Missing or damaged teeth can take a major toll on your self-esteem. You may find yourself smiling less often and keeping quiet when spending time with your friends and family. This damage may also make it difficult to eat and drink comfortably. If you’ve been plagued by missing or damaged teeth, you may consider investing in dental restoration services. 

However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which one is best for you. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the most common dental restoration options available to ensure you can boost the appearance and function of your smile. 

What is Dental Restoration?

Dental restoration is a great way for patients to restore their smile after experiencing damage or decay. Whether you’ve recently experienced a dental injury or you’re experiencing tooth decay, these treatments help you address changes to the function and appearance of your smile. The goal of this care is not only to restore your smile but also help alleviate any discomfort you may experience as a result of your damage or decay. 

Common Dental Restoration Options

Root Planing and Scaling 

If it has been several years since your last dental cleaning and you aren’t regularly flossing, a standard cleaning may not be sufficient to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Your dental hygienist will need to use more advanced tools to remove tough buildup along and beneath your gum line. This is especially important if you are exhibiting early signs of gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease, as it can help calm some of the inflammation and irritation you’re experiencing.  

Dental Fillings

For dental patients who have one or more cavities across their mouth, you may need to get fillings as a part of your dental restoration. As cavities develop, small holes may appear across the surface of your tooth. To restore the strength and appearance of your tooth, your dentist will remove any decayed portion and fill the hole with a soft amalgam material. With these fillings, your teeth should be as strong as they were before you developed a cavity. 

Dental Crowns

If the tooth decay has reached the interior of your tooth, your dentist may need to perform a root canal. During this process, your dentist removes infected tissue and fills the canals in your tooth with gutta-percha. Once they’ve completed this, they’ll cover your tooth with a dental crown. This dental restoration is essential for preventing further damage to your tooth and restoring its appearance, ensuring you can comfortably eat, drink, and speak without worrying about the look or function of your teeth. 

Dental Bridges

In more extreme cases, your dental restoration may include tooth extraction. If you need to have one or more teeth removed, you have a few options to restore the appearance and function of your smile. One option is a dental bridge. This dental prosthetic fills any gaps between natural teeth to prevent shifting after teeth are pulled or lost. It also ensure you can comfortably eat while avoiding irritation to your more sensitive gum tissue. 

Dental Implants

If you are looking for a more permanent solution to lost teeth, you may wan to consider investing in dental implants. The process includes implanting titanium posts in your jawbone and then attaching a replacement tooth to the post. Dental implants are only a reliable option if you have adequate bone density, so it is important that you schedule a consultation to determine whether you’re a good candidate for this treatment. 

How Long Does It Take To Get Dental Restoration? 

When you’re preparing for restorative work, one thing you may have a lot of questions about is treatment length. How long your treatment will take will depend on the kind and amount of dental work you need. If you need minor dental work, such as root planing and scaling, it can be done in a few hours.

However, if you need more complex dental work, it may take several weeks or months to be completed. For some dental work, like implants, you’ll need several months to recover from your initial appointment before you can attend the final appointment. When you’re preparing for this process, your dental team should give you an estimated timeline.

While it can be frustrating to wait weeks or months to restore your smile, it’s best not to rush this process. The process is often slower to allow your mouth adequate time to heal between appointments, which helps avoid potential complications that could compromise your costly dental restoration services. 

How Much Does Restorative Dental Work Count? 

Much like the length of your treatment, the cost of dental restoration will vary based on the type of work you need. Some procedures, like dental fillings, may cost around $1,500, depending on how many you need. However, as you get into more complex dental procedures, such as veneers or bridges, the cost will continue to increase. 

To get a better idea of how much you’ll need to invest in your restorative work, it’s best to speak with a dental professional. During your consultation, your team will discuss treatment suggestions and provide you with an estimate. This estimate may be more than you anticipate, but this investment is a great way to restore the function and appearance of your smile. 

A Healthy Smile Is Within Reach At Bismarck Advanced Dental

Although dental restoration is a costly and time-consuming process, it is a great step toward achieving your healthiest smile. With restorative work, you’ll have a brighter, healthier smile than ever before. But, it is important that you work with a reliable dental team through this process to ensure you get the most out of your investment.

If you’re looking for a reliable team to help you through the dental restoration process, turn to our team at Birsmarck Advanced Dental & Implants for support. Since 2009, our team has provided expert care to patients across the Bismarck, ND, area. No matter what restorative work you need, our team is here and ready to support you.

If you’d like to learn more about our dental restoration services or schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

Misaligned teeth can be a major problem, making it difficult to properly clean your teeth and prevent decay or damage. But, if you’re missing a few teeth, you may believe it isn’t a reliable option for your smile. You may feel that traditional braces are your only option for straightening your teeth and achieving your dream smile. 

While missing teeth can create a challenge for your orthodontic journey, this shouldn’t stop you from seeking expert dental care. If you’re considering starting your orthodontic journey and want to learn more about how and why missing teeth may impact your treatment options, keep reading. 

What is Invisalign? 

Invisalign clear aligners are an advanced orthodontic option for individuals who want to straighten their teeth without wearing metal braces. Many dental patients find they can straighten their teeth more quickly with clear aligners than if they wear traditional braces. Additionally, they allow you to avoid frequent in-office appointments. 

This quick treatment and ability to skip frequent office visits make Invisalign the perfect orthodontic device for busy adults. If you have a busy schedule, travel frequently for work, or live too far from the office to justify regular visits, you may want to talk to your dental team about whether Invisalign is the best option for your smile. 

Can You Get Invisalign with Missing Teeth? 

While you may be interested in getting Invisalign, you may worry that you can’t get them with missing teeth. If you are missing teeth, you don’t typically need to be concerned about this negatively impacting your Invisalign treatment. However, there are a few dental conditions that prevent you from getting this orthodontic device.

When you go in for your exam before getting Invisalign, your dental team will assess your current oral health condition and determine why you’re missing teeth. If you’ve lost your teeth as a result of poor oral hygiene or rapidly evolving oral health conditions, you may not be able to get this device until you address this problem. 

The Benefits of Invisalign Treatment

Investing in Invisalign offers many benefits to dental patients who’ve long considered starting orthodontic treatment. Some of the benefits include: 

• Orthodontics Without Bulky Hardware: While you might want to straighten your teeth, you may want to avoid the bulkier metal hardware that comes with orthodontics. With Invisalign, you avoid the bulk and can comfortably begin straightening your teeth. 
• Improve Your Oral Health: Misaligned teeth can be more difficult to clean, especially when brushing and flossing. Cleaning food particles and debris from between teeth becomes easier as you straighten your teeth, reducing your risk of tooth decay. 
• Easy to Clean: Not only is it easier to clean between your teeth with Invisalign, but it is also easier to clean the device itself. With this orthodontic device, you can gently brush and sanitize it with a soft-bristle brush, ensuring it’s clean when you wear it. 
• Increased Confidence: Some orthodontic devices may make you self-conscious. However, wearing clear aligners, you won’t be shy about showing your teeth when smiling in photos or talking with your loved ones. 

Options to Address Missing Teeth

If you are preparing to replace missing teeth after finishing your Invisalign treatment, there are a few options you can choose from. While it is best to speak to your dentist about what they believe is best for your smile, it is even more important to know what options are available. The most common options to address missing teeth include: 

• Dental Bridges: If you are missing a few teeth in a row, your dental team may recommend a bridge. This prosthetic attaches to the surrounding teeth and bridges the gap, helping to prevent future tooth shifting. 
• Implants: If you have enough jawbone to support it, you may want to consider investing in an implant. With dental implants, you don’t have to worry about the shifting and moving that comes with poorly fitting devices. 
• Partial Dentures: Partial dentures are a good option for anyone missing teeth in several parts of their mouth. Prosthetics are positioned to fill gaps while anchoring to the surrounding teeth like a dental bridge. 

Tips for Maintaining Straight Teeth After Invisalign

Once you’ve finished your Invisalign treatment, it is important that you do everything in your power to maintain your straight teeth. Some of the easiest ways to maintain your smile after orthodontic treatment include: 

• Wear your retainer as recommended by your dental team. 
• Brush twice daily and floss at least once daily to remove bacteria. 
• Address oral health problems, like TMJ and grinding, as soon as they emerge. 
• Limit sugary and starchy foods and eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Schedule twice-yearly dental cleanings and checkups.

If you follow this advice, you should be able to protect your smile from further shifting and avoid damaging your chosen prosthetics to address your missing teeth. However, if you notice any shifting, it is best to reach out to your dental team as soon as possible to ensure they can help you take steps to prevent further problems. 

Perfect Your Smile in Bismarck, ND

Invisalign is a great way to make positive changes to your smile, even if you have missing teeth. If you’re considering investing in Invisalign, turn to our team at Bismarck Advanced Dental & Implants. We can help you determine whether your oral health is in the right condition for this orthodontic treatment or if you need to schedule other treatments before beginning this process. No matter your oral health condition, we’re confident that we can help you achieve your best oral health and perfect your smile. 

If you’d like to learn more about our clear aligners and treatment for missing teeth or schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

It isn’t uncommon for patients to feel a bit of anxiety before a dental cleaning. Whether it has been years since you’ve been or this is the first time you’re going to the dentist, this appointment may be weighing heavy on you. But understanding what to expect during your cleaning can help you feel a bit less anxious and far more confident.

If you’re experiencing anxiety before your upcoming dental cleaning, keep reading to learn more about what you can expect at this appointment. 

1. A Physical Exam

Before your dental hygienist begins your dental cleaning, they’ll perform a physical examination of your mouth, gums, previous fillings, and more. They will use a small mirror to examine each section of your mouth. During this exam, they are looking for signs of inflammation around your teeth and gums. 

If they do notice anything that is of concern, they may have the dentist come in to examine your mouth and determine whether you can continue with your appointment. While it is uncommon, some dental cleanings may need to be put off if you’re experiencing severe gum disease, an oral infection, or significant plaque and tartar buildup. 

2. Plaque and Tartar Removal

Once your physical examination is complete, your dental hygienist will begin removing plaque and tartar. Plaque is the sticky film that develops on the surface of your teeth as your oral bacteria eats sugars. If you don’t remove this film from your teeth, it hardens and becomes tartar, which is far harder to remove. 

Your hygienist will use a scaler to remove the plaque and tartar around your gumline. This can be an unpleasant part of your dental cleaning, as it involves scraping metal across your teeth, which can result in an unfortunate scraping sound. If you brush and floss regularly, this should lessen the length of your dental scaling. 

3. In-Depth Cleaning

After the plaque and tartar are removed from your teeth, your dental hygienist will use a strong electric toothbrush to clean your teeth. While this toothbrush does make a loud grinding noise, this is a great way to remove any remaining plaque and tartar that was missed during the scaling process. 

This step in the dental cleaning process is far more in-depth than your standard day-to-day brushing. While this is a great way to polish your teeth after plaque and tartar removal, it is important that you don’t attempt to brush like this at home. Brushing too hard can lead to the wearing of your enamel, which may cause increased sensitivity. 

4. Flossing and Rinsing

Flossing is an incredibly important part of your everyday oral hygiene routine, but it is an even more important part of your dental cleaning. After brushing our teeth, your hygienist will perform an in-depth flossing. During this flossing, they can get deep between your teeth and may identify problem areas across your gums. 

This is also their final opportunity to remove any remaining plaque and food debris that may be present in your mouth. Once they’ve finished flossing your teeth, they’ll rinse your mouth to remove any lingering debris. This rinse typically contains fluoride, which is essential for strengthening your teeth and preventing decay. 

5. Fluoride Treatment

As the final step in your dental cleaning, your dental hygienist will apply a fluoride treatment. While your everyday oral care products contain fluoride, this fluoride is a much higher concentration, helping to remineralize any of your teeth that may be experiencing the earliest signs of decay. 

Using a foamy gel, your hygienist will fit a mouthpiece over your teeth and allow this treatment to sit on your teeth for about a minute. Once the fluoride treatment is done, they’ll use fluoride varnish over your teeth. This varnish hardens upon contact with your saliva, allowing you to return to normal eating and drinking habits. 

Additional Steps Your Dentist May Take

During your dental cleaning, it isn’t uncommon for dentists to perform X-rays. With these X-rays, your dentist has the opportunity to take a more in-depth look at your teeth. This imaging can help them identify early signs of cavities, potential bone loss, cysts, or infections that are not currently visible to the naked eye. While you might think dental X-rays aren’t essential, it is best to follow the advice provided by your dentist. This can help them create an essential treatment plan and ensure you avoid painful and costly oral ailments. 

How to Quell Dental Anxiety

If you are feeling anxious leading up to your dental cleaning, there are a few things you can do to alleviate this discomfort. The best ways to address dental anxiety include:

• Bring a distraction like music, podcasts, or audiobooks. 
• Ask a friend or family member to attend your appointment with you. 
• Rely on relaxation techniques and breathing exercises. 
• Bring a comfort item like a stress ball or stuffed animal. 
• Talk to your dentist about sedation options beforehand. 

Reliable Dental Cleanings in Bismarck, ND

Attending regular dental cleanings is essential for avoiding developing cavities, oral infections, and more. While you may feel nervous before your appointment, this is a great way to boost your overall health and ensure your smile looks its best for years to come. But, the first step to a great dental cleaning is finding a reliable dentist.

If you’re looking for a reliable dentist in the Bismarck, ND, area, turn to our team at Bismarck Advanced Dental & Implants. We’ve provided custom dental care to patients across the city for decades, making us the perfect choice for your smile. No matter what ailment you’re experiencing, we can help you achieve your best oral health.

If you’d like to learn more about our services or are ready to schedule a cleaning, don’t hesitate to contact us today.