11 - 2019 - Dental Implants & Periodontics in Phoenix, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale

All You Need to Know About Prosthetic Stomatitis

June 20, 2021November 18, 2019 by GPGDev

You’ve been wearing a denture for quite some time now, and everything seems to be fine on this side. However, when you visit the dentist, the dentist examines your gums and your palate. When you ask him if something is wrong, the diagnosis falls: you have prosthetic stomatitis.

What is Prosthetic Stomatitis?

Prosthetic stomatitis is a state of chronic inflammation of the mucosa of the gums and the palate, which is found much more frequently in removable prostheses; it is said that it affects a third of those who wear it.

What are the Causes?

Prosthetic stomatitis is indeed a more common oral lesion in the individual who lacks one or more teeth because the factors that are most often implicated in the medical literature are trauma caused by poorly fitting prostheses, hygiene deficient oral and prosthetic and a factor favoring infections. An unstable prosthesis and the continual wearing of the prosthesis can, therefore, promote this disease.

Some systemic factors may have an impact on the prevalence of prosthetic stomatitis, such as protein, vitamin A and B deficiency or iron deficiency. Also, this problem is more common in people with diabetes and in patients who receive therapies to stimulate the immune system.

Although it is very prevalent among denture wearers, prosthetic stomatitis remains very often asymptomatic, and its importance is generally underestimated.

What are the possible symptoms?

As we have just pointed out, prosthetic stomatitis does not generally present any symptoms; it must therefore often be detected by a health professional as part of a routine examination.

The most common and most conventional sign of prosthetic stomatitis is the presence of chronic redness that may be localized or extensive, ranging in severity from mild to severe, and particularly involving the mucous membrane of the palate of an individual with a removable prosthesis, whether partial or complete. Here are a few examples.

A burning sensation in the palate and tongue;
Halitosis, more commonly known as “bad breath”;
Xerostomia, a state of dry mouth that is usually associated with a lack of saliva;

Dysphagia, an uncomfortable feeling of blockage felt when passing food through the mouth, pharynx or esophagus.

Diagnosis of prosthetic stomatitis

It is most often asymptomatic. Prosthetic stomatitis should usually be diagnosed by an oral health specialist. To achieve this, the patient must perform a meticulous examination of the mouth and mucosa of the palate, to find the most common clinical signs (which correspond, among other things, to the type of inflammation, its magnitude and intensity).

How to treat it and minimize risks?

Even though prosthetic stomatitis does not seem to cause any problems daily, it is still important to take appropriate measures to keep your palate healthy and free of inflammation, and that your oral mucosa is in good health.

Since prosthetic stomatitis has both multiple and complex causes, its treatment still has several components. If your health care professional can prescribe antifungal creams to treat the lesion, you will first need to make sure you optimize your oral and prosthetic hygiene to get good results.

For example, it may be wise to use antimicrobial agents to disinfect your dentures, just as it would be appropriate to use a mouthwash containing alkaline peroxide or chlorhexidine gluconate.

Also, you should also check regularly if you notice in your mouth, areas of pressure or occlusal contact too marked. In these cases, a treatment with tissue conditioners could be done, followed by a reline or the making of a new prosthesis.

Absent Teeth: Real Consequences on Bone Loss

June 21, 2021November 10, 2019 by GPGDev

You care about your health, and that of your teeth is no exception. But do you know that your oral health needs to be evaluated regularly since age causes various changes in your mouth? One of these changes is bone resorption, the loss of bone mass in your jaws. This problem affects more specifically people whose teeth are missing, and those who wear dentures.

Bone loss, a Real Problem

Maybe you have been wearing dentures for many years? If this is the case, you may notice that your denture is not as well adjusted to your mouth as it was before. Pains can occur and cause you difficulty chewing. You even gave up some food because you could not chew them properly! What happened? It is the absence of some of your teeth that have helped to reduce bone mass in your jaws gradually. Your bone has suffered a loss because the pressure could not stimulate that real teeth normally have when chewing. Your jaw has therefore resorbed little by little, no longer allowing proper adjustment of your denture. Your face has undoubtedly also transformed, giving your features an older look! It is estimated that about 25% of bone loss in the first year of tooth loss and the more teeth are removed, the more limited the jaw function becomes. Imagine the impact bone resorption can have on your face and mouth after many years!

Dental implants, a Preferred Solution

Fortunately, the technique of dental implants can provide a lasting solution to the bone loss phenomenon of the jaws. These implants represent a significant investment, but one that effectively curbs bone loss and restores excellent chewing functions. Because they are attached directly to the gums and connected to the jaws, dental implants are like real teeth.  Thus, implants perform functions identical to those of natural teeth. They allow strong and correct chewing, which, again, stimulates the bone mass of the jaws. It is this feature that allows dental implants to stop the process of bone loss. It constitutes a significant and lasting gain in the maintenance of oral health! Also, be aware that if your jaw or gums change over the years, dental implants can be adjusted to follow these changes, without causing pain and without losing their effectiveness.

A Permanent and Stable Solution

People who wear dental implants find good digestion of food and the ability to chew anything they want to eat. Their quality of life is therefore greatly improved! These benefits of dental implants are also permanent. If you opt for dental implants, you will undoubtedly appreciate their stability and lifespan. Also, since dental implants stop the resorption of the jaws and they are perfectly adjusted to your mouth, your face can return to its natural shape. These are excellent arguments that will convince you!

A beneficial choice for your health

Dental implants are a long-term solution to missing teeth and an effective barrier to bone loss. As you can see, missing teeth have important consequences for your dental health, your motor functions, and even your appearance! It means that having good jaws, good gums and good teeth allows you to maintain good general health.

In case they are well maintained and adjusted periodically, the prostheses that are attached to your dental implants last a very long time. As for implants alone, dental health professionals specify that they last a lifetime.

Occlusal Plate: A Remedy For Teeth Grinding

June 21, 2021November 1, 2019 by GPGDev

More and more often, when you wake up, you notice a pain in your jaw stretching to your temples, as well as uncomfortable slenderness in the muscles of your neck; maybe you suffer from bruxism! It is usually said that someone with bruxism squeaks their teeth. This problem, although rather common, is not cured. That being said, there are various ways to mitigate the effects, and occlusal plaque is a simple and effective solution for treating bruxism. In addition to reducing the impact that contractions of your muscles can have on your jaw, the occlusal plate also serves to preserve your teeth against premature and unwanted wear. Want to learn more about the subject? We explain to you what there is to know in this article.

Possible Risks of Untreated Bruxism

First, it is important to point out that, like any problem for which no treatment measures are taken, bruxism can lead to unfortunate consequences. As mentioned, crisping can lead to abrasion and premature wear of the enamel of your dentition. It can end up damaging your teeth and cause you additional costs to repair or even replace them. The tension accumulated in your jaw can also pose you various muscular problems, in addition to causing dysfunction of your temporomandibular joint. Finally, various periodontal problems, or concerns about the health of your gums, can occur because of the great force exerted in your mouth during bouts of bruxism. That’s why it’s important to make sure you treat the problem as soon as possible!

What is the Occlusal Plate?

The occlusal plate, also known as the protective gutter, is a dental support device made from a personalized impression of your dentition.

Entirely designed in the laboratory, this channel is made of transparent or opaque resin and is easily placed in the mouth, which prevents the upper and lower teeth from coming into contact during an episode of bruxism.

For a long time, there has been a belief that people who are subject to bruxism are more anxious than average. It was further strengthened by the fact that various relaxation or psychotherapy techniques proved to be beneficial for the affected individuals; however, while stress may be an aggravating factor, no direct causal link has been established between bruxism and anxious temperament.

Indeed, episodes of bruxism can be temporary or cyclical; if someone is about to cringe at certain times in his life, there is no evidence that he will do it regularly. You must, therefore, be careful before you consider that you have bruxism permanently.

However, if you have some of the following symptoms, you may be prone to cringe:

You often feel pain in your jaw;
You have headaches that seem to be related to muscle tension in your neck and temporomandibular joint;
Your tooth surface shows accelerated and unusual wear, usually diagnosed by your dentist;
You feel pain in the temples in the morning, when you wake up.

As you can see, the symptoms of bruxism can be multiple and very different from one individual to another. To better diagnose the true cause of your problem, do not hesitate to refer to an oral health specialist, such as a dentist or denturologist.

As we pointed out earlier, if your teeth were damaged too much because of the friction caused by bruxism, a dentist or denturologist might have to work on your teeth. It could cover them with porcelain to protect them, or suggest that you use dental implants to replace them, for example.

Finally, bruxism must be considered as a problem that prematurely wears teeth and can even lead to the loss of your teeth. Also, its effects can cause disorders in your gums and bone around your teeth. When you know this, make sure to pay close attention to what’s going on in your mouth. You are now aware that detecting symptoms of bruxism as early as possible can save you a lot of problems.