Archives for July 2023

How Much Bone Grafting for Dental Implants?

Posted on July 24, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I have a combination of old crowns, a partial denture, and decayed and missing teeth. How much bone grafting will I need for dental implants? I saw two dentists, one of whom recommends full-mouth reconstruction, including six dental implants. The six missing teeth have been gone for almost 12 years. The dentist said I probably would need bone grafting, but he would refer me to a periodontist for the implants. I know I need bone grafting because I can see that the bone is low where the teeth are missing. I’m unsure which dentist I will choose to complete the work with, but both visits left me with questions. How much bone grafting will I need? Will this process take more than a year? Thank you. Nathan from Bakersfield, CA

Nathan,

Thank you for your question.

How Much Bone Grafting for Dental Implants?

Model of a dental implant and crown between two natural teeth

A dental implants needs enough healthy bone to fuse with for lasting support.

Your jawbone loss will determine how much grafting you need for dental implants. An implant dentist, oral surgeon, or periodontist must take a 3-D CT scan to measure the bone volume throughout your jaw and identify where to place dental implants. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry published an article on missing teeth and bone loss. The report states that bone shrinks 25 percent in the first three months after tooth loss and up to 50 percent in the first six months. For denture wearers, dentures resting on the jawbone accelerate shrinkage.

After twelve years, your bone loss may be significant. The 3-D CT scan is a critical factor in successful dental implant placement. As you consult different implant dentists, ask whether they use the scans to determine whether patients are eligible for dental implants and where to place them. Find another provider if an implant dentist does not use a 3-D CT scan for treatment planning.

How Long Does It Take to Get Dental Implants?

The time it takes to get dental implants varies because no two patients’ cases are identical. Depending on the treatment needed, you may expect the following:

If you need bone grafting before implant placement, expect four to six months of healing before implant surgery.
After implant surgery, your doctor will allow three to four months of healing. You may wear temporary replacement teeth during that time.
When a doctor must remove teeth before dental implant placement, they may complete extractions, bone grafting, and implant placement during one appointment. Healing will take four to six months.
After your jawbone and implants integrate, your doctor will expose the implants, attach a connector (abutment), and allow several months for your gums to form around the abutments.
Your dentist will attach your final replacement teeth to the abutments.

A full-mouth reconstruction includes a combination of dental treatments. Your dentist and the doctor who places your implants (if different from your dentist) will coordinate your care. Your dentist will give you an estimate of the total time for restoring your oral health and smile.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post.

My New Crowns Make My Jaw Lock

Posted on July 21, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My jaw keeps locking, and my neck hurts. The pain was so bad last night that I couldn’t sleep. I took ibuprofen and put a warm compress on the side of my face to get relief, but I knew this would not go away by itself. The problem began after I got six new crowns. My dentist took impressions of my mouth four months ago and gave me a night guard, which is not helping. The pain interferes with eating, talking, working, sleeping, etc. Do I need an adjustment to the night guard? Or should I skip another visit to my dentist and get another opinion on why my jaw keeps locking? Thank you. Jana from San Diego

Jana,

We are sorry you are experiencing discomfort and pain after getting new crowns. As you may know, jaw locking is often a symptom of temporomandibular joint disorder. We will explain why your jaw continually locks and what to do about it.

Why Does Your Jaw Keep Locking?

Jaw locking, or trismus, is often related to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Other conditions can cause jaw locking, including:

Trauma
Oral surgery
Infection
Cancer
Radiation treatment for head or throat cancer

How Can You Find the Cause of Jaw Locking?

You can find the cause of repeated jaw locking by scheduling an exam from a dentist with post-graduate TMJ training. Depending on the severity of the issue and the tests you have already had, a thorough examination includes the following:

Analyzing your jaw joints and bite
Bloodwork
CT scan
Measuring your mouth opening
MRI
X-rays

Are Your Symptoms Related to TMJ?

A trained dentist can determine if your symptoms are TMJ related. Occasional jaw popping and clicking are not unusual and do not necessarily mean that you have a TMJ disorder. Still, you might have a TMJ disorder if you experience these signs and symptoms:

A bite that feels off
Chronic headaches
Dizziness
Ear fullness or pressure
Earaches
Jaw locking, pain, or stiffness
Neck and shoulder pain
Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
Vision problems

What Is the Right Treatment for TMJ?

The proper TMJ treatment depends on the cause and severity of your signs and symptoms. A dentist may recommend any of these methods:

Pain reliever
Orthotics
Adjusting your bite
Splint
Night guard
Adjustments to (or replacing) your dental crowns
Warm or cold compresses
Temporarily limiting yourself to soft foods to minimize chewing and let your jaw rest

Schedule a Second-Opinion Appointment

If you are experiencing ongoing jaw pain and locking, search online for a dentist with advanced TMJ training. After an exam, the dentist will determine whether your concerns are TMJ related or if you need further care from another medical professional. Getting a second opinion from a skilled cosmetic dentist can help you prevent a dental emergency.

Sugar Land, Texas dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post.

Dental Bridge Tooth Is Too Long

Posted on July 14, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I’ve had three dentists work on my bridge for a missing canine tooth. It’s a mess. The crown for the canine tooth is too long, and it looks like a fang. When I talk to people, I can tell they notice the tooth, and I am embarrassed.

My general dentist did the bridge in 2019. Although I was never happy with it, I left it alone. When I moved to Texas early last year, I saw a prosthodontist because they are supposed to be the best at tooth replacement. So, I couldn’t understand why the tooth did not look any different after an adjustment.

Now I have braces; my orthodontist said he could reduce the crown. I don’t know what he was doing. The tooth is still too long, but now it looks badly chiseled. Worse than ever.

So now I’m at my new holistic dentist, who recommends a new bridge. A new bridge? I’m not surprised because of the way the tooth looks. I don’t know who to trust, though. Should I just get porcelain veneers now and forget about the bridge? Should I wait until I finish braces to get a new bridge anyway? – Carlotta from NH

Carlotta,

Before discussing your treatment options, a dentist must examine your dental bridge and the replacement canine tooth. We encourage you to schedule a consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist.

Can a Dentist Shorten a Tooth in Your Bridge?

Although a dentist can make minor adjustments to shorten a crown in your bridge, you’ve had the crown for three years. Several dental professionals have tried to adjust the crown with no success. Their repeated attempts have no doubt weakened and damaged the bridge, and you will need a new one.

Your braces will move your teeth to a new position. If your orthodontic treatment affects the teeth that anchor the bridge, you will still need a new bridge after you finish braces. If your holistic dentist does not have advanced cosmetic dentistry training, consider getting a fourth opinion. We recommend asking a cosmetic dentist to coordinate your care with your orthodontist to determine the best time for a new dental bridge.

Sugar Land, Texas, dentist Dr. Siny Thomas of Cornerstone Dentistry sponsors this post.

What Brands of Dental Implants Should I Request?

Posted on July 3, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I’ve researched a lot before deciding on All-on-4 dental implants and seeing if I qualify. If I qualify, how do I know which brands of implants to ask for? I know implant mistakes can happen, and I don’t want it to be because of cheap implants that might rust in my mouth or fall out. Thanks. Stephen from Albuquerque

Stephen,

A reputable implant dentist will use quality implant fixtures if you receive All-on-4 dental implants in the U.S. and not abroad. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates implant fixtures in the United States. Those fixtures are of the highest quality. If you risk going out of the country for cheaper dental implants, the risks are higher because the regulations differ in other countries.

The FDA works with the American Dental Association to ensure dentists observe implant standards and follow regulations closely. The implant screw, the surgical procedure, and the dental crowns attached to the fixture must meet safety regulations.

What Factors Affect Dental Implant Success?

Much of dental implant success depends on the implant dentist’s skill. A highly trained and skilled dentist will ensure proper planning with three-dimensional diagnostic studies. These CT scans help determine whether you are a candidate for dental implants and where to place the implants.

Even the highest-quality implant fixtures can loosen and fail if a dentist skips proper planning or uses improper surgical techniques.

An experienced implant dentist will select a top implant brand and size specific to your All-on-4 dental implants case. Requesting a particular brand of dental implants is not to your benefit if the dentist can’t match the fixtures with your needs.

Below are a few things to look for before choosing an implant dentist:

Training, experience, and credentials
The number of implant cases the dentist has completed from start to finish
Before-and-after pictures of the dentist’s dental implant patients

Schedule at least two All-on-4 dental implants consultations

After finding a skilled implant dentist, you can ask which brands they use. Depending on the dentist’s preference for each patient’s case, they may use one or more of the following U.S. dental implant brands or other brands they prefer:

Straumann
Nobel Biocare
Dentsply Sirona
3i
BioHorizons
Zimmer

You can schedule two or three consultations with All-on-4 implant dentists. Compare the dentists’ experience, treatment options, and fees.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how he strives to give patients high-quality dental care.