Today's Options for Tooth Loss Would Leave George Washington Biting into an Apple

Tooth Loss- One in Four Adults Will Lose a Tooth During Their Lifetime.

Today's options for tooth loss would leave George Washington biting into an apple.  Many suffers of tooth loss are left with the complicated decision of which option to choose, dental implants or the more common and least expensive option of dentures.  For those who are missing teeth, both lower and upper, the research shows the least expensive option may not be the best.  The inconvenience of a denture isn't the only side effect.. bone loss and the compilations thereof play a significant factor in why your dentist may recommend dental implants. 

Custom dentures, carefully crafted by a qualified dentist may be the only option for some patients but, those numbers are being reduced as further advances in implant dentistry is making huge strides in the use of dental implants.  Careful impressions, digital X-rays and fittings are initially made as your dentist and dental laboratory design your denture. When a denture is first placed, the fit is fairly secure since it’s designed to conform to the gum ridge and jaw bone arch that exists at the time the procedure is done.  But over time the absence of the natural tooth root may cause problems.

Without the presence of tooth roots the bone begins to ‘resorb,’ or shrink in height and width. This is  accelerated by the pressure of wearing dentures. For those who sleep in their denture, resorption is a 24/7 process. This is why dentures that fit well when they were first made begin to slip, causing uncomfortable rubbing or sore spots on the gums. Relines may help at first, but eventually, so much resorption occurs that there is too small of a ridge for the denture to ‘grip.’

Those complications and the inconvenience of dentures are factors many adults consider as they face their options.  Eating becomes difficult with a denture that slips and shifts against the gums. Uncomfortable rubbing occurs and many people resort to a diet of soft foods that dissolve easily in the mouth. Denture adhesives and pastes only help for brief periods but have to be reapplied frequently.Most adults are selecting Dental Implants for tooth replacement.  Dental Implants recreate the presence of tooth roots in the jaw bone, halting (or greatly minimizing) bone loss. They provide dependable biting and chewing stability and are designed to last a lifetime.  Dr. David Zelby usually ask a final questions as he explains the pros and cons of a patients options, "Do you want to eat a steak?"  Interview a denture wearers and you will hear the embarrassing stories of slippage, clipping and the insecurity of not knowing what will happen as you smile, chew and talk.  Dentures are becoming an artifact of history and pleasantly so when patients place their dentures on the shelf for good.

When thinking of a dental implant consider that it is acting a natural tooth root for the missing tooth.  The implant is actually a small titanium alloy screw that is permanently anchored into the jawbone.  After placement your prosthodontist will place the newly crated "tooth."

For long-term, lifelike replacement of missing teeth, dental implants are the most technologically advanced solution.

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Assists in proper chewing for a healthy and improved diet.
• Allows for a comfortable, secure and radiant smile.
• Improves speech pronunciation and supports natural facial contour.
• Eliminates the need to grinding healthy teeth nearby
• Decreases bone loss and gum recession.
• Proven long term history of success.

Discuss the benefits of tooth replacement options with Dr. David Zelby in a private consultation.   The dental implant procedure at his office incorporates a team of specialist doctors.  Dr. Zelby is a prosthodontist, which is a speciality in dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association® which focuses on complete restoration of damaged or missing teeth.  a prosthodontist is a "true cosmetic dentist," with advanced education and skills.   At your consultation the dental professionals at Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta will answer your questions and assist you as you make the best decision for your individual needs. Call (770) 955-0559 or visit our website at www.davidzelbydds.com. Dentures are becoming an artifact of history and pleasantly so when patients place their dentures on the shelf for good.  

Are there risks involved in Dental Implants?

 Dental implant surgery does include risk, although they are rarely serious.  As with any surgery, there is always the possibility of infection.  Surgery on the jaw carries a slight risk for nerve damage or bruising, which may affect the sensation of the lower lip.  While most nerve damage does heal, there are incidences in which the nerve damage is permanent.  When an implant is placed next to a natural tooth, it is possible that the root of the natural tooth could be affected.  If the natural tooth is affected it may heal naturally or your doctor may suggest  root canal treatment.

Most dental implant treatment is successful.  Dental implants with today's technology and modern techniques are the treatment of choice for people with missing teeth.  Your dental implant specialist will  perform a variety of test and medical screenings to determine if you will be a successful candidate.  The trend toward dental implants is growing rapidly.  David Zelby, DDS, a prosthodontist at Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta, works in tandem with an oral surgeon.  The dental implant is placed into the bone by the surgeon and Dr. Zelby constructs and correctly places the "crown," for the implant.  We have achieved a much better success rate when you have actual specialists joining together and taking a team approach to dental implant therapy," says Dr. Zelby.  You, as the consumer, should be well educated and research the treatment with your dentist.  After your consultation, you should have your questions answered fully and understand what to expect and the complications that can occur.

Noisy Jaw? Read This!

Thanks to the temporo-mandibular joint or TMJ (jaw joint), muscles of mastication, and facial muscles, we can chew, swallow, smile and speak. Temporo-mandibular disorder or TMD occurs when the function of TMJ and surrounding muscles is impaired.

Symptoms of TMD

• Tenderness and pain in the jaw muscles. The pain is more severe after waking up in the morning or after chewing foods or gums.

• Difficulty in opening and closing the jaws, sometimes locking of the jaws might occur.

• Unexplained headaches and having painful sensation in the neck area.

• Clicking sound when chewing, yawning, or opening the mouth widely.

• In severe cases of TMD, the mandible can be dislocated from its position.
  
  

Causes of TMD

Obviously, the causes of TMD are not always known, but in most cases stress is the prime suspect. The following are the most common causes:

• Bruxism or Grinding teeth, especially while sleeping at night. Some people, when stressed, severely clinch their teeth until the muscles of the jaw are exhausted causing great pain.

• Fractured or dislocated mandible (lower jaw)

• Some joint disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis

• Mal-occlusion, which occurs when your teeth are not properly aligned in your jaws causing extra forces on TMJ.

• Missing, worn or loose teeth

• Gingival diseases

• Ill-fitting complete or partial dentures

• Bad habits, like biting on hard objects
  
  

How Can You Treat TMD?

1. Avoid stress and learn how to relax.

2. Be careful for the type of foods you eat:

• Avoid chewing hard objects

• Avoid chewing gums for prolonged hours

• Avoid opening your mouth widely when you yawn

• Eat soft diet or cut your food into small bites

3. Massage your jaw muscles; rub and stretch them. This will definitely ease pain.

4. Put a cold or warm compress on the area of painful jaw muscles.

5. When you are relaxed, your upper and lower teeth should be slightly separated, your tongue relaxed against your palate (roof of the mouth), and finally, your lips must be relaxed and slightly touching each other.

6. If you are suffering bruxism, your dentist will advise you to put night mouth guard; this is a bite pad worn at night while sleeping to absorb the forces exerted by your teeth when clenching.

7. Beware that clenching of teeth increases after coffee (caffeine) and alcohol consumption. Try to avoid such drinks.

Visit drdavidzelby.com to learn more about TMD and other oral-related issues

Dental Emergencies

There is never a good time to suffer from a chipped, broken, or otherwise damaged tooth.

Sometimes, excruciating tooth pain can arise due to trauma or seemingly out of nowhere.  Toothaches, broken teeth, missing fillings, and irritated gums are just a few of the reasons you should seek immediate help from a dentist. Any injury to teeth or gums should not be ignored!

Here are a few tips should you have a dental emergency of your own:

1.   My lip,tounge, gums are injured or bleeding!
When you bite your tongue or lip, or cut your gums; clean the bitten area with a piece of cotton or cloth. If swelling occurs, compress a cold pack over the injured area. Infection is always a concern so make sure see your dentist as soon as possible.

     2.   I have a cracked or broken tooth!
If you break a tooth, rinse your mouth thoroughly with some warm water, and avoid swallowing the broken parts. To minimize edema, compress cold pack on the affected area. Don’t hesitate to call your dentist at once.

If your tooth is cracked; your treatment depends on location and size of the crack. Most types of tooth cracks are tiny and won’t cause you trouble. Treatment of the cracked teeth usually varies from using a filling dental material to seal the crack to treating the cracked tooth endodontically. Unfortunately, extraction is needed for severely cracked teeth. Minor teeth cracks are usually diagnosed during routine dental examination.

3.   I think my jaw may be fractured or broken!
If you suspect that your jaw is fractured, apply cold pack against the area of swelling to control edema, and go immediately to nearest hospital emergency department. If you start to feel pain take any type of analgesics except aspirin (as it increases the bleeding tendency).

Symptoms of a broken jaw are:

Pain and swelling
Malocclusion (teeth don’t fit or occlude together)
Numbness in lower lip and chin
Intra-oral bleeding
Bruises around the injured area

   4.  What happens if my tooth is knocked out?!

Please, don't panic.

Simply hold the tooth from the crown and rinse the root with warm water or saline. Avoid scrubbing the tissue fragments on the root. If possible, insert the tooth back in its socket or put it under your tongue. Be careful to avoid swallowing it. Else wise, you can keep the knocked tooth in a glass of milk and hurry up to your dentist. Of course, don’t forget to take the glass of milk with you!

 

5.   There is something stuck between my teeth and it hurts! 
  If there is an object stuck between your teeth, try to remove it gently with dental floss. Don’t ever try to remove it with a sharp instrument to avoid cutting your gums. Call your dentist
if you fail to dislodge it.

 

  

   6. I have a toothache!Suffering from a toothache is very annoying. Most dental diseases are manifested with toothaches. If you are having a toothache, clean your mouth with warm water; also use dental flossing and teeth brushing to ensure there are no food remnants caught between your teeth. Don’t ever try to control toothache by putting an aspirin or any type of analgesic against your gingival or buccal mucosa, to avoid burning your oral tissues.