A dental implant is the mechanical replacement of the tooth root upon which a single crown or another type of prosthesis can be attached. Since the options for multiple teeth replacements can vary greatly, this article concentrates on a single tooth replacement with an implant and crown, and will give you an idea of what to expect.

1. The first step in the procedure is evaluating the patient's mouth and mapping out a treatment plan.
2. The next step is removing the damaged tooth, if necessary. The procedure doesn't take long and usually only requires a local anesthetic, but a couple of months are required for the area to heal. During the time period through the final phase of treatment, a temporary appliance may be worn to hide the space created by the extracted or missing tooth.
3. If the area around the tooth shows signs of bone loss, a bone graft ensures the jawbone is strong enough to hold the implant. Sterilized, freeze-dried human cadaver bone or synthetic bone can be placed in the extraction site to fill the void.  This step can take up to nine months of recovery.
4. When the jawbone is strong and the gums are healthy, the implant is inserted. It starts with either a local or general anesthetic, then incisions are made in the gum to expose the jawbone. Space is created to place the implant, and the titanium root is locked in place. A temporary cover or cap is applied, and the gums are stitched up to secure it.
5. During the next three to five months of recovery, the titanium root fuses to the jawbone in a process called osseointegration, which ultimately makes the implant even more secure than natural teeth.
6. Once the implant has bonded properly, a local anesthetic is applied, the gums are drawn back, and the cover or cap is removed. The abutment (a connector between the artificial root and the artificial tooth) is then attached, and the gums are formed around it.
7. A crown will be created from a previously-made dental imprint, matching both the shape and color of the other teeth. After another week or two of recovery, the crown is attached to the abutment, and the procedure is complete. The color of the crown is designed to match your teeth, but it will take time for the gingival tissue around the implant to return to its original appearance. This is where patience is required, especially when replacing front teeth.

The procedure is a lengthy one, but a dental implant offers improved appearance, speech, comfort, and self-esteem, while assisting chewing, benefiting oral health, and eliminating any inconvenience of dentures.

If you're considering a dental implant, let's look at your options to see if it's right for you. What we want most is to see you smile. >>Contact Us

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There are many things to consider when you're looking for a new dentist. After all, dentist/patient relationships are often some of the longest relationships people have in healthcare. It's important that you ensure the relationship is going to work for you.

If you're looking for a new dentist, use this checklist to make sure you find a dental care team that's the best choice available for meeting your unique needs.

BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT

• Where are they located? For many, it's nice to have your dentist near your home or work, but for the right dentist, most people don't mind driving a little further.
• Do you have special needs? Perhaps you want a dentist who specializes in treating children. Maybe you need one who has a translator on staff, or someone who speaks sign language. Does the dentist you're considering have adequate accessibility?
• What are the office hours? Be sure they work with your schedule. Remember, you're the one who's going to have to keep the appointments.
• How do they handle payment? If you're going through an insurance company, this may limit the number of dentists you can consider, but if you're willing to pay out-of-pocket for the perfect smile, you have a greater chance of working with the dentist who will help you get it. Remember that your dentist's job, first and foremost, is to help you make decisions based on your oral health, not an insurance policy. His or her relationship needs to be with you—not with an insurance company.
• What is the dentist's educational background and credentials? Few dentists get their certificates out of Cracker Jack boxes anymore, but it's a good thing to find out not only where they learned their trade, but how they keep their practice up to date on the latest developments in dental care.
• When is the next available appointment? Dentists booked solid for a few months is standard, but you don't want to book anything further than six months out.

WHEN YOU GO TO THE APPOINTMENT

• How does the office feel to you? Be sure you're comfortable in the reception area, and that it's clean, orderly, and well-lit. You may be here for a few minutes.
• How are you treated by the office staff ? The people behind the desk set the tone for the rest of the experience. Are they friendly and accommodating?
• How thorough was your examination? A first visit should be more than a quick glimpse and cleaning. Did your potential new dentist spend some time learning about you and your dental history? Did the dentist take the time to make sure you understood your treatment plan?
• Do they emphasize preventive dentistry? Some of the best dentists in the world are the ones who avoid doing the big jobs. If you're creating a relationship with a dentist, you'll want one who will teach you how to avoid potential problems through preventative care.
• How were you treated by the dentist and hygienist? Since this is where you need to be the most comfortable and have the most trust, it's important to have people who ask you questions, listen to you, and are considerate of your needs.

A final note: When you're vetting dental care practitioners, the questions shouldn't be one-sided! The dentist and staff should ask you questions about your dental health and your philosophy, so that together you can come to a good understanding of what options are best for you—the key word being options. This is your time to speak, and time for the dentist to get to know your oral health behaviors and ideas so they can help you decide what is best for you and your health. You should expect these option to be based always on your health, not on something like insurance coverage.

Please print this page out and save it for whenever you start looking for your new dentist. Of course, if you live in or near Englewood, Florida, we hope you put Dr. Chirillo's practice to the test, so we can prove ourselves to be the dental team you're looking for. >>Contact Us

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Preventative dental care can not only save you from the pain of a toothache, but it can also save you a lot of money. After all, a full mouth reconstruction can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and the Center for Disease Control reports that 164 million work hours are missed each year due to oral health problems and dental visits. Doesn't it just make sense to take good care of your teeth and gums from the outset?

Obviously, the regular, daily care of your teeth through brushing and flossing is the first step to preventing dental complications. You can also watch your diet to ensure you get plenty of lean proteins to build and protect tooth enamel; fruits, nuts, and veggies to help with cleaning; and dairy for calcium and protein. Things to limit or totally avoid are sugars, which cause tooth decay; starches in foods that break down into sugars inside the mouth; and tobacco products that contain sugars, stain teeth, and damage oral tissues.

Every dentist recommends regular cleanings. Regardless of how often you brush and floss, tartar still builds and plaque will still form, especially below the gumline in areas you cannot reach with brushing and flossing. Having these removed regularly by a dental professional goes a long way to prevent bone loss and periodontal disease.

Yet beyond these regular measures, there are other preventative dental care services that help to stimulate the health of your mouth while saving you money in the long run.

• Teeth polishing – Beyond the plaque and stain removal that comes with regular prophylactic treatment, many of our clients like the sensation and extra sparkle of professionally polished teeth. Polishing makes it more difficult for plaque to build, providing a cleaner, healthier smile.
• Remineralizing/fluoridating varnish – After a cleaning, another helpful assist for clean and healthy teeth is a fluoride varnish. While fluoride is now in our drinking water to help strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay, it can also be applied in a biologically acceptable form to be incorporated into the minerals of the teeth for better protection. Applied by a dental professional, the varnish will remain on your teeth for several hours, helping to prevent decay, strengthen tooth structure, remineralize the tooth surface, and treat hypersensitivity.
• Sealants – Sometimes a tooth's inherent structure can make it more prone to plaque and tooth decay. While teeth naturally have fissures and pits, they can make for an easy spot for bacteria to develop and decay to begin. Especially in children, it's helpful to apply a sealant to these spots when they are found to avoid further damage to the tooth, and create a smoother surface that's easier to clean.
• Mouthguards – For those with parafunctional habits, such as bruxism, one of best preventative measures is to wear a mouthguard or occlusal splint. Custom-fitted to a patient's teeth, they separate the jaw slightly during sleep. They are known to protect teeth from grinding, prevent tooth fractures, and reduce symptoms of TMJ.
• Patient education – One of the best preventative measures is a good education. People who know the consequences of poor dental care are much more likely to practice good habits, and people who know the benefits of good dental health are much more likely to pursue it. At Dr. Chirillo's practice, we strive to educate our clients, both in appointments and through our website, on what's going to make their smile the best it can be.

If you'd like to find out more about any of these services to have a healthier mouth and save money in the long run, please contact us today to set up your next appointment.

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Just as with your family physician, choosing a family dentist for long-term care is the best way to ensure optimum wellness for yourself and your loved ones. In this fast-paced world, oral health often gets overlooked; many people think their teeth are covered by occasional visits to whatever dentist accepts their chosen insurance plan. However, a long-term relationship with a dental team promotes health that extends far beyond the mouth and teeth.

Though some may have a fear of going to the dentist, more often than not, it is because they have not found the right dentist. To get the care you and your mouth deserve, there are a few things you should expect from your dentist.

1. Your dentist needs to get acquainted with you as a person to best serve your personal needs and make sure your expectations are met.
   Maintaining a long-term relationship with a dentist simply makes it feel more like a family. For both our staff and our patients, it's nice to know names and have some insight into what's going on in your life beyond your mouth. As part of the Dentistry by Design family, our staff are better able to understand your special needs, likes, dislikes, and what's going to make your experience at our practice the best it can be. Many people are already pretty anxious about seeing the dentist in the first place, and having a dentist you know and trust can go a long way in easing some of that anxiety.
2. Your dentist needs to empower you to make informed decisions by providing you with the latest findings on diagnoses and your best options in treating them.
   While it's true that any dentist can fill a cavity, and any dental hygienist can clean your teeth, developing a relationship with dental professionals through routine screenings and cleanings enables us to recognize changes and identify concerns related to your oral health. Scheduling regular checkups can also empower your dentist to know how quickly plaque and decay form in your mouth. Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body, and everything of sustenance passes through it to keep you living the life you want. Cultivating a relationship with a family dentist is like cultivating a relationship with the gatekeepers to your good health.
3. Your dentist should offer treatment based on your needs, rather than what insurance or another third party dictates.
   Be aware that insurance-based dental practices do not always disclose what treatment is best for you, and this can include treatment options that your insurance company doesn't cover. Even if your insurance doesn't cover certain treatments, knowing they are available to you is critical to making an informed decision for long-term oral health and well-functioning dentition. A true health care professional will not only ensure that you get the care you need; he or she will work with your financial needs as well.

After all, your mouth is not only of importance to your physical health, but your smile in particular is of great importance to your emotional health. Enhancing your smile to be harmonious with your facial proportions, features, coloration, lifestyle, and personality help you to see the world with the knowledge that the world sees you back, the way you want to be seen.

Does your dentist do these things for you? Dr Chirillo's patients get the comfort of knowing they have a valuable partner on the path to achieving their best health. Dr. Chirillo's decades of experience as a professional dentist have proven that the best approach to that journey is a customized, preventative, and consistent plan of care.

Yes! We are currently accepting new patients! Take the first step on your path to great oral health and contact us today.

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While we often stress the importance of taking good care of your teeth, it is also very important to consider the health of your gums. As the soft tissue that protects your bones from bacteria, your gums carry quite the responsibility. Should they become irritated, they hold a lot of sway with what goes on in the rest of your body. Not only can gingivitis and periodontal disease wreak havoc on your gums, but poor gum health has also been related to a number of other ailments.

Many have written about the increased risk of respiratory infections in individuals with periodontal disease, including bronchitis, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Academy of General Dentistry has even made connections between periodontal infection and complications such as heart disease and strokes. Researchers have also shown that more than 90% of all systemic diseases (such as diabetes, leukemia, kidney disease, etc.) have oral manifestations.

Unfortunately, according to the American Dental Hygienists' Association, nearly 75% of Americans have some form of gum disease and may not be aware of it, which is a likely contributing factor to many of the health challenges we face. That means that if you're reading this, there is a really good chance that your gums need some TLC. Here are a few things you can do to get your gums in tip-top shape to keep yourself healthier and happier.

1. Brush your teeth. Brushing after meals is also a really good idea. Give it a full 2 to 3 minutes, and be sure to brush your gums a bit as well -- just not too hard.
2. Floss daily. It's important to remove bits of food from those places your brush can't reach. The plaque that builds there is a major cause of gingivitis, which, as we've seen, can lead to much bigger problems.
3. Eat healthy. Just like the rest of your body, your gums need nutrition to do their job well. They're especially fond of vitamins A and C.
4. Cut the tobacco. Obviously, smokeless tobacco causes immediate harm to the gums and contributes to receding gum lines and other complications. Smoking cigarettes and cigars also take a toll on your gums, not to mention what they do to the rest of your body.
5. Try a gum stimulator. You can add this handy tool to your oral health arsenal in your next trip to the drugstore. It uses a rubber tip to help clean in between the teeth while stimulating your gums for better circulation.
6. Schedule regular checkups. The best way to stay on top of gum care is to have them regularly examined by a dental professional who knows how to look for the early signs of periodontal disease.

Good gum health translates directly into your good health! Follow these steps to maintaing healthy gums, and let us know when you're ready to schedule your checkup. Until then, keep smiling.

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It's safe to say that everybody hates a toothache. Sometimes tooth pain just pops up out of nowhere and subsides, and sometimes it lingers and makes life miserable. The challenge with toothaches is that they generate from different places and for different reasons, making it quite a chore to find the bad tooth.

Sometimes, the issue starts inside the tooth in what is called an endodontic problem. Pain can emanate from this decay in varying degrees: sharp pain can make you wince, dull pain can feel throbbing, and a drop in temperature or even a gust of wind may cause you to grab your your jaw with the change in barometric pressure.

Other times the problem is periodontal, meaning that it starts in tissues surrounding the teeth. When plaque inflames the gum line, the gums can become infected and detach from the tooth. As the infection grows, the causes of mouth pain multiply, starting with inflammation and swelling of these sensitive tissues. If left unchecked by treatment, an infection in the gums can lead to actual bone loss, extending to the root tip of the tooth and its delicate nerve endings -- you bet that can hurt! Bone loss also results in the teeth becoming loose, and the movement of these loosened teeth can create oral pain as well.

An even bigger challenge is that the brain doesn't do well at distinguishing exactly from where mouth pain originates. Often, sweeping pain will feel as if it's emanating from a group of teeth; sometimes, the brain can't even distinguish whether the pain is actually coming from the upper or lower jaw.

When pain is carried from the teeth to the brain, it is delivered through the trigeminal nerve. One branch carries signals from the upper jaw, and one from the lower. However, once that pain reaches the brain, studies show that signals from the trigeminal nerve's separate branches trigger strikingly similar responses in various parts of the brain.

Although tooth pain usually stems from one particular tooth, the brain may only interpret a generalized pain signal. While the brain does a pretty good job of letting us know where the rest of our body is hurting, it seems that tooth pain requires a more refined and professional assessment to diagnose . Whether your toothache is from an endodontic or periodontal problem, treatments vary, and it is important to find the source of the problem sooner rather than later.

Some toothaches are only temporary; the pain recedes as the decaying tissue dies. This does not mean that the problem has gone away. It merely means that you are no longer sensitive to the tooth's changing health. If toothaches are ignored, endodontic problems can become periodontal problems, and the other way around. When pain warnings go unheeded, infections can result in tooth loss and advanced gum disease.

If you're experiencing tooth pain, you must have it checked out by a comprehensive general dentist before the problem gets out of hand. Dr. Chirillo and the Dentistry by Design staff are here to help! Contact Us

Further Reading:
"Confusing Tooth Pain: Combined Root Canal and Gum Problems." DearDoctor.com, 2/1/2012
"Why It's So Hard to Tell Which Tooth Has the Ache." Wired.com, 4/16/2010

The post One Bad Tooth Affects the Whole Mouth appeared first on Dentistry by Design in Englewood, Florida.

There are a number of people who are looking for the perfect smile -- and that means something different for each person. While we pride ourselves on offering a regimen of care that's uniquely tailored to each dental patient, most of them fall under three general types. With the breadth of services that we offer, we are glad to be able to help so many find the smile that they desire.

People looking for an end to dental problems
For a variety of reasons -- from poor oral hygiene to unexpected accidents to genetic traits -- many people suffer from mouth pain and sensitivity. We get to help people by alleviating that pain so that their smile becomes genuine, no longer hiding unnecessary pain. By replacing old fillings with better materials, providing desensitizing procedures, and offering comfortable dental cleanings along with nutritional counseling, we do our best to not only make your smile better, but also give you better reasons to smile.

People who want improved functionality
The structure and alignment of our teeth has a great deal to do with how we speak and eat. Often, teeth that have grown out of alignment or have been damaged can result in lisping or whistling, and can even be detrimental to proper chewing. We strive to provide our clients with teeth that are not only good-looking, but are also efficient and effective for everyday needs. For this type of patient, crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures offer a variety of solutions that have consistently proven to improve structure and function.

People who just want to look better
Even if they possess a smile that's pain-free and functional, ultimately, each of our clients wants a smile they love to see in the mirror. To provide the greatest enhancements in appearance, we provide porcelain laminates, reshaping procedures. teeth whitening, and access to excellent orthodontic care.

Whether we're helping someone through a painful period or helping them have a stronger bite, ultimately, we just want to produce some truly great smiles. Smiles, after all, are an art form, and we take great pride in our art. For each of our clients, we consider the shape and coloration of your face, as well as your unique personality traits in order to craft a smile that would make the Mona Lisa proud.

Do any of these patient portraits remind you of yourself or someone close to you? Contact us today, and let's talk about how we can help you achieve your perfect smile.

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