Month: August 2018

Today we will be talking about dental implants, as the gold standard for smile makeover. When thinking of the best and most reliable of options, Dental professionals all agree that implants are both of these things. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why many of us agree that implants are the best route for those looking to enhance their smile and their life.

Implants Have a High Success Rate

Dental implants have been in use for over 40 years now, and they have been demonstrated to have a 95% success rate. Even today, with the advancement of technology and techniques, implant procedures are more predictable with improved long-term outcomes and exceptional strategies to achieve a natural-looking smile.

An Implant Can Last a Lifetime

Dental implants post-surgery are able to integrate with the surrounding bone and tissue over a period of approximately several months. During this process, the implant becomes an integral and permanent part of your dental structure. Just like with the rest of your teeth and gums, proper oral hygiene and routine dental cleanings and exams will ensure that the implant lasts a lifetime.

Bone Degeneration

The root of a tooth shares a special relationship with your jaw bone, in which the presence of one stimulates the maintenance of the other. In order to keep bone degeneration from happening, dental implants move into the mouth when missing teeth threaten the integrity of your teeth and bone structure.

If dental implants are something that you’ve been thinking about and would like the advice of a dental professional, feel free to give our office at Bella Smiles a call in Sugar Land, Texas, and we would be more than happy to address any concerns and answer any questions you or family member may have.

You’ve probably heard about fluoride and how it’s good for your teeth. But what is it, exactly? And how can it help your teeth? Fluoride is a mineral that can be found naturally in some foods and drinks, such as black tea, grape juice and wine, blue crab, shrimp, and potatoes. It’s also commonly added to public sources of water, so tap water will also contain fluoride. The mineral is absorbed into the body and helps to strengthen existing teeth enamel and even repair damaged enamel. Protecting the tooth enamel this way helps to prevent tooth decay. It’s commonly recommended for children as it’s very beneficial for developing teeth, but it is also vital for the health of adult teeth.

Certain conditions develop in adults that can increase the risk of decay. These include:

• Dry mouth (caused by chronic illness or medication)
• Gum diseases
• Frequent cavities (and history of dental problems)
• Crowns, bridges, or braces
• Pitted or grooved teeth

Both adults and children can benefit from receiving fluoride treatments from their dentist. The most common type is applied as a gel, foam, or varnish directly to the tooth surface. The treatment is quick, non-invasive, and requires no special preparation. It can be applied in conjunction with a normal check-up every six months.

Besides getting fluoride treatments at your dentist office, you can also add other products that contain the mineral to your daily dental routine. These include brushing with fluoride toothpaste, using mouth rinses that contain fluoride, and taking supplements in either liquid or tablet form. Be sure to consult with your dentist before adding any of these products to your daily routine. He or she will be able to assess your health and dental history and tell you how much fluoride is best for you.

Dental crowns have many uses when it comes to addressing dental issues. It is a versatile treatment that can be used restoratively as well as cosmetically.

Uses of a Dental Crown

Dental crowns can be placed to correct a variety of dental problems, such as:

• To protect a tooth that has been weakened by decay or breakage
• After a tooth has been treated with a root canal to prevent enamel and/or tooth fracture
• To rebuild unusually worn teeth
• To repair a decayed tooth when a filling is not sufficient
• To support a dental bridge
• To cover a misshapen or severely discolored tooth
• To cover a dental implant

Placing a Dental Crown

Crowns can be made entirely of tooth-colored ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or metal alloys. The material used depends on what the crown is being used to treat, where it will be placed in the mouth, and how visible it will be when smiling or speaking.

The procedure to place a dental crown normally takes two dental visits about two weeks apart. During the first appointment, the tooth is prepared to receive the crown by having any decayed or damaged portions removed. It must also be reshaped in order to make room for the crown to fit comfortably. This requires a portion of the tooth enamel to be filed down. Impressions are then taken of the tooth, which is sent to a dental laboratory where the crown is created. While waiting for the permanent crown to come in, a temporary one will be placed onto the prepared tooth.

Once the crown is finished, a second appointment will be needed to have the temporary crown removed and the permanent one bonded to the tooth. The dentist will make adjustments as needed to create the perfect fit.

Care of a Dental Crown

Crowns require the same care as natural teeth, meaning daily brushing and flossing, as well as regularly scheduled dental check-ups. With proper care, dental crowns can last for years.