Why You Want Your Dentist to do a 3D X-Ray Before Getting Dental Implants

Dental implants are the most innovative means of replacing missing teeth. Using a titanium root inserted into the jawbone as a base for the crown, implants have proven to be incredibly effective. Implants work like regular teeth, allowing people to eat normally, and they require only the same basic dental hygiene as regular teeth. However, placing an implant does require a high degree of technical precision.

High-Tech Dental Care in 3D

3D x-rays, which are also called cone beam scans or 3D scans, are the latest advancement for implant treatment. They give dentists like Dr. Rondon a clearer image of the underlying bone structure, allowing them to see it from all angles in a high resolution image.  This ensures a higher degree of stability and safety.

3D x-rays can be done in the office, using equipment that is far more convenient and less bulky than older CT scanning machines. The process uses a comparatively low level of radiation, and it won’t be a problem for people who are claustrophobic.

As machines get more precise, the field of view can range from showing the whole jaw all the way down to showing a single tooth. Most scans take only about 30 seconds, but the result is a striking 3D color image on the computer that can be moved around to view from all sides.

Basically, a 3D x-ray allows the dentist to perform a virtual surgery before they ever work on your mouth. This helps them to see exactly where arteries, nerves and sinuses are located and gives a clear picture of every minor detail in the bone. It shows exactly where to place the implant and prevents any major surprises.

Sometimes the area of bone where the implant needs to go is narrow. In the past, this usually resulted in a bone graft. However, with 3D x-rays, the precision is so much higher that it is sometimes possible to simply change the trajectory of the implant. Whatever the case, the dentist will have a clear understanding of the situation, so the decision that is made will be the right one.

We are excited to offer 3D x-rays.  There is no need to drive over to an x-ray lab. The whole procedure can be done right in the office. The high level of precision, the removal of guesswork and the ease of it all makes 3D scans a highly desired part of your dental implant surgery.

Contact the office to find out more.

Why Do I Have a Toothache?

It’s easy to take your dental health for granted until you develop a toothache. Once a tooth starts to hurt, it can ruin your whole day. It’s the kind of pain that won’t go away, affecting your ability to eat, and bringing down your mood. As the pain persists, you inevitably wonder what might be causing it.

A common cause of toothache pain is poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush your teeth and floss daily, it allows plaque to build up. The plaque produces acid, which can eat into tooth enamel, exposing the root and causing pain. Regular oral hygiene at home, along with routine checkups and professional cleanings, are the only way to prevent this.

Common Oral Health Problems

Gum disease is another cause of toothache pain. Often, gum disease shows no symptoms in its early stages, but eventually, as it worsens, it can cause sore gums, pain around teeth or bleeding. Gum disease needs to betreated as soon as possible in order to preserve teeth.

Sometimes poor dental repairs can cause pain. If a filling or crown is not fitted properly, it can result in a toothache. Even if the dental work was done correctly, there can be some tooth pain for a while afterward. However, if you experience pain for a prolonged period of time after having dental repairs done, let Dr. Rondon know, so she can alleviate it for you.

Other causes of toothache pain include tooth decay, fractures, abscesses, habitual tooth grinding or infections. In some cases, tooth pain is constant. In other cases, it is throbbing, or it might only occur when you put pressure on the tooth, such as when attempting to bite down on something.

Toothaches can be caused by damage from injuries. This is a particular risk for athletes, which is why it is so important to wear mouth guards while playing sports. If your tooth pain lasts longer than a day or two, it is important to make a dental appointment. Also, if the tooth pain has become severe, or if you develop a fever, earache or jaw pain when opening your mouth, it might be an indication of a more serious problem.

If the toothache is caused by an infection, it needs to be treated soon, because infection can spread to other parts of the face or it can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. Whatever the cause, Dr. Rondon will find a way to alleviate the pain, so make your appointment today.

What Makes CEREC the Cutting Edge in Dentistry?

CEREC represents the cutting edge of dental innovation, allowing my patients to get ceramic tooth restorations done in a single visit. CEREC is a CAD/CAM system (computer-aided drafting/computer-aided manufacturing) that allows me to produce and insert ceramic restorations without the need for multiple visits or lab work.

CEREC was first introduced to the market in 1985 by a company called Sirona Dental Systems. Since then, the technology has only gotten better, adding a level of convenience and precision to restorations that previous generations would not have imagined possible. The whole process is fast and safe, and in a relatively short amount of time, it provides patients with a natural-looking tooth restoration that will last for many years.

The restoration done with CEREC are all-ceramic, a material that is durable, resistant to wear and looks and feels natural next to other teeth. The procedure allows the dentist to preserve more of the original tooth material, using a cutting edge bonding technique to restore the tooth to its full functionality. 

Why do Patients Love CEREC?

But what patients really love about CEREC is that the entire restoration can be done in a single visit. Before CEREC, a patient needed a first visit to have the tooth prepared and an impression made. A temporary crown was then put on, and the patient was scheduled for a second visit. During the second visit a few weeks later, the temporary crown was removed and the permanent one put in its place.

Of course, if the temporary happened to fall off before the second visit, that typically required adding a third visit to replace it. For people who are working or who have a lot of personal commitments, all of these appointments were inconvenient, and dealing with the temporary crown for weeks while waiting for the final visit was frustrating.

CEREC takes that frustration right out! Images  are taken of the teeth using an intraoral camera. From those images, a restoration is created in a computer using CAD. The high resolution 3D image ensures that the restoration will take every detail into consideration, providing the highest level of precision possible. Next, an in-office milling machine creates the tooth!

Finally, the restoration is bonded in place. All of this takes place during a single visit, and the process usually lasts about an hour. My patients walk out of the office with a brand new, restored tooth. 

I, Dr. Rondon, use CEREC technology to provide my patients the highest level of dental precision. With a commitment to the latest and greatest innovations in dental care,  I get to create beautiful smiles all across Jacksonville.

Top 5 Reasons Why Dental Implants are the Best Option in Tooth Replacement

When replacing missing teeth, the two most popular solutions are full or partial dentures and dental implants. Of those options, implants are the best solution most of the time, giving a level of restored functionality that dentures simply cannot provide. 

Top 5 reasons why dental implants work so well

1) Osseointegration

This great big word is the real reason why dental implants are so effective at replacing missing teeth. Osseointegration refers to a process that occurs between the titanium root and the natural bone material in the jaw. Bone actually grows and fuses into the surface of titanium, creating an incredibly strong bond that gives the implant its stability and restores functionality.

2) Natural-Looking

The dental implant provides a sturdy replacement root upon which to attach a crown. The crown is made of natural looking material that mimics the appearance of teeth very effectively. In fact, there is a good chance that people will not be able to tell the difference between the natural teeth and the dental implant.

3) Restored Function

Because the root is fused into the actual bone, a dental implant provides a sturdy base for the replacement tooth, fully restoring the function of the missing tooth. Unlike dentures, which can slip and move around, hindering speech and limiting the kinds of foods you can eat, implants act just like natural teeth. People can eat what they want, even hard foods, and the implant only requires the same basic dental hygiene as regular teeth.

4) Long-Lasting

Dental implants have a very high success rate, with studies putting it between 95 and 98%, particularly when the implant is placed into natural bone. When grafted bone is used, the success rate is slightly lower but still impressive. Either way, dental implants have proven to last a very long time, enduring in good condition for decades, making them a lifelong solution.

5) More Advanced than Ever

Research and technological advancements continue to improve the techniques used in dental implants, making them more effective than ever. 3D x-rays are giving dentists a clearer view of the underlying bone structure, so placing the implant is a more precise process. Typically, the surgery is performed using only local anesthetic to numb the area, and it is minimally invasive.

If you have missing teeth, dental implants are definitelyworth looking into. They just might be the solution that you are hoping for. Dr. Rondon can diagnose your condition to determine if you are good candidate for the procedure.

ClearCorrect and Six Month Smiles: The New Orthodontics

The world of orthodontics has seen remarkable innovations in the last couple of decades, giving patients more options than ever for correcting teeth that are crooked and misaligned. A couple of the more recent examples are ClearCorrect and Six Month Smiles, both of which offering distinct advantages over traditional orthodontic procedures. Let’s take a brief look at them.

ClearCorrect

ClearCorrect uses a set of custom, removable aligners to straighten a patient’s teeth. The aligners are made of clear plastic, and they move teeth incrementally. The whole process is relatively simple. Impressions are made of the patient’s teeth, and a computer program is used to design a set of customized aligners to achieve the desired result.

The patients will typically wear each aligner for up to 22 hours a day, removing them in order to eat and drink, as well as to brush and floss. Every six weeks or so, they will visit the dentist to receive two new sets of aligners, with each set moving the teeth just a little further in the process. After the final set of aligners, the patient is given a retainer to wear at night, which helps to maintain the final results of the treatment.

There are many advantages to ClearCorrect. The first one is contained in the name: the aligners are completely clear, so people probably won’t even notice them. They are practically invisible. Another advantage is comfort, because they require no brackets or metal wires. Finally, the aligners can be removed, unlike braces, for eating and drinking.

Six Month Smiles

Six Month Smiles has only recently arrived on the scene, so it represents one of the latest innovations in orthodontics. It offers a procedure for straightening teeth that is much shorter than traditional braces. As the name of the product boldly proclaims, they can produce striking results in just six months.

Unlike ClearCorrect, Six Month Smiles uses clear brackets and wires made of a nickel-titanium alloy. The short treatment time means patients will not feel as much discomfort, but this product is best for people who do not need complex correction to their bite. For many common alignment problems, such as overbites, crowding, and spacing, they are quite effective.

Unlike ClearCorrect, the brackets are bonded to the teeth, so they are not removable. For some people, this might be a problem. However, the relatively short treatment time means people won’t have to put up with them for long. Patient will need to avoid foods that can get stuck under the braces, such as candy or hard foods like apples. Also, food and drinks that contain high levels of sugar or acid should be avoided.  However, the trade-off is quick progress.

Both ClearCorrect and Six Months Smiles are viable procedures for people looking to straighten their teeth. They represent the newest innovations in orthodontics. I, Dr. Rondon, can answer any specific questions you might have about either procedure, so contact me at myJacksonville dental office today.

Gum Disease: What to Watch Out For

Gum disease is a far more common problem than many people realize, and more people are suffering from the condition than is readily apparent. This is because many of the symptoms of the infection don’t appear until late stages, when the disease has become severe. By that point, a lot of damage has already been done, and treatment is imperative as soon as possible to prevent tooth loss.

There are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood that you will develop gum disease. By becoming aware of these risks and taking steps to minimize them, it is possible to protect yourself.

Gum disease is caused by the same plaque that builds up on teeth and gums, so the biggest risk factor is poor oral hygiene. People who do not brush and floss their teeth regularly are the most susceptible to developing gum disease. Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once might seem like an inconvenience, but it is well worth a little inconvenience to avoid the discomfort and damage of gum disease.

Tobacco use also greatly increases the risk of developing the disease, and this goes for dipping and chewing tobacco as much as it does for smoking. Other risk factors include poor nutrition, which often results from a bad diet, as well as certain medications. People with diabetes are at increased risk, and studies show that high stress levels can also be a factor.

Treat Early Signs of Gum Disease

If you have any symptoms of gum disease, it is important to let Dr. Rondon check it out. The earlier the disease is caught, the easier the treatment. Some symptoms to look for include red or swollen gums. If your gums bleed easily that might be a sign. General discomfort along the gum line or teeth that feel loose are also causes for concern. Other symptoms include receding gums, sores or persistent bad breath that won’t go away.

If you are suffering from any of these, we encourage you to make a dental appointment.  If left un-treated, gum disease forms pockets of infection between the gums and teeth. This infection can damage the supporting structure of teeth, eventually, making them loose. The infection can enter the bloodstream and spread to other areas of the body. In fact, several studies have linked gum disease with a wide range of health problems and illnesses.

Gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss for adults, so it needs to be treated as soon as possible. Of course, regular dental cleanings and good oral hygiene are the best prevention, but a thorough exam will be able to determine if the infection is already present. If you think you are at risk, contact Dr. Rondon today!

Welcome to our blog!

We're excited to announce the official launch of our JR Dental blog.

We'll be posting helpful dental tips, news from the dental industry, news from our practice, and more about the latest in dentistry.

We built our practice on the notion that we're there for our patients when they need us and we want our online presence to be a reflection of that principle. We hope this blog provides an extra level of service to our current and future patients.

If you would like to stay up to date on the latest from JR Dental, simply click the RSS “Subscribe to feed” link located on our website and subscribe. Our subscribers will be updated when we make a new blog post.

Here's to your best oral health ever!