Oct 3, 2024 | Blog, Dental Information, Dental Topics 3
Once you have had dental implants surgically placed, you will want to follow some important care tips to ensure their long-term success. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, so it’s exceptionally important to adhere to the instructions provided by your dentist and guidelines like these:
- Follow a vigilant routine of brushing and flossing thoroughly at least twice per day to eliminate the plaque that can cause periodontal disease, which is a leading cause of implant failure.
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- Consult with your dentist about the type and use of special toothbrushes or oral irrigation devices that can help with the additional removal of food debris or plaque that builds up around the implant areas.
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- Visit your dentist approximately every three months for the first year after implant surgery, and then every six months for the duration of your implants.
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- If you are also wearing an implant supported denture, seek additional guidance from your dentist about the placement and removal of your denture to prevent damage to the implant.
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- Refrain from applying excessive pressure or chewing on hard foods that could cause damage to the implant area. Patients who suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding) should consider being fitted for a night guard to protect the implants.
While the success rate of dental implants is high, implant failure can happen and normally results from infection, fracture, or damage to the nerves, teeth or blood vessels surrounding the implant. A successful implant patient who takes vigilant care of their teeth, gums, and implants can expect a full recovery and complication-free lifetime of beautiful, healthy smiles.
Are dental issues holding you back? Take control of your oral health by booking an appointment with our experienced team at our Bingham Farms dental office.
Sep 26, 2024 | Blog, Dental Information, Dental Topics 3
Having a teenager can be challenging. They have school work, multiple activities, and attitudes. This hectic time in life can also impact your teen’s dental health. Proper care and good oral hygiene will make sure that your teenager enjoys a lifetime of vibrant smiles.
• Encourage your teen to brush after each meal. Remind your son or daughter about the importance of flossing to remove plaque and promote gum health.
• Explain the consequences of not caring for your teeth, which can include bad breath, stains, and cavities.
• Make sure you stock up on the necessary supplies so that your teen has the right tools on hand. Purchase plenty of fluoride toothpaste, dental floss, and extra toothbrushes.
• Schedule regular checkups with the dentist. These appointments allow the dentist to assess your teen’s oral health and handle any problems right away.
• If your son or daughter has braces, get floss threaders from the orthodontist or buy them at the local drug store. Keep up with appointments for adjustments so that your teen’s treatment stays on track.
• For teens that play contact sports, including soccer, football, or volleyball, ask your dentist or orthodontist about a custom mouth guard. This oral appliance is designed to protect their teeth and mouth from potential injury.
• Limit your teen’s consumption of junk food by having health snacks like vegetables, fruits, and low fat dairy options readily available.
• Model good behavior. Showing that you believe oral health care matters will help your teen take your advice and warnings to heart.
Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Bingham Farms dental office to schedule your consultation!
Sep 19, 2024 | Blog, Dental Topics 3, Implant Dentistry
Missing teeth make you unhappy because it’s more difficult to eat and speak without them, as well as leaving gaps in your smile. Luckily dental implants have come to the rescue in modern dentistry. These titanium posts are surgically inserted into your jawbone, where they fuse with the bone to become a permanent part of your body. An artificial tooth is later placed on top of this stable support to complete the restoration.
If your dentist says that you have healthy gums, strong bones, and good enough overall health to undergo the procedure, then dental implants may be a great choice for restoring your smile. If you’re considering this treatment, here are some benefits you can expect to receive:
- Natural appearance
- Durable enough to last a lifetime
- Very high success rate
- Improved speech
- Restored ability to eat naturally
- Improved self-esteem
- Security without concern for slipping
- Choice of materials for the crown such as porcelain or ceramic
- Ability to maintain good dental hygiene with normal brushing and flossing
The chances that you’ll be extremely happy with your dental implant is very good. Most patients rave about the results and their restored function and appearance. It’s easy to keep your implants for a lifetime with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. If you have a hole in your smile, ask your dentist if you are a good candidate to enjoy all of the benefits of dental implants.
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Bingham Farms dental office.
Sep 5, 2024 | Blog, Dental Topics 3, Implant Dentistry
If you have lost a tooth due to injury, disease, or decay, you may be wondering what your options are for restoration. The best, long-term solution for restoring your single missing tooth is a dental implant fitted with a crown. A single tooth dental implant replaces both the natural tooth, as well as the tooth’s root.
A dental implant allows you to replace a missing tooth without altering the state of surrounding teeth. Common alternative treatments, such as the placement of a tooth-supported bridge, require neighboring teeth to be filed or cut down into peg shapes to support the appliance. Those compromised teeth are more susceptible to decay and bone loss. However, dental implants do not require such alterations, thus preserving the healthy teeth. The placement of an implant involves placing a small titanium post into the jawbone, which provides an anchor for the placement of the implant. This artificial “root” attaches to the bone and gums to become a base for a crown.
You may be tempted to avoid restoring one missing tooth; however, leaving it untreated can result in bone loss, altered chewing capability, and an overall unappealing appearance to your smile. For these reasons, it would be wise to consider an individual dental implant to replace your single missing tooth. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental care, single tooth implants can last as long as 25 years. Schedule a consultation with your dental professional to determine if you are a good candidate for a single tooth dental implant to replace your missing tooth and restore your healthy smile.
Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Bingham Farms dental office to schedule your consultation!
Aug 29, 2024 | Blog, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Topics 3
If you look in the mirror and wish you had a more attractive smile, porcelain veneers may provide the answer you are looking for to update your image. Made from fine dental porcelain, veneers can cover imperfections and transform your appearance. With veneers, you can cover stains, close gaps, and produce uniformity. Depending on your case, you may choose from custom veneers or minimal preparation options.
Before beginning any treatment, schedule a consultation with a skilled cosmetic dentist. At this visit, explain your desires in detail to your doctor. Some people even bring examples of smiles that they like. Your dentist will combine this information with a complete examination to develop a customized plan for your new smile.
Traditional Veneers
Handcrafted to fit your specific smile, traditional porcelain veneers can be created to complement your facial features, neighboring teeth, and personality. For traditional veneers, your doctor will prepare the teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel and then take impressions of your teeth. Your dentist will send this information to a trained ceramist, who will generate your restorations. While you wait, some dentist will place temporary veneers, giving you a chance to try out your new look. Once the permanent veneers arrive from the lab, you will return for final placement.
Minimal-Prep Veneers
Marketed through brands like Durathin or Lumineers, minimal-prep veneers are ultra-thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to your front teeth. With minimal-prep options, little enamel removal is necessary and usually local anesthetic is unnecessary. Reversing minimal prep veneers is also possible if you change your mind at a later time. Because they can look unnatural or bulky in certain cases, not all individuals make good candidates for minimal-prep veneers.
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Bingham Farms dental office.
Aug 15, 2024 | Blog, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Topics 3
A set of crooked teeth can make you self-conscious in interacting with others and may cause you to hide your smile instead of showing your emotions with confidence. There are many reasons that you might have misshapen or misaligned teeth. Decay, cavities, poor development or nutrition, hereditary factors, or bad habits like teeth grinding or tongue thrusting can all play a role. If you have a crooked smile for any reason, a smile makeover may be the perfect answer.
A dentist can provide many options for correcting misaligned teeth, and the best methods depend on the degree of your issues. Every patient is different and can benefit from varying techniques.
The most well-known way to correct crooked teeth is probably orthodontics. Traditional metal braces have been around for many years and are a proven way to straighten teeth and realign jaws. Braces involve attaching metal brackets and wires to the teeth with glue, and tightening them at regular intervals over a period of time that can last up to a couple of years or more. Because many patients dislike the look and hassles of metal braces, Invisalign has been developed to straighten teeth without such an obvious impact to your appearance while undergoing treatment. These invisible, removable, plastic aligners provide a popular way to straighten smiles.
Another choice for improving your smile is dental veneers. These very thin shells made of porcelain or ceramic can be bonded to the fronts of your teeth to hide flaws underneath. Veneers create a natural look that is in the shade you desire, and quickly transform your smile into the one you’ve always wanted.
Minor changes to crooked teeth can be made with simple reshaping of teeth. Gentle abrasion and polishing of the teeth can make them appear straighter and more attractive. Reshaping may be combined with bonding, which involves applying resin to the tooth and sculpting it to the desired look. These are both very quick and painless ways to improve your smile.
Do you live in Bingham Farms or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.
