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

Managing Periodontitis at Home

Studies show power toothbrushes are much more effective at cleaning teeth by removing plaque and stain effectively, particularly for those who have a history of tooth decay, gum disease, difficulty brushing or who have limited manual dexterity. Dr. Britten highly recommends the Sonicare® powerbrush, as it is shaped like a traditional toothbrush head, and aids in effective plaque removal and gum stimulation and massage.
 
Watch this quick video on why Sonicare is such a great brush!
 
Simple Oral Hygiene Tips:
  • Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes.
  • Clean in between your teeth thoroughly to remove harmful bacteria.
  • Replace your brush head every three months for optimal results.
  • Visit the dental office regularly to monitor and address your periodontitis.

Oral Care Recommendations During Orthodontic Treatment

We work with excellent local orthodontists to help keep our patients’ gum health in great shape during orthodontic treatment. From patients who may need tissue grafting to patients with more complex oral health issues such as periodontal disease or dental implants, we work closely with our local specialists to keep our patients’ gums healthy at any age!
 
Tips for maintaining oral health during ortho treatment
 
1. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes. The right tool and technique make all the difference.
 
2. Clean aligners, removable or fixed appliances carefully with your Sonicare.
3. The spaces in between your teeth are home to harmful bacteria, so clean them thoroughly for healthy gums.
 
4. Break up tongue coating before using a therapeutic mouthwash that reduces bacteria responsible for gum disease and bad breath.
 
5. Replace your brush head every three months for optimal results.

Great Oral Health is a Team Effort!

In order to achieve successful treatment results we must work together. Oral health goals are best reached when you, the patient, is actively involved in treatment through excellent compliance!

MORNING

  1. After eating breakfast, brush for at least 2 minutes with your Sonicare Powerbrush using a fluoride toothpaste. (If using Clinpro 5000 prescription Toothpaste: Do not rinse with water; no eating/drinking for 30 minutes)
  2. Clean between your teeth using one or more of the following:  Softpicks (original, advanced/curved, wide), proxabrushes (tight, moderate, wide, extra wide) or unwaxed floss.  If you have bridges or implants, you should also use: Proxysoft Bridge & Implant Floss, GUM EasyThread Floss, or Floss Threaders. You may be instructed to dip your proxabrushes or floss in Peridex (prescription chlorhexidine mouthwash) , Clinpro Toothpaste (prescription fluoride toothpaste) or another over-the-counter antibacterial or fluoride rinse.  *Talk to your dentist or dental hygienist about the ideal interdental aides, prescriptions, toothpaste, or over the counter rinses for you!

MID-DAY (and after meals)

  1. Brush for at least 2 minutes with your Sonicare Powerbrush using a
  2. Perform interproximal care using the above recommended tools

EVENING

  1. After eating & before bedtime, again brush for at least 2 minutes with your Sonicare Powerbrush using a fluoride toothpaste. (If using Clinpro 5000 prescription Toothpaste: Do not rinse with water; Leave Clinpro on teeth all night!)
  2. Clean between your teeth using one or more of the following:  Softpicks (original, advanced/curved, wide), proxabrushes (tight, moderate, wide, extra wide) or unwaxed floss.  If you have bridges or implants, you should also use: Proxysoft Bridge & Implant Floss, GUM EasyThread Floss, or Floss Threaders. You may be instructed to dip your proxabrushes or floss in Peridex (prescription chlorhexidine mouthwash) , Clinpro Toothpaste (prescription fluoride toothpaste) or another over-the-counter antibacterial or fluoride rinse.  *Talk to your dentist or dental hygienist about the ideal interdental aides, prescriptions, toothpaste, or over the counter rinses for you!

OTHER COMMONLY RECOMMENDED SPECIAL TOOLS:
TEPE Compact Tufted Brush: Great for around gumline of all teeth and dental implants, hard to reach surfaces

TEPE Universal Care Brush: Great for under fixed implant appliances, dental implants or hard-to-reach surfaces

Rubbertip stimulator: Use around gumline to remove plaque and tone tissue

COVID Protocols: Updated 11/17/21

We look forward to your visit!  Please review the below information prior to your visit. 

1. Please call us immediately 727-586-2681 or text us at 727-513-6786 if you have any concerns regarding an exposure you had to COVID 19, positive test or any COVID symptoms you have experienced within 2 weeks of your visit.

For more information on COVID symptoms:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

2. Please wear a mask for all common areas in the office. *Please note, CDC and local authorities are still recommending masks in common areas for medical/dental facilities at this time for both vaccinated and unvaccinated personnel and patients*

3. If you prefer to wait in your car, please call to let us know when you have arrived for your appointment  727-586-2681 or text 727-513-6786. Our reception area is now open, but again, masks are STILL required.

Thank you!
Dr. Todd Britten

How 3-D Technology is Revolutionizing Implant Dentistry

Clearwater Periodontist and Dental implant specialist Dr. Todd Britten says he wants to ensure his dental implant patients have the best care possible using the latest technology available. By using advanced 3-D technology, Dr. Britten explains that he is able to obtain and review high-quality images for dental implant planning and even create a 3-D printed surgical guide.

When a patient is ready for a dental implant, Dr. Britten explains the first step is often to take a 3-D CT scan. Dr. Britten said he invested in a scanner that is both comfortable for patients, but provides high quality images at the lowest radiation levels possible. “The PAX-i3D Green is a digital imaging system that provides multiple views of a patient’s jaw and mouth. A 3-D digital scan can now be taken at the same visit in place of a tradition dental impression.” Dr. Britten explains he has a Medit i-700 scanner, making the scanning experience for our patients comfortable and easy. This digital impression can be done at the same visit as the CT scan.

He goes onto explain the patient’s CT scan and Digital Impression are then uploaded to the Dental Laboratory’s sophisticated software program. Dr. Britten plans the implant surgery (deciding on any need for bone grafting, sinus grafting and appropriate implant size and type) as well as a surgical guide to be fabricated by his experienced laboratory clinician.

The Dental Lab then can fabricate the surgical guide with their state-of-the-art 3-D printer. The process usually takes a few weeks, and then the patient is ready for dental implant surgery. Dr. Britten says with 3-D technology and imaging, he can perform dental implant surgeries with confidence, using a precision-crafted 3-D printed Implant Surgical Guide.

      

Quick, Efficient and Confident Implant Planning: 3-D Printed Dental Implant Surgical Guide and CT Scan Technology

We want to ensure that our patients have the best care possible. By using the latest technology, we are able to review high-quality images for dental implant planning and create a 3-D printed surgical guide.

Step 1: CT Scan taken in our office

Our patients deserve the best service we can offer and that is why we invest only in the finest technology.

The PAX-i3D Green is a digital imaging system that provides multiple views of a patient’s jaw and mouth (called a Cone Beam CT Scan).

 

Step 2:  Digital Scan

In place of a tradition dental impression, Dr. Britten uses a Medit  i-700 scanner to take a digital 3-D impression for the surgical guide. This can be done at the same visit as the CT scan!

Step 3:  Planning the Surgery 

Your CT scan and Digital Impression are uploaded to the Dental Laboratory’s sophisticated software program. Dr. Britten plans your implant surgery and  surgical guide along with an experienced laboratory clinician.

Step 4:  3-D Printed Surgical Guide

Our Dental Lab will fabricate the surgical guide with their state-of-the-art 3-D printer. We usually receive your surgical implant guide in four weeks from the time the digital impression and CT scan is completed in our office.

Step 5: Dental implant surgery

Dr. Britten can perform your dental implant surgery with confidence, using a precision-crafted Scan Implant Surgical Guide. This ensures the highest degree of safety and accuracy of the implant placement.

How to care for your dental implants with Bridge and Implant Floss

Care for your dental implants just as well as you would care for your natural teeth. Thorough oral hygiene is necessary to prevent diseases to develop around the implants. With proper home care and regular professional maintenance, you can make your new teeth last throughout life.

 
Flossing around implants works best using a thicker and flexible floss. Implant floss has stiff plastic ends for easy insertion.
 
We like Bridge & Implant Floss made by Proxysoft (www.proxysoft.com or available on Amazon.com) for many of our patients, or if you have a very narrow area around the implants, Gum Easy Thread Floss (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KPZWBR9/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_E86WAFHF5MXSRWDMN0VQ) is a great product!
 
Sometimes it can be hard to see where the implant is, so remember to ask your dental professional exactly where your implants are placed and which floss is best for you.

How to Care for Your Dental Implants: TEPE Universal Care

Care for your dental implants just as well as you would care for your natural teeth. Thorough oral hygiene is necessary to prevent diseases to develop around the implants. With proper home care and regular professional maintenance, you can make your new teeth last throughout life. There are various types of implants which may need different home care.
 
Mucositis (gum inflammation around implants) and peri-implantitis (bone-loss around implants) is caused by dental plaque. Therefore, it is important to clean all implant surfaces, especially between implants and the adjacent tooth. Pay extra attention to the areas where gums and implant meet. Sometimes this can be hard to see where the implant is, so remember to ask your dental professional exactly where your implants are placed. In case of pain or suspected inflammation, a dental professional should be consulted as well.
 
Watch This Helpful Video about how to use one of our favorite products for implants. And don’t forget to use fuzzy dental floss or interdental brushes to clean in between your implants! Check our blog for other articles on how to use implant floss and proxabrushes around implants!

How to Care for Dental Implants: Interdental Brushes

Care for your dental implants just as well as you would care for your natural teeth. Thorough oral hygiene is necessary to prevent diseases to develop around the implants. With proper home care and regular professional maintenance, you can make your new teeth last throughout life. There are various types of implants which may need different home care.

TePe offers a range of products to make cleaning easier. Your dental professional will help you choose the products to suit your particular needs and preferences.

Mucositis (gum inflammation around implants) and peri-implantitis (bone-loss around implants) is caused by dental plaque. Therefore, it is important to clean all implant surfaces, especially between implants and the adjacent tooth. Pay extra attention to the areas where gums and implant meet. Sometimes this can be hard to see where the implant is, so remember to ask your dental professional exactly where your implants are placed. In case of pain or suspected inflammation, a dental professional should be consulted as well.

Products We Love: TePe Universal Care Brush

The TePe Universal Care brush has a unique contra-angled handle to enable easy access for hard-to-reach areas and a slim brush head design to fit in narrow areas. It is optimal for implants, under bridges, retroclined teeth, lingual braces or retainer, tongue-side lower molars to prevent gag reflex.

Available on Amazon.com or TePe.com.

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