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Dental Associates Blog

Our Experts. Your Oral Health

dentist working on patient while replacing teeth
Jan 14
5 Tooth Replacement Options Your Dentist May Recommend

In dentistry, we are looking to ensure our patients have healthy and strong teeth that allow them to eat, smile and talk confidently. For many individuals, this is a challenge and leads them to look for the best options for replacement teeth. While we are always looking to preserve a patient’s natural teeth, we often run into situations where a dentist must remove and replace a damaged tooth. In these cases, your provider will help to determine the best tooth replacement options. Depending on your situation, you may have to consult with multiple specialists such as, your general dentist, a prosthodontist who specializes in tooth restoration and replacement, an oral surgeon, or a periodontist who treats gum disease. Everyone’s best option is different based on your unique situation, budget, and overall dental health. Often, the process of restoration and replacement begins with your general dentist. What Are the Tooth Replacement Options Available? Dental Implants Dental implants are a popular option for replacing a single tooth, a few teeth, or even a full set. Implants create a strong foundation for fixed or removable teeth, made to match your natural teeth by replacing tooth roots with titanium posts and securing the replacement teeth in place. Typically, implants require the following three steps: Surgical placement of the implant post Healing from the implant placement Replacing missing teeth (temporary teeth may be used during the interim steps) Sometimes a dentist can perform the steps in one visit, and in other cases, this process takes a series of visits to complete. Benefits of Dental Implants Dental implants look and function like a natural tooth Dental implants are very durable and will last many years. With proper care, they can last a lifetime. The tooth feels stable and strong Dental implants help preserve bone and bone tissue You can brush and floss normally, making them easier to keep clean Dental implants can be individualized to replace a single tooth without relying on other adjacent teeth Fixed Bonded Bridges Used to fill gaps in your smile, a dental bridge is held in place by abutment teeth on either side of the gap. While a traditional bridge uses dental crowns on the abutment teeth, this bridge uses a framework of either metal or porcelain that is bonded to the backs of the abutment teeth. This type of bridge can only be used when you have a natural tooth on either side of the gap. Benefits of Fixed Bonded Bridges Fixed bonded bridges look and feel like natural teeth They are less expensive than dental implants You do not have to remove fixed bridges to clean them or eat Removable Partial Dentures Traditional dentures are bulkier and can cause bone shrinkage and deterioration of the muscle tissue. Over time, the denture can become looser making it more difficult to talk and eat. Oral hygiene is easy to maintain with the traditional denture, and the denture is affordable, but you will have to limit your diet and avoid fruits and vegetables. Benefits of Removable Partial Dentures This is usually an affordable option compared to implants or fixed bridges This treatment is relatively noninvasive and quick compared to fixed bridges and dental implants Implant-Supported Dentures Implant-supported dentures are sturdier than traditional dentures because they use implants for retention rather than adhesive to stay in place. The support of the implant allows the dental fixture to be shaped into a horseshoe, reducing the bulkiness and opening the palate to create more space for the tongue and better ability to taste food. Implant-supported dentures are sturdier and do not require adhesive. Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures Affordable option for significant improvement in the ability to chew and smile The implants provide support, which eliminates the need for adhesive and functions more like natural teeth Maintaining and cleaning the denture is easy Preserves bone, gum tissue, and muscle tone Full-Arch Dental Implants Sometimes referred to as an implant bridge, or all-on-four, the full-arch dental implant is less likely to become loose over time and is fixed. It preserves the bone and muscle tone and allows for confident eating and talking. Full-arch dental implants are the closest tooth replacement option to natural teeth and are also the least bulky option. Benefits of Full-Arch Dental Implants The replacement teeth feel more stable and less bulky than dentures Since this is a permanent fixture, there is no risk of shifting or slipping throughout the day They provide the look and feel of natural teeth The same simple care of natural teeth

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woman in a dental chair getting a dental procedure done
Nov 6
7 Ways to Calm Dental Anxiety and Fear of the Dentist

Learn Ways to Calm Nerves Before a Dentist Visit Many patients have a fear of the dentist and are looking for ways to calm down before coming in for an appointment. I know my colleagues and teams take pride in making our patients feel comfortable before, during, and after a routine cleaning or more involved procedure.

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dental office with a screen showing a dental x-ray
May 21
Green Bay Sedation Dentist

If the thought of going to the dentist makes you anxious or scared, you’re not alone! We see many patients who are scared or worried when coming to the dentist—whether for regular cleaning, a filling, or even an extraction. At Dental Associates, we want to better help patients who have these feelings. Some of our dentists underwent additional training to offer sedation dentistry. As a sedation dentist, your dental team will use an IV line to sedate patients and keep them calm during their dental appointment

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dental assistant using a digital dental scanner to take digital impressions
Mar 29
Digital Impressions for Dentistry and Orthodontics

If you’ve ever had braces, a crown, a bridge or an implant, you know how unpleasant the goopy impression material is. But did you know there’s an alternative to traditional impressions? With modern technology, your dentist can now take an impression of your mouth digitally—that means no gag-inducing material and no need to retake impressions! Digital impressions allow dentists to gather all the information they need about your mouth to create your crown, bridge, retainer, or other dental appliance or treatment. Watch this short video to discover the benefits of digital impressions, then read on to learn more!

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X-ray image showing wisdom teeth
Dec 5
Wisdom Teeth: the Timing and What to Expect

There once was a wise person named Murphy, who came up with a “law” that we have all heard: if anything bad can happen, it will happen and when you least expect it. Murphy’s Law. Putting off wisdom teeth removal may lead to something bad happening when you least expect it. Here’s how to prevent that. When Do Wisdom Teeth Appear? Wisdom teeth typically start developing between the ages of 14 and 22. Each case is different though; sometimes only 2 or 3 will appear, or none at all. It’s important to be proactive because wisdom teeth can be very painful and disrupt surrounding permanent teeth if not taken care of at the appropriate time. A panorex is an X-ray that takes an image of the entire mouth, including the teeth, upper and lower jaws, sinus cavities, and surrounding structures and tissues. A panorex allows us to see the bigger picture and evaluate what’s happening in a patient’s mouth to better decide what the course of action for future treatment should be. I typically recommend that your child have a panorex taken around the age of 15 to see exactly where the wisdom teeth are sitting in the mouth. It’s best to be proactive and make a plan for your child’s wisdom teeth, rather than waiting until they cause your child pain. That way, your child won’t be in pain and miles away at college when they find they need to have wisdom teeth removed. To avoid any surprises or complications, I recommend that kids get their wisdom teeth taken out before they go off to college. What to Expect about Wisdom Teeth Removal It’s important to keep your mouth clean after wisdom teeth extraction and follow the instructions your dentist gives you. Be sure to listen to what your child’s dentist says regarding diet and preparation in the few days leading up to the procedure. Especially if they’re being sedated, they shouldn’t have anything to eat the day of the procedure. Here are a few ways to take care of your mouth after wisdom teeth extraction: Your child is most likely going to be uncomfortable after and in moderate pain. Sometimes the pain depends on how impacted the teeth were that were extracted Swelling is normal and peaks within 48 hours. Don’t be alarmed if it takes a few days to go down, and if there is some bruising along with it Your child can lightly chew on gauze to help stop any bleeding. If there is some oozing and seeping that looks like the wounds may be bleeding, it’s perfectly normal—just a part of the healing process Consume a liquid diet for the first few days, but do not drink through straws Brush teeth carefully. Your child can still (and should!) brush their teeth, but take care when brushing around the back of the mouth. Rinse lightly, as wounds take a while to heal Your child’s dentist may give them a syringe to help rinse the sockets. Be sure to use it and carefully clean the wounds What Is a Dry Socket? A dry socket is the most common complication of wisdom teeth extraction. It typically happens 3-4 days after the surgery and occurs when the blood clot is dislodged from where the tooth was. It can be very painful, and usually has an odor along with it. A dry socket is easily fixed by coming back to the dentist and having a medicated dressing put into the socket. Be Proactive! Talk to your child’s dentist about their wisdom teeth to ensure the teeth do not disrupt the surrounding teeth or cause more severe issues. If you would like to have your child seen by a Dental Associates dentist, you can book an appointment below.

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