Did you know....
The quality of your smile has a more direct affect on your personal and business relationships than any other part of your appearance?
In fact, 88% of all people in North America say they always remember someone with an especially attractive smile. Not only that, 75% agree an unattractive smile can seriously hurt a person's chances for financial success. Perhaps that's why more than half the adults in America wish they could change their smile. Some adults want to correct problems they have had since childhood, like discolored, crooked or irregularly shaped teeth. Others want to fix conditions they've developed over time, like cracked, worn-down, discolored or missing teeth. There is good reason for this. You see.....
Your Smile Can Make Or Break You!
For hundreds of years, all the way from Mona Lisa to today's cover girls, a dazzling smile has always carried great significance. It is a reliable indication of a person's sense of well-being and has an enormous impact on a person's health, self-esteem and both personal and business relationships. In short, a beautiful smile makes people more attracted to you. More disposed to like you, more eager to do business with you, and more eager to help you with any kind of favor you may need.
So, if a smile is so important, why don't more people smile...and...why don't they smile more often?
The answer is simple: They are ashamed and embarrassed by their teeth or their dentures!
Are You A Denture Sufferer?
There are many reasons why people don't like the appearance of their teeth or dentures. Many people are still using old and ill-fitting dentures that pop up, fly out or get stuck while they are eating or just smiling. Some people have teeth too small or crooked. Others have teeth that are gapped or overlapped. Their teeth suffer from stains and discoloration. Some people wear partial or full mouth dentures that don't fit or stay in correctly. Some are chipped, broken and worn down. Some people have teeth which are twisted and misled. And almost everyone wishes their teeth would fit better, be whiter, and look more attractive.
That's the bad news BUT the good news is every single one of these problems can now be corrected at our office. Read on to find out how!
3 Dangers of Tooth Loss and Poor Fitting Dentures That You Must Know About!
Danger #1: Bone Loss Makes You Look Older Quicker
Dental implants assist you in looking and feeling younger, because they prevent bone loss. By preventing bone loss that would normally occur with the loss of the teeth, your facial structure remains normal and intact. The chances of wrinkling and aging before your time is less likely to happen.
In other words, everyday that you continue to wear dentures, you are experiencing bone loss, which makes you look much older that you have to.
Danger #2: Dentures May Reduce Your Life Span
I know this sounds kind of ridiculous, because who would ever think that your teeth could have an affect on how long you live. But it's true! Many people with poor fitting dentures or multiple missing back teeth live shorter life spans of up to 10 years less, due to poor eating habits and stomach problems. They tend to eat more processed foods and experience many other health problems related to malnutrition from poorer eating habits. People today now have options to dentures, and one of them is dental implants.
Danger #3: Dentures May Lead To Bacterial And Fungal Infections
Ill-fitting dentures can allow for the increase in bacteria which may cause further health issues. It is also possible to encounter fungal infections such as thrush and stomatitis under ill-fitting dentures.
The Magic of Dental Implants
Q: What Are Dental Implants?
A: The dental implants used by most dentists are root-form implants, which basically means that they are replacements, or substitute tooth roots, used to replace natural tooth roots in areas of the mouth where teeth are missing. Since it replaces the tooth root, it creates the stability needed to have much stronger teeth that stay in place and don't move around.
Q: What Are The Benefits Of Dental Implants?
A: 1) Prevents Bone Loss---By preventing bone resorption that would normally occur with the loss of teeth, the facial structure remains intact. This is especially important when all of the teeth are missing, because the lower one-third of the face collapses if implants are not placed to preserve the bone.
2) Overall Quality of Life is enhanced with replacement teeth that look, feel and function more like natural teeth---You will look younger and more attractive which allows you to be even more confident and enjoy smiling, laughing, and talking with others.
3) You can now live longer, because you'll be able to eat even better and prevent malnutrition or stomach problems---Fresh vegetables and fruits are back on the menu! You can now eat the foods you like. Also, since your chewing will be improved, your digestion will be even better as well.
4) Increases the amount of enjoyment you get out of eating!
5) Creates more confidence in social situations---Most of our patients love their new implants, because of their improved appearance, function, comfort and health.
6) Allows you to relax and not have to worry about your dentures moving around, popping out, or gagging you---You'll never worry about your dentures flying out when you laugh, sneeze, cough, or when you eat. Implants are so securely attached that the fear of them falling out will be eliminated. And no more messy denture adhesive!
7) Your mouth will be restored as closely as possible to its natural state---By replacing the entire tooth, as well as the tooth root, it is possible to replicate the function of natural teeth, with a strong, stable foundation that allows comfortable biting and chewing. Also, nothing in the mouth looks or feels false or artificial.
8) You will be able to taste foods better---Wearing an upper denture can prevent someone from really tasting food because the roof of the mouth is covered. With implant supported replacement teeth, it is not necessary to cover the roof of the mouth, so it is possible to enjoy the taste of foods.
9) Improves overall oral health
10) Eliminate Denture Adhesives FOREVER!---There is no need for messy denture adhesives because implants are attached to the bone. No more goo!!
11) Missing Teeth replaced with implants will not affect your other teeth---Replacing missing teeth with implant supported crowns and bridges do not involve, compromise or damage the adjacent natural, healthy teeth as other methods do. For example, when you wear a partial denture, you have clamps that hook onto adjacent teeth, which put pressure on them and can potentially cause them to loosen and come out. And bridges require grinding down the adjacent teeth so that the bridge can be cemented onto them. This tooth structure can never be replaced and the long-term health of these teeth are compromised.
Q: Am I A Candidate for Dental Implant Treatment?
A: Almost everyone is missing at least one tooth. Wanting good health and a beautiful, natural smile makes one a candidate for dental implant treatment. There are a few medical conditions that can undermine the success of dental implants, such as uncontrolled diabetes. Quality and quantity of available bone for implant placement is more often a factor in qualifying for dental implants than medical conditions. However, even people who have lost significant amounts of bone can qualify for dental implant treatment with additional procedures to add bone or create new bone. Advances in this type of treatment have made it possible for thousands of patients, who would not previously have been considered candidates, to have successful implant procedures.
Q: How Painful Is Getting Dental Implants?
A: Most of our patients report that they feel very little, if any pain during this procedure. We have many options available to us to make sure you feel comfortable during the procedure. Also, when you leave our office, you'll get a prescription, if necessary. We have found that most patients actually do not require any prescription pain medications after the treatment. Plus, we will call to make sure that you are not in any abnormal amount of discomfort. Our goal is to give you stronger, more comfortable teeth, with comfortable dentistry!
Q: How Long Will It Take To Complete The Treatment?
A: You will notice a difference almost immediately. However, the entire process can take anywhere between 3-9 months to complete. This depends on the type, and quantity of implants you need, along with the quality of bone in which the implants are placed. There are treatment options that are faster, such as dentures; however, none of these traditional methods prevent bone loss, or give the type of natural look and feel like implants do.
Q: Will I Need to Have One Implant Placed for Each Tooth That Is Missing?
A: No. In fact, it is possible to replace all of the lower teeth with an overdenture that is supported by only 2-4 implants. On the other hand, sometimes it might work to your advantage to replace your back teeth with an implant for each tooth to provide additional strength.
Q: How Do I Know If I'm Too Old For Implants?
A: Great question. Your overall health and your desire to improve the quality of your life are much more important things to look at than your age. We currently have patients from 20 years old to 70+ years old. There have been people who are in their 90's and having this procedure done with no problems.
Q: How Long Do Implants Last?
A: Most research has shown that implants have been successful for over 30 years. However, our goal is to make them so they last a lifetime. This is much improved from dentures, which are generally recommended for replacement at 5 years, and/or bridges where the expected time of use is between 7-10 years (insurance companies actually consider it 5 years).
Q: Do You Offer Any Warranties?
A: Yes. Even though dental implants have over a 95% success rate, there is still a very small chance that they won't completely heal properly since we can not completely guarantee everyone's human body heals as expected. When this occurs, new implants are placed and the success rates for the replaced implants are once again approximately 95%. When we replace the implants, we do it for free as long as you followed all proper post-care directions and protocols. You also need to make sure you come in for your regular scheduled appointments so that we can make sure everything stays healthy, including your gums and teeth so as to prevent most problems.
Q: What Is The Cost Of Implant Treatment?
A: Many people ask us, "How much is one implant going to cost?" I wish it was that simple. The only way to determine actual cost is by coming in for a consultation and examination to find out if you have bone loss or enough bone, if you'll need one, two, or more implants.The actual cost of implant treatment is based on a number of factors, such as the number of teeth being replaced, the type of treatment option recommended and whether additional procedures are necessary to achieve the proper esthetic and functional results.
Q: Does Insurance Cover Dental Implant Treatment?
A: Insurance coverage depends on your individual policy. We will be happy to do a complimentary benefits check for you.
There is no way of getting around it...…this kind of dentistry can entail a large investment!! Dentistry that works well requires an investment, just like everything else in life. We wish it wasn't true but it is. The good news is that you will have a hard time naming another investment you can make in yourself that provides the dividends of a healthy, pleasing smile and comfortable chewing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Now for the GOOD NEWS.....there are payment plans for the qualified that make the cost of this type of dental work AFFORDABLE! We will work hard to find a way to fit this type of investment into your monthly budget. We've helped many, many people find the means to make this happen for them!
