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All About Hybrid Dentures

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What Are They?

A hybrid dental implant before it's placed in the patients mouth.

A hybrid denture before it has been placed.

Occasionally, we have a patient that’s been wearing dentures for so long that their mouth is a complete disaster. Their face has sunken in, their dentures can’t function properly, and it’s nearly impossible for them to eat. This is the result of a bone atrophy commonly known as facial collapse– which is a side effect of dentures. If you’re in this situation, hybrid dentures may be your solution. Hybrid dentures replace your missing teeth and gums, as well as the bone in your mouth. The hybrid is anchored to your mouth using dental implants.

Types

A completed hybrid implant.

Hybrid dentures look and work just like your regular teeth.

There are two types of hybrid dentures we place– fixed and removable. Both types will be anchored by six to ten dental implants. While they do replace missing gum tissue, they don’t rely on any tissue support and are entirely supported by implants. This makes them very comfortable and natural-feeling, all while being extremely stable.

 

 

Fixed

When we place a fixed hybrid denture, screws hidden inside your teeth anchor the restoration to the implants. The screws are then covered with resin so they’re completely invisible and inaccessible. However, they CAN be taken out by a dentist.

Removable

Removable hybrid dentures use the same process as fixed, but they’re anchored by fewer implants. As a result, they’re much easier to remove and replace– if needed.

Implant Specialist

There’s not a recognized specialty in dental implants, so no dentist can actually be a dental implant specialist. Yet, some dentists have had so much advanced post-graduate training, that they’re technically specialists without the title. Dr. Burba took the 3i Institute for Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry (IIRD) courses and has extensive experience and expertise in this clinical area. You can rest assured you’ll be under the best care with Dr. Burba.

Make an Appointment

If you’ve lost bone structure in your teeth because of dentures, it can be disheartening and embarrassing. If you’d like to find out if you’re a good candidate for hybrid dentures, call our office or request an appointment online. We look forward to working with you and restoring your smile.

Dr. Randall and Stanley Burba

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Smile Makeovers

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Put your trust in us.

What a difference a beautiful smile makes! We know that choosing the right cosmetic dentist who will makeover your smile takes a great deal of trust. But, no matter what it is that you want to change about your teeth– we can help.

Are you worried about the results? How will you know that you’ll be satisfied? At Burba Dental, we strive to put your mind at ease with our beautiful smile guarantee. In fact, we guarantee that if you’re ever unsatisfied with any of our work, we’ll fix it– free of charge, until you’re satisfied. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite smile makeovers!

Amy

Before.

After.

Amy came to our office during a difficult time in her life. She was 34, facing a divorce, and coping with life as a single mother of two children. Her confidence and self-esteem were very much affected by not only what was happening in her personal life, but also by her smile. She felt like she needed to hide her teeth due to the visible decay and discoloration from old bonding. After repairing and restoring her teeth with porcelain veneers, Amy had a sudden boost in confidence. Her new, beautiful smile and increase in self-esteem resulted in Amy’s ability to move forward in both her personal and professional life.

Deb

Before.

After.

Deb, 58, always wanted “perfect” teeth. She felt as though her teeth made her look older, and she wanted a more youthful appearance. Using both crowns and veneers, we gave Deb a full smile makeover. When we handed her the mirror afterward, she began to cry and believed her outward appearance finally matched how she felt inside. Beautiful!

Frank

Before.

After.

Frank’s career involves close interactions with people on a daily basis. Over the years, his teeth deteriorated. Several were missing and those that remained were badly broken down. Frank was hesitant to have his teeth fixed because of unpleasant dental experiences in the past. He had always chosen to extract the teeth that were broken and decayed instead of repairing them. After a great deal of consideration, Frank chose to have his smile restored. As a result, we were able to give him back his beautiful and youthful smile. He had both upper and lower teeth restored with fillings, bridges, crowns, and veneers.

Deidre

Before.

After.

Deirdre, 37, always felt as though her smile made her look like a child. With her sister’s wedding approaching, she found a new motivation to improve her smile. Deirdre wanted a more sophisticated appearance for the wedding photos, and with six porcelain veneers, we were able to give her the look she always wanted.

Make An Appointment

Schedule a consultation to discuss your options.

If there’s something about your teeth that you want to change, schedule a consultation for a smile makeover and let us work our magic! You’ll love your new smile– we guarantee it.

Dr. Randall and Stanley Burba

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

April Is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

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What Is Oral Cancer?

Educate yourself and help stop the spread of oral cancer.

Oral cancer, a.k.a cancer of the mouth and upper throat, kills about one person every hour of every day of the year. Of the people that are newly diagnosed, about 40 percent won’t survive longer than five years. In addition, those who do survive can suffer long-term problems, such as severe facial disfigurement or difficulties eating and speaking. The death rate associated with oral cancers is particularly high since the cancer is often discovered late in its development.

Why Do We Have Oral Cancer Awareness Month?

Because the death rate is so high, it’s important we dedicate an entire month to educating the public about the risks. Oral Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated in April, and it’s a national screening campaign to end oral cancer. Awareness in the American public is low, and without education– the problem won’t get any better.

The purpose of the campaign is to remind everyone that regular cancer exams by your dentist, remain the best method to detect oral cancer in its early stages. The Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of Oral Medicine, the American Dental Association, and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, just to name a few– have all joined the Oral Cancer Foundation in its campaign to educate the public about knowing the risks.

Risks

Being aware of the symptoms and risk factors of oral and oropharyngeal cancer– along with early detection and treatment, may be the key to a complete recovery. There are a number of things that contribute to the onset of oral cancer, but the top three are tobacco, alcohol and HPV.

Tobacco

Tobacco can wreak havoc on your mouth.

Cigarette smoking puts you at a higher risk for developing mouth cancer, since tobacco smoke contains chemicals that have been proven to contribute to oral and esophageal cancer.

Alcohol

Avoid alcohol for a healthy mouth.

All forms of alcohol can cause or contribute to mouth cancer. Alcohol, particularly when used in addition to tobacco, has been recognized as an important risk factor for almost 50 years.

HPV

Young people are increasingly at risk for oral cancer due to HPV.

Finally, genital HPV, also known as the human papilloma virus, is a very common sexually transmitted disease. It usually causes no symptoms and goes away by itself, but it can cause serious illnesses, including oral cancer. In fact, HPV is responsible for approximately 60% of all oral cancers.

As a result, the fastest growing demographic of oral cancer patients is young, healthy, nonsmoking individuals. If you have HPV, you’re 30 times more likely to develop oral cancer.

Signs and Symptoms

Knowing the signs and symptoms of this terrible disease can help with early detection, and ultimately save lives. The following are all signs you could have oral cancer:

-A white or red patch in your mouth.

-A feeling that something is caught in your throat.

-Difficulty chewing or swallowing.

-A sore, irritation, lump or thick patch in your mouth, lip, or throat.

-Difficulty moving your tongue or jaw.

-Numbness in your tongue or other areas of your mouth.

-Swelling of your jaw.

-Pain in one ear without hearing loss.

If you have any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks, you need to see us for an exam right away. Usually, these symptoms don’t mean cancer, but you need be sure. An infection or other problem can cause the same symptoms– but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Get Checked

We can’t stop this virus from spreading, but we do hope to save lives with professional involvement and public awareness. While the death toll is high, when cancers are detected and treated early, mortality and treatment related health problems are greatly reduced.

If you’ve never never had an oral cancer examination, there’s no better time to schedule one than this month. When you do, be sure to ask that this examination be made a routine part of all of your future dental check-ups. Make your appointment today!

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Sugar and Your Teeth

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Sugar, Sugar

We know it’s tasty, but it hurts your pearly whites.

Everyone knows eating too much sugar can lead to tooth decay, but many aren’t exactly aware of how and why it happens. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in your mouth that uses sugar from foods and drinks to produce acids that dissolve and do damage to your teeth. Each acid attack lasts for around 20 minutes, but the good news is– it’s avoidable.

What Are The Effects?

According to the American Dental Association, your mouth is full of hundreds of bacteria. Some are helpful, but others can actually feed on the sugars you eat, and create acids that destroy your enamel. Tooth enamel is the shiny, protective outer layer of your teeth that keeps them healthy. Cavities are a bacterial infection created by acids that cause a hole in your teeth. Without proper treatment, cavities can progress past the enamel and into the deeper layers of your tooth, causing pain and even eventual tooth loss.

Avoid Sugary Drinks

That’s a lot of sugar for one drink!

 

Sugary drinks, including fruit drinks, sports drinks, sweetened waters, sugary teas, energy drinks, and sodas, have been recognized as the primary source of added sugars in American diets. Sugary drinks don’t make you feel full, so you eat the same amount of food as before– but with a lot of extra sugar calories on the side.

When you have a craving for one of these drinks, try choosing a healthy alternative, like water, milk, or 100% fruit juice with no added sugars.

The Remedy

To avoid having a mouth filled with cavities, we have several tips to prevent them.

Stimulate Saliva Flow

Make sure it’s sugar free!

In addition to cutting down on sugar, stimulating saliva flow is recommended. Chewing sugarless gum, and incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet that are high in fiber, are great ways to accomplish this. Cheese, yogurt and other dairy products also contain calcium and phosphates that strengthen your teeth, and they’re much better choices than something high in sugar or starch.

Brush and Floss

Always brush after you eat or drink something with lots of sugar.

It’s important that you stay on top of your oral health by brushing and flossing twice a day. It’s even more crucial to brush after you consume sugar. Whenever you eat or drink something sweet, make sure you brush your teeth right when you’re finished. However, if whatever you have is acidic– wait at least a half hour before brushing or flossing.

Use Fluoride

Let fluoride do the work for you.

According to The American Dental Association, you should be using an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral that has been proven to not only prevent tooth decay caused by too much sugar, but also reverses it in its early stages. The ADA also recommends professional fluoride treatments from a dentist.

In addition, you should try and introduce tap water into your routine. Fluoride is added to your tap water source and it doesn’t affect the appearance, smell or taste of your drinking water, but it does give you the benefit of helping to prevent cavities.

Finally, rinse your brush off before you add your toothpaste to avoid washing away the added fluoride.

Stay On Top Of It

Vigilance is the key to preventing the negative effects of sugar on your teeth. Limit your sugar intake, and always brush after eating anything with a high sugar content. Choose healthy foods and drinks that strengthen, instead of damage your teeth. Include regular appointments to see us and you’ll keep your teeth healthy and strong for a lifetime.

 

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

How to Prevent Dental Erosion

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What Is It?

img_8511

Did you know?

Dental erosion is a huge problem. It occurs when the enamel on your teeth begins to erode, or disintegrate. Your enamel is a clear, hard outer layer that protects your teeth from the damages of daily life. It keeps your teeth safe from feeling things that might otherwise be too hot, or too cold for you to eat and drink. It also helps to keep acid and damaging chemicals from hurting your teeth.

If this protective outer shell starts to erode, you’re much more likely to get cavities and tooth decay. Your nerves become more sensitive, and you might not even be able to enjoy the foods and drinks that you’re used to. The good news is, it’s preventable.

Limit Your Intake Of Acidic Foods/Drinks

As you’ll see, acid is the primary cause of dental erosion. The main goal is to prevent it as much as possible from damaging your teeth. This means the less acidic foods and drinks you consume, the less of a chance you’ll have at your enamel eroding. If you do decide to indulge, there are several steps you can take to help avoid further damage to your pearly whites.

Don’t Brush After Eating Anything Acidic

If you do eat or drink something with lots of acid, make sure you wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. If you don’t, you run the risk of damaging your enamel.

Chew Sugar Free Gum

Chewing Sugar Free Gum Rids Teeth of Acid 1080x1080

Always make sure it’s sugar free!

Saliva is extremely beneficial to your oral health, and chewing sugar-free gum is the number one way to increase saliva flow in your mouth. It helps to clear out food remnants and other debris, neutralize acids, and assists in getting rid of bacteria that causes tooth decay.

Saliva also contains nutrients like calcium, fluoride, and phosphates that strengthen tooth enamel. Without a healthy saliva flow, you’re at risk for number of oral health problems including tooth decay, periodontal disease, and infections.

Studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for just twenty minutes after eating meals can reduce tooth decay, while preventing dental erosion.

Use A Straw

Protect your teeth from enamel erosion by drinking fruit juice with a straw 1080x1080

Straws are your friends.

Straws are great at protecting your teeth from stains, but they also work wonders for keeping your tooth enamel in tip-top shape. Anytime you’re drinking anything acidic, it’s very helpful to your teeth to use a straw. By doing so, the acid in the beverage can bypass your teeth and leave them looking and feeling great.

Be Gentle

IMG_8154

Harder isn’t better.

Remember, when it comes to brushing your teeth, harder is not always better. A soft brush and a gentle touch is always best. You’ll clean your teeth just as effectively, and won’t wear off their protective layer.

Use Fluoride

IMG_8468

Let it do the work for you.

Select a toothpaste with fluoride as an ingredient. Fluoride has been proven to help protect teeth from tooth decay and cavities. If you’re particularly worried about the enamel of your teeth, brush more than the recommended two times daily and start brushing after every meal. This will remove sugar and starches that can turn into corrosive acid and wear away at your teeth.

Protect Them

IMG_8138

Don’t neglect your teeth.

While these are all valuable tips, the most important thing you can do for your pearly whites is brush and floss twice a day, and visit us twice a year for cleanings. If it’s been over six months since your last cleaning, schedule your appointment today!

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

 

 

 

 

 

15 Fun Facts About Your Teeth

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img_7768

 Teeth
They are strange little things
Always biting
Leaving their crescent, jagged mark
Everywhere
Tough bone, made to last
They say a smile on your face
Is the most beautiful accessory
A person can have
But no perfect smiles are without
Teeth

Our teeth are wonderful, fascinating things! Their main purpose is chewing, or breaking down items of food by cutting and crushing them in preparation for swallowing and digestion.

Let’s take a look at 15 facts about your pearly whites that you might be surprised to hear!

#1

33-percent-of-people-are-born-without-wisdom-teeth

Are you one of them?

#2

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Wow! That’s why you have to be so careful with them.

#3

Our ancestors had to improvise.

Our ancestors had to improvise.

#4

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You should have all of your adult chompers by your teenage years.

#5

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Flossing your teeth does all of that? Who knew?

#6

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That’s a lot of missing teeth! Be aware of your surroundings.

 

#7

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Healthy teeth require a lot of toothpaste!

#8

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Make sure it’s always sugar-free! Sugary gum is terrible for your teeth and makes you much more prone to cavities.

#9

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Among these are 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars (including 4 wisdom). Most people have their full adult set by the time they reach their teenage years.

#10

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They’re already there, they’re just waiting to pop through.

#11

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If this happens, put it in milk and get to us immediately.

#12

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Did you know?

#13

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Even harder than our bones.

#14

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This is an eye opening statistic. Make sure you’re bringing your child in for their first appointment, by their first birthday.

#15

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Now You Know

We hope you’ve learned something about how wonderful your pearly whites really are, and how important it is to take care of them. If it’s been over 6 months since you’ve come to see us, make your appointment today.

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

A Truly Bright New Year: The Truth About Teeth Whitening

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Beauty woman with perfect smile. Beautiful Model Girl with red l

 

While it is true that brushing our teeth daily does indeed assist in a truly brighter smile, sometimes more is needed to get the whiter smile we desire.  Enter teeth whitening.  We’ve all heard about it, seen the results on our friends and envied celebrities as they flash their pearly whites.  But what is it truly all about?  Before we address that question, let’s ask another; “Why did my teeth change to the point of needing whitening?” There are many reasons our teeth dim over time. Some of these reasons include food and beverages, tobacco use, medications, and age.

When it comes to food and drinks there are no bigger culprits for teeth staining than those of coffee, tea or wine.  The reason is that all three have intense color pigments called chromogens that attaches to the enamel of the teeth and cause staining.   The nicotine and tar in tobacco also cause staining as once nicotine is mixed with oxygen, it turns yellow which in turn does the same to your teeth over time.  Age and certain medications can also cause teeth to yellow over an extended amount of time.

How Do Teeth Whiteners Work?

Whitening products contain one of two teeth bleaching agents:  Hydrogen peroxide or Carbamide Peroxide.   Both break down stains in a way that they are reduced to smaller particles which make the teeth brighter.  While teeth whitening works on most teeth, there are some that it will not.  The best teeth candidates for whitening are yellow teeth versus brown or gray teeth.  Veeners, caps, fillings and crowns will not benefit from teeth whitening so it’s very important to discuss with your dentist if it’s something that will work for your teeth.

Some of the options available are at home whitening, whitening toothpastes, and in-office bleaching.  Toothpastes that whiten your teeth on a daily basis work very well for lightly stained teeth, but if your teeth has deeper stains,  at home whitening can be done as well with custom bleaching trays that with use of special whitening gels can be very successful in brightening that smile.    If more intense whitening is needed, in-office bleaching may be what is needed for the job.

Whichever option you choose, your dentist can assist on making sure it’s the right one for you and your teeth.

If you would like more information on the services that Burba Dental Partners provide, please visit the teeth whitening page of our website.

Princess Kate’s Imperfect Smile is Perfection

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Many of us have been following Kate Middleton’s transformation to Princess Kate over the past few years.

Through it all, we see her smiling her beautiful, perfectly imperfect smile.

A recent Newsweek article explored the secret behind the Duchess of Cambridge’s smile. She is British, of course, and the British have long been notorious for the general state of their oral health (or lack thereof). Yet somehow she flashes her bright white beauty without revealing a single crown, veneer, or implant.

A trend in British dentistry is to focus on natural correction. Pioneered by Dr. Didier Fillion, the process involves making “microrotations” that result in a corrected smile while leaving character defined through natural imperfections.

Dr. Fillion’s approach creates vibrant smiles while still allowing teeth to be “adapted to a personality”.

This end result is very similar to the goal shared by most cosmetic dentistry – helping the smile’s owner be the best version of herself possible. Techniques may vary but the magic can be seen when the patient flashes her confident smile.

Changing Lives, One Smile at a Time

DoctorsBurbas Do Food Expiration Dates Really Matter?

Dr. Randall Burba is an AACD accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, MA. He considers himself an artist – with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking. Follow Burba Dental Partners on Twitter and Facebook.