Archive for the ‘Oral Surgery’ Category

New era for tourism….

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

The time when the tourist, came to Costa Rica with only a suitcase and a sight seeing itinerary is far behind. Most of them now arrive with the intention of going in for medical treatment or for some cosmetic work. According to statistics across the country, the number of tourists who plan cosmetic procedures while on holiday has risen exponentially, because of highly qualified doctors who offer treatments at unbelievably low prices, performing the procedures at well equipped hospitals that offer world class medical care. To read more go to: www.arrivacostarica.com

Veneers

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Dental veneers are custom-designed shells of a tooth like ceramic material that, when applied over the surface of a tooth, can cover worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment or spacing, and chips or cracks. Those fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry because they create a bright, white smile with beautifully aligned, shaped teeth. Porcelain veneers are stain resistant, and the color of a porcelain veneer can be selected, so that it makes darker teeth appear whiter. Getting dental veneers usually requires three dental visits. For more info: www.arrivacostarica.com

Dental crown

Friday, June 25th, 2010

CEREC technology eliminates the need for all of the return visits by milling a new crown in about 30 seconds. Using digital and wireless technology, the physician takes a digital photograph of the tooth and the computer instantly renders a model that becomes the pattern for the crown. The milling machine is in the office and when the dentist sends the information to the machine, it chisels your crown from strong, color matched porcelain material and in only seconds.

Once the crown is made, the dentist simply cements it to the tooth and uses a blue laser light to cure the cement so it hardens right away…. find out more at: www.arrivacostarica.com

TMJ Disorder

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

TMJ syndrome, or temporomandibular joint disorder. It can affect either of the muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments, tissues and bones in the jaw and skull. It can obviously have impacts on one’s teeth as well. One may find it difficult to bite and chew and experience an aching pain in some parts of the face. Earaches and headaches are also some of the few things that cannot be avoided because of this condition… more info at: www.arrivacostarica.com

What you need to know about Dental Implants

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are replacement tooth roots. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth.

What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?

There are many advantages to dental implants, including:

  • Improved appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. And because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent.
  • Improved speech. With poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that your teeth might slip.
  • Improved comfort. Because they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
  • Easier eating. Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.
  • Improved self-esteem. Dental implants can give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself.
  • Improved oral health. Dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving your long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.
  • Durability. Implants are very durable and will last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.
  • Convenience. Removable dentures are just that; removable. Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing your dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep your dentures in place.

How Successful Are Dental Implants?

Success rates of dental implants vary, depending on where in the jaw the implants are placed but, in general, dental implants have a success rate of up to 98%. With proper care (see below), implants can last a lifetime.

Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?

In most cases, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for a dental implant. Patients should have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant. They also must be committed to good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Heavy smokers, people suffering from uncontrolled chronic disorders – such as diabetes or heart disease – or patients who have had radiation therapy to the head/neck area need to be evaluated on an individual basis. If you are considering implants, talk to your dentist to see if they are right for you.

Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Dental Implants?

In general, dental implants are not covered by dental insurance at this time. Coverage under your medical plan may be possible, depending on the insurance plan and/or cause of tooth loss. Detailed questions about your individual needs and how they relate to insurance should be discussed with your dentist and your insurance provider.

What Is Involved in Getting a Dental Implant?

The first step in the dental implant process is the development of an individualized treatment plan. The plan addresses your specific needs and is prepared by a team of professionals who are specially trained and experienced in oral surgery and restorative dentistry. This team approach provides coordinated care based on the implant option that is best for you.

Next, the tooth root implant, which is a small post made of titanium, is placed into the bone socket of the missing tooth. As the jawbone heals, it grows around the implanted metal post, anchoring it securely in the jaw. The healing process can take from 6 to 12 weeks.

Once the implant has bonded to the jawbone, a small connector post – called an abutment – is attached to the post to securely hold the new tooth. To make your new tooth or teeth, your dentist makes impressions of your teeth, and creates a model of your bite (which captures all of your teeth, their type, and arrangement). Your new tooth or teeth are based on this model. A replacement tooth, called a crown, is then attached to the abutment.

Instead of one or more individual crowns, some patients may have attachments placed on the implant that retain and support a removable denture.

Your dentist also will match the color of your new teeth to your natural teeth. Because the implant is secured within the jawbone, the replacement teeth look, feel, and function just like your own natural teeth.

How Painful Are Dental Implants?

Most people who have received dental implants say that there is very little discomfort involved in the procedure. Local anesthesia can be used during the procedure, and most patients report that implants involve less pain than a tooth extraction.

After the dental implant, mild soreness can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications, such as Tylenol or Motrin.

How Do I Care for Dental Implants?

Dental implants require the same care as real teeth, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups.

ArrivaCostaRica.com is the primary web site for information about plastic surgery and dentistry in Costa Rica. See www.arrivacostarica.com

Solving Dental Care Concerns For Anxious Patients

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Are you afraid of going to the dentist? If so, you are not alone. An estimated one-third of Americans do not go to the dentist because they are afraid of the potential pain and discomfort. This can lead to many problems because cavities, gum disease, and more go undetected and untreated. This can lead to root canals and tooth loss down the road once the pain becomes more than they can bear.

While many dentists claim to “cater to cowards,” even the nicest of dentists can still leave their patients nervous wrecks. Sedation dentistry is a completely different approach to treating patients and their teeth.

Sedation dentistry is used to provide a relaxing and calming experience for the patient. This is achieved by using varying levels of treatment depending on the patient and the procedure. The most common form is nitrous oxide which is administered throughout the procedure through a nasal mask or hood. The patient still knows what is going on around him, but is much calmer and more relaxed. It also serves to numb the gums, which can make injections easier.

Another option is IV sedation, which delivers the medication intravenously for an immediate result. Unlike nitrous oxide, it induces more of a sleep-like consciousness. It is best used when patients are extremely anxious or scared.

For those who do not like needles, a third option is oral conscious sedation. One benefit of this treatment is that patients do not remember the experience, although they are able to move and respond to the dentist throughout.

Because of the serious nature of the medication, people who use any of these treatments during their dental procedure will need to be driven home. The medication does not wear off quickly enough for the patient to have recovered sufficiently to drive.

If you are afraid of the dentist, that is not reason to put off the treatment that you desperately need for proper dental health. Talk to your dentist about whether he or she performs sedation dentistry. If not, you should look into finding someone else in your area that does.

ArrivaCostaRica.com is the primary web site for information about plastic surgery and dentistry in Costa Rica. See www.arrivacostarica.com

Never Too Late To Achieve A Straight Smile

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Orthodontics was once reserved for teens and preteens, but today over one third of orthodontic patients are adults. Today there are many options available to adults if they want to improve their smile, and the appearance of their teeth. The options available for adults include: invisible braces, porcelain veneers, and crowns. These options address specific issues, but all have adult lifestyle and needs in mind.

When the straightening of the teeth is the main concern then braces, invisible braces, or porcelain veneers may be suitable for adults. Making a determination on which of these approaches will be the best choice depends on the severity of the problem. For slight misalignments invisible braces or porcelain veneers may be the best choice.

If the misalignment of teeth is severe, then fixed braces, including invisible or porcelain types, may be more effective to address the correction of misaligned teeth. If fixed braces are needed they will have to be worn anywhere from one to three years to straighten teeth properly. These braces will need to be in place every day for the first year, and then a retainer can be used at night for the remaining amount of time.

Teeth that are only slightly misaligned can be corrected using invisible braces that are either tooth colored, or clear and removable. This helps to avoid situations where adults may be embarrassed by a mouth full of braces, and somewhat hides the fixtures. The degree of misalignment for teeth that can be effective treated with these braces is slight to moderate.

Adults that did not have an opportunity to straighten their teeth when they were young now have the opportunity as an adult. There are many options for the adult wishing to straighten out their teeth, and improve their smile. Their choice of treatment will depend on their personal needs, and the severity of the misalignment. A good first step is to schedule a visit with an orthodontist for an examination and recommendation of treatment.

ArrivaCostaRica.com is the primary web site for information about plastic surgery and dentistry in Costa Rica. See www.arrivacostarica.com

Affordable Healthcare and Costa Rica!

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Happy with your health insurance? Its probably because you’re healthy and don’t really need it. But when you do get sick, you may discover your insurance doesn’t cover as much as what you thought.

Just when you have the least physical and emotional ability to cope, you find yourself dealing with a financial and bureaucratic nightmare of claims that are refused, and procedures and medications that are denied by an anonymous insurance administrator telling their doctor what they can and cannot prescribe.

Saying the U.S. has the best health care in the world doesn’t make it so.

The World Health Organization ranks the U.S. health-care system 37th, between Costa Rica and Slovenia, behind three South American countries and well behind the much-maligned UK and Canadian systems.

While it’s true we have some of the best technology, research and training for doctors and nurses, if Americans can’t access them, it doesn’t make much difference how great it is. French cuisine is arguably the best in the world, but try telling that to the starving 18th century French peasants who because of their hunger and other sufferings, started the French revolution.

While false fears run rampant about “pulling the plug on Grandma” and government funds for abortion, there seems to be little regard for people between the age of 0 and 65 who are dying, suffering or going bankrupt because they just can’t afford the health care they need.

In this, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, every child, every person, should have access to health care. No parent should have to wait until their child gets so sick that the emergency room is the only option. No one should have to divorce an ailing spouse in order to avoid bankruptcy or poverty. No one should die because they can’t afford to be treated. Access to affordable health care, like freedom and democracy, is a moral issue.

Many insurers and employers, meanwhile, are discovering Costa Rica for exceptional medical and dental care. For more information, please go to www.arrivacostarica.com

Costa Rican hospitals earn an intern… accreditation

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Many Costa Rican hospitals and clinics have received certification that puts them on par with U.S. medical centers, a move that national competitiveness authorities know will boost this country’s profile as a prime destination for medical tourism.

Following a six-month review process, the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Facilities (AAAASF) has certified several private surgical and ambulatory centers, such as UNIBE hospital, And top JCI accredited hospitals, or soon to be accredited, include CIMA Hospital, Hospital Clinica Biblica, and La Catolica Hospital.

“The international accreditation of health services allows us to position ourselves among countries such as the United States, where patients are looking for certified qualified,” said Dr. Jorge Cortés, president of the Council for the International Promotion of Costa Rican Medicine (PROMED).

The vast majority of Costa Rica’s medical tourists come from the United States, whose population in many cases lacks affordable health care. Many procedures here are as little as one-third the cost, or less.

Nearly 13 percent of the medical tourists who visit Costa Rica seek cosmetic surgery procedures, while another 35 percent come for dental work, according to a study by the Competitiveness Ministry. In the U.S., insurance companies are beginning to catch on, offering to chip in for travel packages to this Central American country. For more information, go to www.arrivacostarica.com

Savings up to 60% for Plastic Surgery and Dental!

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

As the new leader in plastic surgery and dental care, Costa Rica offers price breaks of more than $20,000 for common procedures. Travel costs for such procedures are very low, only $158 round trip from Miami for a 2 hour ride, For a complete overview of costs for everything from tummy tucks to face lifts, and dental implants and crowns, along with the very best doctors and dentists in Costa Rica, go to http://www.arrivacostarica.com