(217) 546-3333The Benefits of Preventative Oral Care
April 21, 2014
If you want a beautiful, healthy smile, preventative oral care is essential. Between daily oral hygiene routines at home and regular checkups with your dentist, proper preventative care can save you time, pain, and money.
It cannot be stressed enough: daily brushing and flossing are crucial for maintaining a healthy smile. Brushing and flossing keep particles from gathering between your teeth, keep bacteria at bay, and help prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Making basic oral care a part of your daily routine can prevent the need for costly dental procedures down the road.
Don’t skip on your regular dental checkups and cleanings. During your cleaning, your hygienist will attend to any of those spots you may miss during your daily routine and inform you of the areas you need to pay more attention to at home.
Your dentist is trained to catch serious dental issues. Early diagnosis and treatment for periodontal disease will ensure you have fewer office visits to the dentist down the road.
Your dentist can also determine which, if any, oral issues for which you may be at higher risk and can establish a plan to minimize your risk. The bottom line is preventative oral care will save you time and money. If you allow your teeth to become unhealthy, they may require expensive and painful procedures.
Many dental health plans cover preventative care visits with your dental office. One study found that many people are not taking full advantage of their health plans. We will work with you to establish a comprehensive preventative oral care plan that will ensure a healthy smile for years to come. Make an appointment with Advanced Dental Care of Springfield today. Call (217) 717-4551.
Gaining New Confidence with Cosmetic Dentistry
April 14, 2014
Many people feel self-conscious about their smile. If you have a crooked smile, missing or discolored teeth, you may be trying to find ways to cover up that smile in public. Why shy away from those work functions and social outings? Consider cosmetic dentistry, and be on your way to a whole new you, with a beautiful smile you can’t wait to show off!
There are several types of cosmetic dental procedures that can help give you the smile you have always wanted. Some of the most common are teeth whitening, crowns, dental bonding, and veneers.
If you have stained or discolored teeth, professional teeth whitening systems can be provided to you by your dentist. Whether it is an in-office procedure where you see same-day results, or a take home set custom molded for your mouth, your teeth can become several shades whiter in no time. Unlike the over-the-counter whitening kits, dental offices can use a stronger concentration of the whitening chemical, and they have staff properly trained to apply it. For you, this means faster and safer results.
If you need to fill gaps between your teeth, or want to change the color of your teeth, you may want to consider dental bonding. Dental bonding can also be used to fill cavities in a way that makes the tooth look healthy and natural, without any of those embarrassing metal fillers. Dental bonds use a tooth-colored material and are one of the quickest and easiest methods of tooth restoration in cosmetic dentistry.
However, dental bonds are more susceptible to chipping and staining than some other cosmetic options. If you have a habit of chewing on hard objects, eating or drinking staining foods, you may want to consider veneers or crowns.
Dental Crowns are often used when teeth are cracked, decayed, or damaged. They fit over the existing tooth and work to strengthen your tooth while improving the way it looks. In most cases, crown installation occurs over a few office visits, although new technology is allowing for crowns that can be installed in just one visit.
Your teeth will be reduced to make room for the cap, and a mold will be created of your smile. If you’ll be receiving your crown over the course of two visits, while your mold is sent to a lab for crown fabrication, you will be fitted with a temporary crown. On a subsequent visit, your dentist will cement your crown into place. Crowns can last for many years with proper care.
If you’ll be receiving your crown in one visit, it will be fabricated and placed all in one visit to the office.
Veneers are similar to crowns, but only cover the front area of the tooth. Veneers are created out of porcelain and can be used to fix a variety of cosmetic issues including discolored, crooked, or uneven teeth. Veneers are very resistant to staining, so they are a great long-term option.
To gain back your confidence with a brand new smile, contact Dr. Matt VanderMolen at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield today! (217) 717-4551.
Repairing Your Smile with Dental Bonding
April 7, 2014
Do you have decaying or chipped teeth? Are you embarrassed to show off your smile because of minor cosmetic flaws? Dental bonding is a common cosmetic dental procedure that can help repair unsightly and damaged teeth.
Dental bonding is a quick and easy procedure that can be done in office with little advanced preparation. Your dentist will first prepare a plastic adhesive that is gently shaped and polished to match the contour of your existing teeth. The adhesive is composed of a composite resin that is matched to the color of your natural teeth. Unless you are filling a cavity, you will not require anesthesia; the procedure is normally painless. Once you begin the bonding process, your tooth will be roughened. A liquid will be applied to prep for the resin adhesive. Then the adhesive is applied and shaped to fit naturally with your other teeth. The flexible material is hardened under an ultraviolet light or laser. Your dentist will then do any remaining shaping or trimming needed and polish the bond. The entire procedure can be completed in less than an hour per tooth.
There are many reasons you may be considering dental bonding, as it has a variety of applications. Most commonly, bonding is used to repair decayed, chipped, or cracked teeth. When teeth are decaying, resins can be used to fill cavities. Even if you do not have tooth decay, you can use dental bonding to change the look of discolored teeth. Bonding resin can even be shaped to close gaps, and lengthen, smooth or change the overall shape of the tooth. Occasionally, dental bonding is done to protect the base of a tooth when gums have begun to recede.
To learn more about how dental bonding can improve the appearance of your smile, contact Dr. Matt VanderMolen today. Call 217-717-4551 to schedule your consultation at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield.
Caring for Your Dental Implants
March 31, 2014
Dental implants are one of the most common types of tooth replacement used in dentistry today. After receiving dental implants to replace broken or missing teeth, there are a few guidelines you should follow to ensure a speedy and comfortable healing process. Creating a proper aftercare routine will help you maintain your implants for years to come.
It is incredibly important to maintain proper oral hygiene following dental implant surgery. Your dentist may give you a special mouthwash to use a few times each day. Salt water washes can speed the recovery in the healing area and may be recommended a few times each day. Regular brushing and flossing is encouraged for the entire mouth, including the healing areas. Start very gently in tender areas and increase pressure gradually. Daily oral maintenance will keep surgical areas from becoming infected and painful.
Immediately after surgery, you can expect light bleeding and swelling to occur. Apply ice packs around the neck and face to reduce swelling and blood flow to the area following the general rule of 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Biting down on gauze can also help to stop bleeding near the surgical site. If blood flow cannot be stopped, or lasts for a few days, contact your dentist immediately.
Your dentist will send you home with pain management instructions. Often all that is needed is over-the-counter pain medication. Most dental implant surgeries cause minimal pain and tenderness for a few days. Depending on the specifics of your surgery, you may be given prescription pain meds or antibiotics.
Avoid disturbing the surgical site as much as possible during healing. Spitting, rinsing and using a straw should also be avoided to ensure that clots remain in place. Physical exercise can increase blood flow, and is not recommended for the first few days after surgery.
Dr. Matt VanderMolen will give you detailed instructions for proper after-care following your dental implant surgery. Contact the friendly staff at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield, 217-717-4991, to learn more today.
Replace Missing Teeth & Support Bone Structure with Dental Implants
March 3, 2014
How can dental implants support facial bone structure?
Tooth loss is a common occurrence as age increases. Many people do not know that losing teeth can affect your facial bone structure, as bone around a missing tooth tends to deteriorate. Preventative maintenance and regular dental visits can help to prevent tooth loss, but many still find themselves with missing teeth. Dental implants can replace your missing teeth and restore your natural smile.
A Missing Tooth Affects the Facial Bone
When teeth fall out naturally, become damaged from trauma, or are removed for health reasons the jawbone is affected. Pressure on our natural teeth during eating and chewing provide healthy stimulation to the underlying bone which helps keep it strong and healthy. When teeth are missing, this pressure is not maintained and the bone can start to deteriorate. With dental implants, the jawbone will maintain the stimulation it needs and maintain its natural strength.
A Dental Implant Mimics a Real Tooth
A dental implant acts just as a real tooth does in function and design. Since each tooth has a specific role for eating, the loss of even a single one can affect your ability to chew. Replacing a missing tooth helps maintain the dental arch structure of your mouth and your chewing ability.
Not only do teeth function in eating, but they maintain the placement of your facial features as well. When teeth are lost, movement takes place beneath the skin that can alter the look of your mouth and face. Dental implants can prevent this movement while maintaining your outer appearance.
Dental implants, though not true teeth, provide the most natural alternative in both form and function.
Dr. Matt VanderMolen is the dental implant specialist you can trust for all your replacement needs. For more information about how dental implants, contact Advanced Dental Care of Springfield at 217-717-4551. We look forward to working for you!
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