Wagner Oral Surgeon & Dental Implant Specialists

During the late 1980s and during the 1990s we were introduced to various ceramic coated dental implants. I embraced this technology because it made sense. And it did. We placed many of these and many of you have been functioning on them for years. In fact, I have been placing dental implants for over 30 years and failure of these implants, as with all implants, has been rare. As technological advances progressed, it was discovered that a roughened surface on titanium improved the bond-interface between the implant and the bone. At that time, I switched over to the all titanium implant-because it made sense. And it did!

Over the years, we rarely see failures and with the titanium surface, different from the ceramic implants, we have actually found that the maintenance of the bone height and tissue interface remains more stable on the roughened surface implants. Based on the history I do not believe that the ceramic implants do this as well. We are now seeing a return of the ceramic coated implants and I welcome this new application of an “older” technology.

Recently, I had to remove two implants from a patient’s lower jaw. These had been placed by another surgeon and the angulation was poor. It was encouraging to find how completely solid and bonded in the bone they were, even with bone loss and inflammation. And there were original machined surface implants which were the first type of implants that we used in the 1980s. The importance of this is that even though these implants were placed poorly, they were very solid and stable in the bone. I see dental implants as a permanent, very strong, and biologically very compatible replacement for teeth as well as an effective attachment for devices such as dentures and facial prostheses.

Ref: J Oral Maxillofac Surg 72:1928-1936, 2014-10-16
Keywords: Dental implants, ceramic coated dental implants, titanium, hydroxyapatite

Teeth grinding has become one of the most common health concerns worldwide, as there is a very high number of people who encounter it every night. Usually, the teeth grinding, which is also known as bruxism, can appear as a result of high stress and tension, as many studies revealed that most of the people who experience stress during the day confront with teeth grinding during the night.

Teeth Grinding & Your Dental Health

The teeth grinding might represent a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, which does not allow you to rest appropriately and it determines the appearance of other major affections, that will provoke discomfort as well. Teeth grinding has been well analyzed by researchers and the final conclusion is that this issue may affect mostly people who are very stressed and who do not manage to cope with certain situations appropriately.

However, this affection can be easily treated if the person in question pays a visit to the dentist and asks for proper advice and indications regarding this issue. If the problem is cured before it worsens, people can prevent numerous diseases and other affections which can disrupt their normal lifestyle and provoke discomfort. Many people do not realize whether they experience teeth grinding or not during the night and this is why they do not take the necessary precautions in order to stop it.

How To Stop Teeth Grinding

There are many symptoms which signal a teeth grinding problem and the most common ones are earaches, sensitive teeth, constant headaches and jaw soreness. It is very important to mention these symptoms to your dentist, as they are the most appropriate person who can offer you appropriate advice and indications regarding this issue.

There is no way for your dentist to show you how to stop grinding teeth, as it is a result of the stress and stress is provoked by nerves. However, you can prevent the harmful action of this affection over your general health state and use mouth guards for teeth grinding while you sleep. Usually, the mouth guard is made of plastic and it will stop the teeth from grinding. You can also opt for relaxation methods, which will help you relieve the stress and stop the teeth grinding. Starting from breathing techniques to meditation, the methods to relieve stress are numerous and they can help you a great deal.

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We have been using the cone beam scanner for a number of years and it has been an unbelievable adjunct in terms of basic diagnosis and aiding in surgery. The ability to virtually perform procedures such as dental implants as well as looking “into” and around structures such as third molar teeth or the jaw structures in orthognathic surgery. The pictures and the ability to manipulate the structures on the computer screen provide a great teaching instrument to help patients understand treatment needs and treatment plans.

Predictive Scanning

The virtual placement of dental implants using the scanner software includes specific brand and size variations so that we know specifically what can fit into a site and what the proper angulation, position, and trajectory is for best prosthetic treatment. One of the benefits as we look at a scan of a region is a detailed assessment on the adjacent teeth including possible dental concerns. One of the more common things that I note is the decreased density of tooth structure on teeth that otherwise appear in good condition. This at least gives us an anticipation of problems and possible need for additional care such as fluoride treatments.

Eight Types of Scans for Spectacular Detail

The cone beam scanner has eight types of scans which are four sizes ranging from a single site scan to a quadrant, to an arch, to a full face scan and then two levels of resolution. Alike to a digital camera, the highest resolution is gained from the smallest field. The single site scan gives a high level of detail for an individual tooth which is particularly useful for looking at individual tooth fractures or trauma. The manipulation and slicing of images is quite incredible.

Lesions in 3D

One area that has been particularly helpful for an oral surgeon is with lesions. We are now able to see considerable detail about the extent of lesions and involvement of adjacent teeth and bone. The vital structures including the teeth, sinus, and neurovascular bundles are visualized in three dimensional space letting you enter into the site virtually and plan a treatment before you have ever made an incision. Again, in terms of patient education it can be a very helpful instrument.

One of the joys of dentistry is the constant improvement and innovation with materials and methods. The cone beam scanner certainly helps us in the way we practice, but it provides valuable improvement in our patient’s lives through the services that we deliver.

For more information on how a cone beam scanner can benefit your oral and overall health, call Wagner Oral Surgery at (262) 634-4646 today.

Many oral surgery conditions and procedures can cause discomfort. You would be surprised at the wide range of discomfort responses among people to the same procedure. Even the effectiveness of the type of medication provided varies widely among different individuals (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 75:2063-2069, 2017). In fact, it is nearly impossible as a doctor to predict how the same simple procedure will affect different people. I am still surprised regularly when one person can tolerate severe pain with great stoicism and another person will complain and show great intolerance to what should be a minor stimulation. There are physiologic, psychological, chemical, and environmental issues which can all interplay to yield these effects.

The type of medication and the compounding of the medication can be very important and it is helpful if you can let your surgeon know what types of medications work best for you. There may be choices in prescribing if we have that information. The bottom line is that we do our best to make sure that you are comfortable through the process both through careful and gentile technique as well as proper and appropriate post care medications.

I am excited to announce that we have taken the All on Four™ concept to a whole new level. There are many ways to say it: Teeth in a Day™, Same Day Teeth™, Smile in a Day™, etc, etc. These have all been coined to illustrate the immediacy of this technique.

In fact, I would say that this new technique is a quantum leap in that the process which was tedious, time consuming, and sometimes difficult to predict has become much more predictable, easier, and faster.

By eliminating a conversion denture we are able to take your patient right into a secure provisional with excellent esthetics. This is done through the use of detailed virtual planning. One of the best parts is that this takes you out of the process of converting an existing denture or new denture. In fact, if you prefer, you do not even need to be there for our surgical procedure at all. That results in increased productive chair time for you and in fact this technique results in a much easier process for us surgically as well. The typical patient for this procedure is dentate, often phobic, tired of dealing with their avoidance or recurrent dental problems, and ready to transition into a great new technology. Edentulous or dentate, many patients can benefit from this care.

I will be looking forward to the opportunity to share this technique with you. We will be offering continuing education on this and if we have cases in the meantime we will see you through it one on one. I appreciate all referrals. Please consider sending your patients for a consult to consider implant care.

Bone grafting and dental implants typically go hand-in-hand, as the loss of a tooth can wear down the surrounding jawbone structure and a dental implant is a common procedure to replace lost teeth. As soon as a person loses a tooth, bone loss begins. In order to place a sturdy, reliable dental implant, a bone grafting procedure is often required in order to rebuild the jawbone. While bone grafting sounds daunting, it is a safe and reliable procedure that prepares the jaw bone for a dental implant, and in most cases, is necessary to build up a sturdy foundation.

In a bone graft procedure, bone tissue taken from another part of the body is grafted into the jawbone. Another method utilizes processed bone from animals, but results in the same regrowth of your jaw. It can take several months for the graft to set and grow into a stable foundation for a dental implant.

Depending on the amount of bone loss, bone grafts can be placed at a variety of times during the implant process. For example, if only a minor bone graft is needed, we may be able to place it at the same time as the dental implant. However, if a larger bone graft is necessary, it will have to rest for months before the dental implant procedure can be performed.

Bone grafting is a very important and often overlooked procedure when it comes to preparing for a dental implant! Dental implants have increased in popularity and effectiveness over the years, as they provide the most reliable replacement for natural teeth. Dental implants look and feel like normal teeth, and if treated properly, can last the rest of a person’s lifetime! Bone grafts and dental implants work together to restore smiles.

Contact us today at 262-634-4646 to schedule your dental implant consultation, and we can talk about your bone grafting options!

When the surface of the dentin of your teeth (the inner calcified part of tooth structure) becomes exposed, it exposes the living contained tissue which includes nerve endings. This will cause feelings of discomfort, temperature sensitivity, or even an electrical sensation. The structure of a tooth usually has an outer coating – enamel over the crown and cementum over the root surfaces. If this is broken or eroded such as with tooth brush erosion, the dentin can be exposed and sensitive.

There are several different treatments which can have a sedative affect on this (JADA 148(10)728-736, October 2017). Certainly your dentist can seal or fill the area to cover it up. This makes the most sense if there is a significant defect causing the exposure. If it is just a surface exposure/sensitivity, there are topical measures such as application of potassium nitrate or fluoride preparations.

I generally recommend that you get your dentist to prescribe fluoride gel. As an example, Colgate has a product – Gel-Kam. There are also generic products. Just brush it on at bedtime to help. I use it one to two times per month. It also strengthens your teeth and works to prevent decay.

You may have heard the saying that the eyes are the window to the soul, but did you know that the mouth is the window to overall health? When you think about health goals you may picture the gym and kale smoothies, but oral hygiene is just as important.

By taking a look inside your mouth, your dentist can tell many things about your overall health. An unhealthy mouth can be a sign of an unhealthy body, and many oral conditions can be a sign of serious underlying health problems.

Protecting your oral health is a positive step towards a healthy body. A few simple steps can be taken to preserve your oral health.

– Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes. Brushing and flossing your teeth keep them and your gums clean and healthy. Regular brushing and flossing reduces plaque build-up that can lead to gum disease and other periodontal diseases.
– Scheduling check-ups and cleanings with your dentist. Visiting your dentist every six months is vital to your oral health and can prevent oral related problems such as gum disease and tooth decay from developing. Your dentist will perform an examination of your mouth and can give you recommendations on how to improve your oral health.
– A healthy diet and exercise. Regular light exercise can help reduce the risk of periodontal disease. Coupled with a balanced diet, your body will be able to get the nutrients needed for a healthy body.

This year, be sure to add oral health goals to your list of resolutions – your teeth and your body will thank you!

Oral cancer is a cancer that develops within the mouth or oral cavity. But it doesn’t just affect the mouth, it can involve the lips, tongue, throat, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx and sinuses. There are many factors that can cause oral cancer, but smoking is one of the biggest lifestyle choices that can increase the risk of disease. The Mouth Cancer Foundation found that 90% of those with oral cancer consumed tobacco. When you combine heavy use of alcohol and tobacco, the risk is even greater.

Oral Cancer Statistics

9,750 people die from oral cancer each year in the U.S, and oral cancer represents about 4% of all cancers and 2.2% of all cancer deaths in the U.S. After reading those stats, you might be wondering how you can avoid being a part of these grim numbers.

Preventing Oral Cancer

The first step is to choose a healthy lifestyle. It’s important to eat a balanced diet, exercise, avoid alcohol (or drink in moderation) and avoid tobacco usage altogether. But it’s also important to recognize all the signs and symptoms of oral cancer so that it can be caught early on.

Here are a few oral pathology signs to watch out for:

• Feeling of a lump or object in your throat
• Numbness, pain or tenderness in your mouth and tongue
• Troubling moving your jaw or tongue with chewing, swallowing or speaking
• Loose teeth with no apparent dental cause
• Lingering sore throat

If you are experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, contact our office today. In addition to that, we urge you to have regular oral cancer screenings in our office. We offer oral cancer examinations to all our patients. The earlier the cancer it detected, the quicker we can help you. Call our office today at Racine Office Phone Number 262-634-4646 to schedule your screening appointment.

We all know that for most people, wisdom teeth need to be removed in order to prevent serious dental problems! But have you ever wondered, what exactly is a wisdom tooth? Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that typically grow in during a person’s late teens/early twenties.

Why are they called “wisdom” teeth?

Formally known as “third molars”, wisdom teeth developed their name due to the late nature of their arrival, at an age where people are “wiser” than when their other teeth grow in (during childhood).

What is their purpose?

Today, wisdom teeth are no longer needed in order for us to process food. Back in the day, however, when the human diet consisted of tough meats and fibrous vegetables, an extra molar was needed to break down food. Scientists have not discovered a common day use for wisdom teeth, as they are not needed for chewing modern food.

Why do wisdom teeth need to be removed?

Over the years, human jaws have become much smaller, making the space too crowded for wisdom teeth. Therefore, when wisdom teeth start growing in, they push on the teeth that have already established themselves. Once they start pushing on other teeth, the alignment of a person’s mouth is affected. Wisdom teeth can easily become “impacted”. This means that they are trapped underneath a person’s gums and are unable to fully erupt, which can be painful. Since wisdom teeth aren’t needed and can affect your smile and health negatively, we recommend that most people have them removed. For the few pepole that don’t get their wisdom teeth removed, serious dental health problems can occur down the road.

If you’re curious about the status of your wisdom teeth – contact us today at 262-634-4646
and we will go over your options with you!