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

clearwater dental implants

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!

Replacing a missing tooth with a fixed bridge requires preparation of at least one of the adjacent teeth on each side for a crown. It is important to still care for the teeth on each side of the bridge to prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay. This will require careful plaque control with brushing, using a floss threader under the bridge, and sometimes the addition of a rubbertip stimulator to clean under the margins of the abutment teeth (the teeth supporting the bridge which will now have full coverage restorations cemented on them).

Sometimes a bridge is the best option for a replacement of a missing tooth, but other options include a dental implant, which will not include reducing the structure of any other teeth, or a removable appliance, or partial denture. For more information, contact us at 727-586-2681 www.brittenperio.com

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Dental implant placement: Implants are versatile. If you are missing only one tooth, one implant plus one replacement tooth will do the trick. If you are missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a permanent bridge (a set of replacement teeth). Similarly, if you have lost all of your teeth, a full bridge or full denture can be permanently fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of 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

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Dr. Todd Britten is happy to announce that we are using Platelet Concentrates (L-PRF, or Leukocyte-Platelet Rich Fibrin) to promote healing in dental procedures.

L-PRF treatments are often used for greater success for necessary procedures for dental implant placement, including socket bone grafts, sinus lifts, ridge augmentation, correcting peri-implantitis, block bone grafts and extraction sites prior to implant placement.L-PRF technology is used to quicken the healing process and is completely safe. Disease transmission is not a factor since blood is drawn from a patient’s own body.  Most patients report a greater degree of comfort during healing even immediately after their procedure. The amount of blood needed is minimal and can be collected easily.

Healing From Within With L-PRF

  • Only requires a small blood sample – Virtually painless!
  • 100% natural, 100% you –
  • No additives, chemicals, or foreign substances – Lowered risk for complications
  • Contains your unique healing properties – Promotes Recovery!
  • Simple procedure – FDA Cleared

Tooth loss and damage to the jaw bone and tissues are often challenging for your dentist during oral surgery or implant placement. Without enough support in the jawbone, dental implants cannot be immediately stabilized and tissue healing can be a long process. The solution to these and other difficult situations is a new Platelet Therapy created from your own blood. Leukocyte –Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) changes all the rules as it promotes healing and bone growth from within your own body. Unlike other treatments that use artificial components, Platelet Therapy with L-PRF uses only your own blood. With a simple blood draw and an advanced technology protocol, L-PRF is individually made for you – from you. The end results are improved healing response and significantly less recovery time.

L-PRF™ is basically a bioactive “band-aid” that is created from your own blood and then placed in your surgery sites to promote healing. A sample of your blood is collected in a tube, just as it would be for a blood test. The dentist then uses the unique IntraSpin™ System to separate and concentrate certain important cells and active proteins by spinning your own blood in a dedicated centrifuge. After a fast preparation the bioactive clot, created just from your own blood, is now ideal for your procedure. After your L-PRF is created, it can be placed directly in/on surgical sites to immediately promote healing. When placed in surgery sites, L-PRF releases your body’s own natural healing proteins, creating a more efficient network for cells to enhance the healing process. Depending on your situation, the doctor may supplement your L-PRF clot with different biomaterials customized for your needs. For patients with significant bone loss, a combination of L-PRF and bone growth material may also be used to promote natural bone regeneration.

The therapy is 100% natural and additive-free. Natural growth factors present in your body are concentrated using L-PRF. Your own concentrated platelets and other key blood cells and their unique healing abilities are simply re-introduced at the site of your surgical procedure. As a result, your own body releases powerful healing proteins, and creates a scaffold for healing.

If you have any questions about treatment with platelet rich fibrin/plasma or would like to find out if you can benefit from this treatment, please contact us at 727-586-2681.

“On Wednesday’s we wear pink!”

(Dr. Britten and his surgical assistants in their pink surgical gowns!)

It is Breast Cancer Awareness month and in honor of those fighting or who have fought this disease as a patient or a support system we will wear pink.

We will also be donating $5 for every patient we see on Wednesday’s to The American Cancer Society.

Our office is participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in St. Pete on Saturday, October 14th. To Donate our join our team, contact us!

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This week we also gave our patient chocolate whoopie pies in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month! These were made by our friend Stacey at The Sweet Life Bakery http://www.thesweetlife-bakery.com/

Smoking is notoriously dangerous to your health. While the health risks of smoking are well known, you may be surprised to learn that smoking can dramatically impact the health and condition of your teeth and gums. Smoking can aggravate some of the most common oral health problems such as bad breath or gum disease and is a risk factor for oral cancer.

Periodontal Disease

While gum disease can be present for a variety of reasons, smoking can dramatically worsen its symptoms. If a person smokes, he or she may be much more likely to develop tartar buildup, bleeding gums, and other symptoms associated with periodontal disease. When your dentist spots the early signs of gum disease in your smile, quitting smoking can help to slow down the progression of your symptoms.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is another serious health concern that is associated with tobacco use. A person who uses tobacco will be at much greater risk of developing oral cancer in his or her lifetime. Smoking during cancer treatment can also lead to the spread of cancer cells to the throat, larynx, or other areas of the mouth. Even smokeless tobacco products have been determined to contribute to the growth of cancer cells in certain patients.

Implant Issues

A person who smokes is also at risk of experiencing issues with his or her dental implants. Dental implants are used to replace broken or missing teeth. Since smoking can contribute to bone loss and other oral health problems, a dental implant may fail when it is placed in the mouth of a person who smokes.

Dr. Todd Britten can address any concerns that you may have about smoking and your oral health. Call us today 727-586-2681.
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While regular brushing, flossing, and checkups allow many of us to maintain our natural smiles for a lifetime, sometimes our teeth just can’t keep up. If you’ve lost a tooth (or a few teeth) due to injury or disease, dental implants can rejuvenate both your smile and your oral health.

An implant is a synthetic tooth root in the shape of a post that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The “root” is usually made of titanium (the same material used in many replacement hips and knees), a metal that is well suited to pairing with human bone. A replacement tooth is then fixed to the post. The tooth can be either permanently attached or removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.

The ideal candidate for implants is a non­-smoker who has good oral health, including a sufficient amount of bone in the jaw and healthy gums with no sign of gum disease.

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

On February 16th, we had the pleasure of hosting a seminar “Periodontal Maintenance of Dental Implants” with many local dental professionals. Dental implants have become the standard of excellence in tooth replacement. As is the case with natural teeth, patients and their dental professionals must work as a team to ensure the longevity of their dental implant.

Our educational seminar discussed the latest techniques and technologies available to help dental professionals monitor maintain the health of their patients’ dental implants. The seminar reviewed how dental professionals can help their patients achieve long-term implant health through state of the art monitoring techniques, regular professional dental hygiene care and patient oral hygiene education. It also reviewed fixtures of the many different implant systems (old and new) that exist as well as the most accepted and current methods of patient and professional maintenance.

Dental professionals realize that there are many variations of dental implant designs available, and an ever-increasing population of patients living with dental implants. As an expert in dental implant placement and dental implant health, Dr. Britten felt was important to share with his colleagues and their teams a continuing education course specific to dental implant care. “Dental implants are complex, sophisticated dental devices, and it is important that we as implant experts continuously stay educated on modern monitoring methods.” – Dr. Todd Britten

Dr. Gregory Oxford, a periodontist of 34 years and one of Dr. Britten’s professors at University of Florida and Dentsply-Sirona, a leader in dental products and the dental implant system Ankylos, partnered with Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry to provide a great continuing education course. The event was catered by Stephanie and Allie with Empamamas Food Truck. The food and service were spectacular! The Sweet Life Bakery even provided dental themed cookies for the event. So as always, we partnered learning with some food and some good food!

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