SPONSORED CONTENT
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
SPONSORED CONTENT
Dr . Paulette Paulin loves to see you smile . She has the distinct honor of being a past President of the American College of Prosthodontists and a former professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine , Department of Prosthodontics . You know that your smile is in good hands when you walk into her office .
Dr . Paulin is a specialist in prosthodontics which requires three or more additional years of postgraduate training after finishing dental school . Prosthodontists have extensive training in the restoration and replacement of teeth as well as TMJ dysfunction and bite problems .
“ Some of the dental services we provide in our office encompass the smallest fillings to complete oral reconstruction ,” Dr . Paulin said . “ We provide comprehensive dental services from cleanings and x-rays , to crowns and bridges , to dentures and partials , to TMJ and treatment for bite problems . But our most common procedures that we do are cosmetic and implant dentistry , where we strive to preserve the remaining natural teeth and bone in a healthy state for as long as possible , and to provide alternatives for replacement that the patient is happy with esthetically , functionally and comfortably .”
To do that , Dr . Paulin utilizes state-of-the-art dental implants to replace missing teeth , a process that not only restores the area where the missing tooth was , but also outlasts any other replacement options .
“ Dental implants are titanium tooth roots shaped like the root of a natural tooth . For patients missing one tooth , a single implant and crown can be used for replacement . If a patient is missing multiple teeth , a bridge can be constructed on top of the implants . For patients who are missing all of their teeth in either the upper or lower arch , we can attach a denture to the implants to provide retention , support and stability . Even people missing only one tooth can be set up for a cascade of events that compromise the neighboring teeth . The remaining teeth want to shift into the space , predisposing them to an increased risk for periodontal disease and tooth decay , which leads to further tooth loss .
“ In our office we use the Nobel Biocare Dental Implant System , which is the world ’ s most used implant system and has the most scientific documentation , with more than 40 years of publications on their safety , predictability , clinical success and longevity .”
Dr . Paulin said that many times , if the missing tooth is not one visible by smiling , people tend to ignore its replacement , which is a bad choice .
“ The back ( posterior ) teeth are so very important for proper diet , nutrition and overall quality of life ,” she said . “ When one or more teeth are missing and not replaced , there are unhealthy additional forces placed on the remaining teeth that could result in fracture and faster deterioration . It can also cause bite problems , shifting of the surrounding teeth , TMJ dysfunction , as well as physical facial soft tissue changes that make the face appear sunken and aged .”
Dr . Paulin said missing teeth will also lead to bone loss and further tooth drift , as teeth surrounding the missing space shift . It ’ s a common problem , as it ’ s estimated that 69 percent of adults between the ages of 35 and 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth . The American Dental Association estimates that the number of people missing all of their teeth at more than 20 million , and those missing between 11 and 15 teeth at 100 million .
Dental implants are a relatively minor surgical procedure typically performed with just local anesthetic to numb the area . Dr . Paulin cites patients who have resumed their schedule soon after they received their implant , highlighting the ease of the procedure . What ’ s more , implants can be anchors for crowns , bridges and dentures , securing dentures firmly so they don ’ t “ move around and float ,” a common complaint among denture wearers .
For more information , contact Paulette P . Paulin , D . M . D ., dental specialist in prosthodontics and implant dentistry , at 412.823.4948 .
Monroeville | Summer 2017 | icmags . com 29