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Dentist Blog
Posts for category: Dental Procedure
Dental implants provide a comfortable, long-lasting option if you're missing one or more teeth. Your dentist, Dr. Todd Brower of Ottawa 
Smiles Dental in Holland, MI, helps his patients care for their smiles with a variety of dental services, including dental implants—read on to learn more!
How dental implants restore your smile
Tooth loss doesn't just affect your appearance, but can also increase your risk of developing oral health problems. Once you lose a tooth, the nearby teeth react by slowly drifting toward the gap. Unfortunately, this can change your bite and also make brushing and flossing more difficult, due to overlapping teeth.
Your jawbone may also begin to shrink after tooth loss, particularly if you've lost several teeth. This problem occurs because the tooth roots are no longer there to stimulate the bone. As the jawbone bone shrinks during a process called resorption, teeth may loosen and even fall out. Resorption can also contribute to sagging in the muscles of your lower face.
Dental implants help you avoid these problems by restoring missing teeth from the roots up. After treatment, your new tooth will consist of:
- The Implant: Dental implants are placed directly in your jawbone to replace your natural roots. These screw-like implants are made of titanium, a metal that naturally bonds to your bone. The bonding process takes about three to six months and is a crucial part of the implant process.
- The Abutment: The abutment connects the dental implant to your dental crown. It is added to the implant after bonding is complete. During your abutment appointment, your Holland dentist will make an impression of your mouth to ensure that your new crown fits perfectly.
- The Crown: Crowns are artificial teeth designed that fill the noticeable gaps in your smile. Since your crowns are firmly attached to your implants, they won't slip or slide when you eat and feel very much like your natural teeth.
Your new implants will exert constant pressure on your jawbone in order to prevent resorption, the shifting of teeth, and facial sagging. Due to this amazing stability, your implants could very well last you for a lifetime.
Interested? Contact us today!
Are you ready to restore missing teeth with dental implants? Call our Holland, MI, office today at (616) 399-3600 to schedule your appointment!
Learn how to care for your crowns and bridges from the office of your Holland dentist!
Crowns and bridges provide an excellent way to restore your smile. Although caring for these dental restorations isn't difficult, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Dr. Todd A Brower, your Holland, MI dentist at Ottawa Smiles Dental, shares several tips that will 
help you keep your crowns and bridges in good shape.
Be gentle with temporary crowns
One of the first steps in the crown or bridge process involves making an impression of your teeth, which your dentist will send to the dental laboratory that will create your restoration. Since the process usually takes a week or two, you'll be fitted with a temporary crown or bridge in the meantime. You'll need to make a few changes when you eat because these crowns and bridges aren't quite as durable as the permanent ones. Avoid sticky or hard foods, such as taffy, gummy candies, caramels, bread with a hard crust, carrots, nuts or hard candy, as these foods can break or loosen temporary crowns and bridges. If possible, chew on the other side of your mouth to avoid these problems.
Don't neglect brushing and flossing
Brushing and flossing is a very important aspect of caring for crowns and bridges. Plaque builds up on the surfaces of your bridge or crown if you don't brush and floss them regularly. Eventually, plaque turns into a hard deposit called tartar. Since your bridge or crown is made of porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, ceramic or another material, you might think that tartar build up wouldn't cause any problems, but when tartar develops at the gum line at the bottom of your crown or bridge, it can cause painful gum disease.
It's also possible to develop tooth decay at the margins of your crowns and bridges, the area where the bottom of your crowns or bridges meet your teeth. Regular brushing and flossing removes plaque and food debris from the margins.
Use a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth
Grinding or clenching your teeth can wear down or damage crowns and bridges. Wearing a nightguard prevents teeth from touching each other as you sleep and reduces wear and tear on your restorations.
Stay away from the hard stuff
Ice and very hard foods, such as thick, hard pretzels, can damage crowns and bridges. Chewing ice should be avoided, as it can fracture both natural teeth and crowns and bridges.
Whether it's time for a new crowns and bridges, or you're due for a dental exam, Dr. Todd A Brower, your Holland, MI dentist at Ottawa Smiles Dental, will help you keep your smile bright and healthy. Call him at (616) 399-3600 to schedule an appointment. Improve your smile with crowns and bridges!
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