Why It Matters to Compare a Dental Implant and a Dental Bridge

It’s important to weigh-your-options. You have a choice when considering a missing tooth replacement.

Your solutions often come down to two. For example, dental implants or a dental bridge.

Each tooth replacement option is effective. And each has their advantages.

Before you decide

Let’s explore the primary issue associated with losing a tooth or teeth. The longer you delay filling your missing tooth gap the greater your risk of bone loss in your jaw.

Tooth loss and bone loss affects your surrounding teeth and your gums. Alignment and ongoing deterioration can have long-term impact on your oral health.

A dental bridge is an effective tooth replacement. But it’s limited in preserving your bone and tissue health.

Dental implants on the other hand have a substantial impact on preserving your bone tissue. An implant forms a new tooth root that your gum and bone tissue adapts to following placement.

It’s vital that you not further complicate your oral health by choosing a tooth replacement that might not be as effective given your missing tooth circumstances.

Know your advantages

Your teeth support each other. Tooth roots form the foundation that keeps each tooth secure.

Dental implants are unique. The new tooth root created by the implant secures your functional new tooth (dental crown) on the surface.

Dental implants preserve your bone tissue. This helps prevent damage to your surrounding teeth and additional and more costly dental procedures.

Dental implants are made to last. Your implant has a 95% success rate as a restorative dental treatment and can last longer than a dental bridge.

Compare your available treatments when you’ve experienced tooth loss. Contact your Wayne dentist about the important comparison between a dental implant and a dental bridge.

Schedule a dental examination to discuss your best tooth replacement solution.

Would highly recommend Dr. Spina!

I have seen Dr. Spina for several years now and it has consistently been an A+ experience. He and his staff provide great dental work and it is very apparent that they take upmost pride in what they do. Would highly recommend Dr. Spina!

—Zachary Steinly

5 out of 5 stars

Dr. Spina is an excellent Dentist

Dr Spina is an excellent dentist. His office is clean and has a very convenient location in Wayne and his staff are SO friendly. After a recent appointment they even called me the next day to check in and see how I was. He is very gentle and really has your best interest at heart. Highly recommend Dr Spina to everyone!

—Lisa Graham

5 out of 5 stars

Dr. Spina is awesome!

Dr. Spina is awesome! It had been about 6 years since I had been to see a dentist when I made my first appointment with him and I knew I had multiple teeth that needed help. On my first visit, we put together a prioritized, step by step plan to address my issues and then over the next few months we just set about checking things off the list. From that first visit to today, everyone in the office has made going to the dentist amazingly easy. They’re all super nice and each of my visits have been quick, pleasant and surprisingly, painless. I’ve even sent a few of my friends and coworkers there and they’ve all had great experiences too. My only regret is not calling Dr. Spina years ago.

—Brent Huntington

5 out of 5 stars

What to Do the Next Time You Hear the Word “Gingivitis”

You might recall hearing the word a time or two. It’s likely you’ve heard it during a TV commercial or an infomercial.

Gingivitis gets a fair share of media attention. And there’s a basic reason.

Gingivitis is the earliest condition and most common form of periodontal (gum) disease. It can impact your oral health, as it does millions, when it attacks your teeth and gum tissue.

The top of the downward spiral

Good dental health relies on maintaining the health of your teeth. It also depends on keeping your gums healthy.

Gingivitis begins the downward trend associated with gum disease. Untreated gum issues can have a long-term and irreversible affect on your oral health.

The bacteria that multiply within the plaque and tartar build up on your teeth can progress into your gum tissue. More specifically, it deep dives into those hard to reach pockets between your teeth and gums.

If the hardened tartar isn’t removed bacteria can begin to cause tooth decay and gum tissue damage. Once the infection sets in and gum disease starts you can ultimately experience tooth loss.

What it helps to notice and what to do

Gingivitis can be treated. The earlier the better.

Color changes in your gum tissue and gums that are swollen, inflamed, and bleeding should be examined. It’s vital to schedule a dental examination when you notice any of these symptoms.

Prioritize your at-home dental care. Routine brushing and flossing can remove and dislodge plaque from building up and hardening into tartar.

Schedule teeth cleanings two times per year to keep your tooth surfaces free from plaque, tartar, and bacteria growth. Once gingivitis has begun a deep cleaning can help eliminate the risk of gum disease progressing.

Ask us about laser dentistry for periodontal treatment. And contact your Wayne dentist to schedule your next dental examination and with your questions about gingivitis.

How to Improve Your Dental Health in the Next 12 Months

There’s something more important, in a way, than your New Year goals. It’s maintaining consistency in what matters ALL year long.

Your dental health is certainly one of those areas that deserves consistent attention. Now that your mind is fresh with thoughts of the New Year why not include some oral health essentials among your priorities?

Four Dental Health Solutions to Prioritize All Year

Consistent preventive dentistry

The longterm health of your teeth and gums depends on routine dental care habits. Your lifestyle choices and common neglect can cause your oral health to decline.

Do this:

Monitor your diet. Prioritize good nutrition by asking about and including teeth “friendly” foods and beverages.

Brush and floss everyday. This is a fundamental for keeping your teeth and gums free from decay and disease.

Calendar you and your family’s dental examinations and teeth cleanings. These twice yearly appointments go a step beyond your at-home dental care to assure that your teeth and gums stay healthy and disease free.

Attack any signs of gum disease

Periodontal (gum) disease is responsible for adult tooth loss. In fact, it’s the number one cause for it plus gum disease can lead to other health risks including heart disease.

Do this:

Stay up to date on your dental examinations and teeth cleanings. These appointments are essential to remove the build up of plaque and tartar from your teeth.

Be aware of any signs of gum infection. Inflamed, bleeding, or infected gums can indicate that something is wrong.

Schedule a deep cleaning when it’s recommended. Scaling and root planing remove the bacteria that multiply within the hardened plaque and tartar on your teeth and beneath your gum line.

Treat your missing and damaged teeth

Missing or damaged teeth can begin a chain-reaction of oral health problems. Misalignment, decay, and bone tissue loss can result from delayed treatment.

Do this:

Get informed about your tooth replacement solutions. Dental implants are a secure, long-lasting missing tooth solution that restores your tooth function and appearance.

Schedule a dental examination following tooth loss or tooth damage. Chips, fractures, or broken teeth can be diagnosed and restored with dental crowns, dental fillings, dental bonding, and veneers.

Know and use your available dental insurance benefits

Your dental insurance should renew each calendar year. This provides you a new amount of benefits for reducing your out-of-pocket costs for treatment.

Do this:

Communicate with your insurance provider about your annual renewal and available benefits.

Schedule the dentistry that’s been treatment planned for you or that you’ve been postponing. Use your benefits before the end of each year.

Contact your Wayne dentist about your dental health goals. Schedule your next dental examination and teeth cleaning to stay current on your treatment.

How Protecting Your Dental Veneers Can Create Lasting Value for Your Investment

How are your investments doing? Your first reaction is likely related to your financial portfolio.

What about your health portfolio? More specifically, your dental health portfolio?

Restorative and cosmetic dentistry provide you a variety of investment opportunities. Each have value to your oral health and your appearance.

Consider veneers

Dental veneers restore your front, smile-zone teeth to a natural looking, attractive condition. Veneers are most often crafted from thin, porcelain shells that are bonded to front surface of your teeth.

Porcelain veneers are effective for:

-Treating your dull, stained teeth

-Repairing your crooked, crowded, broken, chipped, and misshapen teeth

-Filling the gap(s) between your front teeth

Treatment with veneers can also eliminate the need for ongoing teeth whitening. And your dental veneer procedure can restore your smile within two in-office appointments.

Long-term investment value

The costs of your veneer treatment can vary. Compared to the long-term value to your health and appearance they are a cost-effective investment.

If ignored, your tooth imperfections can have a negative impact on your health and increase your treatment costs. Compare your investment in dental veneers with the lasting value they provide your health and appearance.

As you’re considering an investment in dental veneers we recommend that you ask your insurance provider (if applicable) about coverage. This could give you cost reducing options, if your provider coverage allows.

How to protect your investment

Treat your dental investments, including veneers, as you would any of your financial decisions. Protect your dental veneers to assure that they last and are not damaged.

Preventive dentistry is a priority. Care for your veneers by brushing and flossing daily and stay consistent with your professional, in-office teeth cleanings and dental examinations.

You can also protect your veneers with a night guard. This oral appliance is essential if you experience teeth grinding (bruxism).

Be aware of the foods and beverages you consume. Coffee, tea, and red wine can increase the risk of staining your veneers.

Your investment in dental veneers has longevity with proper care. Expect them to function effectively for up to 15 years.

Contact our Wayne dental office about cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry. Schedule a dental examination to discuss dental veneers.

Does Your Dental Implant Treatment Need a “Lift?”

Some things require a “team-effort.” For example, dental implant treatment relies on a supportive environment from top to bottom to be successful and long-term effective.

One factor that impacts your procedure involves your sinus cavity. It depends on the structure of your anatomy in the upper quadrant of your mouth.

The roots of your upper molars can be located too close to your sinus area. If this is the case, you will experience an opening into the sinus cavity following the loss of an upper molar.

This would also cause a problem for the implant post being placed in that location.

Your all-around health

Your dental implant (wherever it’s located) requires healthy bone tissue. The bone near your sinus is thin and is therefore not adequate to support an implant.

When replacing a missing upper molar the lower sinus area will need to be lifted or augmented. A sinus lift makes it possible for your new tooth structure to be placed.

About your lift

A sinus lift will add thickness to your bone structure. It’s common on occasion to experience some congestion following the procedure.

Your congestion will clear up during the healing procedure. Once healed you will have normal breathing function, voice clarity, and no additional complications to any allergies you might have.

A sinus lift procedure ultimately improves the success of your implant treatment and allows you to enjoy solid, restored tooth function with a dental implant.

Contact your Wayne dentist about dental implant treatment. Schedule an examination to access the health of your bone tissue to prepare for a successful procedure.

The Advantages of White, Tooth-Colored Fillings Over Metal Fillings

Restorative or reconstructive dentistry can almost seem like a super-power. It’s where your tooth damage, decay, and cavities meet their match.

What’s more convincing?

Treatment for cavities once relied solely on metal fillings. Mercury based materials were the go-to solution until their safety among other issues was questioned.

A healthier choice

White, tooth-colored fillings are now the “gold-standard”. They’re above all a safer alternative to metal.

Silver, amalgam fillings have a tendency to darken over time. It’s also common for metal fillings to require the loss of more tooth structure during the procedure.

This increases the risk of weakening your tooth. Metal fillings can “leak” or open the door to the potential for additional tooth decay to affect your treated tooth or your surrounding teeth.

In addition to being safer

Tooth-colored fillings are less noticeable. The materials used closely match the color and shade of your natural tooth surface.

The composite or resin used for your filling will maintain a white color. Unlike metal fillings, the composite substance will fade less and not darken over time.

Your new tooth-colored filling will restore your tooth to it’s natural appearance. The procedure can be completed most often in one appointment.

Contact our Wayne dental office about restorative or reconstructive dentistry. Schedule an examination to discuss replacing your silver or metal fillings with safer, more attractive tooth-colored, white fillings.

When a Plan B is Necessary for Your Dental Implant Procedure

You’ve heard that dental implants are a secure, long-lasting tooth replacement. You’re ready

to proceed but…there’s one problem!

It has to do with a primary aspect of your implant treatment.

Your jawbone.

Reasons could include gum disease, bone loss, or other related issues. Bottom line, a dental

implant requires adequate bone to securely anchor it.

No worries. There’s a Plan B.

A bone graft can be used to add supportive bone to your jaw. The bone tissue that’s used

adapts and attaches to your jawbone forming a solid location for your implant.

You can use that?

What’s ironic is where the bone tissue can be found and what the procedure accomplishes.

Bone can be used from a number of locations in your own body.

Your chin or another back portion of your lower jaw are often sources of bone tissue for a

graft. If you cannot personally contribute bone or choose not to do so, bone can be taken

from a human cadaver, cows, and in some instances we can use synthetic resources.

What to expect

Your bone grafting procedure can be done in our dental office using local anesthesia for

single tooth implants. Multiple implants and the use of a larger amount of bone tissue for

the graft can require an off-site procedure.

We will help assure your comfort during the procedure. Bone will be extracted from the

designated location (chin or jaw) and secured into the location where bone tissue is needed

for your dental implant.

Some important details

It is essential that your bone graft area be allowed to fuse with your available tissue. This

healing period of approximately six months prior to implant placement will also improve the

success of your dental implant.

Pain medication can be prescribed to you following the procedure. An antibacterial solution

such as a mouthwash also helps assure the area heals properly.

Contact our Wayne dental office about dental implant treatment for your tooth loss.

Schedule an examination to ask questions about the implant procedure and determine the

health of your bone tissue.