Good Candidates for Dental Implants

May 15th, 2012 Posted in Dental Implants
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If you have one or more missing teeth, dental implants may be an excellent tooth replacement option for you.  The many advantages that dental implants offer compared to other tooth replacement alternatives such as dentures and bridges have made dental implants one of the most popular tooth replacement alternatives available.

Your dentist or oral surgeon will perform a full examination and consultation to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants.  Fortunately, most patients are good candidates for implants.  As their name suggests, dental implants are surgically implanted in the patient’s jaw and the main requirement is that the patient has a sufficient amount of bone in their jaw to firmly anchor the implant.

Patients whose teeth have been missing for a long time may not have sufficient bone for a dental implant.  When a tooth is lost, bone loss in the jaw begins because the biting and chewing pressure on the tooth no longer stimulates bone production in that area of the jaw.

Patients who have had full or partial dentures for extended periods of time may have lost too much bone for a successful dental implant.  Fortunately, your oral surgeon can restore lost bone through bone grafting to allow for placement of a dental implant.

Other factors that may prevent a patient from being a good implant candidate include exposure to high doses of radiation and chronic illness such as uncontrolled diabetes, hemophilia, or a compromised immune system.  If you have any of these conditions, talk to you dentist or oral surgeon.  Depending on the severity of your condition, you may still be a good candidate for dental implants.

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Advantages of Dental Implants Compared To A Fixed Bridge

May 15th, 2012 Posted in Dental Implants
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Many Americans are missing one or more teeth, especially older Americans.  Dental implants are a relatively recently developed tooth replacement alternative that offers many advantages over traditional tooth replacement options such as a fixed bridge.

With dental implants, a metal base is surgically implanted in the patient’s jawbone.  After allowing a few months for the bone to heal, a natural looking prosthetic tooth is permanently attached to the implant.  The result is a replacement tooth that looks and feels like a natural tooth.

A fixed bridge is placed by attaching it to the healthy teeth adjacent to the missing tooth.  The adjacent teeth are prepared by removing some of the enamel surface to allow the bridge to be placed.  The bridge itself is similar to two crowns that have a prosthetic tooth supported between them.  The bridge is attached to the two adjacent teeth and the prosthetic tool fills the space left by the missing tooth.

One drawback to a bridge is the necessity of removing the enamel from the healthy teeth.  A bridge is also not as strong as a dental implant because two teeth bear the load of the missing tooth.  In addition, a bridge will only last about 10 to 15 years before it will need to be replaced.

A dental implant is initially more expensive than a bridge, but it will last a lifetime which makes it the more cost effective solution for most patients.  In addition, a dental implant requires surgery that is not necessary for a bridge.  Dental implants take longer to place than a bridge.  From start to finish, it can take six months to a year to place a dental implant.  Finally, unlike a bridge, a dental implant does not damage adjacent teeth.

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Dentures or Dental Implants?

May 15th, 2012 Posted in Dental Implants
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Dentures and dental implants are both alternatives for replacing missing teeth. Each has advantages and disadvantages that should be taken into consideration when choosing which is the best option for you.

Millions of Americans are missing one or more teeth.  In fact, a quarter of Americans over the age to 60 have no natural teeth left at all.  Dentures have traditionally been one of the most widely used options for replacing missing teeth, especially if the patient was missing all or most of their upper and lower teeth.

Partial dentures are removeable an use a wire to attach to neighboring teeth for support.  Full dentures rely on temporary adhesive to stay in place and are removed nightly for cleaning.  Dentures can be uncomfortable to wear and can move around which causes problems with eating and speaking.  They tend not to have a very natural appearance.

Dental implants are a more recently developed tooth replacement option in which a titanium device is implanted into the patient’s jawbone.  After the jawbone has healed around the implant, a prosthetic tooth similar to a porcelain crown is permanently attached to the implant.  Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or all of the patient’s teeth.

Dental implants are much more firmly attached than dentures.  Dental implants look and feel just like natural teeth.  In addition, bone stimulation from biting and chewing stops the bone loss in the jaw that is common with dentures.

However, some patients are not good candidates for dental implants.  The patient must have sufficient bone structure to support the implant.  In addition, dental implants have a higher initial cost than dentures.  However, they are a permanent, durable tooth replacement solution and over time may actually cost less than dentures.

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Are Root Canals Painful?

May 15th, 2012 Posted in Root Canals
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A root canal is a dental procedure used to preserve a tooth that has become infected.  The root canal is the area in the center of the tooth where the nerve and pulp are located.  When these become infected, a root canal procedure is performed to remove the infected tissue and seal the area.

For adult teeth, the nerve is not necessary for the health of the tooth.  The tooth itself is unaffected by the removal of the nerve and pulp.  By removing the infected material, the spread of the infection is stopped and the tooth can be saved.  If left untreated, the infection will spread to nearby tissue and cause more serious problems such as an abscess and loss of the tooth.

Root canals have earned a reputation for being painful and uncomfortable.  In the past, this may have been true but due to improvements in anesthetic injection technique and the development of sedation dentistry, a root canal should not be any more uncomfortable than any other dental procedure such as a filling.

Part of the problem was that the presence of the infection makes the tooth and the area around the tooth a little more sensitive.  In addition, the infection reduces the effectiveness of the anesthetic.  Dentists have learned to give the anesthetic a little more time to work and to give the patient additional anesthetic if the numbing is incomplete.

In addition, anxiety about pain increases sensitivity to pain.  Patients who are anxious about the procedure are likely to have heightened sensitivity to pain. Dentists now know to use sedatives when appropriate to help patients relax and to reduce pain sensitivity.  It is normal for the tooth to be sore for a few days after the root canal.  This discomfort can usually be controlled by over the counter pain relievers.

Your root canal should be a comfortable and pain free dental experience.  If you experience pain or discomfort during the procedure, be sure to make your dentist aware of the problem so that he or she can take appropriate action to relieve the pain.

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Unable to Get Numb

May 15th, 2012 Posted in Sedation Dentistry
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For most dental patients, local anesthetics like Novocain that numb the area where the procedure will be performed provide complete numbing and as a result, the patient experiences little or no pain during the dental procedure.  However, a small percentage of dental patients have difficulty getting numb or cannot get numb at all.  If you are one of these patients, don’t put off getting the dental care you need.  There are options available to address any situation and putting off dental care will only make matters worse.

One possible cause of this phenomenon is that some dentists simply have poor numbing technique.  Numbing a tooth is more than just injecting anesthetic next to the tooth.  It has to be done properly to be effective and some dentists are better at it than others.  Giving the right amount of anesthetic in the right place and waiting for it to work can help.

Also, in a small percentage of patients, the nerve connections and pathways are different from most other patients and the local anesthetic may not be effective until the dentist finds the right place to inject it.  Some dentists are adept at numbing patients with these types of anatomical variations. Others lack the necessary patience.

Anxiety can also cause the local anesthetic to be less effective.  Most patients have at least a little anxiety, but some patients are very anxious about their dental procedure.  Oral or intravenous sedation can help relax these patients and provide for a painless dental experience.

I all else fails, there are dentists who specialize in dentistry under general anesthesia.  This is called sleep dentistry, sedation dentistry, or hospital sleep dentistry because the procedures are performed in a hospital operating room.

If you have had trouble getting numb in the past, talk to your dentist before your procedure about the options available to you.

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Is Painless Dentistry For Real?

May 15th, 2012 Posted in Sedation Dentistry
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For years dentists have been advertising “painless dentistry” and “pain free dental care” but most dental patients believe that almost any dental procedure will involve some amount of pain or discomfort.  Some patients are so fearful of pain during dental care that they avoid going to the dentist completely.  The irony is that because they avoid going to the dentist at all costs, these unfortunate people usually end up with dental problems that are far more painful than any dental treatment.

So the question is whether painless dentistry is even possible.  The answer is that not only is painless dentistry possible, it should be the norm.  Today’s dentist has a wide array of techniques at their disposal to make any dental procedure virtually pain free.

With the proper technique, injectable anesthetics should completely numb the area to be worked on.  Most people experience some pain and discomfort with the injection itself, but done properly and patiently the injection should be painless too.  Pain from the injection of the anesthetic can be minimized or eliminated by applying a topical anesthetic prior to the injection and injecting the anesthetic slowly.

For particularly sensitive or anxious patients, sedation dentistry can provide a level of sedation to match the patient’s anxiety level.  Sedation dentistry not only relaxes patients, but it also provides an additional pain numbing effect.  Also, most patients who receive dental care under conscious sedation have little or no memory of the procedure, further reducing any perception of pain.

Some dental procedures will result in a brief period of post-operative pain and discomfort.  Your dentist can prescribe oral medication to manage the pain or you may be able to control it with over the counter painkillers.  For the best effect, be sure to start taking your medication before the numbness wears off.

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Choosing a Family Dentist

May 15th, 2012 Posted in General Dental Care
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Taking care of your family’s dental health is important, so you should choose a dentist carefully.  You want to choose an experienced dentist who offers a full range of high quality dental care for adults and children in a warm and comfortable environment.  Your dentist should offer not only routine general dental care such as dental cleanings and exams along with restorative procedures like fillings, root canals, crowns, bridges and dentures but also cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and bonding.

You also want a caring dentist who will take the time to understand and address your concerns about your oral health and any necessary dental procedures.  In the past, dentistry earned a reputation for being an uncomfortable experience and as a result, many patients suffer from dental anxiety.

Modern dentists understand that anxiety is a natural feeling and have many alternatives and techniques at their disposal to help relieve patient anxiety for a more comfortable, relaxed dental care experience including oral conscious sedation dentistry.  The combination of sedation dentistry and modern anesthetic injection techniques mean that you can truly enjoy pain free dental care without the risk or complications of general anesthesia.

Your dentist should understand that you and your family lead active, busy lives and should offer appointment times that are convenient for you.  In addition, excellent dental care does not have to be expensive.  If you and your family are covered by a dental insurance plan, be sure that the dentist you choose accepts your insurance or participates in the dental care plan.  If you will paying your dental care expenses out of pocket, ask whether the dentist accepts credit cards or offers financing.

By taking the time to find a dentist who is a good fit for you and your family, you can enjoy years of excellent dental care.

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Pain Free Dentistry

May 15th, 2012 Posted in Sedation Dentistry
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How would you like to sleep through your next dental procedure?  Whether you need a filling, a tooth removed, a root canal or other dental treatment, dental patients no longer have to endure tense, uncomfortable dental procedures.  Sedation dentistry delivers on the promise of stress free, painless dentistry.

With sedation dentistry, the patient is given oral or intravenous sedatives that induce a comfortable, drowsy, dream-like state.  The patient is completely relaxed and when combined with local anesthetic, the patient experiences little or no pain or discomfort.

Many patients are so relaxed that they fall asleep during the procedure.  However, the patient is conscious throughout the procedure and can be awoken to respond to commands and to answer questions.

In addition to relieving anxiety and pain, another advantage of sedation dentistry is that most patients have no recollection of the dental procedure.  From the patient’s perspective, the procedure seems to have only taken a few minutes when in fact it may have taken hours.

Sedation dentistry is safe for most patients and is an excellent choice for patients suffering from dental anxiety, severe gag reflex, difficulty getting numb with anesthetics, allergic to novocaine, or who need extensive dental treatment.

If you fall into any of these categories or just want to have a comfortable, stress free, painless dental experience, talk to your dentist about sedation dentistry.  No dental patient should have to suffer through an uncomfortable dental procedure or struggle to control dental anxiety.  Sedation dentistry is a safe, comfortable alternative to traditional dental techniques.

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Managing Dental Anxiety

May 15th, 2012 Posted in Uncategorized
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If your heart starts racing and your palms get sweaty just thinking about a visit to the dentist, you are not alone.  Millions of Americans have dental anxiety or dental phobia that is so severe that they avoid dental care completely.  Millions more are able to make themselves get regular dental care, but they suffer needlessly through every dental procedure and struggle to control their anxiousness.

Dental anxiety is a natural anxiousness or fear of dental treatment that can be due to a wide variety of sources.  Maybe it was a painful dental experience when you were younger or a fear of needles.  Whatever the reason, no one needs to suffer due to dental anxiety.

Advancements in dental care in recent years have made it possible for every person to get the dental care they need no matter how much they fear the dentist. Talking to your dentist about your fears is the first step to take toward conquering dental anxiety.  Your dentist has a variety of alternatives to help you have a stress-free, painless dental experience but your dentist cannot help you unless you make your feelings known beforehand.

For very modest anxiety, your dentist may suggest distractions such as watching television or listening to music while using visualization techniques to take your mind somewhere else during the procedure.  Moderate anxiety can be addressed with an appropriate level of conscious sedation to match the level of anxiety.

Sedation dentistry included nitrous oxide, mild oral sedatives, and stronger intravenous sedatives.  These conscious sedation techniques offer the majority of patients a comfortable, stress-free dental experience.

For the most severe dental anxiety or dental phobia, you may need to see a dentist that specializes in sleep sedation dentistry or hospital dentistry.  These dentists are specially trained to perform all types of dental procedures on patients while they are under general anesthesia.

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Benefits of Oral Sedation

May 15th, 2012 Posted in Sedation Dentistry
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Many people suffer from dental anxiety or dental phobia.  Estimates vary, but about 10 to 15 percent of Americans avoid going to the dentist entirely due to fear or anxiety about dental treatment.  Of those  Americans who do get regular dental care, a large percentage have anxiety and fear that results in a dental procedure that is much more uncomfortable than it needs to be, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Mild to moderate dental anxiety can be easily addressed with oral sedatives that put the patient into a deeply relaxed state.  Oral sedatives have much less risk than general anesthesia and the dental procedure can be completed in the dentist’s office rather than in an operating room.

Most oral sedation dentistry patients report that the dental procedure went by very quickly and they cannot remember most of it.  They typically are so relaxed that they do not feel the injection of local anesthetic.  The combination of oral sedatives and local anesthetic results in a dental procedure that is virtually painless and is free of anxiety or fear.

Even though patients cannot generally remember the procedure, they are conscious during the procedure and can respond to commands and answer questions.  Patients do not lose consciousness with oral sedation although some patients will doze during the dental procedure.

Oral sedation is a very safe way for dental patients to address anxiety about dental procedures.  It helps motivate dental patients with mild to moderate dental anxiety to have regular dental care.  If you are one of the millions of Americans who dreads going to the dentist, talk to your dentist about the benefits of oral sedation.

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