PATIENT EDUCATION
Dental implants have come a long way in recent years. What exactly is a dental implant?
It is a strong and clinically supported device made of titanium which is inserted into the jaw bone in place of a missing tooth root and acts as a support for an artificial tooth crown or bridge. That sounds scary, doesn’t it? It really isn’t and implants are becoming more and more popular as a long-term solution to tooth loss and an option that I highly recommend in my practice for many reasons.
Why do I preach so much about young children getting into a dentist by the age of three? Because tooth loss is a BIG DEAL. We want to avoid it at all costs, but sometimes we just can’t. Tooth loss has many negative effects on your oral health including bone loss, shifting teeth, bite changes, chewing difficulty, wearing down of remaining teeth, changes in jaw joint and many other complications.
Implant therapy is clinically proven, state of the art, and a procedure I am proud to offer in my practice. According to a recent study, 98% of patients are ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with their dental implants. Even better, implants are a cost effective alternative with lower long-term maintenance costs when compared to a conventional bridge or other treatment options.
Every patient’s situation is different, however, I am glad to have this option available to my patients that have experienced the loss of a tooth.
My first ever blog here is my opinion on a question I am asked every day. When should children first see a dentist?
Kids should be seen by age three to have an exam and possible x-rays. We all know that this depends on the child’s cooperation!
We love first-time patients, especially little ones because we love to make sure they have fun and have a great experience. We want them to enjoy coming to the dentist. Yes, folks, that really IS possible! Times have changed and dental treatment and care can be comfortable. It is at our office!
Establishing a baseline for the child’s hygiene, diet, and adult tooth formation is extremely important. We can also detect missing teeth that may not be formed, early decay or decay risk among other things a parent may not be aware of.
Sometimes we recommend pit and fissure sealants to prevent decay in areas we feel are high risk and even arrest early decay that may be progressing. They are simple, effective and often set our youngest patients up for dental success!
Along with the exam, education is key. We are able to see and then advise parents in oral care and hygiene.
Over the course of your life, keeping your teeth intact is the best option. We love seeing kids early in order to help them and their families achieve the best oral health possible.