Patients today have more options than ever when considering replacing a missing tooth.  Whether you’ve lost a tooth due to infection or accident, it’s imperative that you replace the tooth in a timely manner—both for the appearance and the health of your smile. Dental implants are the premier tooth replacement option on the market today, because they are structurally sound and mimic the composition of natural teeth.

Dental implants are actually small titanium rods that are surgically implanted in the jawbone, filling the space where the tooth root used to be. Dental implants, therefore, permanently replace teeth. Unlike dentures and bridges, they are not removed for cleaning or maintenance.

In order to care for a dental implant, it’s important that you brush and floss at least twice daily—for the most part dental implants simply require the same care as your natural teeth. Of course, this also includes semi-annual professional dental cleanings. During these appointments our Saint Louis dental implant dentists will clean your teeth, remove plaque and tartar, and monitor the stability of your dental implant.

Along with diligent dental hygiene, patients with dental implants should take care to:

Avoid chewing ice or hard candies. If you regularly chew on abrasive, hard substances like ice or hard candies, you could cause small cracks in restorations. Over time these cracks can cause discoloration and cracked dental restorations.

Seek treatment for bruxism. Bruxism is a common condition in which patients clench or grind their teeth. Many patients suffer from bruxism without even realizing it, because they habitually grind their teeth in their sleep. If you notice that your jaw joints or teeth are sore upon waking, seek treatment from you dentist, as this behavior can weak dental implants.

As you can see, with dental implants patients can enjoy strong, beautiful dental implants for years. Give our Saint Louis dental implant dentists a call for more information or to schedule an appointment—(314) 332-1307.

Our Saint Louis cosmetic dentistry office offers a variety of dental services to help patients refresh and rejuvenate their smiles. Without a doubt, one of the most popular treatment options is professional teeth bleaching. In just one or two appointments many patients can enjoy a whiter, brighter smile—taking years off of their appearance.

Many patients wonder how professional teeth whitening compares to at-home whitening kits. Both professional and self-administered whiteners utilize hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to bleach dental enamel. Consequently, these treatments have the potential to brighten teeth beyond their natural shade of whiteness.

Professional formulations—which are administered by a dentist during a dental appointment—are more potent than over the counter products. Professional whitening, therefore, delivers results quickly. Many patients notice that their teeth are whitened significantly after just one or two sessions.

Non-professional products, on the other hand, may take weeks or months to noticeably whiten teeth. These formulations are often less predictable than doctor-administered treatments, because a dentist is not able to customize and monitor the treatment process.

A certain amount of dental staining is inevitable as patients eat, drink, and age. Professional teeth whitening is the surest way to refresh the appearance of dental enamel. The primary benefits of teeth whitening, when compared to other cosmetic treatments, are that this treatment is fast, effective, and painless.

To learn more about how teeth whitening works, feel free to give our Saint Louis cosmetic dentists a call at (314) 332-1307. If you do decide that teeth bleaching is right for you, make sure to discuss your plans with a dentist, to ensure that whitening doesn’t cause any unnecessary side effects or discomfort.