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Have you lost a tooth and are wondering how you can replace it to close the gap between your teeth and prevent the consequences of tooth loss? Rest assured, plenty of options is currently available to replace missing teeth. The solutions help you to show off your beautiful smile and also help maintain good overall health.

Tooth decay is a familiar reason why many people lose their teeth. However, injuries and gum disease are also reasons for tooth loss that might make you seek replacements for the missing teeth. Regardless of why you lost your teeth besides a large number of other people, dentistry advances now ensure multiple solutions are available for you to replace one or several teeth in your mouth.

What Solutions Can You Expect to Replace Missing Teeth?

If you underwent tooth extraction Anchorage on an interior or posterior tooth, the dental professional would promptly discuss various tooth replacement solutions with you to help you avoid embarrassment because of the missing tooth.

Dental Implants

If you are in good physical and oral health, the Anchorage dentist recommends you have dental implants placed in your mouth to substitute for the missing tooth appearing and functioning like your natural teeth. Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth but require a surgical process and plenty of healing time. If you have a single missing tooth in the anterior region of your mouth, you find dental implants Anchorage an ideal option than bridges or dentures. However, you must prepare yourself for the surgical process and considerable expenditure if you intend to replace missing teeth with dental implants.

Fixed Bridges

Fixed bridges help bridge the gap between one or multiple missing teeth. You can have fixed bridges by scheduling a couple of appointments with the Anchorage dentist because the process entails placing dental crowns on the two neighboring teeth to the missing tooth with a Pontic between them. If you don’t want to undergo the dental implant procedure or do not qualify for the treatment, you can consider fixed bridges that appear, function, and feel like your natural tooth. Best of all, fixed bridges don’t require removal for cleaning and are a cost-effective option compared to dental implants.

Resin Retained Bridge

If you are anxious about dental work and prefer a conservative procedure to replace your missing front tooth, you can have resin retained bridges that are less invasive than fixed bridges. A fixed bridge is an excellent option if you need a bridge for teeth for chewing purposes. However, if you want to improve your aesthetic appearance, you find a resin retained bridge ideal for your situation. Resin retained bridges attach to the neighboring teeth on either side of the gap by metal wings or porcelain framework. Resin retained bridges are not as durable as fixed bridges or implants, but they are more cost-effective than the other two solutions.

If you are not in favor of the solutions described, you can always request your dental professional for a partial denture which you can wear during the day. Partial dentures have metal clasps to help them stay in place in your mouth.

Dentures are tried and tested solutions that have been around for over a century. They are not the most comfortable and are likely to shift and slip in your mouth when speaking or eating. However, dentures are conservative and affordable and do not require any tooth preparation or surgery. You merely need to provide impressions of your teeth to the dentist to have your artificial tooth custom created by a prosthodontist.

Alternatives for Tooth Replacement Solutions

If you don’t want any tooth replacement solution after losing a tooth, you have the option of doing nothing at all. Unfortunately, you must prepare yourself for the consequences of tooth loss which over time assume overwhelming proportions.

When you have a tooth extracted, or you lose it in an accident, the remaining teeth in your mouth begin shifting towards the edentulous gap to cause misalignments in your mouth. Misaligned teeth need orthodontic treatments costing more than replacing the lost tooth. You also become a victim of jawbone resorption, which occurs soon after tooth loss. Jawbone resorption makes your face sag and looks older besides loosening your other teeth. Most importantly, you face problems with indigestion because you cannot chew foods correctly. Therefore getting replacements for the missing tooth is an option you mustn’t avoid, especially if you want to prevent the consequences of tooth loss from affecting you.

Anchorage Dental Arts provides various tooth replacement solutions for single or multiple teeth. If you decide to replace the missing tooth, please contact them for a suitable solution.

If losing a baby tooth brought you rewards and accolades from members at home, don’t expect any sympathy from anyone when recommended tooth extraction for any reason other than accidents. You begin thinking about your appearance and smile when you receive information from your dentist that you need a tooth pulled from your mouth. While getting stressed is natural, wouldn’t it benefit you if you prepared for the procedure by learning what to do before having a tooth removed?

We are aware tooth extractions are not glamorous as the dentist in 99503 uses gloved hands in your mouth to inject anesthesia to numb your mouth and, after that, uses instruments to wiggle your tooth before pulling it out. However, preparing yourself ahead of time for the procedure can make tooth removal much more manageable and prepare you to see a hole in your mouth during adulthood.

This article provides some tips on how to prepare for a tooth removal.

Discuss the Tooth Extraction Procedure with the Professionals

After receiving a recommendation for tooth extractions near me from the dentist, you are justified in asking me questions you have in your mind. Discuss the entire procedure with your dentist or oral surgeon and insist on answers to comprehensively understand the tooth extraction procedure. Do not consider any question inconsequential because it is the dentist’s job to make you comfortable before tooth removal. After all, they operate in your mouth, and the territory belongs exclusively to you.

Your Medical History

Before scheduling an appointment for tooth removal, please share your entire medical history with the dental professionals without leaving out any details. For example, you need to provide whether you have liver disease, impaired immune system, congenital heart defects, history of bacterial endocarditis, or artificial joint replacements. These conditions can make you prone to infections.

You must also include an entire list of medications you take to ensure your dental health provider avoids drug interactions. Provide the dentist information about blood thinners because the professional may recommend you stop the medications before your procedure. Blood thinners can increase the risk of bleeding during the process and extend the healing time after completing the treatment.

Anesthesia & Painkillers

When undergoing tooth extractions, you will likely receive local or sedation anesthesia. You must have complete information on the anesthetic options your dentist will provide to determine your level of dental anxiety. If you are undergoing your first extraction during adulthood and are not fearful of dental treatments, dental professionals will likely offer you local anesthesia injected in your mouth. If your procedure is extensive and needs more powerful anesthetics, dentists offer you intravenous or sedation to make you calm and relaxed. However, you still receive local anesthesia in the mouth to block pain impulses.

You receive instructions from your dental provider not to eat anything 12 hours before your procedure. The restriction on foods is essential if you have intravenous anesthesia because it helps prevent nausea during and after the process. In addition, the dental professionals recommend not to smoke 12 hours before the tooth removal and 24 hours after to ensure your tooth removal process proceeds smoothly and you recover.

Transportation And Care

Driving back home after undergoing a tooth removal procedure is challenging because even local anesthesia can impair your reflexes. Therefore you must have a family member or friend to drive you home and remain with you after completing the procedure. Taking time off work and arranging for childcare are also suggested by dentists.

The Tooth Extraction Procedure

The tooth extraction procedure with relatively straightforward and will likely not keep you in the dental office beyond a few hours. The dentist will request you go home and rest after recovering from the anesthesia delivered during your procedure.

After tooth removal, you will experience some discomfort and swelling in your face around the area of the extraction site. Dentists provide adequate after-care instructions to ensure your recovery proceeds smoothly without complications.

You must remain in bed or rest for at least 24 hours after tooth removal to ensure the blood clot in your mouth doesn’t dislodge. You must avoid eating or drinking anything until the numbing medication wears off for fear of biting your cheeks and lips. You must stick to soft and lukewarm foods during your initial days after tooth removal to ensure you don’t irritate the extraction site.

Dentists understand tooth extractions can make you nervous and fearful. It is why they have developed a comprehensive list of preoperative and post-operative care instructions which they provide to prepare you for tooth extractions before and after.

If you must have a tooth pulled for any reason, please do not fear the procedure but schedule an appointment with Anchorage Dental Arts to remove the problematic tooth from experienced dental professionals.

One of the biggest myths that modern dentistry has busted is that you don’t need to lose teeth with age. Maintaining good oral hygiene and visiting the dentist at regular intervals can increase the longevity of your teeth. Brushing and flossing the teeth would not help as you need to take optimal care of the gums and dental bones.

Signs of Gum Disease

The gums are infected by the oral bacteria that thrive on the gums and teeth. Inadequate cleaning of teeth causes the accumulation of a sticky firm film on the teeth called plaque. If not removed, the plaque solidifies to form the tartar.

The bacteria thrive on the tartar and release an acidic substance that erodes the enamel. If not treated, the gingivitis can lead to periodontal infections and cause permanent damage to the teeth, gums, and jaws. The early signs of gum disease include:

• Severe toothaches
• Receding gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Tender or swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Lost teeth

What is Periodontal Therapy?

Gum disease or periodontal disease is not mere bleeding gums but is a severe progressive oral issue that can cause loss of teeth and further damage to the jawbones. A trusted dentist in Anchorage, AK, can tell you that surgery is not the only remedy to treat periodontal disease.

Periodontal therapy can be of different forms, but all aim to restore oral health. Gum infections are contagious and can spread quickly from one jaw to another. The Cordova Dentist in 99503 would resort to non-surgical periodontal therapy before making you go under the knife.

Some of the standard non-surgical periodontal therapies are:

Deep Cleaning

Apart from the daily brushing and flossing of your teeth, you need to visit the dentist for a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year. If you plan to keep periodontal disease under check, you need to undergo an expensive oral examination and deep cleaning of the oral cavity.

Inadequate brushing can cause the accumulation of sticky film on the teeth called tartar. The tartar is oral bacteria’s thriving ground that releases an acidic substance that erodes the enamel.

Scaling and Root Planing

Deep cleaning focuses on cleaning your teeth, scaling and root-planning focus on cleaning the teeth by going below the gumline. The teeth tend to lose their vitality with regular usage and develop rough edges near the root. Scaling smoothens the rough ends to remove the lodging of bacteria.

Root planing involves cleaning the deep pockets and dental gaps under the influence of local anesthesia. The periodontal dentist uses specialized instruments to complete the procedure. Slight discomfort and bleeding can be the common after-effect of root planning treatment.

Medication

The dentist can prescribe antibiotics and antimicrobials to destroy oral bacteria below the gumline where instruments might not reach. Some over-the-counter mouthwashes and medicated toothpaste can also help to remove the oral bacteria.

The Benefits of Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

The non-surgical periodontal procedures stop the quick spread of germs and stop affecting the gums and jaws without invasive procedures. The other benefits include:

Painless Procedure

Children and some adults are afraid of the pain and discomfort associated with visiting the dentist and undergoing dental procedures. The non-surgical periodontal procedures are painless and performed under local anesthesia’s influence. The cleaning procedure can be completed in a couple of visits to the dental office.

Proper Oral Hygiene

Non-surgical periodontal therapy ensures that your teeth are free from tartar and plaque. The oral bacteria thrive on the deposition on the teeth, and removing them nullifies chances of bacterial activity and tooth decay. A clean mouth is a key to a healthy life.

Stopping Spread of Infection

Periodontal disease, if set in, needs to be stopped from spreading. Deep cleaning prevents gum infection and can save the teeth from being lost. Removing the tartar and disinfecting the dental pockets can prevent further spread of periodontal infections

If you look for non-surgical periodontal therapy near you, in Anchorage, AK, Anchorage Dental Arts can be your go-to clinic. With over 50 years of combined experience and flexible hours, we are committed to provide good oral health. you can book an appointment here and avail yourself of our patient-focused dental services.

The temporomandibular joint is the hinge-like joint that connects the jawbone to the skull. It is located below the ears and aids in opening and closing the mouth. This joint is easily injured or damaged, resulting in a disorder known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The TMD can affect your overall dental health. Here is more on TMJ disorders.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

Symptoms of the TMJ disorder vary slightly from individual to individual based on the severity and causes. Some of the most common symptoms of the disorder include:

• Pain or tenderness when opening the mouth
• Aching pain in and around your ear
• The jaw locking in a specific position
• Facial pain
• Discomfort when biting down
• Persistent toothaches or headaches
• Dizziness
• Swelling around the cheeks and jaw

Causes of TMD

TMD can be caused by:

• Dental trauma

After dental trauma, your temporomandibular joint may start malfunctioning. As a result, you may begin experiencing the symptoms associated with the TMJ disorder.

• Jaw clenching and teeth-grinding

Patients who have these stress-induced habits affect their TMJ, causing the disorder. For example, clenching your teeth or grinding your jaw places extra pressure on this joint, creating pain and tension.

• Arthritis 

When arthritis spreads to your jaw joints, it leads to TMJ disorder. 

How TMD Affects Your Overall Dental Health

The temporomandibular joint disorder can affect your dental health. It may cause functional and aesthetic problems in your mouth. The disorder can:

• Cause misalignment issues

Your teeth will begin shifting to accommodate the added pressure on your jaws. Once they move out of their proper position, you may have issues such as teeth misalignment. Your bite will be affected, therefore preventing you from maintaining good oral hygiene. Apart from disrupted dental care, the pain and headache symptoms will increase.

• Destroy your tooth enamel

Most patients have this disorder as a result of teeth-grinding. Grinding the teeth contributes to the wearing down of your tooth enamel. When the enamel is worn down, teeth become exposed to dental decay, gum infections, and disease. These will affect your dental health adversely. 

TMJ Diagnosis

Due to the various symptoms exhibited by this disorder, dentists often misdiagnose it. Unfortunately, misdiagnosis leads to wrong treatment options. They will be ineffective or even worsen the condition. Therefore, you must locate a TMJ specialist near you who is experienced in diagnosing and treating TMD.

Proper diagnosis requires talking to the patient to know their symptoms and dental concerns. Then, diagnosis involves digital x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, assessing jaw movement and observing the range of motion in the jaw. 

TMJ Treatment

Your treatment options for TMD by the dentist in Anchorage, AK, may include:

• Wearing a night mouthguard

This device is worn as you sleep to keep you from grinding your teeth or clenching the jaw. The customized mouthguard is worn between the lower and upper jaws. It absorbs the pressure when you grind your teeth or clench your jaw. In addition, a nightguard eases the pain caused by TMD.

• Orthodontics

Your dentist may opt for orthodontic treatments to help restore teeth alignment. When your teeth are at their proper position, the TMD symptoms will keep from worsening.

• BOTOX®

The TMJ specialist near you can use BOTOX to treat the temporomandibular disorder. Since it is a muscle relaxant, BOTOX can calm the jaw muscles and keep them from contracting. Regular injections of the solution on the jaw muscles will relax them, allowing you to open and close the mouth without discomfort.

• Physical therapy and medication

Your TMJ disorders expert may provide physical therapy alongside oral medications. Anti-inflammatory medicine and muscle relaxants can ease the pain. The exercises will strengthen the jaw muscles allowing them to move freely.

• Surgery

Surgery is usually reserved for severe cases of TMD. The procedure will target your current symptoms. If the jaw locks due to the disorder, surgery is performed to prevent further locking. The procedure may also be performed to reduce the friction in the joints as they move.

Risk Factors of TMD

Certain factors increase the risk of developing TMD. They include:

• Chronic grinding of teeth and clenching of the jaw
• Jaw injury and trauma
• Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
• Connective tissue diseases

Benefits of TMJ Treatment

Below are some reasons to seek TMJ disorders treatment at Anchorage Dental Arts.

• Your overall dental health and overall health are enhanced.
• Chronic discomforts caused by the symptoms of TMD are alleviated.
• You will speak and chew comfortably.
• The risk of dental damage is reduced.
• Your quality of life will be improved.

Whether you want an improved smile or looking forward to a social event, professional teeth whitening can improve your smile to an aesthetic one. So as you brush your teeth every morning and evening, also visit our dentist in 99503 for check-ups and cleanings and avoid smoking. In addition, you should note that the love of wine and berries may make your smile a little less dazzling.

A professional tooth whitening procedure is easy, safe, and hardly takes more than an hour of your time. However, after investing in tooth whitening, you want to take care of your teeth and protect them from new stains. Here are the tips on how you can do so.

Tips on How to Take Care of Your Teeth After Teeth Whitening

Even if you get the best results from our Cordova dentist who may use chemical whitening techniques or laser teeth whitening, you can undo the pearly whites with certain staining types of food and drinks or with some lifestyle habits. The following tips will help your professional tooth whitening last longer and protect your teeth from obtaining new stains.

• Avoid Staining foods

Some foods and drinks contribute to the staining of your whitened teeth, and these include coffee, tea, berries, tomato sauce, white and red wine, and sugary food and beverages. These foods and drinks contain specific properties which break down the enamel and leave stains.

• Increase the intake of foods that protect your teeth

Some foods are good for your health and will help keep your teeth healthy. These foods include vegetables and crunchy fruits packed with water like apples and celery. These foods increase your saliva when you chew them, and saliva helps neutralize acids, breaking teeth and making them susceptible to stains. Cheese is also an excellent food for your teeth, and it has phosphorus and calcium, which keeps your enamel strong and resilient to stains and decays

• Regular brushing and flossing

Brushing teeth after every meal and flossing daily will help extend the life of your professional whitened teeth. Brushing removes food debris and bacteria, which will help keep your teeth strong and healthy so that they can break down stains and decay. Always have a toothbrush with you so that you can brush your teeth after coffee and lunch. When you don’t have a brush with you, you can swish your teeth with mouthwash to help remove bacteria.

• Avoid smoking

Smoking is the leading cause of stains in your teeth; it takes just a few months for nicotine and tar present in cigarettes to turn your white teeth to yellow. Smoking not only stains your teeth but also poses many serious concerns, including gum disease, gum infections, plague, and even oral cancer. If you want to have aesthetic white teeth and healthy gums, then it’s high time you snub the cigarette.

• Adhere to regular dental check-ups

Regular dental check-ups to your dentist near you at least twice a year is key in maintaining your good oral health. If you’ve recently had your teeth whitened professionally, your dentist may recommend regular visits. This will give your dentist a chance to check your teeth and provide some whitening touch-ups that will keep your teeth looking white as time goes on.

The Importance of Teeth Whitening

The primary function of teeth whitening is to boost one confidence by improving their smile to an aesthetic smile.  Moreover, professional teeth whitening at Anchorage Cosmetic Dentistry can be of importance in the following ways:

• It boosts your self-esteem

Investing in teeth whitening will help boost the way you feel about yourself. You and your dazzling smile will be glowing, and trust me, and many people will notice the new you.

• A healthier mouth

Any dental procedure that you consider contributes to your oral health, affecting your overall health. Poor oral health can lead to heart conditions, cancer, or even organ failure. Professional teeth whitening by our dentist in Anchorage, AK, will remove stains from your teeth, allowing them to be stronger and healthier.

• It improves the hygiene

Many people can be judged by the appearance of their teeth; for instance, having stained teeth can make people conclude about your hygiene. Therefore, teeth whitening is the best option in helping people appreciate your oral hygiene.

Good dental or oral hygiene focuses on how we can take proper care of our dental health regularly. There are many ways of maintaining good dental health. They include:

Proper Brushing

Proper brushing is not only about brushing your teeth twice daily. It equally involves using a fluoride toothpaste as well. While brushing, you should use the toothbrush gently and place the toothbrush directly towards the space between your teeth and gums. Also, brush in a circular motion. It is essential to make sure you brush every side and corner. Dentists also recommend that you replace your toothbrush every three months.

Regular Flossing

It would be best if you treated flossing as important as brushing. This is simply because your toothbrush cannot reach every corner inside your mouth. Food particles can get stuck inside the teeth gaps, and if they are removed immediately, they can cause plaques and tartars to accumulate inside the teeth, thereby leading to teeth infections or decay. When plaques get inside the teeth, they can only be removed by the dentist. You can prevent this from happening by flossing your teeth once every day.

Drink Plenty Water

Whenever you drink water, your mouth becomes refreshed and hydrated. You can also prevent mouth odor by drinking plenty of water. Also, when you drink plenty of water, food particles clinging to hidden areas inside the mouth are washed away by the water.

Eat Healthy Crunchy Foods And Vegetables

Natural fruits and vegetables can strengthen the teeth and gums. They contain vitamins and minerals that are important for the maintenance of good teeth structure. You can take fruits like apples, carrots, pears, oranges, and watermelons to keep your teeth healthy.

Reduce your sugar intake

Sugary foods can cause tooth decay. When you consume sugary foods, the bacteria inside your mouth mixes with the saliva inside your mouth as well, and this can cause dangerous acid that causes plaques to accumulate inside the mouth. If you don’t get rid of the plaques immediately, they can cause teeth decay or cavities. You can see a dentist near you to assist you with a healthy food plan for your teeth.

Regular Dental Appointments

It would be best if you visited your dentist twice yearly. During dental appointments and examinations, a lot of preventive dental procedures and other dental procedures are performed to keep your teeth safe from damages. You can also consult your dentist as soon as you notice awkward changes inside your mouth. The dentist would conduct a dental checkup to help him reach a proper and authentic diagnosis. This would confirm if you have a dental disease that hasn’t manifested yet. Also, some health conditions could start showing their symptoms inside the mouth. A dental checkup can help you prevent such disease from deteriorating by allowing you to get quick treatment if required. You can see a family dentist near you for dental checkups.

Benefits Of Having A Good Dental Hygiene

There are a lot of benefits associated with taking proper care of your oral health. Taking care of the mouth is just like taking care of our skin. When we don’t take good care of our skin, we might begin to suffer from some skin irritations and diseases. This is the same with our dental health. The following are the benefits of good dental hygiene.

1. You can prevent dental cavities and gum infections with good oral hygiene. Dental cavities can cause big holes inside the teeth and also lead to teeth loss. Also, gum diseases can range from mild to worse or advanced. When a person is diagnosed with gingivitis (mild gum disease), dentists often suggest immediate treatment to prevent the gum disease (periodontitis) from getting advanced. Good dental hygiene and regular dental checkup can help in preventing these dental problems. You can see a dental hygienist for oral hygiene near you.

2. Good dental hygiene can make you confident about your teeth’ structure. It helps you smile brightly and boldly. During your regular dental checkup, your dentist can provide you with teeth whitening treatment to help remove stains, thereby making your teeth’ color bright and whiter. You can also get fluoride treatment to help prevent cavities or decay. Visit a dentist in Anchorage, AK, for preventive dental procedures.

3. You can also avoid diseases that affect other parts of the body. Keeping your dental health clean can improve your general health. Also, if you don’t practice good dental hygiene, you could put your public health at risk of getting infected or affected by severe diseases.

4. Good oral hygiene saves you from spending so much money on restorative dental procedures like dental implants and other dental procedures. This is because when you take proper care of your dental structure, you are less likely to get affected by dental problems that require immediate or severe dental treatments.