Our smiles are very valuable to us, that when decay and tooth loss occurs it can be such a blow to our confidence and makes us self-conscious of our smile. If you have been told that you require extensive bone grafting or you are not suitable for dental implants due to lack of bone in your jaw, then Zygoma Implants is the best option for you. With Zygoma implants, you will be able to have a fixed set of teeth and become free from dentures that are loose, bulky and cumbersome.

So let’s take a look into what exactly a zygomatic implant is.

What are Zygomatic Implants?

Zygomatic implants are tooth implants that are anchored into the cheekbone, known as the zygoma, rather than the jaw bone itself. It is an option when you do not have enough bone to the point where standard dental implants are impractical. The zygoma bone in nature is a very strong bone and it is one of the best bone to anchor the implants.

Who should get this done?

Zygomatic Implants are an effective option for denture wearers who do not have enough bone in the jaw. It is also an option for patients with terminal dentition (requiring all teeth to be extracted) who also do not have enough bone to hold the base of a standard dental implant, as is often the case with tumour resection, trauma, atrophy, and ageing. They can be used in patients with heavily deteriorated teeth, no teeth at all, or very mobile teeth, caused by diseases such as generalised aggressive periodontitis (gum disease), and are effective in cases where standard dental implants have failed to hold, and where other bone grafting operations have been futile.

Benefits of Zygomatic Implants?

1. No block bone grafting or sinus lifting

Bone grafting and sinus lifting procedures can be lengthy and invasive, with multiple treatments needed and significant discomfort. In contrast, zygomatic implants are a single-stage procedure, with implants able to be conducted in the same timeframe as natural teeth extraction – meaning that your implants will be done in only one sitting! As much as we enjoy your company, this will mean fewer return visits for you.

2. Zygomatic Implants have immediate results (‘immediate loading’)

This means you’ll be receiving a fixed set of teeth on the same day (‘immediate loading’), fast-tracking you back to normality so you can enjoy eating, drinking, and with the renewed confidence that comes with regular speech and improved aesthetic!

The concept of immediate loading is impossible with bone grafting as the bone is weaker and it takes time to heal. In fact, it might take up to 6 – 12 months before you see the result. With zygoma implants, ‘immediate loading’ is possible as the implant anchors firmly onto your natural bone.

3. Safety first

Zygomatic Implants are less intrusive than an implant involving bone grafting or sinus-lifting, meaning your treatment will be safer, with less interference to the post-operative soft tissue, resulting in a faster, more comfortable, stress-free recovery time. Zygomatic implants are a safe and predictable procedure when performed by a specialist surgeon.

4. Cosmetic benefits

Zygomatic implants can be done on patients with heavily deteriorated teeth or even no teeth at all! Multiple angulations within the procedure create natural-looking results and a fuller, revitalised smile!

5. Zygomatic Implants are hassle-free

Your implant will act as a regular tooth and will require the same care as your other teeth. No extra time spent removing the tooth or separate cleaning, as you would have to with dentures!

6. Longevity

The overall stability of the zygoma bone in comparison to the maxilla means that your implants have a very high chance of long-term success without any repeat procedures! Studies on zygomatic implants show an overall success rate of 96% after 12 years, meaning no repeat procedures

How can I get the best results out of my implants?

• Keep your mouth clean, especially during the healing process. Minimise any risk of bacterial infection by doing salt rinses or using a recommended mouth wash from your surgeon.
• Overall good oral hygiene is a must! Floss, brush your teeth and use mouth-wash to get the most out of your new implants. Ultimately, treat your new implants as you would your normal teeth, you want them to last – so look after them accordingly!

We are here to help you gain back your dental health and confidence! To hear more about what we can do, talk quotes, or to book your consultation for Zygomatic Implants, call us now to speak with our experts at North Shore Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Get in Touch

The post Zygoma Implants “Leave no patients behind” – Alternative to Bone Grafting first appeared on NSOMS (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons).

When you’re growing up, losing your teeth feels like a rite of passage into adulthood. However, as an adult, experiencing tooth loss can be a distressing and costly experience that can affect your confidence and general health.

There are a number of reasons why you might experience tooth loss in your adult life, ranging from poor eating habits to harmful behaviours picked up over time.

Luckily, the best way to prevent tooth loss in adulthood is to understand the associated causes and to take measures against them.

1. Poor Eating Habits

A common cause for tooth loss, as explained succinctly by Oral-B, is poor eating habits eventually resulting in substantial tooth decay when left untreated.

Everything that we consume has an effect on our oral health. Foods that contain high levels of sugar can significantly contribute to tooth decay, as harmful oral bacteria actually feed on the sugars you eat to create acids that slowly destroy your tooth enamel. These cavities can progress past the tooth enamel and into the deeper layers of your teeth, cause significant pain and eventually tooth loss.

Regularly consuming food and drinks that contain high levels of sugar and acidity will increase your chances of cavities, and left untreated, these will progress. Fortunately, a change in diet that reduces your sugar intake, and increases your consumption of low-acidity and low-sugar foods such as water, milk, veggies and whole grains will keep your teeth strong and cavity free.

Regular trips to the dentist for check ups and teeth cleaning will also help to reduce your chances of decay and potential tooth loss.

2. Bad Oral Hygiene

One of the leading causes for loose and shifting teeth is the inflammatory condition known as periodontal disease (or gum disease). According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, periodontal disease affects not only your gums but also the ligaments and bone that surround and support your teeth.

While our mouth’s are full of bacteria, mucus and other particles, periodontal disease is caused by bacteria found in dental plaque (that white, sticky stuff found around your teeth) that can harden and form ‘tartar’ that simply brushing won’t get rid of.

This condition typically develops from poor oral hygiene, through a lack of sufficient brushing, flossing and general oral hygiene care taken. You’ll notice the development of periodontal disease through evident symptoms, such as red or swollen gums, bleeding when brushing, receding gums and painful chewing.

Of course, if left untreated the supporting structures of your teeth (including surrounding bone) can be destroyed, which will eventually result in loose or lost teeth.

3. Accidents

Unfortunately, one of the leading contributors to tooth loss globally, is traumatic dental injuries and accidents. From cars, bikes and sports injuries, to falls, fights and collisions – the causes of accidental tooth loss are vast and somewhat common. The majority of incidents will result in partially damaged or chipped teeth but, depending on the severity of the accident, could result in tooth loss.

When it comes to preventing this type of traumatic tooth loss, it usually comes down to conscientious prevention. For example, always wearing mouth guards and protective head gear when playing contact sports, and being vigilant with wearing a seat belt when driving.

Of course, sometimes even the best methods or prevention can’t stop an accident from occurring. When this happens, there are plenty of options available to replace missing teeth and restore your smile after an accident. If you’re interested in reading more about the different options available, take a look at our blog: Dentures vs. Dental Implants – you’ll be able to weigh up the pros and cons of each.

Alternatively, book a consultation with a specialist who can talk you through the most advantageous procedure for you.

4. Harmful behaviours

Sometimes it’s not always food, hygiene or unfortunate accidents that result in tooth loss, it’s habits and harmful behaviours that we develop over time. There are two really common examples of these behaviours; teeth grinding and smoking.

• Teeth Grinding

The grinding of one’s teeth (or bruxism), usually while sleeping, does not usually cause harm unless grinding is a regular occurrence. Chronic grinding can wear teeth down to stumps, loosen teeth, and in severe cases, cause complete tooth loss.

The problem is, sometimes people aren’t even aware that they’re a frequent teeth grinder, as it happens in a semi-conscious state. If you suspect you’re grinding your teeth, make sure to chat to your dentist who can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism.

• Smoking

Another common cause of tooth loss over time is smoking. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Dental Research showed that male smokers were up to 3.6 times more likely to lose their teeth than nonsmokers, and that female smokers were found to be 2.5 times more likely. The reason for this is duel-effect of smoking as a leading cause of periodontal disease (explained above), but also the compounding issue of masking gum bleeding, which is one of the easiest ways to tell you have developing gum disease.

Smokers often live with unnoticed severe periodontal disease which will eventually result in tooth loss. Fortunately, through quitting smoking, smokers can very quickly help their oral health and reduce the risk of tooth loss.

5. Wider Health Issues

Our bodies, general health and oral health are all interlinked, and often wider health issues have a significant impact on the possibility of tooth loss. A good example of this is people living with type 2 diabetes often also struggle with gum disease, cavities and other oral health problems.

There’s a strong correlation between a high blood sugar level and a physical toll on your teeth and gums: the higher your blood sugar level, the greater the supply of sugars and starches — and the more acid wearing away at your teeth. Unfortunately, a health issue like diabetes and its link to tooth loss is cyclic in nature. Poor general health can cause diabetes, which in turn causes teeth an gum issues and eventual tooth loss. Then, loss of teeth can cause issues with self-esteem, change eating patterns and contribute to overall poor health issues.

It’s important to take care of your body and your health as a whole, in order to prevent oral health issues and potential tooth loss. The problem doesn’t always start at your mouth.

Worried about tooth loss?

If you’re experiencing worries around tooth loss, general oral health issues or have perhaps lost a tooth already, it’s really important to get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible to diagnose your issue and look for an appropriate fix.

If you have lost a tooth already and would like it replaced with a dental implant our experienced team of Oral Surgeons are ready to help. Simply click below and book in your first appointment – they’ll answer all of your questions in person!

Request an Appointment

The post Top Five Causes of Tooth Loss in Adults first appeared on NSOMS (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons).

If you think back to your childhood, you might remember the set of prosthetic dentures, left suspended in a warm cup of water overnight at your grandparents’ house. The idea of a whole new set of teeth that you could remove and replace from your mouth every day was commonplace for people who had suffered tooth loss and was the only real solution available.

Fast-forward a few decades, and modern oral surgery technology has afforded a whole new set of permanent solutions, known as dental implants. These implants are fixed in your mouth and eliminate some of the common problems experienced with traditional dentures. Not to mention, they look great too.

The post We’ve Come a Long Way: Dentures vs. Implants first appeared on NSOMS (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons).

 

There is nothing more eye-catching about a person than their smile but, unfortunately, it’s very common for many people to experience tooth loss as they age for a number of reasons. Missing teeth can cause self-confidence issues, feeling embarrassed about the condition of your teeth and you may find yourself not smiling as much as you used to.

Before calling your dentist and putting your money where your mouth is, it’s important to know what’s out there and to do a bit of light research about what solutions may be the best for you – particularly whether or not you should go with dentures or dental implants.

 

The Difference Between Dental Implants and Dentures

Dental implants are fixed teeth replacements and are best suited for those who have lost teeth. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root which is placed into your jaw to support your denture or replace missing teeth.

Dentures are conventionally removable prosthetic teeth replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back into your mouth. Dentures are traditionally supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity.

However, with advancements in dental technology over the years, dental implants have become popular alternatives for dental care over dentures.

While the main difference between these two is the cost. Dental implants are designed to last longer, minimise the number of visits to the dentist, and are relatively low maintenance. On the other side, dentures are commonly found to be uncomfortable and can take a bit of getting used to, dentures give you the freedom to take them out of your mouth.

Like most things in life, dental work also comes with its own set of pros and cons. Before calling your dentist to make an appointment, continue reading for a shortlist of the pros and cons of both dentures and dental implants. Hopefully, this makes it a little easier to differentiate what each procedure includes so you can book in to discuss with your dentist about what is right for you.

 

Dental Implants – Pros and Cons

The Pros of Dental Implants:

• Dental Implants are natural-looking as well as low maintenance, so upkeep is a breeze and you have more time for the things you love
• Dental Implants won’t move in your mouth like Dentures meaning you won’t have to worry about them ever-shifting in your mouth or falling out
• If properly maintained and taken care of, dental implants will last for many years to come, maybe even for life

Cons of Dental Implants:

• The cost of dental implants is typically higher than dentures
• The procedure takes longer to complete than traditional dentures
• The possibility of dental implants not being suitable for you, adequate jawbone tissue is required for dental implants

 

Dentures – Pros and Cons

Pros of Dentures:

• Less expensive than dental implants
• Quicker turnaround time, the process to receive dentures is a lot shorter than dental implants
• Very few restrictions involved with the treatment process, which makes dentures a great treatment option for people of all ages
• No surgical procedures are required when undergoing the process of getting dentures

Cons of Dentures:

• Dentures are often not a permanent solution, its common that over time and aging that dentures may not fit as well as they used to
• Ill-fitting dentures can cause infections
• Dentures will need to be adjusted over time to keep them fitting properly
• Ability to taste foods may decrease
• Since they can be removed from your mouth at any time, dentures can move on their own and fall out of your mouth

Anything dental requires research, patience and an expert team to ensure you get the best possible care. The team at North Shore Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons specialise in ensuring you’re always totally comfortable and receiving the best dental treatment you can get. We’ll confidently educate you on your options and tailor the whole process to your specific dental needs.

With personable care from North Shore Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons you’ll walk away with a grin from ear to ear and newfound confidence behind your smile.

 

The post Dentures vs Dental Implants first appeared on NSOMS (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons).