Wednesday, August 24, 2016


HOW MUCH DOES A DENTAL IMPLANT COST?

At cottonwood family dental our complete implant cost including crown restoration is $3,594. If Insurance coverage is involved the fee may be lower bases on contract fees with the Insurance company. The fee may also vary based on necessary bone grafting or sinus surgery. The total fee can be broken down for each individual charge.

                                              Code         Fee
Custom Implant Hardware   D6000      $ 300
Surgical Implant                   D6010      $ 1,494
Custom Crown Lab              D6002      $ 375
Custom Abutment                D6057      $ 604
Porcelain Crown                  D6058      $  821

We use only the best materials from the most reputable companies like Keystone Dental. The crown abutments and implants are custom made for each case. We do not use stock abutments for any implant case.

If you have any further questions you can call us at 801-262-4662 or to schedule a free consultation to determine your best care.


Cottonwood Family Dental
Randy N. Downing, D.D.S.
Chip W. Parker, D.M.D.

6 Serious Health Problems Your Dentist Might Find

Your lips, teeth, and gums don’t lie—here’s what they can reveal about your overall health

 

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Your mouth is like a crystal ball for your health. That’s because a good dentist can spot a wide range of potential medical problems by looking between your chompers.
In fact, we found 6 serious health conditions that could be first discovered while you’re getting your teeth cleaned.

1. Diabetes
Your dentist sees: Less spit than you should have. Dry mouth can signal a hidden case of diabetes, but you might not notice that parched feeling until your saliva production decreases by half, says Gigi Meinecke, D.M.D., F.A.G.D., spokesperson of the Academy of General Dentistry.
Your dentist’s trained eye can spot dryness much sooner. Chronic bad breath and slow healing when you burn or cut your mouth also might arouse suspicion.
What to do: According to a recent NYU study, your dentist may soon be able to screen for and control diabetes using blood collected from your gums during a routine visit. But until this test is widely available, see your primary care doctor for a physical and blood glucose check.

2. Acid reflux
Your dentist sees: Erosion in your bottom teeth. Any substance with a pH of 5.5 or lower can dissolve your tooth enamel—and gastric acid clocks in as low as 1.5, easily eating away at your pearly whites, Dr. Meinecke says.
According to a recent study in the International Journal of Dentistry, about 1 in 4 people with chronic reflux have tooth erosion, sometimes without heartburn or other obvious symptoms.
What to do: Schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist. Untreated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can lead to more serious health problems, including respiratory issues and esophageal cancer.

3. Crohn’s disease
Your dentist sees: Raised bumps that look like cobblestones on the gums right around your teeth. That’s because the same inflammation that strikes the intestines of people with Crohn’s disease can also affect their mouths, causing this classic sign, Dr. Meinecke says.
Because these bumps aren’t painful, you might not even notice them before your dentist spots them. What’s more, recurring canker sores—those small, painful ulcers that form inside your mouth—could also signal Crohn’s or another type of inflammatory bowel disease, notes a recent review in the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice.
What to do: Ask the dentist if topical corticosteroids can calm the inflammation in your mouth.  And see a gastroenterologist for an evaluation of what’s going on in your gut.

4. Heart disease
Your dentist sees: Gum or periodontal disease in a person who doesn’t fit the profile—say, a younger guy who brushes frequently. Signs like swollen, red gums that bleed, coupled with other cardiovascular risk factors like extra weight and family history can raise a red flag, says Dr. Meinecke.
What to do: Ask your dentist about treating your dental disease with deep cleanings or other techniques. Doing so could keep you out of the hospital due to heart disease, stroke, or another health issue, according to a recent study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Then book a visit with your primary care doctor to assess your heart risks. People with periodontal disease have up to triple the risk of having a heart attack or stroke, says David Paquette, D.M.D.

5. Cancer
Your dentist sees: Slight discolorations where tissues look whiter or redder than normal, often far back in your throat. That’s the way many oral cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)—on the rise among young men—begin.
In fact, Dr. Meinecke says she now looks closely for signs in anyone age 14 and older., potentially raising their risk of developing head and neck cancers as a result.)

What to do: Your dentist may ask you to come back in 7 days to see if anything’s changed. If not, get a biopsy. If you do have cancer, early detection improves the odds of successful treatment, Dr. Meinecke says.

6. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Your dentist sees: Jaw swelling, and you can feel pain, too. Unlike osteoarthritis, which commonly occurs as you get older, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that sometimes strikes young people. And half of those with early-onset RA first display symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction, better known as TMJ. In addition to feeling an achy jaw, you also might not be able to open your mouth very wide, Dr. Meinecke says.
What to do: Take the issue to your family doctor or a medical specialist known as a rheumatologist. They usually diagnose and treat RA.

The DIY Dentist

7 maladies of the mouth and how to treat them -- yourself

 SENSITIVE TEETH

Cause: Exposed nerve roots, often from receding gums.


Treatment: Lay off the whitening, tartar-control, and baking-soda toothpastes -- they're abrasive and can contain phosphates, which make teeth sensitive. Don't brush too hard, which can lead to other dental problems, such as recessed gums, says Sherri Worth, D.D.S., a celebrity cosmetic dentist. If pain persists, visit your dentist for a prescription fluoride treatment to toughen up your choppers.
 
LOST TOOTH
Causes: Dikembe Mutombo, inline skates, Jell-O shots, or all three

Treatment: Rinse it off and push it back in right away, then bite down gently on a soft cloth or moistened tea bag to hold it in place. Knocking out a tooth tears the periodontal ligaments, but some might still cling to the tooth. If reconnected early enough, they can reattach to the gums.

The tooth will feel strong in a few days and could be good as new in a month or two, says Dr. Worth. Want to make sure? See a dentist.
 
BURNED PALATE
Causes: Hot pizza, impatience

Treatment: You might not think this can cause dental problems, but burning the roof of your mouth softens the tissue, making it more prone to infection, says Pia Lieb, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City. She recommends using Kenalog in Orabase, a corticosteroid paste that creates a protective coating on the burn and speeds healing.
 
BURNED TONGUE
Cause: Hot coffee, improper flame-breathing technique

Treatment: Rinse your mouth with a solution of 1 teaspoon of salt and a cup of warm water. "It's actually very soothing," says Dr. Worth. The salt can draw infection to the surface of the tissue, where the body eliminates it, and salt helps neutralize the acidic environment that fosters bacteria.
 
JAW SORENESS
Cause: Possibly temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD, which can lead to splitting headaches marked by pain radiating down the front of your ears to your jaw. The improper alignment of your jaw leads to unconscious grinding of the teeth, often at night.

Treatment: "Your muscles are looking to find comfort, so you move your jaw around constantly," Dr. Lieb says. Try sleeping on your side or back with a supportive pillow, instead of facedown.
 
CANKER SORE
Cause: There are numerous possible causes -- but Cap'n Crunch, Doritos, salsa, and other sharp and spicy foods can further irritate the sore. Avoid mixing them.

Treatment: Apply vegetable oil to a cotton ball and hold it against the sore three or four times a day. "The oil helps coat the sore and protect it from irritation," says Mary Ellen Camire, Ph.D., a Men's Health nutrition advisor.
 
CHIPPED OR CRACKED TEETH
Cause: Temperature disparity that occurs when you bite into hot food then swig an ice-cold drink. "Between the expansion and contraction, cracks will form on your enamel," says Richard Price, D.M.D., a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association.

Treatment: A chip can be the San Andreas Fault; your tooth can be California, sliding gently into the ocean. Or the chip or crack could simply leave you susceptible to infection and decay. A dentist can bond or seal the tooth, repairing chips while keeping your choppers safe from ending up a dental dead zone.
Don’t let Missing Teeth Limit your Life
If you are missing any of your natural teeth, implant
dentistry can provide you with teeth that look and
feel like your very own. Permanent replacement teeth
can be yours without the embarrassment of loose
dentures or having to cut into other healthy teeth in
your mouth. An attractive, cosmetic smile is possible.
Implants will enable you to enjoy the simple pleasures
of unrestricted eating. With dental implants you can
have the confidence to pursue an active business and
social life. 
 
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts with specially
treated surfaces. They are placed (implanted) in your
jawbone to function in a similar way to a natural tooth
root. Your bone grows onto the implants in a process
called Osseointegration. After a few months they form
a permanent part of your body. 
 
Are Dental Implants Safe and How Long do they Last?
Present day dental implants are based on scientific
evidence and consistently show success rates of more
than 95%. Many dentists agree that implants are one
of the most predictable forms of dental treatment and
in most cases it is a life-long solution. Approximately
one million people will receive dental implants this year.
Make sure that you are one of them.
 
Might I be Suitable?
Radiographic x-rays will be needed to see if you have
sufficient quality and quantity of bone. Disease such
as uncontrolled diabetes can affect the bone growing
onto the implant and will need careful assessment.
In general, most people are suitable candidates for
implants.
Does it Hurt?
 
A small operation will be necessary. In most cases
to place the implants in the dentist’s office. In some
cases a general anesthesia is preferable and this
requires a visit to a day clinic or hospital. Some patients
do experience one or two days of discomfort after the
procedure, usually related to the stitches.
Is the Treatment Expensive?
 
An accurate cost estimate can be obtained from
your dentist or dental specialist. Studies have shown
that implants are cost effective when compared with
alternative treatment plans. In general, implant
treatment is not much more expensive than the
alternatives (bridge or new dentures at recurring short
intervals). The big difference lies with the long term
success. Your implants can be with you for the rest
of your life.
Should I Wait Until I’m Older?
 
Conventional dentures usually lead to accelerated
bone loss. Many people choose implants to preserve
their facial bone. The youngest patients receiving
implants are in their early teens, the oldest in their
90’s. What often happens where there are missing
teeth, is that the jawbone begins to shrink. This is
common with denture wearers and the jawbone which
is important for holding the denture, gradually
disappears, making the denture more and more
problematic. Dental implants restore normal loading of
the bone and prevent further bone loss. The sooner
you decide to have the implants placed, the less bone
loss will occur and the easier it is for the dentist to
achieve a good result.
How is the Treatment Obtained?
 
Implant treatment is a technical and complex form
of dentistry. Not all dentists wish, or are trained to
provide implant treatment. For this reason, your
dentist might refer you to a specialist for part or all of the
implant treatment. Ask your dentist about your implant
treatment options today

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Those several sleepless weeks did not have anything to do with teething because the emergence of a tooth does not take that long.

Let’s start with the oft-cited claim that teething causes excruciating pain because a tooth is “stabbing” through the gum. “That’s one of those myths,” explains Clay Jones, a pediatric and newborn hospitalist at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, Massachusetts, who wrote about teething for the popular blog Science-Based Medicine. “What happens is that the gums remodel—they move out of the way as the tooth emerges.” After all, Jones says, gums don’t bleed when kids teethe. A 2003 study documented a statistically significant increase in one inflammatory marker during infant teething, but the rest of the markers the study tested, called cytokines, didn’t change much. “A baby might be in pain or having some degree of discomfort, but I think that a significant amount of pain is not likely or plausible,” Jones says.

Indeed, if teething caused tremendous pain, one would expect kids to have consistent symptoms—but they don’t. In one of the most carefully conducted studies on teething that’s ever been done, researchers in Brazil sent dentists into the homes of 47 babies every day for eight months. They took the babies’ temperatures, checked their gums, and interviewed the parents about their infants’ behaviors. The study found that teething was associated with sleep disturbances, drooling, rashes, runny noses, diarrhea, appetite loss, irritability, and slight rises in temperature (not clinical fevers). But the interesting thing is that these symptoms consistently occurred only on the day that a child’s tooth erupted and one day after. No symptoms regularly occurred in the days before the tooth appeared.

Another study relied on parents who were employees of the Cleveland Clinic to report the timing of their babies’ tooth eruptions, their temperatures, and other symptoms. It found that biting, drooling, gum-rubbing, irritability, and sucking tended to be more common up to four days before a tooth appeared and for as long as three days afterward. More serious symptoms, such as sleep awakenings, decreased appetite for solid foods, facial rashes, and slightly elevated temperatures (but not above 102 degrees), were more likely to occur one or two days before or on the same days a tooth came through. But this study found no really serious symptoms associated with teething—no diarrhea, vomiting, high fevers, or reductions in the overall duration of sleep.

Importantly, the researchers found that so-called teething symptoms frequently occurred in nonteething infants, too—it’s just that they were more likely to happen when the infants were teething. They also found that no specific symptom occurred in more than 35 percent of teething infants. In other words, nonteething kids often seem like they’re teething, and teething kids don’t all have the same symptoms. What a nightmare for parents. “Despite hundreds of thousands of data points,” explains study co-author Michael Macknin, a Cleveland Clinic pediatrician, “we could not determine when a child was teething before a tooth appeared.” The one thing Macknin could say for sure based on his data was that “a baby who drools or is fussy for weeks before a tooth eruption is not having symptoms due to teething.” My doctor was right, then. Those several sleepless weeks did not have anything to do with teething because the emergence of a tooth simply does not take that long.

So why, then, does teething seem like the worst thing ever? In part, it’s an artifact of the difficult psychology of parenting. Babies rapidly change; they go through difficult periods; they get sick a lot. Yet they can never tell us what’s wrong, so we have to guess at the causes. And what’s something that happens a lot in infancy that we can blame everything on? Oh! Teething. “It’s the nature of being a human—when we’re faced with nonspecific symptoms like fussiness and drooling and changes in sleep, we want to peg it on something,” Jones says. This is not a new thing. Centuries ago, teething was thought to be associated with worm infestations. In 1839, more than 5,000 deaths were attributed to teething. And sadly, some traditional African healers still pull out tooth buds in teething babies—without anesthesia—in an effort to cure them of what they think are “tooth worms.”