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William A. Forero, DDS

  FAQs

  • Dentures / Implants / Crowns / Periodontics / Oral disease
  • Root Canals
  • Implant Success Rates
  • Dental Implant Information
  • Post-Procedure

5501 N University Dr Suite 102
Coral Springs, FL 33067


FAQs

We understand that you may have some questions about dental care and the services we offer at the practice of William Forero DMD, PA. Please feel free to read through our FAQs to learn more about our dental treatment options. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office today. Our friendly team is happy to provide you with the information you need and schedule your next appointment with our dentists in Coral Springs, Florida. We look forward to hearing from you!

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are basically sophisticated screws made of a medically pure metal, titanium. These screws are then placed in the jawbone and rest under the gum for 3-6 months. During this time they actually fuse to the jawbone and become osseointegrated, or integrated with the bone. After the appropriate healing time, we uncover the implants and use them to replace one or more missing teeth by fabricating some sort of dental prosthesis.

Who is the ideal patient for dental implants?

Anyone in reasonable health can replace missing teeth. You must have enough bone in the area of the missing teeth to provide for the anchorage of the implants. Almost everyone today is an excellent candidate for dental implants to replace small bridges, removable partial dentures, and even just one missing single tooth. If you are unsatisfied with your dentures and your dentures are kept in glass of water most of the day instead of your mouth, you definitely are a great candidate for dental implants.

What are dental implants made of?

Implants are made of commercially and medically pure titanium. This is the same metal that has been successfully used in hip implants for many years. It is inert and is not known to cause any type of rejection phenomenon.

Can dental implants be rejected?

No! They are made of an inert metal that has no history of rejection by the body. They are not a living organ such as the lung or liver, and therefore there is no rejection phenomenon. If failure should occur, and this is only a remote possibility, it is mechanical in nature and not due to rejection by the body. By the way, depending on the source you read, implants are anywhere from 85-95 percent successful depending upon certain factors such as implant location, amount and quality of bone, etc. These factors will be evaluated before we place your implants. If you have any questions regarding this or any other aspect of the implant process, ask Dr. Forero or Dr. Valderruten.

What about infection and complications

During the surgery, every attempt is made to maintain a totally sterile field. This tends to minimize any potential for postoperative infection. Once again, Dr. Forero will prescribe the appropriate antibiotics as a precautionary measure. Once the implants have been engaged in your prosthesis, it is imperative for you to maintain scrupulous oral hygiene.

Will I be able to chew and function normally?

Yes. Once your implants have integrated, you will be able to function normally without any unusual sensations. Your chewing ability will really depend upon the type of prosthesis you have chosen.

How long is the entire implant process?

Dental implants take approximately 3-4 months in the lower jaw and 6 months in the upper to integrate. Once integrated, it takes several visits to several months to complete the restoration, depending upon the complexity.

Why should I choose Dr. Forero to do my dental implants?

Dr. Forero is an experienced Implant Dentist with over 10 years of placing and restoring dental implants. Every year he manages to keep up with the latest surgical techniques, technology and implant treatments available. One in every 10 doctors is a single trained implant doctor who provides complete treatment, from diagnosis through surgery to final restoration. Dr. Forero is a Fellow of the International College of Oral Implantologists with specialized training in dental implants from diagnosis, surgery, and final restoration. He believes the old adage “too many chefs spoil the brew.” Most procedures can be performed in our office, making it, as one of our patients calls it, a “one-stop shop for dentistry.”


Should I replace my missing teeth?

For the sake of oral health, when you lose a tooth it is generally a good idea to have it replaced. Missing teeth can affect your “bite” as well as your ability to speak and chew. Tooth loss can increase strain on remaining teeth. Most importantly, perhaps, losing a tooth can affect your overall appearance and self-esteem. Several options are available if you are missing one or more teeth. For example, dental implants connected to crowns or dentures, dental bridges, partial dentures, or dentures.

Why do I feel tooth pain?

If a deep cavity or fracture allows bacteria to seep into the tooth, the pulp may become infected. The pulp may also become injured due to trauma. Either of these scenarios may cause the pulp to die. Dead or damaged tooth pulp results in increased blood flow and cellular activity, and pressure cannot be relieved from within the tooth. Tooth pain is then commonly felt when chewing on or biting down with the tooth, or when consuming hot or cold foods and drinks.

Why do I need root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy is needed because the tooth will not heal by itself. If left untreated, the infection will spread, leading to deterioration of the bone around the tooth, and the tooth may fall out or need to be extracted. The pain also typically worsens until the patient is forced to see emergency dental care. The only alternative to root canal therapy is tooth extraction, which can cause the neighboring teeth to shift, resulting in a bad bite. While an extraction is cheaper, the space left by the extracted tooth will require the placement of a dental implant or a bridge, which can be more expensive than root canal therapy. If you have a choice, it is always best to keep your natural teeth.

What is a root canal procedure?

Within the tooth, beneath the outer enamel and dentin, is a soft tissue area called the dental pulp. This area contains the tooth’s nerves, arteries, veins, and lymph vessels. Root canals are thin, small divisions that branch off from the top pulp chamber down to the tip of the root. Each tooth has between one and four root canals. Root canal therapy is a procedure that can be performed to save the damaged or dead pulp in the root canal of the tooth by cleaning out the diseased pulp and reshaping the canal. The root canal is then filled with gutta percha, which is a rubberlike material that helps to prevent recontamination of the tooth. The tooth is permanently sealed with possibly a post and a crown, which is usually made of gold or porcelain. This allows you to keep the original tooth.

What is involved in root canal therapy?

After your general dentist has performed tests on the tooth and has recommended root canal therapy, he or she can perform the treatment or refer you to an endodontist (a specialist who focuses on treating the pulp). Root canal treatment usually involves one to three appointments. First, you will likely be given a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area. A rubber sheet is then placed around the tooth to isolate it. The doctor will then drill from the crown into the pulp chamber, allowing the diseased pulp to be cleaned and the root canals to be reshaped. Your doctor may also insert medication in the area to fight bacteria and prevent further infection. Based on the condition of the tooth, your doctor may then seal the tooth to temporarily guard against recontamination or leave the tooth open to drain, or your dentist may fill the canals. If your doctor decides it is best to give you a temporary filling, it is usually removed on the next visit and the pulp chamber and root canal(s) are filled with gutta percha or another material to prevent recontamination. If the tooth is weak, a metal post may need to be inserted above the canal filling, which helps to reinforce the tooth. Once filled, the area is sealed permanently. A crown made of gold or porcelain is then placed over the tooth to strengthen the structure and enhance the tooth’s appearance.

What are the risks and complications involved with a root canal?

While more than 95% of root canal treatments are successful, some cases require that the treatment be redone due to diseased root canal offshoots that went unnoticed or the fracturing of a canal filing instrument. Both of these situations are rare. On occasion, a root canal treatment may fail altogether, which results in the return of pain.

What happens after root canal treatment?

Natural tissue inflammation may cause discomfort for a few days following treatment, but this discomfort can be managed with an over-the-counter analgesic. During a follow-up exam, your dentist can monitor the healing of the tissue. From then on, it is important to brush and floss regularly, avoid chewing hard foods with the treated tooth, and visit your dentist on a regular basis.

To learn more about preventive care, we invite you to call or visit us today!


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5501 N University Dr Suite 102
Coral Springs, FL 33067