Contact A Periodontist For Dental Implants – Part 2

Hello, and welcome back to our blog. This is part two of our series about why you should contact a periodontist for dental implants rather than another dental health specialist. As we discussed in our previous blog, periodontists have more training, experience, and knowledge of periodontal conditions that result in the need for dental implants. Keep reading to learn more.

Knowledge of Periodontal Disease

There is a multitude of reasons why you may need a dental implant procedure. Maybe you sustained an injury that knocked one of your teeth out, or maybe you’ve experienced enough tooth decay over time to justify having the tooth extracted and replaced with an implant. However, one of the most common reasons someone needs a dental implant procedure done is because of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is a serious gum infection that damages the supporting structures of the teeth like the jawbone and periodontal ligament. The reason it’s important to see a periodontist regularly is that they will be able to track the progression of infections like gum disease and periodontal disease. When you’re thinking of getting a dental implant, a periodontist will be able to accurately determine the condition of surrounding teeth as well as the jawbone and gums to see if there will be any complications after the implants are in.

When you contact Same-Day Implants, we never commit to an implant procedure without performing a comprehensive exam. What this means is we’ll consult with you to determine what issues you’re having and how it’s affecting your day-to-day life. Then we’ll take a look at your teeth and gums to see if there is any threat of them being lost to periodontal disease. In certain cases, gum disease can be reversed and you’ll have no need for dental implants. However, if the infection is bad enough, we may recommend dental implants.

 

It’s important to have an accurate diagnosis before committing to dental implants because it may not be necessary and/or lead to unforeseen side effects. It’s always best to consult a periodontist rather than a general dentist about this because they are more knowledgeable about conditions like periodontal disease as well as bone loss.

Contact Same-Day Implants

If you live in Seattle and believe you may need dental implants, contact your board certified periodontists at Same-Day Implants. We perform single-tooth, multiple teeth, and all-on-4 dental implants.

Contact A Periodontist For Dental Implants

Are you aware that dentists in the United States are allowed to work outside their specialization? What this means is that the doctor you visit regularly may also be performing complex dental implant procedures in addition to their regular dental checkups. However, it’s important to note that there is a wide range of doctors who work with oral health including dentists, periodontists, orthodontists, endodontists, prosthodontists and more. The problem with visiting a dentist for dental implants is that periodontists are better equipped to deal with this type of treatment. Keep reading to learn more.

Training

Like periodontists, dentists study a broad range of dental techniques in addition to dental implants. However, the difference is that periodontists receive far more comprehensive training when it comes to placing implants in the safest and most effective way. Periodontists work with certified professionals in order to master the art of placing implants and in order to receive their certification, must pass rigorous hands-on and written exams. For you and many other patients out there in need of dental implants, this means that you will be receiving the highest level of care in the industry.  

Experience

Not only will your average periodontist have more training with placing dental implants than your average dentist, but they’ll also have more experience. Not only are our periodontists at Same-Day Implants experienced, but they’re also board-certified. Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Schuler are both recognized by the American Board of Periodontology, a status that is earned only after passing a rigorous exam on dental implant procedures and other aspects of periodontics. Only 10 percent of the periodontists in the U.S. have achieved this certification.

If you’d like to speak with us about our certification, training, or experience, please contact us today.

Familiarity With Complications

Although it would be nice to hear that every dental implant procedure goes as planned and that no collateral issues can arise, it simply isn’t accurate. Additionally, there are a number of things that can result in a failed dental implant. Your general dentist may not have the technology or the experience these issues before the procedure leading to a lot of added stress and complications for you.

When you contact a periodontist, your specialist will use all of the latest dental technology to examine the state of your oral health, any complications that could lead to a failure in the implants and do everything possible to increase your chances of a successful procedure. One common issue many patients have is that there isn’t enough bone where the implant is going in to support the crown. Bone is usually restored through a process called bone grafting that will ensure your bone is healthy and strong before the implant goes in.

Contact Same-Day Implants

Same-Day Implants has been serving Seattle and the surrounding areas since 1999. Read part two of this blog to learn more or contact our periodontal specialists today to see if dental implants are right for you.

Everything You Need To Know About Receding Gums – Part 2

Hello, and welcome back to our blog here at Pacific Northwest Periodontics. Last time we started talking about gum recession, what causes it, how it happens, and some of the conditions associated with it. In this blog, we’re going to discuss prevention and why it matters. If you have receding gums, you should visit an oral health specialist immediately for an appointment.

Why it matters

People who have receding gums typically either don’t know it, or they don’t know enough about the condition to think it’s a serious issue. But gum recession in and of itself isn’t necessarily a threat to your health, it’s more of a sign that there are bigger problems going on. To an oral health specialist, receded gums are an early sign of tooth loss, tooth sensitivity, poor appearance, and generally poorer periodontal condition.

 

On the contrary, if your gum recession is severe enough, the condition itself may be harmful to your teeth. Gums are supposed to protect your teeth, so if they aren’t completely covering them, they aren’t doing their job. The attached gingiva connects your teeth to the jawbone, and the gingival mucosa protects your gums and cheeks. When the gingival margin is pulled away from the teeth, the roots of the teeth will actually be exposed. Since this part of the tooth doesn’t have any enamel, it will be more susceptible to decay and inevitably, tooth loss.

 

Even if gum recession isn’t currently causing issues for you, you need to take action or you’ll be at serious risk of periodontal disease and tooth loss. A good place to start is by maintaining a better diet and a better oral hygiene routine? Do you floss? If not, this is something you need to start doing at least once a day. Flossing doesn’t remove food particles from in between your teeth, it removes harmful bacteria that can’t be reached by a toothbrush. Without flossing, this bacteria will remain between the teeth and continue to damage it.

Regrowing Gum Tissue

If prevention is no longer an option, you’re going to need to know how to regrow the lost gum tissue. Like we’ve said, bone tissue needs to be remineralized before your gums will start to repair themselves. And unfortunately, gum tissue won’t just return on its own without your help. Treatment options vary depending on how severe the gingival recession and whether you have signs of periodontal disease or not. Two common options for regrowing gum tissue are gum grafting and the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST). The former involves removing tissue from another area in the mouth that is healthy and replacing some of the damaged gum tissue with it. In the latter, gum tissue is manipulated over the exposed roots which will protect them and help prevent further recession.

If you’re experiencing gum recession, you need to visit a periodontal specialist immediately. Periodontists specialize in treating the supporting structures of your teeth. Many of the worst diseases and conditions related to oral health start or end in these areas and won’t just result in tooth loss, but could lead to other health conditions that affect your whole body.

Contact Pacific Northwest Periodontics

At Pacific Northwest Periodontics and Dental Implants, our highest priority is to create an individualized plan for each patient that will afford them optimal oral health, comfort, and cosmetics. We offer comprehensive examinations, same-day tooth replacement, All-On-Four dental implants and much more in Seattle and the surrounding area. Gum recession isn’t something that happens overnight which makes it all the more important to visit an oral health specialist on a regular basis. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment.

 

Everything You Need To Know About Receding Gums

With so much information going around the internet these days and by word of mouth, it can often be difficult to tell what’s true and what isn’t. This is especially the case when it comes to health and wellness. In this blog, we hope to eliminate some of the misunderstandings surrounding receding gums. Specifically, what causes it, how it affects you, and how it can be prevented.

Gum Tissue

In order to understand what gum recession is, we first need to understand a little bit about gum tissue. Simply put, gum tissue is the layer of skin that covers bone tissue of the maxilla and the mandible (upper and lower jaw). Assuming the jaw bone is intact, the gum tissue will stay in place on the teeth. Essentially, the only reason for your gums moving away from the teeth is if the bone underneath begins to deteriorate. This process is called demineralization and can affect any part of the body causing diseases such as osteoporosis or tooth decay. In relation to gum recession, the question then becomes, “what causes bone to demineralize in the jaw?”

There are several major causes of bone demineralization so keep reading to learn more.

Causes Of Demineralization

There are four main causes of jawbone demineralization including periodontal disease, bruxism (grinding teeth), trauma, and genetics. Although we have jawbone around the entire circumference of our teeth, that doesn’t mean it’s all the same strength. The layer of bone around the outside of the teeth is actually much thinner than the bone tissue on the inside. This is an important piece of information to note when learning about what causes gum recession.

How It Happens

Now that you know what the main causes are of receding gums, we can take a look at what specifically causes these issues in the first place. As you can imagine, gum recession isn’t something that happens immediately or overnight, it’s a long process. However, that doesn’t mean that certain factors won’t affect the rate at which it happens. Bone is able to remineralize as long as the scaffold-like bone structure remains intact. Once it starts to fall apart, however, the less likely it is to support the tooth and will eventually lead to tooth loss. One important thing to note is that gums will not immediately recede after bone begins to demineralize. Instead, it remains in a fragile state where any small disturbance can cause it to recede. At this point, if you end up brushing carelessly or too vigorously, it could trigger the gum recession.

Causes Of Gum Recession

As we discussed earlier, gum recession only results when the bone underneath has demineralized. So, if you want to learn how to prevent gum recession or reverse it, you’ll need to know what is causing the demineralization. There are a number of things that could be causing this to happen.

Gum Disease

Unfortunately, gum disease is very common nowadays. The worst part about this is that many of the people who have it don’t even know it. According to the Journal of Dental Research, 47 percent of adults age 30 and over have periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is gum disease that has gotten bad enough to the point where it starts affecting the jawbone and other supporting structures of the teeth.

When bacteria begin to intrude and destroy bone tissue, it also causes a reaction in our immune system. When this happens, there is inflammation in the area that’s affected which can further increase the rate at which bone is lost.

Bruxism

Bruxism, or grinding of the teeth, is often a result of stress. However, it is also associated with sleep apnea and other sleeping disorders. Although our teeth need stimulation from chewing in order to promote bone growth in the jaw, grinding your teeth throughout the day will have the opposite effect and instead result in bone loss.

Trauma

It may seem like common sense to immediately see an oral health specialist after a physical injury to the face. However, many people think that if they if they don’t feel any loose teeth or saw no blood at the moment of the incident, there must be no problem. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as many of the tooth diseases caused by trauma go unnoticed until it’s too late.

Genetics

Similar to how we are all born with variations in hair color or texture, the thickness of our jawbones may also be determined by genetics. Although this may have no impact on us early in life, it could make someone more prone to bone loss later in life. Once that happens, your gums are at serious risk of receding.

Contact Pacific Northwest Periodontics

If you’re experiencing gum recession or a chipped or damaged tooth of any kind, you should speak with a periodontist at Pacific Northwest Periodontics immediately. If you’d like to learn more about gum recession, read part two of this blog series.

Most Common Causes Of Tooth Loss

Oral health is a big concern to many people, and rightfully so. Maintaining your oral health will not only help you prevent cavities, brighten your teeth and eliminate bad breath, it can also prevent tooth loss. Although your parents probably told you to stop eating sweets or your teeth would fall out, in reality, there are a number of things that can lead to tooth loss and some are more common than others. In this blog, we’re going to talk about some of the most common causes of tooth loss and what you can do to prevent it.

Poor oral hygiene

There’s a reason everyone tells you to brush and floss all the time — it prevents tooth loss! What most people don’t understand is that it doesn’t take that much time or effort to maintain a proper oral health routine. When you brush, just make sure to cover all of your teeth and avoid scrubbing your gums too hard because this can lead to other problems. Scrubbing too hard on your teeth can also cause damage to your enamel.

 

Contrary to popular belief, flossing shouldn’t be considered second to brushing, both brushing flossing are crucial for your oral health.

Gum disease

Gum disease (periodontal disease) is a major cause of tooth loss around the world. Although poor oral hygiene can increase your risk of gum disease, there are many other causes such as tobacco, poor diet, stress, and genetics may play a role. Speak with a dentist or periodontist to see what you can do to protect your gums and prevent gum disease.

Trauma

Physical trauma to your mouth or jaw can lead to tooth loss. The problem with trauma to the mouth is that it’s not always immediately evident how severe the issue is. You may experience bruising or bleeding but just shake it off, thinking it’s not a big deal. A good rule of thumb is to treat all injuries to the mouth as serious until speaking with a dental specialist. If there is injury underneath the gums where it’s not visible to you, it could lead to gum disease and later to tooth loss. A periodontist may suggest having the tooth extracted and replacing it with a dental implant.

Cavities

Eating too many sweets isn’t the only cause of tooth loss, but it’s certainly one of them. Cavities aren’t a huge issue as long as they’re treated quickly. And since cavities are a form of tooth decay, they can eventually lead to tooth loss. Make sure you’re visiting the dentist regularly in order to stop cavities before they become a huge problem.

 

Poor nutrition

You need to maintain a well-balanced diet in order to prevent tooth loss. Nutrients that boost your immune system are great for fighting infections that could start in your gums. If you have any specific concerns about how your diet affects your oral health, speak with a dentist.

Smoking

Believe it or not, smoking poses a serious risk to your oral health, not to mention every other part of your body. Studies have shown that people who smoke are significantly more likely to lose teeth at some point in their life. No amount of brushing will save your teeth from the threat that smoking causes to them. Please quit smoking!

Missing teeth

Yes, missing teeth can cause you to lose more teeth! Bone growth in your jaw is stimulated through the act of chewing and pressure put on the area by a tooth. So, if there’s no tooth there to stimulate bone growth, you’ll start losing bone! This not only means that it will be harder to get an implant the longer you wait, but the bone loss could be significant enough that you lose the surrounding teeth.

Contact Pacific Northwest

Are you missing a tooth or multiple teeth and aren’t sure what steps you should take to fix the issue? Your first step should be to call your local Seattle periodontists at Pacific Northwest. We are able to replace individual teeth, multiple teeth, or a full bridge all-on-four dental implant. It’s important that you get your teeth replaced as soon as possible after they’re lost so it doesn’t lead to further bone loss.

Here’s what to expect for your All-on-4 dental treatment

It’s normal to be nervous before an invasive procedure like getting All-on-4® dental implants, but our staff at Pacific Northwest Periodontics is with you every step of the way to help you feel calm throughout the process. By being knowledgeable about what’s going to happen, you can feel in control and ready for your big day. In this blog post, we’ll outline what you can expect when you come in for your new teeth!

You’ve had your consultation, determined your needs, met with Dr. Rapoport or Dr. Schuler, and probably did a good amount of research at home. Good for you! This is a big moment in your life and we’re glad you’re taking it seriously and learning all you can. To get the last jitters out before your All-on-4 treatment, here’s what to expect leading up to and during your operation:

  • You’ll come in once or twice prior to surgery. On these days, you’ll get to meet the team who will help in your procedure, including both your doctor and your anesthesiologist. We’ll take impressions and other measurements so we can ensure you get the smile you want. You’ll also speak with your anesthesiologist, who will answer any questions you may have and discuss the anesthesia process with you.
  • You’ll have your doctor’s undivided attention. We only schedule one patient per day for an All-on-4 procedure. This means Dr. Rapoport or Dr. Schuler will be helping you and only you. He’ll extract any teeth necessary and place your implants. Because of the one-on-one attention and new technology, the entire procedure for both arches will be done by late afternoon. Being able to complete everything in one day is important for your busy schedule, and we’re happy we can do it so quickly.
  • Your doctors will maintain the highest technical standards. Part of the reason for you to have a separate anesthesiologist, instead of your doctor, is so the highest technical standards are met. Both Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Schuler believe it’s vital for one of them to perform the surgery and for a separate anesthesiologist to administer and monitor your sedation. By doing this, the doctor can focus on the procedure and the anesthesiologist can ensure you’re comfortable and the surgery meets anesthesia protocols.
  • You’ll leave with a set of temporary teeth. Don’t expect to have your brand new set of teeth when you wake up from the anesthesia. The day of your surgery, you’ll go home with a set of temporary teeth. These are fully functional, aesthetic teeth you’ll wear while waiting for your implants to heal. And bonus — you’ll get to keep both sets after you get your new, final teeth in case you ever need to take them out.

We’re thrilled to be a part of your plans for a new smile. We hope this information helps you be calm and prepared as you continue in your dental health journey. Please reach out to us with any other questions you may have before your surgery. And read here if you’re curious about what to expect after your All-on-4 treatment.

5 Things You Should Do After Your All-On-4 Dental Procedure

You can rest assured knowing your teeth are in good hands with Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Schuler at Pacific Northwest Periodontics.They, along with their knowledgeable staff, will make you comfortable the moment you walk in the door, but what happens when you leave after your All-on-4® treatment? Pacific Northwest Periodontics wants you to have a positive experience, so follow these five steps after your procedure to ensure comfort and long-lasting teeth.

1. Relax after your All-on-4 treatment!

Thanks to our same-day implant procedure, you’ll leave our office and be on your way home by late afternoon! Take that time to relax and be comfortable in your home. You should expect a call from your doctor sometime that evening to answer any questions you may have and to give additional instructions for you to have postoperative comfort.

2. Perform post-treatment care your doctor recommends

Wondering what foods you can eat after your All-on-4 dental procedure? Unsure of how to clean your new teeth? Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on what you can eat, when to take your prescribed analgesic medications, and how to care for your new teeth. These, and more, are all valid questions while your implants are healing. Over the next several weeks, you’ll have regular follow-up visits to ask questions and for your doctor to monitor your progress and the healing of your implants. During these visits, you’ll receive instruction if you need to adjust your care routine at all.

3. Receive your beautiful, new teeth!

Photo by Edward Cisneros on UnsplashUntil today, you’ve had your set of temporary, fully functional teeth to wear while waiting for your implants to heal. Now that your implants have healed, we’ll place your final teeth! Your new full-arch set of teeth will be very strong while still giving you a natural smile. And unlike most offices, we actually let you keep your two new sets of teeth. If for some reason in the future your final new teeth need to be removed for cleaning or repair, you’ll have your other set to keep you smiling daily.

4. Wear your night guard regularly

After the time and money you spent on your All-on-4 dental procedure, healing, and placement of your new teeth, you’ll want to keep your teeth in excellent condition! To do this, it’s very important to wear your night guard over your new teeth each night. This protects your new teeth from any clenching or grinding you may do at night. Make sure to also brush and floss your new teeth regularly, just as you would for your natural teeth.

5. Come for check-up appointments

By getting your All-on-4 treatment through Pacific Northwest Periodontics, you’ll also receive 12 months of any needed follow-up at no extra charge. After your year is up, make sure to still visit for annual check-ups.

If you follow these five steps after your procedure, you’ll be smiling and showing off your new teeth in no time! And, of course, Pacific Northwest Periodontics is always happy to help with any questions that may come up after your All-on-4 procedure.

How do I know if I need the All-on-4 dental treatment?

At Pacific Northwest Periodontics, we believe in saving your natural teeth whenever feasible. However, there are situations where teeth are too damaged, decayed, or loose to be saved; we’re here to help you through that situation. We can replace individual teeth, multiple teeth, or all of your teeth. If you’re looking into replacing all of your teeth through our All-on-4® dental treatment, read on to see if you meet the criteria.

As we see it, there are three main situations that warrant a full-arch replacement set.

Do you currently wear dentures?

If you currently wear dentures, you’re definitely a viable candidate for All-on-4 dental implants. You’ll benefit from the procedure just as someone who is missing teeth or has tooth decay would. If you’re tired of dentures slipping, irritating your gums, or not providing full chewing power, the All-on-4 procedure is probably a good option. The procedure will leave you with beautiful, new teeth that have 80 percent of natural biting and chewing power.

Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Schuler are both experienced periodontists and specialists in dental implant procedures who would be happy to help you make an informed decision about whether to switch from dentures to All-on-4 dental implants.

Do you have broken-down teeth?

Maybe you’ve had gum disease, an accident, or just haven’t visited the dentist for a while and have loose, damaged, or severely decayed teeth as a result. Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Schuler are highly skilled at saving teeth and will work hard to do so whenever possible. Sometimes, however, saving teeth isn’t the best option.

In this situation, Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Schuler are happy to discuss your options with you and determine the best procedure to move forward with. If the majority of your teeth are severely decayed, you may want to pursue getting the full-arch set of replacement teeth. If only one tooth or a few teeth are greatly affected, you may want to pursue replacing individual teeth instead of all of them. Our doctors are qualified to help you make a good decision.

Are you currently missing lots of teeth?

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, 120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth and more than 36 million don’t have any teeth. Tooth loss is more common than you may think, and there’s no reason to be embarrassed if it affects you.

When there are no teeth to save, Pacific Northwest Periodontics is thrilled to help you replace your teeth. The procedure you decide on will largely depend on how many teeth are missing. If the majority of your teeth are gone, the All-on-4 dental implants are most likely the way to go.

Even if you have severe bone loss, we have the special technology to give you high-quality new teeth. We are currently offering a full exam, digital X-rays, a CT scan (as needed), and a consultation for only $99. The usual value of these services is $590. Come into our office today so we can help you have a confident smile.