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Tempe
>> Edward Mazer, DDS
Dr.
Mazer
earned a degree from Temple University in 1967 and received his
DDS from the Temple University School of Dentistry in
1971. He earned his periodontal certificate in
1975.
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Dr. Mazer
attends many continuing education courses in
implantology, TMJ treatment, periodontal therapy,
esthetic management of periodontial conditions, and
diagnostics for periodontal disease and soft tissue
pathology so he can provide the latest in modern dental
and periodontic services to his patients.
He is an
active member of the American Academy of Periodontology. |
When
he's away from the office, Dr. Mazer enjoys golf,
exercise and religious/spiritual studies.
Why replace my
missing teeth? As many patients have said either in jest
or seriously, “after all, my grandparents had dentures, and my
parents had a lot of missing teeth!” Why indeed,
since we started of with 32 teeth, and if we lose a few,
especially the “back” ones, how much difference could it make?
When I
was in the Ukraine a few years back, people came to me
for dental treatment - all extractions!! They
walked around with holes their mouths, in the front
teeth and back, and they were both young and old, male
and female. The common denominator for them was
that they had unhealthy teeth. They complained of
not chewing well, they didn’t feel well and of course
they wanted to get some teeth from the “American”
doctor.
Since I was in
dental school in the 1970’s, when more than half the population
over the age 50 had lost all of their teeth, we have come a long
way. The percentage has dropped significantly, and most
people who see me want to do whatever they can to save their
teeth. This is a part of the story of modern dentistry.
We have discovered that disease of the mouth is inclusive of the
body. When one has unhealthy gums; cardiovascular disease,
strokes, diabetes, and premature low birth weight babies are an
increased likelihood.
It is important
to understand that your mouth harbors multiple bacteria.
To stay healthy, you must keep your teeth and gums clean, so
that you can keep your teeth for a lifetime. There are
consequences when one loses one or more of their teeth.
Is it
important to replace that tooth, or can I just go on like I am?
The answer is an
individual one ultimately. After all, it is not a
life-threatening disease we are talking about. Or is it?
By losing a tooth or teeth, many things are altered, through
shifting of other teeth, loss of the ability to easily eat or
digest ones food, increased decay (since the tipped teeth are
harder to keep clean) and temporomandibular joint problems, just
to name a few. Pain could result, with poor eating habits
leading to other medical problems and... thus indirectly we have
increased our health problems.
What is the
answer?
First, don't
lose any teeth. Maintain good hygiene: floss, brush
and eat a healthy diet. If you have to lose a tooth,
varied replacement methods must be identified before you have
the tooth extracted. (Provided you are not suffering and
in pain). For instance, the tooth can be replaced by a
traditional fixed bridge method, or by the insertion of an
implant, or even by a removable partial denture (least
favorable). To determine what is right for you, one needs
to evaluate the cost/benefit factors.
In a fixed
bridge, the dentist must reduce tooth structure for a crown and
connect multiple teeth together. This is the old standard
of care for replacement of a missing tooth, and in many cases
should still be used today.
An implant is a
titanium "screw" placed into the alveolar bone, integrated
(fused) natural bone repair, and eventually, (two to four months
later), a crown is attached to it. The planning for the
implant should start before the tooth is extracted. With
proper planning, most sites can have an implant placed either
immediately or as a delayed procedure.
Most
importantly, one must replace missing teeth before more damage
is done. Insidious problems creep up over the years,
eventually costing much more for the investment in your mouth.
Be smart - keep healthy with good oral habits and you will save
a lot of money over your lifetime.
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$68.00/year for
one member
$105.00/year for
member and dependent
$145.00/year for
member and two
or more dependents
Learn
more about it!
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