Patient Education

When your mouth is filled with bacteria, it is possible their toxins allow a continuous stream of poisons to enter your system. If this bacteria reaches your arteries, it may cause the same kind of irritation affecting your mouth and gums. This can result in a buildup of protective plaque which can harden, thus restricting blood flow. Insufficient blood flow can cause you to have a heart attack, and loosened arterial plaque can travel through the bloodstream, reach your brain, and cause a stroke.

What are my replacement options?

The most popular options are partials, bridges, and implants. Each provides many benefits to your health, including a renewed smile. As the most modern option, dental implants often provide the best long-term results.

Removable Partials

This replacement option attaches to surrounding teeth to fill in gaps left by missing teeth. It carries the weight of the replacement teeth, but because the tooth root is not replaced, the jawbone begins to atrophy. This may cause discomfort and increased tooth sensitivity. According to a study conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA), removable partials actually cause patients to lose up to 30% more teeth. While this is a popular option because it is the least expensive, in the long run it may actually cause you to spend more time and money replacing additional teeth.

Fixed Bridges

This treatment option requires reduction of abutment teeth so they can be properly fitted with crowns. Your replacement tooth is secured to the crowns and creates a bridge between the two teeth. Like a removable partial, this option does not actually replace the tooth’s root, so the jawbone begins to change. A dental bridge lasts about 10 years, and after this time, the surrounding teeth may begin to decay and require root canal therapy. Patients with fixed bridges may lose up to 10% of their remaining teeth, according to the ADA.

Dental Implants

Often considered the ideal tooth-replacement option, a dental implant replaces a tooth’s root as well as the crown. It is independent of adjacent teeth, so it keeps the jawbone strong. In addition, it does not increase tooth decay or sensitivity. This treatment option has a reported success rate of 95 to 98% and can be used to secure partials, bridge work, or dentures into place. With proper oral-hygiene habits, dental implants can last for a lifetime.

Are dental implants right for me?

You must be in good health and have adequate bone structure to receive dental implants. Our team will work with you to determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment option. Minor pre-operatory procedure like sinus and bone grafts may be necessary to prepare you for implant surgery.

In 1931, the most notable implant discovery was made when an archaeologist in Honduras found the jaw of a Mayan woman thought to be in her twenties. This bone contained three tooth-shaped seashells inserted into the sockets that once held teeth. At first, it was believed these shells were inserted after the woman had died, but in 1970, another scientist discovered the bone had grown around the seashells, meaning they were placed when the woman was alive — as tooth replacements.

The practice of inserting dental implants was not exclusive to South and Central America. Ancient Egyptian mummies have been unearthed with gold wires implanted in their jawbones. In addition, skeletons with ivory implants have been found in the Middle East. Perhaps most recently, anthropologists have discovered an iron implant in the jawbone of a Roman soldier.

Swedish orthopedic surgeon Per-Ingvar Brånemark is considered to be the father of the modern dental implant. He made his implant discovery in the mid-1960s. He was researching bone healing and discovered bone tissue would fuse to titanium in a process called osseointegration. In the years following, he performed experiments and published studies, eventually commercializing implants in 1978. Millions of implants are placed under this name today, and even more implant companies have used his patent.

Given the popularity of modern dental implants, it is hard to believe they have been around for just over 40 years. However, the 95-98% success rate is no surprise, considering implants as we know them were thousands of years in the making.

If we do find a cause for concern, we will perform a deep cleaning, as well as suggest changes in your at-home oral healthcare routine. A deep cleaning involves:

• Scaling to remove tartar from below the gum line
• Root planing to smooth rough root surfaces where plaque builds up
• Antibiotic treatment to kill bacterial infection

In addition to checking for gum disease and oral cancer, you dentist will check each tooth for any signs of decay or cracks. We will also check to make sure any of your old dental work is holding up and replace crowns, fillings, inlays, and onlays as needed with tooth-colored alternatives.

The Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings

By attending these regular visits, you can reduce your risk for larger dental problems. For instance, if you leave a small cavity untreated, it can cause further decay which can destroy the affected tooth and spread to surrounding teeth. A cracked or chipped tooth can break off or cause pain and create additional problems. In addition, oral cancer causes more than 7,500 deaths each year, and advanced gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss for American adults. When treated early, each of these diseases and ailments can be controlled. Children as young as two should visit the dentist, and by age four or five, a child should attend regular cleanings.