When you go to the dentist you expect them to clean, examine and x-ray your teeth. What you do not expect is to be tested to see if you are at risk for heart disease, stroke or diabetes. Dentists have long known bacteria can cause gum disease and other dental issues. Now, recent studies have shown links between periodontal disease and incidents of heart disease and stroke. And researchers believe it may all be due to the levels of bacteria in your mouth; making a healthy mouth even more important. Dentists can now quickly test for bacteria levels in the mouth by using some high tech t
Category Archives: Dentures
What is the recovery like from a dental implant procedure?
Usually, recovery dental implant surgery takes just a couple of days. I have had patients that have gone to work the next day. Implant surgery does not seem to be a very painful procedure. It is less painful than an extraction.
How long does dental implant surgery take?
The length of dental implant surgery varies depending on how much bone the person has and it varies depending on the location of where it being implanted. But normally, in an hour an implant can be placed, and then after that if there are multiple implants being placed in the same area or next to each other, it takes maybe 15 to 20 minutes longer for each one.
What is a partial denture? Is it permanent?
A partial denture is a removable prosthesis made out of acrylic or a combination of acrylic and metal that replaces some missing teeth. None of the materials are permanent because the teeth wear down and the bone underneath recedes. In addition, then the clasps where the partial is held in place can become loose after awhile. So none of these materials are permanent at all.
If a denture is chipped can it be fixed?
If a denture is chipped it can usually be fixed easily. In most cased, if a patient brings their denture into the dentist’s office in the morning, the chip can be repaired by the afternoon.
Which are better? Dental implants or dentures?
Dental implants are a better choice over dentures. This is because implants are more like your natural teeth. The implants let patients chew normally, unlike dentures. Dental implants give patients about ninety percent of the chewing surface and pressure of their natural teeth. Dentures only let patients use 50 percent of the tooth or denture surface. Implants are not as bulky as dentures and more like natural teeth.
When are porcelain jackets recommended?
Porcelain jackets are recommended for patients allergic to metal. The porcelain jacket gives a more lifelike image to the tooth than crowns that have metal underneath. The main drawback is that they fracture more easily since they are made of porcelain.
With a porcelain jacket, the margin where the crown meets the tooth cannot be 100 percent sealed like a regular crown. There are some drawbacks, but, some cements help seal the tooth.
Is there a connection between diabetes and periodontal disease?
Yes, there is a connection between diabetes and periodontal disease. There also are links between periodontal disease and heart disease. That is why you would want to make sure that the teeth and gums are being cleaned on a regular basis, so you don’t develop some of these problems.
What happens if my dentures chip?
You can get it repaired at the dental office. It should not be a major thing.
How long will my dentures last?
Dentures can last quite a while. The only things that could happen is that, over time, the gum and the bone can recede. This can make the dentures loose and need to be realigned. If you eat a lot of things that would wear down the teeth, you may have to replace them every five to ten years, because the dentures are made of plastic. If you eat anything hard that fractures the dentures, it will have to be repaired. But, if you keep breaking the dentures they will have to be replaced.