This article provides a brief look at some of the more pertinent facts about dental implants as a tooth replacement technology.

At some point in time it happens… due to a number of reasons, whether it is tooth decay, periodontal disease, genetic heritage, bad dental habits or chronic illnesses such as diabetes, at some point you may need to replace a missing tooth or get a new set of teeth. Thankfully, Silver Spring dentists offer dental implants, which are a comprehensive and lasting tooth replacement solution. No matter what your age or state of oral health, dental implants can work for you. At this point you might be asking: “what exactly are Dental Implants?” Well, that’s what we’re here to answer!

Dental Implants Are…

Freestanding artificial ‘tooth roots’ made from medical grade titanium. The choice to use this particular metal was made by Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark, who, in the 1950’s, discovered that bone tissue would readily bond to its surface. This was an incredibly unique observation and one that was consistent with no other metal or material. Titanium just so happens to also be very strong, non-toxic and does not invoke a significant inflammatory response from our bodies. To the joy of dentists around the world, titanium emerged as the perfect candidate to assume the place of a missing tooth root, bringing with it an answer to outdated and often extremely painful teeth replacement methods.

What Does the Procedure of Placing Dental Implants Entail?

Once the extent of the damage or decay has been determined, the dentist will prepare the site/s of the jawbone into which the implants will be inserted. The procedure itself is done under anesthesia, so you won’t feel a thing. Afterwards, it takes a few months for the titanium implants to “osseointegrate” or biologically bond with the underlying bone. Don’t worry: you will be fitted with a temporary crown (single tooth replacement) or bridge (full arch replacement) while your mouth is healing to allow you to still eat and smile!

Once the implant has successfully healed, a prosthodontist or the same dentist (depending upon his or her qualifications) will attach the permanent (non-removable) tooth crown or final bridge onto the dental implants. Your new set of teeth will be able to function normally and healthily while you enjoy the compliments strewn your way as a result of your new and aesthetically pleasing oral attributes!

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

If you keep your oral habits and hygiene care respectable, dental implants can last a lifetime! Dentists in Silver Spring utilize incredibly sophisticated technology, dental restorations, implant hardware and advanced techniques, which enable them to provide patients with replacement teeth that are made to last. This is, of course, provided you look after them with care!

Now you can feel optimistic and confident as a result of your new beautifully beaming and healthy smile. Dental implants allow you the freedom to return to a life without looking for the teeth you’ve lost, but to enjoy the ones you now have. Your artificial crowns are made to be virtually identical in color and shape to the old, damaged or missing teeth they are replacing, enabling you to eat, speak and laugh with confidence. You really need not look any further for a worthwhile and lasting solution to missing teeth!

This two-part article series examines a fairly common condition, dry mouth or “xerostomia” that can cause a higher risk of oral infection and tooth decay.

Welcome back to our two-part article series on the causes, symptoms and consequences of “dry mouth” or “xerostomia”. In our previous article post, we spoke to a Silver Spring dental professional who discussed the symptoms of dry mouth, as well as the long-term repercussions of ignoring such a chronic condition. In this article, we’ll address two pressing questions: (1) What causes dry mouth and (2) What can be done about it?

The Causes of Xerostomia

1. Lifestyle Factors: Smoking or chewing tobacco is notorious for causing dry mouth, as is alcohol.
2. Sinus Problems: Continuously breathing through your mouth causes saliva to evaporate, which can lead to dry mouth.
3. Dehydration: If your body is short of water, so will be your salivary glands. Conditions and ailments that cause dehydration can therefore also lead to dry mouth. These conditions include blood loss, diarrhea, fever, vomiting and excessive sweating.
4. Certain Medications: Many medications and over-the-counter drugs can cause xerostomia as a common side effect. These medications for allergies, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, pain, acne, hypertension, obesity, nausea, asthma, diarrhea, urinary incontinence and even Parkinson’s disease. Decongestants, antihistamines, sedatives and muscle relaxants can also cause dry mouth.
5. Certain Infections and Diseases: Xerostomia can also be a symptom of certain ailments, such as mumps, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, HIV/AIDS, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, stroke, cystic fibrosis, Sjögren's syndrome and hypertension.
6. Certain Medical Treatments: Any procedure or treatment that risks damage to the salivary glands, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy for cancer treatment, can compromise the healthy production of saliva, resulting in dry mouth.
7. Nerve Damage: Accidental trauma or surgery in the neck and head area can cause nerve damage that can result in dry mouth.
8. The Surgical Removal of the Salivary Glands: This might be necessary for the removal of cancerous tissue from the oral cavity.

Treating Dry Mouth

There are two approaches to treating dry mouth. The first is to address the immediate symptoms by keeping your mouth irrigated. Keep a bottle of water handy and take regular sips to keep your mouth moist. You can also chew sugar-free gum, which will help stimulate the production of saliva in your mouth. The second approach is to address the root cause of dry mouth. If you suspect it may be the result of a medication you’re on, speak to your doctor before you simply stop taking it. It may be possible to eliminate the problem by adjusting the dosage or swapping it for a different drug. In the case of smoking and heavy drinking, cut down or stop all together.

Then, there are the preventative measures you should be taking. If you suffer from dry mouth as a result of smoking, medication, illness or any other condition, you should be going the extra mile to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Without the natural production of saliva, your mouth is extremely vulnerable to oral bacteria, which puts you at a greater risk of gingivitis, gum disease, thrush, tooth decay and cavities. Silver Spring dental professionals generally advise that you maintain a rigorous home oral hygiene routine and make regular use of an anti-bacterial mouthwash. You may even be prescribed a saliva stimulant medication, Salagen, which combats dry mouth.

A Final Note on Dry Mouth

“This uncomfortable condition can have some serious health impacts on your teeth and gums,” warn dentists in Silver Spring. If there is no solution to the root cause of dry mouth, then be sure to speak to your dental healthcare professional about how you can minimize the impacts upon your oral health.”

This article addresses questions including: What is the“All-on-4” Procedure? How does it work? And why might I need to consider it?

Millions of Americans have lost all their teeth, while tens of millions have lost up to 15 of their original teeth. Can you hear the all-knowing voice of reason stoked by the paranoia of a guilty conscience whispering in your ear? “Perhaps it’s time for a little oral TLC?” Tooth loss and ‘edentulism’ (not having any of your original adult teeth left, usually related to periodontal disease), is a reality that a significant percentage of the population faces as they enter into the celebrations and tribulations of late adulthood.

Disappointingly, many patients in need of new teeth are told by their dentists that they are not candidates for dental implants and this is typically as a result of bone loss in the jaw. But fear not for all hope is NOT lost! Dentists in Silver Spring offer a solution in the form of the revolutionary “All-On-4” dental implant technique.

In 1993, Dr. Paulo Malo developed the “All-on-4”, a procedure that is today considered one of the most significant breakthroughs to have been made in the field of fixed oral rehabilitation. Since its conception, this surgical protocol has quite literally altered the lives of tens of thousands of people suffering from a failing dentition and edentulism.

Why Should I Consider the ‘All-on-4’ Option?

Periodontal disease is the foremost cause of tooth loss and edentulism in the United States. This condition is marked by an advanced oral bacterial infection that collect in deep pockets of decay around the tooth roots. This eventually leads to tooth loss and then bone loss if timely intervention is not made. Traditional dental implant procedures typically require bone-grafting surgery before implants can be placed. This is because dental implants, just like natural teeth, require adequate bone volume in order to be supported.

Bone grafting is unfortunately very invasive and therefore painful and costly for the patient. On top of that, it also comes with a lengthy healing period. This is where the ‘All-on-4’ protocol is unique: it almost always bypasses the need for bone grafting.

How Does the ‘All-on-4’ Procedure Work?

In as little as a single dental appointment, the ‘All-on-4’ can give patients a brand new set of fixed and permanent teeth. As opposed to traditional dental implant procedures, which can often take up to eight appointments, multiple surgeries and many months, the ‘All-on-4’ is a superior solution to both these older procedures and archaic teeth replacement technologies, such as removable dentures. Consisting of four dental implants and a custom dental prosthesis (see image below); the ‘All-on-4’ is a tooth replacement solution that offers comprehensive benefits.

Silver Spring dentists use sophisticated computer imaging software and 3D Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CT scans) in order to design a highly specific, safe and minimally invasive surgical treatment plan for the patient. This drastically reduces post-operative pain and discomfort while shortening the recovery period. On the very same day, once the implants are inserted, a prosthodontist or your own dentist can fit you with the ‘All-on-4’ prosthetic dental bridge: in other words, a brand new set of fully functional and beautiful teeth! The ‘All-on-4’ can give patients instant smile results in as little as a single dental appointment!

This article explains what dental implants are, how they work and the various benefits they offer.

So you’ve just noticed a strange pain in your gums, and one of your teeth feels a bit loose. “Was that pain there yesterday? Oh well, it will probably go away tomorrow!” Or at least that’s what you tell yourself to avoid that visit to your local dentist. Unfortunately these seemingly insignificant pains and problems are really your mouth’s way of telling you that it needs help! Millions of people living in the United States suffer from tooth loss and this is due to a variety of reasons. However, dentists in Silver Spring offer a comprehensive and simple solution that will have you wondering why you’ve put that visit off for so long.

Dental implants Silver Spring are considered to be one of the most significant advances to be made in the dental science community in recent decades. And it is not difficult to understand why. In this article, we will be outlining the benefits of dental implants and why they are really considered the only worthwhile solution to missing teeth. First, however…

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are comprised of the non-corrosive, light-weight and incredibly durable titanium metal. Titanium has the very unique quality of being able to support strong biological bonds with living bone tissue. Once the titanium screw has successfully osseointegrated (bonded with the bone), your new tooth will be affixed to it and will subsequently stay firmly rooted in the jawbone and function like a natural tooth!

Dental Implants: The Benefits!

Aside from the fact that they are virtually impossible to differentiate from natural teeth, they also function and feel natural. But there are far more benefits than just the aesthetics;

• Minimum discomfort: By using sophisticated computer software and 3D virtual imaging technology, dentists in Silver Spring are able to look at the inside and internal structures of your mouth from every angle. This helps them to determine the least invasive and most economical surgical plan possible. This means minimal incisions and sutures, which in turn means minimal post-operative pain and discomfort, as well as a shortened recovery period.

• They feel and work like natural teeth: This enables you to return to your normal life and daily activities, enjoying your favorite foods as soon as the implants have properly ‘osseointegrated’ with your jaw.

• Self-sustaining answer: Because dental implants are ‘rooted’ in the bone of the jaw, they are non-removable and do not move around or cause damage to neighboring teeth like traditional dentures or bridges tend to. Your dental implants are free-standing and do not require the support of the neighboring teeth. As a result, they typically do not irritate the soft tissues in the mouth, preventing inflammation and infection.

• They last a long time: If cared for correctly with good oral hygiene and frequent visits to your implantologist, your new implants could last you a lifetime!

A Few Final Words

According to dentists in Silver Spring, many people unfortunately opt for traditional dentures or bridges because they consider it to be a cheaper option, however, in the long term, dental implants will not only save you money but they will also improve your quality of life. Denture wearers spend a fortune on denture products, such as cleaning gels and solutions, as well as frequently visiting their dentists to have them re-adjusted due to the structural changing of the jaw bone. Furthermore dentures come with an array of embarrassing challenges (visibly moving around) and tedious tasks, such as removal for cleaning. Dental implants stay where they belong and will allow you the freedom to carry on with your life without added chores!

This article provides some information on wisdom teeth, what they are, why we still have them and why it is typically necessary for them to come out in our early adulthood.

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that erupt from our jawbones and this usually happens between the ages of 18 and 26. We wouldn’t mind them so much were it not for the simple fact that they tend to be troublesome; very troublesome. Why do we need wisdom teeth? Why are some people born with only two or none at all? And why do they typically need to be extracted? Let’s find out what dentists in Silver Spring MD have to tell us about our wisdom teeth!

The Truth about Wisdom Teeth

We used to need wisdom teeth and now we don’t. A few thousand years ago, having a third set of molars used to be extremely handy when our diet consisted of chewier, unprocessed foods and grains. Back then, our jaws were much larger and more robust (think caveman), which helped us to cope with a diet heavy in fiber. With the evolution of our species and our gradual civilization, our diets shifted to softer, more processed and cooked foods. Over many thousands of years, our bodies adapted to our changing diet and one of these adaptations was a smaller and more gracile jawbone.

With less space along the jaw for wisdom teeth, the emergence of our third molars in our early twenties has become increasingly problematic. In many cases, the lack of space causes the wisdom teeth to push up underneath the second molars or even to emerge at odd, unnatural angles. This can cause damage to the neighboring dentition, severe over-crowding and a risk of infection and painful abscesses forming. Furthermore, the physical act of these teeth pushing through the gums, which leaves them torn and exceptionally painful, can lead to infection.

So as you can see… wisdom teeth are generally problematic, but for a very interesting reason. Just like our appendix, wisdom teeth are evidence of how we have evolved as a species. In fact, as proof of their redundancy, more and more people are being born without them!

Why Wisdom Teeth Need to Come Out

For all the reasons mentioned above, it can be in the best interests of the individual to simply have their wisdom teeth extracted by a qualified Silver Spring dentist. Rather than endure the pain and discomfort and the risk of over-crowding and infection, a dental healthcare professional may opt to extract the offending teeth, especially if they’re impacted (emerging under the second molars). A simple X-ray will reveal the orientation of your wisdom teeth and whether you’re jaw is spacious enough to accommodate them.

The surgery required to remove wisdom teeth is typically quick and straightforward. In many cases it can be done in the offices of dentists in Silver Spring MD with only a local anesthetic and – if you desire – a sedative. If your case is more complex, the teeth may need to be broken down and removed piece-by-piece in which case you will be fully anaesthetized so that you don’t experience any pain. Post-operative recovery can involve facial swelling, bruising and some discomfort, but most patients are back up on their feet within a few days.