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Posts for: February, 2012
Dental implants are in much demand when it comes to replacing missing teeth. And although they have long-term success rates of well over 95% when properly placed, the dental profession's current rule-of-thumb is to not use them as a treatment option for teenagers because jaw and facial growth are not complete.
As with most things in life, timing can be everything. However, having missing teeth as a teen can contribute to significant loss of self-esteem and psychological issues. All this means is that we must review each patient's needs on a case-by-case basis so that we can determine the optimal time to place implants while maintaining your teen's self-esteem. However, the good news is that there are some temporary tooth replacements available until the timing is right for implants.
Unlike natural teeth, which move and change position along with normal growth and jaw development, implants don't. Because implants replace tooth roots by fusing with the jawbone, their position is fixed. If placed before normal jaw growth and maturity are complete, they appear to sink as the jaws grow and leave them behind!
Given the above details, you can clearly see why it is critical for jaw and facial growth to be complete prior to placing a dental implant. To determine this timeline, we will work with our dental team, which include orthodontists (specialist in the study of the growth, development and moving teeth into the right positions). Working together, we will best be able to assess when the time is right to plan and place dental implants — usually around late teens.
To learn more on this subject, continue reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Teenagers & Dental Implants.” You can also contact us today to schedule an appointment for your teenager or to discuss your questions about dental implants or other treatment options.
Everyone agrees that education is an important part of personal growth. However, one area of study that often slips through the cracks centers on oral healthcare basics. And whether or not we all do it as often as we should, most people know they should brush and floss their teeth daily. But other than that, do you feel you are knowledgeable and thus have a healthy dental IQ?
We have developed a quick and easy oral health IQ test to help you self-assess your expertise. The answers are listed at the bottom of this article.
The Quiz
- What has been the largest, single factor influencing the decline in tooth decay over the past 40 years in America?
- Fluoridated water
- Fluoridated toothpaste
- Flossing
- Sealants
- Your dentists can help treat which of the following problem(s)?
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Snoring and sleep apnea
- Headaches, Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD), or Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
- All of the above
- The most important aspect of brushing your teeth is...?
- The brand of toothpaste you use
- Your brushing technique and frequency
- The brand of your toothbrush
- Using an electric toothbrush
- At a minimum, how often should you have a thorough dental evaluation?
- Every six months
- Once a year
- Every five years
- Only if you are experiencing pain
- At a minimum, how often should you have your teeth professionally cleaned?
- Every six months
- Once a year
- Every five years
- It depends on your age and oral health
Want to learn more?
Contact us today to discuss your questions or to schedule a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor article, “Oral Hygiene Behavior.”
The Answers
1) a = fluoridated water, 2) d = all of the above, 3) b = your brushing technique and frequency, 4) b = once a year, 5) d = It depends on your age and oral health