(908) 850-0005
117 Grand Avenue
Hackettstown, New Jersey 07840

Thursday, February 17, 2011


Immediate Placement Of Dental Implant
Immediate Implant Placemet in Fresh Extraction Site
When the tooth has to be extracted, and the implant is a choice of treatment for substitution of removed tooth, immediate placement of implant into extracted site could be done. There are a lot of advantages to this technique. The immediate placement of implants eliminates extended waitng period, no second surgery is required, healing process of implant (osseointegration) runs as natural process(your body buids up the new bone in the extracted site where the implant placed. There are some limitations though, when this procedure can be done (severe infection, cortical bone lose). We will advise you if the immediate placement of implant is the right procedure for you.

Monday, February 14, 2011


Diagnostic benefits of CBCT/3-D imaging
CBCT is useful in a variety of diagnostic situations, including but not limited to oral surgeries, implant planning, TMJ analyses, airway studies related to sleep apnea, impacted teeth, periodontal diseases, and endodontic anomalies. The high-resolution 3-D images allow practitioners to more accurately visualize internal anatomy, assess risk, and plan treatment and surgery.

The scans can be used to assess bone quality, which is essential to evaluate if there is a sufficient amount of bone for implant placement, and utilized to quickly identify the size and location of a lesion. CBCT can also be helpful in orthodontic analysis, including the detection and localization of airway problems and skeletal asymmetries.

By comparison, 2-D images show only the length and breadth of the anatomy with distortion. CBCT adds depth, thus giving the clinician multiplanar views of the volume. This further improves diagnostic abilities and reduces the need to take multiple X-rays.

The 360° model of the patient that results from the CBCT scan can be rotated, and slices can be isolated and manipulated for analysis. CBCT imaging offers a tremendous advantage compared to 2-D radiographs since practitioners must compensate for superimposition and distortion often present in 2-D radiographs.

Hybrid units that include both 2-D and 3-D imaging allow dental professionals a way to optimize the dose in a manner that is not possible with large- and medium-field systems that lack 2-D modality. Further, like 2-D radiographs, 3-D scans may be easily shared among practitioners.

For example, an implant planning site can be chosen, virtual implant placed, and data shared with the restorative dentist to rule out any potential issues when placing the implant. Not only does this ensure that all clinicians involved in a patient’s care are working from the same data, it also elevates the standard of care and satisfaction by reducing the need for the patient to undergo multiple scans for each practitioner.

Skylands Dental of New Jersey, LLC is among few dental offices that have implemented this advanced technology to benefit our patients in their treatment. If  you are contemplating having implants done, you can have your dentist request a 3-D Scan to plan precise implant treatment.

Call us at 908-850-0005 should you have any questions.

Sunday, February 13, 2011


Who Is A Prosthodontist?
Prosthodontist - Specializes in the Esthetic Restoration and Replacement of Teeth

A prosthodontist is a dentist who:

Specializes in the esthetic restoration and replacement of teeth,
Receives two or three years of additional training after dental school, and
Restores optimum appearance and function to your smile.
Additional training for prosthodontists is earned through a hospital- or university-based program accredited by the American Dental Association. The training includes reviews of the literature, lectures, treatment of patients and laboratory experience in fabricating restorations.

A prosthodontist is the skilled architect who can restore optimum function and appearance to your smile.

Prosthodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. Graduate programs in prosthodontics include classroom lectures and seminars, laboratory and clinical training in esthetics/cosmetics, crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays, complete and removable partial dentures, dental implants, TMD-jaw joint problems, traumatic injuries to the mouth’s structures, congenital or birth anomalies to teeth, snoring, sleep disorders, and oral cancer reconstruction and continuing care. Prosthodontists are masters of complete oral rehabilitation.

A prosthodontist is dedicated to the highest standards of care in the restoration and replacement of teeth.



Denture Adhesives
Dental professionals agree that the vast majority of dentures that fit well do not require the regular use of denture adhesive. It is important that a prosthodontist evaluate your dentures on a regular basis because your bone and gums may shrink over time, and your dentures will need to be remade or relined when they become too loose. You cannot correct the fit of your dentures by using more and more denture adhesive.

The excessive use of denture adhesives may not be healthy.  Many common denture creams contain zinc. Use of too much denture adhesive that contains zinc may lead to “zinc toxicity.” Extreme zinc toxicity is associated with numbness or tingling in the patient’s arms, hands feet and legs. Other possible health concerns include blockage of the GI system and severe eye irritation. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should contact your physician immediately.

How much denture adhesive is too much? You should place enough adhesive to hold your dentures securely without extra cream that you might swallow. If you place the denture with adhesive in your mouth and you feel excess oozing out of the denture, you have used too much. See the illustrated guidelines below. 

There are denture adhesives that do not contain zinc. Check with your prosthodontist and/or dentist for product recommendations and be sure to check the label for ingredients.

Proper Application of Denture Adhesive  

For your upper denture, apply 3 or 4 dabs of denture cream, the size of a pencil eraser (Fig. 1), on the upper part of the denture that fits against the roof of your mouth (Fig. 2). DO NOT fill the denture with adhesive (Fig. 3). Using too much denture adhesive will not improve the fit of your denture or make them stay in place any better.


Fig. 1


Fig. 2                                              Fig. 3
                       

For your lower denture, distribute 3 or 4 dabs the size of a pencil eraser evenly around the inside area of your lower denture (Fig. 4). DO NOT fill portions of the denture with adhesive (Fig. 5).
         
Fig. 4                                                  Fig. 5
                      

 
Even well-fitting dentures should be removed at night. Dentures that require adhesive use should never be worn overnight with denture adhesive in use. The mouth tissues must be allowed to rest and nighttime denture wear may result in tissue irritation and inflammation.
 
Please keep in mind that once your teeth are removed, the changes to your jawbones are constant and ongoing. The fit of your dentures will change with time, and they will need to be relined and/or remade periodically to accommodate these changes.
 
The lifespan of a set of complete dentures with continuous use is approximately 5 years. After 5 years, the changes in bone structure or the wearing away of the materials in the denture usually results in the need for new dentures or relining them for a more comfortable fit.

If your dentures are not fitting properly, and you are using too much denture cream, you should seek the care of a prosthodontist to determine if your dentures can be made to fit better. To find a prosthodontist near you, click on the “Find a Prosthodontist” button on the ACP home page.

Dr. Khokhar is a prosthodontist. He can be reached at 908-850-0005.

© 2010 by The American College of Prosthodontists. All rights reserved.
117 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 USA
Zahir A. Khokhar, BDS, DDS, MS, MHS Hackettstown NJ dentist (908) 850-0005 (908) 813-0728 Frontdesk@jerseydentist.com