for biological teeth.

When implant and bone has merged; and healing is completed, the final steps can be finished. Your dentist will have fabricated a restoration that will match your surrounding teeth in size, shape, and shade. An abutment will be attached to the implant and the final cosmetic enhancement will be tried in. When ready, it can be cemented in place.

The advantages of dental implants are numerous. In addition to allowing you to eat all the foods you loved before tooth loss occurred, they are permanent. The implant itself remains for life – if needed, the restoration can be replaced.

Dental implants promote gum health. Teeth replacement with a partial or bridge that merely sits on top of the gums does not prevent gum shrinkage. The implant promotes bone growth where tooth loss has occurred keeping gum tissue healthy with proper care.

If your dentist tells you that you are not a good candidate for dental implants due to insufficient bone, there is a procedure for bone augmentation that may work for you.

Dental implants do not require special care. During the healing process, you must remain vigilant in keeping the implant area clean to prevent infection, but once the final restoration is placed brushing, flossing, and regular dental appointments for cleaning and dental exam are sufficient for maintaining a healthy dental implant.

Considering implants? Call our friendly team at The Dental Place today!

How soon can I return to school or work after a tooth extraction?

February 6, 2017

Having a tooth removed can be an easy process or can involve a surgical procedure. Your dentist will issue instructions to follow upon completion, but generally even a simple tooth extraction warrants going home and relaxing for the balance of the day.

Following the extraction you will likely have a wad of gauze where the tooth was removed. This is there to stem blood flow and help the area to clot. Replace if it becomes soaked. If the tooth was already loose, extraction may have been very simple; however, if your dentist had to elevate the tooth for removal or the tooth had broken you may experience some discomfort and you will want to go home.

With the majority of simple tooth extractions the patient receives some type of anesthetic … the jaw is numbed for the extraction. During tooth removal the patient feels pressure; however, when the anesthetic wears off depending on the severity of the extraction there may be discomfort. In most cases an over the counter analgesic is sufficient for relief.

In the case of surgical extractions like for impacted or wisdom teeth, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon. They are equipped to offer you the appropriate anesthetic for your needs. If the patient requires a general anesthetic or uses oral sedation, they will need transportation home. The only anesthetic where the patient can transport themselves is with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) which wears off quickly or a numbing agent like lidocaine.

Post-operative instructions usually include:

Rest to stop the bleeding; keep your head elevated. Take pain medication as prescribed and needed.
Do not smoke or use any type of tobacco.
Do not drink using a straw. Any type of sucking action can remove the clot that has formed where the tooth was extracted. The result can lead to a dry socket … if the clot becomes dislodged for any reason, the patient will experience pain. A return to the dentist is often required.
Eat soft foods like pudding, applesauce, scrambled eggs, yogurt, or ice cream … you can resume eating normally in a few days.
Do not brush the surgical area until healed; brush surrounding teeth carefully.

Let your dental professional be your guide on when it is best to return to work or school. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation!

Root Canal Treatment: Your Most Common Questions Answered

January 23, 2017

You hear jokes or horror stories about root canal therapy. Chances are the folks telling these tales have never had a root canal. This treatment can save your tooth from loss, is literally pain free and can be performed very quickly. Some of the questions or concerns about endodontic therapy are:

What are the symptoms that indicate the need for a root canal?

Discomfort when biting down; sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, or sour; swelling around the tooth or jaw; or in some cases, there are no obvious symptoms. Your dentist might see a fracture in a tooth or an x-ray will indicate infection is present indicating the need for a root canal.

What happens if I don’t have a root canal?

If infection occurs, the tooth can abscess. The pus pocket at the base of the tooth can spread leading to a very serious infection. Ultimately if a root canal is not performed, the tooth will require extraction.

What happens during a root canal?

The first step is a dental x-ray is taken to determine the angle/location and the number of roots requiring treatment. It is imperative that all of a tooth’s canals be treated for a successful procedure.

The tooth is protected with a rubber dam that keeps the area dry. A drill is used to make an access point in the tooth. Endodontic files follow the access point to remove the contents of each canal. The contents removed are the nerve of the tooth, pulp, blood, and infection (if present).

The canals are flushed … if infected an antibiotic may be placed. Eventually the tooth must be sealed, but very often the dentist will want to wait to make sure the infection is gone before this final step is completed. A dental crown is a favorite choice to seal the tooth.

Can my family dentist perform a root canal?

Depending on the tooth involved, your family dentist may want you to be treated by an endodontist … a dentist who has specialized in root canal therapy. By seeking out an endodontist, you have the security of knowing you are being treated by someone who has completed additional years of dental school training; has the staff and tools on hand for a successful procedure; and can perform your root canal efficiently, painlessly, and with a positive outcome.

Do you need to schedule a consultation with our team? Contact our office today!

Fractured Tooth: Will a dental crown help?

January 9, 2017

Our teeth are very strong, but they are not invincible. Biting into hard items like ice, rock candy, or even nuts or a popcorn kernel can weaken teeth resulting in a fracture. A dental crown is a wonderful option that allows your dentist to save your tooth with a restoration that is so beautiful and lifelike, no one will be able to tell you suffered a broken tooth.

Dental crowns serve many purposes like saving a fractured tooth, being the anchors for a dental bridge, as the final step to a dental implant procedure, or sealing a tooth following endodontic therapy. Based on the location of the tooth being treated, you have options for the material you want used for your crown. If the tooth is located in the smile line, most patients select a porcelain crown.

For many years, patients had to resort to metal or gold crowns; however, the availability of porcelain has allowed for broken teeth to be salvaged with a stain resistant material that can be matched in size, contour, and color to your natural teeth. This makes dental crowns a more natural appearing restoration. Just keep in mind that porcelain is stain resistant; and will not lighten with teeth whitening products.

Your dentist will start the crown procedure by reducing the structure of the natural tooth. A dental impression will be taken that will be forwarded to a dental lab for the crown to be fabricated. A temporary will be placed over the prepared tooth until the crown is ready to be seated … usually about two weeks.

On a set day the temporary will be removed and the crown will be tried in for comfort, appearance, fit and function. Adjustments can be made chairside, if needed. Your dentist will make sure the crown is the correct shade and shape … when approved your dental crown will be cemented in place.

A crown is intended to last for many, many years. If your crown should become dislodged, you can temporarily replace it using denture paste. See your dentist as soon as possible to have it re-cemented.

Caring for a crowned tooth is the same as all your teeth. Brush twice every day with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily, and visit the dentist every six months for cleaning, polishing, and dental exam. If you have additional questions, contact our team at The Dental Place today.

Caring for Your Teeth While Traveling or on the Go

December 19, 2016

Even if you are away from home, you should not neglect your oral health. Our practice understands that our patients live very busy lives and sometimes our schedules get in the way of making good choices for our oral health. Fortunately, maintaining proper oral hygiene and a healthy diet is possible even when you are on the go or traveling. If you encounter oral health issues while away from home, be sure to have the number to our practice handy in case you need to speak with our dentist. Following is some helpful information for keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

Brushing and Flossing

Even if you are away from home with an endless list of errands and events or out of town, you can still keep your gums and teeth clean. We recommend keeping an oral hygiene kit with you at all times. Consider packing travel-sized toothbrushes, toothpastes, and dental floss in your desk at work, your purse, your vehicle, or in your luggage. With a travel kit, you can brush and floss your teeth from anywhere.

Choosing Healthy Foods

Sometimes being busy and traveling can make eating unhealthy foods very tempting. Although indulging in processed snack food or desserts is ok from time to time, it is important not to make a habit out of it. Be sure to eat foods low in sugar and acid whenever possible. Sugar and acid are very dangerous to your oral health. Acid weakens tooth enamel by stripping down its mineral content while sugar feeds harmful oral bacteria.

Staying Hydrated

Most people know that drinking plenty of water is essential to keeping organs healthy and rejuvenated. Many folks might not know that water is beneficial to oral health, too. Drinking water throughout the day will keep oral tissue moist while also diluting acid and rinsing away debris from food. People should drink a minimum of eight, eight-ounce glasses of water each day.

Call The Dental Place at 972-264-5795 for more oral health tips or to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled dentists.

Importance of Maintaining Good Oral Health After Gum Treatment

December 5, 2016

Gum disease can ravage your oral health. When left untreated, it can manifest into a progressive oral condition that destroys soft and hard oral tissues. As the number one cause of tooth loss among adults, gum disease requires professional treatment and constant maintenance to slow down its effects on the oral health system. After receiving treatment for gum disease, patients should commit to keeping regularly scheduled dental
appointments and practicing thorough oral hygiene at home.

The Dangers of Unmanaged Gum Disease

Unmanaged gum (periodontal) disease is incredibly dangerous to your oral health and general wellbeing. Without treatment and maintenance with professional cleanings and home care, periodontal disease will destroy the supportive bond between teeth and gums and the roots of teeth and bone. The effects of tooth loss are devastating. Patients with missing teeth will endure daily difficulties with self-esteem and oral function along with long-term oral health issues. Moreover, the infection associated with gum disease is systemic and capable of entering the bloodstream where it may contribute to complications with the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and immune systems.

Cleanings and Checkups After Gum Disease

After being diagnosed and treated for gum disease, it is important to keep bi-annual cleanings and checkups. Cleanings will help keep the irritants that contribute to periodontal disease away from above and below the gum line while checkups will help ensure that the gums appear healthy. Regular appointments also mean that the reemergence of periodontal disease can be detected as early as possible.

Oral Hygiene and Gum Health

In addition to receiving regular cleanings and checkups, practicing good oral hygiene is very important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Daily flossing will help prevent the accumulation of tartar by disrupting colonies of bacteria from forming along the gums and removing debris stuck between teeth. Twice daily brushing keeps plaque buildup under control and removes a large portion of the day’s debris from food.

We provide thorough and effective oral care for gum disease and tooth decay. To schedule a dental checkup with our dentist, call our office at your convenience.

Considering Dentures? What are the first steps?

November 21, 2016

You’ve already either experienced tooth loss or have been advised of the need for teeth extraction. You know you need some type of dental prosthesis to replace lost teeth. Your dentist has advised that you should likely consider a denture; so now what is next?

How many teeth are lost? If all teeth in the arch are gone a complete denture is needed. If tooth loss is limited, a partial denture will suffice. A treatment plan will be outlined giving you all of your options, the time required for each, and the costs involved (and how much your insurer will pay, if insurance is available).

If your dentist is extracting teeth, and you don’t want to have to live with a temporary during the healing period, you can receive an immediate denture. The denture is pre-made prior to tooth extraction. The downside to the immediate denture is that during the time following teeth extraction, a natural shrinkage in gum tissue is likely to occur. This could translate into numerous adjustments being needed.

If you decide to wait until the extraction area is healed, or if tooth loss has already occurred, you will have some type of temporary put in place. Dental impressions are made and measurements taken that will allow the dental lab to fabricate a denture that will fit, look natural, and give you functionality in your day to day life.

Wax models will be made, tried in, and returned to the lab before the final denture is made. Once healing is completed, the denture is ready to be placed. Your new denture will probably feel a little cumbersome at first. You may experience increased saliva production or notice a little irritation where the attachments meet the gums.

There is an adjustment period to be expected. Your dentist will caution you what you might experience and encourage you to give your denture a chance before you ask for adjustments. Very often the adjustment period will naturally resolve issues; but your dentist wants you to be comfortable with your new dental prosthesis – do not attempt to make adjustments on your own that could ruin your denture.

If you’re experiencing continued problems, return for follow up care and/or adjustments. Learning to eat and speak with a new denture might take a little practice, but the result will be worth the time invested.

If you have more questions, contact us today to speak with a member of our caring and knowledgable team.