Save Your Tooth Month

May is designated as “Save Your Tooth Month.” At Smileboston, we are taking the opportunity to emphasize the significance of saving damaged or exposed teeth.

Why is it important to save a tooth?

Although you may not “see” a missing tooth, especially towards the back of your mouth, an open space can lead to various problems, including:

• Difficulty eating and drinking
• Speaking issues, including a lisp
• Remaining teeth shifting out of alignment to fill the gap
• Collapse of the empty tooth socket
• Deterioration of the jawbone where the tooth was lost

When to Question Saving or Extracting a Tooth

• Extensive fillings
• Tooth fracture
• Substantial gum recession

Gum Recession and Tooth Loss

Receding gums, when the roots of the teeth are exposed, can often lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Causes of gum recession include gum disease (including gingivitis and periodontitis), traumatic injury, aging, various medications, and orthodontic treatments. As the gums recede, the exposed roots of the teeth become susceptible to cavities and infection. They may also loosen in their sockets or develop root canal infections.

The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Procedure

In most cases, the Chao Pinhole Technique, developed by Dr. John Chao, is a successful treatment for gum recession. Pinhole is a groundbreaking procedure to reposition receding gums. This innovative method involves creating a small hole in the gums, above or below the area of recession, through which specialized dental tools are used to gently guide the gums back into place over the tooth root.

During the Pinhole procedure, a tiny hole is made in the gums above the area of recession. Drs. Steven D. Spitz, Russell H. Taylor or Miguel Roque then uses specialized dental tools to gently guide the gums back into place over the tooth root. Collagen is added to encourage the gum tissue to bond to the root. Healing is quicker, with no need for painful grafting.

Benefits of the Pinhole Technique:

• Non-invasive; no painful grafting of skin from other areas of your mouth
• Fewer side effects; minimized bleeding, swelling, and gum pain
• Same-day cosmetic improvement
• Incision and suture-free
• Quick recovery: pain-free by the time you leave the office
• One visit can treat multiple areas of recession

Dental Implants: An Option When a Tooth Can’t be Saved

Our goal at Smileboston is to save a tooth when possible. Keeping your natural teeth is always the goal for optimal oral health. However, when saving the tooth isn’t feasible, replacing it with a dental implant is the best option.

Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that mimics the natural tooth, replacing both the visible portion of the tooth and the root. The tooth’s root is crucial for oral health, stimulating the surrounding bone, preserving bone integrity, and preventing deterioration that can lead to a sunken appearance. The root also provides a stable foundation for the crown or dental prosthesis that replaces the visible portion of a missing tooth, ensuring your new tooth is as functional and comfortable as your natural teeth.

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Prevents jawbone deterioration
• Provides a stable foundation for dental restorations
• Keeps remaining natural teeth from shifting out of place
• Restores full bite force
• Dental implant restorations never shift, pinch, or click, unlike dentures
• Ability to eat the foods you love without restriction
• Dental implants are permanent, so you don’t have to worry about losing or breaking them

Questions About Tooth Loss? We Can Help

If you believe you may have gum disease, puffy, bleeding gums, or loose teeth, meeting Drs. Steven D. Spitz, Russell H. Taylor or Miguel Roque for early intervention may save your natural teeth. We can discuss the dental implant process and help you choose the best tooth replacement plan for your lifestyle if other options are necessary. Call Smileboston at Smileboston Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry office Phone Number 617-277-4100 to Save Your Teeth.