Born Without a Tooth, Or Lose One Along the Way?


Sometimes in life, the tooth fairy leaves us with the short end of the stick. If you're missing a tooth due to trauma, or decay, medication or hypodontia (meaning, one or two of your permanent teeth never arrived), then you'll know exactly what we mean. And, while the imaginary tooth fairy might have left you hanging without a replacement tooth, your real life dentist can help provide an affordable and cosmetically appropriate solution in the form of a dental bridge. Let's find out more about how they work!

With 69% of adults experiencing the loss of a tooth between the ages of 35-44, if you're in the missing tooth camp, you're certainly not alone. A “bridge,” then, is a form of dental prosthetic that allows for the placement of an artificial tooth in an area where a healthy tooth used to exist.

When an entire tooth is lost, a bridge acts as a unifying device that supports the artificial tooth, and eliminates the gap between adjacent teeth. To accomplish this, the artificial tooth (known as a pontic), needs to be joined to these adjacent teeth in order to stay in place.

This can be done by using a crown as a connecting anchor for the artificial tooth, or a type of tooth colored filling known as an “inlay” or “onlay,” can be used in the same fashion. An onlay is used when support is needed along a "cusp" (the raised points on the biting surface), and an inlay is used when support is required between these cusps. To visualize how this type of filling functions, it might help to think of them as the raised pins on upside-down version of a Lego® block. Essentially, like a Lego block, they help to keep the bridge secure once cemented to your healthy teeth.

To prepare for a two-surface bridge onlay, a dentist will first remove the portion of your healthy tooth that will act as the anchor (or, abutment). Then, depending on the process used by your dentist, either a physical impression of the tooth will be made, or 3D imaging will be used to render a digital impression. Next, your dentist will likely fit you with a temporary bridge until your custom bridge has been completed.

In total, you should expect to visit your dentist once to sort out all of the diagnostics and abutment tooth preparation, and then again to sort out all of the customization details. Once your custom bridge has returned from the lab, it would be laid into the excavated areas of your abutment teeth, and then either bonded or cemented into place.

And, that's it! With the kind of care you already provide to your other teeth, your bridge should last anywhere from 10-15 years. So, if you're concerned about what you look like without a tooth, or several teeth, check with your dentist. A bridge may be a great option for you.

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214-780-0600

The Link between Gum Disease and Your Hearth: Fact or Fiction?

For years we've heard how the plaque we allow to develop in our mouths has a habit of traveling to other parts of our bodies and collecting there as well - namely in the arteries and vessels of our hearts and brains. We learned that oral plaque is linked to all sorts of diseases from Alzheimer’s and stroke, to diabetes and heart disease, and that regular dental maintenance can not only protect our teeth, but our vascular health as well. Well, as it turns out, that's not exactly the entire picture.

Have you ever heard the story of how Dr. Barry Marshall and Dr. Robin Warren discovered that a tiny bacterium - and not spicy food, stress and acid - were the cause of peptic ulcers and gastritis? Their theory, which at first drew ridicule, was only taken seriously when Dr. Marshall decided to ingest a sizable amount of H. Pylori bacterium contained in a petri dish. When he contracted gastritis a mere eight days later, the medical profession paid attention. They also awarded him a Nobel Prize in 2005 for his efforts. Not bad for questioning authority. In fact, questioning everything is at the core of science.

That's why, in 2012, the American Heart Association (AHA) undertook a review of 60 years of research into both gum and heart disease to see if there was indeed a causal relationship between the two. Their conclusion astounded both the medical and dental communities, and in May of that year, the AHA released its findings stating that *at this time* no direct causal relationship could be found. Later, it further clarified its position commenting that: "studies have found an association between the two diseases that cannot be explained by the common risk factors.” In other words, at this time, we just don't know for sure if there is indeed a causal relationship. And that's science. We often just don't know for sure until many years after we start testing, and that is why we're always testing.

For now, all we can say affirmatively is that people who have gum disease and heart disease have many of the same risk factors. Maybe they smoke, are of a certain age, have diabetes, or share similar dietary habits. The similarities and associations are certainly there, but it’s just too early to say definitively that having gum disease can *cause* heart disease. It may seem a minor distinction, but the devil is in the details, as they say.

So what's the best course of action? Of course, it’s wise to take care of your teeth. Even if no causal factor is ever found, the evidence is surely there that supports how taking care of your teeth is good for your oral health, the stability of your teeth, your outward appearance, and your pocketbook. Maybe it’s us, but those reasons alone are good enough reasons to support a robust oral health care regime! And, if it turns out that reducing plaque in your mouth does indeed help protect your heart? Well, then you'll find you're way ahead of the game!

Call us to schedule your appointment.  214-780-0600.

Why We take X-rays

Tooth loss can be disheartening and even a bit frightening. After all, it’s not as though you can -simply re-grow lost teeth. You can, however, replace your missing teeth, and today’s replacements are distinguished by the natural way that they look and feel. To learn more about these replacement teeth, read the information below about dental implants provided by Dr. Nguyen


 Benefits of Dental Implants

1.      They’re versatile. Dental implants can aid in a variety of dental restorations ranging from a single-tooth replacement to a full denture. The function of the dental implants is to stabilize the restoration so that it can remain stable in the mouth. Based on the restoration being completed, the number of dental implants may change. For a single-tooth restoration, only a single implant is necessary for a full-mouth restoration, the number of dental implants will increase.

2.      They feel natural. The roots of natural teeth anchor them into the jawbone. The same is true of dental implant restorations, giving these restorations a natural feel. Because they do not rely on surrounding teeth or suction for stability like other restorations, dental implants restorations tend to be very comfortable, and in some cases, patients forget that they are not actually their own natural teeth.

3.      They require no special care. A dental implant restoration mimics a natural tooth. That mimicry continues even to homecare. Patients with dental implant restorations do not have to take any special precautions with them. Instead, they can treat and clean them like real teeth, brushing and flossing as they naturally would and allowing the restorations to integrate smoothly into their lives.

Learn More about implant here :   Implants 






 Schedule a Visit 

 Are you missing a tooth or several teeth? Dental implants may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Contact our  office today to schedule an appointment or a Free consultation at  214-780-0600.

Life Dental Center

 Our dental office has been a staple of the community for years.Our featured services are general Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry,Dental Implants, Dentures, and much more. We'll be glad to hear from you if you have any questions.