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Researchers Find New Method to Replace Teeth

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Unfortunately, a large percentage of the world’s population will face tooth loss aside from the natural shedding of baby teeth.

This can occur as a result of injury, illness, decay, or infection.

Whatever the reason might be, there are typically efforts made to fill the gap in the tooth line. Dentists rely on implants, which are set in the jaw done, to hold the artificial replacements.

This procedure has been very successful, but would often require that the jaw bone be built up surgically, due to loss of mass after the tooth was removed.

When the tooth falls free, the jaw bone immediately begins to shrink, making it impossible for the bone to support the surgical implant without the assistance of artificial aids.

Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the Univerty of Gothenburg, Sweden have discovered a potential game changer.

Using a brace, the researchers were able to move the existing teeth of dogs into the area of limited jaw volume. With the old opening filled, dentists could fill the new gap with an implant.

Though some jaw bone size loss was noted, it was not nearly as substantial as what was seen in the areas where tooth loss occurred for other reasons.

The bone was still strong enough to support the implant without the need for further surgery.

Minor amounts of root resorption (damage to the existing root structure) was noted in the teeth moved by the braces, but it was not serious enough to causing lasting issues and had partially repaired itself at the one year follow-up.

For more information on these findings, read the full article.

New Dental Implant Technology Reduces Healing Time

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Dental implants have been used for approximately four decades now and the discovery that titanium would be accepted well by the body has made it possible for dentists to provide patients with a sturdy foundation for replacement teeth, which is an improvement cosmetically and also provides proper spacing to keep the remaining teeth in place.

New research points to the possibility of shortening the healing time for this procedure, which would make it even more appealing to the many Americans and people worldwide in need of such surgeries.

It is the thin natural oxide coating on the exterior of the titanium implant that is coming into play, because it is the oxide that determines how well and how quickly the implant is fused into the bone.

There are two distinct improvements of the implant during the healing process.

Both the topography and the conductivity of the oxide surface can be altered and in doing so researchers believe that healing time can be drastically cut down.

It has long been known that a rough surface on the implant made it bond with the bone better, but now it is thought that particular patterns of roughness may make it even more desirable to the body.

Similarly, implants with a slightly more conductive oxide received a better cell response once in place.

To read more about this study, which confirms early animal research and clinical trials, performed by a team from the University of Gothenburg and Astra Teck AB in MoIndal, visit the full article.

Oral Cancer Patients Rebuilding with Dental Implants

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As with any form of cancer, there comes great stress when being diagnosed with oral cancer.

The disease has the potential to spread to other areas of the body in the worst case situations and even in the less severe cases, there is a good chance that tooth loss with occur.

However, dentists are helping to quell the concerns of patients as a result of the fairly recent invent of dental implants.

After resection of oral cancer, studied patients received the implants, which rest beneath the gum line and act as a sort of anchor for man-made teeth replacements. Performed in and around Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia, the research was based on the experiences of thirty-one patients’ post-cancer diagnosis.

These patients received implants between 1992 and 2007 and their dental paths were then followed throughout the years thereafter. Researchers sought information regarding any difficulties experienced, the type of implants used, and details regarding supplemental procedures.

There was a very high retention rate, with only five failures out of the one hundred fifteen total implants placed. However, it was noted that, while oral cancer survivors would likely benefit from the artificial replacements, there is increased danger of implant failure in areas of irradiated free flap bone.

For more information, visit the full article.

Keeping Dental Implants in Good Shape

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Lost a tooth recently? Did you have to have one extracted?

If so, then chances are good that the dentist is speaking to you about the potential benefits of a dental implant.

Meant to hold artificial teeth in place, these inserts are place beneath the gum line as a sort of support system. However, once in place, they do require some special care, which if not handled correctly, could lead to problems down the road.

Dental implants once fitted into place will form a strong bond to the bone within three months, at which time a replacement tooth or teeth can be fitted into place. At this point, the faux teeth should be treated just as your natural ones are.

This means practicing good oral hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing, and trips to the dentist will help you avoid serious complications later.

Gum disease, which is known to deteriorate the bones, can make it impossible to sustain an implant. Thus good hygiene is of the utmost importance if you wish to preserve the replacement.

In addition to the norm, many dentists will also recommend regular use of a mouth irrigation system. Available over the counter, these devices effectively remove much of the existing plaque and bacteria that is not reached unless in the dentist’s chair.

On the other hand, toothpastes containing abrasives and stain removers can actually damage the faux teeth. Thus, it is important to continue your routine with a few slight adjustments to ensure that the fix is a permanent one.

The full article can be found here

The History of Dental Implants

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You may think that dental implants are a late 20th century discovery, but the earliest examples actually date back to 600 AD and the early Mayans tribes.

It wasn’t until 1950 that an experiment on rabbit’s ears resulted in the discovery of how bone seemed to meld with titanium. That discovery led to the first modern dental implant put in place by Dr. Leonard Linkow in 1952.

Taking these discoveries further, an Italian doctor, Stefano Tramonte, began using titanium for dental restorations. While many in the medical fields lobbied to focus titanium tests on hip and knee surgery, the mouth was far more accessible, so dental restructuring became the foundation for further study in the use of titanium as an implant medium.

Originally implants were introduced some weeks after the initial extraction, but recently there have been successes with implants placed directly into the extraction socket the same day the tooth is removed.

While titanium was the first medium successfully used for implants, dentists are now exploring the use of dioxide of zirconium. It is comparable to titanium, but it is brighter and more closely resembles the material of a natural tooth.

Dental implant surgery can be performed by any licensed dentist or oral surgeon (there is no specialty recognized by the ADA for this service). They are done under local or general anesthesia. The success rate for implants is about 95%.

Learn more about dental implants by reading the full article.

The Trouble with Dentures

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A person who loses a tooth is often distraught. Whether knocked out, pulled, or lost due to infection, the missing piece in the mouth can be a cause of major concern for both the patient and his or her dental care provider. For the patient, it is often about the loss of cosmetic appeal, especially if the new gap is near the front of the mouth. But, for the dental professional, concern lies elsewhere.

Once the tooth is gone, there is nothing there to prevent the neighboring teeth from moving into the gap. If allowed to do so, the alignment within the mouth could become askew and lead to additional problems. As a result, dentists will often recommend filling the gaps left by lost teeth with dentures.

There are essentially two types of dentures – permanent and partial.

Permanent dentures were once considered the very best option after tooth loss, but today, that is not really the case. These are built fit the mouth and create realistic replacements for missing teeth. The fakes act as space holders, which keeps natural teeth from shifting, but they also help with chewing and speaking. The downside of permanent dentures, however, is that they require numerous dental visits to ensure their proper fit, care, and use. Furthermore, dentures can slip when talking or eating and they don’t allow for eating especially sticky or chewy foods.

In order to skip out on some of those added dental visits, more and more patients are opting for partial dentures, which are anchored to existing teeth and will generally require only a single fitting. However, for the person who has only lost one or two teeth, or for someone that wants something a little more permanent that doesn’t require the potential weakening of anchor teeth, there is another option.

Dentures are not all bad. They are an affordable, workable option for many individuals. But, for something more convenient, permanent, and comfortable, many patients are now opting for tooth implants. Though more invasive at the start, these special rods, which are inserted under the gum are able to anchor a single tooth or a small bridge of teeth, providing a very realistic, permanent look.

Furthermore, because the dental implant is below the surface of the gum, it can actually slow the shrinking of the bone, which is a natural result of losing a tooth. As for the ability to continue enjoying life as if nothing ever happened, there are no worries. Dental implants provide a very sturdy hold for the faux teeth, which means that the patient can continue eating, brushing and speaking as usual, without the fear of slipping or shifting. They never have to be removed for cleaning, so the tooth care routine can go on as usual as well.

Dental implants are not cheap. However, in most cases, dental insurances will cover a large portion of the expense. So, for the healthy, insured patient, they can provide a natural, wonderful look without any of the inconveniences associated with dentures.

What to Do If You Chip Your Tooth

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Frustrating, aggravating, and even a bit scary, chipping a tooth is not something that anyone wants to go through. Nevertheless, this is not an uncommon occurrence. If it does happen to you, pick up the phone immediately and make an appointment to see the dentist. The treatment options will vary significantly depending on the extent of the damage.

Your dentist will likely ask a few questions before recommending anything. He or she will likely want to know how it happened, whether or not you have found the missing piece of the tooth (which should come with you), and may need an x-ray to confirm the severity of the situation. This is due to the fact that it is difficult for the human eye to detect the extent of the damage done to inner layers of the tooth. For the smallest of chips, it may be possible to simply file them down, and otherwise leave them alone. Otherwise, a composite filling (the color of the natural tooth) may be needed to fill the gap and reform the tooth. For larger areas of damage, there may be the need for a porcelain veneer or crown, which would not only improve the aesthetic of the tooth, but also offer structural support.
For those breaks that cause root damage, the situation will likely be different. In addition to the veneer or crown, there may be a need for a root canal to prevent the dying nerve from causing further bacterial infection.

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