A Colorado Springs Dentist Busts Major Myths About Oral Health, PART 3

Using sound logic and expert advice, this four-part article series dispels some of the most common myths surrounding oral health and dental treatment.

Welcome to the third installment of this four-part article series on the most common myths on dental health. In Part 2, an experienced Colorado Springs dentist dispelled the following two myths:

Myth # 3: If it’s not broken, why fix it?

First of all, it takes experience and expertise to be the real judge of whether it’s broken or not and secondly, early intervention is far better and far cheaper.

Myth # 4: It’s normal for your gums to bleed when you brush or floss.

Gums that are weakened by infection will tear more easily and bleed. So bleeding gums may be an indicator of gum disease, which is definitely not normal. Alternatively, you may be brushing too hard, so invest in a softer toothbrush and ease up on the pressure.

Let’s move along and take a look at the next two common misconceptions…

Myth # 5: If dental insurance doesn’t cover it, it’s probably not worth considering.

“Medical aid and dental insurance companies are, at the end of the day, businesses. They’re there to make money, so they are not going to offer full coverage for the latest, most sophisticated and cutting-edge dental treatments available,” explains a Colorado Springs oral surgeon. “If they did, they’d go bankrupt in a day. What you will find is that dental insurance offers SOME coverage for advanced dental treatment, while offering substantial coverage for older, more conventional treatments that have been regarded as the standard of care for many years, if not decades.

“Your dentist – or at least a good dentist – will not allow dental insurance to dictate to them what treatment they recommend to you, their patient. Rather, he or she will recommend to you what they see as the best treatment to help your oral health recover optimally. It’s unfortunate that there is often a schism between the best solution and the most affordable solution and this may become a problem, especially if you are looking into teeth replacement,” explains the Colorado Springs dentist.

“Dental implants may offer the best, most functional and long-term treatment available for the replacement of missing teeth, but few dental insurance companies cover them. Instead, they tend to provide funding for bridges or dentures, which are cheaper, but far less advantageous. Shop around for dental insurance and make sure you know what you’re liable to be covered for!”

Myth # 6: Tooth loss is normal consequence of getting older.

“If you’re in good oral and general health, there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t make it to your 80’s and 90’s with all of your original dentition intact,” say Colorado Springs oral surgeons. “Tooth loss is a consequence of poor oral hygiene, gum disease, smoking and illnesses such as cancer and diabetes; it’s not caused by getting older. If you look after yourself and your teeth properly, you should be able to enjoy a beautiful, natural smile for most of your life.”

Stay Tuned for Part 4

To read about more major myths that could potentially be disastrous for your oral health, stay tuned for the final installment of this four-part article series.

A Colorado Springs Oral Surgeon’s Comprehensive Guide to Sedation Dentistry, PART 4

This four-part article series provides an in-depth overview of sedation dentistry, what it is, how it works, the benefits it offers and what patients can expect from its different methods of administration.

Welcome to the final installment of this four-part article series on sedation dentistry and what patients need and want to know about this very beneficial branch of dental healthcare. Previously, in Part 3, an experienced oral surgeon in Colorado Springs began describing the different methods for the administration of sedation medications. We looked into oral conscious sedation, which involves taking one or two small pills about an hour prior to dental treatment; and we looked at inhalation sedation, which involves breathing in a mixture of nitrous oxide gas and oxygen whilst in the dentist’s chair. Both achieve the same wonderful, anxiety-free results.

Now, let’s look at the final of the three primary modes of sedation administration…

The Primary Modes of Sedation, Continued

• Intravenous (IV) Sedation

For intravenous (IV) sedation, as the name suggests, the calming medications are administered directly into the bloodstream, via an intravenous drip. The effects are similar to the other two methods and will make a patient feel completely calm, relaxed and as though they are in a dream-like state. They are unlikely to remember much about their procedure, although they will be able to respond to the dentist’s questions during treatment.

“The procedure with IV sedation starts out the same as the other methods in that we will sit you down and explain to you in detail what you can expect before you undergo treatment,” says a Colorado Springs dental implant dentist. “We’ll rub a little anesthetic gel on your hand to make sure that you don’t feel any pain when we insert the needle. Once everything is ready and you’re happy to proceed, we’ll gently inject the sedative drug into the IV drip and you’ll notice an increasing sense of sleepiness and relaxation. We’ll do this gradually so that the onset of sedation doesn’t alarm you.

“And when you’re at the desired level of sedation, we’ll begin your treatment. All the while we will be closely monitoring your vitals and the administration of the medications. Once the procedure has been completed, we’ll cease feeding the sedative into the IV tube and you’ll be allowed to recover in your own time. You will probably feel sleepy for quite some time after treatment, so don’t expect to get in your car and drive off home!”

Some Important Facts to Know About Sedation Dentistry

Image courtesy of Free Digital Photos

Not all Colorado Springs implant dentists are qualified to offer their patients sedation, which means that they will be required to call in a specialist to do it for them. It’s often best to find a dental implant surgeon who also has the necessary training and qualifications to offer sedation, because it’s quicker, easier and eliminates having to foot the bill for the specialist’s services.

You will need to plan accordingly if you are going to be sedated for your dental procedure or treatment. You must arrange transportation from the dental office, because you won’t be fit to drive and you should take the rest of the day off from work. Don’t plan any strenuous activities either: rather have a good rest and wake up the following morning completely recovered.

“In addition to avoiding exercise or any strenuous activities, stay away from alcohol and don’t eat a heavy meal straight after treatment,” advises the Colorado Springs dental implant dentist. “Have a rest first and then enjoy a light meal. You may experience the odd dizzy spell after (especially) IV sedation, so try to limit your activity and lie down if you do feel faint.”

Are There Any Patients Who Aren’t Considered Candidates for Sedation?

Unfortunately, yes, and they are:

• Patients who have a history of allergic reaction to sedation medications.

• Patients who are pregnant.

• Patients with glaucoma or any kind of kidney or lung problem.

• Patients with blood pressure or heart problems.

“Always notify your dentist of any medications or of any allergies you may have to medication, no matter how unrelated you think it may be,” urge oral surgeons in Colorado Springs. “We don’t care if you’ve been taking aspirin for a headache: tell us about it. Being on medication or having an illness that might keep you from receiving sedation doesn’t mean you can’t receive treatment. We may be able to find a creative way around the problem by seeking the advice of your doctor, so don’t despair.”

The Nitty Gritty Details About Dental Implants in Colorado Springs

This article explains the components of dental implants and discusses the procedure involved in having them placed.

Okay, so the news of dental implants has spread. You’ve heard it from your friend who heard it from their friend who heard it from their wife, but now you want to know the real deal. Although the grapevine has provided enough information to tantalize your taste buds, it hasn’t really told you the preparation, the time required or the ingredients that go in to this innovative recipe.

The Components that Make up Dental Implants:

• The implant/s (the number of implants varies according to the number of teeth missing): The implant is a titanium screw that replaces the root of the missing tooth.

• The abutment: The abutment is the piece that attaches to the top of the implant and serves to secure the visible tooth replacement in place.

• The ceramic crown (if only one or two teeth are missing) or a fixed prosthetic bridge (when entire dental arch is being replaced): The crown or prosthetic bridge is the restoration that looks and functions like your teeth and is fixed onto the abutment.

Treatment Procedure:

Now that you know what the recipe contains, let’s find out how to put it all together. The first step is a consultation with your oral surgeon in Colorado Springs to decide on the best course of treatment for your specific case. There are numerous treatment options with dental implants, which vary according to the number of teeth you are missing as well as the health of your jawbone, so consult with your dentist to decide on one that is right for you.

The next step is the placement of the implant/s. This part of the treatment takes place while you are under local or general anesthetic, so that you are kept completely comfortable and pain-free while you are receiving your new teeth. During this appointment, the dental implant/s will be gently placed and the abutment screw attached.

You will receive a temporary crown or bridge at this point so that you can go home and give your mouth some time to heal, as well as let the implants integrate with your jawbone.   After a few weeks and once everything is well on its way to healing, the dental implant treatment will be completed by attaching your permanent ceramic crown/s or fixed prosthetic bridge to the abutment/s.

A Timeline of the Procedure:

The length of time allotted to dental implant treatments in Colorado Springs varies, as there is an assortment of implant options. Most of these options allow everything to be done in one day while others take a little longer. As mentioned before, these are dependent on the patient and the specific case they present with.

Stirred, Baked and Ready to Eat!

So there you have it! The recipe to a fabulous smile! The dental implant dentist in Colorado Springs offers you a solution to all the complications and challenges that come with missing teeth. Now you can pass your newfound knowledge back down the grapevine; only this time, you can do it with a full set of teeth that will allow you to enjoy all your favorite foods and even that batch of freshly baked cookies!