Tooth Loss Plus Bone Loss Equals Problems!

Posted on Apr 07, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Tooth loss has many frustrations. Denture wearers often endure discomfort, reduced confidence, decreased ability to chew and enjoy foods, and daily inconvenience.  While many acknowledge these ordeals as “normal”, they are often unaware of an underlying occurrence taking place … bone loss.  Bone loss has an even greater impact to one’s life, contributing to deep wrinkling and sunken-in appearance around the mouth, a pointed chin, jowls, and severe reduction in biting strength.

When tooth roots are missing, the jaw bone begins to shrink, or “resorb.”  Resorption continues and is even accelerated by the pressure of wearing dentures. An indicator of bone loss is the change in the fit of your denture. Dentures that once fit securely will eventually loosen due to the change in the bone underneath the gum.

As the bone shrinks, the ridge under the denture slowly flattens out. Over time, the denture has less of a foundation, decreasing the ability to bite and chew comfortably. The biting strength of natural teeth is 250 pounds.  The average denture wearer bites with 5 to 6 pounds.

Emotional repercussions are equally as severe.  In addition to a decrease in self-esteem and self-confidence, denture wearers tend to unplug from society, don’t look at people in the face, smile and laugh less, don’t leave home often, wear no make-up, and eat out rarely.

Dental Implants recreate the presence of tooth roots, halting bone loss and restoring the strength of your bite. There are many types of implants, which are designed to accommodate individual needs.  Plus, Dental Implants are designed to last your lifetime. When properly selected, placed, and cared for, they will bring you as much pleasure and satisfaction as natural teeth. They restore chewing stability, speaking and laughing confidence, and a flattering appearance.

To discuss your options in tooth replacement, call (828) 274-9440 for a consultation.

Considerations Of Dental Implants Vs. Bridges Or Dentures

Posted on Mar 20, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

The upfront costs of dental implants are typically the only obstacle for some patients who want to replace missing teeth. Although the long term cost efficiency of dental implants makes them a better option than other tooth replacement alternatives, dental implants do have a failure rate. Here are tips to help you enjoy a successful outcome and an excellent investment:

Select Your Dentist Carefully: Dental implants must be selected and placed properly, and then carefully maintained (at home and through regular dental check-ups). The success rate of dental implants is over 95%, although smokers have a failure rate 2.5 times higher than that of non-smokers. Experienced implant dentists have around a 99% success rate, which is why it’s important to ask about the implant training and success rate of your doctor.

Longevity: A dental implant that has been selected, placed and maintained properly should last for a lifetime. A bridge will need replacement in an average of 10 years on average. Dentures will also need replacing or modification in about ten years because bone loss changes the fit of the denture. This is caused by the absence of tooth roots in the jaw and pressure of dentures. Looking at a 20 year period, your bridge or denture costs have now doubled, whereas the dental implants are worry-free.

Protecting Oral Health: In order to support a bridge, healthy natural teeth have to be cut down to serve as anchors for the bridge. This creates more susceptibility for tooth decay. Because it can be more difficult to clean around bridges, the accumulation of plaque increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Jaw bone loss is also a problem with removable dentures, which can lead to an aged appearance far beyond one’s actual years. Dental implants function the same as natural teeth without special care or requiring the support of adjacent teeth. The additional costs of treating decay or gum disease caused by a partial or full removable denture must be factored in when calculating the long term cost efficiency compared to the one-time expense of dental implants.

Enhanced Overall Health & Confidence: Dental implants give a natural look and feel while restoring a dependable, comfortable bite and chewing function. Trying to eat with removable dentures is often over-shadowed with fears of embarrassment. Those who wear removable dentures also have a tendency to select soft food that dissolve easily and quickly in the mouth. Thus, they often deprive themselves of fiber and protein-rich foods and satisfying, vitamin-packed fruits and vegetables.

Bottom Line: Initially, dental implants typically cost more than other dental restorations but are the clear winners when it comes to the investment. Because dental implants prevent bone loss, enhance dental (and overall) health and keep replacement teeth more secure for a lifetime, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial expense. Dental implants can also enhance your quality of life and actually lower the costs to maintain a healthy mouth over the course of your lifetime.

Dental Implant Placement & Sedation

Posted on Mar 11, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Occasionally, we have a Dental Implant patient who does not want to “be put to sleep” during treatment.

In our office, we use oral sedation. In pill form, no needles are used to administer the medication and the recovery is quick. Oral sedation enables patients to feel refreshed rather than the ‘spaced out’ feeling that I.V. sedation (or ‘twilight sleep’) can leave, although it does have an amnesiac effect. Some patients tell us they remember hearing  voices, but most have no memory of the procedure at all.

While the amnesiac effect is an appealing advantage of sedation, sedation helps patients be more relaxed. Since many implant placement procedures require over an hour’s time in the treatment chair, sedation helps to eliminate after-treatment fatigue from muscle tension.

In addition to sedation, we apply numbing medications to the area being treated to create optimal comfort for patients. We never want any procedure we perform to be painful at any time, regardless of the addition of sedation.

We treat all patients with respect and a gentle touch. We are just as committed to comfort for patients who do not want to be sedated as we are for those who are. Our goal is to help each person achieve a restored mouth that is healthy. If we can accommodate specific requests, such as treatment without sedation, then we will do what will provide the safest, most comfortable and successful outcome.

Sinus Lifts & Bone Rebuilding For Dental Implants

Posted on Feb 25, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

When natural tooth roots are missing from the upper or lower jaw, the bone that was once their foundation begins to shrink. Over time, this bone loss can cause many problems.

A common frustration of denture wearers is uncomfortable rubbing or slips while eating. This is because the bone ridge that the denture was designed to fit is shrinking. Even with adhesives and pastes, a flattened bone ridge can make chewing with a denture difficult. Relines may help for a brief time, but eventually, they seem to do little good.

Bone loss becomes obvious in one’s facial appearance. Deep wrinkling occurs around the mouth, even with dentures in place. The mouth appears sunken-in and the corners of the mouth turn downward. Jowls form and the chin takes on a pointed shape.

To place Dental Implants, a sufficient amount of upper or lower jaw bone must exist. Once the implants are in place, your bone grows around them. This secures them firmly in place, giving a dependable foundation like that of the tooth roots you once had.

In the lower jaw, a nerve runs horizontally through the bone. Placing implants must be done so there is no risk of interfering with this nerve. And, because the upper jaw connects to the sinus cavities, upper placement must be done so each implant avoids close proximity. This is why sinus augmentation, or a ‘sinus lift,’ is occasionally necessary.

A key to implant success is not just in the selection of the implant, but where the implant is placed. When too much bone loss has occurred, bone rebuilding techniques are necessary. Although these extend the treatment time and add to the overall cost, the ability to eat and laugh without worry or discomfort is well-worth the procedure you have, even if added steps are necessary. This is why it is better to have Dental Implants placed before this extent of bone loss occurs.

Some implants are specifically designed to for people who have had a great deal of bone loss. We’ve had excellent results with the ‘All-On-4’ implant system. These are placed at unique angles so they require less bone depth. Another benefit of All-On-4 is their ability to support a full arch using just four implants. Because the cost of implant treatment is largely determined by the number of implants used, this helps to keep overall expenses down.

Today’s Dental Implants are highly-successful and tremendously advantageous for those who once struggled with dentures or partials. If you’d like to know more, call to arrange a Consultation at (828) 274-9440.