# 7: Dentists among the most trusted professionals in America
According to the results of a recent survey, dentists, doctors and nurses are the most trusted professionals in the United States. Who were the least trusted? Not surprisingly, congressmen and lobbyists!
# 8: There are greater inconveniences than a dental appointment…
Time Magazine recently conducted a survey that came through with some pretty interesting results. According to the survey, about 60% of Americans would rather visit the dentist than sit next to someone blabbing away on their cell phone.
“This is quite a heartening statistic,” says one Colorado Spring dentist. “So many people avoid coming in for dental treatment because they suffer from some kind of associated phobia or anxiety. To hear that most people would rather visit the dentist than sit next to someone talking on their cellphone – which, let’s be honest, is a daily occurrence on public transport – is a positive change from the norm. Perhaps we can start expecting to see more and more people coming in for the routine preventative dental healthcare that’s so necessary for great long-term oral health.”
# 9: 75% of Colorado Springs residents suffer from gum disease
Surely not! Yet, according to the Centre for Disease Control, it’s true. The vast majority of, not just Colorado Springs, the American population is in such poor dental health that they have developed some form or stage of gum disease.
“Gum disease is characterized by an advanced bacterial infection of the gums and soft tissues in the mouth,” explains a Colorado Springs dental implant surgeon. “In severe gases, the disease affects the jawbone underlying the gums and can actually deteriorate this hard tissue, as well as the ligaments holding the teeth in place. This is why untreated gum disease is often associated with tooth loss.”
With 75% of the population suffering from gum disease – whether it’s mild gingivitis or severe periodontitis – it’s no surprise that this disease is the predominant cause of tooth loss in patients older than 35.
“The good news is that gum disease is wholly preventable,” says the dental implant dentist. “All you have to do is brush and floss every day and see your dentist for check-ups twice per year. This alone could help you keep your smile in beautiful condition for life.”
# 10: Is your toothbrush kept at a hygienic distance from the toilet?
This may come as a shock to you, but if your keep your toothbrush within six feet of a toilet it could get covered with what’s known as a “biofilm” of nasty bacteria.
“Every time a toilet flushes, it sends up a fine spray of water, bacteria and unmentionable particles, which settle on all the bathroom surfaces within a radius of about six feet,” says a Colorado Springs dentist. “If your toothbrush is on the sink next to the toilet, you’re at risk of getting sick from this biofilm. Rather keep your toothbrush in an aired cupboard, or if you’re a fan of those protective caps, make sure the ones you buy have small holes in them so that your toothbrush can dry between uses.”
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Dental Implants Dentist in Colorado Springs Gets Candid About Teeth Implant Technology, PART 23/21/2015 In this four-part article series, we speak to an experienced Colorado Springs dentist about dental implants, what they are, how they work and what patients can expect from getting them. Welcome to the second installment of this four-part article series in which we speak to an experienced dental implant dentist in Colorado Springs about the virtues of this cutting-edge teeth replacement technology. Previously, in Part 1, it was explained what dental implants are, how it is they become non-removable once surgically placed and what kind of cases they can be used to treat. We concluded Part 1 with the revelation that today’s dental implant procedures have become far more cost effective than those of yesteryear. Before we delve deeper into that issue, however, let’s take a look at how dental implants compare with alternative teeth replacement technologies. Many Colorado Springs residents and those across the country are understandably concerned about cost. When it comes to replacing missing teeth, what options can you provide patients with and which are the cheapest? Cosmetic Dentist in Colorado Springs: “Understandably, yes. We do offer patients a variety of tooth replacement options, depending upon their specific case. Generally speaking, porcelain bridges are the least costly. We do, however, recommend dental implants to our patients because they typically work out to be more cost effective in the long run. Dental implants don’t usually require any professional maintenance once placed and they are substantially more comfortable. They can also last at least three times longer, while bridges can require replacement after 12 years. So, while dental implants may constitute a greater initial investment, they pay off in the long run.” What are traditional bridges? Colorado Springs Dental Implant Dentist: “A traditional bridge is really just a device – usually made of porcelain and other composite materials – that is used to replace one or more missing teeth. It makes use of the neighboring healthy teeth for support and provides the patient with an aesthetic and functional replacement crown/s.” Do you find them to be problematic? Cosmetic Dentist in Colorado Springs: “To be fair, bridges can provide patients with perfectly good outcomes and they do tend to cost less than dental implants, which is why many people opt for them instead. The problem with traditional bridges is that they only replace the crowns of the teeth and not the roots. This can cause the underlying bone to atrophy over time, which results in a drop in the bone level. Infection can then become a problem because food and other debris can become trapped underneath the bridge.
“Many patients also complain about bridges not feeling natural. They are then looking at the need to have their bridge replaced or repaired after 10 or more years, so this is why many dentists simply recommend that patients have problematic teeth replaced with dental implants from the get go.” Do dental implants prevent this atrophy from happening? Colorado Springs Dental Implant Dentist: “Well you see, what many people don’t know is that the roots of the teeth are essential for channeling the eating forces into the supporting bone tissue. This keeps it stimulated and healthy, much like muscles are kept bulky and healthy through regular exercise. When the roots of the teeth are lost and not replaced, the underlying bone atrophies and wastes away over time, which is why people without teeth have such small, fragile lower jaws. Dental implants replace the roots of the teeth and this helps to maintain jawbone health and bulk. This is one of the most important reasons dental healthcare professionals prefer dental implants to any other teeth replacement solution.” Stay Tuned for Part 3 Stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series to find out more about dental implants and what patients can expect from getting missing and/or irreparably damaged teeth replaced. In this four-part article series, we speak to an experienced Colorado Springs dentist about dental implants, what they are, how they work and what patients can expect from getting them. Dental implants are widely thought to be the most sophisticated technology available for the replacement of missing teeth and, according to the experienced cosmetic dentist we spoke to in Colorado Springs, the proof is in the pudding. Dental implants boast a number of benefits over and above the traditional approaches to replacing teeth and they also last far longer. In order to develop a better appreciation for this “breakthrough” technology, we asked our dentist a number of questions and you shall find his answers to those questions in this article and the next three in the series… Let’s begin by understanding exactly what dental implants are, doctor. Colorado Springs Cosmetic Dentist: “Dental implants are the devices specially trained dentists use to replace the roots of teeth that have had to be extracted because they are too decayed or damaged to be restored. These artificial roots look like tiny metal screws and because they are made from titanium metal, the bone in the jaw will actually fuse to them essentially leaving the implant fixed and non-removable. We then attach a customized replacement tooth or set of teeth to the top of the implant.” So the dental implants themselves are not actually what we see when someone who has had teeth replaced smiles, correct? Colorado Springs Cosmetic Dentist: “Correct. It is the goal of any dental implant dentist to achieve smile perfection, which means the implant remains hidden beneath the gum line while the artificial replacement tooth is visible and carefully fabricated to match the neighboring teeth in aesthetics.” Is the process that allows dental implants to become non-removable similar to joint replacement and bone repair using titanium implants? Colorado Springs Dental Implant Dentist: “The process is precisely the same. It’s called osseointegration, which refers to the knitting of the bone tissue to the surface of the implant. Titanium is perhaps the only material in the world that is accepted by the body and not rejected by infection.” Very interesting! Moving along, can dental implants be used to replace more than one tooth? Colorado Springs Dentist: “Absolutely! We routinely provide patients with multiple tooth replacement procedures, whether they have lost two, three or more teeth. We can also do full mouth reconstruction on patients who have lost all of their teeth over the years or whose teeth are in such a bad state that they will eventually lose them all (see image above). Essentially, no matter how many teeth you are missing, we can craft a strategic dental implant solution.”
Wouldn’t that work out to be incredibly expensive? Colorado Springs Dentist: “Actually, no… the introduction of more sophisticated dental implant technology and techniques has rendered oral rehabilitation substantially more affordable. Instead of the hundreds of thousands of dollars one would traditionally spend on getting a full set of non-removable teeth, you’d be looking at tens, which is a small price to pay when you consider that you’re having an essential body part replaced!” Stay Tuned for Part 2 Stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series to find out more about dental implants and what patients can expect from getting missing and/or irreparably damaged teeth replaced. |
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July 2015
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