Losing a permanent tooth can cause changes to the way a person talks, eats, or how they smile. Before the popularity and availability of dental implants, patients were only able to choose between fixed bridges or a removable partial denture. The problem with fixed bridges and partial dentures is that they wear away at the remaining teeth and often have to be replaced every seven to 15 years. They also can break down the existing bone area where the missing tooth was located.

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are becoming a popular choice for those patients missing permanent teeth. These implants look and feel like the natural tooth that was lost. It is fitted with a titanium root that is implanted into the bone of the jaw. The process can take several months and multiple trips to a dental office. The reason is that patients have to heal in-between steps of the process.

Criteria for Dental Implantation

For patients who are missing permanent teeth, they may be a logical long-term replacement option. The following criteria is used to determine if a patient is an ideal candidate for implants:

• More than one permanent tooth is missing
• Jawbone is fully grown and developed
• Has an adequate amount of bone remaining to help secure the implants
• The oral tissues of the mouth are healthy
• The patient has no health issues that would affect the bone from healing
• Doesn’t want to or can’t wear dentures
• Looking to have speech improved
• Willing to commit to the process, which takes several months to complete

69% of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth. 26% of adults over the age of 74 have lost all of their permanent teeth. The most common causes for permanent tooth loss include gum disease, tooth decay, a root canal that failed, or an accident to the teeth.

Is Dental Implant the Right Choice?

Dental patients are the ones who have to make the final decision on a dental implant. Implants are a new enough technique, and it requires specialized training on the part of the dentist.

Some patients cannot wear a partial, denture, or fixed bridge, making a dental implant the only logical solution to fix their teeth and to restore their quality of life. If a patient meets all of the criteria listed above, they should talk with their dentist about the possibility of using a dental implant to complete their smile.

Source by George N Anderson

Being aware and conscience of your health is one of the most important things you can do. You have to live in your body everyday so why not keep it a nice place to live. In life, most would agree that health is one of the main priorities along with food/clothing/a roof over your head. When it comes to health one thing that can often be overlooked is your dental health. Most are unaware that poor oral hygiene can lead to a series of other problems yet it is a relatively simple aspect to take care of.

It is no new news that exercise and a healthy diet are two of the most important things one can do to improve their health. There are countless exercise options out there as anyone can attest to ever watching TV. It seems like every commercial break has some kind of exercise/weightloss advertisement. It is a multi billion dollar business and rightfully so as people are concerned about their health.

Keeping up good health has countless benefits in life, you feel better, think better, are able to seemingly have “more fun” in life. It is often only the sick who realize how good healthy people have it. Take care of your body’s health and your body will not only thank you but it will help take care of you. However, don’t forget to consider your oral health.

Poor dental habits lead to poor oral health. Cavities and gum disease effects not only your physical appearance and sense of well being but if left ignored can lead to problems such as poor sleep, proper digestion of food including other more serious problems such as heart disease and stroke. Other problems poor oral care can contribute to are clogging of arteries, heart valve damage, lung problems. Pregnant woman with gum disease can give birth to pre-term and light weight babies which then leads to other health risks in the child.

You can take steps to keep your dental health in check, including brushing and flossing your teeth daily and visiting your dentist at regular check ups. A healthy diet also helps to build strong bones and gums, not to mention less sugar in the diet keeps the cavities at bay as well. Take care of your oral health, it is a simple way to contribute to your overall wellbeing. But while your at it, why not save some money with a dental insurance alternative saving plans. They will help you save money on your dental bills no matter where you live. They have nationwide plans to help you on your way to a great smile.

Source by Kevin Dunham

There are some people out there who want a job or career that is out of the ordinary. If you have a natural artistic ability with a strong sense of aesthetics, you might be interested in becoming a dental technician. You would be making crowns, bridges and other dental prosthetics according to a dentist’s orders. You need to have good manual dexterity, and you also need to be able to differentiate between shades and colors. This work can be very detailed and precise, so you must take your time to do your work carefully to make sure it is done right.

Those who have an artistic ability might not be able to find something with a career in art, but there are favourable opportunities in the work force for a dental technician. You would be moulding and creating these prosthetics to fit patients. That means a dentist would send you an order, and you would have to analyze different things in order to make adjustments as needed for that particular patient. You would have to look at the mould of the patient’s mouth for how the surrounding teeth and gum line are, and make the prosthetic to fit their mouth perfectly.

There are schools that offer formal training for becoming a dental technician. Most of them offer 2 year programs with an associate degree, but there are some that offer a 4 year program that leads to a bachelor’s degree. There are dental offices that simply provide hands-on training to someone already employed within the office, but many prefer to have someone with a formal education. Once you receive the necessary hands-on experience and classroom training, you can also choose to become certified.

There are many advancement opportunities for a dental technician. Once you are experienced, you may want to become a supervisor or a manager in a laboratory. Others actually open up their own labs, while still others teach or work with dental suppliers. Since there are many opportunities, this is a great career for someone who is looking for something out of the ordinary. They make pretty good money with the median hourly wage for 2007 being over $16/hour. You can go online to find a school to apply for, and you could be in your new career in as little as 2 years.

Source by Paul Abbey

Dental School Grants

Many children know from a young age what it is that they want to become in life. They are able to choose their profession at an early age if parents are encouraging enough and know how to direct them without pushing them from one side to another.

There are many children in this world who do not have the opportunity to grow up in a financially stable environment, which is why it sometimes might seem hard for them to follow their dream and apply to a college, as all of them ask for a consistent financial support.

Dental School is a big part of the Medical School and both of them usually require a lot of money. Being a dental practitioner is one expensive dream, but once it has been realized, the fruits of success exceed by far all the financial stumbling and compromises that might have been done along the way.

General facts about Dental School

There are two major directions in every dental school: dental hygiene school and the school of dentistry. Those who attend the dental hygiene school will obtain a license as soon as they graduate. Those who choose to go to the school of dentistry are more likely to become dental surgeons and specialists, but their training process is a bit more complex as compared to the previous set of students. They have to complete an undergraduate degree in a major that is oriented more towards science. Then, in order to continue with their dental education, they need to look and apply to a specialized school of dentistry.

Financial Aid

Since dental hygienists can complete their professional preparation as undergraduates, it is a lot easier for them to find grants and scholarships that will secure their entire educational period. On the other hand, those who apply for the school of dentistry will have a harder time in finding financial aid, as they will be enrolled as post-graduates, thus competing for smaller funding resources.

Most of the times, in order to sustain their education, students will search for grants and scholarships that bear the name of gift aid. The money they get cannot be returned and they can use it however they wish in their educational process.

This money will come from private sources, such as different organizations, estates or individuals or from public sources which are known to be funded by taxes.

How to get Financial Aid

The first thing you need to do is to go through a thorough research process. The sum of money a student can get depends on his family’s contribution or how much money he can provide for this purpose. Before applying for a financial aid, all colleges require their potential students to fill out the form called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the FAFSA. The information placed in this document will give the government a concrete image related to the amount of money the family is able to contribute to the education of the student, without causing a financial chaos that would lead to a tremendous financial burden.

The students who are able to pay most of their education are not considered to be appropriate for receiving this aid. Moreover, every grant has its own rules and conditions students need to meet in order to be considered eligible.

Then, there are also the merit based grants which are given to students for their excellent academic results. Just like the other type of grants, this one does not need any repayment to be made. The number for this type of grants is limited, so the competition can be quite heated.

Source by Emily Zenowski

Getting referrals for your dental business can be one of the most successful ways of bringing in new patients. Considering the fact that a very high percentage of people choose their doctors and dentists based upon the recommendations of friends and family, referrals can mean a lot to your dental practice.

Some dentists are afraid to specifically go out and ask for referrals. This is silly. Asking for referrals doesn’t show any sort of weakness or lack of patients. When done casually and in context, your patients may not even realize that you are asking them to gather referrals. Here are some ways to get more patient referrals.

Offer Incentives to Current Dental Patients

Most dentists put a spot on new patient forms that asks for referral information. In this spot the patient can include information about how they found your dental business, either by listing the individual that told them or the place where they encountered your advertisement. You can use this little line to offer incentives for patient referrals. Periodically advertise to your current patients that you are offering an incentive program for referrals. You can make it on a limited time basis or you can do it all the time; that is really up to you and your bookkeeper to figure out. You might try giving 10% off to a dental patient when a referral is received in their name, or offering a free cleaning, etc. This way you are making your current patients happy by rewarding them for finding you new patients. It is a win-win situation.

Ask Dental Patients to Hand Out Brochures

There is no shame in occasionally asking patients to hand out brochures. For some patients it may even seem quantifiably normal. For example, if you have a patient who is a teacher and you are an orthodontist, you could give her a few brochures and ask that she place them on the greeting table at open house or PTA meetings. When you see an opportunity, do not be afraid to take it.

Mention Dental Referrals in Organic Conversation

One of the most common ways of reminding patients to drum up some references is by adding the call to action to an organic conversation. As you finish up with a cleaning you could say something like “So many people go years without getting their teeth cleaned professionally. If you know anybody like that you should mention me to them.” You may even want to add “I offer free cleanings to new patients” if you are so inclined.

There is no shame in asking your clients to refer new dental patients. Most people do this anyway without even thinking about it. Adding a little hint or an incentive there can help to greatly boost your yearly referrals, and it is a free or relatively inexpensive marketing technique for your dental business.

Source by Dr Madlena Kantscheff

If you want to get the best benefits out of the dental coverage, you should get to know the features of personal dental plans. The best way to take full advantage of this is to understand its features. Our best advice to you would be that you read your benefits information before you go to your dentist.

There are different plans each with unique features. Most of the dental plans come with an annual cap, which means the cost above the cap is the patients responsibility.

Individual dental plans allow friends or co-workers to join your coverage but each of them can select a different type of coverage than what you already have. The network within the dental plan you have may not allow a specific dentist. Alternatively, you should find a dentist within your area that will cover any potential claim.

You could be entitled to multiple benefits from two or more groups. However, the compensation coverage from all the group plans is typically not over 100 percent of the total dental cost. In addition, there are benefits available for dependents that vary from one option to the other. Special clauses and the language of terms and conditions is something that you should carefully read.

Here are some of the key concepts before you buy individual dental plans. There are reimbursement levels, co-insurance, deductibles and maximums. The annual maximum or annual dollar maximum specifies the largest amount of claim coverage within the plan period which is one year. Plans vary on deductibles, which is a part of your dental bill that you need to satisfy before the benefit can give to your expenses. Since deductibles differ from plan to plan, read the plan document to understand whether your deductibles apply to preventive or diagnostic treatment.

The co-insurance provision is a part of each plan, according to which a fixed percentage of your treatment cost covers from your benefit provisions, while you are liable to pay the balance amount. The amount you pay is known as co-insurance. There are three levels of reimbursements offered by many dental plans including diagnostic, basic treatments, and major services.

It is easy to understand individual dental plans if you read your plan very carefully. Also, understanding this process before visiting a dentist will help you save on your expenses. Once you understand these concepts, you can find the one that meets your needs best.

Source by Ariel Norton

Oral health as well as oral hygiene is very important. You will not be able to flash your smile at everyone if you have missing teeth. You will probably feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. If you are an adult and have lost your tooth, it won’t grow back again and the only recourse for this matter is a dental implant.

Dental implants replace the missing tooth. Unlike dentures, it is just like your original tooth. You can’t take them out whenever you wish. They are placed in your jawbone and they provide a new root that would hold the tooth in place. They are generally made of titanium. They are lightweight and durable.

You just need to choose the right dental implant clinic and a very good dentist. This will help you to have a comfortable experience. If you are not comfortable with your dentist and do not trust his or her experience then you may not have a very good experience. You should be satisfied with their background and should talk to some of their past customers to understand their experience in this area.

After your dentist’s team has checked you up, they will formulate a specific plan for approaching the treatment. You will be provided with different options depending on your preference and budget. Only once you approve, they will go ahead with the procedure. The titanium tooth is implanted in your jawbone. The healing process may take up to six to twelve weeks. Your dentist will see to it that the new tooth will appear natural and look the same as your other original teeth.

You also need to take good care after your dental implant procedure.You need to place an ice in the affected area. You are also asked to take complete rest for a day. The ice will help alleviate the swelling. You can take a painkiller medicine to reduce the pain. Your dentist will also provide you with the prescription of the right medicine and the right dosage. For fast recovery you may also be asked to take an antibiotic. This will also prevent you from having any infection.

You have to regularly rinse your mouth. Brushing your teeth gently is also important. This will keep your new teeth in good shape. After you brush your teeth, you can floss your teeth gently.

If you visit the right dentist and take good care after your dental implant procedure, you will soon be showing off your pearly whites without any shame or discomfort.

Source by Lloyd Pinto

Teething

Teething is considered as one of the very first rituals of human beings. Though infants have no teeth yet, their teeth start to show when they are about six months old. In the first years of their life, all of their 20 baby teeth will push through the gums, and by age 3, most kids will have their full set of teeth. When a baby is about 6 months old, the four front teeth often push through the gums – though some children only have their first tooth when they are 12 to 14 months of age.

When their teeth begin to show, some babies become irritable, picky, and sleepless, drool more often, or lose their appetite. When babies are teething, they do not normally have diarrhea, fever or rashes. So, in case they are experiencing such symptoms and continue to be irritable and uneasy, consult your physician.

First Visit to the Dentist

Once the first tooth of your child appears, schedule a visit to the doctor. According to ADA, the first dental visit should take place within six months following the appearance of the first tooth, and not after the first birthday. Do not postpone it to the time they are about to start school or when there is a problem.

Teach your child to be comfortable with good dental habits. Usually, during the first visit, the dentist will just examine your child’s mouth to check the development of teeth, as well as make your child feel comfortable. To make dental visit more favorable:

• Schedule a daytime appointment so that the children are well rested and cooperative.
• Keep your concerns to yourself. Kids can easily sense your emotions, so give emphasis to the positive aspects.
• Never use a dental visit to punish/threat your child.
• Never use a dental visit as a bribe.
• Talk positively to your child about going to the dentist.

On your dental visit, expect the dentist to:

• Examine for oral problems or cavities;
• Reveal if there are any risks of developing tooth decay;
• Clean teeth and give tips for everyday care;
• Talk about teething, using a pacifier or thumb-sucking habits;
• Discuss necessary treatment and schedule the next appointment.

Fluoride

The mineral called fluoride naturally occurs in all sources of water, such as lakes, oceans and rivers. At times, it is also included in toothpaste, mouth rinse and a number of community tap water. Infants, as well as toddlers not getting enough fluoride may be more prone to tooth decay because fluoride protects the tooth enamel from it.

Fluoride also repairs weakened enamel. Since not all bottled water contains fluoride, children who regularly drink this or tap water without fluoride do not enjoy its benefits. If you in doubt whether or not your tap water contains fluoride, inquire from your local/state health department or water supplier.

Pacifiers

It is quite common for infants and younger children to suck on their thumb, finger or pacifier. When a pacifier is dipped in sweet food like honey, sugar and sweetened juice, this can cause tooth decay.

Tooth decay can start as well when saliva with cavity-causing bacteria is passed on from a mother or caregiver to the baby. Also, when either of them puts a baby’s feeding spoon or pacifier in their mouth, the bacteria can be transmitted to the baby.

Source by Karina Popa

If you have been putting off seeing the dentist out of fear, you’re not alone. In fact, many patients, both old and young are afraid of the dentist. There are many causes behind people’s dental fears including unpleasant past experiences, the fear of their poor oral hygiene habits being found out, the fear of the dentist finding something wrong or the unpleasant smells and sounds. Adults can also dread the bill they may be hit with if they don’t have good dental insurance and something bad is found.

You may have heard from someone at one time or another to “face your fears” and that the more you do which is uncomfortable for you, the more likely you’ll get use to it and it will no longer be scary. The same logic can be applied to visiting the dentist. The more frequently you visit the dentist, the better you’ll know your dentist and staff and the more accustomed you’ll get to the look, feel, sounds and smells of the dental office.

Patients are highly encouraged to see their dentist at least twice a year, or every six months, for a routine dental examination and professional teeth cleaning. These types of routine appointments are quick, inexpensive (many dental insurance plans cover these check-ups) and don’t cause any pain or discomfort or the patient. Sticking to this regular dental office visitation schedule will help you gradually calm the fears and concerns you may have had about going to the dentist. They will also help inform you and your dentist about possible oral health issues that can be easily and effectively treated while in its early stage.

Many dental patients who cave into their fears and don’t regularly see their dentist are at a higher risk of having oral health issues that require more intensive, uncomfortable, long, expensive treatment. This can, in turn, reinforce the patient’s fear of the dentist by once again giving him or her a negative, unpleasant experience.

Some patients think that because their teeth and gums look and feel great that they don’t need to see their dentist. This is a common misconception that often results in patients putting their oral health at unnecessary risks. While some dental issues such as tooth decay and gum disease have symptoms that can be easily noticed by someone with no dental knowledge, other oral conditions such as Bruxism and oral cancer often don’t exhibit any noticeable symptoms. Without the examination of the trained eyes of a dental professional, a patient can very well have a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment. Even if nothing serious is detected, a dentist can observe and anticipate the growth and development of various oral conditions, something an untrained eye would easily miss. Proactive and preventative dental treatment can then be carried out, sparing the patient from additional pain, discomfort, complications, and costs.

As the old adage goes “prevention is the best medicine.” Catching oral health issues early and getting a deep-cleaning teeth cleaning to prevent cavities and gum disease can spare dental patients from needing expensive, lengthy and invasive treatments in the future, all things that are common sources of patients’ dental fears.

If you’re compromising the health of your teeth and gums because you’re afraid of the dentist, remember the importance of those regular, six month dental office visits and how they can save you some green and unpleasant dental office experiences.

Source by Anna Bird

Dental scaling is mainly intended to remove the tartar and plaque from the tooth surfaces. Scaling is one of the most effective ways to treat the gum disease before it becomes severe. Every time, instead of considering in office dental scaling treatment, you can find various alternatives to scaling. This article gives you top 5 alternatives to scaling.

Periodontal diseases need not be one of the reasons for your tooth loss. Many effective treatments are available to treat various gum diseases. Dental scaling is a thorough deep cleansing of tartar and plaque on the tooth surfaces and periodontal pockets typically located in the gums and smooths the teeth roots to eliminate bacterial toxins. Below is an alternatives list for dental scaling.

1. Ultrasonic scalers

This is an effective and fast scaling treatment used to eliminate tartar from the tooth surface rapidly. It works using scaling tip that vibrates depending on ultrasonic power frequency between 18 kHz to 32 kHz. The heat generated at the tip is cooled by jet water and is very essential to move over the mineralized teeth to remove plaque.

Remember that you should not use the scaler for more than 10 seconds on any individual tooth and don’t press it harder than one ounce of pressure.

2. Vita Pick

Vita Pick is a technique kills the damaging bacteria in pockets of gums three times deeper than any other conventional means. Vita Pick is a re-usable and durable pen-sized applicator specially designed to deliver effective antiseptic solutions comprised of hydrogen peroxide and salt solution in the gum pockets 12mm deeper and thus removes bacterial toxins.

3. Periowave

Periowave involves a non-thermal laser light that is combined with a photosensitizing solution uniquely designed to kill toxic bacteria developed with a gum disease. It effectively removes the calculus build up in the gum pockets and relieves from gum diseases.

4. Metronidazole Gel

Metronidazole gel, anti-infective agent is a good alternative to deep scaling and root planning in the treatment of adult periodontics. It is designed to treat dental infections of bacterial origin over the tooth surfaces. It is not recommended if you are allergic to new medicines.

5. Soft tissue layers

Many dental professionals may employ the use of lasers to remove plaque and toxic bacteria in the roots of teeth. It traps the bacteria accumulated in the gum pockets and gives you relief from further teeth damage and pain associated with various gum diseases due to plaque formation.

Source by Nancy P Shevell