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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

Three Considerations To Make Before Deciding To Get A Dental Implant

by Jacqueline Byrd

Dental implants serve as effective long-term replacements for missing or badly damaged teeth, and they require consideration on multiple fronts before they are chosen as the best option. Considering long-term effects based on your health, the cost of implants, and possible alternatives if implants don't prove viable are all important to ensure you receive the best dental care.

Long-Term Effects

Generally, dental implants are considered to be a very effective method of restoring the look and function of a missing tooth. Because they are designed to replace even the root structure of a missing tooth, they help prevent uneven strain and pressure on the rest of your teeth and jawbone, which in turn helps prevent your jawbone from shrinking or weakening. Maintenance for an implant is much like taking care of a normal tooth.

These positive long-term effects make implants an appealing choice. There are some potential downsides to implants, such as the recession of gums, infection, or nerve damage, but with regular care and monitoring by your dentist, you can avoid many of these potential issues that may be more prevalent with other options such as bridges or root canals.

Cost

Dental implants are typically more pricey than other options, and insurance plans will occasionally decline to cover implants if said other options are available and viable. While implants are arguably worth the investment if your dentist thinks they are best for you, it's worth doing some research to find out what might be covered by your insurance and how you can finance the treatment if insurance won't cover it.

If necessary, ask about financing options through the dental office itself, research financing specific to dental care, or look for promotional offers that will allow you to pay zero percent interest for a set time. Personal loans and credit cards with higher interest rates may add a considerable amount to what you end up paying, so if you need to pay for implants yourself, make sure you acquire the absolute best deal on financing you can get.

Alternatives

As appealing as dental implants sound, they might not be the best choice in certain situations. For example, if you have multiple missing teeth right next to each other, a bridge might work better, as attaching an implant for every missing tooth may be impractical. If your original tooth can be saved, a root canal is a less expensive option that doesn't require extractions or surgical attachments.

Further, as dental implants are often attached through surgery, this may present difficulties if you have health conditions that affect how quickly you heal or make you more susceptible to infection. Recovering from implants takes longer and is more serious than something like a standard root canal, so ask your dentist how the recovery process might affect you.  A dentist can provide further information regarding restorative dentistry services

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