Dental implants are reliable and long-lasting replacements for missing teeth.

A dental implant consists of three parts. First there is the surgical implant that becomes your new tooth root, taking the place of the root of the missing tooth. Usually there is a healing period of 4-6 months during which the bone grows tightly around the root form so it is solidly anchored. After the healing period is up, an impression is taken for a custom abutment which fits to the implant and then attaches to the implant crown. The visible part of an implant is the crown, and the end result is a very functional, long lasting restoration.

Situations Where Dental Implants Are Used

If you are missing all your teeth, dental implants can be placed, and used in conjunction with dentures, partials, or sometimes bridges. Dentures can have poor chewing efficiency (less than 50% of normal chewing efficiency) and may lead to gradual bone resorption which could lead to facial collapse.

If you have one or two teeth missing dental implants can be the ideal solution to replacing those teeth. The implant system works independently so you do not have to involve the teeth on either side as you would with a bridge. If those missing teeth are in the back of your mouth, the option of dental implants to restore chewing capabilities is more promising than an uncomfortable removable partial.

Advantages:

–You do not need to involve the adjacent teeth, it’s nice to avoid aggressive treatment on otherwise healthy teeth.

—Maintenance is less expensive. If a dental bridge fails, the entire restoration has to be replaced.

–Implants preserve bone. When a tooth is extracted, the body senses the loss and begins to resorb the bone that used to be there to support the tooth. The presence of a dental implant signals to the body that this bone is still needed.

Disadvantages:

—-There is a healing period between steps.

—-It may be a little more expensive than other methods of tooth replacement.

If you are wondering what to do about your missing teeth, ask us when you are in, or schedule a complimentary visit to find out what your options might be.

Spinach Quiche Recipe                           

This recipe uses the prepared pie crusts found in the freezer section of your supermarket. You can find some alternative brands with more fiber and less saturated fat at stores like Whole Foods. Since prepared pie crusts are usually high in fat, we’re keeping the filling nice and light.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 package (9-10 ounces) frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 2 scallions or green onions (white and part of the green), chopped
• 3 ounces flavored feta cheese (such as roasted bell pepper & garlic), crumbled
• 1 cup shredded, reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
• Pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (add more if desired)
• 9-inch unbaked deep-dish pie crust, partially thawed
• 2 large eggs (use higher omega-3 type, if available)
• 1/2 cup egg substitute
• 1 cup fat-free half-and-half (or substitute low-fat milk)

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss together spinach, green onions, feta, cheddar, pepper to taste, and garlic powder.
2. Spoon mixture evenly into the pie crust.
3. Add eggs, egg substitute, and fat-free half-and-half to large mixing bowl, and beat on medium speed until combined. Pour into the pie crust, letting the spinach mixture combine nicely with the egg mixture.
4. Bake until center of quiche is cooked throughout (about 50-55 minutes). Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Yield:

8 servings

Nutritional Information:

Per serving: 228 calories, 13 g protein, 15 g carbohydrate, 12 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 70 mg cholesterol, 2 g fiber, 388 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 50%.8 servings

Sleep Dentistry, or Sedation Dentistry is a valuable tool for patients who are delaying dental care due to anxiety that keeps them away from the office. Dr.Shlafer has  received extensive training to safely provide this service to our patients.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is all about our patients comfort. When you are ready to proceed with your treatment, you will be given a prescription for a few small pills to take  prior to your appointment. This pill will make you snooze your way through the procedure. Though you are not technically asleep, patients describe the experience as  “if they were sleeping.” You will have little or no memory of the appointment. You will not remember any sounds or smells.

Sedation dentistry will allow your treatment to be done more comfortably that you might have though possible. You will be drowsy and unaware of the time passing by. During the entire appointment you are monitored continually, and of course you will need a driver to get you safely back and forth to the office.

Am I A Good Candidate fo Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is especially helpful for patients who:

• Have high anxiety about dental visits
• Have had a traumatic dental experience in the past
• Have difficulty getting numb
• Have a strong gag reflex
• Have TMJ (tempromandibular joint) issues and have difficulty opening your mouth for extended periods of time
• Are afraid of needles
• Hate the noises or smells associated with dental care

What To Expect At A Sedation Dentistry Appointment

You will take a few small pills about an hour prior to arriving at our office. You will need a companion to drive you to the office since you will not be able to drive yourself. By the time you arrive at the office, you will feel very drowsy.

You will be escorted to a comfortable chair and a small electronic sensor will be placed on your fingertip. This sensor allows us to monitor your vital signs during the entire procedure. Once your snoozing comfortably,  Dr.Shlafer will begin then begin your dental care. When he would be finished with your treatment, your companion will drive you home.

If you think that sedation will help you receive the dental care you have been postponing, call for a complimentary visit to see if you are a candidate.

Q:  When does a tooth need a crown?

A:  A dental crown is needed when a tooth is badly broken down, or has a large old filling that is failing, a root canal has been done on the tooth, or there is significant decay present. A filling can restore a tooth if the area is small—a crown is needed when the damage is extensive. Another situation requiring a crown would be for a patient who has had an implant placed to replace a missing tooth, and now a special implant crown and abutment is needed to complete that restoration.

There are several types of crowns that can be done: CEREC®–which is an all porcelain crown that is fabricated in the office using CAD-CAM technology, allowing the patient to have their new crown  placed in one visit. There are also lab porcelain crowns, which contain no metal, but require two appointments to complete. Lastly, a porcelain fused to gold crown, which has a metal base and tooth colored porcelain baked on the outside. This type of crown also requires two visits. Dr.Shlafer will examine and determine, with you which type of crown would be the best long term restoration.

For front teeth needing crowns, cosmetic considerations come into play. This is when it becomes important to understand that a good cosmetic dentist requires special skills and extensive training beyond dental school. There is a great difference between a good dentist and an artistically inclined cosmetic dentist. For most patients the appearance of their smile is very important to them, therefore you will want to take great care in choosing the right dentist to help you.

 When the enamel of a tooth is worn away, the tooth often becomes sensitive and is more susceptible to decay. Advanced cases may require a crown to save the tooth. Tooth enamel may be worn away in several areas. One or more of these factors can cause premature wear:

Attrition

Attrition is the gradual loss of enamel through wear.  A small amount of attrition may be caused by normal speaking and eating. More extreme cases of attrition are typically caused by bruxism (the grinding of teeth against teeth.) Bruxism usually occurs at night while the patient is sleeping, so often they are unaware.

Abrasion

Abrasion is the wearing away of tooth enamel by a foreign object. Common causes of abrasion are:

• Brushing too hard or too long
• Fingernail biting, chewing on pens or pencils, holding needled or pins between your teeth, etc
• Oral jewelry–patient with pierced lips and/or tongue often wear away enamel on adjacent teeth.

Erosion

Erosion is the chemical wear of tooth enamel. Typically this kind of wear is caused by an acid. Citric acid is one of the most common agents. Citrus fruit (lemons, limes, oranges, or grapefruits) all contain citric acid, as do most soft drinks and citrus juices. Some candies also contain citric acid. Many soft drinks contain additional harmful acids. Coffee and tea also contain corrosive acids. Occasional exposure to most dietary acids is rarely a problem, but repeated exposure to high levels of these acids can cause premature wear. Some common habits to avoid:

• Regularly eating lemons or limes
• Regularly eating or sucking on sour candies (and worse yet–sugar candies!)
• Drinking several soft drinks daily–that includes diet soft drinks
• Drinking several glasses of lemonade daily
• Drinking several cups of coffee or tea daily

Even if you only occasionally eat or drink highly acidic foods, it’s a good idea to at least rinse your mouth with fresh water when you are finished in order to reduce the amount of time the acids have to work on your teeth.

If you would like to examine your teeth to determine whether or not there is premature wear of enamel, please contact us for a complimentary evaluation.

Dentures rest on a ridge of bone and gum of the tissue. Over time, that ridge will shrink causing the dentures to no longer fit properly. If there are tooth roots that have been retained to hold the denture (overdenture), or if implants have been placed to retain the denture (implant-retained denture), or if it is a partial denture, the ridge will not shrink as rapidly as with a complete denture. Sometimes a denture or partial can become worn or brittle, or if the change in the ridge is significant, a new denture or partial may be needed.

Sore Spot

As gums change over time, a sore spot will occasionally develop due to changes in how a denture or partial rests on the gums. If a sore spot develops, you may need an adjustment or relining of your denture or partial.

Discolored Dentures

Dentures get bacteria build-up on them, just like natural teeth. Patients should be soaking dentures daily in a cleaning solution and brush daily as well. If all of the stain and bacteria can’t be removed, it’s time to bring them in to the office to have them professionally cleaned.

Bad Odor

Dentures can absorb bacteria and fluids that cause offensive odors to develop. If your dentures appear to be clean, but still have an odor, contact us for some advice for removing those odors.

Broken or Chipped Denture

Chips or fractures in your denture or partial can sometimes be easily repaired, or if they are worn, it may be time to have a new one fabricated. It is a good idea for denture patients (with no natural teeth of their own) to have a yearly exam to check the fit and wear of your dentures. If you have a partial denture, it is important to be checked regularly (at least every 6 months) this will ensure that the teeth supporting your partial remain in a healthy condition.

Q: My teeth are sensitive, what’s causing it?

A: Teeth can be sensitive for many reasons:

• PRESSURE——sensitivity to chewing pressure can be caused by, clenching/grinding/decay/abscess/or a cracked tooth.
• SWEETS———-sensitivity to sweet foods is usually caused by decay.
• HOT/COLD———–sensitivity to temperature usually indicates, decay/abscess/worn teeth/ or receding gums. It is not unusual for a recent dental restoration to be sensitive to temperature for a short period of time, if it persists you need to contact Dr.Shlafer.
• BLEACHING———-bleaching can also temporarily cause sensitivity during treatment, this usually disappears in a few days.
• TOOTHACHE——–sensitivity due to a dental problem will worsen with time and become a toothache. A toothache is not like a headache, it won’t just go away in time, even if the pain subsides, it still needs to be addressed.  As time passes the problem that is causing the pain will just get worse, as will the pain, and simple treatment may not longer be possible. It’s always best to contact the office at the first sign of a problem.

Photo: Elaine Magee

Ingredients:

10 3/4-ounce can condensed cream of chicken or celery soup
1/2 cup light mayonnaise
1/2 cup fat free sour cream
3 cups frozen green beans
3 cups diced, cooked chicken breast, without skin
1 medium sweet or yellow onion, chopped
8 ounce can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
4 ounce jar or can pimentos, drained (optional)
4 cups cooked brown rice (or cooked brown rice and wild rice blend)
1 cup shredded reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish (or 3-quart casserole dish) with canola cooking spray.
2. In large mixing bowl, combine condensed soup, light mayonnaise and fat free sour cream.
3. Add remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl and combine with mayonnaise mixture. Spread into prepared baking dish and bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Yield: makes 8 servings

Nutritional Information per serving: 354 calories, 25 g protein, 38.5 g carbohydrate, 11 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 4 g monounsaturated fat, 3 g polyunsaturated fat, 62 mg cholesterol, 5 g fiber, 435 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 28 percent.

Computer Digital Radiography     

Dental x-rays can now be taken using sensors that transmit the image directly into a computer monitor. This larger image helps the patient to see problem areas more easily and enables Dr.Shlafer to zoom in on a specific area of the tooth. An important advantage to this technology is that it reduces the amount of radiation by 90%. Digital x-rays are also faster, in addition, this new technology is friendly to the environment since no chemicals are needed to develop the image. Dr.Shlafer has been using digital radiography for over 10 years.

What are dental x-rays?

What most people call x-rays are actually x-ray photographs (also known as radiographs). An image is made using x-rays, which are similar to sunlight, but of a shorter wavelength, and show Dr.Shlafer what is below the surface of a tooth. Even though we call them x-rays, we are actually referring to  the image created by x-rays.

Why are dental x-rays necessary?

X-rays are the only way to identify problems that aren’t externally visible. X-rays are essential in doing a complete and thorough dental examination. They are especially important in diagnosing serious conditions early to allow for effective treatment before you experience discomfort. X-rays show bony anatomy and density, decay between the teeth or how extensive the decay is, whether an abscess is present, impacted wisdom teeth, or if children have permanent teeth.

How often do I need dental x-rays?

The number and type of x-rays you will need depends on several factors such as age, current dental health, and external signs that may trigger a cause for concern. We are sensitive to patients concerns about exposure to radiation, and only take x-rays that are necessary for your continued dental health.