Showing posts with label dental bridges. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dental bridges. Show all posts

Friday, March 5, 2010

Dental Implants in Just One Hour


Dental implants may be a better alternative for denture wearers. The problem is that implants take a very long time to complete and can be very expensive. Since most insurance plans do not cover the expense, most individuals in the past have turned to dentures and bridges to replace lost teeth.


Implants start at around $500 and can go up to $6,000 per tooth. Most implants will cost between $1,200 and $2,000. There are reasons why the cost could go up, so you will want to choose a dentist familiar with many restorative options.

Usually, anyone that can undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for an implant. Patients will need healthy gums and enough bone to hold the abutment that attaches to the crown. Patients with diabetes, heart disease or other chronic disorders need to be evaluated on an individual basis.

There are several types of dental implants and some procedures can take up to nine months with two surgeries. Recent advances have made the process much quicker.

Source: Dental Implants Procedures in One Hour

Previous Posts:
Family Dentistry & Regular Dental Checkup
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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Family Dentistry & Regular Dental Checkup


It takes a special kind of dentist to be able to handle the dental care needs of children, teens, adults and seniors, but that is just what family dentists do every day. With all of the hustle and bustle of a busy family’s schedule, having one dentist for the whole family can make life a little easier.


Family Dentistry Services:
Many people use the terms “general dentistry” and “family dentistry” interchangeably. While general and family dentists typically perform the same types of dental procedures, family dentists place more emphasis on helping children, teens, adults and elderly patients feel comfortable and welcome.

Family dentists work to ensure that patients of all ages have healthy teeth and gums. A wide range of services can help to meet this goal, including:
  • Check-ups, which encompass teeth cleaning, plaque and tartar removal, examinations to detect dental problems and oral cancer screenings
  • Treatment for tooth cavities, incorporating either metal or porcelain fillings
  • Treatment and prevention for gum disease, ranging from the early stages (gingivitis) to the more severe form (periodontal disease)
  • Root canals to help save infected teeth
  • Tooth extractions if the tooth is too infected or decayed to save or other oral surgery care
  • Options to replace missing teeth or strengthen decayed or damaged teeth, including dental bridges, crowns and implants
  • Dental sealants to help protect teeth from cavity development
Not all family dentists are specially trained to provide the same services. When choosing a family dentist, it is advisable to check the dentist’s credentials, training and expertise to ensure that all, or most, of your family’s dental needs can be met by one individual.

Oral Hygiene and Family Dentists:
It is especially important for parents to be a positive role model for children when it comes to dental hygiene. Family dentists educate parents on the proper ways to brush, floss and maintain a healthy lifestyle so the parents can pass this information on to their children.

Family dentist offices are usually geared toward making dental health information fun for children and teens, and often these offices have entertaining toys, movies or music to make the entire dental visit enjoyable for kids.

Recommended Timeframe for Dental Visits:
It is recommended that people visit the dentist every six months for a dental check-up. This timeframe between visits is usually covered by dental insurance carriers to encourage preventative dental care. The American Dental Association also recommends that parents bring a child in for his or her first dental visit after the first tooth has erupted or by the child’s first birthday. This first visit will help the dentist evaluate the child’s teeth and become familiar with the child early on so the dentist can follow his or her dental progression.

Some family dentists wait until the child has turned 3 years of age before beginning to clean and X-ray the teeth.

Sedation and Family Dentistry:
Regardless of how fun the dentist’s office is, many people, adults and children alike, are simply too afraid to go through with dental visits. In these cases, sedation dentistry is an option that is provided by many family dentists. Sedation in a dentist office setting can take various forms, including:
  • Oral taken before the appointment, like Valium
  • Inhalation given during the appointment, like nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
  • Intravenous administered during the appointment by an anesthesiologist
Source: Family Dentistry

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Get Perfect Smile For Adult Orthodontics

Friday, February 5, 2010

Get Perfect Smile For Adult Orthodontics


Orthodontics was once reserved for teens and preteens, but today over one third of orthodontic patients are adults. Today there are many options available to adults if they want to improve their smile, and the appearance of their teeth. The options available for adults include: invisible braces, porcelain veneers, and crowns. These options address specific issues, but all have adult lifestyle and needs in mind.


When the straightening of the teeth is the main concern then braces, invisible braces, or porcelain veneers may be suitable for adults. Making a determination on which of these approaches will be the best choice depends on the severity of the problem. For slight misalignment invisible braces or porcelain veneers may be the best choice.

If the misalignment of teeth is severe, then fixed braces, including invisible or porcelain types, may be more effective to address the correction of misaligned teeth. If fixed braces are needed they will have to be worn anywhere from one to three years to straighten teeth properly. These braces will need to be in place every day for the first year, and then a retainer can be used at night for the remaining amount of time.

Teeth that are only slightly misaligned can be corrected using invisible braces that are either tooth colored, or clear and removable. This helps to avoid situations where adults may be embarrassed by a mouth full of braces, and somewhat hides the fixtures. The degree of misalignment for teeth that can be effective treated with these braces is slight to moderate.

Adults that did not have an opportunity to straighten their teeth when they were young now have the opportunity as an adult. There are many options for the adult wishing to straighten out their teeth, and improve their smile. Their choice of treatment will depend on their personal needs, and the severity of the misalignment. A good first step is to schedule a visit with an orthodontist for an examination and recommendation of treatment.

Source: Adult Orthodontics: It Is Never Too Late To Achieve A Straight Smile

Previous Posts:
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No Dental Fear For Anxious Patients & Nervous Patients: Sedation Dentistry
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Reasons & Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Reasons & Causes of Tooth Discoloration


Latest Dental News: Dental Resorption


It is almost impossible to maintain your teeth well enough to have a naturally dazzling white smile throughout your lifetime. There are many reasons why this is unattainable, and many of the factors involved are not related to the kinds of food you eat on a daily basis.

“Many of my patients don’t realize that stained or discolored teeth is not just a result of drinking coffee too much or smoking,” says Dr. Dennis Ikuta, a cosmetic dentist in Reedley, California. “There are many causes of stained or discolored teeth, including genetics, medications, and diseases in addition to foods, drinks, and tobacco use.”

Genetics, Aging and Tooth Enamel
For some people, genetics have a major role in why their teeth are not as naturally bright or white as other people. Just as your DNA determines your eye and hair color, it also determines the color of your enamel. If your parents have naturally bright white or yellow teeth, chances are that you will have a similar shade.

Aside from the natural shade of your enamel, there are other genetically predisposed factors that can contribute to the discoloration of your teeth. Enamel defects like microscopic pits, fissures. and other surface abnormalities can make the teeth susceptible to the accumulation of staining foods, drinks, or tobacco. When your enamel naturally wears down with age, the yellow-colored tooth structure underneath will also begin to show through.

A genetic salivary dysfunction can also contribute to staining because saliva is a key component in naturally removing plaque and food debris from your tooth surfaces. If you do not produce as much saliva as you should, your first line of defense against staining is greatly weakened, and you will need to greatly accelerate your dental hygiene routine to avoid staining.

Diseases and Medications that Affect Your Teeth
Many diseases and daily medications for common ailments can have an affect on the color of your teeth over time. There are diseases that can directly cause tooth discoloration (like enamel diseases) and there are diseases that can indirectly cause discoloration through their affect on your dental health or the medications you must take to control their symptoms.

For example, the onset of diabetes can cause your periodontal (gum) health to deteriorate more rapidly than for those without the disease. When your periodontal health is compromised, the bacteria, plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth increases, eventually leading to stains.

Many medications also increase tooth discoloration. Common anti-psychotic, anti-depressants, and acne medications such as tetracycline cause discoloration of the teeth. In addition, medications that dry out your mouth can lead to discoloration because they affect the amount of saliva helping to naturally wash away food particles from your mouth.

The Solution: Professionally Whitening Your Teeth
If your teeth are stained due to any of the reasons mentioned above, you may be a good candidate for professional tooth whitening. Depending on the cause of your stained teeth, your cosmetic dentist may recommend professionally whitening your teeth in an office environment or using an at-home whitening kit. You will need to tell your cosmetic dentist if you suffer from a disease or take a medication that has impacted your dental health. This information is critical in determining the best long-term tooth whitening strategy for you.

Contact an experienced cosmetic dentist near you today if you would like to gain or restore a dazzling white smile. No matter what the cause of your stained or discolored teeth, a cosmetic dentist will help you find a tooth whitening solution for you.

Source: The Different Causes of Tooth Discoloration

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Wakefield Cosmetic Dentistry, Opticians in Wakefield
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Sunday, January 10, 2010

Dental Implants & Bone Grafting

Latest Dental News: Dental Implants & Bone Grafting

Many dental patients suffer from discomfort, sore spots and even gaps when using bridges or dentures. Dental implants are a permanent solution for permanent tooth loss. A dental team made of an oral surgeon, periodontist and general practitioner dentist will decide on the best course of action for the patient’s individual needs. The patient’s overall health and dental history is reviewed and several diagnostic tests are taken to determine if the patient has adequate bone density to hold the implants.

If the team finds it necessary to build up the bone before the implant surgery, the patient will undergo a bone grafting procedure first. Bone grafting is a common procedure for patients suffering from periodontal disease and for dental implant candidates.

Bone Grafting Sources
Replacing missing bone or adding to existing bone is essential for an implant patient with inadequate bone density. There are several material sources available for the bone grafting procedure. The best source is from the implant patient. Material is collected from other areas within the mouth through a suction apparatus during the drilling process for the implants. Sometimes, bones are taken from outside of the mouth such as the hip. If the surgery involves removing material from the hip, the procedure will be done in a hospital by an orthopedic surgeon.

Another common source is from cadavers. The bone is retrieved from a bone bank that has tested it thoroughly to be sure its disease-free. The procedure is very safe and very effective for patients suffering from bone loss. If natural bone isn’t the right fit, other optional materials include synthetic bone, animal bones, coral and biocompatible polymers.

Bone Grafting Procedures
There are several different bone grafting procedures:

• Sinus Grafting – the donor bone is inserted into the floor of the sinus membrane, which is the roof of the upper jaw. This procedure strengthens the egg shell thin wall of bone left behind after upper teeth are removed

• Block Bone Grafting – a block of bone is removed from one area of the patient and screwed into the area where the implants are to be placed. It takes four to six months for the new bone to integrate with the jaw bone

• Guided Tissue Regeneration – when a dentist creates a surgical hole, the soft gum tissue grows quickly over the hole blocking the bone. A membrane barrier is placed over the surgical hole to prevent unwanted gum growth. The membrane is removed later or absorbed by the body

• Bone Expansion – the walls of the bone is stretched or widened to accommodate the implant

• Socket Preservation Grafting – a donor bone is inserted into the tooth socket after tooth removal and takes four to six months to completely heal.

Source: Bone Grafting for Implants

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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Advantages of Teeth Inlays, Onlays & Teeth Fillings

Latest Dental News: Amalgam & White Fillings

If your teeth are damaged or decayed, there is an option to restore health and beauty to your smile.

Dental inlays and onlays are restorations used to repair rear teeth that have mild to moderate tooth decay; they are also used to restore teeth that are fractured or cracked if the damage to them is not severe enough to warrant a dental crown. Inlays and onlays are usually made from porcelain, composite resin and sometimes gold. Inlays and onlays are often used to replace metal fillings for those who desire a more natural-looking smile.

Inlays
Inlays are used to treat teeth that have decay or damage on their top surfaces. Inlay placement is usually done over the space of two visits to your cosmetic dentist. During the first visit, an impression of your tooth will be taken, and a temporary inlay will be placed on the tooth. The impression will be sent to a dental lab where your inlay will be matched to your tooth's specifications. When you return to the dentist, your temporary will be removed and the permanent one will be placed over your tooth.

Onlays
Onlays are used to treat decay that extends to one or more of the cusps (top projections of the tooth). Onlays are placed in much the same manner as inlays with an impression being taken first and a temporary onlay being placed over the tooth. The impression is sent to a lab, where a dental technician creates the onlay according to the tooth's dimensions. One the next visit to the dentist, the temporary is removed and the permanent restoration is placed on the tooth and bonded securely using high-strength dental resins.

Onlays, like inlays, can be created from tooth-colored material, which makes them virtually undetectable to the naked eye. Onlays conserve more tooth structure because their use requires minimal removal of a tooth's surface. Onlays also help patients avoid the eventual need for more extensive treatment with crowns, bridges, or dental implants.

Advantages
Since inlays and onlays are made from durable, tooth-colored porcelain typically, they offer much more enduring and natural-looking results than the metal fillings used in the past. Dentists can securely bond them to the tooth's surface, which adds structural integrity and prevents bacteria from entering and forming cavities.

Additional advantages are:
  • Inlays and onlays, unlike metal fillings, will not expand or contract in response to temperature changes caused by hot/cold foods.
  • Inlays and onlays can replace metal fillings creating a healthier more natural-looking smile.
  • Inlays and onlays are virtually invisible due to being made from tooth-colored material.
  • Inlays and onlays help strengthen the teeth up to 75%.
Source: Restore Teeth with Inlays and Onlays

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Jaw Pain, Headache & Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Treatments

Monday, November 23, 2009

Facts & Difference Between Colored Dental Fillings & Silver Fillings


Latest Dental News: Dental amalgam is safe, but needs warning on product label

A silver glint in your smile reveals a great deal about your dental history. When you have a cavity, cosmetic dentists use fillings to support and protect the tooth from further decay. For many years, silver amalgam fillings have been the filling of choice. Recently, however, more and more patients have been choosing composite resin or tooth-colored fillings because of their attractiveness and durability.

Silver vs. Tooth-Colored

Silver amalgam contains approximately 35% silver, traces of tin and zinc, and approximately 50% mercury. Mercury is thought to be toxic to humans, and, in the past, has caused some concern in the dental field. This concern has sparked a controversy over the safety of the metal fillings used in the last two decades.

The American Dental Association (ADA) has deemed the much-relied-upon alloy as harmless; however, the ADA warns that those with allergies or a weakened immune system should avoid it.

However, many dentists remain unconvinced of mercury’s safety, arguing that mercury vapor gradually escapes from the filling endangering the patient.

According to dentists, mercury poisoning has been linked to a number of other health problems, including:

· Reduced excretion of porphyrins, which promote oxygen transport in the blood
· A buildup of mercury in various glands in the body
· Sleep disturbances
· Gastrointestinal problems
· Memory problems
· A possible contributory factor to Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and Alzheimer's Disease

Silver amalgam fillings have also been known to expand over time, which can sometimes cause teeth to crack causing discomfort and a need for further dental work.

Resin (tooth-colored) fillings involve none of these health risks. They do not expand or damage the tooth. Instead, they are bonded to the tooth, providing strength and support. The resin is composed of a material similar to that used in dental bonding, another procedure that supports tooth structure.

Resin fillings also require less removal of the original tooth to make room for the filling and are considered a less radical alteration to the natural tooth.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Rather than making teeth look healthy and pristine, silver fillings can checker them with a patchwork of repairs. Often, a grayish color can leak from the filling to the surrounding tooth, worsening the appearance. This is especially noticeable if the cavity affects one of the front teeth. “Resin fillings are becoming the norm,” says Dr. Kevin B. Sands, a Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, “They are better for you and much better-looking.”

With composite resin fillings, people will not even know that you have fillings. The resin mimics the color and translucency of your teeth. The resulting smile is as white and brilliant as it is strong.

Resin fillings cost a bit more, about $150 to $200 per filling, but often the extra expense is covered by insurance. When it comes to dental health, the least expensive option can become more expensive in the long run. Resin fillings last up to ten years before needing replacement.

If you currently have silver amalgam fillings, replacing them with resin composite fillings is a relatively simple procedure.

Source: Tooth-Colored Fillings

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Teeth Sensitivity And Dental Care: Treatments And Guideliness

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Causes & Facts About Dentophobia, Dental Anxiety


Latest Dental News: Piled up plaque may turn out to be harmful for heart

Dentists have been traditionally feared by many because of their nasty reputation. Reputation rather than anything else is actually responsible why many people fear a trip to the dentist. If you get seriously tensed up at just the thought of visiting a dentist, you are most likely to be suffering from Dental Anxiety or Dentophobia which is the fear of receiving dental care or the dentist himself. People affected with dental anxiety might get filled with a deep sense of insecurity and fear when they visit a dentist.

Quite a majority of the people, around 75% suffer from varying degrees of dental anxiety. Around 20% of these will only visit a dentist if they just have to as in case of extreme pain or emergencies. It is however natural to feel a little anxious before a dentist appointment.

This article discusses the causes of dental anxiety.

1. Embarrassment: Many people are embarrassed at the condition of their mouth and are worried about how the dentist will react after seeing their teeth. They think they have the worst set of teeth in the world. Be assured that dentists see such cases on a daily basis. It’s their job to help you overcome such conditions.

2. Prior Experiences: These can be the most powerful reason for the fear of dentists. A person with a bad past experience might strongly oppose the idea of ever visiting a dentist again. Although bad experience is a valid reason for fearing something, it might be worthwhile to have a check on why you had a bad experience. If your visit has been quite a few years back, be informed that dentistry is a constantly developing field and old methods have been replaced by painless advanced methods.

You might have had a really bad experience while undergoing a procedure and you hate your dentist after that. What you don’t realize that there were 10 other people the same day that got treated by the same dentist with out any problem. You just happened to have a bad day. Just as if you were driving and had a crash, you wouldn't quit driving because you know you just had a bad day and it doesn't happen all the time.

3. Immediate surroundings: If you fear the dentist, it is very likely that you passed this on to your children as well. This is because children learn by what they see. If they see you fearing the dentist, obviously they would too. Not just parents, children can imbibe such a fear from any one close to them such as relatives, friends.

4. Others experience: We often tend to relate to emotions of others. If your best friend had a terrible encounter with a particular dentist and cried in front of you for the same, you will be definitely affected by such an incident. Or simply if someone close to had a painful ordeal while undergoing a RCT and told you and your dentist informed you in your next appointment that you should get an RCT done, its highly likely you would want to run away from your dentist.

5. Dentist’s fault: Some dentists remain insensitive towards the patients and this can immensely affect a patients opinion especially kids. Dentists ought to know that not the treatment itself is part of their profession but also caring and making the patient comfortable. Mocking at the patient or making insensitive comments directed at the patients is also responsible for people developing hate for the dentist.

6. The Instruments: Some people are driven nuts just at the site of "The drill". Although, it does appear intimidating the drill is not actually painful. In many cases, you are given an anesthetic which makes you insensitive to any possible pain. Besides this, there is an advanced alternative to the drill which is known as laser dentistry. A few dentists trained in laser dentistry offer this.

The best advice to people suffering from dental anxiety is to visit a dentist who expertises in treating such patients.

Dentistry is not about giving pain to you but preventing any pain to you.

Source: The 6 Main Causes of Dental Anxiety (Dentophobia)

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Monday, July 6, 2009

Cosmetic Dentistry: Transform the Shape of Your Smile

Latest Dental News:What is Endodontics?

A smile makeover - another term for cosmetic dentistry - involves one or more of a range of dental procedures, such as teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, white fillings, orthodontics, gum reshaping, and dental bridges. In fact, many cosmetic dentists also offer facial rejuvenation such as Botox. Together, these treatments can transform the shape of your smile, bringing huge psychological and relationship benefits.

The British are known for having "bad teeth", but it is a stereotype we're fast outgrowing. Famous Brits who've undergone cosmetic dentistry include Anne Robinson, David Bowie, Noel Gallagher, and the Prime Minister Gordon Brown. But these days, cosmetic dentistry is not limited just to the rich and famous. More and more people are turning to cosmetic dentistry to improve their looks and help their self-esteem.

Below is a list of popular cosmetic dentistry treatments and a brief outline of what they involve.

Bonding involves coating the teeth in a special composite agent to restore shape and colour.

Botox injections help recreate a more youthful appearance on the face, reducing expression lines around the eyes, forehead, lips, and cheeks, as well as correcting facial scars. The results last up to four months.

Bridges are used to replace missing teeth. Under a local anaesthetic, the two surrounding teeth are trimmed away at the top, and a mould is made of the gaps. A bridge - made up of one whole tooth and caps for the two supporting teeth - is cemented in place and will last for up to ten years.

CEREC is a hi-tech alternative to dental putty (which is used to make impressions of your teeth). A sophisticated camera sends a 3D image to an onsite milling machine, which produces a new crown or veneer from a ceramic block. CEREC is fast and eliminates the need for dental moulds and temporary fittings.

Crowns strengthen damaged or broken teeth to preserve their function. They are also known as caps because they sit over the existing tooth.

Dental implants are artificial replacements for the root part of a tooth that has succumbed to trauma or decay. An implant is anchored into a pre-drilled socket in the jaw bone to support a crown, bridge, or denture. They are made from titanium for strong support.

Dentures are removable teeth for people that have lost some, or all, of their natural teeth. These days they look very realistic and are comfortable to wear. Held in place by the natural suction of your gums, a fixative may also be used if you prefer.

Gum reshaping is a treatment offered by a cosmetic dentist for people who worry they show too much gum when they smile. The treatment involves trimming away excess gum tissue with a laser, giving an immediate and permanent result.

Invisalign braces are clear plastic braces used to straighten teeth. This revolutionary alignment system is moulded for an exact fit, and worn for at least 22 hours a day, for 6-18 months.

Lumineers are ultra-thin veneers which cover gaps between teeth and improve the appearance of worn or discoloured teeth.

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that covers straightening and alignment of teeth. Treatments require patients to wear braces or retainers over many months to gradually bring teeth into the desired position.

Teeth whitening is a process used by a cosmetic dentist to remove stains from the teeth and bleaching them to further enhance the colour. The best results come from a combination of in-surgery treatments and home whitening kits.

Veneers are a popular choice to transform crooked, stained, and damaged teeth into perfect pearly whites. It involves cementing a wafer thin shell (made from porcelain, ceramic or a composite bonding agent) over the top of the tooth.

Source: Cosmetic Dental Treatments

 

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