Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

When time has allowed jawbone to degenerate, it can become tough for a dental implant to be placed successfully. As we lose teeth, the jawbone will degenerate over time. Here in our Fullerton, CA dental office, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS can perform bone grafting to restore that jawbone and allow a dental implant to be placed.

It is common to not have enough bone for an implant. Maybe you were born with a small ridge or maybe your bone has degenerated after the loss of a tooth. When the jawbone is too small, a dental implant often cannot be placed. Or, if it can be placed, it is not big enough to let the implant stay for very long. Dental implants are supposed to have the ability to stay in place for a lifetime, so bone grafting is a popular procedure to give back patients the ability to have dental implants.

A bone graft consists of taking bone from another area and moving it to the area it’s needed in. The bone usually comes from an area in the jaw or another part of the body like the shin and is packed into the space it is needed. Over several months, the grafted bone will also promote bone growth. The grafted bone and original bone will grow together and create enough jawbone to place dental implants.

Bone grafting makes dental implants possible for those who have too small of a jawbone. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, call our Fullerton, CA office at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

Are Dental Implants Painful?

If you are receiving dental implants in the near future, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS doesn’t want you to be frightened, he would rather you be informed on what to expect. Pain is a common concern among individuals who are considering dental implants and we want you to know that while some discomfort is expected, it shouldn’t be your primary concern.

As with any major dental procedure, or surgery in general, some discomfort is to be expected during the recovery process since it is a surgery that typically involves removing teeth, cutting gums, drilling into the jawbone and inserting a titanium post. The procedure itself is not painful since it is performed with either general or local anesthesia to completely numb your mouth. If you’re anxious about the discomfort during the procedure and being aware of drilling noises and forces being applied to your mouth, please ask us about our sedation options.

If you have missing teeth and would like to discuss your restorative options, please give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at the practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.

General Dentistry Defined

General dentists are the primary dental care providers for patients of all ages. They can treat you and your entire family and care for your overall health. Dentistry is defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. When looking for exceptional and quality general dentistry services, look no further than the practice of Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS.   

Instead of specializing in just one area of dentistry, general dentists, such as Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS provide plenty of different services for you and your family, such as: cosmetic procedures, crowns and bridges, dental implants, dentures, gum disease treatment, home care instruction, root canal therapy, teeth cleanings and many more.

If you are searching for a general dentist, please give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at the practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.

Intraoral Camera- Advanced Dental Technology

New technology means more accuracy and efficiency. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS uses advanced technology to provide the best care for patients. One piece of technology used here in our Fullerton, CA office is the intraoral camera.

The intraoral camera allows us to see parts of the mouth that have been difficult to see in the past. We can now access those hard-to-reach places by going inside the mouth. The camera is about the size of a pen and lets us look at any surface in the mouth more close-up with ease. We can also take pictures and videos that can be saved on a computer. The digital photos and video make future visits more efficient by allowing us to refer back to the past condition of the mouth. These photos can also be printed and taken home by the patient so they can keep a better eye out for any changes. It is also very easy to send pictures of a condition to another doctor or to an insurance company.

To learn more about the technology we use here in our Fullerton, CA office, visit our website, www.fullertondental.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, call us at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website.

Mini Dental Implants

When looking for a permanent tooth replacement, it is important to remember that not all mouths are the same. Some mouths have more room, some teeth are bigger, and patients have different types of needs. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS provides patients with mini dental implants here in his Fullerton, CA office when a full-sized implant will not work.

Sometimes a full-sized dental implant is too big to fill the space that is open. Still desiring the best option for replacement, our patients need a smaller size. This is why we offer mini implants. They are about half the size of the full-sized implants. They are able to fit into smaller spaces and since they are smaller, they do not require surgery to be placed. This means a much quicker healing time, so permanent replacement crowns are often able to be placed the same day as the implant.

Mini implants are also great for creating a stable base for dentures. For this purpose, four to six mini implants are placed along the gum line, and the dentures are made to clip onto them. They stabilize the dentures so they fit great and do not move around. They also slow down the degeneration of the jawbone.

If you have been told a full-sized implant will not work for you or you are interested in implant-retained dentures, do not hesitate to contact us. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS in our Fullerton, CA office, call us at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

Fluoride Treatment

Without practicing proper oral hygiene habits and scheduling regular dental visits, teeth become more vulnerable to cavities. Cavities are caused by acid-producing bacteria that collect around the teeth and gums or plaque, as we like to call it. Brushing twice a day and cleaning between teeth with floss helps remove this plaque. However, another key to excellent oral hygiene is fluoride, a mineral that helps prevent cavities and can repair teeth in the very early, microscopic stages of the disease. Here at the dental practice of Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, we can discuss professional fluoride treatments with you to see if you are a prime candidate.

Depending on your oral health status, fluoride treatments may be recommended every three, six, or twelve months. The fluoride preparation used in the dental office is a much stronger concentration than that in toothpaste or fluoride mouth rinses that you may find in the store. The fluoride may be in the form of a solution, gel, foam, or varnish and is typically applied with a cotton swab or a brush. It can also be used as a rinse or placed in a tray that is held in the mouth for several minutes. After the treatment, you may be asked not to rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride to start the tooth repair process.

If you have further questions about fluoride treatments, please give us a call. To learn more about services we provide at our practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Commonly called “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is a sedation technique that Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS utilizes to help our patients feel more relaxed in the dentist’s chair. Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective sedative agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose to help you feel calm during a dental procedure. If you suffer from dental anxiety, you as well may benefit from nitrous oxide. The next time you schedule a dental exam, ask Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS about whether nitrous oxide would be a good option for you.

Nitrous oxide is not intended to put you to sleep. After it’s administered, you will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directs that Dr. Meyer may have. He will ask you to breathe normally through your nose, and within a few short minutes, you should start to feel the effects. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off once the mask is removed, so you will be able to drive yourself home after the procedure is complete.

If you have questions about our sedation options, please give us a call. To learn more about services we provide at our practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.