gum disease Archives - 5 Star Dental Group

How Long Must I Wait for an Implant Denture If I Have Gum Disease?

Posted on May 22, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My dentist wants me to schedule an appointment with a periodontist for advanced gum disease. After 30 years with no dental insurance, 10 of my teeth have fallen off. My bone has shrunk, and my gums are low. My jawbone is getting narrower. My dentist says that my case is one of the worst she has seen in her 12 years of practicing, so the office lady calls me weekly to tell me to schedule the appointment. I will do it, but I am nervous right now. I have dental insurance now, so that helps. How long might I wait for dental implants if I have gum disease? I want an implant denture. Thanks much. – Leanna

Leanna,

If you have gum disease, your wait for an implant denture depends on these factors:

Your general health
Your history of advanced gum disease
The degree of bone loss
Your treatment plan from the periodontist to stop gum disease
Whether you need a bone graft

Improved chewing efficiency and jawbone health are two ways you will benefit from an implant overdenture.

Chewing efficiency

Dental implants are the optimal choice for replacing missing teeth. Your chewing efficiency will decrease by 50 percent if you choose removable dentures because they slide around as you chew.

Jawbone health

Upper implant denture with natural-looking teeth, available in San Antonio from Gilberto Tosatdo, DMD

Upper implant overdenture

You are already experiencing bone shrinkage. An implant overdenture will stimulate your jawbone and prevent shrinkage. If it continues, your jawbone will no longer support your facial muscles, and you will experience facial collapse.

A periodontist specializes in gum health. Schedule an appointment with the periodontist to thoroughly evaluate your physical and oral health. You can expect a 3D CT scan to measure your bone volume and determine whether you are a candidate for dental implants.

Regardless of the treatment options for replacing missing teeth, your gums must be healthy first. Otherwise, they will neither support a removal denture nor an implant overdenture. A periodontist can coordinate your care with a prosthodontist (tooth replacement specialist) to give you a natural-looking denture for the implants. A periodontist will help you control gum disease and prevent it from further loosening your teeth and destroying your jawbone.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post.

Is Bone Loss from Gum Disease Irreparable?

Posted on August 31, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I have known that I have had gingivitis for a while now. My gums are sore, and they bleed easily. I’ve had more dental cleanings than usual since then. I recently moved from Indiana, and so much has been going on that I missed a few cleanings. Last week, I had a fever along with a throbbing toothache. I found a new dentist who said that part of the bone is gone near the tooth that has been throbbing. I am afraid that I will need a dental implant.

The hygienist did another dental cleaning. The dentist applied some medication around the throbbing tooth. I also received antibiotics. I have a follow-up visit next Tuesday. I am quite worried about bone loss. He thinks that he can get the situation under control with scaling, and if not, he will refer me to a periodontist. I just need to hear another opinion about how serious my case sounds. Is the bone loss irreparable? Thanks for your input. – Jane T. from Austin

Jane – If gingivitis is left untreated, periodontal disease or advanced gum disease results. Red, swollen, tender gums that bleed easily are signs of gingivitis.

What Causes Gingivitis?

Dental implant

Inadequate brushing and flossing can leave bacteria between the teeth and gums, leading to gingivitis. Scaling and root planing clean the root surfaces, remove plaque and tartar and smooth the root to remove bacteria. Many patients do not require treatment beyond this.

If root planing and scaling do not restore the health of your gums and teeth, as your dentist indicated, a periodontist can take further action to restore and preserve your oral health. Gum disease treatment is essential to avoid losing the tooth and needing a dental implant to replace it.

What If You Have Lost Bone from Gum Disease?

If you have lost bone from gum disease, a periodontist can restore it with a gum graft. The specialist will explain your options for grafting. It can take three to six months for a graft to heal.

If you still have questions about the seriousness of your case, do not hesitate to ask your dentist questions or list your questions to ask a periodontist during a consultation.

Dr. Gilberto Tostado, a San Antonio, Texas prosthodontist, sponsors this post.

Will a Holistic Dentist Help With My Bad Breath?

Posted on June 12, 2020 by ectree.

Hi there,

I take good care of my teeth at home and always go to my hygienist every six months. However, a coworker mentioned I have had bad breath for months! They were too nervous to tell me, but I wish they had told me sooner! I’m very embarrassed by this. My dentist said getting a deep cleaning would eradicate the smell, but I’m not due for another cleaning for several months! I think there has to be some other underlying problem that he must be missing. What could it be? Would a holistic dentist be able to help me with my problem better? I just want my breath to go back to normal.

John, from Jackson, Wyoming

Hi John,

A holistic dentist may be able to help you. Holistic dentists take your entire medical history and your entire body into account when prescribing treatment. Holistic dentists are not certified specialists, but rather have a treatment philosophy based around natural practices, the patient’s input, and the patient’s medical history. For example, holistic dentists tend to do metal-free or mercury-free dentistry. Your issue could be caused by gum disease, or if your cleanings failed to remove all the buildup or bacteria present. However, bad breath could have other biological triggers such as diet or underlying health issues.

Some things you can consider adding to your oral hygiene routine could include cleaning your tongue with a tooth brush or tongue scraper. Try switching your mouthwash to an alcohol-free mouthwash, as alcohol-based ones can kill good bacteria and make your gums dry. If you’re already brushing and flossing regularly, be sure to make sure you are drinking enough water and staying hydrated throughout the day. Avoid anything like breath mints or breath spray, as it only treats the surface problem and not the underlying one.

Seeing a holistic dentist for a second opinion certainly can’t hurt, especially if you think your general dentist missed something.

This blog post is brought to you by San Antonio holistic dentist, Dr. Gilberto Tostado.