Single Tooth Dental Implants

If you have a single missing tooth, you’ve likely experienced dental trauma or have suffered decay. You’re probably also considering having your tooth replaced. Here’s why dental implants are the best choice modern dentistry has to offer for teeth replacement.

When even a single tooth is lost, regardless of the reason, three major consequences occur:
 
1. Patients have a harder time with normal dental functions, such as chewing properly and speaking clearly.

2. The patient’s existing teeth can move out of place towards the gap. This may make orthodontic care necessary to straighten teeth before a restoration can be provided.

3. Jawbone goes through the process of resorption, where hard tissues deteriorate and shrink. When this occurs, the jawbone becomes weak and can no longer support teeth or a traditional implant.
Once these occur, the patient’s appearance begins to suffer as well, showing early signs of aging and impacting overall facial features.

Why Choose Dental Implants for Single Teeth Replacement

Replacing a tooth with a dental implant completely prevents the domino effect caused by one missing tooth. Dental implants are the most comprehensive replacement method, from the root to the crown.
If a tooth is severely decayed and requires an extraction, or if an individual suffered an accident that has lead to a knocked-out tooth, receiving a dental implant can completely restore dental functionality and appearance.

A dental implant prevents resorption and shifting dental alignment. By placing an implant post inside the socket formerly occupied by the missing tooth, your jawbone and surrounding teeth gain the support necessary for structural integrity. Furthermore, the titanium material of the implant post, or root portion of the implant, naturally fuses with bone and works to support replacement teeth. A dental implant can be just as stable, if not more stable, as a natural tooth.

Should dental implant restorations become damaged, replacement is as easy as changing out a crown. Dental implants allow patients the flexibility of a reliable restoration and the durability of a permanent tooth.

Learn more Implant Crowns

To find out more about why dental implants are the best way to replace a missing tooth, call Primo Smiles to schedule your appointment with our implant dentist today!

Can My Teeth Be Whitened?

Many patients inquire about quick ways to improve the appearance of their smiles. While some consider comprehensive cosmetic procedures such as porcelain veneers, we often recommend something as simple and speedy as in-office Zoom! teeth whitening to brighten dental enamel in just one office visit. This fast treatment can radically improve the appearance of your smile in minutes.

When considering teeth whitening, it’s important to know whether you are a viable candidate.

Consider the following qualifying factors:

The health of teeth - Cosmetic teeth whitening is most effective on patients with natural teeth and healthy gums. Patients with dental restorations like crowns, fillings, and bridges can still undergo teeth whitening, but the active agents in the product will not brighten whiten the surfaces of restorations.

Desired results and level of staining - Many patients seek a movie star smile, though this often results in an unnatural appearance. And for those with severely discolored dental enamel, this level of whiteness may not be achievable with bleaching gel alone. We work with our patients to provide a reasonable recommendation that improves the brightness of their teeth and can recommend alternatives when necessary.

In some cases, we advise against teeth whitening. These include:

• When a patient is less than 16 years of age, as the pulp in their teeth is still developing. Early exposure to the ingredients in professional teeth whitening products can cause darkening of the pulp.
• When a patient is pregnant
• Patients who have gum disease, untreated cavities, exposed roots, or worn enamel are advised to not undergo treatment as increased discomfort or irritation to their preexisting conditions may result.

When inquiring about teeth whitening, we recommend learning about the various products and treatment options available. There are numerous methods of teeth whitening, some of which include wearing custom whitening trays and others that involve a single visit to your dental professional. Be sure to ask about what is offered and what level of your involvement is required.

If you’re interested in learning more about Zoom! Teeth Whitening, please don’t hesitate to give our office a call. We’re happy to discuss the procedure and address any questions or concerns you may have.

How Cosmetic Dentistry Serves Oral Health

Though cosmetic dental procedures are meant to give you the smile you’ve always wanted, they also do much more, particularly when it comes to your overall oral health. Patients who already have strong teeth benefit from aesthetic enhancement, while those with dental health issues enjoy a new appearance along with improved wellness.

With options that include tooth-colored dental crowns, veneers, and bridges, cosmetic restorations can do all of the following for your smile:

Prevent Spread of Decay

Decay is caused by bacteria and plaque that eat away at dental enamel, contributing to soft tissue infection. With the lack of a comprehensive hygiene routine, harmful bacteria can easily spread from decayed teeth to their healthy neighbors. When you seek a cosmetic dental restoration however, you’re obtaining a prosthetic that seals the tooth, significantly reducing the likelihood that nearby teeth will be negatively affected.

Improve Function

Compromised teeth can be sensitive and painful, leading patients to chew on the opposite side of their mouth as a way of avoiding aggravating a tooth ache. This may provide short-term relief, but ultimately wears down dental enamel. Teeth that have been ground down by uneven pressure and use eventually affect bite balance. A cosmetic dental restoration, such as a porcelain crown or bridge, allows you to comfortably chew and encourages an even distribution of force during everyday function.

Protect Weak or Damaged Teeth 

Dental crowns completely encircle teeth, providing durability and a renewed strength to teeth that have been seriously decayed, fractured, or contain large and failing fillings. Not only will your smile look great, you won’t have to worry that you’ll further damage natural teeth by biting into something hard.

In the case of superficial damage or irregularly shaped teeth, other cosmetic dental restorations, such as veneers, can be placed to lend a new sense of uniformity.

Ask our Dentist about Your Cosmetic Treatment Plan!

If your teeth are broken, decayed, or otherwise in need of a boost to both health and function, ask Dr. Kerns how cosmetic dental procedures can help you meet your goals. We provide care with a focus on improving both improve the way you look and the overall health of your smile.

Which is Better: Removable Dentures or Implant-Supported Dentures?

If you're missing one or more teeth due to decay or damage, you have several options for replacing those teeth. There are dental implants, and implant-supported dentures, but if you prefer less invasive option, you may be thinking about removable dentures. With these choices, which option is better for you?

Removable Dentures

This method of replacing missing teeth has been the standard for decades. Because it's a low-cost and non-invasive option, it's also highly popular. Getting dentures can be a relatively fast process too, typically requiring only two or three dental visits over a few weeks. At the first visit, impressions will be taken and used by a dental lab to create the dentures. At the second visit, assuming your new dentures don’t require re-adjustment, they'll be ready to wear home.

Almost anyone can wear dentures, as there are no specific oral health requirements to meet before this treatment can be recommended for you. They're easy to take care of, and can last for many years if treated carefully. However, removable prosthetics can take some getting used to, but this gets better with continued wear.

Implant-Supported Dentures

If you are a good candidate for implant-supported dentures, you can benefit from some big improvements in oral function and aesthetics. Implant-supported dentures don't impede speech the way removable dentures can and they don't limit your diet. Permanent dentures are also easy to take care of, and last a long time.

However, implant-supported dentures are more expensive than removable dentures, and getting implants does require oral surgery. The overall process of getting implant-supported dentures is lengthier; tissue and bone need time to heal after implant surgery and before the finalized denture can be placed on the implants.

Another important factor when considering fixed implant dentures is that there are certain restrictions as to who may be a good candidate for the treatment.  For example, you need to have a good level of bone density in your jawbone for the implants to integrate successfully.

Selecting the Right Dental Prosthetics

Overall, implant-supported dentures provide more stability for replacement teeth and are more comfortable for long-term wear. However, not everyone is a good candidate for oral surgery, or may be interested in the elevated treatment cost that comes with replacing teeth via oral surgery. Deciding what treatment is best for you is dependent upon your oral health and personal preferences for care.

If you’re missing teeth and are looking for a way to restore your bite health and appearance, contact our Cynthiana dental office to learn more about how removable dentures or implant dentures can help you meet your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions about Porcelain Veneers

In as little as two dental appointments, porcelain veneers can provide whole new smiles for patients with cosmetically flawed teeth. While veneers are popular, many patients are unfamiliar with the treatment process or their options for cosmetic care.

At Licking Valley Dental, we most often hear patients ask:

Are Veneers Expensive? – Depending on how many veneers you need, treatment can be on the more costly side. However, there are ways to get a beautiful smile with veneers, and without breaking the bank. You and your dentist can determine which teeth are most in-need of veneer treatment to improve their appearance. For other teeth that need more minor fixes, you can select whitening treatment to lift staining, or ask your dentist to shape teeth by rounding edges for conservative, and effective treatment that keeps the price tag down, and still helps you meet your goal smile.

Is Getting Veneers Painful? – While getting veneers requires buffing some natural tooth enamel, this process is not painful and shouldn’t produce discomfort. To compare, the veneers treatment process does not require as much tooth preparation or dental work as getting a crown.

How are Veneers Applied? – Veneers are added to teeth with a strong dental bonding agent. Improvements in materials used in dental care have made veneers even stronger, so your treatment is long-lasting. Before applying the veneers, your natural dental enamel is buffed so that the veneer does not make the tooth look too thick.

Are there Alternatives to Veneer Treatment? – Depending on what your cosmetic treatment goals are, there are options that don’t include veneer therapy. Teeth whitening is available for making your smile look brighter; cosmetic dental bonding can be used to fix broken teeth, and for a severely damaged tooth there are porcelain dental crowns. However, in many instances, veneers require fewer visits to achieve a completely transformed smile.

If you have a question about porcelain veneers that we didn’t answer here, please contact our Cynthiana cosmetic dental office for more information. We’ve been transforming patients’ smiles with veneers for years and can help you too.

What to Expect with Clear Aligner Therapy

Clear braces, or clear aligner orthodontics, make it convenient to get a well-aligned and healthy smile. If you’re considering clear braces to help you meet your oral health goals, you can expect any of the following during your daily life and treatment with aligner therapy: 

Meal Time: Your aligners will need to be taken out while you eat and drink to avoid damaging their transparency or structure. You should only be drinking water while your aligners are in – beverages like sodas and coffee can cause damage to the plastic of your aligner trays.

Brushing and Flossing Your Teeth: This one’s easy – your aligners pop out, allowing you to brush and floss according to your normal habits.

Getting New Aligners Every Two Weeks:  Each set of clear aligners moves your teeth closer to ideal position. When you get a new tray, about every two weeks, it’s normal to experience slight discomfort as your teeth adjust. However, this will dissipate after a few days, allowing you to wear your new aligner trays more comfortably.

Cleaning Your Aligners: It’s a good idea to clean your trays as often as your teeth, to prevent food debris and bacteria from becoming trapped in the aligner. You can use water or mouthwash to rinse out the tray, or you can even gently scrub the tray with a toothpaste-free tooth brush. Toothpaste can be abrasive and scratch the surface of the aligners, making them cloudy.

Getting Best Results: To see ideal, final results, it’s essential to wear your clear aligners for at least 22 hours a day and to only remove them for meals and daily cleaning. Keep in mind, regular braces provide predictable treatment because they’re bonded to teeth, but clear aligners are removable – making you, the patient, an important part of how successful your treatment is.

Our Cynthiana dental office provides ClearCorrect clear braces for patients in need of orthodontic care, but who want to avoid standard metal braces. For more information on clear aligner therapy, call our office for assistance or to schedule your consultation. 

Welcome to our blog!

We're excited to announce the official launch of our Licking Valley Dental blog.

We'll be posting helpful dental tips, news from the dental industry, news from our practice, and more about the latest in dentistry.

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Here's to your best oral health ever!