Concord Oral Surgery Blog

Recently, I was asked to speak on behalf of Keystone Dental Inc. about their Max implant. The seminar format was unique in that a small number of dentists were invited, creating a more casual approach to continuing dental education. We met for dinner at Touro Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse in Richmond Hill where the meal starts with a 40 item salad bar complimented by meat and seafood service presented on BBQ skewers table side. It’s a real conversation starter. Just as interesting was the Tri Max implant with its wide body design, ideal for implant placement in the molar region immediately following an extraction. Because of its unique design, it maximizes bone preservation, minimizes need for bone grafting, avoids adjacent tooth roots, reduces treatment time and allows dentists to use standard surgical protocol and instrumentation. It even allows for platform switching making this implant very versatile and adaptable for restoration. This supports healthy dental function and desirable dental aesthetics … which is always the end goal.

The seminar drew lots of questions and interest from attendees. All are welcome to contact our office should additional questions or concerns arise as you add this implant option to your roster of treatment options. I would like to thank everyone who attended — it was a terrific evening!

Tooth Loss

Tooth loss around the world and in Canada continues to be a chronic condition that detracts from quality of health and life. In the International Journal of Dentistry, 2013, Article: The Impact of Edentulism on Oral and General Health, Elham Emami et al cites the overall rate of edentulism in Canada in 2010 was 6.4%, and among adults between 60 and 79 years of age, it was 21.7%. The rate of edentulism tends to vary among different regions within a country with women and the poor being affected the most.

In a country as rich as Canada, why is tooth loss still so prevalent? Many reasons. Canada’s population rates are continually supported by immigration from around the world. Current economic conditions, employment rates, availability of dental insurance, and education levels all contribute to people’s quality of dental health. In addition, systemic health, diet, oral habits, age, gender and medications can impact the health of oral structures. Even the availability of local dentists in regions throughout the country has an impact on whether people can acquire dental treatment. Let’s not forget the basics of tooth decay and periodontal disease.

When one tooth is lost, a domino effect often occurs including the tipping, drifting and over-erupting of neighboring teeth. Spaces develop between teeth, periodontal defects develop and the domino effect continues. Without early intervention and education, individual tooth loss can lead to total edentulism (complete tooth loss).

There are excellent solutions available today to remedy single tooth loss and complete edentulism for those who have the ability to pay. What remains a challenge is to support individuals and communities who lack the ability to pay and who would benefit significantly from education and compassion today and in the future.

Many people want to restore their mouths with much needed dentition, but postpone treatment because of anxiety, fear and worry. One of the greatest offerings in oral surgery is the ability to render patients completely comfortable and relaxed with the use of sedative medications. Today, there is a great selection of sedative drug options that are fast acting, highly effective and quickly reversible. The use of an infusion pump allows us to administer the precise amount of drug to achieve optimal sedation. These medications are highly researched and documented and considered safe and reliable. Whenever sedation is administered, a Registered Nurse remains present throughout the entire procedure. It is the nurse’s responsibility to monitor vital signs including heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, blood/oxygen saturation, depth of sedation and patient comfort and well-being. Nurses working with sedation must be ACLS certified (Acute Coronary Life Support). Patient safety and comfort remain a constant priority. In addition, a certified dental assistant is present to assist with the dental surgery.

Patients benefit many ways from the administration of sedation. First, any feeling of stress, phobia, anxiety or the like is instantly lifted. Patients also enjoy the benefits of breathing 100% oxygen while sedated. Freezing or local anesthetic in the area of the treatment is still given but patients don’t feel it or care about it. With the patient well managed and comfortable, treatment proceeds without delay. Patients generally have no awareness or recollection of the procedure. Following the procedure, patients are recovered in post-op where vitals are monitored. Patients are discharged when they are fully conscious and aware, show no signs of nausea or dizziness and can walk with some assistance. Patients who are sedated must bring a driver with them and should have someone stay with them for several hours while the effects of sedation completely reverse. Patients are not permitted to operate a vehicle or machinery following sedation for a period of 24 hours.

For more information on sedation, please contact our office at 905-669-2616.

I am initiating this blog entry as we approach our 10th anniversary in oral surgical practice. Family dentists in the greater Vaughan area continue to refer patients to our care for a variety of treatment, including dental implant placement, complicated extractions including wisdom teeth, pathology, TMJ symptoms, cancer screening and numerous other oral surgical procedures with a range of sedation and general anesthesia options to maximize patient comfort. Just as noteworthy, are the number of patients who come to us on their own accord. Today, many patients present to doctors often well informed about dental procedures and treatment options after conducting their own research on the internet. People are also well travelled and learn about what is available in Europe and other progressive countries around the world. For this reason, Concord Oral Surgery is continually researching new products and procedures to support our patients’ interest in rehabilitating their mouths to a state of high dental function and aesthetics that will serve them well into the future.