Caring for Dental Implants

Old Couple Leaning Against Each Other on Couch

Caring for Dental ImplantsWhether you’re a San Diego resident with a mouthful of dental implants or just one, you need to know how to properly care for them to make sure they last the lifetime they’re designed to live. Some dental implants patients, especially those who have received a total smile makeover and no longer have any of their natural teeth, falsely believe that they don’t need to do anything to care for them. That thinking couldn’t be further from the truth! The reality is if you have dental implants you need to care for them the same way you would if they were your natural teeth or maybe even a little bit more!

About Dental Implants

Before we dive deep into care instructions, let us explain to you the basic 411 on dental implants in case you are just learning about them. Dental implants are the newest tooth replacement options on the market, replacing the need for dentures and dental bridges, which were previously the only solution to replace teeth that were. When cared for properly, dental implants are designed to last a lifetime, and to allow you to chew on anything you’d like, even the chewiest of chewy and the crunchiest of crunchy foods.

Dental implants work by using a small titanium screw to replace a tooth root and support an artificial crown. The dental implant not only holds the new tooth in place, but it also estimates your jawbone the same way the natural tooth root did. Without this stimulation, the jawbone may deteriorate, something that is medically referred to as jawbone resorption or “atrophy.”

Dental implants can be placed to replace a single tooth or an entire mouthful of teeth. Some San Diego residents choose dental implants as part of an aesthetic treatment called a total smile makeover. In this case, the implants are placed to give the patient a more cosmetically pleasing smile. In other cases, implants are selected to replace teeth that have either already been extracted or fallen out or need to be extracted due to severe decay.

Proper Dental Implant Care

San Diego patients who choose dental implants should care for them just as they would their natural teeth. This means they must:

  • Brush their dental implants twice a day
  • Floss around the dental implants at least once a day
  • Use additional hygiene aides like interdental brushes or a water pick, depending on the recommendation from your surgeon and hygienist
  • Compliance with the recommended dental maintenance schedule, sometimes as often as every 2-3 months

Preventing Peri-Implantitis

Following the above care regimen for dental implants is important so that San Diego patients don’t develop a rare, but very serious dental implants complication called peri-implantitis. With this condition, an infection develops around the implant, deep inside the jawbone, causing severe bone loss and implant failure. After investing so much time and effort into getting dental implants, you definitely don’t want complications that can lead to their removal.

Schedule a Consultation or Cleaning with Dr. Beck-Mayo

Whether you’d like to speak with San Diego periodontist Dr. Beck-Mayo because you are considering dental implants and need to know if you’re a qualified candidate, or you already have an implant and have some concerns you’d like to discuss, or simply need help cleaning and caring for them, she’s happy to help. Call her periodontal offices in San diego today to schedule an appointment at (858) 635-6700.

Digital Dentistry

San Diego Periodontist, Dr. Tina Beck-Mayo, utilizes only the most advanced techniques and procedures, with the most current, state of the art equipment, to provide the most ideal care possible, in a comfortable and caring environment. Some of the equipment allows unparalleled diagnostic capability, like her 3-D conebeam volumetric CT machine; while others are simply for your comfort or to improve the overall clinical result or the procedure. This article focuses on the benefits of a piece of equipment that does all 3!

Before and After Dental Implants Patient 5c

 

If you’re a San Diego resident who has ever had to have a dental impression taken, whether it be for a crown or for dental implants, then you know the struggle is real. First, for some reason whenever you need to get a dental impression taken, it seems as though your body’s natural response is to salivate as if you were looking at a 10-course meal from your favorite restaurant prepared by your favorite chef. Second, the goop that is used for dental impressions seems to stick into the back of your throat, stimulating that ever so sensitive gag reflex you have. And finally, the paste sets so strong and so quickly, you’re almost certain the dental hygienist is going to rip out your teeth when he or she removes the impression plate from your mouth!

Oh yes, the joys of traditional dental impressions!

Luckily, the future is now, and if you’re seeing San Diego Periodontist Dr. Beck-Mayo for your dental implant or other tooth treatment, that future includes digital dentistry. An intraoral scanner is just one of her state of the art equipment in her practice,  which allows her to simply use a wand to sweep over your teeth and instantly translate the image into a digital 3-dimensional model! This highly-advanced dental device quickly and digitally scans your mouth to provide Dr. Beck-Mayo with an extremely accurate digital scan of your mouth so that dental implants, custom abutments, and screw retained crowns can be made to the exact detail of your mouth’s unique anatomy. And best of yet, there’s no traditional impression or that yucky dental paste involved!

More About Digital Dentistry

We use digital tools for better accuracy and convenience all the time, whether it be your built-in GPS system while you’re driving your car, the latest advancement in software at work, or the coolest new must-have gadget or device for pleasure. So, why would you choose a tooth care provider who doesn’t offer digital dentistry, which is the best that dentistry has to provide? San Diego residents want the quality treatment when it comes to their oral health and dental procedures such as getting dental implants. With Dr. Beck-Mayo’s intraoral scanner, that’s exactly what you get!

What Are Possible Sedation Dentistry Options?

Dental Implant Tools Holding an Extracted Tooth

Staff Member Covering Patient with a BlanketDr. Beck-Mayo and her team understand that for many of her San Diego and Poway patients, any type of dental procedure can unearth significant fear and anxiety, particularly if it involves surgery. Whether it’s due to a general fear of the dentist, or a bad dental experience in the past, Dr. Beck-Mayo has an option to help alleviate your fear and help make your procedure be completed comfortably and painlessly! Even though many patients don’t feel the need for sedation (as long as the area is thoroughly numb), Dr. Beck-Mayo understands that for some, just the idea of oral surgery can cause substantial fear and anxiety, which is why she offers the following sedations options to ensure optimal comfort for all her patients.

  • Anxiolysis (light sedation): Anxiolysis literally means the elimination of anxiety. This form of sedation is ideal for patients who are only a little nervous about their planned procedure and desire something to ‘take the edge off’ even though they would probably do very well without anything, as long as they are completely numb throughout and not feel any pain during surgery, they prefer just a little ‘something’. For these patients, a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication similar to Xanax or valium is prescribed to be taken one hour before the appointment.  It is important to note that this option is often not powerful enough to combat moderate to severe anxiety and should only be considered by those who think they might be comfortable without any pre-medication, but would prefer just a little something to help them relax.  As with any sedation option, patients cannot be allowed to drive themselves home after the procedure if anxiolysis if provided.
  • Conscious Sedation (light- moderate sedation): With this sedation option, medication in the form of pills will be used to put you in a deeply relaxed state, though you may still be awake and able to carry on a conversation, although it might not be remembered. Most San Diego patients who choose this sedation option are pleased to report that they have little to no memory of their procedure. Because you would still be drowsy when leaving the office, you will not be allowed to drive yourself home following your procedure if performed with conscious sedation. Instead, you’ll need to arrange for transportation home from a trusted family member or a friend (sorry, no uber). It is important to note that not all patients are candidates for this type of sedation and that for severe anxiety, this option may not be adequate.  Although patients are closely monitored throughout the procedure, some patients may not be candidates for this option due to potential breathing complications or if taking certain medications that may interfere or react with the sedation medication.
  • Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia: Just like in a hospital operating room, general anesthesia (or deep sedation) will only be performed by a board certified anesthesiologist and will put you completely asleep (“out”) for your oral surgery. Because this form of sedation is so strong, a breathing tube (“nasal cannula”) is utilized to maintain adequate oxygen concentrations, ensuring the highest level of safety.

Because your comfort is one of our top priorities (safety is the first), we always offer aromatherapy, headphones with soothing music, warm blankets, and a caring environment, complete with warm, moist, scented towelettes to refresh once the procedure is completed, regardless of your choice of sedation.  Additionally, Dr. Beck-Mayo is always available by phone or email after your procedure to answer any questions or concerns you may have after you get home.  You won’t find a more genuine and caring dental surgeon than Dr. Beck-Mayo, which is why so many San Diego dentists trust only her to care for their patients, family, and friends.

Call our office for more information about sedation options!

Why Visit a Periodontist?

If you’re in the San Diego and Poway areas and have been told you need an advanced dental procedure performed, and perhaps have even been referred to Dr. Beck-Mayo by your own dentist, you might be wondering, “Why do I need to see a periodontist instead of my regular dentist?” The answer lies all in the highly specialized advanced training Dr. Beck-Mayo has received, and the extensive amount of oral surgeries she has performed for Southern California residents from North County to South County and everywhere in between.

What Exactly is a Periodontist?

A periodontist is a specialized dentist who has spent several additional years after the basic dental training all dentists are required to complete, studying and training to diagnose, treat, and prevent periodontal disease. As highly trained surgeons, board certified periodontists also perform many different oral surgeries including tooth extractions, bone grafting and regenerative procedures, and placing dental implants. As a board certified periodontist, Dr. Beck-Mayo has had the same basic dental training as your trusted San Diego and Poway dentist, plus 3 additional years of study focused on periodontal and oral surgery. If your dentist has referred you to Dr. Beck-Mayo, it’s because they know she will take good care of you.

Why Would I Need to See a Periodontist?

There are a variety of reasons why San Diego and Poway residents might seek out a periodontist on their own, or be referred to Dr. Beck-Mayo by their regular dentist or hygienist. These include:

Preventing, Diagnosing, and Treating Periodontal Disease

Some patients develop periodontal disease – a common condition that can lead to gum recession, bone loss, and even tooth loss if not properly treated.  Excellent oral hygiene includes thoroughly brushing your teeth twice daily and cleaning between your teeth at least once a day, most commonly by proper flossing.  However, other patients develop periodontal disease despite practicing good oral hygiene and getting regular cleanings with a general dentist.  She reasons for this include having strong family history of periodontitis (genetics), hormonal changes (like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause), using tobacco products, taking certain medications, diabetes, and immunosuppression (like what happens during chemotherapy). If you fall into one of these risk factor categories, your dentist may recommend you see Dr. Beck-Mayo for specialized care and management, in order to treat and prevent periodontal disease. Advanced treatments for periodontal disease may include deep cleanings, minor surgery to remove deeply embedded bacterial plaque, bone regenerative therapy, or sometimes gum grafting procedures to repair and strengthen gum tissue that has been damaged.

Suggested Reading about gum disease and bad breath.

You have Missing Teeth and Need Dental Implants

People need dental implants for many reasons.  Sometimes the damage caused by periodontal disease is too great to repair, and a tooth is recommended for removal.  Removing an unrepairable tooth before further bone loss occurs can increase your success with dental implants, preventing the need for extensive grafting, and minimizing the risk of damage to neighboring teeth.  Alternatively, a tooth may be recommended for removal due to deep decay (cavity) in a tooth that is unrepairable, or perhaps the tooth becomes fractured deep below the gum line and is unrepairable, or failure of a root canal to eliminate infection from inside the tooth itself or in the bone surrounding the tooth.  Another phenomenon that occurs in teeth that require their removal is root resorption.  This process is less understood than cavities, root canals, and fractures, where the tooth begins to dissolve, or “resorb”, from the inside out. Once this process is recognized on an x-ray, it is usually unstoppable and can lead to pain, fracture, or infection.

Whatever the cause of the missing tooth or need for extraction, Dr. Beck-Mayo is highly trained and specialized in minimal traumatic, and minimally painful, tooth extractions, bone grafting, and surgical placement of dental implants.

For this reason, several dentists in San Diego and Poway refer their patients to Dr. Beck-Mayo for the placement of dental implants – the strongest and most state-of-the-art tooth replacement system available on the market.  If you are in need of a dental implant, the procedure is best performed by a specialist who knows how to avoid serious complications that can occur in lesser-trained hands. As a highly trained surgeon, Dr. Beck-Mayo also practices the highest standard of safety and sterility when performing surgery to minimize your risk of infection or disease contraction, and only uses the highest quality products to ensure long term success with your dental implant.

Cosmetic Gum Procedures (Gum Grafting & Crown Lengthening)

 Periodontists are highly trained surgeons, specialized in minimally invasive, microsurgical techniques for the correction of gum recession (long teeth), or gum recontouring (crown lengthening) for those who have too much gum resulting in an excessively gummy smile and short teeth.  If you are considering procedures to change the appearance of your gums, or lack thereof, you can trust Dr. Beck-Mayo will take excellent care of you and produce results you can smile about, literally!

Call us to schedule your appointment with San Diego and Poway periodontist, Dr. Beck-Mayo!

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Salivary Diagnostic Tests

As a leading periodontist, Dr. Beck-Mayo is obviously concerned about the oral health of her patients, but that’s not her only concern. Dr. Beck-Mayo is committed to ensuring the overall health and wellbeing of everyone who visits her office. That is why she provides cutting-edge, salivary diagnostic testing in her San Diego office. This testing can identify several genetic markers that can significantly increase your risk of developing serious health conditions including cardiovascular disease (heart disease) and diabetes, allowing you to proactively reduce your risk of severe complications like heart attack, stroke, and even some types of cancer.

About Salivary Diagnostic Tests

Salivary diagnostic tests, such as oral HPV testing and genetic inflammatory markers, are of interest to many San Diego periodontists, doctors, and patients for a variety of reasons. First, there’s the overall ease of performing this noninvasive testing. All a patient needs to do to complete a salivary diagnostic test is to swish and spit. The sample is then sent to a lab for analysis and the results can be life-changing. Secondly, it’s a non-invasive collection method, meaning you don’t need prick, poke or cut to get the desired tissue sample. Finally, the wide range of information that can be extracted from such a simple saliva sample is growing every day. The impact on improving the quality of life for her patients, is one reason why Dr. Beck-Mayo is committed to staying on the forefront of scientific developments in salivary diagnostic testing.

Our Team

Monique – Financial Coordinator

Monique grew up in a military household that allowed her to start traveling at very young age. She began high school in Virginia and relocated to San Diego halfway through. After graduating, she completed dental assisting school and has worked in a variety of fields within dentistry, including both clinical assisting and administrative roles. When she’s not working, she enjoys cooking, shopping and traveling to new places.

Ann – Surgical Assistant

Ann was born and raised in Manila, Philippines where she practiced dentistry before moving to San Diego. She has 25 years of experience in the dental industry and takes pride in educating and helping patients improve their oral health and achieve their best smile. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and TV series with her family.

Geeta – Surgical Assistant

Geeta has over 20 years of experience in the dental field and over 10 years in Periodontics. She loves working with Dr. Beck-Mayo and ensures that each patient has a positive experience and receives the best dental care in our office. She loves spending time with her family and watching movies. She enjoys an active lifestyle that includes hiking, exercising and traveling.

Jessica – Registered Dental Hygienist

Known for her compassionate and empathetic approach, Jessica is committed to making each patient’s dental visit a positive and educational experience. She takes the time to educate patients about the importance of oral health and collaborates with them to create personalized home care plans that promote long-term wellness.

With 22 years of hands-on experience, Jessica has honed her skills in providing comprehensive dental hygiene care. As a licensed and certified Registered Dental Hygienist, she has worked with diverse patient populations, demonstrating an ability to adapt to individual needs and foster a comfortable and trusting environment.

Beyond the clinic, Jessica is mother to an adorable little boy, Quinn, and the founder of a small-batch body care company, Pure Organic World. Jessica has been with us since 2013, taking a mini hiatus to live in Greece for 4 years, and joined us again in 2022.  When she is not caring for patients, you can find her at the beach with her son, fishing, camping, or at a live music event.