As the end of summer approaches, you’re preparing for your child’s upcoming school year. You’ve visited store after store to purchase clothing, shoes and supplies, but your children’s dentist in Grand Prairie says there is one more important detail that shouldn’t be overlooked: a back-to-school checkup. Thinking about putting it off until later? Continue reading to find out the value of being proactive and discover why this is the perfect time to fortify your child’s dental health!
It’s Easier to Prevent Than Treat
The last thing a dentist wants to do is perform complex procedures to restore a patient’s dental health. While they are trained to treat an array of issues, the primary goal – always – is prevention. Through proper maintenance and regular checkups, patients can achieve a high quality of dental health. Additionally, people with healthy teeth and gums tend to live longer and more fulfilling lives.
This is why it’s so important for children to develop good habits early. Unfortunately, many adult dental woes begin in childhood with what initially appear to be harmless cavities. If the issues aren’t properly treated, or the poor habits that led to them aren’t corrected, an unhealthy trend can be set that leads to big problems in adulthood.
Why the Before-School Visit is So Important
As the school year gets underway, your parental responsibilities increase, and you still have your other obligations that must be tended to. Time can easily get away from you, and your child’s dental visit may be overlooked. Committing to a visit before school starts is a way to avoid this happening.
By taking advantage of the flexibility that summer offers, your child won’t have to miss school, and this can help eliminate an extra time burden once the year gets underway. Here are some of the other benefits of being proactive:
- Saves you money by decreasing the chances of needing complex dental care
- Allows your child to begin the school year with a clean and healthy smile, and greater confidence
- Aids in positive habit setting and allows your child to become comfortable with receiving dental care in the future
What to Expect
From the time you arrive in the office, you can expect to be there around an hour. If it’s the first visit or the one-year anniversary of your child’s first appointment, you can expect X-ray photos to be taken. Next, the dental hygienist will perform a thorough cleaning to remove any plaque and tartar buildup. Then, the dentist will perform a careful examination to identify any issues.
The visit will conclude with you and your child sitting down with the preventive dentist in Grand Prairie to discuss what improvements need to be made and to have any questions answered. By the time you all leave the office, your child will feel accomplished, healthier and ready to leap into a new year of learning.
So before you purchase your next notebook or pack of pencils, don’t forget to reach out to your local dentist to schedule a visit. When it’s all said and done, it will give your child something to smile about!
About the Author
Dr. Ticole Nguyen earned her dental degree from Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry. Since entering the dental field, she has been an advocate for preventive dentistry, so her patients can avoid complex and costly problems. Dr. Nguyen treats patients of all ages at 360 Family & Implant Dentistry, and she can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through her website.
]]>
You’ve been waiting for summer to arrive, and now it’s in full swing. If you’re like most people, you have travel plans or other fun events in mind to take full advantage of the season. In the midst of your enjoyment, you definitely don’t want to forget about your dental health in Grand Prairie, as doing so could lead to some unwanted issues. Continue reading to learn about 5 ways to protect your teeth and gums while having fun in the sun!
#1 – Drink Plenty of Water
Water is absolutely essential to your overall health, as it supports the function of every aspect of your physical makeup. When it comes to dental health, your water intake has some specific and unique benefits. For starters, it aids in the production of saliva. In addition to jumpstarting your body’s digestive processes, saliva plays a major role in protecting your teeth and gums.
It accomplishes this by flushing debris and bacteria from your mouth after you eat and drink. To support this process, be sure to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water. For example, a 150-pound person would need to drink at least 75 ounces (3/4 gallon) of water to be properly hydrated.
#2 – Carry Mouthwash with You
When on vacation, you want to remain on the go, so you can take in as many activities as possible. Unfortunately, your typical dental hygiene routine may be compromised. If you’re not able to brush and floss your teeth as frequently as you’d like, it helps to at least keep a bottle of mouthwash handy. While it’s certainly not a substitute for your typical regimen, it can temporarily help to limit the growth of bacteria and plaque after eating and drinking.
#3 – Be Cautious About Drinking Carbonated Beverages
There’s something about the fizz of carbonated drinks that add to their enjoyment. The taste and bubbly sensation can come with a price, though. These beverages contain acids that can wear down tooth enamel (the protective outer layer of your teeth).
Here’s the compromise; you can drink carbonated beverages in moderation. Then, around 30 minutes after doing so, perform your normal dental hygiene routine.
#4 – Use a Straw Instead
Whether you’re drinking a carbonated, sugary or adult beverage, using a straw can lessen any negative effects. The directed funneling of the liquid through the straw can help prevent its spread throughout your mouth, which can limit the number of harmful bacteria that can lead to plaque growth.
#5 – Eat More Fruit
It’s your vacation, so you want to be able to “let your hair down” a bit when it comes to enjoying the delicious options available to you. Wherever you’re heading, look to sample the local seasonal fruits. Not only can they help to satisfy a sweet craving, but they can also limit bacteria and plaque growth, and the dental problems that come along with them.
You’ve worked hard, so you deserve to have some fun. By following these tips, you can better ensure that when you get back to life as usual following your vacation, you won’t have any new dental health issues to contend with. That’s something that you and your preventive dentist in Grand Prairie can be happy about!
About the Author
Dr. Ticole Nguyen is a graduate of Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry. Throughout her career, she has placed great emphasis on preventive dentistry as a means of avoiding serious dental health issues. Dr. Nguyen helps her patients maintain gorgeous and healthy smiles at 360 Family & Implant Dentistry, and she can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through her website.
]]>
If there is one event that is the highlight of summer, it’s the July 4th celebration. It’s a time to get together with family and friends to fellowship, eat delicious foods and smile for photos. If you’ve suffered tooth loss in Grand Prairie, though, you may not feel so eager to let your personality shine. Thankfully, there is a way to regain your functionality so you can eat your favorite foods, smile with confidence and maintain your dental health: with dental implants. As you continue reading, learn how to make this a summer and Independence Day to remember!
What Makes Dental Implants Different?
You may be wondering, “why not just get a set of dentures?” While millions of dental patients have relied on traditional dentures to restore a measure of their functionality, they leave much to be desired. For starters, dentures are known to suffer significant wear and tear over time, which can cause them to slip and produce painful sores in the soft tissue areas of the mouth.
With dental implants, though, you don’t have to worry about this happening. That’s because they consist of cylinder-shaped titanium posts (implants) being surgically inserted beneath your gum line. Over time, the implants fuse with the jawbone to form a sound structure that mimics the relationship between the original tooth roots and the jawbone.
Here’s what the implant process entails:
- Initial implant placement – Depending on the type of implant procedure you undergo (All-on-4 or traditional implants), it can take days to months to recover, for the implants to fuse with the existing bone (referred to as osseointegration), and to be functional.
- Addition of the abutments – To prevent slippage or dislodging, titanium abutments are securely attached to the implants.
- Placement of the final restoration – A custom restoration (crown, implant-retained bridge or denture) is securely affixed to the abutments to leave a fully restored and functional smile.
A Broader Range of Foods to Choose from
Because of the design of dental implants and the procedure used to placed them, they are completely self-sufficient. This separates them from any other form of tooth replacement. Whereas patients receiving traditional dentures can expect to regain around 25% of their original chewing power, dental implants can restore up to 75%.
Unlike traditional dentures, implant-supported restorations don’t cover the palate. Thus, they allow for the full enjoyment of the foods eaten, which is of the utmost importance when attending a summer barbecue.
Yet Another Benefit of Receiving Dental Implants
By practicing consistent and effective dental hygiene, which should include brushing and flossing at least two times a day, and visiting your dentist semi-annually for cleanings and checkups, you can get a lot of mileage out of your dental implants. In many cases, they can last for well over a decade.
To receive a restored smile just in time for the singing of the national anthem and your local fireworks display, reach out to your implant dentist in Grand Prairie to request an initial visit. A summer of delicious foods and fun memories awaits you!
About the Author
A graduate of Texas A&M Baylor Dental School in Dallas, Dr. Christopher Gonzalez is one of the few prosthodontists in Grand Prairie. He utilizes his unique skillset to help patients overcome their smile imperfections and lost functionality by placing dental implants at 360 Family & Implant Dentistry. Dr. Gonzales can be reached for more information or to request a visit through his website.
]]>
When it comes to tooth replacement, traditional dentures are the most relied upon method. Many people choose this option because of its ability to restore a measure of functionality and create a more pleasant smile. However, there is an alternative: dental implants in Grand Prairie. What do they have to offer, and are they a better choice for rebuilding a smile? Continue reading to get the answers!
How Traditional and Implant-Retained Dentures Differ
The primary difference is that traditional dentures rest above the gum line, while implant-retained dentures are held in place by titanium posts being surgically inserted into the jawbone. Because of the multitude of benefits it offers, dental implantation is considered to be the gold standard of tooth replacement.
Furthermore, it eliminates the following issues that traditional denture wearers often contend with:
- Denture Wear – A typical set of dentures can last 5-10 years. Over time, the daily wear and tear of chewing food and attempting to provide jawbone and facial support can cause them to fit looser.
- Gum Shrinkage – After prolonged tooth loss, the gums can start to shrink and change in shape.
- Bone Resorption – Without stimulation from tooth roots, there can be bone resorption, which causes a decrease in jawbone density and mass, resulting in changes in the jaw structure.
Additionally, as traditional dentures begin to wear, there can be slippage, or they can completely dislodge. Denture wearers may also experience painful mouth sores that result from the prosthetics rubbing against the gums.
The Key Advantages of Implant-Retained Dentures
By being inserted beneath the gum line, dental implants are able to fuse with the existing jawbone over time. This helps to establish a strong, anchoring foundation. The dentures attach to them by way of a special bar or snaps that will prevent any sliding, embarrassing dislodging or gum irritation.
Here are some additional advantages of receiving implant-retained dentures:
- Regain more chewing power.
- Enjoy a more natural looking smile.
- Perform dental hygiene as you normally would.
- Avoid the premature facial wrinkling and sunken appearance that often occurs with traditional denture wearers.
Are You Eligible for Implant-Retained Dentures?
Overall, the dental implantation procedure has a 95% success rate. This high standard is maintained because of the careful approach dentists take to determining eligibility. Thus, you’ll need to schedule an appointment to have your oral health and jawbone density assessed. Based on what the restoration dentist in Grand Prairie discovers, a plan of action will be suggested. This will also provide an opportunity get information about the cost and a timeline for completion and recovery.
If you’re tired of living with the limitations of an incomplete smile, it’s well worth reaching out to learn more about your options. Therefore, you can get back to leading a more fulfilling life!
About the Author
Dr. Christopher Gonzales earned his dental degree from Texas A&M Baylor Dental School in Dallas, Texas. He also completed his 3-year Graduate Prosthodontics program at the same institution. An expert in tooth replacement and smile restoration, Dr. Gonzales enjoys changing lives at 360 Family & Implant Dentistry, and he can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through his website.
]]>
For some time now, you’ve been living with missing teeth in Grand Prairie. It has left you less hesitant to flash your smile, but there is the potential for even bigger problems down the road. As you continue reading, learn why ignoring tooth loss can be detrimental to your dental health in the future, and discover how your local dentist can address your functional and aesthetic woes!
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Missing Teeth
Your teeth are meant to fit snugly together, as this helps them maintain their position and function properly. When there is prolonged tooth loss, there is a disruption in the normal relationship between your teeth. The missing tension can cause these two types of shifting to occur:
- Tipping – The teeth on either side of an open space can begin to shift in that direction, as they attempt to restore the natural tension. This can cause malocclusion (poor bite).
- Super Eruption – This refers to the tooth above an open space moving away from its roots. This can also cause malocclusion.
Both conditions can increase the chances of gum infection, and if untreated, can lead to more complex health issues.
Preventive Restoration Methods
The sooner you replace any missing teeth, the better, as it will help prevent any unwanted adaptations. Here are some viable restorative routes you can take:
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge consists of two or more porcelain teeth that are attached to a single apparatus. It is secured by being bonded to the surrounding teeth (called abutments). The teeth are shaped so that the bridge can be affixed with dental cement.
Dentures
You can replace an arch or entire set of teeth with dentures. They consist of porcelain teeth that are affixed to a pink-colored, resin base.
The process, which can usually take up to 10 weeks to complete, starts with your dentist performing a thorough examination to make sure your gums are healthy. Then, bite impressions are taken that are used to custom-design the dentures. The details are sent to a trusted lab that will fabricate the new teeth.
Dental Implant
When it comes to tooth replacement, dental implants are the most functional, lasting and aesthetically pleasing option. They provide a level of security, durability and longevity that is unmatched by any other replacement method.
The process involves your implant dentist in Grand Prairie surgically inserting a titanium post into the jawbone that mimics the function of your tooth’s root. After titanium abutments are added, a final restoration is placed to leave a fully restored smile.
What’s Best for You?
Determining the best route to take starts with visiting your local dentist for a consultation and examination. This will provide you with all the pertinent information you need to make a confident decision. By taking action, you can offset future dental health issues, regain a wonderful smile and get back to leading a normal life!
About the Author
A graduate of Texas A&M Baylor Dental School in Dallas, Texas, where he also completed the 3-year Graduate Prosthodontics program, Dr. Chris Gonzalez utilizes the most advanced techniques and equipment to rebuild smiles. He helps his patients get their life back on track and smile with confidence at 360 Family & Implant Dentistry, and he can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through his website.
]]>
If you’re experiencing intense tooth pain, the most common culprit is advanced dental decay, which typically can’t be addressed by having a cavity filled. Thankfully, there’s an effective way to restore your oral health: with a root canal in Grand Prairie. But how long will it take to complete the procedure so you can get back to leading a normal, pain-free life? Continue reading to find out!
The Common Timeframe
In most cases, a dentist will be able to complete root canal therapy in around 90 minutes. Here’s what the procedure entails:
- X-ray images are taken to pinpoint where the decay is.
- Local anesthesia is applied to numb the treatment site.
- An incision is made into the tooth to gain access to the decayed tissue.
- The decayed tissue is removed, and the area is thoroughly cleaned.
- A filling called gutta-percha is added.
- A temporary/permanent filling or crown is placed in the same or a follow-up visit.
After the restorative work is completed, bite impressions are taken, and the data is sent to an in-network lab that will fabricate a porcelain crown. When the permanent restoration is ready, you’ll be invited back to have it placed. This part of the procedure usually takes 20-30 minutes to complete.
Caring for Your New Restoration
Once the pain has been addressed and your tooth restored, the next step is maintenance. With diligent and consistent effort, you can better avoid being in the same situation in the future. A simple means of prevention is to limit sugar consumption, as it’s what oral bacteria feed on.
It’s also important to make proper dental hygiene a priority. This should include brushing your teeth in the morning and before going to bed in the evening. Additionally, be sure to floss at least once per day, as it will help remove food debris and bacteria that can’t be cleaned with a toothbrush.
Time Well Spent
Like most people, the idea of receiving root canal therapy doesn’t excite you. Considering that matters could be much worse, though, can help overcome any apprehension. By taking action and reaching out to your dentist in Grand Prairie as soon as any intense pain strikes, you can prevent more complicated problems, such as a dangerous abscess, tooth loss or infection in other parts of your body.
By committing around two hours of your time to having your dental health restored with root canal therapy, you can enjoy a less stressful and painful life, and save time and money down the road!
About the Author
Dr. Christopher Gonzales earned his dental degree from Texas A&M Baylor Dental School in Dallas. He then went on to complete a three-year program in Prosthodontics from the same institution. Dr. Gonzales helps patients get back to leading a normal life by performing root canals at 360 Family & Implant Dentistry, and he can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through his website.
]]>
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated May as Mental Health Awareness Month. This is especially important, given that millions of Americans suffer from some form of mental illness. The conditions can range from depression – to heightened stress and anxiety – to distress and loneliness. Interestingly, recent studies show evidence of a connection between mental and dental health. Continue reading to learn how preventive dentistry in Grand Prairie can boost your physical and emotional wellness, while protecting your smile!
What the Results Show
According to a study conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination, the majority of the participants with depression reported having a toothache in the last year. Half the people with depression admitted to having fair or poor dental health. Further research has shown a connection between periodontal (gum) disease and declining mental wellness.
The Dental and Mental Health Connection Examined
Scientists and medical professionals are continuing to learn more about the relationship between dental care and mental health. The following further explain the connections between the two:
- Higher Cortisol Levels – Cortisol is a hormone that is expressed in stressful situations. It’s one of the body’s natural defenses, allowing for heightened awareness when there is a threat. While it serves as a survival mechanism, it causes inflammation and can encourage gingivitis and periodontal disease.
- Medications – Many people take medications to help stabilize their mental health. Unfortunately, this can cause dry mouth and encourage the growth of oral bacteria and plaque.
- Anxiety-Related Problems – People who suffer from anxiety can be vulnerable to canker sores and teeth grinding (called bruxism).
- Dental Neglect Related to Poor Mental Health – A depressed, anxious, stressed or otherwise melancholy mental state can cause someone to neglect their dental care. This can leave an opening for several problems to develop in the future.
How You Can Protect Yourself
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, the first step is to contact a licensed therapist. This will help in getting to the core of the issue, which can promote better total wellness.
It also helps to be proactive, visiting your local dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups. Therefore, if there are any issues budding, they can be addressed before oral bacteria have a chance to travel to the brain and other parts of your body.
Your home dental care is also of great importance. As a general rule of thumb, you should be brushing at least two times a day, and flossing at least once. The combination of the two will help to keep oral bacteria and plaque growth under control.
While the country has endured some tough times over the last two years, it’s good to know that there are ways to fortify your physical, mental and emotional wellness. In addition to the above listed methods of care, it’s worth your while to schedule a checkup with your dentist in Grand Prairie today. Therefore, you can experience the many benefits that await you!
About the Author
Dr. Ticole Nguyen earned her dental degree from Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry. Since entering the dental field, she has championed preventive dentistry as a means to maintain excellent dental and overall health. Dr. Nguyen provides an array of services at 360 Family & Implant Dentistry, and she can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through her website.
]]>
Dentists around the country are recognizing May as National Save a Tooth Month. During this period, they are taking extra steps to highlight the necessity of receiving restorative care in a timely manner. This is especially important for patients suffering from advanced tooth pain and decay. As you continue reading, learn how, for eligible patients, a root canal in Grand Prairie may be the best way to save a tooth!
Why It’s So Important to Save Natural Teeth
While dentistry has developed remarkable ways to replace missing or damaged teeth, the initial goal is always to preserve a smile in its natural state, and to keep the teeth as healthy and functional as possible. To better ensure success, dentists emphasize the importance of maintaining regular visits for cleanings and examinations. In addition to helping stave off tooth loss, these appointments allow for early detection and treatment of oral health threats, which can prevent unnecessary pain and higher treatment costs.
There is also evidence that maintaining healthy teeth and gums can have an impact on your life expectancy. Studies show that people with all their natural teeth tend to live longer. According to dentalhealth.org, people with “20 teeth or more at the age of 70 have a considerably higher chance of living longer than those with less than 20 teeth.”
In addition to receiving consistent and adequate preventive care, it’s necessary to control the growth of oral bacteria, as they are one of the main contributors to tooth loss. Thankfully, there is a viable treatment option for cases of more advanced forms of tooth decay.
Root Canal Treatment to Preserve Your Smile
People don’t plan to be neglectful of their oral health. In most cases, life just gets in the way. Unfortunately, this can lead to cavities. If they aren’t addressed soon enough, the next step is advanced decay that can’t be restored with a simple filling.
When oral bacteria (the primary catalysts for tooth decay) are allowed to overpopulate an area, there can be intense pain. This is a typical warning sign of advanced decay, something that root canal therapy is better suited to address.
If received soon enough, root canal therapy can be highly effective at fully restoring the tooth’s functionality and alleviating the pain.
How Does a Root Canal Work?
In most cases, root canal therapy takes two visits to complete. Here’s what you can typically expect to happen:
- X-ray images are taken to pinpoint where the decay is.
- Local anesthesia is applied to numb the treatment site.
- An incision is made into the tooth to gain access to the decayed tissue.
- The damaged tissue is removed, and the area is thoroughly cleaned.
- A filling called gutta-percha is added.
- A temporary/permanent filling or crown is placed in the same or a follow-up visit.
Whether you’re in need of better preventive maintenance, a root canal or some other form of restorative care, your dentist in Grand Prairie is issuing a challenge: to be proactive. To be certain about the direction of your oral health, now is the time to act by reaching out to schedule a visit!
About the Author
Dr. Christopher Gonzales earned his dental degree from Texas A&M Baylor Dental School in Dallas. Throughout his career, he has placed an emphasis on preventive and early restorative care to help his patients save time and money. Dr. Gonzales practices at 360 Family & Implant Dentistry, and he can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through his website.
]]>
Unquestionably, dental implant placement is the most reliable way of rebuilding a smile. However, the procedure requires several carefully executed steps for successful completion. Thus, it’s necessary to find the right implant dentist in Grand Prairie to work with. If that seems easier said than done, continue reading to discover 5 traits to look for when making your decision.
What’s Involved in the Dental Implant Procedure
Across the board, dental implantation has a 95% success rate. To maintain this high standard, dentists must take a calculated and conservative approach to every phase of the procedure. It starts with the dentist performing a thorough examination to assess your dental health and measure your jawbone density. Then, he or she will make the necessary adjustments for a successful outcome.
While the typical implant procedure begins with the insertion of a titanium post, followed by months of healing before an abutment is added, there is a more efficient form of implantation. The All-On-4 implant procedure provides a way to achieve a brand-new and fully functional smile in a single visit.
Because it’s such an advanced form of implantation, it’s even more important to find the right dentist to perform the procedure. Thankfully, you have some help to ensure you make the right choice!
The 5 Traits Your Dentist Should Display
Having your teeth replaced with dental implants is a significant life decision. So you can feel confident about the future of your smile, identify these traits:
1 – Special credentials
All dentists complete a rigorous educational process to earn the right to practice dentistry. However, to become a specialist in any area typically requires two to three years of additional training. It’s always a breath of fresh air to know that you’re working with a highly skilled specialist.
2 – Experience
Take a moment to research the dentist’s track-record and how much experience he or she has. You’ll also want to find out whether the dentist is accustomed to working with patients from varying dental health backgrounds. The more diverse the population, the better the dentist typically is at handling any unique challenges that may arise.
3 – Positive reviews
There’s nothing like hearing from the patients themselves. You can usually find online reviews, whether on Google, Yelp or Facebook, that allow you to get an idea of what to expect from the dentist.
4 – Willingness to answer questions
Dental implantation isn’t something that you can just jump into. Thus, the dentist you’re considering should be patient and willing to answer any questions you may have about the procedure to provide the assurance you need.
5 – Friendliness
When you initially enter, the person at the front desk factors into your first impression of the practice and dentist. Is the employee friendly and helpful? Do you feel welcomed? Then, is the dentist pushy or patient?
The bottom line is you should feel comfortable about receiving care. If you have apprehension about moving forward, then don’t dismiss it; there’s nothing wrong with looking elsewhere. After all, it’s quite possible to find just the right dentist to replace your missing teeth in Grand Prairie.
Take the First Step
So you’re not hamstrung by speculation and guessing, reach out to a local implant dentist to get the ball rolling. Schedule a consultation today and get on the path to a new life and smile!
About the Author
Dr. Christopher Gonzales is a graduate of Texas A&M Baylor Dental School in Dallas. One of the few prosthodontists in Grand Prairie, he specializes in placing dental implants. Dr. Gonzales helps patients overcome their previous smile limitations at 360 Family & Implant Dentistry, and he can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through his website.
]]>
Now that spring has arrived and the sun is shining brightly, you’re ready to enjoy the outdoors. This is also a great time to fire up the grill and indulge in some delicious delights. Because you’re without a full set of teeth, though, you’re concerned about missing out on some of your favorite foods. Thankfully, there’s a way to have your smile rebuilt and functional just in time to experience all that spring has to offer. As you continue reading, learn how a skilled prosthodontist in Grand Prairie can place dental implants to provide just what you’re looking for!
What are Dental Implants?
Carefully crafted from the highest-grade titanium, dental implants are cylinder-shaped posts that can range from 2 to 6 millimeters (mm) in diameter and 12 to 16 mm in length. They are unique in that they are able to mimic the function of the natural tooth root. Surgically inserted beneath the gum line, traditional implants fuse with the existing jawbone over a typical period of 6 to 12 months.
An Even Faster Way to Rebuild Your Smile
There is now a way to have your missing teeth replaced in a fraction of the time that it used to take. Even better, you don’t have to settle for inferior quality. With All-On-4 implants, that typically require no more than 6 implants per arch, you can leave your local dental office looking and feeling like a new person in just a single visit.
Here is how the process works:
- Implants, that are made from acrylic-fused-to-titanium, are inserted into the denser parts of the jawbone.
- The implants are angled to further ensure that the denser portions are accessed and to apply less pressure on the jawbone.
- In many cases, patients are able to resume semi-regular activities soon after the procedure is completed.
Depending on the number of teeth you have replaced and the complexity of your procedure, it can take from a few days to 3 months to recover.
How to Encourage Progressive Healing
Like most people, you want to heal and recover from your surgery as fast as possible. You can start with avoiding hot or spicy liquids during the initial 48 hours post-surgery. You’ll also want to stay hydrated (preferably with water) to replenish your oral tissue and maintain adequate moisture.
For the first week following the procedure, it’s best to refrain from consuming any solid foods. Still, it’s of the utmost importance to consume adequate nutrients, as this will help to prevent infection and accelerate your recovery. During this period, protein shakes will be your best friend, as they are easily digested, typically lower in sugar and packed with protein.
Now that you have the basic framework for how to replace your missing teeth in Grand Prairie in the most efficient manner, the only thing left to do is contact your local prosthodontist to request a visit. By taking action today, you could very well be smiling and eating like normal before the end of spring!
About the Author
A graduate of Texas A&M Baylor Dental School in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Christopher Gonzales is one of the few prosthodontists in the Grand Prairie area. He uses his unique skillset to give his patients peace-of-mind, knowing they can trust their smile to his capable hands. Dr. Gonzales places All-On-4 dental implants at 360 Family & Implant Dentistry, and he can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through his website.
]]>