Sawdust Festival

We like to take occasional field trips. Recently the staff went to the Sawdust Festival. It was a beautiful day. All of us had a chance to enjoy one another’s company, shop and have a wonderful lunch. Allison came along and it was so good to see her.

Left to Right: Bonnie, Chris, Adrienne, Jamie and Teri

More photos will be published shortly.

Dr. Urban on Today’s Dentistry/I Hate My Dentures! Fixing Loose Dentures With Mini Implants

Most people are aware that dentures are poor substitutes for missing teeth. Dentures “float” on the remaining gums and wiggle around during chewing, talking and swallowing motions. Dentures become looser as the supporting gums recede away. Sores may develop and abnormal tissue growths may occur under loose dentures. Dentists have grappled forever trying to make a suitable replacement for lost teeth.

Replacing lost teeth with implants is a good alternative to loose dentures. However, this can be enormously expensive and require a lengthy interval of time from start to finish. A less costly implant is now available that will attach to new or existing dentures and enable the wearer to chew securely, keep the denture seated, and eliminate the wiggle. These implants are called mini implants.

Mini implants are titanium and are about half the size of standard implants that are used to hold a single tooth in place. Researchers have discovered that the quality of the bone is the most important factor with implant success-not the size. Mini implants are usually not used to replace individual teeth unless the gap is very narrow. However, they can easily bear the load of a removable denture.

Mini implants are placed by your dentist and can be used to secure the denture. Sometimes the denture can be attached to the implants the same day. The denture movement will be severely limited by the implants and chewing should be more effective and more comfortable. The denture will be secure and will not drop while talking or fly out of the mouth when sneezing.

Furthermore, the denture can be popped off the implants and cleaned as normal. The denture wearer will have the comfort of wearing a denture to which they have become accustomed for a much more affordable investment.

Some people shy away at the thought of implants into the bone. However, implants are being placed for knees, hips, shoulders, spines, and other areas all the time. They are reliable, stable, and long wearing. They are biologically compatible and proven to be effective alternatives to “getting along” with chronic disabilities.

The procedure is relatively simple. An x-ray, medical history, and examination is done by your dentist to determine if you are a candidate. The next step will be implant placement and denture attachment. This takes about an hour and requires a little local anesthetic. Remember, the bone has no nerves and does not feel the implant. The amount of anesthetic is the same as for a filling. You will go back to your dentist the next day to check the denture. It fits much tighter than before so there may be a small adjustment to the denture. You will go back in six months for a long-term follow up visit. That’s it.

Mini implants can also be used for removable bridges. The metal clasps that hold the bridge can be removed and the bridge attached to the implant. This is a big bonus for people with big smiles.

For answers to your dental questions, contact
Douglas Urban, D.D.S.
Cerritos, CA 90703
562 924-1523
DrDouglasUrban.com

Dr. Urban on Today’s Dentistry/Osteoporosis and Dentistry

Osteoporosis a disease characterized by the loss of bone mineral density. The bones become more susceptible to fracture and compression fractures. It affects mainly women, but can affect men as well. To treat osteoporosis doctors prescribe a class of drugs called bisphosphonates (i.e. Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, Reclast). Also, people who have such conditions as Paget’s disease, multiple myeloma, and hyperparathyroidism are often prescribed this type of medication to slow down the “eating away” of the bone. It is a valuable asset in medicine, but it may come with unexpected dental side effects.

Calcium is the main mineral component of bone tissue. Consider the bone as a calcium bank. Calcium is constantly being deposited and withdrawn according the body’s needs. What does all this have to do with dentistry?

Dentists have seen jawbone problems develop in a small, but significant, number of people who take this medication. It is called bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BONJ). It can occur after dental surgery or it can be spontaneous. It is characterized by bone becoming denuded of the overlying gum tissue and lying exposed in the mouth. It may be painful, become infected and last for several weeks. It is not a pretty picture and must be treated. I believe your dentist should see any mouth sore lasting more than two weeks.

Studies seem to indicate that a majority of these bone exposures are a complication from dental surgery and 40% from other causes. We are not exactly sure why this occurs, but it is associated with the bone remodeling process and the calcium bank. Bone remodeling occurs after extractions and during wound healing. Inform your dentist of the prescribed drug, length of usage, and dosage when you update your medical history.

You and your dentist will determine if elective surgeries are a good alternative. Most elective dental surgery is discouraged. If extractions are necessary dentists will prescribe antibiotics and oral rinses during the healing phase. Extra precaution and strict adherence to directions after surgeries will lessen the chance of BONJ.

Presently, it is unclear whether implant placement failures are directly linked to bisphosphonate use. The numbers of patients in these studies remains quite small and it is difficult to establish a relationship. The decision to place implants in patients taking bisphosphonates depends on the experiences of the implant dentist who have to remove and replace implants. Also, it depends on the person electing to have the procedure performed of being aware of the most common risks and outcomes.

In mild cases wound closure can occur with the use of antibiotics and wound dressings. In severe cases the exposed infected bone is surgically removed and the wound closed.

Please make your dentist aware of your medications. Usually, medications will not have an overbearing effect upon the dental treatment you have. If everyone remains informed, however, problems can be avoided or properly treated when they do occur.

For answers to your dental questions, contact
Douglas Urban, D.D.S.
Cerritos, CA 90703
562 924-1523
DrDouglasUrban.com