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Archives for March 2019

Are Wonky Implants a Dental Emergency?

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I had two dental implants placed about three months ago. Everything seemed fine until recently. I had some weird pains and tingles in it the last few days and today the area surrounding the two implants seems spongy. I don’t know if that’s the right way to describe it, but the gum was moveable. My implant dentist is on vacation. Can this wait or do I need an emergency dentist?

Candace

Dear Candace,

Woman in pain in need of dental care

It’s good that you are attentive to what’s going on with your dental implants. That alone could help save them. This need to be looked at before your dentist returns. You could have an infection brewing.

Infection is the leading cause of dental implant failure. So you’ll want this looked at as soon as possible. Your implant dentist should have a protocol in place when he’s not available. Usually, they will have a colleague who will stand in for them if a patient needs urgent care.

If by chance your dentist does not have that in place, you’ll need to see an emergency dentist.

Ideally, you’d want one versed in the dental implant procedure, but if you can’t find one, they could at least prescribe you a broad spectrum antibiotic which should hold off any infection while you’re waiting on your dentist’s return.

If Your Dental Implants Fail

Though with an experienced implant dentist there is a very high success rate (around 98%), sometimes, even when everything is done right, the dental implants will fail.

When that happens, there is still hope. You can get bone grafting done to build back up the area and then try again.

Cosmetic Opportunities with Implants

As you are adding teeth to your smile, one thing you can do is use it as an opportunity to update your smile a bit. Teeth whitening is an inexpensive cosmetic procedure and dramatically transforms your smile’s appearance.

The reason I bring it up is the color your implant crowns are made with is permanent. If you decide later you want to whiten your teeth, the porcelain crowns will have to be re-made.

It saves you money to do your whitening now, so you can have the crowns made a color you will be proud to keep for years to come.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn Family Dentist Dr. Raymond Bolt.


An Affordable Way to Restore a Chipped Tooth

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Are you looking for affordable options to restore a chipped tooth? A chipped tooth detracts from your smile and from the health of your tooth. How can you get your tooth restored affordably?

A Porcelain Veneer or Crown Might Not Be Required

Most people think that a chipped tooth needs to be hidden with a porcelain veneer or a dental crown. What’s the process for those treatments?

  • Porcelain veneer – A veneer covers the front of your tooth. It requires shaving some of your tooth enamel so the veneer fits well and looks natural. Pictures and impressions of your teeth will be sent to a lab, and a custom veneer will be made.
  • Dental crown – Your tooth needs to be shaved down for the crown to fit over it. The crown covers your entire tooth from the gumline to the biting surface. Impressions and pictures of your teeth will be sent to a dental lab. The lab will make a precisely fitting crown for your tooth.

But a crown or veneer might not be necessary. There is a more affordable option for repairing a chipped tooth.

Dental Bonding Is Affordable

Your tooth can be restored with direct bonding. How does it work?

  • Shades of dental composite are blended to match the shade of your natural tooth.
  • Your dentist will lightly etch your chipped tooth to prepare it for the composite.
  • The composite will be applied, shaped, hardened, and polished to a natural gloss.
  • Depending on how well you take care of it, bonding can last four to eight years.

What’s the Difference with the Treatments?

Veneers are made of durable porcelain, which mimics the translucency, color, and gloss of natural teeth. It takes more time to place a veneer, and the custom-made materials are more costly. Veneers are stain resistant and can last a lifetime. Bonding stains over time and needs to removed and replaced.

A dental crown is also made of porcelain. After taking impressions of your tooth, a custom crown is made by a laboratory technician. Unlike dental composite that is only applied to the affected areas of a tooth, a crown covers the entire tooth.

Affordable, but Beautiful Results

Although dental bonding is more affordable than a porcelain veneer or crown, a skilled dentist can give you great results. People won’t be able to tell that your tooth was chipped.

Before-and-after photos of a front incisor chipped tooth that was restored with dental bonding.
Dental bonding is an affordable way to restore a chipped tooth

You can schedule consultations with two different dentists to discuss your options, the cost, and how treatment can be made affordable for you.

This post is sponsored by Auburn, AL dentist Dr. Raymond Bolt of Dental Care at Flint’s Crossing.