5th Annual Day of Care for Veterans

On November 1^st, Dr. Todd M. Britten and the team at Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry held their 5th annual Day of Care for Veterans.  Dr. Britten and his team are aware that dental coverage for veterans for major dental surgery can be very hard to attain, so they “hit the ground running” in 2015 trying to deliver periodontal care to as many veterans as they could. Dr. Britten says he owes the success of the event for the last 5 years to the help of local dentists, Clearwater Dental Associates (Dr. Nolan Allen, Dr. Matt Burton, Dr. Jim Hayslett and Dr. Keith Kiskaddon), Dr. Jeffrey Ellenberg, Dr. Ira Berger, Dr. Michael Podlusky and the local Clearwater Dental Clinic.

Dr. Britten provides advanced periodontal surgical treatment and dental implant care for veterans in his Clearwater, Florida based periodontal practice. He offers sedation options and high-tech treatment, which can be very helpful to veterans that suffer from PTSD.

For Britten and his team this event is something they look forward to all year long. They keep in touch with veterans from previous events and this year they were able to provide follow up exams, x-rays and periodontal maintenance procedures, which help prevent reinfection of the gums following treatment. "It is always great to see them again and the progress they have made in their oral health. It is touching to be a part of something that has changed someone's life in such a positive way," said one of Dr. Britten’s volunteers.

Dr. Britten explained that local restorative dentists and their teams have volunteered each year to help provide comprehensive dental care to our veterans. As a periodontist, Dr. Britten’s specialty is the surrounding structures of the teeth; roots, gum and bone; i.e., the foundation. The restorative specialists have done fillings, crowns, and even full sets of dentures for veterans at no cost each year. “Our practice alone has provided over $50,000 in periodontal procedures for patient,” says Ellen, a dental hygienist at Britten Periodontics who has helped to coordinate the event each year.

"I have always respected the sacrifices that our veterans and their whole families had to make to ensure our safety and freedom. The sacrifices are really innumerable,” said Dr. Britten.

Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a periodontal practice offering patients personalized dental care in implant dentistry in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Todd Britten offers sedation dentistry. For more information, visit http://www.brittenperio.com

A video of last year's event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S82xHdxBEnQ

Diseased Dental Implants Can Be Saved with LAPIP laser procedure in Clearwater Florida

Dental implants are a great way to give you a beautiful and functional smile, they are not without limitations. Some patients could experience swelling or infection around their implants, which is known as peri-implantitis.

If you noticed a change in your implants, Dr. Todd Britten can provide a breakthrough procedure following the LAPIP® protocol.

How the Procedure Works

This procedure is minimally invasive, due to the use of cutting-edge, gentle laser technology. This allows Dr. Britten to treat peri-implantitis without the need for incisions.

During the procedure, our state-of-the-art PerioLase laser targets the inflamed area of the gum tissue and eliminates harmful bacteria and infection that has developed. There is no need to worry about an extensive recovery period, sutures or any incisions.

The importance of eliminating unhealthy tissue

Even though dental implants are a great option for patients who have lost their teeth due to periodontal disease, the disease can still continue even around dental implants.

It is essential that diseased implants receive proper treatment as soon as possible to protect these implants, other teeth, bone structure and oral health.

If you think your gums might be inflamed around your dental implants, schedule an appointment with us today. Contact us today to learn more about the LAPIP® protocol and its many benefits to you and your oral health.

www.brittenperio.com

#lapip #lapipperiodontist #clearwaterperiodontist #lasersurgery #LANAP #LAPIP #dentalimplantsclearwater

Ridge Augmentation and Preservation Procedures in Clearwater, FL

Careful management of extraction sockets after a tooth is removed prevents unsightly bone loss and provides a better cosmetic outcome for tooth replacement. To increase the possibility of future implant placement, and to prevent more bone resorption, a ridge preservation procedure may be recommended. Without the use of a bone graft and collagen barrier at the time of extraction, studies show that 30­-40% of the jaw bone is immediately lost. This is because your body perceives that once the root is removed, the bone is no longer needed and your body absorbs or removes it, creating a ridge deformity.

These ridge deformities leave you with inadequate bone and tissue thickness for either bridge or dental implant restoration. The defects may have been caused by trauma, developmental defects, periodontal disease, the wearing of dentures, or through previous tooth loss.

Ridge augmentation procedures have been shown to greatly enhance the cleansability and appearance of your restorations. They increase your chance for long ­term successful dental restoration, both esthetically and functionally. Ridge augmentation procedures may be performed with gum tissue and/or bone grafting materials.

www.brittenperio.com

727-586-2681

This is How to Prevent Re-Infection of Your Gums Around Dental Implants

Clearwater Periodontist Dr. Todd Britten Shares:

This is How to Prevent Re-Infection of Your Gums Around Dental Implants

Just like natural teeth there is no guarantee a person’s dental implant(s) will last a lifetime. Although they may look bionic in pictures, a dental implant still needs careful monitoring and regular care. True, they cannot decay like natural teeth – but they are subject to the same complications of gum disease and bone loss. Once a dental implant is placed, treatment does not stop there. If it does, there's a high chance of a re-infection of the gums, even around implants.

If you've undergone treatment for periodontal (gum) disease, you know how involved it can be. If you have lost teeth to periodontal disease and have had dental implants placed, you know the great investment in time and money it takes. Naturally, you would like to protect your investment and keep your dental implant(s) for many years, if not for life!

Periodontal maintenance (PM) is important for all patients after treatment, especially those with dental implants. Plaque, a thin film of bacteria and food particles responsible gum disease, continue to grow again on your tooth and/or implant surfaces as it did before. Diligent, daily brushing and flossing will help to curb that development.
It is also important to keep up regular dental visits for advanced cleaning to remove hard to reach plaque and calculus. Patients prone to gum disease are usually prescribed three or four but for some other gum disease patients, six times a year, especially just after treatment. Many patients alternate visits for periodontal maintenance between a periodontal or implant specialist and their general dentist so that their periodontal condition is closely monitored, as well as the health of their teeth.

Our goal is to reduce the chances of re-infection of the gums, especially around a dental implant. To do this, we'll thoroughly examine your teeth, gums and any implants for signs of disease (as well as an oral cancer screening). This includes an assessment the health of your teeth and gums and to see how well you're doing with plaque control and review your recommended customized daily oral hygiene instructions.

Overall, we want to prevent the occurrence of any future disease and treat it as soon as possible if it relapses. Keeping up with homemade and a routine periodontal maintenance schedule will help ensure your gums, and your implants continue to stay healthy.

If you would like more information on periodontal disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation 727-586-2681 or visit www.brittenperio.com

Clearwater FL Periodontist Dr. Todd Britten discusses importance of Periodontal Maintenance

If you've undergone treatment for periodontal (gum) disease, you know how involved it can be, whether your treatment required nonsurgical therapy, surgical therapy or a combination of both.

Following gum surgery or scaling and root planing, a nonsurgical periodontal therapy, plaque and calculus (hardened plaque deposits) are removed and as they heal swollen, red gums finally begin to regain their healthy pink color.

Treatment does not stop there. If it does, there's a high chance of a re-infection of the gums.

Periodontal maintenance (PM) is important for gum disease patients after treatment. Plaque, a thin film of bacteria and food particles responsible gum disease, continue to grow again on your tooth surfaces as it did before. Diligent, daily brushing and flossing to curb that development.

It is also important to keep up regular dental visits for advanced cleaning to remove hard to reach plaque and calculus. For gum disease patients it is usually four but for some advanced gum disease patients, six times a year, especially just after treatment. Many of our patients alternate visits for periodontal maintenance between our office and their general dentist so that their periodontal condition is closely monitored, as well as the health of their teeth.

Our goal is to reduce the chances of re-infection. To do this, we'll thoroughly examine your teeth, gums and any implants for signs of disease (as well as an oral cancer screening). This includes an assessment the health of your teeth and gums and to see how well you're doing with plaque control and review your recommended customized daily oral hygiene instructions.

Overall, we want to prevent the occurrence of any future disease and treat it as soon as possible if it relapses. Keeping up with homemade and a routine periodontal maintenance schedule will help ensure your gums continue to stay healthy.

If you would like more information on periodontal disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation 727-586-2681 or visit our website at www.brittenperio.com

Clearwater FL Periodontist Shares: What is Peri-Implantitis?

Clearwater FL Periodontist Shares: What is Peri-Implantitis? Dental implants are fantastic, but like anything biologic or placed in or on the human body can NOT always be completely predictable or guaranteed all the time. One of the long-term risks associated with dental implants is a condition called Peri-implantitis. Peri-implantitis is an infectious disease that causes inflammation of the surrounding gum and bone of a dental implant, and can lead to the loss of supporting bone. This condition is very difficult to treat. Fortunately, most patients receiving dental implants never develop this condition. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, bone can be lost around a dental implant. This will often occur without a patient ever being aware of it. Some dental implants will develop bone loss very early after having the implant crown is placed or it can happen many years down the road. Most patients are unaware that they have bone loss around the dental implant. Peri-implantitis generally begins painlessly and without symptoms. Once peri-implantitis becomes advanced, symptoms can develop and the patient will notice. There are several risk factors for peri-implantitis, especially smoking. Smoking definitely causes constriction of blood vessels which leads to bone loss. Medical issues such as Diabetes, Osteoporosis and a weakened immune system are more at risk for developing bone loss around dental implants. Those with a history of gum disease are more at risk. Good home care is critical. Brushing twice a day for 2 minutes or more with an electric toothbrush, flossing once a day and using adjuncts such as a rubber tip or implant floss every day! Grinding your teeth is another risk factor for dental implant bone loss. Factors related to the surgical procedure can also cause peri-implantitis to later occur: Soft bone, lack of tightness when the dental implant is placed, bone that was grafted in a vertical fashion, implant size too big, overheated bone, and many others. Signs of Peri-implantitis • Deep periodontal pockets around the implant • Pus comes out from the implants and gums • Bleeding at the gumline • Appearance – Gum tissue may appear red, or slightly purplish bluish, and tartar/plaque build up is noted • Progressive loss of supporting bone on x-rays • Metal thread exposure • Long tooth Again, peri-implantitis is not always symptomatic and typically there is no pain. Some patients will complain of a dull ache or tenderness when they brush or touch the area. A bad taste can develop if infection or pus has developed around the implant. If this infection around the implant becomes very severe, the glands in your neck may become swollen and the dental implants may begin to be noticeably loose. The first thing an implant specialist will usually check around the implant is to make sure the crown or bridge was made properly. An x-ray, or sometimes a 3-D Cone Beam CT scan is necessary to see the inside surface. Extra cement can often be the cause of peri-implantitis. The cement oozes beyond the abutment and gets down below the gum near the bone and becomes an irritant. There is often good reason to make crowns held in by screws rather than cement in some cases. The technique of cementation and choice of cement used is a big factor on implant success! This is why it is important to work with an experience implant specialist and restorative dentist in implant placement. Occasionally a loose abutment screw may be present which may not have been torqued properly or it has broken, sometimes due to a patient’s heavy bite. Patients with heavy bites need to have their crowns designed to protect the implants. How an implant crown is made is critical for the longevity of the dental implant in the bone. Low-budget implants have poorly designed screws or may move (even microscopically) when you chew. Sometimes gum disease on nearby teeth can stimulate peri-implantitis to start on the implant. Generally some type of exploratory surgery needs to be done to find out the cause of peri-implantitis along with a simultaneous bone graft to save the implant. Not all implants that have developed peri-implantitis can be saved. Treatment The long-term goals are to stop the progression of bone loss and maintain your dental implants! Generally speaking the area will need to be cleaned thoroughly using dental instruments. Sometimes antibiotics will be prescribed or special antibacterial agents will need to be applied to the implants itself such as iodine or tetracycline. Sometimes a laser procedure can be performed around the implant, called LAPIP, to sterilize the implant. Most peri-implantitis dental implants require surgery and bone grafting. This means that the dental implant surgeon has to open the gum tissue in order to detoxify the implant. All of the bacteria will be killed in order to have bone re-grafted onto the implants. The physiology and the type of bone that is used is critical. Sometimes your implant surgeon will recommend using your body’s own helpful blood products such as PRF/ PRP. The best way to prevent peri-impantitis is to have the implant properly placed by a specialist and restored by a highly experienced restorative dentist. Oral surgeons and periodontists have extensive training and have also developed more predictable implant placement technique. When an implant has had too much bone loss, a success rate can be as low as 35 to 50%. Some severe cases of peri-implantitis are better off removing the implant and placing a new one if detoxifying and regrafting do not seem to have a good long-term prognosis. If one implant fails or develops bone loss, it doesn’t mean the second one will. Time will tell if the procedure works. There are no guarantees on grafting around implants that have pre-existing bone loss. It is far more successful if the bone missing is in the shape of a moat rather than an entire wall missing.

Correction of dental implants with problems should be performed by an implant specialist and highly trained restorative dentist who routinely performs this procedure. Dr. Todd Britten is a periodontist and implant specialist practicing in Clearwater, Florida. As periodontist, Dr. Britten specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, the placement of dental implants and bone grafts, and treatment of oral inflammation. Periodontists also perform cosmetic periodontal surgery. Dr. Britten has received an additional three years of specialty education and surgical training beyond dental school and has experience in treating this very difficult condition. If you have any questions regarding implant placement, contact us at 727-586-2681 or email us at healthysmiles@brittenperio.com.