3-Step System - Complete Care

Dental and periodontal anatomy

The stages of periodontal disease

Proper brushing

Proper interdental cleaning

Proper flossing

Orthodontics

Implants

Babies and children teeth

Implants

Fifty million teeth will be removed this year as a result of infection, gum disease or trauma (accident and injury). When teeth have been removed, several problems could occur. The remaining teeth shift, rotate and become crooked, causing a bad bite and making it difficult to chew food properly. Unsightly spaces or large gaps between your teeth may cause embarrassment.

You need to ask yourself these questions:

• Do I feel comfortable when I smile, speak or eat?
• Do my dentures slip or cause sore spots when I chew?
• Do I hide my smile because of unsightly spaces between my teeth or missing teeth?
• Are my teeth loose and need to be stabilized following treatment for advanced gum disease?      
• Do I regularly need my dentures relined because of bone resorption?

Dental implants are one of the greatest advancements in dentistry. Dental implants have the capability to serve as substitutes for natural tooth roots. These devices fit into the jaw bone and are considered both safe and effective to support dentures, caps or crowns and fixed bridges. These implants are not new. The ancient Egyptians utilized the implant, making their implants out of jade, sapphire and ivory.  
Implants today are often made of a special metal called titanium that is compatible with the bone of the jaw. In fact, this bone likes titanium so much that it actually fuses with the implant. The implant is a small post that protrudes from the gum tissue. Several of these implants may be placed based on the amount of space that needs to be filled. Crowns, bridges or dentures are placed on top of these implants.
Implant placement usually takes a number of appointments over a three-month period of time. There are two surgeries involved: one to place the implant into the bone and one to uncover the top of the implant. Then the general dentist will place the prosthesis on the implant. Once the implant is complete, you can start using it immediately with no discomfort.

With superior brushing and flossing, your implant can last a lifetime.

• Use a specialized floss such as GUM^® Implant+ floss. Insert the rigid portion located at the end of the floss at the base of the implant or bridge. Use the spongy portion to carefully and completely clean around the implant, under bridgwork and any particularly wide spaces between the teeth.
  
  
• Use a interdental brush with a nylon coating to clean the posts and underneath the prosthesis. Gently insert the interdental brush between one pin and another and clean using an in and out motion.
  
  
• Use an end-tuft toothbrush to clean areas that are difficult to reach between one post and beneath the prosthesis. The toothbrush head can be angled to reach specific areas.
  
  
• Brush the upper and lower surfaces of the prosthesis exactly as if they were natural teeth.