This article takes a sweeping look at dental implants; what they are, how they work and how they can be used to replace both single and multiple missing teeth.

Most people have heard about dental implants and have a preliminary understanding of what these tooth replacement devices are, say dentists in Arlington Texas. But there are so many fascinating facts to learn about dental implants, how they work and the incredible phenomenon that enables them to remain ‘rooted’ in the jaw bone for as long as 30 years and more. So sophisticated and comprehensive is this technology in its ability to replace single and multiple missing teeth that dentists in Arlington Texas recommend them time and again over all traditional tooth replacement devices and techniques. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at dental implants and how they work.

Dentists in Arlington Texas: What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are, quite essentially, artificial replacement teeth that consist of a titanium tooth root and a ceramic tooth crown. The root is fabricated from the exceptionally strong, lightweight and non-corrodible metal titanium, which, say dentists in Arlington, is also capable of a very unique phenomenon called ‘osseointegration.’ In 1951, Swedish professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark discovered that this metal was capable of forming a biological bond with the jaw bone. So, unlike many other metals and materials that scientists have tried to use to repair and replace joints and bones, titanium is not rejected by the body and is actually able to integrate with bone tissue.

Once dental implants have been placed by dentists in Arlington Texas, the ensuing months of recovery see the titanium base of the implant fuses with the jaw bone. This provides exceptionally strong support for the artificial tooth crown, which is skillfully crafted from a durable ceramic material to be virtually indistinguishable, in function, feel and aesthetic appearance, from a natural healthy tooth.

Dentists in Arlington Texas: Multiple Tooth Replacement

As it was described above, the tiny titanium screw that is surgically inserted into the jaw bone by dentists in Arlington is used to support a ceramic tooth crown, which is ideal for patients presenting with single missing teeth. But the ability of dental implants to provide tooth replacement solutions goes far above and beyond this! Dentists in Arlington Texas can use implants to provide patients presenting with a number of missing teeth, whether it’s one or all of them, with a fantastic solution. In the latter case, four to six implants can provide long-term support for a fully customized and non-removable prosthetic dental bridge (see image below.)

New, sophisticated surgical protocol actually enable skilled and qualified dentists in Arlington Texas to provide edentulous (not having a single original adult tooth left) and near-edentulous patients with a brand new set of immediately functional, beautiful non-removable teeth in as little as a single day with a single surgery. This essentially means that, even if you have been wearing removable dentures for many years, there is a much better and more functional (and aesthetic) solution to your oral problems.

Dentist in Arlington Texas: A Final Note on Dental Implants

It is so important for patients to seek immediate professional attention should they ever lose one or more of their teeth. Dental implants provide a wonderful and long-term solution that promotes the health of the underlying jaw bone, say dentists in Arlington Texas; something that no other tooth replacement technology is capable of. So, if you have lost one or more of your adult pearly whites to any of a myriad of causes, don’t hesitate to book yourself an appointment. Greater smile confidence, functionality and beauty are just a consultation away!

This three-part article series takes an in-depth exploration of the short and long term effects of tobacco addiction upon your oral health.

Most smokers, if not all of them, are aware of the health implications of their habit. There is a reason tobacco smoking is considered an addiction. Yet in spite of an understanding of the short and long term consequences of tobacco use and the clamping down of the law on smokers, a significant percentage of the population still lights up every day. Most smokers, when asked, say they want to kick the habit, and have tried to on several occasions. But these attempts have been in vain. If this applies to you, then perhaps dentists in Arlington Texas can provide you with the encouragement you need to finally bridge the gap in your resolve! We all know that smoking causes lung cancer and heart disease, say dentists in Arlington Texas. But understanding the intimate details behind the deconstruction of your oral health and hygiene may just be the shock smokers need to finally put their habit to rest.

In this three-part article series, dentists in Arlington Texas shall be discussing the impact of smoking upon one’s oral health. This first article provides an introduction to the topic by discussing the general and oral health statistics relating to smokers as compared with non-smokers. The second article provides some recommendations for those addicted to tobacco-smoking and the third addresses some of the questions dentists in Arlington Texas are frequently asked about oral health and tobacco-use.

Dentists in Arlington Texas: Some Shocking Statistics

You know it’s bad for you. But did you realize just how much at risk your health was? Here’s something to think about:

•75% of all oral cancers are caused by smoking.

•35% of all cancers are caused by smoking.

•95% of all lung cancer fatalities are caused by smoking.

•Emphysema is found almost exclusively in people who are or have been smokers at some stage during their life.

•Smokers have an increased risk of chest pain, palpitations, stroke and heart disease.

These are just a few of the general health implications of tobacco smoking, warn dentists ArlingtonTexas. So how does this habit affect the health of your teeth and gums?

Dentists in Arlington Texas: Smoking and Your Oral Health

•Smoking is the primary cause of oral and throat cancers.

•Smoking causes irritation and inflammation of the soft tissues in the mouth (the gums, the buccal lining, the tongue, the soft and hard palate, etc.)

•Smokers are twice as likely to lose their teeth, say dentists in Arlington Texas.

•Smoking causes periodontal (gum) disease.

•Smoking causes the salivary glands to become inflamed.

•Smoking retards the healing process in the mouth, resulting in a greater risk of post-procedural infection.

•Smokers have less success with dental implants and periodontal treatment, explain dentists in Arlington Texas.

•According to the Journal of Periodontology, tobacco-users are four times more likely to develop acute and chronic oral bacterial infections than non-smokers.

Alright, so as a smoker you’re probably accustomed to people lamenting the dire consequences of your habit. You’re probably also extremely tired of hearing about how you’re doomed to an early death, etc. etc. You KNOW what you’re doing is bad for you. It’s not like you haven’t tried to quit! If quitting were easy, you wouldn’t still be smoking would you? Most of the health implications mentioned above are the result of a long term love affair with cigarettes, cigars, pipe-smoking and/or tobacco-chewing. And this can make it somewhat easier for smokers to psychologically distance themselves from it all, especially those that are still in their youth. But smoking has many significant short-term health implications too, warn dentists in Arlington Texas; many of which are MOST undesirable for those that have a pinch of self-esteem…

Dentists in Arlington Texas: Short Term Health Implications

•Smoking is a major cause of bad breath, or halitosis.

•Smoking stains your dental enamel, warn dentists in Arlington Texas, rendering your pearly whites a less attractive shade of yellow and brown.

•Smoking impedes your ability to taste and smell properly, say dentists in Arlington Texas.

•Smoking can cause the development of growths on the tongue, resulting in a condition known as ‘black hairy tongue.’ These growths, which can be green, yellow, black or brown in color, are incredibly unsightly and uncomfortable, explain dentists in Arlington Texas.

•Smoking causes ‘dry mouth’, increasing plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth and gums.

Dentists in Arlington Texas: Stay Tuned

Having discussed the short and long term consequences of tobacco addiction, we shall, in the next installment of this three-part article series, provide some recommendations for smokers. Understanding what you are doing to your teeth and gums is the first step, explain dentists in Arlington Texas. Now you can start thinking about what you are going to do to free yourself from the constraints of your addiction. Stay tuned for the second installment of the series!