Less Number of Teeth in Aging Humans Can Mean Lower Life Expectancy

There are multiple factors that contribute to tooth loss in humans, including oral hygiene practices, health status, smoking, trauma, individual preferences and socio-economic status. Tooth loss impairs overall quality of life, including the eating of most food items that need the full masticatory function.

According to new research, tooth loss can be used as a major indicator of a person's life expectancy. The research study, published in the Periodontology 2000, deduced that the number of teeth, we lose can be a key predictor of our quality of life and that those who have a complete set of teeth when they are 74 are much more likely to reach 100 years of age.

This is presumed to be true because of the fact that the bacteria in our mouths can pass into the blood stream, where it can cause many potential health issues.

Scientists say that those who have lost 5 or more teeth by the age of 65 have a higher risk of early death. This is because poor health and physical stress often manifests early in the mouth.

The Nutrition Factor:

Considering other health factors such as alcohol, obesity, age, sex, smoking, marital status, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, the researchers cited poor nutrition as a reason people with un-replaced teeth may die earlier. Their inability to chew nutritious food makes their system miss vital vitamins and minerals, which leads to other problems in the body.

So, what these research studies suggest is that tooth loss can be a sign of a poor quality of other areas of an individual’s lifestyle and therefore a greater chance of someone having health problems because of this. 

Moreover, it depicts that diseases associated with tooth loss, for example: gum disease also adds to an increased risk of life limiting diseases.

It is very apparent that what is going on in our mouths can be a useful window to our general health. It is therefore important that we take good care of our oral health and pay close attention to what is happening, as it could be an indicator of something very serious.

These types of researches can be upsetting for people; however, try looking the underneath statistics. Such studies show that our body is working as a whole system.

Clearly, there are many factors that play a crucial role in maintaining our oral and body health. Some are in our control and some are out of our control, like our genetic make-up. This implies that every person’s health is different. For example, some people never go to the dental office for teeth cleaning and show no symptoms of gum disease, while for the rest of us, regular dental visit is a necessity to maintain the overall oral hygiene.

If you feel that you neglected your teeth earlier and now your teeth appear hopeless, remember that it's never too late to turn the tide and start taking care of your mouth. Various oral diseases can be treated with the latest dental procedures, decayed or damaged teeth can be restored to their prior conditions, and missing teeth can be replaced, so that you can chew properly again. This will give you a better chance to live a long and healthy life.

A good dental team can teach you how to look after your mouth efficiently and modify the treatment for you individually. The goal of dentistry is to restore the patient’s mouth to normal function, esthetics, speech, comfort and health, regardless of the disease, atrophy or injury present within the oral environment. 

However, as our population ages, this goal becomes critically difficult, but at the same time very important in order to preserve the health of the population. So, simplistically talking, the better we take care of our body, the better our body machine works and lasts.

HOW DO DENTAL IMPLANT BLENDS IN WITH YOUR NATURAL TEETH?

When people have their teeth missing, they often look for a solution that benefits their health as well as matches their appearance.

If you are considering dental implants, one of your fears may be how it will look. You might also wonder how well your dental implant will match with the rest of your teeth.

Implant surgeons take pride in matching the patient’s dental implant with his/her smile. Dental professionals create each dental implant to look great and to fit great. Single dental implants are very convenient and natural looking. When patients speak and smile, no one can notice if they have a dental implant. Moreover, no metal is visible as it sometimes is with partial dentures.

They offer numerous benefits over other tooth replacement options like bridges and conventional dentures. You may find that dental implants look great, but they offer many other benefits as well. Dental implants provide benefits such as bite preservation, bone retention, and an unrestricted diet! They also last longer since they integrate with your bone naturally. Implants stimulate your natural bone just like your natural teeth. This helps to prevent bone deterioration and allows you to keep the implants for the rest of your life.

Dental professionals determine the proper shape and shade of your dental implant crown so that it matches your original teeth.

SHOULD YOU CONSIDER DENTAL IMPLANTS?

According to the estimates of the American College of Prosthodontists, about 178 million people ages 18-65 in the America are missing at least one of their tooth and over 35 million people do not have any teeth in their mouth.

There are so many reasons for tooth loss, such as gum disease, injury, decay, or cancer. If you have any of these problems, dental professionals will consult with you to figure out whether implants are the right option for you or not. They will determine if your overall health allows you to accept the implants with less risk of rejection; this will also depend on your overall dental conditions. Like your original teeth, maintaining dental hygiene is really important with dental implants.

If you are looking for Dental Implants in San Diego area and want to know if you are a candidate for implants, call Irresistible Smiles to schedule a consultation!

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Sedation Options

Maxillofacial Surgeon

Patient’s comfort is very important during any maxillofacial surgery. Maxillofacial Surgeons knows that this can be achieved with the help of sedatives. Every patient looks at different options when it comes to sedation during an oral and maxillofacial surgery. Levels of sedation can be adjusted based on the needs of patients.

Sedation level varies from patient to patient and case to case. Some patients desire minimal sedation, while others may wish to stay completely unconsciousness during the surgery. Whatever may the case be, there is a sedation option that is correct and meets every patient's needs.

Types of Sedation Treatments

1. Oral Sedation: Oral sedation as the name signifies is administered orally i.e. via a pill. Levels of sedation can vary from mild to moderate depending upon of the dosage given. These sedatives can take about an hour for the complete effects to be felt. Those who are given a low dose often feel drowsy and possibly relaxed but tend to stay conscious. A higher dosage delivers moderate sedative effects making some patients falling asleep but easily aroused with prompting.

2. Inhaled Sedation: It involves the inhalation of a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen. In this sedation, the gas sedative is inhaled in through the nose via a mask worn during the surgery. The amount of nitrous oxide can be adjusted through the mask. This will alter the level of sedation too.

3. IV Sedation: Intravenous (IV) sedation is directly administered into the bloodstream, which makes it one of the fastest acting sedatives. This method allows patients to sleep during the treatment.

4. General Anesthesia: General anesthesia is a kind of sedation that makes patients unconscious and prevents discomfort or pain during the surgery. It is the highest level of sedation, which put patients into a state of deep sleep until it wears off or some sort of medication is given to reverse its effects.

Selecting the Best Method for Sedation:

Choosing the right sedation option for you is best determined after a discussion between you and your Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in San Diego. IV sedation and general anesthesia are not recommended to people with some specific health issues, like uncontrolled diabetes and heart problems, as it can interfere with certain medications. Before committing to any form of sedation for oral surgery, particularly IV sedation and general anesthesia, it is vital to disclose your medical history with your oral and maxillofacial surgeon in San Diego to prevent the risk of complications.

Schedule a Consultation:

With sedation, oral and maxillofacial surgery doesn't have to be uncomfortable or painful. In fact, sedation let you sleep right through surgery for pain-less treatment. To discover which option is right for you, Irresistible Smiles welcome you to schedule a consultation with Maxillofacial Surgeon in San Diego. Always remember, putting off your treatment out of fear of pain can only worsen your condition.

8 Most FAQ’s About Dental Implants in San Diego

If you have lost one of your teeth or your existing teeth are not healthy, a dental implant offers a permanent solution to you by holding a crown in place. Dental implants are an advanced solution for patients considering replacing missing teeth with stable and long-lasting results. It is a replacement tooth root made of small titanium post that is surgically fixed into the jaw. 

In San Diego, dental implants are fabricated carefully to resemble the tooth or teeth they are replacing, in all dimensions viz. function, appearance and feel. While this method provides patients a naturally beautiful smile, there are some steps involved in accomplishing this ultimate goal, which makes it important for patients to have a complete understanding of the dental implantation treatment before undergoing the procedure. By considering that in mind, here are some of the most important and commonly asked dental implant questions answered.

1.       Why would I need a dental implant surgery?

If you lose a tooth as a result of an accident, root canal failure, gum disease, or tooth decay, your dentist may suggest a dental implant. Dental implants may also serve as anchors for dentures or bridge if you have multiple teeth missing.

2.       Can implants improve my looks?

Patients typically undergo dental implantation in order to chew or speak properly, as well as to boost their overall oral health; however, teeth do have an important role in a person's appearance. Because of this, implants do play a great role in improving one's appearance.

3.       What will happen if I don’t get my missing tooth replaced?

It can damage adjacent teeth by causing bone loss and gum recession around those teeth. It will cause your other teeth to wear-off too early. You may experience trouble while eating, brushing and speaking. A dental implant gives support to your bone, providing it with something to hold onto.

4.       What is involved in dental implant procedure?

First, your surgeon will prepare your jaw for implantation by administering a local anesthetic, after this a small hole will be created in the jaw bone to guide the titanium screws that holds the dental implant in position. After creating hole, the surgeon will gradually widen the hole to allow implant screw placement. Following this, a protective cover screw is employed on the top to allow proper healing of implant site and anchoring of the dental implant.

5.       How long does dental implantation surgery take?

Time varies according to the number of implants. Single tooth implant usually takes around an hour and multiple implants generally take no more than three to four hours.

6.       What is the success rate for this surgery?

Generally, the success rate of dental implants for young and healthy patients is high i.e. around 98% of the cases are successful if proper care is taken. However, patients who are above 70, or have diabetes, or who smoke, or on hormone replacement therapy and who are postmenopausal, may possess a higher risk of implant failure. If you are planning to get Dental Implants in San Diego, Irresistible Smiles will thoroughly review your medical history. They will assure you beforehand if dental implants are right for you.

7.       Is dental implantation treatment expensive?

Dental implantation cost depends upon the number of implants being placed, the type of implant, the dentist and the area in which you live. Implant procedures are usually expensive than other dentistry options, however they are well-known for being long-lasting and safer solution for replacing teeth. 

8.       Why Irresistible Smiles is the best choice for dental implants?

It is simple, as they have the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience. They know what they are doing, what their responsibility is and they do it well.

If you still have any question related to Dental Implants in San Diego, visit Irresistible Smiles and find out if the treatment is right for you.

Everything You Should Know About Conscious Sedation Dentistry

Are you postponing your dental treatment because the procedures would be too painful? Do you have delicate gag reflex that makes going to the dentist office a nightmare? If so, then oral conscious sedation dentistry is the best option for you.

At state-of-the-art clinic Irresistible Smiles, convenient to residents of San Diego, sedation dentistry is given to provide you painless treatment. Sedation Dentistry in San Diego helps eliminate fearful patients’ anxieties about the dental procedure.

Conscious sedatives can be administered by using a pill (orally) or with a needle (intravenously). Delaying the treatment can make minor dental problems to become major dental issues requiring extensive intervention. As an additional advantage, sedation dentistry let patients combine multiple procedures into one or two visits, limiting inconvenience and saving time.

Conscious sedation dentistry is administered to depress the consciousness to a minimal level. In this, the patient retains the ability to respond appropriately to physical and verbal stimulation, but anxiety and pain are decreased. Most patients after conscious sedation dentistry is able to recall very little or sometimes nothing at all about their visit. There are many sedation methods; sedation dentists and dental team can help you decide the best one for you.

Benefits of sedation dentistry

•      Eliminates dental fears and anxiety.

•       Helps avoid postponing of dental care for years.

•       Getting multiple procedures done in a single visit.

•       Provide relief to people having sensitive teeth.

•       Good for those having difficulty in getting numb with traditional dental techniques.

Options of anesthesia

There are many sedation dentistry techniques that can be employed to put you at comfort during your appointment.

•     Local anesthesia:

These are administered prior to dental procedures to remove even the smallest amount of discomfort. The topical anesthetic sedates the area before an injection is given. There are two types of injections available, they are: block injection (to numb the entire area) and infiltration injection (to numb the localized area). Numbness may last from less than an hour to many hours before wearing off completely.

•      Oral conscious sedation:

In this, a small pill is used to create a state of forgetfulness and relaxation. The patient feels free from fears, and wakes with very little memory of the procedure. This method works excellent for surgeries, such as dental implant, wisdom teeth extraction and placement of denture. Patient’s blood pressure and oxygen saturation levels are carefully monitored before employing this sedative to ensure safety. Oral sedatives are not pain reliever, so an additional injection of local anesthetic is also required along with it.

•      Intravenous conscious sedation:

With this technique, sedatives are administered intravenously to provide deep relaxation and amnesia. Same as oral conscious sedation, the patient is free of nervousness, fails to sense time, and wake up with no memory of the treatment. Intravenous sedation (IV) dentistry uses benzodiazapam, which is also an excellent modality for surgical patients such as smile makeover. Patients are carefully supervised throughout the procedure. IV also does not provide relief from the pain, so a local anesthetic needs to be administered along with it.

•     Nitrous oxide anesthesia:

Nitrous oxide, also called as laughing gas is administered through a nasal mask to provide the sensation of joy and relaxation. This odorless gas takes about 3 minutes to attain a stress-free and relaxed state. With this technique, a patient feels complete awareness and can inform the dentist if he feels any pain. It can be administered along with local anesthetic to prevent any discomfort. It requires just few minutes to get eradicated from the patient’s system.

If you are one of those people who have put off their dental visit because of anxieties related to dental care, then sedation dentistry may be the only solution for you. Sedation Dentistry in San Diego is meant to make you relaxed while your sheeny whites get the care they deserve.