LAKE LANIER SMILES BLOG: WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH?

LAKE LANIER SMILES BLOG: WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH?: MISSING TEETH REPLACEMENT OPTIONS  BY  LAKE LANIER SMILES, AFFORDABLE BUFORD DENTIST We lose teeth due to various reasons i...

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH?

MISSING TEETH REPLACEMENT OPTIONS

 BY

 LAKE LANIER SMILES, AFFORDABLE BUFORD DENTIST

We lose teeth due to various reasons including Trauma, tooth decay, gum disease or periodontal disease, congenitally missing as well as crack or fracture. Missing teeth not only affects the oral health but general health. Missing teeth can change the appearance and affect the self-esteem of a person.

Consequences of Missing Teeth

1.     Bone Loss in the space of tooth extraction

2.     Drifting of the adjacent and opposing teeth

3.     Drifting in turn leads to Gum problems and tooth decay.

4.     Tooth loss can affect the appearance of the face

5.     Tooth loss can affect the chewing capacity

6.     Also Drifting causes the bite problems and Jaw (TMJ) problem.                                       

The Pictures below show what happens when we miss a tooth and shows the drifting of adjacent teeth.

The dentists at Lake Lanier Smiles can help you understand why the missing tooth needs replacement and what the best option in your situation is. Now we understand the consequences of missing teeth, we will check the options for replacing missing teeth. The most common and widely used ways to restore a missing tooth are

1.     Dental Implant

2.     Dental Bridge

3.     Dentures

DENTAL IMPLANT

Dental Implant is a permanent treatment for missing teeth which feels and looks more like natural teeth. Dental Implant is made of Titanium, a biocompatible material and placed in the jaw bone. On the implant sits the crown which you can see outside.

Implant Parts

1.     Implant Body: It is like a screw surgically placed in the bone.

2.     Abutment: Is a connector which sits in the implant and holds the crown.

3.     Implant Crown: Is the part which is seen outside and sits on the abutment and resembles a natural tooth.

Advantages of an Implant

1.     Most close to natural teeth in appearance

2.     It is a fixed in the jaw and not removable

3. Long term solution for missing teeth.

4. Most secure option to replace missing teeth.

5. Can replace one or all missing teeth

6. Preserves healthy adjacent teeth

7. Preserves bone loss

Disadvantages of an Implant

1.     Surgical placement of the implant. Not ideal for smokers and with some diseases

2.     Expensive option for replacing missing teeth

3.     Time consuming procedure.

DENTAL BRIDGE

A Bridge is a fixed replacement option supported by anchor teeth on either side of missing tooth or teeth. The anchor teeth are called abutments which are prepared so that it can get a crown or crowns and a false tooth crown called pontic would replace the missing teeth. All these crowns are fused together.

Advantages of a Dental Bridge

1.     Natural appearance as close as an implant option

2.     It is fixed in the mouth, so it’s not removable

3.     A long lasting option to replace missing teeth

4.     A very quick procedure

5.     No surgery, Less Invasive than an Implant

6.     Less expensive than the Dental Implant

Disadvantages of a Dental Bridge

1.     Preparation of adjacent healthy teeth for support.

2.     More expensive than a denture.

3.     Some difficulty with cleaning under the bridge.

4.     Cannot be used if missing multiple teeth.

5.     Cannot be used if bone support is not there.

DENTURES

Dentures are appliances or plates used to replace missing teeth. Dentures are two types. 1. Complete Dentures, replacing all the teeth in the mouth, either upper or lower. 2. Partial Dentures, replacing one or more teeth. Dentures are made of 1.Acrylic, 2. Metal, 3.Plastic or 4. Combination of these.

Advantages of a Denture

1.     Replaces missing teeth and helps with chewing, speaking and appearance.

2.     Cheapest way to replace missing teeth.

3.     Can add teeth to the existing denture.

4.     Non Surgical and Non Invasive procedure.

Disadvantages of a Denture

1.     Retention of a denture is a problem, can become loose

2.     It’s a Removable appliance. So needs to be removed and cleaned.

3.     Needs a replacement often due to breakage.

4.     Might need denture adhesives.

The option you chose is your personal preference. The goal of this article is to give the options for replacing the missing teeth. Please consult the doctors at Lake Lanier Smiles to discuss the best option for your situation and pick the replacement option of your choice.

If you have any questions about your Oral Health or to make an appointment to see us, Call us at 770-831-0559 or visit us at WWW. LAKELANIERSMILES.COM for Valuable Coupons and Specials. Our prices are 30-50 % Off Regular Prices. Call Us before Noon and we will see you the Same Day. We accept most insurances. We are conveniently located just off I-985 at 4965 Lanier Islands Parkway, Suite 105, Buford, Ga- 30418. LAKE LANIER SMILES provides Affordable dental care with outstanding customer service to patients in Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Cumming, Flowery Branch and surrounding areas.

Funniest Dental Ad Ever by Lake Lanier Smiles, Affordable Buford Dentist

This is a less than a minute dental ad of services of Lake Lanier Smiles. Where Dental exam special is for $49 which includes 2 dental X rays and localized emergency dental examination. Dental White filling special is for $119 which is a composite restoration. Dental Extraction special range between $119- $169 for patients without dental insurance. Lake Lanier Smiles has denture specials ranging from $499 to $699. Dental crown specials range from $699-$799. We perform Root Canal Treatments and the special prices for a root canal range from $499 to $699.

If you have any questions about your Oral Health or to make an appointment to see us, Call us at 770-831-0559 or visit us at WWW. LAKELANIERSMILES.COM for Valuable Coupons and Specials. Our prices are 30-50 % Off Regular Prices. Call Us before Noon and we will see you the Same Day. We accept most insurances. We are conveniently located just off I-985 at 4965 Lanier Islands Parkway, Suite 105, Buford, Ga- 30418. LAKE LANIER SMILES provides Affordable dental care with outstanding customer service to patients in Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Cumming, Flowery Branch and surrounding areas.

LAKE LANIER SMILES BLOG: PULP CAPPING: A SUCCESS STORY BY LAKE LANIER SMILE...

LAKE LANIER SMILES BLOG: PULP CAPPING: A SUCCESS STORY BY LAKE LANIER SMILE...: How we save teeth from getting Root Canal Treatment. Dentists at Lake Lanier Smiles do direct and indirect pulp capping routinely to ...

PULP CAPPING: A SUCCESS STORY BY LAKE LANIER SMILES, BUFORD AFFORDABLE DENTIST

How we save teeth from getting Root Canal Treatment.

Dentists at Lake Lanier Smiles do direct and indirect pulp capping routinely to save the teeth from need of getting a Root Canal Treatment.

Pulp capping is a procedure in dentistry used in cavity preparation, where after removing the deep decay and when close to the pulp/nerve or a pulpal/Nerve exposure happens. It helps in preventing the tooth from dying. The goal of pulp cap is to protect the dental pulp and thus prevent expensive Root Canal Treatment.

Pulp capping can be Direct or Indirect. Direct pulp capping is a procedure where a small amount of sedative dressing is placed over the exposed pulp directly. Indirect pulp capping is a procedure where the sedative filling is placed when there is near exposure but no direct exposure of the pulp. The success is greater with indirect pulp capping then the direct pulp capping.

The pulp cap or the liner used helps in insulating the pulp. Which helps in reducing the post-operative sensitivity. The pulp cap material is made of a unique hydrophilic material helps in hydroxyapatite formation and secondary Dentin bridge formation. Which is nothing but tooth structure to protect the dental nerves and pulp tissues.

Pulp capping material or liner acts as a barrier and protects the dental pulp. We routinely use the pulpal liner under the silver fillings or white fillings. The pulp liner also releases calcium which leads to a protective seal. The stable liner protects the inside of the tooth from the heat and cold foods we consume which transmit through the filling material. In short it acts as an insulation and protects the pulp.

We use Theracal LC or Limelite product which is a resin modified calcium silicate liner with its unique hydrophilic matrix makes it easy in placement and handling. It is flowable so easy to apply to the small areas and we can easily see on X rays due to its radiopaque properties. Other materials used as a pulp all protectant are calcium hydroxide, glass ionomers and resin modified glass ionomers, zinc oxide Eugenol. But Theracal LC and Limelite has provided better results. Calcium silicate-based cements like Theracal are bio-interactive, which means they release and absorb calcium ions and bio-active, which means they form the hydroxyapatite. High amount of calcium release and the formation of apatite helps in clinical healing of the tooth. Theracal also has high alkalinity at the initial placement and then neutralizes after some time. This property prevents the tooth from necrosis or injury and helps with healing.

Pulp capping is not a 100% guarantee that the tooth doesn’t need Root Canal Treatment any more. But it gives a chance for the pulp to recover. Whenever pulp capping doesn’t work, we do Root Canal Treatment. At Lake Lanier Smiles we do affordable Root Canal Treatments.

If you have any questions about your Oral Health or to make an appointment to see us, Call us at 770-831-0559 or visit us at WWW. LAKELANIERSMILES.COM for Valuable Coupons and Specials. Our prices are 30-50 % Off Regular Prices. Call Us before Noon and we will see you the Same Day. We accept most insurances. We are conveniently located just off I-985 at 4965 Lanier Islands Parkway, Suite 105, Buford, Ga- 30418. LAKE LANIER SMILES provides Affordable dental care with outstanding customer service to patients in Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Cumming, Flowery Branch and surrounding areas.

LAKE LANIER SMILES BLOG: 10 Differences between Dental Insurances and Medic...

LAKE LANIER SMILES BLOG: 10 Differences between Dental Insurances and Medic...: A blog by Buford Affordable Dentist, Lake Lanier Smiles 1. WHAT IS INSURANCE Insurance is an arrangement where you pay a premium pay...

10 Differences between Dental Insurances and Medical Insurances

A blog by Buford Affordable Dentist, Lake Lanier Smiles

1. WHAT IS INSURANCE

Insurance is an arrangement where you pay a premium payment and in return you will get guarantee of compensation for a loss or eventuality. Medical insurance is a real insurance where you pay a premium and if any major illness happens then you would be covered of all the expenses irrespective of amount. But dental insurance shouldn't be even called as insurance because it doesn't cover everything and instead it covers some preventive and certain annual amount. So imagine someone gets a car accident and the same year they unfortunately got diagnosed with cancer, medical insurance will cover both the catastrophic events. Unlike in dental insurance, you got a broken tooth and get an implant and same year you fell down and broke another tooth, then there will not be enough benefits so you have to wait till next year. Weird right!

2. BENEFITS

Dental benefits are mostly used for preventive services like dental cleanings, fluoride and dental exams. On the other hand most of the medical benefits are put towards the injury or illness after they occur.

3. YEARLY LIMITATIONS ON BENEFITS

All Most all of the dental insurances have a yearly maximums. Average yearly dental benefits are around $1500. To cut the costs, the dental insurance companies limit the dollar amount of coverage in a calendar year. But with medical insurance there is no annual limitations so you can get one, two or as many procedures as needed. For example if you need two root canals and crowns, then all the dental benefits will be exhausted and you can't get any benefits for any other procedures even as small as filling or a sealant unlike with medical insurance you can get all necessary procedures.

4. EXPENDITURE

Well dental care expense in 2002 was about $500 and the same year medical expenses were about $3000. It shows how much difference is there in the two systems and that's why the two systems operate quite differently. 

5. DENTISTS AND DOCTORS

80% of dentists are general dentists and on the other side 80% of doctors are specialists. You might get most of the treatment in the same location by the same dentist and referred out very little in dentistry unlike medicine. These factors separate medical care and dental care.

6. NATURE OF DISEASE

Medical conditions can be life threatening and need a doctor consult immediately but most of the dental conditions are non-life threatening so you have the leisure to find a dentist or ask your friends or family for a referral. But it doesn’t mean you can delay dental care.

7. IMPORTANCE OF INSURANCE

It is very important to have a medical insurance but on the other hand not that important to have a dental insurance as many dentists are providing the dental care by giving in house dental savings or discount plans. Please contact us at 770-831-0559 for more information or an appointment.

8. PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS

Since 2014 you can’t be denied medical insurance because of any pre-existing conditions. But believe it or not dental insurance still have pre-existing clauses. For example if you are missing a tooth and wants to get it replaced with a partial denture or implant or a bridge, dental insurance will deny the claim due to pre-existing condition, here it is missing tooth. Note that cavities or broken teeth don’t fall under the pre-existing conditions.

9. WAIT PERIODS

It is unimaginable to have wait period with medical insurances because if you have any illness or injury you can’t wait until the wait period is done. Well with dental insurances you generally have to wait about 6 months to a year for full benefits. So until wait period is done with dental insurance, you are not covered for certain procedures like fillings, crowns or surgery.

10. DEDUCTIBLES

Deductibles are the dollars out of your pocket for health care before insurance begins to pay. Dental Insurance is better in the deductibles because most of the deductibles fall in the range of $50 - $100. Most of the medical insurance deductibles are over $1500. Once deductibles are met, the cost of the treatment is shared based on your insurance coverage.

Hope this article explained the common myths and questions about dental insurance and the differences between medical and dental insurances. If you have any questions about dental insurance, please don’t hesitate to call Lake Lanier Smiles insurance coordinator at 770-831-0559.

If you have any questions about your Oral Health or to make an appointment to see us, Call us at 770-831-0559 or visit us at WWW. LAKELANIERSMILES.COM for Valuable Coupons and Specials. Our prices are 30-50 % Off Regular Prices. Call Us before Noon and we will see you the Same Day. We accept most insurances. We are conveniently located just off I-985 at 4965 Lanier Islands Parkway, Suite 105, Buford, Ga- 30418. LAKE LANIER SMILES provides Affordable dental care with outstanding customer service to patients in Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Cumming, Flowery Branch and surrounding areas.