Did you know, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, there are over 30 million people in the US who are missing all their teeth in one or both jaws? That’s a lot of folks who are looking for the right tooth replacement option to ensure they keep on smiling!

Choosing the right tooth replacement treatment is a big decision and will affect not only your time and budget now, but your smile (and dental and oral health) for many years to come.  Most people will consider traditional dentures, dental implants, or a combination approach of an implant supported denture. So, what’s the difference?

Dentures are the least expensive option (at least initially.) Most people have a pretty good idea what dentures look like out of the mouth, but you might be surprised how many people you see have dentures that look very natural. Upper dentures typically are better fitting and more comfortable than lower dentures. In some cases, patients are able to retain their lower teeth and only wear an upper denture. If the dentures are fitted well and the color selection is natural looking, they can be a good solution for patients on a budget.
There are some negatives for any tooth replacement treatment and with traditional dentures the downsides include fit problems (especially on the lower jaw), they can be less natural looking than dental implants, and there is greater risk for the development of gum disease and/or bone deterioration. In some cases, oral surgery must be performed to sculpt the bone structure to improve the fit of the denture. In these cases, the healing process is prolonged to allow for the bone and surgical site to heal. Dentures can also make some favorite foods difficult to eat. Dentures also require removal at night with a nightly maintenance routine. Not to mention the need for adhesives.

If you are considering dentures you should also consider they generally need to be replaced every 3-6 years. Depending on your age, the expense of replacement can add up.

Dental Implants are the most natural tooth replacement available because the teeth are replaced with individual prosthetic teeth that are anchored to the jaw with a medical screw (normally titanium). Dental implants not only look like your natural teeth, they feel like your natural teeth. Most foods can be eaten normally and the health of your gums and bone structure is preserved. Care of dental implants is just like normal teeth too – brush, floss, and visit your hygienist as recommended. One big benefit of dental implants is they can last for 20 years or longer!

Obviously, dental implants are more expensive than traditional dentures and for some people perhaps not an option due to budget constraints. The implants are surgically installed by an oral surgeon and require a lengthy healing process. The screw that holds the new teeth must heal completely and become part of the bone, a process called osseointegration. This healing is necessary and the final teeth can’t be placed until the process is complete. If you can afford them and have the patience for the treatment, dental implants are a superior option for replacement teeth.

Implant Supported Dentures provide a hybrid option that can save money initially. With this treatment, the dentist will implant 4-6 screws (depending on the individual case) and once they are healed, a special denture can be secured to the screws. Implant supported dentures provide many of the same benefits of the full implants while being less expensive. The screws will last many years, but the denture part of this treatment will likely need to be replaced more frequently than the normal dental implants. Unfortunately, this option also requires a longer healing process to allow the screw to be integrated into the surrounding bone.

A note about the healing process: Don’t be fooled by advertisements promising “teeth in a day.” Whether you are having teeth extracted and planning to replace with a traditional denture, or you are planning to replace with dental implants, there is going to be a healing process. At each stage of the healing process the tissue and bone structure changes. Those changes affect the fit of the new teeth. There are temporary fixes we can use along the way to help patients maintain normal life during the process, but the healing of the gums, bones and surrounding tissue must happen before a permanent tooth replacement will be complete.  

Wondering what option is right for you? A consultation with the right dental professional is the best place to start.  Your Dental Specialist can help you decide the right solution for your budget and your lifestyle. Great planning can help to minimize the negative effects of the healing process and give you back a beautiful smile. As our Dr Hameroff says, “My patients don’t come to me for new teeth, they are buying a great smile!” And after over 30 years helping patients here in Hernando County, he should know. (Check his Credentials here. )

A new study conducted by the Journal of Clinical Periodontology,1 the official publication of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP,) shows COVID 19 patients are more than 3 times more likely to experience complications if they also have gum disease. You can read more about this study here:

https://www.foxnews.com/health/covid-19-patients-with-gum-disease-9-times-more-likely-to-die-study-says
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We talk a lot about the link between general health and periodontal disease. Now we can add a new one. All the more reason to call to schedule your regular visit with our hygienist. And if it's been a while since your last periodontal exam, maybe this is a good time to do that too! 

There are a lot of things that happen to us as we get older. Some are good things, like grandkids and all the additional wisdom. But some things are not as pleasant, like gray hair wrinkles, and painful joints. Deterioration of our teeth and gums can come with age as well.

​Some of the effects of aging on our dental and oral health include:

• Tooth enamel can wear down over time and leave teeth more vulnerable to tooth decay.
• Dry mouth is common in older patients and can be caused by natural reduction in saliva and the effects of some medications. Dry mouth can cause a thinning and receding of the gum tissue. This can cause increased tooth decay, particularly at the gum line and an increase in periodontal disease.
• Loss of taste is a factor and while it is normal to experience a diminished sense of taste as we age, it can be aggravated by use of some common drugs. Loss of taste can lead us to add more flavoring to our food, particularly salt, which can contribute to dry mouth and the issues mentioned above. Eating very hot foods can damage the gum tissue as well.
• Bone loss in the body can also lead to bone loss in the bones of the mouth and jaw – the bones that support our teeth.
• Illness and disease (as well as the medicines we take to treat them) can affect the health of the teeth and gums. Additionally, tooth decay and periodontal disease can have an adverse effect on overall health.

These conditions can ultimately lead to tooth loss and tooth loss contributes to problems with chewing and nutritional issues, not to mention the confidence that comes with having a healthy smile. So what can we do to fight the effect of aging and maintain oral and dental health?

• Brush and floss twice a day with an enamel friendly, fluoride toothpaste.
• If you suffer from dry mouth, ask your dentist to recommend a good mouth rinse. Drink more water, avoid alcohol, acidic or sugary drinks, and spicy foods.
• Periodontal therapy is even more important as we age. Periodontal cleanings go deeper beneath the gum line to help prevent periodontal disease.
• Make sure to get an oral screening for cancer during your regular dental exam.
• Stop smoking, vaping, or using other tobacco products.

When you have lost teeth, there are many options for tooth replacement including partial or full dental implants. At Periodontal Therapy Center, we work with our patients to ensure they have healthy teeth and gums and when tooth replacement is indicated, we work with the patient to develop a treatment plan to improve overall dental and periodontal health and plan for the appropriate course of action for replacing teeth when necessary. Call to schedule a consultation to learn more!
 
Click below for more information from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research:
https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2018-10/older-adults-oral-health.pdf
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Lindsay Goldberg is a registered dental hygienist that has been practicing in our community for over 10 years. She’s a graduate of Pasco Hernando State College, and truly has a passion for dentistry. Lindsay loves building rapport with her patients while delivering the best care possible. She is a wife to her high school sweetheart, and mother of two beautiful boys Brantley 4, Brock 3 months. On her spare time she loves spending time with her family in the pool, making memories with friends, loves working out, and traveling. She wanted to be a dental hygienist since she was 10 years old, and she surely has fulfilled that dream. She looks forward to meeting new patients, and welcoming them to our dental family.
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​A smile not only gives an emotional lift but smiling can actually make us healthier. Research has shown that smiling helps our bodies release cortisol and endorphins that provide many health benefits such as:

• Lowering blood pressure.
• Strengthening the immune system
• Raising stamina.
• Lowering pain.
• Reducing stress.

Who doesn’t feel better when the person in the mirror is smiling back? Having a healthy smile builds confidence, makes us feel younger and more vibrant, and more attractive.
Maintaining a healthy smile is not difficult. In most cases the commitment to regular dental and periodontal cleanings and exams will keep you one step ahead of any problems. Healthy gums are the foundation of a great smile and it’s even more important to have regular periodontal check-ups and deep cleanings.
Restorative treatment for missing or damaged teeth can give you back the smile of your youth. There are many options for tooth replacement these days. A consultation with a periodontist can help you come up with a treatment plan that is right for your situation and your budget.
If the image looking back from the mirror doesn’t have a confident smile, you owe it to yourself to consult with a professional and find out how you can get your smile mojo back. Call today for a consultation!
 

Healthy teeth are the foundation of oral health. The things you eat get stuck to the teeth, between the teeth and below the gum line and will affect your healthy smile. The sugar in food combines with bacteria that occurs naturally in your mouth creating plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that coats the teeth. The acids in the plaque eat away the enamel of your teeth. Plaque that is left on the teeth hardens and becomes tartar deposits above and below the gum line. Tartar is harder to remove and creates an environment where gum disease can become a problem. So how do we protect our teeth from the “goblins” that attack our healthy smiles? By avoiding foods that promote decay. The following is a list of some of the worst foods for dental and periodontal health but certainly not all-inclusive.

Sugary Candies & Sweets:
Hard candy – sucking them slowly allows the sugar and saliva mixture plenty of time to attach your teeth while those who like to bite and chew will end up with the candy stuck to the teeth, not to mention the risk of breaking a tooth on the hard candy!
Chewy candy – this includes caramels, taffy, nougat, and those chocolates we love. And if you like your chocolate with wine…that’s a double duty goblin!
Cookies  and cakes – sugar is sugar and even if Grandma made them from scratch, these sugary treats are not good news for the teeth and gums.

Starchy, refined carbs:
Chips -these salty snacks are made from potatoes, corn and other refined carbohydrates that turn to sugar, and we know what that means to your teeth. In addition to turning to sugar, these foods tend to become sticky and stay around in your mouth long enough to do their damage.
Pasta, rice, potatoes – white foods are almost all carbs and all carbs turn to sugar when they start to break down in your mouth. The sticky ones stay in your mouth longer so beware.

Sugary beverages:
Soda or pop (depending on where you grew up) is one of the most damaging food items for your teeth. Sugary soda is a favorite food for the kids which is very bad for their developing teeth. Sodas aren’t the only liquid goblins.
Fruit juices-  contain sugar and acids that attack the teeth.
Sugared Coffee & Tea- if you love sugar in coffee and tea, it is a hidden danger to your teeth and gums.

Citrus, acidy foods:–
Lemons and limes - These are particularly high in acid but all citrus fruits are highly acidic and can damage your tooth enamel. And if you love lemon in your water, be aware.
Pickles and Vinegar-based foods:  Other acidic foods include pickles and vinegar-based foods.

Of course, any of these food items can be consumed safely in moderation. Brushing your teeth after you eat, using mouth wash or rinse, and just drinking lots of clear water can help clear your mouth of damaging sugars, acids, and bacteria. And of course, don’t miss your regular cleanings and periodontal therapy treatments, especially if you have already started having issues.

Regular Dental Cleaning should be part of routine dental care. Regular cleaning, technically called Prophylaxis, is performed in the dentist office by a licensed dental hygienist and are normally scheduled every 3 to 6 months. A regular cleaning may also include x-rays and a dental exam. Regular cleaning focuses on removal of plaque, tartar, and stains that are present on the tooth crown (the part of the tooth above the gum line.) Plaque is a bi-product of bacteria and is a sticky substance that builds up on the teeth. Tartar, or calculus, is created when the plaque hardens.

There are times when the hygienist or dentist will recommend a “Deep Cleaning.” They may refer to it as Scaling and Root planing or Periodontal Cleaning. In a Periodontal Cleaning plaque, tartar, bacteria, and toxins are removed from below the gum line all the way to where the gum and bone meet. Periodontal cleaning is recommended when there are obvious symptoms of beginning or advanced periodontal disease which might include recessing gums, bleeding gums, or bad breath. Often the symptoms of periodontal disease can be unnoticed. Once your dentist has diagnosed the presence of periodontal disease, regardless of how advanced, periodontal maintenance cleanings and check-ups should be scheduled and will include general cleaning (prophylaxis) for overall dental health and appearance. These cleanings will be recommended every 3 – 6 months depending on the severity of the disease.
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Periodontal Cleaning and exam are important for identifying periodontal disease and to maintain the health of your gums and bone tissue, which is especially important if you have or plan to have dental implants and other restorative procedures. For more information or to schedule a periodontal evaluation, please call us at 352-596-1771. Improving our patients’ overall quality of life is our mission! 

Periodontal Therapy is the treatment of gums, bone, and tissue that surround your teeth for the purpose of preventing or reversing the effects of periodontal disease. No matter how well your teeth are brushed and flossed, gum tissue can be affected by bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Left untreated these can lead to serious periodontal disease which can cause loss of bone and deterioration of the tissues that support your teeth, maintain smile and help chew and digest our food.

To ensure good periodontal health, we recommend regular periodontal therapy. Recommended frequency varies by individual patient. Treatment options include:

• Deep cleaning of the teeth and gums. This is a more thorough procedure than you would get at your normal dentist.
• Scaling and root planning. This procedure performed by the Periodontist is a deep cleaning of the tooth and root surfaces. Scaling removes plaque and calculus (tartar) from the surface and deep periodontal pockets while planning smooths the root surface to remove any harmful bacterial toxins.
• Periodontal Pocket Reduction. Oral surgery may be indicated to reduce periodontal “pockets” which harbor damaging bacteria and allow gum tissue to regenerate and reattach to the surface of the tooth.
• Gum Grafting. If the gums have retracted away from the tooth some of the root and possible even bone can be exposed. Oral surgery gum grafting will allow gum tissue to regenerate and cover the exposed area. Teeth and gums look more pleasing and sensitivity is reduced.
• Follow up treatment. Depending on the individual patient, some follow up treatment with antibiotics or antimicrobials may be recommended.

As the name infers, periodontal therapy may require more than one appointment to accomplish the treatment but for many patients, non-surgical therapy will ensure periodontal health for a long time. When surgery is required, we provide IV Sedation for our patients comfort and we keep careful watch to help ensure a successful healing process.
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To answer the question of whether you need periodontal therapy, the answer is generally yes, but to be sure you can schedule an appointment for a consultation and evaluation in our office at your earliest convenience.

School’s out for high school and college kids and things have slowed a bit with the hot summer weather. Now is a good time to think about having your wisdom teeth extracted while you can relax at home and not worry about possible swelling or missing important classes.

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, normally make their appearance somewhere between the age of 17 and 21. If you or your son or daughter are seeing your dentist regularly, your dentist will likely be monitoring the appearance of the wisdom teeth and at some point may recommend they be extracted.

Wisdom teeth may have been helpful to our ancestors who ate roots, nuts, and uncooked meat; but in today’s diet we do just fine without them. For some people the wisdom teeth come in without any problem. For others they can create issues. Brushing and flossing the wisdom teeth is a challenge due to the tight fit and placement of the teeth. This makes wisdom teeth prone to decay. Depending on how they make their appearance, they can cause crowding and possibly make other teeth move or overlap. And sometimes they don’t make an appearance but get lodged against another tooth under the surface. In this case, the wisdom tooth can become impacted causing pain and possible infection.

Periodontal Therapy Center offers complete Wisdom Tooth extraction services. In many cases, the wisdom teeth can be extracted non-surgically with a local anesthetic. Occasionally the extraction can be more complex and require IV Sedation and some oral surgery. Whatever your situation, we can examine and make recommendations for the best course of action. And during the summer months, we are offering special pricing for Wisdom Tooth extractions. Please call our office to discuss treatment options, pricing, and ask any questions you might have.

​Missing a tooth when you are 6 years old is cute, right? If you are older and the tooth is a permanent tooth, it’s not cute and the consequences can be serious. Losing a tooth sometimes can’t be avoided. Dental injury, infection or damage can create a need for a tooth extraction. Depending on the situation, having an extraction can be a welcome relief of excruciating toothache pain. Once your extraction site has healed, the missing tooth (or teeth) can cause problems.

Obviously having missing teeth can affect your appearance. Even if the missing tooth is not visible when you smile, the skin around your mouth may not be supported and cause sagging which can make you appear older. Having a missing tooth can cause you to feel less confident, smile less often, or feel depressed. It will affect the way you chew your food and might affect your speech. Missing teeth create a higher risk for periodontal disease or infection and can spread to other parts of the body. Tooth loss has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease.
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The good news is missing teeth can be replaced! At Periodontal Therapy Center, Dr Jeffrey Hameroff, evaluates each patient’s smile, bone and supporting tissue before presenting treatment options. If you need a tooth replacement, a Dental Implant treatment maybe your best option. We take most dental insurance plans and have financing options available. Don’t let a missing tooth affect your confidence or your health!