Dr. Allen Blourchian - New Image Dentistry
155 Covey Drive, Suite 300
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 591-4490
www.SmilesNashville.com
Dentistry has come a long way in the last couple of decades. It is a lot more than a healing art. Today's dentistry offers options for people that were only dreamed of few years ago.
Take cosmetic dentistry for example. It is a routine procedure these days. People, who are interested in improving their appearance (and maybe self-confidence, I may add) can predictably and in few visits achieve dramatic results with smile makeovers that will last for decades, if not a lifetime. The materials and science of cosmetic dentistry have advanced considerably. Beautiful is also durable.
Or consider dental implants. Not long ago, dental implants were the best kept secret in dentistry. People did not know about them. Not having the option of implant dentistry available would lead to less than optimum treatment options for missing teeth.
Losing a tooth starts a cascade of problems. Bone loss is one of them. If you have ever seen a picture of an elderly with no teeth and shrunken lower face, you know what I am talking about. It is not the age causing this, but loss of teeth. Loss of all teeth in one arch leads to loss of bone in the entire arch and collapse of vertical dimension of the lower face.
Of course one can restore the facial appearance with dentures, but that is not the same as having your own teeth: chewing is limited and as time passes, the bone loss continues, making the denture loose.
With the new “All on Four” procedure, one can regain the chewing function and also a beautiful smile. It is a procedure that allows placing dental implants and teeth the same day. It reduces the time from several months to just one day, avoids complicated bone grafts and fixes the teeth to the jaw.
Dental implants are also a better option than a dental bridge, partial, etc. They feel and act like one's own teeth, while preserving bone. With the use of CT-scans and digital imaging, implant placement is predictable and has great chance of success.
Another exciting advance in dentistry is the use of lasers. Periodontal (gum) disease afflicts majority of population in varying degrees. This disease is a painless, silent disease that if untreated, could have systemic ramification. It has been shown that there is strong correlation between coronary artery disease and periodontal disease.
LANAP is a laser procedure that treats periodontal disease. It is approved by FDA to regenerate lost bone and periodontal ligaments. It is an alternate (and much more comfortable) procedure in place of traditional gum surgery.
By the way, if getting a dental appointment is not something you are looking for you may want to ask about dental sedation. Taking a few pills before the appointment will help you “take a nap” while undergoing dental treatment with little or no memory afterwards. Years of neglect can be reversed within one or two “nap” appointments.
As we move forward, more and more advances are in the horizon. It is truly an exciting time to be a part of this field.
