Tooth loss can happen for any number of reasons. Whether you’ve lost your natural teeth or had them intentionally removed for medical reasons, replacing them will be of paramount importance. Depending on the amount of teeth that are missing there are various options available to you and implants could be the solution. One of the most common questions patients ask when considering their options relates to the practicality of relying on implants to replace large numbers of teeth. While most people are familiar with the concept of having one or two implants surgically installed, many are unaware that all of their teeth can be replaced with implants.

Dentures vs. Implants

Patients who have suffered a significant amount of tooth loss must consult with their dentist to decide if implants are the way to go or if another solution such as dentures is the better option. Dentures are a temporary alternative that can be removed from the mouth daily. Since they are not anchored to the bone, dentures may move around, become dislodged and cause discomfort to the gums. Implants, on the other hand, are designed to be permanent fixtures in the mouth and look, feel, and behave more like normal teeth.

Choosing Implants

Patients who opt to go with implants to replace their teeth must be considered a good candidate for the procedure. In order to determine if the surgery will be a success your dentist will conduct a full examination first. That may include X-rays to assess if you have proper bone mass to support anchoring for the implants and checking the gums to see if they are healthy enough to heal properly after the procedure takes place. Patients at high risk for gum diseases may be denied the surgical procedure, as the implants won’t heal correctly.

Replacing All Teeth

If you opt for implants to replace all of the teeth in your mouth, special implant-supported bridges or dentures will need to be implanted in your mouth. Posts are anchored to the jaw just the same as with singular implants. But unlike the standard versions of those appliances, these versions are rooted to the jaw for permanent placement. This alternative also preserves the bone in your jaw, preventing it from erosion that could result from traditional dentures. Bone erosion can occur at the areas where there is no tooth rooted to the jaw and it may start to resorb in those locations.

Hypodontia is a condition in which a person has missing teeth because these failed to develop at the right time. Also known as tooth agenesis, it includes people who are missing up to five permanent teeth. Third molars are not counted, so only individuals missing other permanent teeth are considered to have hypodontia. If someone is missing six or more permanent teeth, the condition is called oligodontia.

Hypodontia Is Common

One of the most common dental development anomalies in humans, hypodontia comes in a couple of different forms. Syndromic hypodontia is caused by a systemic syndrome or condition, and isolated hypodontia is not related to any syndrome. Diagnosing the condition requires x-rays. Examinations of six-year-olds can determine if they have hypodontia, which may be diagnosed due to delayed teeth eruptions, persistence of primary teeth, and alveolar bone hypotrophy.

Why People Get Hypodontia

The condition can be genetic, so one may be missing teeth if there are anomalies in the genes involved in teeth development. In fact, genetics is the most common cause. Other causes include trauma, infection, chemotherapeutic agents, and radiation therapy. Pregnant women on thalidomide have delivered babies with hypodontia as well.
In the case of missing isolated teeth, the cause isn’t always known. The thinking is this can be related to genetic factors or something in the environment. Reports have also associated the condition with increased maternal age, so older mothers may have a higher risk of delivering babies with hypodontia. It’s also associated with Down syndrome and a condition known as ectodermal dysplasia. Other factors include an embryo being infected with the rubella virus, low birth weight, or if a mother has had multiple births.

Treatments for Hypodontia

Several treatments are available, which include the use of prosthetics such as fixed or removable partial dentures, and over dentures. Retainers, braces, and other fixed appliances are used as part of orthodontic treatment for the condition. Long term management is often the strategy. Dental professionals also recommend good oral hygiene and a healthy diet, but hypodontia treatments are highly recommended to address aesthetics and the potential for psychological impacts in people with it.

A similar condition is hyperdontia, which means there are more teeth in a person’s mouth than there should be. For cases where there is a reduced number of teeth, you may hear terms such as agnesis of teeth, congenital missing teeth, aplasia of teeth, and others that might not seem familiar. Your dentist will explain what it means if you have hypodontia or another related condition.

You suddenly notice something doesn’t feel right in your mouth. A quick check in the mirror and a poke of your finger reveal an adult tooth is loose. You quickly think back to childhood, knowing a loose baby tooth is sure to fall out. That’s not necessarily the case with an adult tooth. There are many things that can be done to secure the tooth and allow it to heal.

Many adults will experience loose teeth at some point in their lives. It can happen at any age. An injury to the mouth, tooth grinding, or gum disease can affect the stability of the tooth and its socket. If you’ve been hit in the jaw and the injury doesn’t seem that severe, you could wait a few days to see if the tooth tightens up. This often happens as the swelling subsides and stretched periodontal ligaments heal.

How Dentists Treat Loose Adult Teeth

A dentist’s first reaction is not going to pull out the loose tooth, because most of the time it can be treated. They’ll diagnose the problem through a physical exam and x-rays. Once the see what is wrong and what’s causing the tooth to be loose, they can choose a treatment that will help you.

One of the most common loose tooth treatments is tooth splinting. A splint is bonded to the loose tooth and other ones that are stable, which keeps it in place until the healing process is complete. That can take a few days to a couple of weeks.

Teeth grinding is another reason adult teeth become loose. The high forces and constant strain while you are sleeping can injure your teeth enough for them to loosen, but a mouth guard can be worn to prevent loose teeth or stabilize those that become loose. Dentists will also look for gum disease, which will require a deep cleaning to get all the bacteria out of the gums and remove plaque build-up from between the teeth. Once the gums are clean, they can become healthier and your loose teeth will tighten up.

Changing the Biting Forces

Excess force is a common cause for loose teeth. If grinding isn’t the cause for the problem, the dentist can reshape the affected tooth and the one that is contacting it. Modifying the forces on the teeth facilitates healing. A loose adult tooth may not be as perilous as you think; your dentist may have simple treatments that will allow it to heal.

There is now a great deal of evidence that links gum disease to a variety of serious health issues. Treatable problems such as gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, and periodontitis, a more serious condition where the gums pull away from the teeth, can lead to more trouble down the road. Bad breath, mild swelling, or bleeding gums are often ignored. However, these signs should not be ignored as they can lead to systemic chronic infections and serious diseases.

Active Bacterial Infections Spread from the Mouth to the Body

Gum disease is an active bacterial infection. If bacteria leave the confines of the oral cavity, they can colonize other parts of the body and fester. In fact, research has shown the plaque that builds up on teeth consists of the same bacteria found in the arteries of people with heart disease.

Bacteria can easily get into the bloodstream from the mouth. The body’s response to inflammation and bacterial attack is a concern as well. Not only can gum disease lead to tooth loss and destruction of flesh and bone tissue. It can affect the body’s ability to fight off other infections, and cause toxins to enter the blood. There’s also evidence bacteria from the oral cavity can attack and kill white blood cells.

The Effects of Chronic Inflammation

If inflammation becomes chronic, it can eventually lead to an array of diseases. These include but are not limited to heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. The incidence of these diseases and gum problems has been strongly correlated. Therefore, the risk of developing heart problems, stroke, and even pneumonia is higher if you have an untreated gum disease.
How to Avoid Health Issues Related to Gum Disease

You can potentially avoid heart, lung, and immunological and other problems by maintaining your oral health. Brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings can remove plaque and tartar so bacteria don’t fester. A proper diet rich in minerals can help your body deal with oral bacteria. You should care for your immune system as well, which can be done by properly dealing with stress, avoiding smoking, and getting enough sleep.

It is important to remember your mouth isn’t isolated from the rest of the body. Unchecked problems such as gum disease can lead to serious health issues down the road. Let that be an incentive to tend to oral hygiene on a daily basis.

The term CEREC is becoming mainstream in the field of dentistry. It stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. Technology is revolutionizing the dental industry and computers are not left out of the equation. CEREC dentistry involves using CAD/CAM systems and 3D technology. Although it has been around since 1987, dental practices are increasingly using this technology to treat broken, weak, or decayed teeth and provide fillings and crowns faster than before.

Why CEREC Is Preferred

Literally hundreds of studies have proven the safety of CEREC tooth restorations and about 30 million of them have been completed. Dentist can now use 3D photography and a CAD/CAM system to design a crown, bridge, or onlay/inlay. No impressions are needed, saving time and contributing to a more comfortable experience for the patient (no gagging). The system also includes a milling unit, so restorations can be produced while the patient is sitting in the chair.

For patients, CEREC is convenient and efficient. The results are long-lasting plus one does not have to wait long or even make a second appointment to complete their dental restoration. Crowns and bridges are made in the dental office. One does not have to deal with a crown, for example, coming back from the lab with an incorrect fit.

In addition, all materials are biocompatible and contain no harmful metals that can lead to health problems later. CEREC also replaces amalgam fillings with composites that are safe. These do not have the toxic compounds known to exist in mercury and other metal fillings.

CEREC Is Making Dentistry More Efficient

The experience for dentists and patients is changing thanks to this advanced revolutionary technology. Restorations can be completed in one appointment, and computer technology is helping to more easily obtain a perfect fit and look. The bonding technology is stronger as well, and includes highly durable ceramics and resins.

CEREC eliminates the need for patients to wear temporary crowns, a traditional inconvenience associated with restorations. There is also no need to wait for an outside dental lab to complete the finished product, nor are there messy molds to deal with. The process is therefore more convenient for the dental professional, as it is simpler and patients are more receptive to the treatment. More dentists are switching to CEREC than ever before, so tooth restorations don’t have to be unpleasant for anyone involved in the process.

Think of your teeth as a great wall. If one or more pieces of the wall are missing, it allows a place for foreign intruders to enter. In this case the intruders could be bacteria, which can lead to other problems and be very uncomfortable. Your local medical or dental professional can assist you through the procedure of dental implants to bring your smile back. Whether you were struck, involved in an accident or altercation, or just have a bad tooth, there are several reasons why you should always make sure your “wall of teeth” are kept in tact.

Shifting Teeth

When a tooth is missing, it can cause the teeth around the missing tooth socket to shift. They will start to grow in more crooked and this can alter your bite and have lasting consequences. Your top jaw and bottom jaw will also fall out of alignment, which can lead to TMJ Syndrome. Your beautiful smile will start to be affected and this is why it’s important to see a dentist about implants right away.

Gum Disease

Your teeth aren’t the only things affected by leaving a tooth missing. Your gums might be affected by the bacteria that can creep into the missing tooth socket. Your other teeth being shifted may also prevent you from being able to brush your gums correctly and this is another way bacteria can build up.

Face Shape Alteration

Eventually, if a missing tooth is not tended to properly, your jawbone may start to deteriorate and this can lead to your bone structure being altered. What was once a preventable predicament involving a simple dental implant has now grown into a larger problem affecting your outward physical appearance.

These are just some of the reasons it is important to maintain regular dental check ups and brush/floss your teeth daily. By getting into the habit of this now, you will be decreasing your chance of having complications due to missing teeth. If you are in an accident or end up having a missing tooth, seek out an implant dentist and they’d be happy to help you through this ordeal. It is much better to seek help sooner rather than later as time passing without a tooth can have tremendous consequences down the line. Keeping your wall of teeth in tact will also leave you with a more approachable and confident smile.

If you have had porcelain veneers put in, you probably know that from time to time they can become dirty. Veneers are tricky and if you have the older, coarse material veneers you may want to think about an update. The porcelain is more durable but they can still get dirty. Unfortunately whitening gels do not work on porcelain veneers, but there are several ways to ensure that your veneers stay as glowing as the day you got them.

Polishing

Make sure that you are going in for a routine polishing every couple of months. The dentists have tools that can dig deep into the veneer and polish it back to its bright and white originality. Sometimes after a while, food or dark drinks like red wine can collect at the top of the veneer. This, combined with the gums natural recession with aging can create a small brown ring around the veneer. This can be taken care of by stopping by your local dentist. They will polish your veneers and get rid of the nasty brown line. This will hopefully bring your smile and veneers back to their original whiter selves.

Trauma

If you’ve experienced any kind of striking or trauma to the face, it can directly affect your veneers. While the veneers themselves can not be whitened. It might be possible to whiten the entire tooth. Your teeth contain dentin, which is the tissue inside a tooth. If you are struck, your dentin can start to brown. This may give the appearance of your veneers starting to brown. Try this…place some whitening gel on the back of the affected tooth. Do this routinely and the whitening gel should slowly seep through and restore the tooth’s dentin. This will then, in turn, restore the appearance of the porcelain veneer and bring your smile back to its original color.

If you have questions about caring for or maintaining your porcelain veneers it is a good idea to schedule a time to talk to your friendly neighborhood dentist. They will be able to offer advice that is specifically geared towards your predicament and they will be able to take you through the steps for proper at home treatment of the veneers. Porcelain veneers can be tricky but you don’t have to lose hope if they start to darken. Usually a simple polish is all they need to keep you smiling confidently!

Wisdom teeth are tricky. They can sometimes cause multiple problems, even requiring surgery to get rid of them. Other times they just sit there, growing in your mouth without any noticeable feeling of pain or discomfort. But when they do decide to ‘act up’ you’ll definitely feel it. Wisdom tooth migraines can be a terrible ordeal to suffer through. However, once you understand what is causing this pain, you can better talk to your dentist about correcting it.

So what exactly is going on in your mouth? As your wisdom teeth slowly peek out of your gums, your gum will naturally create a little pillowed gum pouch where the tooth is trying to push through. Rather than bite down on this pouch many people change their bite or adjust their jaw position. This is not a good idea. Changing your bite can have lasting effects and create what is known as a ‘bad bite.’ Having a bad bite results in your jaw muscles being used incorrectly and this is when headaches can start to occur. Your jaw will start to spasm if it’s being held in the wrong position for too long and this spasm is why wisdom teeth migraines are particularly painful.

Treating your wisdom tooth headache

Don’t worry! There is a solution. The best way to stop wisdom teeth headaches is to, of course, remove all wisdom teeth. This will ensure that you do not experience any more pain from these devious little teeth. Talk to your dentist or an oral surgeon about the procedure. If only one tooth is giving you problems or is “impacted” you may want to consider just getting the one removed. Or if you want to go ahead and get them all removed you can save any potential headaches or impacted wisdom teeth in the future.

In any case, you should definitely be aware of your mouth and if you start to feel wisdom teeth creeping in, you should seek help. You want to make sure you fix the problem sooner rather than later. By talking to an oral surgeon or dentist, you’ll be able to deal with these not so wise mouth bandits once and for all. Your friendly dentist will assist you in figuring out the best plan of attack against your wisdom teeth and this will ensure that the annoying wisdom tooth headaches are a thing of the past!

The last thing you will want to deal with after paying to have your teeth whitened is discoloration. The following presents a few tips concerning how to keep your teeth white after a professional whitening.

A Committed Oral Hygiene Schedule Is A Must

A routine schedule includes brushing and flossing twice per day in addition to receiving a professional cleaning on a bi-annual basis. Maintaining this routine will is a great preventative step against basic stains, minor discoloration, and other easily preventable issues. Additionally, take care to brush within half an hour of each meal or after consuming foods high in acid and/or starch, and ensure that you thoroughly rinse with water. And speaking of problematic foods…

Don’t Let Dry Mouth Ruin Your Smile

Dry mouth affects your body’s saliva production. Saliva is the body’s natural defense against acids that erode enamel. One potential side-effect of a whitening treatment is that your saliva can sometimes become sparse, making your mouth dry. This results in a condition commonly known as dry mouth. Dry mouth makes it easier for stains to accumulate, which results in both tooth discoloration and enamel deterioration.

Banish Coffee, Tobacco, And Acidic Foods From Your Diet

Acidic drinks, foods like tomatoes and oranges, and things you wouldn’t normally suspect, like vitamin C tablets, are enemies of tooth enamel. Minimizing their presence in your diet or removing them entirely will help keep your enamel strong. If you use tobacco or drink coffee and are unable to cut either one entirely out of your life, then the next best thing is to limit their intake, as excessive use will surely stain your newly-whitened teeth and wear on your enamel.

Maintain A Regular Checkup Schedule With Your Dentist

This one seems obvious, but many people still do not adhere to a routine dental visit. These are crucial to maintaining a bright smile as the dentist can provide a wide variety of preventative treatments as well as make recommend products you can purchase to use at home. Additionally, you will want to make sure that you arte maintaining a normal oral hygiene schedule: brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash twice per day, as well as brushing after any contact with any highly acidic or starchy foods.
If you still feel you need to further whiten your teeth, your dentist could make you a custom-fitted tray so you can whiten your teeth at home. Make sure to have a conversation with your dentist before attempting anything by yourself.

No matter how hard you prepare, adjusting to new dentures can be a rough experience. It can be hard to eat and talk in the beginning. Over time, you will adjust to life with dentures. It just takes a little patience and, of course, healing.

The first few weeks with dentures should be considered an adjustment period. Expect to be sore at first, especially if you have had tooth extractions. Your dentist will tell you to rinse with warm salt water, and maybe prescribe some pain killers, to alleviate the soreness. Over time, the pain will abate, and it will become easier to eat solid food.

Returning to Normal Activities

It can take up to a month before you can engage in all your favorite activities. At first, the dentures may feel loose. Their fit may change as your gums heal, so your dentist may have to make periodic adjustments. Your cheek muscles and tongue will become conditioned to keeping your dentures in place so they won’t slip as much. Also, it’s normal to have increased saliva in the beginning, but this usually decreases over time.

Practice Eating

It is essential to eat soft foods for the first few days with dentures. Cut everything into small bites and chew very slowly. Make sure you chew on both sides of your mouth so the dentures stay affixed. Continue adding foods to your diet as you get accustomed to chewing with dentures. Hot foods, hard items, and anything with sharp edges should be eaten very carefully.

Get Into a Normal Routine

After a couple of weeks, you should start getting used to the dentures in your mouth. They may slip at times, which you may notice when you smile, cough, or laugh. By this point, however, you can usually start using an adhesive that holds the dentures in place. Speaking problems should abate as you get adjusted, but tell your dentist if they don’t. Some experts recommend singing as a way to recondition the way you move your jaw and tongue when speaking.

The most important thing to remember is to be patient. In the beginning, many denture wearers slur, gag, or have a strange feeling. Adjusting to new dentures is a learning experience. You will soon be able to do all the things you once enjoyed, from indulging in a favorite meal to having engaging conversations with friends and family.