There are many reasons why people lose one or more teeth, whether it it illness or accident, this loss can have a serious impact on quality of life. It also determines how one approaches continued dental health in the future.
Crowns and bridges have been the standard method of replacement of these teeth for >100 years. It works, but has a down side. Healthy tooth structure is removed on one or more teeth in order to have adequate coverage by the crown or bridge. The resultant structure may be sensitive in the future, it may lead to leakage and decay at the margin of the crown(s). If a root canal had been done prior to crown placement, decay may go undetected do to lack of pain. This may progress until fracture of the tooth and crown, which will lead to extraction and a larger/longer bridge.
The consevative alternative to this is to place one or more implants initially. With > 40 years of clinical research and use, dental implants are succesfull. They act and feel like natural teeth. They are constructed from bio-compatable materials. Placement is minimally invasive, while helping to maintain natural bone height through constant stimulation. They are stable and need no adjustment after placement.
Implants can be used as an alternative to a long bridge. A 3 tooth implant supported bridge is definitely more conservative than a 5+ unit bridge. It will probably cost less also. Insurance companies are constantly increasing coverage of implants and their crowns.
As the populaity of implants is on the rise, there is a healthy competition among companies who produce/market
implants to lower costs to the surgeon, and hopefully to the patient!
Dentists should consider implant restorations as a progressive alternative in their restorative armamentarium!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Ignoring the Snoring!
Losing sleep because you snore - or your bed partner snores - is more than just a frustrating inconvenience. Getting enough sleep each night is a basic physical need, crucial to our health and well-being. The average bed partner of a snorer loses a hour of sleep per night.
Not only this, snoring can be a sign of something more serious, obstructive sleep apnea(OSA). The disruption of breathing during sleep. During sleep, people with OSA, may stop breathing for up to 10 seconds or more at a time, 10 or more times an hour!This can lead to a sudden increase in blood pressure which also increases one's risk of heart disease. Over 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, a silent problem that needs to be adressed.
The Pillar Procedure is the first implant system to treat the soft palate component of snoring as well as mild to moderate sleep apnea - designed to help patients sleep better, feel better, and live better.
The Pillar Procedure is quick - usually less than 20 minutes; effective - clinically proven results with high patient and bed partner satisfaction; minimally invasive - in-office procedure under local anesthesia.
Three tiny polyester implants are plkaced into the soft palate. These implants form together with the body's natural response to them to stiffen the soft palate. This structural support and stiffening reduces or eliminates the tissue vibration and/or colapse that can cause snoring and OSA.
We offer this procedure in our office. Call Highlands Ranch Oral Surgery Center @ (303) 791-0422 for information and to schedule a consult with Dr. Colm and his staff.
Not only this, snoring can be a sign of something more serious, obstructive sleep apnea(OSA). The disruption of breathing during sleep. During sleep, people with OSA, may stop breathing for up to 10 seconds or more at a time, 10 or more times an hour!This can lead to a sudden increase in blood pressure which also increases one's risk of heart disease. Over 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, a silent problem that needs to be adressed.
The Pillar Procedure is the first implant system to treat the soft palate component of snoring as well as mild to moderate sleep apnea - designed to help patients sleep better, feel better, and live better.
The Pillar Procedure is quick - usually less than 20 minutes; effective - clinically proven results with high patient and bed partner satisfaction; minimally invasive - in-office procedure under local anesthesia.
Three tiny polyester implants are plkaced into the soft palate. These implants form together with the body's natural response to them to stiffen the soft palate. This structural support and stiffening reduces or eliminates the tissue vibration and/or colapse that can cause snoring and OSA.
We offer this procedure in our office. Call Highlands Ranch Oral Surgery Center @ (303) 791-0422 for information and to schedule a consult with Dr. Colm and his staff.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Socket Preservation After Extraction
Here is an example:
A female pt in her early 50's presented with a failed RCT on tooth #13, with a limited chance for successful add'l endo treatment. Treatment required extraction of #13 and planned socket preservation so that a dental implant could be placed at a later date.
After extraction, a burr was used to expose new bone along socket walls. Once the site had adequate bleeding, boney walls, and free of debris, bone graft matrial was syringed into the socket and covered with a collagen plug.
A 2 week post-op radiograph showed newly developing bone where the graft was placed. For this pt, socket preservation will allow for future implant placement. It will also expedite the process, and allow for a predictable, and beneficial ridge contour.
A female pt in her early 50's presented with a failed RCT on tooth #13, with a limited chance for successful add'l endo treatment. Treatment required extraction of #13 and planned socket preservation so that a dental implant could be placed at a later date.
After extraction, a burr was used to expose new bone along socket walls. Once the site had adequate bleeding, boney walls, and free of debris, bone graft matrial was syringed into the socket and covered with a collagen plug.
A 2 week post-op radiograph showed newly developing bone where the graft was placed. For this pt, socket preservation will allow for future implant placement. It will also expedite the process, and allow for a predictable, and beneficial ridge contour.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Look Younger in 20 minutes!! Botox Cosmetic (Botox & Juvaderm)
You can look younger in 20 minutes with injections of FDA approved Botox for the temporary treatment of frown lines and brow furrows, and even prevent some forms of migraine headaches. Botox has been proven safe when a qualified doctor provides treatment, and correct placement of the product occurs. The treatment, which will be less than 20 minutes in length, will last between 3 - 6 months. Length of time depends on site of placement and number of previous treatments a patient has received.
Juvederm, an injectable gel, is one of the newest "dermal fillers' on the market. Manufactured by the same company that produces Botox, this clear jel looks and feels natural when injected. It is FDA approved to treat moderate to severe naso-labial folds, or parentheses, that occur as we age. The product is injected under the skin, and will instantly smooth out wrinkles and folds on the face that are part of the aging process. It is made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occuring substance in the body. It is crosslinked to allow for longer duration. As this product is hydrophilic, attracting water, it fills out facial tiisues to allow for a soft, smooth redraping of the skin without wrinkles and folds. Juvederm will last 6 - 9 months before another treatment is needed or desired.
Recently, these treatments have been the finishing touch to aesthetic restorations placed by a general dentist.
Juvederm, an injectable gel, is one of the newest "dermal fillers' on the market. Manufactured by the same company that produces Botox, this clear jel looks and feels natural when injected. It is FDA approved to treat moderate to severe naso-labial folds, or parentheses, that occur as we age. The product is injected under the skin, and will instantly smooth out wrinkles and folds on the face that are part of the aging process. It is made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occuring substance in the body. It is crosslinked to allow for longer duration. As this product is hydrophilic, attracting water, it fills out facial tiisues to allow for a soft, smooth redraping of the skin without wrinkles and folds. Juvederm will last 6 - 9 months before another treatment is needed or desired.
Recently, these treatments have been the finishing touch to aesthetic restorations placed by a general dentist.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Unlocking the Promise of Stem Cells
Recent medical advances using stem cells have had an enormous impact on the medical community. Their is a limitless potential for the use of stem cells in the treatment of many diseases and health conditions including diabetes, MS, heart disease, leukemia, and various brain injuries.
New research at NIH has discovered that teeth; including baby teeth, wisdom teeth, and permanent teeth are a rich source of stem cells.
Stem Save is a way to collect and preserve these stem cells for future use.
Highlands Ranch Oral Surgery is one of the only stem cell preservation centers in Colorado. More information is available in our office, or going to http://www.stemsave.com/ to learn how to get started.
New research at NIH has discovered that teeth; including baby teeth, wisdom teeth, and permanent teeth are a rich source of stem cells.
Stem Save is a way to collect and preserve these stem cells for future use.
Highlands Ranch Oral Surgery is one of the only stem cell preservation centers in Colorado. More information is available in our office, or going to http://www.stemsave.com/ to learn how to get started.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Should Wisdom Teeth be Removed and at
Just a quick note to all patients and Dental professionals. Third molars should be removed. They are difficult to clean, and will be a source of Periodontal disease and systemic disease as a patient gets older.
The optimal age to do this is when the tooth is not completely formed. The roots are not fully developed, and the tooth follicle is still present. It is easy for both the surgeon and the patient. The age range for this is usually between 14 - 19 years old.
Removal of 3rd molars is reccomended by all dental organizations.
The optimal age to do this is when the tooth is not completely formed. The roots are not fully developed, and the tooth follicle is still present. It is easy for both the surgeon and the patient. The age range for this is usually between 14 - 19 years old.
Removal of 3rd molars is reccomended by all dental organizations.
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