Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants in Glendale, PART 3

"This four part article series answers some of the questions patients frequently ask about dental implants, how they compare to other teeth replacement technologies and the various benefits they afford."

In this article, the third installment of a four-part series, we shall continue to address more of your frequently asked questions about dental implants Glendale. Please refer to the first and second installments to read the answers to questions, such as, “What are dental implants?”, “Is there an age limit for dental implant procedures?”, “Who is qualified to place implants?” and “What affects the long-term success of dental implants in Glendale?”

FAQ# 8: Is the Surgery for the Placement of Dental Implants in Glendale Painful?

Dental Implants in Glendale, Answer: No. All dental implant procedures are performed under the affects of anesthesia (either local or general depending upon case complexity.) Patients also have the option for sedation, in case they suffer from anxiety or phobias associated with dental treatment. Over and above this, the availability of sophisticated computer imaging technology and X-raysenable implant dentists to accurately and intimately plan surgical procedures for the placement of dental implants in Glendale. As are sult, they can keep them as minimally invasive as possible, thus negating the need for multiple incisions and sutures. Since this is the primary source of operative and post-procedural pain and discomfort, patients really need not worry when going in to receive their dental implants in Glendale. While there is some discomfort during the healing process, this can quite effectively be managed with prescription pain-killers and in many cases, does not last for more than a few days.

FAQ# 9: How Long do I Need to Take Off From Work if I’m Receiving Dental Implants in Glendale?

Answer:Every patient is different. Some may prefer to spend a day or two taking it easy after having received dental implants in Glendale,while others return to work the very next day. According to the implant dentist, you will be able to return immediately to work. Just remember to adhere to the post-operative instructions for the care of your new teeth.

FAQ# 10: How Often do I Need to Return to the Dentist to Have my New Teeth Checked?

Answer: The healing process is crucial because it plays an integral role in determining the success of your dental implants in Glendale. Every three to four months, you will need to go to the dental hygienist(one specially trained in the maintenance of implants) to have your new teeth professionally cleaned, and to the implant dentist for thorough follow-up inspections. Maintaining a rigorous home oral hygiene routine will also help you keep your dental implants and natural teeth in fantastic condition for decades to come.

FAQ# 11: What can Dental Implants in Glendale do for me?

Answer:Dental implants in Glendale are recommended by dentists time and again for the following reasons:

• They enable patients to smile with confidence
• They enable patients to speak properly and without self-consciousness
• They enable patients to eat all the foods they love, thus promoting better nutrition
• They greatly improve self-esteem
• Dental implants in Glendale offer a comfortable tooth replacement solution
• They offer a fantastic aesthetic solution to missing teeth
• They have an incredible lifespan of 20, 30 years and even longer if cared for properly.

Dental Implants in Glendale: Stay Tuned for More FAQs!

To read the answers to more of your frequently asked questions, stay tuned for the fourth and final installment of this four-part article series on dental implants in Glendale.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants in Phoenix, PART 2

This four part article series answers some of the questions patients frequently ask about dental implants, how they compare to other tooth replacement technologies and the various benefits they afford.

This four-part article series strives to answer patients’ most frequently asked questions about dental implants in Phoenix. In our previous article post, the first installment of the series, we covered questions such as “Is the concept behind dental implants a new one?”, “What are modern implants made of?” and “What affects the long-term success of dental implants?” In this article, we shall take a look at some more of your FAQs on dental implants beginning with a definition…

FAQ # 4: What exactly are Dental Implants in Phoenix?

Answer: Dental implants in Phoenix are essentially artificial teeth that consist of an exceptionally strong titanium ‘tooth root’ that is used to support either a durable ceramic tooth crown (in the case of a single missing tooth) or a prosthetic dental bridge (in the case of multiple adjacent missing teeth, or comprehensive tooth loss.)

FAQ # 5: Who is Qualified to Place Dental Implants in Phoenix?

Answer: Dental implant procedures have become extremely popular because they offer the most comprehensive and sophisticated tooth replacement solution to those who have lost one or more of their natural pearly whites. As such, more and more general dentists are becoming qualified in the placement of dental implants in Phoenix. The official titles of professionals that perform these kinds of procedures are periodontists (gum specialists) or oral surgeons. A restorative dentist is then called in to fabricate, place and fit the dental crown or prosthetic bridge atop the abutment's of the dental implant's. Implantologists are qualified and experienced in both the surgical placement of dental implants in Phoenix as well as the restorative work.

FAQ # 6: Is There a Limit to the Age a Patient can be to Receive Dental Implants in Phoenix?

Answer: No. Age is certainly not a factor considered by dentists offering dental implants in Phoenix. Factors that do compromise a patient’s candidacy for an implant procedure include a lack of bone volume in the jaw (as a result of resorption and atrophy), the presence and extent of periodontal (gum) disease and pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, parathyroid disorders, bone marrow cancer and certain blood and rare bone disorders. While these conditions do share a relationship with age, age alone doesn’t concern dentists when it comes to the placement of dental implants in Phoenix. In fact, patients that are well in to their nineties have received a brand new set of teeth thanks to this incredible technology!

FAQ # 7: What Prevents Dental Implants from Simply Falling Out?

Answer: In one word: ‘osseointegration.’ The base posts of dental implant in Phoenix are fabricated from the exceptionally strong and non-corrosive metal titanium. This metal also has the very unique property of being able to biologically bond with bone tissue (in a process termed ‘osseointegration.’) So, once an implant has been placed in the jaw bone, it integrates and fuses with the hard tissue over the ensuing months. Subsequent to healing, dental implants in Phoenix are as strong as any natural healthy tooth, enabling patients to eat, speak and smile with confidence.

Dental Implants in Phoenix: Stay Tuned for More FAQs!

To read the answers to more of your frequently asked questions, stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series on dental implants in Phoenix.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants in Scottsdale, PART 1

"This four part article series answers some of the questions patients’ frequently ask about dental implants, how they compare to other teeth replacement technologies and the various benefits they afford."

FAQ # 1: Is the Concept of Dental Implants in Scottsdale a New One?

Dental Implants in Scottsdale, Answer: Actually, no! While modern dental implant technology has been in use since the 1980’s, the concept behind using some kind of hard and aesthetic material to replace missing teeth is one that dates back to the time of the ancient civilizations. Roman soldiers have been unearthed with iron implants in their jawbone and Egyptian mummies have been found with replacement teeth fashioned from all sorts of materials, including sea shell, ivory, bone and gold. In the Middle East, ivory was the popular material for dental implants, while Pre-Columbian skeletal remains bear artificial teeth crafted from semi-precious stones. While these dental implants were crude to say the least, they certainly offered a substantial aesthetic value and, to some degree, a functional one too!

FAQ # 2: What are Modern Dental Implants in Scottsdale made of?

Dental Implants in Scottsdale, Answer: We’ve come a long way since the days when ivory, sea shell, bone, semi-precious stones and gold were the materials from which rudimentary replacement teeth were fashioned. Modern dental implants in Scottsdale are fabricated from bio-compatible materials that most closely resemble – in functionality and appearance – real teeth. Dental implants in Scottsdale consist of three components:

• A titanium screw or fixture: fits into a predrilled socket in the jaw bone,
• An abutment or collar: used to secure the artificial crown in place, and
• A ceramic tooth crown: the only component visible above the gum line.

FAQ # 3: What Affects the Long-term Success of Dental Implants in Scottsdale?

Dental Implants in Scottsdale, Answer: There are many factors that control and affect the long-term success of dental implants:

1. The amount of bone volume present at the site/s of the missing tooth or teeth and the quality of this bone. Teeth are frequently lost as a result of chronic and acute oral bacterial infections. Left untreated, conditions such as gingivitis and periodontitis, or gum disease, not only cause tooth loss, but they can deteriorate the underlying jaw bone tissue. People who have lost teeth and have not had them replaced, or have opted for inferior tooth replacement technologies such as dental bridges and dentures, also tend to present with a lack of bone volume in the jaw. And this is caused by atrophy of the hard tissue. These kinds of health problems can compromise the success of dental implants in Scottsdale.

2. The experience and capability of the implant dentist plays an important role in the success of dental implants in Scottsdale. As with any kind of surgery, experience is incredibly important and enables the dentist to treat the entire spectrum of case complexities and effectively handle unplanned complications.


3. The quality of the restorations (crown or bridge) placed on top of dental implants in Scottsdale also plays a substantial role in determining long-term success. Poorly designed and constructed crowns or over-dentures and an unbalanced bite will compromise the lifespan of dental implants in Scottsdale, which should lie in the region of 20 to 30 years!

4. Poor post-procedural care, such as neglecting oral hygiene or habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption will also affect the long term success of dental implants in Scottsdale, just as they affect the health and longevity of natural teeth.

Dental Implants in Scottsdale: Stay Tuned for More FAQs!

To read the answers to more of your frequently asked questions, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series on dental implants in Scottsdale.

Dental Implants AZ: Your Pearly Whites are Far From Permanent!

This article describes the many different ways teeth can become irreparably damaged or decayed and require extraction and replacement.

Your teeth are composed of the hardest substance in the human body, dental enamel. Stronger even than bone; it is the job of dental enamel to protect the delicate inner workings of the tooth, where all the nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues are housed. But as strong as this substance is and as invulnerable as your teeth may seem - especially in your youth - your pearly whites are far from permanent! Missing teeth and the need for dental implants AZ is a problem that affects the vast majority of the population, whether it’s a single tooth or all of them. According to statistics released by the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 69% of adults between the ages of 35 and 44 have lost at least one of their original teeth. And a staggering 26% of adults will have lost all of their permanent teeth by the age of 74! What causes missing teeth and the need for dental implants AZ? And what can we do to make sure that we don’t just become another of these dire statistics? Read on…

Dental Implants AZ: What Causes Missing Teeth?

There are an incredible number and variety of factors that can cause one or more of your pearly whites to become irreparably damaged and/or decayed and require replacement with dental implants AZ. The dental implant AZ specialists involved in teeth replacement have seen the full suite of cases and here are the most frequent causes:

Dental Implants AZ and Tooth Decay: Our mouths are teeming with bacteria at any given second of the day. Plaque, the sticky whitish substance that accumulates on our teeth in between brushing IS bacteria! In fact, there are over 100 different kinds of bacteria in plaque and this highlights the importance of regular and thorough brushing and flossing. Unfortunately, too many people believe that a quick brush in the morning and before they go to bed at night is sufficient to protect their teeth and gums against these tiny pathogens and the results, as we can see, are the dental implant AZ statistics. Bacterial infection can be isolated around a single tooth. Given that these micro-organisms are highly opportunistic, it just takes a tiny crack, fissure or cavity to provide them with a pathway directly into the tooth structure and when this happens, invasive measures are required to eliminate infection. This might require a root canal procedure if a patient wants to avoid ever needing dental implants AZ.

Dental Implants AZ and Oral Bacterial Infection: Lifelong poor oral hygiene, certain medications, chronic illness and bad habits such as smoking, drug abuse and excessive alcohol consumption can all cause one to require teeth replacement with dental implants AZ by rendering the soft tissues in the mouth vulnerable to bacterial infection. This condition, known as ‘gingivitis,’ can begin with mild inflammation of the gums, swelling, bad breath and some bleeding when brushing or eating. But left untreated, an oral bacterial infection in the mouth can become acute and chronic, progressing to a condition known as ‘periodontitis,’ or gum disease. Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss and the need for dental implants AZ.

Dental Implants AZ and Accidental Trauma: You don’t have to be sloppy about looking after your teeth in order to require dental implants AZ! All it takes is some accidental trauma to the face or mouth, which can easily be sustained in a car accident for example, to have one or more of your teeth so badly damaged that they fall out or require extraction.

What You Can Do To Avoid Needing Dental Implants AZ

There are four very simple guidelines when it comes to avoiding the need for dental implants AZ. Adhere to these and you will, in all likelihood, make it to your twilight years with your beautiful original smile intact!

Avoiding the Need for Dental Implants AZ Tip # 1: Brush those pearly whites thoroughly twice a day for two minutes at a time and floss every day before you go to bed at night.

Avoiding the Need for Dental Implants AZ Tip # 2: Visit the dentist and hygienist once every six months for a comprehensive check-up and routine cleaning. Seek immediate professional attention if you ever notice any unusual oral problems or dental pain.

Avoiding the Need for Dental Implants AZ # 3: Live healthily. Eat balanced meals, drink plenty of water, restrict the amount of sugar you eat and kick unhealthy habits, such as cigarette smoking.

Avoiding the Need for Dental Implants AZ # 4: Never get too close to a horse’s hindquarters and make sure you give toddlers on swings a wide berth. Accidental trauma to the face is never planned, but you can make sure you minimize the risk of requiring dental implants AZ because of it!

Your Fears Assuaged by Sun City Dental Professionals: FAQ on Oral Sedation

"This article addresses some of the fears and concerns patients have about oral conscious sedation, an anti-anxiety drug administered via a pill just before a dental procedure."

A fear of Sun City dental treatment, whether it’s of the clinical whiteness of the exam room itself, the whine of the dentist’s drill or the prospect of needles, is something that affects a huge number of patients. Experienced Sun City dental professional, Dr. Kevin Gasser, has become entirely accustomed to dealing with patients that experience the entire spectrum of physical responses to fear and anxiety, from mildly sweating palms and a quickened heartbeat, to full on terror and tremors at the prospect of requiring some kind of procedure done. Oral sedation has gained immense popularity amongst patients that traditionally couldn’t bear the thought of their bi-annual Sun City dental appointments. Now, thanks to oral sedation, these patients are able to receive the professional attention they need to keep their oral health and hygiene in the best possible condition. In order to help you understand more about sedation dentistry, Dr. Gasser will, in this article, be answering some of your frequently asked questions.

Sun City Dental FAQ # 1: What does oral sedation involve?

The Sun City Dentist Answers: Oral sedation involves the delivery of anti-anxiety sedative medications, generally in pill-form. Patients are required to take one or two of these pills at least 30 minutes before their Sun City dental appointment in order for the effects to kick in on time for their treatment. Owing to the wonderful relaxing effect they have on patients, the Sun City dentist medications used for oral sedation are also referred to as “happy pills.”

Sun City Dental FAQ # 2: What kind of medication is used in oral sedation?

The Sun City Dentist Answers: The drugs used in oral conscious sedation typically belong to the Benzodiazepine family, also referred to as “Benzos.” You will probably be most familiar with the brand names Halcion, Valium, Xanax and Ativan.

Sun City Dental FAQ # 3: How does oral sedation work?

The Sun City Dentist Answers: Benzodiazepines work to decrease anxiety (and its associated physical effects) by binding to the receptors in the brain responsible for controlling fear. By reducing the activity of these regions of the brain, a patient feels far more relaxed, sleepy and detached from reality.

Sun City Dental FAQ # 4: Is there anything I need to be aware of when undergoing oral sedation?

The Sun City Dentist Answers: Benzodiazepines are very safe and their effects highly predictable so patients need not worry about any negative side-effects. There are a few contraindications for this medication, including impaired lung and kidney function, being overweight and having sleep apnea. These medications shouldn’t be mixed with any other Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants and this includes alcohol. Last, but not least, because oral sedation is usually administered 30 minutes prior to a Sun City dental appointment, if not before, patients are urged not to drive to and from the dentist’s office. You may very well become disorientated and your impaired concentration will make it dangerous for you to drive. If you plan on catching a bus or train, make sure someone goes with you, or you might end up missing your stop!

Sun City Dental FAQ # 5: What can I expect to feel under oral sedation?

The Sun City Dentist Answers: Most patients describe a feeling of light-headedness, of total relaxation and detachment from reality. It’s like being in a dream, only you are aware of what’s going on around you and can respond coherently to the dentist’s questions and prompts. Once the procedure is complete and a patient has recovered from the effects of oral sedation, it is common for them to not be able to recall anything, or at least very little about their Sun City dental experience. This is because oral sedation tends to cause amnesia for the duration during which the medication is in the body.

Sun City Dentistry: FAQ on IV Sedation, PART 2

This article, part 2 of 2, addresses some of the fears and concerns patients have about intravenous (IV) sedation, an anti-anxiety drug administered into the bloodstream during a dental procedure.

In our previous article post, Sun City dentistry professional, Dr. Kevin Gasser began answering some of your frequently asked questions about IV or intravenous conscious sedation. A great number of patients struggle with some form or severity of anxiety or fear when the time comes for their bi-annual Sun City dentistry appointment. This anxiety obviously compounds at the prospect of having to undergo a dental procedure or surgery, such as a root canal, tooth extraction or dental implant placement. Thankfully, IV sedation renders the entire experience completely anxiety and fear-free. This not only makes it infinitely easier for the patient to receive the treatment they need to maintain a high standard of oral health, it also makes it far easier for the dentist to perform the procedure. In the first installment of this two-part series, Dr. Gasser answered questions ranging from “what is IV sedation” and “what does it feel like” to “will I remember anything from the procedure?” In this article, the final installment, he shall continue to address more of your FAQs.

FAQ # 4: Will my gums need to be numbed if I’m under IV sedation?

Sun City Dentistry Answer: The medications used for IV sedation are not analgesics (pain killing), they’re anti-anxiety. While Sun City dentistry professionals use IV sedation to relax you and make you forget what happens, you will still need to receive a local anesthetic for any procedure that is invasive in nature.

FAQ # 5: I have a fear of needles; will I be numbed after IV sedation or before?

Sun City Dentistry Answer: Fear not! The dentist will first administer IV sedation and wait for the effects to fully kick in before he brings out the needles to numb the region of your mouth requiring work. By this stage you will be far too relaxed and detached to care. Sun City dentistry professionals will then only begin the procedure once the anesthetic has taken effect, so the entire experience will be completely pain and anxiety-free.

FAQ # 6: What drugs are used for IV sedation?

Sun City Dentistry Answer: The most commonly used anti-anxiety sedative medication belongs to the benzodiazepine family (usually Midazolam or Diazepam). These, says Dr. Gasser, are short-acting drugs, which have the following effects:

- They make a patient sleepy and relaxed
- They reduce, if not eliminate, anxiety
- They induce partial or total amnesia

FAQ # 7: Does IV sedation have any contraindications? Is it safe?

Sun City Dentistry Answer: When carried out by a qualified and experienced dentist, IV sedation is extremely safe and the effects are totally predictable. It’s even safer than local anesthetic! Having said this, IV sedation has a few contraindications, which include alcohol intoxication, a known allergy to benzodiazepines, and some instances of glaucoma, pregnancy and Central Nervous System (CNS) depression. Heart disease is not generally a contraindication, but being overweight and having a habit of snoring should be mentioned to your treating Sun City dentistry professional. Advanced age, sleep apnea and impaired kidney or lung function are also contraindicated.

Sun City Dentistry: the Benefits of IV Sedation

The greatest benefit of IV sedation is that it enables patients to receive the professional attention they need and the Sun City dentistry procedures necessary to keep their oral health in tip-top shape. Dental anxiety and fear are very real afflictions that frequently deter patients from keeping their bi-annual appointments. With a far less stressful experience in the examination chair, Sun City dentistry professionals are able to perform all dental procedures from start to finish without breaking them down into smaller and more manageable sessions. This not only benefits the patient in comfort and convenience, but financially too.

Your Fears Assuaged by the Sun City Dentist: FAQs on IV Sedation, PART 1

This article, part 1 of 2, addresses some of the fears and concerns patients have about intravenous (IV) sedation, an anti-anxiety drug administered into the bloodstream during a dental procedure.

If you thought you were alone in your irrational and even unmanageable fear of the Sun City dentist, think again! A fear of the dentist, the dentist’s chair and/or dental treatment is one of the most common phobias there are. It even has a name, ‘odontophobia.’ Thankfully, the accepted approach to treating patients that struggle with sweaty palms, an elevated heart rate, the tremors and even low blood pressure – physical symptoms associated with extreme anxiety and fear - has changed over the years. “In addition to anti-anxiety medications and pain-killers,” says experienced Sun City dentist, Dr. Kevin Gasser, “modern dental practices make it a priority to take patient psychology into account. They approach treatment with a very gentle hand.”

The availability of IV sedation in Sun City dentistry has also helped an incredible number of people receive the treatment they need to keep their oral health and hygiene on track without having to deal with all the terrible side effects of extreme anxiety and fear. So, if you traditionally struggle with odontophobia and want to find out more about IV sedation, read on! In this two part article series, the Sun City dentist endeavors to answer your Frequently Asked Questions.

FAQ # 1: What exactly is IV Sedation?

Answer: In the context of Sun City dentistry, IV sedation, or Intravenous Conscious Sedation, refers to the administering of an anti-anxiety drug directly into the bloodstream just before a dental procedure. “These medications,” explains Dr. Gasser, “are designed to affect the Central Nervous System safely, predictably and without negative side effects.”

FAQ # 2: What does IV sedation feel like?

Answer: Floating, drifting, happy, in a bathtub filled with warm and fuzzy cotton wool… every patient’s account of IV sedation differs slightly. And while it is sometimes referred to as “twilight sleep” or “sleep dentistry,” Intravenous sedation doesn’t actually put you to sleep as general anesthesia does, explains Sun City dentist Dr. Gasser. Rather, patients describe drifting off in a dream-like state that feels completely detached from reality, from what is happening to them in the dentist’s chair. Because of this detachment, triggers that might previously have caused severe anxiety or fear, such as the whine of the drill or the sight of a needle, is no longer upsetting. And this is, of course, beneficial to both the patient and the dentist.

FAQ # 3: Will I remember anything about the procedure while under IV sedation?

Answer: “While you remain conscious during IV sedation and can respond coherently to the dentist’s questions, you probably won’t remember much or anything at all about the procedure afterwards,” explains Sun City dentistry professional Dr. Gasser. “And this is because the medications used cause partial or complete amnesia (memory loss) for the period during which they are administered.” Patients that have undergone IV sedation frequently report the time having gone by extremely fast. One patient said to the Sun City dentist: “one minute you are fully aware of what’s going on and then the drugs kick in. The next minute it’s all over and you’re on your way home!”

Sun City Dentistry and IV Sedation: Stay Tuned

To read the answers to more questions on Sun City dentistry IV sedation, stay tuned for the final installment of this two-part article series.