Dental Implant Solutionz in Largo, Florida prides itself on having a highly skilled team dedicated to providing patients with customized dental treatments. Dr. Tadros leads this team with decades of experience and an impressive array of certifications and credentials. As a Diplomat in the American Board of Oral Implantology and experienced prosthodontist, Dr. Tadros specializes in all categories of dentures, implants, periodontics, and overall dental restoration. Now, Dr. Tadros is able to add another achievement to his list: he has been elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID).

What Does It Take to Be a Fellow?
Gaining the status of a Fellow in the AAID is no easy feat. In order to take the exam required to become a Fellow of the AAID, a candidate must be licensed as a dentist and already have qualified as an AAID Associate Fellow. In addition, 400 hours of postdoctoral education related to implant dentistry is required, along with five or more years in the practice of implant dentistry. Finally, any potential Fellow must attend annual AAID meetings, complete a minimum of 50 cases of advanced dental implant treatment, and demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the surgical and prosthetic phase of implant treatment. [Read more…]

It’s easy to understand that bones in the body weaken with age, especially due to osteoporosis, but it’s not as widely known that the bones within the mouth are also at risk of losing their strength and function. If you have lost some of your natural teeth and want to use implants to build a new permanent smile, you need to have enough healthy bone left in your mouth to support those implants. If you don’t, bone grafting offers a way to solve that problem and regain the support structures needed to rehabilitate your mouth and smile.

What Is Bone Grafting?

Bone grafting is a surgical process that involves transplanting bone tissue in order to repair damaged bones or even replace absent bones. The bone tissue utilized in grafting can be taken from another area of your body, like the hips or ribs, or developed from advanced synthetic materials. During surgery, you are placed under general anesthesia while your surgeon shapes the donated bone to fit the area being treated. Tools like pins, screws, and cables can be used to hold the graft in place as it fuses with other tissue in the area.

Are There Alternatives to Bone Grafting?

There are a few less-invasive methods that your prosthodontist may attempt before completing a full bone grafting in your mouth.  Dental Implant Solutionz in Largo, Florida, for example, offers injections of growth factors and bone proteins that can trigger natural regrowth of the bone tissue. This minimally-invasive, safe, and quick treatment option makes it possible to stimulate bone growth without any surgical discomfort or recovery time. After a few months have passed and the bone tissue has become stronger, dental implants can be placed.  

Dr. Tadros and his team at Dental Implant Solutionz specialize in full mouth reconstruction, so there is no implant case that’s too difficult or challenging for them to handle. If you’re tired of living with the pain and embarrassment of a broken and incomplete set of teeth, call (727) 202-4926 today to schedule your first appointment.

 

 

Unsecured dentures are an old fashioned solution for people who have lost all their teeth. Unfortunately, you may find that wearing unsecured dentures can be painful, inconvenient and awkward. Such dentures make it difficult to chew a variety of foods, which can stop you from eating many of the foods you once enjoyed. Wearing dentures may also affect how you pronounce words, and therefore the way you speak. A conventional denture has an acrylic palate that also hinders your ability to taste the foods that you once loved.

A variety of modern dental implant-based tooth replacement solutions are available. Any of these solutions can dramatically improve your quality of life; such as enabling proper chewing and speaking, increasing comfort and self-confidence, and encouraging the consumption of a wider variety of foods. 

Benefits

People who have suffered with dental problems may ultimately have to consider getting dentures. While the traditional dentures that are removable have been the choice for many people, implant retained dentures are becoming the new choice.

Dentures are simply a restoration for missing teeth. You can have a partial set or full set of dentures. They are generally made from a plastic base, with artificial teeth positioned on the frame. This is a replacement for natural teeth, not just for cosmetic reasons. Missing teeth can impact ability to speak clearly, interfere with eating, and can ultimately have negative health consequences. Dentures are used to eliminate these problems.

Another problem with missing teeth is the impact it has on bone structure. Implant retained dentures not only look natural, but it will make your smile beautiful again. It will keep your facial structure younger looking, because the teeth help hold everything in place.

Initial Consultation

Before any work gets done, the dentist will review your individual case: Study medical and dental records; take x-rays; take impressions of your teeth and gums. Where necessary, you may even need to go for a CT scan. The main purpose of the initial consultation is to determine the quality and quantity of your bone as well as the prime location for placing the implants. The impressions will also be used to make models of your teeth structure upon which the dimensions of the temporary denture are based.

Procedure #1

This session generally involves making an incision in the gums and placing the implants in the jawbone. After the implant is placed into the hole (drilled in the bone), the dentist will stitch up the incision. The temporary denture is then positioned in such a way that no direct pressure is placed on the implants – a soft reline may be necessary to take the pressure off your gums.

The timing of the second procedure depends on whether the implants were placed in the upper (5-6 months later) or lower jaw (3-4 months later). This period is to allow the bone and implants to biologically ‘fuse’ together in a process known as osseointegration.

Procedure #2

Following the osseointegration process, the implant is ready for the second procedure. The dentist would confirm whether the implants have become fused with the bone by taking an x-ray. In this follow-up procedure, a small incision would be made in the gum to expose the tops of the implants.

Once the implants have become fused with the bone, the second procedure can be scheduled. Your dentist will confirm whether the implant is ready for the second procedure by taking an X-ray. This surgery is simpler than the first, which involves making a small incision in your gum to expose the tops (heads) of the implants.

The dentist would then place a round piece of metal, known as a collar or healing cap, on the head of each exposed implant. The collar, used to hold the gums separate from the implant head, will remain in place for 10-14 days. In the meantime, the temporary denture may be adjusted or given another reline. The healing caps will be replaced with regular abutments about two weeks after the second procedure. By now, your gums would have healed and your dentist is able to take impressions of your gum tissue and abutments. The model of your jaw and abutments is then made to fabricate the permanent denture.

Try-In and Insertion

At this final stage, usually in month 5 or 7 – depending on whether a denture needs to be made – you are ready to have the initial try-in of the new denture. Once the metal bar is placed on the abutments and fits together with the dental framework properly, the artificial teeth would be temporarily placed on the framework in wax. If everything checks out – with the whole denture tried in your mouth – the teeth would then be permanently lodged in the denture framework. Depending on the type of implant-supported denture you have selected, either the ball or bar attachments will be secured at this juncture.

You will have to return for another visit to insert the completed denture. The denture may either be snapped into the ball attachments or clipped onto the bar.

There are different types of implant treatments with differing time frames and procedures. Generally speaking, a standard implant treatment would require two procedures: One to place the implants into the jawbone, and second, to expose the top of the implants so that the implant-supported denture may be affixed to them. The second procedure is normally performed three to six months after the first one.

It is also possible to use a one-stage procedure, in which the implants as well as supporting bar are placed in a single step. Both types of treatments enjoy a healthy success rate.

The implants are usually placed in the area of the jawbone with a higher bone mass – typically at the front of your mouth. The front jaw is also preferred because it does not have many nerves or structures that may complicate the implant placement. 

The time it takes to complete the treatment depends on different factors, including: Type of implant used; whether the treatment is for the upper or lower jaw; if bone grafting is required; number of implants, etc. For standard implants, the process can take anywhere between 5 months to a year or more.

Do I Need a Temporary Denture?

The temporary denture is necessary only if you are not already wearing a complete denture for your missing teeth. As the name suggests, the temporary denture is used as a placeholder while you wait for your final implant-supported denture to be made. It also serves as a back-up prosthesis in the unlikely event the final denture is damaged.

Implant retained dentures are more secure than traditional dentures. Removable dentures must be held in place by a bonding agent, and are traditionally known for coming loose when you eat certain foods. Implants are held in place more securely and are overall more reliable.

• Implant dentures are also more comfortable for the wearer. Most people report they don’t even feel like they have dentures in.
• Implant retained dentures also prevent the wearer from experiencing sore spots and pressure points commonly associated with removable dentures.
• When wearing implanted dentures, it prevents further bone loss that occurs from missing teeth. This also allows the facial structure to stay the same, and keeps your mouth healthier.

Santa’s not the only one making his list and checking it twice this holiday season. With the influx of candy and sweets during the holidays, dentists have a few wishes of their own when it comes to keeping your teeth healthy and strong through the holiday season.

Make Your Sweets Sugar-Free

You love sugar – and so do the bacteria that live in your mouth that cause tooth decay. When you eat sugary foods, cavity-causing bacteria produce acids that eat away at your teeth. So, pick sweets of the sugar-free variety, which will provide less food for hungry bacteria and fewer acids on your teeth.

If you are really hoping to give your teeth a boost while also enjoying candy, consider looking for treats sweetened with xylitol. “Xylitol can help with reducing plaque buildup. You might consider it as a sweetener as opposed to the blue and pink packages. Xylitol is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved sugar alcohol that has been shown to reduce the amount of Streptococcus mutants bacteria known to cause cavities in your mouth. The compound is as sweet as sugar and is commonly included in chewing gum, mints and cereals. If you are a baking enthusiast, you also can use xylitol instead of sugar without having to change the amount included in your recipe. The catch is that xylitol has to be present in significant enough levels to prevent decay. Read label listings. If xylitol is listed as the first ingredient, the food likely contains enough to prevent decay, according to the California Dental Association.

Pop a Stick of Gum Post-Meal

The benefits of sugar-free candy extend beyond the fact that they don’t contain sugar. Sugar-free gums and candies also help produce extra saliva that can swish away bacteria and plaque.

“The bacteria that cause decay usually flourish in a dry-mouth environment, which leads to increased incidence of tooth decay. When you pop in a piece of sugar-free gum after a meal, you also can un-stick food material. The gum clears bacteria and other sticky foods out of the mouth and off your teeth.

You don’t have to chew gum for long to reap its benefits. About 20 minutes post-meal should be sufficient, according to the ADA. Look for gums labeled with the ADA Seal, which indicates the gum contains non-cavity causing sweeteners such as aspartame, sorbitol or mannitol.

Enjoy Dark Chocolate Delights

Diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure – these aren’t just the enemies of your heart. Studies have shown an association between these diseases, their treatments and dental health, too. That’s why if you are a chocoholic, it’s best to opt for dark chocolate because it’s packed with flavonoids, or compounds that help to protect your heart. Sadly, milk chocolate and white chocolate won’t offer you the same protective benefits. When you’re asking a loved one for a dark chocolate bar, ensure it is at least 60 percent or more real cocoa. Otherwise, you won’t reap the heart-protective benefits and you will add a lot of calories and fat to your diet.

Keep Sticky Foods Out of Your Stocking

Gummy bears and taffy may be tasty treats, but the sticky stuff is not your friend. This goes not only for chewy candies, but also dried fruits such as cranberries, which are a common holiday staple. Not only do chewy candies and dried fruits make for a chewier eating experience that works your jaw and teeth, those particles tend to linger longer on your teeth, increasing the cavity-causing potential. For a child with braces, chewy candies can mean a holiday trip to the dentist.

If you can’t resist the pull of a delicious gummy bear, have your fill at one sitting. “Eating candies all day long will cause more problems (in the oral cavity) than eating the whole bag at one time,”he says. It takes saliva some time to penetrate the mass, so if you keep exposing your teeth to the sugar, you are more likely to experience decay.

Toothaches will make anyone feel miserable. Some reasons for toothaches include:

Misaligned Teeth or Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Teeth that are misaligned can press against others, pushing them out of line as well, resulting in aches and pains. Impacted wisdom teeth, also known as wisdom teeth that have failed to break through the gum line, can also be extremely painful as they fester below the gum line and sometimes push against other teeth. These issues should be brought to the attention of your dentist, if they haven’t been addressed yet. For misaligned teeth, an orthodontic solution will likely be proposed, such as braces, and surgery will be needed to fix impacted wisdom teeth.

Improper Brushing or Flossing

Very often people do not pay attention to the pressure they are using when they brush and floss their teeth and end up pressing much too hard. This results in irritated, inflamed, and bleeding gums. If extreme pressure like this is constantly used, it can cause gums to recede and can make teeth unstable, resulting in more pain. Consult your dentist about proper brushing techniques and be sure to only use soft bristled toothbrushes.

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a very common reason for tooth, jaw, neck, and related muscle pain. People who grind their teeth generally do so while they’re sleeping or during stressful situations. Excessive teeth grinding involves violently clenching the jaw and grinding the top and bottom teeth back and forth against each other.

This can result in sore jaw bones and joints, headaches, and even cracked or chipped teeth, all of which are very painful. The best course of action to treat bruxism is to have a custom mouth guard made that is worn while sleeping to relieve the stress put on teeth and the jaw.

Damaged Fillings or Dental Sealants

Dental fillings that cover deep pits, grooves, or fractures in teeth often protect vulnerable parts of the tooth. When these protectants are damaged, the sensitive parts of teeth are exposed to extreme temperatures, food particles, and bacteria. This can result in a pain that is anything from a dull ache to a sharp, piercing sensation. If you have a damaged filling or sealant, be sure to book an emergency appointment with your dentist to have it fixed before the vulnerable parts of your tooth suffer further damage or decay.

Temperature Sensitivity

If you are experiencing sharp tooth pain during, or very soon after, eating or drinking something that is cold or hot, this is typically associated with tooth sensitivity. This can mean that your tooth enamel has worn down and your tooth’s dentin (the layer where the tooth’s nerves lie) is exposed, or can be a result of recent teeth whitening. To help protect these nerves and shelter them from extreme temperatures, try a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. Consult your dentist for recommendations and further treatment options.

Tooth Fractures

Teeth can be cracked or chipped in many different ways, whether it’s through a fall, playing sports, or biting down on something hard or sticky. If you are feeling pain in a fractured tooth, that means that the fracture has made its way to the middle of the tooth where the nerve endings are and can result in excruciating pain.

This may not happen as soon as the tooth is chipped or damaged, but can develop over time as the tooth damage worsens. This is why all fractures and chips should be attended to by your dentist as soon as possible and before they have the chance to worsen.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is characterized by a dull pain in the mouth, red, bleeding gums, and also sometimes tooth pain. A common cause of this is the oral bone and gums becoming inflamed. If left untreated, teeth, gums, and bones could be damaged or lost, and surgical measures may have to be taken to rid the mouth of infection.

Tooth Abscess

When tooth decay advances to the point of affecting the root beneath the visible tooth there is a high chance that the root and the surrounding tissue have become infected. This will result in a widespread pulsating pain that may make it hard to determine which exact tooth is the culprit of the pain. This is a very serious issue and needs to be professionally dealt with as soon as possible as it can result in bone and tissue loss. Which, obviously, is no fun at all.

Tooth Decay

The most common reason for a painful toothache is plain old tooth decay. Sure, it might not be all that exciting or new, but it’s something that can affect any of us.

For the tooth and the surrounding area to hurt, the decay in the tooth would have to be significant enough to reach the inner layer of the tooth, a layer called the dentin. Once the dentin is damaged the tooth becomes very sensitive and a cavity, or carie, has developed.

If the pain becomes less of an ache and more of a sharp pain, the tooth decay may have reached the center of the tooth. This results in a very intense pain that makes it difficult to carry on with daily life. These issues need to be addressed as soon as possible as they are not only painful but can quickly lead to bigger dental issues.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms described above and have read through this whole list trying to figure out what might be wrong – call your dentist today. A simple examination can determine what’s going on, and the sooner you do it the better. Delaying can make a simple problem grow into a larger one just from neglect.

So don’t delay and don’t be scared! If going to the dentist makes you anxious, ask about sedation. There are multiple varieties available, and it’s perfectly normal to be nervous (some estimates say up to 80% of people suffer from dental fear!).