While dental implants can eliminate many problems associated with missing teeth and give you back your smile, they are not for everyone. If implants interest you, make sure you understand their pros and cons.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants offer an alternative to removable dentures and bridges. They replace the roots of teeth with a screw into the jawbone that supports a fake tooth or crown. Getting implants requires dental surgery, which takes about 90 minutes to complete. This can be completed with local anesthesia only, but many patients prefer additional sedation therapy such as I.V. Sedation, oral sedation, or nitrous oxide sedation. The process is not over in just one appointment. You typically need multiple dental visits over 4-12 months depending on multiple factors. Your dental implant surgeon and a restorative dentist should give you a plan outlining the timing of appointments as well as special instructions during the healing phase.

The decision to get dental implants requires careful consideration and a discussion with your dentist. Here are the pros and cons of dental implants:

Advantages of Dental Implants

One advantage significant to many patients is that most dental implants look natural. The crown that attaches to the screw going into the jawbone mimics a real tooth. Besides improving your smile, dental implants can solve other cosmetic issues, like collapsed cheeks, crooked teeth, and sagging skin.

Dental implants do not just look like natural teeth; they also function like so. The crown attached to the implant allows you to chew and drink with the ease you might not get from dentures or bridges. You may also see improvements in how you talk because the air passing through your mouth when speaking will not be affected by any holes or gaps.

Perhaps more important than aesthetics is that implants are durable, especially the titanium kind. With a success rate of over 97% for 10 years, implants last a long time. Even after 15 years, the success rate of dental implants can be as high as 94%. In contrast, dental bridges need replacing every 5-15 years.

Replacing lost teeth with implants helps keep your remaining teeth in place. Gaps can cause the other teeth to shift around to make up for the space, becoming misaligned. This often results in a compromised appearance and eating difficulties.

Dental implants are also helpful in preventing bone loss. When you lose a natural tooth, the empty tooth socket and that section of the jawbone no longer have a purpose. Because there’s no more pressure from the lost tooth, the body eventually breaks down and absorbs some of that bone. Evidence shows that an implant preserves that part of the bone, slowing the absorption rate.

Alternatives to implants are dentures and dental bridges, typically less expensive but not permanent. Also, compared to dentures and bridges, implants tend to look and feel more natural, require less daily care, are more comfortable when chewing, and last longer.

Drawbacks of Dental Implants

For some people, the most significant disadvantage of implants is the cost. They can be more expensive than other options, and dental insurance might not cover them. The price for just one dental implant can be around $5,000. Fees are region specific and can vary from dentist to dentist based on experience and reputation. There can also be additional expenses for extracting a tooth or placing a bone graft. If you replace all your teeth with a full mouth of implants, your bill can go up to $50,000-$100,000.

Implants require dental surgery, which can be intimidating to many anxious patients. As previously stated, the process can take up to 12 months and requires multiple appointments. As with any dental surgery, getting implants poses some risks, including infection, potential implant failure, early stages of receding gums, bleeding, nerve and tissue damage, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. However, all these risks are rare, and most people find the advantages of dental implant therapy far outweighs the risk.

Another con is that dental implant surgery is not for everyone. To be a good candidate for the procedure, you must be in relatively good dental and overall health. A blood clot disorder, uncontrolled diabetes, or metabolic bone disease may make ineligible. You also should not have implant surgery if you smoke heavily or are undergoing cancer treatment.

Finally, even if you go through with the procedure, a dental implant might not take if you are experiencing stages of receding gums. The gums are crucial in supporting teeth and their roots, or screws in the case of implants. Any receding gum stages may compromise the stability of implants and increase their chance of failure. Gum recession can also interfere with proper maintenance, making cleaning in and around the implants difficult. Patients at risk due to gum disease are advised to have gum disease treated and under control prior to dental implant therapy.

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Despite its prevalence, gum recession is a condition that warrants attention. It’s usually a sign of gum disease, which could worsen and progress to more serious issues if you leave it untreated. To protect yourself against gum recession, it is important to understand its causes, the stages of receding gums, and how to treat and prevent it.

What Causes Gum Recession?

Receding gums pull away from the teeth and expose parts of the tooth roots that should be covered. Preventing gum recession requires an awareness of gum disease, one of the most common causes of tooth loss. If your gums look red and swollen or bleed when you brush or floss, you could have gum disease, contributing to gum recession. There are several causes of receding gums:

• Aggressive or rough brushing
• Bacteria
• Certain medications
• Grinding or clenching teeth
• Hormonal changes
• Insufficient dental care
• Poor oral hygiene
• Tobacco use
• Trauma to the mouth

Although common, gum recession occurs gradually, and many people may not realize they have it. You may first notice tooth sensitivity or that some of your teeth look longer than they used to. Although gum recession may take weeks or months, factors like brushing too hard can speed up the process.

Addressing gum recession is crucial to oral health because mild sensitivity could progress to more severe problems, including bone loss and other non-dental health conditions.

What Do the Receding Gums Stages Look Like?

Healthy Gums

Healthy gums are typically pink, firm, and wholly attached to the teeth to provide support. If your gums do not have these characteristics, you are likely experiencing one of four stages of gum recession:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis, the earliest of the receding gum stages, develops from bacteria and plaque accumulation. Although you may not notice any recession immediately, you may feel some tooth sensitivity. During the early stages of receding gums, common symptoms of gingivitis include

• Bad breath or a metallic taste
• Bleeding of gums after brushing or flossing
• Increased spacing between teeth
• Swollen gums

Proper oral hygiene that includes daily flossing and brushing at least two times each day can stave off receding gums, assuming you include regular dental check-ups as part of your oral health regimen. Although there might not be any detectable discomfort, diagnosing gingivitis at this stage is critical to stopping gum recession before it becomes periodontitis.

Early Periodontitis

Early periodontitis is typically the phase that follows gingivitis. During this stage, the gums have become more inflamed, separating from the teeth and forming periodontal “pockets.” When food, plaque, and bacteria collect in these pockets, an infection can set in below the gum line and make the pockets bigger.

Early periodontitis also marks the beginning of bone weakening and loss and decreased immunity against infection. You may also have more pain when flossing or brushing, increased sensitivity, and bad breath.

Moderate Periodontitis

The inflammation and discomfort you previously experienced will likely worsen during moderate periodontitis. The advanced gum recession also includes more bone loss and the loosening, shifting, or loss of teeth due to the spread of plaque and bacteria. You will also notice that your gums are more swollen and may produce a discharge that tastes bad.

Advanced Periodontitis

Tooth loss is most likely to occur during advanced periodontitis. Painful abscesses also characterize this stage due to the infection spreading beneath the gums. The teeth that do remain are probably loose or about to come out because they do not have enough strong bone and tissue to keep them in place.

Talking, eating, or drinking can become painful and uncomfortable during advanced periodontitis. Without the proper dental care, you also become more susceptible to other health conditions:

• Arthritis
• Some forms of cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart attack

Treating Gum Recession

Prevention is the best form of treatment for receding gums. It helps to schedule regular dental check-ups, brush and floss daily, and continually check your teeth and gums for early signs of gum disease or other changes. You can also prevent gum recession by eating a healthy diet and avoiding tobacco products.

Unfortunately, any gum tissue you lose during recession cannot grow back. However, catching gum disease early makes it easier to keep it from progressing. If your dentist detects early signs of gum recession or gingivitis during a routine visit, they will recommend treatment to meet your dental health needs. They also might need you to schedule more frequent dental visits.

For any signs of periodontitis, your dentist may recommend surgery if preventive care, professional cleaning, or antibiotics do not improve your condition. One common intervention is scaling and root planing, which involves using a curette or surgical scraping tool to remove the plaque and tartar below the gum line. After scaling, the dentist uses root planing to smooth the roots so that the gums will reattach.

Your dentist may also perform flap surgery to lift the gums back for easier cleaning before suturing them back together. If you have already reached advanced periodontitis or suffered extensive bone and tissue damage, you may need bone grafting or gum grafting to restore damaged or lost tissue.

The post Receding Gums Stages appeared first on Sarasota Dentistry.

We explore gum grafting and how it can restore a patient’s oral health. We also discuss the timing of gum grafting and when other procedures are more effective in treating advanced gum recession.

What Is Gum Grafting and When Would I Need It?

Gum grafting is a technique that covers exposed tooth roots and surfaces and revives existing gum tissue. Most dentists or periodontists perform three types of gum grafting. One is a sub-epithelial connective-tissue graft, which uses a piece of tissue below the surface of the skin located on the roof of the mouth. Free-gingival grafts utilize the outermost layer of the mouth roof, and pedicle grafts utilize the gum tissue next to the receding area.

Gum grafting typically occurs with local anesthesia and takes less than an hour. The procedure is relatively painless, and patients need little time to recover. Patients with more severe gun recession may need more than one appointment.

Gum grafting is a treatment for many cases of gum recession, when the gum tissue gradually moves away from the tooth, exposing more of the root and other surfaces. The most common culprit of gum recession is poor oral hygiene resulting in periodontal disease. Other contributors to receding gums include:

• Grinding teeth (awake or asleep)
• Injury to the gums
• Excessive toothbrushing (stiff brush or heavy hand)
• Misalignment in one’s bite
• Medication induced recession
• Malnutrition
• Eating disorders (i.e. anorexia or bulimia)
• Smoking
• Chewing tabacco
• Genetic predisposition (family trait)

Gum recession is more than just an aesthetic problem. Left untreated, it can leave a person more vulnerable to cavities, tooth sensitivity, decay, and even tooth loss. If a thorough professional cleaning does not solve the problem, it may be time to consider gum grafting.

When Is It Too Late for Gum Grafting?

When does gum grafting work for gum recession? If your dentist recommends gum grafting, it is essential to have the procedure done as soon as possible. Doing so will likely prevent further recession and help you avoid more serious oral health issues later.

Given your circumstances and oral health, your dentist may be able to determine at what point gum grafting would be successful, for example, if your gums show minimal damage or bone loss. If the damage to your gums is too extensive, the procedure may not solve your problem, or the odds of successful gingival graft may be diminished.

There is no hard and fast cut-off point when gum grafting is no longer viable. However, a gum graft may fail in advanced cases where the loss of gums and bone is significant or if too much of the root is exposed. Alternatively, your dentist may recommend removing and replacing the teeth with dental implants. Even in cases where implant therapy is indicated, a gum graft may still be necessary to provide adequate tissue for a successful dental implant.

If your gum recession is advanced and you proceed with grafting, there is a slight chance of complications, such as pain, swelling, infection, and/or failure to heal properly resulting in a failed graft. Failures or complications are rare if an experienced surgeon is performing the procedure and you are a healthy candidate for gum grafting. It’s also very important to follow all post-op and pre-op instructions to get the best results from your gum grafting procedure.

If you do experience a gum graft may failure, it may be indicated by a section of white tissue that becomes separated. This signifies that the grafted section is no longer getting enough blood and is dying. You might also experience a fever of over 101 degrees Fahrenheit or see pus at the surgical site.

Contact your dentist or periodontist immediately for emergency care for any complications or symptoms of gum graft failure.

Is Gum Grafting the Right Option for Me?

Your dentist or periodontist can help you decide if gum grafting can restore your gums and teeth. During an initial exam, they will assess the amount of your gum recession and consider the underlying causes to determine if a gum graft is the appropriate course of action.

Before the procedure, your dentist will review all the steps with you and answer your questions. Be sure to ask about what you will require for aftercare and the follow-up appointment about a week after the graft.

During recovery, stick with cold and soft foods like soft- or hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, gelatin, and soft-cooked vegetables. Healing should occur in one or two weeks, after which you can resume regular brushing and flossing. However, the grafted tissue may take about a month to heal completely.

The post When Is It Too Late for Gum Grafting? appeared first on Sarasota Dentistry.

Dental implants are a popular way to replace missing teeth and restore your smile. More importantly, getting implants can help you avoid serious dental problems later.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are prosthetics that a dentist surgically attaches to the jawbone to hold dental restorations in place. An implant has a titanium (sometimes ceramic) screw resembling a root, which has a specialized surface that the bone fuses with over a 3-4 month healing time. This intimate connection between the dental implant and the bone is referred to as osseointegration. Once osseointegration is established, a dental restoration can be fabricated using a connector or abutment that holds the artificial tooth, bridge, or crown in place.

Although only 6% of people in the United States have implants, experts estimate that figure to grow to 23% by 2026. You also might not know dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care. However, the crown, bridge, or dentures on top may need replacement every 7-15 years. Those numbers can vary greatly depending on the technician, doctor and choice of materials selected for the dental restoration.

Different Types of Dental Implants

Patients considering dental implants should consult their dentist about the different dental implant types, including their pros and cons. The type of implant a dentist recommends depends on factors such as the number of missing teeth and the causes of tooth loss.

Endosteal Implant

Endosteal implants are the most common type, usually consisting of small, threaded titanium posts screwing into the jawbone – these are commonly termed “root form implants”. The new tooth (crown or bridge) attaches to the top part of the implant by way of a connector or abutment. Dental implants are commonly referred to a singular item when in fact they are three items: implant, abutment and crown or bridge (dental restoration). Some dentists are able to provide all the three services to complete a tooth replacement in one office while some other dentists prefer to refer to a specialist for the surgical or restorative aspects of the dental implant replacement. Endosteal implants are suitable for patients with removable dentures, missing teeth replacement, or as replacement for bridges. To be a viable candidate for endosteal implants, a patient must have good oral health and enough healthy gum tissue and jawbone.

Subperiosteal Implant

Subperiosteal implants may be ideal for patients without enough healthy jawbones to support endosteal implants. The dentist places this implant on top of the jawbone and under the gum, adequately holding it in place. This can be a wonderful service for some patients but it requires a very specialized lab working closely with a dental surgeon. Unfortunately, there are few of these teams left offering this service.

People who cannot wear traditional dentures might find subperiosteal implants ideal. However, as with endosteal implants, these implants are not suitable for people with poor dental health. Also, a patient still needs enough jawbone for this type of implant to be viable.

Mini Dental Implant

Mini dental implants are ideal for patients unable to get the traditional kind. While conventional implant screws consist of two pieces up to 5 mm in diameter, mini dental implants use only one screw that has a diameter of 3 mm or less. Some patients opt for these implants because they are less surgically invasive, and do not require as much jaw bone width. Typically, more mini dental implants are necessary to support a dental restoration vs. traditional root form dental implants. Additionally, mini dental implants are much more restrictive when it comes to a final dental restoration. They are typically reserved for supporting dentures and not crowns or bridges.

However, mini dental implants would not be ideal for patients wanting a permanent solution because they are only temporary. Also, they are not recommended for all types of tooth loss.

Zirconia Implant

Dentists began using Zirconia implants in the United States in 2007. Like titanium, Zirconia is biocompatible with the natural bone and gum tissue. This means the bone can grow around the implant forming a rigid connection with the body – known as osseointegration. Once integrated in 3-4 months, the implant is restored with a dental restoration such as a crown, bridge, or implant retained denture (full arch restoration).

While most titanium implants have two parts, most Zirconia implant have only one, giving dentists less control when placing them. There are some two-piece zirconia implants on the market, but they have not yet passed the test of time regarding durability. Another potential disadvantage of these implants is the cost per implant. Also, additional expenses are associated with materials, the procedure, mapping, and aftercare check-ups, bringing the per-implant cost to between $3,000 and $7,000. Many factors need to be considered to get an accurate estimation of fees, please consult a dental team to discuss your particular needs.

Zygomatic Implant

Zygomatic implants get their name from the cheekbone, into which the dentist inserts them. These implants only replace the teeth in the upper jaw, which can includes an entire upper arch of teeth.

Dentists can usually place zygomatic implants immediately. This type of implant can be an alternative for patients with insufficient jawbones or individuals who have had unsuccessful attempts at traditional implants or the bone grafts they often require. People with tooth loss in the lower jaw must explore additional tooth implant options such as subperiosteal implants or a ridge augmentation with bone grafting.

Same-Day Implant

Most patients who receive traditional dental implants usually have to go through months of visits and procedures. This wait typically includes getting temporary crowns while waiting for the permanent ones that come with the implants. In contrast, same-day dental implants are placed immediately after tooth extraction. It still constitutes an immediate implant if it goes in up to two weeks afterward.

Patients getting same-day or immediate dental implants undergo a single surgery, which means less pain and a much shorter recovery. Also, same-day dental implants can preserve gum tissue and bone, which may resulting in an enhanced esthetic result. In some cases, immediate dental implants can be restored with temporary crowns or bridges. While in other cases, they must be allowed to heal for 3-4 months prior to fabrication of a final dental restoration. It all depends on the patient specific factors and the stability of the dental implant upon insertion.

Patients trying to avoid multiple dental visits, wearing traditional dentures, or having a drawn-out recovery might opt for all-on-4 or full-arch immediate implants. As the name implies, all-on-4 implants consist of four dental implants supporting a full arch of teeth. Another term commonly used is all-on-X where “X” is the number of implants needed to restore the arch. The immediate teeth are usually acrylic teeth such as a denture or computer designed acrylic PMMA material. Either way, a strict soft food diet must be maintained for 3 months following immediately loaded all-on-4 implants. After healing, a final full arch implant restoration is fabricated. The final restoration can be made of either metal reinforced acrylic or porcelain. Porcelain is generally more durable than acrylic if done correctly.

All-on-4 implants can replace upper teeth, lower teeth, or both. Implantation requires a minor surgery, which involves inserting a small titanium screw to which the dentist attaches a denture or bridge. Patients needing between six and 10 implants or additional bone grafting after extraction should consider other options such as ridge augmentation and second stage implant surgery.

Blade Implant

Blade implants were among the first types used in North America, but dentists rarely recommend them today. To place blade implants, a dentist creates a tunnel(slot) in the bone, into which they press the blade, with the support or prong for the crown sticking out.

Blade implants are strong and hold well under stress. They provide the most function in the back of the mouth, which requires significant biting and chewing. However, other implants are more advantageous because they are root-based. Also, the failure rate for blade implants is higher when the dentist lacks adequate experience and knowledge of ideal candidates for the procedure.

Dental Implant Considerations

Regardless of which type of implant a patient chooses, they should expect some discomfort, swelling, bleeding, and bruising after the procedure. A dentist can prescribe pain medication to help make the patient more comfortable during recovery. Also, sedation dentistry is usually well accepted for dental implant procedures.

With proper dental hygiene and care, dental implants can last a lifetime. Healthy habits like flossing and twice-daily brushing can preserve their look and survival rate. Follow-up visits with a general dentist or periodontist can contribute to recovery and help address complications early.

The post Types of Dental Implants appeared first on Sarasota Dentistry.

A winning smile can be an important part of a person’s look. However, when brown spots start to appear on teeth, self-confidence can diminish. Moreover, discoloration can signal underlying problems that require a dentist’s attention.

Brown spots on teeth can be prominent or barely noticeable and range from light yellow to dark brown. Some spots might not be spots at all but irregular or uniform lines. So, what causes brown spots on teeth? While brown spots often result from poor hygiene and pose an aesthetic concern, they could also be symptomatic of other health conditions, like celiac disease.

Table of Contents

• • Potential Casues of Brown Spots on Teeth
    • Poor Oral Care
    • Staining Foods and Drinks
    • Dental Fluorosis
    • Aging and Health Conditions
  • Symptoms Associated with Brown Spots
  • Treating Brown Spots on Teeth
    • Teeth Whitening
    • Porcelain Veneers and Dental Bonding
  • Prevention

Potential Causes of Brown Spots on Teeth

A person asking, “Why do I have brown spots on my teeth?” will find that this problem has several potential causes. One is the build-up of tartar, which consists of the plaque and other minerals that harden when brushing does not remove them. Tartar above the gum line leaves yellow, tan, or brown spots that can spread. When below the gums, tartar can look brown or black or cause gum recession and other dental problems.

Poor Oral Care

Poor oral care can result in tooth decay extensive enough to require a root canal. In some cases, the pulp, or connective tissue and nerves inside the tooth and root, can die, turning the tooth brown. Sometimes, damage to the nerves and roots and the resulting discoloration come from injury or trauma.

Staining Foods and Drinks

Individuals should watch what they eat or drink to prevent or minimize yellow, gray, or brown spots in their teeth. Caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea, red wine, blackberries, blueberries, and pomegranates can cause stains to accumulate if a person does not brush soon after consumption. Foods rich in carbohydrates and sugar can also cause discoloration. Finally, tobacco products can leave unattractive spots and stains, and it is best to avoid or quit this habit.

Dental Fluorosis

Sometimes in oral health care, there can be too much of a good thing, such as fluoride. Although it protects teeth, too much fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis, typically occurring in children whose baby teeth have yet to push through. Although fluorosis usually manifests in white markings, teeth can have pits and brown spots in rare, severe cases.

Aging and Health Conditions

Although many brown spots can be linked back to poor oral hygiene, some of them result from genetics or aging factors like darkening of the enamel. Also, medications like prescription mouthwash and some antibiotics can cause brown spots. Another cause not related to hygiene includes old dental work like metal fillings that cause brown spots and white fillings that accumulate stains over time.

Some health problems can create conditions that lead to brown spots on teeth. One such condition is enamel hypoplasia, resulting from malnutrition during pregnancy, vitamin deficiencies, or toxin exposure. Enamel hypoplasia can leave teeth with brown spots and a rough, pitted texture. Brown spots and other oral symptoms can also be a concern for people with celiac disease, an intolerance of food with gluten. People with celiac disease also have an increased risk for canker sores, dry mouth, and mouth ulcers.

Symptoms Associated with Brown Spots

Discoloration could be an early sign of a cavity that requires dental care. In addition to spots, a person might also experience gum bleeding, sensitivity, pain, or bad breath. An untreated cavity could result in gingivitis, which is a common form of gum disease. In any case, a patient should see a dentist as soon as possible if they notice brown spots on teeth near gums that bleed.

Treating Brown Spots on Teeth

A dentist can advise a patient on how to get rid of brown spots on teeth. Good at-home oral hygiene, including brushing twice and flossing once each day, is a good start. Smoking can cause brown spots over time, so it is best to avoid the habit or quit.

Teeth Whitening

Individuals might also consider over-the-counter whitening products, such as strips, toothpaste, or bleaching kits. Consumers should use products endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA) and apply them regularly. However, they should avoid using whitening products too much because they could start to wear down the enamel.

People whose teeth do not respond well to at-home whitening methods should ask their dentist about professional whitening treatments. While they often require several appointments, professional whitening can remove brown spots on teeth effectively. Results can last a few years. The downside is that whitening only works on natural teeth and not on crowns or bonding.

Porcelain Veneers and Dental Bonding

A dentist can recommend other professional treatments for permanent or semi-permanent results. One type includes porcelain veneers, which are customized thin layers of ceramic that fit over front teeth. Not only do veneers cover up brown spots, but they can also correct teeth that are crooked, chipped, or have suffered decay.

Another professional solution to brown spots on teeth is cosmetic bonding, which involves fusing material to a tooth’s enamel to alter its shape and color. This process not only improves the look but also strengthens the tooth while helping it feel natural.

An alternative to traditional bonding and veneers is Bioclear, a treatment that restores teeth to their original, healthy look. During this process, the dentist wraps a thin sheet of mylar around the teeth and under the gum line to create a mold. Then, the dentist injects a liquid resin into the mold to generate a new surface. After hardening, the resin gets shaped to produce a natural, smooth look.

Prevention

Good oral hygiene will help keep teeth strong and healthy, as well as regular dental cleanings. Flossing daily and brushing at least twice a day will prevent many problems in the long run, including brown spots on teeth. Another excellent practice is to avoid smoking, which leaves unsightly stains on teeth.

Certain foods and beverages can leave stubborn brown spots over time. For instance, sugary treats like candy, desserts, and soda can cause tartar to build up. Other foods to avoid or consume minimally are white bread, potato chips, and other simple carbohydrates because they turn into sugars after consumption. Beverages like coffee and tea can also leave brown stains, but rinsing the mouth afterward can limit their impact on teeth.

Whenever eating sugars and carbs, a person should brush as soon as possible afterward. Foods that can enrich teeth include those with calcium, like cheese, milk, and yogurt. Calcium-based items can help prevent erosion of the enamel.

The post Brown Spots on Teeth: Causes, Prevention, and Removal appeared first on Sarasota Dentistry.

Patients dissatisfied by the color, look, or shape of their teeth might consider getting porcelain veneers. They are custom-made, thin layers of ceramic porcelain that provide a covering for the front of teeth.

Veneers can correct crookedness, stains, discoloration, chipping, and decay, thus improving the overall appearance of a patient’s smile. Veneers can also fix gaps and lengthen or shorten teeth, making them look more even and producing a natural look. Patients who experience acid reflux might also appreciate the benefits of veneers in restoring their smile.

Veneers typically require 3-4 visits to the dentist. To create a veneer, your dentist first has to mock up a design in the mouth using composite filling material. This allows the patient and the dentist to evaluate if the desired shape and color of the teeth are appropriate. After the mock up is completed, a full mouth digital impression is taken and full set of oral photos to document the accepted design. This information is then transferred to the dental lab. At the dental lab, a cosmetic dental technician then uses this data to help them design a digital wax-up of final porcelain veneers. The digital wax-up is then returned to the dentist for the veneer preparation appointment.

Veneer Preparation: In some cases, this requires no more than an impression of the teeth and is termed: No-Prep Veneers or Micro-Thin Veneers. While a traditional veneer preparation requires a very small amount of enamel removal be completed prior to the impression. The lab fabricated digital wax-up is then used to fabricate acrylic veneers in the mouth as temporary restoration while waiting on the final porcelain veneers. These temporary veneers aren’t required to stay on the teeth while you wait but they are critical to the cosmetic laboratory technician. It is critically important to take photos and an impression of the digital wax-up to share with the lab. That is the technicians blue print for the final design.

Veneer Delivery: during this visit, your dentist chemically bonds the veneer to your natural tooth. Before they are bonded, they must be tried in and verified by the patient. This is done by placing the veneers on the teeth one by one – checking and adjusting the fit. Once all of the veneers are placed on the teeth with try-in paste, the patient gives them a good examination and approval before the final bonding process begins. Once approved, they are cleaned carefully and prepared for bonding. The teeth are then cleaned, isolated and primed for bonding, removing a small amount of enamel to make enough room for the veneer. Thin resin cement is applied to each veneer prior to careful placement on the veneer to the tooth surface. All excess resin is removed prior to the application of a powerful curing light, which permanently bonds the veneer. Finally, any excess resin cement is cleaned from the teeth and veneers and the bite is checked and adjusted if necessary. The veneer placement procedure requires little to no anesthesia, making it a comfortable option for patients who worry about pain or discomfort.

Once installed, porcelain veneers require regular brushing and dental check-ups, making them relatively easy to clean and preserve. Patients who tend to grind their teeth while sleeping should wear a mouthguard (aka. TMJ Splint or Nightguard). Certain oral habits like biting nails or using one’s teeth to tear thread or open wrappers can damage veneers.

Table of Contents

• • Types of Veneers
  • Cost of Veneers
  • Advantages of Veneers
  • Disadvantages of Veneers

Types of Veneers

Veneers vary in type, depending on the procedure a dentist uses to install them. Traditional veneers are those previously described, which involve buffing down the enamel and some of the layers underneath to accommodate the shell. No-prep veneers require less or no alteration of the original tooth and usually require no anesthetic.

Not all porcelain veneers have the same appearance. Patients can choose from 12 styles to have their teeth reflect specific characteristics.

1. Aggressive—This style suits women and men who want to convey a strong personality. The design is generally square, with lateral and central incisors slightly curved or semi-straight.
2. Hollywood—Some men who want a robust set of teeth without appearing too aggressive might choose this style. These teeth look similar to Aggressive, but the lateral incisors are mildly offset or shorter than the central incisors.
3. Mature—This style is also similar to Aggressive, but the Mature set has slightly more pointed canines.
4. Vigorous—Another style like the Aggressive, the Vigorous has more pronounced canines, almost protruding like fangs.
5. Oval—The canines and incisors are more oval or rounded compared to the Aggressive.
6. Softened—This style looks like the Oval, but with less curving of the tooth edges.
7. Youthful—Another style similar to Oval, Youthful includes more protruding canines like the Vigorous.
8. Dominant—This style has square and round central incisors and pointed canines. The lateral incisors rest a bit higher than the central incisors and have rounded far corners.
9. Enhanced—Many beauty pageant contestants and female models who desire perfect-looking white teeth or photos choose this style. The Enhanced includes central and lateral incisors with slightly rounded edges, but the lateral incisors are shorter and higher than the central incisors. The canines have a blunt point.
10. Focused–This style is similar to Enhanced, except that the central incisors have square edges.
11. Functional–Another style like the Enhanced, the Functional has more pointed canines.
12. Natural–Except for canines that are even more pointed than the Functional, the Natural style looks similar to Enhanced.

Cost of Veneers

Veneer placement might seem daunting to patients who ask, “How much do a full set of veneers cost?” Because veneers are considered cosmetic, most insurance plans don’t cover the cost. Prices for traditional veneers typically range from $1800 to $2,500 per tooth, while no-prep veneers can cost between $1700-$2,500 for each tooth. An upper smile is 8-12 teeth and a full mouth can require 20+ veneers. Many factors are considered to come up with an appropriate number of veneers needed.

Advantages of Veneers

Porcelain veneers are a suitable option for patients who want a look just as natural as their original teeth and provides a more youthful appearance. Veneers can be an excellent solution for people who want to remove teeth stains but don’t see much improvement from whitening products or procedures. Compared to bonding, veneers tend to last longer and provide a more consistent color over time than bonding. Veneer surface texture and wear resistance are also superior to bonding.

As stated earlier, veneers take little more than regular oral care, such as brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. While the procedure itself is not very invasive, it is time consuming in order to achieve optimal results. Therefore, you may be more comfortable working with a cosmetic dentist that offers oral or I.V. Sedation to perform the procedure. Sedation is not required but can make each visit much more comfortable.

Disadvantages of Veneers

One downside of porcelain veneers is that placing them requires more than one visit to the dentist. That’s because, after producing the mold, the dentist has to send that mold to a dental lab where a technician creates it. Patients have to go back to the dentist to have the veneers attached. However, this is not always true if the patient is seeing a CEREC dentist that offers same-day veneers.

Once you get veneers, you cannot go without them. Veneer placement is permanent because the dentist has to remove a bit of the enamel from the original tooth to fit the attached layer. Once you lose that enamel, you can’t get it back. However, if you have prep-less, no-prep or micro-thin veneers, the procedure is reversible.

Additionally, a set of veneers won’t last forever. Most shells are designed to last up to 15 years, but some patients can wear them for as many as 30. However, patients should expect to plan to replace them.

Although veneers consist of very strong material, they’re not damage-proof. It’s possible for veneers to chip or crack, which is why caring for them is important.

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A person’s smile is their calling card. Missing teeth can diminish that smile and rob them of their confidence and ability to talk or eat contentedly. That’s why permanent dentures might be an option for someone who has lost some or all of their original teeth. Permanent dentures, also called implant-supported dentures, are similar to traditional ones, but they provide the benefits that removable dentures often cannot deliver.

Permanent dentures can be complete or partial. While removable dentures rest on the gums, permanent dentures remain fixed to the jawbone with two or more implants. With their implant supports, permanent dentures are more robust and secure than alternative methods for replacing teeth.

Regardless of the method, replacing missing teeth preserves a person’s smile and facial appearance. On the other hand, leaving tooth gaps causes facial muscles to droop, making a person look older. Also, it’s more difficult to eat foods and talk without a full set of teeth.

Table of Contents

• • Cost of Permanent Dentures
  • Advantages of Permanent Dentures
  • Disadvantages of Permanent Dentures
  • Alternatives to Permanent Dentures
    • Removable Dentures
    • Permanent Dentures vs. Implants

Cost of Permanent Dentures

The cost of permanent dentures varies based on patient needs. More specifically, procedure pricing depends on whether the patient needs tooth extraction before the implants can be placed and how many implants are required. Nevertheless, the range for a permanent implant denture is between $20,000-$50,000 per arch (upper/lower). The fees can vary greatly depending on the bone quality, number of implants required and the quality of the restoration desired. Dental insurance doesn’t usually help too much with these cases. The maximum yearly benefit of a dental plan is usually capped at $1,000-$2,000. Financing options are usually available through third-party lenders if needed.

Advantages of Permanent Dentures

Overall, dental implant surgery is safe and effective, and permanent dentures can last a lifetime. Also, unlike traditional dentures that can rub against the gums and move around, implant-supported dentures stay in place, preventing discomfort and pain.

Permanent dentures are also easier to keep clean than removable ones. This is because the wearer doesn’t need to remove and soak them at the end of the day. Care is relatively simple with twice-daily brushing, Waterpik, interdental brushing, and regular dental check-ups.

Removing all of the teeth from the bone generally leads to progressive bone loss in a denture patient. When dental implants are placed in the jaw and loaded with an implant denture, it stimulates the bone and leads to preservation of the existing bone. Some studies have even showed bone growth to occur following a full arch implant denture functioning for years.

Permanent dentures can give the patient more confidence when speaking or eating. That’s because, unlike traditional dentures, permanent false teeth are more stable, and they won’t slip or become dislodged. Wearers can avoid embarrassment when sharing meals or engaging in conversation. Moreover, food might taste better because permanent dentures don’t cover the roof of the mouth.

Disadvantages of Permanent Dentures

Installation of permanent false teeth can be a complex process, especially if existing teeth need extraction. When a patient has teeth removed, they receive temporary dentures and have to go through a waiting period before they can undergo implants. Also, patients who don’t have enough healthy bone in their jaw will require bone grafting for the implants to attach properly. It is a bit more straight-forward of a procedure for patients already wearing a removable denture but the procedure is also done routinely on patients having teeth removed. There is still a transitional period in which your diet is restricted to soft/liquid foods for 12 weeks to allow the dental implants to adhere to the bone (called osseointegration).

Expense is another factor that patients should consider. Permanent dentures’ cost, including prosthetic replacement and surgery, makes them less affordable than other teeth replacement options.

As with any dental surgery, permanent denture placement comes with a slight risk of infection and inflammation. Also, chronic conditions like diabetes can get in the way of proper healing after surgery. Therefore, not all patients are good candidates for permanent dentures.

Although permanent dentures come with relatively few risks, they do require a well-trained dental specialist for placement. As of 2021, the ADA does not recognize dental implants as a specialty, however, the MIII (Misch Implant Institute) and ICOI both offer recognized fellowships in dental implant therapy. Patients should always discuss the procedure in detail with a provider to ensure they know all the pros and cons.

Alternatives to Permanent Dentures

Removable Dentures

With today’s technology, removable dentures are more comfortable than ever before. Although this solution might not always feel as natural as real teeth, traditional dentures look very realistic and fit securely. However, patients need to remove their dentures before going to bed and for regular cleaning.

It can take a few months to build dentures that look natural and fit properly in the mouth. Patients will need to replace or reline their dentures due to weight fluctuations or changes in the shape of the mouth or jaw. A reline is usually required once every three years due to the progressive bone loss which occurs under a complete denture.

Removable dentures consist of acrylic and replace a complete set of teeth on the lower or upper jaw. Upper dentures cover the gum area and the roof of the mouth, and they stay in place with suction. Lower dentures are shaped like a horseshoe, leaving space for the tongue, and they don’t require suction to remain secure.

Permanent Dentures vs. Implants

Patients who are only lacking a few teeth or need partials or bridges might consider dental implants. Whereas traditional bridges require that teeth adjacent to the gap be reduced, alteration of healthy teeth isn’t necessary for implants. As with permanent dentures, implants don’t become dislodged or move around, which can cause embarrassment and pain. Also, the patient doesn’t need to remove implants to clean them.

The post What Are Permanent Dentures? appeared first on Sarasota Dentistry.

Sedation dentistry exists to reduce discomfort and anxiety before and during oral surgery and other dental procedures. Although many people have heard of or used “laughing gas” while getting crowns or fillings, dental sedation is divided into different types.

Sedation is the process of using drugs to suppress a patient’s central nervous system (CNS), making them less aware of their surroundings and what is happening. Dentists often use sedation in conjunction with some anesthetics, but the two are not the same. The purpose of sedation is to produce a calming effect, whereas anesthetics manage pain. For example, a patient anxious about getting a novocaine shot before a filling might request laughing gas to relax and feel less stressed about the shot in the gums and the cavity filling.

Table of Contents

• Overall Benefits of Dental Sedation
• Inhaled Minimal Sedation
  • inhaled-minimal-sedation>Benefits
  • Disadvantages
• Oral Sedation Dentistry
  • Benefits
  • Disadvantages
• Conscious IV Sedation
  • Benefits
  • Disadvantages
• General Anesthesia Deep IV Sedation
  • Benefits
  • Disadvantages

Overall Benefits of Dental Sedation

Many patients experience dental anxiety. Because this fear can prevent some people from getting proper oral health care, sedation is important in relieving their worries and reducing their avoidance of the dentist.

In particular, sedation dentistry can benefit people who have:

• A great deal of dental work to complete
• Dental anxiety
• Low tolerance for pain
• Trouble sitting still
• Strong gag reflexes
• Sensitive teeth
• Difficulty responding to or cooperating with the dentist during a procedure
• Complex medical conditions

Inhaled Minimal Sedation

With inhaled minimal sedation, the patient breathes in a mixture of nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) and oxygen through a nose mask. This option may be ideal for patients who undergo routine procedures like cavity fillings and wish to be more comfortable.

During laughing gas sedation, the dentist places a small mask on the patient’s nose and asks them to breathe deeply. The patient will start to feel the effects within a few minutes. While sedated, the patient is awake but experiences relaxation and perhaps slight tingling in the arms or legs.

Benefits

Laughing gas sedation takes effect quickly, and it’s a generally safe and effective method for people with gag reflex problems. Also, the gas wears off fairly quickly once the patient stops breathing it, which allows them to drive home after the procedure.

Disadvantages

Laughing gas sedation might not be strong enough to alleviate some patients’ anxiety. In such cases, the dentist might administer laughing gas on top of oral sedation.

Oral Sedation Dentistry

With oral sedation dentistry (also called “oral conscious sedation”), the patient typically takes prescribed medication, usually benzodiazepine (e.g., Halcion, Valium), the night before the procedure, and they take another dose about an hour beforehand and bring another dose to the appointment. The doctor determines if the in-office dose is necessary before it is administered. Similar to laughing gas sedation, oral sedation dentistry deeply relaxes patients while allowing them to stay awake. However, most remember little to nothing after their appointment.

Oral sedation can range from minimal to moderate, depending on the pill dosage. Some patients under moderate sedation might fall asleep during their procedure, but the dentist is usually able to wake them up by nudging gently. The dentist might need to monitor the patient’s vital signs, depending on their medical history.

Benefits

Oral sedation dentistry may be a more viable option for fearful patients because it doesn’t involve needles. Also, patients are still awake enough to respond to the dentist’s requests or directives, and most can maintain their cardiovascular functioning without intervention during treatment. Finally, oral sedation is a relatively inexpensive method compared to conscious IV sedation or general anesthesia.

Disadvantages

The biggest disadvantage is that the oral drugs require going through the stomach to take effect. This may take time (more or less depending on patient) and their affects can be less predictable than IV drugs. Additionally, patients must arrange for alternative transportation to and from the dentist’s office.  While they might remain sleepy hours after the procedure, the effects of sedation usually wear off the next day.  Another disadvantage to oral sedation is that it might not be suitable for patients with a history of chronic drug use or patients regularly taking sleeping pills.

Conscious IV Sedation

Conscious intravenous (IV) sedation, or moderate sedation, involves injecting the sedative into a vein. The most common drugs administered for conscious IV sedation are Versed and Fentanyl. Patients undergoing conscious IV sedation dentistry are not aware of their surroundings and will not likely remember the procedure afterward.

Benefits

Conscious IV sedation takes effect almost immediately.  Also, the dentist can adjust the dosage throughout the procedure, depending on how the patient responds to the sedative. Because the patient never completely loses consciousness, the dentist can still wake them up if they need to give them instructions.  Although patients under this type of sedation are in an extreme state of relaxation, they don’t need assistance in breathing or maintaining their cardiovascular function.

Disadvantages

As with oral sedation, conscious IV sedation dentistry relaxes patients to the extent that they cannot drive themselves home after their appointment.  Also, this type of sedation can be expensive, and not all insurance plans cover it. Some patients may feel drowsy for an extended period of time and some may even experience nausea.

General Anesthesia Deep IV Sedation

General anesthesia (GA), or deep sedation, dentistry involves medications that can put the patient totally to sleep so that they don’t know what’s happening.  While under GA, the patient will have difficulty waking up until the medication has worn off. Propofol (Diprovan) is the drug of choice for GA in dentistry for many reasons.

Although dentists often use GA for procedures like dental implant surgery and bone grafting, it is not as common a method as some might believe. Patients need to be in a specialized dental practice or hospital to receive GA. An anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist must be present to deliver the sedative and monitor the patient’s heart rate, breathing, and other vital signs.

Benefits

General anesthesia dentistry is appropriate for oral surgery and prolonged procedures that would be too traumatic for patients to remember. It’s sometimes the most suitable option for patients who are too fearful or anxious for other types of sedation. If a patient is nervous enough to refuse to have the procedure unless they’re asleep for it, the dentist might opt for combining sedation with GA.

Older patient and patients with significant health history also benefit greatly from GA. Older patients and patients very sensitive to medication greatly benefit form the use of a very short acting GA medication such as Propofol. This allows them to recover very quickly and leave the office safely (still requiring a driver). Health compromised patients benefit from GA due to the ease of access via IV to administer emergency drugs and the additional medical doctor in the procedure (the anesthesiologist).

Some patients with intellectual disabilities might have a heightened fear that prevents them from cooperating under other forms of sedation. In addition, people with other special needs, such as mental illness or autism, often cannot relax or be compliant and, therefore, are not suitable candidates for sedation without general anesthesia.

Disadvantages

One of the most significant drawbacks of deep sedation is the cost. The cost is high due to the need for an anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist. In some instances, deep sedation may result in the patient being too sedated to cooperate with the dentist. This is generally controlled by carefully titrating the medication during the procedure. Dentistry performed with this level of sedation is truly a specialized and requires an experienced team of professionals.

General anesthesia dentistry also poses health risks to some patients, such as those who have obstructive sleep apnea or are obese. Regardless of their health or risk factors, all patients should talk to their dentist about the health risks and the potential complications of GA.

The post The Complete Guide to the Different Types of Sedation Dentistry appeared first on Sarasota Dentistry.

A dead tooth not only can cause pain locally and in surrounding gums but may also change in color — degrading the quality of your smile. Left untreated, a dead tooth can spread bacteria to nearby teeth and gums, increasing the risk of infection and tooth loss. If you experience one or more symptoms of a dead tooth, visit your dentist right away so you can potentially save the tooth, resolve related pain and discomfort, and prevent the tooth from causing additional oral health problems.

What constitutes a dead tooth? What does a dead tooth look like? How can you identify the symptoms of a dead tooth, and what should you do if you find these symptoms?

Table of Contents

• Dead Tooth Symptoms
• Dead Tooth Causes
• Dead Tooth Treatments
• Dead Tooth FAQs

Dead Tooth Symptoms

The main symptoms of a dead tooth include discoloration and pain or discomfort in and around the affected tooth, reports Harvard Health Publishing. The level of pain caused by a dead tooth ranges from mild to severe as swelling and infection put pressure on sensitive nerve tissues at the base of the tooth. The tooth may also turn yellow, gray, or black due to stopped blood flow to the tooth.

Other symptoms of a dead tooth may include:

• Bad breath
• Bad smell coming from the tooth
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Swelling around the gum line near the affected tooth
• Inflamed sore on the gums
• Pimple on the gum line

If experience one or more of these symptoms of a dead tooth, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Dead Tooth Causes

Tooth decay, trauma, and injury represent the main causes of a dead tooth.

Tooth decay can be caused by factors including poor oral hygiene (not brushing and flossing regularly), a diet high in sugary foods and junk foods, and the use of certain medications. Cavities will gradually eat away at tooth enamel and eventually reach the pulp — where the restricted blood supply to the tooth results in a dead tooth.

Trauma and injury to a tooth — such as that caused by contact sports or a blow to the face —  can rupture blood vessels that control blood flow to the tooth. This can prevent tooth nerves from receiving the oxygen and nutrition they need, causing the tooth to die.

Dead Tooth Treatments

Getting a treatment can prevent bacteria from spreading from the dead tooth to nearby teeth, gums, and the jawbone — causing additional decay, infection, and tooth loss. A root canal or tooth extraction can often effectively treat a dead tooth.

During a root canal, your dentist performs a deep cleaning of the inside of the affected tooth to remove its pulp and infected tissue. Though your tooth may be dead, it can still be useful as long as it is not chipped or broken, reports MedlinePlus. In some cases, a dental crown may be implanted to support and strengthen a dead tooth.

If extremely brittle, broken, or severely damaged, tooth extraction may be performed. If the dead tooth must be completely extracted, your dentist may recommend replacing the tooth with a denture, implant, or bridge that can help you maintain oral functionality.

Dead Tooth FAQs

What is a dead tooth?

A dead tooth has stopped receiving fresh blood supply. Lack of blood flow to a tooth can cause it to die and become discolored, infected, chipped, and/or broken. People with a dead tooth may experience pain and discomfort in and around the tooth and display yellow, gray, or black discoloration of the tooth.

What causes a dead tooth?

The most common causes of a dead tooth include tooth decay, trauma, and injury. Poor oral hygiene can cause tooth decay; traumatic injury leading to a dead tooth may stem from receiving a blow to the face, tripping and falling, and participating in contact sports.

How can I tell if a tooth is dead?

A dead tooth may cause mild to severe pain in and around the affected tooth and gum line. Other signs and symptoms of a dead tooth include tooth discoloration, bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth, swelling around the tooth, and a pimple or abscess on the gum line near the tooth.

What does a dead tooth look like?

A dead tooth will often gradually become discolored as a result of stopped blood flow to the tooth. A dead tooth may appear yellow, gray, or black, and may also become brittle, chipped, and/or broken.

Can you save a dying tooth?

A root canal may salvage a dead or dying tooth. A root canal gives your dentist the opportunity to clean the inside of the affected tooth and remove pulp and infected tissues contributing to pain, discomfort, and other related symptoms. If a dying tooth cannot be completely saved, your dentist may perform extraction or recommend a dental implant to support the structure and functionality of the tooth.

Sarasota Dentistry offers root canal and tooth extraction treatments. If you have a dead tooth or exhibit symptoms, contact our office today at 941-929-7645 to schedule an appointment and to learn more about your available treatment options.

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