The utilization of dental implants is one of those recommended procedures being used in the field dentistry. Before this was discovered, people were using traditional methods such as bridges and gaps. But nowadays, with the advancement in technology, dental implants allow dentists to recreate the shape of the roots of teeth that goes into the gums and jaw bones. Generally, modern dental implant offers more advantages compared to traditional dental methods.

These tooth implants get their support from the area that sticks into the gums where the root is placed instead of needing support from the teeth adjoining on either side with the implant. Usually, it is shaped like a cylinder, pin or knife shaped metal piece. These shapes attached into the gums or sometimes into the bones. With these modern dental implants, you won’t need bridges and gaps between the teeth. You can already have a perfect natural-looking smile without having to use dentures or undergo other procedures.

Dental implants have better benefits compared to other dental technology being used nowadays in replacing missing teeth. Implants look more natural because they are compacted into the gums like real teeth. Implants suit right in the mouth as it acts like real teeth. Thus, bone loss and gum recession won’t be a problem.

In using bridge between the teeth to support a fake tooth, the arrangement of the teeth of both sides can be changed and compromised. The effects of such dental method are unpredictable as it may damage your teeth as time goes by. Getting dental implants is still healthier than these traditional bridges and gaps. Implants act like a real tooth so the structure of both sides of teeth will not be compromised.

In using dentures, the position of the teeth may move anytime or fall out. With implants, it will never be a problem as it stays fixed on its position and will never move. If you have any missing teeth, you can use dental implants as it may be a better solution than dentures.

A bright smile with white teeth is the first thing that people see. That is why teeth whitening have become a huge phenomenon. People who want to have pearly whites have been looking for ways to improve their smile since they want to look prettier, youthful and confident. Many people opt for over-the-counter teeth bleaching products as they are more budget-friendly than costly cosmetic dental procedures but then realize they were not as effective as a Dentist guided Teeth Whitening plan.

It can appear overwhelming to choose which of the many whitening products best suit your dental needs. Before using whitening or bleaching products, it is important to know a few facts on different teeth whitening products, its difference, how they work, its known side effects and their known effectiveness.

Common Teeth WhiteningProducts:

• Whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes – the best and safest ways to clean and whiten our teeth giving us a cleaner, whiter and fresher breath. It contains mild abrasives which help in removing stains on the teeth’s surface. Results will be seen in a much longer time but and with regular use, you will have your much desired whiter teeth.
• Whitening gel – is best for treating tarnished teeth. Gels which are peroxide-based are applied on our teeth using a toothbrush. Twice a day application for about two weeks is usually advised for best results.
• Whitening strips – these fine polyethylene strips are hydrogen peroxide-coated and are made up of plastic, are thin and very flexible. These strips are applied on the teeth surface and because they flexible, they can easily adapt the shape of the teeth. In just a few days after your application, you will immediately see the results. They are said to be much effective than whitening toothpastes.
• Whitening trays – a tooth whitening kit that can be used at home but with dentist’s supervision. Dentists will make a mold of your teeth and make custom-fitted trays that fit the teeth. You will take the trays home and fill it with peroxide based gels and then placing them over the teeth. Some usually wear these trays for about 30 minutes to an hour and over two-week duration of use while others wear it overnights. Although the procedures in using these trays are time-consuming, they offer lasting and best whitening results.

It is very important to know that although this cosmetic procedure is very popular, it is not for everyone. It has limitations and disadvantages. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with gum diseases, cavities and other dental problems are not recommended to use whitening products and undergo cosmetic procedure for teeth whitening.

We must also keep in mind that the above-mentioned whitening products only work for natural teeth and results vary from person to person. For the best whitening product that suits your whitening needs, consult your dentist.

Dental veneers or porcelain veneers are thin wafer-like shell made of porcelain are bonded to the front surface of the teeth by means of a resin material. It is a non-invasive form of cosmetic dentistry. They are used to enhance the color and shape of the teeth and to improve your bite.

Dental veneers are usually made up of porcelain and composite resin materials. Porcelain veneers are usually made by a dental technician at a dental laboratory while composite veneers are made by your dentist during your appointment in the dentist’s office. For severe cases of dental flaws, porcelain veneers are recommended. As for the composite veneers, this type is inexpensive compared to porcelain veneers but are effective for correcting small crack or discoloration of the teeth.

What porcelain veneers can do is as follows:

• It can correct uneven or warped teeth.
• It can correct worn out tooth enamel.
• It preserves the damaged teeth’s surface therefore reducing the need for extensive dental treatments.
• It corrects uneven teeth spacing and gaps.
• It can also correct bad bite.
• It can also correct stained or discolored teeth.
• It can help improve your smile.
• It can make dark teeth become lighter.
• It can make crooked teeth straight in just a matter of days.
• It can also make sensitive teeth lose its sensitivity.

What are the benefits of porcelain veneers?

• Being translucent, it can give your teeth a natural-looking appearance without being detected.
• Being porcelain-based, it is resistant to staining. However, if in any case it becomes stained, it can be asily washed away during brushing.
• It can restore the teeth’s functionality and strength.
• Since it is made from a highly-durable material, it can last 10 to 15 years.
• With one or two-appointments, it is a very rapid procedure.
• It can bring back your once lost confidence so you can smile proudly and confidently.
• It is the best solution for dull, unevenly shaped, discolored teeth.

Like any other procedure, there are risks involve with veneers as well. Patients who have porcelain veneers will most likely experience tooth sensitivity right after the procedure. Proper care must be administered to dental veneers as it can easily be damaged or broken in worst cases. Your dentist may advise you on how to properly care of your teeth and may recommend you on which food you should avoid to prevent damage to your veneers. He/she may also recommend you to wear a protecting dental appliance while you are sleeping.

Dental implants

Advantages of Dental Implants:

1. With dental implants, you will feel confident and secured that the teeth won’t move, loosen or fall off.
2. Since implants incorporates into the jaw bone structure, It looks and feels like your natural teeth so no one will notice that you have artificial teeth.
3. It also supports dental bridges, as a result, gets rid of the need for a denture.
4. It restores the chewing and biting function of the teeth, making you eat without pain and comfortably.
5. It helps stop progressive bone loss and for the jawbone not to shrink by serving as an alternative roots of natural teeth.
6. It helps you speak without worry that your teeth may fall off anytime by eradicating the fullness caused by having dentures.
7. Implants can help you smile confidently therefore bringing back your self-confidence.
8. Since implants don’t have the need for reducing the adjacent teeth, most of the natural teeth are left intact therefore helps in improving your oral health.
9. Dental implants can last up to many years and are very durable. It may last up to a lifetime.
10. In general, implants have a success rate of 98%, of course with proper oral care and hygiene.

There are two types of dental implants:

1. In the bone – this type of implant is the most common choice. With each implant, one or more prosthetic teeth are held. During a surgical dental procedure, screws, blades and cylinders are placed into the jaw bone to hold the roots in place. This is the best option for patients with dental bridges or dentures.
2. On the bone – this type of implant are placed on top of the jaw using a metal structure that serves as post hanging through the gum holding the prosthesis in place. This type is best for those who have minimal bone height and patients who cannot wear dentures.

Dental implants are important in preserving the bone. Replacing the natural roots of the teeth in the areas where there are missing teeth. When a tooth is missing, the bone that supported the tooth will shrink or deteriorate. That is why implants are the best option for missing teeth as they preserve the bone by replacing the roots of the teeth. Since these artificial roots are embedded into the jawbone, they can serve the same function for chewing and biting as that of the natural teeth.

Regular dental visits, proper oral care and hygiene after having implants should be observed  to keep your teeth and gums healthy, to stay away from dental problems and for the implants to last for a very long time.

Dental crowns

Why do we need dental crowns?

In the following situations, a dental crown may be needed:

• To repair a fractured tooth.
• To further protect or preserve a weak tooth from decay, from cracking or breaking apart and to hold together parts of an already cracked tooth.
• To also hold dental bridges in place.
• To cover up a dental implant.
• To coat or envelop severely stained or discolored teeth
• To strengthen the tooth after a root canal treatment.
• To improve the beauty of your smile.

Types of Dental crowns and its description:

1. All- Porcelain Crown – this type of crown is best for front teeth as they can be color-matched to your teeth and looks exactly like natural teeth.  However, this type can easily chip or break causing a wearing down of adjacent teeth.  It is suitable for people with allergies to metal.
2. All- Metal Crown – this crown type use gold alloys or nickel or chromium or other metal-based alloy. it last longer than any other crown type as it can endure biting and chewing forces and they seldom if not rarely break.  It is the best choice for cannot-be-seen teeth like molars.
3. All- Resin Crown – this type of crown are the least expensive ones however, their quality and functionality is poor as they are prone to dental fractures and can easily wear down over time. Not an advisable crown type.
4. Porcelain-fused metal Crown – unlike metal crowns, this type of crown can also match your teeth’s color. Although it looks like normal teeth, the porcelain portion of this crown can easily break and dark line can be seen at the gums because of the metal portion.
5. Temporary Crowns – these are made of acrylic or stainless steel that can act as a temporary restoration until permanent crowns are constructed. This crown type can be made at your dentist’s office while permanent crown are made at a dental laboratory.

How long do dental crowns last?

• How long it will last depends on the forces (like chewing, biting, grinding, trauma, habits) and environment the crown is exposed to and how well you take care of it and how well you maintain good oral hygiene. Crowns can last 10 to 15 years, on an average. Metal crown lasts longer than any other type of crown. Porcelain crowns can easily chip off due to chewing, biting and tooth grinding.

Follow good oral hygiene; brush your teeth at least twice a day. Flossing at least once a day on the area where your gum meets the tooth is best to protect the core tooth from decay and from gum diseases.

Dental cleaning

To keep our teeth healthy
Tooth loss can be caused by having gum diseases. To avoid tooth, we need to keep our teeth healthy by brushing, flossing, regular dental check-ups and cleaning.

To prevent Halitosis
Having poor oral hygiene causes us to have halitosis or bad breath. Not being able to remove and clean food debris left on our teeth is the major cause of this dental problem. Food debris that are left will be decayed and harmful bacteria will then form in our mouth causing the bad breath odor and other dental problems.

To prevent gum diseases
Gum diseases are common to people with poor oral hygiene. Infection in our gums will almost certainly cause tooth loss and a more serious illness if not detected and treated early.

To have a bright smile
Prophylaxis cleans all the hard to reach areas of our teeth that brushing alone cannot clean. This method cleans and polishes the teeth leaving the surface clean and smooth so that bacteria become incapable to stick to them, as a result a brighter, whiter and movie star-like smile.

To detect dental problems early on
Early detection of dental problems will save us from worry of having a serious dental problem and expensive dental procedures. Early signs of cavities and gum diseases can be detected by our dentist and is therefore treatable. If these dental problems are left untreated, these will cause us hundreds of dollars to save our teeth either by root canals, tooth extraction or much worse gum surgery.

To avert oral cancer
Oral cancer, like any other types of cancer, is frightening and much worse can lead to death. A study by the Oral Cancer Foundation shows that every hour a person, in United States alone, dies from oral cancer. Having regular dental checkups with cleaning in between will be of great help in screening you from this type of ailment and if diagnosed early, it is curable.

To maintain not only good oral health but good physical health as well
Having regular dental checkups and teeth cleaning will maintain a good overall health. Your dentist will make sure you follow a good oral hygiene. As a result, gum diseases caused by poor oral hygiene that are linked to having heart attacks and strokes will be avoided. Dentists’ advice to have our regular teeth cleaning every 6 months to keep our gums and teeth in good condition therefore reducing the risk of having heart disease.

Poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical sickness which is why we must maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing every after meal, having regular dental checkups and dental cleaning.

Fact:

The Facts are…..that you need to make your appointment to talk to the Dental Associates of West Michigan team – and you will start smiling brighter and whiter very soon!!

Contact us today 616-554-5970 and COME SEE WHY EVERYONE IS SMILING!

• Twice a day – no exceptions!  That’s the ticket for the start of your bright white smile – brush your teeth at least twice daily.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush – one that fits easily into all corners of your mouth.  If you have any weakness, arthritis, or other reason for not being able to brush effectively, you may want to consider an electric or battery-operated toothbrush.  Fluoride toothpaste is usually recommended – but check first with your dentist.
• How you brush is equally important. You need to brush with the toothbrush at a slight angle to your teeth, and brush all surfaces, inside and outside, including the chewing surfaces of your teeth.  You need to brush side to side, in short strokes.
• Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too – but no harsh brush strokes – gentle works!
• Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months or sooner if it gets too frayed, or you have been sick.  The same goes for the head of an electric or battery-operated toothbrush.
• Floss daily! You can’t get to all the crevices in your oral cavity with a toothbrush – this step is fine-tuning the cleaning and important in removing particles and plaque that could cause decay if not removed.
• Effective technique starts with wrapping the floss around your middle fingers – about an 15-18” length will do – move the floss between your teeth, going systematically through the upper teeth, then the bottom teeth, moving the floss against both tooth sides from the gum line upward.  This will help get rid of dangerous plaque.
• There are different products available if you have a hard time drawing the floss through your teeth – waxed flosses, dental picks or floss holders – all of these are capable of getting to those critical spaces between teeth.

Seeing your dentist every 6 months is key to ensuring your own oral care is working for you, and to have your teeth professionally cleaned and inspected as well.  The professional cleaning can usually remove any remaining stubborn plaque, and your dentist can inspect your whole oral cavity to ensure any problems are caught quickly, and treated promptly.  Early detection of dental problems is vital to that bright sparkling smile!  Keep up the good work – and keep smiling! Contact Dental Associates of West Michigan to be your partner in oral hygiene and smiling bright!

Your need might be a chipped or cracked tooth, or teeth, or possibly worn down teeth, or teeth that are not aligned correctly or are misshapen.  You might have spaces too large between some of your teeth, or stains or discolorations that won’t go away with normal oral care.  If the basic structure of a tooth is strong enough, veneers are an option that offers a very natural-appearing porcelain replacement for the front surface of the tooth leaving the rest intact and supporting the veneer.

At the first visit, a thin layer (about a half millimeter or less) of your tooth’s front enamel is removed to create space for a custom-made porcelain veneer. In one to two weeks, you return to have the veneer fitted, cemented, and polished.  Unlike crowns, veneers avoid the more radical reshaping of the tooth, while retaining an excellent appearance and stain resistance. Porcelain veneers are stronger and more natural-looking than the less costly alternative of resin bonding, and can also last longer – anywhere from 10-30 years.

The advancements in the technology of these porcelain veneers have enhanced not only their appearance, but their ability to last for years.  By far and away this is not just a solution for a desired star-quality smile, but is also a fix for teeth abnormalities that are generated from birth, with perhaps teeth too small which leave gaps, or teeth that are chipped or broken from an accident.  Porcelain veneers can also be an orthodontic fix for malpositioned teeth.  Drs. Conlon and Vincelj will be happy to help you discuss your options in your cosmetic and restorative dental needs – give them a call today and you can start on your path to a happier and complete smile!  Contact us today! 616-554-5970.

They are permanent, not temporary…..

They are stronger, and will stand up to any food to chew……

What’s not to like?!  Dental implants are basically a tooth prosthesis that can possibly be your best choice for a replacement for a missing tooth.  They have other benefits as well, not the least of which is to preserve your natural facial structure and prevent the bone disintegration that occurs when missing teeth are not replaced.

State of the art treatments for dental implants await you at the office of Drs. Conlon and Vincelj, experienced Dentists in Grand Rapids.  New materials and techniques are used to design a tooth for you that will resemble your other natural teeth, and fill in that gap that could be so unhealthy for your mouth if left without a tooth replacement.  Each implant is unique to its owner – and designed especially as a match for your other teeth – certainly a cosmetic restoration of choice for many of all ages, and a preventative solution in preventing further bone and tooth loss.  Add to that the comfort and stability of the dental implant and you will be smiling for sure!

Dental implants require only that you have enough jaw bone to give support to the implant, which has a titanium anchor, and will be strong!  The custom-designed crown is cemented to this anchor to give you the tooth that will be designed just for you!  If you are in reasonably good health, this certainly can be a choice for your tooth replacement.  You need only see your primary care doctor if you have any medical issues that could have a bearing on this office-based oral surgery procedure.  We will do the rest, over the period of a few appointments for completion of the procedure.  You will be reassured from start to finish with this gentle, comfortable cosmetic dentistry procedure, from start to finish – our commitment to you!

Best of all you care for the implant just as you would for your other teeth, with the normal oral care of brushing and flossing, and seeing your dentist for a check-up every 6 months. It is not only a very stable solution, but a durable one – your custom-made dental implant can last for many years.  Don’t wait – talk to the friendly and community-acknowledged experienced Dental Associates of West Michigan – they will be happy to provide a swift solution for your dental implant need!  Contact us today! 616-554-5970