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Is It Safe for My Kid to Get Dental Implants?

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If your child loses or chips a tooth, don’t panic. There are plenty of solutions for it.

Kids are little explorers – they always love testing their environment and limits through play, and sometimes they play rough. Getting hurt is inevitable, and small bruises and scratches serve as proof of the lessons learned. However, sometimes your child can get a more serious injury.

If your child loses or chips a tooth, don’t panic. There are plenty of solutions for it.

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How to Save a Dislodged Tooth

Saving a dislodged tooth is not impossible. Your body is able to do it, as long as the tooth is kept alive. A popular myth is that the broken tooth should be put in milk while you’re on your way to the dentist. While it may be much better than nothing, saline solution is more fit for this. Use a sterile saline solution that is compatible with the human body fluids.

Options for Tooth Loss in Kids

If you did not have the chance to save the broken tooth, there are plenty of options available for your kid. But, if you are considering a dental implant, it may not be the first solution available to you.

Let’s explore the solutions in case your child breaks a tooth.

Dental Implants

Dental implants may be a permanent solution, almost identical to the lost tooth and solidly fixed onto the jaw bone to give it full functionality, but children should not have them done before their jaw is fully developed.

The minimum age to get a dental implant is generally 15 for girls and 17 for boys. It is around that age when the jaw is fully developed and the implant doesn’t affect the future tooth alignment.

Bridge

A bridge is a partial denture that uses the healthy teeth next to the gap to stay in place. The dentist can ground a healthy tooth and fix a crow on it that holds the partial denture in the gap. But, that is not the only way to get a bridge. It can also be done by bonding the denture to the healthy teeth with resin.

Artificial Tooth Attached to Braces

If you were planning on getting braces for your child anyway, they can be the perfect option for missing teeth. Fake ones can be attached to the braces and fit perfectly while the others are being straightened.

Partial Denture

A minimally invasive solution is a partial denture. The dental technician will create a fake tooth that will fit in the empty space left by the missing one.

Your St. Louis pediatric dentist will provide the best option for your child until they are old enough to get a dental implant. Give us a call today at (314) 862-7844!

5 Dangers of Not Replacing a Missing Tooth

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Here are five dangers associated with not replacing a missing tooth.

When it comes to missing teeth, some people head to the dentist right away, while others choose to wait weeks, months, or years before resolving the issue. If you talk to a professional medical provider, you will learn that the former group has a better shot at retaining their oral health. Here are five dangers associated with not replacing a missing tooth.

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Shifting Teeth

One thing you might not know about your mouth is that your teeth do not operate individually. Instead, they rely on each other and work as a cohesive system. One way in which they do so is keeping the teeth next to them in place. This is why they tend to shift in unfavorable ways when you have a missing tooth. They could become crooked, not fit together anymore, and be especially prone to fractures. Getting a replacement protects you from these outcomes.

Gum Diseases

The primary cause of gum disease is food getting stuck in areas that you do not brush or floss, which then leads to harmful bacteria growth in your mouth. While a missing tooth does not put the gum directly above it on danger, the misalignment of the rest of your mouth will give food more books and crannies to hide in. The end result could be bacteria growth and subsequent gum disease, which will take a significant amount of treatment to fix.

Jaw Complications

As mentioned previously, the mouth is a cohesive system, not a collection of independent parts. The second consequence of this effect is TMJ complications, as your teeth extend all the way down to your jaw bone. Contracting this condition leads to significant pain, and in the worst cases, misaligns your jaw to a dangerous degree.

Bone Loss

Every bone in your body operates in the same way. When you use them, they get stronger. When you don’t, they weaken. This is why doctors recommend that the elderly do a bit of weightlifting, as doing so increases bone density. In the context of the mouth, a missing tooth will start to eat away at the jaw bone that it was once connected to. This condition can reach a point where it changes the shape of your face.

Eating Difficulties

Lastly, those with missing teeth will have issues with many foods. As you can imagine, eating anything that it hard, sticky, or crunchy will hurt your gums and teeth near the missing spot. Not only can this process cause damage, but you might have to give up many of your favorite foods.

The final issue to discuss is whether or not you should replace “baby” teeth, which dentists often refer to as “primary” teeth. While repairing a permanent tooth is definitely advisable, these impermanent are usually okay to leave out. The correct way forward will come down to the specifics surrounding the lost tooth and your priorities. Finding yourself in this situation warrants a trip to your local St. Louis dentist. Give us a call today at (314) 862-7844.

Sedation Dentistry for Dental Implants

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Dental sedation is the best way to make sure that your implant will be a success.

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The notion of having a dental implant can be quite overwhelming and somewhat scary for those who don’t really understand the process. If your dentist is recommending dental implants, you might be holding off because you don’t want to go through the pain of having a dental implant procedure.

The good news is that you can have a dental implant with virtually no pain and discomfort if you choose to use the right dental sedation plan.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is an alternative to dentures. Basically, it’s a fake tooth. The procedure for installing an implant uses a screw that fuses to the jawbone to keep a new tooth in place. For people who have lost a tooth either from tooth decay or some other trauma, a dental implant is a way to replace the tooth to make it completely unnoticeable.

With current technology, a proper procedure allows the implant tooth to fuse to the jawbone, which prevents a person from having to have the procedure done more than once. Once you have a dental implant, it is for life (as long as the tooth fuses properly).

Are Dental Implants Painful?

Dental implants tend to make people squeamish due to the nature of the procedure. A slit is made in the gum where the missing tooth is, and then the bone is drilled to prepare for the new tooth to be placed. Many patients, hearing the details of how an implant is placed, develop some extreme fear and anxiety.

The reality is that the pain of the procedure can be masked with the right sedation and post-surgery can be maintained with medication to reduce swelling and manage any discomfort.

What Type of Sedation is Best?

When you are having a dental implant, a dentist will often give you a sedative that will either put you to sleep or make you completely unconscious, depending on what you decide and what they recommend. If you have any preexisting conditions that make IV sedation not the best option for you, oral sedation might be an option that is nearly as effective and comes with very little risk and minimal side effects.

Not all people who are getting a dental implant will need IV sedation. Depending on the extensive nature of the dental implant and what needs to be done, there are times when oral sedation or even nitrous oxide might be enough to get you through the process without any pain or discomfort.

Once the effects of the sedation begin to wear off, your dental professional will be able to provide pain medication if you are experiencing any discomfort at all.

St. Louis Sedation Dentistry

If you are in need of a dental implant and are putting it off because you are fearful that it will be painful, take heart. Dental sedation is the best way to make sure that your implant will be a success and that you won’t have to go through any major trauma or pain in the process.

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient setting. We believe that patients should have sufficient information to make educated decisions about their oral health and treatment options.

Contact us by calling (314) 862-7844 to find out more information or to schedule your implant consultation. We look forward to meeting you!

What Is a Dental Implant and What are the Best Sedation Methods?

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When you come in for your appointment, Dr. Hoffmann or Dr. Daugherty will decide which level is best for you.

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A dental implant is one way that a dentist can replace a bridge or lost tooth. Since it’s placed into your jaw it is a pretty invasive procedure, but it’s also one that is lasting and offers patients a more permanent fix than other options. There are many reasons why someone might need a dental implant, such as an injury or periodontal disease. But for whatever reason they are needed, dental implants have come a long way and are a natural way to fix a missing tooth.

Types of Dental Implants

There are two different types of dental implants. The first is an Endosteal implant. This implant is placed into the bone. The dental surgeon will use cylinders, blades, and screws to place the implant directly into the jawbone. It is the most commonly used type of implant for people who have removable dentures or bridges. The sub-periosteal, or on-the-bone dental implant, is fixed on the top of the jaw with metal posts to hold the prosthesis. These are usually used for people who have limited bone height, and for those for whom Endosteal dental implants are not an option.

What are the Best Sedation Methods for Dental Implants?

Because dental implants are highly invasive, dental sedation is recommended. There are various levels of dental sedation from laughing gas (or nitrous oxide) to IV sedation. Determining which type is right for you depends on the extent of the procedure and your comfort level. IV sedation is generally the preferred method, as long as you are in good physical health. Due to the length of time and extensiveness involved in placing dental implants, IV sedation is an excellent way to minimize pain and anxiety and to get more done at one time, rather than having to come back for a series of appointments – which can not only be time-consuming but more expensive.

What is IV Sedation?

IV sedation is a type of sedation that requires having an anesthesiologist present. The patient is administered sedation drugs under the direction and observation of a doctor, and a breathing tube is placed to ensure that the patient is getting the proper amount of oxygen. Although there are always risks to IV sedation, as the patient is monitored throughout the procedure, those risks can be minimized if the guidelines are followed.

If you are going to have dental IV sedation, make sure that you make the proper arrangements for afterward. You are going to need someone to take you home from the appointment and to help you out once you get home. As it’s a more complex sedation method, anticipating some downtime is the best way to ensure that you are prepared after the procedure is complete.

Dental Sedation in St. Louis

If you are considering having a dental implant placed, it is important to understand the various forms of sedation and their advantages and disadvantages and to choose the one that is best for you and that you are most comfortable with. A St. Louis dental sedation specialist can help you to make the best choice for your particular situation.

Schedule an appointment with us today by calling (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!

Sedation Dentistry – a Better Way to Get Dental Implants

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A dental implant is a great option for restoring your natural-looking and fully functional smile.

happy dental implant patient

If you lose a tooth you do not need to feel embarrassed about it or face any inconvenience. Our St. Louis sedation dentists are here to provide you with a replacement in the most comfortable way. Even if you do not like to visit the dentist or have a dental phobia you can easily get a new tooth without anxiety. Sedation dentistry enables you to literally sleep through the procedure. We use different levels of sedation which helps patients undergo treatment without being aware of the pricks and pain. Sometimes the patient does not even remember what happened during that procedure.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a man-made root. It is used to replace a missing tooth. The implant is a tiny titanium post which is surgically placed in the jaw where the tooth is missing. It acts as a substitute for the tooth root.

The Procedure

Usually, the placement of dental implants is done in two stages. First, the implants are placed in the jaw. They are often left there for three to six months. During this time they lie beneath the surface and bond with the jawbone. In the second stage, the doctors uncover these implants and put the artificial teeth on them. The whole procedure takes a number of months. This generally does not cause any disturbance in the daily life of patients.

Types of Implants

  • An implant and a crown are used to replace a missing tooth.
  • A fixed bridge is used to replace more than one tooth. It requires 2 or 3 implants.
  • A fixed denture is useful to replace all the teeth in the lower or upper jaw. A different number of implants is required for different types of dentures.
  • A removable denture can be used and removed whenever needed.

The Purpose of Dental Implants

Dental implants create a strong foundation for artificial teeth. They preserve the facial structure and prevent bone deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing.

Dental implants help to improve a person’s life. He does not experience any inconvenience or discomfort while eating. They help him to be more self-confident and at ease in society.

Contact us by calling (314) 862-7844 to find out more information or to schedule your implant consultation.

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