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

Monday, January 18, 2010

Pros and Cons of Dental Implants

Dental implants are considered to be “one of the most important advances in dental treatment over the last two decades.” Dental implants allow for the replacement of individual teeth and/or a variety of teeth. Dental implants are defined as, “titanium rods about a centimeter long that are placed inside the jawbone and serve the same purpose as the roots of teeth.” There are both pros and cons when it comes to dental implants. Patients considering getting them should consider both sides of the coin before making a final decision.


Starting with the pros, dental implants once in place can last a person a lifetime which makes them well worth the money. Dental implants are very practical and look as natural as real teeth. Dental implants look a great deal better than other forms of dental fixtures such as traditional, removable bridges and dentures (which can be both loose fitting in the mouth). Dental implants also feel better in the mouth than do bridges and the biting action of the dental implants is every bit as good, in not better than that of bridges.


Dental implants are excellent in their fit and look very striking. Dentists can replace one, two, three and even more teeth in a patient’s mouth or the implant can be used to create supports for dentures. Implants allow a patient to look younger and they can make it possible for bridges to be positioned in the mouth where there is no individual tooth or teeth to connect it to. Dental implants can correct a jaw that is completely toothless. As well dental implants can prevent bone that is toothless from what is called as resorbing (in other words, dissolving and shrinking).


The cons are the downside of dental implants. One of the biggest is the cost of them which is great. Dental implants can run a patient into the thousands. They are a great deal pricier than removable full or partial dentures and fixed bridges. Dental implants are not always covered by insurance policies. It is a very time consuming process that involves frequent visits to the dentist. In the most complicated of cases, patients can be making multiple visits for a period of one to two years.


Dental implant surgery involves a certain degree of pain afterwards as well as bruising and swelling. This will vary from person to person. The false tooth that is positioned on top during the surgery, known as the crown, will likely have to be replaced sometime during a ten to fifteen year period. Dental implants do not always “integrate” or take to a patient’s mouth. In other words, sometimes the surgery is a failure. This can depend on a number of different factors, the most common being the type of implant that was used and the overall health of the patient in question. Most often this surgery is a failure when it comes to specific diseases such as diabetes that is not under control for example, as well as in those individuals who smoke. Breakage of dental implants commonly occurs which are definite cons as well as the occurrence of infections inside the mouth.


BigSmiles Dental - Cloverdale Dental Clinic*Surrey Dentists*
- Cloverdale Dentist

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Dentures Implant








Dentures may be the best solution for those who have lost most or all of their teeth. They can restore a person’s ability to chew, boost their self-confidence, and give them back the smile they used to have. Though dentures can adequately work well in replicating the look of real teeth, they often fall short when it comes to their function.

The most common complaint for full dentures is shifting or even detachment while chewing or talking. For mild incidences of this a denture adhesive may be used. However, for those with sensitive gums adhesives are out of the question. Furthermore, adhesives can’t completely solve this problem when it comes to hard foods like candy or nuts. To compound the problem, the gums and jawbones shrink with time. This means that the dentures get progressively looser as you age.

Denture implants are another way to secure dentures to your mouth without the use of messy adhesives. In this technique, a drill is used to implant prosthetic posts in the jawbone. Once the surrounding tissue heals, the posts become integrated into the mouth. They are used to fasten the dentures into the mouth so that even under rigorous conditions they’ll stay in place. Some reports have indicated that it is possible to restore a patient’s chewing ability back to normal.
The procedure is usually done on the lower jaw. For most people, two posts are all that is required for practical purposes. With the addition of more posts, the stability of the denture increases dramatically. Though it is a bit more difficult a denture implant can be done on the upper jaw as well.

While denture implants solve some problems, they also come with their own. For one thing, denture implants are rather expensive. That’s because it’s an actual surgery that requires drilling and sutures. The fact that it’s a surgery also means that the risks associated with surgery in general, like infections, are present. Luckily the success rate of most denture implant surgeries is rather high. Only a small fraction of surgeries require correction.

On the upside, patients receiving denture implants can have the peace of mind knowing that they won’t even have to think about them. Wearing dentures with denture implants is a breeze, and most patients forget they’re even wearing them. A return to a normal life is what an implant can do for you. Imagine being able to eat everything that you’ve always enjoyed in life, without the worry of shifting or even dislodging your dentures.

If you are interested in having denture implants consult your dentist today. Prepare yourself for the kind of stability you’d only dreamed of. Anchor your life with denture implants!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Benefits of Dental Implants:

  • Implants help restore proper chewing function
  • Feel confident that your replacement teeth won’t move or loosen
  • You regain the closest thing to the look, feel and function of your natural teeth
  • Throw away those gooey adhesives used for keeping dentures in place
  • Eliminate irritated and painful gums caused by dentures or bridges
  • Forget about unsightly partial denture clasps which place damaging pressure on remaining teeth
  • Improve your speech
  • Dental Implants help stop shrinkage and progressive bone loss of your jaw bone
  • Proven to have a high success rate

BigSmiles - Surrey Botox, Surrey Implants*
- Cloverdale Dentist

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Dental Implant



A dental implant is an artificial tooth root replacement and is used in prosthetic dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth. The most widely accepted and successful implant today is the osseointegrated implant, titanium fixture can be successfully fused into bone when osteoblasts grow on and into the rough surface of the implanted titanium fixture. This forms a structural and functional connection between the living bone and the implant. A variation on the implant procedure is the implant-supported bridge, or implant-supported denture.

BigSmiles - Surrey, Langley, Cloverdale
- Cloverdale Dentist

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Post-Operative Instructions Following Sinus Lift

* BigSmiles Dental Care *
1. Do not blow your nose.

2. If you must sneeze, do so with your mouth open to avoid any unnecessary pressure

3. Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco. Smoking greatly inhibits the healing,especially in the sinus graft.

4. Do not take liquids in through a straw

5. Do not lift or pull up on your lip to look at the stitches, as this may actually create damage and tear the stitches.

6. Take your antibiotics as directed and until finished.

7. You may have some bleeding from the nose. This is not uncommon and should pass quickly.

8. You may be aware of small granules in your mouth for the next few days. This is not unusual, as your graft is mainly made of particles and some excess particles will be lost.

9. If you feel congested, you may need to use antihistamines or decongestants. If you do, Use over the counter products such as Sudafed, Tavist-D or Dimetapp. I would also suggest that you avoid nasal sprays unless they are saline.

*BigSmiles - Surrey dentists, Cloverdale, Surrey implants*
- Cloverdale Dentist

Friday, December 11, 2009

Post-Operative Instructions Following Dental Implants

* BigSmiles Dental Care *
Placement of dental implants usually does not create a great deal of pain. General postoperative instructions apply, with the exception of rinsing.

Remember DO NOT rinse with the warm salt water. The Doctor has given you a prescription rinse containing chlorhexidine, an antibacterial medicine to assist in the healing and keep the site healthy.

Make sure that you get rid of any toothpaste residue prior to rinsing and then DO NOT eat or drink for 30 minutes after rinsing. This will maximize the potency of the medication.

Generally speaking following implant surgery the Gore-Tex sutures need to be removed. They are white strings which may see in your mouth. If they become loose and annoying, call the office to have them removed at your earliest convenience.

1. Some degree of discomfort and pain arises a numbness subsides. At the first sign of pain or discomfort, take the prescribed medications. As an alternative you may take 2-4 Advil. If you cannot take aspirin products, then take two Tylenol. If the pain you are having, is not controlled by the Advil or "Advil-like" prescription, you may take the prescribed severe pain medicine, but only after eating some food. Any pain medications can cause nausea and vomiting. It is very important that you have some food in your stomach before you take them.

2. DO NOT DISTURB THE AREA OF SURGERY. Allowing the tissues to rest undisturbed assists the healing process. Avoid vigorous chewing, excessive spitting, or aggressive rinsing. If you routinely use a Water Pik, avoid doing so during the healing phase. Initial healing may be delayed, active bleeding restarted, or infection introduced.

3. Expect minor bleeding or oozing. If bleeding persists, continue pressure on a fresh sponge for an additional 30 minutes to an hour. Biting on a moist teabag wrapped in gauze may help control persistent oozing from the surgical site. Tea contains tannic acid, which helps promote blood clotting.

4. Firm pressure for 15-30 minutes usually controls the problem. If you check too frequently, (every few minutes), the blood clot will not form properly and bleeding will continue. Should active bleeding persist, Please call the office or page the doctor.

5. LIMIT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY during the first 24-48 hours after surgery. Over exertion may lead to postoperative bleeding and discomfort. When you lie down keep your head elevated on a pillow. You may wish to place a towel on your pillowcase to avoid staining from any blood-tainted saliva.

6. PAIN FOLLOWING ORAL SURGERY will be most severe within the first 6-8 hours after the operation. Please do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking prescription medication. Do not wait for the pain to become unbearable before using some form of pain medication, as then it will be more difficult to control. Moderate to severe pain usually does not last longer than 48 hours. And mild discomfort usually diminishes after the third day. Please contact us if you experience prolonged severe pain so that we can help make you more comfortable.

7. SWELLING RELATED TO THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE may occur following certain types of procedures. An ice pack should be placed on the side of your face for 20 minutes then taken off for 10 minutes and repeated. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as Advil, also help decrease swelling.

8. FLUID INTAKE IS IMPORTANT. Clear beverages, ginger ale, Seven-up, or Sprite, water, teas, soda, broth, soups, or juices are all suitable. Avoid hot liquids until the numbness has worn off, and the bleeding has stopped. Drink plenty of fluids.

9. AVOID USING A STRAW FOR SEVERAL DAYS. It may dislodge the blood clot and delay healing.

10. FOOD SELECTION. Soft, cool foods are most easily tolerated. A nutritious diet is most important to your comfort and temperament. Remember that eating can prevent nausea sometimes associated with certain medications. Supplements such as Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast and/or yogurt supply excellent added nutrition.

* DO NOT EAT ANY POPCORN, POPPY SEEDS, SESAME SEEDS OR SEEDED FRUITS. THEY CAN GET STUCK AND CAUSE INFECTION!

11. Take any special medication we have prescribed on the special dosing schedule. Yogurt with active cultures or acidophilus should be taken while on antibiotics to prevent diarrhea. It is important to take the antibiotics to completion. If you are given antibiotics and take birth control pills, you should be aware that the birth control may become ineffective, therefore take appropriate precautions.

12. Take any regularly scheduled medication (for diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) on your regular schedule unless advised to do otherwise.

13. TRY TO AVOID SMOKING COMPLETELY, as it tends to delay healing and interfere with regeneration. The Day Following Surgery and Thereafter On the day following the surgery, rinse your mouth carefully with 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a large glass of warm water. Repeat three times a day until remaining soreness subsides. Please do not use a syringe or water pik during the healing phase.

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT STITCHES. They are usually dissolvable.

ANY SWELLING, SORENESS OR STIFFNESS IN THE JAW MUSCLES can be relieved by applying a warm moist towel to the affected side of the face.

Sometimes a soft diet may be necessary for the first few days following surgery. Most patients are able to resume regular food intake within a short time.

Bruising marks may appear on the skin of the face during the first few days after surgery. Should any undue reaction or complications arise, notify the office immediately.

*BigSmiles - Sedation, Implant, Botox Cosmetic*
- Cloverdale Dentist

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Bone Graft

* BigSmiles Dental Care *
Bone disappears when it's not used (if no tooth is present). Sometimes before an implant can be placed, bone needs to be added to the site and allowed to regenerate. The bone can be taken from another site in the mouth or other sources can be used. This bone graft acts as a scaffold for your own bone to grow across, regenerate and calcify. As the new bone matures, the bone graft material resorbs (slowly dissolves away). A large percent of the time, a membrane is used to guide the graft to grow to the new bone in the proper way. This is called Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR). Many different membranes are available to achieve the desired result.
A bone graft may or may not be done at the same time the implant is placed, depending on the individual situation. If it is determined that they need to be performed at separate visits, the length of time between them is normally 4 to 8 months, again depending on what type of bone the graft will be placed in.


Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Bone Expansion

* BigSmiles Dental Care *
Bone expansion can sometimes be used if the area of bone is too narrow to house an implant and may sometimes be used used as an alternative or in conjunction with a bone graft. The bone in the prospective implant site can be expanded outwards by using a series of instruments. The implant is inserted and since bone is flexible, it immediately conforms itself around the implant snugly.



Sunday, December 6, 2009

Stabilizing dentures using dental implants

BigSmiles @ Cloverdale - Implants, Botox, Invisalign*
The problems with loose dentures

Millions of people around the world are missing enough teeth to require the use of a denture. Many of them struggle to keep their dentures secure, particularly in the lower jaw. If you have this problem, you already know about the embarrassment of slipping dentures, not being able to eat the foods that you love and the ineffectiveness of denture adhesives. Fortunately, there is a way to make your denture work the way it was intended: stabilize it with dental implants.

Benefits of denture stabilization
  • Restores proper chewing, allowing a better diet and improved health
  • Improves speech and confidence
  • Increases comfort with less irritation of gum tissue
  • Ends the cost and inconvenience of denture adhesives
  • Often can utilize your existing denture
  • Minimally invasive procedure

Dental stabilization with implants explained

Too many people who have conventional dentures don’t wear them for the simple fact that they don’t stay in place. Dental implants offer a way to keep dentures in place and allow you to go about your daily life with confidence.

The use of dental implants to stabilize dentures has proven to be successful for hundreds of thousands of people. The number continues to grow daily as word spreads about the effectiveness and long-term durability of the treatment. In fact, dental implants have the highest success rate of any implanted surgical device.

In the procedure, titanium posts (implants) with integrated ball-tops are inserted into the jaw, where the bone will heal around them.

The procedure typically takes about an hour, and can be done under local anesthesia. Your existing denture is modified to sit comfortably over the implants during the healing phase.
Discomfort from the procedure is usually minor. Your dentist can prescribe medication to alleviate pain and will suggest a modified diet during the initial healing phase.

After the implants have healed, your denture is modified to snap onto the ball-tops. The denture will be secure but may be removed for cleaning with a simple "snap".

What to expect afterwards

Daily cleaning consists of removing your denture at night and brushing around your implants to remove any food and plaque. Brushing also stimulates blood flow and promotes healthy gum tissue. Following your doctor’s post-operative instructions and maintaining your dental hygiene are important factors in ensuring the long-term success of your treatment.

BigSmiles @ Surrey
- Cloverdale Dentist

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Benefits of Dental Implants

Cloverdale dental - BigSmiles: Botox, implants
IMPLANT BENEFITS
  • Improved confidence
  • Stability during eating
  • Increased preservation of bone
  • Decreased gum tissue shrinkage
  • Less food seepage under the denture
  • Superior esthetics
  • Social interactions accomplished with confidence
  • A feeling close to that of your natural teeth
  • Dietary nutritional benefits

- Cloverdale dentist
Larry Lu - BigSmiles: sedation, implants, Botox