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 It’s Never too Late to Straighten Your Smile

Braces as an adult? No way. At least, that was what I thought when my dentist told me that I was going to have to see an orthodontist about my crooked teeth. But my teeth were so misaligned that they were causing me pain when I chewed, so I decided to at least look into it. Turns out braces today are nothing like the ones my friends had when I was a kid. Mine were practically invisible, and I didn't need to wear them that long. I started this blog to encourage other people like me who are nervous about the prospect of wearing braces as an adult. My straight smile is so worth the trips to the orthodontist, and wearing braces was nowhere near as bad as I thought. Read on to find out more about how you can straighten your smile.

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It’s Never too Late to Straighten Your Smile

Scaling And Root Planing: Why You Should Get It Done Before Dental Implants

by Jacqueline Byrd

If you don't need to get bone grafting done before your dental implant surgery, you may be eager to get that appointment scheduled. However, it's often recommended that patients do a scaling and root planing (SRP) beforehand. Although dental implants have a success rate up to 98%, SRP can only improve your chances of success. Read on to learn more about SRP and why it is vital for dental implants.

What does scaling and root planing entail?

SRP is a periodontal therapy where your teeth and gums are deeply cleaned. Plaque, a type of bacteria, can build up anywhere on your teeth, but it tends to accumulate mainly around the gumline. If this plaque is left unchecked, you could develop gum inflammation (gingivitis) or the more serious periodontal disease.

During SRP your dentist will take an instrument to scale below the gumline. This scaling action pushes tartar up and out of the gums where it can be removed. Your dentist will then use a tool for the root planing. Root planing can smooth tooth roots and encourages gum tissue to reattach and heal properly.

While SRP can cause some discomfort, it should not be painful since the dentist will use a local anesthetic. The good news is that SRP can be completed in one appointment. These appointments are usually longer than your annual check-ups — typically around two hours — since you are getting a deep clean.

Why is SRP important for dental implants?

Again, while implant surgeries have a high success rate, any medical procedure contains some risk of infection. One infection that some patients develop is called peri-implantitis. This infection is often seen in patients with pre-existing conditions, like autoimmune diseases and diabetes, or because of bad habits, like smoking or teeth clenching.

However, peri-implantitis can develop if you go into surgery if bacteria get into surgical wounds. If you have had poor oral hygiene in the past, then gum inflammation could set you up for peri-implantitis.

Peri-implantitis can cause symptoms like:

  • Pain
  • Bleeding or inflamed gums
  • Bad breath
  • Loose implants
  • Fever

Thankfully, peri-implantitis can be stopped in its tracks if you stay on top of it. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics and mouth rinses to get rid of the infection. However, if peri-implantitis isn't cured, it can infect your bone and cause you to have to redo implant surgery. In short, SRP sets you up for the best possible outcome, since bacteria will be cleaned from beneath the gumline—where your implants will eventually go!

For more information on dental implants and/or SRP, contact a dental office like Treman & Treman Family Dental Care.

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