What Does My Tooth Socket Have To Do With An Ice Cream Cone?

When you are having a tooth removed, your surgeon MUST be careful to be as atraumatic as possible. Why? "Think of your tooth socket as an empty ice cream cone". The walls can easily collapse, especially where the bone is thinnest such as the surfaces facing the cheeks and lips where gum recession will show. Modern tooth removal techniques and bone grafting products, make it very easy to maintain or replace bone in extraction sockets. Small amount of bone grafting material is placed in the empty socket, then the body begins to build its own bone upon that material and eventually replaces it with good solid bone. This process prepares an excellent scenario for a permanent solution: a dental implant to be placed for an ideal long term result replacing only that missing tooth and not bothering the healthy teeth on either side, that could be compromised by a bridge or partial. Call us today for your complimentary consultation or check out our website for more information regarding this service we provide as well as many others!

(Dear Doctor article referenced)

AWESOME PATIENT TESTIMONIAL!

Had one of our patients Don H. write us such a kind note this morning and we just had to share! We loves these reminders of why we do what we do every day! Thanks Don!

"Nine years ago, I received 2 implants for my front teeth. Dr. Sutor and his staff did such a remarkable job that today I even forget they are implants. For 20 years I was ashamed to show my teeth and now I have a movie star smile, not to mention being able to eat properly. It's a great feeling! I absolutely cannot say enough good things about my experience. Dr. Sutor is an amazingly skilled surgeon who is also extremely gentle and caring. If you are afraid to get in the dentist chair, then your best bet is to visit him. He'll take care of you."

Menopause and Your Teeth

Research shows that as you approach menopause, your gums and teeth need extra care!

Typical signs of menopause that you might experience include your periods becoming irregular, your sleep isn't great and the calendar is inching toward 50. Ask your dentist at your next cleaning appointment whether he/she detects any signs of menopause involving your oral health. Dentists say they often notice that as women approach menopause, their gum tissues becomes more swollen or there's unusual bleeding.

Its been noted that menopausal women may have a higher risk of gum disease caused by plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. You already know that you need to remove plaque by daily brushing and flossing and regular visits to the dentist to get rid of plaque build-up. This is especially important as you approach menopause.

The hormonal fluctuations preceding menopause can make gums even more sensitive to plaque. Left untreated, plaque irritates and inflames gums. As the disease progresses, your gums separate from your teeth and form little pockets where more bacteria grows. Dental x-rays can also show something about the health of your bones. Loose teeth could also be a sign of thinning bones.

There are some cases of gum disease that your dentist can monitor for you, but if the gum disease progresses, it is very important to seek the help of a specialist (periodontist) such as Dr. Sutor who manages a variety of gum disease conditions every day. An easy way to decide whether you have a type of condition that needs to be managed by a periodontist is to ask your dentist about your "gum score" which is determined by your dentist using a periodontal probe or ruler to measure the pockets around your teeth. This should be done annually! If you have other questions about periodontal disease and how and why it is important to see a periodontist, call us at 812-333-4550 and talk to one of our experienced team members, visit our website at www.sutordds.com or check out our facebook page which always has lots of valuable information.

Make sure you have your dental appointment every 6 months on your list of New Year's resolutions this year! It's an easy one to keep!

* Some information in this article obtained from health.lifegoesstrong.com *

Can My Dental Health Be Connected to My Physical Health?

A recent article in the Huffington Post states...“During the winter months we’re all susceptible to colds, coughs and chesty viruses due to the drop in temperature.

"What people must remember, particularly those highlighted as vulnerable, is that prevention can be very basic. Systemic links between gum disease and overall health have been well documented, and at this time of year keeping up good oral health can really help stave off illness."

He added: "Simply brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning in between teeth daily with interdental brushes or floss, cutting down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks and visiting the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend will be a great starting point.

"If you have swollen gums that bleed regularly when brushing, bad breath, loose teeth or regular mouth infections appear, it is likely you have gum disease.

Visit our website at www.sutordds.com, get in touch with us at 812-333-4550 or check out our office facebook to learn more about how Dr. Sutor can help you discover the state of your oral health.