Why Choose Implants?

Implant Dentistry

Why choose implants to replace teeth?
Dental implants are the modern way to permanently replace dentures or teeth lost to decay, disease or trauma.  Implants don’t have the drawbacks of other tooth replacement methods because they look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth.

Consider the pros and cons of the alternatives:
Do nothing.  This may seem like a good option, especially if the tooth is in the back and out of sight.  There are several drawbacks, however:

  • A missing tooth can affect your confidence, smile, chewing, and the way you talk.
  • The gap in your teeth can affect the appearance of your face.  Your gums will recede and the bone in your jaw may start to degrade.  This gives a “sunken” look to your jaw and face which can make you look and feel years older.
  • Your bite may be affected as the surrounding teeth shift to fill the gap.

Bridges
When you needed to replace teeth next to each other, a bridge is a common and effective treatment method that used to be the best available option.  A bridge is actually one or more artificial teeth that sit on top of your gum.  They are attached and held in place by crowns on the adjacent teeth on either side.  Unfortunately, these anchor teeth that hold the bridge in place need to be shaped into posts to hold the crowns, which means shaving off healthy natural tooth.  Also, since the gap remains below the gums, a crown can’t prevent the bone degradation caused by missing tooth roots.

Denture or Partial Denture
Dentures, full and partial, are another effective tooth replacement technique.  Until dental implant technology became widely available, they were the best option for replacing several or even all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw.  Similar to bridges, dentures sit on the gum, and offer no protection from the bone degradation caused by the absence of tooth roots.  Dentures can also fit poorly, slip out of place, and cause pain and discomfort.

Dental Implants are the superior option in every way because they look and function just like natural teeth.  The presence of the implant below the gumline prevents bone degradation, and the gap in your smile is filled with teeth that look indistinguishable from the rest of your teeth.  The adjacent natural teeth remain untouched.   Your dentist has implant treatment options available for replacing one, or any number of teeth, in a way that is permanent, secure and complete natural-looking.

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Types of Implants

Implant Dentistry

Single
The best way to permanently replace a single missing tooth is with a porcelain crown attached to a dental implant.  The implant itself is actually a titanium screw that performs all the functions of the root of the natural tooth it replaces.  Once the implant is firmly and permanently attached to the bone in your jaw, it can be capped with a porcelain crown.  The combination of the implant under the gum and crown above the gumline creates a brand new tooth that looks and performs just like your natural tooth.

Implant-Supported Bridge
When two or three teeth in a row need to be replaced, implants can be used to support a bridge.  While a traditional bridge uses the adjacent teeth to anchor the replacement teeth, implants offer a better solution.  Using one or more implants as anchors, a bridge can be permanently and securely attached, without any damage to the structure of the adjacent teeth.

Implant-Supported Partial or Full Denture
If your dentures slip, or cause you pain and discomfort, dental implants are the perfect solution.   A partial or even full denture can be supported by implants specifically placed throughout the gumline.  This implant-supported denture snaps into place for a totally secure and dependable hold that you just can’t get with traditional dentures.  Depending on your specific needs, your dentist may use a fixed denture which permanently stays in place, or a removable denture that you can snap on and off the anchoring implants whenever you wish.

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FAQ’s on Dental Implants

Implant Dentistry

What is a dental implant?
The implant itself is actually a titanium screw that performs all the functions of the root of the natural tooth it replaces.  Once the implant is firmly and permanently attached to the bone in your jaw, it can be capped with a porcelain crown.  The combination of the implant under the gum, and crown above the gumline, creates a brand new tooth that looks and performs just like your natural tooth.

What if I don’t have enough strong bone to support an implant?
Sometimes there is not enough bone available to support a traditional dental implant.  In this case, your dentist can use a technique called bone grafting to build up the bone in your jaw.  After this graft has been given time to heal, the regular implant treatment can proceed.

How long does the process take?
While there are some one-appointment implant technologies, called immediate-load implants, most implant procedures involve three appointments over a few months.  The implant is attached to the jaw in the first appointment, and then given a period of months to form a strong and permanent bond with the bone.  On your next appointment, your dentist will evaluate the strength of the bond, and when successful, prepare impressions for the crown, bridge or denture.   Typically, you’ll receive your permanent restoration on the third appointment.  Ask your dentist about your specific dental needs to find out what options are available and the timing involved.

Will I have teeth during this process?
Yes.  No matter how many weeks the process takes, you can have teeth every step of the way.  These “temporaries” will look and function like natural teeth, so you will be the only one who has to know about your dental treatment.

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Dental Implants

Implant Dentistry

Dental implants are the modern alternative for permanent tooth replacement.  Using implants, your dentist can actually create replacement teeth which look and function just like your natural teeth.  They an incredible solution for anyone who needs to replace one tooth, several teeth, or even all their teeth!

Missing teeth or a poorly fitting and uncomfortable denture can hurt your confidence and make life difficult in a number of ways.  If you suffer from tooth loss or denture problems, it’s hard to enjoy some of the little things in life, and some of the big things too.  Does any of this sound familiar?

  • You have trouble eating some foods – good foods that you really enjoy, like salad and steak.
  • You worry about the way your teeth look, so you don’t laugh and smile as much, even at important events, like parties and weddings.
  • Your poorly fitting denture makes you second guess everything you do with your mouth, from eating, to laughing, smiling, or even talking.  You always worry that the denture will slip or come loose.
  • Your denture is so uncomfortable, and even painful, that you only wear it when you absolutely have to.

In the past, there were limited options when you lost a tooth, and these options each have drawbacks (see:  Why choose implants to replace teeth?)  Now, dental implants can help you solve all these problems, permanently, and without the drawbacks.  Ask your dentist about all the options available with dental implants, and start enjoying life again!

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Sedation Dentistry Types

Sedation Dentistry
Sedation is an incredible way to stay comfortable through your whole dental appointment. Depending on your dental needs and the level of sedation required, your dentist will use one of the following sedation methods:

Nitrous Oxide (NO2)
Sometimes called laughing gas, Nitrous Oxide, is an odorless colorless gas that helps one stay relaxed and comfortable through a dental procedure. It is commonly delivered through a mask in combination with oxygen. Nitrous oxide produces a very light form of sedation that is extremely safe when professionally administered. It is very popular because it is effective, it works fast , and it wears off quickly.
Anxiolysis
Some patients experience anxiety before their dental appointments. Anxiolysis simply means the prescription of a single dose of a tranquilizer, like valium, to calm and relax a patient before their treatment starts. Sometimes the patient takes the pill at the office, and sometimes the dentist prescribes it for the night before or the morning of the appointment. These anti-anxiety oral medications are very safe and effective when prescribed by your dentist.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral Conscious Sedation, or OCS, has become a very popular method for patients to have pleasant and comfortable dental experiences. Imagine that instead of pain, fear, and anxiety, an appointment can make you feel calm, comfortable and relaxed. It can be this way with oral conscious sedation.
Typically a patient takes one or two prescribed pills and hour before their appointment. After your companion drives you to the office, you relax in the dental chair under a warm blanket, while special monitoring equipment is used to ensure your total comfort and safety. The dentist assesses you to see if you need more medication, and only begins work when you are totally relaxed and comfortable. Very often, patients remember little or nothing from the appointment, and the whole visit just feels like a dream!
IV Sedation (Intra-Venous)
When the sedative medications are delivered through an IV in the arm of the patient, this is known as IV Sedation. An IV can create a very light conscious sedation, or can be used to produce a deeper sedation, depending on the needs of the patient. As with other sedation methods, IV sedation is extremely safe and effective when performed by a highly trained dentist.
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Sedation Dentistry FAQ’s

Sedation Dentistry

What will my oral sedation appointment be like?
It’s actually a very pleasant experience, and probably very much unlike what you expect from a dental visit. Typically, you take a small pill an hour before the appointment, and then you are driven to the office by your companion. The dentist assesses your level of sedation to determine whether any additional medication is needed. The treatment is only started once you are completely comfortable. During the appointment, you are continually monitored for safety and comfort. You will be unaware of the treatment, and it will be over before you know it. You will probably remember little or no details about the visit. Afterward, many patients describe the visit as “like a dream”.

Will I be asleep during the appointment?
Probably not, but you may feel like you slept through the whole thing. When a patient has special needs, an IV can be used to deliver General Anesthesia, which put the patient to sleep. In the vast majority of cases, however, this level of sedation is unnecessary. Conscious sedation, either oral or IV, can deliver a very comfortable and relaxing experience that makes you feel like you were sleeping. Patients often remark that a conscious sedation appointment feels like a dream, because they remember little or no details about the appointment.

What does sedation feel like?
Many people say that it feels like taking a nap. You’ll be sedated just enough to keep you comfortable, and you’ll be unaware of the dental treatment.

Can I drive myself to the appointment?
No. All patients are required to have a companion drive them to and from the appointment. After the visit is over, your companion will remain with you while you take it easy for the rest of the day.

What happens after the appointment is over?
Most people feel a little sleepy. You will be monitored until the medication has worn off enough for you to go home safely. For the rest of that day, you’re companion will stay with you, and you’ll just take it easy. You’ll feel more like yourself sooner if you eat something and drink plenty of fluids. The next day will just be a normal day – except you’ll have a brand new smile!

Is sedation safe?
Sedation is very safe. Your dentist and the whole team have been extensively trained to care for sedated patients. The medications used in oral sedation have been safely prescribed as a sleep aid for years. IV sedatives are also very safe, and are only administered by dentists who have been trained and certified in their use and safety. You will be monitored by special safety equipment the entire time you are at the office, and you will not be released until it is safe for you to go home.

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Why Sedation Dentistry

Sedation Dentistry

Dentistry has come a long way over the years, but none of the advancements can help a person who doesn’t make an appointment.   Millions of people aren’t getting the dental care they need because they can’t or won’t go to the dentist.  Now, there’s a breakthrough that’s completely changing dentistry, and making it possible for everyone to get the treatment they need:  it’s called sedation dentistry.

People have many reasons for avoiding the dentist.  Some feel uncomfortable and even afraid, just thinking about going to the dentist’s office. The sights, sounds and smells of dentistry can be downright scary to many perfectly normal people.    Often, it’s memories of past dental experiences, sometimes from childhood, that keep people away.  There’s no reason to be embarrassed of your fear of the dentist, because there are millions of people just like you.

Fear, discomfort, and anxiety aren’t the only reasons people have for avoiding the dentist.  Some have complex dental problems, and just don’t have time for all the appointments.  Others have trouble getting numb or even sitting still for long periods of time.

For all these problems – sedation dentistry is the answer.  Once you are comfortably sedated, your fear and anxiety will just melt away.  Issues with discomfort, getting numb, and sitting still are no longer problems once you’re enjoying the peace of a relaxed dental appointment with sedation dentistry.  Better yet, with sedation dentistry, your dentist will probably be able get more treatment finished in each visit.  That means fewer appointments!

Modern dentistry gives dentists a number of sedation options, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and even IV sedation.  While the techniques are different, the goal is the same:  your dentist will give you just enough medication to keep you comfortable and relaxed through the whole appointment.  The procedures are highly effective and extremely safe, and the whole team of professionals at our practice has been trained to ensure patient safety and comfort.

Ask about what sedation options are available for your dental treatment.  Once you try sedation dentistry, you may never want to have an appointment any other way!

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Sedation Dentistry Overview

Sedation Dentistry

Are You a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is wonderful for people who are afraid of the dentist, but it’s not just for them.   It’s a great option for anyone who wants their next dental visit to be a comfortable and pleasant experience.  Patients choose sedation for a number of reasons.  If any of the following sound like you or someone you know, call us and find out what options are available:

  • I’m afraid of the dentist.
  • I can’t stand the sights, sound and smells of a dental office.
  • I’m too scared to even call to make an appointment.
  • I’ve avoided going to the dentist for so long that I try not to think about it.
  • It’s painful to chew.
  • I’m afraid to even smile because I’m so unhappy with my teeth.
  • I don’t like needles.
  • I know I need a lot of work, but I don’t have time for all the appointments.
  • I’ve had bad experiences at the dentist in the past.
  • My teeth are very sensitive.
  • I have trouble getting numb, even after the dentist has given me Novocain.
  • I have trouble sitting still in a dental chair.
  • I have a strong gag reflex, and can’t stand having anything in my mouth.
  • I can’t find a dentist I feel I can trust.
  • I’m embarrassed by my fear of the dentist.
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Tooth Colored Fillings

Cosmetic Dentistry

White, or “tooth-colored” fillings are a dramatic improvement over the mercury-based metal fillings of the past.  A skilled cosmetic dentist can use resin composite material to custom-shape fillings that match the color of surrounding teeth so closely that they are nearly invisible, eliminating the tell-tale black fillings that plagued many patients in the past.

The benefits of white or tooth-colored fillings are not merely cosmetic.  Fillings made from resin composite not only provide a more natural-looking result, but they are also more heat resistant than metal fillings, ensuring more comfort for the patient and minimizing the potential of further tooth breakage.  Furthermore, since resin fillings bond directly to the tooth surface and can be molded to the exact shape needed, they allow for less leakage than metal fillings and thus offer more protection and support to damaged teeth.

Traditional metal fillings are made from an amalgam that consists of roughly 50% mercury, a metal which has proven to be extremely toxic.  Over time, the mercury from amalgam or metal fillings may leak into the patient’s body, which some medical professionals believe can lead to birth defects, mental disorders, or neurodegenerative diseases.  While the debate on the safety of mercury fillings is ongoing, many dentists have chosen to work entirely with resin or tooth-colored fillings to eliminate any risk.

While tooth-colored fillings cost more than traditional metal amalgam fillings, most patients find that the cosmetic and structural benefits they provide are well worth the extra cost.  Not only do most patients opt to fill cavities with tooth-colored filings, many patients may also opt to replace existing metal fillings with tooth-colored fillings to ensure a more natural look to their smile.

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Tooth Whitening

Cosmetic Dentistry

Among cosmetic dentistry procedures, tooth whitening is perhaps the most cost effective and rapid way to dramatically change the appearance of one’s smile. With tooth whitening performed in a the office of a cosmetic dentist, patients can enjoy dramatically whiter teeth without the investment of time and money required for more complex cosmetic treatments such as porcelain veneers.

Over time, teeth can become stained by a variety of factors, including drinking red wine, coffee, or tea; certain medications; smoking; or older dental restorations. Stained teeth can make a person appear older than they really are, and many patients find that tooth whitening lends a more youthful, vibrant, and refreshed appearance to their smiles.

Whether a patient has one tooth that is stained or wish to brighten their entire smile, in-office tooth whitening can be completed in one visit to the cosmetic dentist, and often in less than one hour. To begin the process, the cosmetic dentist will gently clean any plaque on the patient’s teeth and along the gum line. Then he or she will apply a peroxide-based gel to the teeth. This gel contains a professional strength whitening agent that is more potent than those available for in-home tooth whitening. Finally, a special laser is used to activate the bleaching agents in the gel. The patient usually reclines in a treatment chair for roughly one hour while this light is applied. The result is teeth that are up to ten shades whiter, though in rare cases the procedure may need to be repeated to eliminate particularly dark or deep stains.

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