Author: Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

Signs That You Should See a Periodontist

Posted on by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

Periodontal disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in the adult population with millions impacted by it ever year. The issue is that many people develop this condition and have no idea they are experiencing a problem. Most of the signs are missed completely until it is too late and the damage has already been done. That’s why in this article we’re going to look at some of the signs that you should watch out for which you need to see a periodontist as soon as possible.

Red, Bleeding Or Swollen Gums

One of the most common signs of an issue is gums that are inflamed. You can tell this by the color and feel of the gums. Normal gums will be soft, subdued and a light pinkish in color. If they are a deep red, this suggests that there is an issue and you may notice this around particular teeth in your mouth. You may also spot bleeding when you brush your teeth or floss. Any issues like this should be investigated before they become more painful and problematic.

Another issue to watch out for is gums that are receding. While this can occur with age, it shouldn’t be too severe. You might look in the mirror and think that your teeth look longer than usual or previously. If that’s the case, it’s best to get things checked out sooner rather than later.

Loose Teeth

It is possible that you think your teeth feel loose. This can be your imagination and it’s even quite a common nightmare that haunts some people which might be seen as a subconscious warning or fear. However, if you press on your teeth and you actually think they are wobbling ever so slightly, make sure you see a periodontist like Dr. Silberg. He will be able to explore whether this is an early sign of bone damage.

Bite Changes

You might have noticed a change in your bite while chewing, talking or brushing. This can relate to specific issues which can cause long term problems if they are left untreated. A periodontist will investigate the reasons for these changes and suggest potential treatment options. The treatment provided here will always be relevant to the unique situation of the individual patient.

Bad Breath

You might find that you are suffering from an issue with bad breath. While this is a common problem that can be caused by a variety of underlying factors, it’s possible that it is due to a build up of bacteria. The toxins produced here then trigger the bad breath as well as an unpleasant bitter taste in your mouth. This can be specific to one section of your teeth or gums and it will not disappear by brushing. If you have this issue, make sure that you speak to a periodontist to find out what’s going wrong. This is an early sign and can usually be reversed with the right treatment plan.

We hope this helps you recognize the signs that you might need to see a periodontist. If you are having any of these issues, contact us for expert advice and professional care.

I Got A Cheapo “Knock off” Implant-When Will It Fail?

Posted on by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

 

The top implant companies are constantly researching and testing. The materials are the best, the parts and pieces fit they way they are supposed to fit and they have a proven track record of long term success. The scientific studies that check the fit and finish of the parts and pieces under the microscope consistently find that the best companies make the best implants. Over time they hold up better and have fewer problems. This is a medical device being implanted in your body. Would you want a cheapo artificial hip, knee or pacemaker? No???? Then why would you want a cheapo dental implant?

Do you want an implant from a company that promotes being the low-cost leader in dental implants or one that is from a worldwide leading company with 20 years of research and science? Do you want an implant that was just released last week with 6 months of testing or a design that has been around for 10 to 20 years?

So, how long will the cheapo knock-off implant last? No one knows exactly because there are no studies on these implants. One thing is for sure: They will have more problems, fail sooner and create bigger and more expensive problems to fix later on in your life.

If you are contemplating spending the time, money and effort to get one or more dental implants then you most likely want the implant(s) to last a very very long time and be trouble free. So, if you want this investment to last for decades and be trouble free then get one of top rated implants being made in the world today because if you cannot afford to do it right how will you ever be able to afford to do it over again? The decisions that you make today will affect you for the rest of your life so make the best decision possible and do it right the 1st time.

At the Silberg Center we only place the world’s leading brands because that is what we would want for ourselves and our families.

 

Why Doesn’t My Dental Insurance Cover The Treatment That I Need? Does My Dentist Charge Too Much?

Posted on by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

 

That’s an easy question to answer. It is because dental insurance is not insurance in the traditional sense. The best way to think about dental insurance is that it’s a rebate. With all dental insurance there are several guidelines that apply to almost every plan.

  1. Most dental plans are purchased by employers and not individuals. Most companies look for low cost options. Low costs mean lower coverage for you.
  2. All plans have annual maximums and the average is $1000. There are exceptions.
  3. Dental insurance is different than medical insurance. Medical insurance is good for big procedures like hip and knee replacements and even heart surgery. Dental insurance is good for small procedure and not for big expensive procedures. Dental insurance was designed to pay for small procedures on otherwise healthy people. It is good for tooth cleanings, routine x-rays, fillings, a crown or even an extraction. That $1,000 allowance was never designed to pay for care to rehabilitate your mouth. It was designed for people that needed minimum care.
  4. Most treatments are not covered at 100% or even 80% but at some secret percentage that varies from company to company and from geographic region to region. That means that your company will pay more for the exact same procedure that is done in Philadelphia Pa than is done 300 miles away in Pittsburgh. So, if your dentists charges $100 for a procedure the insurance company may decide to pay 60% of $80 in Philadelphia and 60% of $7o dollars in Pittsburgh  and not the $100 charge for reasons that they will make up to suit their bottom line because they want to pay out as little as possible. Each year this number is being reduced to increase their profit margins and decrease reimbursements to you and to your dentist.
  5. The premium that your employer pays for your plan is very low cost and since the cost is low they have $1000 maximums in place for a very good reason: ”There is no such thing as a free lunch!” The $1,000 maximum has been the same since around 1975 and has not kept up with inflation. The average cost of dental insurance is $45 a month. If you need an extraction and an implant and a tooth on top of the implant you will most likely get your $1000 towards the cost of your treatment and the rest will be out of pocket. If your plan excludes certain procedures, and many do, you may not even get the $1000.

The bottom line is this: If your employer provides dental insurance as a benefit it is a bonus. Most people have unrealistic expectations about what “dental insurance” is and what it should provide. Certainly, maximize the benefit and realize that any procedures that you need will most likely require additional out of pocket expenses.

You are the one that must determine the quality of life that you desire. We are living to 80 to 100 years these days and quality of life is critically important. Every birth, every funeral, every wedding and birthday celebration revolves around food and being able to laugh, chew, taste and enjoy that food. That can only happen if you have real teeth. The quality of your life…the life in your years is as important as the years in your life. You must be the one to make the decisions that will affect you for the rest of your life and not the insurance company, so make those decisions very carefully. If you don’t care about the quality of your life…who will?

Live long- Smile big -Eat well.

https://youtu.be/yujUpe7YW1k

 

 

Gum Recession 101: What You Should Know

Posted on by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

 

Sometimes gum tissue disappears and teeth appear to be getting longer. Since the destruction is rarely painful, patients do not complain until moderate to extreme sensitivity is present. Most often they don’t notice until it becomes advanced. Consider what is actually occurring when gums disappear. The issues are as follows

  • The gum tissue disintegrates and disappears
  • The supporting bone underneath disappears: lower bone means a lower gum level
  • Exposure of the soft root surface                                             
  • Root abrasion, root wear/ destruction
  • Sensitivity
  • Greater tendency towards decay
1) Loss of Bone= Recession | 2) Damage to Roots | 3) Recession Beyond Bonding | 4) Post Invisalign, Patient age: 20

 

Which patients have the greatest need to have recession treated?

Younger individuals definitely have a greater need for treatment. If we observe 3 mm of recession in both a 30 and a 70 year old, who is at the greater risk for continued destruction? Under similar conditions, it is clearly the 30 year old. What are the chances that the 30 year old will arrive at age 70 with the tooth still intact when there are 40 more years of chemical and mechanical stress that will be placed on the exposed root?

Note above photo: Patient age 20… apx.12 months after orthodontics was completed.

Can bonded restorations be successfully and predictably used to treat recession?

No. We must be clear about one important fact. Bonding exposed root surfaces does not treat or stop recession and merely attempts to cover the exposed root surface. As you can see in the photo above, recession most often continues beyond the bonding. Thus, there is more loss of gingiva, more bone loss and more root damage occurs.

Can we predictably recover exposed roots with reconstruction procedures?

Yes. Several different techniques have been developed over the past 60 years that can predictably reattach to the root surface and recover the exposed root. The key is to treat early before any bone loss occurs. The bone levels determine the height of tissue.  When bone levels drop we cannot regain lost tissue to the original level. Studies that have followed gum reconstruction for up to 20 years indicate remarkable stability.

Do we really know what causes recession?

What we do know is the result of observation and case study. CT scan studies now show that many people have roots that stick through the bone and that alone or combined with any kind of orthodontic tooth movement causes recession. Individuals with a thin tissue type are more prone to recession than people with thick tissues. When we treat recession with reconstruction procedures, the new gum is thicker tissue over the areas where recession has occurred and that helps resist future destruction.

How serious a problem is recession?

Recession gets too little respect as a real issue. Recession not only damages the supporting structures but also very often promotes the destruction of the root as you can see in the above photos. Since root structure is so much softer than enamel, our ability to predictably restore these teeth long-term is very limited. The key is early diagnosis and treatment.

3 Different Cases

Traditional Inside Approach

BEFORE | AFTER

Traditional Outside Approach

BEFORE | AFTER

Pinhole Technique

BEFORE | AFTER

3 Different Cases

 

Why should I go to a specialist for dental implants?

Posted on by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

 

Dental implants have become a prominent service in the dental industry, but many patients assume that any general dentist can tackle the procedure. In fact, the quality of service can be extremely different if your dentist isn’t trained surgically to place dental implants or trained in the bone grafting procedure. You may even find that your implants fail and may have to be placed again, which takes more time and more expense. Fortunately, the Silberg Center for Dental Science makes finding a professional for dental implants in Pittsburgh extremely easy!

Located just 10 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, our dental implant specialist Dr. Silberg, is very experienced in providing this revolutionary dental procedure. Dr. Silberg placed his first dental implants in 1984, and those patients still have their implants functioning today! If you are looking for top-quality dental implants from one of the best implant specialists in the Pittsburgh area, look no further than The Silberg Center for Dental Science!

What Makes Us Qualified to Place Your Implants?

Periodontitis and Maxillofacial surgeons are the only two surgical specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. Dr. Silberg graduated from Syracuse University with a dental degree in 1978. After he earned his degree, Dr. Silberg earned his postdoctoral specialty training in periodontology, making him a capable (and certified) dental implant specialist. The extra years of specialty training is what sets Dr. Slberg apart from other dentists in the area.

Why Not Just Any Other Dentist?

If a dentist is interested in learning how to place dental implants, a majority of them attend a short 1-3 day course. The class time is short, and also barely provides dentists with a comprehensive overview of the procedure. Unlike a certified periodontist or dental surgeon, when taking the course, dentists are not trained to treat and foresee problems that could occur during surgery. When your dentist doesn’t know how to solve a problem when placing the implants, it can compromise your dental (and even overall) health. Instead of visiting any general dentist for your dental implant, visit our dental implant specialist in Pittsburgh. You and your mouth will be glad that you did!

Dr. Silberg and his team of highly trained, highly capable dental and surgical assistants are some of the best in the business, and some of the best in the Pittsburgh area. You’ll love the way your dental implants turn out, and you’ll love having an experienced specialist to guide you through your surgical and healing processes. Make an appointment with us today!

Top Pittsburg Dental Implant Specialist of 2017

Posted on by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

If you are considering dental implants, there are numerous dental offices who will offer to place them. However, does each dentist receive the same training and education? General dentists may offer dental implants, but patients with difficult oral health problems, or those hoping for the best dental implants in Pittsburgh may not receive the outcome they’re expecting. Hiring a professional like Dr. Silberg can be one of the best decisions you can make thanks to his experience and work as a periodontist and long-time dental implant specialist.

Why Choose a Periodontist for Dental Implants?

A Periodontist specializes in the tissues that support your teeth. If you do not have healthy teeth and gum tissue, the success of a dental implant treatment lasting are slim. Periodontists like Dr. Silberg have years of experience dealing with gum tissue and has received intense training on how to best perform oral surgery procedures. Dr. Silberg has been awarded on of the Top Periodontists in Pittsburgh for the past 11 years. His in-depth knowledge and understanding of the mouth allow him to help patients receive the highest level of success for their dental procedures. Periodontists are trained and experienced in the following areas:

Reduce the Risk of Complications

Dental implants placed by Dr. Silberg have a high success rate, and this makes them a sought-after dental treatment for patients with missing teeth. A periodontist receives an additional three years of schooling to help them learn more complex information about the gum tissue and how it affects the rest of your mouth.

Dental implants are a large investment, but they are a permanent solution for missing teeth. Since patients will invest more into dental implants, you do need to seek out the best dentist in Pittsburgh that offers dental implant treatments. A dental implant specialist like Dr. Silberg will lower your risk of complications and increases the success rate.

Impressive Aesthetics

Don’t try to save money by going to a general dentist with limited training and experience related to complex dental procedures. Many aspects of the aesthetics can be controlled with advanced dental techniques to create natural looking teeth.  One area of concern surrounding dental implants is the bone health of your mouth. If you have a jawbone that is not strong enough to support the implant, the risk of the implant failing will increase.

Dr. Silberg can assess the bone density to determine if a bone graft is needed prior to implant surgery. Strengthening the area allows the jawbone to support the implant, and works along with your gum tissue to support the dental implant. Avoiding complications related to surgery are one of the key areas Dr. Silberg excels at because of his comprehensive knowledge of your jaw bone and gums.

Caring for Gums

Caring for your gums also has a large impact on the success rate of a dental implant. As a Periodontist, Dr. Silberg is an expert in the treatment of gum disease. If you have active gum disease, contact our Pittsburgh dental office to schedule an appointment so Dr. Silberg can give you the proper treatment you need. Failure to stop gum disease in its tracks will lead to serious oral health issues, which can include tooth loss. If you would like more information about gum disease and dental implants, schedule an appointment today!

What is Peri-implant Disease?

Posted on by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

The Silberg Center for Dental Science in Pittsburgh, PA believes dental implants are one of the most important and life-changing periodontal advances of recent dental history. Dental implants have changed lives by providing confidence and health, beautiful smiles and countless compliments to patients all around the country. But getting dental implants doesn’t mean all your oral problems are solved or that oral hygiene can be relaxed. They need to be cared for, just as natural teeth should be cared for, brushed and flossed regularly, and monitored for peri-implant disease.

What is Peri-implant disease?

Let’s look at gum disease first. It happens when bacteria lodges itself around the gum lines of your teeth and stays there for a while (or isn’t cleaned properly). This can happen whether you have your natural teeth or dental implants. After all, the implants are meant to act just like your natural teeth. But when it happens around your implants, peri-implant disease can develop. This means that proper brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental checkups, are vital to the success of your implants.

Like gum disease around natural teeth, bacteria can be stuck around the base of the implant. Peri-implant disease manifests with swollen or red gums, tenderness, or bleeding gums, and is more likely with poor oral hygiene, smoking, and diabetes. The early stage of peri-implant disease is peri-implant mucositis, which is found only in the soft tissues around the implants. This can be successfully treated and is reversible. If not caught early, peri-implant disease can cause some real problems down the road, reversing all the hard work your periodontist did to get those pearly whites so pearly.

If peri-implant mucositis is left untreated, the next stage is peri-implantitis, which includes deterioration of the bone around the implant. With this stage of peri-implant disease, the implants and their supporting prostheses can disintegrate, leaving your mouth needing surgical treatment and in-depth monitoring and care.

At The Silberg Center for Dental Science, we want your dental implants experience to go as smoothly as possible, before, during, and after you visit our office. Your comfort and satisfaction are our focus, and we look forward to helping you with all your dental implant needs in Pittsburgh, PA. Schedule an appointment with our office and we can help answer any questions or concerns you have and we’ll do our best to help you.

Beware of Overbrushing!

Posted on by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

If brushing twice a day is good for your teeth, scrubbing those pearly whites five or six times a day should produce a perfect smile, right? Although it might sound like brushing more frequently or aggressively would help to scrub your dental surfaces clean, Dr. Silberg explains that overbrushing is actually a common mistake that could permanently damage your smile. Here are four problems commonly caused by overbrushing and what you can do to avoid issues.  

Dental Problems Caused By Overbrushing

Gum Recession

When you brush your teeth too frequently or too aggressively, it can whisk away gum tissue, which tends to grow back very slowly, if at all. Eventually, most overbrushers experience severe gum recession, exposing underlying dental roots. In addition to giving your smile an aged appearance, gum recession can also lead to cavities in your dental roots, which are painful and jeopardize your entire tooth.

Dental Sensitivity

Another issue caused by overbrushing is extreme dental sensitivity, because aggressive brushing can remove protective dental enamel. Unfortunately, the more worn down the dental surface becomes, the easier it is for hot and cold foods and liquids to affect the nerves inside of your teeth, causing sensitivity. Additionally, since dental roots aren’t covered by protective enamel, they are especially prone to sensitivity.

Surface Changes

Aggressive brushing can also cause pits and grooves to form in the surfaces of your teeth, making your teeth look damaged, mottled, or matte. Surface changes can also make it easier for food particles and plaque to adhere to the teeth, paving the way for tooth decay.

Yellowed Appearance

When you remove hard, white dental enamel by overbrushing, you are exposing underlying dentin, which is naturally yellow in color. When aggressive brushing has damaged the dental surface to this level, protective crowns or veneers might be the only way to correct the color and functionality of the tooth.  

Avoiding Overbrushing

To prevent brushing too aggressively, only brush twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Make sure that you are flossing properly without damaging the gum tissue, and talk with your dentist if you have problems like bleeding or pain during your normal dental care routine. If you are using a manual toothbrush, switch to a power toothbrush with a pressure sensor. These brushes shine a light or emit a noise if you are applying too much pressure, preventing damage. Also, talk with Dr. Silberg about gum disease treatment in Pittsburgh if you think that you are experiencing oral care problems. Many patients who overbrush are trying to treat more serious dental care issues than they can help at home, which is why scheduling an appointment with Dr. Silberg is important.

How is a Dental Implant Made?

Posted on by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

A dental implant is a metal post that is inserted surgically into your jaw in place of the original tooth root. It’s a tooth replacement that serves as an alternative to either dentures or dental bridges. Rather than other solutions that sit on the surface of your mouth, dental implants are inserted in place of the original root, making dental implants a more permanent option.

How is it made?

            Dental implants are commonly made from titanium, a metal that is not harmful to living tissue and is easily accepted by the body. A metal rod is formed from the titanium and inserted in place of the original root of the tooth. The rod then fuses with the bone and becomes like the original root. The implant serves as a durable foundation for a replacement tooth.

Pros of dental implants

  •         Longer lasting- other options for teeth replacement often don’t last as long, they can typically last 5-10 years before needing replacing. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.
  •         Like natural teeth- because dental implants are inserted surgically in place of the original root they act like your natural teeth. So, you can retain your beautiful smile without needing to worry about the sliding that can be common with dentures.
  •         No cavities- You cannot get cavities in a dental implant. Although it is important to continue to take care of your mouth, have regular checkups with your dentist and keep your gums and mouth clean.
  •         Protect your natural teeth- Dental implants do not rely on surrounding teeth for support, they are a separate entity like your natural teeth. So, no grinding will occur with your natural teeth as needs to be done to insert a bridge.
  •         Best thing after your natural teeth- Other tooth replacements can lead to problems with your smile, eating, speaking, and other everyday activities. This is not the case with dental implants, they function and you can treat them as your other teeth.

            Dental implants are not commonly covered by insurance, so talk to your insurance provider and your Dr. Silberg before deciding if a they are an option you wish to go with. However, do keep in mind that dental implants are a cost-effective solution as it is a one-time procedure that won’t need to be redone or replaced in the future. Schedule an appointment with The Silberg Center for Dental Science if you are looking for dental implants in Pittsburgh, we can help you decide if they are right for you!

Drinks That Eat Teeth

Posted on by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

Drinks that eat teeth

As the weather gets warmer and summer is here we start to crave some of our favorite summer drinks! It’s easy to quench our thirst with fruit juices and sodas on a hot day or after a fun summer activity, but so many of these drinks we crave are damaging our teeth! When we drink fluids that are acidic and sugary, we begin to activate erosion on the enamel of our teeth. When that happens, a whole host of problems can occur. We begin to expose the dentin of our teeth, making them appear yellowish. We can also make our teeth extra sensitive, rounded or transparent on the edges, and get lots of plaque build-up. The sugary drinks and treats will promote acid-creating bacteria, which will damage the teeth the same way acidic drinks will.

So, what does ‘acidic’ even mean? When something is acidic it has a pH level between zero and seven. Zero is the most acidic (battery acid has a pH of one) and seven is neutral (water has a pH of seven). Would you believe that grapefruit juice has a pH of three? That’s quite acidic!

Be sure and check out our new “Drinks that Eat Teeth” webpage about drinks that can damage teeth and look for tips on how we can prevent further damage.

Remember also that Dr. Silberg at the Silberg Center for Dental Science to help with detecting acidic erosion within your own mouth. Dr. Silberg’s extensive experience with cosmetic and restorative dentistry will help make your teeth look fabulous, and build your confidence 10 fold! Make an appointment with us if you have questions about what your options are for discoloration, teeth sensitivity, plaque build-up, or any other symptoms of erosion. Many of these symptoms are listed at our “Drinks that Eat Teeth” page.

As one of Pittsburgh’s top periodontists, Dr. Silberg is a great resource to give you a better and healthier smile. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Silberg today!