Dental implants, which are considered the best option for replacing missing teeth, are very similar to real teeth in appearance, making it difficult to distinguish them from the latter. However, dental implant procedures are a crucial process, which require great skill and expertise on the part of the dental surgeon. There are two types of dental implants – the osseointegrated and the fibrointegrated implant, the former being the most popular and widely accepted one. It is based on the discovery by Swedish Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark, that the cells from which bones develop, called osteoblasts, can grow into the the rough titanium, which is implanted. The success of dental implant procedure rests on this link, which connects the implant with the living bone. This fusing procedure of the titanium with the living bone, is called osseointegration.

Dental Implants

As in the case of a natural tooth, which has a crown (the visible part of the teeth) above the gum line and a root beneath it, a dental implant also consists of two parts. They are fixtures, usually made of titanium, which are fixed to the jawbone and the artificial crown, which is fitted to these fixtures after a timespan, which is required for anchoring and healing. There are three types of implants, which use different types of fixtures, according to the jawbone anatomy of the patient. They are the root form, plate form and subperiosteal implants.

The root form dental implant involves the use of a screw type titanium implant, which resembles the root of a tooth in shape. This type is used, when the jawbone has enough depth and width to accommodate the implant. If the jaw bone is too narrow or short for the implant, bone grafting is done. If the jawbone is very narrow and bone grafting cannot be done, then a plate form implant is used. This implant, with a flat and narrow shape, is designed for such narrow bones. If the jawbone is not fit for the implantation of root form or plate form implant, then a subperiosteal implant is used, which is custom made as per the jawbone structure of the patient. It rests on the jawbone, under the gums.

Dental Implant Procedure

A dental implant procedure, which is one of the popular wings of cosmetic dentistry, involves the implantation of titanium fixtures into the jawbone, at the site of the missing teeth. This crucial procedure starts with the implantation of the titanium fixture, which needs around four to six months to get anchored and healed. In some cases, the healing process may last up to nine months. After that time period, the procedure culminates after fixing the prosthetic or artificial crown over the implant. The following steps explain the dental implant procedure in detail.

• The patient has to be healthy and fit to undergo the procedure, which starts with administering local anesthesia. The surgical implantation of the fixture is done by opening the gum tissue and exposing the jawbone. Bone grafting is done in some patients, who have insufficient bone structure for the implantation.
• A small hole is drilled into the site for placing the implant and is later widened to accommodate the fixture, normally, the root form (screw-like one). Once the implant is placed perfectly, a protective cover screw is placed on the top. After this, the gum tissue is sutured and it is allowed to heal for a stipulated time period, normally, four to six months. This timespan allows the suture to heal and also for the implant to anchor itself to the bone.
• After the stipulated timespan, the protective cover is removed and a special post is attached to the implant in order to support the porcelain crown. Nowadays, these posts are attached with zirconium abutments, which are attached to these posts, to make the new crown translucent and look like natural teeth.

Procedure for dental implants is a complex one and hence, it is always better to approach a skilled and experienced dental surgeon for this purpose. Some people may experience dental implant procedure pain, as the effect of anesthesia subsides. The pain may be accompanied by swelling too. But persistent pain should be reported to the doctor, as it may be due to any improper placement of the implant, which requires the patient to undergo dental implant removal procedure. However, dental implant procedure is one of the most successful ones and as per some studies, the success rate is around 95% in case of lower jaw implants and for upper jaw implants, it is around 90%. But prevention is better than cure. So adequate dental care is necessary to keep your teeth healthy and avoid all these complicated procedures.

Everyone wants a dream set of pearly whites. However, not everyone no one is very keen on going to the dentist for timely visits, so people prefer to try out other methods like whitening teeth naturally. However, there are many systemic factors that come into play. So given below are the do’s and don’ts when it comes to whitening teeth naturally. Read more on teeth whitening methods.

How to Whiten Teeth Fast

Brush Regularly
As clichéd as it may sound, you need to brush your teeth regularly if you want to whiten your teeth. Many people avoid brushing at night, or brush in a hasty manner, due to which the bristles do not reach all the required crevices present in between teeth. It is these crevices which are starting points for tooth decay. Thus, one needs to brush regularly and more importantly, properly to ensure that all the surfaces of all the teeth are cleaned properly.

Visit the Dentist
As much as you hate your dentist, you do need to visit him regularly. This is because the best evaluator of your dental health is none other than your dentist. Your dentist will also be able to spot incipient caries also at a very early stage, which will prevent any further tooth decay, before it is too late.

Diet
Diet plays a very important role when it comes to whitening teeth naturally. When you want to whiten teeth at home, watching your diet may be a very good option. There are certain food items that have a lot of fiber content. Thus, apples and other fibrous fruits and vegetables act as natural teeth whiteners, as the gums also get massaged in the process, thus, leading to increased and better circulation of blood.

What Not to Use to Whiten Teeth Naturally

There are so many misconceptions surrounding quick-fix methods to whiten teeth. Instead of harming your teeth with unhealthy ways of whitening them, it is best to be aware of what not to use to whiten teeth naturally, than what to use.

Firstly, the biggest and most famous culprit in this matter is methods that are used to whiten teeth with baking soda. In fact, let alone baking soda, even using powdered form of brushing material is bad for teeth, as any kind of powder, when rubbed vigorously against teeth causes friction, which leads to abrasion of teeth. And this loss of tooth structure is irreversible. So for those of you that have been brushing teeth with baking soda, stop doing that right now!

Worst still than using methods like baking soda teeth whitening is the use of lemon. I don’t know how the rule of using lemon for fairer skin carries forward to using lemon for white teeth. Seriously, this is the most cruel joke anyone can play on you – to tell you that sucking on lemon gives you whiter teeth. Lemon contains citric acid, which has a relatively high pH and which can lead to erosion of teeth. The calcium ions are held in place by non-mineral molecules. These non-mineral molecules breakdown due to the acid, which leads to erosion of the enamel and tooth structure. The enamel gets completely worn out, and there is exposure of dentin. This leads to not only yellowing of teeth but also leads to the development of sensitive teeth symptoms. Similarly, use of mashed strawberries on the teeth is not such a good idea, as these are also acidic.

When it comes to those wanting to whiten teeth naturally, it is best to maintain a good and healthy diet, and to exercise regularly, because as they say, the oral cavity is a reflection of your overall health!

Everyone wants to have that amazing set of pearly whites. However, merely dreaming of attaining that enviable set of teeth is not enough. You will need to try out some methods that will help to whiten teeth fast. There are many simple ways by which you can ensure that your dental health is top notch. Given below are a few tips that will help you to whiten teeth fast.

Ways to Whiten Teeth Faster

• As clichéd as it may sound, it is very important to brush teeth regularly. This is because, it takes no time for cavities and tooth decay to start in the oral cavity. Hence, it is very important to brush teeth at least twice a day.
• Our teeth consist of grooves and fissures that are difficult to access easily with the toothbrush. Hence, despite brushing regularly, one needs to visit the dentist at least every six months, so that if a person has any cavities that are in their initial stages, then they can be treated before they progress any further. Also, a dentist can clean your teeth to remove any tartar and calculus, which tend to give a yellowish hue to teeth. This is one of the best ways to whiten teeth fast.
• Make sure to use dental floss so that any food that may get stuck between your teeth does not lead to the formation of new inter-dental cavities.
• If you are a smoker, then needless to say, you need to stop smoking as soon as possible. Smoking tends to stain teeth very easily. At times, it can also lead to black staining of lips and gums. Hence, it is best to stop smoking as soon as possible to prevent any further damage to the teeth.
• Try and use a fluoridated toothpaste as much as possible. Fluoride helps to strengthen the enamel present in teeth. This helps to prevent the formation of cavities in teeth.
• Avoid drinking tea and coffee as much as possible. Coffee and tea tend to stain teeth, especially the facial surfaces of front teeth. In such cases, prevention is better than cure.
• Diet plays a very important part when it comes to whitening teeth fast. There are certain food items that have a lot of fiber content and so, chewing such food helps to naturally massage the gums, which increases the circulation in the gums. Also, some fruits like strawberries help to whiten teeth naturally.
• Use mouthwashes but in moderation. This is because mouthwashes help to prevent the formation of plaque on the surfaces of teeth. Thus, they help to prevent the initiation of caries in the oral cavity. However, excessive use of mouthwashes can lead to staining of teeth, as sometimes mouthwashes contain potassium nitrate which has a tendency of staining teeth. In such cases, it is best to visit the dentist and seek advice on how often to use mouthwash.
• Some people may claim that there are some simple ways to whiten teeth fast at home, like by using baking soda or sodium chloride (table salt). It is claimed that rubbing this on the surface of teeth helps to keep them white and shiny. This is one of the most harmful ways that you can possibly resort to if you want to whiten teeth fast. Rubbing any kind of powder on the surface of teeth tends to abrade them very easily, as it creates friction. This wears off the enamel and leads to other problems like sensitive teeth symptoms. Thus, try to avoid using such teeth whitening methods which will cause more harm than good.

These were some simple pointers on how to whiten teeth fast. The bottom line is that with a little bit of dental care, you can easily get that enviable set of pearly whites you’ve always dreamed of!

A dental check up is really a very frightening experience, for adults and children, alike. All through childhood we have heard how important dental care is, how brushing and flossing is important, how regular check and filling of cavity is important, and so on and on. But most of this advise is generally ignored and appointments of regular dental check dates are pushed back every month. That is until we feel something is ‘not quite right’ with the tooth. Before we get down to tooth decay symptoms, let us understand what causes it, and also few treatment options. Read up all on dental care and dental health.

Tooth Decay Causes
A tooth is a calcified, white structure found in the jaw. A set of 32 teeth in adults is used to chew, bite and scrape food. Tooth decay is caused by the bacteria found in the food that does not get washed out. This bacteria results in a sticky slightly yellowish substance called as plaque. More the bacteria, more the spread of plaque. Bacteria also makes acids when they come in contact with the sugars present in the food. As the acid destroys tooth enamel and its mineral content, it results in cavity and tooth decay. It is the consumption of sugars that gets the acids to act within minutes of consumption to set decay in the tooth. Read more on tooth decay causes.

Tooth Decay Symptoms
As the tooth decay takes a while to set in, it does not show an immediate symptom. Unless the cavity is exposed to very hot or cold foods, most people don’t even realize that decay has set in. Once the decay gets infected, one may experience a toothache. A severe toothache results in earache and for some a splitting headache too. This pain gets further aggravated when one is eating sweets, hard food, cold, hot or citrus food, and while brushing teeth.

An infected tooth sometimes cause bad breath. If it is the gum that have gotten infected then the tooth may feel a little shaky, or even break in very tiny splinters. Yellow, brown, black spots may appear on the infected tooth or teeth. When tooth decay is left unattended, it can turn severe and form an abscess. Abscess generally accompanies swollen jaw and glands and/or mild fever. The pus in the abscess can easily spread out from the root of the infected tooth to others. Build of plaque and tartar may cause a gum disease resulting in loss of healthy teeth too. Read more on toothache symptoms.

Tooth Decay Treatment
A diagnosis is made after a dental physical examination and study of the symptoms. However, if the decay is not visible or is too severe, the dentist may recommend an x-ray to asses the damage. The doctor may prescribe pain and swell relieving medications to reduce inflammation of the gum. Anti bacterial mouth wash and toothpaste to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth may also be prescribed. Cavity filling, placement of a crown or root canal treatment or a surgery, where the tooth extraction is performed are all treatment that are followed depending upon the severity of the tooth decay. Read and find more about tooth decay treatment.

This was all about severe tooth decay symptoms and possible treatment. But there are some very easy ways to prevent tooth decay. Brush teeth twice a day with a good quality fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly, avoid sweetened snacks and visit the dentist regularly and take their advice very seriously.

The indications of dental implant failure are redness, inflammation and mild tooth decay. When you notice any of such signs, you should immediately consult your dentist for necessary intervention. The dental implant failure causes can be many and a few are mentioned below.

Causes of Dental Implant Failure

Negligence by Dentist: One of the major causes of dental implant failure is the negligence of the dentist. A dentist is supposed to follow the protocol of osseointegration appropriately. A dentist is supposed to study the patient’s medical history well and include it in forming any conclusion for dental problems. Take a look at the following requirements for a proper dental implant procedure. dental implant procedure so that you can keep a check on the dentist working on your teeth.

1. A healthy bone
2. Placement of implant at the site in jaw w.r.t size
3. Proper preparation of the location
4. Suitable bone graft

It is also observed that many dentists take a shortcut for diagnosis. They follow the results of a two dimensional panographic x-ray. The information shown by the two dimensional panographic x-ray is adequate for most of the dental surgery cases, however it is not sufficient for all. This kind of x-ray cannot provide information about the amount and quality of bone present to hold the implant and the accurate location of nerves and blood vessels running through the bone.

Infection: Another common cause of dental implant failure is infection. It occurs mainly because of two reasons. The dentist does not follow proper techniques for implant integration or uses unsterilized instruments for fitting the dental fixtures. Secondly, you do not care much for dental health. Poor dental hygiene is sure to invite pathogens to infect your mouth and eventually, leads to failure of dental implant.

Wrong Habits: Some people have the habit of grinding their teeth while sleeping. This displaces any wrongly placed implant even further and leads to dental implant failure. If you too have this kind of habit, then let the dentist know about it so that he goes for a more suitable fixture for you. Thus, even you can become the cause of dental implant failure.

Loose Fitting: Sometimes, dental implant fails due to its loose fitting.This happens when the fixture is not of good quality, placed under load prematurely or is fixed in a bone that is not strong enough to hold it.

Broken Screw: The crown or abutment is joined to the dental implant with a screw. This screw at times, gets broken or fractured due to wrong type, position, quantity, size or length of implant. A broken or fractured screw leads to dental implant failure. Make sure that the dentist uses a prosthetic screw. A laboratory screw can be cheap but will get loosened easily.

Substandard Tooth Material: One more cause for the dental implant failure is the failure of tooth material. The artificial tooth should be of a material that acts as a good shock absorber and reduces the pressure on the implant. The compomer or acrylic surface satisfies the above necessity well. Therefore, prefer acrylic-based tooth material over hard porcelain-based ones.

Nerve Impairment: The most dreaded type of dental implant failure is nerve impairment. This occurs when the fixture is placed in such a position that it infringes upon the nerve, running through the jaw. This results in lack of sensation or persistent pain in that area.

After dental implantation, you should maintain a good dental hygiene and should follow all the instructions given by the dentist. If you fail in proper dental care, you may invite a number to pathogens to infect the dental implant. Avoid the occurrence of all the dental implant failure causes and give your teeth a healthy life and yourself a beautiful smile.

Teeth can be called as one of the most important parts of the body as they are the first organs to initiate the process of digestion. It is due to the teeth that eating and chewing becomes possible. In order to keep teeth clean and healthy and prevent tooth decay, regular and proper brushing of teeth is necessary. Read about the basics of tooth care.

Basic Tooth Care

• Brushing your teeth twice a day is generally recommended in order to maintain dental health.
• Make it a point to gargle your mouth after having sweets, as some sweets tend to stick inside the tooth and also do not forget to floss after having meals.

Dental care begins at home, but sometimes teeth encounter problems such as discoloration, cavity problems, etc. These problems need to be solved by the dentist. There are many techniques available to get rid of these problems including sophisticated techniques for tooth whitening. Laser tooth whitening is one of these techniques. This is one of the most popular and effective tooth whitening systems in the modern world. This method does not take a long time and you can get back home within an hour with white and sparkling teeth! Laser tooth whitening is a tooth bleaching method and involves the use of laser and a whitening gel in order to lighten the tooth shade and whiten them. Laser techniques have been used since 15 years by the dental fraternity. The American Dental Association believes that laser dentistry has a bright future. Let us see how this laser tooth whitening system works.

Working of Laser Tooth Whitening System

The first step in laser tooth whitening system is to manually clean the teeth and remove plaque. This is followed by the application of a peroxide based gel to the teeth. The peroxide gel is made up of a maximum strength formula, which makes sure that the laser which is to be applied further works properly and performs maximum cleaning. Further, the gel is subjected to specialized light in order to activate itself. This procedure takes almost an hour to complete and your teeth are whitened by making it many shades lighter.

The laser tooth whitening system is an easy process which doesn’t consume much of your time. It is painless as well! However, there are some pros and cons of this method. Read more about them and explore both sides of the coin.

Pros of Laser Tooth Whitening System

• Laser tooth whitening system is a very good option for people, who fear drills used for dental surgeries.
• The chances of bleeding and swelling of gums are minimized when dealing with soft tissues in the process.
• Many teeth whitening systems involve the use of anesthesia during the procedure as the patient can experience pain in the teeth. But here, anesthesia may not be involved as the patient does not experience pain during the procedure.
• Laser treatment does not cause damage to healthy teeth which might not be possible in case of other old teeth whitening methods.

Cons of Laser Tooth Whitening System

The biggest con of laser tooth whitening system is the high cost involved in the treatment. Most of the times, the cost generally starts with $1000. This further increases with the number of times the cleaning is to be performed. Another disadvantage associated with laser tooth whitening is that it may not work for teeth which have turned gray in color, as such type of teeth do not get bleached at all.

After reading this, you must have decided to try out the laser tooth whitening system. However, before opting for any treatment, do not get tempted by its popularity. Consult a specialist to know about this procedure, know about the advantages and disadvantages of tooth whitening, see whether the treatment suits your needs and most importantly think about the cost incurred on it. Choose a reputed dentist for this treatment. Your teeth are special and every care must be taken to preserve them for a lifetime. Keep smiling, as it costs nothing!

Everyone dreams of having that enviable set of pearly whites. However, despite our repeated efforts of taking utmost dental care, we still land up with caries and other such common dental problems. Ever wondered how it is that some people just manage to have those shiny bright white teeth? Well, the answer just as well may be teeth whitening trays! Yes, there are so many teeth whitening methods available all around, that you’ll be spoiled for choice. Given below are details regarding using teeth whitening trays at home.

What Are Teeth Whitening Trays?

When you visit the dentist, the most common method that he will employ to bleach your teeth is with the help of professional teeth whitening trays. The dentist will use clear plastic trays, known as custom trays because they are fabricated so as to fit in the patient’s mouth with minimum discomfort. These whitening trays are then sent home with the patient, along with something known as a whitening gel. This whitening gel typically contains 10% carbamide peroxide whitener, which breaks down in the mouth to form hydrogen peroxide, which bleaches the enamel of the tooth. Read more on teeth whitening tips.

When performing these treatments, the patient places the whitening agent into the bleaching trays and then places them in the mouth over the teeth. The teeth need to be cleaned once and wiped with cotton so as to minimize the possibility of contamination by saliva. The trays are then worn for multiple hours on a daily basis, or are left in place overnight for a period ranging from a few days to a week or two, depending on the instructions of the dentist and the manufacturer. This is the time frame during which whitening slowly takes place. The whitening takes place over a period of days because the concentration of carbamide peroxide used is very low so as to prevent the chances of toxicity. Read more on ways to whiten your teeth at home.

Requirements of Teeth Whitening Trays

• The trays, also known as guard trays, must be clean and sterilized.
• The application trays must be as well fitting as possible. This is important for several reasons. Firstly, the tray should be so shaped that it can hold the bleaching material for a sufficient period of time. Secondly, the whitening gel should reach all parts of each tooth, so as to bring about uniform results, thus, prevent patchy whitening results. Lastly, if the trays are ill-fitting, then the bleaching agent could come in contact with the gums and other soft tissue of the oral cavities, leading to irritation and burning sensation in the mouth.
• After use, be sure to remove the tray and wash it properly so that any remaining strongly basic material does not cause damage to the tray. Also, any remnant peroxide material could also damage the teeth if they come in contact for too long, or if the concentration gets disturbed.
• Place the trays in a cool place, so that the material of the tray does not distort, leading to damage to the trays and changes in its shape, which could severely adversely affect the results.

This was all about teeth whitening trays. The best teeth whitening trays are those that give the best and most uniform results. However, before you go in for teeth bleaching at home, it is best that you consult a dentist first so that he may guide you about the best available options for you to bleach your teeth with. Furthermore, be sure to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer and/or dentist religiously and do not overuse the trays or the whitening gel provided, as this may only lead to irreparable damage to the enamel of the teeth.

A dental implant refers to permanent replacement of artificial tooth root for the treatment of a missing tooth or a damaged tooth. The replaced tooth resembles and functions like a real tooth. In comparison to the several restorative options for tooth loss such as dentures and bridges, dental implants are considered as the most functionally effective and durable procedure. The advantages of dental implants include high aesthetics, stability, comfort and convenience. Very often, dentists recommend dental implant in conjunction with another procedure to increase its effectiveness. Let’s discuss in brief about the dental implant procedure and the possible dental implants problems.

Dental Implant Procedure

When speaking about the dental implant procedure, it is performed in successive stages, during which the implant (made up of titanium) is placed in a pre-drilled socket in the jawbone. The complete process may last for several months depending upon the implant type and general health of the jawbone. As per statistics, the success rate of dental implants over a five year study period is about 95 percent for lower jaw and 90 percent for upper jaw. Nevertheless, similar to any surgical procedures, there are certain problems with dental implants.

Dental Implants Problems

Dental implants can be performed to replace many teeth. Though dental implants are considered to be a better alternative to other teeth restorative options, there are certain problems of dental implants. If the procedure is conducted by an experienced dentist, then the dental implants problems occur very rarely. Following are some of the dental implants problems that may develop after completion of the process:

Peri-Implantitis
Peri implantitis is one of the major dental implant failure causes. It is reported as one of the most common problems with dental implants. Peri implantitis is caused due to bacterial or other microbial infection at the dental implantation site. It is manifested as swelling and inflammation of the tissues that surround the dental implants. In severe cases, peri-implantitis may lead to damage of the jawbone.

Injuries and Damages
Like other surgeries, dental implant procedure may cause injury and damage to the tissues in the adjacent area. The affected area usually swells temporarily, which becomes normal within a few days. Proper care should be taken to prevent infection at the dental implantation site.

Loose Dental Implants
Loose implant is another common problem associated with dental implants. It is resulted due to improper placement of the implant or failure of the implant to integrate with the jaw bone. At times, the dental implant may break at the site. If such is the case, replacement of the dental implant should be done as soon as possible.

Nerve Damage
Another dental implant problem is nerve damage at the dental implant site. It is caused due to placing of the implant very near to the nerve or at times, over the nerve. Nerve damage causes unbearable pain, particularly if the implant is positioned directly over the nerve. In such a case, the patient should report about the pain immediately. The dentist may remove the implant (if necessary) and place again.

Sinus Problems
Sinus problems after dental implants may arise when the implantation procedure is performed for the upper jaw. If the implant disturbs any of the sinus cavities, it may result in sinus problems. The dentist may replace the implant to combat this dental implant problem.

In order to combat with dental implants problems, it is important that a dental implant candidate consults the dentist about the pros and cons of the procedure. Also, a patient should follow the necessary lifestyle changes in terms of diet, eating habits, personal hygiene and dental care as prescribed by the concerned dentist. If dental implants problems are unbearable and/or persistent, then it is is advisable to seek immediate medical attention, so as to prevent further complications.