What Is The Cost Of A Dental Implant?

dental-implant What is the cost of a dental implant? Why is there such a variation in fees for dental implants? Are the advertisements I see for $499 dental implants too good to be true? When trying to figure out what the appropriate fee for a dental implant should be one should know exactly what the procedure entails. Here are the dental implant facts:

  • There are about three parts that make up an implant restored tooth. The implant, which is surgically placed into the jaw and acts as the root. The post, which screws into the implant to connect the implant to the crown. Then finally the crown, which is cemented or screwed onto the post.
  • To have an implant placed and completed start to finish can take between 3-6 months. However with each person the timeline may vary. Time can be added to this treatment if the area needs to have bone grafting. Bone grafting helps regenerate missing bone in areas where there is not enough space for an implant. This can add about 3-6 months to your overall procedure timeline as the grafting is normally done before the implant surgery.
Knowing the parts necessary in placing and restoring a dental implant can give us an idea as to why there is such a difference in price.  At Frangella Dental the fee for surgical placement and restoration of a dental implant is priced as a service and NOT as a commodity. The parts that make up the implant are generally a universal cost to the practitioner with the exception of the type of crown used and if you need a custom post rather than a stock post. These fees can be dependent upon which dental lab is used as well. That being said, a dental implant is just a tool or material that a practitioner uses for this type of procedure.  And, all practitioners are not created equal. So when asking yourself is this deal too good to be true, ask your practitioner these  questions and you’ll know. 1. Have you had any training in implantology? And if so how long was your program? 2. What is your success rate? is it above 90% 3. How long have you been placing implants? 4. And lastly, Does this fee include treatment planning, possible bone grafting as well as the restoration of the implant? These few questions should help you make an educated decision about your treatment and most likely allow you to feel more confident with your practitioner. It never hurts to be an educated consumer and remember,  you should always feel comfortable discussing your treatment with your dentist.  ]]>

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What is a Dental Therapist?

If you’ve been following the news recently you may have seen articles about legislation trying to pass laws allowing increased use of Dental PhysicianTherapists in under-served populations. There has been a lot of controversy about this subject because of exactly what a dental therapist is and their role in dental care in the United States. Currently dental therapists are allowed to practice in Alaska and Minnesota. However, there has been discussion about other states such as  Connecticut, Oregon, New Hampshire and California allowing dental therapists to practice. Dental therapists are defined by the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry as ” a licensed oral health professional who practices as part of the dental team to provide educational, clinical and therapeutic patient services. Dental therapists provide basic preventive and restorative treatment to children and adults, and extractions of primary (baby) teeth under the supervision of a dentist. Dental therapists work primarily in settings that serve low-income and under served patients, or in a dental health shortage area.” Individuals participating in dental therapy programs have  training that is significantly shorter than general dentists. A dental therapist must complete at least one year of undergraduate college course work before they can participate in a 2 1/2 year program to teach them the basic skills of local anesthesia, preventative dentistry (such as cleanings and dental sealants), uncomplicated extractions, radiology as well as diagnosis and treatment of cavities. As opposed to general dentists who, in most circumstances, must complete four years of undergraduate college, four years of dental school and in New York state a year of residency. So what exactly is all the commotion about allowing dental therapists to practice in under served areas? There has been a question about how to address the growing need for care, especially with children, however due to therapists limited training the American Dental Association has brought up concerns that they are not equipped to provide the level of care necessary to complete many of the procedures they are being licensed to perform. And, since many are not reversible such as extractions and fillings, there should be better training of these professionals. Other organizations have made the argument that patients that have medicaid or are in areas with a poor dentist to patient ratio are unable to receive appropriate dental care due to cost of dentistry and many general dentists not accepting these patients into their practices. So the conundrum is how do we provide appropriate care for this needful population  in a safe and ethical way.  Are dental therapists the solution to this problem or the creation of an even bigger problem?]]>

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What is the difference between a crown and a cap in dentistry?

  • A dental crown may also be referred to as a “cap” but they are the same exact thing.
  • Crowns are often used to replace missing tooth structure in an otherwise structurally unstable tooth. This can be due to the tooth having lost tooth structure from either being fractured, having had a large cavity or a very large filling, or from the tooth having had a root canal.
  • Crowns can also be used in place of veneers to create a more esthetic smile or for a radical smile makeover in a person where veneers are not recommended.
  • Most crowns are fabricated at a dental laboratory and are made using various materials such as: porcelain fused to metal, porcelain fused to zirconia or solid zirconia, porcelain or metal. Because the dental lab manufactures the crowns most often the crown procedure is not completed in a single day.
  • A bridge is an extension of a crown, where multiple crowns are fused or linked together to replace a missing tooth or teeth.
  • The crown procedure is normally as follows: the area is anesthetized initially, and then the tooth, or in the case of a bridge the teeth surrounding the space, will be adjusted for retention of the prosthesis. The tooth or teeth are shaped into a cylindrical shape and and then an impression or mold is taken of the prepared area. The mold is then sent to a dental lab and a bridge or a crown is fabricated. The lab will return the restoration in about 1 1/2 – 2 weeks. The restoration will then be tried in and cemented.
    • The dental crown is a common and important tool used in dentistry to help retain your natural teeth. You should maintain an open dialogue with your dentist about treatment and your personal treatment plan in order to attain the best dental care possible.  ]]>

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    What Type of Floss Should I Use? Decoding The Label Part II

    Fotolia_194988_XS-300x200 The basics: Generally there are two types of floss: Rope and Tape.  They are either waxed or un-waxed. Tape: a flat string usually made of a smooth material: this is the type of floss that we recommend the most due to the ease of use between tight teeth and teeth with a lot of restorative work such as fillings and crowns. Rope: this is usually a braided or round string or rope that can be covered in wax or not, depending on your preference. I tend to avoid this type of floss due to the difficulty of use. Often times if you have tightly contacting teeth this type tends to fray or break more often than a tape will. Specialty floss and floss threaders: There are a series of flosses and floss threaders that are made specifically to be used around bridge work and braces. Super Floss is a brand that I recommend often for patients because it is a thick and spongy  floss with a flexible plastic end that is relatively easy to use underneath bridgework and around orthodontic brackets. Dental Flossers: these are small plastic handles with floss attached at the end, most often a rope type of floss. My opinion on floss threaders is, if you find that you can not or will not use any other type of floss then they can be used. But I rarely recommend them since you lack the ability to maneuver them around the teeth appropriately and can do a little damage to the gums if the patient is not careful when using them. Water pics and Air flossers: these are electric tools similar to an electric tooth brush that either use air or water to force debris out from in between teeth and out from under restorative work. My opinion on these tools is that while I believe that they have improved water pics and air flossers immensely in the past few years, they are an adjunct to the use of regular floss.  The use of regular dental floss is still the gold standard.]]>

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    Sorry For The Brief Hiatus!

    Sorry for the brief hiatus or our weekly blog.  But, we have some great news!

    We would like to welcome the newest addition to the Frangella Dental family!

    Introducing, Lea Mary Davis

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               Lea was born on June 9th at 2:10 pm to Dr. Tina Frangella and her husband Dr. Brian Davis. She weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces and was 20 inches long. Baby and mom are doing great and are recovering at home.

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    Nutrition and Dental Health: Vegetarians, What you need to maintain a healthy mouth.

    With studies coming out everyday linking how important a healthy lifestyle is its no surprise to see Fotolia_35129025_XS1-211x300changes in the diet choices of the general population. Besides overall health nutrition and dental health is also an important subject that many are not aware of. Vegetarians; whether lacto-vegetarians, ova-vegetarians, semi-vegetarians or vegans; as well as people dieting or radically changing their diet,  should be more aware of the food they are eating to be sure they are including foods rich in the vitamins and minerals needed to keep your body healthy and your smile beautiful. Being a dentist we find that we see nutritional deficiencies apparent in the tissues of the mouth before you may notice them elsewhere. Some of the more important nutrients that may be neglected when changing your diet that are important for your oral and general health are:

    • Calcium: This nutrient is very important for bone health, as well as helping to maintain healthy gums and reduce your risk for cavities. Calcium is typically found in leafy green vegetables, dairy products, as well as in legumes and some shellfish.
    • Vitamin B12 and Vitamin B2: A deficiency in these two vitamins can cause mouth sores. Vitamin B2 can be found in milk and cheese, leafy green vegetables, beans, bananas, and almonds. Vitamin B12 can be found in some shellfish, cheese, and eggs.
    • Niacin or Vitamin B3: A deficiency in this vitamin can cause bad breath and sores in the mouth. Niacin can be found in eggs, tuna, salmon and halibut, avocados, dates, leaf vegetables and various nuts and legumes
    • Vitamin D: this nutrient helps with the absorption of calcium, when lacking vitamin D some may suffer from something called burning mouth syndrome which can cause and uncomfortable sensation of the tongue and mouth.
    • Iron: a decrease in Iron can present itself as a sore inflamed tongue and may cause sores inside your mouth to form as well.  Iron-rich foods are eggs, lentils and other dried beans, shrimp, cod and tuna, spinach, sweet potatoes, broccoli and peas. Accordingly foods that boost iron absorption the most are meat, a good iron supplement and foods high in vitamin C.
    • Vitamin C: this vitamin is important for healing as well as general health a deficiency can present itself as bleeding gums and loose teeth. You can find vitamin C in Citrus fruits, sweet potatoes and red peppers.
    • Some other important vitamins for oral health are Vitamins A, E and K.
    In life we all strive for a healthy mind and body. But its important to be educated about our nutritional choices so whenever changing your diet be sure to consult your doctor and dentist.  ]]>

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    Why Do I Need Fluoride?

    Many of our patients know that we consider fluoride an amazing tool. The increased use of fluoride has Fotolia_21298027_XS1-213x300changed dentistry radically over the past forty years or so. So although you probably are familiar with fluoride, this post is really to answer the question: Why do I need fluoride?  What are the benefits? What are the risks? So lets start with the facts:

    Fluoride is a naturally occurring compound found in water, soil and food.

    Fortifying drinking water has been recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service to aid in the prevention of tooth decay, they recommend adjusting the naturally occurring fluoride level of existing public and private water sources to reach the optimal level of fluoride which is 0.7-1.2 parts per million or milligram per liter. Fluoride helps prevent cavities by being absorbed into the enamel of the your teeth and fortifying it, making the enamel more resistant to decay and demineralization. This can help in preventing early weakening in the tooth structure and early decay.

    What are the risks of using fluoride?

    The CDC has done numerous studies, the most common risk noticed is dental fluorosis if fluoride is consumed in a high amount for a long period of time during the development of the adult teeth. Dental fluorosis is pitting or mottling of the enamel of the teeth. Children 8 and younger are the most at risk for dental fluorosis. Also, There has been some speculation about a link between fluoride and osteosarcoma however over the past 60 years of fluoride use and studies no link has been established between bone health and fluoride.
    • The CDC has listed water fluoridation as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century
    • The first city to adjust the level of fluoride in its water supply was Grand Rapids, Michigan on January 25, 1945
    • Although not all water supply is fluoridated around 72.4% of the U.S. population receive fluoridated water.
    • Aside from fluoridated water  you can obtain fluoride from a multitude of sources. Such as, fluoride multivitamins for children, in some foods, as well as many mouth rinses and toothpastes.
    • Fluoride is endorsed and recommended by the American Dental Association as well as many other state and local dental societies.
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    A nice post

    Frangella Dental medical team in Midtown Manhattan

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    Am I Grinding My Teeth At Night?

    Chronic teeth grinding or Bruxism is a condition that many people suffer from but are mostly unaware of.Fotolia_4104434_XS-300x184  Bruxism can occur during the day or night but for most people occurs at night. This habit can cause significant damage to the teeth and cause discomfort to the structures that hold your jaw and TMJ in place. Although many speculate what causes people to clench and grind often times there is no clear cause for it and may resolve on its own.

     Common signs that you may be grinding your teeth are:

    • Flattening of biting surfaces of teeth
    • Pain in jaw muscles and temples
    • Pain when biting in molar area
    • Scalloping or indentation of the sides of tongue
    • Scooping out of flat part of teeth along gum line
    • Popping and clicking of the jaw
    If you are suffering from symptoms consistent with a chronic bruxer your dentist may recommend treatment with an appliance called a nightguard. A nightguard is a tray that overlays the upper or lower teeth separating them slightly. This helps protect wear of the biting surfaces of the teeth and relieves pressure on the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.]]>

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    How To Keep My Toothbrush Clean? And other dental questions.

    cavity free mouth and, all the great tools available to help you do so. Fotolia_5327278_XS-resized-600 Next comes the last part, maintenance of your repertoire of home care tools. So if you’ve ever wondered ‘How to keep my toothbrush clean?’ then read on..

    Your toothbrush is the most important tool in your home care regimen so keeping it clean and up to date is very important. Here are the basics:

    1. Whether using an electric toothbrush or a manual toothbrush it should be replaced every 3 months. The easiest way is to change your brush or electric toothbrush head with the change of the seasons or if the bristles begin to look splayed or frayed. 2. While brushing your teeth your brush is cleaning all the debris, plaque and bacteria that you’ve accumulated over the day. After brushing you should sanitize your toothbrush, we recommend rinsing it with Listerine then rinsing with water and letting air dry. 3. And lastly, When storing your toothbrush you want to store it head up allowing it to air dry in an area away from an open toilet. If you can store it in a medicine cabinet or something similar that is best.

    Many of our patients own and use appliances at home whether they be retainers, Invisalign aligners, nightguards or sleep apnea oral appliances, these appliances need special care to maintain them and keep them clean.

    1. In the morning upon removal of the appliance you should use a wet toothbrush to gently clean off the appliance, stay away from abrasive toothpastes when cleaning any appliance made of acrylic or soft rubbery material as the toothpaste may cause it to become porous and more susceptible to bacteria buildup. 2. Many of your appliances can be soaked in a chlorhexidine mouth rinse or Listerine for a period of time to help reduce bacteria build up as well. Please check with your dentist before you do so as some of these rinses may stain certain materials 3. Also, for clear retainers and Invisalign aligners, often over time the aligners may discolor due to normal wear. You can place your retainer or aligner in a small glass of water with a cap full of hydrogen peroxide, this will help clear up the stain on the aligner.]]>

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