Early Dentures

The need for dentures generally stems from the effect of sugar on the teeth, causing tooth decay and eventually the loss of teeth.  During earlier days tooth decay was also resultant from bread.  The milling process of early bread often involved sand.  The sand that was found in the bread would wear on the teeth, causing decay. Due to loss of teeth from both sugars and bread, the earliest replacements were found as early as 700 B.C.

Early dentures were purely cosmetic, as lack of teeth signified poor health and hindered the advancement of an individual professionally, socially and romantically.  Dentures would be taken out of the mouth before eating. It wasn’t until the middle of the 1700s that dentures were made in such a way that the person could eat while they were still in the mouth.

Whereas today porcelain is the primary substance for crafting replacement teeth, in the early days teeth were crafted from human bone or the teeth of other humans or animals.  In fact, it was not uncommon for teeth and bone to be scavenged from the battlefield, quite potentially leading to disease in the denture patient.

When considering early dentures, many think of the famous teeth of George Washington. However, this story is not completely accurate.   Due to the types of medicine that George Washington took, he began losing teeth while in his 20s.  The dentures that he had during his presidency were actually made from hippopotamus ivory, human teeth and carved elephant ivory.

Modern Day Dentures

The most notable implant-related discovery came in 1931 when archeologists working in Honduras found the mandible (lower jaw) of a Mayan woman. The mandible, which researchers consider to be that of a woman in her twenties, had three tooth-shaped seashells inserted into the sockets left by missing teeth. For many years, scientists believe that the shells were part of a burial ritual, but then in 1970, a dental academic, Amadeo Bobbio, found that bone had grown around two of the implants. This led him to the conclusion that the shells served as tooth replacements while the woman was still alive.

Other notable dental implant discoveries include thousand-year-old Egyptian mummies who were discovered with gold wires implanted into their jawbones. A pre-Columbian exhibit showcases skeletons with dental implants made from semi-precious stones. In the Middle East, skeletons were found with ivory implants, and most recently, scientists discovered an iron implant in the jawbone of a Roman soldier.

While ancient implants addressed the cosmetic issue of missing teeth, they probably didn’t function as well as today’s modern implants. Backed by decades of scientific research, modern implants are designed to fuse with the jawbone – a process known as osseointegration. When placed by a skilled implant dentist, modern dental implants give you the power to chew foods again, and they can potentially last for a lifetime.

Call Dr. Fitzgerald’s Plano dental office at (469)814-8304 today to discover the benefits of modern dental implants!

Reasons for Dental Implant Failure
In the event of dental implant failure, there are only a few reasons why that could occur, as failure is uncommon. In most cases when we think of the failure of any surgical implant we might think it is due to an immune reaction or something of that nature. Dental implants generally fail for three reasons: inadequate bone, prosthetic load or infection.

Inadequate Bone
The density of the jaw is the major factor that plays into the success of a dental implant placement.  If there is not enough bone in the area where the implant is placed, failure can occur.

Prosthetic Load
The prosthetic load is when the dental implant cannot support the chewing load. This is often due to improper placement of the implant. Improper placement will cause the biting motion of the person’s mouth to impact the implant. Grinding of the teeth could also cause this. “People with Bruxism, a condition characterized by grinding the teeth at night while sleeping, may not be the ideal candidate for implants.”

Infection
If infection occurs, it is often because of preexisting bacteria in the jawbone. When an implant comes upon this bacteria the patient will get an infection or rejection of the implant.

Existing infection which is found frequently with abscessed teeth may keep the dentist from placing the implant at the same time the teeth are extracted. Placing implants in the presence of infection decreases their success rate.

Although those are some of the facts surrounding dental implant failure, as mentioned, the success rate is 90-95%, still making dental implants a great option for many patients.

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At the Fitzgerald Implant Center, we use the latest technology to provide patients with the best possible implant experience. With a CAT scan and computer software, we minimize surgery time for patients and deliver more predictable results. Patients and caregivers benefit from the advanced planning that CAT scan technology affords.

A CAT scan is a noninvasive medical test that involves X-rays and sophisticated computer software. The CAT scan gives Dr. Fitzgerald high-quality images of the jaw and sinus cavities, revealing details not seen with traditional X-rays. He can transfer the images to a computer monitor to create 3D models that allow him to plan for surgery.

What does this mean for you?

In the past, dentists and oral surgeons could not see the bone tissue prior to placing the implant. This meant that they would have to adapt to the situation and make adjustments during the surgery. With CAT scan technology, Dr. Fitzgerald can plan the treatment in advance. Benefits include:

• Better safety
• Higher predictability
• Less operation time
• Lower costs
• Increased success rate

Whether you’re a patient receiving implants or you’re caring for someone receiving implants, CAT scan technology will improve the overall experience. Spend less time with the doctor, less time in surgery, and more time enjoying your new teeth! We’re proud to offer innovative solutions at our Plano dental office. Call today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our advanced technology and state-of-the-art implant dentistry.

The All-on-4 Procedure has undoubtedly made a difference in the dental implant world, allowing what can be a time-consuming procedure to become less invasive and more feasible for the person with time constraints.

From Nobel Biocare, this quick solution for dental implant placements allows a fixed denture to be placed using only four dental implants.  This placement eliminates the standard healing time that applies to standard dental implant procedures.

Although the All-on-4 procedure is the right decision for many patients, there are drawbacks for this procedure.  Below we have listed both the benefits and drawbacks of the procedure in order to provide you with a thorough overview as you and your implant dentist make the dental implant decision that is right for you.

Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants

• Fewer incisions in the mouth
• Faster recovery time
• Avoids the use of bone graft or nerve transposition techniques
• The costs are lower for the All-on-4 procedure
• Immediate function
• Fixed prosthesis

Drawbacks of All-on-4 Dental Implants

• If one of the dental implants fails, the entire restoration fails.  If this is the case than the procedure will have to be re-done and a more conventional approach using more implants and bone grafting may be required. The success rate for the All-on-4 procedure is 93.5% for the upper jaw and 98% for the lower jaw, which is consistent with standard dental implant procedures.
• All-on-4 can contribute to jaw atrophy in the posterior region of the jaw if used in lieu of conventional implant dentistry. For this reason, the patient will have to be evaluated to ensure that the health of his or her mouth will withstand this procedure.
• Extreme bone loss within the mouth will make this procedure hard to impossible to perform.
• Overweight individuals
• The space available in the mouth will be a determinant if the procedure will work or not.
• Younger or larger framed patients will want to consider a conventional approach using more than four implants to improve long term predictability of their implant prosthesis.
• This procedure has less success in patients who smoke or have a history of periodontal disease.

As we have mentioned in prior posts regarding dental implant systems, the importance of the brand cannot be stressed enough. Dental implant placements will remain in a patient’s mouth for years to come. However, if the brand is not around in twenty years, that could pose serious problems and potentially complications. The most reliable and largest brands on the market are Nobel BioCare and Straumann. Both brands have been in business for over twenty years and are seen as the most stable brands on the market. When looking for an implant dentist, if he or she is using either of these brands, then you will know that you will have a reliable system in place, should you choose to go with that particular implant dentist.

Below is a quick snippet and link to more information on each of the systems.

Nobel BioCare

“Nobel Biocare’s standardized implant portfolio comprises solutions for all indications—from single-tooth to fully edentulous restorations—offering the best possible quality and esthetics to dental professionals and their patients.”

Straumann

“The functionality of our innovations, be it products or treatment methods, relies on a straightforward principle. Everything we offer must meet the following three key requirements: reliability, simplicity and versatility.”

When choosing where to have your dental implants placed consider not only who will perform the surgery, but also consider the facility and the brand being used.

]]> http://www.implantdentistryofdallas.com/blog/2010/03/the-two-major-dental-implant-systems-nobel-biocare-and-straumann/feed/ 1 http://www.implantdentistryofdallas.com/blog/2010/03/top-5-questions-to-ask-your-implant-dentist-part-2/ http://www.implantdentistryofdallas.com/blog/2010/03/top-5-questions-to-ask-your-implant-dentist-part-2/#comments Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:32:14 +0000 derick http://www.implantdentistryofdallas.com/blog/?p=514 In part one of a two part series on the top questions to ask when researching for your dental implants, we discussed brands of dental implants and the number of appointments and length of travel to implant appointments.  In part two we are continuing the discussion by talking about credentials, success rate and the CT scan.

Question #3 – Credentials
What are your credentials?

It’s important to know the credentials of an implant dentist before you agree to have them perform major surgery.  Dental implant credentialing follows the pattern of “Fellow” and “Associate Fellow”.  Implant dentists that have been accredited and have earned credentials from the following places are reliable:

American Academy of Implant Dentistry
International Congress of Oral Implantologists

Question #4 – Success Rate
What is the success rate of your dental implants?

The success rate of dental implants will vary based on the location of the implant placement. Knowing the standard success rate of dental implant placement will help you determine if the implant dentist you are considering is a good selection.

There is no guarantee that an implant procedure will be successful, but studies have shown a five-year success rate of 95% for lower jaw implants and 90% for upper jaw implants.

Question #5 – CT Scan
Do you provide CT Scans or 3D imaging?

According to the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology guidelines, all implant site evaluations should be evaluated with 3D imaging as with a CT scan.  This means that CT scans are a standard of care, thus making them a critical part of the implant procedure.

We trust that this two part series has been helpful for you as you continue to choose the best place for you to have your dental implants placed and your smile renewed.

Click here to view part one’s dental implant questions.

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Question #1 – Brand
What brand of dental implants do you use?  How long has the brand been along?

The brand that your implant dentist uses for your dental implants has little to do with “appearances” and has everything to do with safety.  Each brand uses unique tools to place, adjust and remove dental implants. It is important that the brand that is being used has been around for a long time and is a stable fixture in the dental implant space. This will help to ensure that if 20 years down the road if something goes wrong with your dental implant, you’ll have the tools available to make the needed adjustments.

Question #2 – Appointments and Travel
How many appointments should I expect and how many locations?

Some dental implant centers will appear to be less expensive, but there are extra costs that are not clear up front. For instance, some will refer the patient to separate offices to get scans, x-rays, and dental molds.  Extra trips to various facilities can incur additional costs, not to mention hassle.

In part two of this series we’ll discuss credentials, success rate and the CT scan.

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What are my options to replace missing teeth?

Your specific options will depend on a variety of factors, including the condition of neighboring teeth, gum tissue, and bone tissue. At my office, I will perform a comprehensive exam to learn which option is best suited to your circumstances. In general, patients can choose from crown and bridgework, removable partials or dentures, and dental implants.

Let’s review each option:

Crown and bridgework – Also called a fixed bridge, crown and bridgework relies on healthy, neighboring teeth to support a replacement tooth. This is a popular option for patients who want a fixed restoration. While crown and bridgework does provide a natural-looking solution, it does not address the issue of bone loss that results from missing teeth. Gradually, the bone tissue deteriorates, increasing the risk of additional loss. Studies show that patients with crown and bridgework are likely to lose 10% of remaining teeth in the next 4 to 8 years.

Removable partials or dentures – Removable partials and dentures contain artificial teeth on a gum-colored, acrylic base. Partials are anchored to remaining teeth with clasps or brackets. Dentures rest on the gum tissue and can be secured with denture adhesives. Removable dentures often prove uncomfortable and cause difficulty eating and chewing. They also contribute to soft- and hard-tissue deterioration. Studies show that patients who wear removable partials are likely to lose 30% of remaining teeth in the next 4 to 8 years.

Dental implants – Dental implants consist of a small, titanium screw inserted in to the jaw bone. The screw replaces the tooth root, thereby preventing the bone loss that accompanies missing teeth. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement that exists independently of healthy teeth. This makes them an ideal long-term solution that does not increase the occurrence of future tooth loss. Dental implants have maintained a 98% success rate over the past 25 years.

Dr. Fitzgerald is a cosmetic and implant dentist serving Plano and Dallas. Call 469-914-8304 to schedule a consultation and learn if dental implants are right for you.

Recently, there has been an increase in insurance coverage for dental implants, as many health insurance companies have recognized that dental insurance for implants leads to better nutritional health for patients and is a resolution to traumatic events. However, a dentist must have policies in place that best promote aid in providing dental insurance for implants.

Increase Your Chances of Insurance Coverage

A clear, detailed diagnosis. Insurance coverage will always require clear details on the reason for the request for dental implants. The details of the diagnosis will have to clearly lead to the conclusion of a dental implant procedure.

Proper Coding. Dental insurance coverage for dental implants is never guaranteed, but proper coding will increase chances greatly. The dental implant center in which you are having your work done will need to be up-to-date on all new codes in order to code the procedures correctly and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.

Traumatic Events. Trauma related incidents will always be covered by medical insurance. In order to be covered, these events need to be reported to the ER within 24 hours.

Diabetes. Diabetic patients will be covered by most medical insurance for dental implants, depending on your benefits. However, patients will need to provide a full diabetic history from their physician.

An ideal dental office will be in a position where they can do the research necessary to help patients be able to afford the treatments they need. However, there is never a coverage guarantee until all forms have been filed and processed. We can; however, submit a predetermination letter to a patient’s insurance company detailing the cost of the treatment needed. The insurance company will generally reply in a few weeks with what they are estimated to pay for the procedures. Since many insurance companies will not cover implants, this will help eliminate the element of surprise.