When a patient loses a tooth, either from infection or accident, he or she needs a tooth replacement treatment quickly. It is equally important, however, that the tooth replacement option you choose be durable and long lasting. Dental implants are a stable, permanent tooth loss solution—they are surgically embedded within the jawbone to ensure a long-lasting restoration.

Dental implants are designed to be permanent, immovable replacement teeth. Unlike dentures and bridges, patients do not remove dental implants for cleaning or dental maintenance. Rather, patients care for dental implants the same way they care for their natural teeth, with regular brushing and flossing.

With proper care dental implants can last for decades. However, there are some common threats to the health and longevity of your dental implant. Here are some common problems for which to be on the lookout:

Bruxism: patients who grind or clench their teeth may put unnecessary strain on their implants, causing them to wear down prematurely. Many patients don’t even realize that they are grinding their teeth, because they do it in their sleep. If you wake up with jaw soreness or tooth pain this may be an indication that you’re suffering from bruxism.

Chewing Hard Foods: Chewing hard foods, like hard candies or ice, is hard on your natural teeth and your dental restorations. If you regularly chomp on hard candy or ice, you risk chipping or cracking your crowns.

Using Tobacco Products: Tobacco, both chewing and smoking, will cause your teeth and your restorations to discolor. Dental implants as well as natural enamel can take on a dark, dingy, and stained appearance from habitual tobacco use.

Dental implants are a useful and long-lasting tooth replacement option, and with proper care they can keep you smiling for years to come. Before you choose dental implants, take the time to minimize bad dental habits and treat bruxism. Our Longmont dental implant office can help you understand how the treatment process works and what your treatment would entail. Give us a call at 303-776-4229.

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and seen an old or dark looking teeth smiling back at you, you know how important white, bright teeth are to your appearance. As cosmetic dentistry becomes more accessible and wide spread, more patients than ever are taking advantage of teeth whitening options to turn back the clock on their aging teeth. Teeth bleaching treatments can either be administered at home by the consumer or in the dentist’s office a dental professional. These two types of treatment are not created equal—the formulations, expected results, and treatment processes are different, respectively.

Professional whitening treatments are administered in our Longmont cosmetic dental office. These treatments are peroxide formulations to actually bleach dental enamel—drastically whitening the appearance of teeth. Professional whitening treatments are:

• More effective than over the counter products because the whitening formulation contains a greater concentration of whitening agent.
• Faster than over the counter products—most patients see significant results in just one or two visits.
• More predictable than over the counter products. Working with a dental professional, you can better control the level and quality of whitening achieved.

Home whitening treatments, on the other hand are:

• Less expensive than professional whitening treatments, because they are less effective and take weeks or even months to achieve full results.
• More of a risk, because you cannot closely control the process you may end up with uneven enamel whitening, dental sensitivity, or gum irritation.

Before embarking on cosmetic whitening, it’s important to consult with a dental professional to ensure optimal results. Professional whitening treatments allow you to better control your results, avoid sensitivity, and optimize bleaching to enhance your overall smile. If you’d like to speak to a Longmont cosmetic dentist about your teeth whitening options, give as a call at (303) 776-4229.