Patients with one or more successive missing teeth can choose between two replacement possibilities other than dental implants. A “bridge” is a permanent dental appliance that consists of a pontic (false tooth) and two crowns that are cemented into place on the abutment teeth (on either side of the space). Unlike removable partial dentures, fixed bridges cannot be taken out of the mouth. Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, which are connected by a metal framework. Removable partial dentures attach to the patient’s natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called “precision attachments.” Precision attachments are generally more aesthetic than metal clasps and are nearly invisible.

Tooth loss is often an outcome of injures, dental diseases and old age. There are number of reasons why you may consider replacing your missing teeth. Physical appearance is the most important reason why people may choose to get false teeth alternatives. At DISTINCTIVE SMILES OF DUBLIN, our dental team is trained to take universal precautions to protect our patients. Our goal is to provide the very best dental care possible to our patients so that they may achieve optimal dental health. We’re located at 5142 Blazer Parkway, Dublin, where our entire staff operates as a team. Call 614.792.1800 to schedule your next appointment. Creating Healthy Beautiful Smiles.

P.S. A precision attachment consists of precision-machined, interlocking “male” and “female” components that connect a removable partial denture to fixed bridgework.

Our office prides itself in communicating any improvements to our practice and we get excited when we introduce something new that will keep our patients healthy.  We also strive to bring our patients state-of-the-art technology to provide the latest advancements in oral health.  We have recently introduced the OralID screening device into our practice.  The OralID examination will allow us to visualize any oral mucosal abnormalities including dysplasia (pre-cancer) before they can be detected with the naked eye.  The procedure is quick, painless, and no rinses or dyes are used.

The OralID is a handheld that looks like a small flashlight that can be used alongside our visual oral cancer exam to screen for any soft tissue abnormalities.  It uses a specific light wavelength that reflects a green color off of healthy tissue but appears dark for tissue that is abnormal.

Similar to other cancers, early detection of Oral Cancer is critical.  Studies have shown that early detection of Oral Cancer with technologies like the OralID dramatically improves the survivability of the disease.  If Oral Cancer is detected in its later stages, which typically occurs during a conventional Oral Cancer exam, the chances of survival are dramatically reduced.  You can find out more information at http://www.forwardscience.com/oralid

We will still perform a visual white light exam at each of your preventative appointments whether or not you choose to have us perform an exam with the OralID.  However, this new technology gives just another tool in our ability for early detection so we encourage you to take advantage of this device.

Osteoporosis, the bone-thinning disease that makes bones more vulnerable to fracturing, raises concerns about fractures of the hips, wrists, and spine; however, it should also be noted that osteoporosis can lead to tooth loss. The jaw bone that supports and anchors the teeth (the alveolar process) is vulnerable to the bone-thinning effects of osteoporosis, and there is a good deal of research showing that the loss of alveolar bone is linked to an increase in loose teeth (tooth mobility) and tooth loss. Women suffering from osteoporosis are three times more likely to experience tooth loss than those who do not have the disease. Older women may be more likely to have osteoporosis, but men should also be vigilant.

Osteoporosis disease has some significant symptoms which show how harmful this can be for men and women. We urge a routine of periodic professional exams that will help ensure the health and longevity of your teeth. Fillings, extractions, sealants, root canals, cosmetic dentistry, partial or full dentures, crowns and bridges are just some of the services we offer at DISTINCTIVE SMILES OF DUBLIN. For exceptional dental care, call 614.792.1800 to schedule an appointment. We’re located at 5142 Blazer Parkway, Dublin, where we want to provide your entire family with the best oral health care possible. Creating Healthy Beautiful Smiles.

P.S. Patients with osteoporosis may experience difficulty with loose or ill-fitting dentures as their jaw bones shrink.

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Porcelain veneers are the aesthetic standard against which all other restorative procedures are compared when it comes to treating discolored or damaged teeth. The dentist can permanently bond these thin, semi-translucent shells of porcelain to teeth when the front surface of the tooth and the biting edge are in need of restoration. They may be used to correct broken or chipped teeth, permanently stained teeth, spaces between teeth, or misshapen or crooked teeth. While composite resin bonding may be a quicker and less expensive restorative procedure, porcelain veneers are exceedingly strong and natural-looking. They have a translucent appearance that lends a look of depth to tooth surfaces and closely resembles natural teeth.

Could you benefit from the cosmetic dentistry of having veneers? Early visits to your dentist can help ensure healthy and beautiful teeth. At DISTINCTIVE SMILES OF DUBLIN, we provide a full range of dental treatments, including preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Except in rare cases, gum disease can be prevented through daily plaque removal by brushing, cleaning between teeth with floss or interdental cleaners, eating a balanced diet, and regularly visiting us for professional cleanings. Call 614.792.1800 to schedule an appointment. We’re located at 5142 Blazer Parkway, Dublin. Creating Healthy Beautiful Smiles.

P.S. Porcelain veneers are stain resistant.

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Did you know there is a person currently on this Earth that is going to live to 150 years old?  My financial advisor mentioned that when my son was born 7 years ago, his predicted life expectancy was 126 years old.  Now let’s hope that’s with a high quality of life.  Currently, the average life expectancy for a male is 78 and 82 for a female.  I have a few patients in their 90s and one that is 101 years old.  She has all of her teeth except 4 and she’s very proud of that fact.  I recently saw her in my office because she had a bridge that broke.  The teeth that the bridge attached to had quite a bit of decay which the why the bridge broke.  So we talked about extracting those decayed teeth and making a partial or removing the decay, restoring the teeth, and making a new bridge.  The second option was about twice as expensive and was going to be tough to afford for someone on a fixed income.  But when I asked her what she wanted to do, she didn’t give it a second thought. She said the reason she’s lived so long with a high quality of life is because she can smile, talk, and chew.  So we restored her teeth and made her a new bridge.  She commented that she feels great and ready for the next 100 years.

Back in the 1950s, Dr. Charles Mayo (surgeon general and who the Mayo clinic was named after) wrote that one of the most important things a patient can do for their overall health is to keep their teeth healthy.  Research has found that when a person has a full healthy dentition, the average life expectancy increases 7-10 years.  So, no matter what age you are, one of your primary focuses should be your dental health.

No matter what material I use to fix a broken down tooth, on average it will need to be replaced around 10 years.  Yes, there are fillings and crowns that are in people’s mouths that have been in for 40 years, but 10 years is the average.  Ten small fillings turn into ten bigger fillings which turn into ten crowns in about 30-40 years after the initial filling.  Are you hearing this mr. and mrs. 20 year old.  Then we need to replace any teeth which couldn’t be fixed with an implant.  But the beauty of this perceived sad evolution is that you haven’t missed a healthy, tasty meal in forty years.  Your body thanks you every time a chewed up piece of food hits your stomach because it’s easier to digest, not to mention all the heartburn you’ve avoided.  So the next time you hang your head because your dentist tells you that you need a crown and you have to put off the trip to Cancun, remember that with healthy teeth, you’ll have the chance to take more trips to Cancun, hang out more with your grand kids, and enjoy a good steak.

Have you ever went to your family physician and they sent you to a specialist or a lab for further evaluation or testing? Probably, because there are so many medical specialties out there and your family MD wants you to be in the best hands out there to get the best treatment. Plus the body is a very complex entity and we’re discovering everyday that it’s even more complicated than we thought before. There are even subspecialties based off of other specialties that get even more specific in diagnosis and treatment.
Dentistry is becoming more and more complex also. We’ve had oral surgeons and periodontists for decades, but now there are 9 specialties in dentistry. The following list is from the ADA and gives you an idea of what each specialty does.

Dental Public Health: Dental public health is the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of dental practice which serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. It is concerned with the dental health education of the public, with applied dental research, and with the administration of group dental care programs as well as the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis. (Adopted May 1976)

Prosthodontics: Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes. (Adopted April 2003)

So dentistry has become almost as complex as medicine. And there are areas of dentistry that are not recognized as specialties, but certainly take further education and knowledge in order to do them well. Areas such as https://www.distinctive-smiles.com/dental-implants.html, TMJ therapy, cosmetic dentistry, sleep apnea therapy, sedation dentistry, etc. may become specialties in the future.

As a general dentist who has had training in all of these specialties and complex areas, I feel confident that we can treat most dental needs. This training also gives me the ability to know when a problem is too complex for us to treat and when a specialist’s expertise is needed. My continued education has allowed me to treat many issues and improve many smiles, but if I know that a problem can be handled more efficiently with a better result due to specialist training or materials, then I certainly fill out a referral and we get the patient to the right person.

Lastly, just like in medicine, patients that have complex problems may need a team approach to handle their care. As a general dentist, we stress that patients can look to us as the “quarterback” of the situation. We will refer them to the best specialists that we know that also communicate well. This constant communication between the specialists, the patient, and our practice keeps everyone moving the same direction to get the patient healthy. But we always stress that patients can come to us to answer questions and give guidance as their treatment moves forward.