Considering Dentures?

In this article we will give you a basic overview of the pros and cons of dentures, to help you make an informed decision. In future articles, we will go into each area with much more detail.

Pros and Cons of a Dentures

Advantages:

• Dentures will unquestionably provide you with a great smile and a very natural appearance. They are made of durable materials and will last very long when correctly taken care of. Normally dentures last from five to ten years. They can also correct numerous problems, from speech to chewing, for many patients.

• Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health.

• Dentures help keep facial muscles from sagging, which can make a person look older.

• You'll be able to eat and speak - things that people often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost. If you have had trouble with your natural teeth for a number of years, you might not have been able to eat the foods you wanted or speak comfortably for quite a while. You will be able to smile again. Some denture wearers have said that simply being able to smile again really changed their entire outlook on life.

Disadvantages:

• There is no question that dentures will take some getting accustomed to. There is regular maintenance required, and initial speech issues to overcome, although these should be temporary, lasting only a couple of days. Mouth tenderness or abrasions may occur, but are usually caused by poor dental hygiene, and not removing your dentures when needed.

• It is normal for your mouth to change over the life of your dentures, so even though they last long, they still may need to be replaced to achieve a better fit before they are actually worn out. With age, the gum ridges in our mouths can shrink, causing dentures to become loose. Bone can also shrink, causing jaws not to line up properly. Loose dentures can cause sore spots in your mouth as well as stomach problems from not being able to chew food properly. A loose denture could also cause changes in your facial features.

• With a denture a person typically chews at only 15-25% efficiency compared to a person chewing with their natural teeth. In the case of a full upper denture, the upper palate is covered which may change or reduce the taste of foods you are eating.

Who may be a Candidate for Dentures?
If you have lost, or are in the process of losing all of your teeth, a complete denture is something to discuss with your cosmetic dentist. If some of your teeth remain and are healthy, a partial denture may be your way to a good, healthy smile.

This process should be thoroughly discussed with your dentist as there are numerous personal and medical factors to consider. You may instead be a candidate for dental bridges or dental implants as possible procedures.

An Overview of Dentures
If teeth are lost or must be extracted, dentures provide an easily removable replacement that can be fashioned to look very much like natural teeth. Dental implants are the fixed alternative to full dentures. New advancements in dentistry have led dentures to become more comfortable and better fitted to your gums. Your dental specialist will carefully position the denture, and construct it so that it fits properly on your gum and against your other teeth when you bite down. “Neuromuscularly” fitted dentures provide the most comfort.

Dentures are detachable replacements for missing teeth, that are usually made out of an acrylic resin which may at times incorporate porcelain or metal for supplementary structural support. There are two main types of dentures, complete and partial. Both complete dentures and partial dentures are finely crafted and custom-fitted to the individual patient. If you correctly take care of your dentures they will appear natural and provide you with a perfect smile and a great bite. Additionally, dentures will help to strengthen the muscles controlling your expressions that require the support of your teeth, ridding you of pronunciation problems caused by missing teeth and aid with chewing.

How are Dentures Accomplished? It is fairly common to require some teeth to be extracted, and surgery in some cases is necessary to improve the bony ridges that will stabilize your dentures.

The procedure begins with a wax bite impression of your mouth that will give your dentist exacting measurements. A try-on appointment will fine tune the color, shape, and custom-fit of your dentures. After your final dentures are fabricated, they will be placed and you will be instructed on their required care.

Types of Dentures:

1. Complete Dentures These replace all of your teeth, both upper or lower. Their comfort depends on muscle tone, bone stretgh, tongue, and amount of saliva present. Patients begin wearing their conventional dentures after the gums have healed from the teeth that were pulled.
2. Immediate Dentures Immediate dentures are placed all at once, right after your natural teeth are pulled, and may require additional adjustments after the healing process. It can take months for your bone and tissue to stabilize after tooth extractions.
3. Upper Dentures Upper dentures tend to be a bit easier to adjust to. These are made of the same materials as a set of complete dentures, but are designed to provide you with upper teeth only.
4. Over Dentures Over dentures are a type of conventional denture comparable to complete dentures. The difference is that not all teeth are extracted and they use one or more of your natural teeth for their support. This type provides greater stabilization during chewing. Over dentures cost more and usually require more preparation dental appointments until the procedure is fully complete.
5. Partial Dentures Partial dentures are designed to correct the gaps in your smile when only some of your teeth are missing. Metal attachments fasten the dentures to your natural teeth. Partial dentures maintain tooth alignment by preventing your remaining teeth from shifting. Partial dentures can also help prevent your loss of further teeth due to decay or gum disease.

How Much do Dentures Cost?
Costs will vary depending on where you live and your specific needs. These are procedures for which you should definitely research your dental insurance coverage. Much of the cost is often covered, and you may be able to work out a payment plan with your dental office for your co-payments.

TMJ Disorder and Further Treatment Options

What Doctors Treat TMJ Disorder?
Given that TMJ disorder sufferers have so many diverse symptoms, management can include numerous different physicians of varying specialties. Headaches may be treated by a neurologist, ear pain can be evaluated by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, and pain can be treated by a pain management specialist. A dentist may utilize splints to correct bite issues, while an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS) can assist with both surgical and non-surgical interventions. Other healthcare professionals that may form part of a patient's care team can include Physiotherapists, Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Orthodontists, Nutritionists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Massage Therapists, and of course the family doctor (PCP or GP).

It is well worth noting, however, that a well-qualified dentist, using the correct procedures, can often alleviate many of the other symptoms involved in your TMJ disorder, lessening the need for any other professional care.

Alternative medicine
Because stress has been shown to contribute to TMJ disorders, stress-relieving relaxation techniques may reduce jaw clenching or teeth grinding and help alleviate TMJ disorder symptoms. Possible beneficial techniques include:

• Deep breathing. To practice deep breathing, sit comfortably on a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Breathe in deeply through your nose, and allow your abdomen to expand as you breathe in. Hold for just a second, and then exhale through your mouth, gently pushing in your abdomen with your hand.

• Progressive muscle relaxation. This involves relaxing a series of muscles one at a time. Begin increasing the tension level in a group of muscles, such as a leg or an arm, by tightening the muscles and then relaxing them. Then move on to the next muscle group. It may also prove beneficial to apply warm, moist heat.

• Guided imagery. Also known as visualization, this method of relaxation involves lying quietly and imagining yourself in a wonderful, lovely place. Your ideal vacation or getaway. Allow yourself to completely experience the setting with all of your senses, as if you were essentially there. For example, imagine lying on the deck of your sailboat as it coasts along the Mediterranean Sea. Picture the perfect azure sky, smell the salt water, hear the sounds of the soft waves, and feel the warmth of the golden sun on your skin. The messages your brain receives as you experience these senses help you to relax.
  

There are some TMJ sufferers who are actually unaware of the cause of their condition. Many people, who technically have TMJ disorder, manage with their symptoms, since they do not interfere severely with their lives. Patients with TMJ disorder quite often grind their teeth to find a comfortable bite. This causes flat areas on the tops of the teeth called occlusal wear facets. Wear facets often fit together revealing the bite that the body has been trying to create. Constant grinding also flexes and dissolves tooth roots. A notch at the bottom front of the tooth called an abfraction. Many hygienists confuse this for overzealous tooth brushing, but there are many patients who never brush who still have them.

When a patient's jaw joints or jaw muscles are irritated, there can be deviation of the lower jaw to one side on opening. This is called mandibular opening deviation. For a variety of reasons, the human face does not always grow symmetrically. Facial asymmetry can cause TMJ problems. Repeated jaw muscle spasm can cause muscle shortening with limited opening. Looking at the side of a person's face, you can often make out the lower jaw. The bottom of the lower jaw is typically parallel to the floor. Conversely, many TMD patients have a sharp downward angle. This TMJ symptom is called a sharp mandibular plane angle.

TMD sufferers often have speech irregularities that add to their muscular and functional problems. A dished out profile can be an indicator of a TMJ problem. It is often seen in patients who have a shortened facial height, which forces the TMJ towards the ear. As a defensive reflex, the body uses the chewing muscles to pull the jaw joint forward. This can often bring on muscle spasm and pain. Like a dished out profile, a short lower facial third can be a reflection of this same problem.

Another TMJ disorder symptom is when the corners of the mouth get red, swollen and painful. It's called angular chelitis and is also seen when denture patients are wearing worn out dentures. An imbalance in the chewing and facial muscles occasionally causes an uncharacteristic lip posture, which can cause the face to look unusual. The horizontal facial fold under the lip and above the chin can be excessive. This is called a deep mentalis crease. It is not uncommon for a TMJ patient to have a forward head posture. This abnormal posture causes the head to be positioned forward. It stretches the anterior neck muscles and pulls the lower jaw backward into the patient's ears.

It is not unusual to see swelling of a TMJ sufferer’s face. This TMJ symptom is called facial edema. Some sufferers have unusual movements of their necks (cervical torticollis) and lower jaws. (mandibular torticollis). Headaches truly plague TMJ sufferers. The most common TMJ related headache is a located on the side of the head over the area of the temple. This is called a temporal headache and is often misdiagnosed as a migraine.

The disparity of a TMJ patient's facial, chewing and neck muscles can cause problems swallowing. This is called dysphagia. Because of the instability of the jaw, head and neck, cervical problems are frequent. This can lead to occipital headaches located at the back of the head. Postural problems are a characteristic TMJ disorder symptom. This abnormal posture may be due to the modification of the body to mouth breathing and the need to hold the head forward to breathe better. In severe cases, forward posture can cause thoracic outlet syndrome and paresthesia of the fingertips. (Paresthesia is an abnormal or unexplained tingling, pricking, or burning sensation on the skin)

Deprogrammers
The idea of deprogramming is based on the reflexive relaxation of the lower jaw when the back teeth are not allowed to engage. The various muscles that open and close the jaw learn and remember the level of contraction required to execute their movements in a coordinated, relaxed way. They learn which positions of these muscles cause pain, and which don't, and store all the information in your brain in the form of "engrams" which are similar to automatic, unconscious computer programs that your body uses each time you open or close your mouth. In persons with TMJ disorder, these movements can be quite complex.

The Treatment of TMD

The Bruxing Guard

The solution to treating these patients is to decrease the patient's inclination to clench and grind her teeth. Even if, when the teeth are closed together, and the joints do not line up correctly, all the symptoms tend to fade away if the patient does not tend to keep the teeth together with the forces distinctive of bruxing. The most conventional and least expensive treatment for TMD is the construction of a hard acrylic bruxing guard (flexible plastics are now being used as well). These are horseshoe-shaped plastic appliances, which usually fit over the top teeth and have a smooth surface on the underside so the lower teeth can slide over the plastic without resistance. This prevents the teeth from locking together, and relieves a lot of the force placed on the teeth and joints. If an appliance like this is worn long enough, the bruxing habit may ultimately disappear altogether, which would be the ideal treatment goal if it always happened. Unfortunately, bruxing guards still allow the patient to clench against the guard. Since clenching is linked with overuse of the temporalis muscle, patients may still encounter tension headaches even though they wear their guard religiously.

The Bite Adjusted Bruxing Guard

Bruxing guards perform even better if they are structured so that when the lower teeth come in contact with the appliance, the joints are forced to sit in their most natural, relaxed positions in the most upper part of the socket. This position can be determined quite simply by a process known as deprogramming during which a piece of plastic is inserted over the top front teeth that does not allow the posterior teeth to make any contact. Usually, within an hour or so of wearing one, the jaw has relaxed into a more natural position with the joints in a more desirable position. A bite registration is then taken with the deprogramming device in place so the new bruxing guard can be designed to the new bite-adjusted jaw position, which corresponds to a more physiologically acceptable joint position. Deprogramming has an additional advantage in that if it works, it will relieve the symptoms very quickly and can be worn until the more permanent bruxing guard can be built.

The main disadvantage with this treatment modality is that your teeth do not look any better after you have cured the pain associated with TMJ disorder, and if the bruxing habits do not disappear on their own, the patient must continue wearing a bruxing guard whenever he is likely to be bruxing. In addition, patients still can clench against any bruxing guard. Therefore, even a correctly balanced bruxing guard will not consistently relieve all tension or migraine headaches, even though it usually will lessen their occurrence. The major advantage to this treatment modality is that it is economical and can often alleviate long-standing pain that has been a major impediment to a normal lifestyle for many years.

The Orthodontic Option

Another treatment option is orthodontics. In this case, the natural teeth are moved into a more correct position that allows the joints to sit correctly in their sockets. The correct position is established through a science called cephalometrics, which is a subcategory of diagnostic x-rays. A tremendous side effect of considering orthodontics to treat TMJ disorder, is that not only will you be left with a lovely smile when all is said and done, but the process is much more likely to break the bruxing habit than nearly any other treatment, as well.

We recommend considering checking out this website for referrals to highly qualified dentists who specialize in TMJ disorders:

http://www.top3dentists.com/pages/tmj

Sleep Apnea From a Dentist's Perspective

Dentists play a very important role in the team approach to the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Physicians, dentists, psychologists, and respiratory therapists all combine their collective knowledge to treat each patient properly and effectively.

Dentists who are specifically trained in aspects of sleep medicine and have a command of multiple appliance modalities are of immense help to physicians in treating sufferers with sleep disordered breathing problems.

Snoring

Nearly one-half of all adults snore. The problem is exaggerated with overweight persons.
Snoring occurs when there is a partial obstruction to the free flow of air through the mouth and nose. The sound occurs when loose structures in the throat, like the uvula and soft palate, vibrate as air passes over them. Snoring can get worse when the muscles in the back of the throat are too relaxed either from drugs taken to help induce sleep or alcohol intake. Snoring can also be caused by an overly large uvula and soft palate, nasal congestion, a deviated septum or other obstructions in the nasal and pharyngeal airways. In children, large tonsils and adenoids can be the cause of snoring. Pregnant women often snore because of a narrowing of the airway and increased weight due to the pregnancy.

Is Snoring Serious?

Yes, snoring can be serious both socially and medically. Snoring can bring great disharmony to marriages and cause sleepless nights for our bed partners.

Medically, snoring can be the forerunner of obstructive sleep apnea that has been associated with heart failure, high blood pressure and stroke. On its own, snoring has been connected to Type II Diabetes. Sleep apnea typically interrupts loud snoring with an episode of silence in which no air passes into the lungs. Eventually the lack of oxygen and the increase of carbon dioxide will awaken you forcing the airway to open, usually with a loud gasp.

The CPAP

The most frequently prescribed medical treatment for OSA is the “Continuous positive airway pressure” unit, or CPAP (pronounced "C-Pap") and a newer variation called BiPap. These apparatuses have a high flow fan, a hose and a sealed nasal mask to which the patient is attached to while sleeping. Clinical studies have shown that CPAP is highly effective in relieving most apnic episodes. In addition to the CPAP unit, physicians usually prescribe a weight loss regimen, and abstinence from tobacco and alcohol. Unfortunately, patient compliance is generally a problem due to the noise of the air compressor, the constriction of movement caused by the hose attachment, stuffy nose and skin irritation caused by the nosepiece, and complaints of being able to have less intimacy with a bed partner.

Due to these and many other complaints from users of the CPAP units, OSA research teams carried out extensive trials on mandibular advancement appliances (airway dilators, or "snore guards"). These projects and trials resulted in a 1995 review by the American Sleep Disorders Association. The review determined that oral appliances are a good alternative to CPAP in cases of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

The dental treatments for obstructive sleep apnea are superior to the CPAP unit from the point of view of patient compliance. Dentally oriented treatments for this problem fall into two groups; detachable appliances that advance the lower jaw while the patient is asleep, (airway dilators, more commonly known as snore guards) and surgical solutions, some of which advance the lower jaw permanently.

If an actual case of obstructive sleep apnea is assumed, the dentist normally uses his skills in conjunction with the help of a qualified physician specialist who can assess the need for, and ultimately the success or failure of the treatment. This makes sense since it is the physician who can order and construe the medical tests involved in the institution of the foundational diagnosis.

The Detachable OSA Appliances (Snore guards)

Anything that advances the lower jaw forward (bringing it into protrusion) will cause to lift the tongue and epiglottis away from the back of the throat relieving some of the limitation caused by the relaxation of the muscles during sleep. In order to wear such an appliance, it is crucial that the patient have adequate numbers of healthy teeth in both upper and lower arches for the appliance to attach to. If the patient lacks healthy teeth, dental implants may still make it possible to wear a detachable snore guard.

Note that detachable snore guards separate the upper and lower teeth and therefore perform the functions of a bruxing guard in addition to those of the snore guard. Consequently, a snore guard may not only treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, but it may well treat the symptoms of TMJ disorder as well. However, in very severe cases of organic joint dysfunction due to TMJ, the forward repositioning of the lower jaw may aggravate the damage to the jaw joint and thus a snore guard may not be appropriate for those sufferers.

To create a detachable snore guard, an impression will be taken of both the top and bottom teeth, and models are poured in plaster. Then the patient may be instructed to bite into a slab of wax with his lower jaw protruded as much as possible without actually straining. This is called a protrusive bite registration. Both the models and the protrusive bite registration are then sent to the lab. The laboratory returns the finished appliance, which can take a number of different forms depending on what your dentist orders.

Different Types of Snore Guards

There do exist different types and brands of snore guards, and many orthodontic laboratories have their own brand of appliance that they use. You, together with your dentist, must decide on the correct type of snore guard for you, based on specific needs. Some snore guards are very effective at relieving the obstructions causing OSA, but they are limited by the ability of the TMJ to move forward. As a general rule, the maximum advancement of the lower jaw that can comfortably be achieved with a fixed-jaw-relation snore guard is in the range of 3 to 5 millimeters. This is normally enough to relieve the airway, and will work quite well for most people. The drawback to a fixed relation guard is that the appliance cannot be adjusted to bring the lower jaw further forward as the joints (TMJ) relax over time. Adjustability is very desirable since obstructive apnea is a progressive disease and further jaw protrusion often becomes possible as the joint ligaments stretch further.

Oral appliances (OA) that treat snoring, UARS, and OSA are devices worn in the mouth similar to sports mouth guards or orthodontic retainers. They are made of plastic and fit partially or completely within the mouth. Currently there are over 40 different types of oral appliances available. OA's may be used alone or in combination with other means of treating sleep apnea, such as weight management, surgery and CPAP. There is no one particular appliance that will work for every patient. Any dentist supplying oral appliances will be familiar with several different types.

Categories of Appliances:
There are currently two categories of appliances in general use.

1. MRD - Mandibular Repositioning Device

• A more commonly prescribed appliance.
• It repositions and stabilizes the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate, and uvula.
• It also helps to increase the muscle tone of the tongue.

2. TRD - Tongue Retaining Device

• This device advances the tongue and actively holds the tongue forward to open the airway, thus preventing it from falling backward and blocking the airway.
• These devices are most useful in patients with large tongues, poor dental health, no teeth, and chronic joint pain.

Indications for Use of an OA:

• Primary snoring
• Mild OSA
• Moderate / Severe OSA sufferers who are intolerant or refuse the CPAP unit ( as set forth by the American Sleep Disorders Association)
• Poor tolerance of nasal CPAP
• Poor surgical risks
• Non-successful UPPP surgery
• Use of appliance during travel

Advantages of using an Oral Appliance:

• Oral appliances are much small and convenient making them easy to carry when traveling
• Treatment with oral appliances is reversible and non-invasive
• After becoming acclimated to wearing the appliance, most people find them easy to wear and more comfortable than the CPAP unit.
• Quiet
• Easily adjustable
• More comfortable than the CPAP unit, generally resulting in increased compliance

Are There any Side Effects From Using Oral Appliance Therapy?
Patients using oral appliance therapy may experience the following side effects:

• Excessive salivation or dryness.
• Morning soreness in the teeth or jaw muscles.
• Tooth movements (generally minor)

Most of these side effects improve within just a few weeks of regular use and some adjustments of the appliance. Patients with arthritis and chronic jaw joint dysfunction may experience more difficulty tolerating an OAT.

Top 3 Dentists is a resource for anyone looking for the optimum in dental practice. Being at the top doesn’t mean being the most expensive, but it does mean being the most qualified.

Search for the Top 3 Dentists in your area who practice in that specialty. Please note that some of our Periodontists (or other specialists) may require a direct referral from a General Dentist. In such cases, you would simply choose one of the general Top 3 Dentists to perform a comprehensive examination on you — and then ask for a referral to the specialist of your choice.

Check out this website for referrals of highly qualified dentists: http://www.top3dentists.com/pages/sleep_apnea

How To Choose The Right Dentist

When it comes to getting the right dental care, there’s nothing as important as choosing the right dentist. The whole process is not as simple as you might think either. Most of the experts in the field suggest that getting the right dentist is a very personal undertaking that demands you first ask yourself what you will expect from this oral health professional.

So we started to ask many of the highly trained dentists, how would they choose a dentist for themselves? The following are the criteria that these dentists considered.

1. Continuing Education: Unlike what we thought, none of these dentists looked at the dental school training. They only looked at the training the dentist have received after graduating from dental school. Most dentists take about 25 hours of continuing education, and the highly qualified and trained dentists usually take upward of 100-200 hours of continuing education.

2. The type of continuing education course: So now comes the question of are all continuing educations the same? The answer was no. Many dentists take courses that do not mean much. The courses and institutions that were highly respected by our panel of dentists were courses at LVI or The Las Vegas Institute, The Pankey Institute, Dawson Center, The Hornbrook Group, The Rosenthal Institute, Nash Institute, Kois Center, OBI or Orognathic Bioesthetic International, Misch Implant Institute, Medical College of Georgia, UCLA Aesthetic Contiuum, MAP Institue, Center for Advanced Dental Education, Brock Rondeau Seminars to name a few.

3. The accolades: These are Fellowships, Diplomate, Mastership awards or board certifications that these dentists have received from different organizations. For many of these the dentists would have to go through vigorous written, oral and practical examinations in order to receive such awards. Depending on which organization they have received these, this would give an indication to the other dentists as to the training and the level of expertise these dentists would have in different fields of dentistry.

4. Years in practice: But most importantly the years they have had these special training for. For example, someone might be practicing dentistry for 20 years, but was doing the same wrong thing. Another one might be practicing for 20 years but have only started to learn these advanced principles for one year, and another dentists has been practicing for 10 years, but have been going through these vigorous and advanced training for 5 years. They all picked the latter of the three choices.

5. Before and After photos: This gives an indication of the work they can perform, make sure these are the dentist’s own work. Some dentists believe it or not, they buy before and after photos and they actually show case these as their own work on their website and in their office. Make sure they have performed cases that are similar to yours and look at the results.

6. Patient testimonials: Ask for 3-5 references. Patients who have had similar procedures done. Talk to them to see what their experience was.

7. After that you can start selecting the names of the dentists that you think you’d like to see.

A great source for finding the highly trained dentists is www.top3dentists.com. The dentists on this site have been invited to join. So unlike any other dental referral source that any one dentist can join, the dentists listed at www.top3dentists.com have been carefully evaluated to make sure they have the highest level of training the each special area of expertise. So now your job is much easier, all you need to do is to choose the one that you think you can get along with the best. Remember, you want to have a long term relationship with your dentist, so you must become a part of their family. Do they like you and do you like them so much that you would be happy to go to visit your dentist?

To find a right dentist, visit www.top3dentists.com.

Tooth Erosion and You

There are several things that you’ll need to watch for when it comes to tooth erosion. No matter how good your dental care plan is and how diligently you look after you teeth, tooth erosion can work away at your teeth regardless of what you do to try and stop it.

Tooth erosion usually shows itself as a sensitivity. Either very hot or cold food or drinks can make you a little edgy, but lesser forms of this problem run all the way to a simple discoloration. While tooth erosion can be a serious problem, there are things that can be done about it and most of these preventative measures are quite simple. First off the experts suggest that you learn to rinse your mouth with water after you eat to neutralize the acid that’s present in many foods.

As well, it’s a good idea if you wait for at least one hour after eating or drinking acidic foods as part of your dental care routine. This allows your teeth to remineralize. It’s important to remember that exposure to these acidic foods can harm your teeth and lead to tooth erosion.

How to prevent halitosis

What is halitosis?
Halitosis is a technical term for something all of us abhor – bad breath. Socially unacceptable, bad breath causes tremendous humiliation. Let us look at the causes of bad breath:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Smelly food
• Use of tobacco
• Smoking
• Certain medication

How can you prevent bad breath?
Preventing bad breath is not a difficult task. You need to follow a few simple tips.

• Follow a proper oral care routine. Keeping your mouth clean is the best way to avoid bad breath. Brush, floss, and clean your tongue regularly.
• Drink plenty of water. Keeping your mouth hydrated helps keep bacteria off your mouth. Drinking water also helps rinse your mouth.
• Watch what you eat. Avoid smelly food like garlic. If you cannot do without it, make sure you clean your mouth thoroughly after consuming it.
• Ask your doctor to provide alternate medicines. If the source of bad breath is your medicine, ask your doctor to give you alternatives. If you cannot take different medicine, ask your dentist for advice on preventing bad breath.
• Cut down on smoking and drinking caffeinated beverages. Smoking and drinking too much coffee and tea aggravate bad breath. Try to cut down on these.

Get the best dentist in your area to help you with understanding the reasons for your bad breath.

I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.
-Author Unknown

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Root Canal Treatment (2)

How painful is the root canal treatment?
Unfortunately, a lot of people refuse to go for the root canal treatment thinking that it is painful. The root canal treatment is definitely a major dental procedure but it is not painful as it is made out to be. A local anesthesia is applied and the patient does not feel much pain apart from a little discomfort in some cases.

Does the affected tooth need extra care after the root canal treatment?
For a few days, you may have to handle the treated tooth with care. Once the tooth is completely fixed with crowns and other aids, treat this tooth the same way as you would take care of the others. Follow a good dental care routine. Top it up with balanced meals and plenty of water. Also, make sure you visit your endodontist regularly.

Does the tooth become dead after the root canal treatment?
The tooth becomes dead technically as it does not have the natural dental pulp underneath it. However, after the treatment, the tooth is fixed properly in your mouth and it can function the same way as your other teeth. The tooth is functionally dead only when it is out of your mouth.

Doesn’t the tooth discolor after the root canal treatment?
Sometimes, the affected tooth discolors. However, your endodontist will be able to restore your tooth’s color with the variety of cleaning and whitening options available.

Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles.
- George Elio

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Root Canal Treatment (1)

What symptoms would indicate that I need a root canal treatment?
The root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is typically preceded by the following symptoms:

• Long lasting toothache
• Swelling in the gums and around a tooth
• Discolored tooth
• Pain on chewing
• Tenderness in the tooth
• Extreme sensitivity to heat and cold

These symptoms do not necessarily indicate a problem with your root canal. Conversely, having no symptom does not mean you do not have a root canal problem.

What does a root canal problem mean?
A root canal problem means that your dental pulp has been injured or infected. This necessitates the removal of the pulp so that you can have normal tooth growth.

Why is it important to go for a root canal treatment?
Avoiding a root canal treatment will cause the infection in your dental pulp to spread. This may eventually lead to the loss of your tooth. The treatment ensures that the infection is removed and your tooth survives.

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.
- Mark Twain

Who is an endodontist?

An endodontist is a specialized dentist who is an expert in treatment of the root canal. Endodontics is that part of dentistry that deals with the root and pulp of the teeth. The term ‘endo’ means ‘inside’ and ‘odons’ refers to ‘teeth’ in Greek. Thus, all problems, ailments, and treatment related to the root and pulp of the teeth fall into this field of dentistry.

The term endodontics is now synonymous with root canal therapy. The root canal treatment is a universally dreaded phenomemon. However, an endodontist makes its easy. If you ask your endodontist, he/she will tell you that the fear is misplaced. An endodontist devotes years on understanding the root canal after regular dental school. His/her word ought to be trusted.

Apart from root canal treatment, the following fall in the purview of endodontics:

• Dental surgery
• Dental accidents
• Infections in the tooth pulp

If you would like to find out the endodontist in your area, let Top3Dentist help you.

A smile is like looking in a mirror. If you give a smile you’re likely to get one back! – Author Unknown

Dental care in children

Adults often neglect the advice handed down by their guardians or even doctors. Expecting children to follow rules and advice is expecting too much. To some extent, it is unfair too. Instead of dictating terms to them, lead by example. Children watch your actions closely and follow what you do. If you are ignoring dental care, they will too.

Apart from setting an example for kids, here are some tips to take care of their dental health:

• Make brushing a fun activity by playing her favorite music when your child brushes. If possible, brush your teeth at the same time as your child. She will follow you and also enjoy being just like you.
• Make sure your child does not swallow the toothpaste. Explain to her that it is not a food and that it is supposed to be spit out.
• Do not just ask your child to bite into fruits etc. Eat along with her. Make eating fruits interesting by cutting them into funny shapes.
• Take your child to the pedodontist for regular check-ups. Also, do not ignore any of her complains about toothache, discomfort etc.

Get out of bed forcing a smile. You may not smile because you are cheerful;
but if you will force yourself to smile you’ll be cheerful because you smile.
- Kenneth Goode

Root Canal Therapy

The pulp of a tooth is the soft tissue that is found inside the tooth, running down through it and into the root of the tooth. When the pulp is severely infected or injured, the tissue dies, leading to the infection of the tooth and eventually causing it to fall out. Root canal therapy (surgery) is a simple procedure that allows a tooth to be saved by removing the pulp, cleaning the tooth, and strengthing the tooth by placing a crown around it to help keep it in place. Contrary to popular belief, root canal surgery is very painless, as the area is completely numbed by the dentist. The only situation where the surgery is painful is when the patient has postponed the treatment for an extended period of time, as a highly infected tooth will always be sore regardless of anesthetics. Overall, root canal therapy is a quick and painless solution to saving an injured tooth, and keeping a beautiful smile.

Top 3 Dentists is a resource for anyone looking for the optimum in dental practice. Being at the top doesn’t mean being the most expensive, but it does mean being the most qualified.

Please click on one of the Dental Categories on the right to discover more about the type of dentistry you may need — and search for the Top 3 Dentists in your area who practice in that specialty. Please note that some of our Periodontists (or other specialists) may require a direct referral from a General Dentist. In such cases, you would simply choose one of the general Top 3 Dentists to perform a comprehensive examination on you — and then ask for a referral to the specialist of your choice.

All about oral surgery

What is oral surgery?
Oral surgery refers to the surgery associated not only with the teeth and gums, but also with the rest of the face, including the jaws.

When is oral surgery required?
Oral surgery is performed for a number of reasons. The primary reasons leading to oral surgery are listed below.

• Broken facial bones: Improper bone development leading to a disfigured jaw requires oral and maxillofacial surgery. An accident causing bone damage in the mouth and jaw may also necessitate an oral surgery.
• Infection in the teeth, gums, or face: An infection that causes inflammation of the gums and face may require a surgery to be treated.
• Snoring: Snoring or sleep apnea, if not treated by non-surgical methods, may require a surgery.
• Improper growth of the wisdom teeth: Sometimes, if the wisdom teeth do not grow properly, it can lead to pain and infection in the gums. The problem of impacted wisdom teeth can be solved through surgery.
• Dental implants: Dental implants, to make up for lost teeth, are fixed through surgery.

If you are looking for a good oral surgeon, let Top3Dentist help you.

An aching tooth is better out than in.
To lose a rotting member is a gain.
- Richard Baxter

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is that part of dentistry that deals with fixing teeth that are no aligned properly. The misalignment of teeth is known as malocclusion in dentistry. Some malocclusions make it difficult for people to speak or eat properly, while other malocclusions make the face look bad. The treatment of malocclusions, therefore, falls in the categories of both restorative and cosmetic treatment.

The most common type of orthodontic treatment for malocclusions is the use of braces. With technological advancements, several orthodontic treatment options are emerging. There is something called Invisalign, that, as the name suggests, makes orthodontic solution as good as invisible. The Invisalign solution comprises aligners that are slowly taking over tradition braces. Invisible braces have long been available in the market. There are also lingual braces that are fixed behind the teeth, hidden from the public eye.

If you have malocclusion, seek an expert’s help to rectify the problem. Ask Top3Dentist to find a good orthodontist in your area.

People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile.
-Lee Mildon

Getting the Smile Designed

A smile is probably the simplest way of communication. Being silent as well as pleasant, a smile touches hearts. What makes a smile so special? After all, it is just pulling of a few muscles. This, like several other mysteries of the universe, remains a mystery.

A smile often gets affected by several factors such as stains on the teeth, improper shape of teeth, chipped teeth, loss of teeth, gaps between teeth, and inflammation of the gums. Cosmetic dentistry today brings several solutions to correct these errors. Sometimes, this type of correction is also referred to as smile design.

Smile design enhances the beauty of a smile. One no longer needs to be disheartened if the appearance of teeth is not proper. Today’s dentistry has solution to all teeth problems. A smile design is customized to your face and personality type. Now the question is, who are the good dentists in your area and how can you find out about them. Ask Top3Dentist. They will help you locate the best dentists in your area.

In one of the next posts, we will discuss the types of smile designs.

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.
- Mother Teresa

Types of Smile Designs

Cosmetic dentistry can help change the appearance of your teeth. The smiles ‘designed’ by cosmetic dentists fall into three categories:

The Sexy Smile Design
Who wouldn’t want a sexy smile? In this type of smile design, the central teeth are longer than the adjacent teeth. This design type makes people attractive by enhancing their facial features. This design type radiates confidence, warmth, mischief, and a certain kind of fearlessness.

The Sporty Smile Design
This smile will win your heart instantly. They exude affection and kindness. In this type of smile design, the central teeth appear a tad bit longer (much shorter than the ones in the sexy smile design type) than the ones adjacent to them. This type of smile is sure to absorb appreciation and warmth from people around.

The Sophisticated Smile Design
Associated with wisdom, the sophisticated smile design displays teeth of the same size. The same-size teeth appear on a straight line. This type of smile design indicates intelligence and sophistication.

I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.
- Author Unknown

How cosmetic dentistry can help you

Cosmetic dentistry is no longer about fashion. It is a part of an evolving lifestyle. People not only care about their skin and hair but also about their teeth and smile. Let’s see how cosmetic dentistry can rescue people.

• A cosmetic dentist can help whiten your teeth. Teeth whitening is more than a mere bleaching process. With time, technology has enabled cosmetic dentists to employ several quick methods to brighten your smile. Apart from advanced whitening techniques, enamel micro-abrasion is a process by which the stains on the teeth can be removed.
• Cosmetic dentistry can correct any teeth errors you may have. Bonding, veneers, and contouring are ways by which a flaw in your teeth can be corrected. If you are embarrassed because of a stain on your tooth, a chipped tooth, uneven teeth, or a wide gap between two teeth, cosmetic dentistry will fix the problem and bring a smile to your face.
• Cosmetic dentistry can also help you choose the way your smile looks. You may not have an apparent dental error but you are still not satisfied with your smile. Cosmetic dentistry enables to aesthetically improve your smile.

If you are looking for a good cosmetic dentist near your place, ask Top3Dentist to help you.

If you’re not using your smile, you’re like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook.
- Les Giblin

Denture Adhesive and Denture Problems

Many people ask what they should do if their dentures are very loose. Especially if the upper denture is loose and either due to financial reasons or medical reasons they can not get dental implants which would be the best way to resolve this issue.

One alternative in these situations is the use of the Mucosal Inserts. These are cost effective easy ways to solve the embarrassing problem of dentures falling out when you speak.

To see what these look like, you can click on the following link:
http://www.parkdentalresearch.com/titanium.htm

Top 3 Dentists is a resource for anyone looking for the optimum in dental practice. Being at the top doesn’t mean being the most expensive, but it does mean being the most qualified.

Please click on one of the Dental Categories on the right to discover more about the type of dentistry you may need — and search for the Top 3 Dentists in your area who practice in that specialty. Please note that some of our Periodontists (or other specialists) may require a direct referral from a General Dentist. In such cases, you would simply choose one of the general Top 3 Dentists to perform a comprehensive examination on you — and then ask for a referral to the specialist of your choice.

What causes bad breath?

Bad breath or Halitosis

Bad breath plagues just about everyone at one time or another. Bad Breath is devastating for ones social life. Many people have been denied employment, failed in business and social engagements and relegated to low social status because of it.

There are four sources of bad breath:
1. The mouth: This includes the teeth, the gums, and the top surface (dorsum) of the tongue, especially the very back of the tongue. Since this type of bad breath is the most common, its diagnosis and treatment will be covered extensively.
2. The upper respiratory tract: Including the nasal cavities, sinuses, throat, tonsils and the larynx (voice box). This is the second most common type of bad breath.
3. The lungs: This could be a temporary issue caused by consumption of certain foods, drugs, or a chronic issue caused by a disease.
4. The stomach: This type of bad breath could be caused by diseases, which could cause chronic vomiting.

80% of all bad breath originates from bacterial overgrowth in the mouth. If you are young, healthy, and do not suffer chronic sinusitis, tonsillitis or laryngitis, chances are good that this section is the most relevant to your problem.

Sulfur compounds created by these bacteria causes the bad breath in the mouth. Anaerobic bacteria grow in the absence of oxygen and produce a chemical call Volatile Sulfur Compound (VSC) which includes things such as rotten egg smell, rotten cabbage smell, and rotten vegetable smell. The anaerobic bacteria metabolize proteins such as dead tissue cells, blood and mucous. Proteins are made from building blocks called amino acids, and the digestion of these amino acids supply the bacteria with energy. Some of the amino acids contain sulfur, and these sulfur compounds are converted to VSC’s as a waste product.

In a healthy mouth there is no bad smell because there is a balance of bacteria flora in the mouth. When the conditions in the mouth change due to disease or other factors such as dehydration or the presence of fermentable substances such as blood, dead cells and shreds of food, the balance of bacteria changes, allowing the overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria at the expense of the rest of the normal floral organisms. The bad odor becomes the result.

There are several chronic or temporary conditions that can shift the balance of bacterial flora toward an overgrowth of the bacteria which produce VSC’s:

Xerostomia or Dry Mouth: Dry mouth dehydrates and creates a concentrated mucous coat over the teeth. The most common type of bad breath caused by dry mouth is morning breath, which is a result of breathing through the mouth while sleeping. Sjorgren’s Syndrome, aging and consumption of numerous drugs cause further dry mouth as well.

Some drugs actually cause Halitosis (not originating in the mouth). Recovery room and operating room personnel can all attest to the incredibly bad breath (originating from the lungs) exhaled by patients recovering from general anesthetic agents after operations. Illegal recreational

Due to lifestyle diet changes and damage from the Illegal drug use, there are tooth decay, poor oral hygiene, and gum disease that can be added to this group as well. have the added liability of lifestyle issues which interact with the dry mouth and make the bad breath much worse.

• People who have high sugar intake, tend to have bad breath, since the sugar sticks to the teeth, harboring bacteria and decaying of the teeth. Decay inside a tooth provides an anaerobic environment and is thus a great place to live if you are a sulfur metabolizing germ. This decaying (dead tooth structure) of the tooth, harbors anaerobic bacteria. Dead things smell bad and since the decay is fairly soft, it absorbs juices from the foods you eat, and that decays as well. As a result, the first place to start on the road to recovery from bad breath is a visit to the dentist for a check up for decay. Even without decay, if the oral hygiene is poor a film of plaque which is composed of bacteria and food debris, accumulates on and between the teeth. Bacteria in the plaque produce VSC’s, causing bad breath. In healthy individuals, this type of bad breath can generally be eliminated simply by brushing and flossing the teeth properly once a day. Flossing is essential since the area between the teeth is more likely to be free of oxygen than any other area of the mouth, and therefore is always a source of bad breath if not kept clean. If you have a problem with bad breath, try smelling a piece of floss after using it to clean between the teeth and see for yourself.

The Gums or Periodontium: The periodontium is composed of bone and gums. In its healthy state, the periodontium is not prone to harboring bacteria, and therefore does not contribute to bad breath. However, when the periodontium is diseased due to bad oral hygiene (due to either lack of brushing or flossing), bacteria begin to eat away at the attachment of the gums to the tooth, and the bone that holds the tooth starts to get destroyed (periodontal disease). As the bone gets destroyed a space is created between the gums and the bone, called a pocket, more and more food and bacteria and dead stuff accumulates in this space, which provides an oxygen inhibited area, which is a perfect growth area for the anaerobic bacteria. As a result, the gums become red and inflamed, and will bleed. The anaerobic bacteria digest the blood and necrotic (dead) gum tissues producing lots of VSC’s.

Bad breath from periodontal disease is the worst bad breath there is. If you have bad breath, and you are not cleaning between your teeth on a regular basis, then the chances are good that you are suffering from at least minor periodontal disease. A dentist can diagnose and treat this condition if you wish to eliminate bad breath. Partially impacted wisdom teeth may also cause bad odor. The cure for bad breath caused by impacted wisdom teeth is the removal of the offending tooth/teeth by an oral surgeon.

• Tongue: The top surface of the tongue is covered with structures called papillae. They are the microscopic hairlike projections that produce the pink, velvety coating on the top surface of a healthy tongue. The Shedding of the filliform papillae is slower on the back part of the tongue compared to the front, as a result, the papillae there tend to grow longer. These longer hairs are an ideal place for bacterial colonies to hang out. Anaerobic bacteria thrive within the continuously forming layer of mucous, food debris, dead cells and dead bacteria that is always present in this area.

To eliminate odor due to plaque and bacterial build up over the tongue, one must simply scrape the tongue vigorously all the way to the back side of the tongue. Make sure you stick your tongue out all the way, take a look at the back end of your tongue and make sure that you are scraping this section very well. Performing this routine at night time, will also reduce the morning breath as well. It is normal to gag during this process, however, persistence pays off, and the gagging subsides over time as you get used to it.

Remember, this scraping must be vigorous enough to give your tongue a “haircut”, but not so vigorous that you cause pain or bleeding. If you look at (or smell) the material that you scrape off the tongue, you will see why there is so much potential for bad breath from it. Gargling and brushing your tongue with 1.5% hydrogen peroxide ( generally the hydrogen peroxide sold at stores are 3% so you may dilute with water 50%) will help to get rid of the compounds left behind as a by product of the anaerobic bacteria. This accomplishes two things, the oxygen released from hydrogen perdoxide, combines with VSC’s and neutralizes them, not only that but also it kills the anaerobic bacteria.

Bad breath caused by structures in the upper respiratory system (Ozostomia) are completely different. These are:

• Sinusitis and post nasal drip
Although sinusitis does not directly cause bad breath, it produces a large amount of mucous which tends to drip down the back of throat, coating both the back of throat and tongue ( post nasal drip, which has a sour tasting sulfur smell to it and because this thick layer is stuck to the back of the throat, it forces the patient to do forceful swallowing constantly.. The cure for post nasal drip is to treat the condition causing it.

The common cold, flu or allergy often cause post nasal drip. Ultimately, the cure for post nasal drip due to these conditions is to wait them out. There are certain medications that may be taken to speed up the recovery process. Sudafed, Guaifenesin and antihistamines are good medications to be used to relieve some of these symptoms faster. At times antibiotics might be useful.

• Tonsillitis and Tonsilloliths, the infection of the tonsils. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for these instances. For recurring tonsillitis in children, it is recommended for the tonsils to be evaluated for their removal. At times these tonsils can create airway obstructions, which can lead to snoring, lack of sleep, allergic shiners under the eyes, mouth breathing at night or day, lack of attention, tiredness or even hyperactivity, poor school performance, and even ADHD. The tonsils and the airways must be evaluated by dentists who have proper training in this arena and be referred to the proper specialists. Neuromuscular Dentists in general always evaluate the airways and posture of the children.

• Stomatodysodia is bad breath caused by disease processes in the lungs such as bronchitis and pulmonary abscess, as well as chronic problems like tuberculosis, pneumonia, emphysema, and lung cancer. Prolonged bed rest can cause mucous accumulation which can lead to bad breath. Cigarette smokers suffer from the same problem as well.

• Halitosis (bad breath stemming from systemic metabolic conditions) is a term invented in 1921 by the Listerine company. The bacteria and chemicals from systemic disease are carried to the lungs via the bloodstream. Halitosis is also the term used to describe mouth and throat odor due to vomiting. There are three types of halitosis:

• Physiologic halitosis is temporary and is a result of eating certain aromatic foods such as herbs, spices, certain cold cuts, curries, onions, garlic, radishes, turnips and leeks, or drinks certain types of liquids such as wine, brandy, whisky, liqueurs, beer, tea and coffee. Foods such as these are the most common source of transient (temporary) bad breath, and the cure for physiologic halitosis is simply to avoid aromatic foods, or to wait out the effects.

Pathological halitosis originates in the lungs due to a disease process. This is not easily reversible. One must first treat the underlying conditions. Some of the common condition that cause pathologic halithosis are diabetes, Uremia, Gastritis, Gastric Ulcer, Liver disease or hepatitis.

Pathological halitosis originating in the stomach is caused by conditions which produce chronic vomiting which coats the throat and mouth, creating a foul odor.

• Acid Reflux Disease (ARD–Formerly known as GERD)–This is generally controlled using H2 blockers like Tagamet, Zantac or Pepsid.

• Pyloric Stenosis–A developmental condition found in infants which causes vomiting, and is corrected surgically.

• Some other conditions that cause chronic vomiting and result in pathoogic vomiting are migraine headaches, morning sickness, food poisoning, food allergies, bulimea, alcoholism, certain medications and chemotherapy.

Smoking And Dental Health

When you’re trying to put together a dental care program so that you’ll be able to enjoy your teeth well into old age, one of the first things that you want to do is make sure that you don’t include smoking. We all know the risks involved with tobacco and lung cancer, but there isn’t always as much exposure given to the negative results when it comes to your teeth and gums. One of the biggest dental care tips that you can get is to avoid the use of tobacco since it can negatively affect your gums and teeth.

If you smoke you don’t heal as well or as fast as someone who doesn’t. That can become a problem for those people who have had recent oral surgery. As well there are more obvious negative consequences to smoking and oral health. Smoking causes bad breath as well as a buildup of tartar on the teeth that can lead to a need for more frequent trips to the dentist for cleanings. As well, the use of tobacco can cause bad breath.

Top 3 Dentists is a resource for anyone looking for the optimum in dental practice. Being at the top doesn’t mean being the most expensive, but it does mean being the most qualified.

Search for the Top 3 Dentists in your area who practice in that specialty. Please note that some of our Periodontists (or other specialists) may require a direct referral from a General Dentist. In such cases, you would simply choose one of the general Top 3 Dentists to perform a comprehensive examination on you — and then ask for a referral to the specialist of your choice.

Are you thinking of having Dental Implants? Stop and Read This First.

Dental Implants:
So you are thinking about having dental implants huh? We are here to make your job easy in this process. There is quite that you and your dentist need to know about this procedure. And if everyone involved is well informed and prepared, the process is very simple and you will enjoy your brand new teeth for a very long time.

I am going to throw in a monkey in the wrench for you first however. Imagine Dr. Average. He has never done or placed any implants. The last time he had taken a course in anatomy was way back in the first year of dental school, and he has been out of school for a good 20 years. Let’s make him one of the doctors who has never done any surgery, meaning, he has never cut the gums, nor has he ever had to put any stitches on anyone. Dr. Average decides that he wants to start doing implants. So he finds an online course for dental implants, or a one day course if he is slightly more motivated, and Monday morning, he is an implantologist and unbeknownst to you, you are his first patient!

So what are the things you must know and learn before you have dental implants. The first thing is are you a good candidate for dental implants? People who suffer from medical conditions that has an effect on the immune system of the body, or inflammatory system, would need to be further evaluated. This is why a thorough, updated medical history is needed. At time, blood lab work up need to be done prior to having dental implants done. Anti inflammatory medications, steroids, pain medications and antibiotics are some of the medications that maybe prescribed to you before and after this procedure.

What else? Well, the big question is why do you need dental implants? Is it because you have broken your tooth? Then the cause of this needs to be evaluated. If not, you can do the same damage to the implants. What if you lost your tooth or teeth due to periodontal or gum disease? Did you know that you could lose the implants due to the same reason as well? Your diet, the PH of your mouth, your stress level, how you eat, chew, how the muscles of your head and neck function, all play a role in determining if you are a good candidate for dental implants or not. And if not, what are some alternatives, and or things that you can do to make you a good candidate for it now?

So what else does your dentist need to evaluate? Your dentist must evaluate the quality of your bone. Some implant companies even provide different types of implants for different types of bone. I will give you an example. Let’s say, you just bought a 2 beautiful 42 inch flat screen TV’s to be mounted on the wall in your house. One, you would like it to go on your living room wall (dry wall). The other, you would like it to go on a thick, old Oak entertainment center. Do you use the same screws or even number of screws for mounting these TVs? The same concept applies to dentistry. There are different types of quality and denseness of bone in the mouth. First of all, without taking CT scans, the only other way that a dentist can evaluate the quality of the bone is when they start to place the implant in your mouth, purely by the way the bone feels. Is this really scientific? You be the judge of that. CT scans today are an important piece of the puzzle to evaluate patients and also to treatment plan dental implants. The next thing is planning the implants. Where should it go and at what angle? These are the questions that the dentist who is going to be placing the crown over the implant (or the denture) will determine. If there are two dentists, a surgeon and a restorative, they must collaborate. Who is the quarter back? The restorative or the dentist who places the crown, not the surgeon.

Unfortunately, this does not happen often. Many times, the surgeons are the ones who determine where they would like the implant to go and then the restorative dentist ends up having to restore a positionally and esthetically compromised implant.

Why do you have to know these things? Because these steps are not followed properly most often.

So where do you start?

1. Have your medical history be checked thoroughly by your dentist or dentists. Make sure no lab works are needed. Make sure you are a good candidate for dental implants, get rid of all existing causes of damage and pathology, correct bite issues, get gum disease and bite disease and dietary issues under control.
2. Consult the Restorative Dentist first. They must take models of your mouth, determine where they want the crowns to go, have special stents made by the lab.
3. You will wear these stents and have a CT scan of your jaw done.
4. The restorative dentist determines, the position and angulation of the crown that needs to be positioned in your mouth.
5. The surgeon determines if there is adequate bone to position the implant in the proper position and angulation that the restorative dentist had requested. If not, then bone grafting, sinus grafting or other procedures will be needed. The surgeon will evaluate the thickness of your gums as well.
6. The number of implants, type (based on the preference of both dentists and also based on your bone quality), the size and length of implant are all determined by both dentists.
7. The procedure is performed on the CT scan once virtually to make sure not complications in terms of positioning and anatomical structure (such as nerve damage) will happen. The CT scan will be sent to special labs to have a surgical stent fabricated so that the surgeon will duplicate with much accuracy the placement of the implant in your mouth in comparison to the CT scan or virtual version.
8. Once the surgical stent is available, then, you will be scheduled to have your implant(s) placed.

Follow the post op instructions, ice your face and take the proper medications. Very simple….. or is it?

How do you now determine who has the experience? And what does their training mean? I would recommend going to www.top3dentists.com to evaluate the dentists’ training, to evaluate the courses they have taken, their accolades and educating yourself as to what each course means to you. I would start with a Full Mouth Rejuvenation Dentist first and then you can look for an IMPLANT DENTIST if the first dentist did not place their own implants. Again, make sure they have the same level of expertise in the surgical aspect as they have in the restorative aspect of dental implantology. A thorough examination, treatment planning is the key to success. Do not underestimate the power of preparation.

Hip Graft

What is a hip graft?
One of the easiest ways of filling in the area of the jaw that has lost extensive bone is to use bone from the hip. A “hip graft” involves collecting bone from the pelvis above the hip joint. You can usually feel the area of bone that will be used as it forms the bony lump about 6 inches (20cm) above and in front of the hip joint.

What does this surgery involve?
A cut will be made through the skin immediately over the bone that is planned to be removed. The size of this cut will depend on the amount of bone your surgeon needs. If only a small amount of bone (eg to graft a cleft site) is needed, the incision will only be a couple of inches long.

What will the hip area look like after the bone has been removed?
At the end of the procedure, the incision area will be carefully stitched together. At times a small plastic tube (”drain”) may be placed into the wound. This tube is connected to a bottle and allows any tissue fluid or blood to drain for a day or so. A second tube might be placed in the wound if the size of the wound is large. Through this tube local anaesthetic can be administered to reduce the pain.

What can I expect after the procedure?
Soreness for a few days to a couple of weeks is common depending on the amount of bone that was removed. You may have some problems walking for this period of time as well. Rarely you might need to use a walking stick for a few weeks after the operation.

How long will I be in hospital?
Your length of stay depends not only on your hip graft but also on the other procedures that you have had carried out at the same time. But you should expect a couple of days in hospital.

What do I do when I get home?
A dressing will be placed over the wound and you must keep the area dry till it is removed. Do not drive or operate machinery for 48 hours after a general anaesthetic. If you find walking difficult when you get home you may also not be able to drive for a while because it is only safe to do so when you can safely perform an emergency stop in your vehicle.

What are the possible complications?
Bleeding is a common complication that can be stopped very quickly by applying pressure for at least 10 minutes with a rolled up gauze pad.

Infection is uncommon particularly if antibiotics are used.

If you are having an implant placed into your lower jaw be aware that some nerves may lie close to the site of surgery. One of these supplies feeling to your lower lip, chin and lower teeth and the other supplies feeling to your tongue and helps with taste. Sometimes these nerves may be bruised when an implant is placed or a surgery is performed. This can cause tingling or numbness in your lip, chin or tongue, and more rarely altered taste. The chances of these nerves being bruised depends on exactly where your implant is going to be placed and how much bone there is around the nerves. Your surgeon will tell you what the risk is for you.

Top 3 Dentists is a resource for anyone looking for the optimum in dental practice. Being at the top doesn’t mean being the most expensive, but it does mean being the most qualified.

Search for the Top 3 Dentists in your area who practice in that specialty. Please note that some of our Periodontists (or other specialists) may require a direct referral from a General Dentist. In such cases, you would simply choose one of the general Top 3 Dentists to perform a comprehensive examination on you — and then ask for a referral to the specialist of your choice.

Headaches, Neck Aches, Dizziness, Ringing in my ears. Can my dentist help me with these issues?

What is TMJ/TMD/CMD?

TMJ, TMD, and CMD are all terms for an abnormal imbalance between the jaw joint, the position of your teeth and muscles. Each jaw joint is a ball and socket joint with a thin disc of cartilage that rides between them. The disc acts as a cusion and allows the joint to move smoothly.

Each disc is held in place and guided by muscles and ligaments. When your bite is not in alignment (asin cases were the follwoing may occur: deep overbite, lower jaw too far back, narrow upper jaw or upper front teeth crooked and or tipped backwards or lower front teeth crooked) the jaw joints can become compressed.

Typically, when the joints are compressed, the disc is pulled forwrd. The lower jaw then has a tendency to go back too far and the top of the lower jaw, which resembles a ball presses on the nerves and blood vessels at the back of the socket and causes pain. The forward displaced fo the disc also causes the various noises within the jaw joints such as clicking and popping sounds.

Patients must be aware that any noises or pain that occur during the normal opening and closing of the jaw is an indication that the jaw joints have become dislocated. As a result, patients are advised to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid allwoing the problem to get worse or irreversible. The mroe severe displacement can be very painful an evnetually can cause permanent damage to the joint. An unstable bite can cause both jaw joint displacement and muscle strain and pain and can be made worse by changes in head and neck posture due to bodily trauma.

Symptoms of TMJ/TMD/ CMD:

These disorders have been called the "Great Imposters" due to the fact that many of the symptoms have overlapping characteristics which often mimic other conditions. Because these symptoms masquerade so many other conditions, many people travel from medical doctor to medical specialists in search of a cure. Most patients never think to contact a dentist sicne the symptoms are primarily medical in nature.
Symptoms may include any of the following:

• Headaches (tension and migraine)
• Ear aches, congestion or ringing in the ears
• Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening and closing the mouth
• Limited jaw opening or locking
• Neck pain or stiffness
• Dizziness and fainting
• Pain when chewing
• Facial Pain
• Difficulty closing the teeth together
• Tired jaws when chewing
• Difficulty in swallowing

Signs that you may have a "TMJ" or CMD problem:

1. Clenching or grinding of the teeth (burxism) is a common sign. The clenching and grinding of the teeht put additional stress on already tired, overworked muscles and can result in pain being referred tothe head, neck, face, shoulder or back.

2. headaches are one of the most common complaints of "TMJ" sufferers and these headaches are frequently so severe they can be confused with migraine headaches. "TMJ" headaches are most often felt in the temple area, behind the eyes and at the back of the head with pain radiating to the neck and shoulders. Migraine headaches are mainly on one side with the patient suffering from the visual disturbances and being extremely sensitive to light. Migraine headaches can be very similar to headaches caused by dilocated joints and imbalanced muscle function.

3. If you suspect a migraine headache, then every effort should be made to rul out any other physical causes. If the TMJ (jaw Joint) is the problem, the Erfani technique of treating TMJ is the initial step.

To find a dentist who has been properly trained in TMJ diagnosis and treatment, please visit www.top3dentists.com