Far-Reaching Impact of Tooth Loss

 

 

Far-Reaching Impact of Tooth Loss

 

Tooth loss can occur for many reasons, and the process of tooth extraction can cause anxiety and discomfort. But, the psychological effects can last for years. About 70 percent of people in the United States are missing one or more teeth, so everyone should try to understand the far-reaching effects of tooth loss.

 

Severity of Impact

The number and location of missing teeth is a factor in the degree of impact the loss will have on a person. Loss of front teeth has the most emotional impact on a person.

Speech

Teeth affect the way we talk, and missing teeth can make it difficult to pronounce certain sounds. A change in speech impacts a person’s social interaction, and he or she may become self-conscious and depressed.

Appearance

Teeth also affect our facial appearance. Teeth make a person look younger by filling out the jaw area. When multiple teeth are missing, the face sags inward, making the person appear older. This also affects a person’s social interaction and can lead to low self-esteem and depression.

 Additional Dental Issues

Missing teeth can lead to additional dental problems, too. As teeth begin to move, teeth above or below the missing one may develop issues. A person may chew food exclusively on one side of their mouth, causing jaw soreness and other complications.

Replacement Options

Ideally, when a tooth or teeth need to be removed, they are replaced. If the issue involves one tooth, oral professionals may implant a post and crown or bridges. The psychological effects of this depend on the person’s degree of satisfaction in the replacement tooth.

 

Ill-fitted crowns and bridges cause discomfort and trouble chewing, resulting in anxiety and frustration. Cleaning a bridge requires extra attention. If a person is not willing to adhere to an increased cleansing regimen, gum issues may arise.

 

Another option is dental implants. Implants are an effective solution for single tooth replacement or multiple teeth. With this solution the tooth both looks and functions just like a natural tooth.

 

Dentures may be used when all teeth are removed. A well-fitted denture is important, as ill-fitting dentures cause pain and make it difficult to eat. Denture wearers may be anxious about eating in public, and patients who suffer bone loss in their jaw have difficulty wearing dentures. A person with too much bone loss may not be a good candidate for dentures.

 Absence of oral treatment often leads to avoiding social situations because of changes in appearance and speech, as well as difficulty eating. Contact Solace Oral Surgery to learn how we can restore your confidence with oral management and treatment.

A Smile for Christmas 2015

A Smile for Christmas 

Give Yourself The Gift Of A Smile

Tis’ the season to be merry and to smile! The holidays are always filled with parties and gatherings with friends and family.  Don’t let bad or missing teeth stop you from enjoying the holiday season. Give yourself the gift of a beautiful smile with help from Dr. Romero at Solace Oral Surgery. Create the smile you’ve always wanted and experience the gift that keeps on giving all year long!

All-on-4® Treatment

All-on-4® is a minimally invasive treatment that can help you get the smile of your dreams. It provides patients who wear dentures and/or soon to wear dentures with a fixed full-arch prosthesis on four implants on the day of surgery. Many other solutions require multiple office visits, but All-on-4® keeps it simple and is the least time-consuming treatment option available.

By tilting the two posterior implants, longer implants can be used, thus avoiding bone grafting procedures and allowing for immediate loading.  Additionally, the tilted implants allow for better quality bone anchoring and securer implants. When compared with traditional implant treatments, All-on-4® is a cost savings and has higher patient satisfaction, quickly allowing patients to enjoy the benefits of their new smile.

Smile For Christmas 2015 Contest

Dr. Romero and the Solace Oral Surgery team is partnering with Nobel Biocare to spread holiday cheer and provide one lucky person with an amazing, new smile.

Brighten someone’s Christmas this year by entering him or her or yourself for a chance to win our ‘Smile For Christmas’ 2015 contest! Share with us the patient’s story and why he or she deserves this FREE, dental treatment and smile makeover.

Take a minute to read Katrina’s story, our 2014 contest winner.

How To Enter The Contest

To enter the ‘Smile for Christmas’ contest, either mail or email us the applicant’s story. Please include pictures and/or any recent x-rays (if you have them), as well as all contact information.

Mailing:  Smile for Christmas, 207 23rd Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37203.

Email: DrRomero@SolaceOralSurgery.com

All entries must be submitted by Christmas Day, December 25, 2015. Patients should be in good overall health and other qualifications may apply.  Contact our office at 615-320-1392 to find out more information.

Give yourself the gift that you really want and warm up everyone’s holiday this year with a beautiful smile! Contact Solace Oral Surgery to schedule an appointment with Jaime A. Romero Jr., D.D.S.

Simple Tooth Extractions With Solace Oral Surgery

                       

                                       Simple Tooth Extractions With Solace Oral Surgery

                                                                                        

We all want our teeth to be healthy, but sometimes a certain tooth ends up diseased, impacted, or painful despite our best efforts at oral health. In these cases, simple extractions may be the best answer. Many dental patients avoid tooth extractions because they fear pain or have heard negative things about local anesthesia. At Solace Oral Surgery, our mission is to alleviate these concerns and extract the teeth that cause our patients pain so they can return to living normal, healthy lives.

Do I Need a Tooth Extraction?

Not all oral disease or tooth pain results in an extraction. However, there are a few situations in which you might need one. Talk to Jaime A. Romero and his staff about an extraction if:

• You have a fractured or malformed tooth.
• You have extra teeth, including baby teeth, that are impeding adult tooth health.
• You have severe tooth decay, and root canals have not alleviated it.
• You have any periodontal disease that has impacted any tooth roots.
• You need braces, and crowding or extra teeth would impede their placement.

Are Tooth Extractions Painful?

No. We give all our patients gentle local anesthetics before extractions. If you have questions about your anesthetic, don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Romero or the dentist treating you that day. You will undergo X-rays before the extraction, so inform us if you are or could be pregnant, or if you have had medical procedures that could influence how your body responds to radiation.

During a tooth extraction, the dentist uses an “elevator” tool to lift the tooth, loosening gum and ligament tissue. He or she then uses forceps to gently rock the tooth back and extract it from the ligaments and gums. Our dentists are extremely gentle and careful with this part of the procedure. Some teeth may need to be broken into pieces for removal if they cannot be tugged out easily. Again, you won’t feel this.

We use gauze to pack your tooth’s socket after the procedure. In some cases, stitches are necessary to close the wound. We’ll walk you through how to take care of the extraction site after your procedure. Please bring someone to drive you to and from the office and to take information. If you’re ill during the week before your extraction, you may need to reschedule, so call us as soon as possible. If you need an appointment, you may contact us online or by phone.

How Solace Oral Surgery Treats Impacted Canines

 How Solace Oral Surgery Treats Impacted Canines

An impacted tooth can cause some of the most pain of any tooth-related issue. This is especially true for your four canines or eyeteeth, because they’re positioned directly below your eyes. This can cause tremendous pain and pressure and may also lead to severe headaches and other problems.

Canines are usually the last of the permanent teeth to erupt. This often happens around age 13, but an impacted tooth can impede the process. An impacted canine is blocked or unable to fully erupt because parts of them are stuck. Canines that remain impacted or don’t fully erupt can cause several problems for a dental patient. The patient may have gaps in his or her teeth, struggle to bite down properly, or have teeth out of alignment.

How Did My Canine Become Impacted?

Upper canines in particular are the second most common teeth to become impacted. This often happens because of overcrowding or extra teeth, including baby teeth. Parents, be vigilant if your child began losing baby teeth later than most peers, or if he or she has a small mouth. Some patients’ canines also become impacted because of growths on the gum tissue. This is rare, but if you see a growth or your child’s gums are bleeding, schedule an appointment with one of our dentists.

Some canine teeth are very slow to erupt, and some children grow up with missing canines. Your regular dentist should document the number of teeth present when your child is about 7 so you can prepare for treatment if necessary. If your child has missing canines or they’re slow to erupt, the staff at Solace Oral Surgery can help.

How Are Impacted Canines Treated?

Dentists usually recommend tooth extraction. During this procedure, we don’t extract the canines themselves. Rather, we extract any extraneous teeth causing overcrowding or slow eruptions. Your child will be given X-rays before extractions. Extractions are done using gentle local anesthesia; we offer oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, and nitrous oxide. If your child is especially anxious about the procedure, ask our dentists if he or she would benefit from moderate or deep sedation.

After extraneous teeth are removed, the canine is guided into place using a bracket. In some cases, we use orthodontic arches to facilitate this. You’ll be sent home with proper pain medication and instructions on caring for the extraction site. If there are complications, contact us immediately. Reach out to us online or by phone for more information.

Multiple Missing Teeth: What’s the best solution?

Multiple Missing Teeth: What’s the best solution?

                    

If you are missing multiple teeth, especially molars, you may be wondering about your dental options. You want the freedom to be able to eat whatever you want. You want a stable, secure fix that won’t require unnecessary upkeep. With this issue, your options are limited.  

Your possible solutions for multiple missing back teeth include a fixed bridge anchored to implants or a partial removable denture. Removable dentures can be uncomfortable and complicated and their materials and fabrication can get expensive. A fixed bridge is often the superior choice for a lasting and comfortable solution that feels just like your natural teeth.

Benefits of a Fixed Bridge Anchored to Implants

• They are the sole fixed solution for missing back teeth.
• They are stable and secure, so you can eat anything without fear.
• They preserve your natural facial appearance.
• They prevent bone deterioration.
• They are more comfortable than dentures.
• They keep your gum line in tact, eliminating metal clasps that can eat away gumline.
• They preserve your adjacent teeth.
• They mimic natural teeth exactly in feel and look.
• They are a permanent fix. You won’t have to deal with any upkeep other than regular hygiene.

Once you’ve decided that a fixed bridge is the fix for you, what can you expect from the procedure? After your initial visit with your oral surgeon, you’ll have four to five additional visits until the final fixed bridge is attached. You may experience minor bruising, but you can treat it with over-the-counter painkillers, and you can be back to work the day after your procedure.

The Installation Process

1. The implants are installed first, usually in a single session. You may receive a temporary bridge so you’ll have normal mouth function as soon as you leave.

2. The implants must integrate with the jawbone before you get the permanent bridge. This varies, but it is normally done one to two months after implant installation.

3. Then, the new bridge will be installed, which will handle all the pressure of natural back teeth.

If you are ready to begin the process of permanently restoring your teeth and being able to eat whatever you want, whenever you want, you should contact a trusted oral surgeon, like those at Solace Oral Surgery, today. A professional will help guide you through the process step-by-step so that it is as painless and straightforward as possible, customized just for you.

The Mysteries of TMJ: What is it and how is it treated?

                                     The Mysteries of TMJ: What is it and how is it treated?

TMJ refers to Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders, grouped conditions that together lead to lack of proper function and pain in the joint of your jaw and the muscles that control its movement. According to some estimates, TMJ affects over 10 million Americans. If you have jaw pain, consult an oral professional for the most accurate diagnosis as most jaw pain does not signify TMJ and is temporary or needs only minor treatment.

What are TMJ disorders?

Generally, scientists group them into three categories:

1. Myofascial pain - This is the discomfort or pain in the musculature of the jaw.

2.  Internal derangement of the joint - This can be a condyle injury, a dislocated jaw, or a displaced disc.

3. Arthritis - This is an inflammatory joint disorder that may afflict the temporomandibular joint.

Any of these may occur together and can occur simultaneously with other health issues that exacerbate the disorders or mimic them, so consult with your doctor as well as an oral professional when getting a diagnosis.

So, what causes TMJ?

In many cases, no one knows what causes TMJ. Other times, it is associated with trauma to the jaw. Pain can occur when a disc erodes or becomes unaligned, after impact to the jaw, or from cartilage damage from arthritis. TMJ disorders most commonly occur in women ages 20 to 40, but they can occur in men or women of any age.

How do you know if you have TMJ disorders?

Common symptoms include:

• Stiffness of the jaw
• Locking jaw or limited movement
• Painful clicking or popping in the joint when opening and closing mouth
• Change in teeth alignment

Because TMJ can be difficult to diagnose, seek professional help. Make sure you give your doctor as much information about your pain as possible. After a physical exam, if necessary, he or she can get X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI to reveal problems with bones and discs.

What are the Treatments for TMJ?

Treatments for TMJ vary widely based on a number of factors. They often begin with sedatives or pain medication and other self care practices, including icing and eating soft foods. Some nonpharmaceutical therapies include:

• Physical therapy—exercises to strengthen jaw, ultrasound, heat and ice
• Counseling—understanding factors that can increase pain
• Oral splints—a soft or firm bite guard over teeth

If these measures are not successful or your condition is severe, you should consult a trusted oral surgeon and consider:

• Arthrocentesis—a procedure to irrigate fluid through the joint to remove inflammatory byproducts
• Injections—corticosteroid or botulinum toxin injections can relieve pain more effectively than medication
• Surgery—correction of structural problems within the joint

The oral surgeon at Solace Oral Surgery are experts at diagnosing this painful condition. Contact us today to answer any questions. 

A Story of HOPE: Solace Oral Surgery Contest Winner Has A New Reason To Smile

                                                                   Katrina Robertson 

            A Story of HOPE: Solace Oral Surgery Contest Winner Has A New Reason To Smile

Sometimes entering a contest can be a little like wishing on birthday candles. But for Katrina Robertson, winning the “Smiles for Christmas” contest has been a dream come true.

Katrina has risen above a very troubled past, overcoming drug addiction, abuse, prostitution, a criminal record, and 28 years of life on the streets, where she felt like she “was going to die.” Her personal journey of redemption started at Magdalene House, a recovery program which helps women overcome addictions, learn life skills, and clean up their credit and criminal past. This is where she encountered the God who she credits for her climb up from rock bottom, now 10 years ago.

And she hasn’t stopped telling others her story. She is a public speaker, sharing with churches, dorms, and anyone who will listen. Not only does she give back, but she has also been blessed. She has a new home, a wonderful husband, and a reconciled relationship with her daughter. She also works as the national sales director for Thistle Farms, which provides on-the-job training to residents of Magdalene House as well as funding. Her life has come full circle, helping those who are in the same place she was when she needed help the most.

One of the many repercussions she has dealt with as a result of her past is her teeth, or, rather, lack of upper teeth. Katrina’s temporary solution for her missing teeth was a bridge. There were complications with using the bridge. First, she couldn’t eat without it falling out. Also, her teeth wouldn’t stay in when she was public speaking, which was embarrassing. She wasn’t confident in her smile, even though she had a lot of joy to share.

When Solace Oral Surgery with Dr. Romero ran a contest in December, it seemed like the perfect solution. Katrina wrote up her story, which she is so good at sharing, and sent it in. She had a consult to make sure that she was a good candidate, and then she found out she was the winner! She was overjoyed at the prospect of all her bridge and missing teeth issues being permanently resolved.

Soon after, Katrina underwent the “All-on-4” treatment to provide her with a same-day, fixed full-arch prosthesis. Normally, permanent tooth implants involve multiple procedures and extended time. But Dr. Romero gave Katrina a new smile in one day. Katrina said she was thankful for the opportunity to have this done and was thankful to have her husband and daughter take care of her after the procedure.
One major after-effect after procedure is that she can’t stop smiling, describing her new teeth as “beautiful.”

Katrina said, “More than fixing teeth, it’s getting your self-esteem back, your personality back. And it gives me hope about people, that there are good people in the world.”

Dr. Romero, one of those good people, would agree. In fact, it’s on their website: “We believe everyone deserves to show off their happiness.”

Katrina is certainly showing off her happiness with her new, gorgeous smile.