Thursday, June 27, 2013

An In-Depth Look at the Leading Cause of Tooth Loss: A Sun City Dentist Explains

This article provides an in-depth look at periodontal disease. This post explains the definition, causes, symptoms and courses of treatment for dealing with gum disease.

The statistics about general oral hygiene in America are pretty grim and the consequences thereof, even more so. In a study done amongst dental patients in the United States, nearly 60% reported that they only occasionally brush their teeth while only 16% brushed at least twice a day. The cause of tooth loss can come down to a variety of factors; however, entertaining a poor oral hygiene routine will certainly get you there quicker. The leading cause of tooth loss is periodontitis, according to a Sun City dentist, which is an acute and long term infection of the gums that gradually deteriorates the health of the bone supporting the teeth.

Periodontal Disease: A Sun City Dentist Explains

Periodontitis or gum disease is a widespread infection in the gums and the supporting structures of the teeth, which leads to tooth loss. This condition can progress to the point of teeth falling out on their own, or deemed beyond repair and must be extracted. Leaving this condition untreated can actually encourage and exacerbate the development of a host of other potentially fatal ailments, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and Rheumatoid arthritis.

Sun City Dentist

What Causes Periodontal Disease?

First of all, there are diverse types of periodontitis. The most common class is chronic periodontitis, which affects most adults over the age of 35. However, periodontitis that sets in during childhood or early adulthood is known as aggressive periodontitis. Anyone can get periodontal disease. Even if you brush your teeth every day, failing to floss, rinse and go for regular check-ups can put you at risk of developing this nasty oral affliction. Over the years, disease-causing tartar can accumulate on your teeth and only professional care can prevent the situation from worsening.

What Are The Signs and Symptoms? A Sun City Dentist Explains

There are many signs that can alert you to the presence of periodontal (gum) disease; however it is always recommended that you seek the professional advice of a qualified dentist. The following are signs that may signify periodontal disease include:

  • Swollen and sore gums
  • Gums that bleed when brushed or tear easily when eating
  • Gums that feel tender when touched
  • Gums that pull away from your teeth
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Tooth discoloration
  • Bad taste in your mouth
  • Loose teeth
  • Oral sores that don’t heal easily
  • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

What Can Be Done To Save My Teeth? A Sun City Dentist Explains

Dental Implants - Dr Gasser

If diagnosed in its early stages, your dentist should be able to control the infection, but this will depend entirely on the extent of your gum disease. Your dentist will most likely take an X-ray to determine whether you present with any bone loss, you may also be referred to a periodontist, a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease.

Any treatment will also require the patient to maintain a good oral routine at home and change negative behaviors such as smoking and excessive alcohol use in order to improve the chances of complete recovery. In the case that you need to have one or more of your teeth extracted due to the damage already done, you should consider having dental implants. Dental implants promote a healthy jaw bone function and look and feel just like natural teeth.

A Final Word

As tedious as it may feel, you will truly benefit from a healthy and well-rounded oral hygiene routine at home. Furthermore, it is highly recommended that you visit your local, friendly Sun City dentist twice a year to ensure that everything is in good and healthy working order. None of these tasks are remotely as tedious as having to deal with what could be preventable oral ailments. Do the right thing!

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Sun City Dental News: A Comprehensive Look at Dental Implants, PART 3

In this three-part article series, we will be explaining everything you need to know about dental implants. We will clarify what they are, how they work, when and why they are necessary. Furthermore we will compare the advantages and benefits that come with dental implants vs. traditional dentures or bridges.

Welcome back to the final post of this three part article series about dental implants. Thus far we have covered a variety of questions related to dental implants, such as: What are dental implants? How do they work? What does the procedure involve? And what are their benefits and advantages? In this post, Sun City dental experts will answer some final questions you may have about dental implants and explain why they really are the best solution available for the replacement of missing teeth. One of the most obvious concerns when preparing for any kind of surgery would be whether or not it is painful. So...

Sun City Dentist

Is Getting Dental Implants Painful?

The wonderful and incredibly advanced technology that is used in modern dentistry today ensures that your surgeries are designed to be as pain, discomfort and risk free as possible. By using 3-D Cone Beam CT scans and sophisticated computer software capable of creating virtual images of the mouth, Sun city dentists are able to design the best possible surgical plan, meaning fewer incisions and sutures and minimal post-operative pain and discomfort.

In addition to a carefully planned surgery, you will be placed under either local or general anesthesia (depending upon the nature of your procedure), so you won’t experience any discomfort at all. If you are particularly anxious about your procedure, you may opt for sedation.

Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?

Pretty much! The wonderful thing about modern dental implant procedures is that nearly everyone is a candidate. Whether you are in your late nineties or still in your teens, if you have lost a tooth, dental implants can work for you!

Who Can Do Dental Implants and Where Should I Go?

Dental implants are becoming more and more popular at dental practices around the United States, with many general dentists offering this service. Having said that, a Sun City dentist advises that it is always in your best interest to have such a procedure done by someone with a lot of experience and with advanced qualifications, such as in the administering of sedation.

How Do I Maintain and Care For My New Teeth?

Sun City Dental

One of the benefits of dental implants when compared with conventional dental bridges or removable dentures is that they do not require fancy materials and expensive tools to be cleaned. Your new teeth will require exactly what your natural teeth did. A good oral hygiene routine, meaning regular brushing, flossing and rinsing, as well as a few visits to your dentists will ensure that your new teeth are well kept.

A Final Word...

Dental implants are an incredibly smart investment to make when replacing missing teeth. They can help improve your quality of life, restore your confidence and enable you to eat all the foods you love.  When it comes to an asset as important as your smile, don’t settle for options that will keep you from enjoying your fullest life. Dental implants are made to be virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth - in look, feel and function - and this allows you the freedom to live your life!


Thursday, June 13, 2013

Sun City Dentistry: A Comprehensive Look at Dental Implants, PART 2

In this three part article series, we will be explaining everything you need to know about dental implants. We will clarify what they are, how they work, when and why they are necessary. Furthermore we will compare the advantages and benefits that come with dental implants vs. traditional dentures or bridges.

Welcome back to the second article of this three-part series about dental implants. In our first post, we explained what dental implants are as well as what the procedure entails, from your first consultation to your recovery period. In this article, Sun City dentistry professionals will be explaining all the benefits that come with opting for dental implants as your solution to missing teeth.

The Benefits of Dental Implants: Success Rate

If placed correctly by an experienced specialist, dental implants have a fantastic 98% success rate. The 2% of cases where dental implants have been noted as unsuccessful are almost always due to poor post-operative care, or factors such as negative lifestyle choices (drug abuse, alcohol abuse or smoking), advanced gum disease or chronic illness. It is always advisable that you seek the services of Sun City dentistry professionals who have complete knowledge and expertise in the field of dental implantology.

What Are The Benefits of Dental Implants?

Dental Implants Arizona

Dental implants come with an incredible range of benefits and advantages:

  • Aesthetics: Virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth! Dental implants are used to support a synthetic crown that looks, functions and feels like the real thing.

  • Functionality: You will be able to enjoy a strong and natural bite. Dental implants allow patients to enjoy all the food they love to eat, without worrying about hurting themselves or damaging their teeth.

  • Permanent Solution: Dental implants are non-removable (permanent), which allows them to function and feel like natural teeth. The fact that they do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, like dental bridges or removable dentures do, is a huge benefit as this is the source of much pain, discomfort and further damage.

  • Short and Long Term Oral Health: Dental Implants, being rooted in the jaw, supply the necessary support for the neighboring teeth to remain stable, preventing the entire row of teeth from destabilizing and shifting. On top of this, the implants restore the significant source of motorized stimulus that the missing root used to provide the underlying jawbone. This restores healthy blood flow to the bone tissue, which in turn keeps the bone tissue alive, thus preventing further tooth loss. With dental implants, the risk of infection due to an exposed tooth socket is also minimized.

  • Lasting a lifetime: On average, dental implants can have a lifetime of between 20 and 30 years. By following a good standard of oral hygiene accompanied by regular visits to your Sun City dentist, however, they could indeed last a lifetime!

Dental Implants Can Work For Almost Anyone!

Sun City Dentistry - Dr Gasser

For all the reasons mentioned above, dental implants are clearly the best possible solution for patients presenting with missing teeth. No matter how old you are, speak to a dental implants expert in Arizona about your options. Literally thousands of dental implant procedures have been successfully performed on people in their late adulthood, and the incredible and life-changing results have shown that age is not a factor!

Having said this, since the placement of dental implants requires surgery and anesthesia, a detailed medical history will be necessary before proceeding.

Stay Tuned for Part 3

Stay tuned for the final installment of this three part article series, in which we will be answering some final questions relating to dental implants.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Sun City Dentistry: A Comprehensive Look at Dental Implants, PART 1

In this three-part article series, we will be explaining everything you need to know about dental implants. We will clarify what they are, how they work, when and why they are necessary. Furthermore we will compare the advantages and benefits that come with dental implants vs. traditional dentures or bridges.

Welcome to the first installment of this three-part article series about dental implants.

In the United States, there are literally millions of people suffering from tooth loss. Tooth loss can occur due to any number of reasons, be it a general lack of good oral hygiene, periodontal (gum) disease, dental caries, failed tooth roots or even accidental tooth loss. The fact remains: leaving missing teeth without treatment can cause a world of problems. Thankfully, modern Sun City dentistry offers a comprehensive and long lasting solution to missing teeth in the form of dental implants. In this article series, we will be answering a wide-ranging list of questions related to this fantastic teeth replacement technology.

What Are Dental Implants?

Sun City Dentist

Dental implants are in effect artificial, freestanding tooth roots and they are constructed from the incredibly strong and lightweight metal titanium. The use of titanium metal came as a result of the breakthrough findings in the 1950’s by Swedish professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark and his clinical research team. It was discovered that titanium was able to support biological bonds with bone tissue in a process termed “osseointegration”. In addition to this quality, the fact that titanium metal is so tough, lightweight and does not rust or corrode, makes it the ideal candidate for assuming the function of a tooth root.

What Does Getting Dental Implants Involve?

Dental Implants - Dr Gasser

First things first, you will need to go visit your friendly Sun City dentist! Many people are wary of the dentist, but they are there to help you. Afterwards, you will most likely wonder why you delayed that visit in the first place! During your initial consultation, you will receive a careful clinical evaluation of your oral health in order to establish the cause and extent of the damage or decay related to your missing tooth/teeth. If your dentist finds that your tooth loss is a consequence of decay, dental caries or gum disease then the priority will be to treat the infection before continuing with teeth replacement.

Sun City Dentistry: The Surgery

Once your assessment and preparation has been complete, the implant site will be professionally cleaned and prepared to receive the implant. This is typically done on a different day, during a different appointment. The dentist will place a small titanium screw into the jawbone at the established missing tooth/teeth sites. While it takes several weeks and even months for osseointegration to take place, your dentist can supply you with a temporary ceramic tooth crown, so that you can carry on with your life as normal while you heal.

Sun City Dentistry: Recovery

While the bone tissue bonds with the titanium dental implant, it is imperative for you to rest your jaw as much as possible and keep from eating hard, crunchy or tough foods. The exact time it will take for the healing to successfully take place can vary from case to case. If you follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully, while staying healthy and enjoying a balanced diet, the process should take between one and three months.

Sun City Dentistry: Finishing Touch

During your follow-up appointments, your Sun City dentist will establish whether you’re healing nicely. When the jawbone is ready and your implants properly healed, you will be fitted with your new, permanent tooth crown, which has been made to function, look and feel like a natural tooth. You will immediately be able to return to your normal lifestyle and enjoy all your favorite foods with a beautiful new set of pearly whites!

Stay Tuned for Part 2!

Dental implants are by far the most effective, comprehensive and long-lasting solution to missing teeth. Join us for the second installment of this three-part article series, in which the Sun City dentist will be explaining their wonderful benefits.