Dental Implants
Dental implants have become the standard
recommendations for many restorative treatment plans.
Individual or multiple implants can be utilized to
replace missing teeth or to secure dental appliances
such as dentures or removable partials. When placed and
restored properly, dental implants can have success
rates near 100%. In fact, the studies indicate a
long-term success rate of 85-88% fifteen years after
initial placement and integration. As discussed in the
literature, most restorative options in Dentistry have
an average life-span of up to 10 years.
The process of Implant Dentistry at my office has become
simplified utilizing "in-office"
CT Dental Scan (3-D) technology. This unit removes many of
the potential complications or "surprises" prior to beginning
the surgical procedure. This ultimately can shorten the overall
surgical and/ or healing times.
It is important to maintain a strong team approach with
Implant Dentistry utilizing experienced and well-trained
laboratory technicians and restorative dentists. At my office, I
am a Dental Specialist that will complete all of your surgical
needs. This will ultimately improve overall success both with
esthetics and function.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation with Dr.
Engle
|
|
Sinus Elevation/Augmentation
When an upper tooth is lost, the bone quickly undergoes
atrophic changes if the site is not preserved. Up to 50% volume
of loss can occur within the first 3 months post-extraction.
When maxillary posterior teeth are removed, the sinus begins to
change as well. Over time, the sinus begins to migrate closer to
the crest of the ridge which will decrease the available bone
depth for the implant. A predictable and SAFE procedure can be
completed to re-grow this lost space. There are two types of
procedures to accomplish this task. Depending on the amount of
bone needed, one technique can be completed at the same time of
implant placement while the other would require a second
surgical visit to gain much more bone volume.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Engle
|
|
Extractions (With or
without ridge preservation)
We extract teeth for many reasons including Periodontal
disease and advanced decay. Many times at my office the patient
presents with severe pain and just wants immediate relief. All
treatment options to replace the extracted tooth must be
discussed prior to tooth removal. A tooth abscess could result
in a large amount of infection at the end of the root which will
leave a significant bone defect if the site is not preserved.
When a tooth is removed, immediate changes occur to the fresh
extraction site. A blood clot forms on the bone and the site
begins to heal. During the normal healing process, up to 50%
atrophy or shrinkage can occur to the site within 3 months. The
goal of ridge preservation is to reduce the amount of shrinkage
to the site. If there is infection at the root apex, complete
removal is needed prior to placement of bone graft material. The
site will heal with less shrinkage and will provide greater
support for a fixed bridge, partial, or dental implant.
There are many types of grafting materials including: Bovine,
Cadaver and harvesting the patient's bone from a secondary
surgical site. All products that are used in Dentistry are
processed very meticulously and are very safe for our use. Your
body uses these materials to build new bone but most of their
function is to hold and maintain space. The extraction site is
completely healed and ready for implants or restorative options
within 3-6 months depending on the amount of original infection
present.
If you are experiencing severe discomfort in a
tooth or teeth we recommend you
schedule an appointment with Dr. Engle
as soon as possible. Treating your condition quickly
may prevent a more serious outcome.
|
|
Ridge Preservation
There are many techniques to preserve a ridge. Depending
on the amount of infection or bone loss present, a variety
of different materials can be utilized to achieve
preservation or repair damage to the bone.
Careful management of extraction sockets after tooth
extractions helps prevent unsightly bone defects and will ensure
better cosmetic outcome after tooth replacement. The surgical
management of even simple extractions is extremely important to
the ultimate success of dental implants.
Schedule
a Ridge Preservation Consultation with Dr. Engle
|
|
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in
adults. The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial
plaque (sticky, colorless film that forms on your teeth).
Secondary causes include smoking (tobacco use), genetics,
pregnancy, puberty, stress, diabetes, poor nutrition,
auto-immune conditions, poor restorations, bad occlusion, and
certain medications.
When plaque forms on your teeth, the bacteria become
irritations to the gums. The mildest form of disease is
Gingivitis which is completely reversible with proper brushing
and flossing habits and regular hygiene appointments. Symptoms
of Gingivitis may include redness, swelling, and/ or bleeding
gums. Left untreated, Gingivitis could progress to Periodontitis
which is when the disease begins affecting the supportive bone
around your teeth. The gums will begin to separate from the
teeth causing increased periodontal pocketing (spaces). As
periodontal disease progresses, the supporting gum tissue and
bone further deteriorate. If left untreated, the end-point of
disease is Tooth Loss.
The effects of Periodontal Disease can be prevented
and reversed.
Schedule a
Consultation with Dr. Engle
|
|
|
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and Root planing is a common
non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease. Scaling
involves a cleaning of the tooth above while root planning
addresses deep below the gum line. The goal is to remove any
plaque and calculus that have accumulated on the tooth
surface. The root is planed until it is smooth.
A smooth and clean root surface provides a much
better environment for the periodontal ligaments to reattach. This
reattachment results in a reduced pocket size. This reduces the
environment in which the bacteria can grow.
Periodontal Pockets 5mm or greater are great candidates for this
initial Periodontal treatment. If the pockets do not resolve
within 3-6 weeks then Definitive Periodontal procedures maybe
needed. Many times the occlusion may require equilibrated during
this initial treatment of periodontal disease.
Schedule a
Consultation with Dr. Engle
|
|
|
Crown Lengthening
When tooth decay or a tooth fracture occurs below the
gumline, it may be necessary to remove a small amount of
bone and gum tissue prior to completing restorative
care. This is procedure becomes necessary so that the
final crown would be placed in a healthy environment
without impinging on either the gum or bone.
Crown lengthening is recommended because the decay or broken
segment of the tooth extends below the gum line. Biological width is
the distance between the crown margin and the bone. The distance
between the crown margin and the marginal crest of the bone needs to
be up to 3 mm. If the new crown margin violates this principle, then
gingival inflammation or pain could occur.
The procedure can be completed without much discomfort and
usually only takes a short while to complete. Within 6 weeks after
crown lengthening, your Dentist can begin final impressions for your
new crown.
Schedule a
Consultation with Dr. Engle
|
|
|
Pocket Elimination
A pocket is the detachment of the gum
from the root surface. Pockets over 5mm deep are
difficult to clean with a normal toothbrush or even with
regular hygiene cleanings. These pockets will lead to
bone loss, tooth mobility and eventually the loss of the
tooth as they progress.
Pocket Elimination surgery involves a small
surgical procedure to help reattach the gum to the root surface. The
infected gum is trimmed away and the uneven bone is re-contoured.
This is considered definitive Periodontal treatment. After healing
is complete, the gingival tissue might shrink depending on the
amount of gingival pocketing. Also, there could be initial Hot/ Cold
sensitivity to the teeth which can be treated with fluoride rinses
or toothpastes.
The end result is a tighter attachment of the
gum to the tooth, no pocketing, improved cleansiblity with a
normal toothbrush and an increased long-term prognosis of the
tooth.
Schedule a
Consultation with Dr. Engle
|
|
|
Guided Tissue Regeneration
This surgical procedure
"regenerates" the previously lost gum and bone tissue.
Depending on the topography of the defect, up to 80%
regeneration of tissue can be accomplished, especially
is Vertical bone defects. Horizontal defects can be
"regenerated" very unpredictably. Following similar
surgical protocols as Pocket elimination, the defect is
completely debrided of all infected tissues, leaving
good bleeding bone. Utilizing Bovine, Cadaver and/ or
Autogeneous (patient's bone from second surgical site),
the site is completely filled. The graft is then covered
with either a Resorbable or Non-Resorbable barrier
depending on the type of defect. A Non-Resorbable
barrier requires removal after 6 weeks of healing. The
healing process takes up to 3 months to demonstrate bone
growth radiographically.
Schedule a
Consultation with Dr. Engle
|
|
|
Soft Tissue Grafts
When recession of the gingival occurs,
the body loses a natural defense against both bacterial
penetration and trauma. The damage could be corrected/
reconstructed using soft-tissue grafting techniques.
When there is only minor recession, there is
often times healthy gingiva present which is still protecting the
tooth. No treatment is recommended other than modifying home care
practices or occlusal adjustments to prevent further damage from
occurring. If the recession reaches into the mucosa, the first line
of defense against bacterial penetration is lost.
If gingival recession occurs, the teeth could
become sensitive to hot and cold foods/ drinks as well as the gums
and teeth become unsightly to appearance. When gingival recession
becomes significant, the exposure of the root surface (softer than
enamel) can lead to root caries and root gouging.
A gingival graft is designed to solve these
problems. A thin piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the
mouth, or gently removed from adjacent areas, to provide a stable
band of attached gingival around the tooth. The gingival tissue is
placed to either increase the amount of keratinized tissue and/ or
to improve root coverage.
The gingival graft procedure is highly
predictable.
Schedule a
Consultation with Dr. Engle
|
|
|
CT Dental Scans
An "in-office" CT Dental Scan uses
advanced computer programs to provide detailed
two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of your
mouth. Conventional radiographs are only two-dimensional
images and have limited diagnostic value in some dental
applications. A CT dental scan can determine the exact
dimensions of your bone as well as the exact locations
of impacted teeth, nerves and pathology. The information
from these scans enables us to select the best location
for your implants and plan the details of your surgery
with pinpoint accuracy and less guess-work well before
your operation. For more information on CT Dental Scans,
click here. For
frequently asked questions about this exciting new
technology, click here.
Schedule
a Consultation with Dr. Engle
|
|
|
|
|
|
