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Could Metal from Dental Implants Trigger Metal Detectors?

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Dentists are often questioned by dental implant recipients ‘Will my dental implants trigger airport security scanners.’  We have found that dental implant recipients usually go past airport security checkpoints without any complications.

An Explanation of the Mechanisms Behind Metal Detectors
One way that metal detectors find objects is by emitting a magnetic field around the user in rapid succession. The echo that is produced by these pulses is what the detector uses to determine a reading. The detector’s magnetic field creates a magnetic field in any metal objects that pass through it. This causes a distortion in the echoes the machine is expecting to hear, producing ones that are longer and louder than expected.

There are three hypotheses put out by dentists and non-specialists alike as to why dental implants are not detected:

  • Your jawbone acts as an insulation between the implant and the metal detector.
  • There is no magnetic field produced by titanium?
  • Metal detectors will not pick up on dental implants because of its small size.

A: Implants Are Not All Detector-Safe
Depending on the implant itself, some metals may be too small for a metal detector to detect if they are buried deep into bone. However, certain implants, such as Orthopedic implants, (like hip replacement) are equally as insulated by the body, if not more, yet they nonetheless set off metal detectors.

B: Titanium Does not Create a Magnetic Field
This hypothesis is inaccurate.  The inability of many earlier metal detectors to identify titanium and other noble metals may have led to this misconception. However, not all alloys of titanium generate the same magnitude of magnetic field.

C: Implants do not trigger metal detectors because they are too small.
It has been noted that little titanium screws will not trigger security alarms. It is not only the size, however; tiny gum wrappers containing even a trace quantity of aluminum have been observed to trigger metal detectors. Similarly, certain implant configurations (such as dentures with a machined bar connection) really contain a lot of metal.

It may be more probable that all three theories have a role in explaining the answer to this question. Dental implants are affixed to the jaw and are constructed of a metal that is less likely to be detected and are insulated for further safety.

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The Benefits of All on Four Dental Implants versus Dentures

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When you want an attractive, healthy smile but have missing teeth, there are several dental procedures you can choose from. Some may think dentures are their only choice, but All-on-4 dental implants just may be the leading option. It is important to consult with your dentist to determine your specific needs.

What are All-on-4 Dental Implants?
Instead of having individual false teeth attached with a titanium screw to the bone below the gum, the All-on-4 dental implants style screws the entire upper or lower set of teeth with only four screws.

The Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants
The main benefits for these dental implant devices are appearance, comfort, time, and cost. Of course, it is important to consult with your dentist to find out if you are a candidate for implants before choosing an option. They can help guide you through the process smoothly.

Appearance – Dental implants look incredibly natural as they are designed to match any existing teeth. They are made from high quality materials and tinted appropriately for a bright smile. Also, since your gums will not be covered with a denture appliance, your entire mouth looks closer to the real thing.

Comfort – After the implementation procedure and healing is done, All-on-4 implants feel exactly like natural teeth. Best of all, they cannot shift and rub like dentures may. Comfort also extends to the maintenance process. You take care of implants by brushing and flossing instead of removing, soaking, and scrubbing them.

Time – Although it may seem like a minor surgical procedure to implant titanium screws in your mouth would take a long time, this is not true. It can actually take longer to find the right fit for a long-term denture. With the All on Four variety of implants, the process is even faster, and you can enjoy your new smile sooner than you may think.

Cost – Dental work is expensive no matter what procedure you have done. Tooth replacement can cost tens of thousands of dollars depending on what you choose. This type of investment in your health and confidence needs careful consideration. Dental implants come with a much lower risk of breakage or other damage that may necessitate replacement. This frequently makes the lifetime cost lower than dentures.

What Makes Them Better than Dentures?
Removable dentures do not look as natural as implanted teeth. Also, they require a lot more maintenance since you have to remove them, clean them, sanitize them, and put them back in every day. Many people find that dentures irritate their gums and make it difficult to eat some of their favorite foods. In the end, All on Four dental implants offer a permanent solution that looks great and feels natural.

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Foods & Drinks To Consume Post Dental Implant Surgery

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Many lives have been transformed by dental implants because of the freedom they now enjoy from the limitations that come with missing or damaged teeth. The delight of being able to consume items that were previously off-limits is one of the most significant changes we observe in our patients’ lives.

We love helping our patients achieve a healthy mouth, but please note that much as with real teeth, there are some things that might be more damaging to your teeth than others, such as beef jerky! There are a number of meals that are put on hold for a period of time following dental implant surgery.

Learning and understanding the long-term dos and don’ts of a diet that will keep your dental implants in good shape, as well as what to expect in terms of nutrition within the first few weeks after your implant surgery. All of this is critical to their long-term viability.

OUR PRIORITY IS TO ENSURE THAT THE NEW IMPLANTS ARE NOT OVER-STRESSED OR OVERLOADED.

In many circumstances, surgery and your new set of teeth can all be done in one day, but for good recovery, you’ll need to be mindful not to over-stress the dental  implants. As the implants heal, take extra steps to keep your mouth clean to help decrease the risk of infection.

As a reminder, even though the implants initially appear to be stable, they will take some time to become fully integrated into the bone. You can eat whatever you want once they integrate and heal. Meanwhile, you may refer to the following:

The Surgery Day
Even though you can eat right away after your dental implants are installed, it is important to note that your gums will be painful and potentially swollen for a few days following your operation. Directly following your operation, you need to eliminate chewy or crunchy meals and stick to soft foods.

You can consume soft meals right away after surgery and for the first several weeks, including:

  • Eggs scramble
  • Crepes
  • Quiche
  • Soft bread
  • Yogurt
  • Cottage cheese
  • Meat that has been cooked until it is soft, such as in stews.
  • Macaroni, cheese, and pasta
  • Beans, cooked
  • Cut up cooked veggies to eat with a fork
  • Fish
  • Cooked chicken, sliced into little pieces
  • Smoothies should be consumed rather than sucked with a straw.
  • Strawberry, bananas, blueberries, oranges, and other soft fruits should be mashed during the first several days.
  • Apple sauce
  • Ice cream eaten with a spoon rather than swallowed via a straw
  • Protein shakes and beverages with no added sugar
  • Oatmeal
  • Rice
  • Sweet potatoes, mashed
  • Soft meats, such as meatballs and hamburger patties
  • Small chunks of soft bread
  • Soups

As a precaution for the first 24 to 72 hours, only eat soft foods and drinks. It might take some time for the implants to fuse with the bone and become stable and rock-solid. For the time being, simply keep in mind that softer is preferable.

THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS
All meals that are very crunchy or chewy should be avoided for a period of time following your implant procedure. So, while you may be eager to crunch into an apple, an ear of corn, or a bowl of corn chips and salsa, doing so may likely delay the healing of your implant for the first two weeks. The day will come, so wait for it. Keep in mind that this is a discussion regarding bone mending.

For the time being, avoid:

  • Everything from a straw
  • Crunchy foods like raw carrots, granola bars, and chips should be avoided until you have been given the all-clear to eat them!
  • Everything chewy, including dried fruits and gummy candies, as well as pizza crust and fibrous meats like beef and pork

THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS MAY NEED TO BE LIMITED DUE TO STAINING: COLORED FOOD AND DRINKS

Your new teeth will be able to tell the world what you’ve been drinking. Many of our favorite beverages might damage your newly bloomed pearly whites. The following are some of the most common sources of staining:

  • A hearty glass of merlot
  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Soda in a variety of colors.
  • Mustard
  • Berries with a dark color (blueberries, blackberries)
  • Sauces made with tomatoes
  • Sauces with a curry flavor

To avoid stains, remember to practice excellent home care after ingesting these foods; nevertheless, we’re not recommending that you entirely avoid them. Rinsing your mouth with water after eating or drinking these items will help keep your teeth clean and avoid stains.

If you have any stains that have developed during your six-month cleaning sessions, our team of experts can assist you to remove them.

(Of course, you’ll still need to make teeth cleaning appointments.)

You will be able to eat everything you want once you have recovered from your dental implant operation!

Maintain a Healthful Diet
In order to have the finest oral health benefits, you should eat foods such as:

  • Meats that are low in fat
  • Fresh produce
  • Fruit that is fresh
  • Whole wheat
  • Legumes
  • Drink a lot of water.
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How Do Teeth Change with Age?

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As anyone who has reached middle-aged or older knows, everything in your body starts to change as time goes by. The same is true for your teeth. Of course, using the best dental hygiene practices can stave off problems for a very long time. However, physiological changes still affect dental health and appearance. Learn how teeth change with age and what you can do about this natural process.

Shifting and Movement of Teeth
The actual structure of your jaw and mouth change over time. Studies show that the dental arch begins to narrow once you hit around 40 years old. Add in the effects of gravity, constant chewing and pressure, and weakening musculature and bone density, and your teeth may shift out of optimum alignment. In most cases, this does not necessitate a return to braces or a retainer. However, it can cause some issues with bite alignment and additional friction can lead to weakened enamel and an increase in cavities.

Worn and Weakened Enamel
A lifetime of chewing and natural teeth movements wear down the enamel that covers every tooth surface. There is no way to avoid this because you cannot give up chewing your food. People who grind their teeth can help prevent this wear with certain dental protecting tools such as mouth guards. When the enamel thins, the chance of cavities and other problems like this can increase. It is extremely important that you maintain a proper dental care regimen no matter what.

Gums Thin and Recede
Periodontal disease, excessively harsh brushing, and the natural progression of the years all cause the gums to get thinner and drawback from the surfaces of your teeth. Lower production of saliva, which is another common issue as we age, can contribute to this problem as well. Make sure to speak with your dental expert to make sure you do not have gingivitis or other serious infections instead of simple age-related gum issues.

Teeth Discoloration
As the decades pass, food, beverages, smoking, and time can yellow or discolor your teeth. Even with the utmost care and avoidance of staining foods, your teeth do naturally get yellower as you age. This is due to the dentin layer showing through the outermost enamel as it thins.

Dental Nerves Weaken
One of the potentially good changes that happen to teeth as you age involves the dental nerve that goes up into the center of each one. These actually gets smaller as time goes on, which means you feel less pain during dental procedures, when biting wrong on something hard, or when eating hot or cold foods or beverages. On the other hand, weakened nerves can also hide serious dental problems as you cannot feel the usual pain associated with them. This is just one reason why it is important to maintain regularly scheduled dental appointments.

No matter how old you are, regular tooth care and visits to your Las Vegas dentist should remain part of your health and well-being schedule. If time or other issues make more serious problems arise, there are options your dentist can help with including implants, partial or full dentures, and more.

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How to Care for Your Dental Implants

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Dental implants improve your smile and mouth function, but they need special care and maintenance to look and work their very best. Learn how to care for your dental implants properly to reduce expensive and potentially painful problems in the future. At the same time, these tips will help you make the best first impression at work and in your social life, and keep it every day.

Avoid Foods that Can Damage Dental Implants
Much like natural teeth, certain foods can damage dental implants and should be avoided whenever possible. These include hard or chewy candies like peppermints and caramel, tough fibrous produce like carrots and apples, hard foods like taco shells and crusty bread, and ice. While having dental implants does not mean you can never eat a carrot or candy again, take care to serve them in the safest way possible. Also, drinking alcohol or smoking, especially during the months-long healing process, can cause considerable problems and discomfort.

Dental Implants Deserve Regular Brushing
Use a soft bristled toothbrush to care for your dental implants properly at least two times per day. Also, opt for a nonabrasive toothpaste so you do not damage the surface of these replacement teeth. During the healing process, you may want to shy away from strong peppermint or cinnamon flavors that may irritate sensitive gums.

Protect Your Gums With Flossing and Rinsing
One of the best ways to maintain dental health in general and prolong the appearance and usability of implants is to floss and use a water rinsing tool to get rid of food particles and bacteria between and around your new teeth. These tools, which spray a narrow stream of water used to clean between and around teeth, are highly effective for dental implant patients. However, take care not to use too strong a setting to avoid damage to the implants themselves. Look for floss specifically designed for use with implants for best results. If you are not able to floss immediately after eating, at least swish your mouth with water.

Get Regular Dental Checkups to Maintain Implants Longer
After the expense and experience of getting dental implants for a healthier and more attractive mouth, the last thing you want to do is take them for granted or ignore proper care. Your oral care specialist or dentist at Las Vegas Smile Center plays an important role in ongoing health. Schedule regular checkups and maintenance appointments to make sure your dental implants are functioning properly and your overall oral health is excellent. Also, do not put off making emergency dental appointments if you experience any swelling or pain as these can indicate an infection or other potentially serious problem.

When you follow these tips to care for your dental implants, you do not need to worry about difficulties like expensive repairs, discomfort and pain, and a poor-quality smile. After you have invested so much in the appearance and function of your mouth, makes sense to do what it takes to keep your tooth implants looking and feeling as good as new.

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Video Conferencing with a Smile

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Video conferencing for work and school are taking place through webcams worldwide and becoming an increasingly popular way to communicate.

What is seen through monitors is not meant to be a view into anyone’s personal life, but it is. Every little thing they see or hear will give an impression – so make sure it is a good one!  Personal hygiene and appearance should be a priority.  Keeping a clean, healthy smile is one of the best ways to make a great impression.  So priority should be given to creating a beautiful smile by filling a gap  or replacing a cracked tooth a with dental implant.

Even though most of us are kept behind masks or indoors where others cannot see us, oral hygiene is still very important. Neglecting oral care can lead to long lasting problems that will affect the health, look and smell of the mouth. Alongside these problems are illnesses that can come with them. Aside from getting sick due to the extra bacteria, infections of the sinuses, lungs and brain can occur if oral hygiene is left unchecked which can affect your physical appearance. People generally look sick when they get sick, which does not give the best impression.

The best way to combat this is to make sure to keep up a schedule or standard for oral care such as brushing twice a day, flossing and staying hydrated which is proven to stave off the growth of bacteria.

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Importance of Dental Implants

Dental Implants Las Vegas

Teeth are one of the most unique things about a person and help us connect to the world and each other through anything from trying a new dish to smiling or telling a joke. Sometimes, teeth will fall out or begin to decay and the topic of dental implants might come up.

What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants come in parts that a dentist will place one by one. There will be a piece made of titanium connected to the jawbone that will naturally join with it over time. Next would be the crown or fake tooth that will be attached using a small connector piece. Patients do not report pain afterwards, only a slight discomfort from the new addition though it does pass in time.

Why Dental Implants?
The idea of having a new tooth might sound nice but is it worth the time? The answer is yes as not having a dental implant can possibly lead to potentially serious problems down the line, mainly gum disease.

The empty space left behind when a tooth is gone suddenly becomes a favorite spot for all sorts of nasty bacteria and if left alone for too long can develop gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. This risk is increased in smokers as smoking is proven to slow healing but also weaken bone structure which can lead to implant failure and thus smoking is discouraged during the healing process.

Please contact us with any questions or concerns you have about Dental Implants in Las Vegas—we will be happy to help you!

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Dental Prosthetics: Life Changing Improvements

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DENTAL PROSTHESES

Dental prosthetics such as dentures or veneers, whether fixed or removable, can provide a range of life changing improvements.

When it comes to comfort, function, and appearance of a smile, look to dental prosthetics as an option. Pioneered in the 18th century by Pierre Fauchard, a French Surgeon, this field of dental specialty has undergone tremendous advances over the centuries. From President George Washington’s wooden dentures to modern zirconium crowns, innovations are arriving on a yearly basis now. In fact, dentures of the future may not be dentures at all. Surprisingly, authentic human teeth, grown in a laboratory, are making headway. Back in 2005, scientists were able to regrow parts of a tooth. In late 2019, a method by which enamel can be regrown was developed. Normally, once it fades, enamel does not grow back. This new method was able to regrow enamel within two days. Until these technologies become available to the market, there are a range of excellent options to help improve everyday lives today. These options provide both aesthetically pleasing alterations and significantly effective health benefits. The list of dental prosthetic options fall under two main categories, mobile prosthetics and fixed. These may be made out of a variety of materials, each with their own unique benefits.

Removable Prosthetics

Complete Dentures 

Complete dentures are normally used when all the teeth are missing. They are held fast by suction or muscles in the mouth. A complete set of dentures often look better than real teeth and provides support for the facial muscles–helping to maintain a more youthful look!

Partial Dentures 

Partial dentures are a good option if you have a significant number of natural teeth or prior implants. Similar to a complete set, these are held in place via suction or muscularly. Since this is a partial set, it will need to match the color of the surrounding teeth.

Fixed Prosthetics

Bridges

Dental bridges are a crown that spans empty space between two teeth. It works by sitting on the surrounding teeth, and easily can cover a few gaps with several false teeth. They also help prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position, maintain facial shape, and restore proper speaking and chewing capacities.

Crowns

Crowns are a cap placed over a natural tooth. They help to aid in teeth that have undergone significant decay or damage, helps to protect a tooth after a root canal, and may be used to improve the appearance by changing the color or shape of the tooth. For example, you may have a perfectly healthy tooth, but it might not look the way you want it to. A crown can add width or length to help attain a look you prefer.

Materials

Zirconia
Stain resistant, durable and strong, hypoallergenic
Titanium
Biocompatible, lightweight and strong, comfortable, resistant to corrosion
Nickel–Chromium
Adequate hardness and resistance to corrosion at an affordable cost
Chromium–Cobalt
Adequate hardness and resistance to corrosion, good for nickel-allergy patients
Gold Alloy
Extremely durable, minimal wear to adjacent teeth, never fractures, requires less removal
Ceramics
Natural color match, good for visible teeth and patients with metal allergies
Acrylic Resin
Fracture resistant, easy to adjust if needed, higher impact strength

When to consider moving forward with a dental prosthetic

Dental prosthetics are good for anyone who has missing teeth, or want to improve functionality and quality-of-life, or perhaps simply looking for a better smile. In addition, prosthetics helps with improving speech and reducing occurrences of inflammation in the mouth. It is important to schedule an appointment with a Prosthodontist dentist because neglect can lead to periodontal disease, among other things, which will end up costing more in the long run.

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Dental Implant Trends in 2020

Dental implants have long been a solution of choice for people with missing, damaged, and troublesome teeth. The ability to re-create a healthy and attractive mouth has been one of the most beneficial advancements in dental technology in the past decade or more. Research and development projects go on all the time that continue to improve every aspect of the process. The following dental implant trends for 2020 will allow patients to have higher-quality results with potentially less time and overall cost.

The Rise of Smart Technology

One of the most important aspects of dental implant planning and insertion is getting an accurate scan of the patient’s face, mouth, and specific device needs. With smart technology and cone-beam computed tomography, additional control is now possible through the use of touch screens, computer-aided devices, and integrated video cameras that gather more information than the dentist could on their own.

Virtual Implant Planning

The extra information mentioned above facilitates a more precise virtual implant planning process. Using computer-aided design systems, implant specialists can now create the exact tooth shape necessary to deliver a perfectly comfortable, effective, and realistic feel and appearance to every patient. A large part of this comes about because new software programs are able to utilize the input from multiple data sources at the same time and come up with a smarter solution from every angle.

3D Printing for Dental Devices

Once all the high-tech scanning and virtual planning processes are complete, the manufacturing process begins. What used to take a considerably long time and cost hundreds of dollars per tooth implant can now be done with a relatively low-cost 3D printer for an average of $30 per implant instead. The cost savings do not only come from the increased ease of production or the innate ability for the different machines to use the same digital information but also because each dental lab or office can use their own 3D printer. This represents one of the most impressive new ways to keep costs down for patients who need replacement teeth.

Higher Degrees of Collaboration Between Specialists

The new, interconnected focus in the entire medical and dental communities leads to improved collaboration between dentists, computer experts, implant manufacturers, and patients themselves. With a focus on efficiency and faster production, every member of the diverse team focuses on the patient’s well-being and satisfaction with the final dental implants.

As 2020 begins, dental implant patients in Las Vegas have the opportunity to take advantage of some of these new trends at an affordable price. LV Smile Center is running a dental implant special for the start of the new decade. Therefore, now would be a great time to get that healthy smile and replace any missing, damaged or troublesome teeth.