Dr. Gary Sigafoos: February 2013

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Dental Implant Prices: Can I Afford It?

Deciding whether you can afford dental implants can be a complicated process. Dental implant prices depend on many factors including your own overall health, the complexity of the problem, whether additional bone grafting may be necessary, and the cost of the materials used.

There are different types of dental implants used in dentistry. There's been great success with "osseointegrated" implants. It's a system where the bone and implant mesh. A chemical and mechanical bond is formed so the jawbone actually grows into the implants. The most rewarding part of these successful implants in dentistry is that patients are happy with the results for years.

Dental implants are used in different ways by dentists. You may require a single implant to bridge a gap, or two implants to support a bridge. Or, if a lower denture needs to be stabilized, two to four implants might be required.

Unfortunately, if your jawbone can't support an implant due to bone loss, tooth implants may not be an option. However, if you have a sound jawbone, dental implants are the best thing offered in dentistry next to real teeth.

Where to find dental implants in your area:

For more information on dental implant prices or to schedule a dental implant consultation for yourself, enter your information in the form on this page and click Submit. You will receive a list of implant specialists in your area who can give you the tooth replacement information and quality care you need.

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Follow @GarySigafoos on Twitter and do a “Like” at LajollaGumDiseaseCare Fanpage. If you're looking for an experienced periodontist to care for gingivitis and periodontial disease in La Jolla, contact Dr. Sigafoos,(858) 568-8941.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Choosing Dental Health, Three Reasons Why It Is a Wise Choice for Care

Most of us think that taking care of our teeth is about having a great smile and avoiding the discomfort of a toothache. Although any dentist will say these are valid and important reasons for maintaining a good dental health program, there are three other equally strong reasons to consider.

First of all, dental health is part of your overall health. Second, choosing dental health is a wise investment of your time and financial resources. Third, your emotional well-being is influenced by how you think and feel about yourself. Your smile is a big part of your image of yourself. Let's examine each of these areas more thoroughly.

Your Physical Health

How easy it is to forget that our teeth, gums, and mouth are essential parts of our physical body. Periodontal disease, bone and gum loss, and infections all affect the overall picture of our physical health. The ability to chew our food well helps digestion and reduces stress on the gastrointestinal system.

Like any physical system, each part of the body plays a role in the overall health of the system; taking care of your teeth and gums is a part of an intentional plan for physical health. In collaboration with your dentist and dental team, you can create a plan for your dental health that will contribute to your overall health plan.

Dental Care - A Wise Investment

When treatment is necessary, the new dentistry is also an investment in your financial future. Proper treatment today prevents more costly complications and uncomfortable problems tomorrow. For those who seek to maintain their dental health for life, it is a wise investment to get the most value from the knowledge and skills your dentist and the new dentistry offers you.

Dental Hygiene - Emotional Well-Being

How you feel and think about yourself is an important part of your emotional well-being and a pleasant smile plays a big role in this. In addition, when you take an active role in caring for yourself, it also contributes to your overall sense of competence in managing your life and maintaining a positive lifestyle. The habit of dental health self-care and regular dental hygiene examinations reinforces taking positive steps for yourself in other areas of your life.

The new dentistry also can provide you with innovative and effective ways to create and maintain a pleasant smile that you feel good about. When it comes to feeling good about yourself and your smile, the new dentistry offers many exciting and effective options.

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Monday, February 25, 2013

Dental Nanotechnology: A Tiny Pea-Size Device That Regrows Lost Teeth In 4 Months!

By Tomas Caomhanach

If you've read The Bad Breath Report, you already know that a dramatic series of recent genetic engineering breakthroughs have allowed scientists to completely regenerate lost teeth in animals in vivo(meaning they are re-grown in place right in the mouth; they aren't grown in a lab and then implanted) and will be ready for human use within a few years.

In the meanwhile, however, those who have lost teeth can take heart that a team of researchers at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada have developed an astonishing non-invasive nanotechnology that will re-grow teeth in less than 4-months.

Smaller than a pea, it gently massages gums and stimulates tooth growth when mounted on braces or a temporary plastic crown in a patient’s mouth. It is activated for 20 minutes a day, over a period of 4-months.

The device was designed by Dr. Jie Chen, a nano-biotechnologist at the University’s Engineering Department, and is based on research carried-out by Dr. Tarek El-Bialy, an Egyptian-born orthodontist, in the late 1990s.

In a study, published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Dr. El-Bialy used ultrasound on a rabbit that had undergone surgery on its jaw. He was surprised to find that, as well as re-generating its jaw-bone, the rabbit’s teeth also started to re-grow. He presented similar results for human patients at the World Federation of Orthodontics in Paris in September 2005.

The original ultrasonic devices were very big and, thus, very uncomfortable for patients to hold in their mouth for 20 minutes at a time.

However, when he moved to the University of Alberta, Dr. El-Bialy had a chance-encounter with Dr. Chen, and other members of the engineering faculty, who joined forces with him to radically miniaturise the technology.

According to Dr. Chen, as well as fixing broken teeth, LIPUS may also be used to correct a crooked smile, and may, eventually, allow people to grow taller by stimulating bone growth.

It has been approved by both Canadian and American regulatory bodies and a market-ready model is currently being prepared. LIPUS is expected to be commercially available within 12 months.

The Bad Breath Report
Scientifically-Proven Method To
Cure Bad Breath At Home
www.TheBadBreathReport.com

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics
http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Friday, February 22, 2013

Dr. Gary Sigafoos Voted in the 2013 topDentists

More than just a dentist - the right dentist

January 30, 2013

Dr. Gary M. Sigafoos

Scripps Center for Dental Care

9850 Genesee Avenue, Suite 620

La Jolla, CA 92037-1217

Dear Dr. Sigafoos:

We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected by a vote of your peers to be

included in the 2013 database of topDentists.TM The listings from your area will appear online

at www.usatopdentists.com and will also appear in the April issue of San Diego Magazine.

Because topDentists is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which hundreds of

dentists and specialists throughout the San Diego area cast thousands of “votes” on the

abilities of other dentists and specialists, and because listings cannot be purchased (and no

payment is required to be listed), inclusion in topDentists is considered a singular honor.

With over forty years in combined experience compiling peer-review professional referral

guides, we have been able to use our experience along with the input of dentists across the

United States to create a methodology that has been refined and improved over previous

superlative guides.

Again, our congratulations on being honored by your peers.

Sincerely,

Managing Partner

topDentists, LLC

mark@usatopdentists.com

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Evolution of Tooth Implants

Dental implantology has made huge strides in just the past 20 years - but the concept is anything but new.

The idea of a tooth replacement anchored permanently into the jaw has been around since antiquity. Archeologists know the ancient Egyptians tried to implant precious stones into the jawbone where teeth were lost. Half a world away, Mayan ruins in Mexico turned up jawbones with tooth implants carved from seashells.

Tooth loss is one of humankind's most common afflictions - and permanent replacement one of dentistry's fondest dreams. If you have a missing tooth or teeth, you probably understand why.

Fast-forward now from the Third Dynasty to today's dental research labs. Three major research advances - all in the past 15 years - combined to make dental implants practical and workable in a wide range of patients.

Tooth implants substitute the rooting of 32 individual teeth with a few metal anchor posts onto which snaps either an overdenture or a fixed bridge. Investigators found that posts made of the metal titanium were strong, non-toxic over years in the mouth, and biologically compatible.

The next critical discovery was the concept of "osseointegration" - in which the healing jawbone actually grows into the dental implant post. This union is capable of sealing harmful bacteria out of the bone tissue.

Credit the computer revolution with the final critical breakthrough: Computerized Tomography (CT) can be used to develop a model of the jawbone's surface. This eliminates the need for preliminary surgery required to make impressions of the jawbone. For certain patients CT imaging can make tooth implant surgery a one-step procedure.

Teeth implants aren't for everybody. But research technicians have expanded its potential beyond the dreams of - well, certainly Ramses II.

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Replace a Missing Tooth With a Tooth Implant

Compared to previous generations when tooth loss was common, modern dentistry has made it possible for people to keep their teeth healthy and attractive for their entire lives. But for people who have experienced tooth loss, a full or partial denture has been the answer.

But dentures have drawbacks. Food gets caught under the denture with resulting sore gums. Or a denture can loosen and cause embarrassment.

Today, dental implants can replace missing teeth. Although the concept of a tooth implant is not new, advances in technology have improved the treatment process and the longevity of implants.

Modern day dental implants are made of pure titanium and are surgically inserted in the jawbone. The tooth implant is covered with gum tissue and allowed to heal for three to six months. During this time, the titanium meshes with the bone (osseointegration), becoming part of the jawbone itself. After the gums are healed, the implants are uncovered and permanent tooth replacements are attached to the implants.

Dental implants can be used for single tooth replacements, support for a permanent bridge, or as attachments to anchor a full denture securely to the jaw.

If you think a tooth implant could help you or someone you know chew more comfortably, speak more clearly, or look better, call your dental office for more details.

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

A Most Unlikely (But Scientifically-Proven) Weapon Against Tooth Decay: SUGAR!

By Tomas Caomhanach

It's a most unlikely weapon in the battle against tooth decay: Tests have shown that a fruit-flavored sugary syrup - made from a natural sweetener called Xylitol - can protect teeth against corrosion.

Xylitol comes from the silver birch tree and is used in many products such as chewing-gum. Studies have shown it reduces levels of a harmful bacteria called streptococcus mutans.

Researchers at the University of Washington have studied the effects of the syrup on children in the Pacific Marshall Islands, which has one of the highest rates of tooth decay in the world, as a result of a sugary diet.

Presented at the International Association for Dental Research conference in Toronto, the results have shown that 76% of those given the syrup were free of tooth decay, compared with 48% of those who did not get it.

The Bad Breath Report
Scientifically-Proven Method To
Cure Bad Breath At Home
www.TheBadBreathReport.com

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics
http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Monday, February 18, 2013

Avoiding Big Dental Costs

Whoever warned against being "penny wise and pound foolish" must have been thinking of times like these. When the economy is just limping along (and dollars are tight at home) it's natural to look for ways to cut down on unnecessary expenses. Too often, cutting back on today's unnecessary expense leads to far greater costs just a ways down the road. And that's especially true of dental care.

Of course, your dental practitioner recognizes that every household economy goes through its own ups and downs. But they also believe that maintaining a high level of health is the cheapest form of insurance. So they'll work with you to get the dental care you need - when you need it.

When you wait too long, a lot can happen.

Gum problems don't hurt at first, so you may not even know you have disease lurking. And periodontitis can flare up despite conscientious home hygiene.
Old fillings can leak at the margins where filling and tooth meet, inviting decay under a filling. If you let it go, it's crown time.
A fractured tooth is often invisible and may require a root canal to save it. Waiting for it to heal usually results in dental bridges.
If you're missing a tooth, your neighboring teeth will grow disrupted and loose.
Topical fluorides and sealants are a good idea for children - even adults.
Early orthodontics can save you a bundle later on.

Another wise philosopher pointed out, "There's a time in the life of every problem when it's large enough to see...and small enough to solve." By catching dental problems before they grow, you'll be spared both money and discomfort.

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Toothache Causes

An aching tooth you get from a cavity is no fun, but it's something that can be easily seen and quickly solved. Unfortunately, toothaches also stem from problems that aren't so easily recognized.

Tooth pain can be a little like that weird noise your car engine makes but always disappears the moment you drive it into the repair shop.

A tooth that aches only in the morning may be the result of overnight tooth grinding (bruxism). Bruxism is quite common, and has the potential of deteriorating tooth enamel. But it's also treatable. Occasionally a patient will experience some hot/cold sensitivity after a new filling or crown. That's normal, and should go away after a few days. If it doesn't, the problem may lie elsewhere. And we want to know about it.

There's also pain from "root surface sensitivity." This can result from years of brushing teeth too hard, "heartburn acid" which enters the mouth overnight and attacks the enamel of your teeth, receding gums, or periodontal pockets of infection. A toothache may even be the result of a microscopic crack in a molar. These pains are not easy to pinpoint, and often require that you and I work together to help determine the actual cause.

And, yes, toothaches come from decay. But whatever the reason, if you're experiencing tooth discomfort, call our office so we can help you solve the mystery of an achy tooth. With all the resources at our disposal, an aching tooth is something no one should have to live with.

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Three Reasons Why Good Dental Care Is A Wise Choice

Most of us think that taking care of our teeth is about having a great smile and avoiding the discomfort of a toothache. Having a great smile and avoiding toothaches are valid and important reasons for maintaining a good oral health program, there are three other equally strong reasons to consider.

First, dental health is part of your overall health. Second, choosing good dental care is a wise investment of your time and financial resources.

Finally, your emotional well-being is influenced by how you think and feel about yourself. Your smile is a big part of your self image. Let's examine each of these areas more thoroughly.

Good Physical Health Equals Good Dental Health

It is easy to forget that your teeth, gums, and mouth are essential parts of your physical body. Periodontal disease, bone and gum loss, and infections all affect the overall picture of your physical health. The ability to chew your food well helps digestion and reduces stress on the gastrointestinal system.

Like any physical system, each part of the body plays a role in the overall health of the system; taking care of your teeth and gums is a part of an intentional plan for physical health. In collaboration with your dentistry team, you can create a dental plan that will contribute to your overall health plan.

A Good Dental Plan is a Wise Investment

There are two important resources that you use and allocate in your everyday life: your time and your money. When it comes to your dental care, they are closely related.

The time you take everyday to invest in your dental health is also an investment in your financial health. When treatment is necessary, dentistry is also an investment in your financial future. Proper treatment today prevents more costly complications and uncomfortable problems tomorrow.

For those who seek to maintain their dental health for life, it is a wise investment to get the most value from the knowledge and skills your dentist and good dental care offers you.

Good Dental Health Equals Emotional Well-Being

How you feel and think about yourself is an important part of your emotional well-being, and a pleasant smile plays a big role in this. In addition, when you take an active role in caring for yourself, it also contributes to your overall sense of competence in managing your life and maintaining a positive lifestyle. The habit of good dental care and regular hygiene examinations reinforces taking positive steps for yourself in other areas of your life.

Smile because good dental care can provide you with innovative and effective ways to create and maintain a pleasant smile that you feel good about. When it comes to feeling good about yourself and your smile, dentistry offers many exciting and effective options.

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Dental Emergency And Acute Perio Conditions

Acute periodontal conditions are a set of rapid-onset ailments that affect the oral cavity. As opposed to gingivitis or periodontitis, which are chronic infections, these conditions can be associated with pain or discomfort, and may have immediate systemic manifestations. The symptoms of acute periodontal conditions can be so severe as to create a dental emergency Gingival Abscess

An abscess is a gathering of pus in an infected area. A gingival abscess is a painful swelling of the gum that may appear to be red and shiny. It is tender to touch and can have pus draining from it. It can be caused by bacterial plaque or a foreign object embedded in a sensitive area. Treatment involves draining the pus and cleaning the abscess thoroughly. The area needs to be numbed for patient comfort, and if promptly treated, gingival abscesses should not leave any scarring or long-term complications.

Periodontal Abscess

A periodontal abscess exhibits similar signs and symptoms as a gingival abscess, but with the infection involving the bone and tissues that support the tooth. The involved tooth can become mobile and sensitive to touch due to rapid bone loss around it. To treat a periodontal abscess, the area needs to be numbed and the abscess drained. The tooth may need to be scaled in order to remove the irritants that caused the infection. It may be necessary to irrigate the abscess with special antimicrobial solutions or to take systemic antibiotics. The tooth may need to be adjusted so that the bite is more comfortable. If the abscess is severe, it may require surgical treatment or even removal of the tooth. A thorough periodontal evaluation is recommended after a dental emergency treatment to identify other possible problem areas.

Periodontal/Endodontic Abscess

This is a combined infection of the gum, bone, and the nerve in the root canal of the tooth. It can be caused by a gum infection that progressed to the tip of the tooth, infecting the nerve in the root canal, or by a nerve infection that is draining through the gum tissue. Either way, the signs and symptoms are the same as with a periodontal or gum abscess. This type of periodontal treatment may include periodontal (as above) and/or root canal therapy.

Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (ANUG)

Painful ulcers that bleed easily characterize this generalized, acute condition of the gums. Bad breath can also be present, and systemic manifestations include fever and lymph node enlargement. ANUG is associated with stress, smoking, poor nutrition, and people with immunodeficiencies (including HIV). Untreated ANUG can progress to NUP (necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis), in which there is bone loss around the teeth and eventually tooth loss. Treatment of ANUG includes a cleaning of the teeth and irrigation of the gums. Plaque control is very important after initial treatment. If it is difficult to brush or floss, oral rinses may be prescribed. Antibiotic treatment may be necessary if there is systemic involvement such as fever.

Herpetic Gingivostomatitis

This is another generalized acute condition of the gums and soft tissues of the mouth. It is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. There may be multiple ulcers and fever. Swollen lymph nodes and malaise may also be associated with herpetic gingivostomatitis. This condition is self-limiting and resolves in 10 to 15 days. For patient comfort, treatment includes application of a numbing agent (topical anesthetic) and a thorough cleaning of the ulcers. This is followed by oral hygiene instructions and proper nutritional intake information. Under some circumstances, antiviral medications may be prescribed. Herpetic gingivostomatitis is contagious, and intimate contact should be avoided during the healing period.

Pericoronitis

This is an inflammation and infection of the tissues that cover the chewing surfaces of the teeth that are not fully erupted. The gums in that area can be red, swollen, and painful to touch. It also may be difficult to open the mouth. In addition, there can be a discharge of pus. Like with all other infections, pericoronitis can spread and create further systemic complications like lymph node enlargement, fever, and malaise. Pericoronitis is treated with a thorough cleaning and irrigation of the affected area. It may be necessary to surgically reshape the gum around the partially-erupted tooth or to remove the tooth. Antibiotic treatment also may be necessary.

Acute periodontal conditions may be manifestations of pre-existing periodontal problems that result in an acute problem and a dental emergency. The best way to prevent dental emergencies is to maintain oral health and to visit your dental care provider routinely for examinations.

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Monday, February 11, 2013

5 Common Beliefs About Bad Breath... That Are All Completely Untrue!

Myth 1: Bad breath is caused by poor hygiene.

Depending on whose figures you accept, bad breath is a problem that affects as much as 90% of the population, to some extent. However, despite common beliefs, in most cases, it is not caused by poor oral hygiene. A very small percentage of cases may be, but the overwhelming majority aren't.

It's the most common myth out there about the problem. However, most people who suffer from bad breath actually have excellent hygiene practices because, based on that misunderstanding, the worse their problem gets, the more they brush and scrub and gargle and floss to try to get rid of it. It's a futile effort though (and, in some cases, can actually make the problem worse, as many toothpastes and mouthwashes have ingredients that actually make bad breath worse in the long term!).

Myth 2: Treating bad breath requires expensive products.

While most of them will only cover up and mask the problem, there are a number of extremely effective products on the market that really do tackle the fundamental causes of bad breath. However, they areextremely expensive. Some of them cost as much as $100.00 a month... forever! If you can afford that, great, but most of them contain the same (or similar) ingredients as the highly-effective home remedy described in The Bad Breath Report (and those same ingredients are available in your local supermarket or drug store for pennies!)

Myth 3: Bad breath can't be cured - only masked.

Temporarily masking your bad breath with mints and sprays can significantly worsen your problem. Their ingredients create a hospitable environment for bacteria to thrive in your mouth, which is the exact opposite of what you must do to really solve the problem. By using products like these to deal with the symptoms of bad breath, you'll only make things worse. You need to address the causes of bad breath instead.

Myth 4: Bad Breath originates in the stomach.

Years ago, there was much hype about pills that claimed to cure bad breath in your stomach. However, the makers of those pills were practically obliterated by legal action by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for making false claims. In short, it's completely untrue: While there are some relatively rare medical conditions that do produce bad odors from the stomach, the cause of most cases of bad breath (90%+) is something completely different.

Myth 5: There is a one-time cure for bad breath.

It takes quite a long time to develop a bad breath problem. It doesn't happen overnight. There are a number of factors that gradually combine to cause it. In the same way, while you can rapidly eliminate the odor in just a few days, it will also take time to undo the damage, and to change the environment in your mouth from one that the microorganisms which cause most cases of bad breath love and thrive in to one that they hate and can't survive in.

By following the recommendations of The Bad Breath Report, most people will get rid of their problem very rapidly. However, if they then stop, and fall back into their old patterns and old ways of doing things, it should come as no surprise that the "old problem" (i.e. bad breath) will gradually begin to reemerge.

The Bad Breath Report
Scientifically-Proven Method To
Cure Bad Breath At Home
www.TheBadBreathReport.com

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics
http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/