Dental Implants: Teeth Loss Treatment

Unlike sharks, humans do not have a near-infinite supply of teeth constantly growing in. Nor do we have constantly-growing incisors like rodents. Instead, we are issued a finite supply of teeth, and when they're gone, that's it. Once one tooth is gone, others can drift, crowd, and come out of alignment. The jawbone can decay, making it fragile and susceptible to breakage. It can look very unattractive, and the functions of the mouth, including chewing and speaking, can be affected.

Fortunately, cosmetic dentists have a number of solutions that are both aesthetic and functional to remedy the loss of teeth.

The Old War Horse:
With the exception of cosmetic bridges wired into the mouths of corpses following death, dentures were the first treatment for lost teeth. Dentures are prostheses that fit in the mouth, with one or more ponitcs (false teeth) that fill the spaces left by lost teeth. Dentures can be full or partial, and either top or bottom. Dentures can be a reasonable cosmetic and functional appliance, if well-made, but they can also be a poor solution for the problem of missing teeth, as they sometimes fit uncomfortably and are not fastened to the jaw, so they can slide out of place.

Fully-Functional Appliance:
Modern dental bridges are a fully-functional, highly cosmetic solution to the problem of missing teeth. In a dental bridge, the pontic (or pontics, though bridges are rarely recommended for very many teeth) are fastened to a neighboring tooth or neighboring teeth. This can be done either by modifying the supporting teeth with a dental crown, or it can be done using dental bonding that bond the pontic directly to the other teeth.

Bridges are near-perfect prostheses from both a functional and a cosmetic standpoint. Their only problem comes if bacteria begins to collect under the pontic as a result of poor oral hygiene. Their dependence on other teeth can also be a drawback, because they either require neighboring teeth to be modified with crowns, or if directly bonded they can fail if a neighboring tooth fails.

High-Tech Solution:
A dental implant goes even further toward a high-functioning and highly attractive prosthetic. In fact, a dental implant functions like the root of the tooth, and the crown on top is a fully-functioning tooth for all intents and purposes. Once a dental implant has been integrated into the jawbone, it requires no special treatment, and in most cases it will function as well or better than your natural teeth.

If you require many or all your teeth to be replaced in either arch, you can consider a system like Nobel's All-on-4 system, in which an entire arch of teeth is anchored using four implants into the jaw.

Although there are many ways to avoid the negative effects of missing teeth, the crown jewel is the dental implant.

Source: Dental Implants: When a Tooth Goes Bad

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Dental Implants & Dental Dentures

How do you know what is best for you and your future? Cosmetic dentures or dental implants both solve the same problem: fixing your missing teeth. You need to look at the big picture.

Cosmetic Dentures:
Cosmetic dentures are simply replacements of missing teeth. The false teeth can replace all the upper teeth or all the lower teeth (known as full dentures), or parts where groups of teeth are missing (called partials). The prosthetic teeth can be made from plastic or even porcelain. Today’s cosmetic dentures not only function, but also look aesthetically pleasing.

Cosmetic dentures are removable, nonpermanent structures which use denture adhesive to keep them in place during the day. You remove them and clean them at night.

Dental Implants:
By contrast, dental implants are a permanent solution to the problem of missing teeth. They are attached to the jawbone by the use of implanted anchors. The anchor sits below the gum line.

Titanium posts are attached to the anchors. These posts function like the teeth roots. They sit above the gum line.

Finally, a prosthetic tooth crown is attached on top of the post.

Because the implant is made of titanium, it integrates with the jawbone (called osseointegration), forming a functional and structural bond that can withstand the high-stress force that chewing creates.

Advantages of Dental Implants over Cosmetic Dentures:
When comparing cosmetic dentures and dental implants, dental implants are the preferred solution because they have several advantages:

• Aesthetics – dental implants are the closest thing to your natural teeth because they are anchored in your mouth in a duplication of the way your natural teeth are anchored in, so they look, act, and feel like the real thing.
• Confidence – dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth so they make you feel confident because you feel natural. They also don’t impede speech because they fit in your mouth the same as your natural teeth do.
• Facial stability – because dental implants provide the same support for your face as natural teeth, they can reduce or eliminate wrinkles that you may have gotten when teeth were missing. Also, they stabilize the face by holding it up so it doesn’t appear sunken. It’s almost like a face lift because sunken faces make people look much older then they actually are.
• Functionality – dental implants improve your ability to chew food because they can withstand almost as much biting and chewing force as natural teeth
• No teeth are sacrificed – dentures may require some teeth to be pulled, and partial dentures may use neighboring teeth as anchors, thus necessitating that some of those teeth be altered to support the partial denture
• Reliability - since dental implants look and function just like natural teeth, they offer you the ability to relax and feel more confident without worrying whether they will fall out. You just care for them like your natural teeth. You don’t need special cleaners or adhesives.

When looking into dental implants or cosmetic dentures, look for a cosmetic dentist that offers both accuracy and precision in both the diagnosis of missing teeth as well as the treatment solution. The combination of these tools allows him to completely envision the placement of your implants in a realistic, three-dimensional setting and create a surgical map which guides him in placing the dental implants.

Cosmetic dentures can look very good when they are designed correctly. However, when looking at the big picture, you can see that dental implants are the preferred treatment because of their advantages over cosmetic dentures.

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The Fear

Misplaced fears like Guerra's aren't uncommon. In a new consumer survey by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), nearly half (48.5 percent) of survey respondents said they perceived root canal treatment as "excruciatingly painful," and ranked the treatment just below a spinal tap in terms of discomfort.

The Reality

But these perceptions don't reflect the realities of modern treatment, something that patients are realizing firsthand.

In fact, a separate AAE study showed that patients who have experienced root canal treatment are six times more likely to describe it as "painless" than those who haven't had the treatment.

The expertise of endodontists, the dentists who specialize in root canal treatment, combined with anesthesia and advanced technologies, has made root canal treatment a procedure that can be as routine as having a cavity filled.

The treatment usually lasts a half hour and has a 95 percent success rate in saving abscessed or infected teeth.

The Better Choice

When patients are told the interior of their tooth is badly infected and requires treatment, they have three choices: extraction of the tooth with no replacement, extraction and replacement with an implant, or root canal treatment.

Patients who extract the tooth and do not replace it can have a difficult time chewing, have an increased risk of gum disease and their teeth may shift. Extraction with implant replacement involves having a prosthetic tooth screwed into the jaw.

Root canal treatment is the only option that preserves the natural tooth. "It's always best to save the natural tooth," says AAE President John S. Olmsted, D.D.S., M.S. "Nothing looks, feels or functions like them."

Despite these facts, the myths surrounding root canal treatment continue-and extend beyond concerns about pain. Many people believe that root canal treatment is expensive compared to other options, when it actually costs hundreds and hundreds of dollars less than getting an implant.

Root canals generally require one visit for the treatment plus another for the placing of a crown on the tooth, whereas placing an implant typically requires multiple surgeries.

Life After Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment removes the damaged pulp, or soft inner tissue containing nerves and blood vessels, from the tooth, and then the endodontist cleans, fills and seals the canals. The tooth is then restored with a permanent filling or other restoration, allowing it to once again function normally, often for a lifetime.

"I had horrible pain before I had root canal treatment," said Guerra. "Now my tooth is pain-free."

Guerra is just one of the 17 million people each year to have a natural tooth saved by root canal treatment-and to realize that the myths about root canal treatment just aren't true.

Source: Endodontists Demystify The Feared Root Canal

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Many people endure years of mental anguish over the condition of their teeth. The teeth are very much a focal point of one’s face, so when a person is embarrassed to show his teeth he can become self conscious and ultimately lack self confidence. With the advances in cosmetic dentistry, today adults can dramatically change the appearance of their smile without investing years of time in traditional orthodontic treatments, such as metal braces or retainers.

Dental veneers are now used by countless cosmetic dentists as a quick, safe, easy and generally painless way to create beautiful smiles. Veneers are ultra-thin shells made of either porcelain or composite resin that are custom made to fit over the front of existing teeth. Most patients find that their porcelain veneers are extremely durable and resist stains. Because veneers are produced to match your own unique teeth color, they appear very natural. Cosmetic dentists can use veneers to fix one problem tooth or an entire mouthful of teeth.

What tooth conditions can be fixed by dental veneers?
Genetics play a large role in the condition of one’s tooth health. From tooth color to the propensity for cavities or gum disease, heredity will dictate, to some extent, how your smile will take shape. Teeth can also become unattractive due to an injury, poor oral hygiene or because they can shift as we age. Dental veneers can correct problems such as:

• Discolored or stained teeth
• Misshaped teeth
• Crowding of teeth
• Large or small gaps between teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Chipped or broken teeth

How are dental veneers applied?
In porcelain veneers, first the cosmetic dentist removes a small amount of tooth enamel to accommodate the thin porcelain shell. Once the teeth have been prepared for the shells, a cast is made of the teeth. A dental lab produces custom-made veneers that will perfectly fit your teeth and provide a seamless bond. The new veneers are then permanently bonded to the teeth to create a natural-looking smile.

Composite resin veneers can also create beautiful smiles; however these materials may not be as resilient as porcelain. These veneers are shaped and molded in the office and bonded to the teeth with a special light and polished. Usually this can be accomplished in one office visit.

Dental veneers require little to no anesthesia.

Besides the aesthetic reasons, are there other advantages to dental veneers?
Even if you have good oral hygiene practices, the condition of your teeth may work against you. Settling for one (or even a mouthful) of crooked teeth can lead to greater dental problems. For example, it can be extremely difficult to properly floss and brush teeth that are crooked. The areas missed by brushing can lead to tooth decay, cavities, gingivitis, gum disease, etc. Teeth that are chipped or crooked can even wreak havoc on your ability to properly bite down, leading to headaches or muscle aches.

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Healthy Teeth & Gums Gives You A Healthy Smile

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Diabetes, stroke, heart and renal vascular disease, and obstetric complications all have one thing in common - they are linked to the state of a person’s oral health. Research has shown that there is a link between periodontal (gum) disease and several major systemic illnesses such as those listed above.

Gum Disease

Periodontal disease is the term used to describe a group of inflammatory diseases that affect the supporting structures around the teeth. “Gingivitis” involves only the gums and “Periodontitis” affects gums and bone and other supporting tissues.

A film of plaque containing lots of bacteria forms around the teeth constantly. If plaque is removed daily through brushing and flossing, bacteria will not affect the gum tissues. But if plaque is left undisturbed for several days, the increased amount of bacteria starts infecting the gums. In response, our body mounts an inflammatory defense against the bacteria. Antibodies are also formed against the bacteria. These inflammatory products then spread to other parts of the body. Hence periodontal disease creates an oral wound that allows entry of bacteria.

Pregnancy and Oral Care

The products of inflammation affect other organs of the body. For example, prostaglandins, formed when the body tries to defend itself against bacteria, cause smooth muscle contraction. In pregnant women, this may cause premature contraction of the muscles of the uterus and lead to preterm delivery. Premature babies have a lower birth weight and are known to have more developmental problems and allergies. In addition, a higher rate of miscarriage is possible in women with periodontitis.

Pregnant women are also known to complain about bleeding gums due to the increased levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones which make the gums more sensitive to inflammation. However, if plaque or calculus have been removed prior to pregnancy and maintained at low levels during pregnancy, then little inflammation and bleeding would occur.

Diabetes and Gum Disease

Diabetics should also be aware of the state of their gum health. They are more susceptible to infections, including periodontal infections. They also take longer to heal from such infections. Periodontitis is far more common in diabetics compared to non-diabetics.

Diabetics who have untreated periodontal disease will find it difficult to control their blood glucose level due to insulin resistance. Both periodontal disease and diabetes are chronic diseases that develop slowly. To most people, there are also no obvious, outwards signs in the early phases of both diseases. However, since diabetes is known genetically to occur in families, susceptible persons can take early steps to monitor the health of their gums and prevent or delay the onset and severity of diabetes.

Mouth and Body Connection

Gum inflammation has been linked to other diseases, including heart disease. Inflammation of the inner lining of blood vessels increases the chance of formation of the atheromatous plaque that causes hardening of the vessel and eventually blocks the vessels, cutting off blood flow.

Long term studies have shown that periodontal disease occurs before cardiovascular disease and is strongly linked to strokes. Strokes occur when the atheromatous plaque becomes unstable, breaks off and lodges in the finer vessels of the brain.

Other organs affected by periodontal inflammation include the liver, kidneys and lungs. The liver is the major organ that receives, processes and detoxifies products of infections from other parts of the body. In the process, the liver releases more products that have further adverse reactions on other organs. This negative effect can be reduced through treating periodontal disease by scaling and deep cleaning together with the use of antibiotics.

The same bacteria that cause gum disease have been implicated in infections of the lungs, leading to pneumonia. Poor oral health has also been linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a lung disease in which the lungs are damaged, making it hard to breathe.

Scientific reports have shown that even bone joints like the shoulder, knee or hip can become infected and inflamed when a person has severe gum disease. It is strongly recommended that a person seek a detailed, thorough dental treatment to clear all possible sources of infection before undergoing major surgery involving the bone joints and other organs.

The soft tissues of the mouth, of which the gums form a part, show tell-tale signs of other systemic diseases too. For example, persons with HIV have suppressed immunity. Bad infections of the gums may occur, with swollen, ulcerated gums being common.

Diseases of the blood such as leukaemia, anaemia and thrombocytopenia, also show up in the gums. Leukaemic patients have over production of white blood cells which can cause swelling and bleeding of the gums, and increase susceptibility to infections. This can progress to bone loss and cause teeth to loosen.

Medical Treatment and Lifestyle

Other medical treatments can compromise oral health. For example, after a liver transplant, the patient has to take medication to prevent rejection of the new liver. Such medication has been associated with increased swelling of the gums and loss of the bone around teeth. Meticulous oral hygiene with regular professional cleaning helps reduce such occurrence. Sometimes, the excessive gingival growth needs to be excised too.

Smoking is linked to more severe periodontal disease. Tobacco has many components that are detrimental to the body, including the gums and bone. A smoker also has an altered immune response. They are more susceptible to periodontal disease and respond poorly to treatment. The longer the exposure to tobacco, the worse the outcome.

Prevention

Knowing the close connection between gum health and systemic health (the health of the rest of the body), prevention is a practical, cost effective and relatively easy option.

• Ensure that good oral hygiene is maintained through regular and proper tooth brushing (at least twice a day) and regular flossing;
• Keep twice yearly appointments with the dentist to ensure that gums and teeth are healthy;
• Address any outstanding dental problems promptly rather than waiting for the pain or discomfort to be unbearable before going to the dentist; and
• Take sufficient amounts of Vitamin C daily - excessive deficiency of Vitamin C leads to defective formation and maintenance of collagen, the cells that form the underlying structure of gums and skin

Taking care of one’s mental health is also important, since stress causes an increase in cortisol, decreasing one’s immune response to bacterial challenge. Being stressed out may also cause a person to neglect basic oral hygiene care, thus leaving more bacterial plaque around the gums.

Our body is a living system. Infections in one organ can cause problems in other remote organs. No disease can be treated in isolation without considering its effects on other potential diseases.

Source: Healthy Gums and a Healthy Body - The Mouth and Body Connection

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Shakespeare said that “one may smile, and smile, and be a villain.” Hamlet was obviously going through something that few of us ever have or will, but a villainous smile still holds true today. When we imagine what separates the smiles of heroes from the smiles of villains, we get two very different pictures. Those heroes’ pearly whites, straight and even, evoke strength and confidence. The villain is another story. Crooked or missing teeth, certainly not white (brown, probably), and maybe even longer teeth to show some kind of evil nature. So, where do your teeth fit in these descriptions? Most likely, you’re somewhere in between.

While a smile with white, evenly straight teeth is what most people desire, the wear and tear of age, the food and drink they consume, as well as simple genetics may keep them from this. In fact, perfectly nice people may be uncomfortable that their teeth make them look a little more evil than they are. And this can affect self-esteem and confidence. The quality of life of some people may suffer because they are so concerned about the state of their smiles and their teeth, or are in actual physical pain due to a bad bite. For people like this, and perhaps even you, a cosmetic dentist can change all of this with a smile makeover.

Rather than a simple tooth whitening procedure, a smile makeover may involve several cosmetic treatments. The smile makeover can restore issues of:

• Broken or chipped teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Gapped teeth (diastema)
• Long or uneven gums
• Missing teeth
• Stained or discolored teeth
• Uneven teeth
• Overall appearance of smile

Virtually any problem you have with your teeth can be improved with a smile makeover. Changing the length, width, shape, and color of your teeth is possible through the use of:

• Porcelain crowns – When damage or decay to your teeth is extensive, the cosmetic dentist may recommend these. Porcelain crowns are either all-porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-gold. They have a natural appearance and are placed over the broken, decayed, or damaged teeth.

• Porcelain veneers – These are made from dental porcelain or composite resin and are placed over severely damaged or discolored teeth. They can also correct gaps and stained fillings. They are extremely thin and custom-made, giving your teeth a bright, new appearance.

• Porcelain inlays/onlays – These caps are similar, but more conservative than crowns. They are used to correct moderately broken or chipped teeth, as well as to fill gaps between teeth when the damage is not severe enough to warrant a crown. They can also replace old or damaged amalgam fillings.

In addition to porcelain crowns, veneers, inlays and onlays, other cosmetic procedures may be required. Orthodontia, gum recontouring (getting rid of “gummy smiles”), bridges, and tooth whitening are also possible. Sometimes the problem is a bad bite that may cause serious pain and migraines. This is due to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which affects one of the biggest nerve clusters in your body. In this case, a cosmetic dentist who practices neuromuscular dentistry may help end the pain that has plagued you for months, years, or even decades.

A smile makeover can give you a smile that can change your life. Beyond the aesthetically pleasing look, correcting many of these problems will put you on the road to good oral health, and an overall healthy outlook on everything around you – something every hero needs.

Source: A Smile for Everyday Protagonists

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Cosmetic dentistry has become more popular in the recently years with the improvements in dental techniques and materials. Many people have taken advantage of cosmetic dentistry to "enhance their smile".

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is the procedure to improve the appearance of teeth. With the recent developments in dental techniques and dental materials, cosmetic dentistry has made it possible for many people to have better looking smile.

Do you need cosmetic dentistry?

You might consider cosmetic dentistry if you have one of the following conditions with your teeth: gaps between teeth, cracks or cavities, broken or crooked teeth, stained or discolored teeth, uneven teeth, chips or rough spots.

Things to know when considering cosmetic dentistry

If you are considering cosmetic dentistry, you should keep the following facts in mind: First of all, cosmetic dentistry is costly and usually not covered by dental insurance. Some procedures might cost you over $1000 per tooth. You should make sure you can afford it because you do it. Also, the procedure might need to be repeated every 10 to 15 years because some materials used in cosmetic dentistry might not last very long.

What type of services are included?

Cosmetic dentistry includes many types of services such as porcelain veneers, tooth whitening, fresh breath treatment, metal-free fillings, crowns, bridges, restorative cosmetic dentistry, instant orthodontics, etc.

If you want to enhance your smile, cosmetic dentistry could be your choice.

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