September 2016 - The Dental Place

September 20, 2016

Patients who need to restore a complete upper or lower arch, or even their entire smile, will understandably have questions about how to proceed with treatment. Dentures are a popular, affordable method for restoring your beautiful smile, and here are many of the most common questions that people have about this treatment method.

Are dentures really uncomfortable? Will they feel unnatural?

Many prospective denture wearers have misconceptions about how their dentures will fit and feel. Unfortunately, dentures in the past were not necessarily tailored to a particular patient’s unique jaw structure, but today’s dentures are custom-made based on specifications provided by your dentist, which makes them fit much better. This special design also makes dentures

Will other people know that I’m wearing dentures?

The materials used to make modern dentures are technologically advanced and closely mimic biological tooth enamel. This means that your prosthetic smile will look much like your natural one did! Casual observers may not even be able to tell the difference.

How are dentures designed and made?

In the initial phases of the treatment process, your dentist will collect information, such as dental impressions and x-rays. These are used by the dental lab to design and craft the appliance. When your dentures are ready, you’ll return to our office to be fitted for them.

How long do dentures last?

You will receive instructions on proper care for your dentures and your gum tissue when you get the appliances. If you follow these instructions closely, you should be able to keep your dentures for a number of years. Some bone loss does occur following tooth loss, and this can affect the fit of your denture over time. If your dentures become looser, we can re-line them to improve the fit.

How much do dentures cost?

The cost of dentures varies from patient to patient, depending on the unique circumstances of the case. There may also be associated costs, for related things like dental impressions or x-rays/imaging, when necessary. Your anticipated costs will be discussed in greater detail with you at your initial consultation.

Are you considering dentures and want additional information about how to proceed? Schedule an initial consultation at our office to learn more about this treatment and discuss your options in greater detail.

September 6, 2016

Your main motivation for brushing and flossing every day may be maintaining an attractive smile, but these oral hygiene habits actually do much more than preserving the appearance of your teeth. Brushing and flossing help to keep oral bacteria in check, and that can prevent issues like cavities and gum disease and generally make your smile healthier and stronger.

Brushing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each session, and flossing daily helps to reduce the presence of harmful oral bacteria, which causes tooth decay and inflammation in the gum tissue. Those issues may require you to seek additional care from your dentist beyond the preventive services you should be receiving at least two times a year.

Because it is a warm, moist environment, your mouth is quite hospitable to bacteria. This can be found in plaque, the sticky film that clings to your teeth, and tartar, which is a hard substance that builds up on the teeth, often along the gum line. If you didn’t brush and floss regularly, those bacteria would have ample opportunity to proliferate.

While brushing and flossing are powerful tools against various oral diseases, they are not sufficient to maintain a healthy smile alone. You still need to see your dentist every six months and get professional cleanings, which are essential to removing any plaque and calculus that have accumulated, which still can happen even when you brush and floss daily.

These routine check-ups are also important because if you do develop a cavity or gum disease despite regular brushing and flossing, the problem can be diagnosed and treated early, when treatment is more conservative and effective. It’s much better to get a filling for a small cavity than to need a crown to restore a tooth that’s been affected by significant decay.

Are you brushing and flossing as often as is recommended and using proper technique? Feel free to check in with one of our expert staff members to make sure you’re doing everything possible to keep your smile strong and healthy. Call us today at The Dental Place to make an appointment!