Whether it’s self-consciousness about your smile or an inability to eat healthy foods, missing teeth can have a detrimental effect on your quality of life. Today, there are many options available for tooth replacement that will restore your confidence. From traditional dental implants to All-on-4, there’s a workable replacement option available for you.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that replaces both the visible part of the tooth and the tooth root. This provides a complete functional tooth that will not only enable you to bite and chew normally, but will also help keep your jawbone healthy. In the long term, implants help maintain your health far better than dentures, bridges, or other tooth replacement options.

Some of the major advantages of dental implants include:

• Stimulate jawbone regeneration
• Remain stationary
• Allow you to eat anything, including apples and corn on the cob
• Are permanent—do not require periodic re-tooling

With implants, you’ll always have confidence in your smile and know that your teeth will stay in place even when you bite and chew.

What are All-on-4 Implants?

If you’ve worn dentures for a long period, or if you’ve had missing teeth, it’s likely that you won’t have sufficient bone mass to support the numerous implants required to replace each individual tooth. Some people simply lack sufficient bone mass due to the way their jawbone is structured. This is more common in the upper jaw, where the size of the sinus cavities affects the thickness of the bone that supports the teeth.

All-on-4 dental implants offer the advantages of implants to people without sufficient bone mass. This technique uses four implants to support a denture. Unlike standard dentures, a denture secured with implants remains stationary and will not shift or move when you eat. It can be removed for cleaning and to floss around the abutments of the implants. With proper care, this type of implant can provide you with a full, functional smile for many years to come.

Call our office to speak with a caring team member ready to answer any questions you may have.

Sedation dentistry is a useful tool for people who have extreme dental anxiety or who have a severe gag reflex. It is also often used in conjunction with local anesthetic for procedures like oral surgery, restorations, or tooth extractions. Talk to your dentist about whether sedation is appropriate for you.

When Is Sedation Appropriate?

Sedation dentistry can be used for a variety of purposes to make your time at the dentist more comfortable. People who suffer from dental anxiety can particularly benefit. Sedation is also very helpful if you need to have several restorations done, as it can help you relax so it’s easier for the dentist to work quickly and efficiently. For oral surgery, it removes all anxiety and helps you remain relaxed throughout your procedure.

Some people have difficulty even having a routine exam. An ultra-sensitive gag reflex, often triggered by anxiety, makes it very difficult for the dentist to work in their mouths. Sedation can help in these cases, as well. If you have any concerns about anxiety, panic attacks, or overall comfort during a dental procedure of any kind, talk to your dentist about the possible options.

How Sedation Works

Sedation dentistry makes use of a mild sedative during your procedure to ensure you are calm, relaxed, and free of any discomfort. Your dentist might prescribe a pill for you to take before the procedure, or he might use nitrous oxide during the procedure. Intravenous sedation is also an option, though this is more often reserved for oral surgery.

While you are sedated, you will be conscious and able to respond to the dentist. Time seems to move faster, which can help you sit quietly through longer procedures—for example if you need to have several things taken care of at a single appointment. If you receive nitrous oxide, it will wear off quickly once you’re no longer breathing it. If you’ve had a sedative pill, you’ll need some time after your appointment for it to wear off, so be sure to arrange for a safe ride home.

If you’re anxious about your next dental appointment, our team at the office of Dr. Jirik is ready to offer you our sedation dentistry options to put you at ease.

Your oral health depends on a few factors. From an appealing white, bright smile and an aligned bite to a full set of functional teeth, many elements play a role in proper dental health. Fortunately, the addition of dental implants can reduce your risk of future problems and long-term expenses.

Importance of a Full Set of Teeth

A full set of teeth is necessary for an attractive smile, but it is also important for eating, chewing, and speaking. Although implants are artificial teeth, they are implanted directly in a truly secure manner, making them a permanent addition to your smile.

While dentures or a bridge may complete your set of teeth, they do not last long. Eating certain foods is off limits with dentures and metal bridges since they can easily crack or break. Using dentures or a bridge to complete your smile will cost more money in the future due to this need for replacement.

Thankfully, the permanent, durable nature of implants ensures you do not need to avoid favorite foods, which are important for their nourishing vitamins and minerals.

Effect on Surrounding Teeth and Gums

The metal and composite material used in dentures and bridges can irritate your gum tissue, tongue, and interior lining of your mouth. This irritation can cause inflammation, tenderness, and bleeding. Also, most dentures and bridges will need to be placed on your natural teeth while wearing. Over time, this contact can damage your existing teeth, resulting in future issues and expensive treatments.

Fortunately, you do not need to worry about this irritation with dental implants. Implants are secured directly into your jaw, limiting contact to your mouth, gum tissue, and surrounding teeth.

The options for restoring your smile are endless. While they may vary in price, implants may seem higher initially compared to other options. To learn how dental implants are the best investment in your dental health, contact our office today.

Root canal therapy retains a bad reputation as a difficult and uncomfortable procedure, but in reality, it is similar in many ways to having a tooth filled. It can also be the only way to save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

The root canal is the name for the space inside the tooth where the tooth pulp and the nerve are found. When these nerve-rich, sensitive tissues become inflamed or infected, root canal therapy may be necessary in order to keep the tooth. To perform this treatment, your dentist or periodontist uses special tools to remove the infected tissue from the tooth interior. The cavity is then sterilized and filled with a special gel. To ensure the tooth remains usable, it is treated with a crown.

Treating a tooth in this way prevents the infection from spreading out of the tooth and into adjacent areas. An untreated infection in the tooth can spread into the jaw or facial bones. It can even move into the sinus cavities and, in very serious situations, can affect the brain. With proper treatment, the infection can be eliminated, protecting you from serious side effects.

Why Is Root Canal Therapy Necessary?

A root canal treatment is necessary to treat infection in the tooth’s interior. This can occur under a variety of circumstances, the most common of which are:

• Severe decay
• Trauma to the tooth
• Severe tooth damage

This type of treatment can become necessary when a tooth is broken in an accident or fall. It can also be necessary if a tooth that has already been filled or crowned develops additional damage, such as cracks, that lets bacteria into the tooth’s interior. A seriously damaged tooth that might otherwise have to be extracted, can be preserved and will remain usable with root canal therapy. You will be able to bite and chew normally after your tooth has been treated.

Call our office at 214-383-5511 to speak with one of our dental specialists about your root canal therapy options.

Brushing twice a day, flossing, and visiting your dentist for exams each year is essential for your oral health. Unfortunately, you still may require involved dental treatments even after following your dentist’s recommendations for healthy teeth and gums. Considering millions of people undergo a root canal treatment, learning when this common procedure is necessary is smart.

Broken Tooth

A chipped, broken tooth not only affects the appeal of your smile, but it can also cause damage to your underlying nerves. If the tooth is hit with severe trauma, it can also sever the nerve completely. This kills the nerve, decreasing your chances of successful tooth repair.

A root canal may be able to repair the damage to the nerve, reconnecting it to the existing tooth. After saving the damaged nerve, your dentist can bond the surface enamel to restore the broken tooth.

Abscess

An abscess develops when an infection develops in the tooth pulp and spreads to its roots. An abscessed tooth is painful, but very serious. If this infection is left untreated, it may spread to the bone, resulting in serious complications.

Antibiotics will be necessary to treat the infection, but your dentist will also perform a root canal treatment to remove bacteria and dead tissue from the tooth pulp and roots.

Cavity

Cavities are also common reasons to undergo a root canal. Since cavities form over time, they can cause bacteria to spread deep into the tooth pulp, decaying the tooth and infecting the pulp and roots. If you have a deep cavity, you may experience tooth sensitivity, pain in and around the mouth, head, and jaw, and tender, bleeding gums.

The best option for repairing deep cavities is to remove the decay by cleaning out the root canals. In many cases, removal of the damaged nerve will also be necessary.

A root canal treatment may be common, but it deserves serious thought and consideration. Contact our caring team at P.A. Dental Arts to learn if this procedure will benefit you and your dental health.

An estimated 30 percent of the population suffers with a fear of the dentist, known as odontophobia. This fear not only causes stress and anxiety, but it can also prevent individuals from receiving proper care for healthy teeth and gums. Fortunately, sedation dentistry allows individuals suffering with this fear to receive the care they need.

The 101 on Sedation

When most people think of sedation, they visualize hospitals and surgical procedures. However, there are many different forms of sedation suited for use in your dentist’s office.

Anti-anxiety, tranquilizers, depressants, and nitrous oxide are all sedation medications offered for patients who require sedation for dental treatments. Each option may be administered in the patient’s preferred method, as well. For example, patients undergoing a tooth extraction or receiving a dental implant may prefer sedation through an IV. Patients who have a fear of needles may opt for an oral medication or laughing gas. 

Due to the various options, patients can choose a form of sedation suited to their comfort level and specific treatment.

Safety

Visit your primary care physician for a detailed exam before undergoing sedation at the dentist. While sedation is safe for most patients, taking medications orally or intravenously offer some side effects.

Before undergoing sedation, your dentist will require a medical clearance from you physician to ensure you receive safe, effective treatment.

After Sedation

It is imperative to bring a caregiver to your appointment since you may feel severe fatigue, dizziness, and nausea after sedation. A responsible caregiver should drive you home and care for you for a few hours after your procedure.

During this time, your caregiver will make sure you are following instructions for proper recovery and ensure you are resting comfortably.

Your dental health is important, so you should never let a fear stand in the way of a healthy smile. Ask our dental professionals if sedation is the right option for your oral health needs by calling our office today!

Pregnancy has a tremendous effect on the entire body, and the mouth is no exception. Often, during pregnancy, the body and the immune system seem to function at an ultra-sensitive level, reacting unpredictably to normal situations.

The body’s response to the signs and symptoms of pregnancy can have a direct effect on the oral health. Always heed your obstetrician’s advice regarding your general health during pregnancy, and trust our Dr. Akhavan to provide expert advice regarding your prenatal dental health.

Inflamed gums. It is not uncommon for minimal amounts of plaque accumulation to cause the gums to become tender and inflamed. Bleeding during brushing and flossing is also a more common observation during pregnancy. Pregnant women should not be alarmed or feel the need to avoid the sensitive areas. Instead, careful and diligent brushing and flossing can help to curb these signs of gingivitis before it progresses to true periodontal disease.

Dry mouth. Stuffy nasal passages and late-night snoring can contribute to a dry, irritated mouth throughout pregnancy. Dry mouth can lead to irritated gum tissue that bleeds easily, as well as an increased incidence of tooth decay. Without the proper amount of saliva necessary to neutralize plaque acids, the risk for cavities rises significantly. Your dentist may recommend drinking more water throughout the night, choosing alcohol free mouthrinses, or using an over-the-counter saliva substitute.

Tooth decay. Consuming more frequent meals and snacks is the prime contributor to tooth decay in pregnant women. It can be difficult to impossible to brush and floss properly after every snack, and the residual food particles provide fuel for the bacteria that normally reside in the oral cavity.

Acid reflux. Gastrointestinal issues such as gas, acid reflux, and nausea can trigger bad breath and acid erosion of the enamel. Even women with no history of gastrointestinal disorders may notice these symptoms during pregnancy. By recognizing the symptom, observing careful plaque control, and eating mild foods, the effects can be minimized.

The best defense against some of the more unpleasant effects of pregnancy is a close relationship with your medical and dental healthcare professionals. For your health, dental examinations before, during, and after pregnancy are recommended. Call our caring team at P.A. Dental Arts and schedule your visit today!

Periodontal, also known as gum disease, is a serious condition. Your gums are the gateway to the rest of the body, and it’s important to keep them healthy. An experienced periodontist can help you achieve this goal.

There are several degrees of periodontal disease, which develops when plaque builds up and leads to inflammation. Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease diagnosed by periodontists, and it involves mild redness, swelling and bleeding, but often little or no discomfort. Gingivitis is typically reversible when a patient adheres to a good oral hygiene routine at home.

If gingivitis is untreated, however, it can progress to a more serious condition known as periodontitis, which occurs when plaque begins to grow underneath the gum line. That plaque growth leads the gums to separate from the teeth, and the pockets that develop are susceptible to infection that can lead to the erosion of gum tissue and the underlying bone.

Be on the lookout for symptoms of periodontal disease, including bleeding and redness, gaps between the gum and the teeth, loose teeth and bad breath. Stress, certain medications and smoking also have been linked to periodontal disease.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or are at risk for periodontal disease, it’s important to schedule regular visits with Dr. Kazemifar who can offer treatment and ongoing monitoring of your condition. Gum disease can lead to tooth and bone loss, and it has even been linked to a host of other systemic conditions, ranging from heart disease to diabetes. Periodontists are able to treat gum disease with a variety of treatments, ranging from less invasive options like scaling and planing to surgery in cases of advanced periodontal disease.

If you have further questions about gum disease or to be checked out by a periodontist, call the office of Dr. Hoda Kazemifar at 571-313-8415 today to schedule a consultation.

For people who suffer from dental anxiety, sedation dentistry is an effective and simple solution. Adding sedation to local anesthesia for restorations, extractions, and other dental work allows you to relax completely without having to be unconscious or face the risks of general anesthesia.

How Sedation Dentistry Works

Most dental work is performed under a local anesthetic, to remove feeling from the tooth and surrounding gum tissues. Yet, many people find that additional sedation helps them relax and avoid anxiety while their teeth are being worked on. Sedation dentistry is an effective way to reduce worry, allowing you to be calm and comfortable while the dentist works on your teeth.

The most common types of sedation are administered in pill form or in the form of nitrous oxide. Sometimes intravenous sedation is used. Sedation allows you to remain conscious and aware, while making you feel very relaxed and often giving you a distorted sense of time—the appointment feels like it goes by very quickly. If you are to receive a sedative in pill form, your dentist will usually supply this ahead of time so it can take effect. You will need to have someone drive you to and from the appointment. Nitrous oxide, by contrast, is administered while you’re being worked on. It affects you immediately and wears off very quickly once you are no longer inhaling the gas.

Advantages of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation carries considerably less risk and a much smaller chance of side effects than general anesthesia. You are not unconscious and can respond to questions and directions. You probably won’t remember many of the details of the work being done, though this reaction varies from patient to patient and can also depend upon the type of sedation used.

With sedation, your dentist can work more easily and can even complete several procedures at a time while you remain calm and relaxed. If you have put off important dental work due to your anxiety, sedation is a great way to get caught up and improve your oral health.

If you’re ready to schedule your next dental appointment and interested in sedation, call Reston Serenity Smiles today to speak with one of our caring team members.

The purpose of dental crowns are to aid in root canal therapy, protect and cover a tooth that has been compromised from dental fillings or is cracked or broken.

In any case, a crown allows the natural tooth to be salvaged, which is always a better option than losing a tooth.

Depending on the tooth being crowned, there are different materials used in making a crown. For back teeth that sustain much of the pressure from chewing, some type of metal or gold may be selected. For crowns in the smile line, a porcelain crown is a good option.

No matter which type of crown is needed, your dentist will provide the information needed to make the best choice. The tooth will be prepared, an impression taken and a temporary covering will be provided while the lab is fabricating your new crown.

In about two weeks, you will return to the dentist’s office for the permanent crown to be cemented in place. At the conclusion of this appointment you can return to your “normal” life. Your new crown requires no special care.

Consideration might be given to chewing habits, especially if you have selected a porcelain crown. Although your new crown is strong, avoid biting and chewing on hard objects like candy. Your new crown has been cemented in place, but extremely sticky foods can loosen a crown, as well. If the crown does come off, a return to your dental provider is needed for cementing it back in place.

You should continue to observe excellent dental hygiene habits which include daily flossing, brushing with a soft bristle brush, using a non-abrasive toothpaste or gel and rinsing with an antibacterial rinse, if advised to do so. Your dentist can demonstrate the safest way to floss around a new dental crown.

Returning to your dental provider every six months for a professional cleaning and dental exam will aid in maintaining excellent dental health, and might prevent the advancement of dental decay and other problems.

To learn more about caring for your dental crowns, contact our team to schedule a consultation with our specialist.