What are dental implants? Dental implants are small titanium posts that replace the roots of missing teeth (View Example). They are inserted into your jawbone during a minor surgical procedure that takes place in the dental office. After the implant has been placed in your jawbone, a completely lifelike porcelain tooth crown is attached. In some cases, the implant needs to fuse with the bone for several months before it is permanently crowned; in other cases, you can have new (but temporary) teeth the same day your implants are placed. Is the procedure painful? Our patients tell us that there is very little to no discomfort associated with the placement of an implant, and there is minimal to no swelling. General anesthesia is available …
Why Dental Sealants are Excellent for Adults
Dental Sealants are incredibly useful for combating the development of tooth decay. However, they are commonly used to manage dental issues in children and young adults. This begs the question: Can Dental Sealants work for adults? Does it follow the same procedure? Some of these questions are what you should ask when debating on the need for dental sealant as an adult. What are dental sealants and what do they do? Dental sealants prevent tooth decay by painting a thin, plastic coat on the chewing surfaces of teeth. This paint coat is used primarily on the back teeth (premolars and molars) as they are more susceptible to smaller and less detectable food particles. The sealants are bonded into the depressions and grooves of the teeth. …
A Complete Guide to Mini Dental Implants
Are you looking to replace your missing teeth with implants but don't have the bone mass in your jaw to hold conventional implants? Or do you lack the ability to undergo surgery? All good! Mini dental implants may the best option for you. Mini dental implants are just as effective as traditional implants, but because they're smaller, they come with some additional benefits, including the fact that the procedure is much less involved. As you read on, we'll look at what traditional dental implants are and why they're needed. We'll then look at the difference between conventional and mini dental implants, the procedural differences, and the requirements for application. We'll also talk about how to take the best care of your mini …
Missing Teeth: Causes, Consequences & Solutions
Think that there aren’t any real consequence to missing teeth? Think again! Missing teeth isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Teeth fulfill all kinds of roles, some of which require that they all work together. Gaps can, and do, make a difference in the overall wellness of your mouth/body. Why do adults lose their teeth? There are several common reasons why you might lose a tooth as an adult. Accidents and trauma: Painful events, such as taking an elbow to the teeth during a family football game, are one common way that people lose teeth. This is usually a one-time event that accompanies a trip to the dentist right away. Although painful, teeth that get knocked out are typically of less concern than those lost for other …
SCI-FI Dentistry: Dental Implants = Bionic Teeth
Do you remember that TV show about Steve Austen, The Bionic Man? And how they were able to rebuild him because they had the technology to give him new body parts that would make him better than he was? Well in the decades since that show first aired, dentistry has come up with a replacement for missing teeth, that is positively, bionic. It’s called the dental implant and it’s arguably the most important dental technology to date. Let’s take a closer look to this remarkable innovation that unlike Steve Austen’s new legs, only requires a minor office surgical procedure. A dental implant is a small titanium post that is designed as a replacement of the root part of a missing tooth and is positioned inside your jaw bone just as natural …
Best Tips for Preventing Cavities in Children
When you think about the most common infectious disease in children, tooth decay probably isn’t what comes to mind first. However, almost half of children in the United States have it. Tooth decay in kids is responsible for the loss of over 51 million hours of school. Cavities are one of the most common dental problems in toddlers and children. Also referred to as tooth decay, a cavity is a permanently damaged area in a tooth. They can develop in your child’s primary or baby teeth, and if so, you might shrug it off — your child will eventually lose these teeth, right? So what does it matter? But you shouldn’t ignore a cavity. Here’s what you need to know about cavities in kids, including common causes, treatment options, and …
Top 5 Signs of Gum Disease
We often don’t think about oral health beyond our teeth, yet nearly half of all adults suffer from some form of gum disease. What most fail to realize is that if gum disease is left untreated, it can negatively impact your oral health resulting in infections, gum recession, and even tooth loss. Your gums are an essential part of your oral and overall health, and they deserve your attention just as much as any other part of your body. Be on the lookout for these five signs – if they apply to you, it’s time to seek help. 1. Bleeding When Brushing and Flossing Bleeding gums are one of the earliest and most common symptoms of gum disease. While you would likely run to the doctor if you started bleeding anywhere else, many people shrug off …
Regular Teeth Cleaning vs Periodontal Maintenance
You might think that dental checkups are always the same. While both regular cleanings and periodontal maintenance are performed on a routine schedule, they differ in that one is a preventative measure, and the other is a treatment. Professional dental cleanings are an essential component of preventing gum disease, but there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Different patients may require different cleaning procedures, depending on the state of their oral health. Regular Cleanings: For Patients with Good Oral Health Brushing and flossing twice a day is crucial, but even if you practice excellent oral hygiene, plaque buildup is still inevitable. If it’s not removed regularly, it can eventually …
How Long to The Wait For a Dental Implant After Extraction?
How Long is Typical? How long a patient will have to wait to have a dental implant placed after a tooth extraction varies from person to person and depends on several factors. In some cases, if enough healthy jawbone is present, it may be possible to place a dental implant the same day a tooth is taken out. However, in most cases, our Ladys Island dentist will recommend waiting 3 to 6 months after a tooth extraction to allow the area to fully heal. But if someone chooses to wait longer than that, they’ll experience more bone loss in the jaw (which naturally occurs when a tooth is removed). If enough time goes by, the jaw may become too thin or weak to support an implant. In those cases, a bone graft may be recommended to restore the …
Receding Gums: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Gum recession is when the margin of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth wears away, or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth, or the tooth's root. When gums recede, gaps can form between the gum and tooth, allowing disease-causing bacteria to build up. If left untreated, the surrounding tissue and bone structures of the teeth can be damaged, sometimes resulting in tooth loss. Receding gums is a widespread dental condition. Most people aren’t aware that they have receding gums since it occurs gradually. The first sign of gum recession is usually tooth sensitivity, or you may notice a tooth looks longer than normal. Typically, a notch can be felt near the gum line. Gum recession is not something you want to ignore. If you think your …