Communication

Empowering yourself with as much information as possible about your dental implants is the best way to combat anxiety. Your dentist can help put you at ease by explaining the full procedure including the risks and the possible complications. Once you are fully prepared and armed with as much information as possible you will find that the procedure seems a lot less daunting. Remember that the communication goes both ways so ask as many questions as you can. A good dentist should give you all the information necessary to make you feel at ease about your procedure.

Distraction techniques

Some clinics will employ distraction techniques to relax your mind during your procedure. These techniques include allowing you to listen to your choice of music or some clinics have visual- audio equipment which allows you to watch a video during your procedure. If you feel that distraction techniques will help you cope with your procedure then find a clinic which uses distraction methods for its patients and ask what they can do for you.

Sedation

Predictable pain control techniques are used during a lot of procedures but some dentists are attracting patients with dental phobia by offering to sedate them during their procedure. This sedation will make you feel sleepy but will not always put you to sleep. The sedation will lead to a painless procedure for you thus making your dentist’s job easier and leading to a better procedure.

After reading this article you should now have a better understanding about the methods which can be employed by your dentist to combat dental phobia. If you have dentaL phobia there are also things which you can do personally to make you feel more comfortable during the procedure – see our article on what you can do to combat dental phobia for more information.

1. Braun Oral-B Professional Care 9900 Triumph with Smart Guide Rechargeable Power Toothbrush

This toothbrush is rechargeable with a unique wireless digital brushing guide unit to encourage thorough, better brushing which is extremely important when caring for dental implants. This toothbrush comes complete with a Floss Action head for deeper cleaning and plaque removal between teeth it also has a special polishing head to maintain a natural white smile. The clever ‘Smart guide’ unit tells you when you’re brushing too hard, when to switch sides and how long to brush. This toothbrush is clinically proven to help improve your brushing habits within 30 days and it is the only brand to be approved by the British Dental Health Foundation. For further information about this brush click on the image below.

2. Philips Sonicare HX6932/10 Flexcare Sonic Toothbrush with UV Sanitizing Station

This toothbrush is excellent for total tooth cleaning. It is clinically proven to remove significantly more plaque than a regular toothbrush. It’s 10% wider brush heads produce a more comfortable fit with your mouth perfect for comfortable dental implant cleaning. In addition this brush is rechargeable and has a 2min timer to ensure that you adhere to the recommended cleaning time. For further information about this brush click on the image below.

3. Braun ORAL-B  S18 Sonic Complete DLX

The S18 complete deluxe toothbrush has a sweeping brushing system and sonic vibrations for a really deep clean. Multiple brushing modes – Clean, Soft and Massage give you various options for cleaning the 4 quadrants of your mouth. This brush also has a 2-Minute Timer which  indicates when the 2-minute brushing time has been reached. This brush is perfect for travelling as it can run for up to up to two weeks without recharging. For further information about this brush click on the image below.

4. Panasonic Dentacare EW-DL40 Sonic Electric Toothbrush

This brush is excellent for cleaning dental implants but more importantly is completely eco friendly with a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery which gives long-lasting power with very short charging times. Just as the other brushes this brush is complete with a 2-minute brushing timer with 30-second intervals to maintain the recommended brushing times.  It is important to maintain clean gums but we can often damage gums by brushing too hard, this brush prevents this with its pressure prevention function. This function reduces the intensity of brushing to prevent damage to teeth and gums. In addition this brush will take various brush heads to give you further control over your dental hygiene routine. For further information about this brush click the image below.

5. Omron Sonic Style Electric Toothbrush 458 Black – Rechargeable Toothbrush

The Omron Sonic Style 458 utilises sonic technology for efficient cleaning with various cleaning modes including Swing Mode, Wide Swing Mode and Point Swing Mode. This brush comes complete with a Triple cleaning head and super fine soft bristle head for complete dental cleaning and care. The Omron 458 brush has a rechargeable battery and automatic shut off feature after three minutes when not in use. For further information about this brush click on the image below.

This article has highlighted the best electric toothbrush to use to maintain your new dental implants. For further information see our article on sonic toothbrushes.

What is dental phobia?

Dental phobia is a term used to describe the fear and anxiety associated with visiting the dentist. Other terms used to describe this fear are dentist phobia, dentaphobia and ordontophobia.  This fear of visiting the dentist is often routed in childhood experiences which may have left us in pain and distress. We are all aware of the stereotypical image of the dentist who enjoys causing pain. The rational adult side of us knows this is not the case but this rational justification doesn’t help to take way the worry and anxiety that the mere mention of a trip to the dentist can cause.

How can I stop my dental phobia?

There are various ways in which you can take control of your anxiety.

Knowledge

Anxiety is often rooted in a fear of the unknown. You can help yourself get through your procedure by educating yourself on all the ins and out and risks of your dental implant procedure. There is a vast array of information available in the public domain. The more you know the better able you will be to cope with the surgery

Relax

Some people find it difficult to relax in the dentist’s chair which can heighten anxiety levels.  If you are mentally tense then you will be physically tense so one of the easiest ways to combat stress is through body relaxation methods. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises and certain yoga techniques can all help to combat stress and anxiety.

Distraction

Distracting yourself from what is happening in front of you is a method recommended by many clinics to help to relax you mentally. A lot of clinics now recommend the use of personal music devices to help keep you mentally relaxed during your procedure.  Many offices are now equipped with Virtual Reality-like glasses. These glasses provide a visual and auditory distraction from your procedure and allow you to watch a video during your procedure.

Hopefully this article has identified some ways in which you can minimise your dental phobia in order to have a successful dental implant procedure.  To educate yourself about the dental implant procedure read our article on the dental implants procedure.

 Tooth whitening

Tooth discoloration is a very common problem caused mainly by diet and poor lifestyle choices. Excessive coffee and red wine can lead to discolored teeth another factor is smoking. A contributory factor is that a lot of us aren’t aware of the correct dental hygiene procedures. To keep your teeth looking as white a possible it’s important to follow a dentist’s advice on correct oral hygiene procedures but unfortunately many of us tend to ignore dentists advice. Once the damage is done however it is not the end of the world as the tooth whitening procedure is painless and relatively easy.

Most dentists will fit you for a mouth guard which will then be filled with a gel containing a bleaching agent (normally hydrogen peroxide). Many people opt to whiten their teeth at home. These kits are not as strong as the dental treatment but are a great way to maintain your tooth’s whiteness following a clinical tooth whitening procedure. Read our article on the best home tooth whitening kits to find out the most popular home tooth whitening products.

 Tooth Straightening

Crooked teeth are often something which is out of our control. For those that are lucky enough to get the problems rectified in their teens  this is something that they don’t have to worry about in adulthood but many adults who have not been fortunate to have braces applied when they were younger are choosing to live with crooked teeth rather than opt for the traditional ‘train track’ tooth straightener. Fortunately now there are a range of tooth straightening products out there which work to straighten teeth quickly and discretely.

One such product is the ‘invisalign’ range of straighteners.  Rather than being a full on brace invisalign is a series of clear plastic removeable aligners.  There are also products such as the Damon brace which works much more quickly than conventional braces as they do not utilise the elastic leading to increased comfort.

Veneers

Some people want the option to improve their teeth completely without going through a long drawn out procedure or going through the risk of your teeth reverting back to their original state. Veneers are the Hollywood favourite procedure as they give perfect teeth without the rigmarole of a lengthy dental procedure. Veneers unlike all the other procedures we have mentioned do not correct any underliying issues. They simply mask them and it is up to you and your dentist to decide if this is the best option for you.

Dental Implantation is not the only option for improving your smile. In order to determine what the best option is for you it’s important for you to see your dental practitioner and let him help you decide what’s for your teeth.

Nova White

Nova White are one of the top companies for home tooth whitening kits. Their professional custom bleaching trays are all made in dental labs by experienced dental lab technicians. The Nova White trays and gel are specifically designed to be so comfortable you won’t even know they are there thus allowing you to carry on with your regular activities while whitening. What really makes Nova White stand out is their commitment to customer care. They offer a worldwide lifetime customer support line. Nova White trays unlike many other home whitening trays are designed with a special 1mm reservoir. This ensures that the whole tooth is immersed and in constant contact with the active ingredient of the whitening. Nova White professional home whitening kits use a unique 22% and 35% Carbamide Peroxide based bleaching gel. These gels are water-based to minimize tooth dehydration (which is a major cause of sensitivity). The gels are also slightly flavoured to eliminate bad tastes leave your teeth sparkling white.

To purchase the Nova white tooth whitening kits click the images below. For a massive 76% discount click the image at the bottom of this page

Impressive Smile

Impressive smile have developed a range of successful tooth whitening kits which utilise the ‘Fast White’ system. The fast white system is guaranteed to whiten teeth 8-10 shades. Impressive smile utilise a 22% Carbamide Peroxide solution which is the same solution used by professional dentists

 ‘Fast White’s’ safe and effective ingredients work in 60 minutes a day for five days, with no overnight treatment required thus making it an excellent for choice if you want quick results. The Sure-Fit whitening trays provide maximum whitening, while lessening the possibility of gum irritation.

To purchase the Impressive smile tooth whitening kits click the images below.

Whitening Ultra

Another highly reputable home tooth whitening manufacturer is Whitening Ultra. Whitening Ultra utilise a 22% carbamide peroxide solution just like the other two manufacturers. However they also offer a free trial perfect for those who don’t want to waste money on a product which doesn’t give them exactly what they want.

To purchase Whitening Ultra products and to benefit from an amazing free trial click the banner below.

The above products are the best home tooth whitening kits available on the market today. If you want a great, white smile then we suggest you try one of these amazing products today. For further information on tooth whitening see our article on alternative cosmetic dental procedures.

What is this Zirconia stuff anyway?

Zirconium is a  grey -white transition metal in its purest form which resembles titanium. Zirconium is very resistant to corrosion and for this reason is most commonly used as an alloying material. Zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) or Zirconia is extensively used for lab equipment due to its high fracture toughness and chemical resistance. More recently dental implant manufactures have developed new dental implants which utilise Zirconium compounds.

Who makes Zirconia dental implants?

There are a few Zirconia dental implants on the market today. One of the main players for Zirconia implants is Nobel Bio care. They have introduced their patented one piece Zirconia implant. Other manufacturers include Zimmer and Biomet 3i.

What are the benefits of Zirconia dental implants?

Zirconia implants are said to provide an improved patient service with a quicker and more patient-oriented implant therapy. As Zirconia is white it has an obvious aesthetic advantage over titanium as it is indistinguishable from natural teeth. The high corrosion resistance of the material means that there is virtually no danger of corrosion with Zirconia implants. In addition some patients may not like the idea of having metal inserted into their mouth; Zirconia implants offer patients another more comfortable option.

Are there any risks associated with using Zirconia?

One of the main risks associated with Zirconium based implants is radioactivity. Zirconium at any time can contain a certain number of radioactive isotopes. This can lead to an increased chance of various Oral cancers. Generally implants are produced from Zirconia material with extremely low radiation emission levels however all manufacturers of Zirconia dental implants are asked to produce a declaration of radioactivity for their Zirconium based dental products.

Zirconia implants are definitely a viable option for you if you want to get new dental implants but be sure to talk through all your options with your dentist first. Read our article on titanium dental implants to learn more about this more commonly used implant material.

What is ridge modification?

Sometimes deformities in the upper or lower jaw can leave you with insufficent bone in which to place dental implants. These defects can be caused in various ways. The most common way for such deformities to occur is as a result of gum disease however they can also occur by wearing dentures, or through injury or trauma. Such deformities can cause problems in placing the implant and in addition can also cause an unattractive ridge or indent in the jaw line near the lost tooth or teeth. Ridge modification is a process by which these dents are rectified.

What happens during a ridge modification procedure?

During a ridge modification procedure the gum is lifted away from the ridge to expose the defected area. The defect is then filled with bone or bone substitute to ‘fill in’ the ridge and essentially make it invisible. Once this is complete and the ridge is successfully filled in the incision is closed and the area is left to heal. This procedure is similar to sinus augmentation which takes place in the back upper jaw.

What is the healing time?

The bone will usually be left be to develop for about 6 months before dental implants are put into place. Just as in sinus augmentation it is possible for dental implants to be placed at the same time the ridge is being modified to shorten your overall dental procedure.

Ridge modification improves the function and aesthetics of your dental implants. There are various other procedures which can also help to improve your dental implant surgery. For further information see our step by step guide on the dental implant procedure.

Why is Sinus Augmentation necessary?

The upper back jaw is commonly affected by gum disease and tooth loss which can all result in inadequate bone left in the implantation area. This is a large problem in this area of the mouth as the bone loss occurs so close to the sinus floor.  Sinus augmentation is a procedure which aims to rectify the effects of tooth loss in the upper back jaw by raising the sinus floor and developing further bone to promote a successful dental implant procedure.

How is the procedure done?

There are several sinus augmentation techniques which can be utilised however the most common technique is to create an incision to expose the bone and place a small hole in the bone . The cut piece of bone is then lifted into the sinus cavity and the space underneath is filled with bone graft material. The opening is then stitched and left to heal.

 What is the expected healing time?

6 months is the regular healing time but depending on your individual situation your healing may take a shorter or longer time.  This is usually the time necessary for the bone graft material to completely integrate with the existing bone area. In some cases, the implant can be placed at the same time the sinus is augmented thus shortening the overall procedure time.

Sinus augmentation is a common surgery which is found to greatly increase the chances of a successful dental implant procedure. There are various other methods utilised which improve the dental implant procedure. Gum grafting is one of them – read our article on gum grafting to find out more.

 What is gum grafting?

Gum grafting is a procedure to restore the gum around the teeth. This procedure is more commonly done to improve the look of a patient’s smile however it is becoming increasingly utilised during the dental implant procedure to improve the implant healing success rate.

Why is gum grafting necessary?

There are two different types of gum tissue around teeth attached gingiva and alveolar mucosa. Attached gingiva is thick and tough. Usually it protects the base of the tooth and is found in the lower part of the mouth. Alveolar mucosa is more flexible and moveable and as such is a poor tooth base protector. For a dental implant procedure to be successful we need the base of the tooth to be fully covered and protected. Unfortunately due to periodontal disease and often excessive brushing this is not always the case.

What are the benefits of the gum grafting procedure?

During the procedure the area of exposed tooth root is covered with grafted skin usually taken from the roof of the mouth. Gum grafts can help to improve the healing of tooth implants in the short term by providing a better coverage of tooth roots. This in turn leads to a greater chance of implant success. In the long term gum graft procedures can provide increased protection against tooth decay, better overall oral health and reduced bone loss from teeth.

The gum grafting procedure is just one of the many complimentary procedures which are utilised during the dental implant procedure. For information on other surgeries see our step by step guide to the dental implant procedure.