If you have missing teeth or wear dentures you many want to consider the benefits of dental implants. Replacing your existing teeth with dental implants can now be performed seamlessly. Modern day dentistry has countless benefits over conventional removable prosthesis.
Poor oral health is directly linked to periodontal disease responsible for the loss of teeth. Periodontitis is an advanced form of gingivitis, left untreated it can result in a host of problems including the loss of your pearly whites. Chronic periodontitis can lead to the loss of tissue and bone that support the teeth, if you experience red inflamed gums that bleed on a regular basis consult your dental practitioner immediately.
Tooth decay is a modern day epidemic especially in the western world. Processed food that is high in acidity and sugar contribute greatly to the decline in oral health. A pH level of 5.5 or less begins to demineralize the enamel of the tooth, pH levels range from 1 to 14 with 14 being the most alkaline, 7 is neutral and 1 is the most acidic.
Some foods to avoid:
Refined Flour - Ex: biscuits, muffins, white bread, generic cereals and pastries
Hydrogenated oils - Ex: margarine, canola oil, vegetable oil, soybean oil, fast food made or fried with hydrogenated oil, soy milk, soy and tofu
Sugar - Ex: refined sugar, brown sugar, glucose/fructose and commercial jams made with refined sugar and popular carbonated beverages
The iData international research firm stated the US market is poised for double digit growth in the area of reconstructive dental procedures for 2013 and beyond. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons found that 69 percent of adults aged 35 to 44 have lost one or more permanent teeth to accidents, gum disease, failed root canal or tooth decay. In addition, by age 74, 26 percent of adults will have lost all of their permanent teeth.
The inconvenience of dentures and bridges are unaesthetic and unappealing to many people. The cleaning and maintenance of dentures is a task most people will opt out off if given a choice. Hence, the modern dental implant is here to save the day.
Most dental implants are made of titanium but the surface of the implant can vary depending on the manufacturer and type of treatment. Implant materials can range from an acid-etched roughened surface to microgrooved or plasma sprayed titanium surface with a hydroxyapatite coating. The dental surgeon will determine what is the right fit for the patient.
Dental implants differ in size from your standard implant platform from 3.5 mm to 4.2 mm in diameter, these short and narrow implants are usually placed toward the front of the mouth.
The wide implant platform ranges in size from 4.5 mm to 6 mm in diameter, this is placed at the back of the mouth.
The mini or narrow body dental implants range in size from 2 mm to 3.5 mm in diameter, specifically used in patients with low bone density. Of course people all different and some patients may require custom implants based on the dimensions of their oral cavity.
The sooner the oral health of a patient is addressed the better chance that sufficient bone density in the maxilla and mandible will be available for a successful implant operation. Grafting products may also be incorporated into oral surgery to fill any space between the metal framework and the patient’s lower or upper jawbone. Surgery recovery times differ from one individual to the next, the better the blood supply and health of a patient the quicker the recovery time will be.
Dr. Michael Layton (DDS) is the dentist for Peace Arch Dental, a dental office in the South Surrey/White Rock, B.C. area. He has been in the dental industry for the last decade and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Washington. He takes pride in providing positive and caring dental solutions for people of every walk of life - this includes dental implants! You can follow him on Google+.
