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

clearwater periodontist

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.

Periodontal Disease May Be More Serious Than You Realize

A silent disease.

With periodontal disease, you may not feel any discomfort. You may not notice any symptoms. But treating periodontal disease quickly is of the utmost importance.
 
With proper diagnosis and professional instruction from a dentist, you can protect your pearly whites for years to come.
 
Do you think you’re suffering from periodontal disease? Or has it been years since your last checkup?
Then please schedule an appointment with your dentist or periodontist ASAP! #brittenperio #clearwaterperiodontist

How Periodontal Disease Can Progress

Bacteria in our mouths are constantly creating plaque. If bacterial plaque on the teeth isn’t removed, the gums can become infected and inflamed.
 
– Plaque builds up and gum tissue becomes infected. Redness, tenderness, swelling and bleeding may occur, but are not always present.
 
-Pockets deepen between teeth and gums. Gums pull away from the teeth while bacteria begin to damage supporting structures.
 
-Infection spreads around teeth. Bones, gums, and connective tissue can be permanently damaged, and teeth may need to be removed.
If you think that you may be suffering from early, moderate or severe periodontal disease, contact your dental professional ASAP!

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

Why Choose a Dental Implant Specialist

Dental Implants, explained:
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.

Implants often require planning through the use of CT scans performed in our office, or surgical implant guides, such as the one shown in this video.

When it comes to Dental Implants, Why Choose a Specialist?
We get this question a lot, especially since a lot of general dentists are starting to place more implants. Placing dental implants is often not part of the normal general dentist curriculum. Many general dentists received their training in implant dentistry after graduation where they attend weekend courses or classes and get to place around twenty implants before they begin to implement implant placement in their office.

A graduate periodontal program or residency includes three years of training beyond dental school. During that time periodontal residents are taught the history, science, healing, and proper placement and management of dental implants. An average periodontal resident will place upwards of 100 dental implants during their residency, and are trained to manage surgical complications, including, bleeding, infection, and bone grafting procedures to enhance the success of the procedure.  Because of their advanced training, periodontists are often more equipped to provide the success and deal with the complications that may arise when evaluating a patient for implant placement.

Dental implants may be the best choice for an individual whose gum disease has reached the point of infection that can not be treated, and periodontists are the most highly-trained specialist for treatment of gum disease.

Periodontists are also highly trained in the following procedures and skills:

  • Removing infection from the implant site – removing infection is one of the most important steps of a dental implant procedure. If an implant becomes infected, the patient may experience extreme levels of pain. Periodontists are able to adequately prepare and treat periodontal disease prior to the implant procedure.
  • Implant site monitoring – periodontists are also able to monitor the implant site following the procedure. They are able to recognize any signs of infection, if the implants are successful in integration, and any other issues that may arise with the implant itself.
  • 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.

NEW STUDY LINKS GUM DISEASE AND COVID‐19 COMPLICATIONS

A team of international researchers published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology this month stating that patients with Gum Disease are more likely to have severe complications from COVID-19. 568 patients were studied and those with periodontitis – the most severe form of gum disease – were more likely to experience COVID‐19 complications. These complications included including death, ICU admission, and the need for assisted ventilation.

Dr. Todd Britten, a periodontist in Clearwater, Florida says that this study reinforces what he tells his patients every day – Oral health is extremely important for overall health. “This study, showing that patients with gum disease are at least three times more likely to have severe complications from the COVID-19 virus, shows us that treating and controlling periodontal disease remains extremely important, even in a pandemic.”

Dr. Britten stressed this study shows patients should still continue to see their periodontist or dentist. “Depending on your needs, your dentist or periodontist can treat gum disease infection through surgical or non-surgical therapy.” Dr. Todd Britten also said it is crucial that patients also keep dental hygiene cleaning visits to prevent gum disease and for those who have been treated for gum disease in the past stay on a 3 or 4 month schedule with their dental hygienist to avoid periodontal reinfection.

The findings also show the importance of good oral hygiene care at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, says Dr. Britten. According to the Academy of Periodontics, the nation’s leading organization of periodontists, “systemic inflammation is not only linked with periodontal disease, but to several other respiratory diseases as well.” Dr. James G. Wilson, President of the AAP states that this study linking periodontitis and COVID-19 complications, “Therefore, maintaining healthy teeth and gums in an effort to avoid developing or worsening periodontal disease is absolutely crucial in the midst of a global pandemic like COVID-19, which is also known to trigger an inflammatory response.” Dr. Britten states he emphatically agrees with the AAP.

What are common signs and symptoms of periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is often silent, meaning symptoms – particularly pain – may not appear until an advanced stage of the disease. However, you should still be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms, which include:

Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or when eating certain foods
Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
Loose or separating teeth
Pus between your gums and teeth
Sores in your mouth
Persistent bad breath
A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
A change in the fit of partial dentures
If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to contact your dentist or periodontist right away!

-Perio.org

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,

Is a topical antibiotic treatment necessary in conjunction to scaling and root planing?

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, topical antibiotic treatment may be used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing. Every person has different needs based on their particular situation, so be sure to talk to your dental professional about using these antibiotics as part of your course of treatment; he or she will determine if they are a good fit for you.

–Perio.Org

Book Now

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Contact Us

Back to Blog

appointment

Categories