Losing permanent teeth is a difficult experience for many patients. Those without teeth have pronounced difficulties with basic oral functions such as eating and speaking. Furthermore, tooth loss negatively affects oral health beyond the function and appearance of missing teeth. Edentulous patients ultimately lose bone mass and gum tissue, too. For these reasons, replacing missing
Will a Gum Graft Help with Tooth Sensitivity?
A gum graft is a common oral surgery that is used to alleviate the negative effects of gum recession. In many cases, our oral surgeon performs gum-grafting procedures for patients with advanced gum disease. Over time, untreated gum disease attacks gum tissue and causes the gums to pull away from teeth. This can lead to
Long-Term Denture Wearer: What are my options?
Have you worn dentures for years? Are you wondering if new methods of replacing missing teeth would be more durable, natural looking, and comfortable? Chances are, if you have been wearing the same set of dentures for a lengthy period of time, they likely do not properly fit over your gums and may even slide
Gum Disease: Am I still a candidate for dental implants?
Did you know that the primary cause of loss of permanent teeth in adulthood is not tooth decay but gum disease? In fact, estimates show that roughly four out of every five people in the United States will develop some type of gum disease in their lifetime. Because advanced gum disease is a destructive oral
Dental Implant Treatment: What questions should I ask my oral surgeon?
Oral surgeons and dental professionals regard dental implants as one of the best ways to replace missing teeth because they offer durability and full restoration of tooth function. Normally implanted by an oral surgeon, dental implants feature a titanium rod and a specially made crown. Dental implants are permanent and unlike dentures, they are not
Common Causes of Tooth Loss
Unfortunately, tooth loss happens. The good news is that there are a wide variety of treatments that can restore a lifelike appearance to your smile. There’s no need to settle for replacement teeth that are obviously fake. Tooth loss typically occurs due to either advanced decay or gum disease or as a result of trauma
All-on-4 Dental Implants: Will my results look natural?
If you’ve lost an entire arch of teeth, the last thing that you’ll want is a prosthetic replacement with an unnatural appearance. Fortunately, the materials used to make these appliances have improved dramatically in recent years, and they closely resemble natural teeth. However, with conventional dentures, there’s always the risk of a slip-up or a
Wisdom Teeth Removal: Preserve Your Investment in Orthodontic Treatment
Planning for wisdom teeth removal is a common event in the life of a young adult. While there is quite a long list of reasons for having the wisdom teeth removed, the list of reasons for keeping them has always remained quite short. Few teens or young adults will have enough space in the jaw
Sleep Apnea: Are there health risks?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which people stop sleeping repeatedly for very brief periods. An oral surgeon can tell you that symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, daytime drowsiness, morning headaches and dry or sore throat upon waking. This condition is more than a nuisance for a sleeping partner, though. Sleep can have
Are dental implants the right choice for me?
Patients who have suffered tooth loss have a number of options to consider to replace those missing teeth. Bridges, dentures and dental implants may all be possible, depending on the extent and nature of the tooth loss. Many factors will influence your decision, such as the cost of dental implants vs. other appliances, the treatment
