What is the lifespan of a dental implant?

Dental implants offer lifelike tooth replacement devices to patients who have suffered from tooth loss. The titanium structures serve as fill-ins for absent tooth roots, and they fuse with the bone after the surgical procedure in which they are placed.

Because of their structural integrity and their biocompatibility, dental implants typically offer a permanent solution to tooth loss. That is, dental implants can be expected to last for decades and often the rest of the patient’s lifetime.

Of course, in order to get the most out of their dental implants, patients must take steps to care for the appliances. Your dentist can give you guidelines for maintaining your dental implant, but in many ways, the recommendations differ little from care for a natural tooth.

If you choose dental implants and take good care of them, you may have a tooth loss solution that will last for the rest of your lifetime.

Patients with dental implants should be sure to brush twice a day and floss daily to keep harmful oral bacteria at bay. Regular dental appointments for cleanings and exams are also essential, and be sure to let your hygienist know that you have an implant and the site of that implant.

This aspect of dental implants is one of the treatment’s many appealing characteristics. Compare this longevity to other appliances often used to treat tooth replacement. A bridge likely will have to be replaced after 10 years, while a conventional denture (one that is not supported by implants) will at least need to be relined every few years, and eventually may need to be replaced altogether.

Certain conditions may shorten the lifespan of your dental implant. For example, untreated gum disease can lead to bone loss that would compromise the implant. Similarly, bruxism (teeth grinding) can place undue stress on the implant, causing it to fail. Your dentist should thoroughly review your oral health history so that any conditions that may affect the implant can be treated in advance.

If you choose dental implants and take good care of them, you may have a tooth loss solution that will last for the rest of your lifetime. Talk to our team at Balcones Family Dental to learn what you can do to maximize the lifespan of your dental implants.

How do I care for my Invisalign aligners?

The Invisalign system, which repositions the teeth using a series of clear plastic trays, offers a major improvement over earlier orthodontic interventions that rely on brackets and wires, which can be unattractive, uncomfortable and inconvenient.

In order to gain the full benefits of Invisalign treatment and achieve the best possible aesthetic outcomes, you must take proper care of the trays. One significant way in which Invisalign differs from conventional braces is the level of patient responsibility that is involved. Patients do most of the work in maintaining the aligners and must switch out the trays on the schedule provided by the dentist.

Taking care of the Invisalign trays is not necessarily difficult or complicated, but it’s necessary to ensure that the trays can do their job.

The Invisalign aligners can—and should—be removed at mealtime. This prevents food debris from getting caught in the trays, allowing it to cling to the teeth and serve as a food source for decay-causing bacteria. Similarly, you should remove the trays while drinking anything other than water, to eliminate the possibility of a sugary buildup or staining of the trays.

Smoking while wearing the Invisalign trays can also lead to staining, so avoid this activity, too, to keep your trays in optimal shape.

Daily cleaning of the Invisalign aligners is recommended. You can gently brush the trays using water and a soft-bristled toothbrush (but skip the toothpaste, which can be abrasive to the plastic) or soak the trays during the brief periods of time when you’re not wearing them. You can even purchase a specialized Invisalign cleaning kit.

You will benefit from Invisalign treatment for years to come, and unlike traditional braces, you can begin to see the results and appreciate your improving smile within a matter of weeks. Taking good care of your Invisalign trays will also help you to enjoy your smile during treatment. At the onset of your treatment course, be sure to discuss this issue with your dentist so that you’ll know how to maintain your trays.

Schedule an appointment with our caring dental team by calling 512-200-7422 today.

Will Teeth Whitening Cause Sensitivity?

Patients may have discolored teeth for any number of reasons, turning to cosmetic dentistry to improve teeth yellowed by age, stained by excessive consumption of certain foods and drinks or by taking some medications.

To enhance the smile’s appearance, patients in such cases may opt for a treatment like Zoom! teeth whitening, which uses a bleaching gel on the teeth. That bleaching gel, which is activated by special lasers, goes beneath the surface of the tooth to eradicate stains.

The benefits of teeth whitening are dramatic, but there can be some side effects. Before undergoing treatment, many patients ask the dentist about resulting problems like tooth sensitivity.

To enhance the smile’s appearance, patients in such cases may opt for a treatment like Zoom! teeth whitening, which uses a bleaching gel on the teeth.

Some patients may experience minimal tooth sensitivity after undergoing Zoom! teeth whitening or some other whitening treatment, especially if they undergo repeated treatments in a short time frame. If the underlying dentin, which has tiny openings leading directly to the tooth’s nerve, is exposed, you may notice that the teeth are more tender or have an increased reaction to changes in temperature.

Patients who are prone to sensitivity to begin with may also be at increased risk for sensitivity induced by tooth whitening treatments.

If you do notice sensitivity after getting your teeth whitened, it’s likely to be temporary. To limit problems, you may want to avoid drinking or eating very cold or very hot beverages or food for a few days following your treatment.

Because the Zoom teeth whitening treatment is completed in such a short period of time, typically in around an hour, patients who choose this option may actually be less susceptible to sensitivity than with an at-home treatment that requires gel-filled trays to be worn for hours at a time. Increased exposure to the bleaching gel may increase the risk of sensitivity.

Explore your options when it comes to teeth whitening, and be prepared to address any tooth sensitivity that may arise. Your dentist may also recommend specially-formulated toothpaste designed to address this problem too.

Contact our skilled team at Balcones Family Dental to learn if teeth whitening can improve your smile.

5 Tips for Preparing for Your Next Dental Exam

When a regularly scheduled dental visit rolls around, many patients start panicking about their obvious lack of good dental hygiene or their fear of being given a scary diagnosis. Dental exams, however, don’t have to be causes for fear and stress. If you have a dental exam coming up, you can use these five helpful tips to prepare for your exam and calm your frazzled nerves.

Don’t Panic

The first tip is simple: don’t panic. There is no use getting in an uproar about your approaching dental exam. Many patients try to make up for bad habits by flossing every hour the day before their visit. This isn’t going to accomplish anything other than making your gums bleed and your mouth hurt. Stay calm and remember that the dentist just wants to help. Viewing your dentist as a person with your best interests at heart can help to calm some of the panic associated with a regular checkup.

Brush Your Teeth

While you can’t trick the dentist into thinking that you’ve been a faithful brusher, it is a good idea to brush your teeth before you visit the dentist. Brushing your teeth removes large food particles from your teeth and improves your breath. This may eliminate some of the embarrassment or discomfort that many people associate with the dentist’s office.

Floss Your Teeth

It’s also a good idea to break out that dental floss and give your teeth a good flossing. Most dental hygienists will floss your teeth during the exam, but you can make the task a little easier by flossing ahead of time.

Avoid Eating a Few Hours Before Your Visit

If you want to be as comfortable as possible while reclined in the dentist’s chair, you might want to avoid eating for a few hours before you visit. This will eliminate any potentially embarrassing situations such as bad breath, large food particles between the teeth, or even belching. Drinking clear fluids, like water, will keep you hydrated and prevent you from experiencing excessive dry mouth while you’re in the chair.

Make a List of Questions

Above all, it’s a good idea to make a list of any potential questions you may have for your dentist. A lot of patients get stage fright in the dentist’s office and forget to ask an important question about tooth pain, gum discomfort, or some other issue related to oral health. When you write questions down, you’ll be more likely to have a productive interview with the dentist.

From Guest Blogger Dr. Goldberg

Dr. Goldberg and his team provide many Teeth Whitening Toronto treatments options to achieve that beautiful and white smile. He specializes in general dentistry, Periodontist Toronto dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.

Aesthetic Dental Transformations

Have you ever noticed a perfectly aligned, bright white smile on a stranger and wished that your pearly whites would look like that? With some help from cosmetic dentistry, you can achieve a more aesthetically pleasing smile.

Most people want to improve somehow on their natural smile, whether it’s to make the teeth straighter or whiter or more proportional. Various cosmetic dentistry treatments can help patients reach all of those goals and more.

Some patients will need an extensive smile overhaul with several different interventions. In these cases, the dentist might start with Invisalign, the system of clear plastic trays that re-align the teeth. After the teeth are straightened, then the dentist can proceed with other aesthetic treatments.

Another popular cosmetic treatment is dental implants. These titanium screw-like structures are surgically inserted into the jaw, and they hold prosthetic crowns in place, giving patients a remarkably lifelike replacement for a tooth that was lost to injury or decay. Eliminating a noticeable space in a smile offers a major aesthetic improvement.

Patients with less severe problems may benefit from veneers, which are thin porcelain tooth-shaped shells used to correct a variety of problems with the teeth’s appearance. A veneer can conceal a stain, chip or crack in a tooth. In fact, when a stretch of teeth is slightly crooked, veneers can be used to create the appearance of a straight line, saving the patient from extensive orthodontic treatment.

The shade of the teeth is a concern for many patients and teeth whitening treatments can address this problem. Some patients may find that all they need to improve the smile’s appearance is teeth whitening. An in-office system like Zoom! teeth whitening can help patients brighten the teeth by up to 8-10 shades in as little as an hour.

Patients have many options when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, so there’s no need to suffer with an unappealing smile. Improving your smile’s aesthetics can boost your self-esteem and even the functionality of the teeth. Contact our experienced dental team at 512-200-7422 to learn which available treatments that will be beneficial in your case.

Tooth Enamel: What causes eroding?

The tooth’s enamel is one of the hardest materials in the human body, and it protects the sensitive inner structures of the tooth. Although the enamel is quite sturdy, it can still wear away, potentially exposing the tooth’s core to infection and other types of damage. Tooth erosion is linked with decay, so it’s an important concern for your dentist.

You can be on the lookout for signs of enamel erosion, including sensitivity, yellowing of the teeth – which occurs when the dentin underneath the enamel becomes more visible – and pitting of the teeth. If you see any of these symptoms, bring them to the attention of your dentist.

A number of factors can lead to tooth erosion, including the following:

Excessive consumption of soft drinks or highly acidic foods
Eating lots of sugary snacks (which gives a food source to bacteria that leave behind acid as a metabolic byproduct)
Acid reflux disease and other gastrointestinal problems
Eating disorders like bulimia
A lack of adequate saliva to clear away bacteria and counteract any acids that may be present in the mouth.

Other conditions may lead to tooth erosion, such as bruxism and an overly aggressive brushing technique. Some patients may have a genetic predisposition to weaker enamel and may be more susceptible to erosion.

If you’ve noticed signs of tooth enamel erosion, your dentist can give you tips to avoid any further damage. Drinking sodas through a straw helps to limit the enamel’s direct exposure to acids, for example. Fluoride treatments can also help to strengthen teeth and make them more resistant to erosion.

You may also need to re-evaluate some of your dietary habits or get treatments for medical or dental problems like GERD or bruxism to limit tooth erosion.

The body has no mechanisms for generating new enamel, so the damage caused by tooth erosion is permanent. Your only recourse is to seek restorative treatment, like a filling or a crown depending on the extent of the damage.

For additional information and to schedule your next visit, contact the office of Dr. Paul Lounsberry today.

Tips to Prepare for Dental Implant Placement

If you are planning to get dental implants, you’re undoubtedly excited about the chance to restore your smile. When facing any surgical procedure, even a routine one, it’s important to prepare in advance. Doing so will help to minimize negative outcomes.

First, you should know what to expect from the procedure. For most patients, it will take just a few hours and be completed in an outpatient setting.

Patients without enough bone material at the implant site may need to undergo a preliminary bone graft prior to getting dental implants, and this may need to be completed several months in advance to allow sufficient time for healing.

You’ll also want to ask your dentist about what you need to do in the hours immediately preceding your dental implant placement appointment. You may need to fast after midnight if you are planning to have IV sedation. You’ll also need to recruit a responsible adult to escort you home from the appointment. By the next day, though, most patients are ready to return to work or school.

Speaking of going home, it’s also wise to prepare a plan for your aftercare at home. This step will help you to reduce your chances of infection and other complications that could compromise your implants. You may be able to manage any discomfort with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen, but if necessary, the dentist can give you a prescription for a stronger medication if need be.

Adequate oral hygiene is important to limit the presence of bacteria that could potentially cause post-surgical infection. You should be able to pick up your ordinary oral care routine the day after your surgery, although you may need to be a little gentler with your technique at the implant site.

Patients who smoke should be prepared to give up that habit for at least a few days, as it can interfere with the healing process. Know the signs of a problem, like ongoing heavy bleeding for more than 24 hours or a fever, so that you’ll recognize when you need to call the dentist for help.

You are making a significant investment in your dental implants, so do everything you can to ensure success. If you are adequately prepared for the dental implant placement procedure, the whole process should go much more smoothly.

Contact our skilled team at Balcones Family Dental to learn more about the dental implant procedure. Call 512-200-7422 to schedule an appointment today.

Invisalign: What happens after treatment is completed?

Invisalign is an innovative treatment used by a dentist to treat misaligned teeth in order to provide a more aesthetically pleasing smile. Invisalign can also be used to treat and correct dental inadequacies, such as over and underbites, and malocclusions.

Invisalign treatment involves a patient wearing a series of clear dental aligners that move specific teeth in small intervals over a period of weeks.

Typically, each aligner is worn for approximately two weeks; each one in the series moves specific teeth towards the end goal, which can be mapped in a virtual 3D model, allowing the patient to see the progress of their treatment.

Invisalign treatment involves a patient wearing a series of clear dental aligners that move specific teeth in small intervals over a period of weeks.

Once treatment has been completed, the teeth will naturally seek to move back into their native position. After all, the treatment the patient has undergone has moved the teeth out of their original alignment and so the sensation of teeth shifting back is not uncommon at the end of Invisalign treatment.

As time progresses, the jawbone tissue around the teeth will begin to thicken and increase in density. This helps to hold the teeth in their new position, but the support given is often not enough on its own to prevent the teeth from seeking to move and shift. As a result, the dentist who has overseen the person’s treatment will often recommend that the final aligner used in the Invisalign treatment, or some other form of support, be worn in order to keep the newly aligned teeth in place, and so safeguard the person’s new, attractive smile.

To find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment and to learn more about the process, contact the office of Dr. Paul Lounsberry to schedule your professional consultation today.

Will My Whitened Teeth Retain Their New Color?

Teeth whitening is a hugely popular form of cosmetic dentistry. From specially formulated toothpastes and do-it-yourself home kits, to professional treatments such as Zoom teeth whitening, millions of people around the world use a tooth whitening product, or seek tooth whitening advice from their dentist in order to improve the look of their smile.

Zoom teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to brighten a smile. The main ailments to befall anyone who undergoes tooth whitening are usually nothing more serious than temporary tooth sensitivity, or slight gum tissue irritation.

It is worth remembering that tooth whitening is not a permanent solution, and regardless of the type of treatment taken, your teeth will begin to exhibit signs of staining once again after treatment. This is due to the fact that teeth are porous. Although they might appear to be solid, the tooth’s enamel can absorb staining agents such as dark drinks, in much the same way a sponge can absorb water.

As a result, as a person’s smile begins to dull and fade, many undertake to refresh their smile once again through additional treatment. Several factors can influence the shade of a person’s teeth, and the speed at which staining reoccurs.

These factors can include the consumption of dark-colored drinks, such as coffee or tea; sticky foods such as cakes and pastries, and candies; tobacco use, and more. Your dentist can advise on the types of food and drink to avoid in order to prolong the appearance of your smile after tooth whitening treatment.

Keeping teeth clean through a good dental health regime can also help keep teeth whiter for longer. Plaque and tartar can trap and hold staining agents, and so it is important to undertake regular brushing and flossing to help remove and inhibit the growth and spread of plaque, and so extend the longevity of your tooth whitening results.

Despite your best efforts, your tooth whitening will fade with time; the results aren’t permanent, but there is nothing to prevent you from revisiting tooth whitening treatments in the future and prolonging that dazzling smile.

To learn more about Zoom teeth whitening, contact Balcones Family Dental at 512-200-7422 and schedule your professional consultation today.

Eat the Foods You Want with Dental Implants

Artificial tooth replacements such as dental implants are quite possibly today’s very best substitute for missing teeth. Whereas past generations may have turned to dentures, partials, and bridges when tooth loss was a concern, those false teeth were unable to perform naturally when it came to chewing certain foods. As a result patients were somewhat limited in their eating choices, or forced to compromise on comfort in order to eat properly.

For some patients, the inability to eat the foods of their choice is more than a matter of preference, it’s a matter of health. With limited food choices or without the desire of eating comfortably, malnutrition becomes a very real possibility. It’s a condition that often stems from difficulty chewing and it can have long-term consequences.

When the body lacks the vitamins and nutrients that come from a balanced diet, patients may suffer from gum disease, weakened bones, and weakened muscles. Without proper nutrition, chronic health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are also more difficult to manage.

The signs and symptoms of malnutrition may include general fatigue, bleeding gums, and muscle cramps that can become more severe as the condition progresses. The symptoms can also become more severe in elderly patients. Fortunately, dental implants are an ideal solution that is suitable for patients of all ages.

Implants are particularly effective because they are anchored directly to the underlying jawbone in order to provide the stability that is necessary for chewing fresh vegetables, raw fruits, and even meats. Plus, implants are designed to become a permanent part of your smile. That means that they will remain in place both day and night without needing to be removed and without the use of denture adhesives.

With dental implants, you can eat the foods that you want as well as the foods that you need while preserving your health and the quality of your life in the process. Contact the office of Dr. Paul Lounsberry today to learn more.