Clearwater, FL Periodontist Dr. Todd M. Britten is hosting 2nd annual Free Dental Day for Veterans.

Clearwater, FL Periodontist Dr. Todd M. Britten is hosting 2^nd annual Free Dental Day for Veterans

Dr. Todd M. Britten and his staff at Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry are gearing up for their 2nd annual Free Dental Day for Veterans.  The event will be held in Dr. Britten’s Clearwater office on Friday November 11, 2016.

Last year was the inaugural event and it was a great success.  Dr. Britten, his staff, as well as volunteers from Clearwater Dental Associates and Britten Dental Associates worked together to provide four very deserving veterans with periodontal and general dental care.  When asked about the previous event Dr. Britten said, “It was such a great feeling to help these patients’ oral health improve and help them keep teeth that they were in danger of losing.  Veterans and their families make so many sacrifices for us all and I am so honored we were able to give something back to them.”

For one veteran in particular, treatment included IV sedation (due to the need for extensive treatment and intense dental phobia), extraction of all of this patient’s remaining teeth which were badly broken and excessive bone growth throughout his mouth.  Dr. Jim Hayslett of Clearwater Dental helped Dr. Britten restore this patient’s smile with complete upper and lower dentures.   Dr. Britten stated “All he wanted to do again was eat a steak dinner.  We were able to get a patient out of pain and help him to be able to chew again and smile with confidence.”

Dr. Britten and his staff have been working with The Community Dental Clinic to match patients with periodontal needs with the Clearwater Periodontist’s office.  Allison Sapiega, the exectuve director at the clinic stated, "The Community Dental Clinic has enjoyed the privilege of working with Britten Periodontics for the last few years on their Free Dental Event for Veterans. We are so proud to call them a community partner as we strive together to serve those that fall into the dental services gap. Nearly 95% of veterans are without dental coverage, so events like Britten Periodontics' Free Dental Day for Veterans are imperative in serving those that have served us.”

Dr. Todd Britten explained how glad he is to be doing this the second year in a row and would like to do it annually for the entirety of his career.  When asked why this is a cause so near and dear to his heart he stated that his grandfathers and uncles served in the military and giving back to veterans in need is a top priority for him.  Dr. Britten said, “The entire staff at Britten Periodontics is so grateful to the men and women in the military that make so many sacrifices for our freedom. We are happy to host this annual event, and hope to do it for many years to come.”

Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a periodontal practice offering patients personalized dental care in implant dentistry in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Todd Britten received his Bachelor of Science & Doctorate of Dental Surgery from University of Florida, a Master’s Degree and Certificate in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry; and completed extensive training at the Institute of Advanced Laser Dentistry. He is one of the only board-certified periodontists in Pinellas County. He is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Florida Association of Periodontists, Upper Pinellas County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Research Association and Florida West Coast Dental Association.

Dr. Todd Britten is now offering this FDA-cleared laser procedure for gum disease and periodontal treatment. To learn more about Dr. Britten and his dental services visit his website at http://www.brittenperio.com or call (727) 586-2681.

Clearwater Periodontist Shares: Dental Emergency, What to do?

A dental emergency is a frightening and often painful experience. Seeking treatment as soon as possible is is the best way to alleviate pain and to give the effected tooth or teeth the best possible chance of survival.

Teeth can become fractured by trauma, grinding, or biting on a hard object.  Sometimes fillings, crowns, and other restorative devices can be damaged or fall out of the mouth completely.  If there is severe pain, it is essential to contact your dentist immediately! Pain from a dental emergency will almost always get worse without treatment, and dental issues, particularly infections can also cause other serious health issues!

Possible dental emergencies and how to deal with them

Tooth knocked out (avulsed)
It is essential to see a dentist immediately.  Once out of the mouth, tissues, nerves, and blood vessels become damaged.  If the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there is a chance the tissues will grow to support the tooth once again.

Here are some steps to take:

Call your dentist immediately. 
Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water.  DO NOT touch the root.
If possible, place it back into its socket – if it can not, tuck it into the inside of your cheek pouch.
If the tooth cannot be placed in the mouth, put the tooth into a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort.  It is important to keep the tooth from drying out.
Get to your dentist, quickly and safely.
They will try to replace the tooth in its natural socket.  In some cases, the tooth will reattach, however, root canal therapy might be necessary.

Dislodged/loose teeth
When a tooth has been dislodged or loosened from its socket by trauma or decay, it might be possible to save it. If the tooth remains in the mouth still attached to the blood vessels and nerves, there is a good chance root canal therapy will not be necessary.
It is important to call your dentist immediately to make an appointment.  In the meantime, use a cold compress and over-the-counter medications to relieve pain.  Your dentist will reposition the tooth and may be able to splints the tooth to stabilize it.  If the tooth fails to heal, root canal therapy might be required.


Lost filling or crown
Usually, a crown or filling comes loose while eating.  The tooth may be incredibly sensitive to temperature changes and pressure.

What to do:  Make a dental appointment as soon as possible.  Keep the crown in a cool, safe place because there is a possibility that may be recemented.  If the crown is out of the mouth for a long period of time, other teeth may shift or sustain damage.
If your dentist is not immediately accessible, here are the steps to take:

Clean the crown, and affix it onto the tooth with dental cement.  This can be purchased at a local pharmacy.
If the crown is lost, smear the top of the tooth with dental cement to alleviate discomfort.
DO NOT use any kind of glue to affix the crown.
Your dentist will check the crown to see if it still fits.  If it does, it will be recemented to the tooth. If decay is noted (which often is the reason the crown became loose) this will be treated and a new crown will be made.  

Cracked or broken teeth
Teeth are strong, but they may still fracture, crack or break.  Sometimes fractures are fairly painless, but if the crack extends down into the root, it is likely that the pain will be extreme.  Fractures, cracks, and breaks can take several different forms, but are generally caused by trauma, grinding, and biting. 

What to do:
Schedule an appointment as soon as possible!

If a portion of the tooth has been broken off, here are some steps that can be taken at home:

Call your dentist.
Rinse the tooth fragment and the mouth with lukewarm water.
Apply gauze to the area for ten minutes if there is bleeding.
Place a cold, damp dishtowel on your cheek if there is any swelling or pain.
Cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement if you cannot see us immediately.
Take a topical pain reliever.
The nature of the break or fracture will dictate what your dentist is able to do.  If a fracture or crack extends into the root, root canal therapy is often the most effective way to retain the tooth. Some fractures may cause either eventual or immediate loss of a tooth. The extent of damage from a fracture can often be determined with radiographs or a CT scan.

If you have questions or concerns about dental emergencies, please contact our office or your restorative dentist.  

 For more information, go to http://www.brittenperio.com or call the office at (727) 586-2681.

Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a periodontal practice offering patients personalized dental care in implant dentistry in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Todd Britten received his Bachelor of Science & Doctorate of Dental Surgery from University of Florida, a Master’s Degree and Certificate in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry; and completed extensive training at the Institute of Advanced Laser Dentistry. He is one of the only board-certified periodontists in Pinellas County. He is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Florida Association of Periodontists, Upper Pinellas County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Research Association and Florida West Coast Dental Association