Cosmetic Dentistry Directory Blog

Dental implants are by far the most effective option to replace missing teeth. They are the only option that provides you with a permanent replacement tooth and root. As a result, many dentists regularly recommend dental implants to all patients who are suitable candidates.

Dental implants offer you many benefits compared to alternatives such as dentures or dental bridges. These include:

• Natural appearance – Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth, so others won’t even know you have a prosthetic tooth.
• Improved speech – Dentures have a tendency to slip, causing you to slur your speech. Since dental implants are permanently attached to your jaw, they eliminate these speech issues.
• Improved comfort – Dental implants are permanently fused with your jawbone, eliminating the discomfort associated with dental bridges and removable dentures.
• Easier eating – Poorly fitting dentures can make chewing difficult and prevent you from eating many foods which you previously enjoyed. Dental implants are permanently attached to your jaw and function like natural teeth, allowing you to eat all of your favorite foods anytime you like.
• Improved oral health – Dental implants do not require your dentist to alter neighboring teeth to support them as is necessary with a dental bridge, leaving more of your natural teeth intact. They also prevent future bone loss since the implant functions as a replacement root as well as a replacement tooth. You will also have easier access to the spaces between your teeth with dental implants, facilitating at-home oral hygiene practices.
• Durability – Your dental implant will permanently fuse with your jawbone, making it a highly durable restoration. When properly cared for, dental implants can last for the rest of your life.

Please contact an experienced dentist in your area today to schedule your dental implant consultation.

It is important to replace any missing teeth as soon as possible. Failure to do so can result in serious oral health issues such as a misaligned jaw, tooth loss, and gum disease. While there are several different options available to replace missing teeth, the most effective and long-lasting option involves the use of dental implants.

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are permanently placed in your jaw to hold a replacement tooth. They provide you with a durable, stable restoration that eliminates many of the drawbacks associated with dental bridges and dentures.

The dental implant procedure takes a considerable amount of time to complete, so you must be willing to commit to the months-long time frame involved in this tooth replacement option. First, your dentist will insert the dental implant, consisting of a titanium screw, into your jawbone. Over a period of three to six months, your jaw will heal. During this time, the implant will fuse to your jawbone, enabling it to function as a permanent replacement root. This process is called osseointegration.

Once osseointegration is complete, your dentist will attach a titanium post, called an abutment to your dental implant. This abutment will eventually be attached to your prosthetic tooth. Your dentist will take an impression of your tooth to be sent to a lab for use in the creation of a dental crown that will serve as your prosthetic tooth. Once the crown is completed, you will return to your dentist’s office to have it attached to the abutment.

It is important to understand that not everyone is a suitable candidate for dental implants. At your initial consultation, your dentist will evaluate your jaw to make sure you have sufficient bone density to accommodate the dental implant.

If need to replace a missing tooth, please contact a dentist in your area today to schedule an initial consultation.

Advances in dental imaging technology have made the diagnosis and treatment of your oral health conditions much safer and more effective. Your dentist has a variety of imaging options to choose from which will ensure you receive the best possible treatment. Some of these include:

• Digital X-Rays – Digital x-rays offer you several important benefits over traditional photographic x-rays. Since the images are taken digitally, you can view them immediately, allowing your dentist to review the condition of your teeth and gums with you while you are still in the dentist’s chair. Digital x-rays also use approximately 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays, making them much safer.
• 3D Imaging Tools – Some dentists now use Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to provide 3D images to of your mouth. CBCT is commonly used to diagnose patients with impacted teeth or TMD. They are also useful when you are replacing a missing tooth with dental implants. These 3D images enable your dentist plan your treatment with greater precision.
• Intraoral Cameras – Intraoral cameras take digital photographs of your teeth and gums which can be very useful in a variety of dental procedures.
• K7 System – The K7 system is used to diagnose issues associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). It uses computerized imaging to gather precise data regarding your jaw muscle range of motion, jaw muscle electrical activity, and jaw joint sounds.
• Thermal Imaging – Thermal imaging uses an infrared camera to detect variations in body temperatures. This can be very helpful in detecting infections or precancerous tissues in your mouth.

To learn more about the dental imaging technologies available to you, please contact a dentist near you today.

If you are afraid of the dentist, you are not alone. Approximately 30% of the population regularly avoids important dental treatments due to severe dental anxiety and phobia. Unfortunately, this creates several serious problems for your health. By avoiding the dentist, you run the risk of developing serious oral health issues which, if not properly treated, can seriously impact your overall health as well.

Luckily, you do not have to be afraid of the dentist any longer. Sedation dentistry has made it possible to enjoy a relaxing, painless dental experience every time you visit your dentist.

Sedation dentistry is a process that is used to help you feel relaxed and calm throughout your dental procedure. There are several different methods of sedation dentistry available:

• Oral conscious sedation
• Nitrous oxide gas
• IV sedation

With oral conscious sedation, your dentist will give you a pill to take shortly before your procedure. This will place you in a relaxed, semi-conscious state. You will be able to respond to your dentist’s prompts throughout the treatment, and afterwards you will wake up feeling refreshed and relaxed. You most likely will not remember much about your procedure.

Nitrous oxide, also called “laughing gas,” can be administered by your dentist as well. Nitrous is very safe, and there are no lingering after effects. As a result, you will be able to drive home safely from your procedure. IV sedation is also commonly used to make patients feel more relaxed in the dentist’s chair. Ask your dentist which sedation method he recommends for you.

Please contact an experienced sedation dentist in your area today to schedule your initial consultation.

Cosmetic flaws with your smile can be a source of embarrassment and prevent you from flashing your smile as often as you’d like. Fortunately, you don’t have to endure these flaws any longer. Advances in cosmetic dentistry techniques and technology have made a beautiful smile within your reach.

A smile makeover consists of one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures which correct the aesthetic flaws in your smile. You can address a variety of cosmetic dental issues, including:

• Chips
• Cracks
• Gaps
• Uneven size
• Asymmetrical teeth
• Crooked or crowded teeth
• Discolored teeth

Each smile makeover is customized to address the unique needs of the individual patient. Depending on your goals and cosmetic dental problems, your dentist may recommend one or more of the following procedures:

• Porcelain veneers
• Teeth whitening
• Dental crowns
• Dental bonding
• Dental implants

At your initial consultation, your cosmetic dentist will perform a thorough evaluation of your teeth and gums before recommending the ideal combination of procedures for you. If cost is a concern, ask your cosmetic dentist about the financing options they offer. Most dentists can work with you to make sure your desired procedure fits into your budget.

Please contact an experienced cosmetic dentist in your area today to schedule your initial smile makeover consultation.