We all recognize dental implants can be a costly procedure. However, over the long term, properly completed dental implant therapy proves to be the most cost-effective solution to replace missing teeth. No longer do individual teeth need to be prepared or ground down to accept crowns to enable the insertion of a fixed bridge to replace missing teeth. Over the short term, a fixed bridge will be slightly less expensive. However, decay or root canal problems can compromise the teeth used to secure the bridge, often requiring significant and expensive treatment or more involved dental implant therapy to resolve the problem.
The modern era of dental implants had its beginning in Gothenberg, Sweden by Prof. Per-Ingmor Branemark. His investigations demonstrated that bone can directly bond to a titanium implant post and in this manner secure non-removable implant-supported bridges. Among his earliest patients was Mr. Gosta Larsson, who received implants in 1965. The implants remained functional until the time of his death in 2006. For 40 years, Mr. Larsson's dental implants provided comfort and function previously not attainable.
More recent studies indicate a success rate of dental implants of between 90 to 97 percent over a 15-year time period. In a majority of cases, it is not the implant that fails, rather damage to the artificial teeth being supported by the implants.
Individual patient factors likewise can affect the long-term success of dental implants. At greater risk for failure are smokers, uncontrolled diabetics, as well as patients who have immune deficiencies. Patients who exhibit excessive grinding, termed "bruxism" likewise are more likely to damage the teeth that the implants support, or experience loss of implants.
What can you do to avoid dental implant complications and protect your long-term investigation? One, you should continue to practice good oral hygiene. Implants, like natural teeth, require good oral hygiene to prevent irritation to the gum, as well as the implant-supporting bone. Two, see your dentist regularly to both clean around your implants and evaluate the health of the supporting bone using appropriate radiographs. Three, avoid damaging habits such as excessive grinding. If needed, have your dentist construct an occlusal bite protection guard to decrease the harmful effects of tooth grinding. Four, modify your smoking habit. Cigarette smoking is among the biggest risk factors.
Most importantly, choose your implant surgeon carefully. A recent study in the Journal of Oral Implantology indicated dentists with less experience in implant placement had twice the failure rate as experienced implant surgeons. Periodontists study three years past dental school to develop necessary surgical skills required to perform complex implant surgical procedures, including bone grafting of the jaw, as well as the sinus area. Inquire as to the type of implant being placed for your procedure. There are over 400 implants available on the world market. Only a handful has provided scientific evidence relative to their long-term effectiveness. Premium implants may cost slightly more, however in the long run they utilize the best materials and designs to allow for long-term success.
Make your investment in dental implant therapy pay off in the long term. Choose your implant surgeon carefully. Use the best materials and methods to achieve the results you deserve to assure both long-term success and satisfaction. Warren Buffett has often said,"Price is what you pay. Value is what you get." The same principles that apply to his successful investment strategies will also pay off in your decisions regarding dental implant treatment.
Paul L Glick DDS,MS
Providing Dental Implants in Denver for over 25 Years
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Dr. Glick speaks on dental implant innovations
Dr. Glick was recently asked to attend the Astra Tech Dental Implant World Congress . This exciting meeting was held in Gothenberg Sweden, which is the worldwide headquarters for the Astra Tech Dental Implant Corporation. This meeting brought world experts in Dental Implantology who presented the latest information involving implant technology, including guided implant surgery. Our office has incorporated this exciting technology advanced through use of 3D radiology as well as advanced computer implant planning software.
Dr. Glick has been involved with innovations utilizing this technology and was asked to present his findings at the up coming Academy of Osseointegration meeting to be held in Tampa Florida. Our office would be pleased to discuss how these new innovations can improve the outcome of your dental implant therapy.
Dr. Glick has been involved with innovations utilizing this technology and was asked to present his findings at the up coming Academy of Osseointegration meeting to be held in Tampa Florida. Our office would be pleased to discuss how these new innovations can improve the outcome of your dental implant therapy.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Friday, December 9, 2011
Successful Dental Implants
Dental implants have proven to be a predictable and a long-term solution for the replacement of one to all of your missing teeth. For those patients who are in need of improving speech and eating, or who are otherwise embarrassed by loose, ill-fitting dentures, a variety of treatment options exist. As few as two to four implants can secure a removable "snap-in" denture and at the same time eliminate the need for thick plastic on the roof of the mouth for upper dentures. Between four and eight implants can secure complete non-removable teeth. With either treatment, you will regain your confidence in speaking and lauging and discover a new youthful you. Food will taste as you remember, and you can now again eat those foods that you previously avoided.
Properly designed and placed dental implants have been demonstrated to have a success rate of 97 percent over 20 years. Using today's improved implant designs and newer methods, as well as improved surgical techniques, we can expect even higher success rates and longevity. Implants can often be considered a lifetime restoration. We now understand some of the factors involved with implant loss. These include chronic heavy smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, as well as patients on long-term steroid medications or other changes in your overall immune system. Implant loss often occurs during the first year following implant placement. These early failures can be attributed to poor bone healing against the implant surface, often due to post treatment infection or problems associated with implant placement or bone grafting procedures done in conjunction with implant surgery.
Scientific studies have demonstrated the skill and education of the implant surgeon is an important key factor in long-term implant success. In a multi-center based hospital study of 3,000 implants, it was demonstrated that a 97 percent success rate could be achieved with experienced and skilled implant surgeons placing implants in patients with low risk factors. This success dramatically decreased to 83 percent with less skilled and educated implant surgeons who additionally did not understand the individual patient's risk factors that may lead to lower overall success rates. In choosing your implant surgeon, experience, education and expertise are all very important to ensure your long-term comfort and satisfaction. Choose your implant surgeon just as you would a surgeon for any medical procedure for yourself or family members. Ask about his or her overall implant training, lectures or scientific publications that hey have written, as well as implant organizations they belong to that provide multi-day continuing education in implant dentistry. Periodontists and oral surgeons receive three additional years of surgical training following dental school. They are most able to evaluate you as a candidate for successful implant surgery and work closely with your family dentist or prosthodontist in explaining your best treatment options. Experience, education and expertise are all very important in achieving successful and long-term satisfaction with your implant treatment.
Dr's. Glick & Misischia
Properly designed and placed dental implants have been demonstrated to have a success rate of 97 percent over 20 years. Using today's improved implant designs and newer methods, as well as improved surgical techniques, we can expect even higher success rates and longevity. Implants can often be considered a lifetime restoration. We now understand some of the factors involved with implant loss. These include chronic heavy smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, as well as patients on long-term steroid medications or other changes in your overall immune system. Implant loss often occurs during the first year following implant placement. These early failures can be attributed to poor bone healing against the implant surface, often due to post treatment infection or problems associated with implant placement or bone grafting procedures done in conjunction with implant surgery.
Scientific studies have demonstrated the skill and education of the implant surgeon is an important key factor in long-term implant success. In a multi-center based hospital study of 3,000 implants, it was demonstrated that a 97 percent success rate could be achieved with experienced and skilled implant surgeons placing implants in patients with low risk factors. This success dramatically decreased to 83 percent with less skilled and educated implant surgeons who additionally did not understand the individual patient's risk factors that may lead to lower overall success rates. In choosing your implant surgeon, experience, education and expertise are all very important to ensure your long-term comfort and satisfaction. Choose your implant surgeon just as you would a surgeon for any medical procedure for yourself or family members. Ask about his or her overall implant training, lectures or scientific publications that hey have written, as well as implant organizations they belong to that provide multi-day continuing education in implant dentistry. Periodontists and oral surgeons receive three additional years of surgical training following dental school. They are most able to evaluate you as a candidate for successful implant surgery and work closely with your family dentist or prosthodontist in explaining your best treatment options. Experience, education and expertise are all very important in achieving successful and long-term satisfaction with your implant treatment.
Dr's. Glick & Misischia
Friday, September 30, 2011
Dental Implant Placement
Dental implants can be placed safely and comfortably as a simple in-office dental procedure. For patients requiring single or multiple dental implants, this can be accomplished with routine dental local anesthesia, often in combination with nitrous oxide gas, just as having routine dental restorations placed. To help relieve any dental anxiety, oral medications can be prescribed, often in combination with nitrous oxide gas. This likewise is used with local designation. In this case, you will need a designated driver both to bring you to and from the dental office. We also offer IV sedation, which can be safely administered in an office setting. Not only does this place you in twilight sleep, you will wake up not realizing the procedure is over. You likewise will have no recollection of even being at the dental office. The effects of this medication wear off quickly with no lingering drowsiness. For patients requiring more complex surgical care of having other medical conditions, an out-patient surgical center may be used. During the procedure, general anesthesia will be administered by a trained anesthesiologist. Still, you can be home the same day. In using either IV sedation or general anesthesia, you will be given the necessary pre-operative instructions and will need to discontinue all foods 12 hours before the procedure and no liquids, other than clear fluids in very small amounts, up to four hours before the procedure. In those office procedures utilizing local anesthesia, in combination with oral sedation and nitrous oxide, you can have a light meal up to two hours before the procedure. Take all of your daily medications as prescribed by your medical doctor as you normally would. If oral antibiotics are prescribed to you, read the directions carefully. In many cases, these are to be taken before we actually start the treatment.
Following treatment, you will be encouraged to drink plenty of liquids and maintain a soft or semi-soft diet for several days. Additionally, ice packs should be handy, as this is an important part of post treatment care to help reduce any swelling that may occur. Generally, after three to five days, you will be resuming your regular diet. Antibiotics that are prescribed should be taken until completion. For localized single implant placement, pain medication normally is required only for the first 24 hours. After that, over-the-counter medication is all that you should need. For these procedures, you should be back the next day. With even more intensive surgery, you should not be away from work for more than two days.
As with all surgical treatment, follow the post-operative instructions carefully to minimize discomfort and encourage proper and complete healing. Call your implant surgeon if you have any questions or concerns. No question is unimportant, and a single call may be all that is needed to ensure your comfortable and uneventful healing. Our entire office team is here to help you throughout the procedure. Your comfort during and after treatment is our top priority.
Denver Dental Specialists-
Dr. Paul Glick & Dr. Patrick Misischia
Serving Littleton & the greater Denver Colorado area
Following treatment, you will be encouraged to drink plenty of liquids and maintain a soft or semi-soft diet for several days. Additionally, ice packs should be handy, as this is an important part of post treatment care to help reduce any swelling that may occur. Generally, after three to five days, you will be resuming your regular diet. Antibiotics that are prescribed should be taken until completion. For localized single implant placement, pain medication normally is required only for the first 24 hours. After that, over-the-counter medication is all that you should need. For these procedures, you should be back the next day. With even more intensive surgery, you should not be away from work for more than two days.
As with all surgical treatment, follow the post-operative instructions carefully to minimize discomfort and encourage proper and complete healing. Call your implant surgeon if you have any questions or concerns. No question is unimportant, and a single call may be all that is needed to ensure your comfortable and uneventful healing. Our entire office team is here to help you throughout the procedure. Your comfort during and after treatment is our top priority.
Denver Dental Specialists-
Dr. Paul Glick & Dr. Patrick Misischia
Serving Littleton & the greater Denver Colorado area
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Bad Breath: You Can Treat It
Halitosis, or bad breath, is often used to describe foul or offensive odors from the mouth. Malodors may be caused by smoking, alcohol and certain foods and spices, such as onions and garlic. We are generally aware when we have malodors from these sources and use various mouth rinses to reduce such bad breath. In many cases, our attempts are ineffective.
Other sources of malodor may be chronic. We are often unaware of this condition. Likewise, we may be embarrassed to ask our friends and family members if we suffer from this condition. In most cases, chronic halitosis can be successfully treated.
Oral sources of halitosis can include plaque and calculus deposits around and under the gum line. These products can result in gingivitis and periodontal disease. Your dentist or dental hygienist can best determine if you have either condition as a source of you malodor. For many patients treatment can be as simple as a professional dental cleaning, often in conjunction with periodontal scaling and root planing, also called "deep cleaning".
In many cases oral malodors are from the bacteria that form on the tongue surface. This is often associated with deep fissures, or grooves on the tongue surface, which harbor bacteria that produce these malodors. You may also observe a thick coating on the tongue surface. Treatment is both simple and effective. Special tongue scrapers can be used to clean the surface of the tongue. You may experience some discomfort and perhaps some slight bleeding if this has been a long-term issue. Likewise, your dentist can suggest various mouth rinses containing zinc or chlorhexidine to further aid in reducing oral sources of malodors.
Although over 80% of chronic halitosis can be attributed to oral sources, other conditions can likewise result in this condition. These include chronic sinus infections, as well as malodors from retained tonsils. Chronic kidney problems, as well as uncontrolled diabetes may also cause other distinctive forms of malodor. If chronic malodors continue in spite of good oral hygiene and regular cleanings by your dentist, you should seek the opinion of a periodontist to further evaluate your condition. The periodontist may have you seek advice from you physician relative to other non-oral sources of this condition. Oral malodors can be successfully treated. You no longer have to worry about public embarrassment in speaking and laughing. The first step is yours. The results can keep you smiling for life!
Other sources of malodor may be chronic. We are often unaware of this condition. Likewise, we may be embarrassed to ask our friends and family members if we suffer from this condition. In most cases, chronic halitosis can be successfully treated.
Oral sources of halitosis can include plaque and calculus deposits around and under the gum line. These products can result in gingivitis and periodontal disease. Your dentist or dental hygienist can best determine if you have either condition as a source of you malodor. For many patients treatment can be as simple as a professional dental cleaning, often in conjunction with periodontal scaling and root planing, also called "deep cleaning".
In many cases oral malodors are from the bacteria that form on the tongue surface. This is often associated with deep fissures, or grooves on the tongue surface, which harbor bacteria that produce these malodors. You may also observe a thick coating on the tongue surface. Treatment is both simple and effective. Special tongue scrapers can be used to clean the surface of the tongue. You may experience some discomfort and perhaps some slight bleeding if this has been a long-term issue. Likewise, your dentist can suggest various mouth rinses containing zinc or chlorhexidine to further aid in reducing oral sources of malodors.
Although over 80% of chronic halitosis can be attributed to oral sources, other conditions can likewise result in this condition. These include chronic sinus infections, as well as malodors from retained tonsils. Chronic kidney problems, as well as uncontrolled diabetes may also cause other distinctive forms of malodor. If chronic malodors continue in spite of good oral hygiene and regular cleanings by your dentist, you should seek the opinion of a periodontist to further evaluate your condition. The periodontist may have you seek advice from you physician relative to other non-oral sources of this condition. Oral malodors can be successfully treated. You no longer have to worry about public embarrassment in speaking and laughing. The first step is yours. The results can keep you smiling for life!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Welcome Dr. Misischia!
Dr. Glick would like to announce a new addition to his team, associate periodontist Dr. Patrick Misischia!
Dr. Misischia was born and raised in the greater Chicago land area, and has since lived in several different parts of the country. He received a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences, as well as Biology and Science from Portland State University in Oregon, while enjoying skiing, rock climbing and hiking in the Cascade Mountains and Columbia River Gorge. Dr. Misischia became a third generation dentist in his family after receiving his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. During his time in Lexington, Dr. Misischia decided to pursue a post-doctoral surgical residency in the specialty of periodontics at the University of Colorado at Denver. Here, he fell in love with the mountains, the beautiful weather and the wonderful people of Colorado.
Dr. Misischia is in the process of completing his Master of Dental Science with emphasis on treatment of infected dental implants. He will be working on publication of his research over the upcoming year, as well as teaching part time at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time in the mountains hiking and skiing, exercising and cooking. He is looking forward to working with the Littleton team and meeting all the great people in the area!
-Dr. Glick
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