Treatment with dental implants has proven to be highly predictable, with success rates in the range of 95%. However, if you are considering the placement of dental implants, you may still want reassurance about the safety of implants and the surgical procedure.
Dental implants are utilized to replace missing or damaged teeth. The implant acts in place of the natural root and supports restorations such as crowns, bridges, or removable dentures. Once implants have been placed, the patient enjoys the benefit of an appliance that looks and feels like natural teeth. Dental implant surgery is performed with the patient under local or IV sedation. The implant takes approximately four to six months to fuse to the jawbone, at which time your permanent restorations can be put into place.
We offer Dental Implants in Longview
In the past implants have been known to shrink the bone surrounding the implants over the course of time. However, newer implant technology has eliminated this risk almost completely. Implants also do not damage the surrounding teeth during preparation.
Titanium is the most common material for dental implants. This type of metal is known for outstanding resistance to corrosion, as well as being highly compatible with the environment within the mouth. While allergic reactions to titanium are possible, it is known to be extremely rare.
The best insurance you can give yourself regarding implant safety is to take time and care when choosing your oral surgeon. A highly skilled and experienced doctor will be better prepared about how to avoid or treat potential complications. A good oral surgeon will take great care in the planning stages of your implant surgery to avoid the possibility of implant failure.
Once your surgery is complete, it is vitally important to follow all the post-operative and aftercare recommendations your oral surgeon provides. Do not skip or postpone your follow-up visits, and maintain excellent oral hygiene to ensure you will escape any potential risks or complications and enjoy the benefits of dental implants for many years.
More and more patients with missing teeth are taking advantage of the popular restoration method of dental implants. If you are considering implants, you might have some questions or concerns. It may sound like a daunting procedure that might scare you off, but getting the facts will likely ease your fears.
We offer Dental Implants in Longview
How will I know about the process?
Seeking treatment from a qualified, experienced, reputable dentist is the first step in the dental implant process. If you and your dentist decide together that implants are a good solution for you, dental X-rays will be taken to get a clear picture of your bite and exactly where the dental implant should be placed. With the appropriate data and information needed, your dentist will create a treatment plan for accurately inserting the implant during oral surgery and later placing a crown on top to complete the restoration. These initial steps in the process will help avoid complications during the implant procedure.
Does it hurt?
If pain is what’s making you hesitate about getting dental implants, the good news is that there is practically no pain during the procedure. You will remain comfortable during treatment thanks to simple anesthesia injections in the area. Although you may notice vibrations during implant placement, actual pain shouldn’t occur. Anti-anxiety medications are sometimes given to calm a patient’s nerves, and sedation dentistry is an option for those with more serious dental fears.
What about recovery?
Most patients experience minimal pain after dental implant surgery. Soreness is normal, similar to what you’d expect after getting a filling, but over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen is usually sufficient. Dentists sometimes prescribe an antibiotic or a mouth rinse to reduce infection risks during healing. With the advancements made in dentistry, there is no reason to shy away from dental implants. Make a dental appointment in our Longview office to learn more about them today.
Over time, daily life can take a toll on your smile. Decay, breakage, disease, and missing teeth can negatively affect your mouth. Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing damage and renewing the integrity of your smile. With today’s advanced technology and high-quality materials, you can enjoy strong, attractive restorations. Don’t put off necessary dental work any longer.
Common restorative procedures include:
Composite fillings
To repair teeth damaged brought on by decay, your dentist will likely choose an all-white filling. Tooth-colored fillings produce solids restorations that blend in with your natural teeth and allow for less removal of healthy tooth structure.
Dental Crowns
When you have a larger area of decay than a regular filling can fix, your dentist may suggest a dental crown. Also called a cap, a dental crown covers the area above the gum line, re-establishing the strength and appearance of the injured tooth. Usually, it takes two visits to receive your custom crown. During the first appointment, your dentist will remove the decay, take impressions for the crown, and fit you with a temporary. You will return for permanent placement a few weeks later.
Dental Implants
If you have lost teeth, your oral health and self-esteem may suffer. Dental implants can replace one or more missing teeth, giving you back a complete smile. Dental implants include a metal post that functions as an artificial tooth root and a prosthetic crown that is cemented on top to complete the restoration.
Porcelain Veneers
Often considered a cosmetic choice, porcelain veneers can also cover chipped or broken teeth. Made from fine dental porcelain, veneers are permanently attached to front teeth, creating a flawless image. Your dentist will select the right veneers to fit your features, personality, and budget.
Do you live in Longview or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.
There are many misconceptions about root canal treatment. This process is recommended when your tooth pulp is infected or damaged, and the treatment is needed to save your tooth. The damaged pulp is removed from your tooth and filled with a material that prevents future infections. A crown is often recommended to be placed over the tooth to complete the procedure and preserve the tooth. If your dentist recommends this treatment for you, it may save you some worry if you know the truth about the procedure.
Truth about the pain
Root canal treatment has advanced over the years, making it much less painful than its previous reputation. Anesthesia is used during the procedure, and most patients say it is no worse than getting a filling.
Truth about office visits
The procedure can usually be completed in just one or two office visits. Several factors impact the number of appointments, such as the extent of infection, complexity of the procedure, and need for referral to a different health care professional. Your dentist will be able to advise how many office visits are needed for your treatment.
Truth about symptoms
Your tooth does not absolutely have to be painful to indicate the need for a root canal. A dentist may diagnose a serious problem even when you don’t feel discomfort. That’s one reason regular checkups are important, so that issues can be caught.
Truth about cause
It is a myth that root canal treatment is caused by illnesses like heart disease, arthritis, or kidney disease. Medical research has proven these long-time myths to be untrue.
Truth about success
The benefits of root canal treatment can last a long time, even permanently. Sometimes patients experience broken teeth after treatment, but dentists attribute this to failure in the restoration or tooth construction instead of the root canal treatment itself. Patients who do not opt to get crowns tend to experience tooth breakage more often.
Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Longview dental office to schedule your consultation!
It seems that with each passing year, our lives become more hectic, scheduled, and harried. If you have children, there are the endless school events and music lessons and sports practices. Running from here to there can leave you less time for some of the most important things, like your oral hygiene.
Have you found yourself putting off your regular dental check-up? Has it been more than a year since you saw your dentist? Are your children up-to-date with their dental visits, but you’re falling behind? This can happen, especially as we place the care of others over the care of ourselves.
By choosing a family dentistry practice, this can be a thing of the past when it comes to your teeth! A family dentist can see each member of your family, from the youngest infant to the oldest retiree. All of your dental visits occur in the same office, so you won’t be jumping in the car to go yet somewhere else, stuck in traffic and feeling overwhelmed.
With family dentistry, you can schedule your appointments to have multiple family members seen back-to-back or at the same time. This is especially of interest to families with multiple children. Imagine having three or four appointments going on at the same time, and being done after the time of a single visit! Reduce the time you spend in the waiting room with squirming or unhappy children by choosing a family dentistry practice.
Your family dentist realizes that your time is extremely important, and that each member of your family is important and valued. A family dentist knows about all of the changes your teeth undergo over time, and is sensitive to this. It’s easy to make smile goals with your family dentist, as he or she will be there from the start to the finish.
Make the choice to simplify your life. Make it easy to keep you and your entire family smiling brightly. Choose a family dentistry practice today.
Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment now and achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. DiStefano is accepting new patients from Longview and the surrounding area.
Root canal therapy treats the interior of the tooth. The final step in root canal treatment is placing a permanent restoration to protect the tooth and restore it to full form and function. This procedure should be performed within one month of your root canal treatment to decrease the risk of re-contamination or breakage of the treated tooth. Having a permanent dental restoration placed will extend the success of root canal treatment by preventing damaging leakage or fracture.
The general condition of the treated tooth and the amount of tooth structure lost will determine if the tooth would be best restored with a permanent composite filling or a dental crown. For small cavities in front teeth with insignificant tooth structure loss, your dental professional may place a tooth-colored filling after a root canal procedure.
More often, your dentist will recommend the placement of a dental crown to restore a root canal treated tooth. Teeth that have had root canal therapy can be fragile, and a dental crown provides the best protection against future bacterial contamination and fracture. A dental crown is made in a laboratory and custom fit your tooth. Crowns are made of porcelain, metal, or a combination of the two. Dental crowns can be placed on front or back teeth, and are especially appropriate for molars that must withstand heavy chewing forces.
Having a root canal treated tooth restored with a dental crown or permanent filling will extend the success of your treatment. If you are showing symptoms of a damaged or diseased tooth, a properly performed root canal treatment and permanent restoration can save your tooth and extend its function for a lifetime.
Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Longview dental office to schedule your consultation!
