Replacing a lost tooth can be a challenge for the dentist and the patient. A lost tooth can be a source of much consternation for the patient, especially when it’s located in the front portion of the mouth. The priority will be to calm the patient’s fears and offer a solution in the shortest time possible. . There are a wide variety of choices available today to replace your lost tooth.

 

Each technique has its own advantages and disadvantages.

 

 

1.         Fixed Partial Denture (Dental Bridge)

 

A fixed partial denture is also commonly referred to as a bridge. As the name suggests, the dental bridge cannot be removed easily and only the dentist can replace a faulty dental bridge once it is damaged.  The tooth/teeth are reduced on both sides to provide space for the bridge. Porcelain fused to metal, metal or all-ceramic bridges can be cemented onto the reduced teeth.

Advantages

• Relatively quick replacement.
• Comfortable to chew on
• Can be used to stabilize the bite
• Looks attractive
• Stable

Disadvantage

• Adjacent teeth have to be reduced. This is an irreversible procedure.
• Risk of further decay and gum disease if proper oral hygiene if not maintained.

 

2.       Resin-Bonded Fixed Partial Denture

 

A Resin-bonded fixed partial denture is a metal and porcelain structure that is cemented onto the back side of teeth. It cannot be removed easily.

 

Advantages

• Very little tooth material need be removed.
• Short treatment time
• Helps stabilize the adjacent teeth and bite.
• Can be used as a temporary

 

Disadvantages

• Reduced service life. May become loose after some time.
• Less pleasing to look at when compared to conventional fixed partial dentures.

 

 

 

 

3.       Removable Partial Denture

 

Acrylic or cast metal dentures are fabricated from dental casts created from dental impressions of the patients’ jaw.

 

Advantages

• Cheapest option for replacing lost tooth/teeth.
• Treatment can be completed quickly
• Can be used as an interim procedure before replacement with fixed partial denture.

Disadvantages

• Inherently unstable
• Need to be changed frequently to adjust for shrinkage of tissues.
• Difficulty in speaking and chewing initially.
• Not highly durable.

 

4.       Implant Supported Crown

 

Dental implants can be used to support a single crown. Dental implants have to be surgically placed within the jaw of the patient. Once placed, the implant will mimic the root portion of the lost tooth and the dental crown can be placed on top of the implant.

 

Advantages

• No need for reshaping adjacent teeth.
• Highly stable
• Highly attractive
• Bone loss can be minimized.
• Implants can be inserted in one sitting with guided implant surgery.
• Highly comfortable. Feel just like natural teeth.

 

Disadvantages

• Expensive
• More treatment time required for conventional implants
• Surgery needed
• Cannot be used in patients with contraindications.
• Cannot be used on patients without sufficient bone width and depth.
• Some patients may require bone grafting
• Proper oral hygiene should be maintained to prevent failures.

‘Teeth in a day’ refers to the implant procedure that deals with placing immediate loading dental implants. In immediate loading implants the crown is placed immediately after placing the implant. You can start chewing normally within a few hours.

 

With traditional dental implants you must allow the implant to undergo a process called Osseo-integration which allows the implant to fuse to the surrounding bone. This process normally takes around three to six months to complete. Patients receive a crown only after the implant has completely fused to the bone.

 

Today the dentist can get an accurate picture of the level and thickness of the bone in your mouth by ordering a 3-D CT scan. Using these scanned images the dental lab will produce a surgical template to guide your dentist while conducting surgery.

With 3D imaging and CAD CAM technology the crown can be fabricated before hand and placed along with the implant. If the surrounding bone and mucosa is healthy, the chances of failure with immediate loading implants are very low.

 

Immediate loading implants can be placed immediately after extracting a decayed tooth. The socket of the tooth is widened slightly to allow placement of the implant. But they cannot be placed if the tooth was severely abscessed or the gums were unhealthy. These implants are not advised for people with uncontrolled diabetes or other systemic conditions. This procedure requires greater skill on the part of your Implantologist than other implant procedures.

 

Check with your implant dentist in Houston To determine if you are a candidate for this type of implant procedure.

One of the most important advances in dentistry in recent times has been the introduction of Lasers in the treatment of gum disease. In laser gum therapy a small amount of energy with the help of a FDA approved laser is directed between the gum and tooth by your Houston Periodontist to remove diseased gum tissue and promote healing.

 

Lasers have also been used to reshape gums to lengthen the tooth. Lasers can also be used to remove unwanted hyperplastic growths of gum tissue after prolonged denture use. It is also used to improve access to decay that is covered with gum tissue.

 

By removing the diseased tissue, the laser eliminates infection within periodontal pockets without the need for surgery. This procedure helps the gums to reattach to the bone and is also called as “Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure”-LANAP. No incisions are needed unlike conventional gum surgery. The heat of the laser immediately stops bleeding and the blood clot acts as a physical barrier preventing any further attack by gum disease causing bacteria.

 

The LANAP Procedure

 

• The gums are anesthetized to reduce any discomfort.
• The Periodontist uses a laser to destroy diseased gum tissue which is removed with the help of water and high powered suction. The laser sterilizes the pocket and helps in formation of a stable blood clot.
• Any remaining calculus and deposits are removed with the help of an ultrasonic scaler.
• Next, the doctor will use the laser to stimulate the re-growth and re-attachment of the gum tissue to the bone.
• The bite is also adjusted to reduce load on the newly operated teeth.

 

Advantages of Laser gum surgery

• No incisions or sutures needed
• Reduced pain and discomfort
• More rapid healing(< 24 hour recovery period)
• Similar effects of conventional surgery achieved in less time with fewer appointments.
• Laser disinfection of diseased periodontal pockets results in reduced need for prolonged antimicrobial drug therapy.
• Can be used in patients with diabetes and bleeding disorders like hemophilia.

 

 

Dentures used to be the only solution for lost teeth for many decades before dental implants became popular. As the population in many western countries are aging the need for dentures and implants are increasing every year. Conventional dentures require considerable practice to be able to chew and speak with ease. The breaking-in period for new dentures can vary from patient to patient and some people end up hating their dentures even though the dentures have been made properly. Partial dentures also have problems with stability and can move when chewing sticky or hard food. Studies have shown that a vast majority of people prefer removing their dentures while chewing in a non-social setting.

 

To remedy this problem dental implants have been used to stabilize the dentures and prevent them from becoming loose. A loose lower denture can move as much as 1/2 an inch both sideways and up/down during eating and speaking. Implants anchor the dentures and provide the stability needed and these dentures are called Implant supported Overdentures. This translates to improved comfort while chewing and greater confidence when speaking. You need not fear your denture falling of while sneezing or while laughing.

 

Along with stability, implants also help preserve the natural bone surrounding the implants. In conventional dentures the forces are directed onto the alveolar ridge and this can lead to loss of bone. Implant supported Overdentures can be placed in both the upper and lower jaw. Alternatively you can place a fixed dental bridge over the implants. Your Houston implant dentist will help you choose the right tooth replacement option for you. Most patients feel little or no pain or discomfort when the implants are being placed.

 

There are two types of implant-supported Overdentures: bar-retained and ball-retained.

 

Bar-retained dentures

2-5 implants are placed in your jawbone. A narrow metal bar runs along the top of the implants following the curve of your jaw. Special attachments help secure the denture on top of the bar. These implants are usually placed when the patient has narrow ridges.

 

Ball-retained dentures (Ball and socket implant)

At least 2 implants are needed. This is simplest method of stabilizing dentures and is better suited for the lower jaw than upper. Each implant has a metal attachment (ball-type) that fits accurately into another attachment on the underside of the dentures (O-ring) or vice versa.

 

 

Sedation dentistry is a special kind of dental procedure that is used to alleviate anxiety and provide a relaxing experience for patients who need dental work but who have anxiety sitting in a dental chair. This calming procedure, with the help of oral sedatives or anti-anxiety medication, helps the patient follow through with the appointment, without anxiety or fear.

Most dentists can offer you a method that will help you relax during your next dental appointment. Depressants, anti-anxiety medication, tranquilizers and in some cases, nitrous oxide are given orally, and intravenous drugs are sometimes given if more relaxation is needed.

For instance, most oral sedatives are given to the patient the night before the dental procedure or 30 minutes to an hour before the appointment. Nitrous oxide sedation; however, is given in combination with a local anesthetic.

This special kind of dental work is fast becoming a choice many are selecting when it comes to having dental work performed. The procedure is easy and does not include needles. The oral medication that is given offers a relaxing feeling and many patients, once the work is done, remember little of what went on. However, with this procedure, the patient does retain a low level of consciousness and this helps to ensure safety and cooperation from the patient.

Some dental insurance companies don’t pay for this procedure but there are some non-intravenous procedures where dental insurance may cover the expense. Check with your dental insurance company for more coverage information.

Another benefit of this procedure is that once the work is finished, the patient feels that they have been in the dental chair for a short period of time and because of this feeling, he or she is more agreeable to call the dental office when future dental work is needed.

So, the next time you have a dental appointment, check out your sedation dentist in Houston and put your fears to rest.

A great smile does wonders to enhance a personality, increase confidence and the way others perceive you. Ever wondered what exactly makes up a ‘perfect’ smile? An ideal smile is not just white teeth; it is essentially harmony or ‘balance’ of the teeth and gums displayed, with an individual’s face. The size, shape and hue of teeth, the shape of the gum line framing teeth, the degree of lip parting all add up to make a smile ‘just right’.

 

Aesthetic dentistry is aimed at producing dental work that enhances an individual’s appearance, and includes various procedures aimed at modifying dental appearance, especially that of highly visible front teeth. While these include cosmetic teeth reshaping, and veneering to alter the shape and look of teeth, just altering the teeth may not always suffice to change a smile, in some cases the gum line requires alteration as well. The cosmetic procedure of gum or gingival contouring involves selectively reshaping the gums to produce a more pleasing appearance.

 

‘Gummy smiles’ or excessive gum display, small appearing teeth, uneven looking teeth are common issues which though not always, but at many times, can be attributed to excess gum tissue or an imbalanced gum-line, which are amenable to the relatively non-invasive procedure of cosmetic gum contouring.

 

Cosmetic gum contouring can be planned as a part of an overall ‘smile designing’ treatment, where the shape of teeth are changed by veneers or orthodontics, and gingival reshaping is done as well. Orthodontic braces produce changes in position of teeth and predispose to gum inflammation as they make brushing difficult, and are often associated with some gum overgrowth. Thus, when the braces are removed, even though teeth may be aligned, their appearance may be short due to some areas of overgrown gum tissue. This usually requires cosmetic gum contouring to refine the aesthetics.

 

Sally, a 23 year old grad student says;” I had finished my orthdontics at last and had expected a ‘Hollywood’ smile but was disappointed. My orthodontist referred me to a periodontist in Houston. He first showed me on a model how gum contouring would appear and changed my look in one short painless visit!”

 

Prior to planning gum contouring, the dental team usually performs a smile analysis. Gum contouring, technically known as gingivectomy or gingivoplasty can be done in a single sitting under local anasthesia. Being minimally invasive it usually doesn’t require stitches and produces no or mild post-operative discomfort.

The decision to get dental implants to replace missing teeth is often influenced at least in part by cosmetic concerns. So, it’s only natural to wonder if your new implants will look, well, natural. With the latest implant technology and the skills of an implant dentist in Houston experienced in placing them, you’ll never have to reveal that your smile isn’t the one you were born with. In fact, if your objective is a smile with a natural appearance, dental implants should be your first choice.

Dental implants can replace either a single tooth or multiple teeth, and in either case, the team that creates the implants will take care to ensure that the appliance fits in with the existing teeth in shade and shape. Additionally, because dental implants offer a stand-alone solution, there’s no need to compromise adjacent healthy teeth, which must be covered with crowns when a bridge is used to replace missing teeth. Bridges carry the risk of permanent damage to nearby teeth, although that certainly doesn’t occur in every case.

You can also use the same oral hygiene routines with your implants as you do with your natural teeth, which will also improve your appearance. In particular, dental implants offer better access to interproximal areas, or the spaces between the teeth, allowing for more thorough flossing.

Beyond the cosmetic benefits, dental implants approximate natural teeth in a number of other ways, as well. Implants tend to be more comfortable than alternatives, and they last longer, too.

Perhaps most importantly, implants prevent bone loss in the jaw. Because an implant is actually anchored to the bone with a titanium screw, it does the best job of simulating an actual tooth from a biological perspective. While bone might begin to erode in the area of missing teeth that are replaced by a bridge or dentures, the implant’s screw serves as a sort of root, encouraging the jaw bone to remain in place. The implant’s more extensive structure also tends to prevent other teeth from shifting to fill the gap left by the missing tooth.