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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Archives for December 2016

Blood around one of my dental implants

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I keep seeing blood around one of my dental implants. It is not constant, but it happens every day. It’s mostly when I floss around it or brush it. Sometimes I don’t notice it, but then I will taste blood in my mouth and look at the implant and there is blood around it. I’ve had the implant for 8 months now. It isn’t still healing is it? Vicente

Vicente – Minor bleeding, swelling, and bruising after dental implant surgery gets better after a few days. If you are noticing blood around an implant eight months after surgery, you need to have the implant examined.

There may be in infection around the implant, or the problem may a result of periodontitis (or gum disease). You may also notice swelling, a bad taste in your mouth, bad breath, or loosening of the implant. An infection needs to be quickly treated, and bacteria around the implant need to be removed to prevent the implant from loosening and requiring replacement. You may be prescribed an antibiotic or an antibacterial mouthwash to help eliminate the infection.

While a dental implant looks and functions like a natural tooth, it can also harbor infection like a natural tooth. Diligent oral hygiene is critical for the health and function of implants. A conscientious dentist try to identify the cause of the bleeding so it can be treated and prevented in the future.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

What brands of dental implants cost less than what my dentist uses?

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My dentist uses Nobel Biocare dental implants. After he told me the cost of implants from the imaging to surgery and the crowns, I knew that I should start comparing prices. I asked him about using another brand that is cheaper, but he won’t budge on the brand. He says he uses that brand because he likes it and gets good results. What brands of dental implants are more competitively priced and how can I find a dentist who uses those brands? Thanks. Jim

Jim – Dental implants are fixtures. As with household fixtures, there can be low-priced, low quality fixtures that need to be replaced more frequent, or more expensive, quality fixtures that last many years.

Think about a quality kitchen faucet. It can last for many, many years, and after 15 years or so, it needs to be replaced. If the faucet is replaced with a less expensive one that will need to be replaced in five years or less, or with another, more expensive quality fixture that will last another 15 years. The same is true of dental implant fixtures, high-quality fixtures are more expensive, but they last much longer, and they are less likely to need to be replaced. They also contribute to better overall oral health.

We have a few suggestions for you:

  • Don’t to insist on lower-priced brands of implants, because it can mean a sacrifice in quality.
  • Speak with your dentist about the brand he uses and why he prefers it. The conversation can give you confidence in your dentist’s decision and that he is concerned about your oral health.
  • Get a second and third opinion from other dentists who also use quality fixtures, and discuss your options with them.

Remember that shopping around for a low price can lead to cheap implant fixtures that don’t last, that result in infection, or that require your implants to be completely redone.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.