New Teeth Specialists in NJ Challenge Six Common Myths About Dental Implants, PART 3

This four-part series scrutinizes and dispels six of the common misconceptions people have about dental implants and dental implant procedures.

Welcome back to this four-part article series on the myths and misconceptions surrounding dental implants and the procedures followed to place them. In our two previous posts, the specialists responsible for giving NJ patients new teeth explained that, contrary to popular belief, dental implants are not prohibitively expensive nor do they cause patients much (if any) pain during and after surgery. They also explained that dental implants seldom require replacement, making them one of the smartest and most cost-effective teeth replacement technology on the market!

In this article post, the third installment of the series, we shall delve deeper into the modern techniques used to place dental implants and how they’ve radically changed the journey patients need to take when undergoing fixed oral rehabilitation.

Busting Myth # 4: It Takes Months and Even Years to Get New Teeth with Dental Implants

Prior to the innovation of the “All On 4™” dental implant protocol, yes, this was indeed the case. In order to have a complete set of upper and/or lower teeth replaced, you could require six, eight or even 10 dental implants per jaw! Such a great number of implants simply couldn’t be placed in a single surgery - not only would it be very traumatic for the patient, but the risks of complications and implant failure would increase. So, new teeth implant specialists in NJ would plan a patient’s treatment to consist of several smaller and more manageable surgeries, which would be spread out over the course of many months.

In some cases, a patient could spend up to 18 months in and out of surgery before they could get a complete set of fixed teeth. This is not even to mention the delay caused by bone grafting surgery, which is typically needed by patients who have lived without natural teeth for many years (missing teeth leads to bone loss in the jaw). It was this incredibly arduous journey that compelled Dr. Paulo Malo - CEO of MALO CLINICS,  with headquarters in Lisbon, Portugal - to develop a newer, more sophisticated dental implant protocol for the treatment of edentulous (toothless) and near edentulous patients, as well as those suffering with a failing dentition.

The “All On 4™” protocol was born in the early 1990’s and, through the strategic and precise placement of only four dental implants in parts of the jaw that tend to be more resistant to atrophy and bone loss, enabled specialists to give patients an implant-supported prosthetic dental bridge (new set of teeth) in as little as a single day, with a single surgery. This is almost always possible without the need for bone grafting surgery, saving patients months of surgeries, months of recovery time and at the same time drastically reducing the new teeth implant cost in NJ.

By reducing the number of surgeries needed from multiple to one and the number of implants from as many as 20 to 8 (for both jaws) and by eliminating the need for bone grafting, the “All On 4™” protocol can give patients new teeth in one day and at a cost that can be tens of thousands of dollars cheaper!

Stay Tuned for Part 4

To read up on the final two common myths and misconceptions surrounding dental implants and the procedures used to get new teeth in NJ, stay tuned for the fourth installment of this article series.

New Teeth Specialists in Rutherford Challenge Six Common Myths about Dental Implants, PART 2

This four-part series scrutinizes and dispels six of the common misconceptions people have about dental implants and dental implant procedures.

In spite of the well-known fact that dental implants offer the most sophisticated and long-lasting replacement solution to missing teeth, countless Americans still opt for older, inferior technologies, such as removable dentures and conventional bridges. In our previous article post, New Teeth specialists in Rutherford dispelled the first of the myths and misconceptions that compel people to make the wrong teeth replacement choices: that dental implants are prohibitively expensive. In this article, the second installment of a four-part series we shall address another key misconception.

Busting Myth # 2: It Hurts to Get Dental Implants

With the availability of anesthesia, sedative medications and narcotic painkillers, pain simply isn’t a factor anymore - during the procedure or after it. If you suffer from anxiety, you can take a mild oral sedative on the morning of your surgery, which will calm your nerves and make you feel more relaxed. You will receive a local or general anesthesia (depending on the nature of your procedure) immediately prior to your surgery, which will prevent you from feeling any pain or discomfort. Afterwards, you will be sent home with prescription analgesic medication to help manage any post-operative discomfort, although this in itself is typically minimal.

The use of computer imaging programs and sophisticated diagnostic medical equipment (such as 3-D Cone Beam CT scans) in the planning and execution of dental implant surgery has rendered such procedures far less invasive in nature. Instead using less accurate 2 dimensional x-rays to plan the correct sites and positioning of new teeth implants, Rutherford patients already have their surgery planned in great detail before they even walk through the door! This not only makes surgery safer and more predictable, it eliminates many risks and complications, as well as the need for incisions and sutures: the source of most post-operative discomfort.

So, quite simply, dental implant surgery is not something you need to fear. New teeth specialists in Rutherford do everything in their power to help keep patients as comfortable and as anxiety and pain-free as possible throughout the course of their experience.

Busting Myth # 3: Dental Implants will Eventually Need Replacing

Not always! Dental implants have a typical lifespan of 20 to 30 years. If you really look after your teeth and avoid detrimental habits and lifestyle choices - such as smoking, an unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption and poor oral hygiene - there’s seldom any reason why you can’t keep your dental implants for life! Many of the patients who received dental implants 40 years ago still have their replacement teeth and they don’t exhibit any sign of slowing down!

The bottom line is that dental implants don’t always eventually require replacement, although even if they do they still last decades longer than traditional teeth replacement technologies. If you look after your teeth and are in good health, you should be able to keep your implants for life!

Stay Tuned for Part 3

To read up on more of the common myths and misconceptions surrounding dental implants and the procedures used to get new teeth implants in Rutherford, stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series.

Part - 1        Part - 3

Dental Implants Specialists in New York Challenge Six Common Myths, PART 1

This four-part series scrutinizes and dispels six of the common misconceptions people have about dental implants and dental implant procedures.

Dental implants are the standard of care for New York citizens who have lost one or more of their natural teeth. And when it comes to getting new teeth in Stamford CT, dental healthcare professionals will tell you that there is really no other technology they would recommend in favor. Yet in spite of this, the majority of Americans still opt for older, more conventional and less beneficial technologies. These include traditional dental bridges, which are used to replace single teeth, and removable dentures, which are used by those who have lost most or all of their original adult teeth. The reason people still choose these older technologies comes down to six very common myths and misconceptions. With the help of dental implants specialists in New York, we will be dispelling these myths in this four-part article series.

Let’s begin with the biggest misconception surrounding these fantastic teeth replacement devices...

Busting Myth # 1: Dental Implants are Prohibitively Expensive

One of the biggest reasons patients opt for conventional bridges and dentures is because they think they could never possibly afford dental implants. While this technology does initially cost more than a set of dentures, you have to consider what you’re getting out of your purchase! Dental implants are 44-inch HD LCD TVs... dentures are the tiny 12-inch black-and-white boxes that made popular kitchen counter appliances in the 1960’s. The one offers crystal clear clarity of picture, massive sound, beautiful colors and an incredible entertainment experience. The other is useful as a crackly radio... and eventually a doorstop.

When it comes to replacing missing teeth and the importance of their function to your daily life, you want the 44-inch HD LCD TV. Not the 12-inch black-and-white box. You want to be able to smile, eat and speak with confidence - as if the new teeth you have now are the teeth you’ve always had. Removable dentures simply cannot rival the aesthetics, functionality and long-term benefits and advantages of dental implants.

In addition to this general philosophy, when compared to other teeth replacement technologies, dental implants are actually the smarter and more cost effective solution. They come with low maintenance requirements and seldom, if ever, require restoration. Dentures, on the other hand, require frequent replacement and the need to invest in repeat expenses such as soaking solutions, anesthetic gels, adhesives and cleaning products. Over the years, these expenses can add up tremendously and you can end up spending more money on dentures in the long run than you would on dental implants in the first place.

This is not even to mention the fact that denture wearers tend to suffer from bone loss in the jaw and that bone health and volume can deteriorate to such an extent that, ultimately, the only teeth replacement solution available to them is bone grafting and dental implants!

If you are worried about the cost of dental implants, you must remember that most large dental implant facilities in New York offer financing options for patients. This makes payment more convenient and manageable. Speak to a dental implant specialist about your options before you proceed. You can save yourself much trouble and yes, money, by making the smart teeth replacement choice.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read up on more of the common myths and misconceptions surrounding dental implants and the procedures used to get new teeth in Stamford CT, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series.

Part - 2

Dental Implants Specialists In New Jersey Talk About The Habits That Ruin Your Teeth, PART 4

This four-part article series covers the many habits - some innocent, some not-so innocent - that could be destroying your teeth and oral health, leading to the need for dental implants.

Welcome back to our four-part article series in which dental implants specialists in New Jersey explain the top habits, behaviors and addictions that could be wrecking the health of your pearly whites. In our previous article post, the third installment of the series, we discussed the dangers of teeth grinding or “Bruxism” and how sticky, gummy candies can lead to a higher incidence of tooth decay and cavities. In this final article, we shall address some of the other habits and indulgences you should avoid to keep your teeth in excellent lifelong condition.

Teeth-Wrecking Habit # 8: Sugar-Pumped Thirst Quenchers

There’s nothing like an ice-cold soda on a hot day, but busting your thirst with soda, fruit juice and energy drinks is terrible for your teeth! These should be seen as treats and not as the standard of thirst quenching. Not only are they packed with sugar, which encourages bacterial activity in your mouth; they’re also very acidic and this softens and erodes away dental enamel. If you’re thirsty, your first option should be to reach for good old H2O!

Teeth-Wrecking Habit # 9: Not Flossing

Flossing is, without a doubt, a chore... but it is an absolute necessity for keeping your teeth clean. An oral hygiene routine without flossing is like taking a shower without scrubbing the nooks and crannies (i.e. your armpits): you simply aren’t cleaning effectively! You should floss your teeth every day, preferably before you go to bed at night or else you are leaving all that food debris and plaque trapped between your teeth. In the long term, you’re leaving yourself at a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease, not to mention bad breath!

Teeth-Wrecking Habit # 10: Using Your Teeth as Tools

Similar to chewing ice (discussed in Part 1 of this series), your teeth were not designed to be used as tools for tearing packaging, forcing open containers and other related activities. Your dental enamel - when pitted against anything harder than food - can lose and the consequences (cracks, chips, fractures) definitely aren’t worth getting that stubborn Tupperware open, even if there is chocolate inside.

Teeth-Wrecking Habit # 11: Excessive Alcohol Drinking

Alcohol is not the best hydrocarbon to put in your body and as fun as a couple of glasses of wine can end up being, you do need to appreciate the damage it or any other alcoholic beverage can do to your teeth, especially if indulged in regularly. Alcohol causes “dry mouth”, which encourages bacteria to flourish (saliva is your mouth’s natural defense against bacteria). Alcoholic beverages also tend to be high in sugar and acid, which we’ve established are not good for the health of your teeth and gums. Then there are the indirect links alcohol shares with poor oral health... those who drink heavily seldom take the time to brush carefully and floss before they go to bed at night. You also tend to lean towards starchier, fattier foods and other bad habits, such as smoking.

If you find that asking you to give up that dinner-time glass of wine is simply too much to do, you certainly can restrict how much booze you drink and how frequently you drink it. Also take proper care of your teeth, avoid social smoking and keep your dinner choices healthy. No matter how tired and, er, “impaired” your judgment is when you get home... brush and floss your teeth! Or you may find yourself needing new teeth at some imminent stage in your life.

New Teeth Specialists in Stamford Talk About the Habits that Ruin Your Teeth, PART 3

This four-part article series covers the many habits - some innocent, some not-so innocent - that could be destroying your teeth and oral health, leading to the need for dental implants.

Welcome back to our four-part article series in which specialists of New Teeth in Stamford explain the top habits and behaviors that could be wrecking the health of your pearly whites. In our previous article post, the second of the series, we discussed the perils of bedtime bottles for babies, lip and tongue piercings for adults and of course the most notorious of bad dental habits: tobacco-use. There’s still plenty more habits and behaviors to discuss, so let’s get to it!

Teeth-Wrecking Habit # 6: Teeth Grinding

Chasing deadlines, enduring a 14-hour day and competing with that new, prettier intern for the attention of your boss can send stress to stratospheric heights. While the exact cause of teeth grinding is not exactly known, most dental healthcare specialists believe there to be a strong connection with stress. The trouble with this condition - also known as “bruxism” - is that you tend to be totally unaware of what you’re doing when you’re doing it. Many people also grind their teeth at night.

“Bruxism can totally erode away one’s dental enamel,” explain new teeth specialists in Stamford. “This has a terrible impact upon dental health and can require some extensive restoration of the tooth crowns. In some advanced cases of damage and internal decay, some teeth may require root canal procedures, while others need replacing altogether!”

There is no easy treatment for teeth grinding, but you can help prevent the damage it does. Go to your dentist to have a mouth guard fitted and wear it to bed at night when you’re most likely to grind your teeth without knowing it. Also try to incorporate some stress-busting techniques into your lifestyle, whether it’s a Thursday night yoga class or regular walks on the beach. Alternatively, you could take up kickboxing and punch the living daylights out of a bag.

Teeth-Wrecking Habit # 7: Sticky, Gummy Candy

So you have a sweet tooth: welcome to the entire human race! However, your choice in sweet indulgence may just be the difference between healthy and decayed teeth! Sticky toffees, gummy candies and caramels are absolutely terrible for your teeth. They have a habit of getting stuck in the tiny cusps, cracks and crevasses in and between your teeth, providing bacteria with an absolute feast for hours! Plaque levels can soar after such an indulgence and if you don’t brush your teeth soon, this plaque (which is actually bacteria) can cause the development of cavities and tooth decay.

Surprisingly enough, chocolate is a far safer sweet indulgence! Its molecules are quite fatty, which means that they get washed away by saliva far easier and don’t tend to stick to the surface of your teeth. Whatever your weakness is, however, always maintain a high standard of oral hygiene to minimize your risk of tooth decay and tooth loss, or you may just find yourself booking an appointment with the Stamford dental implants specialist!

Stay Tuned for Part 4

If you want to avoid needing Stamford dental implants later on in life, stay tuned for the fourth and final installment of this article series to find out more of the bad habits, addictions and behaviors you should be avoiding or seeking professional treatment for!

New Teeth Specialists in NJ talk About the Habits that Ruin Your Teeth, PART 2

This four-part article series covers the many habits - some innocent, some not-so innocent - that could be destroying your teeth and oral health, leading to the need for dental implants.

Welcome back to our four-part article series in which New Teeth in NJ specialists explain the top habits and behaviors that could be wrecking the health of your teeth and gums. In our previous article post, the first of the series, chewing ice and playing sports without a mouth guard were discussed as the first two harmful habits. We’ve got many more to get through - some you may already be aware of but others that may come as a surprise - so let’s get straight back into it!

Teeth-Wrecking Habit # 3: Giving Baby a Bedtime Bottle

Handing your tiny tot a bottle as they go to bed may help them fall asleep, but it could also lead to early tooth decay! Whether it’s formula or juice, both contain sugar and bacteria love sugar. Giving your child a bottle to suck overnight leaves their developing teeth and gums in a veritable sugar bath, which is oral bacteria’s idea of paradise. Feed your baby before you put him or her to bed and be sure to gently clean their mouths afterwards. If they want something to suck on, give them water or a pacifier.

‘The development of a child’s adult teeth can be severely impacted by the health of their predecessors, the baby milk teeth,” explain New Teeth or dental implant specialists. “As such, it’s imperative that parents take the correct actions in looking after their children’s pearly whites. Also note that you should throw the pacifier in the trash bin after age 1. Constant sucking on these kinds of appliances can actually change the shape of the mouth and can result in severe orthodontic problems.”

Teeth-Wrecking Habit # 4: Lip and Tongue Piercings

Feeling rebellious? Try a tattoo... lip and tongue piercings can do serious damage to your dental enamel! Accidentally biting down on the stainless steel bar or the constant tapping of the piercing against the back of your teeth as you talk can cause chipping and cracks. In the case of lip piercings, the metal disk on the inside of the lip can rub against the gums causing irritation, inflammation and even infection. The gums can become so damaged that they actually recede from the crowns of the teeth, revealing the darker root underneath (see image above).

Tongue piercings can also make it difficult for you to clean your tongue properly. This is not even to mention the risk of infection such invasive activities cause. Again, if you’re feeling rebellious, do something really brave like get a tattoo or dye your hair shocking pink, instead. Leave your mouth alone!

Teeth-Wrecking Habit # 5: Tobacco-Use

Perhaps the least surprising of all the bad habits on this list are smoking and tobacco-use. We won’t bore you with the details, but in short, tobacco-use:

• Stains the teeth,
• Causes dry mouth,
• Causes bad breath: “smoker’s halitosis”,
• Irritates and inflames (burns) the soft tissues in the mouth,
• Slows the natural healing process,
• Renders various procedures less likely to succeed, such as dental implants,
• Increases your risk of developing oral cancer,
• Causes gum infection and disease.

Stay Tuned for Part 3

If you like your current pearly whites and want to avoid needing new teeth later on in life, stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series to find out more of the bad habits, behaviors and addictions you should be avoiding!

Dental Implants Specialists In Rutherford Talk About The Habits That Ruin Your Teeth, PART 1

This four-part article series covers the many habits - some innocent, some not-so innocent - that could be destroying your teeth and oral health, leading to the need for dental implants.

Sharks have multiple sets of teeth. In fact, they tend to grow a fresh set of teeth every two weeks or so to replace those ripped out during feeding frenzies. Rodents have incisors that just keep growing and growing, which is why - in part - beavers gnaw incessantly on the boles of trees: to prevent their teeth from getting too long. Elephants have a set of molars that steadily march towards the front of their mouth during the course of their lifetime. At age 40, a set of larger brand new molars emerge to replace those that have been ground down by day-long munching.

But, humans have only two sets of teeth. The first start to emerge soon after we are born and are then replaced with adult teeth in our late childhood.

In other words, by the time we are 12, we have the set of teeth that is meant to last us for the rest of our lives. There are no second chances for us. Unlike sharks, we won’t sprout new teeth to replace those lost through bad oral hygiene or an accident. Our teeth, if chipped, won’t keep growing and at age 40 we’re more likely to lose our molars than grow a fresh set like elephants! This is why it’s so important that we look after our pearly whites from as early an age as possible.

In this four-part article series, dental implants specialists in Rutherford - the dental healthcare professionals responsible for replacing missing teeth – will be taking us through their top list of habits and behaviors that are ruining the health of your teeth and gums and could possibly lead to early tooth loss. Some of these habits you may be aware of already, such as smoking, but others will come as a surprise! So, without further ado, let’s get started...

Teeth-Wrecking Habit # 1: Chewing Ice

On a hot day, it can be wonderful to fill a cup with ice and soda and sit there chewing on the lumps and shards of ice. While ice is sugar-free and, in its liquid state, is perfectly good for you, your teeth were not made to bite into it! In a battle between enamel and ice, enamel is likely to win, but that doesn’t mean it will win every time and the result could be fractures, cracking and chipping. Also, if you make it a habit you could end up irritating the soft tissues inside your teeth, or even grind the enamel down to the dentine, leaving your pearly whites far more vulnerable to cavities and decay.

“If you’re a compulsive chewer, buy yourself some sugar-free gum,” suggests a specialist of dental implants in Rutherford. “Chewing ice is terrible for the enamel of your teeth and if you don’t address it, I will expect to see you in my office before long.”

Teeth-Wrecking Habit # 2: Playing Sports without a Mouth Guard

Think twice before getting on the field or ring without a mouth guard! It just takes one second for something to go horribly wrong and for teeth to go flying. You wouldn’t stand in front of the ice hockey goal without the correct protection - you could literally get yourself killed should the puck fly at your face at just the right angle - so why would you face the football player without a helmet and mouth guard? In fact, most sports (other than badminton… but who plays badminton?) come with a risk of facial trauma.

“Make sure you invest in a good mouth guard and wear it,” advises the dental implants specialist in Rutherford. “If your friends laugh at you, tell them to Google mouth sports injuries… that’ll zip their lips.”

Stay Tuned for Part 2

If you like your current pearly whites and want to avoid needing new teeth later on in life, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series to find out more of the bad habits and behaviors you should be avoiding!