Questions to Ask Your Dentist Prior to a Procedure

Most dentists are pretty good about educating their patients prior to a particular dental procedure, particularly those that are invasive or complicated. However, if your dentist doesn’t cover any of the following about a slated procedure, don’t hesitate to ask. The conversation could lead to sharing all kinds of information from dental treatment alternatives to recovery tips.

--Are the results I desire from this dental treatment realistic?

--Is there an alternative dental treatment that I may consider as well?

--How long will the procedure take and how many dentist appointments are necessary?

--What kind of anesthesia is used, if any?

--How long have you performed this dental procedure and how many of them have you performed in the past year?

--What percentages of your patients have had significant complications?

--Will you repeat or correct the procedure if it does not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure must be repeated or corrected, will I be charged again?

--What kind of longevity can I expect from this particular dental treatment?

--Do you have before and after photographs of any of your patients who have been treated with this procedure?

--What should I expect after this dental procedure in terms of discomfort?

For questions about dentures, dental implants, periodontal disease or general dentistry, call the Ferber Dental Group a 561-439-8888 or visit http://www.ferberdental.com

The Truth About Silver Fillings

Silver fillings (a.k.a. amalgams) are made of alloy that usually contains combinations of silver, copper, tin and mercury. It’s this last ingredient, mercury, that for years has concerned the general public, and mostly the issue has to do with a story that ran in the New York Times in 2003. The story reported that a United Nations environmental conference in Kenya called for a worldwide crackdown on mercury pollution, listing various sources, including silver fillings, which the story said exposes humans to the highly toxic heavy metal.

Since then, there have been claims that the mercury in amalgam causes everything from autism, Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis to all sorts of neurological disorders, which by all valid accounts is simply not true. Many heavy hitters—including the American Dental Association, Alzheimer’s Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Autism Society of America and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society—back the scores of studies and data that conclude there is no scientific evidence of a connection between neurological disorders or other diseases and the use of amalgam. Nor does the removal of silver fillings affect these conditions. The reason amalgam is used is because it’s a durable and affordable material. The material has been used to restore the teeth of more than 100 million Americans.

So, how can something containing mercury be safe? Good question with a relatively simple answer. There are many elements that by themselves are toxic; however, when combined with certain other elements, become inert. Chloride by itself, for example, in liberal enough quantities is deadly. Combine it with just the right ratio of sodium, however, and it becomes sodium chloride—table salt. The mercury in silver fillings is not harmful because the mercury is transformed in the process of making an alloy much like sodium and chloride are completely transformed when combined to make table salt. The mercury binds chemically to the other metals to make a stable alloy.

For questions about dentures, dental implants, periodontal disease or general dentistry, call The Ferber Dental Group a 561-439-8888 or visit http://www.ferberdental.com.

The Four Different Types of Dentures. Part III of a 4-Part Series.

Because full dentures can be difficult to stabilize, Cu-Sil partial dentures were created. Unlike full dentures where the few remaining natural teeth must be removed, Cu-Sils allow one or more natural healthy teeth to be left in the mouth to help anchor the denture. Even one single healthy tooth left in place can be enough to fully stabilize a Cu-Sil denture.   

Cu-Sils are fashioned with holes to allow the remaining natural teeth to poke through. These holes are fitted with stable silicone gaskets that hug the natural teeth and maintain the suction needed to anchor the denture.

While a nice alternative to full dentures, they’re not recommended for people who still have a lot of healthy evenly distributed teeth because the complexity that would be required of the Cu-Sil design to fit properly around numerous natural teeth would impede the denture’s function. Cu-Sils are considered transitional dentures and used primarily for people whose few remaining teeth will likely be lost in the near future. 

For questions about dentures, dental implants, periodontal disease or general dentistry, call The Ferber Dental Group a 561-439-8888 or visit http://www.ferberdental.com.

Types of Endosseus Implants (Part 2 of a 3-part series about the types of dental implants)

There are three types of Endosseus (in bone) implants: the root form, plate form and Ramus frame. Each is used for very specific purposes.

Root Form Implants

Root form implants are the most popular among all types of dental implants. They consist of a cone- or screw-like structure that resembles the shape of the natural tooth root, and are designed to be surgically implanted inside the jawbone. A prong or screw-like protrusion that juts vertically from the implant out of the center of the jaw and into the mouth attaches to the restoration. If the jaw bone is of adequate size and structural integrity, root form implants can be used to restore one tooth, several and even a complete arch of teeth. If the jaw bone is not of adequate size or not in good health, sometimes bone grafting can be done in order to use this type of implant.

Plate Form Implants

Plate form (a.k.a. blade form implants) are used when the jaw bone is too narrow for root form implants and the area is not suitable for bone grafting. A less commonly used implant, a plate form implant consists of a long, flat metal bracket that’s attached vertically to the outside of the jaw bone. Prongs along the outside edge of the plate jut vertically into the mouth and attach to the restorations.  

Ramus Frame Implants

The Ramus frame implant is used for patients who have suffered severe bone deterioration in the lower jaw that interferes with the fit of dentures. The Ramus frame implant is actually a stainless steel bar that follows the curvature of the jaw line from the wisdom tooth area on the left side of the mouth to the same area on the right. It’s imbedded into the back sides of the jaw and into the front center, and is essentially a partial replacement of the entire lower jaw bone.

In Part 3, we’ll discuss the two-stage versus one-stage procedure for placement of dental implants. For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit http://www.ferberdental.com/.

Dental Implant Types

There are numerous types of dental implants, each designed to meet specific patient needs. The following is the first part of a three-part series about the various designs and why they’re used. In Part 1, we’ll discuss dental implants by placement type.

Endosseous Implants

The first categorization of dental implant types is called endosteal or endosseous. These types of dental implants are surgically placed directly into the jaw bone to support the restored tooth as well as a nearby crown, implant bridge or implant-supported denture if needed. They can be of various shapes and implanted in a one- or two-phase procedure, depending on the condition of the jaw bone and surrounding tissue.

Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal implants consist of a metal frame placed on top of the jawbone under the gum tissue. Metal posts protrude through the gums, upon which the restorations are mounted. This type of implant is preferred when there’s not enough jaw bone to withstand the placement of an endosseous implant. 

Generally, subperiosteal implants are more costly to implant because they must be fabricated using impressions or CAT scans in order to custom fit each patient’s unique jaw shape. If fabrication of the subperiosteal implant is competed via CAT scan, the procedure can be done in a single visit. If the implant is fashioned using an impression, two visits are necessary: a first to expose the jaw bone and create the impression and a second procedure to place the implant.

In Part 2, we’ll discuss the three types of endosseus implants. For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit http://www.ferberdental.com/.