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.
There are many reasons why someone may choose to pursue cosmetic dentistry, but it can be challenging to
Periodontal disease is a common dental problem affecting millions of people worldwide. If left untreated,
There's no denying the allure of a bright, white smile. It exudes confidence, enhances appearance, and ca
A full mouth reconstruction is a dental procedure that aims to restore the function, aesthetics, and heal
Many adults in the United States experience untreated cavities or tooth decay, indicating a dental health
A dental implant is a versatile device that is used in the replacement of one or more teeth. Implants replace the roots of lost teeth. The versatility the devices lies in their ability to support a myriad of crown-replacement appliances, such as dental bridges or dental crowns.
When a dentist places an implant, he inserts the device through the gums into the jawbone. The procedure is performed in-office and typically only requires local anesthesia.
After the surgery is completed, the resulting wound must heal. Over the next few months, the soft tissues heal and the cells of the jawbone reproduce to fill the space around the implant. The integration of the jawbone cells with the dental implant is called osseointegration and occurs naturally as the implant wound heals. After the completion of osseointegration, the dentist can add abutment to the implant before topping it with a crown-replacement device.
The placement of a dental implant rarely fails, but the success of the procedure is partially dependent on the health of the affected tissues. Here are two parts of the body that should be in good health before a dental implant is placed.
Jawbone
The bone of the jaw must support the implanted device. As a result, the jawbone's thickness and health are important. Bone tissue that is too porous or has atrophied may not properly support the implant's insertion.
The health of the jawbone is facilitated through regular stimulation, which occurs as a person chews. The mastication creates bite pressure that is passed from the teeth to the jawbone, stimulating the growth of new bone cells. The production of these new cells helps the jawbone maintain its girth and density.
If too little jawbone material is available to support an implant, a bone graft may be necessary.
Gums
The gums surround the dental implant. If the gums are diseased, the inflamed tissues may not heal properly. Additionally, bacteria can spread from infected gums to the jawbone, preventing the completion of osseointegration.
The health of the gums can be maintained through good oral hygiene. However, once gum disease develops, if left untreated, it can become severe. Severe forms of gum disease, such as periodontitis, can prevent the healing of the gingival tissues after the implant surgery. Additionally, periimplantitis, a type of gum disease that affects the gingival tissues surrounding the implantation site can stop the progression of osseointegration.
To improve the health of the gums before implant surgery, the dentist may prescribe antimicrobial treatments, such as an antibacterial mouth rinse and antibiotics.
For more information about dental implants, schedule a consultation with a dentist like Bradley Piotrowski, DDS, MSD, LLC in your area.
Share