For anyone requiring having a tooth extracted, perhaps because it is ravaged by tooth decay, or broken or cracked due to a trauma, can understandably feel worried about the effects a missing tooth might have on their smile and oral functions. But dental implants offer an effective replacement that can restore and maintain the aesthetic and practical properties of their teeth.

A person missing one or more teeth can often feel self conscious about showing off their smile, or eating in public, as missing teeth can not only look unsightly, but can also compromise the way a person bites and chews food. A missing tooth can even influence and alter speech. [pullquote]Dental implants, however, allow an implant dentist to restore appearance and function to a patient’s teeth, helping to rebuild a smile as well as prolong and preserve a person’s normal eating pattern…[/pullquote]

Dental implants, however, allow an implant dentist to restore appearance and function to a patient’s teeth, helping to rebuild a smile as well as prolong and preserve a person’s normal eating pattern; and the treatment has become hugely popular in recent years, thanks in no small part to the range of benefits it bestows.

The treatment for dental implants involves the dentist placing one or more small titanium rods into the patient’s gums, which over time will bond with the jaw bone to provide a strong support for a porcelain crown that the dentist will shape and color to match the patient’s existing teeth, and then place on top of the titanium support.

Once in place, the benefits of dental implants include the reinforcement of surrounding teeth, which helps to restore and maintain bite strength, pattern and chewing action; the preservation of gum tissue and jaw bone which might otherwise begin to recede with other restorative methods; ease of aftercare, as dental implants do not require any special care and can be maintained as part of a regular dental health routine.

Perhaps the most attractive feature of dental implants, however, is their natural appearance. Due to their ability to be shaped and shaded to best match the patient’s existing teeth; dental implants can blend with existing teeth to provide a natural-looking smile that implant wearers will want to show off!

The purpose of  dental crowns are to protect and cover a tooth that has been compromised from dental fillings, is cracked or broken, or a crown can cover a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy.

In any case, a crown allows the natural tooth to be salvaged which is always a better option than losing a tooth.

Depending on the tooth being crowned, there are different materials used in making a crown. For back teeth that sustain much of the pressure from chewing, some type of metal or gold may be selected. For crowns in the smile line, a porcelain or porcelain to metal crown is a good option.

No matter which type of crown is needed, your dentist will provide the information needed to make the best choice. The tooth will be prepared, an impression taken and a temporary will be provided while the lab is fabricating your new crown. [pullquote]Depending on the tooth being crowned, there are different materials used in making a crown. [/pullquote]

In about two weeks, you will return to the dentist’s office for the permanent crown to be cemented in place. At the conclusion of this appointment you can return to your “normal” life. Your new crown requires no special care.

Consideration might be given to chewing habits, especially if you have selected a porcelain crown. Although your new crown is strong, avoiding biting and chewing on hard objects like candy and ice will not only aid your new crown, but might also save existing teeth.

Your new crown has been cemented in place, but extremely sticky foods can loosen a crown. If the crown does come off, a return to your dental provider is needed for cementing back in place.

You should continue to observe excellent dental hygiene habits which include daily flossing, brushing with a soft bristle brush using a non-abrasive tooth paste or gel and rinsing with an antibacterial rinse, if advised to do so. Your dentist can demonstrate the safest way to floss around a new dental crown.

Returning to your dental provider every six months for a professional cleaning and dental exam will aid in maintaining excellent dental health, and might prevent the advancement of dental decay and other problems.

To learn more about caring for your dental crowns, contact Governor’s Park Dental Group in Denver CO to schedule a consultation.

A well-made denture can be a lifesaver! A full smile, comfortable chewing, and clear speech are necessary components to your daily life. But, what are your options when your denture no longer fits? What would life be if you were forced to glue your teeth in each morning with denture glue? Then, at the end of your day, what’s the procedure for cleaning the sticky adhesive from the inside of the denture and from your gums?

With the addition of just a few dental implants, you can say goodbye to these questions and other dilemmas forever. In just one day, you can opt for a procedure in which your denture is anchored far below the gum line for optimal security and strength. This permanent solution for the completely edentulous patient is a shining example of the versatility of implant dentistry.  [pullquote]Not only is it possible to obtain a complete set of new teeth in one dental visit, but your new smile will be more comfortable and more dependable…[/pullquote]

Not only is it possible to obtain a complete set of new teeth in one dental visit, but your new smile will be more comfortable and more dependable day in and day out. Even without the need for bone grafting, most patients are finding that an implant-supported smile is ideal. The characteristics that make dental implants so effective for replacing individually missing teeth are the same characteristics that can radically transform the function of your dentures.

Without the stimulation of the tooth roots, the jaw bone will undergo a natural process of erosion, in which the volume and density of the bone is dramatically reduced. This is the main reason for the change in the fit and performance of your traditional denture. After years of tooth loss, the shape and contour of the bone changes and the gum tissue loses its tone. Suddenly, a denture that once fit well doesn’t seem to work at all without the help of denture paste.

Dental implants can provide a level of stimulation similar to that of the tooth roots and prevent the onset of bone erosion. In this permanent and unchanging environment, you will no longer need to depend on denture glue for security.

Talk to your implant dentist at Smiles Unlimited Dental Centre, serving Surrey and surrounding areas, to find out more about Teeth to Stay- All in 1 Day!

Many of the wonderful dental improvements available today are due to porcelain or composite resin restorations. One of the primary considerations before entering into cosmetic dentistry is how your surrounding untreated teeth will look upon completion of your dental enhancement. A consultation with your cosmetic dentist is important to address a course of action to provide you with the best result.

If teeth are dull or have yellowed from smoking, age or dietary habits like coffee, tea, soda or wine consumption, a good first step is a visit with the dental hygienist. A professional cleaning will usually remove topical stains and provide the best base to aid in determining teeth’s true shades.

It is important to note that ceramic and composite resins are not affected by any whitening process. Keeping that in mind, if you are dissatisfied with the result of a standard cleaning, you should consider whitening your teeth before embarking on cosmetic dentistry improvements such as dental bonding, veneers, implants or crowns. [pullquote]In-office whitening will generally offer the fastest and optimum result.[/pullquote]

If teeth whitening is to be pursued, to obtain the closest match possible it is advised to complete teeth whitening through either in-office whitening or take-home kits available through your dental provider.

In-office whitening will generally offer the fastest and optimum result. While take-home kits allow you to whiten at your own pace in the privacy of your home, it might take weeks to achieve the maximum benefit. Once the whitening process has been completed, you can move ahead to select a color shade for the anticipated cosmetic enhancement.

Following the instructions received from your cosmetic dentist will keep your new smile brilliant. These instructions will likely include a professional cleaning twice per year along with a dental exam to make sure your cosmetic improvements, as well as the rest of your teeth, are as healthy as possible.

Over time whitening touch-up may be needed to maintain the color of your natural teeth. Touch-up kits are available through your dental provider or in-office whitening may be considered to maintain consistent teeth coloring.

Daily flossing and brushing with the recommended tooth paste or gel at least twice per day will also help to keep your new smile shining bright for many years.

To learn more about the benefits of teeth whitening, call the Denver office of Governor Park Dental today to schedule a consultation.

The incidence of oral cancer has trended downward in the past thirty years possibly due to all the educational material available and the research pointing to tobacco use as a primary cause of many types of cancer. One major aid for patients is the oral cancer exam provided by your dentist each and every time you’re seen for a professional cleaning and exam.

The exam performed by your dentist is a visual check looking for symptoms that cancer cells may be present. Your dentist will be looking for any abnormal sores or off-colored patches that could indicate the need for further testing.

Your dentist might recommend one of the various types of oral cancer screenings if you use tobacco products or consume alcohol regularly. These are just two of the lifestyles to which many oral cancer sufferers belong.

If your dentist does find a suspicious spot through an oral cancer screening, the next step to determine whether or not it is cancer is with a biopsy. A small sample of the area is removed and sent to a lab for extensive testing.

Just because your dentist might recommend an oral cancer screening for the patient, there is no cause for alarm. Quite often this precautionary measure is taken to rule out oral cancer especially for patients that have a history of cancer or who smoke or drink heavily.

For those patients that are diagnosed with oral cancer, the oral cancer screening may have saved their life. Cancer diagnosed in early stages has a significantly greater cure rate than advanced cancers. And sadly, oral cancer patients seem to have a higher mortality rate than patients diagnosed with other types of cancer.

The oral exam performed by your dental professional is of utmost importance and should be performed at each hygiene visit. A visual exam of the tongue and areas all around the tongue is done. In addition, many dentists have added a gloved examination of the roof of the mouth as well as feeling for any abnormalities on the neck, throat and jaws.

If you would like more information about the oral cancer screening process, contact Governor’s Park Dental Group, serving the greater Denver area, at 303-832-7789 to schedule an appointment.

Some patients automatically rule out dental implants when they hear the upfront cost, but the alternatives may not actually be as budget-friendly as they seem at first.

When you’re calculating the costs associated with each potential treatment option, it’s important to consider all associated expenses throughout your lifetime rather than just focusing on the initial price tag.

Dental implants offer a level of stability that is unmatched by other tooth replacement methods, and this characteristic benefits a patient’s pocketbook in a number of ways. First of all, with dental implants, the jawbone’s structure remains constant, and the appliance will always be a good fit.

In comparison, dentures need to be refitted and relined periodically as the jaw changes shape because the biological teeth’s root structures are absent. Eventually, the jawbone may shift so dramatically that the patient has to spring for a completely new denture.

A dental implant can be a cost-effective replacement for a single tooth, too. For example, it’s harder to keep the gum line clean underneath a fixed dental bridge, so harmful bacteria may collect in that area and lead to periodontal disease, which can require expensive treatments. Tooth and bone loss can result, creating the need for additional restorations or procedures. Dental implants are cleaned and flossed just like biological teeth, eliminating that problem.

It’s understandable that many patients may not have the money on hand to pay for dental implants. To give as many patients as possible access to this treatment, an implant dentist may also offer financing options to help patients spread the cost of a dental implant over a number of years when they can’t afford to pay for it in one lump sum.

Even if you don’t think you can afford a dental implant, keep an open mind and talk to your implant dentist about financing options. Also be sure to consider the lifetime costs of the alternatives, and in doing so, you may find out that dental implants will actually save you money over the long haul.

To learn more about your options, contact the office of Dr. Bernard Jin, serving Surrey and neighboring areas, at 604-229-2824.