What Lies Beneath a Dental Implant

You might not realize it, but over the past few years, a great deal of progress has been made in implant dentistry. This is great, but it has unfortunately given rise to peri-implant disease.

Dental Implant Guide from Poleon DenturesWe at Classic Denture Center are true believers in the saying that “it is true that you can’t prevent that which you cannot control.” For general dentists and specialists alike, this is a frustrating reality in cases of peri-implantitis, a serious problem that’s on the rise with an increasing number of implants placed annually.

Notably, official diagnostic criteria for peri-implantitis, which would be globally recognized by the dental community, have not yet been introduced. In fact, research on most of the features of peri-implant disease remains at an early stage. Still, clinical studies have shown a higher prevalence of peri-implantitis among patients who are chronically prone to the condition, have poor oral hygiene, or who choose not to maintain the implant site.

Tanya Poleon, L.D., your denturist in Portland OR fully understands that she can’t control patients’ personal habits, but she does want to give help where she can. One suggestion she has is to use products that promote osseointegration and hygienic healing for long-term stability.

To Rinse or Not to Rinse Before Implant Surgery?

Chlorhexidine mouth rinse is a well documented antibacterial rinse that has been shown to reduce infection and complications associated with dental implants.

A separate study concluded that chlorhexidine gluconate 0,2% mouthwash is an effective prophylactic material to prevent and treat oral pathogens in association with the implant prosthesis.

Antibiotics: Not Always the Answer

Dental Implant Pros and Cons from Poleon Dentures in Portland ORAntibiotics are a controversial topic in implant dentistry. The pre- or postoperative use of antibiotics in conjunction with implant surgery and its correlation with failure and success rates are yet another poorly documented area in literature, according to researchers. While the benefits of prophylactic antibiotics are well recognized in dentistry, their routine use in the placement of endoosseous dental implants remains controversial.

A 2016 literature review concluded that prophylactic antibiotic treatment for each implant surgery is not mandatory, however, antibiotics are useful in preventing postoperative infections after implant placement.

According to this study, the accepted principles for the use of prophylactic antibiotics are as follows: The procedure should have significant risk for an incidence of postoperative infection; the appropriate antibiotic should be selected; the appropriate tissue concentration at the time of surgery is necessary, and the shortest effective antibiotic should be used.

Getting a Grip on Excess Cement

Cementing crowns, bridges, and fixed partial dentures onto implants has become increasingly popular, but not without issue. Dental cement is one cause of local tissue inflammation associated with dental implants. Cements have been linked directly to peri-implant diseases and have been blamed for bone loss and implant failure. This is especially concerning considering that it often takes a minimum of three years for bone loss to become easily discoverable.

The main point of this guide was to show you the ins and outs of dental implants. W hope it has helped you make some decisions about whether or not they are the right choice for you! If you have questions about your options or would like to discuss those options with your trusted denturist in Portland OR, contact us today. We are excited to help you create the smile you deserve!

A Denturist’s View of Tobacco Use

You have all heard it and it’s basically common knowledge… Smoking and tobacco use is not good for your health. That said, you might not have heard about what it can do to your oral health! Today your denturist in Portland OR wants to show you the effects of smoking on your dentures and people with dental implants as well.

second hand smokeBack fifty years ago, people were not so aware of the risks and health issues associated with smoking or the connection between cigarettes and lung cancer.  And over time, we have seen study after study showing consistent findings showing links to mouth cancer, gum disease, and tooth decay. It is also important to note that smoking cigarettes and the use of other tobacco products can actually cause negative effects to where the soft tissue connects the bone to the teeth and impacts the function of the oral cells and tissues.

With the knowledge that tobacco use can drastically damage your denture (or dental implant) experience, it is more important than ever to stop smoking if you can.

Here are just a few things to know:

  • Your dental implant failure risk increases if you use tobacco. Many medical professionals will recommend quitting smoking if you’re considering having dental implants.
  • If you smoke, you are at greater risk of infection when having dental implants fitted.
  • Smoking can damage the success rate of dental surgery.
  • Your healing time is extended after surgery for those who smoke. This is because nicotine constricts your arteries and reduces the blood flow to your gums.
  • Bone loss that comes with losing your teeth is often accelerated in smokers, which can cause your face to shrink and other harmful side effects.

Risks of Second-Hand Smoke

Smoking and damage to oral healthThere are many things that can be harmful to your oral health, and tobacco use is definitely on the list for both adults and children. Second-hand smoke causes more harm than you might realize, for yourself and for those around you! All the more reason to quit smoking.

Second-hand smoking (or passive smoking) is dangerous to everyone, children included, leading to respiratory problems and other health complications. What you might not realize is that it can actually cause the formation of cavities in children’s teeth.

We hope that this information has helped you realize the harmful effects of smoking and has shed some light on how serious these issues can be. You may not always be able to see or feel the damage it does, but it’s there.

To learn more about oral health or have questions about your dentures in Portland OR, don’t hesitate to give us a call.