Oral Wellness Program | Implant Dentistry     

Oral Wellness Program

The most common cause of tooth loss among adults is not decay, but gum disease, medically known as periodontal disease. Nine out of 10 adults have gum disease at some level. Three out of four adults over 50 years of age have bone loss (periodontitis). Not only is this bad news for our mouths, but studies show association with periodontal disease and heart disease, diabetes, and low birth weight in infants.

Does this mean we are doomed to lose our teeth with age? No, not at all. We can very predictably diagnose the progression of periodontal disease and offer treatment recommendations that will minimize bone loss and preserve your smile for a lifetime, even if you live well into your 80s or 90s! In all cases, your personal daily home care is the basis for this preventive program.

We strongly urge you to read the page on oral wellness at http://www.centerfordentalmedicine.com/, as this is the philosophy we live by and designed our oral wellness program around.

How do we diagnose periodontal disease?

• Examination
• Digital radiographs (x-rays)
• Florida Probe for pocket depth measurements (periodontal probing)

What do we look for?

• Visual appearance (redness or swelling)
• Pocket depth measurements (1 to 3mm = normal range; > 4mm = disease)
• Bleeding upon gentle probing; lining of gum tissue is inflamed or ulcerated
• Mobility (tightness or looseness) of teeth; this relates to bone loss or traumatic bite forces which complicate periodontal therapy
• Furcation involvement (bone loss between roots of molar teeth)
• Recession (exposed root surfaces); this relates to bone loss and/or improper aggressive tooth brushing and/or traumatic bite forces

Depending on the diagnosis of periodontal disease, different treatments are recommended. We will explain all the treatment options and tailor the treatment to each patient’s situation.
When treatment is complete, we re-evaluate the patient’s periodontal health by checking the tissues after five to six weeks of healing and proper home care. After optimal health is attained, it must be maintained with daily home care and professional maintenance at an interval that works for the patient’s body.

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Implant Dentistry

Dental implants can replace missing teeth without modification of existing teeth, anchoring the implanted teeth into bone, similar to “real” teeth. If you or someone you know are missing teeth or have removable partials or complete dentures that are not satisfactory, implant dentistry may be a great service. Implant dentistry can enhance the quality of life by restoring function, beauty and stability in your daily life for eating, smiling, and talking with comfort and confidence.

Currently Dr. Bell has restored – or placed teeth over – 100 implant fixtures. Dr. Bell does not perform the placing procedure of the actual fixtures (root portion) of the implant; he works with periodontal or oral surgeons to place the fixtures in bone. The patient will then return to Dr. Bell’s office, where he will put the teeth on the top of the implant. Please note that Dr. Bell is involved throughout the process to place the implant in the correct position to restore the tooth to as normal function as possible. Dr. Bell first visualizes and directs the placement of the implant by showing the surgeon the desired final position of the tooth or teeth.

As a member of the Central Texas Institute for Implant Studies, Dr. Bell makes it a point to stay on top of the evolving world of implant dentistry.

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