Tooth Replacement Options

Not a single person wishes to lose their healthy teeth and have to look into replacement options, but mishaps and injuries are an unfortunate factor of life. Thankfully, cosmetic dentistry options have made fantastic strides in recent history, making teeth replacement a possible option for many people. Gone are the days of those loose fitting, flapping dentures; many people are able to obtain dental implants to produce a healthy smile without having unpleasant incidents with their dentures. One constraint of dental implants has been patients whose bone structure is either not big enough or damaged to sustain the depth essential for post implantation. The most recent dental news, however, shows an excellent effectiveness in shorter dental implant posts, giving a solution to people whose bone size recently disqualified them.

As far as teeth replacement procedures go, most NY dental professionals would concur that implants are more advanced than other procedures. Moving dentures may cause eating complications, pinch the gums and cause pain, and in some cases interfere with speech, all issues that are fixed with dental implants. NYC residents have found that implants are significantly more comfortable, look much better, and offer them a boost in self-esteem.

Another significant advantage of dental implants could be a better mouth. Other alternatives usually call for bridges to existing teeth, which probably involves grinding to minimize the dimensions of one’s teeth to make the bridge more effective. Bridges also reduce access to the individual teeth for proper cleaning. Dental implants are designed to stand alone, making it very easy to clean between the dental implants and existing teeth. The result is improved gums, less tooth decay, and better smelling breath. Obviously, you likewise don’t have to stress over misplacing your implants!

With the most current dentistry news, the advantages of dental implants are available to a wider number of people. Research conducted on 6,193 short implants showed a comprehensive effectiveness of 99.1 percent. Success in implants involves bone tissue sticking to the titanium posts and gum bonding. Bone adherence has been thought to be troublesome for people with intensive jaw atrophy or bone loss, but these studies show that even these patients can be helped by dental implants.

Most of these studies were geared toward the use of dental implants as a short-term procedure, yet the study successes show long-term treatment may very well be an excellent option. If you have previously been disqualified from getting dental implants, or if you’ve been putting off some much needed treatment on your teeth, now’s a good time to speak with your cosmetic dentist. New york city is an excellent place to receive the latest in dental treatments.

Smile Makeovers for the New Year

As the old year comes to a close and we prepare to ring in the new, why not consider ringing in a new smile for the New Year? Chipped, stained, misshapen, and missing teeth can all be corrected through prosthodontic procedures. And while the name sounds daunting, these procedures are simply those done by a trained professional to restore stunning good looks to your pearly whites. Prosthodontic procedures are those that involve diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and maintenance of the function, comfort, appearance, and health of your mouth. Many of these procedures have become very popular, involve little risk, and have stunning results. We’ll discuss a few of these procedures here, so you can begin to make plans for a stunning smile.

Porcelain veneers are a relatively easy and inexpensive solution for stained, misshapen, or chipped teeth. One of the best things about veneers is that they can usually be applied without anesthesia. Veneers can even be used to remove unwanted spaces, and correct crooked teeth.  Veneers are made from an impression done by your Dental Life professional, and are then glued to your teeth. Veneers will not stain, and are very strong and durable, lasting from ten to fifteen years. Porcelain veneers have been popular with celebrities who need a quick smile makeover.

If your teeth are good looking except for stains and yellowing, then a simple teeth whitening procedure may be your best smile makeover option. While there are many over-the-counter, do it yourself type products available, professional teeth whitening is much more effective and long-lasting. Also, beware of salon-type teeth whitening services, not all whitening products are created equal, and many operating these types of shops do not have the professional training equivalent to that of a cosmetic dentist. Manhattan area residents should choose their teeth whitening options carefully. It is always a good idea to consult with a professionally trained dentist for the safest and most effective whitening methods.

Obviously a little higher on the price range, dental implants are not as expensive as they used to be, and have improved dramatically in technology. Implants are a great option when missing teeth are involved. Nothing is worse than dealing with dentures to replace those missing teeth, and a well done implant can finish off that smile without any embarrassing slips!

Other options include tooth bonding, contouring and reshaping, fillings, bridges, crowns, and caps. Really, the path to a beautiful smile may be much easier than you think. Whether you need your teeth whitened or need some dental implants, Dental Life has the perfect solution for your mouth.  Maybe a smile makeover is just what Santa ordered for the New Year!

Shrinking Jaws: Fact or Fiction?

Whether we like it or not, every one of us faces the effects of aging on our bodies. Hair thins and whitens, taut muscles sag, wrinkles appear; but did you know that your jaw shrinks as you age? A study released by the Faculty of Dentistry at Malmo University is circling dentistry news and reveals that jaws do reduce in size, causing teeth crowding in seniors. Surely another sign of aging is not what we all wanted to hear!

The study was a fascinating one. Dental students in their twenties had molds taken of their teeth. Researchers repeated the molds in ten years, then again a full forty years after the first sample was taken. Comparison of the three different molds showed that the jaw size had indeed shrunk in that forty year time span. The lower jaw was affected more than the upper, and the shrinkage occurred whether or not the individuals had their wisdom teeth removed. Manhattan cosmetic dentist professionals are taking special note of this study because of the effect jaw shrinkage can have on the bite of their patients.

So, how does this bit of dental news affect you? Regardless of your age, the inevitable effects of aging are already at work on your body. When you consider having cosmetic dentistry work done, it is important that you discuss jaw space issues with your dental professional. While continuous shrinking of the jaw is normal, dental reconstruction is not a natural occurrence. However, with proper planning, qualified dental professionals can still perform procedures that will enhance your smile, preserve the longevity of your bite, and give you more confidence.

A key to maintaining jaw size is dental implants. NY dentists have long recognized the value of replacing missing teeth with dental implants. If space from missing teeth is allowed to remain, atrophy of the jaw and gum tissue begins to accelerate the otherwise normal rate of jaw shrinkage. Removable dentures allow the atrophy continue, accelerating the rate of shrinkage. Most of us have probably seen an older person struggling with a denture that has become too large due to shrinkage in the mouth. This is due both to the normally occurring shrinkage of the jaw, but also to the accelerated shrinkage caused by missing teeth. In contrast, titanium posts used for dental implants are actually interpreted by the body as the bone of a natural tooth, reducing the risk of natural bone loss around the implant. Dental implants actually become a great tool to help reduce the effects of aging on your jaw.

When you start to think of the effects of aging, trusting the care of a dental professional can give you a healthy mouth for many more years of enjoying delectable meals with friends and family. Jaw shrinkage is not something to fear, but instead to face with confidence, knowing the options before you. Dental implants are no longer a luxury, but a means of keeping you smiling for your grandchildren and others you care about.

Long in the Tooth

Aside from the usual worries like gum disease and cavities, there is a whole other realm of dental problems that most people may be unaware of. Teeth are finite, they will not last forever if they are not carefully preserved and protected. There are three major ways that teeth can wear away: attrition, abrasion, and erosion. With the proper knowledge and dental advice, tooth wear away won’t be a problem until you’re long in the tooth.

 

Attrition – Wear away of tooth surface by chewing, one of its primary causes is Bruxism.

Abrasion – When brushing too vigorously wears away the tooth surface. (Usually evident where the gum and tooth meet)

Erosion – When acid wears away the tooth’s structure.

Attrition is a disorder usually brought on by stress, it also known as Bruxism. A mouth guard for nighttime use is usually recommended to prevent further deterioration. Severe attrition may only be able to treat with extensive too replacement, through either caps or crowns.

Abrasion is another one. This disorder is usually seen where the tooth meets the gum in a wedge or a v shaped mark. A hard bristle tooth brush is one of the biggest contributing factors to abrasion victims, although a hard brushing with a soft bristled brush can be just as harmful. Tooth abrasion can be repaired by bonding a tooth colored filling to the damaged area. The recommended way to brush your teeth is to place the brush at a 45 degree angle toward the junction of the gum and tooth and move the brush in a gentle circular motion. To make sure you’ve brushed properly try discoloring tablets, bright pink tablets that are chewed before brushing. Any place that hasn’t been brushed properly will be slightly tinged pink.

Tooth erosion is caused by acid. Teeth and acid do not mix. Acid is the bacterial by-product that causes cavities. Food and drink that are highly acidic can cause the enamel and the dentine to break down. The acid dissolves the calcium in the tooth. All soft drinks are acidic, including any carbonated: soda, diet soda, sports drinks, diet sports drinks, and sparkling mineral water. Soft drinks are a major cause of tooth erosion and the degree of erosion directly correlates to the amount and frequency of soft drink consumption. Other acidic foods include: citrus fruits, fruit juices, pickles, vinegar, and yogurt. Stomach acid is very powerful, strong enough to dissolve any food along with whatever tooth and bone fragments that might accidentally be ingested. When stomach contents are regurgitated acid comes into contact with the teeth. Any condition that causes repetitive vomiting will result in tooth erosion. The dentist is often the first one to the notice the problem because the back of the tooth is more susceptible to erosion. When a tooth is sufficiently eroded, the enamel will give way and expose the dentine, which can result in pain and increased sensitivity to: sweet, hot, and cold food or drinks. Erosion is a serious problem. If the nerves or blood vessels have been affected, those teeth will require a root canal and a replacement crown. To prevent tooth erosion, it is important to limit your exposure to acidic food and drink. It is also shown that chewing sugar-free gum can dilute acidity by increasing saliva flow.

Ask the dentist about tooth wear away. An early diagnosis and treatment regimen can be the difference between a $10 mouth guard, and a Cadillac’s worth of oral surgery.

The Implant Investment

According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, about 69% of adults between 35 and 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth due to an accident, gum disease, or other oral condition such as a failed root canal or tooth decay. Although people tend to be healthier and keep their teeth longer than they did in previous generations, about a quarter of adults have lost all of their permanent teeth by the time they reach age 74. Obviously, deciding how to replace a missing tooth is an issue many people encounter at some point in their lifetime. There are many good and reliable options that can be offered by a cosmetic dentist, but in many cases a dental implant may be the best choice – in fact, sometimes it is the only choice!

Traditionally, a missing tooth has been replaced by either a fixed bridge or a removable denture. Unfortunately, neither of these options is a permanent solution and typically need to be replaced about every 5 -10 years. Furthermore, since most prosthetic replacements are not as good as what Mother Nature created, these replacement options come with potential problems – even well designed prosthetics affect the teeth around them upon which they rest. Fixed bridges require that a dentist cut down adjacent teeth to form an anchor for the replacement tooth; and removable “plates” made of metal or plastic can rub or wear on the nearby teeth which serve as anchors. When there is no healthy, stable tooth to form an anchor or if the anchor fails, sometimes the tooth cannot easily be replaced.

Even when bridges and dentures are beautifully and carefully made, some consequences are just unavoidable. Over time teeth adjacent to removable dentures and bridgework become more vulnerable to decay or gum problems simply because there is a foreign body the (replacement crown or metal plate) that collects plaque. After a tooth has been lost, the bone which once held the tooth in place in the jaw is no longer needed, so it begins to slowly dissolve away in the area where the tooth once was. This natural body process, called “resorption” leads to unnatural looking spaces under bridgework and changes in the fit of a denture which can cause slipping, soreness and chronic maintenance issues. Just a couple of decades ago, these undesirable side effects were considered the lesser of two evils, and the benefits of replacing a tooth outweighed the disadvantages. Today, dental implants all but eliminate these side effects and can even restore the smile of people who once had no options. What a wonderful option for a young person who has, perhaps, lost teeth due to an accident!

A dental implant is a titanium post that is embedded into the jaw bone by a cosmetic dentist or oral surgeon in the place where a tooth is missing. Over a period of several months, the post bonds with the jaw bone to create a stable foundation upon which a final restoration is placed to achieve a natural, cosmetically appealing result… the implant stands alone and does not affect the teeth around it. An amazing feature unique to dental implants is that the body actually interprets the titanium post the same as it would the root of a natural tooth, so no natural bone loss occurs over time.

People often wonder if this procedure is right for them, and that is a good question to ask. Dental implants can be the ideal solution to replace one or more individual teeth; or they can be used to create anchors which firmly hold a full denture in place without the progressive bone resorption that is otherwise inevitable. However, not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure: Several factors must be evaluated by the dentist before deciding to place an implant. Your dentist may have to order a specialized x-ray or CT scan that provides a three dimensional image of the existing bone, to ensure that there is enough to support the titanium post. This can be particularly important if the tooth to be replaced has been missing for a long time, or if you were born without it. An implant is more likely to fail in someone who smokes because the bone does not bond as well to the implant. People with poorly controlled diabetes don’t heal as well and may require a medical evaluation to decide how best to proceed.

Everyone who considers a dental implant should be aware that good home care and plaque control are essential because gum and bone infections can -and do- develop around an implant just like they would around natural teeth that are not kept clean. This avoidable problem, known as peri-implantitis, is one of the most common causes of implant failure.

What about the cost? Obviously that is an important factor to consider in any investment. The good news is that the cost of creating and placing an implant is often similar to the cost of making a fixed bridge, and with good care and maintenance the titanium post will never need to be replaced. Occasionally the porcelain crown that is visible in the mouth may need replacement for cosmetic reasons, and this can be done relatively simply. The not-so-good news is that not every insurance company pays for dental implants at the same level that they might pay for a bridge or denture, so in some cases there can be a larger out of pocket cost. Don’t let that be a deal breaker… think of it as an investment and weigh the out of pocket cost of replacing a bridge one or more times, remaking and refitting a loose denture, or costly complications should adjacent teeth become involved.

At one time, dental implants were considered by many to be a luxury, and many insurance companies considered them to be an “experimental” procedure. Today, the procedure is common and state-of-the-art… not a luxury, but a worthwhile investment in your oral health. What are your thoughts about investing in dental implants as a tooth replacement option? Would you like to learn more about the procedure? Have you had a positive experience with implants? You might be surprised to discover that in the long run, the dental implant that costs a bit more up front is much more cost effective over the long haul, not only in terms of dollars but also in terms of your oral health and happiness.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers, aka dental veneers or dental porcelain laminates, are very thin shells of porcelain connected on the front side of the teeth to make a cosmetic improvement for a tooth.

Dentists regularly use porcelain veneers to create cosmetic alterations for teeth that are discolored, worn, chipped, or misaligned.

The technique of bonding porcelain veneers uses materials to firmly attach a thin shell of porcelain to a tooth. Although porcelain is typically fragile, when attached to a strong substructure (a tooth), the porcelain becomes very sturdy and durable.

Two of the benefits of having porcelain veneers rather than other cosmetic dental bonding procedures are:

1)   Porcelain veneers have a very realistic appearance of a tooth

2)   Porcelain veneers withstand staining

What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?

* Improved appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. And because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent.
* Improved speech. With poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that your teeth might slip.
* Improved comfort. Because they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
* Easier eating. Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.
* Improved self-esteem. Dental implants can give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself.
* Improved oral health. Dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving your long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.
* Durability. Implants are very durable and will last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.
* Convenience. Removable dentures are just that; removable. Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing your dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep your dentures in place.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are replacement tooth roots. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. They are made of titanium, similar to the metal that is used in artificial hips or knees.