St. Apollonia Dental - Drs. Charles & Yvonne Pearson

Products And Services

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  Dental Implants

  Many of my patients ask me about implants to replace missing teeth and they want to know what options are available. The answer is, of course, “that depends.” There are 2 basic types of implants commonly referred to as conventional implants and mini implants. In this article, we will address the conventional implant. Conventional Dental Implants in Sterling Heights, MIConventional implants are by current terminology any implant equal to or greater than 3.0 mm in diameter, while mini implants are less than 3.0 mm in diameter. The two implant types have distinct differences aside from how wide they are. A conventional implant is made up of several different components. We have the implant body, which is the part that is embedded in the jaw. The implant abutment, which is the peg that sticks up through the gum, and the implant screw, which secures the implant abutment to the implant body (see video). Therefore, there are 3 components in a conventional implant. The implant body is placed into the jaw via a pre-drilled hole that is the exact depth of the implant body being used. The final hole diameter is sequentially arrived at via a series of increasing diameter drills. Once the proper hole has been drilled, the implant body is screwed into it and allowed to heal for 4-6 months. After 4-6 months, the implant is presumed to be “oseo integrated” or one with the bone. It is at this time that the abutment can be screwed on to the implant body and impressions can be made for the prosthesis (crown) that will fit on to the abutment. To recap, a conventional crown is equal to or greater than 3.0 mm in diameter. It is comprised of 3 components, fits into full length pre-drilled holes and takes 4-6 months to heal in most cases. In my next blog, I will address how these characteristics effect their use in treatment.

  Link: Dental Implants

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  Mini Dental Implants

  Those amazing minis! This blog session will deal with small diameter (mini) implants. Mini implants by definition are implants less than 3.0 mm in diameter. I feel this is somewhat of a misnomer as the minis differ from conventional implants in a number of ways. The biggest difference is that they are ONE PIECE implants. There are no screws, abutments, healing caps, etc. that are needed with conventional implants. As such, they are less complicated, require less chair time, and are less expensive to place and restore. Let’s begin by comparing the surgical placement of the mini vs. the conventional. Mini Dental Implants in Sterling Heights, MI | St. Apollonia Dental Placement of a conventional implant requires drilling a hole in the jaw that is the FULL length and roughly the full diameter of the implant. This hole (osteotomy) requires 4-6 months to heal around the implant. The hole for a mini implant is much smaller and only goes half the depth of the implant; think of a self-tapping screw. This results in a tight fit and from a practical standpoint, immediate integration of the implant in most cases. That allows us to take an impression the same day and have final restorations available within weeks as opposed to months. This simple, fast, painless placement procedure is a major advantage of minis. It’s also what makes them less expensive due to less chair time involved. I will expand on mini advantages in my next blog.

  Link: Mini Dental Implants

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  Dental Bridges

  What exactly is a round house bridge? It is a complete set of teeth supported by dental implants. There is no plastic covering the roof of the mouth or any other parts of the mouth. There are 2 types of round house bridges: semi removable and fixed. Semi removable roundhouse bridges can only be removed by the dentist. They are removed at a scheduled checkup appointment, cleaned, and are then put back in place by the dentist. A fixed round house is cemented permanently in place and cannot be removed. This type requires the patient to be more meticulous with their home care, but offers a less bulky restoration and the closest fit to natural teeth. Both prostheses have their benefits and their shortcomings. I will cover more on this in future blogs.

  Link: Dental Bridges

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  Dentures

  Everybody knows what dentures are, but not everybody knows that dentures can be cosmetically engineered using the principles of anthropomorphics to create a beautiful smile. I have seen many denture wearers over the years, new to my office, who presented with one or more of the following deficiencies: Over closed mouth resulting in creases at the corners of the mouth Unsupported lips with the associated wrinkles No visible teeth showing even when smiling Teeth that are too big or too small Midline is off center These deficiencies and others can be eliminated in the vast majority of cases with the proper smile design techniques. Here at St. Apollonia Dental, we apply these cosmetic principles to every set of dentures we make. Another fact that not everybody knows is that dentures don’t have to be loose or hard to chew with. Conventional dentures fit by suction on the upper jaw and by cheek and tongue pressure on the lower jaw. As such, the lower jaw is prone to movement and requires a certain knack, or skill, to keep in place. This is difficult, if not impossible, to master for many people. There is a solution to this. Enter those “amazing minis,” the small diameter implants that can be placed in one day and provide instant stability to a loose denture. The mini implants can be utilized on existing dentures, or incorporated into new dentures. They hold the dentures in place so there is little to no movement. This provides increased chewing efficiency, increased security (dentures that don’t fall out), and improved speech. This simple, painless procedure can be a life changer for those who have struggled with loose or ill fitting dentures. Give us a call for a free consultation if this is something you might be interested in.

  Link: Dentures

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  Cosmetic Dentistry

  So what makes a beautiful smile? Ever wonder what it is or why it is that some people have beautiful teeth? There is, in fact, a science devoted to esthetics known as anthropomorphics. Within the field of anthropomorphics, lie the principles and criteria of what the human eye perceives as attractive. Here at St. Apollonia Dental, we apply anthropomorphic principles to design each patient’s individual smile. Such factors as length and width of the teeth, shade, alignment, and a host of other factors are addressed to arrive at a beautiful and harmonious smile. In most cases, a preview of the final smile can be seen in a temporary, which is later duplicated and applied to the final restorations. In summary, creating a beautiful smile involves more than making changes and “hoping” the changes look good. By taking a systematic and scientific approach, we are able to arrive at a predictable outcome that’s right for you! Contact us today to learn more.

  Link: Cosmetic Dentistry

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  Root Canal Therapy

  “Oh my gosh! I need a root canal!” Ever hear or say that one? Well, you needn’t be terrified of root canals anymore. With today’s modern techniques and materials, root canal therapy is a routine, predictable, and painless procedure. Instruments such as rotary filing systems, electronic root measuring devices, and 3D (CAT Scan) radiographic ability have improved and sped up what was once an arduous, time consuming procedure. So the next time you think or hear “I need an root canal,” fear not and SAVE THAT TOOTH!

  Link: Root Canal Therapy

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  Restorative Dentistry

  When most people think “dentistry,” they are probably thinking restorative dentistry. Restorative dentistry involves: crowns (caps), bridges, fillings, bonding, veneers, and many other ancillary procedures. In essence, restorative dentistry is the backbone of dentistry and as the name implies, involves restoring the damaged teeth back to function. At St. Apollonia Dental, we use the latest in materials, technology, and techniques. That, coupled with gentle, painless anesthetic delivery makes for a winning combination. Come check us out!

  Link: Restorative Dentistry

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  Preventative Dentistry

  Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a condition where salivary output is diminished. There are many different things that can cause dry mouth. These include: dehydration, snoring, mouth breathing, alcohol and tobacco use, certain diseases (e.g. Sjogrens Syndrome and Diabetes), and most commonly, certain prescription drugs. Preventative Dentistry in Sterling Heights, MISaliva is necessary for breaking down food, swallowing, and bathing and cleaning the teeth. In addition, saliva contains certain antibodies and minerals that help fight tooth decay and repair surface damage to the teeth. When salivary flow is inadequate, it leads to such things as difficulty eating and swallowing, bad breath, and increased risk and presence of tooth decay. It is therefore important to take measures to keep your mouth moist and clean. This can be done by cutting out or limiting sugary drinks and candy, frequently sipping water, sugarless gum/mints with Xylitol (a naturally occurring sugar that reduces the levels of decay causing bacteria), over the counter saliva substitute products, fluoride containing products, and regular dental checkups. Sealants Sealants are a way to prevent tooth decay from starting during children’s cavity prone years. It is a tooth colored material that fills in pitted and grooved areas of the teeth and acts as a shield, so the bacteria cannot hide out in those areas and start the decay process. Sealants are placed in the adult back teeth where most cavities are found. It is a quick and painless procedure that does not involve numbing of any areas. Dental plans may cover sealants for children under the age of 18. Contact your dental insurance to find out more information. Bruxism Bruxism is excessive grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw. It can be caused from an abnormal alignment of the teeth, stress or anxiety, snoring/sleep apnea, lifestyle habits (i.e. excessive caffeine, smoking, drinking alcohol and recreational drugs. Also, some anti-anxiety medications can cause it as well). It is also said to be hereditary. It is usually done unconsciously and can lead to tooth/jaw problems. Signs and symptoms include chipped or cracked teeth, overly sensitive teeth, headaches, ear pain, wearing away of tooth structure, facial pain with tense jaw muscles, TMJ (Temporal Mandibular Joint) popping or clicking, or locking of the jaw. It can happen to children and adults. Children, however, usually outgrow this habit when their adult teeth come in. Bruxism can happen during the daytime or nighttime. A customized bite guard is recommended to prevent tooth damage and alleviate any pain. X-Rays (Radiographs) I know a lot of people do not like to have x-rays taken, but it is a necessary tool to aid in your oral health care. Here at St. Apollonia Dental, we use digital x-rays, which are minimal in radiation. These include bitewings, panoramic, and our newest addition, 3D CAT scan x-ray. Bitewings are used to detect tooth decay where we cannot visually see. The early stage of decay is often painless and can go undetected without the x-rays. This can lead to pain, abscesses, and broken teeth just to name a few. A panoramic x-ray gives us an overall view of the bone, roots of the teeth, temporomandibular joints (TMJ), and maxillary sinus cavities. It aids in detecting cysts or tumors that can develop within the bone, abscesses, and TMJ health. It also provides information necessary to evaluate mixed dentition for orthodontic referrals and growth and location of the 3rd molars (wisdom teeth). Our newest addition is the 3D CAT scan x-ray. It gives us invaluable information necessary for implant placement. It also provides us with location of different nerves and hidden pathology such as fractured roots. We recommend yearly bitewings and a panoramic x-ray every 5 years to provide you with the best care and treatment.

  Link: Preventative Dentistry