• (727) 586-2681
  • 1472 Jordan Hills Court, Clearwater, FL 33756

This is How to Prevent Re-Infection of Your Gums After Periodontal Treatment

If you’ve undergone treatment for periodontal (gum) disease, you know how involved it can be, whether your treatment required nonsurgical therapy, surgical therapy or a combination of both.

Following gum surgery or scaling and root planing, a nonsurgical periodontal therapy, plaque and calculus (hardened plaque deposits) are removed and as they heal swollen, red gums finally begin to regain their healthy pink color.

Treatment does not stop there. If it does, there’s a high chance of a re-infection of the gums.

Periodontal maintenance (PM) is important for gum disease patients after treatment. Plaque, a thin film of bacteria and food particles responsible gum disease, continue to grow again on your tooth surfaces as it did before. Diligent, daily brushing and flossing to curb that development.

It is also important to keep up regular dental visits for advanced cleaning to remove hard to reach plaque and calculus. For patients with gum disease it is usually four but for some advanced gum disease patients, six times a year, especially just after treatment. Many of our patients alternate visits for periodontal maintenance between our office and their general dentist so that their periodontal condition is closely monitored, as well as the health of their teeth.

Our goal is to reduce the chances of re-infection. To do this, we’ll thoroughly examine your teeth, gums and any implants for signs of disease (as well as an oral cancer screening). This includes an assessment the health of your teeth and gums and to see how well you’re doing with plaque control and review your recommended customized daily oral hygiene instructions.

Overall, we want to prevent the occurrence of any future disease and treat it as soon as possible if it relapses. Keeping up with homecare and a routine periodontal maintenance schedule will help ensure your gums continue to stay healthy.

If you would like more information on periodontal disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation 727-586-2681.

[iphorm id=”3″ name=”Contact form”]

What do you need to know before visiting a periodontist?

The procedures we perform are very safe and the side effects are usually minimal. Here at Britten Perio, we are proud to use a gentle touch as well as the latest and most trusted techniques and technology. Most patients anticipate severe discomfort after deep periodontal cleanings or surgery, which is generally not true. When necessary, we will give you the medications necessary to reduce swelling, pain, prevent infection, and help keep things clean. Our patients routinely comment that the procedure was not nearly as bad as they imagined.

Remember, the benefits of keeping your own teeth are tremendous and although they might need some work now, the end result will be well worth it!

Some things we always need to know about you when you visit:

Your normal medications and that you will be taking them unless otherwise instructed by
If you are taking aspirin daily
If you are on blood thinners
If you are diabetic or have special diet restrictions
If you have a prosthetic joint less than 2 years old
If you have an artificial heart valve or history or endocarditis
If you have been on bisphosphonates for osteoporosis, longer than 5 years

For more information, visit us at www.brittenperio.com, call us at 727-586-2681 or message us today!

[iphorm id=”3″ name=”Contact form”]

What You Need to Know About Immediate Dental Implant Placement

Immediate dental implants are often necessary due to a non-restorable fracture of a tooth. In some cases, there may be infection associated with the cracked or fractured tooth. The procedure begins with an exam, 2-D and 3-D x-rays. A diagnosis is made and treatment options are discussed. An immediate dental implant is the treatment of choice. Any pre-operative study models that are needed are taken.

Surgical Procedure:  The patient is generally well sedated with either oral or IV sedation. Just like any other procedure, topical anesthetic is applied prior to local anesthesia administration. Impressions of the teeth are taken if necessary prior to the tooth extraction. The fractured tooth is removed very carefully to minimize any damage to any surrounding bone. At the time of surgery, Dr. Britten can determine if immediate implant placement is possible. This is the part you don’t always know until you get there. Additional bone grafting is often necessary to fill the voids between the dental implant and the remainder of the extraction socket. In addition, a membrane, soft-tissue graft or platelet graft (L-PRF) may be used to protect the bone graft.

As an implant specialist, Dr. Britten is highly trained and experienced in the most advanced and current technologies used for long-term implant health and success. He believes in using the best diagnostic tools as well as the highest quality implants in his practice. Dr. Britten works closely with the best restorative dentists in the Tampa Bay area to obtain the best possible outcome for his patients’ implants.  For more information, contact us at 727-586-2681

[iphorm id=”3″ name=”Contact form”]

https://youtu.be/PD6A88Yq8AU

Ouch! Why does my wisdom tooth hurt?

How does a wisdom tooth become infected? What can happen? What can be done? Watch the video with sound for answers to these questions.

Dr. Britten normally refers to an oral surgeon for the extraction of wisdom teeth, unless gum surgery is being performed to treat other areas right next to a problematic wisdom tooth.

We work cohesively with the best dentists, prosthodontists, orthodontists, endodontists, oral surgeons, and pedodontists to provide you with the best care possible. We have a team of dentists that focuses on the area that they are trained and most skilled at and work together to provide the best care. The advantages? We strongly believe you will receive a higher quality of care and better end result.

If you have any questions about wisdom teeth or any aspect of dentistry, contact us today!

[iphorm id=”3″ name=”Contact form”]

727-586-2681

https://youtu.be/EjlOgvraEHU

How scaling and root planing procedures can help treat gum disease

How scaling and root planing procedures can help treat gum diseaseThe human mouth is filled with bacteria.  These bacteria, along with mucous and other particles form a sticky film called plaque is constantly forming and which adheres to the teeth.  This plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing.  When the plaque is allowed to remain on the teeth, the bacteria involved become more harmful, and more difficult to remove, creating an environment that is more toxic to the tissue.  The plaque itself can harden creating a cement like substance (calculus) that cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone.

Your gum tissue does not attach directly to your teeth. There is a space or pocket between the gum and the tooth before it attaches. The pocket gets deeper when plaque, tartar and inflammation are present. This leads to inflammation and gum disease. The gums become irritated and begin to separate from the tooth, creating a periodontal pocket.

The bacteria and infection causing the detachment needs to be addressed.

Scaling and Root Planing

Non Surgical Periodontal Therapy includes a very important option known as scaling and root planing or “a deep cleaning” This is often recommended as the first step in periodontal therapy. Treatment is usually done by one of our hygienists using local anesthesia to provide comfort for the patient as the root surfaces in deep periodontal pockets are debrided to remove calculus or “tartar” and to smooth the root surfaces to remove bacterial toxins. This may take more than one visit with the hygienist and is followed up with a visit with Dr. Britten in four to six weeks to evaluate the periodontal tissues.

https://youtu.be/6-CKhC1_XTo

If you have any questions about gum disease or its treatments, please contact our team or make an appointment. Our incredible staff will give you the best dental care possible.

[iphorm id=”3″ name=”Contact form”]

www.brittenperio.com
727-586-2681

Thanks to sinus augmentation procedures, more patients can reclaim their smile and oral health with dental implants

A sinus augmentation graft procedure makes it possible for many patients to have dental implants when years ago there was no other option besides wearing loose dentures.

An indirect sinus lift is less invasive than a direct sinus augmentation lift and is performed by preparing the bone for the dental implant as normal. Once the floor of the sinus has been reached, bone is gently packed in the preparation and pressed upward. This motion will tent the membrane of the sinus upward and create additional room for the full length of the implant. Care will be taken not to damage the sinus and this procedure will have no effect on sinus pressure or affect people that suffer from seasonal allergies.

Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a periodontal practice offering patients personalized dental care in implant dentistry in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Todd Britten received his Bachelor of Science & Doctorate of Dental Surgery from University of Florida, a Master’s Degree and Certificate in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry; and completed extensive training at the Institute of Advanced Laser Dentistry. He is one of the only board-certified periodontists in Pinellas County. He is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Florida Association of Periodontists, Upper Pinellas County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Research Association and Florida West Coast Dental Association.

To learn more about Dr. Britten and his dental services, call us (727) 586-2681. For more information about sinus augmentation from the American Academy of Periodontics visit https://www.perio.org/consumer/sinus-augmentation

[iphorm id=”3″ name=”Contact form”]

Why Healthy Gums and Braces Go Together

https://youtu.be/poEQjuLPCXE

If you have crooked teeth, you should schedule a visit to your dentist and ask about braces. Your dentist will likely send you to an orthodontist who will explain you in detail all the benefits of the treatment, the risks and the costs involved.

The number one reason people want braces is to have a beautiful smile. But crooked teeth are not only a cosmetic problem. It is also often a health problem.

Misaligned or crooked teeth can cause problems with your bite. Over time, a bad bite can hurt your teeth and gums by causing wear to the enamel, fractured or broken teeth, and contribute to periodontal disease. A bad bite can also  the jaw bone and the TMJ joint. sometimes leading to lots of other medical problems such as headaches or migraines.

In addition, when your teeth are positioned in the correctly in your mouth, this provides the comfort and the ease of being able to clean your teeth properly.

Make sure your gums are as healthy as they can be before orthodontic treament! Your gums are the tissue that help hold your teeth in place. If your gums are not in good shape, the stress of moving your teeth with braces cause him recession, bone loss and also impact tooth stability.

Dr. Todd Britten works cohesively with the orthodontists and general dentists to provide you with the best care possible. This way, you can be seen by a team of dentists that focuses on the area that they are trained and most skilled at and work together to provide the best care.

Please contact us today with any aspect of dentistry that concerns you. Our very knowledgeable staff would be happy to answer your questions! Contact us today 727-586-2681

[iphorm id=”3″ name=”Contact form”]
727-586-2681

The reason many patients have to take antibiotics before their dental visit

What is antibiotic prophylaxis or “premedication” for a dental procedure? How do I know if it applies to me?

Antibiotic prophylaxis, or premedication, refers to giving a patient a loading dose of antibiotics in preparation for a dental surgical procedure, dental hygiene visit or other dental treatment dealing with the teeth or gums. During some dental treatments, bacteria your mouth can enter your bloodstream. In most people, the immune system kills these bacteria. But in some patients, bacteria from the mouth can travel through the bloodstream and cause an infection somewhere else in the body. Antibiotic prophylaxis, or dental premedication may offer these patients extra protection. Patients that normally require antibiotic prophylaxis have fallen under 2 categories: those with joint replacements or certain heart conditions. Some other health issues such as breast implants, brittle diabetics or organ transplant patients may require dental premedication, based on a physician’s recommendations.

Up until 2012, antibiotics were recommended for two years after joint replacement surgery or for a lifetime. Since that time, physicians and dentists have become more concerned about the potential harm of antibiotics including risk for anaphylaxis (allergic reaction), antibiotic resistance, and opportunistic infections such as Clostridium difficile (C-diff) were included in creating the new recommendation.

The 2015 American Dental Association stated that “In general, for patients with prosthetic joint implants, prophylactic antibiotics are NOT recommended prior to dental procedures to prevent prosthetic joint infection.” However, many orthopedic surgeons are still recommended premedication with antibiotics for their patients for 2 years or a lifetime.  In patients with a history of complications associated with their joint replacement surgery, prophylactic antibiotics or premedication with antibiotics should be considered after consultation with the patient and orthopedic surgeon.

If you have a joint replacement and are unsure whether you should premedicate for your dental appointments or not, it is best to contact your orthopedic surgeon to determine what is best for you.

In patients with certain heart conditions, dental premedication is recommended to avoid infective endocarditis.  Infective endocarditis (IE), also called bacterial endocarditis (BE), is defined as an inflammation of the endocardial surface of the heart. Endocarditis generally occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of the body enter and spread through the bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in the heart. If left untreated, endocarditis can damage or destroy the heart valves and can lead to life-threatening complications.

The American Heart Association says that premedication for dental procedures is required for the following conditions:

  • “A prosthetic heart valve or who have had a heart valve repaired with prosthetic material.
  • A history of endocarditis.
  • A heart transplant with abnormal heart valve function.
  • Certain congenital heart defects including:
    • Cyanotic congenital heart disease (birth defects with oxygen levels lower than normal) that has not been fully repaired, including children who have had a surgical shunt and conduits.
    • A congenital heart defect that’s been completely repaired with prosthetic material or a device for the first six months after the repair procedure.
    • Repaired congenital heart disease with residual defects, such as persisting leaks or abnormal flow at or adjacent to a prosthetic patch or prosthetic device.”

Patients that have had stents placed in their hearts or a history of coronary artery bypass surgery no longer require to premedicate with antibiotics prior to dental procedures under the American Heart Association’s guidelines. Numerous scientific evidence concluded that the risk of adverse reactions to antibiotics generally outweighs the benefits of prophylaxis for many patients who would have been considered eligible for prophylaxis in previous guidelines. Concern about the development of drug-resistant bacteria also was a factor for the simplified guidelines.

The 2014 American Dental Association & American College of Cardiology guidelines add that optimal oral health is maintained through regular professional dental care and the use of appropriate dental products, such as manual, powered, and ultrasonic toothbrushes; dental floss; and other plaque-removal devices.

Antibiotic dosage and schedule

  • 1 hour before the procedure to allows the antibiotic to reach adequate blood levels. However, if the dosage of antibiotic is inadvertently not administered before the procedure, the dosage may be administered up to 2 hours after the procedure.
  • Patients not allergic to penicillin: oral amoxicillin 2g (50 mg/kg for children)
  • Patients allergic to penicillin or ampicillin: oral cephalexin 2g (50 mg/kg for children) or clindamycin 600 mg (20 mg/kg for children)

If you have questions about whether you need to premedicate for your dental procedures, we will be happy to answer any questions you may have. It is best to carefully consider this matter with both you and your physician or surgeon and we are always happy to communicate with both.  Contact us today 727-586-2681 with any questions.

The 3 Parts of a Dental Implant

The 3 Main Parts of a Dental Implant

1. The Fixture
The fixture is the bottom of the implant and is the part that is embedded below the gum line, fusing with the jawbone.  It is like the root of the tooth. The fixture is made of titanium and has a cylindrical, screw-shaped design. It is often coated with a material known as hydroxyapatite, which can assist with the process of fusing the implant to the jaw bone. This part is placed first and appropriate healing has to take place before the restorative phase, which includes placing the abutment and crown.
2. The Abutment
The abutment is screwed into the fixture and will eventually hold the actual tooth portion that you see in your mouth. It is a small piece that lies right around the gum line.
3. Implant crown
The crown is cemented or screwed into the abutment. If the prosthesis is a crown or bridge, or snapped onto the abutment if the prosthesis is a bridge or denture.
Dental implants are designed and constructed to be extremely strong and able to last decades, becoming a permanent solution to replace missing or chipped teeth.

If you have any questions about Dental Implants, please contact our team or make an appointment. Our incredible staff will give you the best dental care possible. Contact us today:

727-586-2681.
[iphorm id=”3″ name=”Contact form”]

Book Now

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Contact Us

Back to Blog

appointment

Categories