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.

Keep your teeth safe this summer: Avoid dental injuries when playing sports

Summer is the time for enjoying the great outdoors. However, some popular summer sports – such as swimming and softball – can expose your teeth to danger. Here are several seasonal activities that could lead to dental injuries and ways to keep your smile safe:

Swimming

Frequent swimmers may be at risk for developing yellowish-brown or dark brown stains on their teeth.

Those who swim more than six hours a week continually expose their teeth to chemically treated water. Pool water contains chemical additives, which give the water a higher pH than saliva. As a result, salivary proteins break down quickly and form organic deposits on teeth. These hard, brown deposits, known as "swimmers' calculus," appear most frequently on the front teeth.

Swimmers' calculus can normally be removed by a professional dental cleaning.

Diving

Scuba diving, a sport enjoyed by more than 4 million people in the U.S., can lead to jaw joint pain, gum tissue problems or "tooth squeeze" – pain in the center of the tooth.

All of these symptoms add up to what's called "diver's mouth syndrome" (also called barodontalgia), a condition caused by the air pressure change involved in scuba diving and by divers biting too hard on their scuba air regulators. Tooth squeeze is caused by the change in air pressure, particularly if a diver has a big cavity, a temporary filling, gum disease, periodontal abscess or incomplete root canal therapy.

The best way to avoid these problems is to visit your dentist before scuba diving and make sure your dental health is tip-top. Ask your dentist's advice about fitting the mouthpiece of an air regulator. Sometimes dentures can be inadvertently swallowed during a dive, so denture-wearers should consult with dentists before diving to discuss any potential problems.

Contact sports (soccer, softball, basketball, etc.)

According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), soccer players are more likely than football players to sustain a dental-related injury – and these statistics do not include people playing pick-up games with friends.

Soccer is a sport where mouthguards and face masks are not mandatory, upping the odds for mouth and face injuries. Softball, basketball and pick-up games of touch football involve similar risks. In addition to causing injuries during contact, these sports also may be costly for people who have had extensive dental work, especially people who wear braces.

When participating in such sports, a mouthguard is your best ally. The AGD estimates that mouthguards prevent more than 200,000 injuries each year. Using a mouthguard can prevent damage to braces or other orthodontic work, as well as prevent mouth cuts, jaw injuries and tooth damage.

There are several types of mouthguards. Ask your dentist for advice about which mouthguard solution is best for you.

• Stock mouthguard: The lowest cost option is an item that can be bought "off the shelf" from a drug or sporting goods store. This type of mouthguard offers the least protection because the fit adjustment is limited. While better than nothing, a stock mouthguard is not considered acceptable as a facial protective device.
• Mouth-formed protectors: These mouthguards come as a shell-liner and "boil-and-bite" product from sporting goods stores. The shell is lined with acrylic or rubber. When placed in an athlete's mouth, the protector's lining material molds to the teeth and is allowed to set.
• Custom-made mouth protectors: The best choice is a customized mouthguard made by your dentist. This is the most expensive option (and may not be covered by your dental plan – check your Evidence of Coverage booklet), but a custom mouthguard offers the best protection, fit and comfort level because it is made from a cast to fit your teeth.

Some information courtesy of the Academy of General Dentistry.Some information courtesy of the American Dental Association..

A New Year! A New You!

Happy 2012 to you! With the first week of the year coming to a close it’s time to talk about those resolutions! Some are kept faithfully and others seem to fall by the wayside after a few weeks. It’s OK. It happens to everyone. If getting healthier was at the top of your list, be assured that you are not alone! When it comes to health, diet and exercise are the key factors to getting and staying in shape (along with a positive attitude!). Looking and feeling good take work and dedication. If you are looking for a healthier and happier you in 2012, keep in mind that your dental health is just as important as the rest of you! Here are a few tips to get you started with “Dental Resolutions” you can incorporate into your 2012 healthy living goals:

1. Healthy teeth depend on good dietary habits!

In order to maintain good oral health,  you need to eat properly! What you eat and how often you eat are important factors. Foods such as milk, cheese, chicken, and nuts are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing calcium and phosphorous needed to remineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are redeposited into tooth enamel after being removed by acids).

Other choices include firm, crunchy fruits such as apples and pears, as well as vegetables. These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain and helps to stimulate the flow of saliva, this helps get rid of anything that may stick to your teeth!

2. Stay away from sodas and sweetened snacks throughout the day.

Poor food choices, such as sodas, candies, french fries, dried fruits, cakes, cookies, are harmful to your teeth and your waistline! These foods are full of sugars and acids that strip the tooth enamel and feed bacterial infections. If you are one of those people who enjoy sipping beverages throughout the day, switch to water or unsweetened teas. Sodas will stick to your teeth and slowly wear away the enamel on the outer layer - and once it’s gone you cannot get it back! This goes for snacking too. Limit the type of snacks throughout the day and you will maintain a healthy smile and weight.

BONUS TIP: Hydrating with water will make your skin supple, youthful, and bright! If you’re not a water drinker, add a cucumber for a refreshing flavored drink!

3. Cutting back on your vices.

One of the most listed New Years Resolutions is to quit smoking/ drinking/ etc. These vices, left unchecked, can create serious consequences to our health and the health of those around us. Smokers increase their risk for lung cancer as well as oral diseases, such as cancer of the gums and throat. Spit tobacco contains lots of sugars and causes rapid decay of the tooth and gum structure.

Studies have also shown that persons who abuse alcohol are at a high risk of having seriously decayed and infected gums and teeth. Additionally, drinking has joined smoking as an increased cancer risk. (Dentistry Today, p. 23, June 2003)

4. Good oral health improves not only your teeth, but your whole life!

Studies have shown that your overall health is directly connected to your oral health! Examples of this include:

• Endocarditis. Gum disease and dental procedures that cut your gums may allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. If you have a weak immune system or a damaged heart valve, this can cause infection in other parts of the body — such as an infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis).
• Cardiovascular disease. Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke may be linked to oral bacteria, possibly due to chronic inflammation from periodontitis — a severe form of gum disease.
• Pregnancy and birth. Gum disease has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
• Diabetes. Diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection — putting the gums at risk. In addition, people who have inadequate blood sugar control may develop more-frequent and severe infections of the gums and the bone that holds teeth in place, and they may lose more teeth than do people who have good blood sugar control.
• HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
• Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis — which causes bones to become weak and brittle — may be associated with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss.
• Alzheimer's disease. Tooth loss before age 35 may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
• Other conditions. Other conditions that may be linked to oral health include Sjogren's syndrome — an immune system disorder — and eating disorders.

IMPORTANT!: Be sure to let your dentist know if you have had any changes in medication or a change in your overall health - especially if you have had any recent illnesses or have a chronic condition.

5. Stay on top of your health with regular check-ups!

Whether it’s your physician, optometrist, cardiologist, physical therapist, shrink, or dentist - it is important to be checked regularly by a professional so you stay free and clear of any problems that may not be detected or treated without their professional knowledge or equipment. Don’t put off going to the doctor if you suspect an issue. Those “instinctual” or “gut” feelings can be right sometimes.

REMEMBER: Finding the right health care provider for you is important! Check with your insurance provider, ask your friends for referrals, or search doctor review sites. If you do not feel comfortable with your doctor it can make your yearly office visits much less productive. Being able to ask honest questions is very important in the doctor/patient relationship!

Here’s to you in the New Year! May you achieve things great and small - and take a little time for yourself in the process. Keep an eye out for more posts in the coming weeks (my resolution is no less than two posts a month!). Upcoming topics include budgeting for your dental health, Sedation Dentistry, and much more. Keep smiling and visit our website for information on the types of services we provide for our patients!

SOURCES:

WebMD - http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/diet-oral-health

CDC - http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/factsheets/adult.htm

The Mayo Clinic - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dental/DE00001/NSECTIONGROUP=2

Halloween is almost here! If you're giving away candy, sugar-free lollipops may be the way to go!

A recent study, published by the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, demonstrated that sugar-free lollipops containing licorice root extract significantly reduced the bacteria that causes tooth decay, specifically in pre-school children with high-risk of tooth decay.

The study, funded by the Research and Data Institute of the affiliated companies of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, New Mexico and North Carolina, analyzed 66 preschool students ages 2 to 5 enrolled in the Greater Lansing Area Head Start Program. Each student received a lollipop for 10 minutes twice daily for three weeks.

"Dental decay is one of the most common childhood diseases with more than half of children ages 5 to 17 having had at least one cavity or filling," said Jed J. Jacobson, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H., chief science officer at Delta Dental. "We are working to find simple, effective regimens that will encourage prevention and control of dental disease. While the results of this pilot clinical trial are encouraging, more research is needed to confirm these early findings."

Results showed a significant reduction in Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), the primary bacteria responsible for tooth decay, during the three-week period when the lollipops were being used and lasting for an additional 22 days before beginning to rebound.

Using a saliva test, the amount of S. mutans in the patient's mouth was measured before and during the three-week period where lollipops were used, as well as for several weeks thereafter.

"The use of the licorice root lollipops is an ideal approach as it will stop the transfer and implantation of the bacteria that cause dental decay from mothers to their infants and toddlers," said Martin Curzon, editor-in-chief, European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. "It also has the merit of being a low cost-high impact public dental health measure."

"This study is important not only for dental caries prevention research, but also demonstrates the feasibility of a classroom protocol using a unique delivery system suitable for young children," said Jacqueline Tallman, R.D.H., B.S., M.P.A., principal investigator of the study. "Early prevention is key for lifetime oral health and effective innovative protocols are needed."

The investigation was a collaborative effort of the Greater Lansing Area Head Start Program, the University of Michigan and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Delta Dental's Research and Data Institute provided the grants as part of its mission to remain on the cutting edge of finding solutions to oral health problems.

"Our Head Start program was excited to participate in the Lollipop project," said Teresa Spitzer, R.N., Health Programs Manager, Capital Community Head Start Inc. Head Start and Early Childhood Programs. "Staff and parents were intrigued by something as simple as a special Lollipop having the ability to decrease the incidence of dental caries in children. The outcomes only reinforced the value the parents placed on the project."

The lollipops, manufactured by Dr. John's Candies of Grand Rapids, Mich., were developed using FDA-approved materials by Dr. Wenyuan Shi, a microbiologist at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and C3 Jian, Inc., a research and development company in California. The orange-flavored, sugarless lollipops contain extract of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), which targets and is thought to kill the primary bacteria (Streptococcus mutans or S. mutans) responsible for tooth decay.

About Streptococcus mutans

There are approximately 700 types of bacteria in the human mouth. While most are harmless, Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is considered the primary culprit in tooth decay. They live in a biofilm (plaque) that adheres to the teeth, consume sugar and release acid that erodes tooth enamel, causing decay. Regular brushing and flossing, along with dental checkups, can help to keep S. mutans and Lactobacillus casei in check.

Source: Delta Dental of Michigan


For more information about Aesthetic and Atlanta Cosmetic Dentistry go to
http://www.drdavidzelby.com/

Help keep your smile a beautiful pearly white!

We all want to have a nice smile, which includes beautiful white teeth. When we have yellow teeth, sometimes we don't feel like smiling as much. Or we'll sport that closed mouth smile more often. 

Some people have naturally white teeth, and others' are naturally more of a yellow hue. And as we age, we may find our teeth changing a bit too.

Causes of yellowing teeth can be attributed to:
-Foods/Drinks: berries, curry, soy sauce, colas, wine, coffee and even dark beer can stain teeth.
-Chewing or smoking tobacco can make teeth yellow.
-Medication: Some antibiotics are known to stain teeth especially in young children. 
-Antihistamines, medications for high blood pressure and some anti-psychotic drugs can change tooth color.
-Iron containing supplements
-Over use of prescription mouthwash (containing compounds such as chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride).
-Excess fluoride ingestion, either from unusually high content in drinking water (rare) or from using excessive amounts of fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.

A few ways to prevent the yellowing of teeth are:
-Avoid or reduce your intake of foods or drinks that tend to stain your teeth.
-Brush your teeth after meals or after drinking coffee or other staining culprits.
-Don't smoke or chew tobacco products.
-Make sure to visit your dentist at least twice per year.
-Ask your dentist about safe whitening products or techniques.


Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta offers several methods that will allow you to brighten and whiten your smile! Visit our website for more information or call 770-955-0550 and speak with one of our knowledgable staff. 

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER FOR A ZOOM II ADVANCE WHITENING TREATMENT AND PAY ONLY $450! REGULARLY PRICED AT $600, THE SERVICE ALSO INCLUDES A SET OF CUSTOM TAKE-HOME TOUCH-UP TRAYS AND BLEACH! 

CALL US NOW! APPOINTMENT TIMES ARE LIMITED!

770-955-0550


Get more information from a professional Atlanta Cosmetic Dentist

WWW.DRDAVIDZELBY.COM

Embarrassed about you breath?

You don't want to be a "close talker" if you're worried about this.
Did you know that bad breath is the third most frequent reason that people visit their dentist? (The first two reasons are cavities and gum disease.)

You may not know you have bad breath until someone comments on your breath or offers you mints or gum. A bad taste in your mouth is a good sign that your breath may not be pleasant.

Causes:
-Bacteria on the tongue that produce smelly compounds and fatty acids that stink.
-Bacteria in the mouth that are responsible for breaking down proteins into individual amino acids, and then the further breakdown of some amino acids into smelly gasses such as hydrogen sulfide.
-Gum disease
-Nose odor ... yup, even the breath that you exhale through your nose can have a smell, especially if you have a cold or sinus infection.
-Certain foods that you've eaten may be the culprit. Garlic and onions can lead to bad breath.
-Ketosis: During prolonged fasting or severe dieting, and even following a low carbohydrate diet, our bodies use an alternate method of getting calories from stored fatty acids in the liver. This produces ketones as a byproduct and we exhale these ketoacids, which have an unpleasant sweet smell. (We also expel them in the urine.)
-Lung infections
-Poor oral hygiene
-Smoking

Prevention and treatment:
Use a toothpaste or mouthwash that contains zinc compounds or stabilized chlorine dioxide. These compounds can actually help break down the sulfur chemicals in your mouth that cause bad breath.

Remember to brush your teeth and tongue regularly (at least twice a day, but ideally after each meal).

Visit your dentist on a regular basis. A dentist will be able to tell you if there are any problems with your oral health that may be contributing to bad breath.
Avoid eating onions and/or garlic if the result of bad breath bothers you.

There have been some contradictory and preliminary studies suggesting that some nutritional supplements may be helpful: If you have gum disease, Coenzyme Q10 or folic acid supplements may help. Also a mouthwash or toothpaste containing zinc chloride may improve things.

If you need to consult with a dental professional about bad breath treatment or need tooth replacement due to Atlanta Dental Implants please visit http://www.drdavidzelby.com/

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