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| California Reconstructive Dentistry | Cosmetic Face Lifts Dentures | Reconstructive Implant Prosthodontics |
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Dr. Muslin on LIVE KTLA News |
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The Dental Face Lift - California Reconstructive DentistryDenture Replacement: Implications for Collapsing BitesMany denture treatments can provide the ideal treatment solution for several dental issues that affect a very large number of people. Easily affordable for most patients dentures (or partials) can restore good basic dental function with cosmetic qualities that can be quite dramatic, depending upon the materials used.
As with other forms of dentistry, dentures require a fair amount of care..... and to conserve critical gum tissues and underlying jawbone integrity, require routine replacement from time to time.Most of us however, live by the old rule of "if it ain't broke... don't fix it." Dentures are usually replaced when they are at the point of being almost non-servicable, which unfortunately, is probably several years past the time they should have been replaced or at least serviced. The point at which most denture wearers become aware of an unusual feel or fit of the denture is the point at which tissue breakdown usually begins. Gum tissue slowly wears away... as does critical underlying bone mass. The Long Term Ravages of MalocclusionLeft untreated for too long, the ill fitting dentures cause increasing tissue loss, resulting in bite collapse. Alignment of the upper teeth with lower teeth (regardless of which are dentures) will falter, often causing tmj and tmd related problems.Eventually, breakage occurs on individual tooth structures or on the entire denture. Faulty alignment issues and the ordinary forces of chewing can cause multiple failures on a single denture yet are frequently interpreted to be a product failure .... a bad denture... rather than a sign of continuing wear of critical gum tissue and underlying jawbone. 
Usually, the first incidence of denture or individual tooth structure damage (natural or on the denture) begins the rapid cycle of soft and hard tissue deterioration, accompanied by increased discomfort and a rapidly collapsing smile or bite.Our patient, as can be seen in the adjacent photo, has several of the telltale signs of severe malocclusion and has begun the process of a collapsing bite. Several teeth (both natural and denture) are broken, chipped or show excessive uneven wear. The upper teeth were closing down (overbite) on his lower teeth. Current, cutting edge implant dentistry procedures enable experienced dentists to use advanced technologies (virtual dentistry, guided implants, CatScans, SimPlant) for developing treatment solutions that locate and treat bone mass needs creating a teeth attachments that nearly mimic Mother Nature. Treatment Combinations to Achieve the Best Outcome
Combining modern prosthodontics with the best that cosmetic dentistry has to offer can create treatment outcomes that are literally astounding for some patients.Bite Occlusion analysis and diagnostic waxup modeling created a cosmetic and functional outcome for our denture wearing patient that was very dramatic. Analytical data generated from articulation studies provided Dr. Muslin with the information needed to incorporate dental implants in certain areas of healhy bone tissue to stabilize and reaffirm the occlusal forces required for a healthy bite. Reconstructive and restorative dental products were used to treat all affected structures, on a tooth by tooth basis... assuring the promise of the healthiest and most enduring bite possible. Height of the bite was recreated by adding height, as needed, to the most critical areas of the jaw (an incorrect balance of restorations can cause immediate failures and breakage). 
Our last two post operative photos show the dramatic changes in lip support structures that have added height (vertical dimension correction) and have recreated optimized positioning between the upper and lower jaws.The patient's face is longer, losing the round appearance it once had. Upper and lower lip movements during speech and especially smiling, have been regained. Showing off great looking teeth no longer requires a conscious effort.... but is rather quite spontaneous. The patient has his youthful smile again. Call us at (310) 829-6796 to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Muslin to learn how modern prosthodontics and custom cosmetic dentures can create youthful appearances lost to the common problem of a collapsing bite. You can also contact Dr. Muslin directly with your questions by using our on-line Ask Tbe Dentist form. Dr. Muslin will reply to you directly via email, to provide the answers you are looking for. |
California Reconstructive Dental Face Lifts Sam Muslin, D.D.S., M.A.G.D. 1908 Santa Monica Blvd California CA 90404 (310) 829-6796 |