This article, part 1 of 2, addresses some of the fears and concerns patients have about intravenous (IV) sedation, an anti-anxiety drug administered into the bloodstream during a dental procedure.

If you thought you were alone in your irrational and even unmanageable fear of the Sun City dentist, think again! A fear of the dentist, the dentist’s chair and/or dental treatment is one of the most common phobias there are. It even has a name, ‘odontophobia.’ Thankfully, the accepted approach to treating patients that struggle with sweaty palms, an elevated heart rate, the tremors and even low blood pressure – physical symptoms associated with extreme anxiety and fear – has changed over the years. “In addition to anti-anxiety medications and pain-killers,” says experienced Sun City dentist, Dr. Kevin Gasser, “modern dental practices make it a priority to take patient psychology into account. They approach treatment with a very gentle hand.”

The availability of IV sedation in Sun City dentistry has also helped an incredible number of people receive the treatment they need to keep their oral health and hygiene on track without having to deal with all the terrible side effects of extreme anxiety and fear. So, if you traditionally struggle with odontophobia and want to find out more about IV sedation, read on! In this two part article series, the Sun City dentist endeavors to answer your Frequently Asked Questions.

FAQ # 1: What exactly is IV Sedation?


Answer: In the context of Sun City dentistry, IV sedation, or Intravenous Conscious Sedation, refers to the administering of an anti-anxiety drug directly into the bloodstream just before a dental procedure. “These medications,” explains Dr. Gasser, “are designed to affect the Central Nervous System safely, predictably and without negative side effects.”

FAQ # 2: What does IV sedation feel like?


Answer: Floating, drifting, happy, in a bathtub filled with warm and fuzzy cotton wool… every patient’s account of IV sedation differs slightly. And while it is sometimes referred to as “twilight sleep” or “sleep dentistry,” Intravenous sedation doesn’t actually put you to sleep as general anesthesia does, explains Sun City dentist Dr. Gasser. Rather, patients describe drifting off in a dream-like state that feels completely detached from reality, from what is happening to them in the dentist’s chair. Because of this detachment, triggers that might previously have caused severe anxiety or fear, such as the whine of the drill or the sight of a needle, is no longer upsetting. And this is, of course, beneficial to both the patient and the dentist.

FAQ # 3: Will I remember anything about the procedure while under IV sedation?

Answer: “While you remain conscious during IV sedation and can respond coherently to the dentist’s questions, you probably won’t remember much or anything at all about the procedure afterwards,” explains Sun City dentistry professional Dr. Gasser. “And this is because the medications used cause partial or complete amnesia (memory loss) for the period during which they are administered.” Patients that have undergone IV sedation frequently report the time having gone by extremely fast. One patient said to the Sun City dentist: “one minute you are fully aware of what’s going on and then the drugs kick in. The next minute it’s all over and you’re on your way home!”

Sun City Dentistry and IV Sedation: Stay Tuned

To read the answers to more questions on Sun City dentistry IV sedation, stay tuned for the final installment of this two-part article series.

"This article addresses some of the fears and concerns patients have about oral conscious sedation, an anti-anxiety drug administered via a pill just before a dental procedure."

A fear of Sun City dental treatment, whether it’s of the clinical whiteness of the exam room itself, the whine of the dentist’s drill or the prospect of needles, is something that affects a huge number of patients. Experienced Sun City dental professional, Dr. Kevin Gasser, has become entirely accustomed to dealing with patients that experience the entire spectrum of physical responses to fear and anxiety, from mildly sweating palms and a quickened heartbeat, to full on terror and tremors at the prospect of requiring some kind of procedure done. Oral sedation has gained immense popularity amongst patients that traditionally couldn’t bear the thought of their bi-annual Sun City dental appointments. Now, thanks to oral sedation, these patients are able to receive the professional attention they need to keep their oral health and hygiene in the best possible condition. In order to help you understand more about sedation dentistry, Dr. Gasser will, in this article, be answering some of your frequently asked questions.

Sun City Dental FAQ # 1: What does oral sedation involve?

The Sun City Dentist Answers: Oral sedation involves the delivery of anti-anxiety sedative medications, generally in pill-form. Patients are required to take one or two of these pills at least 30 minutes before their Sun City dental appointment in order for the effects to kick in on time for their treatment. Owing to the wonderful relaxing effect they have on patients, the Sun City dentist medications used for oral sedation are also referred to as “happy pills.”

Sun City Dental FAQ # 2: What kind of medication is used in oral sedation?

The Sun City Dentist Answers: The drugs used in oral conscious sedation typically belong to the Benzodiazepine family, also referred to as “Benzos.” You will probably be most familiar with the brand names Halcion, Valium, Xanax and Ativan.

Sun City Dental FAQ # 3: How does oral sedation work?

The Sun City Dentist Answers: Benzodiazepines work to decrease anxiety (and its associated physical effects) by binding to the receptors in the brain responsible for controlling fear. By reducing the activity of these regions of the brain, a patient feels far more relaxed, sleepy and detached from reality.

Sun City Dental FAQ # 4: Is there anything I need to be aware of when undergoing oral sedation?

The Sun City Dentist Answers: Benzodiazepines are very safe and their effects highly predictable so patients need not worry about any negative side-effects. There are a few contraindications for this medication, including impaired lung and kidney function, being overweight and having sleep apnea. These medications shouldn’t be mixed with any other Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants and this includes alcohol. Last, but not least, because oral sedation is usually administered 30 minutes prior to a Sun City dental appointment, if not before, patients are urged not to drive to and from the dentist’s office. You may very well become disorientated and your impaired concentration will make it dangerous for you to drive. If you plan on catching a bus or train, make sure someone goes with you, or you might end up missing your stop!

Sun City Dental FAQ # 5: What can I expect to feel under oral sedation?

The Sun City Dentist Answers: Most patients describe a feeling of light-headedness, of total relaxation and detachment from reality. It’s like being in a dream, only you are aware of what’s going on around you and can respond coherently to the dentist’s questions and prompts. Once the procedure is complete and a patient has recovered from the effects of oral sedation, it is common for them to not be able to recall anything, or at least very little about their Sun City dental experience. This is because oral sedationtends to cause amnesia for the duration during which the medication is in the body.

This article explains the choice of titanium metal in the construction of dental implants.

With a 98% success rate and benefits and advantages that eclipse those offered by traditional dental technologies, tooth implants are the number one choice of Sun City dentists. The concept behind tooth implants is one that has been around for thousands of years, with ancient civilizations making use of rudimentary materials such as bone, sea shell, ivory and even precious metals to replace missing teeth. However, these served more as an aesthetic solution and perhaps even a crudely functional one. Prior to the innovation of tooth implants as we know them today, dentists experimented with all sorts of metals and materials, trying to find one that could remain permanently embedded in the jaw bone. It was then in 1951 that, through an experiment with titanium and rabbit bone, Per-Ingvar Brånemark, a Swedish orthopedic surgeon, accidentally discovered the secret to tooth implant success…

Tooth Implants: About Titanium Metal

In 1951, Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark found, quite by accident, that titanium metal is biologically compatible with bone tissue. Left to heal, bone will actually grow around and fuse with titanium, unlike other metals and materials that are simply rejected and expelled by the body. For the first time, Sun City dentists were looking at the possibility of designing a tooth implant that could remain permanently in the jaw. The discovery of the process termed ‘osseointegration’ not only made dental implantology a possibility; it also opened up the field of orthopedic surgery dedicated to the repair and replacement of bones and joints in the body!

Osseointegration is the real key behind the success of titanium metal as the material from which tooth implants are made. But, without its many other important characteristics, dental implantology just wouldn’t be where it is today. Titanium metal is the perfect material for the fabrication of tooth implants for many reasons:

• It is strong and lightweight: Titanium boasts the highest strength-to-weight ratio of all the metals on the periodic table. In fact, it’s so strong and so lightweight that it is used in the construction of space craft and professional tennis racquets! Its strength enables titanium to support a strong and natural bite for decades without buckling, warping or breaking, say Sun City dentists.

• It is non-corrosive: Titanium metal doesn’t rust or corrode over time. This is exceptionally important because not only is the mouth a constantly wet environment, it’s acidic too. The ability of titanium to last many decades in the mouth enables it to work as a fantastic tooth replacement material.

• Stable and non-toxic: Titanium metal is also entirely safe to use in the fabrication of tooth implants, say Sun City dentists. Other metals, such as lead and mercury, are highly toxic. Titanium doesn’t degrade or change over time and it won’t in any way negatively affect the health of the patient.

Sun City Dentists: Titanium for Modern Tooth Implants

All of these characteristics, together with the bio-compatibility of titanium, make titanium the perfect material for the fabrication of tooth implants, say Sun City dentists. With the strength and longevity of this metal, patients can benefit from a durable, resilient and long-lasting replacement for single and multiple missing teeth.

This two part article series presents some pretty disturbing facts about the toll removable dentures or false teeth take on your oral health and quality of life.

Dentures in Arizona have long been the teeth replacement technology of choice. But since the design and perfection of sophisticated dental implant protocols for fixed oral rehabilitation, patients no longer have to consign their life to the challenges, difficulties and expenses associated with this very archaic technology, says the Sun City dentist. In our previous article post, we discussed four shocking facts about dentures in Arizona. The take-home messages were:

• Dentures require refitting and replacement every few years or so.
• They do not support a healthy jaw bone, says the Sun City dentist.
• For every year that a patient wears dentures in Arizona, they lose valuable bone volume in the jaw.
• Half of all the patients that wear dentures in Arizona prefer to eat without them because they cause so much discomfort and pain.
• Partial dentures do incredible damage to the natural teeth used to support them, says the Sun City dentist.

In this article, the final installment of this two-part series, the Sun City dentist shall look at five more shocking facts about dentures in Arizona.

FACT # 5:A mouth full of natural teeth can bite down with a force of about 200 pounds per square inch, says the Sun City dentist. That’s how you can tuck into that steak, chips and crispy salad without struggling. Denture-wearers, on the other hand, can only bite down with a force of 50 pounds per square inch and this reduces their bite functionality by a shocking 75%. But the very worst of it is that patients who have been wearing dentures in Arizona for more than 15 years only have a bite force of 6 pounds. Essentially, these poor people’s bite functionality has been reduced by a staggering 97%, says the Sun City dentist. How is this possible? Dentures in Arizona do not promote the health of the underlying jaw bone and its resultant atrophication and remodeling greatly reduce a patient’s ability to eat properly.

FACT # 6:Most dentures shift around uncomfortably when you eat, no matter how well they are made to fit, says the Sun City dentist. It is just an unfortunate problem and challenge that patients have to become accustomed to.

FACT # 7:As a direct result of the difficulties and challenges caused by eating, most denture wearers have a lesser nutritional intake, with 30% of them only being able to manage soft and highly processed foods. In fact, says the Sun City dentist, many elderly denture-wearers suffer from malnutrition! This has a tremendous impact upon one’s quality of life and can even decrease your lifespan by a shocking 10 years.

FACT # 8:Dental implants used to replace single missing teeth have a fantastic success rate of 98% and do absolutely no damage to the nature adjacent teeth, says the Sun City dentist.

FACT # 9: Dental implants can be used to support a fully customized prosthetic dental bridge or denture, says the Sun City dentist. This procedure for fixed oral rehabilitation has a 95% success rate over a full ten-year period. The use of dental implants slows the loss of bone tissue in the jaw, making it a much more favorable teeth replacement solution than dentures in Arizona.

A Final Note from the Sun City Dentist

It was the point of this series to highlight the importance of opting for better and more sophisticated teeth replacement solutions rather than following in your parents’ and grandparents’ footsteps. Qualified and experienced Sun City dentists recommend dental implants time and again, even if you have lost all of your original adult teeth to dental decay and periodontal (gum) disease.

This article, part 2 of 2, addresses some of the fears and concerns patients have about intravenous (IV) sedation, an anti-anxiety drug administered into the bloodstream during a dental procedure.

In our previous article post, Sun City dentistry professional, Dr. Kevin Gasser began answering some of your frequently asked questions about IV or intravenous conscious sedation. A great number of patients struggle with some form or severity of anxiety or fear when the time comes for their bi-annual Sun City dentistry appointment. This anxiety obviously compounds at the prospect of having to undergo a dental procedure or surgery, such as a root canal, tooth extraction or dental implant placement. Thankfully, IV sedation renders the entire experience completely anxiety and fear-free. This not only makes it infinitely easier for the patient to receive the treatment they need to maintain a high standard of oral health, it also makes it far easier for the dentist to perform the procedure. In the first installment of this two-part series, Dr. Gasser answered questions ranging from “what is IV sedation” and “what does it feel like” to “will I remember anything from the procedure?” In this article, the final installment, he shall continue to address more of your FAQs.

FAQ # 4: Will my gums need to be numbed if I’m under IV sedation?

Sun City Dentistry Answer: The medications used for IV sedation are not analgesics (pain killing), they’re anti-anxiety. While Sun City dentistry professionals use IV sedation to relax you and make you forget what happens, you will still need to receive a local anesthetic for any procedure that is invasive in nature.

FAQ # 5: I have a fear of needles; will I be numbed after IV sedation or before?

Sun City Dentistry Answer: Fear not! The dentist will first administer IV sedation and wait for the effects to fully kick in before he brings out the needles to numb the region of your mouth requiring work. By this stage you will be far too relaxed and detached to care. Sun City dentistry professionals will then only begin the procedure once the anesthetic has taken effect, so the entire experience will be completely pain and anxiety-free.

FAQ # 6: What drugs are used for IV sedation?

Sun City Dentistry Answer: The most commonly used anti-anxiety sedative medication belongs to the benzodiazepine family (usually Midazolam or Diazepam). These, says Dr. Gasser, are short-acting drugs, which have the following effects:

– They make a patient sleepy and relaxed

– They reduce, if not eliminate, anxiety

– They induce partial or total amnesia

FAQ # 7: Does IV sedation have any contraindications? Is it safe?

Sun City Dentistry Answer: When carried out by a qualified and experienced dentist, IV sedation is extremely safe and the effects are totally predictable. It’s even safer than local anesthetic! Having said this, IV sedation has a few contraindications, which include alcohol intoxication, a known allergy to benzodiazepines, and some instances of glaucoma, pregnancy and Central Nervous System (CNS) depression. Heart disease is not generally a contraindication, but being overweight and having a habit of snoring should be mentioned to your treating Sun City dentistry professional. Advanced age, sleep apnea and impaired kidney or lung function are also contraindicated.

Sun City Dentistry: the Benefits of IV Sedation

The greatest benefit of IV sedation is that it enables patients to receive the professional attention they need and the Sun City dentistry procedures necessary to keep their oral health in tip-top shape. Dental anxiety and fear are very real afflictions that frequently deter patients from keeping their bi-annual appointments. With a far less stressful experience in the examination chair, Sun City dentistry professionals are able to perform all dental procedures from start to finish without breaking them down into smaller and more manageable sessions. This not only benefits the patient in comfort and convenience, but financially too.

In this three part article series, we will be explaining everything you need to know about dental implants. We will clarify what they are, how they work, when and why they are necessary. Furthermore we will compare the advantages and benefits that come with dental implants vs. traditional dentures or bridges.

Welcome back to the second article of this three-part series about dental implants. In our first post, we explained what dental implants are as well as what the procedure entails, from your first consultation to your recovery period. In this article, Sun City dentistry professionals will be explaining all the benefits that come with opting for dental implants as your solution to missing teeth.

The Benefits of Dental Implants: Success Rate

If placed correctly by an experienced specialist, dental implants have a fantastic 98% success rate. The 2% of cases where dental implants have been noted as unsuccessful are almost always due to poor post-operative care, or factors such as negative lifestyle choices (drug abuse, alcohol abuse or smoking), advanced gum disease or chronic illness. It is always advisable that you seek the services of Sun City dentistry professionals who have complete knowledge and expertise in the field of dental implantology.

What Are The Benefits of Dental Implants?

Dental implants come with an incredible range of benefits and advantages:

• Aesthetics: Virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth! Dental implants are used to support a synthetic crown that looks, functions and feels like the real thing.

• Functionality: You will be able to enjoy a strong and natural bite. Dental implants allow patients to enjoy all the food they love to eat, without worrying about hurting themselves or damaging their teeth.

• Permanent Solution: Dental implants are non-removable (permanent), which allows them to function and feel like natural teeth. The fact that they do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, like dental bridges or removable dentures do, is a huge benefit as this is the source of much pain, discomfort and further damage.

• Short and Long Term Oral Health: Dental Implants, being rooted in the jaw, supply the necessary support for the neighboring teeth to remain stable, preventing the entire row of teeth from destabilizing and shifting. On top of this, the implants restore the significant source of motorized stimulus that the missing root used to provide the underlying jawbone. This restores healthy blood flow to the bone tissue, which in turn keeps the bone tissue alive, thus preventing further tooth loss. With dental implants, the risk of infection due to an exposed tooth socket is also minimized.

• Lasting a lifetime: On average, dental implants can have a lifetime of between 20 and 30 years. By following a good standard of oral hygiene accompanied by regular visits to your Sun City dentist, however, they could indeed last a lifetime!

Dental Implants Can Work For Almost Anyone!

For all the reasons mentioned above, dental implants are clearly the best possible solution for patients presenting with missing teeth. No matter how old you are, speak to a dental implants expert in Arizona about your options. Literally thousands of dental implant procedures have been successfully performed on people in their late adulthood, and the incredible and life-changing results have shown that age is not a factor!

Having said this, since the placement of dental implants requires surgery and anesthesia, a detailed medical history will be necessary before proceeding.

Stay Tuned for Part 3

Stay tuned for the final installment of this three part article series, in which we will be answering some final questions relating to dental implants.

In this three-part article series, we will be explaining everything you need to know about dental implants. We will clarify what they are, how they work, when and why they are necessary. Furthermore we will compare the advantages and benefits that come with dental implants vs. traditional dentures or bridges.

Welcome to the first installment of this three-part article series about dental implants.

In the United States, there are literally millions of people suffering from tooth loss. Tooth loss can occur due to any number of reasons, be it a general lack of good oral hygiene, periodontal (gum) disease, dental caries, failed tooth roots or even accidental tooth loss. The fact remains: leaving missing teeth without treatment can cause a world of problems. Thankfully, modern Sun City dentistry offers a comprehensive and long lasting solution to missing teeth in the form of dental implants. In this article series, we will be answering a wide-ranging list of questions related to this fantastic teeth replacement technology.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are in effect artificial, freestanding tooth roots and they are constructed from the incredibly strong and lightweight metal titanium. The use of titanium metal came as a result of the breakthrough findings in the 1950’s by Swedish professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark and his clinical research team. It was discovered that titanium was able to support biological bonds with bone tissue in a process termed “osseointegration”. In addition to this quality, the fact that titanium metal is so tough, lightweight and does not rust or corrode, makes it the ideal candidate for assuming the function of a tooth root.

What Does Getting Dental Implants Involve?

First things first, you will need to go visit your friendly Sun City dentist! Many people are wary of the dentist, but they are there to help you. Afterwards, you will most likely wonder why you delayed that visit in the first place! During your initial consultation, you will receive a careful clinical evaluation of your oral health in order to establish the cause and extent of the damage or decay related to your missing tooth/teeth. If your dentist finds that your tooth loss is a consequence of decay, dental caries or gum disease then the priority will be to treat the infection before continuing with teeth replacement.

Sun City Dentistry: The Surgery

Once your assessment and preparation has been complete, the implant site will be professionally cleaned and prepared to receive the implant. This is typically done on a different day, during a different appointment. The dentist will place a small titanium screw into the jawbone at the established missing tooth/teeth sites. While it takes several weeks and even months for osseointegration to take place, your dentist can supply you with a temporary ceramic tooth crown, so that you can carry on with your life as normal while you heal.

Sun City Dentistry: Recovery

While the bone tissue bonds with the titanium dental implant, it is imperative for you to rest your jaw as much as possible and keep from eating hard, crunchy or tough foods. The exact time it will take for the healing to successfully take place can vary from case to case. If you follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully, while staying healthy and enjoying a balanced diet, the process should take between one and three months.

Sun City Dentistry: Finishing Touch

During your follow-up appointments, your Sun City dentist will establish whether you’re healing nicely. When the jawbone is ready and your implants properly healed, you will be fitted with your new, permanent tooth crown, which has been made to function, look and feel like a natural tooth. You will immediately be able to return to your normal lifestyle and enjoy all your favorite foods with a beautiful new set of pearly whites!

Stay Tuned for Part 2!

Dental implants are by far the most effective, comprehensive and long-lasting solution to missing teeth. Join us for the second installment of this three-part article series, in which the Sun City dentist will be explaining their wonderful benefits.

This two-part article series explores a host of surprising facts you probably didn't know about your toothbrush and its importance to the maintenance of smile health.

You use it everyday and probably seldom think twice about it, but there is a whole lot to owning, maintaining and using a toothbrush than Sun City residents might think! Because it is something we do everyday and hopefully more than once a day, habits that are developed tend to become entrenched and what we thought might be good or beneficial, could in fact be damaging or deleterious to good oral health. We spoke to an experienced dental implants dentist in Arizona about this most essential of oral hygiene activities and the following surprising facts were revealed…

1. You should brush your teeth for two minutes at a time.

“Most people spend less than one minute brushing their teeth per day,” says the Sun City dentist. “You should brush your teeth for two minutes at a time and do so at least twice a day, morning and night. A quick scrub is not going to remove sufficient oral bacteria and food debris to prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar on your teeth. This could leave you far more vulnerable to cavities, tooth decay and the oral ailment that ultimately leads to tooth loss: gum disease.”

2. Those special toothbrush storage caps actually foster an environment conducive to bacterial growth.

Many big brand names in oral health and hygiene sell toothbrush caps, which are designed to close over the head of the toothbrush, supposedly keeping it safe from bacteria. However, they in effect, achieve the opposite!

“Your toothbrush should be stored in a place where it has the chance to dry between uses, such as a closed, yet aired bathroom cupboard,” advises the Sun City dentist. “Storing it in a toothbrush cap is akin to leaving it on the sink in a puddle of water. Bacteria love warm, moist environments, so by not allowing your toothbrush to dry, it becomes an excellent breeding ground for the kind of organisms that can actually make you sick.”

3. Never store your toothbrush within 6 feet of a flushing toilet.

You may not see it with your own two eyes, but every time you flush the toilet, it sends an ultra-fine spray of water up into the air. And since the water in your toilet is anything but squeaky clean, everything within a 6-foot radius of the toilet can be vulnerable to contamination.

“If your bathroom is very small and if you don’t have anywhere safe to store your toothbrush, then just make sure to close the toilet lid every time you flush. This will help keep your bathroom free of biofilm, which can contain nasty pathogens,” explains the dental implants dentist in Arizona.

4. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or when the bristles become frayed.

With use, the ends of your toothbrush bristles become dulled and the bristles themselves can become frayed. This really affects the cleaning ability of your toothbrush, which is why Sun City dentists recommend that you replace it every three or four months. Frayed bristles are hopelessly ineffective at removing plaque and food debris from the crowns and at the gum line, so you won’t be getting the clean you need to maintain good oral hygiene and fresh breath.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

Stay tuned for the second installment of this two-part article series in which an experienced Sun City dentist gives us advice on the best and worst tooth-brushing habits.

In this three-part article series, we will be explaining everything you need to know about dental implants. We will clarify what they are, how they work, when and why they are necessary. Furthermore we will compare the advantages and benefits that come with dental implants vs. traditional dentures or bridges.

Welcome back to the final post of this three part article series about dental implants. Thus far we have covered a variety of questions related to dental implants, such as: What are dental implants? How do they work? What does the procedure involve? And what are their benefits and advantages? In this post, Sun City dental experts will answer some final questions you may have about dental implants and explain why they really are the best solution available for the replacement of missing teeth. One of the most obvious concerns when preparing for any kind of surgery would be whether or not it is painful. So…

Is Getting Dental Implants Painful?

The wonderful and incredibly advanced technology that is used in modern dentistry today ensures that your surgeries are designed to be as pain, discomfort and risk free as possible. By using 3-D Cone Beam CT scans and sophisticated computer software capable of creating virtual images of the mouth, Sun city dentists are able to design the best possible surgical plan, meaning fewer incisions and sutures and minimal post-operative pain and discomfort.

In addition to a carefully planned surgery, you will be placed under either local or general anesthesia (depending upon the nature of your procedure), so you won’t experience any discomfort at all. If you are particularly anxious about your procedure, you may opt for sedation.

Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?

Pretty much! The wonderful thing about modern dental implant procedures is that nearly everyone is a candidate. Whether you are in your late nineties or still in your teens, if you have lost a tooth, dental implants can work for you!

Who Can Do Dental Implants and Where Should I Go?

Dental implants are becoming more and more popular at dental practices around the United States, with many general dentists offering this service. Having said that, a Sun City dentist advises that it is always in your best interest to have such a procedure done by someone with a lot of experience and with advanced qualifications, such as in the administering of sedation.

How Do I Maintain and Care For My New Teeth?

One of the benefits of dental implants when compared with conventional dental bridges or removable dentures is that they do not require fancy materials and expensive tools to be cleaned. Your new teeth will require exactly what your natural teeth did. A good oral hygiene routine, meaning regular brushing, flossing and rinsing, as well as a few visits to your dentists will ensure that your new teeth are well kept.

A Final Word…

Dental implants are an incredibly smart investment to make when replacing missing teeth. They can help improve your quality of life, restore your confidence and enable you to eat all the foods you love.  When it comes to an asset as important as your smile, don’t settle for options that will keep you from enjoying your fullest life. Dental implants are made to be virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth – in look, feel and function – and this allows you the freedom to live your life!

This article compares the oral rehabilitation solutions offered by dental implants and removable dentures.

Removable dentures, or false teeth, are bulky plastic teeth reconstructions that rest upon the jaw bone ridge in the mouth. They are custom fit by the Sun City dentist to provide patients with replacement teeth that look and function like a complete set of natural teeth. Unfortunately, however, dentures come with several challenges that can make them an utter misery to live with. Teeth implants, on the other hand, can be used to support a fully customized prosthetic dental bridge that is much slimmer in construction than dentures. This bridge is also fixed in the mouth and non-removable, negating much of the trouble patients typically experience with dentures. So, if you are edentulous (don’t have a single original adult tooth left) or are facing an immediate future of edentulism, you may want to think twice about having removable dentures fitted. Teeth implants-supported bridges are the way to go, say qualified and experienced Sun City dentists!

The Benefits of Teeth Implants

As it was explained, removable dentures are bulky and rely upon (1) their mass and (2) the soft tissue-covered jaw bone ridge for support. This causes patients a whole host of problems, explains the Sun City dentist. Dentures rub against and transmit the forces associated with eating into the underlying gum tissue. This causes pain, discomfort, inflammation and the development of sores that don’t get much of a chance to heal. Denture-wearers frequently need to invest in anesthetic gels to help numb the pain caused by their false teeth.

Teeth implants, on the other hand, are placed directly in the jaw bone and therefore transmit all the forces associated with eating into this hard tissue, as is the case with natural teeth. Teeth implants don’t cause any pain or discomfort in the mouth and don’t necessitate the use of anesthetic gels. Other benefits of teeth implants include:

• Comfort: They provide full support for a dental bridge, which, unlike dentures (which rely on their bulk for support) is slim in construction. Teeth implants, therefore, don’t trigger the gag reflex or impede taste ability or sensation. They also feel like natural teeth and not like a foreign object in the mouth.
  
• Functionality: Dentures only allow for a bite force of 50 pounds per square inch and this greatly reduces a patient’s ability to manage tougher, more fibrous and crunchy foods. After 15 years of denture-wearing, says the Sun City dentist, patients can only bite down with a force of 6 pounds per square inch, which is a 97% reduction in functionality! Teeth implants promote a healthy and strong bite of almost 200 pounds per square inch, enabling patients to eat all the foods they love and need to remain healthy.
  
• Aesthetics: Teeth implants support a bridge that is expertly fabricated by the Sun City dentist to be virtually indistinguishable from a full set of natural healthy teeth. The ceramic material from which the crowns are made actually mimics the optical properties of real dental enamel! The bridge supported by teeth implants is not bulky and therefore doesn’t push on the lips from inside the mouth, making them appear thin, stretched and aged. Teeth implants also support jaw bone health and, in the long term, preserve a patient’s youthful facial contours.
  

A Final Note on Dentures and Teeth Implants

Teeth implants offer a far superior solution to edentulism and near-edentulism than removable dentures. In the long term, they work out to be far more cost effective too. Don’t waste time, your youthful face and quality of life on an archaic teeth replacement solution, stress Sun City dentists. Teeth implants are the way to go!