One in four Americans has untreated tooth decay. If left untreated for a long period, tooth decay can result in permanent tooth loss. And it’s definitely not a pleasant scenario to imagine!

While optimum dental care and regular checkups are necessary for everyone, the good news is that now tooth loss is also a fixable condition. In recent years, cosmetic dentistry has advanced a great deal and now offers dental implant solutions for people who lose their teeth due to decay, illness, or an injury.

If you have been hiding away from the crowds, not smiling openly, or lack confidence due to a lost tooth, here’s something you can do about it.

In this blog today, we’ll tell you about three types of dental implants that can help you regain your confidence and a full smile.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a type of dental procedure that cosmetic dentists offer. Through this treatment, dentists fix a titanium-based post (screw) in your gum and top it with a crown. A crown is an artificial tooth that’s customized according to your denture, jawline, and the appearance of your real teeth.

Three Types of Dental Implants

If you have lost a tooth or multiple teeth due to an accident or illness, then here are three types of dental plants you can consider.

Single Dental Implant

Single dental implant is an ideal solution for people who have lost a single tooth. A single screw is fixed into the gum, and a few weeks later, the crown is installed in place of the missing tooth.

Implant-Supported Bridge

If you have lost a couple of teeth with a gap in between, an implant-supported bridge may work for you. Through this technique, a cosmetic dentist fixes two or three posts in the gum and sets a bridge of crowns on the given support.

Implant-Retained Denture

People who have lost all their teeth due to age or a medical condition opt for implant-retained dentures. Much better than removable dentures, implant-retained dentures are fixed on top of multiple screws strategically placed in the gum. The denture is then fixed on top of the implants to give a natural-looking set of teeth.

Some Considerations to Keep in Mind

Dental implants have a success rate of 98 percent and are widely popular in the US; however, here are some things to keep in mind.

Bone Density

Your bone health, as per your age and bone density, is taken into consideration, especially if you’re looking for bridge or denture implants. A cosmetic dentist will examine your bones to determine the right solution for you.

Oral Health

Your overall oral health is also important when choosing the right dental implant. If you have a poor bite, weak gums, or skeletal problems, your dentist may want to address those problems first.

Number of Missing Tooth to be Replaced

And naturally, the right kind of dental implant depends on the number of teeth you are looking to replace. If you have lost multiple teeth and may lose more (due to an illness), your dentist may recommend you implant-retained denture instead of an implant-supported denture.

Consult Westlake Dental Implant Specialist

If you’re interested in getting dental implants in Westlake, please book an appointment! With 30 years of experience as a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Below offers dental implants, teeth whitening, and children’s dentistry services.

A visit to the dentist can be terrifying and overwhelming for children in many ways, whether it’s the strange environment, the unfamiliar faces, the tools, or the fear of pain. Kids are perceptive and often pick up on their parents’ anxiety too.

However, since regular checkups are necessary, and kids may require various procedures such as fillings, you need to help them get past their fear. Make their next dental care visit in Westlake more fun in the following ways:

1. Introduce the idea of the dentist early on

Introduce them to the idea of the dentist when they’re young. If there’s an impending appointment, you can talk to them about the upcoming adventure and help them prepare for it. If they’re older, they might know what to expect; if not, talk to them about what will happen, how the dentist will use painless, easy methods, and why it’s important. Encourage curiosity, let them ask questions, answer their queries, and address their concerns instead of using fear to make them stop. This will only add to the anxiety.

 

2. Use positive language, stories, and images

The language we use is imperative to the relationship kids build with dentists. Using positive, affirmative language and images and telling stories can make the experience of visiting a dentist in Westlake, OH,  a lot more fun and exciting. You can talk to them about the tooth fairy, share funny anecdotes, play games, and develop secret codes they can use. These are helpful both before the appointment, on the drive there, in the waiting room, and even during their checkup or treatment.

3. Incentivize them with meaningful rewards

Incentives and rewards are always a plus for making dentist visits less scary. However, it’s also important that we use positive reinforcement intelligently rather than dangerously, which is why you should use educational, meaningful rewards such as a trip to the zoo or a fun new toy rather than candies and treats. Using food, especially junk, as an incentive to visit the dentist is not only counterintuitive to dental hygiene, but it also impacts their relationship with food in the long run.

If you’re looking for an excellent, experienced children’s dentistry service in Westlake, OH, reach out to Dr. Below. He offers general dentist services in Westlake, Ohio, as well as cosmetic and emergency dental care in Westlake, and is one of the leading dental implant specialists in the region.

It’s important to know when you have an urgent versus non-urgent dental emergency on your hands. For example, if you got into an accident that knocked your tooth out, you’re going to need the help of an emergency dentist in Westlake within the same day, even if it happened outside regular business hours.

Here’s all you need to know about dental emergencies:

Dental abscess
An infected tooth or dental abscess is an extremely painful dental condition that can turn more serious the longer that it’s left untreated. The bacteria from a tooth infection can enter your bloodstream and cause an infection—don’t take your tooth pain lightly. If you have a dental abscess, you need to get immediate treatment and address the infection with the help of an antibiotic.

You might also need further treatment, such as a filling, root canal, or even an extraction, to ensure that your mouth is safe.

Loose tooth
A loose tooth isn’t an extremely urgent dental emergency. You can wait till the dentist’s office opens during normal business hours to address your problem. However, make sure that you avoid any drinks or foods that might dislodge or irritate your tooth in the meantime—it’ll only make matters worse.

Post-surgical problems
After getting dental surgery for extraction or implant, your dentist needs to know if you’re facing any unusual discoloration, swelling, fever, or pain. There’s always a risk of contracting an infection when performing a surgical procedure, and it needs to be taken care of through immediate action. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your dentist for any concerns after dental surgery.

A large chip or crack
While chips and cracks look unsightly, they don’t require urgent emergency care. The biggest worry when dealing with chips or cracks is the possibility of contracting an infection if the crack is deep enough. If you’re experiencing any kind of pain around the chip or crack, it’s best to call your dentist for advice.

Knocked-out teeth
It’s normal to feel panicked if you or someone you love gets their tooth knocked out. This alarming problem might make you believe that your tooth is permanently gone, but if you take immediate action, you can still salvage the situation. If your tooth is intact and has been knocked out cleanly, there might still be hope. Contact your dentist ASAP so that they can guide you on what to do next.

We provide top-notch emergency dental services in Ohio

Do you think you need urgent care for your dental emergency? Dr. Below has got you covered! You can call us after hours in case you’ve got a chipped or broken tooth, infection, or severe discomfort of any kind. We provide many kinds of dental services such as cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, and dental implants.

Book an appointment today!

Cavities are very common nowadays. The following are the things you can keep in mind to prevent cavities.

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Cosmetic dentistry is becoming hugely popular nowadays. Here are the reasons as to why you should definitely give it a try!

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