Why Dentists Prefer Titanium for Dental Implants

An experienced oral healthcare professional and educator, James A. Vito, DMD, teaches courses at the Misch International Implant Institute and at Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry. In his private practice, James A. Vito concentrates on implant dentistry, among other areas, and he has trained to perform predictable procedures for his patients.

Implant dentistry involves the substitution of natural teeth roots with artificial ones typically made of titanium. Once positioned in the jawbone, the implant undergoes a process called osseointegration. This happens as the artificial root successfully attaches to the bone and creates a lasting connection.

Dentists utilize titanium because it has the greatest potential for integrating with the bone, or ossifying. Because of this favorable biocompatibility, the immune system permits the presence of the implant, rather than targeting it as a pathogen.

The titanium also serves as a long-lasting solution that is lightweight and feels natural. In addition, should the patient need further dental work, such as the insertion of a crown or bridges, the implant helps facilitate these procedures.

Waterpik Water Flosser Earns ADA Seal of Acceptance

James A. Vito, DMD, has practiced dentistry for more than three decades and currently manages his own practice in Wayne, Pennsylvania, specializing in restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. Also a specialist trained in the diagnosis, treatment and management of gum disease, he received his specialty training in Periodontics and Periodontal Prosthesis-Fixed Prosthodontics from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. In addition to his day-to-day practice, James A. Vito, DMD, maintains membership in the American Dental Association.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recently awarded its Seal of Acceptance to the Waterpik Water Flosser. This marks the first time that the ADA has given such approval to a powered interdental cleaner. In order to earn the Seal of Acceptance, a product must meet certain safety and efficacy benchmarks.

ADA Council on Scientific Affairs’ Seal Subcommittee chair Dr. John Dmytryk said that the device has proven to be successful at lowering plaque levels in between teeth and reducing the incidence of gum disease. He further stated that the ADA Seal of Acceptance shows this device to be safe and effective in standard oral care. To learn more about the program, visit ADA.org/seal.

The ADA's Position on Dental Amalgam

A dentist with more than three decades of experience, James A. Vito, DMD, has managed a practice in Wayne, Pennsylvania, for the past 15 years, where he offers restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. In addition to his practice, James A. Vito, DMD, is a member of the American Dental Association.

The American Dental Association (ADA) continues to maintain that amalgam fillings pose no risk to patients. Rigorous studies by the ADA over the years, in conjunction with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have shown that this composition of metals is more than adequate for use as a tooth filling material and been proven to be safe and effective.

Nearly 20 years ago, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs first undertook a serious study of all the existing information on amalgam. After much research, the group came to conclusions supporting amalgam’s safety and said there was “no justification” to stop using it in fillings. 

In terms of classification, the FDA ruled in 2009 that amalgam is a Class II medical device, meaning that it is in the same category as other dental restoratives such as composite materials. Concurrent with its classification, the FDA supported the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs' conclusion that amalgam continues to be safe and effective.

Using Bone Grafts to Prepare the Mouth for Implants

A dentist with more than 30 years of experience, James A. Vito, DMD, has managed a practice in Wayne, Pennsylvania since 2001. His second private practice since receiving his certificate in periodontics in 1987, Dr. James A. Vito’s office offers restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry, and the DMD is a recognized expert in the latter.

Dental implants are installed to fill the gaps left by missing teeth with false teeth, creating a natural transition. While a bridge is often used to fill the space of a single tooth, implants may be needed when the gap is too wide to support the former method.

If an implant is not placed as soon as the tooth is removed or lost, the jaw bone can shrink due to natural bone resorption. In these cases, a bone graft is required prior to installing the implant, so the jaw has enough supportive bone. Bone grafts are a safe option for preparing the jaw for a new tooth.

Socket grafting may be carried out as soon as the tooth is removed. Bone grafting material is placed in the socket of the missing tooth, holding the space for the required four months of healing. When healed, the implant can be screwed into the grafting material, and the new tooth can be attached.

If nothing was done when the tooth was lost, a block of bone may be added to build up the jawbone again. Titanium screws hold the graft in place until it heals (typically four or five months), then the screws are removed and the implant installed. Alternately, a soft mix of “bone substitute” may be placed in the hole and covered with a membrane that helps regrow the bone needed for the implant.

Teeth by Tonight with James A. Vito, DMD

James A. Vito, DMD, maintains dental offices in Wayne, Pennsylvania. In this role he provides a number of general and advanced dental services, including sedation dentistry procedures. James A. Vito, DMD, previously spent more than 13 years as a dentist in Princeton, New Jersey.

Teeth by Tonight is a unique dentistry service available only at James A. Vito’s Wayne, Pennsylvania, office. This special service helps patients quickly solve issues of damaged or missing teeth with dental implants, crowns, bridgework, or whichever combination best addresses a patient’s specific problem.

The key to the Teeth by Tonight service is that patients can enjoy teeth that are functional and healthy, not to mention attractive, within 24 hours. Not only does the Teeth by Tonight service work for patients dealing with broken or missing teeth, but it can also be applied to patients whose removable devices no longer fit due to bone growth or are otherwise ineffective. To learn more about Teeth by Tonight, review the services page at www.jamesvito.com.

Properly Maintaining Dental Implants

An experienced dentist, James A. Vito, DMD, provides high-quality dental care to patients at his own practice in Pennsylvania. Although he provides a wide range of general and advanced dental care services, James A. Vito, DMD, is particularly knowledgeable about dental implants. He holds two board certifications in implant dentistry.

Patients who receive dental implants need to take care of them. Good implant maintenance is similar to routine dental care.

Implant recipients should brush and floss their teeth and implants at least twice a day, ideally after meals with a toothpaste that is minimally abrasive. Patients can use an antimicrobial mouth rinse and plaque removal aids between brushings. Professional dental visits should also be scheduled regularly.

When dental implants are not properly cared for, recipients are at risk of developing infections. As with teeth, implants have two stages of problems: mucositis and peri-implantitis. 

Bleeding around the implant is a symptom of mucositis. However, when mucositis is caught early, it can be treated and even reversed. 

If the problem is not fixed, it leads to peri-implantitis, which is bone loss. Bone loss is irreversible and can lead to the removal of the implant and even advanced bone loss.

The Advantages of Mini Dental Implants

James A. Vito, DMD, holds a doctor of medical dentistry from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He also received a certificate in periodontics from the school. As the leader of a Wayne, Pennsylvania, dental practice, James A. Vito, DMD, provides patients with an array of services, including both traditional and mini dental implants.

Dental implants allow dentists to replace a tooth’s damaged or missing root with a strong titanium substitute. After the implant fuses with bone, dental professionals can manage a patient’s oral health as if the tooth has simply been fixed with a crown. In some scenarios, dentists prefer to use mini dental implants.

Mini dental implants are especially helpful when dentists are performing procedures in narrow oral spaces. Some individuals have smaller teeth than others, necessitating mini implants, while certain kinds of teeth, like incisors, are smaller for all individuals. Oral spaces may also be crowded, and therefore require mini dental implants, due to the presence of lower jaw dentures or pre-molar teeth.

In most cases, a mini dental implant is about half the width of a normal-size implant. In the event of implant failure, the shallow submersion of a mini implant means dentists do not have to perform any corrective grafting. Additional benefits of a mini dental implant procedure range from oral bone preservation to less pain and recovery compared to traditional implants.

An Introduction to Sleep and Sedation Dentistry

 


James A. Vito, DMD, spent several additional years training at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry after receiving a doctor of medical dentistry. His additional time at the school yielded certificates in periodontics, periodontal prosthesis, and fixed prosthodontics. James A. Vito, DMD, now leads a Wayne, Pennsylvania, dental practice, through which he provides services ranging from initial exams to sedation dentistry.

The anxiety and stress a medical setting generates in some people is enough to keep them from receiving regular treatment. Sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry may provide a solution for these individuals.

Prolonged avoidance of professional dental care can result in a number of serious health concerns, from gum disease to permanent tooth loss. The main objective of sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry is to ease a patient’s nerves to the point that they can comfortably receive treatment and avoid these issues.

Drawing on a gentle dose of IV sedation, sleep dentistry patients can safely receive any number of restorative or cosmetic dental procedures, including dental implant surgery. Sedatives are administered and managed by a board-certified anesthesiologist. To learn more about sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry options in the Wayne, Pennsylvania, region, visit www.jamesvito.com.

Sedation Dentistry Options

James A. Vito, DMD practices cosmetic and general dentistry in Wayne, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. In order to help patients feel more comfortable while receiving dental work, James A. Vito, DMD offers sedation dentistry at his office.

For many people, getting a dental procedure is somewhat uncomfortable, but not an overly stressful or difficult experience. However, others may experience high levels of anxiety at the prospect of getting dental work done. Additionally, some people may have difficulty sitting still through a long procedure or have a lower threshold for pain. For these individuals, a dentist may offer sedation services to help. 

A dentist might offer different levels of sedation to patients. For instance, nitrous oxide gas, also known as laughing gas, provides lower levels of sedation. The patient breathes it in when the dentist administers the gas via a mask, and it helps the patient feel calmer. Another option is to use an oral medication such as Halcion to lightly or moderately sedate the patient. This option does not work right away, and the patient must take the medication about an hour before the procedure so that the drug has time to take effect.

In comparison, sedating drugs given intravenously work much faster, and the patient receives it continuously throughout the procedure. The dentist can also easily adjust the amount of the drug the patient receives if necessary, which is another advantage of this approach. A dentist can provide additional information about the types of sedation he or she offers and their pros and cons.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Holding dual board certification in implant dentistry, James A. Vito, DMD, has practiced dentistry for more than 25 years. James A. Vito, DMD sees patients of all ages at his office in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

When it comes to treating damaged and missing teeth, dental implants offer a number of advantages over other options. Following are just a few of the benefits.

- Long lasting: While traditional dental bridges require replacing at some point, dental implants can last a lifetime when they are placed and cared for properly. They are designed to be a long-term solution and may only need small adjustments rather than full replacements.

- Natural looking: Dental implants fit and function like normal teeth. They are strong and stable options to replacing lost teeth, and they offer improved eating and speaking abilities. Additionally, certain options result in bone deterioration, something that is less likely with dental implants.

- Confidence boosting: Since dental implants have a more natural look and feel, they allow patients to quickly regain their self-confidence. Rather than worrying about pain or appearance, patients with dental implants can smile and laugh without thinking about missing teeth.                            

Going to the Dentist without Fear

Fear and anxiety prevent between 9 and 15 percent of Americans from seeing the dentist. It is estimated that for 36 percent of the people who avoid going to the dentist regularly, fear is the main reason. Dental sedation can help patients that suffer from dental phobia by helping them to relax in an otherwise anxiety-producing environment. The office of James A. Vito, DMD, has been offering dental sedation since 1991. Under the care of a medical anesthesiologist, Dr. James A. Vito’s patients desiring sedation can undergo simple dental treatments or complex procedures with peace of mind.

There are several types of sedation available to patients who experience dental phobia. For minimal sedation, a patient receives nitrous oxide through a mask. A patient also can receive oral sedation, which could include medications like Valium or Halcion. Under this type of treatment, the patient is awake, but extremely drowsy. IV sedation delivers a sedative drug through a vein. With this method, the dentist and anesthesiologist can continually adjust the level of sedation as needed.

Prior to receiving sedation, patients should discuss their medical history and current medications with their dentist.                            

The Three Stages of Traditional Dental Implant Surgery

Serving patients in Wayne, Pennsylvania, James A. Vito, DMD, is a periodontist and prosthodontist with a broad skill-set in implant dentistry. Focusing on implants, James A. Vito, DMD, assists his clients in better understanding what to expect in a dental implant scenario.

Traditional dental implant procedures include three surgical steps. The first involves burying the implant into the bone under the gum line. This will require the patient to heal for some time before proceeding to the next step, which includes attaching a post to the implant called an abutment. Once again, the gum is allowed to heal around the abutment. The third and final step involves placing the prosthetic tooth in place over the abutment.

Dental implant surgeries have a traditional success rate of 90 percent or higher. Sometimes, a dental implant may not fully integrate. However, dentists can provide their patients with the best advice and expectations for their procedure.

There is a one-stage dental implant surgery process available as well. Procedures vary, depending on the patient’s needs. Therefore, it is recommended that individuals consult with dentists who are experienced in a range of such surgeries.

Mini Implants Gaining Popularity

James A. Vito, DMD, is a dentist in Wayne, Pennsylvania, who concentrates on periodontics and implant dentistry. As an implant dentist, James A. Vito, DMD, can offer his patients a variety of procedures, including mini implants.

While many have heard of dental implants, mini implants are something of a best-kept secret. Mini implants are gentle, simple and do not require surgery. Being just half the width of a normal implant, mini implants are not fully submerged into the gum. For those who wear dentures, two to four tiny steel posts are installed and the dentures snap right over them. This simple procedure makes mini implants ideal for many denture wearers or those missing a tooth in a narrow space. Patients who could consider mini implants are those who have experienced bone loss or who need a less-expensive option than traditional implants. Mini implants are a fraction of the cost of full implants. Unfortunately, many insurance carriers still do not cover mini implant procedures. Therefore, it’s best to consult with a dentist to get the best recommendation for a particular situation.

Dental implant procedures have the potential to change patients’ lives. Many report higher levels of confidence and more reasons to smile after having such work done.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

An experienced prosthodontist in Wayne, Pennsylvania, James A. Vito, DMD, has helped restore the smiles of numerous patients who have suffered tooth loss. While removable dentures and fixed bridges are viable choices for replacing missing teeth, James A. Vito, DMD, educates patients on the many benefits of dental implants.

Dental implants are titanium cylinders that are placed in the jawbone to take the place of tooth roots. Part of the implant extends beyond the gums so that replacement teeth, such as a single crown or a bridge, can be attached. Because implants are firmly rooted in the jaw, they keep prosthetic teeth stable and do not lose their fit or slip out of place like removable dentures. This allows patients the freedom to eat what they like and speak without complications.

Dental implants also stand alone and do not require altering the structure of healthy teeth like a fixed crown and bridge system, thus helping patients to hold onto as many natural teeth as possible. Another health benefit of implants is that they provide the same stimulation of the jawbone as natural tooth roots. This promotes good bone density to not only preserve oral health but also prevent the bone deterioration that typically gives the face a sunken appearance after tooth loss.                            

Sedation Dentistry for Those with Dental Phobias

Since 1987, James A. Vito, DMD, has improved the smiles and oral health of patients who have a wide range of dental problems. In many cases, these problems are a result of dental phobia, which makes a person avoid seeing the dentist and allows dental problems to escalate. To help put fearful patients at ease, James A. Vito, DMD, offers sedation dentistry at his Wayne, Pennsylvania, private practice.

Delivered by a board-certified anesthesiologist, sedation dentistry involves administering anti-anxiety medications intravenously prior to the dental procedure. This class of medication does not relieve pain but rather places the patient in a state of deep relaxation that is often described as dream-like. Patients are still conscious and able to respond to the dental staff if necessary, but they feel no fear. For pain control, the dentist administers local anesthesia to the treatment area once the IV medication kicks in. Throughout the procedure, the anesthesiologist monitors the patient’s oxygen levels, pulse, and blood pressure and adjusts the medication as needed to ensure his or her safety. Patients who have undergone this type of sedation frequently report that the dental procedure was over before they knew it and that they have little or no memory of what happened.