We just wrapped up a great training course on ceramic dental implants using Z-Systems Zirconia implants. With several dentists in our Silver Spring Implant practice, we spent three hours going over the basics of how to place a ceramic dental implant, which types of patients are good candidates for ceramic dental implants, and many of the nuances that help make the procedure simple and reliable. Following that we performed a live surgery in our Silver Spring practice with Dr. Noumbissi performing the surgery and wrapped up with some hands-on training on the typodants.

Thanks to everyone who attended Dr. Noumbissi’s course. We look forward to future ceramic implant training courses.

Attendees of Dr. Noumbissi's Ceramic Dental Implant Course

Reviewing Ceramic Implant Case Selection Criteria

Practicing the Placement of a Z-Systems Zirconia Dental Implant

What are wisdom teeth?

Also called third molars, wisdom teeth usually make their first appearance in young adults between the ages of 15 to 25. Because most mouths are too small for these four additional molars, an extraction procedure, sometimes immediately after they surface, is often necessary.

When should wisdom teeth be removed?

The following symptoms may indicate that the wisdom teeth have erupted and surfaced, and should be removed before they become impacted — meaning, the teeth have surfaced and have no room in the mouth to grow. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain infection in the mouth,
• Facial swelling
• Swelling of the gum line in the back of the mouth

Most oral health specialists will recommend an immediate removal of the wisdom teeth, as early removal will help to eliminate problems, such as an impacted tooth that destroys the second molar.

What problems are often associated with impacted third molars?

• Bacteria and plaque build-up
• Cysts development (a fluid-filled sac)
• Tumor development
• Infection
• Jaw and gum disease

What is involved in the extraction procedure?

Wisdom tooth extraction surgery involves removing the gum tissue that presides over the tooth, gently detaching the connective tissue between the tooth and the bone, removing the tooth, and suturing the opening in the gum line.

What is a Dry Socket?

Dry Socket is the most common complication of extraction. (removing a tooth) Most commonly associated with wisdom teeth extractions & lower molar extraction. Dry Socket is one in which the patient is having pain due to the loss of the blood clot from the socket following extraction, thus exposing the bone to air, food, and fluids. Patient experiences excruciating pain along with an offensive odor. This often occurs two or more days after an extraction and can last about 5-6 days.

This condition occurs most commonly -

• In individuals who smoke before their recommended time. Smoking: decreases healing, decrease blood supply to the protective blood clot, brings toxic products to the area, injuries the gum tissue and the negative pressure of sucking removes the blood clot from the surgery site.
• If you do not care for your extraction site as instructed by staff.
• Not following your home care instructions.
• Sucking action from smoking, sneezing, coughing, spitting or sucking, within the first 24 hours.
• Women taking oral contraceptives are more susceptible.

For Americans in their 30s and beyond, the threat of gum disease (periodontal disease) is a very real and potentially dangerous condition.

Gum disease is particularly dangerous because the progression of the disease is often painless, going undetected until it creates serious problems.

Although genetics may play a small role in its development, doctors agree that gum disease is most often directly related to how well people care for their teeth and gums.

 The Stages of Gum Disease

Periodontal disease is a gradual infection of the gums and the supporting bone. It is caused when the build up of plaque on and around the teeth calcifies into tartar. This tartar is covered with plaque that contains micro- organisms which release toxins causing the first stage of gum disease known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is characterized by swelling, inflammation, and bleeding of the gums. In the advanced stage of gum disease (referred to as periodontitis), the toxins cause the bone to resorb or dissolve. The teeth having lost a part of their bone support begin to move & eventually with more bone loss there is tooth loss.

 The Surgery

Treatments to alleviate the effects of gum disease include deep cleaning, localized delivery of antibiotics, home care & regular follow up care. The periodontist / Dentist begin by removing the diseased tissue, tartar, and plaque from the tooth’s surface and below the gum line. The root of the tooth may need to be planed and smoothed in order to allow gum tissue to heal properly. The periodontist may also advise bone grafts depending on the amount of bone that is lost due to gum disease.

 Prevention

The ravages of gum disease are best prevented by early detection and proper dental hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice a day helps to remove the thin layer of bacteria that release dangerous toxins into your mouth. Flossing or other interdental cleansing is also important to keep your mouth free from residual food and bacteria. Also, using a mouth rinse, prescription or over the counter considerably reduces the microbial count in your saliva. Finally, maintaining a balanced diet and scheduling regular dental appointments help stem the advance of gum disease and keep you healthy and smiling.

What is tooth decay (caries or cavities)?

Tooth decay is the disease known as caries or cavities — a highly Preventable disease caused by many factors.

Who is at risk for tooth decay?

The answer is… everyone who has a mouth. We all host bacteria in our mouths which make everyone a potential target for cavities. Risk factors that put a person at a higher risk for tooth decay include:

• Persons with diets high in sweets, carbohydrates, and sugars
• Persons who live in communities with limited or no fluoridated water supplies although fluoride has been found to render skeletal bones brittle in high concentrations.
• Children and senior citizens

Why should I spend a lot of money on a root canal? Why not just pull the tooth?

Losing a tooth can be the beginning of many more lost teeth. Saving the Tooth maintains space, keeps other teeth from shifting, and eliminates the need and cost of a bridge or implant. Although seemingly expensive, it is actually quite cost effective. Increasing evidence however shows that root canals can lead other problems such as local bone infections, other systemic problems and even some types of cancers.

What are dental implants?

Dental Implants are made of titanium and placed directly into your jawbone surgically. Once they integrate with your bone, a crown, bridge or denture is placed over the implants. They are proven and predictable forms of tooth replacement which are also the least invasive with respect to the remaining teeth. In other words there is no need to cut down or grind one, two or even three adjacent teeth in order to replace missing ones with a bridge.

Our State of the art facility is equipped with the most advanced technology available. We offer 3D dental imaging, Computer guided surgery, ultrasonic bone surgery, metal free dental implants and soft tissue laser therapy.

• Digital X-rays
• Intra Oral Camera
• Sterilization and Patient Safety
• Prexion – Dental CAT Scan (Cone Beam Computed Tomography)
• Sony MD2GO High Definition Surgery camera
• In Vivo Dental Treatment Planning Software
• Heine Surgical Loupes (Magnification for accurate and minimally invasive surgery)
• PiezoSurgery (Ultrasonic Bone Surgery)/ No drilling during surgery
• Ceraroot Ceramic Dental Implants
• Ceraroot metal-free Ceramic implants
• Z-Systems metal- free (ceramic) implants
• X-Lase 1064 laser/Scalpel-free gum and implant surgery
• DIO Implants
• W&H Surgical Motors