Technology in the dental industry has advanced immensely in recent years, one of the most noteworthy is the development of dental implants. Prior to their creation, tooth replacement options were limited between either bridges or dentures. With the look and feel of natural teeth, dental implants offer patients with tooth loss a much more alluring and comfortable option to replace one or more missing teeth.
Author: Lenny
Check Your Mouth in Honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month
April is Oral Cancer Awareness month. At Shaffer Dental Excellence, we hope to raise awareness of oral cancer and oral cancer screening throughout April.
Could Periodontal Disease Be Putting Your Heart Health at Risk?
Researchers have been assessing a potential connection between periodontal (gum) disease and cardiovascular disease for decades. Periodontal disease begins with the build up of a sticky, bacteria-ridden plaque substance on the teeth. Heart disease starts with the build up of a different type of plaque comprised of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other blood-based substances in the arteries.
What’s the Difference Between Routine Cleaning & Periodontal Maintenance?
You might think that dental checkups are always the same. While both regular cleanings and periodontal maintenance are performed on a routine schedule, they differ in that one is a preventative measure, and the other is a treatment.
Should You Consider Replacing Your Amalgam Fillings?
Should You Consider Replacing Your Amalgam Fillings? If you over age 30, chances are you have an amalgam filling, the gray or silver-colored fillings you can see when you look inside your mouth. At one time, amalgam fillings were the best available choice, but modern dentistry now has many more effective and more attractive options.… Continue reading Should You Consider Replacing Your Amalgam Fillings?
You Can Finally Relax in the Dentist’s Chair! Sedation Dentistry Options for Nervous Patients
You Can Finally Relax in the Dentist’s Chair! Sedation Dentistry Options for Nervous Patients If you experience anxiety when visiting the dentist – even for routine exams – you are not alone. So many people experience this fear that it has a name: dentophobia. In fact, many patients would rather suffer the pain of letting… Continue reading You Can Finally Relax in the Dentist’s Chair! Sedation Dentistry Options for Nervous Patients
Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Individuals with the sleep breathing disorder, sleep apnea, can have their breathing interrupted as frequently as 300 times per night. Most sufferers of the sleep breathing disorder have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the tongue and other soft tissues block the airway during sleep. It is estimated that 20% (1 in 5) of adults have mild OSA and 1 in 15 have moderate to severe OSA. These figures, however, do not include the estimated 75% who are undiagnosed.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal (gum) disease is the inflammation and infection of the gums and soft tissue surrounding the teeth. Periodontal disease can be prevented with regular dental care. If, however, gum disease develops and is left untreated, the bacterial infection can lead to severe pain, tooth loss and organ damage throughout the body.
Missing teeth
Lost teeth – even when they do not create visible gaps in the front of your smile – should be replaced. When missing teeth are not replaced, the spaces can lead to problems with eating, drinking and speaking. Tooth loss can also cause the deterioration and loss of bone in the jaw, changing an individual’s facial features and overall appearance.
Why Doesn’t My Dental Insurance Cover This?
Dental plans differ from general health insurance. Based upon agreements made between employers and insurance companies, the amount covered by dental plans varies depending on how much employers pay into their dental plans and the coverage guidelines set within dental plan agreements. No standard for dental coverage exists; coverage varies greatly between plans, employers and coverage levels.
