Signs That You Should See a Periodontist

April 30th, 2019 by | No Comments

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?

March 22nd, 2019 by | No Comments

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?

February 22nd, 2019 by | No Comments

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.

Gum Recession 101: What You Should Know

February 6th, 2019 by | No Comments

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?

February 24th, 2018 by | No Comments

woman smiling with her new dental implants from a pittsburgh periodontist

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

January 16th, 2018 by | No Comments

 

Dr. Silberg is a Top Periodontist in the Pittsburgh Magazine for the 11th year in a row

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?

Dental Implants from a periodontist like Dr. Silberg in Pittsburgh, PAA 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!

Have a Safe Holiday This Winter!

December 10th, 2017 by | No Comments

Happy Holidays From The Silberg Center for Dental ScienceAll of us at The Silberg Center for Dental Science would like to wish all of you a Happy Holiday! The winter season is fast upon us, and this is an exciting time full of many celebrations and holidays to enjoy. We hope you get to soak in the season with people you care about and that your holiday season is full of fun, joy, laughter, food, and presents.

We also hope that you maintain good oral hygiene habits during this time of year. We know how hard it can be to resist the snacks and goodies that are abundant during the season, and we don’t expect you to abstain. But, to keep gums and teeth health, it’s important to brush and floss regularly.

The winter season is also full of travel plans. Lots of people are driving and flying across the country to see loved ones. Because of the amount of people travelling and also the winter conditions, it is important to think ahead and plan ways to stay safe while travelling this holiday season.

So, we have compiled a few tips to help our patients have a safe holiday while travelling.

1: Consider taking a train.

Travelling by a train is a great way to get around during the winter. Pittsburgh and the Northeast United States has access to train travel across the area. So, if you are tired of flights being delayed, getting to your destination on a train can have its upsides.

2: Keep your mobile phone charged.

Delays often happen during this time of year. Your flight might take longer to take off than expected, and traffic can be slow. Making sure your phone is charged before you take off is a good idea. Also, bringing portable chargers can keep your phone charged if you are waiting or have an emergency come up.

3: Bring snacks with you.

Long wait times can mean hunger and thirst. If you’re flight is delayed or traffic is backed up, it is smart to have nonperishable snacks and water on hand. Make sure and bring water with you if you are travelling in a vehicle, and, if travelling by plane, fill up your water bottle after going through security.

4: If you are driving, make sure and check the weather for driving conditions.

It is important to heed travel advisories and err on the side of caution. It is better to be late than be in an accident. By checking the weather, you can avoid driving in bad conditions or getting caught in a storm.

Happy Thanksgiving from your Pittsburgh Dental Implant Specialist

November 22nd, 2017 by | No Comments

Happy Thanksgiving from Silberg Center for Dental Science
At Silberg Center for Dental Science, we are your Pittsburgh dental implant specialist. We are excited to wish the community and all of our patients a Happy Thanksgiving! This is a wonderful time of year, and there is so much to be grateful for. We don’t know about you, but we love the fall and seeing the crisp air turn into wintertime feelings. The colors of the leaves are so vibrant, and there is a beauty in their crunch as they coat the ground. Thanksgiving brings with it lots of good memories, family and friends, and, of course, great food. Whatever your favorite Thanksgiving treat is, we hope you enjoy it. Maybe you love warm, homemade rolls straight out of the oven or a sweet pumpkin pie.

We are thankful for you!

Silberg Center for Dental Science is grateful for our patients and getting to know each of them. Without all of you, we wouldn’t be here, and we wouldn’t have such a rewarding time doing what we do. We strive to provide high-quality dental services to each and every one of our patients. We want you to know we respect you. We realize that every person has different needs and concerns when it comes to their dental health, and we will work to meet your goals for having a bright, healthy, happy smile.

During Thanksgiving, it is especially nice to not have to worry about discomfort or pain in your mouth. We can help you if you have any dental issues. We want you to be able to enjoy the holidays and all that great food. So, if you are due for an exam or have been having issues like dentures or bridges falling out, we can help. We strive to give our patients great dental implant services. So, if you are worried about any dental health issues coming up to Thanksgiving, schedule an appointment with us.

Come and see us.

Give us a call and one of our friendly staff will be happy to help you. We can work with you to schedule an appointment at a time that fits in your schedule. Silberg Center for Dental Science is committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment for our patients.

We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you are able to spend some time enjoying the things and people you are grateful for this holiday season!

What is Peri-implant Disease?

October 17th, 2017 by | No Comments

Peri-implant Disease treatment in Pittsburgh, PA

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!

August 21st, 2017 by | No Comments

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.