26. June 2008 by admin.

Many people want information about dental implants, so here it is.  Reply to this blog message if there are any further questions.  Dental implant is becoming the new standard of care in replacing missing teeth.  Historically, when a tooth is missing, a denture is made to replace the tooth.  The denture can be fixed or removable.   A fixed denture is also known as a bridge.  In order to make a bridge, a dentist must grind down the adjacent teeth on either side of the missing teeth so that a new prosthetic tooth can go over it.  Grinding down a tooth for the sake of replacing one is not considered healthy dentistry.  The beauty of dental implant is the ability to replace a missing tooth without affecting otherwise healthy teeth.   

Dental implants are made of titanium metal, the same material used in other prosthetic replacements in the human body such as hip or knee repairs and replacements.  Titanium has a good track record in combining with the body as if it is a part of it.  This part of the dental implant is called the fixture.  The fixture is surgically embedded in the jaw bone.  After about 4 months of healing, the second part, or the abutment, is installed.  The abutment part of the implant sticks out of the gums and is attached to the fixture by a screw.  Soon thereafter, a crown can be made and fitted onto the abutment.   

Not all missing teeth qualify for dental implant.  If a tooth has been lost for a long time, the bone in the area tends to shrink and sometimes necessitate a bone grafting procedure.  Bone graft is also done to preserve a extraction area for future implant placement, again to prevent shrinking of bone.  The dentist needs to do proper treatment planning including taking history, x-rays and study models. 

Does it hurt?  That is a common concern with dental implant candidates.  In most instances, putting a tooth in (dental implant) is less traumatic than taking a tooth out and therefore is less painful.  It is done under local anesthesia with Novocain.  Anxious patients may be sedated further with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or with IV relaxants and sedatives.   

The success rate of implants is high, in the 85-95 percentile success rate.  Post operative care and general health of an individual including current medical conditions affects the percentage.  The costs of dental implant range based on the experience of the dentist, the service, as well as the implant system used.  On average, be prepared to spend between $3500-$4000 per tooth replaced.  Talk to your dentist to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. 

Dr. James C. Feng, Los Angeles 

Posted in Dental Implants | 4 Comments »

20. June 2008 by admin.

Dental zirconia is a good alternative to porcelain/metal crowns for a number of reasons.  First and foremost, it is a biocompatible material which means that the tooth and gums feels it as the body’s own.  Secondly it is strong, arguably stronger than metal.  Third, because it’s not a metal, zironia prevents gingival graying and black lines giving it great esthetics.  The process of making zirconia is very involved.  Zirconium oxide is the oxide of the element zirconium and is among the strongest and most biocompatible ceramic materials.  It is then pressed at extreme pressure to maximize strength and density forming rectangular blocks.  These blocks are then milled precisely from a digital scanned model of your tooth that the dentist molded.  After the milling process, it gets sintered in an oven overnight at over 2700 degrees F.  Sintered zirconia replaces the metal part of the conventional porcelain/metal crown.  From that coping, the laboratory technician can add porcelain to make the tooth whole.  Zirconia crowns typically cost a few hundred dollars more because of this specialized process.  There are dentists who uses zirconia on a regular bases. 

Dr. James C. Feng, Los Angeles

Posted in Dental Material-Zirconia | No Comments »

17. June 2008 by admin.

Not all dentistry is the same. Be careful what you allow your dentist to put into your mouth. Do not be shy to discuss your treatment and material options. Be involved. If your dentist cannot answer some of your questions, s/he should be able to research it for you. If a dentist doesn’t want to listen to your questions or concerns, perhaps that’s not the best dentist for you. There are a number materials that are considered to be the safest available to day. However, some of these materials may cost significantly more. If you can afford the newer, more bio-compatible, healthier materials, it may be worth the investment. You can reap the benefits for many years to come. You should avoid amalgams as part of your dental work because there are corrosive metals in dental amalgam as well as mercury which are potentially harmful. Part of healthy dentistry is to know what you are getting in your body and avoiding those that has potential harmful effects, usually long term effects. Remember it’s your teeth. Do you want just anything in your teeth?

Potential Harmful Dental Materials:
1. Dental Amalgams–According to the State of CA Prop 65, Mercury may harm the developing brain of a child or fetus. But FDA places no restrictions on the use of dental amalgam.

2. Composite Resin–According to the State of CA Prop 65, includes Crystalline Silica, which is known to cause cancer.

Dental Ceramics and Zirconium are among the safest non-metallic restorative materials. There are no documented cases of allergic reactions to composite resins, glass ionomers, or porcelain. However, there has been rare allergic responses reported with dental amalgam, porcelain fused to metal, gold alloys, and nickel or cobalt-chrom alloys used in partial denture frameworks. (published by the California Department of Consumer Affairs.)

Dr. James C. Feng, Los Angeles

Posted in Dental Amalgams and Mercury | 2 Comments »

13. June 2008 by admin.

There are a few material that are more non-reactive in the body. Many people are allergic to metallic restorative materials such as the dental amalgam. The dental amalgam contains mercury and other metals that may be toxic to the body. People who have amalgams replaced by other materials such as porcelain or composite resin actually report that they feel healthier than before. Dental amalgams are still considered safe in the US although are being used less and less. In some european countries, they are seldom or no longer placed.

Dr. James C. Feng, Los Angeles

Posted in Dental Amalgams and Mercury | 3 Comments »