| A Single Missing Tooth |
One of the most asked questions in our office is what to do with a single missing tooth. John asked me what to do about it. "John," I said, "generally, there are five things to consider:"
1. Leave it Missing?
95% of the time this is not best. Left missing, John can expect: a. the tooth directly above to move down into the space and b. the neighboring teeth to tip into the space. This bite collapse can result in fracture of a nearby tooth from normal function. Replacing the lower molar prevents tooth damage.
2. Removable Partial Denture?
A removable partial denture is an excellent solution when there are multiple missing teeth on the same arch. However, John is only missing one tooth and a removable appliance will be more hassle than solution. That leaves John to decide between bridge, implant, and orthodontics.
3. Bridge?
A bridge attaches a false tooth to crowns on each of the adjacent teeth. Sometimes those adjacent teeth already have crowns (or need them) and when such is the case, a brige is a great option. However, John's adjacent teeth are pristine, thus a bridge is not a good option for him. A bridge would be too invasive.
4. Dental Implant?
A dental implant replaces the root of the tooth. A crown is then attached to the implant. For John, a dental implant is the best way to go. It will replace his missing tooth, prevent super-erruption & tipping, and avoids grinding down the adjacent teeth for a bridge.
5. Braces? Huh?!
Although rare (and not right for John) yes, moving another tooth into the space can be ideal.
Every missing tooth situation is unique with several replacement options. As with John, the most valuable time I spend with my patients is to listen, educate, and then help navigate the choices to arrive at the very best solution given the situation.
-Dr. Jake Layer
|
|
|
|
| Toothy Tid-Bits: Pineapple is the Super Fruit!
|
I was checking out the latest research on some random health topics and found some interesting info on pineapple! Since it relates to oral health I thought I'd pass my new-found knowledge on to ya'll.
The juice and stem of the pineapple is full of an enzyme called bromelain. Ever heard of it? I hadn't, but apparently it has been around in supplement form since 1957 and it has been shown to have very powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Excellent news for the mouth! Bromelain has proven through a number of research studies to be effective in controlling inflammation and reducing the severity of inflammatory type diseases including multiple sclerosis, arteriosclerosis, and if you read my column in the August newsletter (cough, cough), you could conclude that this enzyme may also help combat gingival inflammation and periodontal disease.
This is great news for those with heart disease, but that's not all! Bromelain also helps with sinus congestion. This goes for congestion from infection and allergies. How great is that?! So maybe for your last few BBQ's before it gets too cold you should consider swapping out that watermelon for a yummy, bromelain-packed pineapple!
-Jocelyn Codington, RDH
|
|
|
| Did You Know? |
|
|
As everyone knows, a vampire's 'business end' is his diabolical dentition: a pair of long sharp teeth. But have you ever noticed showbiz' game of musical chairs with which teeth are the long pointy ones? Anatomy hints that for maximum hemoglobin harvest cue the canines; but beware: they're harder to see on the big screen. For optimum visibility, lengthy laterals get two thumbs. In Interview With a Vampire, Cruise and Pitt combined sharp canines and laterals which were, by all accounts, decidedly subtle. Bram Stoker's Dracula set a palatable standard with average-length laterals: conspicuous yet understated. Comparatively, Kiefer Sutherland's laterals in The Lost Boys were veritable tent stakes: surely stylized for maximum fright-effect! Lovable Edward's teeth (Twilight saga) were well suited to his kinder, gentler vampiric vintage being virtually indistinguishable from us mere humans. Thus it seems large laterals, though more visible, trend toward the campy while creepy canines betray the darker more ferocious side of the vampire genre.
(Photo by Luigi Diamanti) |
|
|
|
Dr. Layer and his highly trained team would love to hear from you and answer your quesitons. Simply click the "submit question" link below this message. Referrals are appreciated.
Jacob O. Layer DMD, PC | www.layerdental.com
| 541-734-0970
1485 East McAndrews Rd., Medford, OR 97504
Copyright © 2005-2011 Jacob O. Layer DMD, PC and WEO MEDIA. All rights reserved.
Jacob O. Layer DMD, PC, dentist Medford OR, dentist Rogue Valley OR, dentist Jackson County OR, dental Medford OR, dental Rogue Valley OR, dental Jackson County OR, cosmetic dentistry Medford OR, cosmetic dentistry Rogue Valley OR, cosmetic dentistry Jackson County OR, Dental Crowns Medford OR, Dental Crowns Rogue Valley OR, Dental Crowns Jackson County OR, Dental Implants Medford OR, Dental Implants Rogue Valley OR, Dental Implants Jackson County OR, 1485 East McAndrews Rd., Medford, OR, 97504, dentist Medford OR, dentist Rogue Valley OR, dentist Jackson County OR, dental Medford OR, dental Rogue Valley OR, dental Jackson County OR, cosmetic dentistry Medford OR, cosmetic dentistry Rogue Valley OR, cosmetic dentistry Jackson County OR, Dental Crowns Medford OR, Dental Crowns Rogue Valley OR, Dental Crowns Jackson County OR, Dental Implants Medford OR, Dental Implants Rogue Valley OR, Dental Implants Jackson County OR, 541-734-0970, dentist Medford OR, dentist Rogue Valley OR, dentist Jackson County OR, dental Medford OR, dental Rogue Valley OR, dental Jackson County OR, cosmetic dentistry Medford OR, cosmetic dentistry Rogue Valley OR, cosmetic dentistry Jackson County OR, Dental Crowns Medford OR, Dental Crowns Rogue Valley OR, Dental Crowns Jackson County OR, Dental Implants Medford OR, Dental Implants Rogue Valley OR, Dental Implants Jackson County OR, www.layerdental.com
|
