Robert Taylor, DDS Blog

What are Mini Dental Implants?

January 22, 2016

What are Mini Dental Implants?

Over the past several years I have had many patients present to our office asking about Mini Dental Implants. They are interested in them mainly because they are significantly less expensive than a Regular Dental Implant. Lets look at the differences between a Regular Dental Implant and a Mini Dental Implant, and you will be able to determine the Pros and Cons of each, which will help you determine which one is best for your particular condition.

Also, try to think about a Dental Implant as an Artificial Root, which replaces the tooth root that was originally in the jawbone. The Artificial Root=Dental Implant, is secured into the jawbone, then a crown, bridge, or denture is secured on top of this artificial root.

Regular Dental Implants = Replacement Artificial Roots

1) Used to replace one tooth, multiple teeth, or all the teeth in one or both jaws.

2) The most important factor regarding the strength of the Implant in the Jawbone is how wide the Implant is. Therefore it is recommended that Dental Implants be at least 3.5 mm wide if replacing the front teeth, and at least 4-6 mm wide for replacing a back tooth/teeth.

3) Used in areas of the Jawbone where their is enough bone.

4) If their is not enough bone to allow the right size Implant to be inserted, then the bone needs to be corrected so that the right size Implant can be placed.

5) If the bone is insufficient, it is not recommended to use a narrower/shorter Implant.

Mini Dental Implants = Metal Anchors in the Jawbone

1) Used to provide increased Stability and Function of a Full Denture.

2) Used to support a Temporary Bridge

3) Most Mini Dental Implants are 1.5 mms wide.

4) Mini Dental Implants, due to their narrow diameter, are much more likely to fracture and come loose inside the bone due to their lack of rigidity and lack of fusing with the jawbone. Therefore they are not a long term solution.

In Conclusion, Mini Dental Implants are an inexpensive, quick way to help achieve a better functioning Denture. If their is enough bone, or enough bone can be re-built, a standard size Dental Implant provides a much better foundation on which to anchor a Full Denture. In my practice, Mini Dental Implants are used solely as a temporary anchor for the Denture, while the more rigid, permanent Implants are healing under the gum. If you are going to get Mini Dental Implants and are expecting them to last forever, I would expect them to last about 1-3 years at best and I would recommend having the Regular Size Dental Implants Inserted. Please ask your Dental Provider about the above information so that your expectations can be met regarding having Mini Dental Implants inserted.

Thank You

Robert Taylor DDS FICOI

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Why does my Tooth still hurt, I had a Root Canal, isn’t the Tooth Dead?

January 21, 2016

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: Pain after Root Canal, Root canal — drroberttaylor @ 7:54 pm

Over the past 19 years in Private Practice here in Seattle I have had the opportunity to see many New patients come in to our office reporting lingering pain after having had Root Canal Treatment done. Some of the Root Canals were performed years ago, while some were performed more recently.

First lets discuss why teeth need root canals in the first place. Teeth are basically nerves covered with a hard enamel outer shell. If the nerve becomes damaged, it may require removal with a Root Canal Procedure. Here is a list of things that can cause the nerve in a tooth to die:

Parafunctional Activity – Teeth Grinding, Teeth Clenching
Periodontal Disease – Bacterial associated Destruction of the Gum and Bone around the Teeth
Dental Decay – Cavities/Loss of Tooth Structure from Acid
Extent of Dental Work – The more dental work a Tooth has, the more likely the nerve will die with repeated procedures being done to the Tooth.
Trauma – Teeth that undergo Trauma are likely to have the Nerve die.
Fractures – Can cause the Nerve to Die

Now that we have reviewed the Reasons why a Tooth might need a Root Canal, lets Discuss the Symptoms that might develop which may indicate that a Root Canal is necessary. If you develop symptoms such as Lingering hot/cold sensitivity, spontaneous pain which is un-provoked, throbbing pain, swelling in the gum and or face, taste of bad odor or pus in the gum or mouth, darkening of a Tooth, you may need to have Root Canal Treatment performed.

Now that we have discussed why teeth need Root Canals and the Symptoms you will experience indicating the need for Root Canal Treatment, lets discuss the importance of having the Root Canal treatment done as soon as symptoms develop.

As the Nerve starts to die inside the tooth, the sooner the nerve is removed the greater the chance that complete resolution and healing can take place. Upon removal of the Nerve, the canals inside the roots are thoroughly dis-infected to kill all bacteria and all tissue is removed so that the canals are bacteria free. If the Nerve in the tooth is not removed soon after symptoms develop, the Nerve will become infected and the infection will spread out of the tooth and into the jaw bone and face.

It is at this point that the Infection is no longer just inside the tooth, but it has spread outside the tooth, and completing the Root Canal alone will not guarantee complete resolution of the Infection. In this case where the Infection has spread outside the tooth, the Infection is still alive and growing in the bone, and this is why patients are still having pain after a Root Canal Procedure has been done. Let me Summarize that:

IF THE TOOTH STILL HURTS AFTER HAVING ROOT CANAL TREATMENT, IT IS QUITE LIKELY THAT THE INFECTION IS STILL ALIVE AND GROWING INSIDE THE JAWBONE AND THE ROOT CANAL PROCEDURE WILL NOT FIX THE TOOTH ALONE.

The procedure for removing the infection inside the bone after the Root Canal has been completed is Endodontic Surgery. The infection must be surgically exposed and the infection removed, then the defect/hole in the bone must be filled in with graft bone, followed by a membrane/cover and allowed to heal.

Infection in Jaw after Root Canal Treatment 20 years ago.

This 70 year old patient came to our office complaining of a foul odor in her mouth that had never gone away. Although she had the Root Canal done over 20 years ago, the infection had never gone away. We Re-treated her Root Canal and also Surgically Removed the Infection in the Jawbone.

She is now infection free for the first time in 20 years.

So my advice to all patients with symptoms from above, have the Root Canal done right away so that Infection does not progress into the Jawbone, which may require Surgery

Please email me with any questions and I will be happy to assist you you in any way I can.

Thank You,

Robert Taylor DDS FICOI

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Is Teeth In A Day A Good Idea?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: Dental Implants, Teeth in a Day — drroberttaylor @ 7:47 pm

This blog is aimed at addressing the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of having a tooth or teeth replaced with a Dental Implant/Dental Implants in one appointment.

Over the past 15 years I have had many patients ask me about the procedure “Teeth in a Day,” where by the Dentist replaces a missing tooth, several teeth, or all the teeth in the upper or lower jaws in a procedure on the same day. The patient presents to the office in the morning and by the end of the appointment has one or more new teeth that they can start eating on right away.

In a society seeking instant gratification, this procedure whereby they can replace their missing teeth quickly is quite attractive. Below I will address the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY and give my opinion on such procedures. If anyone has any questions please feel free to email me and I will be happy to give my assistance.

The Good – Of having a tooth or multiple teeth replaced in a single visit

1) Very Fast – Can walk in and a short time later walk out with a new tooth or multiple teeth

2) Fewer Surgeries – Instead of having multiple surgeries by one or more Dentists, the surgery is normally done in 1 appointment by 1 Dentist.

3) Replacing a tooth or teeth immediately can in some cases benefit the overall Cosmetic appearance of the tooth/teeth and prevent some of the gum recession often associated with tooth loss.

The Bad – Of having a tooth or multiple teeth replaced in a single visit

1) The Implant “which is the artificial root put into the jaw bone,” is left exposed to the saliva in the mouth. The saliva in the mouth has many different Bacteria which can invade the bone around the surface of the implant, thus making the integration/healing of the implant questionable.

2) The Implant “Artificial Root,” is generally screwed into the jawbone after a pilot hole is made in the bone. The implant requires a minimum 3 months of un-disturbed healing in order for the bone in the jaw to grow onto the surface of the implant. With the implant exposed as in the “Tooth in a Day,” procedure, the Implant will receive pressure immediately from biting, tongue pressure, and this creates “Micro-movement” which can cause the implant to not heal correctly.

3) The Gum around the Implant is very important in providing a “SEAL”, around the implant as it emerges from the bone. Often, the Amount/Type of gum around the Implant is lacking and requires correcting before putting the crown on the Implant. This seal of gum normally requires 6 weeks to fully heal, before putting the crown on and starting to eat on the implant. This seal of the gum around the implant cannot be achieved when placing an Implant in one day.

The Ugly – Of having a tooth or multiple teeth replaced in a single visit

1) Generally in Implant Dentistry, “The faster you go, the Shorter the Ride,” is the Rule of Thumb. This means that if each step of the procedure is rushed, the likelihood of the Artificial Tooth lasting the rest of your life is greatly compromised.

2) If the Implant is placed, and a crown is put on the implant the same day, and the patient starts eating on the Artificial Tooth the same day, most of these implants will be lost due to complications within 5 years.

In conclusion, their are many steps in replacing a tooth or teeth with Dental Implants and these steps cannot be rushed. Some Complex Implant Procedures take 2 years or more to complete while some more straight forward cases only require 4-6 months. SO, if most Implant cases require between 4 months and 2 years, how can we expect Implants completed in one day to survive? THE ANSWER IS – We cannot expect them to survive and some will be problematic immediately, often requiring more surgeries, more time sitting in the dental chair, more expenses, more frustration, and lack of trust between the Patient and the Dental Team.

I strongly encourage you as the patient to ask your Dentist questions related to the above discussion so that you can achieve long term survivability of your Dental Implant Treatment.

Remember, sometimes we get there faster if we go slower.

Thank You all

Robert Taylor DDS FICOI

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