Implant Success: Combatting Risk Factors

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Are you feeling mostly optimistic about the idea of a future smile with dental implants? If you have learned much about the placement process and osseointegration (when the implant fuses with your jaw tissue), you know that there’s a tiny chance for failure and a big chance for success. However, that very small percentage may be giving you some doubts. To help boost your confidence regarding how you can easily combat potential risk factors, we offer some information you need.

Succeed With Healthy Habits

We will generally suggest that you avoid tobacco products like cigarettes because they are bad for your oral health and the health of your entire body. When it comes to the placement of dental implants (and recovery), we will suggest you avoid use before, during, and immediately after treatment. However, for your best results it’s always ideal to completely quit. Why? Consider the following:

  • A patient’s ability to ward off infection drops as a result of smoking
  • A patient’s healing ability decreases
  • Tobacco products irritate gum tissue, which can lead to inflammation that inhibits implant success

Address Your Bruxism

Are you someone who suffers from bruxism? Unfortunately, the constant pressure associated with your disorder (whether you are grinding your teeth or clenching your teeth) can significantly impact the success of your dental implants. Too much pressure as the posts attempt to fuse with your jawbone can disrupt the process of osseointegration. Begin treatment (or continue treatment) for bruxism if this functional disorder is affecting your smile.

ABOUT YOUR ROHNERT PARK, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Goodbye Dental Implant Month, Hello New Smile!

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Dental Implant Month, which occurred throughout August, is over! It’s now September but that doesn’t mean your motivation for replacing your teeth should dwindle. Instead, it means it’s time to get a bit more serious about whether you see implants in your future or if it’s time to consider other options. Of course, as far as we are concerned, every month is a month to celebrate implants, so let’s spend a moment examining whether they’re right for you with a little help from the AAID.

What’s The AAID?

This is the abbreviation for the American Academy of Dental Implants. Did you know that since 1951 this organization has been committed to the study and advancement of implants, helping individuals attain complete, lasting smiles after tooth loss? Fortunately, they have provided a few simple questions to act as a guide for patients trying to figure out whether implants are a solid choice for the future. Let’s explore those inquiries!

3 Questions From The AAID

In celebration of the recent Dental Implant Month, we offer up a few questions similar to those posed by the AAID (which we will follow with a little extra information to help you think about your answers):

  1. Question: Do you want your smile to appear natural? Fortunately, implants appear extremely natural because they are 100 percent stable and we will restore them with lifelike crowns or other prosthetics.
  2. Question: Do you want your smile to be easy to deal with? Good news: Implants are the most stable possible solution for replacing a missing tooth. Your life will return to its pre-tooth-loss level of ease and quality.
  3. Question: Are you hoping for a smile that you can feel proud of? Nobody will know you’re wearing implants, you won’t be able to tell much of a different, you’ll be able to eat the foods you love, and speaking will become free of effort.

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Santa Rosa Oral Surgery Welcomes Dr. Jason Rogers

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At Santa Rosa Oral Surgery, patient care is our top priority. To ensure our patients receive quality care we employ a team of skilled and dedicated oral surgeons, dentists, and administrative staff. We’re proud to announce the newest member of our surgical team, Dr. Jason Rogers.

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FAQs: Prepping For Implant Placement

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You may wonder how we will prepare for your dental implant surgery. Are we going to talk with you about what you can expect or is it just going to be something we take care of without giving you much information? What type of anesthesia will you receive? Is there anything special you need to do? These are excellent questions (and questions that we receive quite often from the individuals we treat). To help you feel at ease about your decision to make your smile whole again, we suggest you consider our answers to FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions: Implants

Question: Will you just choose the type of anesthesia you think I need for my dental implant surgery on the day of the procedure or will you give me options?

Answer: We will discuss the best way to approach anesthesia for your procedure. Keep in mind that we will fully inform you about these details before your visit, so you know exactly what to expect.

Question: How will I know what to do before my dental implant surgery? Will I have time to ask you questions?

Answer: You will receive an extremely detailed explanation regarding how to best prepare for your treatment. You will be happy to learn that it’s very easy to prep for this exciting part of your tooth replacement adventure.

Question: Is there anything you’re going to ask that I do that isn’t simple?

Answer: We may ask that you avoid smoking for a week or more before your dental implant surgery and that you continue avoiding it for a week or more afterward. Smoking has the capacity to influence the failure of your implant, so avoidance is essential.

ABOUT YOUR ROHNERT PARK, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Sept. 28, 2016 – Planning and Treating Patients with Advanced, Complex and Esthetic Needs: Improving Outcomes Through Evolution in Design, Techniques and Materials

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Date: Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016

Address: Flamingo Hotel and Resort
2777 Fourth Street, SR

5:30 p m Registration
5:45 pm Plated Dinner
6:00 pm Program Begins

Type: Lecture and Q&A
Tuition: Complimentary Dentists Only

3.0 credits, CA. Permit #4695

Register by September 21st Contact Toni at 545 -4625

Guest Speaker: Dean Morton, BDS, MS

Dr. Dean Morton completed his dental training at the University of Sydney, and completed his training in Prosthodontics at the University of Iowa. He currently serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Prosthodontics at Indiana University School of Dentistry, and concurrently directs the Center for Implant, Esthetic and Innovative Dentistry. Dr. Morton is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics and serves as a Director and Examiner. He is a fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists, International College of Dentists, Academy of Prosthodontics and the International Team for Implantology (ITI). He is Chair of Section USA of the ITI and serves on the board of directors. Dr. Morton is an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants and has authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific articles and abstracts. He lectures nationally and internationally on implants and esthetic dentistry, and maintains a private practice limited to Prosthodontics, Implant and Esthetic Dentistry in Louisville

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

  • dentify pre-treatment difficulty and esthetic parameters and relate these to treatment outcomes through effective risk assessment
  • Consider implant and abutment options for implant patients
  • Communicate the appropriate three-dimensional implant position through effective use of templates, with an emphasis on digital alternatives
  • Consider contoured provisional and definitive restorations and customized components designed to manage soft tissue outcomes
  • Describe restorative options (abutment and restoration options and Cad-Cam) and discuss the influence of these on treatment outcome
  • More effectively incorporate esthetic procedures into your dental implant practice

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Advanced, complex and esthetic implant-based restorations are a cornerstone of contemporary practice. However, treatment can be challenging when patients present with multiple “problems.” This presentation will first consider the objective categorization of treatment difficulty. Patient cases will used to illustrate a range of factors to be considered in routine assessment and planning – particularly those with esthetic ramifications. The importance of a team approach, and incorporation of evidence-based and contemporary clinical treatment options will be considered.

This program will consider esthetic diagnosis and principles that relate to our contemporary practice of implant dentistry. Modern restorative options will be considered in addition to evolving technologies and dental materials capable of improving treatment predictability. Also, tissue response to intervention and tools for managing supporting tissues will be examined.

As we discuss procedures designed to improve the quality and predictability of outcomes, we will look at avoiding and managing complications commonly confronted in everyday practice.

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Impacted Canine Teeth: Can You Help My Child?

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We often find that patients are uncertain about what’s happening with their child’s impacted canine tooth, what this issue really means, how to address it, and why it’s so essential to fix the problem. Rest easy. We understand that discovering your child’s teeth require treatment for proper development can feel a little overwhelming. The good news is that it’s actually a common concern that we can address to ensure a beautiful, healthy smile. Let’s review some details.

What’s A Canine Tooth?

What is your child’s impacted canine tooth? It’s one of four pointed teeth that rest on the side of lateral incisors. Some know these as “vampire teeth.” Unfortunately, it may not erupt through the gum tissue during development, which can negatively affect one’s bite and, subsequently, smile alignment and appearance, speaking, and chewing success.

What To Do?

You need to address your child’s impacted canine tooth (or teeth) to promote a healthy smile that, once treated, can easily remain healthy for the remainder of your child’s life. We can either work with an orthodontist to create a space for the tooth or we may need to rely on a surgical treatment known as “exposure” that will reveal the tooth. We may then use a treatment similar to braces (known as bracketing) to shift the tooth into the position in which is belongs.

How To Begin

We invite you to contact us to schedule a visit. Whether you have already determined that your child’s canine teeth are not erupting, if you are uncertain, or if you are an adult whose canines never erupted, please schedule a visit with us. We will get you started on a path toward excellent oral health.

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Implants: 2 Reasons Your Friend Had A Bad Experience

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It’s extremely common to start asking around about other people’s experiences when you’re about to make a big one of your own. Getting a thumbs up and the “go ahead” from people you admire and trust is often a serious motivating factor. Unfortunately, this is also an easy way for your confidence in a treatment like dental implants to go from peaking to plummeting. When it comes to implants, we encourage you to remember that their success rests significantly on following our suggestions for after care treatment. With that in mind, we also invite you to consider a couple reasons your friend’s experience wasn’t what you’d hoped to hear.

Reason #1: She Didn’t Keep It Clean

It’s entirely possible that the reason your friend’s dental implant experience went south was because she didn’t keep the area clean. Patients can fall victim to the inaccurate belief that because the implant and restoration are artificial, they don’t require care. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The living tissue within which they have been placed require care (the same goes for nearby tissue) to prevent problems like inflamed gums and implant failure.

Reason #2: He Messed With The Wound Site

We will certainly provide you with specific pre- and post-op instructions to ensure that your dental implant placement, recovery, and success are easy and without any hiccups. One very important instruction includes leaving the site alone after placement (which means you shouldn’t touch it, you shouldn’t rinse for the initial day, and you should avoid spitting to allow for proper healing. Remember, if you have any questions please call us.

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Dental Implants Quiz: What If Something’s Wrong?

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Do you already have dental implants? If so, in most cases, you can expect a wonderful experience. In fact, you may have already heard that implants have the capacity to last and last, so you enjoy them for the rest of the years of your life. However, there are a few factors (such as poor dental hygiene and others) that can lead to some discomfort or problems with these prosthetic devices. Before you jump to any conclusions, do you know what you should do if you think something might be wrong?

Quiz Questions: True or False?

  1. True or False: If something is wrong with your dental implants, the best thing to do is to get on the Internet or call someone you trust to try to figure out whether it’s severe.
  2. True or False: If your tooth replacement area hurts or you think something is wrong with your implant, chances are good that there’s a serious underlying issue.
  3. True or False: Since the rate of implant success is quite low, it’s very possible that if you don’t feel perfect after placement, the implant has failed.

Quiz Answers

  1. False. The best thing to do when something feels “off” is to call us immediately. Whether it’s a minor complaint or feels like an emergency situation, contact us, so we my find a good time for you to come in to see our team for an examination.
  2. False. It’s entirely possible that pain and other symptoms point to a serious underlying concern or even that you have just irritated the site in some way. Before you make assumptions, please relax and simply contact us.
  3. False. In general, the success rate of implants is extremely high! Approximately 98 percent, as a matter of fact. Hold off on feeling overly concerned until we see you and can diagnose the problem.

ABOUT YOUR ROHNERT PARK, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Quiz: IV Sedation

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When you require oral surgery and we speak with you about your anesthesia options, you might be surprised to learn that there’s not just one choice. Did you know, for instance, that choosing IV sedation means you are selecting the option that will provide you with the greatest sense of calm? If this sounds like the sedation decision you would like to select for yourself, you may wish to clarify a few details first. A good place to begin is with our quiz, which can offer some of the answers you’ve been seeking. For anything else, please let us know during your upcoming visit.

Quiz Questions: True or False?

  1. True or False: IV sedation is a good choice for many people but not individuals who have a phobia of needles.
  2. True or False: The best way to find out if this type of sedation is a good choice for you is to talk with our team about sedation, what you want, and to ask questions about this choice.
  3. True or False: If you choose the IV form of anesthesia, you will need a ride home.

Quiz Answers

  1. True. IV sedation is intravenous sedation, which means you will receive medication directly into your bloodstream. We access your bloodstream by placing a very tiny needle into a vein (either in your arm or in the back of your hand).
  2. True. Attempting to figure out all of the facts on your own, whether by talking with friends or searching the internet, can turn up some false information. Ask our team whatever it is you wish to know, so you feel informed.
  3. True. Thanks to its deeply relaxing effects, this sedative will require you to secure a friend or loved one who can drive you back to your home after your visit.

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Your Questions: Oral Sedation

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As you learn more about your anesthesia options, you will discover oral sedation as a possible choice. However, you might not know very much about what this term refers to or what you can expect. For many patients, this provides a wonderful way to experience a deeply relaxing visit and procedure. Allow us to offer you some insight into what’s on the horizon and whether this form of sedation might be a good fit! Let’s begin with some helpful questions (and answers).

Questions and Answers: Sedation

Question: What do you mean when you say “oral sedation?”

Answer: This refers to a form of anesthesia that you will take orally (or by mouth). It’s quite simple. After a discussion with you, we will select a medication that offers relaxing, anti-anxiety properties in pill form. Depending on your particular needs, you will take the pill before your visit either at home or in our practice.

Question: How will I figure out whether oral sedation is right for me or if I need something else?

Answer: This is best decided during a consultation with us to discuss different anesthesia possibilities. In many cases, we choose the oral form for patients who want deeper relaxation than that provided by nitrous oxide and often for those who wish to avoid the needle associated with IV sedation.

Question: What if I have had oral sedation before and, though I am not interested in IV sedation, I wish the sedative was a little bit stronger and long lasting?

Answer: Since we cannot customize oral sedation like laughing gas or IV sedation, for which we can increase or decrease the dosage throughout your visit, we can offer the following: Oral sedation and nitrous oxide for the best of both worlds.

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).