What Lies Beneath a Dental Implant

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Classic Denture Center

You might not realize it, but over the past few years, a great deal of progress has been made in implant dentistry. This is great, but it has unfortunately given rise to peri-implant disease.

We at Classic Denture Center are true believers in the saying that “it is true that you can’t prevent that which you cannot control.” For general dentists and specialists alike, this is a frustrating reality in cases of peri-implantitis, a serious problem that’s on the rise with an increasing number of implants placed annually.

Notably, official diagnostic criteria for peri-implantitis, which would be globally recognized by the dental community, have not yet been introduced. In fact, research on most of the features of peri-implant disease remains at an early stage. Still, clinical studies have shown a higher prevalence of peri-implantitis among patients who are chronically prone to the condition, have poor oral hygiene, or who choose not to maintain the implant site.

Tanya Poleon, L.D., your denturist in Portland OR fully understands that she can’t control patients’ personal habits, but she does want to give help where she can. One suggestion she has is to use products that promote osseointegration and hygienic healing for long-term stability.

To Rinse or Not to Rinse Before Implant Surgery?

Chlorhexidine mouth rinse is a well documented antibacterial rinse that has been shown to reduce infection and complications associated with dental implants.

A separate study concluded that chlorhexidine gluconate 0,2% mouthwash is an effective prophylactic material to prevent and treat oral pathogens in association with the implant prosthesis.

Antibiotics: Not Always the Answer

Antibiotics are a controversial topic in implant dentistry. The pre- or postoperative use of antibiotics in conjunction with implant surgery and its correlation with failure and success rates are yet another poorly documented area in literature, according to researchers. While the benefits of prophylactic antibiotics are well recognized in dentistry, their routine use in the placement of endoosseous dental implants remains controversial.

A 2016 literature review concluded that prophylactic antibiotic treatment for each implant surgery is not mandatory, however, antibiotics are useful in preventing postoperative infections after implant placement.

According to this study, the accepted principles for the use of prophylactic antibiotics are as follows: The procedure should have significant risk for an incidence of postoperative infection; the appropriate antibiotic should be selected; the appropriate tissue concentration at the time of surgery is necessary, and the shortest effective antibiotic should be used.

Getting a Grip on Excess Cement

Cementing crowns, bridges, and fixed partial dentures onto implants has become increasingly popular, but not without issue. Dental cement is one cause of local tissue inflammation associated with dental implants. Cements have been linked directly to peri-implant diseases and have been blamed for bone loss and implant failure. This is especially concerning considering that it often takes a minimum of three years for bone loss to become easily discoverable.

The main point of this guide was to show you the ins and outs of dental implants. W hope it has helped you make some decisions about whether or not they are the right choice for you! If you have questions about your options or would like to discuss those options with your trusted denturist in Portland OR, contact us today. We are excited to help you create the smile you deserve!

What’s a Dental Bridge and Do I need One?

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

Tanya Poleon, your trusted denturist in Portland OR believes that being knowledgeable about your oral health is a key component to your overall health. It’s how you take control over how your mouth looks and feels. Without that control, you might just miss out on an important factor in keeping your mouth at its best!

To continue that tradition, she felt that now is a good time to share with you the basic information regarding a dental bridge.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A bridge is a dental restoration that fills the space where one or more teeth are missing. The bridge restores your bite and helps keep the natural shape of your face.

Since a missing tooth is a serious matter, bridges are highly necessary to ensure your teeth can work together in the way they need to. When you lose a tooth, the nearby teeth may tilt or drift into the empty space. The teeth in the opposite jaw may also shift up or down toward the space. This can affect your bite and place more stress on your teeth and jaw joints, possibly causing pain.

It is also important to note that teeth that have tipped or drifted are more difficult to clean. This puts them at a higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease.

When a tooth is missing, the bone may shrink. If that happens, it may change the way the jawbone supports the lips and cheeks. Over time, this can make your face look different.

How is a Bridge Placed?

Many people don’t realize it, but placing a bridge usually takes more than one dental visit. Below are the typical steps for placing your new dental bridge:

On your first visit, your dentist prepares the teeth on either side of the gap. The bridge will later be attached to these teeth.
Your dentist then takes an impression of your teeth and the space, and sends the impression to a dental laboratory.
The technicians at the lab make the bridge.
Your dentist will place a temporary bridge to protect your exposed teeth while you are waiting for the permanent one.
The bridge is then fixed, or cemented, to the prepared teeth.
This type of bridge is permanent and cannot be taken out of your mouth without a dentist’s help.
During one or more follow-up visits, the bridge is fitted, adjusted, and cemented in place.

What if I am missing several teeth?

Dental implants may be used to support a bridge when several teeth are missing. Implants are posts that are surgically placed into the jaw. The implants fuse to the jawbone to act as a base for the bridge. A key benefit of implants is that they don’t need support from the surrounding teeth.

Because surgery is required, candidates for dental implants should have good general health and enough bone to support an implant.

How do I care for my bridge?

A bridge can lose its support if the surrounding teeth or jawbone holding the bridge are damaged by dental disease.

Follow these tips for good oral health:

Brush twice a day and floss or use another between-the-teeth cleaner.
Brushing and cleaning between the teeth helps remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria.
Always clean between your teeth and under the bridge.
There are many kinds of flossers, picks and little brushes – ask your dentist what type will work well with your bridge.

It is very important to see your dentist regularly for exams and professional cleaning.

Placing a bridge is an expensive dental procedure. At Classic Denture Center we can fabricate you a partial or a flipper to substitute your missing tooth/teeth at a price that will make you smile! Contact your trusted denturist in Portland OR today to learn more!

Together We Can Help Prevent Tooth Decay

Posted on May 27, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

We have all heard it takes a village to raise a child, right? And to be honest, this is such an important part of our lives… But what about the idea that it takes an army to raise and maintain optimal oral hygiene? The constant 24-hour, 7-days-a-week battle against bacteria and inflammation in the oral cavity is a universal issue for all humans, children and adults alike. Your dental professionals, including your denturists in Portland OR at Classic Denture Center, are at the forefront of this struggle each and every day… Constantly learning and evolving to find new ways to keep your mouth healthy and beautiful.

Even in cases where your teeth look healthy, acids in everyday foods and drinks can still put enamel at risk and potentially cause enamel erosion. It’s true! You may not feel it or see it, but you could be doing damage to your teeth without even knowing it.

What is Enamel Erosion?

Enamel erosion from acids is a form of tooth wear that is caused by acid softening the surface of the tooth enamel. When tooth enamel (the tooth’s hard surface) is exposed to acids from certain everyday foods or drinks, it can temporarily soften and lose some of its mineral content. When the enamel is softened and you brush your teeth, it can be worn away more easily. Foods and drinks with a high acid content, such as fruit and fruit juices, sparkling water with lemon, salad dressing, and wine, may erode your tooth enamel.

Effects of pH

Evidence-based approaches are enabling dental professionals to shift their focus from identifying disease process outcomes to managing and controlling risk factors for infection. Among these risk factors are low (acidic) pH levels contributing to tooth demineralization and susceptibility. A more acidic oral environment is responsible for shifting the balance of oral biofilm from one supporting health to one in which the harmful bacteria implicated in destructive tooth decay and periodontal diseases are more prominent.

Advice for Caring for Your Teeth

Oral health maintenance and prevention begins with a strong mechanical and chemical homelier regime. All dental professionals are taught about how it takes a combination of mechanical and chemical tools to help our patients achieve optimal oral health. Inflammation, decay, erosion, and sensitivity can all be symptoms you are suffering from growing plaque bacteria.

Here at Classic Denture Center, we are your denturists in Portland OR fighting on the frontlines every single day for your oral health. We care for our patients and always give to them a full scope of recommendations for home care. Contact us today to learn more about your oral health and what can be done to improve it.