Our teeth have many critical functions. We need them to chew our food, talk, and smile. But have you ever considered their role in holding up your face? When we lose teeth, the bone around the site of the extraction begins to shrink. This, in turn, causes our facial muscles to sink in and collapse.
Bone Metabolism
We sometimes think of bone as a solid mass, unlike the softer tissues in our body. In reality, below the seemingly rock-hard surface, bone tissue is full of small holes – kind of like a sponge. In the interior bone tissue, the bone is continually regenerating itself. This important process is sometimes called “bone metabolism.” In the jaw bone, the movement of the teeth stimulate this process of rebuilding. When the tooth is gone, the bone starts to shrink as blood flow is reduced.
People with missing teeth not only have an unattractive gap in their smile, they begin to look older because of the bone recession and eventual facial sagging. It is not simply an issue of attractiveness – it poses serious health dangers. It may become difficult to chew food, making it harder to get adequate nutrition. Mental health can also be affected when a patient with missing teeth loses confidence in themself or withdraws from social situations because they are self-conscious about their smile.
Dental Implants Can Prevent Bone Recession
Modern dentistry to the rescue! Dental implant technology provides a tooth restoration solution that maintains healthy bone metabolism while providing near-normal tooth function. For patients missing many (or all) of their teeth, it may not be possible to replace every single tooth with an implant. In many of these cases, dental implants can be used to provide an anchor for a partial denture.
What if your bone has shrunken so much that there is not enough to support an implant? You may be a candidate for bone augmentation or bone grafting. This procedure is routinely performed with success.
If you are missing teeth, don’t resign yourself to dentures. Tooth implants can provide a stunning smile! Schedule a consultation with Doctor Robert McCulla by calling 209-667-7889.
Regular check-ups and cleanings at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA are essential for good dental health. But some people tend to have gums that bleed after a thorough cleaning, causing them concern.
Is this a problem? Well, it depends. If your gums bleed for a couple days after your dental cleaning, don’t worry about it. But, if the bleeding and tenderness last longer, you should be checked for the possibility of gum disease.
Gum disease arises when plaque builds up along the gum line. You might also see bad breath, painful chewing, and loose teeth.
It is a progressive condition and a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It is also treatable, but as with most conditions, the earlier it is diagnosed and the treatment begins, the better.
We treat gum disease at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA. Patients from throughout Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale know they can trust us with their dental health. They also come to our practice for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!
While poor oral hygiene is the most prevalent cause of halitosis, many circumstances can contribute to or intensify the condition. One of these is the lack of saliva or xerostomia.
Saliva and Oral Health
Saliva moistens the teeth and gums and cleans away odiferous dead cells. Saliva also neutralizes the ever-present acids on the tongue, gums, and cheeks, and the minerals in saliva help to maintain enamel stability. Immunoproteins in saliva curb the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth, thereby safeguarding the gums from gingivitis. Saliva also functions as a disinfectant by cleansing the mouth of leftover food, bacteria, and fungi. This protects against cavities and infections.
Many individuals suffer from dry mouth infrequently; perhaps when they are perceiving anxiety or stress. Limiting caffeine, chewing sugar-free gum, using OTC saliva substitutes, and using a humidifier can add moisture to the mouth.
If you have infrequent periods of dry mouth, there is probably nothing to worry about. Constant dry mouth, however, can lead to additional oral and physical health problems.
I am Doctor McCulla of Turlock Dental Care. I have been treating xerostomia and bad breath since 1986. If you experience either condition, we recommend that you set up an exam and consultation with your dentist. Your dentist will help you discover the source and guide you on treatment.
Patients who are thinking about a dental implant from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA often ask how long they last. An implant is a significant investment, after all. Do they really last a lifetime, like people say? The answer is yes, but an explanation is in order.
A dental implant is not a replacement tooth, but the titanium post that is inserted into the jaw. Titanium is well-suited for implants, and cases of rejection by the body are rare. A big factor in how long the implant lasts comes down to how well you take care of it.
Dental implants are life-changing! With regular checkups and proper care at home, a dental implant can last a lifetime. When you get your implant, we will have specific instructions for daily care. For most patients, we recommend brushing and flossing twice a day.
Dental implants like those from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA have become the tooth replacement solution of choice. People from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale also come to our office for other restorative dentistry options. Contact us today!
A dental implant is a tooth replacement that is screwed directly into the jaw bone. It is not attached to the adjacent teeth like a dental bridge. The post replaces the tooth root and is implanted where the tooth root used to be. When the post fuses with the bone, the dentist attaches an abutment and then a crown for the visible portion of the tooth.
It’s important to understand that a tooth implant involves several elements:
The post (screw)
The abutment
The crown
So, how much does a tooth implant cost?
Give me a rough estimate….
In Michigan, you can expect to pay from $1,000 to $3,000 for one implant (the post that is screwed in).
Then there is the abutment (connector piece) and crown. These fundamentals could cost from $900 to $3,000.
This would bring the total price tag from $1900 to north of $5,000.
Remember, this is for ONE post, abutment, and crown.
What if I need a whole bunch of implants?
Some people spend between $20,000 and $50,000 for a total mouth reconstruction.
Wow!
Implants seem really costly…
An implant procedure is an oral surgery. It requires consultation and additional visits. It requires X-rays and impressions. You might need bone grafting to augment the bone where the implant will be placed.
There are indirect expenses as well…
Your dentist will pick up the components from a dental supplier. The dental crown is custom-made in a lab. Dental laboratories have pricey equipment. They employ professionals who are specially trained.
Consider your dentist’s schooling. Just one year of dental school costs between $30,000 and $70,000… (Don’t forget, your dentist earned an undergraduate degree before attending dental school.)
Your dentist employs a team of professionals. A dental office must purchase and maintain expensive equipment and supplies.
According to the American Dental Association, it costs at least $500,000 to open a dental practice. The yearly overhead can run over $200,000.
Does my dental insurance cover dental implant procedures?
Some dental insurance carriers cover dental implants. Some only cover the crown portion. Others don’t cover any portion of the procedure. It’s unfortunate that more dental insurers don’t cover implants. They are significantly less expensive over the long run. They preserve bone. They don’t require removing tooth structure like dental bridges. They don’t have as many complications as dental bridges.
Talk to your provider. If your insurance company doesn’t cover them, or if you don’t have dental insurance, talk to us about financing.
Dental implants are pricey. No doubt about it.
But if you talk to our patients, each one will tell you that they are worth every penny.
Dental implants have been called one of the most important steps forward in the history of modern dentistry, and we are proud to make them available to our patients at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA.
Dental implants as we know them today have been around for decades, but they’re one of those things that most people to learn about until they need one. When they do, certain questions crop up pretty consistently:
Are dental implant procedures too expensive?
Are implants safe?
Are they experimental?
Is the surgery painful?
Does it take a long time to recover?
The answer to all of these is short and sweet: No. Dental implants are an investment in a better quality of life
They might not be cheap. But, when it comes to a permanent addition to your mouth, why would you want it to be? Plus, you gain so much more than a titanium post and porcelain crown or denture.
You regain the ability to chew steak and raw vegetables. You gain self-confidence. You preserve the shape of your face. You prevent your teeth from shifting after an extraction. You avoid embarrassing dentures slipping around in your mouth.
Permanent dental implants are a safe, mainstream dental procedure and they are definitely worth it! The cost of not doing anything could be far worse.
In healthy patients who are good candidates for the procedure, implants have a success rate around 98%. If you get a permanent dental implant, it could last the rest of your life!
Something else to note is that dental implant surgery involves very little pain and patients usually recover swiftly.
The procedure doesn’t usually take very long, though it depends on how many implants you’re getting. When it’s finished you may experience:
Minimal pain at the implant site
Minimal bleeding
Swelling and/or bruising of the gums and cheeks
These effects should subside after a few days. Ibuprofen and ice packs usually take care of the pain. Our team will provide you with specific care instructions when you leave the office, in order to ensure your implant’s longevity.
Dental implants from Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL restore smiles and change lives! Patients from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale come to us for this and other restorative dentistry options, as well as extractions. To find out if we are the right practice for you, contact us today!
At Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA, we know that a common dental problem tends to go undiagnosed for years. This is because people chalk it up to genetics and don’t even realize it’s a problem. The problem we’re talking about is, of course, malocclusion.
Literally meaning “bad bite,” it is a term coined by Edward Angle, a pioneer in modern orthodontics. Malocclusion is fairly common in the population as a whole but often, the misalignment is so slight that it causes no issues. Sometimes, however, it can cause symptoms like headaches, neck pain, and tooth pain.
When you combine multiple teeth on two arches and a jaw joint with a considerable range of motion, it is easy to see how these elements can fail to align properly. In fact, it is a wonder that they work correctly for most people – allowing them to talk, eat, and breathe without giving it a second thought.
There are many causes of malocclusion – some originating with the teeth and some originating with the jaw. Misshapen teeth, extracted teeth, impacted teeth, crowded teeth, and widely spaced teeth can influence the bite. Injury to the jaw can also cause malocclusion as well as improperly fitting restorations and other dental appliances.
Children with a normal bite can develop bite dilemmas with prolonged pacifier use, thumb sucking, or bottle drinking. In rarer cases, oral tumors can move a bite out of alignment.
The treatment for malocclusion depends on the cause. Invisalign® clear braces can move teeth into alignment to fix bite issues. Overcrowding often requires the extraction of one or more teeth. Misshapen teeth that affect the bite can often be corrected with crowns or dental bonding.
At Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA, we are ready to discuss your options and design a dental plan to deal with your malocclusion. Don’t hesitate. Patients from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale come to us for cosmetic and family dentistry. Contact us today!
At Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA, we stay on top of new discoveries in the exciting field of dentistry and occasionally share interesting facts with our patients. Today’s post focuses on new findings in a compelling field of research: genetic dentistry.
According to Mary L. Marazita, director of the Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh, “About 60% of the risk for tooth decay appears to be due to genetic factors.”
Whoa! Did she say 60%? That’s huge. You might be thinking: “That’s why I brush and floss but still get cavities.” Or, better yet, you might be thinking, “No wonder I have never had a cavity but eat candy often and occasionally go to bed without brushing.”
A recent article on CNN.com highlights tooth decay risk factors that have a genetic link:
Enamel Strength: Your genes play an important role in the composition of your tooth enamel. Soft enamel is more cavity prone.
Sugar Cravings: Whether or not you love sugar has a genetic basis. Now you can blame your parents if you pop M&Ms all day. But it still isn’t good for your teeth!
Chemical Composition of Saliva: Your saliva can protect against cavities – if it properly metabolizes critical minerals and vitamins like calcium, potassium, iron, and Vitamin C. Your genes influence your saliva’s power to prevent decay.
Immune Response to Bacteria: We don’t like to think about the detrimental bacteria in our mouth but, hopefully, our immune system is ever-vigilant at fighting their constant attempts to cause decay and gum disease. The durability of your immune system is determined, in part, by genetics.
In the next few decades, scientists in the emerging specialty of genetic dentistry may play a critical role in the development of new cavity-prevention techniques.
So, thank your parents if you have good dental health, and maintain it with regular brushing, flossing, and visits to Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA. Patients from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale come to us for family and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!
Have you replaced your toothbrush lately? You don’t have to answer that. At Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA we recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months.
Too many people wait too long to get a new toothbrush, which can be bad for their dental health. It’s one of the reasons why most dentists hand out free ones at every checkup.
Of course, you don’t need to mark your calendar or set up a reminder on your smartphone. How often you replace your toothbrush depends on how often you use it. We recommend, strongly, that you brush at least twice a day. If you’re brushing twice a day, picking up a new toothbrush at the store every three months is recommended.
Why So Often?
A toothbrush can become familiar, like a comfy pair of shoes. Sometimes the idea of tossing out the old one and replacing it isn’t very appealing. But after three months, the bristles are getting bent and frayed. There may be some gunk – dried toothpaste foam – starting to build up, too. So toss that old brush, and get a fresh one!
What kind of brush should you be using? There are so many choices. The most important thing is to choose a brush with soft bristles. They are gentle on the gums, but still effective in brushing away plaque.
Manual or Electric?
Should you use a manual toothbrush, or go electric? This boils down to personal preference. Provided you use them correctly, both do a good job cleaning your teeth. A manual toothbrush may take a little longer and requires you to be sure to brush up and down and in little circles. But they were a lot cheaper! At the end of the day, though, the choice is yours.
Electric toothbrushes are a tremendous benefit to those with issues like arthritis. There are two basic types: a regular electric toothbrush, and a sonic toothbrush. A sonic toothbrush is essentially a super-charged electric brush. They can give you up to thirty thousand brush strokes per minute!
To recap: for good dental health, Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA recommends a new toothbrush every three months. People from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale come to our office for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!
A healthy, pleasing smile can have a positive impact on anyone’s life. It lets us convey confidence and friendliness in business and social settings. If dental problems have dulled your smile, cosmetic dentistry from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA can revive it.
It’s been said that cosmetic dentistry is part science and part art. That’s a good definition, but we would add that we use sound dental techniques to bring positive changes to the smiles of our patients.
Smile improvement with cosmetic dentistry can have positive changes in your life. There are many techniques we can use, depending on the state of your smile: we can correct teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen, and even missing.
Traditional dentistry addresses the health of your teeth and gums, and that certainly has its place in what we do. Cosmetic dentistry improves appearance, to complement the overall general and dental health of each patient.
Your teeth take a lot of wear and tear, but cosmetic dentistry from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA can restore your smile to its youthful appearance. People from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale also come to our practice for family and restorative dentistry. Contact us checkup!
This place is great! State of the art equipment. Friendly staff and they have cookies! ?? Fresh ones!
Vanessa P
I have finally found a dentist/hygienist that I feel comfortable with. I was there today and felt relaxed the entire time and am actually looking forward to going back for more dental work. Weird, but true.
Carol S
I came in and I felt so welcomed with the lady I met up front. The assistant and hygienist was so amazing and made me feel so comfortable. And then the dr he was awesome I will definitely make this my new home!
Anonymous
The staff here is always happy to help me with my questions and concerns.
Evan C.
Wow what a great place: treated like a queen Staff are friendly and genuine care about my health.
Noreen S.
What a warm and professional office. It really shows that they care a great deal for their patients. Dr.McCulla is wonderful and has an amazing chairside manner.
Charlene T
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Today’s post focuses on missing teeth and bone health.
