Why Choose A Dental Implant “Specialist”?

Why Choose A Dental Implant “Specialist”?

It is important to remember that with any surgical procedure, there are inherent risks that could be alleviated with experience. Dental implants are becoming a more common and desired option for tooth replacement.

Dental implants have such a high success rate (95-97% for 30+ years). This high success rate is likely due to the fact that most implants have been placed by highly skilled specialists (oral surgeons and periodontists) who completed surgical residency programs. These surgical specialists have an in-depth knowledge of surgical techniques, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of potential complications.

The comprehensive training and experience of the surgical specialists (oral surgeons and periodontists) enable them to diagnose and manage the potential complications that can occur with surgical procedures.

Some general dentists, prosthodontists, and endodontists have attended specialized training courses on surgical implant placement and have achieved very successful results placing implants for their patients. However, they may not always feel comfortable managing and treating potential complications that are routine for surgical specialists. As a result, some patients have experienced serious implant failures and complications that could have been possibly avoided if they had been treated by surgical specialists.

If you are considering dental implants or any other surgical procedure, the following questions can help you make an informed decision about your treatment and your oral health.

1) What is your specialty?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and periodontists are the only ADA recognized surgical specialists.

As periodontist, Dr. Britten specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, the placement of dental implants and bone grafts, and treatment of oral inflammation. Periodontists also perform cosmetic periodontal surgery.

Dr. Britten has received an additional three years of specialty education and surgical training beyond dental school.

2) What is the extent of your training and experience in implant placement?

Oral surgeons and periodontists will be more than willing to share their extensive training and experience with you.

If you are considering implant treatment provided by a non-surgical dentist, ask specific questions about the implant training courses they attended, such as the name of the courses, dates, duration, and sponsorship. You should also ask how many courses they attended on the management of complications and may even want to ask how many implants they have placed.

3) Ask to speak to other patients. Their experiences can be invaluable in determining if you are in good hands.

4) Speak to the staff about dental implants. If they cannot answer your questions, the office probably does not provide implant procedures on a regular basis.

5) Ask to see before and after photos of cases. Surgicals specialists have likely performed hundreds, or even thousands, of implant procedures and are usually happy to share their successful case results with you.

If you have any additional questions regarding dental implants, please contact our office at 727-586-2681 or visit our website at www.brittenperio.com.  Thanks!

How Nutrition Health Contributes to Healthy Teeth

How Nutrition Health Contributes to Healthy Teeth

A balanced, nutritious diet is essential to our health. But did you know that eating patterns and food choices play an important role in your dental health? Eating healthy can prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Our teeth are an important part of the first steps in the digestion process - chewing and swallowing. The mouth is the first place the nutrients consumed everyday will go. If your nutrition is poor, the first signs often show up in your mouth.

Empty calorie foods such as candy (especially hard or sticky candies), cookies, cakes, and other sugary snacks are not only harmful because they do not offer nutritional value, but because the amount and type of sugar that they contain that can adhere to teeth. The bacteria in your mouth feed off these sugars, releasing acids, and that’s what leads to tooth decay.

Sugar-containing drinks—soda, lemonade, juice and sweetened coffee or tea (iced or hot)—are particularly harmful because sipping them causes a constant sugar bath over teeth, which promotes tooth decay.

Calcium and phosphorous are nutrients that play a critical role in dental health, by protecting and rebuilding tooth enamel. Foods that benefit tooth health, include cheese, milk, plain yogurt, calcium-fortified tofu, leafy greens and almonds because they provide high amounts of calcium and other nutrients. Protein-rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, milk and eggs are the best sources of phosphorus.

Fruits and vegetables are good choices for a healthy smile since they are high in water and fiber, which balance the sugars they contain and help to clean the teeth and stimulate salive productuon. Many also contain vitamin C (important for healthy gums and quick healing of wounds) and vitamin A (another key nutrient in building tooth enamel).

For more information on how nutrition affects oral health contact us at healthysmiles@brittenperio.com