Dental Implant Rumors Quiz

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What’s what when it comes to the truth about dental implants? Do you feel like the moment you expressed just a tiny bit of interest in implants, everyone around you suddenly become an expert on the topic? If so, unless you were speaking with our team about the details, your colleagues, best friend, and favorite aunt may have been filling your head with a lot of information that you cannot quite feel good about. To find out whether any of these rumors have made their way to your personal data bank of details, we encourage you to take a quiz to sort out the truth from the not-so-accurate.

Quiz: Implant Rumors

  1. True or False: Even though the restorations for dental implants are made of artificial tissue, they can still develop cavities like your natural teeth.
  2. True or False: You can only choose implants if you want to replace one tooth at a time, even if that means you’re replacing a full arch of missing teeth with individual replacements.
  3. True or False: An implant is one single unit that replaces your entire tooth.

Quiz Answers

  1. False. Natural tissue is vulnerable to acid and the bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to decay and erosion. Artificial tissue is not. As a result, though it’s important to continue caring for your smile, prosthetic devices will not develop cavities.
  2. False. One major benefit of dental implants is the fact that you can replace multiple teeth at once by choosing implant-supported prosthetics like a partial or full denture.
  3. False. It’s accurate that choosing implants will guide you toward complete tooth replacement (including restoring missing roots). However, the implant only replaces your roots. It’s the abutment (connector) and restoration (false tooth or teeth) along with the implant that complete the replacement.

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).

3 Steps: Prevention For Dental Implants

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Do you hear quite frequently that preventive care is an extremely important aspect of protecting your dental implants? While the idea that you can inhibit problems from affecting your oral health sounds wonderful and relieving, it’s not too helpful if you’re not sure where to begin. Rest easy, becoming a pro at prevention is a simple and very rewarding journey. Just become familiar with the main steps and your complete smile will stay that way.

Step #1: Stay Recent With Cleanings And Checkups

It’s extremely important that you stay up-to-date with cleanings and checkups. As much as removing plaque and tartar (and monitoring your oral health) is important for your natural teeth, it is just as important for your dental implants. This form of preventive care (the professional services) will provide you with the smile care you cannot accomplish on your own and which is essential in avoiding all manner of disease.

Step #2: Do Your Hygiene Thing At Home (Without Faltering)

True, your professional care is very important but your smile doesn’t stand a chance without home care, too. Your commitment to cleaning all tissues in your mouth, including natural and artificial, is essential to good oral health. Your dental implants can easily remain in place for years and years to come, as long as you follow our suggestions for twice-a-day brushing and once-a-day flossing.

Step #3: Contact Us The Moment You’re Concerned

The final step in practicing optimal preventive care is trusting your intuition. If you feel like something requires attention, contact us. We can often treat a problem early and before damage occurs if you visit us the moment you notice you’re experiencing an oral health change.

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 Dental Implant Review

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You probably notice as you become more and more familiar with dental implants that there are many categories of information to give your full attention. You might focus on the technical details of the journey at one moment and then shift your attention to the esthetic benefits. Next, you might spend some time concentrating on the oral health benefits that implants provide before doing a complete 180 and considering what makes this prosthetic solution so cost effective. To help you get your ducks in a row, so to speak, we offer some helpful categories to review as an accessible, helpful “at a glance” view of implants.

The Esthetic Benefits

Dental implants offer a wealth of esthetic improvements to your smile. First, the easiest to detect: They will complete your grin by replacing the teeth that are missing. Fortunately, implants also look completely natural, so you will simply look as though you have your teeth back.

The Oral Health Benefits

In addition to improving the appearance of your smile, dental implants can improve and also safeguard your oral health. They will achieve a number of benefits, including preserving the alignment of your teeth, stimulating your jawbone (which protects you against deterioration and bone resorption), and they can re-balance your bite.

The Journey

The journey with implants is unique for every patient. We can provide you with more specific details in person. In general, you can expect a multi-month to yearlong journey from start to finish, which will include surgery, recovery, and restoring your implants.

The Investment

The investment in dental implants may seem more substantial than alternative options (like a denture) in the present moment. Fortunately, you may wish to consider their cost-effectiveness over the course of their life – they have the potential to wear forever without the need for any repair or additional costs.

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).

Taking Sensitivity Seriously

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Everyone has a different threshold when it comes to experiencing and handing discomfort. As a result, your tooth sensitivity may prove excruciating and frustrating, while another patient simply ignores the sensation. Here’s what you need to know about this oral health concern: Whether you’re wonderful at tolerating it or not, sensitivity may suggest something serious is going on with your smile – though that is not always the case. If you notice this type of change, we encourage you to give us a call right away. Give us a moment of your time to explain why.

It Makes Daily Tasks Difficult

Think about how often you use your teeth on a daily basis. You use them to chew food during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You use them to form words as you speak to friends, loved ones, colleagues, and more. They often touch one another even while you are at rest. As a result, tooth sensitivity has the capacity to disrupt your usual habits – essential habits, we might add – putting a cramp in your life.

It Could Mean Hygiene Issues

It’s entirely possible that the cause of your tooth sensitivity is entirely your own doing – but you might not even realize it! If you are overzealous with your dental hygiene (brushing and flossing) or you’re using a harsh product, this can aggravate your teeth, lead to gum recession, and sensitivity may follow. Fortunately, this is an easy fix.

It Could Mean An Oral Health Problem

Tooth sensitivity may also point to an issue like an infected tooth, oral cancer, decay, or gum disease. See us ASAP, so we can get to the bottom of the issue and move forward with treatment if necessary.

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).

Don’t Brush Too Hard!

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You may not have ever given much thought to how forcefully you brush. If anything, you may be under the assumption that the harder you brush, the better the results. As a matter of fact, this line of thinking – though common – is actually not accurate. You need to be quite careful and thoughtful about your dental hygiene habits to ensure your smile remains in one piece. Curious about what you should be doing to better protect your oral health and any restorations you may have, such as dental implants? Let’s take a look!

How You Should Brush

In order to protect your teeth, dental implants, restorations, etc., it’s important that you remember not to brush too hard. What you should be doing for effective dental hygiene is quite simple and requires you to press gently throughout the entire process. Keep the following in mind and you’ll keep your smile in top-notch condition:

  • You need to brush your entire smile – every tooth surface – with a soft-bristle toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste (Remember: Gentle brushing only!)
  • Make sure you brush your teeth twice a day
  • You need to floss your entire smile once a day (Again, gentle care is important here, too)

Why Too-Hard Brushing Is Dangerous

When you brush your teeth with too much vigor or pressure, you can cause immediate and long-term damage and irritation. Too much force irritates gum tissue, which means your gums will begin pulling back – eventually, this may lead to a receding gumline, only partially protected teeth, and negatively affected teeth replacements like dental implants. Going overboard with dental hygiene may also scrape or erode natural or artificial tooth tissue.

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).

Why Address Jaw Issues?

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Are you dealing with some jaw issues that we can solve with oral surgery – but you’re putting this concern on the back burner of your life? Why? Are you feeling somewhat intimidated by the idea of a surgical procedure or you simply assume it’s not a very big problem? When it comes to your oral health, protecting your jaws is extremely important. Allow us to explain why it’s in your best interest to schedule a consultation with us.

To Improve Your Daily Quality of Life

You use yours jaws every single day, multiple times a day. You may rely on your jaws to break down food so you can eat, to open your mouth so you may laugh or sing, and to move to permit you to speak articulately. When you’re dealing with jaw problems, these essential motions you rely on daily can become challenging rather than something you can simply expect to work. We encourage you to meet with us to discuss how to best address your jaw concerns with oral surgery, so you may regain and protect your quality of life.

To Avoid Long-Term Damage

Have you discovered that you are experiencing jawbone deterioration due to tooth loss? While it may not seem like a pressing issue at the moment, it’s important to make a single note: As the deterioration continues to progress, you will lose more and more jaw tissue and volume. This means that you may suffer additional oral health and teeth-related issues in the future. In addition, your lower face will lose a significant portion of its underlying framework, potentially resulting in a collapse and shrinkage. Choose to speak with us about oral surgery to address your concerns and to protect 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).

3 Reasons To Schedule A Visit

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Sometimes you have a feeling that it’s time to schedule a visit with your oral surgeon – but you have trouble deciding whether or not to follow through, pick up the phone, and set a time and date. We understand that attempting to determine whether you should wait a bit longer or come on in can feel somewhat confusing. This is why we suggest that the moment you think it’s time, you simply trust your instincts. To provide you with a bit of motivation regarding this facet of protecting your oral health, we offer a few reasons to schedule your visit with us!

Reason #1: To Talk Tooth Replacement

Are you missing a tooth or multiple teeth? Perhaps a tooth or multiple teeth require extraction because of illness. In any case, discussing tooth replacement options is certainly a wonderful reason to schedule a visit with your oral surgeon. The sooner you address tooth loss concerns and set up a plan for the future, the more successfully you can protect your smile.

Reason #2: You Found A Bump, Lump, Or Otherwise

Did you find something different in your smile? Maybe you discovered a lump or bump. Perhaps there’s been a color change or an alteration in a usual sensation. When your “norm” suddenly shifts, it’s always a good idea to see your oral surgeon. We can examine your smile and let you know what’s going on, whether you require treatment, and how to proceed.

Reason #3: For Wisdom Teeth Removal

Do you have wisdom teeth that need to go? If so, give us a call. Ignoring third molars can lead to severe consequences for your oral health, so removing them as soon as possible is always the best decision.

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).

4 Things That Result From Periodontal Disease

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You know that caring for your gum health is extremely important for your overall oral health. However, when it comes to the things that can go wrong with your gum tissue, you might not know much about the negative effects of periodontal disease. It’s important to recognize that gum problems will continue to progress once they begin because you need professional care to remove plaque and reverse or stop the inflammation and any existing infection. Fortunately, treating associated problems immediately will protect your smile. Learn more about things that can result from gum disease and why protection is so important.

#1: Your Teeth May Become Loose

When periodontal disease occurs, it destroys your gum tissue and as it progresses, it destroys additional connective tissue and even jawbone tissue. As a result, the more the disease advances, the less support your teeth receive. Your teeth may become loose.

#2: Infection May Occur

The inflammation that occurs with periodontal disease is the result of plaque accumulation, which is filled with bacteria. As the plaque and tartar continue to build up and inflammation starts, infection often follows, which will require professional treatment.

#3: Teeth May Move

As the tissues within your smile break down, teeth may not only become loose but may also move. As they shift out of alignment, you will notice that your smile becomes unbalanced and esthetically less pleasing.

#4: You May Lose A Tooth

When periodontal disease becomes extremely advanced, you will lose the framework that supports your teeth and you may require an extraction.

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).

Weekend Challenge: Dental Implants

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Are you someone who has been wading through tons of technical information, details about benefits, and more as you become familiar with dental implants? If so, you may feel like you’re not doing very well when it comes to organizing the information. As a matter of fact, you may feel so overwhelmed that you assume it will take you months to sort through your thoughts and figure out how you feel. Good news: By taking our weekend challenge, you will find that within just a few days, you’ll begin to feel much more certain regarding whether implants will make a good fit for your smile.

Friday

Set aside 15 to 30 minutes. Once you unwind from the day, take this brief amount of time to review the technical details associated with dental implants, as well as what you can expect. You can then move on to the more elaborate details with a solid foundation. Look over the following:

  • Review the parts (implant post, abutment, restoration)
  • Review the process (surgery, recovery, restoration)
  • Review osseointegration (it’s simply what occurs as the bone and implant post fuse)

Saturday

Set aside another 30 minutes. Today, you will be paying attention to the things that cause you the most concern. Instead of spending time researching, we suggest you create a list of questions you have about implants. Whether it’s a neutral inquiry or a worry, write it down and bring it with you to your next visit, so we can offer answers to any final details you need to sort out.

Sunday

Let’s end the weekend challenge on a positive note! At this point, we ask that you set aside just one more block of 30 minutes to review the benefits of dental implants. Think about all of the advantages – you may want to take a look at the American Academy of Implant Dentistry’s collection of benefits for a thorough look.

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).

A Few Interesting Reasons To Choose Dental Implants

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Are you pulling together a pros and cons list for reasons to choose dental implants? Do you find that you can come up with a long, long list of pros but you are always happy to add a few new benefits? The more you consider implants, the easier it is to recognize the many advantages that can make a significant impact on your life. In addition, the more you know, the easier it becomes to make a final decision.

Reason #1: You Can Be A Little Lazy

Perhaps you feel a little lazy sometimes when it comes to caring for your smile. Beyond your daily hygiene (brushing and flossing) and the need to see your general dentist for cleanings and checkups, you don’t really want to have to do much more. No problem! Dental implants offer you the luxury of returning to your life before tooth loss. Since they may last a lifetime, you can go about your day without worrying about special cleaning, products, or repairs.

Reason #2: You Want To Look Younger Longer

Dental implants will help preserve your youthful appearance by keeping your jawbone from breaking down over time. As a result, your face will continue to receive full support from your lower bone structure.

Reason #3: The Payoff Can Be Priceless

How do you attribute a value to something that fully restores your ability to chew and articulately speak? Particularly something that may last for the rest of your life? Did we mention it will also ensure that your smile looks complete and beautiful again? When it comes to choosing dental implants, remember that that the benefits abound.

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).