TEEN KUTZ

Recommendations

Info

T E E T H T E C H NEW FRONTIERS IN DENTISTRY Help Your Appearance How new advances…including computer use!...help make those new implants give you a better smile BY DR. STEVEN TALERMAN Implants are becoming extremely popular with dentists and their patients because they’re the closest thing to real teeth These days, people are more concerned than ever with living healthier lifestyles and looking good. Naturally, as a result, attractive teeth have become more important than they ever were before. Virtually everyone wants a bright, healthy-looking smile to complement the rest of her or his good looks. When meeting someone new, studies have shown, the first thing people look at is the eyes…and the second is the teeth. Is it any wonder, then, that people are more concerned than ever about the appearance of their teeth? Cosmetic dentistry has evolved quite remarkably over the last 20 years. Advances in materials and procedures have given dentists the ability to correct almost all deformities or cosmetic defects. Advances in bonding materials, porcelain, veneers, and implants, as well as in techniques aid in our quest for cosmetic and functional perfection. A recent advance in cosmetic and general dentistry involves the use of computers. We can now take impressions in the mouth with the use of a camera that connects to the computer, giving a digital impression or picture of a particular tooth. We can then design the restoration in 3D for 34 IMAGE Fall 2008
optimal function and esthetics. With the aid of a milling machine connected to the computer, we can turn an ingot of porcelain into an extremely precise-fitting restoration in about one hour. This is called computer aided design (CAD). This kind of technology has been used in many other industries in the past for manufacturing but is relatively new to dentistry. Its main advantages are better fit and less time to fabricate the restoration. The technology has really aided the implant sector of dentistry, where the precise fit of components is essential for a good restoration. Our population has been aging over the past hundred years. With healthier lifestyles and modern medical treatments and practices, including medications, people are living longer and more productively. This puts an added burden on our teeth, oral structures, and our whole body. In the past when we lost teeth, we would need dentures or false teeth made of plastic. Today when we lose teeth, we have implants. Implants are becoming extremely popular with dentists and their patients because they’re the closest thing to real teeth. Implants are screwlike structures that are placed into the upper or lower jaws and have a similar function to the roots of natural teeth. They are made primarily of titanium because of its light weight and its strength. Once the surgeon places the implants, they are covered by the gingival or gum tissue and left alone to osseointegrate into the bone. Osseointegration is the process by which bone actually grows onto the implant, and the bone cells attach. This process usually takes three to six months. The maxilla, or upper jaw, generally takes longer than the mandible, or lower jaw. This is because the mandible is composed of denser bone compared to that of the maxilla. Maxillary bone is porous, so the implant needs longer to integrate. Once integration is complete, the surgeon will uncover the implants and, with the use of radiographs and palpation, test them for viability and integration. If the implants are integrated, then the surgeon will place transepithelial abutments, or screws, which extend from the implant through the gum. The patient is then directed to return to the restorative dentist for the completion of the work. This part of the process goes fast and is very easy for the patient, usually not requiring anesthesia. The dentist unscrews the transepithelial abutment that the surgeon placed and then screws back in an impression coping that corresponds to the implant. There are different implant systems, each requiring its own fixtures. To this end, the dentist must use the correct components that fit that exact implant. Once the correct abutment is screwed in, its position is verified with a radiograph to make sure it’s down all the way and in the right position. The dentist then takes the impression and sends it to the laboratory for fabrication of the restoration. Communication with the lab is essential for a good outcome of the restoration. Size, shape, and shade or color are all factors that need to be considered. To this end, the dentist will usually send pictures of the patient’s surrounding teeth as well as specific directions of how he wants the restoration to look. For example, some teeth may have chips, cracks, craze lines, or white patches, which must be in the restoration as well in order for it to blend in with the rest of the natural dentition. Once all of this information is conveyed to the IMPLANTS DO NOT SUFFER FROM CAVITIES, WHICH IS A MAJOR ADVANTAGE lab, they fabricate the abutment or post that goes into the implant, and then the crown that goes on top. Some labs may use CAD (computer aided design) to help fabricate the restoration. When fabrication is complete, the restoration is sent back to the dentist…usually within a week. The dentist will simply screw in the abutment or post, place the crown on top, and make whatever adjustments are necessary with the occlusion, or bite. The patient can then eat normally. Home care and hygiene are very important and are pretty much the same as for natural dentition. A regimen of brushing and flossing is a must. Though implants do not suffer from cavities, which is a major advantage, they are subject to the same periodontal or gum disease that natural teeth are. So hygiene and frequent visits to the dentist for professional cleanings are highly recommended. There have been a lot of new advances in dentistry, both in the area of materials and procedures. This is an exciting time indeed for both dentists and their patients who want to look their best in every aspect…including bright white, attractive teeth that can really show off a smile to its best advantage. IMAGE Fall 2008 IMAGE 35
Page 3 and 4: FALL 2008 volume one issue one cont
Page 5 and 6: Dr. Mark Illan Silberman attended D
Page 8: PUBLISHER’S letter Welcome! W elc
Page 11 and 12: Fillers and Botox injections are be
Page 13 and 14: The staff of Advanced Laser Medical
Page 16 and 17: IMAGEine This CLARINS HYDRAQUENCH L
Page 18 and 19: B R E A S T A U G M E N T A T I O N
Page 20 and 21: crepancy in firmness between the af
Page 22 and 23: lii: is microdermabrasion the same
Page 24 and 25: T A T T O O R E M O V A L BY CAROLY
Page 26 and 27: The laser beam breaks up the tattoo
Page 28 and 29: H A I R C A R E TO NEW LENGTHS Ever
Page 30 and 31: S P O T L I G H T O N S P A S No La
Page 32 and 33: other senses. When the autumn leave
Page 36 and 37: Long MEET 6 OF LONG ISLAND’S ToP
Page 38 and 39: John fernbAcker J ohn Fernbacker’
Page 40 and 41: F O R Y O U R E Y E S O N L Y FOUR
Page 42: Wave Scan is cut in the stromal lay
Page 45 and 46: Almost anyone can be a good candida
Page 47 and 48: BY J. NORRIS Looking fresh and natu
Page 49 and 50: nate sagging. She may have also had
Page 51 and 52: LII: So you would say the majority
Page 53 and 54: then the splint is removed. They ma
Page 55 and 56: centing your lips that will never l
Page 57 and 58: Move over, girls…cosmetic surgery
Page 59 and 60: improve the recovery time and can r
Page 61 and 62: INJECTABLES [Continued from page 12
Page 63 and 64: HAIR EXTENSIONS [Continued from pag
Page 65 and 66: that has been perfected over many d
Page 68 and 69: ADVANCED LASER [Continued from page
Page 70 and 71: Nose [Continued from page 50] volve
Page 72 and 73: ment or skin flexibility. Coronal s
Page 76: Monday-Thursday MANICURE & PEDICURE

TEEN KUTZ

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?