DENTAL IMPLANTS MADE SIMPLE
By
JONATHAN PENCHAS DMD MEd PA
Copyright © 2011 By Jonathan Penchas
All Rights Reserved.
Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com
ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-0319-9
Reproduction or translation of any part of this work beyond that permitted by section 107 and 10 – eight of the 1976 United States copyright act without permission of the copyright owner is unlawful. Requests for permission or for that information should be addressed to Jonathan Penchas DMD PA.
DISCLAIMER
The Information presented in this book is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a dental or medical condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it.
The author and publishers of the book disclaim any loss or liability, either directly or indirectly as a consequence of the information presented herein, or the use and application of such information.
No guarantee is given, either expressed or implied, in regards to the accuracy or acceptability of the information. Patient’s results may vary from the information pertained in this book.
Overview
Let’s face it; teeth and dentistry are not at the top of the agenda for most of us. They usually only get our attention when they start hurting. And then zap – they get our attention in a big way.
Then you go to the dentist, who checks your teeth and gives you a long talk in an unknown language – “Dentaleze”. They flood you with information you don’t understand. What you usually understand is that it’s expensive and painful.
Dentists and physicians like talking in secret code. It’s the translation for the regular folks that was missing before this book.
If you try to do some research to make a decision about dental implants will find books written for dentists, or 300 page books written for consumers. You wouldn’t want to read books this big if you were deciding on open-heart surgery or mortgaging your life, let alone a decision about replacing a tooth.
This book is part of the “dentistry made simple“ series. These books allow you to master dentistry basics in a snap.
My goal is to make it simple – give you all the information you need to learn and make a decision about dental implants in less than one hour of reading.
Dental implants: good for your smile, good for your life
Oral health is a hot topic these days. It’s no wonder. The condition of your teeth and gums impacts every aspect of your life. Good oral health encourages improved whole-body wellbeing and reduces the risk of developing serious medical conditions linked with oral disease. People with complete, healthy smiles enjoy certain advantages in the social and professional realms, as well. They often get the promotion, land the big job, and enjoy popularity with the opposite sex.
Let’s face it. A societal bias exists against people with missing teeth. An incomplete smile is often seen as a sign of poor oral hygiene and a lack of pride in your appearance. Although the reasons for tooth loss go far beyond neglect and may sometimes be beyond your control, negative character traits are often associated with missing teeth.
If You Have Missing Teeth, You’re Missing Out on Life
An incomplete smile diminishes quality of life. People with missing teeth or a denture that slips or clicks report feeling socially isolated. Part of this isolation is self-imposed, as these individuals choose to withdraw from friends and family rather than let others see the condition of their smile. Appearance suffers as jawbone tissue shrinks in response to a lack of stimulation by natural teeth. People with large numbers of missing teeth often look as if the area between the nose and chin is caving in. And, actually, that is what’s occurring. Cheeks sink in, too, without the support that teeth provide. Eating becomes painful, and speech clarity suffers.
A Permanent Solution!
Dental implants restore incomplete smiles to transform the lives of people with missing teeth. They replace permanent teeth lost to disease, trauma, or neglect. The structure of an implant mirrors a natural tooth to provide all of the benefits of a complete smile. Implants improve the way a smile looks, feels, and functions. They help people regain control of their oral health and provide a wealth of benefits over traditional replacement teeth.
Implants are considered a permanent tooth replacement option because the titanium implant posts actually become a lasting part of your jawbone structure. People with implant-supported replacement teeth are able to enjoy active, healthy lifestyles due to the worry-free nature of dental implants. Simply put, they love their new smiles – and they love life again.
The Problem(s) with Missing Teeth
A full set of healthy teeth is important socially, physically, and emotionally. Even one or a few missing teeth are cause for concern. Gaps in your smile caused by missing teeth impact occlusion (the way top and bottom teeth fit together) and jaw joint function. If a tooth doesn’t have “anchor” teeth on either side of it, it can begin to drift out of position, impairing the balance of your bite and causing uneven wear on teeth. Additionally, when the bite is misaligned, the temporomandibular joints can malfunction, causing headaches, facial pain, tingling in the fingers, and a jaw that clicks when opened and closed.
Diminished Quality of Life
Studies show that people with all of their teeth often enjoy a longer life than their peers with missing teeth. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that poor oral health contributes to the diminishment of what they define as the three main components of health: physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, and social wellbeing. The health of teeth, gums, and jaw impacts quality of life and affects such things as sleep, diet, work, social interaction, and self-image.
Causes of Adult Tooth Loss
The medical name for missing teeth is endentulism. This condition occurs in a large segment of the population. In fact, it’s estimated that 69% of adults have lost at least one tooth and that 50 million Americans have lost all of their teeth. Adult tooth loss occurs for many reasons, including gum disease, dental caries (cavities), and injury.
Gum Disease
Almost 70% of tooth loss is attributable to gum disease, also called periodontal disease. This bacterial infection attacks healthy gum, tooth, and bone tissue. If left untreated, the bonds that hold teeth and gums together are destroyed, resulting in tooth and bone loss. Periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, is a major contributor to tooth loss in adults aged 65 and older.
Tooth Decay
When plaque hardens on tooth surfaces, it produces acids that destroy tooth structure. Caught early, decay can be removed and the