NJ Dental Implants Surgeons Reveal The Whole “Tooth” Behind Extractions, PART 2

This three-part article series explains why tooth extractions are sometimes necessary and what patients can expect from this straightforward surgical procedure.

Welcome to the second installment of our three-part article series on tooth extractions, why they’re sometimes necessary and what New Jersey residents can anticipate for the experience. In our previous article post, we spoke to a panel of dental implants surgeons in Rutherford about why teeth extractions are sometimes recommended. The reasons discussed ranged from tooth decay and gum disease to orthodontic problems and problematic wisdom teeth. What was consistent was the preventative nature of such a procedure.

“Extracting teeth is done to prevent more complex oral and dental problems from developing; problems that are more painful and more expensive to fix further down the line,” explain the Rutherford dental implants surgeons. “Removing an impacted wisdom tooth prevents damage to the second molars and possible overcrowding of the dental arch if there isn’t enough space. Removing a decayed tooth can prevent painful abscesses from developing and it can prevent the spread of infection.”

Now, the question is... how are tooth extractions done?

Can you explain to us how you extract a problematic tooth? And what can you do to prevent a patient from feeling anything at all?

“Before we even pick up a tool, we rub a topical anesthetic cream onto the gums where we intend to inject the numbing medication. The former prevents the latter from being painful and the latter prevents the procedure from being painful,” explains the dentist in New Jersey. “This way, patients typically have absolutely nothing to be afraid of… not even the needle used to administer anesthetic.”

“If you’re only having one or two teeth removed then we will begin the procedure from this point. If, however, you are having several or even all of your teeth removed – as is frequently the case with patients who present with advanced gum disease, then we may administer I.V. anesthesia to sedate you,” explain the dental implants surgeons in Rutherford. “This will make the patient ‘sleep’ and wake up when everything is already over. A general anesthetic may also be necessary for patients who have impacted wisdom teeth that haven’t, or aren’t able to erupt from the gums.”

Isn’t there a lot of blood? What do you do to calm the nerves of particularly anxious patients?

“Pulling a problematic tooth often provides relief to patients who have been enduring the pain and sensitivity associated with a decayed tooth or impacted third (wisdom) molar for months. Oftentimes, all patients really need to know is that they’re doing the right thing by having a damaged/diseased tooth extracted and that they are going to feel a lot better once it’s done,” explains the dentist in New Jersey.

“As for bleeding, it may be moderate at first, but by applying pressure to the area via a moist gauze pad immediately after extraction, it can be slowed or even stopped within a few minutes to hours. In some cases, we may stitch up the tooth socket or, if the patient is having a tooth replaced, we may continue with the dental implant procedure. If patients continue to experience bleeding for more than 24 hours after surgery, we encourage them to contact us immediately.”

Stay Tuned for Part 3

Stay tuned for the third installment of this three-part article series on tooth extractions, why they’re sometimes necessary and what patients can expect from the experience.

NJ Dental Implants Surgeons Reveal The Whole “Tooth” Behind Extractions, PART 1

This three-part article series explains why tooth extractions are sometimes necessary and what patients can expect from this straightforward surgical procedure.

“It’s like having a tooth pulled” is a common idiom that is used to illustrate how painful and uncomfortable certain situations or experiences have been. For example: “Having tea with my stepmother was like having a tooth pulled.”

What this idiom fails to elucidate is the fact that the modern procedures and techniques used to extract teeth nowadays are really no longer painful. In fact, dental extractions are in most cases one of the quickest, simplest and least painful of all the surgical procedures.

And so, we spoke to a panel of NJ dental implants surgeons about teeth extractions. We wanted to find out why it’s sometimes necessary, what the procedure entails and just how bad (or not) we can expect to feel afterwards. Here’s what they had to say!

First of all, what would a bunch of dental implants surgeons know about teeth extraction?

“A whole lot! Many of the patients we treat come to us with teeth that are so deteriorated and decayed that it’s only a matter of time before they fall out on their own,” explains a New Jersey dental implant dentist. “We save patients a lot of time, pain and further exposure to infection by removing these teeth. Once we’ve done our best to eliminate any diseased tissue, we can then replace the extracted tooth or teeth with dental implants.”

Oh, okay! Now tell us... under what circumstances would you recommend that a tooth be removed? How badly does it need to be damaged or decayed?

“No quality dentist would remove a patient’s natural tooth without first being certain that there is nothing else that can be done to save it. You see, while dental implants (and the restorations they support) offer New Jersey residents a very sophisticated, functional and aesthetic solution to missing teeth, nothing on the market can rival your own biological technology. 

“Your natural teeth, if cared for properly, have the potential to last you a lifetime and nothing can really match their functionality, aesthetics and durability,” explain the NJ dental implants surgeons. This is why we do everything we can to rescue a damaged or decayed tooth before considering extraction and replacement with new implant-supported teeth. 

“Having said this, there are of course circumstances under which tooth extraction becomes unavoidable and this is typically when the insides of a tooth – the pulp chamber and root canals - become exposed via a crack, fissure, cavity or chip in the enamel… or as a result of decay and disease. Should endodontic therapy fail to restore and protect the tooth from further decay, we may recommend an extraction.”

“Other reasons to remove teeth may be for orthodontic concerns: perhaps a patient has an overcrowded dental arch, or their wisdom teeth are emerging and there’s no space for them. Teeth extractions are done for preventative reasons… your dentist is trying to avoid problems that will be far more painful, expensive and complicated to fix further down the line,” explain the dental implants surgeons. “It may even prevent New Jersey residents from needing new teeth.”

Stay Tuned for Part 2

Stay tuned for the second installment of this three-part article series on tooth extractions, why they’re sometimes necessary and what patients can expect from the experience.

Modern NJ Dental Implants Procedures Far Less Expensive Than Traditional Protocols

This article explains how the more modern approaches to treating rampant tooth loss are able to undercut traditional dental implant techniques by tens of thousands of dollars.

Many New Jersey residents have avoided replacing missing teeth or have opted for more traditional technologies, such as partials or full removable dentures, because they are under the impression that dental implant treatment is simply prohibitively expensive. Well, with the innovation of newer, less expensive dental implant protocols, this simply isn’t the case any more! The cost of new teeth is not only inherently lower, but also with the help of the financing offered by most NJ dental implant practices, it’s affordable. Let’s take a look at how the “new kid on the block” – the “All-On-4®” dental implant technique – is changing smiles and bank balances.

The All-On-4 Compared with Traditional Dental Implant Protocols

You wouldn’t be incorrect in the assumption that having all of your teeth replaced with dental implants is incredibly expensive. It was. But in 1993, with the introduction of the more sophisticated All-On-4 technique for fixed oral rehabilitation, the cost of getting new teeth became substantially more affordable. Here’s how!

Fewer Implants Needed

Traditional dental implant procedures could require as many as 10 implants per jaw in order to give patients a full set of new teeth again. The All-On-4®, as the name suggests, only requires four (see image below).

Each implant represents an investment in the region of $2,000 to $3,000, so by cutting down on the number of implants required, the All-On-4® already affords patients massive savings on the cost of new teeth. But we’re only getting started...

Only One Surgery in Most Cases

In order to place as many as 10 implants per jaw (20 in total if you’re undergoing full mouth reconstruction), the dental implant surgeons who treat NJ patients would frequently recommend that they come in for a series of surgeries, rather than one very long and complex procedure. Primarily because most patients who need their teeth replaced no longer have enough bone to place 10, 8, or many times even 6 dental implants.  So many patients are told they need bone grafting before they can have their implants. This not only adds additional expense, discomfort and recovery periods, it also significantly delays the time until you can have new implanted supported teeth!

The All-On-4, however, only requires that four implants be placed, which can quite easily be done in a single surgical session, strategically utilizing the bone that is maintained. This saves patients a decent chunk of change on all the repeat bills that would be associated with multiple surgeries, including anesthesia, the surgeon’s time, hospital stay, surgical equipment and resources, etc. And the results are amazing!

Typically, No Bone Grafting

Where many thousands of dollars are saved, however, is by the All-On-4’s ability to avoid the need for bone grafting surgery, which is highly invasive, painful and expensive. As stated, older dental implant protocols would frequently require more implants (so they thought) and hence bone grafting was often performed before a dental implant professional could even begin oral rehabilitation for a NJ patient.

This is because tooth loss and the diseases that cause it, i.e. gum disease, leads to the atrophy and destruction of the bone tissue necessary to support dental implants. But through the strategic placement and precise angulation of implants, the All-On-4 is almost always able to bypass bone grafting, saving patients a lengthy recovery period and the bill for a most unpleasant surgery.

A Final Note

For all these reasons, the All-On-4 technique comes with a much lesser price tag than traditional dental implant procedures and, better still, can give patients new teeth in as little as a single day! The direct and indirect savings are incredible and the outcomes: priceless.

Want to Avoid the Need for New Teeth? New Jersey Specialists Explain the Perils of Periodontal Disease, PART 3

This three-part article series explains what gum disease is and the various signs and symptoms it comes hand-in-hand with. We also explore patients’ various treatment options.

Welcome to the final installment of this three-part article series on periodontal (gum) disease, its signs and symptoms and recommended treatments. So far, the specialists who place new teeth for New Jersey residents have explained that:

1. Gum disease is an advanced bacteria infection of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. 

2. It’s typically caused by a lack of preventative healthcare, poor oral hygiene and habits, such as tobacco-use.

3. As much as 80% of the American population suffers with some form or stage of gum disease.

4. There are many signs and symptoms, including swollen, inflamed gums, gums that bleed easily, oral sores or lesions, discolored teeth, teeth that feel loose and uncomfortable, persistent bad breath and eventually, tooth loss.

Now let’s take a look at the various treatment options available...

Gum Disease Treatment

There are many approaches dentists can take to treating gum disease before they will consider giving New Jersey residents new teeth. Often a combination is used depending upon the extent of the disease and the damage it has already done. The first phase of treatment would be a thorough oral health assessment, followed by the recommendation of one or more of the following:

1. Root scaling and planing: Deep cleaning.

2. Pocket reduction therapy: Eliminating the deep pockets that have formed around the tooth roots, effectively preventing bacteria from reinfecting the gums.

3. Anti-biotic medication: Applied topically during surgery and taken as a course of oral tablets.

4. Laser therapy: For the highly accurate elimination of diseased tissue.

5. A continued schedule of professional teeth cleanings, a much-improved home oral hygiene routine and possibly anti-bacterial mouthwash rinses.

The treatment schedule provided depends upon your specific case and may or may not involve surgery. To find out, it is imperative that you schedule an appointment with your dentist or a dental specialist, such as a periodontist.

“For those who are particularly nervous of treatment, don’t be,” urge All on 4® dental implant surgeons. “We go to every measure necessary to ensure that patients are kept comfortable and use a combination of local anesthetic and Intravenous (I.V.) sedation if recommended or desired. What’s important is that you are having your problem addressed and that you will be in much better oral and general health for having done it.”

Mitigation for Existing Damage: Tooth Loss

Thankfully, if you have lost one or more of your teeth to gum disease, there is a suite of teeth replacement techniques available to help give you your smile back. Dental implants are typically the most highly recommended of these options because of their durability and better function and aesthetics.

Having said this, while you can get new teeth implants or even All on 4 dental implants – if you are losing or have already lost all of your teeth, Rutherford residents should know that prevention is always better than cure. No matter how advanced the field of dental implantology has become, nothing can really beat your own biological technology: natural healthy teeth. This is why patients are urged to come for treatment before gum disease has had the opportunity to completely wreck their natural dentition.

Want to Avoid the Need for New Teeth Implants? Rutherford Specialists Explain the Perils of Periodontal Disease, PART 2

This three-part article series explains what gum disease is and the various signs and symptoms it comes hand-in-hand with. We also explore patients’ various treatment options.

Welcome to Part 2 of this three-part article series on periodontal (gum) disease, it’s signs and symptoms and recommended treatments. In Part 1, we spoke to a dentist in New Jersey who explained that gum disease is an advanced bacteria infection of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It’s typically caused by poor oral hygiene, a lack of preventative healthcare and certain habits, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. In this article, we shall now examine the signs and symptoms Rutherford residents should be on the lookout for before discussing the various treatment options available.

Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

In the beginning stages, gum disease is known as gingivitis and can present with one or more of the following symptoms:

1. Red and inflamed gums,

2. Swollen, sensitive gums,

3. Gums that bleed easily when brushing and flossing,

4. Bad breath (halitosis): This can be difficult to diagnose, so it’s recommended that you ask a close friend or relative to tell you whether they’ve noticed your breath being persistently bad.

5. Discoloration of the teeth caused by the accumulation of plaque and tartar. The margins between the teeth can appear blurred.

In its advanced stages, gum disease is known as periodontitis and can present with one or more of the following symptoms:

1. Those listed above,

2. A persistent bad taste in the mouth that doesn't go away or comes back soon after brushing,

3. Brown mottling of the teeth and at the gum margins,

4. Recurring oral lesions or sores,

5. Loose teeth that are uncomfortable to eat with,

6. An exposure of the tooth roots as the gums recede from the crowns of the teeth,

7. Suppurating (pussy) gums and extremely painful oral abscesses,

8. Eventual tooth loss.

Doesn't sound very pleasant, does it? And yet, millions of Americans live with this condition every day and haven’t sought treatment. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as much as 80% of Americans are currently living with some stage of gum disease; be it gingivitis or periodontitis. So...

Why Do People Allow Gum Disease to Progress?

“One of the biggest problems with gum disease is that it doesn’t typically cause much pain,” explain the dentists who place new teeth implants in Rutherford patients. “And since pain is what most frequently compels people to seek treatment, in its absence we find patients living with this condition for years without coming in for the necessary dental care. There is also a fear of what treatment might entail, but in all honesty living with gum disease and losing teeth is far more painful – to one’s self esteem and quality of life – than any treatment could ever be.”

“Gum disease is also linked with a host of other terrible and very dangerous health conditions, such as heart, respiratory, liver and kidney disease, as well as osteoporosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The risks of living with gum disease are simply not worth it. You cannot justify avoiding treatment with “saving money” because the real cost could be your life.”

Stay Tuned for Part 3

To find out more about the various treatment options available for gum disease, stay tuned for the final installment of this three-part article series.

Want to Avoid the Need for Dental Implants? New Jersey Specialists Explain the Perils of Periodontal Disease, PART 1

This three-part article series explains what gum disease is and the various signs and symptoms it comes hand-in-hand with. We also explore patients’ various treatment options.

Periodontal disease – peri meaning “around” and dontal “the tooth” – is a pervasive oral disease that affects a staggering percentage of the American population. As much as 80% of New Jersey residents have some form or stage of this disease and it explains, in the majority of cases, just why the rate of tooth loss is so high in this country. Avoiding tooth loss and the need for dental implants, therefore, comes down to three important things:

1. Good oral hygiene and preventative care,

2. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of gum disease,

3. Seeking prompt treatment.

In this three-part article series, the New Jersey dental implants professionals will be helping us with point # 2 by explaining how periodontal disease frequently presents and what can be done to halt the progression of this very destructive condition.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal or gum disease is an advanced bacterial infection of the gums and the supporting structures of the teeth. It is caused by a lack of proper at-home and professional oral hygiene and comes hand-in-hand with risk factors such as: 

1. Tobacco-use

2. Certain diseases (diabetes), 

3. Periods of hormonal fluctuations (menopause and pregnancy),

4. Excessive alcohol intake,

5. A diet high in sugar,

6. Certain chronic medications.

Even your genetic heritage and gender can leave you at a greater risk of developing periodontal disease, especially without adequate preventative dental healthcare. While there are dental implant procedures designed to give patients who have lost most or all of their teeth (or who have been diagnosed with a “terminal” or “failing dentition”) new teeth in one day, prevention is always better and cheaper than cure. 

How Does Periodontal Disease Progress?

Gum disease begins as a well-known condition called “gingivitis,” which is characterized by an inflammation of the gums. 

“Plaque, a sticky white substance consisting of bacteria, forms in the oral cavity throughout the day and this is essentially unavoidable,” say dental implant surgeons in New Jersey. “Without frequent and thorough brushing and flossing and without regular visits to the oral hygienist for a professional clean, plaque hardens to form tartar. Your gums don’t like this and they respond by becoming inflamed and swollen. At this stage, the disease is typically diagnosed as gingivitis.”

“Over time, without professional intervention and good home oral hygiene efforts, gingivitis is allowed to progress. Oral bacteria produce acidic by-products that erode away at the dental enamel forming cavities, which allow for further decay. This acid also destroys the ligaments attaching the gums to the teeth, which enables bacteria to migrate into the natural pockets surrounding the teeth, essentially deepening them. Eventually, deep pockets of bacteria collect around the tooth roots and it is at this stage that a person will likely be diagnosed with gum disease. 

“It is also at this stage that the disease is unlikely to be halted without professional help. Tooth loss is a typical consequence of untreated gum disease and while we can give those who have been determined candidates new teeth in one day, we won’t proceed with dental implant treatment until health has been restored to the oral cavity,” explain dental implant professionals in New Jersey.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To find out more about the signs and symptoms of gum disease and the treatments for this condition, stay tuned for the second installment of this three-part article series.

New Teeth Professionals in New Jersey Provide Top Tips for Preventing Tooth Loss, PART 2

This two-part article series provides important advice on preventing the oral diseases that lead to tooth loss and the need for new teeth.

Welcome to the second installment of this two-part article series on the top tips for preventing tooth loss. In Part 1, we spoke to a new teeth professional in New Jersey who provided the first two important recommendations:

1. Brush your teeth and tongue for two minutes at a time, twice (or even three times) a day, everyday.

2. Floss every day before you go to bed at night.

“A thorough home oral hygiene routine is fundamental in the battle against the oral diseases that ultimately lead to tooth loss,” says a dental implants professional in New York.

But, there is more to keeping all of your natural pearly whites beautiful and healthy for life and in this article, we shall be addressing the habits to break in order to achieve this.

Bad, Bad Habits to Break

Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of gum disease and gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. Smoking also compromises the ability of patients to fight off infection and heal after dental work is done, so your best chance of keeping all of your natural teeth is to kick the habit!

Unhealthy Eating

Unhealthy eating is also a habit that many people need to kick, according to a new teeth professional in New Jersey. A diet high in sugar, carbohydrates and acidic beverages, such as soda, fruit juice and energy drinks, can leave you at a much higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Bacteria thrive on sugar, so the more you expose your mouth to, the more conducive an environment it becomes for bacterial growth. People who eat badly usually don’t look after their teeth as well as they should either and the combination of the two is a sure-fire way to lose teeth!

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

“Heavy drinking and drug abuse take as heavy a toll on the health of your teeth and gums as they do on your body,” explains a dental implants professional in New York. “Alcoholic beverages are almost always full of sugar and/or acid, which wears away at the dental enamel protecting your teeth. Alcohol also causes a condition known as ‘dry mouth’, which impedes the natural production of saliva. Saliva is a natural anti-bacterial, so people with frequent dry mouth tend to be more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. There are even some prescription medications that cause this condition so be sure to speak to your doctor about dosage or even a substitute if you experience this side effect.”

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching are common physical manifestations of stress. While they can be difficult to control, especially because people tend to do them at night when they are asleep, you can mitigate the damage done by having a protective mouth guard fitted.

“You’d be surprised at how many people do irreparable damage to their teeth by using them for tasks for which they were not intended,” says the new teeth professional in New Jersey. “Tearing open packaging, forcing open containers, chewing on popcorn and ice… these are all habits that can crack, chip and wear away your teeth at a rate that is not natural. Only use your teeth for eating regular foods. If you can’t open something, get up and go grab the scissors or bottle opener. I’ve seen too many patients who were trying to impress their friends with a party trick, only to end up in my office with a badly cracked tooth.”

A Final Note

By maintaining a good standard of home oral hygiene, coming for regularly scheduled dental appointments and cleanings and avoiding the damaging habits discussed in this article, there’s no reason you can’t keep your teeth in excellent condition for life!