DENTAL IMPLANTS (PART 1)

What Are Implants?

Dental implants are artificial substitutes for natural tooth roots. They act as an anchor for a false tooth or a set of false teeth. Implants have been in use for many years, they are effective, natural-looking replacements for missing teeth. After a thorough evaluation your dentist surgically prepares your jaw and makes your prosthesis (substitute teeth).

The Fixture

Titanium fixtures (like screws) are inserted surgically into the jawbone. The operation is usually carried out under local anesthetic and lasts for approximately one hour. In the course of healing the titanium fixtures take firm root in the jawbone. Healing times vary depending on upper or lower jawbone. 

GUM DISEASE (PART 3)

Prevention

You can prevent gum disease by taking care of your teeth along with regular dental checkups.

1. Remove plaque before it becomes tartar by brushing well, twice a day.
2. Floss regularly, and don’t be afraid to clean ‘below’ the gum line.
3. Eat healthy foods. Diet can play a big part in preventing gum disease.
4. Visit your dentist regularly. Professional cleaning is a big help when combating gum disease.

GUM DISEASE (PART 2)

Early Periodontitis

As periodontitis sets in, the gums begin to ‘pull away’ and more of the tooth is exposed. Plaque attaches itself securely to this newly exposed area and hardens into tartar. Pockets form between the teeth and gums, which harbour bacteria and worsen the condition.

Advanced Periodontitis

Eventually so much of the tooth is unprotected that it begins to loosen. The bone is irreversibly damaged. It can change the way your teeth fit together (your bite). Eventually your teeth may fall out or have to be pulled out by your dentist.

GUM DISEASE (PART 1)

A Healthy Gum
Healthy gums help to anchor teeth firmly in place. Gums are a nice pink color and do not bleed when brushed.

Gingivitis
Gum disease is caused by bacteria, which forms around teeth. You know this sticky substance as plaque. Toxins from the bacteria inflame the gums and eventually cause them to ‘pull away’. An early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. This picture shows an advanced case of gingivitis.

WISDOM TOOTH (PART 3)

Treatment

Surgery may often be done in your dentist’s or oral surgeon’s office rather than in a surgical center or hospital depending on your particular condition. Your dentist or oral surgeon will review the recommended procedure with you so that you will fully understand and are comfortable before it is done.

After the tooth is removed, an empty socket is left where the tooth once was. Your body heals this socket by sending blood to nourish it. Pressure from a piece of gauze is usually all that is needed to control this natural bleeding. Within a short time, the blood forms a clot in the socket. Eventually the bone surrounding the socket grows to fill the empty space completely.

WISDOM TOOTH (PART 2)

Partial Eruption

The crown, or top of the tooth, may erupt, or just break through the gum. Since the tooth can’t completely emerge, the area around the eruption can easily be infected. Compounding this problem is that wisdom teeth are very difficult to brush or floss, even if they do make it about the gum line.

Impaction

When a wisdom tooth has no room to erupt it becomes impacted. An impacted tooth is usually contained completely within the bone and can lie in many different orientations. Serious complications can result from an impacted tooth. The sac that surrounds the impacted tooth can become filled with fluid, enlarging to a cyst and causing permanent bone damage. Left untreated, a tumor may develop which requires a more complex procedure to remove the tooth.