Dental Terms

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Traditional dental implants often take a relatively long time (typically three to six months) to heal and integrate into the bone around it. This healing and integration time is necessary so the bone around a dental implant can fully stabilize the implant.

In some cases, an implant can be placed on the same day that a tooth is removed. This is called an immediate implant. Not everyone is a good candidate for an immediate implant. In addition, there are pros and cons of immediate implants which your dentist will discuss with you.

One possible alternative to an immediate implant is a delayed-immediate implant. This technique allows your dentist to remove your damaged tooth and allow the gums to heal over the tooth socket for about six weeks. This provides enough time for soft tissue to cover the socket, but not enough that the socket completely fills with new bone. When the implant is placed, if the soft tissue can be closed completely over the implant, it will reduce the likelihood of infection. Infection is one of the main reasons an implant can fail to integrate into the bone.

Another advantage of a delayed-immediate implant over an immediate implant is that the number of bone-forming cells reach their maximum level about six weeks after the tooth is removed. This provides a strong basis for good bone growth and integration. Keep in mind that it will still take several months for your bone to integrate with your implant and mature into solid bone.

Ask your dentist if you are a good candidate for a delayed-immediate implant. Be sure to ask how long it will be until the implant can be restored with a crown or other tooth-replacement option.

Regularly scheduled dental exams are an extremely important part of your healthcare. They are just as important as regularly scheduled professional tooth cleanings. Oral exams allow your dentist to monitor your oral and overall health for emerging problems that you may not see or feel.

The recommendation to visit your dentist twice a year originated many years ago, and was over-generalized based on what an average patient might require. So, while it is true that a twice-yearly exam and cleaning schedule may be a reasonable rule of thumb for many patients, the frequency of your dental visits may vary. Your exam schedule should be based on your dentist's assessment of the current status of your dental history, oral health, hygiene habits, and medical conditions.

Higher-risk populations that may benefit from more frequent dental visits include, but are not limited to:

  • Pregnant women.
  • Tobacco users.
  • Diabetics.
  • Individuals at higher risk for cavities, or plaque and tartar build-up.
  • Patients who cannot or do not perform good daily oral hygiene procedures.
  • Individuals with periodontal disease.
  • Patients with kidney disease or on dialysis.
  • Individuals with a weak immune response to bacterial infection.
  • Patients who take medications that cause dry mouth, which significantly increases the risk of new cavities.

Lower risk populations may not need an exam as frequently as twice per year. This may cause your schedule for exams and cleanings to be different. That said, you should not cut back on your dental appointments without your dentist's support and guidance. Remember that exams are more than just a part of a dental visit for professional tooth cleaning. You should not overlook an exam appointment as it allows your dentist to keep your oral and overall health under observation.

Even if you no longer have all or some of your natural teeth, it is important to see your dentist for regular dental exams to maintain your oral health and assess the status of your replacement teeth.

Dental floss is a waxed or unwaxed piece of nylon thread that is used to remove food particles or plaque from between the teeth. Floss can be wrapped around your fingers, or held in place by floss holders or threaders. It is inserted between the teeth and moved in an up and down fashion to clean teeth in places toothbrushes cannot normally reach.

A dental hygienist is a person trained at an accredited school or dental college and licensed by the state in which they reside. They provide care under the direction of a licensed dentist.

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots placed into your jawbone. They bond with your natural jawbone over time, becoming a strong anchor point to support one or more replacement teeth. They are most often made of titanium, which is extremely strong, although metal-ceramic implants are now being used in some situations.

Dentin is the hard tissue that forms the bulk of the tooth. The portion of dentin above the gum line (crown) is covered with enamel, while the portion of dentin below the gum line (root) is covered with cementum.

A denture base is the portion of a complete or partial denture supported by the alveolar ridge. The artificial teeth are attached to the denture base.

Rebasing is the process of replacing the entire acrylic base of the denture without replacing the prosthetic teeth. In cases where relining your existing denture base does not provide a sufficient solution, rebasing your denture may be recommended. Rebasing is an economical solution when the teeth of your denture are still in good condition compared to the denture base.

A reline is a procedure to refit an existing denture. This may be necessary when the soft tissues on which the denture rests have re-shaped since the denture was first placed. A reline restores the denture to a more stable and comfortable fit. They may be done in the dental office or a lab, depending on the extent of the adjustment required and the equipment that is available to the dentist.

What to expect

  • Typically the procedure involves grinding away approximately one millimeter of the soft-tissue side of the denture and replacing it with new denture acrylic that precisely matches the re-shaped soft tissues.
  • If the procedure is done in the dentist's office, the acrylic is applied directly to the denture.
  • When done in a laboratory, the dentist will apply impression material to the altered denture base and insert the denture in your mouth. When the impression material has set, the dentist will remove the denture and send it to a laboratory. A cast will be poured, and the impression material will be removed and replaced with acrylic.
  • Your dentist will take care not to alter the precise bite relationship between the denture being relined and the opposing teeth of the other dental arch.

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the US and is a significant risk factor for serious problems in your heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and other body systems. Your mouth is another area that can also be seriously affected by diabetes but is often overlooked. Untreated, periodontal disease can result in deterioration of the tissues and bone that support your teeth.

While diabetes can negatively affect your oral health, your poor oral health can also negatively affect your diabetes. Research suggests that periodontal disease elevates blood sugar levels, making diabetes and related problems harder to manage. Studies have also shown that, over time, properly treated and maintained gum disease significantly lowers blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

Illicit drug use and addiction can have devastating effects on your body, including your mouth. Drugs that are smoked or ingested can interfere with your mouth's normal biology, affecting your teeth, gums, lips, tongue, and the soft tissues in your mouth.

Dental terminology: Xerostomia

Dry mouth is a condition where your salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist and healthy. Reduced saliva production can lead to the rapid formation of tooth decay, especially at the gum line where plaque accumulates.

Dry socket is a localized inflammation of the tooth socket that can occur after a tooth is extracted. It is most common after a traumatic extraction like wisdom tooth removal. It is often accompanied by severe pain and foul odor.

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