Any patient who has lost a tooth through extraction or trauma desires the best, strongest, most natural-looking replacement available for that lost tooth. Dental implants are the best restorative treatment your dentist can provide.
Dental implants, commonly made of titanium, are very strong and function as the tooth’s natural root. After surgery by your dentist or oral surgeon, the dental implant fuses to the bone over time through a process called osseointegration, providing stimulation to the bone, preventing shrinkage, or resorption. Dental implants are designed to look natural and to function exactly as your healthy natural tooth would, whether you are smiling, chewing, or talking.
While dental implants are by far the most desirable of tooth restoration processes, not everyone is a good candidate for receiving them. Your dentist will advise you that good health is essential, and there are several diseases and conditions that can affect the success of a dental implant. Cancer, radiation to the jaws, alcoholism, smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, or advanced periodontitis (acute gum disease) may affect the process of osseointegration.
Your dental surgeon should be aware of each aspect of your medical history, including any medications you are currently taking. Be sure to include any over-the-counter medications as well as any herbal supplements or vitamins.
In the majority of cases, any patient who is of good health and who is a candidate for either routine oral surgery or dental extraction can consider dental implants for tooth replacement. Healthy gums and an appropriate amount of bone to sustain the implant are required. After the implant is in place, patients must continue with regular checkups, x-rays, and cleanings. To ensure the best possible results, good oral hygiene should continue. Patients should floss once a day and brush after meals or at least twice a day.
Talk to your implant dentist in Etobicoke about any questions you have regarding dental implants and to determine whether they are right for you.
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Are your teeth looking less than their best because of dingy yellow or grey stains? As teeth age, some discoloration occurs naturally. However, many everyday drinks, foods, and even some mouthwashes can leave your teeth stained. The best way to brighten your teeth is to visit your dentist regularly and to get your teeth whitened professionally. If you are in-between appointments, you can use many effective home remedies.
Your grocery store aisles are full of do-it-yourself teeth whitening products. Teeth whitening kits are available that contain carbamide peroxide, a kind of bleach that removes surface stains as well as deeper stains and is able to change your natural tooth color. Many kits utilize a gel you apply directly to your teeth. Others have a tray that holds the gel and is then molded to the teeth and worn for a length of time over several weeks. The positive results can be seen immediately, and will improve over time.
Home whitening strips also help remove tooth stains. These strips come coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel and are thin and virtually invisible when applied. They are worn for several minutes a day for a week or more. You will see results quickly, but the results will be less evident than those obtained using a kit.
Using whitening toothpaste is a very popular and simple method of at-home teeth whitening. Unlike the aforementioned products, whitening toothpastes don’t change the natural color of your natural teeth.
Other at-home methods include baking soda, made into a paste, and brushed onto the teeth twice a month. Rinsing with hydrogen peroxide can also brighten your smile. Diets including strawberries, apples, celery, carrots, and citrus fruits have also been shown to brighten smiles. Dairy products, especially hard cheeses, contain lactic acid which can decrease gum disease, and contain calcium and vitamin D, which are important to your bones and teeth.
Use these at-home treatments to keep your smile bright in-between dental visits. Talk to your dentist in Etobicoke for more useful tips on keeping your smile bright year-round.
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Recovery from dental implant surgery depends on a variety of factors, including the type of procedures necessary to complete your treatment. Whether you have implant surgery in one stage or multiple stages, you may experience some of the following discomforts:
- Minor bleeding
- Pain at the implant site
- Bruising or swelling of face and gums
Immediately following dental implant surgery, you will probably experience a few hours of numbness in your mouth caused by local anesthetic. If your dentist uses sedation, you will continue to feel drowsy for a few hours after the procedure. You should plan to rest for a full day following dental implant surgery. You may need to take over-the-counter painkillers to relieve pain in the extraction site.
The first two weeks after dental implant surgery are the most important time of recovery. Taking steps to avoid irritating the extraction site and minimizing the risk of infection are crucial to the success of the implant being able to fuse properly to the jawbone. Your dentist will provide you with a list of aftercare instructions to ensure the success of your implant surgery. If your implant surgeon gives you antibiotics or other types of medication, make sure to take them as directed.
The process for dental implants fusing with the natural bone can take several months to complete. It is vital that you keep all follow-up appointments so your dentist can check the progress of the implant’s integration. This timeframe varies depending on individual cases and treatments.
Because dental implants look natural and give you the full functionality of normal teeth, they can make a significant difference in your quality of life. A successful dental implant procedure can last a lifetime, and the benefits you will gain from implants make the recovery and healing time minor.
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If you have had a dentistry procedure that has required IV sedation, also known as “sleep dentistry,” you will need to follow some simple guidelines to recover as quickly and completely as possible.
IV sedation is most often used in more complicated cosmetic dental procedures, and can leave you feeling woozy, sleepy, or disoriented. You will not be able to drive yourself home following IV sedation. Ask a trusted friend, family member, or colleague to help you get home and to fill any necessary prescriptions.
You will need to prepare in advance of your procedure, especially regarding scheduling the treatment itself. Late week appointments are good for complex cosmetic treatments, as they allow you to recover over a weekend while missing a minimum of work.
Your gums and teeth may be sore, causing you to restrict your diet while your mouth heals. Prepare a selection of soft foods you can eat safely and comfortably. Foods like pudding, tepid soup, yogurt, applesauce, gelatin, or cottage cheese are all appropriate choices following a complex dentistry procedure.
Do not eat very hot foods, especially if your mouth is still numb. You could seriously burn your mouth and not realize it until later, when the anesthesia lessens. Do not eat foods that require chewing, and do not consume alcohol while you are taking any painkillers. Do not drive while you are recovering and taking medication. Do not smoke, as this can slow the healing process.
Take an over-the-counter painkiller that contains anti-inflammatory properties, such as ibuprofen. Apply ice packs if necessary to your cheeks and elevate your head while you rest. Wearing loose-fitting clothing to your appointment allows you to be comfortable both in the cosmetic dental office and at home.
Have some movies or books on hand to pass the time while you recover. Don’t plan to send any important emails or to conduct business on the phone until you ascertain how the pain medicines affect you. All patients react differently to medications and should take care.
Talk to your dentist today to ensure a successful and comfortable recovery from your dentistry procedure.
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If you are unhappy with your smile, you may be wondering if you would be a good candidate for dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry utilizes a variety of procedures and treatments to enhance the look of your smile and improve your overall oral health. If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, you are likely a candidate for cosmetic procedures to enhance your smile:
- Do you cover your mouth when you smile or speak?
- Are you embarrassed to smile in public or when taking pictures?
- Do you think too little or too much of your teeth shows when you smile?
- Are you unhappy with the size or shape of your teeth?
- Do you have spaces or gaps between your teeth?
- Do you have crooked or misaligned teeth?
- Are you experiencing bite issues?
- Are your teeth discolored or is their shade not to your liking?
- Do you feel you have a “gummy” smile?
- Do you have teeth that are chipped, cracked, broken, or missing?
Etobicoke dentistry can fix a host of issues. Some procedures, such as teeth whitening, can be done quickly, while others like orthodontia can take more time. You may also require more than one procedure to achieve the results you are seeking. Utilizing such treatments as teeth whitening, bonding, veneers, dental implants, and clear braces, a qualified and experienced dentist can work wonders towards improving the overall appearance of your smile.
To best determine your candidacy for cosmetic dental treatments, schedule a consultation with your dentist to assess the strength and condition of your teeth and determine which procedures will work best for you. Together with your dentist, you will then be able to work out what services will be most successful towards accomplishing the goals you have for a bright new smile.
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How long porcelain veneers last depends greatly on how well you take care of them. With proper care, these restorations can continue sprucing up your smile for 10 to 15 years. To help increase the lifespan of your dental veneers, practice the following tips to keep them looking and functioning their best.
- Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day, rinse with mouthwash, and floss.
- Use a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive whitening toothpaste.
- Avoid chewing on hard objects like pens, ice, or even your fingernails. While porcelain veneers are very durable, hard items can cause them to chip.
- Refrain from excessive snacking, which can promote tooth decay. The porcelain itself is immune to tooth decay; however, the uncovered part of the tooth is still susceptible to decay and therefore to cavities.
- If you grind your teeth at night, you may want to consider having your dentist fit you for a night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep.
- Wear a protective mouth guard when playing contact sports.
- Do not smoke as it is known to yellow teeth, and avoid food and drinks that are known to stain teeth such as tea, coffee, and soda.
- Visit your dentist twice a year for cleanings and checkups. Regular visits will give your dentist an opportunity to check on your porcelain veneers and identify potential problems before they become severe.
Porcelain veneers are a wonderful cosmetic solution to a variety of dental flaws. Veneers effectively cover chips, cracks, stains, gaps, and more. Taking proper care of your dental veneers will help to ensure their beauty and function for years to come.
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