Blog Post

Why You're a Great Candidate For Dental Implants

  • By Admin
  • •
  • 01 Nov, 2017
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If you have one or more missing teeth, you may be considering several tooth-replacement options. However, a dental implant is typically the most tooth-like option available.

Dental Implant Restorations Replace the Dental Crown and Root

During a dental implant restoration, the root and crown of a tooth are replaced. The crown, which is the portion of the tooth that is readily visible inside your mouth, offers aesthetic appeal and chewing capabilities. The dental root lies beneath the surface of the gums and offers stabilization and bone stimulation.
As a person chews or bites, pressure is applied to each tooth that is involved in the mastication process. The pressure is transmitted by the crown to the dental root. In turn, the dental root transfers the force to the jawbone.
The jawbone requires regular stimulation to stay thick and healthy. Without stimulating pressure

  • from a tooth, an area of the jawbone may begin to atrophy or shrink. This reduction in bone
  • density can cause multiple problems, such as the following: Hollowed appearance to the face
  • Migration of teeth
 Loosening of teeth within the sockets.

Although appliances, such as bridges, replace the crown of a missing tooth, they do not replace the dental root. As a result, they do not promote healthy bone growth at the site where the missing tooth once was.

Are You a Good Candidate for a Dental Implant?

If you are interested in receiving a dental implant, you may be concerned about whether or not you are a suitable candidate for the restorative process. However, keep in mind that dental implant restorations are successful about 98% of the time.

Already, more than three million Americans have dental implants, and that number is not declining. In fact, it grows by about a half million new dental implant recipients each year. Here are a few reasons why you are likely a great candidate for a dental implant.

You Don't Have Gum Disease

Gum disease, which is also referred to as periodontal disease, is caused by inflammation. Yet, the condition, which can jeopardize the success of a dental implant, is avoidable.

As bacterial acid builds up in the mouth, the substance irritates the sensitive tissues of the gums. In response, the gums swell, redden and bleed. These symptoms indicate gingivitis.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It can be quickly reversed by proper brushing and flossing.

However, as gum disease progressives, it becomes periodontitis, a severe form of the condition. Symptoms of periodontitis include gaps or pockets between the gums and the teeth. Bacteria can fill these pockets to incite a gingival infection, which can even be transferred to the jawbone.

People with periodontitis have a higher incidence of implant failure. Thus, your dentist will want your gums to be in a healthy state before performing your implant procedure.

You Don't Smoke

People who smoke have a higher risk of an implant failure. Tobacco usage increases the likelihood of certain conditions, such as peri-implantitis, which may cause a problem with a dental implant.

Peri-implantitis is a type of gum infection that occurs in the tissues surrounding a dental implant. As oral bacteria become trapped in the folds of the gums around an implant, an infection may ensue.

The gum infection may prevent the soft tissues from healing completely and connecting to the dental implant. In order to salvage a dental implant after the development of peri-implantitis, the infection must be successfully treated. Still, the gum infection can result in implant failure.

Smoking also impairs the flow of blood and oxygen to the implant wound. In addition, irritants in the tobacco may inflame sensitive tissues, delaying healing.

People who smoke should consider abandoning the habit before undergoing an implant restoration. If a smoker does not choose to quit smoking altogether, he or she should at least refrain from smoking a couple of weeks before and after the implantation procedure.

If you are interested in receiving a dental implant, contact The Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center to schedule an appointment for a full assessment. Our dental professionals can let you know if a dental implant is right for you.

Reasons to Consider Surgery for TMJ Issues

By Admin • 28 Nov, 2017
Are you suffering from painful and chronic TMJ issues? If so, you may begin to wonder whether or not surgery could be the solution you are looking for. Before you take the step of choosing to have an operation, think through these considerations that may indicate you should choose surgery.

Impacted Wisdom Tooth Aches

By Admin • 08 Sep, 2017
If you refuse to see an oral surgeon about your aching partially impacted wisdom tooth, you may regret your decision later. Wisdom teeth that don't erupt completely out the jawbone can become infected with bacteria. The infection can spread to the structures supporting the tooth, including the jawbone and gum tissue surrounding the tooth.

Here are things that could happen if you don't see an oral surgeon about your partially impacted wisdom tooth.

Reasons to Visit | The Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center, P.A.

By Admin • 01 Aug, 2017
An oral-maxillofacial surgeon is one who operates on the mouth and surrounding tissues. However, it's a little more in depth than that. Oral-maxillofacial surgery involves diagnosing diseases and prescribing treatments for them as well as treating injuries and defects of the maxillofacial area. Oral-maxillofacial surgeons work on both functional and aesthetic aspects of your mouth.

While there are a variety of reasons you may seek out an oral-maxillofacial surgeon, below are five of the most common.

A Patient's Guide To Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

By Admin • 23 May, 2017
Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD as it is commonly referred to, is a common and frustrating condition. Though it generally manifests as an achy or painful jaw, it may lead to a host of more serious issues, from abscesses to infections. Such issues are both highly uncomfortable and quite costly.

Unfortunately, many people suffer from TMD without ever realizing it--simply because they are not familiar with this condition. If you would like to improve your knowledge of this frequently experienced dental disorder, read on. This article will provide you with a useful overview of the symptoms, causes, and treatments of TMD.

Post Title

By Admin • 27 Mar, 2017
A missing or damaged tooth can be painful and cause some embarrassment. One solution is to have dental implants. This procedure has many benefits to those who are missing teeth or need to have a tooth removed.

When to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

By Admin • 01 Jan, 2017
If you’re over the age of 18, it’s likely that you’ll need to have your wisdom teeth  removed at some point in the future. This is usually done in your late teens or early twenties, but it’s possible to have your teeth extracted later in life if they’re causing a problem. If you’re on the fence about whether to have your wisdom teeth removed, follow these guidelines.
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