By using just four to six artificial tooth roots to support an entire row of prosthetic teeth, the All-On-4 full mouth dental implant treatment can overcome the constraints of traditional dentures thanks to technological advancements. Patients who have lost all of their teeth in the upper or lower jaw can benefit from this operation, which can improve their quality of life by giving them a stable set of teeth that mimic natural teeth.
Treatment Process:
- The dentist begins by conducting a clinical examination of the patient and uses digital software to simulate the oral condition using 3D technology, predicting the implant positions and sizes of the fixtures, customizing the treatment plan for the patient, and explaining the treatment process in detail.
- If the patient is suitable for full mouth dental implants, the gum tissue is thoroughly disinfected before placing four to six titanium metal artificial implants in the upper and lower jaws.
- After implanting the artificial fixtures, a dental impression is taken to create a temporary full arch bridge. Subsequently, the dentist secures the bridge onto the implants using screws.
- Typically, the patient can undergo upper and lower jaw implant surgeries on the same day. After installing the implants in the morning, the dentist immediately customizes a dental impression to create a temporary denture or bridge, which is fitted to the patient.
- Several months later, once the gum tissue has healed and the implants have integrated tightly with the jawbone, the dentist can officially attach a metal-ceramic or all-ceramic denture or bridge to the implants.
Q&A
Am I A Suitable Candidate For The All-On-4 Full Mouth Dental Implant Treatment?
The All-on-4 full mouth dental implant treatment is typically recommended for the following types of patients:
- Patients who have lost all their teeth or have only a few remaining:
- The All-on-4 implant treatment can address all of a patient's missing teeth at once, providing a fixed and natural tooth replacement solution.
- Patients with loose or severely deteriorated teeth:
- o For patients who are unable to undergo conventional dental implant surgery due to loose or severely deteriorated teeth, the All-on-4 implant treatment is a viable option.
- Patients seeking a fixed and natural tooth replacement solution:
- The All-on-4 implant treatment offers a fixed tooth replacement solution within the mouth, allowing patients to regain confidence and normal chewing function.
However, each patient's situation is unique, so before undergoing the All-on-4 implant treatment, patients should undergo a comprehensive oral examination and evaluation, and discuss with their dentist to determine if this implant treatment is suitable for their specific case.
Does It Look Natural? Is It Comfortable?
Due to the fact that the All-on-4 dental implant treatment is a fixed dental solution within the mouth, patients typically feel very comfortable and natural when using these teeth in their daily lives. The appearance and color of the new teeth can be personalized to match the patient's needs and oral characteristics, ensuring they blend in seamlessly with natural teeth.
Furthermore, the All-on-4 dental implant treatment can help patients regain normal chewing function and speech capabilities, while also boosting their confidence and quality of life. Of course, individual experiences may vary, so it is important for patients to have in-depth discussions with their dentist before undergoing the All-on-4 dental implant treatment to ensure they have clear expectations regarding the treatment outcome.
Is The All-On-4 Full Mouth Dental Implant Treatment Safe?
The All-on-4 full mouth dental implant treatment is generally considered safe. This treatment has been widely used and researched clinically, and it is performed by experienced dental professionals. However, like any other surgical procedure, patients should carefully discuss the treatment with their dentist before undergoing it and follow professional medical advice.
What Are The Differences Between All-On-4 Full Mouth Dental Implants And Traditional Dental Implants?
- Number of Implants: For patients with no teeth using the All-on-4 implant solution, typically only four implants are needed to support all the teeth in the dental arch, whereas traditional implants usually involve implanting 16 teeth, or even more depending on the individual's condition.
- Surgery Time and Recovery Time: Due to the use of only four implants in the All-on-4 approach, the surgery time is usually shorter compared to traditional implants, leading to a corresponding reduction in recovery time for patients.
- Cost: Generally, the All-on-4 implant solution is more cost-effective than traditional implants. Since fewer implants are used in All-on-4, the overall cost of the treatment is typically lower.
- Bridge Stability: The All-on-4 implant solution provides a fixed tooth replacement solution within the mouth, while traditional implants may need to use fixed or removable dentures.
- Surgical Complexity: All-on-4 implants are typically completed in a single surgery, whereas traditional implants may require multiple surgeries to complete the entire treatment process.
The All-on-4 full mouth dental implant solution offers quicker surgery time, cost-effectiveness, and a simpler surgical process compared to traditional implants. However, each implant solution has its own suitable scenarios. Patients should discuss with their dentist to choose the most appropriate treatment based on their oral condition and needs.
Advantages Of All-On-4 Full Mouth Dental Implants:
Bone Grafting Could Be Avoided
The implants are carefully positioned in areas of the jawbone that naturally have more density and strength, reducing the need for additional bone grafting procedures.
Reduced Number Of Surgeries
With fewer implants required, the number of surgeries is reduced.
Immediate Dental Implant Placement - Faster Treatment And Quicker Restoration Of Functional Teeth
By eliminating the waiting period, which often deters individuals from pursuing implant treatment, immediate loading offers a prompt solution.
Improve Dental Function, Appearance, And Confidence.
All-On-4 dental implants provide a permanent solution for those with significant tooth loss and improve dental function, appearance, and confidence. Implants can prevent your face shape from changing because of bone loss.
Limitations And Risks Of All-On-4 Full Mouth Dental Implants:
The All-On-4 full mouth dental implant technique has a history of over 20 years since its development and is considered a relatively mature technology. However, due to the high surgical complexity, there is still a certain risk of failure.
What Precautions Should I Take After Implant Surgery?
Precautions to take for All-On-4 full mouth dental implant surgery include:
- Postoperative patients must schedule regular follow-up visits to the dental clinic for check-ups and cleaning.
- This surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia, but depending on the circumstances, the dentist may administer general anesthesia to the patient.
- Patients who are considering All-On-4 full mouth dental implant surgery must meet certain restrictions regarding the bone density of the upper and lower jawbones.
To avoid failure of the All-on-4 dental implant treatment, it is recommended that patients have a thorough discussion with their dentist before deciding whether to undergo the procedure.
How Much Does All-On-4 Full Mouth Dental Implant Costs?
- Quality of Materials Used:
The cost of All-On-4 full mouth dental implants is generally more affordable compared to traditional full mouth dental implants, but it can vary based on the quality of materials used, such as the artificial implants and prosthetic teeth materials.
- Patient’s Oral Condition and Needs:
The severity of the patient’s oral condition and the extent of treatment required also influence the cost of the All-on-4 full-mouth implant. In some cases, additional treatments or surgeries may be necessary, which will increase the overall cost of the implant procedure.
- Additional Services and Follow-Up Care:
Extra services such as professional oral cleaning or extended maintenance may also add to the total cost of treatment.
Overall, the cost of All-On-4 full mouth dental implants is determined by the specific circumstances and needs of the patient. Before undergoing treatment, patients should have detailed discussions with their dentist to understand all related costs and the treatment process, ensuring a clear understanding of the cost of treatment.
The myth that wisdom teeth are "pain-free and may be ignored" is widely held. However, in actuality, early-stage cavities and pericoronitis (inflammation of the soft tissues around the tooth crown) may not hurt, misleading patients into thinking their wisdom teeth are still in good condition. Severe discomfort may be experienced, however it can be too late by the time the cavity reaches the dental pulp. Wisdom teeth discomfort is not going to go away on its own. Root canal treatment or molar extraction may be required if cavities or pericoronitis damage the premolar teeth or the gum tissue surrounding them.
Impacted wisdom tooth can cause other serious issues in addition to dental problems including cavities and pericoronitis.
In the most severe scenario, the impacted wisdom tooth may even cause the nearby teeth to become loose. In order to avoid these kinds of scenarios, considering wisdom tooth extraction could be an appropriate way to stop serious problems brought by the impacted wisdom tooth .
Treatment Process For Wisdom Tooth Extraction:
The treatment process for wisdom tooth extraction can be divided into two methods: non-surgical and surgical.
Non-Surgical Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Non-surgical wisdom tooth extraction is suitable for wisdom teeth that are visible in the oral cavity. First, the dentist will inject an anesthetic in the treatment area to ensure that you do not feel pain during the procedure. Then, the dentist will use dental forceps to loosen and remove the wisdom tooth. Finally, the dentist may perform socket debridement or bone smoothing as needed.
Surgical Wisdom Tooth Extraction
For wisdom teeth that are hidden beneath the gums or located close to the nerve, a surgical extraction may be recommended by the dentist. The surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia, but for more complex cases, general anesthesia or intravenous sedation may be necessary. After anesthesia is administered, the dentist will make an incision in the gum tissue, and sometimes remove surrounding bone if needed, to access and extract the wisdom tooth. In some cases, the wisdom tooth may need to be divided into several pieces for removal. Finally, the dentist will clean the socket, suture the wound, ensure hemostasis, and complete the surgical procedure.
Q&A
1. What Is Wisdom Teeth?
The wisdom teeth, sometimes referred to as third molars or wisdom teeth, are the backmost teeth in the upper and lower jaws and are one of the four large molars that usually erupt last in our mouths. Wisdom teeth typically erupt between the ages of 17 and 25, yet missing wisdom teeth are common.
Impacted wisdom teeth refer to teeth that cannot fit in the oral cavity, or those with problematic growth positions or angles, leading to tilted, horizontal, or completely buried teeth that cannot emerge from the jawbone, causing various dental problems and complications.
Wisdom teeth problems, like cavities or other dental diseases, are frequently more difficult to identify because of their location toward the back of the mouth. Because modern humans have comparatively smaller jawbones, impaction of wisdom teeth is common. Wisdom teeth issues that impact oral health may require consideration of extraction.
2. What Happens If You Don't Fix Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Impacted Wisdom Teeth Can Cause Various Problems:
If your impacted wisdom teeth are causing pain and other symptoms, leaving them in place can be bad for your oral health. Impacted wisdom teeth are more prone to infection and abscesses — and they can cause damage, decay and disease to healthy teeth.
Pericoronitis
Symptoms of pericoronitis include swollen and painful gums, pus formation, bad breath, and in severe cases, facial swelling, difficulty opening the mouth, and fever. When the inflamed and swollen gums are stimulated by tooth occlusion, the condition worsens, making pericoronitis difficult to heal. Impacted wisdom teeth may also lead to cyst formation, causing damage to jawbone tissue.
Cavity
Cavities are another common issue because food debris and bacteria can easily accumulate in the crevices between wisdom teeth and adjacent teeth, making them difficult to clean with brushing, leading to the accumulation of dental plaque and increasing the risk of cavities.
May Lead To Root Resorption Of The Adjacent Tooth
An impacted wisdom tooth may continue pushing against the molar next to it. This can cause a “resorption cavity” where the wisdom tooth hits the other molar, causing the affected tooth to become loose.
Causing Other Teeth To Shift
Wisdom teeth typically grow in the furthest position in the mouth, and their growth direction may differ from the alignment of other teeth, such as growing horizontally or backward. When wisdom teeth grow, surrounding teeth may experience crowding, leading to teeth shifting position or changes in shape.
3. Do I Need To Have My Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Dentists will assess whether you need to have your wisdom teeth extracted based on the following aspects:
Treatment Needs
- If you have had periodontitis or experienced facial swelling and infection due to wisdom teeth, dentists will recommend prompt extraction.
- If your wisdom teeth have cavities or have caused cavities or root resorption in adjacent teeth, dentists will advise wisdom teeth extraction and treat the corresponding complications to prevent the recurrence of problems caused by impacted wisdom teeth.
Preventive Considerations
If impacted wisdom teeth cause food debris to frequently accumulate in the crevices between the wisdom teeth and adjacent teeth, making it difficult to clean and potentially leading to cavities, periodontal disease, or gingivitis, even if the patient has not yet experienced complications of impacted wisdom teeth, wisdom teeth extraction should be considered.
4. Does Wisdom Teeth Extraction Hurt?
You should not feel any pain during the extraction of wisdom teeth as the oral area will be numbed. However, if you do experience pain during the procedure, please inform your dentist so that they can provide you with additional anesthesia.
5. Can Both Sides/All Wisdom Teeth Be Extracted At Once?
It is not recommended.
Extracting wisdom teeth may temporarily affect normal chewing, so dentists typically extract wisdom teeth from one side of the face at a time.
6. Will Extracting Wisdom Teeth Make My Face Look Smaller?
No.
Extracting teeth will not affect the cortical bone structure of the jaw (the bone tissue that supports the face). Unless undergoing orthognathic surgery or bone contouring to change facial shape, extracting teeth will not alter facial appearance.
7. Is It Necessary To Extract Wisdom Teeth Before Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment (Braces) If Wisdom Teeth Have Erupted?
It is not always necessary to extract wisdom teeth before undergoing orthodontic treatment (braces).
The reason for extracting wisdom teeth before starting orthodontic treatment is usually to avoid inflammation issues caused by wisdom teeth during the correction process. If you find that your wisdom teeth are impacted, you should consult your dentist as soon as possible to determine if wisdom tooth extraction is necessary.
8. What Are The Risks And Complications Of Wisdom Teeth Extraction?
There are some risks and complications associated with wisdom teeth extraction, as it is a minor surgical procedure.
The most common complications include facial swelling and pain, while other risks include postoperative bleeding, infection, root fractures, etc. There is a risk of damaging nearby nerves when extracting wisdom teeth, especially in the case of lower wisdom teeth removal. Before extracting wisdom teeth, it is important to communicate with your dentist to weigh the pros and cons of the extraction and make an informed decision carefully.
9. What Should Be Noted After Wisdom Teeth Extraction Surgery?
Swelling and pain may occur after the surgery, and typically this discomfort can last for two to three days.
The Following Tips Can Help Alleviate Post-Operative Discomfort And Expedite The Recovery Process:
- On the day of the surgery, avoid touching the surgical site, rinsing, and brushing your teeth.
- After the surgery, consume soft and cool foods and eat on the unaffected side of your mouth.
- 24 hours after the surgery, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to keep the surgical site clean. The ratio for the salt water solution is one cup of water with 1.5 teaspoons of salt.
- Starting the second day, if the wound has stopped bleeding, you can brush your teeth normally. Ensure good oral hygiene to prevent infection. Rinsing with warm salt water helps maintain oral cleanliness.
- Applying ice packs can help reduce swelling. Apply ice for about twenty minutes, then rest for twenty minutes. If your jaw feels sore or stiff after the swelling subsides, you can use warm compresses.
- During the recovery period, avoid excessive rinsing and aggressive tooth brushing. Also, avoid consuming hard or hot foods.
- If you experience pain, take pain medication as recommended by your doctor. Typically, pain and discomfort will gradually diminish within a week after the surgery.
- Avoid smoking, using straws, or spitting to prevent dislodging blood clots at the surgical site.
Please Contact Your Dentist As Soon As Possible If The Following Situations Occur:
- Continuous oozing or bleeding from the surgical site within 24 hours after surgery.
- Numbness in the tongue, chin, or lips persists three to four hours after surgery.
- Swelling worsens instead of improving.
- Fever, chills, or redness develop.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Extreme pain at the tooth extraction site, which could be a symptom of dry socket.
10. What Is A Dry Socket?
Dry socket is a painful condition that can occur after tooth extraction. It happens when the blood clot that covers your wound becomes dislodged or doesn’t fully form. Dry socket treatments include pain relievers and placing medicated gauze over the affected area. Dry socket occurs after 2% to 5% of tooth extractions.
Symptoms Of A Dry Socket
- Dry socket typically occurs 3 to 5 days after a tooth extraction, rather than immediately.
- Pain may lessen when pain medication is effective, but it can intensify once the medication wears off, potentially radiating to one side of the face, jaw, ear, temple, or even the back of the head.
- There may be a foul odor emanating from the mouth, accompanied by changes in taste.
- Exposed white bone may be visible at the site of the wound, without the covering of granulation tissue.
Factors That May Lead To The Loss Of Blood Clot:
- Rinsing the mouth vigorously, spitting, or using a straw in excess after surgery
- Smoking
- Taking estrogen-containing medications (e.g., birth control pills)
- Pre-existing oral infection before surgery
- Larger surgical wounds or longer surgical duration
Preventive Measures To Reduce The Risk Of Dry Socket:
- Maintaining good oral hygiene before surgery to minimize inflammation around the tooth to be extracted
- Swallowing saliva and blood after surgery instead of rinsing or spitting excessively
- Using a cup instead of a straw for drinking during the first week following surgery
- Avoiding using hormone-containing preoperative medications
An experienced dentist can prescribe pain medication to relieve discomfort if it develops one to two days following tooth extraction. This is a common occurrence. It is crucial to get in touch with our healthcare providers right away for treatment if pain starts to radiate to the jaw, cheeks, or even the temple on the third or fourth day following the extraction and is severe.
When teeth are decayed too deeply, broken, or severely worn down, it may affect the dental pulp layer, stimulate the dental nerve, causing severe toothache in patients, and even lead to infection spreading to the periodontal tissues and alveolar bone, forming an abscess, triggering serious complications.
In order to completely eliminate the infection in the dental pulp while preserving the tooth, root canal treatment may be necessary. Dentists will remove the damaged and infected dental pulp tissue, clean the inside of the tooth, and then fill it to prevent further infection. This treatment is called root canal treatment.
Treatment Procedure For Root Canal:
- The dentist will first disinfect your tooth, then access the dental pulp from the crown of the tooth and remove infected or damaged pulp tissue.
- Next, the dentist will clean the entire pulp chamber of the tooth with a solution, possibly using different medications for adjunctive therapy.
- Finally, the dentist will fill and seal the pulp chamber, covering the tooth hole with a resin to reduce the risk of bacteria re-entering.
- If the tooth becomes fragile after root canal treatment, the dentist may recommend installing a crown to enhance protection for the tooth.
Q&A
What Is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is a procedure used to treat severe tooth decay or bacterial infection of the dental pulp. When a severe bacterial infection reaches the dental pulp at the center of the tooth, it damages the pulp tissue, stimulates the nerve fibers inside the tooth, causing severe tooth pain and inflammation. At this point, root canal treatment is necessary to thoroughly remove the infected and damaged pulp to prevent further deterioration of the tooth.
I Am Not in Pain — Why Do I Need a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, involves removing damaged and infected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the pulp, filling, and sealing the tooth to preserve it. Many people believe that a simple filling is sufficient for a cavity, but in reality, a filling only addresses issues on the tooth's surface. If a cavity extensively erodes into the dental pulp, causing the nerve fibers of the tooth to die, leading to intensified pain, a filling will not alleviate the pain. In such cases, root canal treatment is the optimal method to preserve the tooth.
When Is A Root Canal Really Necessary?
Whether you need root canal treatment depends on the following conditions:
- Severe tooth decay: Infection has reached the dental pulp.
- Tooth fracture, wear, or severe breakage.
- Tooth has undergone multiple dental treatments.
The above conditions may damage the dental pulp inside the tooth, affecting the dental nerve, causing tooth pain, and even leading to infection spreading to the periodontal tissues and alveolar bone, resulting in more serious oral and dental problems.
If a dentist evaluates the tooth and determines that it can still be saved, root canal therapy is advised in order to preserve the tooth.
1.3 What Should Be Noted After Having Root Canal Treatment?
After undergoing root canal treatment, it is crucial to properly care for the treated tooth as it has lost its original dental pulp tissue and may become fragile, making it prone to fracturing when chewing on hard objects:
1.3.1 Avoid Chewing Hard Foods:
After a root canal, the tooth has lost its original dental pulp tissue and may become fragile, causing it to break easily when chewing on hard things. Therefore, it is very important to take good care of the treated tooth:
1.3.2 Pay Attention To Your Oral And Dental Hygiene
Tooth decay may still occur due to poor oral hygiene, even after infected tissue has been removed during root canal therapy. Consequently, it is critical to maintain proper dental and oral hygiene practices.
1.3.3 Regular Follow-Up Examinations
A dental examination every six months aids in the ongoing observation of the state of the tooth. Dentists are able to identify problems early on and treat patients appropriately to stop their condition from getting worse.
1.3.4 What to Expect During a Root Canal Treatment
- The entire root canal treatment generally requires two to three treatment sessions and usually does not require antibiotics.
- For individuals who have received local anesthesia injections during treatment, avoid biting the lips or tongue until full sensation has returned.
- If temporary filling material falls out, it is important to see a dentist promptly to prevent bacteria from saliva entering the pulp chamber.
- Mild sensitivity or swelling may occur after treatment, which is a normal reaction. Pain medication can be taken if needed.
- Slight discomfort may be felt by patients who have severe tooth inflammation or who are sensitive to filling materials.
- If pain intensifies, gums swell, or any discomfort arises, contact the dentist immediately.
- Return for a follow-up appointment at the clinic after six months for the dentist to check on the status of your tooth.
Removable dentures are an alternative to natural teeth, which can be lost or damaged due to various reasons. They are used to replace missing teeth and help chew food. Nowadays, dentures come in different types made up of different materials such as metal, acrylic, composite of a porcelain and metal mix, and even plastic.
Types of Removable Dentures:
1. Complete Denture
- Full dentures are designed to replace all of a patient's teeth at once.
- Utilizing oral muscles, the removable denture is secured on the jawbone, with the denture and oral mucosa mutually adhering to each other.
- If there are dental implants in the jawbone, an attachment device on the implants can be used to secure the full denture.
2. Partial Dentures
- Partial dentures are used to replace a set of teeth, but not the entire set of upper or lower teeth.
- By using metal clasps extending from the base of the denture, the removable denture is secured onto natural teeth.
- If there are dental implants in the jawbone, an attachment device on the implants can be used to secure the full denture.
Dentures Treatment Process
- First, the dentist takes upper and lower dental impressions of the patient, as well as the bite position of the teeth.
- The dental laboratory fabricates the base of the removable denture and uses wax to secure the artificial teeth to the denture base.
- The patient comes to the clinic for the first trial fitting of the denture. The dentist makes necessary adjustments.
- Further processing of the denture base is carried out in the dental laboratory.
- After the dental laboratory completes the removable denture, the patient returns to the clinic for another fitting session, during which the dentist makes necessary adjustments.
Q&A
When Is The Right Time For Dentures?
After a tooth is extracted, the alveolar bone will begin to shrink. The degree of alveolar bone shrinkage is generally stable three months after tooth extraction, which is also the most suitable time to fit removable dentures.
What Are The Advantages Of Removable Dentures?
- Simple, affordable.
- A single denture can support one or more false teeth.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Removable Dentures?
- There is an adjustment time to get used to having it in your mouth
- Due to inadequate support, they cannot fully restore chewing ability.
- If not taking care of the denture properly, they can easily damage remaining teeth or gum tissue.
- Accelerate resorption of the alveolar bone, requiring replacement of the removable dentures every 4-5 years.
What Should Be Noted After Fitting Dentures?
- Rinse the dentures and soft material after each meal and soak daily for 20 minutes in alkaline hypochlorite.
- Before putting on the denture, teeth should be cleaned first.
- Do not wear dentures during sleep.
- When the denture is not in use, it should be soaked in clean room temperature water or specialized denture cleaning solution, avoiding the use of hot water or corrosive cleaners.
- If the denture is damaged or cracked, it should be repaired by a dentist.
- Regular dental check-ups should be scheduled to ensure the denture remains in optimal condition.
How To Adapt To Wearing New Dentures?
Many first-time users complain of having a “full-mouth” sensation, as if their dentures are too large and pulling their lips forward. The sensation will pass as you become used to wearing dentures. At first, they might not feel like they fit properly. They could make you “gag” or nip at your tongue or cheek. It could take some time for your tongue to become used to feeling rubbed against the denture rather than your palate if you wear an upper denture. Not to worry. These issues will eventually become better.
Excessive saliva, a sense of oral constriction, mild irritation, or slight discomfort are normal reactions. If persistent intolerable discomfort occurs, contact a dentist promptly for professional advice.
Dental Crowns And Bridges
Dental crowns and bridges are some of the best options if you are missing one or more teeth. Prosthetic devices are used in both dental bridges and dental crowns to restore your smile. A crown is used when a tooth is broken or fractured, whereas a tooth bridge is used when one or more teeth are missing.
1. Dental Crown
A dental crown (also known as a cap) is an artificial restoration that covers the surface of a damaged, decayed, or treated tooth.
Functions and Characteristics Of Dental Crowns:
- Provide protection to a tooth and prevent tooth fracture. They are commonly used for treating cavities, cracked teeth, severely damaged or extensively filled teeth, or teeth that have undergone root canal treatment.
- Restore the shape of the tooth and restore normal chewing function.
- Improve the appearance of the tooth in terms of color, shape, and size.
- Serve as a support for dental bridges.
Different Types Of Dental Crown Materials And Characteristics:
- Full Porcelain
- Porcelain crowns are quite thin, completely cover the tooth, and also have a color that is as close to natural as possible.
- Stains are less likely to accumulate.
- More resistant to staining than natural teeth.
- More brittle than alloys, prone to cracking, requires more tooth reduction to ensure proper thickness of the orthodontic appliance
- Suitable for patients who prioritize the appearance of their teeth
- Porcelain Fused To Metal Crowns (Porcelain + Alloy)
- Aesthetic porcelain surface, color matching natural teeth
- Strong and durable due to the alloy base
- Durable material
- Requires a certain thickness and partial tooth reduction
- Gray or black at the gum line can be present if the border (or margin) of the crown is exposed.
- Suitable for both front and back teeth.
- Full Metal
- Strong and highly durable
- Hard and resistant to wear.
- Requires thinner thickness, only slight reshaping of natural teeth needed
- Metallic color doesn’t give it an aesthetically pleasing look.
- Suitable for posterior teeth that need to withstand strong biting forces.
- Stainless Steel
- Standard size orthodontic appliance, not custom-made.
- Shorter production time and simpler treatment process due to not being individually tailored to each tooth.
- Silver-colored, less aesthetically pleasing
- Relatively easy to install
- The crown edges may not perfectly fit. Therefore, it prones to have plaque accumulation, which may lead to tooth decay, gum inflammation, and periodontal diseases in the long run.
- Suitable for deciduous molars.
The Process Of Fitting Dental Crown
- Grinding the surface of the tooth.
- Taking impressions and recording the bite position.
- Applying a temporary crown to the reshaped tooth.
- Manufacturing the dental crown in a dental laboratory.
- Removing the temporary crown, cleaning the tooth, installing the dental crown about after 1-2 weeks the first visit.
- Fixing the crown onto the tooth using adhesive.
Q&A
When Is It Suitable To Have A Dental Crown?
- Severe tooth breakage or missing teeth
- Severe tooth decay that cannot be treated effectively with fillings alone
- Teeth that have become brittle, such as those that have undergone root canal treatment
- Existing dentures are ill-fitting or dental bridges have become loose.
- Dissatisfaction with the appearance of traditional dentures and a desire to improve issues like black gums
- Dental issues such as enamel demineralization, fluorosis, etc.
- Tooth discoloration due to tetracycline
Things To Consider When Getting Dental Crown:
- If temporary veneers become loose, contact your dentist promptly as changes in tooth position may affect the final placement of the veneers.
- During the tooth preparation process, there may be irritation or the risk of pulp infection, leading to temporary tooth sensitivity or weakness. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek immediate dental care.
- After the dental crown placement, the shape may slightly differ from your original teeth, and it may take some time to adapt.
- Maintain good oral hygiene habits, regularly clean your teeth and gums, and have routine dental check-ups.
How To Care For Your Temporary Crowns?
While waiting for your permanent crowns to be done, take the following precautions to prevent temporary crowns from loosening:
- Avoid eating sticky and hard-to-chew foods, such as gum, to prevent sticking to the temporary crowns.
- Try to avoid chewing food with temporary crowns, and move most of the chewing to the other side of the mouth if possible.
- Avoid chewing hard foods to prevent the temporary crowns from shifting or getting damaged.
- Brush your teeth regularly to maintain oral hygiene.
2. Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a restoration method used to fill the gap left by missing teeth. By grinding down the teeth adjacent to the missing teeth to form abutments, a bridge is created to support the artificial tooth (pontic) in the middle. The dental bridge, consisting of the artificial tooth (pontic) and crowns on both ends, is fixed in the place of the missing teeth. Dental bridges can restore biting function, prevent adjacent teeth from shifting, and enhance oral aesthetics.
Q&A
What Are Advantages & Disadvantages of Dental Bridges？
- Restore chewing and speech function. It provides a strong, durable, and comfortable solution
- A cost-effective solution for replacing missing teeth.
- Dental bridges are more permanent than dentures and partial dentures, and do not have to be removed at night or for cleaning.
Disadvantages of Dental Bridge:
- It requires the alteration and preparation of adjacent healthy teeth to support the bridge, which may weaken them.
- It is more difficult to clean. The risk of decay increases, as cleaning around the crowns may be more difficult, potentially leading to complications over time.
- It must be replaced every 10 to 15 years.
A post and core crown is a type of dental restoration required where there is an inadequate amount of sound tooth tissue remaining to retain a conventional crown. A post is cemented into a prepared root canal, which retains a core restoration, which retains the final crown.
After undergoing endodontic treatment, a tooth loses the nutrients provided by the blood vessels, leading to a decrease in its hardness. The hardness of a tooth is closely related to the amount of remaining tooth tissue, with the hardness decreasing as more tooth tissue is lost. When a tooth has significant tissue damage, it becomes more prone to fracture or difficulty in securing a dental crown. In such cases, a dental post is used by the dentist to reinforce the tooth and the dental crown by placing it inside the root canal of the tooth.
As we drift off to sleep, the muscles in the throat relax, which can lead to partial blockage of the upper airway. When air passes through a narrowed airway, the soft tissues in the throat vibrate, creating the familiar sound of "snoring." Individuals with sleep apnea experience more severe airway obstructions than the average person, and they may not only snore but also have difficulty breathing and even periods of breathing cessation.
A sleep apnea mouth guard is a small device that can slightly adjust the position of the lower jaw, helping patients with sleep apnea keep their airway open, thus improving their condition and addressing associated snoring issues.
Q&A
What Is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep Apnea Syndrome is a common respiratory problem, prevalent in Hong Kong. It is estimated that approximately 2-4% of the local population suffer from sleep apnea.
Individuals with sleep apnea experience obstruction of the upper airway during sleep due to relaxation of muscles, causing soft tissues in the oral cavity (including the tongue, soft palate, and throat) to collapse backwards and block the airway, resulting in disrupted airflow. This leads to episodes of choking, which can cause temporary oxygen deprivation to the brain, prompting brief awakenings to signal the individual to breathe forcefully, causing vibration of the surrounding soft tissues and resulting in snoring.
Patients may experience episodes during sleep where the airway is completely blocked by soft tissues, leading to pauses in breathing. These episodes can occur hundreds of times each night, lasting from about 10 seconds to several minutes each time, causing brief periods of oxygen deprivation, frequent arousals, restoration of normal breathing, and then back to sleep only to experience another brief choking episode, repeating the cycle. This fragmented sleep pattern makes it difficult to enter deep sleep stages. Even with a longer duration of sleep, poor sleep quality can leave patients feeling tired, fatigued, and affecting their daily life and work performance upon waking. Additionally, sleep apnea may also lead to hypertension, increasing the risk of developing other metabolic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases.
What Are The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea?
- Persistent fatigue
- Poor concentration
- Morning headaches
- Mood swings
- Night sweats
- Weight gain
- Lack of energy
- Impaired memory
- Sexual dysfunction
- Nocturia (frequent urination at night)
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Clinical Examination
Doctors will inquire about medical history, conduct a physical examination, and diagnose sleep apnea based on clinical symptoms and examination results, while ruling out other similar conditions.
Tests
Common tests include sleep studies, flexible nasopharyngoscopy, Epworth Sleepiness Scale assessment, and sleep endoscopy.
A comprehensive sleep study is an effective method for diagnosing sleep apnea. This test involves using electronic devices to record a patient's body activity during sleep and is a non-invasive, painless, and accurate method for sleep analysis. Patients can undergo sleep studies in a hospital setting or choose to do so at home.
Sleep studies monitor various indicators of a patient's sleep, including:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Blood oxygen saturation
- Respiratory rate
- Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI)
- Eye movements
- Snoring
- Body position
- Leg movements
- Sleep stages
- Abnormal movements
What Is A Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance?
Sleep apnea oral appliance is a specially designed dental device that functions by gently pushing the jaw forward during sleep to open the upper airway at the back of the throat. This aids in promoting smooth airflow through the upper airway, reducing snoring issues caused by soft tissue vibration and helping to alleviate symptoms of sleep apnea.
What Are The Benefits Of Improving Sleep Apnea?
There are many benefits to improving sleep apnea. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring problems, oxygen deprivation due to upper airway obstruction during sleep, and frequent awakenings that affect sleep quality. Treatment with a sleep apnea oral appliance effectively addresses upper airway blockage issues, reduces snoring frequency, enhances sleep quality, and improves the quality of sleep for patients and their partners.
In addition, sleep apnea is associated with metabolic diseases such as hypertension and emotional well-being. Improving sleep apnea can promote physical health, emotional stability, interpersonal relationships, and overall quality of life.
Am I Suitable For Using A Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance?
A sleep apnea oral appliance is not suitable for everyone, for example:
- Individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment (such as wearing braces).
- Individuals with loose teeth or dentures.
- Individuals with severely misaligned teeth.
- Individuals who have had a history of central sleep apnea, severe respiratory disorders, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
- Individuals experiencing jaw joint friction or pain.
- Individuals with full dentures or severe periodontal disease.
What Are The Differences Between Custom Fitted Oral Appliances And Over-The-Counter Non Custom Appliances For Snoring And Sleep Apnea?
Customized sleep apnea oral appliances made by dentists differ from over-the-counter snoring mouthpieces in several ways:
Individually tailored sleep apnea oral appliances are personalized to fit the unique teeth alignment and oral structure of the patient, providing a more comfortable wearing experience and effectively addressing sleep apnea symptoms.
After the appliance is crafted, patients need to attend regular follow-up appointments at the dental clinic for check-ups. Dentists will closely monitor the progress of the treatment to ensure symptom improvement. Typically, the patient will need to have three to four follow-up visits in the first six months, during which the dentist will adjust the oral appliance as needed, conduct detailed examinations, and ensure that the treatment progresses smoothly. Once the condition stabilizes, patients may only need to visit once a year to further improve symptoms.
On the other hand, over-the-counter appliances for snoring and sleep apnea offer limited size options but lack dentist evaluation and follow-up. Patients may struggle to determine if the chosen appliance is suitable for their own oral structure and teeth alignment. This may result in incomplete improvement of sleep apnea symptoms or even lead to dental development issues and oral hygiene concerns.
Will Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard Move Teeth Position?
The treatment principle of sleep apnea mouth guard is to expand the airway by moving the jaw forward to improve snoring problems. Therefore, the teeth may be affected by pulling all night, which may cause the teeth to feel misaligned and may make the chin position feel changed. This feeling is most noticeable a few hours after waking up in the morning, and you may feel that the upper and lower teeth do not align when biting, but usually this feeling will gradually disappear and return to normal.
Is It Normal To Drool When Using A Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard?
Drooling when using a sleep apnea mouth guard is a normal phenomenon. Due to the unnatural throat movements after wearing the mouth guard, the body increases saliva production to cope with swallowing difficulties, which may lead to drooling. Most users of sleep apnea mouth guards generally get used to the mouth guard within a few days or weeks (usually within a few days to a few weeks), and the drooling issue will gradually improve.
Dental implants are widely recognized as durable dental prostheses that replace the root of a tooth. Dentists surgically implant titanium alloy implants into the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. Titanium alloy implants can fuse with the human bone without causing rejection reactions. Once the fusion is complete, dental implants can serve as the foundation for dental crowns, bridges, or removable dentures. The advantages of dental implants include providing a stable and natural-looking replacement for missing teeth, increased self-confidence, better nutrition, and improved facial appearance.
Treatment Procedure
I. General Dental Implant Procedure
- In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the state and shape of your jawbone and teeth, your dentist will first do a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) 3D scan to assess the morphology of your teeth, soft tissues, nerve routes, and bone tissues.
- The dentist will proceed with local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia (the anesthesia method will be determined by the dentist).
- The dentist will use dental tools to incise the gums, drill holes in the predetermined position and angle, insert the implant, and then suture the gums.
- The dentist will attach the denture, crown, or bridge to the implant once the jawbone has healed and integrated with it, cohesive structure, which should take three to six months.
- Once the implant site has healed and the bone has fused with the implant, a permanent dental crown will be fabricated and placed.
II. Immediate Implant Placement Procedure
- The surgery involves implanting the dental implant during the same tooth extraction procedure, eliminating the need for another gum surgery.
- Patients do not have to undergo two separate surgeries, and there is no need to wait for three to six months during the treatment period. The implant is placed immediately after the tooth extraction.
Q&A
1. When Is A Dental Implant Needed?
Severe tooth decay or dental trauma can lead to tooth loss in the mouth. Tooth loss not only affects appearance but can also cause adjacent teeth to shift, affecting bite, pronunciation, and chewing function. In the most severe cases, it may lead to bone resorption, worsening of periodontal disease, and even facial deformity, seriously affecting the patient's appearance.
Dental implant is a fixed denture used to fill the gap left by missing teeth in the mouth. Dentists will implant metal materials into the jawbone and then install artificial dental crowns, bridges, or embedded dentures to replace the missing teeth. Dental implants help restore the appearance and function of the patient's teeth.
2. What Are The Advantages Of Dental Implants?
The purpose of dental implants is to fill the missing teeth, improving the appearance and function of the patient's teeth. Dental implants are anchored in your jaw bone just like natural teeth. Over time they will help preserve the jaw bone and significantly reduce bone resorption.
- Aesthetic Appeal
The material and color of dental prosthetics closely resemble natural teeth, making them nearly indistinguishable to the average person.
- Minimally Invasive
The implant procedure does not require grinding down adjacent natural teeth for support.
- High Stability
The implant is anchored securely in the jawbone, making the prosthetic more stable and eliminating the inconvenience of removable dentures.
- High Functionality
Chewing and speaking functions are nearly identical to those of natural teeth, significantly enhancing the practicality of the dental prosthetic.
3. Can I Get Dental Implants? What Are The Limitations Of Dental Implants?
Patients with severe bone loss in the jaw don't have enough bone for traditional implants to remain securely embedded. Fortunately, there are still techniques available that make implants possible, even with a lack of bone in the jaw.
An option such as the use of guided bone regeneration surgery or sinus lift surgery, but it requires a longer recovery period and regular monitoring of the increase in bone volume.
The overall health condition of the body is also a factor that affects the success rate of dental implants. The following are individuals at higher risk for dental implants, and further assessment is needed before considering dental implants:
- Wound healing issues
Patients with diabetes are more prone to have inflammation than the general population, as there may be higher levels of sugar and bacteria in the oral cavity.
- Taking anticoagulant medications (blood thinners)
Since dental implantation is a surgical procedure that may involve bleeding, taking blood thinners can potentially lead to prolonged bleeding.
- Periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that results in damage and loss of tissues around the teeth (such as gums, jawbone, etc.). Dental implants require sufficient healthy jawbone to support the artificial tooth roots. If a patient has poor periodontal health, the supporting structures of the teeth may not provide adequate support, affecting the success rate and long-term stability of dental implants.
- Taking medications related to osteoporosis
As dental implants rely on the jawbone to support the tooth roots, taking medications related to osteoporosis may slow down a patient's bone metabolism, leading to inadequate bone formation.
- Smokers
Smoking can cause jawbone resorption, significantly reducing the success rate of dental implants.
4. Is The Success Rate Of Dental Implant Treatment High?
The success of dental implant treatment depends on several factors, including the location of the missing tooth.
Since dental implant treatment involves penetrating the jawbone, some individuals may not be suitable for dental implant treatment due to factors such as inadequate jawbone, smoking, or diabetes. The dentist will make a full assessment of your mouth to check the health of your remaining teeth and ensure that surrounding dentition will not interfere with the placement of your new implant.
5. What Are The Differences Between Immediate Implant Placement And Traditional Dental Implantation? Can I Undergo Immediate Implant Placement Surgery?
There are several main differences between immediate implant placement and traditional dental implantation:
- Surgical procedure: Immediate implant placement involves implanting an artificial implant immediately after removing a damaged tooth, without waiting for jawbone integration, resulting in a shorter surgery time. Traditional dental implantation typically requires a period of jawbone integration (usually several months) before the artificial implant is firmly integrated with the surrounding bone.
- Wound size: In immediate implant placement surgery, the wound is smaller because it does not require extensive flap surgery or gum incisions for implantation. In contrast, traditional dental implantation may require larger gum tissue incisions for implanting the artificial tooth root.
- Suitability criteria: Immediate implant placement requires patients to have higher jawbone integrity, and patients with severe bone loss may not be suitable for this method. Traditional dental implantation is more suitable for cases with poorer bone quality or requiring additional bone reconstruction.
- Overall treatment time: Since immediate implant placement skips the jawbone integration period, the overall treatment time may be shorter. Conversely, traditional dental implantation requires waiting for jawbone integration before placing the dental crown, which may result in a longer overall treatment time.
Immediate implant placement is generally a rapid and efficient dental implant procedure that is appropriate for qualifying patients. Nonetheless, it is important for patients to consult their dentist attentively, evaluate their specific circumstances, and carefully assess the benefits and drawbacks of each method in order to determine the most suitable approach for their individual situation.
6. Will Dental Implantation Be Painful?
The dental implant procedure does not cause pain as it is typically performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia, numbing the mouth completely. After the dental implantation surgery, patients may sometimes experience mild discomfort when the anesthesia wears off.
7. What Are The Disadvantages Of Dental Implants?
One of the drawbacks of dental implants is their high treatment costs, which certain insurance companies may not be able to pay for. Other drawbacks include gum swelling, bleeding, and discomfort during the surgical procedure. During the procedure, complications including nausea, vomiting, and anesthesia-induced drowsiness are possible, but they are uncommon.
8. Why Is Dental Implantation So Expensive?
There are many reasons why dental implants can be costly, and here are some factors that may affect the pricing of dental implantation:
- Quality of Materials
The cost can be affected by the implant's material quality, processing precision, and amount of clinical research. Careful consideration is necessary because variations in quality between different brands or materials might not be noticeable straight away and might not become obvious until the patient has used them for a significant amount of time.
- Additional Surgeries
Patients may require additional surgeries to ensure that the condition of the jawbone and gums is suitable for dental implantation: The jawbone may gradually degrade after a tooth is lost, and in order to support the artificial tooth root after implant implantation, there must be enough height and width in the jawbone. If not, a bone augmentation procedure may be needed to increase bone volume and support, hence extending the dental implant's lifespan. A sinus lift procedure might be required if the implantation location is impacted by the upper jaw sinus.
- Complex Cases
Specialized dentists are skilled in addressing more complex oral and jawbone issues, conducting risk assessments, and performing surgical treatments.
In summary, dental implantation is a treatment method to restore chewing function and improve oral health. It is advisable to consider factors beyond price, such as individual needs, comfort, convenience, and affordability when deciding whether to choose dental implantation to fill the gap left by missing teeth. Generally, doctors typically provide patients with multiple treatment options to consider, as in most cases, there is not a single treatment that is necessary for the patient. Ultimately, patients have the right to weigh the pros and cons based on their actual circumstances and needs and decide which treatment option to accept.
9. Feeling Strange After Dental Implantation?
Since dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth and do not have nerves like natural teeth, you may feel some sensations around the gum tissue of the implant, but you won't have any sensation specifically related to the implant itself.
10. What Are The Precautions After Dental Implantation?
- Be sure to maintain good oral hygiene, properly clean both natural teeth and implants daily to avoid gum infections around the implant area or periodontal disease.
- Patients should schedule regular appointments with a dentist for follow-up checks.
- Avoid chewing hard foods such as animal bones to prevent damage to the implants.
- Quit smoking to prevent periodontal disease and reduce adverse effects on implants.
- Maintain good oral and dental hygiene, recommended to have a dental cleaning every four to six months to ensure the gum health around the implants.
The success of the surgery does not solely depend on the doctor performing the surgery, but also on the patient's correct use and maintenance after the surgery to ensure that the treatment brings convenience to your life.
A night guard is a product that can help alleviate tooth wear and symptoms of teeth grinding. Nightguards have many names. They are also called mouthguards, occlusal guards, dental guards, bite splints, or nocturnal bite plates. They are retainer-like soft or hard plastic pieces that cover either the top or bottom set of teeth.
Q&A
Do I Need a Night Guard?
The primary function of a night guard is to help reduce tooth wear and alleviate symptoms of bruxism (teeth grinding).
Function:
For Sports activities
Injuries to the mouth and face are common during sports activities. A flexible mouth guard can protect the teeth and prevent injuries to the teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue. The most effective mouth guard is custom-made by a dentist to fit the shape of your teeth and dental arch, offering greater comfort than over-the-counter prefabricated options available in sports stores.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, which often occurs during sleep or times of stress, can lead to wear on the surface of the teeth. Psychological factors such as stress or tension can contribute to teeth grinding. Prolonged teeth grinding habits can erode the enamel of the teeth, exposing the dentin and causing issues like tooth sensitivity and pain. Using a night guard can provide a protective layer, reducing direct contact between the teeth and alleviating the extent of wear.
Your dentist may recommend a night guard to help you with morning headaches, for TMJ jaw pain relief, and to prevent damage to your teeth, jaw, crowns, and other dental restorations.
Preventive measures for teeth grinding include maintaining a positive mindset, getting sufficient sleep, engaging in moderate exercise to relieve stress and tension, and thus reducing the occurrence of teeth grinding. Parents should avoid putting too much pressure on children to prevent them from developing teeth grinding issues due to stress.
Microscopic root canal treatment refers to the process of using a microscope to assist in root canal treatment. With the help of a specialized dental microscope, dentists can enlarge the field of view and clearly observe the conditions inside the root canal, gaining a deeper understanding of the structure of the root canal. This not only helps in further diagnosing issues within the tooth's root canal but also aids in evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment. Before considering extraction, patients can discuss with their dentist to see if microscopic root canal treatment is suitable as a final attempt to save the natural tooth.
Q&A
What Makes Microscopic Root Canal Treatment Different From Conventional Root Canal Treatment?
Conventional root canal treatment is carried out by dentists using their own eyes, mostly depending on tactile sense and experience to operate and finish the procedure in a dim view. This is not the case with microscopic root canal therapy. Since the dental pulp nerve inside the tooth is as thin as a hair, dentists can more precisely utilize equipment to reach deep into the root canal for operations, improving the quality of root canal therapy.
Why Is Microscopic Root Canal Treatment Necessary?
- By magnifying the target tooth and providing adequate light, the interior of the tooth can be observed more clearly.
- Confirming the surgical position reduces uncertainty during the treatment process and lowers the risk of treatment failure.
- Precise treatment can be provided for the condition while minimizing damage to the wound and surrounding healthy tissues.
- The application of a microscope has greatly increased the chances of preserving teeth that would have previously required extraction.
Do I Need Microscopic Root Canal Treatment?
The current trend in dentistry emphasizes the preservation of healthy natural teeth as the primary treatment goal. After all, no matter how sophisticated, artificial teeth are not as good as one's natural teeth. If a patient meets one of the following conditions, a dentist may recommend considering microscopic root canal treatment:
- Complex root canal anatomy that may be challenging to treat with conventional methods.
- Presence of calcified canals that are difficult to locate and treat. Need for a more precise and detailed treatment approach for optimal outcomes
- Re-treatment of a previous root canal that was not successful.
- Severe infection or inflammation in the root canal system.
Ultimately, the decision to undergo microscopic root canal treatment should be made in consultation with a qualified dentist or endodontist based on individual circumstances and treatment needs.
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