Your Dentist Could Save Your Life?
// January 6th, 2010 // No Comments » // Periodontal Surgery
Neat article about how your oral health can affect the rest of your body like your heart, etc…
Posted by Dr. David Wong, periodontist, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Archive for Periodontal Surgery
Tiger Woods and Facial Recontruction and Dental Work?
// December 30th, 2009 // No Comments » // Periodontal Surgery
Allegedly, Tiger Woods recently underwent cosmetic and facial recontruction surgery to repair injuries sustained with a golf club.
This story brings up an interesting point that most of the general public doesn’t know or think about:
Here’s the question: If you had a facial injury, what doctor would you see first?
Most people would see their general physician, but why not see your dentist? Many facial injuries are often associated with dental problems, TMJ, among other conditions. Oftentimes, your dentist can perorm a head and neck examination along with any oral/dental exams, so that you receive the most thorough diagnosis possible. They will also know who to refer you to for more specialized treatment, such as oral surgery, facial reconstruction, plastic surgery, etc…
HIV tests at your dentist’s office?
// December 28th, 2009 // No Comments » // Periodontal Surgery
On Foxnews.com, there is an interesting story about some dental offices offering HIV tests. Click HERE to go to the story.
Which is better? Dental implants or a fixed bridge?
// November 19th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Periodontal Surgery
If you’re missing a tooth, either your dentist or someone you know has probably had the discussion with you about how you should replace it. No matter how you slice it, the two most common replacement options always boils down to these two: Dental implant vs. a fixed bridge. Which is right for you?
Rather than re-hash my point-of-view as a periodontist, here’s a neat link to the New York Times on their recent article about this very subject.
Dental Implant Question: I have a loose denture. What can dental implants do for me?
// September 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Periodontal Surgery
Loose dentures are a common complaint among denture wearers. What many patients don’t know is that as soon as you lose your teeth, the supporting jaw bones begin to shrink, or atrophy. This results in a variety of complications such as loose dentures, decreased chewing power, and increased facial wrinkles (and jowls). Sometimes, this bone loss can lead to permanent numbness of the lower jaw. Dental implants work by acting like real teeth again and fools your jaw into believing that your teeth are there. This then prevents the jaw bones from shrinking. The implants can then be used to secure your loose denture to your jaw so it is more stable and secure.
Mischa Barton talks about oral surgery to remove her wisdom teeth
// September 11th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Celebrity Smiles, Oral Surgery, Periodontal Surgery
The View / Mischa Barton – The View
So getting your wisdom teeth out isn’t fun… You can get on “The View” for that?
Whoopi Goldberg discusses how gum disease can kill you!!
// September 11th, 2009 // No Comments » // Celebrity Smiles, David Wong, DDS, Patient questions finally answered!, Periodontal Surgery
Celebrity Whoopi Goldberg talks about her experience with periodontal disease and how it can affect your health…she says it can even kill you. Listen to her advice for patients… don’t wait because gum disease doesn’t hurt at all…until it’s too late. Here’s the URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YxNdFKoFEk
Question about dental implants: My dentures are loose and I can’t eat or speak…what are my options? Are there any Tulsa dentists who can help?
// September 6th, 2009 // No Comments » // David Wong, DDS, Dentures, Patient questions finally answered!, Periodontal Surgery
DENTAL IMPLANTS!!! The biggest complaint with dentures is that they are loose, uncomfortable, even embarrassing. While the upper denture usually fits well, the lower denture is the cause of most of the complaints. About 1 in 5 denture wearers actually think they eat better WITHOUT their denture…How surprising is that. Besides the discomfort and lack of function, people with dentures also continue to lose valuable bone volume in their jaws, leading to more wrinkles like Marionette lines, jowls, “witch’s chins”, and thinner looking lips. Most patients with dentures turn to “dental implants” to help them stabilize their loose dentures. By inserting these safe, proven, and effective titanium implants into the jaws, these new solid anchors help hold the denture in place…allowing people to eat again with confidence. Not only that, no more embarrassing social situation while talking, and speak often improves too! As far as Tulsa dentists go, most patients will find a dentist like an oral surgeon or periodontist to place the dental implants, while a general dentist will normally make the new denture. For more information, patients can check out local periodontist, Dr. David Wong, at his website, http://www.tulsagums.com
What does the Tulsa Dental Advisor know about Tulsa dentist, Dr. William Letcher, and FixtTeeth? Are they for me?
// August 28th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Dental Implants, In the News, Just for Patients, Patient questions finally answered!, Periodontal Surgery
We didn’t know much about this so we went to the website of Dr. William Letcher, a Tulsa dentist and developer of the technique. Here’s a quote from his website describing FixtTeeth:
What is the FixtTeeth procedure?
Dr. Letcher developed FixtTeeth for his patients without teeth. FixtTeeth is a unique and revolutionary technique that restores a patient’s smile with teeth that are rigidly fixed in place. The procedure uses titanium mini dental implants which function as tooth roots and hybrid composite resin which make up the tooth crowns. FixtTeeth also employs Dr. Letcher’s two U.S. patents. The FixtTeeth approach provides teeth that don’t pinch, don’t wobble and won’t come out. Patients can eat, laugh and smile with confidence knowing their new teeth are beautiful, secure and lasting.
How do I know if I have enough jawbone for mini dental implants?
Many of Dr. Letcher’s FixtTeeth patients are not candidates for standard sized dental implants because they lack sufficient bone. These patients had no alternative to dentures. The introduction of mini dental implants changed this. Mini implants are the thickness of a pencil lead and work in patients who have significant bone loss and been without natural teeth for years.
From start to finish, how long does it take to get FixTeeth?
The entire FixtTeeth procedure can becompleted in about a week. After the initial consultation, there are two appointments. The first includes a CT scan and record taking. The second visit, the implants are placed and new teeth are attached.
Well…There’s your answer, but what does the Tulsa Dental Advisor think? After all, we have a panel of board-certified surgeons and published implant experts.
At the Tulsa Dental Advisor, we have 3 concerns about FixtTeeth (and none of us know Dr. Letcher personally, and this is only our opinion:
#1– There is little research supporting the use of mini implants to support FixtTeeth for patients missing ALL of their teeth like the website suggests. Patients should ask questions regarding the ability of implants the thickness of “pencil lead” to support a full set of teeth. Typically, in dentistry (as in life), the size of the implant matters. The bigger the person’s jaws, the stronger the person’s bite, the bigger the implants that are required… you wouldn’t hang a giant picture frame on thumb tacks, would you?
#2– Without knowing the costs of FixtTeeth, the fact that the final teeth are made of “hybrid composite resin” is unusual. Most patients are familiar with crowns made of gold alloy or porcelain, which stand the test of time. What is the longevity of the resin? FYI, most composite resins are used in dentistry for “temporary” crowns…not permanent ones. Is there a guarantee or warranty for the longevity of the crowns? If there isn’t, patients should probably think twice about investing in composite resin crowns.
#3- FixtTeeth are delivered in a week. Most dental implants must heal for several months before they are strong enough to hold crowns. Look this term up: It’s called “osseointegration”. This does not occur in one week. By delivering the teeth to patients only 1 week after placing the implants, the doctors contributing to the Tulsa Dental Advisor would be nervous about the chances of success… especially if we’re talking about big money to deliver on the promise of FixtTeeth.
Editor’s Note: Because none of our advisors are familiar with Dr. Letcher or FixtTeeth personally, the above commentary is not meant to be a negative towards any particular person or product. The comments are made with the input of board-certified oral surgeons, periodontists, and restorative dentists using the existing body of research available. They would also like to warn consumers that just because a product or technique is patented does not necessarily make them good ideas or guarantee results.
Need to find a dentist in the Oklahoma City area?
// August 11th, 2009 // No Comments » // Periodontal Surgery
Dr. Steven Kendrick in Midwest City is presently taking new patients. His area of expertise is dental implants and cosmetic dentistry. Check out his website: http://www.mwdentalcenter.com