Dental Implant Center Blog

September 30, 2009

Faster Healing with Platelet-Rich Plasma

Modern technology and proven techniques will help to safely and comfortably place and restore dental implants for beautiful, healthy smiles. Often times for faster healing following a dental implant surgery, Platelet-Rich Plasma, or PRP, can be helpful.

What is PRP?
The human body has an amazing ability to heal itself. PRP uses your body’s own substances to hasten regeneration of soft and hard tissues. Rich in Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (PDGFs) and fibrin, PRP encourages healing at the implant placement site by jump-starting tissue growth and increasing bone density. Using PRP, I can promote faster healing to provide a firm foundation for your implants. PRP has been successfully used for many years in a wide variety of medical applications. Because a patient’s own blood is used, there’s no risk of rejection. (more…)

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September 25, 2009

All-on-4 Dental Implants: A Quick Solution for Fixed Dentures

What if you could have a full set of teeth replaced in only one day? So many dental implant patients have to travel from office to office for various appointments, turning what could be a simple process into a long ordeal. For those who look to Dallas for their dental implant needs, but live in another town, this can be especially inconvenient. The Fitzgerald Dental Implant Center and their prestigious dental implant care team, offer a one-day surgery solution for dental implant patients who are in need of a fixed denture.

All-on-4 is a dental implant solution that allows a fixed denture to be placed using only four dental implants. The way that the implants are placed eliminates the standard healing time that applies to other types of dental implants. Thus, the All-on-4 surgery procedure, when performed in an office with substantial staffing and resources, can be conducted in one day, making the drive for out-of-town dental implant patients a more reasonable option.

There are several parts of the All-on-4 dental implant process. For eligible candidates the surgery can be conducted in one day, but the procedure can be done in as few as two appointments.

Consultation – The initial visit where specific needs are addressed and a solution prescribed.
3D CAT Scanning and Cone Beam Scanner – Through state-of-the art technology, the surgery is planned.
Impressions – Where the proper molds are created for the dental implants to make the teeth for the patient.
Education – Education consultants provide feedback and information for each patient, in order to make certain proper care and upkeep are given post-surgery.
Surgery – The day of surgery the implants are placed and new teeth are attached to the dental implants.

The Fitzgerald Dental Implant Center is able to conduct each of these parts of the process onsite, thus minimizing the number of trips the out-of-town patient must take. With onsite education consultants, a dental surgeon, and implant dentist, the Fitzgerald Dental Implant Center is able to take a patient from start to finish.

The All-on-4 is available to clients that after the initial consultation have shown to be eligible candidates. The procedure will not be available for those patients that will require bone grafting or another surgical procedure before implants can be placed.

The initial consultation will determine whether or not the patient is a candidate for the All-on-4 dental implant procedure.

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September 18, 2009

Gum Grafting – Keeping Smiles Healthy and Beautiful

Elderly couple_new Gum grafting is a common solution to reverse gum recession, improve the appearance of a “toothy” smile, and provide a firm foundation for dental implants.

Receding gums can be caused by aggressive brushing, advanced gum disease, and factors beyond your control, such as genetics and the natural aging progress. A gum graft restores gum lines to the proper length for maximum health and beauty. If you feel like too much tooth surface shows when you smile, or if you’re considering dental implants to replace missing teeth, a gum graft can improve your smile’s appearance and function and prepare your mouth for replacement teeth.

Additionally, gum grafts provide:

A barrier against decay
Coverage of exposed tooth roots
Improved oral health
Reduction of bone loss
Increased dental implant success

A gum graft can be performed by a surgeon with the advanced tools and techniques needed to perform the surgery. To perform a gum graft, you can choose to use your own tissue or donor tissue from a trusted source. And of course, a safe, soothing sedation is available to increase your comfort and instill a sense of calm during your procedure.

You deserve advanced dentistry performed with precision and care.

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September 16, 2009

The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth

You know that a smile with missing teeth isn’t esthetically pleasing, but you may not realize just how vitally important a full set of healthy teeth is to oral and overall health. Today, let’s discuss the importance of renewing and replacing teeth.

First, let’s start with some statistics on tooth loss. It has been reported that 69% of adults have lost at least one tooth, and 50 million Americans have lost all of their teeth. I find these numbers staggering. In addition, if a tooth isn’t replaced, up to 20% of adjacent teeth will be lost in the next four 4 to 8 years. Here are some additional things you might not know about missing teeth:

People with incomplete smiles don’t live as long as those with a full set of teeth
Gaps in a smile can cause existing teeth to drift out of position, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease
Jawbone deterioration occurs if a tooth isn’t replaced
Bites can become misaligned and contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, including headaches, earaches, and the inability to fully open and close your mouth

These are just a few of the issues associated with missing teeth. So, as you can see, it’s crucial to replace missing teeth as soon as possible. There are comprehensive therapies that will restore teeth and renew smiles. Dental implants can be used to replace single teeth and to secure dentures and bridges.

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Photo Credit: Investment Realty, Inc.

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September 7, 2009

Steps to Take When You Have a Tooth Knocked Out During a Sporting Activity

Whether participating in basketball, hockey, football, gymnastics or another sporting event, collisions are a common occurrence. With collisions come the all-too-common misfortune of teeth getting knocked out. Undoubtedly, during the post-collision frenzy, coaches, players, and parents scramble to reduce the effects of the trauma. However, what many people don’t know is that when a tooth is knocked out, that tooth can oftentimes be saved.

Before addressing how to save the tooth, it must be clarified that when you have a tooth knocked out, you have a dental emergency and you absolutely must visit your dentist immediately in order to decrease chances of infection and side effects.

There are, however, a few immediate steps that can be followed to increase the chances of both saving your tooth and keeping it for years to come.

Step One: Protect the Root

After you have located your tooth, pick it up from the crown of the tooth. The crown is the portion of the tooth that we see in the mouth. You should not touch the root, as damaging the root will guarantee that you will not be able to save the tooth.

Step Two: Clean the Tooth Carefully

If the tooth is dirty you will need to clean it before it goes back into the socket. Do not use anything but water, salt water, or milk to clean the tooth. Do not dry the tooth, keeping in mind to be very mindful of protecting the root.

Step Three: Replace the Tooth Quickly

Once you have cleaned off the tooth carefully, you can gently place the tooth back into the socket of the mouth. Be very gentle as you are placing it. The highest success rate for replacing teeth is seen within 5-10 minutes. However, you can replace it within 30 minutes of the injury and experience success. While the tooth is not in the socket, it must be kept moist and protected. You will have a better chance of being able to save the tooth if you’ll place it in a glass of milk, a glass of salt water, or gently hold it in your mouth next to your cheek.

Step Four: Go to the Dentist Immediately

Your dentist will know the best way to protect your tooth, replace your tooth, prevent infection, and assign the appropriate treatment for the sensitive area. Visit your dentist immediately for consultation.

Dental injuries are painful, but although the circumstances can be traumatic, the solutions are oftentimes immediate, viable, and practical. Following these steps will not guarantee that you’ll be able to save your tooth, but will provide increase your chances of preserving a tooth that has been knocked out during a sports activity.

As always, many mouth injuries can be prevented with proper use of a sports mouth guard. Please use yours.

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September 3, 2009

Cost of Dental Implants

Surgical procedures for those seeking dental implants come with varying fee structures that are dependent on the implant(s), the extremity of the damage, and the expertise and experience of the implant dentist.

The cost of dental implants is contingent on several factors: the state of the bone, the size of the area, extraction of teeth, and the type of implant. Based on the patient’s mouth and individual case a bone graft and or teeth extractions may or may not be necessary in order to have successful implants.

Cost of a Single Tooth Dental Implant

A single tooth implant could be the result of a variety of instances including: decay, a failed root canal, a fractured tooth, a fall, an accident, or periodontal disease. If the bone is healthy under the area of the missing tooth, then the single tooth dental implant typically ranges between $3,500-$4,950 to replace.

Approximations of Costs:

Dental Implant beneath the gum – $2000-$2300
Abutment that screws to the implant – $450-$650
Porcelain Crown – $1500-$2000

Multi-Teeth Dental Implant Cost

The cost of dental implants when multiple teeth have been knocked out or removed will depend on the size of the area of the missing teeth. Dental implants require certain measurements in order for there to be appropriate room for the implants.

If the teeth are located toward the back of the mouth the implant dentist may be able to put in two dental implants rather than three and save the patient money. However, that can only be determined during a consultation.

The cost for a single tooth replacement typically ranges between $3,500-$4,950 and will be less when replacing multiple teeth.

All Teeth Dental Implant Costs

Cost of Removable Dentures

Removable dentures are the traditional form of denture where the denture must be taken out every time you eat. Removable dentures include: a few positioned dental implants below the gum, a piece to go on top of the implant and a bar to position on top of the gum for the denture to snap into.

Generally, a removable denture costs between $5,500-$16,500.

Cost of Non-Removable Dentures

Non-Removable dentures can be treated as natural teeth as they do not need to be taken out when one eats. The cost for non-removable dentures is $20,000- $27,000 for the implant, buttons and screws to hold the fixed dentures in place.

Additional Costs Associated with Some Implants

Additional costs will be associated with dental implants depending on the state of the teeth and the bone when performing the procedure.

Extraction

If the mouth is full of teeth that need to be replaced, then there will be an extraction cost on top of the cost for the dental implant(s).

Extractions range from $200-$400 per tooth.

Bone Grafting

If all teeth are missing and have been for some time, bone grafts are often needed.

A bone graft can average anywhere from $300-$1,600 depending on the extent of grafting needed.

Sinus Grafting

When the root of the tooth has reached the sinus cavity a sinus graft or lift may be required at an additional cost to the dental implant. The reason for this is to ensure that the sinus cavity is protected when the implant is placed. The implant dentist will determine if there is a need for a dental implant at the time of the consultation.

Sinus grafting and lifts range from $1,500-$3,000.

Dental implants are many times the perfect oral health solution, improving both cosmetic appeal and overall quality of life.

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