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Dental Implant 101: Are Dental Implants Safe? (The Answer Is Yes!)

June 10th, 2020 by AZ Perio Group | 2 Comments

close-up view of dental implant teeth on a table — Tooth and dental implant isolated on green background. 3d illustration

Crafting hypo-allergenic dental implants has been a regular, safe, and consistent part of dentists’ work since 1965. Yet many prospective patients know very little about dental implants. This lack of knowledge can lead to worries about the safety of implants and the implantation process.

If you are curious about dental implants and their safety, here’s what you need to know.

Materials

Dental implants have an almost 100 percent success rate. One of the key reasons for this is because they are made of titanium.

Titanium is uniquely biocompatible. This means that it is welcomed by and cooperative with your body. Unlike other metals which can corrode, cause inflammation, or degrade over time, titanium:

Is durable
Does not cause irritation to your jaw or gums
Is accepted by your body’s bones as if it were a naturally occurring substance

Titanium implants require no special care to maintain. As long as you stick to a standard dental hygiene plan, your implants will remain safe and reliable for many years.

Similarly, the dental-grade porcelain and other materials that we use to make crowns for permanent dental implants are durable, non-toxic, and body-friendly. They, too, require only the usual brushing and routine dental visits to maintain their quality, appearance, and functionality long-term.

Implantation Process

Our dental implantation process is designed to protect your safety and provide you with maximum convenience and comfort from start to finish.

The process begins with a complete dental exam conducted by a capable and experienced periodontist on our team. He or she will perform x-rays and take 3D images of your mouth and teeth. They will also discuss your medical history with you.

This in-depth look at your health and teeth enables us to:

Develop a customized treatment plan best suited to your personal needs
Identify any risk factors that may make dental implants inappropriate for you at that time
Identify and put in place extra protections where necessary to accommodate any pre-existing conditions you may have

For example, some patients with qualifying heart conditions need a course of antibiotics prior to having dental implantation surgery to minimize the likelihood of infections. Our thorough preparatory process means that we are able to recognize needs like that and ensure you receive the best possible care at every step of the way.

Anesthesia

In most cases, dental implant patients only need a local anesthetic to numb the portion of their jaw where the implant is being installed. Administering a local anesthetic is a very low-risk procedure.

Patients who request sedation or more extensive anesthesia are monitored by our trained and experienced staff throughout the procedure for safety.

Minimally Invasive

Getting dental implants is a quick and minimally invasive procedure. Single implants can be installed in less than an hour during outpatient surgery. Only the gums and jawbone immediately linked to the tooth being replaced are affected. Patients then have extensive time to fully heal before any additional work is done.

This keeps total stress to your body as low as possible.

Long-Term Durability

Properly cared for, dental implants last for decades. They will not break, corrode, shift, or otherwise cause discomfort or damage to your mouth.

Unlike dentures and other removable prosthetics, they also will not irritate your gums, jaw, or other teeth. This means that they do not create opportunities for injury, infection, or the introduction of foreign matter into your gums or bloodstream.

Getting Dental Implants Is Safer Than Not Getting Them

Dental implants are not just safe. In most cases, getting implants is far safer than not getting them.

Although many patients don’t realize it, there are very real risks to simply going without missing teeth. Dental implants help patients avoid these hazards.

Jawbone Deterioration

When you lose teeth for any reason, either naturally or through intentional removal, your jawbone begins to deteriorate around the area where the missing teeth used to be. Capillaries shrivel up, cutting off the flow of nutrients. This causes the bone to weaken and break more easily.

This, in turn, causes other teeth nearby to grow weaker, compounding and spreading the problem. Dental implants stimulate your jaw and gums the same way that a natural tooth would. This significantly increases your likelihood of keeping your jaw, gums, blood flow, and other teeth healthy and intact.

Distributed Pressure

When you are missing teeth, the other teeth nearby are subject to uneven and abnormal pressure every time you bite or chew. This can lead to them breaking, shifting, or deteriorating faster than normal. Dental implants absorb pressure and distribute it appropriately around your mouth, protecting your remaining teeth.

Risk Factors

Dental implants are very safe, but they are not for everyone. Some pre-existing health conditions can make it hard for your body to handle any form of surgery or healing. Other conditions place your body under a great deal of stress and we may recommend allowing yourself to heal from or finish addressing them before undergoing dental implantation.

Examples of conditions or risk factors that may preclude you from getting dental implants include:

Having cancer
Being a heavy smoker
Being pregnant
Having an active infection, particularly in or around your mouth or sinuses
Nerve damage to your face, gums, or mouth
Severe bone loss

Many of these risk factors are temporary. Even serious and complex risk factors such as bone loss do not necessarily prevent all patients from qualifying for or succeeding with dental implants. Our experienced team can help you identify any risk factors that apply to you and assist you in making an informed decision about the appropriateness of dental implants for your needs.

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

If you think dental implants might be right for you, you’re no doubt wondering “where can I get more information on dental implants near me?” If so, we’re here to help. Use our convenient online form to request an appointment or call us today at (602) 995-5045.

Our qualified team can set you up for a thorough evaluation and consultation to find out if dental implants are right for you.

Safe Dental Implant Treatment in Phoenix AZ

June 5th, 2020 by AZ Perio Group | No Comments

Periodontist sitting with a female patient showing x-rays of teeth in.

Dental implants are false teeth that are attached to metal stems which are then inserted into your gums. They have been around since 600 AD, and still remain one of the most popular forms of dentistry.

Patients get these implants whenever a tooth or teeth are missing, due to infection, injury, or other problems.

Safe dental implants will help you improve your smile in ways you’ve never imagined. Consider these tips when seeking help from a periodontist in Phoenix, AZ.

Why Safe Dental Implants Can Help Your Teeth

Dental implant procedures have a 98 percent success rate. What makes these procedures so safe and successful?

First off, dental implants are safe because they use titanium. Titanium is one of the most durable metals and is anti-corrosive.

When the false tooth attached to the titanium stem is installed into your gums, it fuses to your jaw. The implant won’t move around and will be every bit as safe as your natural teeth. It won’t decay or give you health problems once installed. In fact, these implants can last a lifetime.

Before even having the implant installed, a periodontist will go through your medical history and run some x-rays of your mouth. They need to study your jaw and its shape before moving forward.

After studying your sinuses and nerves, the dental practice will create a prosthetic mold that will help them create the actual dental implant that will get installed.

Once you get them installed correctly, it will protect the rest of your teeth and fill any spaces. This keeps your gums healthier and will also prevent you from dealing with any jawbone weaknesses.

The periodontist will assess the finished implant to make sure it fits and that you retain your amazing smile.

Who Shouldn’t Get Dental Implants

While dental implants are a common procedure, there are certain patients who should avoid it.

For instance, people whose jaws are still growing, pregnant women, children, and smokers shouldn’t get dental implants.

Conditions like bleeding gums can sometimes be a cause for concern, particularly if you are a smoker or if you use other tobacco products. This can lead to further complications that can put your dental health and overall health at risk. All of these issues will be assessed during the medical history report.

What You Should Do to Follow-up and Take Care of Your Dental Implants

Take the time to follow up in about a week or so to make sure that the implant is properly setting into place. Your periodontist will generally schedule your follow-up appointment at the time of the initial service.

Your periodontist will also give you tips on brushing and flossing during this process. Stay away from coffee or hot foods, or any sorts of freezing foods or beverages. The implant and your gums will be sensitive for a while as it sets into place.

Find a Dental Professional to Help With Your Implants

When you need safe dental implants, it requires the help of an oral health practitioner that is skillful, experienced, and attentive.

Dental implants can change your life and the way you feel about your smile. It is a safe procedure to fix missing teeth issues.

You can start to have a better smile by contacting a qualified periodontist in Phoenix, AZ. Dr. Trujillo can help with your dental implant needs and other services. Take the time to contact us via the “Ask Dr. Trujillo a Question” box, or call us at (602)459-9459.

How To Stop Bleeding Gums

February 12th, 2020 by AZ Perio Group | No Comments

You may be on top of brushing your teeth and looking after them, but do you pay the same kind of attention to your gums? Many patients make the mistake of ignoring them, and if left untreated it can become a lot worse. Gums offer vital support to your teeth and are essential to your overall oral health.

If you’ve been having problems with your gums, it’s a sign that something’s not right and that you haven’t been caring for them properly. Bleeding gums in particular should be treated seriously. We’re going to talk about what this problem is and what to do about it if you’re experiencing it.

Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are not normal, and it should cause you to take appropriate action. Unfortunately it’s a relatively common problem so you shouldn’t panic if you experience it. It is a sign of gum disease and should be looked at by your dentist and if necessary a Phoenix Periodontist such as Dr. Trujillo.

If you aren’t yet experiencing bleeding gums but you want to make sure that you never do, brushing twice a day and flossing daily, as well as attending regular dental checkups, will help with that. Don’t miss your checkups or skip dental appointments because it’ll make problems like this more likely.

The Causes of Bleeding Gums

The most common cause of bleeding gums is plaque that builds up along the gumline. This carries millions of bacteria and can develop into gingivitis. This is a mild gum disease that leads to more serious forms of gum disease when it goes untreated. That’s why getting treatment is so crucial if you experience bleeding gums.

Other things might cause gum disease, such as vitamin K deficiency, diabetes, dry mouth, or taking blood thinners for example. But the most common thing that causes bleeding gums is plaque which can be prevented with good oral hygiene.

Some Treatments Used to Stop Bleeding Gums

Many things can help treat and prevent bleeding gums. First and foremost, you should make sure that you brush often. It can help to brush with a specific type of anti-gingivitis toothpaste. Flossing daily will also help so be sure to do this.

Smoking damages your gums, so if you’re already having problems with them, you should definitely see if you can stop smoking and cut out tobacco entirely. It’ll also help if you maintain a healthy lifestyle, reduce stress, and eat a balanced diet. And above all else, come see Dr. Trujillo and get professional support when you need it.

Schedule An Appointment Today

If you’re unsure about what to do about this problem and you want to make sure that the right approach is taken, simply get in touch and arrange an appointment. We’ll be more than happy to discuss the problem with you and schedule an appointment where you can be assessed and have treatment provided.

What Are Teeth In A Day?

January 17th, 2020 by AZ Perio Group | No Comments

Illustration of All On 4 Dental Implants

Replacing teeth can often be a long process, sometimes involving a series of treatments over a period of months. Many patients don’t like the idea of going weeks or months with missing teeth.

What Is Teeth In A Day?

‘Teeth in a day’ is a solution to this that involves fitting a full denture to dental implants in your mouth immediately after having your teeth removed. This allows you to leave the surgery the same day and go home with fully functioning teeth.
If you’re looking for teeth in a day in Phoenix, we recommend visiting our practice where you will receive personalized treatment from Dr. Ariel Trujillo.

Below you will gain more information on the procedure and what to expect.

What Are The Benefits of Teeth In A Day?

Teeth in a day can help to prevent anxiety and discomfort caused by missing teeth. You can stay confident in professional and social situations. It could also allow you to eat more easily. Whether you already have missing teeth or whether you are undergoing treatment that could involve removing teeth, teeth in a day is an option worth considering.

What To Expect From The Procedure

The procedure for fitting teeth in a day in Phoenix is fairly simple. You will have a consultation beforehand in which x-rays can be taken on your teeth. This allows temporary prostheses to be built. This consultation will also assess whether there is enough bone for fitting permanent implants in the future.

On the day of the procedure, any damaged teeth will then be removed. In this same session, temporary prostheses will be fitted in their place. These lifelike teeth will fill the gaps while allowing the mouth to heal.

Permanent prostheses can then be fitted at a later date when the healing process is complete (usually three months afterwards). This means that for no period do you have to leave the practice with missing teeth.

Why Choose Arizona Periodontal Group?

We recommend choosing us when considering teeth in a day in Phoenix. Dr Trujillo is a respected periodontist with many years of experience in cosmetic dental treatment. He and his team have helped to restore the smiles of many patients in and around Phoenix. When choosing us, you can expect friendly and professional care. We aim to put all of our patients at ease and offer personalized treatment to get the best results. Schedule an appointment today to get started.

What Is Gum Bleaching?

December 13th, 2019 by AZ Perio Group | No Comments

Man smiles in dental chair after gum bleaching. — A man smiles confidently while sitting in a dental chair after receiving dental care.

Gum bleaching is a cosmetic procedure that improves the look of your gums. Patients might choose gum bleaching if they have discoloration of their gums, which they feel affects the quality of their smile. Pigmentation on your gums doesn’t affect the health of your teeth or gums, but you might feel that it’s unsightly. If you want to have pink gums that don’t have darker coloration, gum bleaching is an option that you might consider. It lightens the gums using a relatively quick process that produces permanent results. Gum bleaching might be one of the cosmetic treatments you consider if you want to improve the look of your gums.

What Is Gum Bleaching?

Gum bleaching or gingival depigmentation is a cosmetic dental treatment that is designed to lighten dark spots on your gums. It targets dark and black spots to remove melanin, or the dark pigmentation, and make the gums a uniform shade of pink. Gum bleaching can be carried out using a whitening solution and microdermabrasion or using the more modern method of laser treatment. When the microdermabrasion method is used, a whitening gel is applied first and the cells containing more melanin are then gently buffed away. Both types of treatment are safe but it’s important to consider the integrity of your gums. There is a risk of exposing the root surfaces due to the thinness of gum tissue. We will discuss the best option for you together.

Why Might You Have Dark Gums?

Dark spots on your gums can appear for a number of reasons. Gums can become discolored due to poor oral health, particularly over a longer period of time. Personal habits such as smoking or chewing tobacco can also have an effect on the color of your gums. Smoking can also raise your risk of developing gum disease. Some people can find that they develop pigmentation on their gums due to certain medications that they take. Another factor is ethnicity, with people with darker skin are more likely to have darker spots on their gums.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages?

Gum bleaching may offer you some advantages if you want to improve the look of your smile. However, there are also some disadvantages and some things that might make you unsuitable for the treatment. Gum bleaching can give you the pink gums that you want so that you can enjoy your smile more if you don’t currently like the way it looks. However, it’s also important to remember that it’s a purely cosmetic procedure.

Is Gum Bleaching Right for You?

Gum bleaching is not suitable for a number of patients. Those who have discoloration of their gums due to periodontal disease do not have a surface pigment problem and need to have the disease treated. If you have thin gums or prominent tooth roots, gum bleaching is not suitable because it can cause ongoing sensitivity. It’s essential to have healthy gums before undergoing a gum bleaching procedure. Schedule an appointment with us for an exam and consultation today.

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