4 Reasons Patients Choose Dental Implants Over Other Tooth Replacement Options

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A missing permanent tooth can impact how you look, how you chew, and how you talk to people. You need all of your teeth to ensure that your mouth will look and function the way it should.

If you’re missing a tooth and would like treatment, the periodontist in Scottsdale, AZ, can help with dental implants. At Dr. Pete N. Mellas, DMD, we provide dental implants to patients who want to replace their missing teeth with a long-lasting, durable artificial tooth.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a replacement tooth that is surgically inserted into the jaw and fused with the bone. Compared to other forms of artificial and replacement teeth, dental implants function most like natural teeth. Getting dental implants can help restore your smile after a permanent tooth is lost.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

There are many reasons to get dental implants for your teeth.

  1. Dental implants look natural. Dental implants look like real teeth. To ensure that your dental implants look natural, the periodontist will match the color of your dental implants to your other teeth. The custom crown that attaches to your dental implant will be created to fit perfectly in the space where the tooth used to be.
  2. Dental implants function like natural teeth. Dental implants can be used for chewing and talking just like natural teeth.
  3. Dental implants are long-lasting and durable. Of all the types of artificial teeth out there, dental implants are often the longest-lasting and most durable. With proper care, some dental implants can last a lifetime.
  4. Dental implants are easy to maintain. Dental implants need to be brushed like regular teeth, using non-abrasive toothpaste. Taking care of dental implants is easy.

Contact Us for Information About Dental Implants in Scottsdale, AZ

Are you missing a permanent tooth? Getting a replacement can restore your smile and improve your quality of life. To learn more about how dental implants in Scottsdale, AZ, can replace your missing permanent tooth, contact the professionals at Dr. Pete N. Mellas, DMD. We’re happy to help.

Can Gum Disease be Reversed?

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Gum disease is one of the most serious dental concerns because it nearly always leads to permanent tooth loss. No one wants to lose their permanent teeth. It not only looks bad, but it negatively impacts the function and health of the entire mouth. If you believe you may have gum disease, you’ll want to know if it can be reversed. Here are some facts to help you to understand the serious implications. But in the meantime, you should see your Scottsdale, AZ, periodontist as soon as possible for treatment.

Understanding Gum Disease

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a disease that affects the soft tissue, the gums. Essentially, it’s an infection of the gums. Symptoms include inflamed gums, loose teeth, and white pus. The thing to know about gum disease is that it progresses slowly, over time. As such, there is ample time to halt its progression. Doing so could just save your permanent teeth. Waiting until the gum disease progresses to the final stages almost always results in the loss of permanent teeth.

Gum Disease is Treatable

Thankfully, gum disease is treatable, and a periodontist is an expert in this kind of service. Your periodontist has an array of available treatments for gum disease. At home, you should follow your periodontist’s instructions to the letter for optimal outcomes.

Can Gum Disease be Reversed?

The question of whether gum disease can be reversed depends a lot on the individual, their habits, lifestyle choices, when they seek treatment, and how closely they adhere to the periodontist’s instructions. Treatment may include prescription medication such as antibiotics, prescription-strength mouthwashes, surgical procedures, digital imaging, and more. It’s important to note that gum disease can’t be reversed with just one visit. It came on slowly, and reversing the effects will take time, possibly several months. Any permanent damage, of course, such as the loss of natural teeth, can’t be reversed, but there are treatments for that, such as dental implants, bridges, and more.

If you suspect that you may be developing gum disease in Scottsdale, AZ, book an appointment with your periodontist as soon as possible. The sooner the gum disease is diagnosed and halted in its tracks, the better the outcome. Contact us today to learn more.

6 Signs You Need to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

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Do you have oral pain and need to see a periodontist in Scottsdale, AZ? If so, you are probably wondering what’s causing you dental pain. You might need to have your wisdom teeth removed.

Six Signs You Need to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

1. Persistent Jaw Pain

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause persistent pain. They are not only painful, but they can also cause issues with the structure of your face as well. As your wisdom teeth grow, they can push your other teeth out of place.

This can affect your bite, your jaw strength, and the overall health of your jaw as well. In some cases, wisdom teeth can even prevent you from opening and closing your jaw properly, which, in turn, could cause digestive issues because you won’t be able to properly chew and process your food.

2. Teeth Crowding

One of the biggest issues with wisdom teeth is tooth crowding. Your wisdom teeth are larger than your other teeth and there isn’t always room in your mouth for them. Therefore, as they continue to grow, they can crowd out your other teeth, affecting their alignment and how they grow. If you have teeth crowding, talk with your dentist about wisdom tooth removal in Scottsdale, AZ right away.

3. Recurring Headaches and/or Earaches

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause jaw pain and this pain will sometimes radiate to other parts of your head such as your ear canal. They can also cause tension in your jaw, resulting in tension headaches.

4. Unrelievable Sinus Issues

Your sinuses are located right next to the jawbone. So impacted wisdom teeth can put pressure on your sinuses. Sinus pressure that doesn’t respond to traditional treatments, and that seems to be radiating from your jaw, is a good indication that the problem could be impacted wisdom teeth.

5. Oral Cysts

Oral cysts are small pus-filled sacs that grow on your gums and jaws. Sometimes the pressure from impacted wisdom teeth can cause cysts to form around your wisdom teeth. And if left untreated, these cysts can cause gum and jaw infections.

6. Tooth Damage and Decay

If your wisdom teeth aren’t coming in correctly, they can crowd your other teeth, causing damage. This could lead to tooth decay, an overbite, an underbite, and other dental problems.

What’s Next?

If you need a periodontist in Scottsdale, AZ, please Contact Dr. Pete Mellas today. We provide comprehensive dental treatment and planning services, as well as a full suite of restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Our team is dedicated to providing you with a comfortable, relaxing, and positive dental experience.

 

4 Habits to Drop Now to Lower Your Risk of Periodontal Disease

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Gum disease (periodontal disease) is the most common oral health concern in the country. When patients come in for full-mouth restoration in Scottsdale, AZ, they often have problems with gum disease that have contributed to issues with their teeth. Many everyday habits can heighten your risk for gum disease. However, making changes now can make a difference. Take a look at four habits to consider changing to support your periodontal health.

1. Not Hydrating Properly

There is actually a strong correlation between how much water you drink and your risk for gum disease. Studies have found that for every one cup less of water intake a day, the risk of gum disease went up. Water flushes away the harmful bacteria that can accumulate around your teeth and gums. Therefore, if you’re not drinking enough water, you could inadvertently be elevating your risks.

2. Skipping the Floss

Flossing is well-known to deter plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth, but a lot of people neglect to floss. It is easy to assume that brushing should be enough, but food particles get lodged between the teeth that a toothbrush just won’t reach.

3. Smoking

People at smoke have an excessively high rate of gum disease. This is because smoking elevates the temperature of the oral cavity, which encourages the growth of harmful bacteria. Therefore, protecting your oral health is one more good reason to drop the habit.

4. Eating Hard Candy Regularly

Hard candy is often a go-to for people looking to keep the mouth feeling fresh or simply get a little sugar boost between meals. However, hard candy can be really hard on your teeth and gums. Because the candy stays in your mouth for so long, the sugar feeds the bacteria that create plaque and contribute to gum disease.

Talk to a Scottsdale Dentist About Gum Disease

One of the best things you can do for your oral health is to take care of your gums. Working with a Scottsdale, AZ dentist to keep your gum health in check is ever-important. Reach out to us at the office of Dr. Pete N. Mellas, DMD to schedule an appointment.