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Are you brushing your teeth thoroughly? Check out the image below to find out.

 

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Why You Grind Your Teeth At Night—and How to Stop

 If you’re waking up with a dull headache, your teeth might be to blame

Feeling stressed can start in your mind, but the effects of it can quickly travel a few inches south to your jaw.
Since we tend to hold tension in our jaw and neck, continual anxiety can cause us to grind our teeth when we sleep. Dentists call this condition bruxism, and it can range from mildly annoying to seriously damaging. It's actually pretty common: 10 to 20 percent of adults deal with it, says Randy N. Downing D.D.S. So how do you know if you’re guilty of grinding? If you find yourself waking up with a dull Headache or an especially tense jaw, bruxism is probably to blame. The most common cause is stress, but bruxism can also be a side effect of a misaligned jaw or even some medications.
The issue with constant grinding is that it can really mess with your tooth enamel, making your teeth more sensitive.
The night grind can also cause or worsen temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), a painful chronic inflammation of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.
TMJ is not necessarily a cause of grinding, though.
“People who have chronic TMJ pain are more likely to grind their teeth,” says Dr.Downing. “However, it’s a chicken and egg argument. We don’t know if TMJ pain causes one to grind their teeth or vice versa.”
So how can you avoid the painful effects? Aside from working on reducing your stress, avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they tend to worsen the jaw tension.
You can also have your dentist fit you with a mouth guard to keep your jaw relaxed and prevent your teeth from grinding at night.
Even though getting one from your dentist might cost you a little more money than the ones you find at the drugstore (they can be up to a few hundred dollars), it’s worth it.
Ill-fitting night guards often don’t cover the back molars, and since teeth tend to move if something isn’t stopping them, you could end up with a misaligned bite.

Randy N. Downing, D.D.S.
Cottonwood Family Dental

Dentists call this condition bruxism, and it can range from mildly annoying to seriously damaging.

Having a mouth full of dark-colored metal is so commonplace that many people don't know there's an alternative.

 

Metal-free restorations

For years, silver amalgam was the filling material used in dental practices. While amalgams are a perfectly reasonable restoration choice, they can have certain shortcomings. Metal fillings do not bond to the tooth and can actually mask decay in x-rays.

Teeth with large metal fillings in them can also develop cracks over time due to expansion and contraction of the mercury. Left untreated, thee cracks get larger and can eventually require root canal treatment. Replacing metal fillings with tooth-colored composite fillings that form a stronger bond to the tooth can dramatically decrease tooth cracking, the chances for decay and the need for possible root canal treatment due to a fractured tooth.

Fillings aren't the only metal-free restorations available today. Dr. Downing also uses crowns made from the latest in modern ceramics as opposed to traditional crowns which are made from porcelain fused to metal. Over time gum tissue can recede which causes the metal inside the crown to become visible at the gum line. These ugly gray lines can make a once beautiful smile lose its luster.

Ceramic crowns are incredibly strong and long lasting restorations. and because they are completely bio-compatible there are no allergic reactions or tooth sensitivity problems. They look so natural that even dentists have a hard time spotting them!

If you want the option of modern, state-of-the-art restorations that are natural looking, contain no metals and can actually strengthen your teeth, give us a call today.

You deserve a smile that looks better and more natural without all the metal!
Call (801 262-4662 today!


 

 We Love to see you Smile!


Randy N. Downing, D.D.S.

Why Your Gums Bleed After You Brush Your Teeth

Spitting pink into the sink every time you brush? It could signal a serious dental problem

 If you spit pink every time you brush your teeth, you probably have gum disease. 

Mild gum disease—or gingivitis—is the chronic buildup of bacteria-laden plaque and tarter on your teeth that only a dentist can remove. 

How Gum Disease Gets Worse 

The longer plaque stays there, the more inflammation and swelling it’ll cause around your gums. The simple act of brushing your teeth irritates the swollen gums, and makes them bleed. 
 
The problem: Most guys don’t even know they have gingivitis because it normally doesn’t cause pain until it worsens.

And you definitely don’t want it to get that point. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can turn into periodontitis, says Murray, Utah dentist Randy N. Downing D.D.S. Your teeth may loosen, or in extreme cases, fall out or need to be removed.
It can also affect more than your mouth: Gum disease is linked to an increased risk of heart disease diabetes, and stroke, too, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

How to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy 

The only way to get rid of or avoid gingivitis is to practice good oral hygiene. You should brush twice a day and floss every night to discourage plaque buildup.

Sounds like simple advice, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to screw up.

Make an appointment with your dentist, too. Guys with bleeding gums or signs of cavities—toothache, pain when you eat hot or cold food, or pain when you bite down—should get a cleaning every three months, says Dr. Downing.
A buildup of plaque—the cause of gum disease—also causes cavities.
If you don’t have any symptoms now, but have had cavities in the past, you should make an appointment every six months to a year, Dr. Downing says.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a permanent replacement for lost teeth. Because of their many advantages over dentures or bridges, many people are interested in getting implants but have questions about the process, cost and procedure. Below are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about dental implants.

How long does the implant procedure take?

Implants are not something that you can get in just one or two dentist office visits. There are many steps on the journey towards implants, and the entire process can take about a year. During this time, you will always have temporary dentures to wear, so you will never have to be without teeth. There may be more than one dental professional involved in your implant process, such as a general dentist and oral surgeon. The entire implant plan can be laid out for you in the beginning so that you will know what to expect at every step of the way. There is always a possibility of changes to the plan along the way, but your dentists can keep you in the loop so that you will always be informed of what is happening.

Will dental implants work for me?

The first thing most people wonder is if they personally can get implants, especially if they already wear dentures. The answer is often yes, but only a dentist can determine if an individual patient is a candidate for implants. Implants need healthy bone in the jaws, and bone begins to deteriorate as soon as teeth are lost. The longer you have been without teeth, the less likely it is that implants will work; however, there are different types of implants and methods to make implants possible even for people who have been toothless or worn dentures for a long time. Also, certain health conditions may increase the risk that your body will reject implants. It is important for the dentist to know your health history when determining if you are a candidate for dental implants.

Are all implants the same?

The term “dental implants” actually refers to a variety of different types of implants and crowns. A single implant can replace one missing tooth with a titanium post that has an artificial tooth fixed to it. Full implants that replace all the teeth in the mouth may consist of several implants that support a row of crowns, while mini-implants may support removable dentures that are held in place by snapping on to the implants. Another type of popular dental implant needs only four implants to support an entire arch of teeth on the top or bottom.

Are implants painful?

Part of getting implants involves surgery, so you can expect the normal discomfort that goes along with any oral surgery. Modern pain management techniques keep this discomfort to a minimum, and there is no particular pain associated with actually having dental implants. In fact, because they are permanent, you won’t have to worry about the pain that often goes with dentures, such as getting food particles caught between your dentures and gums or getting sore spots from dentures that don’t fit correctly.

How much do implants cost?

The cost of dental implants is higher than the cost of dentures or other tooth replacements, but over the years, implants may actually save you money. Unlike dentures, implants require no special cleaners or adhesives. A normal toothbrush and the toothpaste you buy for your family is all that is required. Dentures and bridges need frequent adjustments and complete replacement every several years, but implants can last a lifetime. The upfront cost of getting implants depends on a variety of factors including location of the dentist, the type of implants you are getting and the work that needs 

6 Tooth brushing Mistakes You Make Every Morning

Perfect your technique and your smile with these fast fixes

 

1. You don’t clean at the right time of day. 
“Your toothbrush should be the last thing your teeth touch at night,” says Randy N. Downing, D.D.S. a dentist in Murray, Utah.
 Snacking before you sleep significantly raises your risk for cavities if food stays lodged in between your teeth.
Your morning method is equally important: Protective saliva production slows down when you snooze, spurring the bacteria in your mouth to multiply even faster.
Brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes, making sure you spend 30 seconds on each quadrant (your upper left teeth, your upper right teeth, and so on).

2. You use the wrong brush.
Pick a soft bristle toothbrush that can slip under your gum tissue and dislodge any plaque stuck there, Dr. Hewlett recommends. If the plaque isn’t removed, you increase your risk of developing gum disease.
Brushing with a medium or hard model—and using excessive pressure—can cause your gums to recede and expose the surface of your roots, or the bottom of your teeth. Since the root surface isn’t as hard as the exposed enamel-covered part of your teeth, scrubbing this area can wear it away more easily and cause little cavities, Dr. Downing says.

3. You follow the wrong technique. 
A few straight strokes won’t get the job done. Position the handle of your brush so the bristles point at a 30- to 45-degree angle when they touch your gum tissue, Dr. Downing advises. Rotate your wrist in a circular motion to effectively remove the plaque, says Dr. Downing.
When you move behind your front teeth, you should turn your tool vertically to better reach the entire tooth. And make sure to give special attention to the back of your mouth, since that area normally hides the largest amount of plaque.

4. You don’t rinse.
Swallowing or spitting out your toothpaste doesn’t totally remove all the harmful stuff that you loosened while brushing. Use an alcohol-free mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide, suggests Chip W. Packer D.M.D. a dentist in Murray, Utah
Our picks: The acid-killing ACT Anticavity Fluoride ($5, drugstores) and Colgate Total Advanced Pro-Shield ($6, drugstores). If you don’t have any mouthwash handy, rinsing with water is better than nothing.

5. You ignore the rest of your mouth.
Your tongue traps harmful bacteria, too. Food or debris can easily get stuck in the crevices between the carpet-like strands, known as papillae, on the surface of your tongue.

6. You don’t replace your brush. 
The ADA recommends buying a new brush every 3 or 4 months. (The average brush contains more than 10 million bacteria, according to a British study.) Worn bristles won’t effectively remove plaque or bacteria.
And if you’ve been sick, swap out your brush immediately. Residual bacteria and viruses from an illness can cling to the brush and potentially re-infect you.

How do you know if your dentist is telling the truth?

 The Intra-oral camera

 Sometimes as a patient you may not understand the treatment that is recommended by your dentist. With new modern technology you can now see EXACTLY what Dr. Downing and Dr. Packer sees! Cottonwood Family Dental has invested in an amazing new technology—the mini intra-oral camera--that actually allows our patients to see what we see inside the mouth during examination. Dr. Packer says, “It is sometimes difficult for patients to understand the need for care or home maintenance when they can’t see it for themselves. Dr. downing says "our patients can see everything we see so they completely understand our treatment recommendations.” 

It can be easy to see, even for a patient, when a filling has broken down and needs restoration.
Your dentist can then give you options about the best way to restore a defective filling. The intra-oral camera can be a big help in allowing patients to be a part of their dental care decision.

How do you choose a good dentist?

I am a dentist, but like everyone else, my teeth need regular care to preserve them and make them as attractive as possible. So, just like everyone else, I go to the dentist to receive many of the procedures I deliver to my own patients.

When I sat down to write goals for my practice, it occurred to me that the kind of dentistry I want to give to my patients was exactly the kind of dentistry I wanted to receive. And I can assure you that I would hold my dentist to some pretty high standards.

I would want my dentist to see me as an individual, to know me personally and not merely treat me as a chart number or "the next patient." I would want my dentist to foster this relationship by knowing what is important to me and respecting me was a person. And I wouldn't want to be taken for granted, even years into the relationship.

Although I am probably as brave as the next person, I would prefer not to experience discomfort during my dental visit. I would want my dentist to have genuine concern for my comfort before, during and after my treatment. I would want my dentist to have thoroughly mastered pain free dental techniques.

Maybe I am spoiled but I get annoyed if I have to do too much waiting. I would prefer if my dentist and team were ready for me when I arrived and would really like it if I were the only patient there so the doctor and team could give me their full attention.

I am a stickler for quality. I am even willing to pay a little more if I am receiving top-of-the-line treatment. These teeth are the only ones I will ever have so I wouldn't choose my dentist because his or her fees were the lowest. I would choose a dentist who could provide me with the highest level of care, which is what I feel I deserve. I would appreciate someone who is painstakingly accurate in all the details of my treatment. So what I want as a dental patient is what I hope you want because the result of this kind of treatment is my true goal: optimal dental health and appearance. 

If you want this kind of care, I would be happy to be your dentist.

Take a quick tour of Cottonwood Family Dental where we Love to see you Smile!

The awesome team at Cottonwood Family Dental

Angela wants you to try our cookies!

6 Toothbrushing Mistakes You Make Every Morning

6 Tooth Brushing Mistakes You Make Every Morning

 

1. You don’t clean at the right time of day. 
“Your toothbrush should be the last thing your teeth touch at night,” says Edmond R. Hewlett, D.D.S., a professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry. Snacking before you sleep significantly raises your risk for cavities if food stays lodged in between your teeth.
Your morning method is equally important: Protective saliva production slows down when you snooze, spurring the bacteria in your mouth to multiply even faster.
Brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes, making sure you spend 30 seconds on each quadrant (your upper left teeth, your upper right teeth, and so on).
2. You use the wrong brush.
Pick a soft bristle toothbrush that can slip under your gum tissue and dislodge any plaque stuck there, Dr. Hewlett recommends. If the plaque isn’t removed, you increase your risk of developing gum disease.
Brushing with a medium or hard model—and using excessive pressure—can cause your gums to recede and expose the surface of your roots, or the bottom of your teeth. Since the root surface isn’t as hard as the exposed enamel-covered part of your teeth, scrubbing this area can wear it away more easily and cause little cavities, Dr. Hewlett says.
3. You follow the wrong technique. 
A few straight strokes won’t get the job done. Position the handle of your brush so the bristles point at a 30- to 45-degree angle when they touch your gum tissue, Dr. Hewlett advises. Rotate your wrist in a circular motion to effectively remove the plaque, says Dr. Hewlett.
When you move behind your front teeth, you should turn your tool vertically to better reach the entire tooth. And make sure to give special attention to the back of your mouth, since that area normally hides the largest amount of plaque.
4. You don’t rinse.
Swallowing or spitting out your toothpaste doesn’t totally remove all the harmful stuff that you loosened while brushing. Use an alcohol-free mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide, suggests Pia Lieb, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City.
Our picks: The acid-killing ACT Anticavity Fluoride ($5, drugstores) and Colgate Total Advanced Pro-Shield ($6, drugstores). If you don’t have any mouthwash handy, rinsing with water is better than nothing.

5. You ignore the rest of your mouth.
Your tongue traps harmful bacteria, too. Food or debris can easily get stuck in the crevices between the carpet-like strands, known as papillae, on the surface of your tongue. See

6. You don’t replace your brush. 
The ADA recommends buying a new brush every 3 or 4 months. (The average brush contains more than 10 million bacteria, according to a British study.) Worn bristles won’t effectively remove plaque or bacteria.
And if you’ve been sick, swap out your brush immediately. Residual bacteria and viruses from an illness can cling to the brush and potentially re-infect you.

The $1 Habit That Could Save You Hundreds In Dental Bills Could Save

This $1 Habit Could Save You Hundreds In Dental Bills

 

 

Even if you follow that standard rule of thumb—brush your teeth after breakfast and before bed—there’s still time for cavities to set in.
During that full 12 hours in between brushes, bacteria could mess with your teeth’s enamel. And that might lead to cavities, root canals, capped teeth, and maybe even dentures down the road. 

But researchers say a simple (and incredibly cheap!) trick could possibly save you hundreds, or maybe even thousands, in dental work. Their answer? Start chewing sugar-free gum.It’s the next best thing to brushing every time you eat.
In fact, a recent UK study about tooth decay found that the National Health Service, England’s public health system, could save more than 8 million pounds—the cost of more than 360,000 dental checkups—a year if every 12-year-old starting chewing gum after eating.

While the study was backed by the Wrigley Company, which sells gum, there’s still definitely something to it.
“Anything we can do to reduce the amount of acid and bacteria in your mouth will help prevent tooth decay,” says Matthew Messina, D.D.S., a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. “And that means less dental work over time.”
Eating or drinking anything (other than water, of course) leaves residue that feeds bacteria.
As bacteria eat the sugars that hang out in your mouth, they produce acids that then wear away your enamel.

Chewing gum not only loosens the bits of food that get stuck in your teeth, it also starts up your saliva glands and floods your mouth. The saliva washes over your teeth, picking up bacteria and acid as it goes, which you then swallow.

And there you go—you have less enamel-eating acid in your mouth.
For best results, Dr. Messina says, chew gum for at least 20 minutes after eating.
And make sure it’s sugar-free. Chewing gum that contains natural sugars will only fuel the bacteria.
Just remember—gum is a complement to your dental routine, not a replacement.

“There’s no better way to take care of your teeth than the usual brushing, flossing, and occasional check in with your dentist,” says Dr. Messina.

The article The $1 Habit That Can Save You Big Bucks Down The Road originally ran on Prevention.com.

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

 

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

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

Published by Randy N. Downing, D.D.S. · May 6, 2015 at 9:39am

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.”