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Having the experience of a tooth loss can be extremely traumatic for most people. Often times, when a toothache along with infection occurs a tooth extraction is needed. Other times, teeth that have severe bone loss will need extraction due to further infection. So, the question is what decision do you make when needing a tooth extraction? Dental implants are the best option when it comes to replacing a tooth that has had to be removed. In order for the dental implant procedure to have longevity and success, it must be determined if the area where the tooth/teeth was removed is ideal for a dental implant.
An ideal candidate for a dental implants is of good health, along with healthy bone and gum tissue. When there is significant bone loss/infection present, then a bone graft will be needed prior to implant placement. Periodontal/gum disease can cause complications with dental implants, which is why proper toothbrushing/flossing along with frequent dental hygiene visits will ensure the long term success of a dental implant.
As technology and techniques have improved over the last 10 plus years, there are many more possibilities with dental implants for those individuals who have had missing teeth for many years. For those individuals who are currently wearing bridges, partial or full dentures, there is hope in sight for a stable and esthetically pleasing result with dental implants.
As a Southern California dentist who specializes in dental implants, it is extremely important for any individual interested in dental implants to have a consultation along with any recommended X-rays and/or cone beam CT scan. There are many times where the CT scan is essential to reference when placing bone and/or the dental implant itself. My goal is to provide stability, longevity, and esthetics in all dental implant procedures. If you are interested in a consultation to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants, please call my Riverside Cosmetic dental implant office which also specializes in a more holistic approach to dentistry (951)686-3666.
As I reflect on this long holiday weekend filled with an overzealous appetite and delicious food, I determined that it is easy to forget just how important teeth are to us on a daily basis. Sitting here this morning, thinking of the important functions that teeth have are pretty impressive.
A question I have is…When was the last time you have thought about what your teeth do for you? This is the list I came up with…..
1. Chewing Food: (not just turkey!)
Teeth are shaped in a variety of shapes to allow for us to eat all different types of food. For example, the front teeth are made for chewing and tearing vegetation. Where as, the back molar teeth are made for grinding heavy foods such as meat. A great example of how having a stable chewing system is when a older gentleman came to my Southern California cosmetic dental office in search of a way to secure his loose-fitting denture. To assist him in his dream of eating a hamburger without dentures hurting his mouth and/or falling out, we placed dental implants to support a new denture. The result was life-changing for him, as he now is confident in his smile as well as can happily enjoy a In-and-Out burger as he pleases!
2. Teeth Help Us Speak:
Teeth are used along with the muscles surrounding our mouth to shape letters and sounds. For fun, say the word “thankful” notice how the tongue touches the top teeth. Now say the word “for” notice how the lower lip and upper teeth touch to make this sound. When our teeth are not positioned properly in alignment with our jaw, speech impediments can occur. Ways to correct a speech problem are moving the teeth and/or jaw with orthodontics and/or jaw surgery.
3. Teeth Keep the Jaw Bone Strong:
Without teeth in the jaw bone present, the bone surrounding the missing tooth/teeth begins to decrease over time. This lack of bone stability creates many dental problems, such as, ill-fitting dentures and discomfort chewing food. In severe cases, dentures may not even be an option due to the lack of bone in the jaw which makes chewing food nearly impossible.
4. Teeth Help Shape Our Face:
Imagine a person who has no teeth. Their face appears to be “sinking into their mouth.” The devastating cosmetic result of missing teeth for a long period of time is the loss of facial structure. Loss of facial structure not only creates instability in the jaw, it also unfortunately distorts the shape of one’s face.
5. Teeth Create Beauty:
A bright, healthy, and straight smile greatly improves the attractiveness of one’s smile. How does a person smile without teeth? Or, individuals who are self conscious about their smile rarely show their teeth when they smile. As a holistic cosmetic dentist, I focus on bite stability along with a natural approach to achieving my clients goals when it comes to dental treatment.
In closing, I give many thanks to my teeth! To schedule a visit at my Holistic Cosmetic dental office located in Southern California just off of the 91-freeway in Riverside, please call us at (951)686-3666. (more…)
When it comes to determining pricing on a dental procedure, it is not always a straight forward explanation of cost. New techniques, technology and materials are constantly evolving to improve dental procedures. Aside from the dental profession evolving, it is important to remember that the overall health of the surrounding gum and tissue will determine the procedure that is needed.
Another factor in dental pricing is the expense of the materials used for the particular dental procedure. For example, when a cavity is detected in its earliest stages the cost is minimal in comparison to a larger filling or onlay type of restoration. Simply, the more treatment needed = one can assume the fees will increase.
Detecting cavities at their earliest stages and treating these areas as soon as they arise protect the majority of the tooth structure from the trauma of a dental procedure. Here at my Riverside biological cosmetic dental office, we use the latest in technology to detect the early stages of tooth decay. If you are concerned about any dental treatment that you have had recommended and are looking for a second opinion or concerned that you may have cavities or more serious dental needs that need to be addressed; please call to schedule a thorough consultation. I am confident that my dental team will address your concerns. (951)686-3666.
Before I dive into the various signs and symptoms of a cavity, I think it is important to look at the tooth structure itself which will better explain why some cavities may have discomfort and others may not have any symptoms.
Tooth decay (the formation of a cavity) is simply the breakdown of the tooth structure. The tooth structure itself consists of enamel, which is the outer layer of the tooth. It also consists of the inner layer of the tooth where the tooth nerve and blood supply are located, this is called the dentin.
Cavities occur at all stages of life. Recent research has shown that the acidity from our internal systems along with the food and drinks we consume lead to an increased destruction of the tooth enamel. Cavities in small children typically occur on the biting surfaces of the teeth, where adults cavities are also found along the gum line on the sides of the teeth. Cavities can also form around tooth fillings and crowns due to the acidity of the oral environment. Thus, breaking down the cement and filling material causing bacteria to leech inside the dentin.
Signs and Symptoms of a Cavity:
Sensitivity to cold drinks/food
Sensitivity to sweet food/drinks
Sensitivity to hot food/drinks
Visible darkening of enamel on tooth
Visible hole in tooth
Experiencing a toothache (dull throb feeling)
Bad breath
Bad taste in mouth
A broken tooth
Pain when chewing food
A loose or broken filling
In severe cases: a fever or swollen glands could occur
If you are concerned that you may have a cavity or are looking for a dental family to help you prevent future cavities, please visit my health focused dental office. We are located just off of the 91 freeway in Riverside, California. (951)686-3666.
Discussing erectile dysfunction on a dental blog is probably shocking to most people, however, recent research has shown that this unfortunate health condition is absolutely dental related. This condition affects 1 out of every 10 men over the age of 40, according to the National Institute of Health.
Just how does the bacteria in periodontal disease (gum infection) aid in erectile dysfunction?
Interestingly, findings show that the gum inflammation caused by the bacteria allows for the plaque and bacteria to travel to the bloodstream throughout the body. Once the plaque attaches to the smaller blood vessels it causes constriction in the blood vessels which leads to dysfunction in the vessels surrounding the penile tissues. Furthermore, the plaque continues its path of destruction and moves to larger vessels attributing to heart ideas.
In the study published by the Journal of Periodontology, in the test group, 4 out of the 5 men with erectile dysfunction had periodontal gum disease. The shocking results of this study has prompted many other research institutions to gather data to establish the correlation between ED and periodontal gum disease.
What can you do to minimize your risk of periodontal disease as a man?
1. Proper oral hygiene: brushing for at least 2 minutes/day along with flossing 1/day.
2. Frequent visits to your dental hygienist (at least 2 times a year)
3. Decrease stress levels
4. Maintain a healthy diet
5. Include essential fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin D in your diet
If you believe that you have periodontal gum disease please contact my cosmetic dental office which specializes in a more natural approach to dentistry. We are located off of the 91-freeway in Riverside, California. (951)686-3666.