Veterans Day Event Clearwater

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

How scaling and root planing procedures can help treat gum disease

How scaling and root planing procedures can help treat gum disease

https://youtu.be/6-CKhC1_XTo

The human mouth is filled with bacteria.  These bacteria, along with mucous and other particles form a sticky film called plaque is constantly forming and which adheres to the teeth.  This plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing.  When the plaque is allowed to remain on the teeth, the bacteria involved become more harmful, and more difficult to remove, creating an environment that is more toxic to the tissue.  The plaque itself can harden creating a cement like substance (calculus) that cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone.

Your gum tissue does not attach directly to your teeth. There is a space or pocket between the gum and the tooth before it attaches. The pocket gets deeper when plaque, tartar and inflammation are present. This leads to inflammation and gum disease. The gums become irritated and begin to separate from the tooth, creating a periodontal pocket.

The bacteria and infection causing the detachment needs to be addressed.

Scaling and Root Planing

Non Surgical Periodontal Therapy includes a very important option known as scaling and root planing or “a deep cleaning”  This is often recommended as the first step in periodontal therapy. Treatment is usually done by one of our hygienists using local anesthesia to provide comfort for the patient as the root surfaces in deep periodontal pockets are debrided to remove calculus or “tartar” and to smooth the root surfaces to remove bacterial toxins. This may take more than one visit with the hygienist and is followed up with a visit with Dr. Britten in four to six weeks to re­evaluate the periodontal tissues.

If you have any questions about gum disease or its treatments, please contact our team or make an appointment. Our incredible staff will give you the best dental care possible.

www.brittenperio.com
727-586-2681

Clearwater Periodontist Shares Sleep Apnea Video and Dental Sleep Appliance

The most successful treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a CPAP appliance, however, 60% to 83% percent of users cannot tolerate this device.

With the high rejection rate of the CPAP, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine designated dental sleep oral appliances as the No. 1 nonsurgical alternative for the CPAP intolerant. Numerous sleep appliances are available to the public and distributed through dentists.

Your dental professional can help you identify if a sleep appliance may help you. If you have any questions about OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) or dental sleep medicine, contact our office today at 727-586-2681 or visit our website at www.brittenperio.com

Clearwater Periodontist Shares: What is a root canal

What is a root canal?

 

When a cavity, or tooth decay, extends into the root, root canal therapy is often the most effective way to retain the tooth.

 

https://youtu.be/wb-92FZNtsg

 

This video shows root canal therapy which can be performed by your general dentist, but in most cases referral to a root canal specialist, or endodontist, is recommended. A temporary filling is placed, and then a patient will see a general dentist for a permanent restoration, normally a crown.

 

At Britten Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we do not perform root canals in our practice but work cohesively with the best endodontists and general dentists to provide you with the best care possible. This way, you can be seen by a team of dentists that focuses on the area that they are trained and most skilled at and work together to provide the best care.

If you have any questions about root canals (endodontic treatment), or any other aspect of dentistry that concerns you, contact our knowlegeable staff today at 727-586-2681.

Clearwater Periodontist Shares 4 Ways to Replace a Missing Tooth

Fixed Bridge

A bridge is an option when there are teeth on either side of the missing tooth.

Advantages
It stays cemented in the mouth and does not come out.

Disadvantages
This does involve cutting down the teeth on either side of the missing tooth to be able to connect them together. Floss threaders, which slide under the bridge, should be used daily, to keep it clean.
The disadvantages for bridges are cutting down teeth that might be perfectly healthy. If there is a leak under the anchor teeth of the bridge, decay can occur below. A bridge can replace one or two missing teeth easily, and sometimes more if there is enough support.

Removable partial denture

A removable partial denture is worn during the day. This is used to replace one or many missing teeth.

Disadvantages 
-Sometimes may need metal clasps to help it stay in the mouth which may be visible when speaking or smiling.
- They move a little when speaking or eating, which can be uncomfortable.
-We recommend taking them out at night and soaking them in a cleaning solution.

Advantages
There is no need to file down any teeth, and this option is usually the most economical. A full denture can replace all missing teeth.

Dental Implant

An implant is a great way to replace a missing tooth.

Advantages
This solution feels and acts the most like a natural tooth when chewing, brushing or smiling. A major advantage is no need to alter any other teeth when placing an implant. An implant is a great solution for a single missing tooth, and even more implants can replace many missing teeth. When smiling or talking there is no way to tell the difference between an implant and a natural tooth.

Disadvantages
The implant replaces the actual root of the missing tooth and heals in the bone for 3 to 7 months and we then begin the restorative phase. We or your dentist then place an abutment, to which a crown will be cemented. Dental implants are usually a more costly option, at least initially, but are often the best long-term investment.

Do Nothing

There is always the option to do nothing.
Advantages
Saves money, at least initially
Disadvantages
When a tooth is removed, the bone shrinks away and the other teeth in the area will shift to fill the gap. This can sometimes lead to other problems like shifting of other teeth, causing bone loss or decay around the existing teeth as they become more difficult to clean.
If you have questions about replacing teeth lost to fractures, decay or gum disease, contact us today at 727-586-2681.
www.brittenperio.com