Implants Keep Bone Loss From Occurring and Altering How You Look

We stress dental implants for a very good reason:  when teeth are removed, half of the bone around them melts away in the year following extraction.  Over time, bone loss distorts your appearance, which is obviously something you don't want and we don't want.  Implants are the best way to keep bone loss from occurring and altering how you look!

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate
American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

These Drinks Dissolve Teeth

When our youngest daughter was in middle school, her science experiment involved putting extracted teeth in different liquids of varying acidity levels (think: water v. coca-cola) and measuring their weight before and after.  Of course, after being in coca-cola, the teeth weighed less, because the acid dissolved the tooth enamel.  So now a study, published in the May/June issue of General Dentistry Journal, examined the acidity levels in 13 popular sports drinks and nine popular energy drinks.  Researchers determined acidity levels can vary between brands, as well as certain flavors of the same brand.  To determine what the acid levels did to teeth, researchers immersed human tooth samples into each beverage for 15 minutes, followed by immersing the samples in artificial saliva for two hours, four times per day over a five day period.  As few as five days after exposure to both types of drinks, teeth showed damaged enamel.

Energy drinks caused twice as much damage as sports drinks.  This damage to tooth enamel is irreversible.  Over time, this can cause tooth sensitivity and a greater likelihood of cavities.  The concern is that the assumption these drinks are "better" than soda is not the case.  This is especially true for teens,  30-50% of whom consume energy drinks and 62% of whom drink at least one sports drink a day.  If you drink these types of drinks, the recommendation is to chew sugar-free gum or rinse your mouth afterward to increase salivary flow to neutralize acidity levels in your mouth.  

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

New All-on-4 Success Rates

In this month's Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry (JPD), Parel and Phillips report on a study of implant survival rates for 558 jaws treated with 4 implants per jaw in a patient population between 2008 and 2010.  A total of 2,132 implants were placed, with only 48 failures, giving a 97.8% success rate.  Of the few failures, they were 5 times more likely in the upper jaw and more often associated with male patients, poor bone density, opposing natural teeth and the location of the most posterior implant.  Smoking, bone volume, systemic factors, addictive drug use and pathology, including the existence of periapical infections did not appear to be related to failure in this population.

Dr. Tupac has enjoyed universal success with All-0n-4 treatment.

When patients with greater risk had additional implants placed, there were no failures.

Dr. Tupac, Bakersfield's only full time Board Certified Prosthodontist, specializes in taking patients from failing teeth to implant supported fixed bridges and has been successfully treating patients in this manner for many years. 

All treatment, from diagnosis and treatment planning, to extractions and implant insertion, to fabrication and placement of the fixed bridges is accomplished in his office.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Dental Implants The Secure Solution

Too loose for use

Just yesterday, we had two new patients who were wearing upper removable partials replacing some missing front teeth.  Their stories were similar:  every few years their gums change and the partials had to be remade. The partials moved around and they were self-conscious that people could tell the teeth were loose.  The movement made them guarded with their smiles and speech, because they had to hold the partials in place as they talked.  There were some foods that were best avoided.

Implant the Quality in your Life

Fortunately, as long as you are healthy, it's never too late for dental implants.  Teeth on implants are secure and comfortable.  By allowing you to smile, speak and eat with confidence, they improve your quality of life.

If you are missing teeth and are interested in this solution, give us a call!


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309