dentures implant

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When someone thinks of dentures, they usually think of traditional dentures that are relatively unstable. Unfortunately, when someone is told that they need dentures, the news is usually met with despair because they associate dentures with dentures of the past. Fortunately, for those who require dentures, implant-supported dentures are a fantastic denture option.

Dentures With Implant Support

Regular, traditional dentures rest on the patient’s gums; this is why they are generally seen as unstable. They have nothing holding them down. Unlike regular dentures, dentures that are supported by implants are stable because they snap into dental implants. A common misconception is that in order to receive dentures that are supported by implants, one must have some teeth in the mouth. This is not the case. If there are no teeth present, the jaw will be observed. If the jaw has enough bone to support an implant, implant-supported dentures are viable and worthwhile options for patients in need of dentures.

Typically, dentures that are supported by implants are used in the lower jaw. Regular dentures in the lower jaw are usually more unstable than dentures applied to the upper jaw. Patients can opt to also have upper-jaw dentures implant-supported; however, this is not always necessary as traditional upper jaw dentures provide more stability than they do in the lower jaw. Despite the fact that these dentures differ from traditional dentures, they still need to be treated with the same level of care, should be cleaned properly, and still needed to be taken out at night. Patients should not sleep with their dentures in their mouths.

Types

The two kinds of implant-supported dentures available are ball-retained dentures and those that are retained by a bar. Both of these options are made with base using an acrylic material resembling the look of gums. Additionally, the teeth used in the dentures are made using either porcelain or acrylics and are designed to look like the patient’s natural teeth. Ball-retained implant-supported dentures are require two implants that are implanted into the jaw. Each implant is equipped with a ball-shaped metal attachment that fits into another attachment. These attachments are then snapped into the denture itself. Bar-retained implant-supported dentures are slightly different. They follow the natural curve of the jaw using a metal bar that is thin. Bar-retained dentures require up to five implants. Attachments like clips are added to the bar and denture. The denture is then slid over the bar and clipped into place.

The Procedure

The location of a patient’s implant-supported dentures ultimately depends on their location. Because the front of the mouth usually has more bone to work with, implants are usually placed in the front of the mouth. The entire process takes months to complete with 5 months being the shortest amount of time for the implants in the low jaw and 7 months for implants in the upper portion of the jaw. If bone grafting is needed for the implants, the process can take over a year. Usually, the process is broken up into two separate procedures on two separate dates. The first procedure is more surgical and involves the actual implantation inside of the jawbone of the implants. The second procedure exposes the top of the implants by breaking through the gum that has covered and healed over the implants from the first procedure. This is usually done around 5 months after the first procedure. While a patient is waiting for the process to be completed, they will be given temporary dentures in the meantime by their dentist.

Benefits

Dentures that are supported by implants are more stable than traditional dentures. Those with implant-supported dentures find that they have an easier time talking and eating than they did with traditional dentures. If a patient opts for dentures with implant support in the upper jaw, an added benefit is that the dentures do not take up as much space in the upper jaw, which frees up space in the palate; again, making it easier to speak and eat. While there are benefits, caution should still be taken, and hard or sticky foods should still be avoided.

Dentures that are supported by implants are worth speaking to your dentist about. Speak with your dentist today for an even more detailed explanation of the overall process and to determine whether or not you qualify for dentures with implant support.

tooth-healthy

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Most adults can confidently say that they have had at least one cavity in their lives. Sometimes, cavities happen. Unfortunately, because they sometimes do not initially hurt or present with any major sensitivity, cavities can often be overlooked until they become more severe in nature.

What Is a Cavity?

A small hole in the tooth that indicates decay, a cavity cannot heal on its own and requires medical intervention. A cavity is often caused by bacteria-ridden plaque that is affixed to the teeth. These bacteria create an acid that deteriorates the teeth and eventually causes a cavity.

When should you treat a cavity?

You should treat a cavity as soon as possible. If left untreated, a cavity will increase in size resulting in permanent damage to the tooth affected. Every tooth has three lines of defense: the enamel, the dentin, and the pulp. With a cavity, the enamel is the first part of the tooth that is affected. Acting as the tooth’s protective layer, the enamel does what it can to protect the sensitive inner layers of the teeth from damage.

If a cavity is not found quickly enough, it will penetrate the tooth’s enamel and enter the second layer of the tooth, the dentin layer. This will result in more pain and more damage to the tooth. Finally, if the cavity is still not treated, the bacteria will reach the pulp.

The tooth’s pulp is the innermost layer and contains all of the tooth’s blood vessels and nerves. One the cavity reaches the pulp, a filling may not be enough to fix the damage that has occurred. At this stage, a cavity often leads to either extraction of the tooth or a root canal.

Cavity Symptoms

Damage to the teeth aside, waiting to treat a cavity can result in a great deal of pain. When a cavity first begins to form, there is little pain. Sometimes, when dental patients come in for their regular cleanings and check-ups, their dentist finds a small cavity and fills it on the spot. This is the most ideal situation in regard to finding and treating cavities.

If caught early, there is no concerning damage to the tooth and the treatment is not as costly as the treatments required if a cavity is left untreated. According to research, around 28% of adults are currently walking around with untreated cavities noting cost and having to get a filling as reasons for avoiding making an appointment with their dentist. Unfortunately, the longer treating a cavity is put off, the more severe the symptoms and the costlier treatment becomes.

Once a cavity reaches the pulp, pain is inevitable; not just in the tooth, but in the face as well. Facial swelling and potential infections to the jaw or blood can occur and can result in needing emergent care that will likely end with the tooth being extracted.

Cavity Prevention

As the saying goes, prevention is the best medicine. In order to ensure that your mouth remains cavity-free, proper oral hygiene and a tooth-healthy diet are essential. It is important to maintain a twice-daily brushing and flossing routine. Further, regular dental cleanings and check-ups can help not only prevent cavities but can catch any cavities before they become problematic.

Your dentist can also apply a dental sealant to your teeth to help protect your teeth against cavities. A dental sealant is essentially a protective coating made of plastic that is placed on the chewing surfaces of the back molars and can last for years.

Finally, a tooth-healthy diet is imperative as cavity-causing bacteria feed off of sugary and starchy foods. Cutting back on things like sugary drinks and sweets, making sure that you are drinking an adequate amount of water daily, and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet can help ward off cavities.  

If it has been a while since you visited your local dentist for a check-up, make an appointment as soon as possible so that you can catch any cavities before they progress. If you have any tooth pain or sensitivity, it is important to see your dentist as quickly as possible because it is likely that a cavity has already started to increase in size.

your dentist

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A “gummy smile,” also known as excessive gingival display, is a common dental complaint that is seen more often in women than in men. It is the result of a disproportionate ratio of gum tissue to teeth. When someone with excessive gingival display smiles, an above average amount of gum tissue is seen above the teeth. While this is not medically dangerous, a gummy smile can often bring about feelings of self-consciousness.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

There are multiple causes of excessive gingival display. Genetics can play a role. If multiple family members have gummy smiles, for example, the cause is likely genetics. Other common causes are teeth that did not fully erupt (altered active eruption), an upper lip that is too short, long gums (also known as gingival hypertrophy), altered pass eruption (gums that do not recede as one ages), or an overgrowth of the upper jaw (also known as vertical maxillary excess). There is little one can do to prevent a gummy smile. However, there are non-surgical and surgical treatment options available to reduce the appearance of excessive gingival display.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Because there are multiple causes of a gummy smile, it is important to establish cause before researching treatment options. Once you have been given an accurate diagnosis from your dentist, ask if you qualify for non-surgical treatments. Sometimes, the fix is as simple as a round of orthodontic care. If a patient’s excessive gingival display is mild and is caused by something like overall wear or genetics, a round of orthodontics can be used to shift the patient’s bite into a more natural position; this will reduce the overall effect of excessive gingival display.

Veneers and Botox are two additional non-surgical, cosmetic options worth consideration. Applying veneers or crowns to the patient’s teeth will lengthen the teeth in a way that the disproportionate ratio of gums to teeth becomes proportional. Botox is another non-surgical treatment, however, it is not permanent. The doctor will inject a serum into the patient’s upper lip. This results in temporary (around three months) paralysis of the muscle and prevents the upper lip from rising too high whenever the patient smiles.

Finally, laser gum contouring is an additional procedure that is slightly more complex than the non-surgical treatments aforementioned, but it does not require general anesthesia and can be done at a dental office. The process involves removing excess gum tissue in order to produce an aesthetically-pleasing result. Recovery takes anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks.

Surgical Treatments

If you have exhausted all non-surgical treatments and cannot utilize any of them due to a more complex cause of excessive gingival display, there are a few surgical treatments that have been shown to produce optimal results. Perhaps the most complex in regards to the overall procedure and recovery time is orthognathic surgery. In layman’s terms, orthognathic surgery is surgery of the jaw. If the jaw is what is causing a gummy smile, orthognathic surgery involves re-contouring and relocating the patient’s maxilla before

securing it with plates and screws. Before going under the knife, most patients with jaw protrusions that are moderate to severe will undergo a year of orthodontic treatment. The surgery requires a hospital stay and boasts a long recovery time, but those who have opted for orthognathic surgery to rid themselves of a gummy smile report very noticeable results.

Other surgical treatments that are not as extensive as orthognathic surgery include lip repositioning surgery and a gingivectomy. The latter is performed by a periodontist and involves the removal and reshaping of gum tissue in an attempt to expose more teeth and less gum. Lip repositioning surgery is utilized when the upper lip is the cause of a gummy smile. The muscles in the lip are severed so that the lip cannot excessively lift and expose too much gum tissue.

The best treatment for a gummy smile depends on the cause of a gummy smile. Because the procedure is not a medical necessity, it is wise to “shop” around and to get a second opinion if you have been told that surgery is your only option. If a gummy smile has you feeling self-conscious, ask your dentist to get to the bottom of why you have excessive gingival display and what the best treatment route is to take based on your overall diagnosis.