Month: December 2021

After receiving dental implants, you’ll want to take care of your investment. Once they have been surgically placed by a trained professional, dental implants can last you a lifetime. However, you still need to take a few steps to ensure that your implants — and mouth in general — stay healthy.

Below are several ways that you can protect your dental implants!

1. Brush and floss regularly.

Even if you have received full mouth dental implants, you still need to take care of your gums. This includes brushing them with an extra-soft toothbrush and flossing if possible. (It is easy to floss around single implants. If you have a full arch overdenture, you should talk with your doctor about the best way to incorporate flossing into your routine.)

2. Attend all your scheduled dental appointments.

Everyone, including people who have lost all their teeth, should visit a dental provider at least twice a year. Dentists and their teams do not just focus their attention on teeth, after all. They also concentrate on helping patients like you maintain optimum oral health and avoid problems like gum disease, cancer, and TMJ disorder. At every visit, your dentist will make sure your dental implants and crowns or prosthesis look good.

3. Ask your implant doctor about any concerns.

When placed by knowledgeable implant clinicians, dental implants have a very high success rate. Occasionally, though, dental implants can fail. For this reason, you should contact your dental provider immediately if you experience swelling around the implant, the implant seems to be loose, the implant area begins to tingle or hurt, the implant site smells unpleasant, or you notice pus coming from the gums around the implant. The sooner you alert your doctor, the less chance you have of losing the implant.

4. Eat the foods your doctor recommends post-surgery.

Once your body has fully healed from your implant surgery, you can eat whatever you like. Until then, follow your doctor’s dietary instructions. Putting too much force on a new implant can weaken it and extend the time it takes for it to fuse with your jaw bone. Remember that you have a lifetime to eat hard, crunchy foods: You can wait a few months to give your implant the time it needs to stabilize.

Get Great Results From Your Dental Implant Surgery

Nothing compares with having a brighter, more complete smile thanks to advancements in dentistry like dental implants. The more effort you put into taking care of your implants, the better your chance of loving them for life! Contact us to schedule a consultation in our office today!

You may be missing all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. Nevertheless, you have options when it comes to restoring your smile. Many adults work with their dental providers to decide whether removable dentures or full-arch dental implants make more sense. Below are some questions to ask yourself to help you determine which solution best fits your personal and healthcare goals.

Do I Want the Hassle of Caring for Traditional Dentures?

Traditional dentures require a lot of upkeep. In addition to removing them every night, you must keep them sanitized. Over time, you can expect to spend money on denture creams. Plus, your dentures will need to be replaced about every 5-10 years as the shape of your jaw changes due to progressive bone loss.

In contrast, full-arch dental implants are permanently secured in your mouth. You will need to brush and, if desired, floss them. However, they do not need any special daily attention. And you get to sleep with a full set of replacement teeth!

Am I Willing to Risk Bone Loss?

When you lose a tooth, your body immediately begins to lose bone density. Eventually, this changes the way your jaw and gum line look. Have you ever noticed that many people without teeth get a “sunken in” appearance around their cheeks and lips? This is due to bone loss.

Traditional dentures cannot stop bone loss but full-mouth dental implants can. The implants are surgically placed in your jaw, allowing them to encourage continued bone health. Being able to keep a fuller, more natural jawline is not just great for your body. It is great for your confidence, too. Plenty of people are amazed at how much younger they look after receiving full-arch dental implants.

Do I Want to Keep Paying for Dentures?

Investing in dental implants costs more upfront than investing in dentures. With that being said, dental implants pay for themselves in the long run. Dentures require constant attention and can be easier to break or lose. And remember that if you experience extensive bone loss, you may require future surgeries to restore the form and function of your jaw.

You may not have to pay for your dental implants all at once, either. Some dental insurance or medical coverage plans will pay for a part of the procedure. Plus, you could work with your provider on a financing arrangement that works with your budget. That way, you can get all the benefits of dental implants without worrying about the immediate cost.

Is It Time to Talk With a Dental Provider About Implants?

Dental implants have arisen as the top choice for tooth replacement. If you want to know how you can get the advantages that come from the latest implant technology, contact our doctor, and schedule your consultation in our office today!