My Blog
Posts for: December, 2016

If you've lost a tooth, you have a number of options for replacing it. Perhaps the best choice in terms of lifelikeness and durability is a dental implant.
All implants have the same basic architecture: a titanium metal post imbedded in the jawbone to replace the root; and an abutment, a metal collar that links the post with a lifelike porcelain crown. But implants can vary in how the crown attaches to the abutment and post — either cemented to the abutment or screwed through the abutment to the post.
Either method will permanently secure the crown to the implant. But there are advantages and disadvantages for each.
A screw-retained crown may better facilitate any future repair that might be needed. For a skilled dentist it's a simple matter of removing the screw and then the crown from the abutment. There's less risk of damage to the implant during repairs or crown replacement. Many dentists also prefer screws for crowns placed at the same time they're installing the implant post (a procedure called immediate loading).
The screw access hole, however, could pose a cosmetic problem. Although we can cover it over with tooth-colored filling, it may still be noticeable and unattractive especially for a tooth visible when you smile (in the smile zone). There's also the possibility the porcelain around the access hole could chip.
By contrast, cemented crowns have a smooth, unbroken surface and are aesthetically ideal for smile zone teeth. But the cement could interact poorly with gum and bone tissue in some patients, causing inflammation and possible bone loss.
And unlike screw-retained crowns, cemented crowns are difficult to remove for implant repair. We may have to drill through the crown to access the screw between the abutment and the post, and then repair it cosmetically if we use the same crown. Again, the final result may not be quite as visually appealing.
In the end, it will depend on the implant's location, how your body reacts to the cement or your dentist's preference. In either case, though, you'll have a tooth replacement that's functional, life-like and able to endure for many years to come.
If you would like more information on dental implants, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “How Crowns Attach to Implants.”
What your dentists in Williston, Vermont, want you to know
Dental implants are an investment in your smile and your life, and you deserve to get the most out of your investment. Dental implants are the best long-term solution to tooth loss and if you care for them properly, they can last a lifetime. So how do you take care of your new dental implants? Your dentists at Williston Dental Team in Williston, VT, want to share some facts about how to keep your dental implants looking and feeling great.
Dental implants look just like natural teeth and are secured by bone just like natural teeth, so you can clean them just like natural teeth. In fact good dental hygiene habits are a critical piece of making your dental implants last as long as possible.
Your dentists at Williston Dental Team want you to follow these simple steps when caring for your dental implants:
- Brush after meals and before bedtime, using a soft-bristled toothbrush; sonic toothbrushes are excellent because they help to flush food debris and bacteria away from your implants.
- Floss every day with a piece of floss or floss picks; if you have an implant-supported dental bridge, use floss threaders or loops to floss underneath the bridge.
- Use fluoride or antimicrobial rinses to strengthen your teeth and control oral bacteria around your implant.
- Don’t forget to visit your dentists at Williston every 6 months for professional cleanings and at least once each year for an exam including x-rays. Your dentists will examine your implant and supporting bone and soft tissue to look for infection and other signs of deteriorating health of your implant.
Fortunately, dental implants are very successful. However, they can still fail from lifestyle or medical issues. If you smoke, have diabetes, or periodontal disease, you are at greater risk for implant failure. Be sure and tell your dentists if you have these conditions.
Caring for your dental implants is just like caring for your natural teeth. You deserve to have a naturally-beautiful smile and now you can, thanks to dental implants. To learn more about caring for your dental implants, call your dentists at Williston Dental Team in Williston. Call today!

Everyone knows that in the game of football, quarterbacks are looked up to as team leaders. That's why we're so pleased to see some NFL QB's setting great examples of… wait for it… excellent oral hygiene.
First, at the 2016 season opener against the Broncos, Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers was spotted on the bench; in his hands was a strand of dental floss. In between plays, the 2105 MVP was observed giving his hard-to-reach tooth surfaces a good cleaning with the floss.
Later, Buffalo Bills QB Tyrod Taylor was seen on the sideline of a game against the 49ers — with a bottle of mouthwash. Taylor took a swig, swished it around his mouth for a minute, and spit it out. Was he trying to make his breath fresher in the huddle when he called out plays?
Maybe… but in fact, a good mouthrinse can be much more than a short-lived breath freshener.
Cosmetic rinses can leave your breath with a minty taste or pleasant smell — but the sensation is only temporary. And while there's nothing wrong with having good-smelling breath, using a cosmetic mouthwash doesn't improve your oral hygiene — in fact, it can actually mask odors that may indicate a problem, such as tooth decay or gum disease.
Using a therapeutic mouthrinse, however, can actually enhance your oral health. Many commonly available therapeutic rinses contain anti-cariogenic (cavity-fighting) ingredients, such as fluoride; these can help prevent tooth decay and cavity formation by strengthening tooth enamel. Others contain antibacterial ingredients; these can help control the harmful oral bacteria found in plaque — the sticky film that can build up on your teeth in between cleanings. Some antibacterial mouthrinses are available over-the-counter, while others are prescription-only. When used along with brushing and flossing, they can reduce gum disease (gingivitis) and promote good oral health.
So why did Taylor rinse? His coach Rex Ryan later explained that he was cleaning out his mouth after a hard hit, which may have caused some bleeding. Ryan also noted, “He [Taylor] does have the best smelling breath in the league for any quarterback.” The coach didn't explain how he knows that — but never mind. The takeaway is that a cosmetic rinse may be OK for a quick fix — but when it comes to good oral hygiene, using a therapeutic mouthrinse as a part of your daily routine (along with flossing and brushing) can really step up your game.
If you would like more information about mouthrinses and oral hygiene, contact us or schedule a consultation.