Dental Implants: A Way to Restore Your Smile

Losing a tooth is a big deal. Not only will it affect a person's body image and self-esteem, it could also have an impact on one's speech, ability to chew, and smile. Gone are the days when you can effortlessly bite into an apple, join conversations without being awkward, and pose confidently in front of a camera. Luckily, oral surgeons have a way to restore the smile you once had: dental implants.

Dental implants are tooth replacements that look and function like real teeth. They are usually made of titanium and covered with either a bridge or a porcelain crown. This extremely beneficial dental technology does not decay, and are stain resistant. Aside from that, they are convenient, and very easy to clean and maintain.

Once a dental implant is installed, it can last for a lifetime, especially if you properly and diligently care for it. That said, it is vital that you adhere to good oral hygiene practices after a dental implant surgery. This means you'll need to brush and floss regularly. You may also need to have professional dental cleaning once every six months, depending on the recommendation of your dentist.

If you believe that a dental implant is the ideal solution for your tooth loss problem, talk to a dental implant specialist. He will assess your oral and dental condition to confirm if implants are indeed the best option for you.

How an Oral Surgeon Performs Bone Grafting

Denver offers a diverse culinary cuisine that also consists of staples like the Denver omelet and many fast-casual food concepts. However, you won't likely be able to enjoy much of the unique cuisine the city offers if you suffer from tooth loss and refuse to have dentures fitted because you believe they're unnatural and bothersome. Fortunately, a better alternative exists; a dental implant procedure will allow you to eat a variety of cuisine without the annoying hassles of dentures.

Not everyone is a good candidate for this procedure, however, as it requires a bone structure that is strong enough to hold the titanium posts that serve as the anchor for the replacement teeth. If the bones are weak or there is inadequate bone structure, there may be a need for the oral surgeon to perform bone grafting. This is a procedure similar to skin grafting, which is usually performed as part of cosmetic surgeries for burn victims.

Under the bone grafting procedure, a bone is obtained from your jaw, hip, or leg (although in some cases, the bone can also be taken from a tissue bank) and then transferred to where the dental implants are to be placed. Bone grafting is a complex procedure that requires the skills and training of an experienced oral surgeon and the sterile environment of an operating room. Afterwards, the patient will be required to stay in the hospital to give him enough time to recuperate. 

Oral Surgery May Resolve Obstructive Sleep Apnea Condition

Sleep apnea, a disorder that plagues millions of Americans that is usually dismissed as nothing more than a nuisance, should be taken less lightly because it has real and significant consequences. The condition obstructs an individual from normal breathing, preventing him from inhaling and exhaling breath for a period of 10 seconds or longer. In a regular sleep, a person suffering from the condition may experience this for hundreds of times.

Several signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring, brief pauses in breathing, and gasping. As the breathing process is obstructed, oxygen levels in the blood drop and the person is interrupted from his sleep to resume breathing. Not getting a good night's sleep alone poses several problems to a person's well being which includes getting morning headaches, sleepiness in the morning, irritability, memory and learning problems, and poor concentration.

People who suffer from this problem should consult their physicians. Sometimes, they are advised to wear a CPAP mask. More serious cases, however, may require laser-assisted oral surgery. Oral surgeons will perform the procedure if an analysis of a person's x-ray reveals that the level of obstruction posed by a patient's facial feature may require clearing.

Sometimes, it is the shape and position of jawbones that needs correction. This is a more complex case that requires general anesthesia and may require at least 2 full days of hospital rest.