During an initial consultation with the physician you’d like to conduct your implant surgery, he or she will determine your candidacy. For those that are physically healthy and currently have the natural teeth in place, dental implants are generally a workable solution. In order to determine candidacy, the dental office will look at two primary areas: overall medical health and the state of the bone in your mouth.
Medical Health for Dental Implants
We have a Medical FAQ sheet that is on the website that lists out specific questions that we have received. In many cases we can work around many medical situations by working with the patient’s physician.
If a patient is taking fosamax or boneva (bisphosponate) the rule of thumb for invasive dental surgery is that you must take a drug holiday. You will need to be off your medication for 8 weeks before surgery then wait another 8 weeks after surgery before starting your medication again. If you have ever been on I. V. medications for bone loss then you may not be a candidate for surgery. Blood work may also be ordered to see your bisphosponate medication level.
Substantial Bone In the Mouth
In order for the implant to secure to the mouth, there must be enough bone where the implants will be placed. If there is not enough bone, this can often times be fixed with bone grafting. What many patients don’t realize is that when a tooth comes out of the mouth, the bone begins to deteriorate. So in order for the dental implant to be placed in natural bone, the implant needs to be placed relatively soon. Click here to learn more about bone grafting.
The most basic form of dental care has always been brushing. However, the effectiveness of brushing will be dependent on the type of toothbrush you are using. Today, we are going to talk about what I would say is the best toothbrush for the proper care of your teeth.
When we were children learning how to brush, most of us were told that we needed to: brush in circular motions, brush for 2 minutes, and be care not to brush too hard. Following each of these directives can be laborious, thus they are often not followed. For this reason, I’ve found that electric toothbrushes are the better solution. There are several types of electric toothbrushes that are good. However, in our office we’ve grown fond of the Sonicare Flexcare toothbrush and in my opinion that is the best toothbrush. There are other toothbrushes that are excellent, but this is my personal preference. Here’s why:
It runs on a two minute timer. You simply turn it on and move it around and it will shut off when you are done.
You don’t have to worry about circular motions. You simply move the brush across the front, back and top of the tooth.
Because the soft bristles are working for you, you aren’t required to put any pressure on the brush, thus the likelihood of hurting your gums lessens.
After the first use you will automatically feel the difference in the way your teeth feel. It has excellent cleaning ability.
As with many products, the best toothbrushes are often a bit more expensive; however, the results of thorough brushing have long term benefits in overall dental expenses. And we all know that a person who is looking for a deal, can usually find one. Many of our readers are from out of the Dallas area, so although we do sell Sonicare at our office, there are also many dental offices that sell them or they can be found online.
Do you have a toothbrush that you have been pleased with that you would say is the best toothbrush? Which toothbrush do you use?
Dental implants are an investment. Although when comparing the cost versus the reward many find to be well worth the expense. Often times when clients are beginning the process of determining their best course of action for teeth replacement their first question is, how long will they last.
The first person to have an implant placed was in 1965 and today, their implant is still in place. Thankfully, we have good news for almost everyone concerning the longevity of dental implants… the statistics are in your favor. The vast majority of dental implants never need to be replaced. In fact, of those that have the implant placed in their original bone, they successfully keep their tooth/ teeth replacement(s) 95% of the time! The success rate goes down slightly when a bone is grafted.
Proper Care of Dental Implants
Proper care will further increase the longevity of your dental implants. Caring for your new teeth properly will include the following:
No Smoking – Alongside the numerous side effects of smoking, it is also known to weaken dental implants. The success rate of implants are great for a non-smoker than a smoker.
Regular Maintenance - Following your dental implant surgery, you will receive cleaning and maintenance instructions. Following all instructions given to you by your implant dentist will increase the longevity of your dental implants.
Regular Appointments – In order to have a successful surgery, regular maintenance is important. Your dentist will prepare you with your professional cleaning and check up schedule.
Dental implants are known to greatly increase the quality of life for those who are in need of teeth replacements, and the results can create a smile that will last a lifetime.
If you struggle with several missing teeth, chances are you’ve considered a traditional dental bridge. The drawbacks of this type of treatment are that dental bridges often fail, either because the supporting teeth are unable to hold the bridge in place or the fixative securing the bridge leaks, causing decay and additional tooth loss. At my Dental Implant Center I recommend an implant-supported bridge over the traditional dental bridge in cases where patients need to securely replace several teeth.
Why choose an implant-supported bridge?
There are many reasons to opt for implants over traditional tooth replacement methods. Regarding dental bridges, the benefits of using dental implants include:
No need to sacrifice surrounding healthy teeth to anchor the bridge. The implants placed into a patient’s jaw mimic a natural tooth’s root, which provides a secure foundation for the restoration. The resulting tooth replacements won’t need anything besides the implants for a long-lasting fit.
The new teeth will look and function like natural teeth, with a patient’s chewing capacity completely restored.
Dental implants stimulate the underlying jaw bone, negating the bone loss usually associated with missing teeth.
The American Dental Association offers tips on increasing oral longevity and caring for your teeth. As you begin the new year, I am going to bullet point some ways for you to care for your teeth.
Brushing
Brush twice a day.
Use a soft bristled brush that is approved by the ADA.
Replace your toothbrush when it frays or every 2-4 months.
If you have trouble brushing, using an electric toothbrush is also effective.
Flossing
You can use either dental floss or interdental cleaners.
Floss once a day.
Water
“Consuming optimally fluoridated water throughout life helps prevent tooth decay no matter how old you are. If you choose bottled water, check the label for fluoride content.”
Dental Visits
Make sure to visit your dentist for all scheduled appointments.
Happy New Year! As you prepare for the New Year, many people are choosing to stop smoking. In an effort to arm you with motivators, we are highlighting the effects of smoking both in dental health and in cosmetic beauty. Many of us are aware of the adverse effect that smoking will have on our overall physical health. However, it’s cosmetic effect on our natural teeth and also on our dental health specifically is extensive. Below we are going to outline the adverse effects of smoking.
Cosmetic Effects
Smoking reduces the production of saliva and saliva is effective in cleaning teeth. Thus, the teeth will begin to be discolored. The discoloration is then increased by the tar that is in tobacco as the residue will linger on the teeth. Also, as smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease increases as well. Smoking is also a cause of chronic bad breath and the loss of teeth.
Health Effects
Saliva is also helpful in preventing tooth decay. Thus, with the lessened production of saliva, tooth decay becomes more rapid. Without the ability to heal itself, all infections in the mouth will worsen.
Infected gums get delayed in healing. Blood flow to the gums is restricted due to smoking. Smoking also diminishes the supply of vital nutrients to the gums. It reduces Vitamin C, which helps the gums to stay healthy. A reduced blood flow and Vitamin C, together delay the treatment of gum diseases in smokers.
As you are planning your New Year’s resolutions, consider giving up smoking and the use of tobacco once and for all. You’ll be glad you did.
During an initial consultation with the physician you’d like to conduct your implant surgery, he or she will determine your candidacy. For those that are physically healthy and currently have the natural teeth in place, dental implants are generally a workable solution. In order to determine candidacy, the dental office will look at two primary areas: overall medical health and the state of the bone in your mouth.
The most basic form of dental care has always been brushing. However, the effectiveness of brushing will be dependent on the type of toothbrush you are using. Today, we are going to talk about what I would say is the best toothbrush for the proper care of your teeth.
Dental implants are an investment. Although when comparing the cost versus the reward many find to be well worth the expense. Often times when clients are beginning the process of determining their best course of action for teeth replacement their first question is, how long will they last.
dental bridges often fail, either because the supporting teeth are unable to hold the bridge in place or the fixative securing the bridge leaks, causing decay and additional tooth loss. At my Dental Implant Center I recommend an 
Smoking reduces the production of saliva and saliva is effective in cleaning teeth. Thus, the teeth will begin to be discolored. The discoloration is then increased by the tar that is in tobacco as the residue will linger on the teeth. Also, as smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease increases as well. Smoking is also a cause of chronic bad breath and the loss of teeth.