You may have been told you need bone grafting for either a tooth extraction site or for implant placement and preparation. I’ve seen ads where they state that no bone grafting is necessary. While I understand that the thought of bone grafting is not appealing, it is vital for optimal results for many situations. For example, if an implant is placed in a site where the bone is lacking it can greatly impact the esthetics in a negative way. The implant crown may make the tooth seem much too long compared to the adjacent teeth or the gums may look discolored or misshapen. When the bone height is limited, a shorter implant must be placed which may affect the long term stability and success of the implant. Once a tooth is extracted, the vast majority of subsequent bone loss occurs during the first year. A bone graft can help slow down the bone loss in the area and help maintain the foundation in the area. There are three types of bone grafts which can be recommended. Firstly, autogenous bone is taken from the patient’s own body and is an excellent graft material. An allograft is taken from purified cadaver bone. A xenograft is taken from other sources, mainly bovine (cow) bone. An experienced implant surgeon will know when a bone graft is necessary and will definitely recommend it when necessary. As an implant dentist in Riverside, I give free consultations for implant and cosmetics for those that can visit my Riverside office.
I just finished a nine month implant course (Maxicourse) at Loma Linda University. Much of the course was review for me but I did learn quite a few new techniques in bone grafting, sinus grafting, special equipment and tools to improve surgical procedures, and a scientific review of success and failure rates of various implant treatments. The Maxicourse helped prepare me for the American Academy of Implant Dentistry associate fellowship exam. This is the second nine month advanced implant course I’ve taken so I felt fairly confident that this was the proper time to take the exam. Little did I know that my newborn son would be born two weeks early and that he would end up in the NICU for having excessively high bilirubin levels. I was counting on two solid weeks to finalize my studies in preparation for the exam but due to my son’s early birth and subsequent health issues, I got virtually zero final studying in. I must say that the test felt extremely difficult and that most people who took it did not feel good about it. I feel blessed and fortunate to have passed, especially considering the circumstances and lack of studying time. I guess experience counts for something! As an implant dentist in Riverside, I feel it’s necessary to continually study and take advanced courses to make sure I stay on top of the latest technologies and advances in implant dentistry. I also feel I owe it to my clients to stay as educated as possible to best help them.
Dr. Chad, Cosmetic Dentist in Riverside, is proud to announce that his new website is now live on the internet. This new website is a great source for the latest information on Cosmetic dentistry, Implant Dentistry, Sedation Dentistry, TMJ, Snoring and Sleep Apnea, Laser Dentistry, Invisible Orthodontics and Preventive Dental Services. On our Cosmetic Dentistry Riverside website we have video to learn more about certain services and treatments, testimonials to read about what our patients have to say, and convinient information like a map to our office and contact info. Our practice serves the entire community of the Inland Empire including Riverside, Redlands, Corona, Moreno Valley, Hemet, Rancho Cucamonga, Mira Loma and Loma Linda. Please visit our website to learn more about us at https://www.iedental.com
Oral Cancer Screening with the VELscope in Southern California
Here are few sobering facts about oral cancer:
• The incidence of oral cancer increased 11% in the United States in 2007
• Unlike several other cancers, the survival rate for oral cancer has remained unchanged for decades
• The overall 5-year survival rate for oral cancer is 52%, but when discovered early, it increases to 80% – 90%
• Unfortunately, only 35% of oral cancer cases are diagnosed in the early stages.
It’s kind of sad to see that while other cancer survival rates have greatly increased, oral cancer survival rates have not improved nor has the early detection rate changed. There is a newer device called the VELscope that can help dentists detect malignant and pre-malignant lesions in the mouth. It’s basically a blue light with a special lens that the operator looks through. There is no discomfort nor any special rinses the client needs to use. It’s quick, easy and painless. It’s cleared by the FDA to detect early lesions so we know it works. Unfortunately most dentists do not have this device so if your dentist does have one, you can be assured they’re on the cutting edge of cancer detection. Ask you dentist about it if they don’t have one. I personally feel that every person should be examined with the VELscope once a year. Our office just purchased one and we have started screening patients undergoing their soft tissue examinations by the hygienist during their cleaning appointments. If you have cancer in your family, you may want to ask your dentist if they can get the VELscope or an alternative screening method to detect early cancer.
The Velscope procedure is available at our Southern California office in Riverside California, Contact Us for your screening appointment.
Some of you may be wondering what you would look like with a smile makeover. You’ve probably heard of computer “photoshop” style previews or looking at special wax representations of what your smile may look like. However, those options do not really show what a makeover would look like in your own mouth. At Dr. Chad’s office in Riverside, we now have the capability to create a temporary mockup of your smile and then place it in your mouth! It covers your own existing teeth with a plastic like temporary material which can show you what your new smile may look like. In fact, this temporary smile makeover can be worn for a few hours up to a few days so you can show your loved ones what your new smile can look like. And since the mockup is only temporary, you can tell me what you like about the mockup and what you’d like to change. Sometimes this mockup will dislodge on its own but if not, I can remove the temporaries at the office. Normally this sort of mockup can easily cost more than a thousand dollars. However, on occasion our lab offers special events where you can accompany me to the lab and have a makeover event. And the best part is that sometimes these events are complimentary! So please contact us by filling out the contact form in the left margin of this blog or call us at 951-686-3666 to see if there is an upcoming event. You must become a patient of record to participate in these events because the placement of these temporary mockups is still considered dentistry therefore I would need all your personal information and health history. Also, a few molds of your existing teeth would be necessary along with a few pictures of your current smile.