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britten periodontics

Dental implant compared to a natural tooth, showing how implants replace missing teeth and restore chewing function, featuring the Britten Periodontics and Implant Dentistry logo.

Dental Implants 101: A Clear Guide for Patients

If you’re missing teeth, dental implants can restore function and confidence without relying on neighboring teeth for support. They feel secure because they replace the tooth root, not just the visible crown. So, you can chew, smile, and talk with more ease.

How Implants Work

An implant is a small post placed in the jawbone. After placement, the bone bonds with it during healing. Then a custom crown attaches on top. Unlike a bridge, an implant stands on its own. Therefore, you avoid shaving down healthy teeth to hold a replacement.

Who Makes a Good Candidate

Healthy gums and adequate bone support matter. However, many patients still qualify even if they have bone loss, because bone grafting can rebuild the area. In addition, medical conditions like diabetes do not automatically disqualify you, but they do require thoughtful planning. Meanwhile, smoking can slow healing, so your periodontist may recommend quitting or reducing use before treatment.

What to Expect During the Process

First, you’ll get imaging and a detailed exam. Next, your provider plans the placement for stability and aesthetics. After surgery, healing time varies, but most people manage well with simple aftercare and follow-ups. Finally, the crown is placed to match your smile.

With proper hygiene and routine maintenance, implants can last many years. As a result, they often become a “one-and-done” solution compared to options that need frequent replacement. If you want a long-term tooth replacement, ask Britten Perio about dental implants and a personalized plan.

Scaling and root planing procedure shown cleaning below the gumline to remove tartar and bacteria, from Britten Periodontics

Scaling and Root Planing: What It Is and Why It Helps

If your dentist recommended scaling and root planing, you’re not alone. This treatment sounds intense, but it’s simply a thorough cleaning that targets bacteria and tartar below the gumline. Think of it as pressing “reset” on irritated gums so they can heal.

Why a Regular Cleaning Isn’t Enough

A standard cleaning focuses on areas you can see and reach more easily. However, gum disease creates deeper pockets where bacteria hide. Over time, that buildup irritates the tissue and can damage the bone supporting your teeth. Therefore, a deeper approach helps stop the cycle before it gets worse.

What Happens During the Appointment

Your provider numbs the area so you stay comfortable. Then they remove tartar from above and below the gums and smooth the root surfaces. That smoothing matters because bacteria love rough surfaces. Meanwhile, you may get the treatment in sections, depending on how many areas need attention.

Recovery and Aftercare Tips

Afterward, you might notice mild soreness or sensitivity for a few days. So stick with gentle brushing and careful flossing. In addition, use any prescribed rinse or medication exactly as directed. Also, keep your follow-up visits, because healing gums need monitoring.

Most patients return to normal activities quickly. As a result, this treatment often reduces bleeding, swelling, and bad breath within weeks. If you want a clearer timeline and a plan that fits your mouth, a periodontal evaluation helps. At Britten Perio, we pair treatment with a maintenance schedule so you keep results long-term. Ultimately, scaling and root planing can be a turning point for healthier gums.

Diagram showing how gum disease progresses, starting with plaque buildup and advancing to bone loss and tooth loss.

How Gum Disease Progresses: Stages and Warning Signs

This animation shows what happens beneath the surface when periodontal (gum) disease is left untreated.

How Gum Disease Develops Step by Step

Many people feel shocked when they hear they have gum disease, especially if nothing hurts. Understanding how gum disease develops helps explain why early care matters so much and why waiting can cost you teeth.

It Starts With Plaque and Bacteria

Plaque forms on teeth every day. When it sits along the gumline, bacteria multiply quickly. At first, brushing and flossing may cause mild bleeding. However, this early warning often goes ignored. As plaque hardens into tartar, it becomes harder to remove with home care alone.

Inflammation Creates Hidden Damage

Next, inflammation sets in. The gums begin to swell and pull away from the teeth, forming small pockets. These pockets trap more bacteria, which makes cleaning even harder. Meanwhile, the infection moves deeper below the surface, even though you may not feel pain.

Bone and Tissue Begin to Break Down

Over time, the pockets deepen as the supporting bone and tissue break down. As a result, teeth lose the foundation that keeps them stable. Chewing may feel different, teeth may shift, and sensitivity can increase. Eventually, the tooth becomes loose.

Tooth Loss Is the Final Stage

Without treatment, the tooth can no longer stay in place and may fall out or need removal. This progression often happens quietly, which is why gum disease gets called a silent problem.

The good news is that early diagnosis can change the outcome. With non-surgical periodontal therapy, regular periodontal maintenance visits, and consistent home care, this process can often slow or stop. Knowing how gum disease develops empowers you to act before permanent damage occurs. Prevention and early care protect your smile long-term.

Britten Periodontics team sponsoring Clearwater community event

Clearwater Periodontist to Hold 7th Annual Veteran’s Day Event

Dr. Todd M. Britten and the team at Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is gearing up for their 7th annual Free Dental Day for Veterans. The event is scheduled for November 12, 2021.

“Veterans make the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Dr. Todd Britten. “Many of us ask ourselves, ‘What can we do?’, ‘How can we make a difference?’” Dr. Britten said that is exactly what he asked himself in 2015. “I am aware that dental coverage for veterans was very hard to attain, so we hit the ground running trying to deliver periodontal care to as many veterans as we could.”

The inaugural year of this event was 2014 for the the Clearwater, Florida based periodontal practice. Many others in the community have helped out each year since then. Dr. Britten stated, “Having local dentists involved enables us to provide more comprehensive care to our veterans. Being a periodontist, my specialty is really the surrounding structures of the teeth; roots, gum and bone. My job is to help with the foundation. Having restorative specialists involved helps us to treat the whole mouth and really deliver comprehensive care to these veterans.”

“This year’s event filled up right away again!” Said a staff member at Britten Periodontics. “We look forward to greeting veteran’s, old firends and new, for this year’s event.”

Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a periodontal practice offering patients personalized dental care in implant dentistry in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Todd Britten offers sedation dentistry. For more information, visit https://brittenperio.com

Britten Periodontics family Dr. Todd Britten Clearwater, FL

Reflecting on 2020: A Letter From Dr. Britten

Dear Patients,

The holiday season is once again upon us.  As we reflect upon this year, I’d like to acknowledge how grateful I am for all our patients, my team, our extraordinary colleagues and our community.

We hope you know how much we cherish the opportunity to treat you, our patients.  2020 has been a time like no other in our lives. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to produce uncertainty and stress. By now, we have all been impacted by this virus, which has been devastating for many. Despite the challenges we are all facing every day, this is also a time that is bringing out the best in many people—from healthcare staff and first responders fighting on the front-lines, to the essential workers providing food, products and services.

Our number one priority has always been to keep our patients & team safe and protected. We have implemented additional rigorous cleaning and hygiene protocols throughout our facilities and are practicing other safety precautions including social distancing, daily screening, increased personal protective equipment (PPE) for all clinical and non-clinical staff and temperature checks daily.

The strength, restless sacrifice, compassion around us, and the level to which our team, colleagues, patients and community have come together through this pandemic has been extraordinary and inspiring. Because of this, we will emerge from this much stronger and more resilient in the future.

Thank you for continuing to help us with our community outreach again this year with our Metropolitan Ministries food drives, our annual Free Dental Day for Veterans, breast cancer awareness month, and building with Habitat for Humanity.

Most importantly, I want to take this opportunity to let you know how grateful I am for the support and confidence you have shown in allowing us to provide your periodontal care.  Many of you have also referred your family, friends and colleagues.  I want to express my deep gratitude to you, as I consider your referrals to be the greatest acknowledgment of our team’s vision and values!

We are all in this together. We are always here to assist you, and we encourage you to reach out at any time. In the meantime, please stay safe and healthy, and thank you again for all you are doing in the fight to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.

I would like to extend my warmest wishes to you, your staff and family for a joyous holiday season.  I wish you a healthy, prosperous and safe New Year.

With warmest regards,

Clearwater, FL

What does it mean to have healthy gums

The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to brush and clean between your teeth effectively every day. Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings every 3 or 4 or 6 months are also an important part of maintaining periodontal health; the instruments and techniques used in these cleanings can reach into areas that your toothbrush and floss can’t.

It is also possible to detect early forms of gum disease by evaluating your gingival (gum) tissues, both visually and by examining their attachment levels to the teeth. And the health of your tooth-supporting bone can be assessed by taking dental radiographs (x-rays pictures).

There are other steps you can take: Eating right, reducing stress in your life, and giving up unhealthy habits like smoking will also help ensure that you keep your teeth for a lifetime.

Watch this video about Healthy Gums from Spear Education

https://spearedu.co/gWHjot0

Educational graphic on periodontal disease treatment by Britten Periodontics in Clearwater, Florida

Lack of Posterior (Back Teeth) and Splaying of the Front Teeth

When a patient has lost too many back teeth and not replaced them, excess pressure and trauma from increased forces of a person’s bite are placed on their front teeth. These forces are meant to be distributed on the stronger, wider and larger back teeth and can cause the forward shifting, or splaying of front teeth. This can cause periodontal, orthodontic and sometimes even restorative issues for these teeth.

For any questions about your periodontal issues or regarding replacing missing teeth, contact us:

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Breakthrough laser procedure to preserve dental implants offered by Britten Periodontics, Clearwater periodontist Dr. Todd Britten.

Breakthrough laser procedure to save dental implants

Dental implants are a great way to give you a beautiful and functional smile, they are not without limitations. Some patients could experience swelling or infection around their implants, which is known as peri-implantitis.

If you noticed a change in your implants, Dr. Todd Britten can provide a breakthrough procedure following the LAPIP® protocol.

How the Procedure Works

This procedure is minimally invasive, due to the use of cutting-edge, gentle laser technology. This allows Dr. Britten to treat peri-implantitis without the need for incisions. During the procedure, our state-of-the-art PerioLase laser targets the inflamed area of the gum tissue and eliminates harmful bacteria and infection that has developed. There is no need to worry about an extensive recovery period, sutures or any incisions.

The importance of eliminating unhealthy tissue

Even though dental implants are a great option for patients who have lost their teeth due to periodontal disease, the disease can still continue even around dental implants.

It is essential that diseased implants receive proper treatment as soon as possible to protect these implants, other teeth, bone structure and oral health.

If you think your gums might be inflamed around your dental implants, schedule an appointment with us today. Contact us today to learn more about the LAPIP® protocol and its many benefits to you and your oral health.

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www.brittenperio.com

Britten Periodontics team participating in community involvement and outreach events in Clearwater, Florida.

4th Annual Veterans Day Event

Dr. Todd M. Britten and the team at Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry held their 4th annual Free Dental Day for Veterans on November 9, 2018. The team at Britten Periodontics had overwhelming offers to help from many dental professionals in the community willing to donate their time and resources to provide free dental care. This year’s event was assisted by local family dentists and restorative specialists Dr. Jeffrey Ellenberg and Dr. Michael Podlusky. “Having local dentists involved enables us to provide more comprehensive care to our veterans,” Dr. Todd Britten said.

“The Community Dental Clinic in Clearwater helped us to coordinate this year’s event. We are so happy to help provide care for their patients who need to see a periodontist,” said one of Dr. Britten’s team members. “Once again this year, with the help of our restorative dentists, we were able to provide extractions, full dentures, fillings, dental implants, dental cleanings, x-rays and exams,” said another team member.

Air Force Veteran John Fallon was looking forward to his new smile, provided by Dr. Michael Podlusky who practices in Largo, Florida.  When asked what the dental care provided by this event means to him, Fallon said, “Going out more, being able to talk to people and not running away because I get self-conscious with no teeth.”

Dr. Jeffrey Ellenberg of Clearwater, Florida, was helping in the care of Navy Veteran Ernest Bach. Bach said, “This Veteran’s Day is very special to me specifically because of the generosity of the dentists who are donating their time and talents to give this veteran a new perspective and the ability to socialize and participate as I once used to!”

Check out the Video here:

https://youtu.be/S82xHdxBEnQ

Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a periodontal practice offering patients personalized dental care in implant dentistry in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Todd Britten offers sedation dentistry, which can be very helpful for those needing advanced treatment, suffer from PTSD or have a fear of the dentist. For more information, contact us today:

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Tips for managing chronic dry mouth from Britten Periodontics to improve oral comfort and health.

What you need to know about chronic dry mouth

Have you ever noticed bad breath due to dry mouth?

Do you experience pain or discomfort from dry mouth?

Have you had changes in your oral health – like sudden decay or worsened gum disease?

Do you get sores in your mouth or on your tongue frequently?

Does your dry mouth interfere with your sleep?

Do you avoid certain foods because they are too difficult to eat with dry mouth?

Do you have trouble swallowing due to thick mucus?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, be sure to ask your dentist about dry mouth.  Chronic dry mouth is a condition that can be painful, or even unnoticed by a patient sometimes because they have gotten used to living with the discomfort or incovenience of choronic dry mouth.  It can occur due to medicine, medical conditions, or even lifestyle choices.  It can lead to significant oral health issues like cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, or problems eating or wearing dentures.

 We have also found in our practice that different remedies help different patients combat chronic dry mouth. Here are some possible suggestions and options for patients with dry mouth:
1. Some patients find comfort from carrying water with them throughout the day and taking small sips.  Cold water may help soothe and calm fiery red tissues. For those without high blood pressure or an adversion to sodium, you can mix a pinch of baking soda in their water and swish and spit this mixture out throughout the day. Baking soda is alkalizing and can protect from decay.
2. A combination of over the counter Biotene products (gels, rinses, sprays, lozenges) used 5 times a day (A combination and routine of these products can usually be recommended by your dental health professional).  Many patients find Biotene Gel to be extremely comforting to their dry oral tissues, especially before bed time.  Patients using C-Pap appliances should use an oral gel as these devices often blow air which aggravates this condition greatly.
3. There is a product available via prescription called Neutrasal. Neutrasal works like saliva to help restore a healthy mouth. A powder pack is mixed and dissolved in one ounce of water, and swished for 1 minute before spitting.  It can be used 2 to 10 times a day, depending on what your dental health care provider recommends, and you should avoid eating or drinking for at least 15 minutes after use.
4. PerioSciences’ Anti-Oxidant Gel can also be helpful for our patients suffering from dry mouth.
5. Many patients with dry mouth should be on a strict caries prevention program, which can include prescription toothpaste, rinse, gel, trays, or in-office treatments.  Calcium and phosphate are often included in some of these products, which are minerals that help rebuild weakened enamel.
For more information, call us today at 727-586-2681 or visit our website at www.brittenperio.com
Dr. Britten, your dentist, or dental hygienist will review the cause of dry mouth, as well as your risks for periodontal disease or tooth decay.
Talk to your dentist about your dry mouth symptoms to see which dry mouth treatment is best for you!

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