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Are Your Dentures Driving You Crazy? Consider Implant Over-Dentures 

Impeccable Smiles • May 16, 2019

Know anybody who is missing all their teeth? Know anybody who hates their dentures? I am certain that everyone knows at least one person who is wearing, or attempting to wear, dentures. Every day I have patients who are surprised that we fully expect them to keep their teeth for the rest of their lives. We have been so conditioned to believe that we are eventually going to lose all our teeth that many older adults just assume that is a natural progression in life. In many of these cases, the patient will tell us their mother or father lost their teeth at an early age and their mom’s mom lost her teeth at an early age, on down the family line.  They will also usually tell us how miserable their parent was with their dentures, and that is why their parents always made sure the kids got the dental care the parent never did. In this article, we will revisit a service that I have seen change so many lives.

Any body with a lower or bottom denture will tell you they just don’t fit, no matter how well they are made or how much they cost. The anatomy of the lower jaw and the tongue are just not conducive to getting something to fit and stay still.  The denture just rides along the ridge and becomes a very annoying moving target. The problem gets worse over time as the patient loses more and more bone. I am sure that many denture wearers who are reading this article are nodding their heads while they are reading!

The Solution: Dental Implants

With dental implants, we now have a very reliable, relatively inexpensive and very effective way to hold the lower denture in place and, in the process, change a person’s life dramatically. By placing 4-6 implants in the Jaw we can snap the denture into those implants and go from a denture that was an uncomfortable moving target at best to one that is stable, well supported and gives you back a great deal of bite force that you forgot you lost when you lost your teeth. Food just chews better with dental implant supported dentures.

In many cases, we have taken patients who either don’t wear their tissue supported dentures at all or only wear them on Sunday, to patients who can comfortably wear their implant supported dentures all day long. They do not want to go without them. They can eat just about anything they want, speak with confidence without a lisp and do not have to worry about the embarrassment of their teeth coming loose at a dinner party. In more than one situation we have provided this service to a patient’s spouse, usually the husband, who refuses to wear his current denture even at social functions, often to the embarrassment of his family.

Dental Implant Process

Assuming the patient is healthy, and enough bone remains, the process is straight forward and very predictable. The first step is placing the implants, preferably 4-6 for the upper jaw and 2-4 for the lower jaw. The implants are surgically placed in the anterior or front portion of the jaw. The implants are typically left to heal for about 4 months. During this time the patient wears their current set of dentures. After 4 months, small caps are placed on top of the healed implants. The caps correspond to small receivers that are placed in the underside of the denture. These receivers can then be snapped down onto the implant caps, firmly holding the denture in place. The implants will not only keep the dentures from moving but also give support underneath to improve the patient’s biting force and ability to chew.  In most case we make the patient new upper and lower dentures as part of the final process. This allows for the best results as far as strength and esthetics.

Implants can also be placed under upper dentures, although most patients get along relatively well with upper dentures without implants. For upper dentures we place 4-6 implants, because the bone in the upper jaw is not as strong as the bone in the lower jaw- it is more porous. With 6 implants we can usually get enough strength to remove the part of the denture that covers the palate or roof of the mouth. For many patients, especially those prone to gagging, this can be a huge benefit. It will also often improve the patient’s ability to taste food and speak.

If there is one part of my practice where we see the most “tears of joy” shed, this is it. It is always fun to change someone’s smile with veneers, but as far as dramatically change the quality of a patient’s life, now this is life changing. To  be able to give a patient who has struggled with a denture—sometimes for 10, 20, 30 years – something that stays put and allows them to eat things they haven’t eaten for many year puts a huge smile, and often a tear, on the face of the patient and dentist alike.

I would encourage anyone who is currently struggling with dentures or who is potentially going to lose their teeth to talk to their dentist about the implant option. It is never too late to change your or someone else’s life. We are here to help! Give us a call at 813 365-3552 !

By Vivian DeLuca 03 Apr, 2024
Free Oral Sedation this Month! Relax with Us! Need an extraction? Get free oral sedation for any extraction scheduled in April. At Impeccable Smiles, we're dedicated to providing a comfortable experience. Oral sedation helps you feel calm and confident when tooth extraction is needed. Why Get Oral Sedation Dentistry? With oral sedation, multiple procedures can be performed during the same visit. We offer different levels of sedation: Nitrous Oxide (Lets you be able to drive home or back to work) Valium Sedation (Calms you so that you will "actually show up") Conscious Sedation (Calms and sedates you, so you will be a happy camper. But will need a driver to go home) Appointment must be scheduled in April. The offer expires on April 30, 2024. Call 813-365-3552 or click here to schedule your dental appointment today!
By Vivian DeLuca 02 Apr, 2024
April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month to bring attention to the negative impact of stress. Managing stress is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Knowing how to manage stress can improve mental and physical well-being and minimize the exacerbation of health-related issues. Stress can significantly impact oral health, causing teeth to break, jaw pain (TMJ), headaches, and migraines. This is because stress can cause people to grind or clench their teeth while sleeping, a condition called bruxism. Impeccable Smiles runs our practice on a holistic oral connection. So, it is critical to examine how stress affects oral health. We will look at: Poor Oral Hygiene Routine Dry Mouth Teeth Grinding Clenched Jaw Poor Oral Hygiene Routine When stressed, many things take a seat on the back burner. We tend to find comfort in things that may include unhealthy food like sugar and caffeine. An in-balance diet correlates to your mouth. In addition to consuming the wrong foods, you may avoid brushing your teeth twice daily. Not brushing or skipping flossing will lead to plaque buildup, tooth decay, cavities, and potential tooth loss. Dry Mouth When your mouth makes little or no saliva, it affects more than just your thirst. Saliva helps you taste and digest what you eat and rink. It also flushes food particles from the teeth and reduces the acids that cause tooth decay and can lead to gum disease. Excessive alcohol and tobacco use can also cause dry mouth. Teeth Grinding Also known as bruxism, grinding is an action caused by stress and anxiety. It happens at night while sleeping, and most people don't realize they are doing it. Over time, grinding can lead to chipped teeth, teeth sensitivity, or tooth loosening. Clenched Jaw (TMJ) When you have chronic stress, you will experience muscle tension in your jaw. A Tempororamadibular joint disorder, known as TMJ, will occur. TMJ is very painful and causes popping in the jaw, sensitivity to certain foods, swelling of the jawline, and headaches. Most people will have to ice daily and take problem or muscle relaxers. If the problem persists, we suggest getting fitted for a mouth guard. This will save your teeth and make you sleep and feel better. You can wear mouthguards during the day and all through the night. If you can step back and see where the source of the stress is coming from and work on that area, that’s the best way to fend off the adverse effects. However, if that’s not entirely possible, then turning to healthy habits like yoga, meditation, journaling, or exercising can help to reduce tension. Impeccable Smiles is always here for to help you with your holistic dental journey. Please contact your dentist in Lutz for a consultation. 
By Vivian DeLuca 05 Mar, 2024
$200 off Dental Implants & Mini-Implants Special Have the look and function of natural teeth. Speak, Chew, and Smile with confidence again. We offer: Single or multiple tooth replacement. Implants & Mini-Implants. You might feel self-conscious about your smile if you are missing a few teeth. On average, Americans lose about 12 teeth by the age of 50. Various things factor into tooth loss, but losing teeth isn't necessarily the end of having a full, bright smile. Dental implant procedures replace the root of your missing teeth with metal posts, then add artificial teeth that function exactly like real ones.They're a fantastic alternative to dentures, but only some are candidates for dental implant procedures. Schedule your appointment today to see if implants are right for you. If they are, we will give you $100 off the placement cost and $100 off the cost of the abutment. That's a $200 total off of our already low prices. Call 813-365-3552 or click here to schedule your dental appointment today!
By Vivian DeLuca 04 Mar, 2024
In honor of National No Smoking Day on March 13, 2024, we wanted to educate our patients on the effects that smoking has on their teeth. Smoking can have a significant impact on your dental health. It can cause bad breath and even tooth loss. The chemicals in tobacco can damage the enamel of your teeth, making them more susceptible to decay. Smoking also reduces blood flow to the gums, which can lead to gum disease and, eventually, tooth loss. If you have a dental procedure, smoking can slow down the healing process, making it harder for your mouth to recover. Other than the tooth loss, will you get discoloration of teeth Smokers' teeth tend to develop tobacco stains; these may be yellow, brown, dark brown, or even black stains, the severity depending partly on the duration and frequency of the habit. How dental problems affect your total health If you need extra motivation to consider quitting, it can be helpful to think about what tobacco-related dental issues can do to your overall health. Smoking can cause life-threatening cancers of the mouth, throat, tongue, or jaw. Quitting now will reduce your risks for 12 different forms of cancer. Untreated gum disease – often caused by smoking – has been linked with stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, and dementia. It's essential to quit smoking to maintain good dental health. If you are a smoker, ask us about our oral cancer screening test today!
By Vivian DeLuca 09 Feb, 2024
February is National Children's Dental Health Month at Impeccable Smiles! Cavities, also known as caries or tooth decay, are childhood's most common chronic disease, yet cavities are preventable. Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections, leading to problems eating, speaking, and learning. Did you know that more than 1 in 5 children aged 2 to 5 years have at least one cavity in their baby teeth. However, cavities are preventable. Ensure to wipe your baby's gums after each meal. Avoid putting babies to bed with a bottle. Brush your child's teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Limit drinks and food with added sugars for children. Schedule your child's first dental visit by their first birthday or after their first tooth appears. Impeccable Smiles recommends dental sealants, that is a thin coating painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants protect chewing surfaces from cavities by covering them with a protective shield that blocks out germs and food. Sealants protect against 80% of cavities for two years and continue to protect against 50% for up to 4 years. Call us at (813) 365-3552 to schedule your child's dental check-up today!
By Vivian DeLuca 08 Feb, 2024
What is Gum Disease? Gum or periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues and bone-supporting teeth. Does Gum Disease affect your Total Body Health? Yes! There are at least 12 illnesses suggested between gum disease and other illnesses and conditions. 85% of US adults suffer from some degree of gum disease, making it one of the most common diseases in America – more common than cancer, diabetes, arthritis, or heart disease. Many people aren't aware of the connection between gum disease and other illnesses. Learning about the connection between gum disease and other diseases and the overall importance of oral health is critical to improving gums and general health. The top illnesses that are affected by gum disease are: Heart Disease Stroke Cancer Diabetes Heart Disease People with gum disease are 2x as likely to have heart disease. Doctors know that bacteria and other inflammatory toxins below the gum line travel via vascular pathways in the mouth throughout the body, including to the heart. Reducing any amount of bacteria in the body, including that present in gum disease, will reduce the risk of heart disease. Stroke People with severe gum disease have a 3x to 4x higher risk of brain stroke. A new study has found that people with gum disease are around twice as likely to have a stroke. Researchers have discovered when the gums bleed and become inflamed. It changes how blood and oxygen flow to the brain 1. The link between gum disease and stroke is the inflammation present for both and the hardening of the arteries that results from it. Experts agree that by preventing gum disease, you decrease the risk factor for certain types of stroke. Cancer Several studies show strong evidence linking gum disease with an increased risk of oral cancer and pancreatic cancer. Gum disease could lead to increased pancreatic carcinogenesis because individuals with periodontal disease have higher levels of oral bacteria and higher levels of nitrosamines, which are carcinogens, in their oral cavity. Diabetes Nearly 22% of diabetes patients have gum disease. People with diabetes are more likely to develop severe gum disease, causing more tooth loss than those without it. Gum disease has also led to difficulties in people with diabetes regulating their glucose levels. Controlling blood sugar levels decreases the risk of gum disease and other complications from diabetes. Impeccable Smiles says to watch out for these signs and symptoms of gum disease: Painful chewing Sensitive teeth or gums Red, swollen, or tender gums that bleed easily The gap between teeth and gums Bad breath and halitosis Pus discharge from the gums Loose or shifting teeth Receding gums or longer-appearing teeth Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite Gum Disease Treatment Options: Professional dental cleaning Scaling and root planning Medications Antiseptic chips or antibiotic microspheres Antibiotic gel Enzyme suppressant Contact a Dentist in Lutz You can't reverse moderate gum disease can't be reversed; it can be treated to prevent further damage and tooth loss. Treatment can also ease your symptoms and start your journey to healthy gums. Without treatment, it can progress to advanced periodontal disease, leading to further complications. Dr. DeLuca specializes in Holistic Dentistry. Call us today to schedule your appointment for better health. 1. Fagundes NCF et al. (2019) 'Periodontitis As A Risk Factor For Stroke: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis', Vascular Health and Risk Management (August 2019), available at https://doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S204097.
By Vivian DeLuca 04 Jan, 2024
We're offering a special to welcome the new year! New Year, New Smile! Transform YOURSELF! Transform YOUR SMILE! For a limited time, receive $500 off full treatment braces or ClearCorrect + FREE consultation! Impeccable Smiles: we believe in providing comprehensive dental care that leaves you with the best smile! At your consultation, we'll help you with the following: Find the perfect treatment for you Ask questions and get answers from Dr. DeLuca and the team Get $500 off your complete treatment See how quickly braces transform smiles Or check out ClearCorrect (American Made) to see how clear aligners can improve your smile without braces! A $270 non-refundable fee is required to start treatment; this amount is applied to the ClearCorrect balance. Call our office at 813-365-3552 for your FREE consultation!
By Vivian DeLuca 05 Dec, 2023
Use it or Lose it! - Dental Insurance Benefits You're probably wondering what does, "use it before you lose it" mean. Did you know that at the end of the year any dental benefits you have not used are wiped away and your insurance benefits for the new year kick in? Which means you may be throwing away hundreds of dollars every year! By using all or as much of your dental benefits before the new year, you can be saving your family money. You never know if your child will need the whole of your benefits with unforeseen procedures, like a fractured tooth in the playground in the following year. There are some dental insurances that run on a fiscal year, but the majority of dental insurances run on a calendar year. Which means that on January 1 any dental benefitsyou had on December 31 gets reset, very few plans roll over those benefits. If you have a calendar year plan, you should call our office and we can work with you and your dental insurance in order to maximize your benefits. We know you have a ton of activities to coordinate every day. We're here to help you be able to squeeze in that dental appointment smoothly! Call and talk with Laura they can guide you how to maximize your dental benefits before they expire December 31. Book now online! Call our office at 813-365-3552 to make your appointment today! Reminder: Christmas week office hours: 12/22 closed through 1/1.
By Vivian DeLuca 06 Nov, 2023
November special is ...... 20% off patient portion services (what the patient owes after insurance)! Now is the time to book those treatments you have been postponing. Some procedures can be costly, but now you can save 20% off them all this month! • Dental Implants • Dental Veneers • Dental Crown • Tooth Extraction • Dentures • Night Guards • ClearCorrect Schedule your appointment today and mention this offer to $ave! *A 20% discount is only for the balance the patient owes for the service date. Valid on new appointments only. Offer ends November 30, 2023.
By Vivian DeLuca 03 Oct, 2023
National Dental Hygiene Month is Celebrated Every Year in October! Everyone loves a clean mouth, right? And we think keeping that mouth of yours clean on the regular is worth celebrating. We believe it's worth celebrating not just for a day but for an entire month; hence, the recognition of October as National Dental Hygiene Month. Why is National Dental Hygiene Month important? 1. It encourages oral health 2. It celebrates the hard-working hygienists 3. It's an excuse for a new toothbrush. (Check out our new toothbrush stock below.) Impeccable Smiles celebrates our Certified Registered Dental Hygienist Karleigh !
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