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 It’s Never too Late to Straighten Your Smile

Braces as an adult? No way. At least, that was what I thought when my dentist told me that I was going to have to see an orthodontist about my crooked teeth. But my teeth were so misaligned that they were causing me pain when I chewed, so I decided to at least look into it. Turns out braces today are nothing like the ones my friends had when I was a kid. Mine were practically invisible, and I didn't need to wear them that long. I started this blog to encourage other people like me who are nervous about the prospect of wearing braces as an adult. My straight smile is so worth the trips to the orthodontist, and wearing braces was nowhere near as bad as I thought. Read on to find out more about how you can straighten your smile.

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It’s Never too Late to Straighten Your Smile

Loose Or Fractured Dental Implant? 3 Causes And Treatments For Failed Dental Implants

by Jacqueline Byrd

Although problems are rare with dental implants, they have been known to pop up from time to time. As someone who has dental implants, you should be able to recognize the signs of failure so that you can have your implant evaluated by your dentist as soon as possible. As with most things, failing dental implants are better treated if they are dealt with early. Therefore, it's vital that you understand common causes for implant failures and how to recognize them. Following are three causes and treatments for failed dental implants. 

Bone Deterioration

Dental implants are held on by screws placed within your jaw bone. If you didn't have sufficient bone density when you got the implant or if your bone is deteriorating due to advanced periodontal disease, your implant may start to wiggle. Other signs of bone deterioration include redness and inflammation around the implant. Since bone deterioration occurs over a period of time, symptoms usually increase and the tooth becomes less stable over time. If caught early, this condition can be treated with a bone graft. However, if the implant is moving a great deal, it has to be removed and replaced at a much later date. 

Broken Screw

Usually a problem with older implants, broken or loose screws are of serious concern because they can cause damage to the implant itself. If you suspect that your screw is damaged, you should call your dentist and have an X-ray performed. If there is damage present, your dentist may replace the screw with a special type of prosthetic screw or they may remove the implant, perform a bone graft and put in another implant after you have healed. 

Dental Implant Fractures

Dental implant fractures occur when the visible part of the implant gets fractured due to injury, trauma or prolonged distress. If the crown or abutment portion of your implant gets fractured, you can have it replaced without having to remove the implant screw. However, you must have any fractures fixed as soon as possible so the screw is not damaged. If it becomes damaged, it will have to be removed. 

The likelihood that you will have major issues with your dental implant is slim, but it's not impossible. To keep your implant in great shape, be sure to follow all care instructions and inspect your implant regularly for signs of damage and distress. If you notice a problem or if you have any questions or concerns, call your dentist right away. For more information about implants, contact a dentist such as Ballard Morgan DMD.

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