All You Need to Know About Dental Implants

Surpassing removable dentures and dental bridges as the “new standard of dental care,” dental implants are a long-lasting and robust replacement for missing teeth. Constructed from titanium, dental implants are fully biocompatible and will actually fuse with the jawbone, as if it were a natural tooth root. Dental implants confer a number of benefits unto Ft. Lauderdale, FL patients, the most commonly cited advantage being their natural look and feel. By installing implants to replace lost teeth, Dr. Daniel Fenton can help you attain a stunningly beautiful smile.

Anatomy of the Dental Implant System

Dental implants are composed of three major components, which include:

• Implant fixture: The fixture of the dental implant system is a small screw-like titanium insert that is embedded into the jawbone during the second stage of the implants process. It’s this piece of the system that integrates with the jawbone during the healing stage, acting like an artificial tooth root capable of supporting one or more dental prostheses.

• Abutment: This is a component that acts like an intermediary between the fixture and the crown. It is attached to the dental implants fixture, sometimes beneath the gum line or otherwise above the gums, during the later weeks of the healing stage of the implants process — generally speaking, only after osseointegration.

• Crown or dental prosthesis: Crown or dental prosthesis refers to the artificial tooth that will permanently replace the one you lost. These are closely matched to your natural teeth in shape, size, and color to help make sure they’re indistinguishable from one another. Dental prostheses can be installed with cemented or screwed onto the abutment.

Osseointegration

While Dr. Fenton is responsible for placing the implant in the jaw, much of the work to secure the dental implant into position is actually done by the body. Specifically, it’s the process of osseointegration that provides implants with the strength, endurance, and stability which characterize them. It relies on the organic regeneration of the jaw’s bone tissue, which is why the ideal candidate generally has a healthy jawbone. Those who’ve suffered from jawbone deterioration may still benefit from dental implants, but the procedure could necessitate a bone graft.

The jaw’s bone tissue is much like a muscle in that any strain or tearing can stimulate the regeneration of the tissue. When the implant fixture is positioned into the jaw, a small drill will apply force to its surface and catalyze osseointegration. During this process, the bone will grow right up the surface of the dental implant fixture, tightly clasping it into place. Modern implants are manufactured with a porous surface, so that the bone tissue can weave in and out of the implant and make the system tougher and sturdier. Some fixtures are designed with a rougher exterior, although the jaggedness is visible only at the microscopic level, to maximize the surface area of the implant — the more the bone can integrate with the implant the better.

Osseointegration requires a variable time for completion; typically, the longer we wait after the initial placement procedure the more complete the fusing between the dental implant and the bone. The healing phase of the dental implants process can usually extends from three to six months. Dr. Fenton will be able to give you a more accurate estimate during the consultation at Bayview Smiles, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

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By replacing lost tooth roots, dental implants can support one or more permanent replacement teeth that look and feel just like natural teeth. Their many benefits have made implants the premier tooth replacement solution currently available in medical science. If you would like to learn more about dental implants, please contact our Ft. Lauderdale, FL office to schedule your no-obligation consultation today!

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Tooth Decay in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Food particles left behind after we eat and deposits of plaque attract bacteria which ferment and gradually eat at the various layers of tissue that make up human teeth. Most know the consequences of bacterial infection of the tooth as a cavity or tooth decay. In the medical community, this phenomenon is known as dental caries. While cavities can be easily treated if caught early enough, once the damage is significant and extensive the infected teeth may no longer be salvageable. In these cases, dental implants can be an ideal solution because they come closest to matching the look, feel, and function of real teeth.

Basics of Tooth Decay

When we look at our teeth in the mirror we typically see what looks like what bone. This is actually enamel and it makes up just one layer of the tooth. Interestingly, enamel is one of the hardest tissues in the human body, largely because it is also the most highly mineralized. As one moves deeper into the tooth, the enamel is backed by a layer of dentin, which is a calcified tissue and is also highly mineralized. Less brittle than enamel, dentin helps keep the layer on top of it strong and healthy, which helps to protect your teeth from damage. Beneath the dentin is the pulp and this layer contains the tooth’s nerves and odontoblasts, which regenerate the dentin tissue.

Tooth decay can spread deeper and deeper into the tooth, systematically affecting each consecutive layer of tissue as the condition worsens. That’s why it’s important to keep a clean mouth. Brushing daily and using mouth wash will help kill threatening bacteria and will also assist in scraping off accumulations of plaque. If tooth decay is allowed to persist, however, treating it becomes progressively more difficult. At first, a cavity can be treated with porcelain filler, but more extensive decay may necessitate a root canal. If the damage is too significant and too widespread, the tooth or teeth may no longer be able to function properly and they may need to be extracted.

If the tooth decay is pervasive, dental implants are the preferred solution. Unlike removable dentures and dental bridges, implants can last a lifetime and are easy to maintain. Furthermore, dental implants are stronger than the alternatives, meaning they won’t sacrifice your bite strength. Another benefit, which speaks to tooth decay, is that implants are easy to keep clean, allowing you to worry less about the accrual of food debris and plaque around your permanent dental prosthesis which can damage adjacent natural teeth. In fact, many of our Ft. Lauderdale, FL patients who originally opted for removable dentures find the discomfort and inconvenience too great and they quickly come back to Bayview Smiles to have dental implants placed instead.

Tooth Decay: Early Warning Signals

Some signs of tooth decay that you can look out for include:

• Pain while drinking or eating sweet foods and products
• Tooth sensitivity to temperature changes
• Pit formation on the surface of the tooth
• Swelling of the gums near the infected tooth
• Chronic bad breath
• White, gray, brown, or black spots on your teeth

Inadequate oral hygiene is a major contributor to tooth decay. It’s important to brush at least two times a day and flossing daily is highly recommended. Also encouraged are routine dental checkups at Bayview Smiles in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Dr. Fenton can clean off plaque sediments, helping to keep harmful bacteria away by removing the scaffolding they need to wear down your various tissues that make up your teeth.

Maintain Your Oral Health in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Tooth decay can be easily treated at Bayview Smiles if caught early. However, the longer the decay is allowed to persist, the more complicated the necessary procedure will be. If the tissue loss is too extensive then the affected teeth may no longer be salvageable. Dental implants are the premier tooth loss treatment and provide a completely natural-looking solution to irreparably decayed teeth. To learn more about tooth decay and dental implants, contact our Ft. Lauderdale, FL office to schedule your no-obligation consultation with Dr. Fenton today!

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Choose the Best Tooth Whitening Method

Do you think your teeth would benefit the most, as far as whitening is concerned, by regularly using whitening toothpaste? Or, do you think whitening strips would be the better option? Maybe you’re even considering a total makeover and think that a whitening kit is the way to go.

No matter what strategy you choose, you’ll definitely experience some level of tooth whitening. But, as anyone can imagine, you only want the best looking and brightest teeth. So that means you have to choose the best tooth whitening method to attain spectacular results!

As experts in this field, it is our pleasure to help you in every way that we can. We will look at each method and then share our honest opinion. We’ll tell you how we believe you’ll achieve the best results.

Sound good? Let’s get moving then.

The Pros and Cons of Whitening Toothpaste

Pros:

• Relatively inexpensive – you only have to pay for the cost of whitening toothpaste.
• Easy to use – just brush your teeth like you normally would.
• Stick to your regular routine – brush your teeth normally to experience the benefits.

Cons:

• Whitening toothpaste wears down enamel over time – it’s best to only brush your teeth twice per day using whitening toothpaste. The more you use this toothpaste, the more it wears down tooth enamel.
• Avoid whitening toothpaste using microbeads – dentists and dental hygienists are noticing beads stuck in the teeth and gums of their patients. Many manufacturers have noticed this problem and are taking the proper steps to remove microbeads.

The Pros and Cons of Whitening Strips

Pros:

• Certain brands are very effective – if you spend enough time online, you’ll see that there are a number of effective brands that work wonders at whitening teeth. Some people see results in as little as one to three days.
• The best whitening strips are barely noticeable – certain whitening strip brands are hardly noticeable when you have them fastened to your teeth. This is good if you need to wear your whitening strips while on the move. You can put them on before leaving the house to experience the full benefits.
• Whitening strips stay on even while talking and eating – again, some brands are so effective that you can talk and eat while wearing their strips. They will stay fastened to your teeth, so there’s no need to worry about them falling off.

Cons:

• Whitening strips slip and slide on teeth – some brands are not as effective as others. These strips could easily slip and slide on your teeth. In this case, they are not very effective.

The Pros and Cons of Whitening Kits

Pros:

• Trays mold to your teeth – when using whitening gels in the tray, the latest trend is that the trays will mold directly over your teeth and stay solidly in place.
• Strips, gels and trays are easy to use – take your whitening kit out of the box, follow the simple instructions and see how easy it is to use.
• Less expensive than professional whitening treatments in the dentist’s office – some people might not have enough disposable income to afford professional treatment. This is an excellent cost-effective way to whiten your teeth.

Cons:

• Some stains are too tough to remove even with the best tooth whitening kits – in some instances, when the stains are so tough to remove, the only way to eliminate them is by going to a dentist for a professional teeth whitening treatment.

Final Verdict

Every at-home method has the ability to whiten your teeth. The best way to achieve the greatest results – in regard to using at-home options – is to go with a tooth whitening kit. Sure, it’s more expensive, but it can also do the best job. This minor investment is worth it to have beautiful, bright white teeth.

Advice courtesy of Bayview Smile Design of Fort Lauderdale.

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The Impact of Diet on Your Health

Even though we realize that sugar is bad for our teeth, we don’t often recognize just how big of an impact the food we eat has on our choppers. And let’s not forget about the things that we drink because they also have an impact of our dental health in many ways.

Another important piece of information to note is that certain food types will have a positive impact on the health of your teeth and gums. When you regularly eat these foods, you’ll help to ensure good dental hygiene and fewer cavities overall. Eating healthy, and eating the right foods that promote healthy teeth and gums, is a Godsend because you’ll feel good, look good, and avoid costly procedures in the dentist’s office.

Without further ado, let’s get to the heart of the matter.

Food and Drinks that have Negative Health Consequences on Your Teeth

It will come as no surprise to anyone that certain foods and drinks will harm your teeth and overall dental health. We’ve compiled a list of the most dangerous substances for your teeth. Please stay away from the following under certain conditions:

• Coffee beverages – while coffee itself isn’t inherently bad for you, it shouldn’t surprise anyone when we say that the add-ons (sugar, syrup, artificial sweeteners) will have a deleterious effect on your dental hygiene. As we know, sugar – in all of its forms – has the ability to rot your teeth. And once they start rotting, root canals and extractions are not far behind. Plus, if you want to maintain bright white teeth, avoiding coffee is that smart move because it causes them to have unsightly brown stains.

• Chocolate – we all love to eat a piece of delectable chocolate from time to time and there’s nothing wrong with it. You’ll run into problems when you make eating sugar-filled chocolate an everyday habit. It’s loaded with sweeteners and bad for your tooth enamel. If you want to preserve the health of your teeth, stay away from chocolate the majority of the time.

• Sugary carbonated beverages – at this point, you most likely recognize a theme. Sugar is horrible for your teeth! So it should go without saying that carbonated soda pop beverages will wreak havoc on your whole mouth. Avoid them like the plague.

Food and Drinks that Have Positive Health Consequences on Your Teeth

Just like certain things can have a negative impact on your teeth, so too can they have the reverse effect. Foods to eat in plentiful supply include:

• Strawberries – most people overlook strawberries in regard to dental health, but they are sadly mistaken. They are awesome because they contain malic acid. This acid is actually a natural teeth whitener. So, if your teeth are brown and stained, eat strawberries to fight back against these ugly blemishes.

• Vegetables – instead of naming specific veggies, we are going to cover all of them in this one heading. Why? All veggies are fantastic for your teeth! They help to stimulate additional saliva, and this is perfect because it helps to defend your teeth against tooth decay.

• Water – water is the preserver of all life. We cannot live without it. It’s great because it helps to clean and preserve your teeth.

Follow these guidelines to have awesome, attractive teeth!

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Best Ways to Protect Your Child’s Teeth During Sports

When you have an active child – and who doesn’t? – it’s always best to protect the youngster’s teeth. Losing teeth – especially permanent ones – can cause an unattractive smile and serious dental bills that everyone would rather avoid. In fact, it’s smart to protect your child’s entire mouth to really stay on the safe side.

All in all, there are three specific types of teeth protection that we would like to share with you today. Choose the method that appeals to you the most based on your child’s sport of choice. This way you’ll know that your young one is protected at all times and feel confident that your son or daughter will not have an accident that will come at the cost of losing teeth, because that would be a real shame.

3 Important Ways to Keep Your Child’s Teeth Safe & Protected

As you can imagine, wearing a mouth guard is the ultimate form of teeth and mouth protection when your child is playing sports. There are three main types of mouth guards that we recommend and we’ll share information about each one in greater detail below.

Ready-to-Wear Mouth Guard. Out of all of the mouth guards we’ll talk about today, this is the most common type and the one that children will use most often. This guard is the most popular for a few different reasons. To start with, since it is the most massed produced, it is also the least expensive option. Finding a cost effective solution is always a concern for many, so using this inexpensive guard makes perfect sense in that regard. It’s easy to find in large sporting goods stores which also help to improve its popularity. By being easy to find in your average sporting goods store, it’s also easy to buy and readily available for use. Finally, it’s available in a range of sizes for all mouth types. Typically, you’ll find this mouth guard available in small, medium and large. Choose the size best suited for your teeth.

Boil Mouth Guards. This option is different from the first in one very specific way. Just like the ready-to-wear option, this guard is available in small, medium and large. The major difference is that you boil it after you buy it. This will soften it up, and once it’s soft, you can easily bite down onto the guard. A mold of your teeth will be created when you do this while the guard is soft. Once your teeth are molded, the guard will harden, preserve the mold and protect your teeth every time you wear it.

Custom Mouth Guards. Custom guards are last, but certainly not least. In fact, they are the most effective option and provide the highest level of protection. In order to get a guard like this, you’ll have to make an appointment with your local dentist or orthodontist. They will create a custom mold specifically designed to fit perfectly over your teeth. This is the ideal way to protect your child’s pearly whites.

Remember to protect your child’s teeth at all times during sports. Also, continue to check out our blog for more updates on best dental tips.

 

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The Secret to a Healthy Mouth

It may have taken you some time to believe this, but having a healthy mouth doesn’t happen by accident. Do you think, even for a second, that you can have a beautiful smile without taking the necessary steps to make it stay that way?

A healthy mouth does not come naturally. Sure, we all start out this way. But over time, if you do not maintain it, it will definitely disappear. Your gorgeous pearly whites will turn a yellowish, crusty brown! And nobody wants to see that happen, right?

You can take a few steps to preserve your healthy teeth and gums. It’s a lot simpler than you might think. And we have the secret formula to help maintain your gorgeous smile.

Ready to learn the truth? We’re happy to help you, so let’s begin.

Secret #1: Brush Your Teeth and Floss Daily

People tend to think that life’s secrets need to be more complicated than they really are. You know it as well as we do. But the simple truth, in this case, is that daily flossing and brushing will make a huge difference in the health of your mouth. And even more importantly, it will play a pivotal role in maintaining a gorgeous smile.

To maintain a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile, you should brush your teeth, at a minimum of twice a day. And to really remove all of the food and other gunk stuck between your teeth, you need to floss at least once per day. We recommend brushing your teeth after breakfast in the morning, and then again in the evening before bed. It’s probably best to floss at night as well, right at the end of the day when you know you won’t be eating anymore.

Secret #2: Pay Close Attention to What You Drink and Eat

As much as you need to brush and floss regularly, they can only do so much to help maintain a healthy mouth and smile. The truth is that certain foods and drinks will have a more negative effect on the health of your mouth than you may have realized.

The foods and drinks to avoid most often include: coffee, citrus, sugar, red wine and even processed carbohydrates. Believe it or not, these food and drink choices are either too acidic or contain too much sugar for your teeth and can create negative health consequences if consumed too often.

Secret #3: Do Not Smoke Cigarettes at All Costs

We understand that smoking cigarettes is a serious addiction, but if you keep it up, it’s going to do real damage to your mouth and teeth. You already know it to some degree when you look at your smile in the mirror and see brown and yellow stains covering up your former pearly whites.

Plus, cigarette smoke is filled with many nasty chemicals that are harmful to your health. To avoid throat and mouth cancer, as well as many other types of this heinous disease, you should give up cigarettes once and for all.

Please use these secrets to your advantage. You’ll have no problem maintaining a healthy mouth if you do.

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Dental Implants vs Dentures

Our Ft. Lauderdale, FL patients often come to Bayview Smiles seeking alternatives for their removable dentures, which have a tendency to loosen over time and become oversized. They’re often surprised to find out that dental implants are a great alternate to dentures, which do away with many of the shortcomings of the latter. Implants are more reliable, longer-lasting, and come with aesthetic and health benefits that removable dentures generally can’t match.

Jawbone Deterioration

The jaw needs to be exercised and this is usually accomplished while you do such things as eating and speaking. If there is no tooth root to transfer the force of the activity to the jawbone, the bone tissue there won’t be stimulated to repair, reproduce, and strengthen. Dentures typically cannot diffuse the pressure of exercise down to the jaw, so the bone may continue to deteriorate. This affects what we call the vertical dimension, which is the distance between the upper and lower mandibles. Changes in the shape of the jaws can cause dentures to become ill-fitting over time. Once they no longer fit properly, dentures have a tendency to shift around within the mouth, or even fall out, and cause irritation.

Dental implants replace the lost tooth with a biocompatible titanium artificial tooth root. Unlike removable dentures, implants can spread the pressure and force of daily exercise down to the jawbone, helping the bone tissue remain healthy and strong. In fact, those who suffer from jawbone deterioration will find that dental implants can even restore the proper density and volume to the jaw.

Dentures v. Dental Implants: Wear and Tear

We mentioned above that dentures can become ill-fitting over time. Dental implants do not suffer from this problem. Permanent and long-lasting, implants never need to be removed for maintenance, nor do they shift or loosen in your mouth. After being placed, the dental implant fixture will integrate with the jaw through osseointegration, where your natural bone will regenerate and fuse with the implant. This allowed for an unrivaled degree of stability and endurance. Indeed, dental implants are known to last a lifetime!

Unlike removable dentures, dental implants do not involve a meticulous cleaning process. Whereas dentures need to be frequently scrubbed and soaked in special solutions, implants are maintained just like natural teeth. Brush them twice a day, as you would any tooth, and be sure to floss daily. There simply is no comparison between the two; the convenience and ease of implant upkeep is unmatched.

Given the comparative challenge of maintaining removable dentures, the artificial teeth they hold tend to stain and yellow. Furthermore, often made out of acrylic, dentures will begin to wear down, contributing to their propensity to no longer fit after long periods of use. The dental prostheses held by dental implants, on the other hand, tend to last much longer on average, because of the superior reliability of implants and the fact that they’re much easier to keep in good condition.

A Question of Endurance

The combination of changes in the shape of the jaws and the inherent disadvantages in keeping clean removable dentures factors into their limited lifespan. On average, dentures have to be replaced or realigned every seven to eight years. This can be quite a hassle and the cost of frequent replacements will take a toll on your budget. Dental implants, by comparison, are permanent and can last an entire lifetime if well-maintained.

Dental Implants and a Healthy Smile

If you wear removable dentures, then you may be an ideal candidate for dental implants. Ft. Lauderdale, FL patients find that implants are a worthwhile investment because, unlike alternative tooth loss treatments, the solution is permanent and dependable. If you would like to know more about replacing dentures with dental implants, contact our Ft. Lauderdale, FL office to schedule your no-obligation consultation today!

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