(217) 546-3333Advanced Dental Care of Springfield Blog
Does age make a difference in receiving dental implant therapy?
July 22, 2013
Losing your teeth is unfortunate enough, but then only finding a temporary solution to replace them, such as dentures can be disheartening. Fortunately, dentures are not the only technique in use these days. Modern dentistry has gone a long way in finding answers for replacing missing teeth. Since the 1980’s dental implants have provided a more permanent replacement solution.
Dental implants are synthetic substitutes for tooth roots. Their role is to act as anchors for the replacements that are used to fill the gaps of missing teeth. Any dental implant can be used as a root for a single tooth that has been removed or for many missing teeth. Replacing a single tooth with a dental implant or many teeth is the closest one can get to a natural tooth.
Age doesn’t matter
The great thing about dental implants is that age does not matter. Anyone can have a dental implant fitted, from a teenager to an octogenarian and beyond. As long as the recipient has the required health status to undergo the minor treatment that is involved, then age is not a handicap.
What are the benefits of dental implants for people of all ages?
They are such a useful invention, for both young and old. Dental Implants can:
- Reactivate your life and produce new confidence and improved self-esteem.
- Offer a solid base for teeth that will look, feel and act like natural teeth.
- Act as a support for a bridge, therefore taking away the need for a partial denture.
- Offer support for a denture that is usually removable therefore ensuring it is more comfortable and secure.
- Remove pain while in the process of chewing food with teeth that aren’t permanently fixed.
- Assist in the maintenance of bone structure and improve facial features.
- Keep you looking young.
- Permit you to eat what you really like as well as harder health-giving foods such as fruit and vegetables.
Even a single tooth missing can, over a period of time, allow the rest of your teeth to become misaligned and take away that much loved smile. One individual tooth that is replaced with a single dental implant and its associated crown is a long-lasting solution. If a dental implant is not used, the two teeth on either side of the missing tooth must be adapted so as to anchor a bridge. Dental implants are a great development, as they take away the necessity to make any changes to natural teeth.
When many teeth are missing, a problem of support takes place as your jaw starts to weaken. Implants do a good job slowing down that deterioration, as well as offering you the opportunity to be able to use teeth for the original purpose they are best designed for.
If you are worried about having dental implant therapy because of your age, call Dr. VanderMolen at (217) 546-3333 today, to make an appointment to discuss the procedure and its effect on your health and well-being. Click here for more information on our FREE Dental Implant seminars.
Dental Implants Offer a Superior Alternative
July 15, 2013
If you are wearing dentures at the moment and you would really like a change, dental implants may be right for you. Dr. VanderMolen at Advanced Dental Care can offer you this innovative, permanent alternative.
You don’t have to be one of the thousands of people who are living with dentures which do not fit well, and therefore cause continual discomfort. Dentures have served a purpose for many decades for those people who have had to endure tooth loss with its accompanying problems of eating and speaking. If you are looking for more natural looking and feeling teeth, there is now an option where permanent dental implants can be installed to replace traditional dentures.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a replacement tooth root that is fixed into the jaw bone and acts as a foundation to support dental prosthetics. At the time that the implants are installed, Dr. VanderMolen will drill small holes into the jawbone, and put into position small, threaded rods made from titanium. When he has completed this process, he will tighten the dental implants so that they will not move. The dental implants will be positioned where teeth are missing so that they can act as a foundation for a dental crown or bridge which can be firmly fixed into place.
There are great benefits when using dental implants as a substitute for dentures. The most important is that they form a firm foundation for affixing permanent replacement teeth. Once this has been added, then eating and speaking occur with far more confidence. Dental Implants, firmly rooted in the jaw, look and act as natural teeth.
Less Chance of Allergic Reactions with Titanium Implants
Materials used in dentures can sometimes cause allergic reactions in their recipients, but titanium dental implants do not cause the same sorts of responses, even though they are embedded firmly into the jawbone. This means that more people can use dental implants to replace those teeth that have been lost. Over time their true worth will be revealed as you will smile, eat and speak as naturally as if you had all your original teeth.
If you have lost teeth and would like to know more about how dental implant procedure can benefit you, make an appointment by calling Dr VanderMolen at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield today at (217) 546-3333.
Take advantage of our FREE Dental Implant Seminars held regularly in Springfield. For more information CLICK HERE.
Implants Help to Reduce Bone Loss
July 1, 2013
When a tooth or teeth have been lost, it creates a space in your mouth that can create problems for the whole of your mouth structure. The presence of teeth helps to create a shape for your face. Once teeth are lost or removed over time, the face starts to take on a sunken appearance. The overall rigidity and structure of the skin are both maintained by the teeth. Smile Restoration techniques, including Dental Implants can help in restoring a more youthful smile.
Dental implants are fixed and fused into the jaw-bone and serve as anchors that support the new teeth and also prevent bone loss. Bone needs to be stimulated so that it can stay healthy. Whether a single implant-supported tooth is required, or a number of teeth, the dental implants will fuse to the bone, so stabilizing and stimulating it so that no more bone loss takes place.
Bridges and dentures do not stop bone loss on their own
As more teeth fall out, the jawbone starts to atrophy more noticeably and the face will appear sunken. The loss of bone makes a person’s face look older than his or her real age. Bridges and dentures, which are used commonly as substitute teeth, do not stop this loss of bone.
Dental implants are an important dental advancement as they are firmly anchored in the jawbone, without having to depend on neighboring teeth. They act quite naturally and enhance healthy bone. Once a lost tooth has a replacement in the form of a dental implant, the fusion that takes place between the implant and the bone offers stability in the same way as a natural tooth.
Dental Implants provide stability
Bridges and dentures certainly do help you to chew and eat food, but dental implants go just one step further, as they are placed into and are fused with the jawbone. This offers stability and prevents bone loss and atrophying that normally occurs when teeth are missing. Dental implants really do help to allow your face to retain a more natural shape.
If you are worried about bone loss and would like to know more about the benefits of dental implants, then arrange an appointment by calling Advanced Dental Care today at (217) 546-3333.
You can also attend one of our informative seminars held regularly in the Springfield area. There is no cost or obligation to attend. Click here for more information on our Dental Implant Seminars.
2013 Small Business of the Year Nomination
June 26, 2013
On Monday we were honored to be nominated by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce for the 2013 Small Business of the Year Award.
Here’s a picture of Dr VanderMolen and the team with the nomination certificate:
It’s truly an honor to be able to live and work in such a GREAT place. Thank you to ALL of our patients and friends for making it all possible.
Oral Care for Teens: What Parents Need to Know
June 17, 2013
We all have that desire to show off a lovely smile, but what we do not want are stained teeth, bad breath, decaying teeth, tooth loss or gum disease, whether as a teenager or an adult. All of these can be prevented at just about any age through the use of Preventative Dentistry procedures.
However, the teenage years are often the time when teeth are neglected the most. A busy teenager has a social life to enjoy, examinations to take and a future to think about. With little time to free up while experiencing the excitement of growing up, dental visits and serious oral health care sometimes become less of a priority.
Failing to implement good dental care practices while in the teenage years can be very bad for future oral and dental health. In the long run, this could destroy a smile and break the teenager’s long term confidence, especially in social situations.
Points of importance for a teen’s dental care
- We recommend that your teen brushes and flosses his or her teeth at least two times a day. If they want to maintain a better smile, a brush following each meal will add that freshness to the face.
- Teenage diets should be packed with nutrients that will build up and maintain the health of permanent teeth. This means only consuming moderate amounts of starchy or sweet food to avoid the development of any dental cavities and other gum problems.
- Hormonal changes throughout puberty can contribute to the development of minor periodontal disease by increasing the blood flow circulating around the gums. This leads to a rise in sensitivity in the gums which, when irritated by food or liquids, become inflamed, feel painful to touch and sometimes turn a red color.
- Smoking, which is often started in the teen years, causes stained teeth, loss of teeth, gum disease, bad breath and mouth cancer. If smoking and drinking take place together, this can elevate the chance of mouth cancer development.
- The greatest number of dental accidents and the resultant injuries take place between 13 and 17 years age, while playing sports. In some sports such as basketball and baseball a mouth guard should be used to protect the teeth from accidental injury.
- Visiting the dentist should be promoted and monitored by parents, who should also emphasize dental health when bringing up teens by ensuring that dental checkups are regular and their teeth are assessed for periodontal disease.
- There are many ways that your dentist can help your teenage son or daughter to improve their self image by offering teeth shaping cosmetic procedures. Click here for more information on these services.
Personal image and what other people think about us are far more important in teenage years than in any other part of our lives. Different types of cosmetic dentistry options are available for teens who would like to enhance their appearance and personal image and they are not always too complicated or expensive.
If you would like advice on how you could help your teenage child’s oral hygiene, do not hesitate, call Advanced Dental Care at (217) 546-3333 today, to make an appointment. We would love to see you at our office.