10 - 2017 - Dental Implants & Periodontics in Phoenix, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale

Dental Implants vs. Dentures – Pros and Cons

June 21, 2021October 28, 2017 by GPGDev

Surprisingly, millions of Americans are missing some or all of their teeth due to accidents, decay, or gum disease. If you’re one of them, you can choose to get either dental implants or dentures, which can help restore lost self-confidence.

There are many advantages to both. Unfortunately, they each also have their disadvantages. Let’s go over the pros and cons.

Dental Implants

Implants are replacement teeth with a titanium post that is surgically fused with the jawbone, creating a strong bond to hold the replacement in place. This process can be easily performed whether you need one implant or opt for the All-on-4 dental implant procedure.

Pros of Dental Implants

With good dental hygiene, dental implants can last for 20 years or more.
Because they are anchored to your jawbone just like normal teeth, caring for normal implants or the All-on-4 is extremely easy.
They feel like normal teeth, so it’s less likely others will know the difference.
The All-on-4 implant procedure can replace your top and bottom teeth in a day.
You can eat almost anything you would normally, including foods that are sticky or crunchy.
They help to keep neighboring teeth in position and do not require modification to existing teeth.

Cons of Dental Implants

This is an oral surgery, and many procedures may be required.
The cost of dental implants or the All-on-4 dental procedure can be daunting. Cost is usually based on many factors including your oral surgeon’s experience, your dental health, and whether additional procedures will be required.

Dentures

Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and the surrounding tissue. They can be full sets of teeth or individual replacements simply used to fill in gaps. Full sets of dentures rest on the gums, while individual replacements are supported by attachments to the teeth surrounding the denture.

Pros of Dentures

They are easy to create and to replace.
Dentures are a more affordable choice for many patients.
The process to replace them is non-invasive, so no surgery is required.

Cons of Dentures

Unfortunately, dentures require more maintenance than dental implants. For instance, if denture adhesive is not used to secure the dentures correctly, they can slip out of place—which can be embarrassing.
The higher maintenance causes an increased need for replacement. Most dentures will need to be replaced every five to six years.
Dentures can be harder to talk with.
Food can become trapped in dentures, which can lead to decay in the teeth around them or further gum disease.
Dentures are fragile and break easily if dropped or if they slip out of place.

For more information on the All-on-4 dental implant procedure, the teeth in a day procedure, or if you would like more information on whether dental implants or dentures is the better option for you, please contact us today.

All About Dental Implants

June 21, 2021October 26, 2017 by GPGDev

In the past, dentures or bridges were the only options available to people with missing teeth. Now, improvements in dental care have made new options such as dental implants and the All-on-4 procedure available to a growing percentage of the millions who suffer from tooth loss.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are designed to replace tooth roots. A titanium metal post is surgically implanted into your jaw bone, similar to the way your tooth roots work. Once the posts are firmly in place, a dental crown is attached to them. The implants provide a strong base for the crown and can last for many years or even a lifetime if cared for properly. Whether you’re having single dental implants placed or are having the All-on-4 dental procedure, the titanium posts will be inserted.

Advantages of Dental Implants

The strength and durability of dental implants provide many advantages, including:

Natural appearance. The dental crowns placed onto the implants or the All-on-4 are designed to look exactly like your real teeth. A mold is taken from your teeth and mouth, and the crowns are designed from these. The color of the crown is even matched to your real teeth to help it blend in.

Improved comfort. Removable dentures can shift while in your mouth. This poses a problem while speaking or chewing. Dentures can also slip out of your mouth if not secured properly. Because dental implants and the All-on-4 are fused to your jawbone, they are essentially part of you. They will function exactly like your normal teeth, eliminating the need to secure or remove them and alleviating the worry of slippage.

Improved dental health. Because dental implants and the All-on-4 do not require your existing teeth to be altered or reduced, more of your natural teeth are left in place, which will improve your long-term dental health. Implants also allow for easier access to your teeth, improving the dental care you receive.

Who Can Get Dental Implants?

If you’re healthy enough to receive oral surgery, you can receive dental implants or the All-on-4 dental procedure. Both require you to have healthy gums and a healthy, strong bone structure to help support the titanium posts. It’s also imperative that you commit to proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist. Doing so will ensure the long-term success of your dental implants.

If you smoke or suffer from heart disease or diabetes, you’ll need to consult with your dentist about the possibility of getting dental implants.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

Dental implants are made of titanium, which is a biocompatible material that is accepted by the human body. Your bone can safely grow around the titanium and lock it into place. This process is called osseointegration and creates an extremely strong foundation for the dental implants and All-on-4 dental crowns. Because of the titanium and bone compatibility, implant surgery is one of the safest dental procedures when performed by an experienced dentist.

Are Dental Implants Painful?

Patients who have received successful implants report very little pain and discomfort after the procedure. During the procedure, local anesthesia is used to ensure your comfort. You can expect to experience mild soreness after the procedure. This can be treated by over-the-counter pain medication.

What Is the Cost of Dental Implants?

The type of dental implants you choose affects the cost. Naturally, the more implants you receive, the higher the cost. The All-on-4 is the most elaborate procedure and will involve a larger financial commitment. However, the cost of dental implants should be weighed against their advantages. Implants will last longer, possibly a lifetime, and will help to improve your dental health. Compare this to dentures, which need to be replaced every three to six years and are damaged easily. Speak with your dentist and insurance provider about what your final cost of dental implants will be.

If you’re interested in receiving more information on dental implants, the All-on-4 dental procedure, or the teeth in a day dental procedure schedule a consultation with Chandler Implants and Periodontics today.

The 12 Most Dangerous Foods for Your Teeth

June 21, 2021October 15, 2017 by GPGDev

Most of us seem to overindulge in eating out and trying new foods. Unfortunately, this abundance and variety can also wreak havoc on your teeth, dentures, and gums, leading to gum disease and even the possible need for oral surgery.

In fact, just the thought of either of those two sends some of us into a panic.

Wondering what to watch for in your family’s diet? Here are 12 foods we find are the most dangerous for your teeth and dentures.

1. Hard, Sticky, or Chewy Candy

You already know about the dangers of too much sugar and what it can do to the teeth as well as the rest of the body. Remind your family that sticky and chewy candy can easily cling to teeth and areas of your mouth for long periods of time, giving bacteria endless amounts of food.

Hard candies can be even worse. If you allow them to slowly melt, then they simply release sugar over a long period of time. If you like to chew your hard candy, then you run the risk of chipping or even breaking a tooth or your dental implants, causing the need for cosmetic dentistry.

2. Too Much Citrus

We need Vitamin C in our bodies, but watch your intake. Even though citric acid tastes great and is healthy for us, too much of it can start to erode the enamel of your teeth. The problem is that enamel doesn’t grow back. FYI, grapefruit and lemon juice have the highest acidity, while orange juice has the least.

3. Coffee & Tea

As you know, coffee can badly stain teeth, dentures, and dental implants. These stains can be extremely hard to remove unless you have your teeth professionally whitened or invest in new dentures or other procedures. Furthermore, to counteract the bitterness of coffee and tea, many of us add excessive amounts of sugar, which is detrimental to your oral hygiene as well.

4. Dried Fruits

We’re constantly told dried fruits are healthy, and many of us add them our children’s lunches or keep some on our desk for a midday snack. However, the downside of dried fruits is that they’re sticky and highly concentrated in natural sugars. Worse, these natural sugars are just as bad for your teeth as the sugars found in candy. And the stickiness can unexpectedly cause your dentures or dental implants to loosen.

5. Sticky Foods

Sticky foods do just that: stick to your teeth. The longer they stay, the more bacteria grows. We know it’s hard to avoid eating them all the time, so the best thing to do is floss as quickly after the meal as you can. For those of us with dentures or dental implants, sticky foods can unexpectedly cause your dentures or dental implants to loosen or even fall out at the worst moments.

6. Ice, Ice, Baby . . . Too Cold?

Nope, actually too hard. Unfortunately, ice is hard on your teeth and gums. If your mouth is already in the beginning stages of gum disease, then imagine how painful a chipped tooth or sharp piece of ice jammed in the gums can be.

The funny thing is, water is one of the best things you can drink to prevent gum infection. So wait till the ice melts, and then enjoy.

7. Crunchy Snack Foods

These crunchy and sharp pieces of goodness can affect your teeth and gums the same way ice does. But they have the added dangers of being extremely starchy and can stick in between teeth. Once again, it’s a good idea to brush, rinse, or floss immediately after.

8. White Bread

While not as bruisingly dangerous to your mouth as the previous two, white bread is just as bad in excess and in the long run. As you chew, the white bread breaks down and easily sticks between teeth and dentures, allowing the starches to turn to sugar and feed bacteria.

9. Vinegar and Vinegary Foods

Balsamic or red wine vinaigrette maybe the healthier salad dressing choice, but the vinegar in our salad dressing is acidic, which can lead to enamel erosion. Pickles are also a problem because of their vinegar content. The healthiest and best beverage choice to pair with these foods is water. It will help to rinse and neutralize the acids.

10. Tomatoes

Once again, many people eat these frequently. You may have them at every meal of the day some days, which is why we listed them separately. Just remember, they’re also highly acidic and should be mixed with other foods that will neutralize their acidity.

11. Soda and Sports Drinks

We would hope this is an obvious one, but we decided to include it just in case you need the reminder. The problem with sodas and sports drinks is that they’re both acidic and sugary. So if you or your kids drink these in excess, even the sugar-free versions will damage your teeth. The worst part about these two is they don’t only damage teeth, they attack dentures and dental implants as well.

12. Alcohol (Don’t Hate Us)

Among the many problems with frequent and excessive alcohol consumption is it’s also bad for your oral hygiene. Alcohol causes dehydration, and a dry mouth with reduced saliva flow can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

We’re not just referring to hard liquors here. Remember, all wine is acidic. While red wine stains anything and everything, white wine has a higher acidity, which once again leads to enamel loss.

Long story short: You can occasionally have some of the things on our list; just enjoy in moderation. And remember that a regular brushing regimen and visits to any of the Chandler locations are your best defense for keeping your winning smile healthy.

To learn more about dentures, dental implants, the new all-on-4 dental procedure, or the convenient teeth in a day procedure, contact us to set up a consultation.