Gibson Dental Designs- Patient Information

Patient Information

Gibson Dental Designs is a full service dental laboratory. Our technicians work closely with our dentists in the fabrication of life-like dental work. We make crowns and dental bridges, partials and dentures in a collaborative working relationship with a licensed dentist. The dentist will send us a dental impression, or poured stone models, along with specific instructions as a prescription on what is to be made for his patient.

The dental laboratory industry has changed just as dramatically as the practice of dentistry. There has been an explosion of new products and technology over the past 10 years. New products, new porcelains, new composites, implant technologies, high tech furnaces, laser equipment... all have meant changes for the better in dentistry today.

Most often, a patient visits the dentist for a routine measure like cleaning the teeth or for a minor procedure such as a filling. More significant is tooth replacement with a crown or dental bridge, or the need of a partial or denture. More extreme needs could demand implant surgery and prosthetics. In today's world of physical improvement, many people are changing their image and changing their lives through cosmetic dentistry. Dentistry today addresses the issue of preventive medicine, good health, good looks and positive image.

The following information is general in nature, but can be helpful in understanding some dental procedures.

Cosmetic vs. Traditional Crown and Bridge Work

Traditional crown and bridge work are dental fabrications with an alloy as the support system of the individual crowns or bridge work. For years, crown and bridge dental work was fabricated as either full cast alloy (all metal) work or as porcelain layered on the frame of cast alloy copings. The metals used could be a non-precious alloy, semi-precious alloy, or a level of gold alloy. Today's market of dental alloys offers very high quality products and is very sophisticated. The research and manufacturer of these metals is an industry in itself...

Over the past 10-12 years, a new opportunity to the dental patient has emerged. Cosmetic dentistry is being sought by the public more and more. The interest in a pretty or handsome smile is not just important to some individuals, it can be critical. An attractive smile can help advance a career. Correcting tooth alignments, covering badly stained teeth due to smoking or tetracycline use, replacing traditional metal fillings with inlays and onlays that match the appearance of remaining tooth structure, providing a stronger crown for a very specific situation because a traditionally fabricated crown continues to fail... are all reasons for considering cosmetic restorations.

Cosmetic restorations are being made from ceramic composites, polymers, dense-sintered aluminum oxides, high tech porcelains... a new world of dental products. Crowns, bridges, onlays, inlays and veneers can be made with materials that can match the look of natural teeth. Product names of Empress, Captek, In-Ceram, Procera, Targis offer the patient the latest technologies of the dental industry. Ask your dentist to share these cosmetic options with you and make a difference in your life.

Endodontics (Root Canal)

Root canal dental surgery can be performed by your dentist or by an endodontist (a root canal specialist). The procedure is the removal of the nerve(s) inside the tooth and its canals. The canals are then disinfected, dried and filled with a non-reactive sealer. The reason for root canal therapy is generally due to an infection inside the tooth caused by decay or trauma. In some instances a root canal may be necessary for crown replacement if there is an insufficient amount of tooth surface remaining. A root canal may also be required for the success of some cosmetic procedures. Periodontal gum disease treatment may demand the need for endodontics.

The Procedure... may demand more than one appointment
Clinical and radiological evaluation
Anesthesia
Removal of decay and access opening to the tooth pulp chamber
Removal of the nerve
Canal measurement, enlargement and disinfecting
Sealing the canals

Between Visits

If more than one visit to finish the root canal is necessary, your tooth will be protected by a temporary filling. Treat the area gently while the temporary filling is in place. You may be given antibiotics to fight infection or for pain. Call your dentist if symptoms become worse.

Restoring the Tooth

After the root canal has been performed, the remaining tooth structure may need additional strength to support the new crown to be seated. Your dentist may insert an alloy post for long term strength. The post and crown will be fabricated to fit perfectly together.

The Cost

The cost of root canal surgery is dependent on how many tooth canals are located in the tooth. Anterior teeth generally have only one canal, the bicuspids may have one or two canals, but the posterior molars can have up to four or five canals. Root canals performed by endodontic specialists are generally more complicated surgeries and consequently more expensive in cost.

Implant Dentistry

Implant technology and surgery can and has changed the lives of certain people. Imagine the facial damage caused by an automobile accident when a victim strikes and is thrown through the front windshield. Imagine the damage caused by any forceful blow to the face or a terrible fall. Teeth can be knocked out, bone structure crushed. The facial look and appearance after such tragedies can traumatize the person and make them a victim forever. The miracles of implant dentistry can help in the recovery. The smile can come back, and that smile can be beautiful.

Implant technology is the science of treating edentulous or partially edentulous patients and replacing lost natural teeth by tissue-integrated tooth root analogues through osseointegration. Osseointegration is a direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-carrying implant. In layman's terms it means a solid fixture is embedded into the bone structure to which tissue will adhere and grow. That fixture will then support a single crown, a bridge or a full denture. Today, dental fabrications can be made so life-like in quality the patient can recover in appearance and in emotional spirit.

Extremely critical to the success of implant technology is the working and cooperative efforts of the professionals involved in the case... the dentist, the oral surgeon and the dental laboratory technician. All three professionals must work in unison to make an implant case a success.

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