Bone Changes, Dentures, and Implants
August 6, 2010 by Doug Larson
Filed under Patient information
Why don’t my dentures stay in place?
Skull with all teeth.
Ever wonder why dentures don’t work so well a few years after they are placed?
Take a look at the tipical bone changes over time and the answer becomes obvious. Notice the Skull with a complete dentition. The bone is 30 0r 35 millimeters tall on the lower jaw.
Lose the teeth
Now look at the jaw with out the teeth. The bone here is maybe 10 or 12 millimeters tall.
No Bone Means an Ill Fitting Denture.
Skull with out any teeth.
You’re losing a tooth
July 29, 2010 by Doug Larson
Filed under Patient information
You’re losing a tooth.
Isn’t there a huge gap where my tooth was removed?
How do I smile while the implant is healing?
What are my options
For years dentists used a partial denture, or flipper to cover the area where the implant was being placed. Although this device covered the affected area there were some large liabilities.
• It is very difficult to eat with it.
• The shade of your teeth is difficult or impossible to match with the acrylic teeth on the partial.
• The flipper often puts pressure on the tissue over the implant causing micro-movement of the implant (a big no, no).
Do I need a dental crown?
July 27, 2010 by Doug Larson
Filed under Patient information
Why do I need a crown?
Upper tooth that needs a crown.
Sometimes fillings are unsuitable to restore the broken or decayed tooth to its original size, shape, and strength. In this case a dental crown is used to replace and maintain the structural integrity of the tooth. Such “capping” restorations seal cracked teeth to prevent further damage, protect weak teeth, and conceal misshapen or discolored teeth.
Ankyloglossia
July 7, 2010 by Doug Larson
Filed under Patient information
Tongue Tied: What does that look like?
So your kid can’t stick his tongue out at you. Is that so bad?
Unable to move tip of tongue past the lower teeth.
Ankyloglossia: (love saying that word), is Latin for anchored tongue. It literally means the tongue can’t move. It’s common called “tongue tied.” It’s seen in both children and adults.
The first photo is a patient that presented in the office a month ago. I had him stick his tongue as far out as he could. He couldn’t move his tongue past his lower front teeth. Do this with your tongue and notice the difference.
Bruxism
June 30, 2010 by Doug Larson
Filed under Patient information
Bruxism: What is it?
Non-Bruxer at age 65.
Approximately one in three individuals suffers from bruxism, or, the unintentional clenching and grinding that abrade teeth. Most bruxers are unaware of their condition and mistakenly believe that it’s ok for their teeth to constantly touch. Such individuals frequently bite down too hard, chew the inside of their cheek, and often bite fingernails and pencils or other foreign objects.
Non-bruxers’ teeth look good at 65 years of age. Bruxer’s can lose 80% of their tooth structure by 50. The photograph is a 65 year old patient. Notice the rounded shape of the teeth. Nothing is flat. That’s the way you should look.
