Toothless!

Steps Involved in getting a Dental Implant.

The first step in the dental implant process is the development of an individualized treatment plan. The plan addresses your specific needs and is prepared by a team of professionals who are specially trained and experienced in oral surgery and restorative dentistry. The team has the general dentist serving as the quarter back along a periodontist and or oral surgeon,, prosthodontist and a lab technician  This team approach provides coordinated care based on the implant option that is best for you.

Next, the tooth root implant, which is a small post made of titanium, is placed into the bone socket of the missing tooth. As the jawbone heals, it grows around the implanted metal post, anchoring it securely in the jaw. The healing process, called osseintegration; can take from six to 12 weeks.

Once the implant has integrated with  the jawbone, a small connector post ,called an abutment ; is attached to the post to securely hold the new tooth. To make the new tooth or teeth, the dentist makes impressions of your teeth, and creates a model of your bite (which captures all of your teeth, their type, and arrangement). The new tooth or teeth is based on this model. A replacement tooth, called a crown, is then attached to the abutment.

Instead of one or more individual crowns, some patients may have attachments placed on the implant that retain and support a removable denture.
The dentist also will match the color of the new teeth to your natural teeth. Because the implant is secured within the jawbone, the replacement teeth look, feel, and function just like your own natural teeth.

How Painful Are Dental Implants?

Most people who have received dental implants say that there is very little discomfort involved in the procedure. Local anesthesia can be used during the procedure, and most patients report that implants involve less pain than a tooth extraction.
After the dental implant, mild soreness can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications, says Dr Cherukuri, from her Chino, California practice.

How Do I Care for Dental Implants?

Dental implants require the same care as real teeth, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups, Dr Cherukuri adds.

Handy tips for Implant Care

Dental implant surgery is a popular option for replacing missing teeth. Unlike removable dentures that rest on the gum line, dental implants are surgically implanted into the jaw. These implanted, artificial teeth look like real teeth and have the same functionality as well. They are a more permanent solution to ordinary dentures and bridgework.

 Tooth implants have been used successfully for many years. Good oral hygiene is critical in caring for your implant. It takes special effort to maximize plaque bacteria removal every day. This means along with regular dental visits, you need to brush properly, floss regularly, and clean the space between your teeth (called inter dental spaces) with an inter dental brush. Using an antibacterial toothpaste will help maximize plaque bacteria reduction by continuing to kill plaque bacteria after brushing.

Inadequate oral hygiene can lead to the loss of implants. If oral hygiene is inadequate, bacteria multiply on the surface of the implant to harmful levels. This will result in inflammation of the gums, which is called mucositis. If left untreated, bone loss around the implant may result, leading to peri-implantitis.

Peri-implantitis (inflammation around the implant with loss of bone) can be compared to periodontitis. The two diseases are caused by similar bacteria. This is why untreated periodontitis can increase the risk of failure of an implant. Like periodontitis, peri-implantitis leads to a breakdown of the jawbone. This causes the implant to loose its anchorage and become loose. Peri-implantitis is actually the most common cause of loss of implants.

Caring for Your Implant-

Smoking:  This is one of the greatest risks for implant-related complications. You should therefore try to quit smoking.

Oral Hygiene:  Thoroughly cleaning and caring for the implant during all steps of the treatment is extremely important. Careful attention to your oral hygiene every day is important for the survival of your implant.

Maintenance:  Visiting your dental practice for regular check-ups (recalls), is just as important. The dentist recommends the frequency of the recare visits based health and oral condition, but they are usually at intervals of three to six months. At these visits, your implants, teeth and gums are checked and professionally cleaned. Especially areas which you cannot reach at home are cleaned. Professional cleaning of implants is more complex than cleaning teeth, which means that it takes longer and may require special instruments.

Mucositis and peri-implantitis can develop without any obvious symptoms. This is another reason why regular check-ups with your dentist are so important. Mucositis and peri-implantitis do not usually cause pain, so that patients often fail to notice the development of these diseases says Dr Cherukuri from her Chino California dental practice.

Getting the most from your Dentures

Dentures enhance your oral and overall health and life.  They help you speak, chew and even support your facial structure.

Whether you wear full or partial dentures, it is important  to know how to take care of them, and when to repair or replace.  With age, the mouth naturally changes, which affect the fit of the dentures. The bone can recede and shrink, creating a space under the denture for food to become trapped, A partial with clasps may become loose or the supporting natural tooth may be subject to decay or periodontal disease. Regular oral examinations by the dentist are necessary even after natural teeth have been lost to assess and stabilize the fit of dentures and partials.

Ill fitting dentures are not only uncomfortable, they can impair overall health. When  there is a "maintenance problem" with a denture, take the problem directly to the dentist without detouring to the local drug store. Over the counter, do-it -yourself self- repair kits are often ineffective and even harmful. Denture breaks, cracks, fractures or separated denture teeth are simple repairs that can be processed within the same day

With currently available technologies, there is no need to put up with dentures that click, slip, feel loose or inhibit chewing, smiling and laughing says Dr. Cherukuri from her Chino, California practice.  Implants and posts (small diameter implants) have revolutionized the field of prosthetics enhancing the comfort and esthetics of denture wearers.

Call today for a complimentary consultation or visit www.chinosmiles.com for more information.

Implants and Diabetes

Implants are replacement tooth roots which provide a strong foundation for fixed and or removable replacement of teeth.

In general dental implants have a success rate of 98% and with proper care they can last a lifetime.

Anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for a dental implant. Patients should have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant. They also must be committed to good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Heavy smokers, people suffering from uncontrolled chronic disorders -- such as diabetes or heart disease or patients who have had radiation therapy to the head/neck area need to be evaluated on an individual basis.

Diabetes affects about 15.7 million Americans and nearly 800,000 cases are diagnosed every year.  Diabetes can lower the body’s resistance to infection and can slow the healing process. As a result, periodontal diseases often appear to be more frequent and more severe among persons with diabetes.

Prior to dental implant placement, your dentist may request a test of blood sugar to see whether diabetes is under control and may prescribe antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection. A modification in diet and medication may also be considered to improve healing. Good maintenance of blood sugar levels, a well-balanced diet, good oral care at home and regular dental check- ups significantly improve the chances of implant success.

Additionally, modifications in surgical technique can also enhance and ensure implant success says Dr. Cherukuri, from her Chino, California practice.

Check with your dentist if you are a candidate for implants!

Dentures Vs Overdentures

Complete dentures replace your  natural teeth and your smile.

Dentures can enhance your health and your life. They help you speak, chew and even support your facial structure.  The gum and the bone tissues of the dental ridge support the denture. The base of the denture conforms closely to the ridge and is held in place with a thin film of saliva.

Although some dentures fit reasonably well, most, especially in the lower jaw tend to click, slip, feel loose and inhibit chewing, smiling and even speaking.  As you age, bone and gum ridges recede or shrink as a part of the natural changes. Dentures that fit poorly may cause sore spots, jaw pain, speech difficulties and bad breath. Not only are ill fitting dentures uncomfortable, they can impair your health.

An overdenture is a complete denture that is attached to implants which allows for a much more secure fit.
"While a denture lays over remaining bone ridges in the mouth, an overdenture is securely fastened to the implants that have integrated with the underlying bone says Dr. Cherukuri from her Chino, California dental practice." "There is a night and day difference in the fit of overdenture and a denture" she adds.
In addition, properly healed implants can help reduce jaw and gum shrinkage.

If you or someone you know is struggling with dentures that don't fit or are uncomfortable, call our office for a complimentary consultation.