5 Reasons to Go Ahead With Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry has the ability to solve a wide range of dental issues.

Imperfections are beautiful and can add to the mystique and intrigue of a person. Famous model and actor Cindy Crawford is a great example of how a physical imperfection actually added to her beauty and helped her build her public brand.

The same can be said for imperfect smiles as well. Dakota Johnson fans were sad to learn the star had undergone dental treatment to close the gap between her two front teeth. But sometimes, a cosmetic change is about more than appearance.

Here are 5 reasons to go ahead and get cosmetic dentistry.

You just want to make a cosmetic change.

A change via cosmetic dentistry is definitely a long-term commitment. But if making a change to your smile is something you know you want, talk to Dr. Bentz. He can help by talking with you about your goals and the different avenues you can take to achieve those goals with your dental team.

Being happy with your smile is a personal decision. Sometimes, though, those imperfections might actually be impacting your functional health.

You need cosmetic treatment.

Often, cosmetic changes impact the rest of your smile or the health of a tooth in particular. A small gap between the top two teeth as seen from Madonna and Dakota Johnson can be a sign of a misalignment in your overall bite. That misalignment can affect your temporomandibular jaw joints (better known as TMJ) and the way your teeth will wear while chewing.

You’ll be able to keep eating what you love.

Your teeth play an important role in your ability to eat and digest food by grinding and chewing it. Unfortunately, there are a lot of dental issues that can impact both the appearance and function of your teeth. A misaligned bite can cause severe TMJ pain that makes it hard to eat any food at all—especially foods that tend to be chewy or crunchy. Receiving treatment for your TMJ pain, which can include practicing exercises at home or undergoing cosmetic or orthodontic treatment, will reduce or eliminate your pain. You’ll finally be able to go back to eating without being in pain or worrying that you’ll set off another round of jaw pain.

Additionally, getting dental implants to replace missing teeth is the next best thing to reversing the clock and getting your natural teeth back. Even if you have restorations like traditional dentures, missing teeth make it incredibly difficult to eat certain types of foods. Dental implants avoid these pitfalls and allow you to eat naturally because the titanium metal rods are embedded directly into your jaw. They also encourage bone growth; your jaw bone actually grows up around your implant, holding it more firmly in place. This level of stability means that you can continue to eat all of your favorite foods, from crunchy toffee or sticky caramel to chewy steak.

You’ll love the results.

Modern cosmetic dentistry uses advanced technology and procedures to revitalize your smile. Restorations like dental veneers, crowns, and dental implants are designed and milled specifically for you from porcelain. Porcelain matches the gloss and color of natural teeth so well—especially since the color can be tinted to match the exact shade of your existing teeth—that it blends in with the rest of your smile seamlessly. Porcelain mimics natural teeth so well that you can even replace a missing front tooth with dental implants and no one will know that your implant isn’t your natural tooth.

Additionally, when you replace missing teeth with dental implants, the same stability that allows you to eat all of your favorite foods ensures that your restorations won’t slip out of place when you’re speaking or laughing. Even implant-supported dentures will stay locked in place, so you can go on about your life without giving your dentures a second thought.

Your remaining teeth will stay healthier.

Your at-home oral care routine is an incredibly important part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Unfortunately, crooked or irregularly shaped teeth are harder to clean thoroughly because they create a lot of nooks and crannies in your mouth that are hard to reach. This makes these areas more vulnerable to gum disease or tooth decay, both of which can eventually lead to tooth loss if they go untreated. It’s much easier to clean straight, even teeth, so cosmetic treatments like veneers, crowns, and implants can help keep your teeth healthier.

Prosthodontics—the field of dentistry that involves replacing missing teeth with porcelain bridges or dental implants—is especially important for keeping your remaining teeth healthy. This is because when you lose a tooth, your natural teeth will begin to shift into the new gap in your mouth. This shift in the alignment of your teeth increases your chances of suffering from oral health issues. It also changes the shape of your face.

Your overall health and immunity will improve.

A cosmetic dental procedure usually comes with the added bonus of improving your functional health as well. Which is great, because in recent decades, scientists have established a solid link between your oral and overall health. When your oral health is suffering, it can significantly impact your overall health. For example, periodontitis allows oral bacteria into your bloodstream, which can affect your health in many major ways. It weakens your immune system because your body is constantly trying to fight off the bacteria in your bloodstream. The oral bacteria themselves attack your immune cells to selectively destroy their ability to fight bacteria without killing them, which opens the door for other illnesses.

And this barrage causes other issues. A constant immune response causes chronic inflammation throughout your body and increases your risks of suffering from a number of overall health issues. Periodontitis has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and more. At the same time, it makes it harder to control existing health conditions like diabetes.

We have to get your teeth and gums healthy before you undergo cosmetic dentistry treatments. Most treatments will help to protect your future oral health, too.

Dental implants go a step further by actively protecting the bone density in your jaw, as they prevent—and to some extent, help to reverse—the bone loss in your jaw that naturally results from losing a tooth. It’s always healthier to have denser, stronger bones, so a strong jaw is better for your overall and oral health.

We understand, however, that cosmetic dentistry procedures are complex and you likely have a lot of questions, such as, “How much do dental implants cost?” If so, feel free to call our office at any time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bentz.

Your Best Retirement: Self-Care, Health, and Enjoying Life

Self-care

Retirement is called the golden years for a reason.

No matter how much we love our careers, we all look forward to retirement. It’s the crowning achievement in every working person’s life. Plus, it’s a time to relax and enjoy the life we’ve built for ourselves. In the United States, the average worker retires between the ages of 63 and 65 and enjoys at least 20 years of retirement.

So how do you get the most enjoyment out of your retirement years? The key to having the best retirement possible is to have a plan.

Luckily, we’ve outlined some helpful tips and tricks below. Keep reading to find out how you can have the retirement you always dreamed of.

Put your needs and wants first.

Thanks to 40 years of self-discipline and sacrifice, you’re used to prioritizing the needs of others. You needed to support your household, children, and loved ones, so it was only natural to put others first.

But once you’ve retired, it’s time to think about what you want for a change. Are you torn between helping your child cover a downpayment on a house and a bucket list vacation?

Choose the vacation.

At least 50% of retired Americans use their own savings to help their adult children. But you worked hard for that money and it needs to last you through retirement. Think about what you want to do with your own money before deciding if you can realistically help someone else.

Build health and wellness into your daily routine.

If you want to have the best retirement possible, start eating right and exercising regularly. A healthy diet can help you feel better and improve your oral health, while exercise can boost your mood and improve your strength.

Start each day with a healthy breakfast and a brisk walk. This routine will jumpstart your metabolism and you’ll feel ready to tackle the day. Plus, this kind of structure can help replace your former work routine.

Retiring is a major life transition, so it’s common to feel stressed or even aimless at times. Mental health is a critical part of overall wellness, so if diet and exercise aren’t helping, you should reach out to a mental health professional for help.

Invest in your social life.

Retirement comes with a lot of freedom. But that freedom also means you’re losing some of your routines that put in you front of people on a regular basis. You probably had the chance to connect with your work friends each day without much effort.

Without those social connections, it’s natural to feel a little lonely. So cultivate your friendships once you retire. You can make lunch plans with a coworker, go for a walk with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or call a loved one. With a vibrant social life, you’ll feel happier and more connected to others.

And feeling connected to others has shown to increase our longevity and result in better health overall.

Keep up with your healthcare.

One of the best retirement tips is to keep up with your healthcare. Maybe you’ve been neglecting your yearly physicals, your dental cleanings, or your eye exams. Now that you don’t have to coordinate your appointments with your days off work, it’s a great time to prioritize your wellness checks. Make sure to get yearly blood work and take care of your cancer screenings.

The more frequently you visit the doctor, the sooner you’ll be able to catch any potential problems.

Do things you’ve been putting off.

Whether it’s working on renovation projects around the house or cleaning out the garage, retirement is the perfect time to cross things off your list. It’s a great way to give yourself a sense of purpose and accomplishment that you may be lacking without work-related goals.

Try to get to those fun projects, though, sooner rather than later. Something that is more of a hobby than a project even. If you’ve always wanted to learn Italian or start a vegetable garden, try it out now. You can use retirement to do the things you’ve been putting off, whether it’s a household project or an exciting new hobby.

Try out some local activities.

You don’t have to go on a major trip right away if you don’t want to. Stay close to home and enjoy what the area has to offer.

If you call the Philadelphia area home, there’s a ton of great local activities to enjoy. You can go hiking, enjoy a park picnic, and check out a local farmer’s market, all without leaving the metro area.

Book your dream trips.

But if you have been dreaming of traveling the globe, make a plan. While you have unlimited vacation time, make sure you’re back for the important moments in the kids’ and grandkids’ lives, too. And by important, we mean graduations and weddings and christenings. Don’t feel bad for scheduling a trip that coincides with the loss of little Timmy’s first tooth. The grandkids can video chat you to stay connected.

If the trip includes something physically demanding like hiking or skydiving, work up to it, especially if you’re like most of us who spend our work days sitting at a desk. Start an exercise routine that will get you into shape for your big plans.

Spend your retirement savings (wisely).

A happy retirement needs to strike the balance between spending wisely and enjoying your money. After all, this is what you’ve been saving for all your life. And, of course, you don’t want to run out of money, either, which can cause stress and frustration.

If you’re not sure how to strike this balance, talk to a trusted financial advisor. They can help you decide how to balance your social security check with your pension, 401k, or any other savings you might have.

You deserve the best retirement possible.

After decades of hard work and sacrifice, you’ve earned the right to enjoy the best retirement ever.

While you’re having the time of your life, don’t forget to make time to visit the dentist. At Bentz Dental Implant and Prosthodontic Center, we offer everything from preventative cleanings to smile restorations.

We’ll see you soon.

Before You Get Dental Implants—Read This!

Restorative Dental Care

Brightening Your Smile With Dental Implants

Did you know 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth? That’s over half the population. Is this the year that you join the millions who are taking the leap and getting dental implants?

No matter how excited you are for your results, the procedure can seem intimidating. The more you know about what to expect, the less daunting your surgery will be. Start with these top facts to know before you get dental implants.

How does the dental implant procedure work?

Each dental implant consists of two main parts: a titanium post and a porcelain crown. The post replaces your tooth’s root by stabilizing the implant in your jaw bone. The porcelain crown is the cosmetic part of the implant, mimicking the look of your natural teeth.

While there are different timelines and options available, the overall process for a dental implant is the same. Your surgeon starts by evaluating and taking images of your jaw bone, which lets them see whether you have the oral health and bone tissue to support an implant.

If you don’t, your surgeon will design a treatment plan around it. They may arrange bone grafts to build up your jaw bone tissue, or recommend treatment for gum disease before they start the implant process.

When your mouth is ready, the titanium post will be placed into the socket of your jaw bone where your tooth root used to be. Your dentist will create a custom crown to match your teeth and attach it either permanently or in a removable way.

How long does the process take?

In a traditional dental implant surgery, the process takes a few months. The surgeon places the posts in the first procedure, then you need to wait for your bone to develop around the post, securing it in place, which can take a few months.

After that time, your surgeon will attach your crown to the implant and you’re ready to enjoy your new implant.

There are new techniques, however, that allow some patients to complete the whole process in one day. You will still require healing time, but you don’t need to wait until the healing is complete before you have a stunning new smile.

How do I know if I’m a good candidate for dental implants?

While dental implants are intended for people who are missing teeth, not everyone with missing teeth is a candidate. You need to have the health and bone tissue to be able to support your implants.

On top of healthy bone tissue, you need to have strong gum health. If you have signs of gum disease, you’ll need to treat it effectively before your implant surgery.

If you don’t have the bone tissue you need, hope isn’t lost. We can use bone grafting procedures to enhance and strengthen your bone tissue.

Ultimately, only an implant dentist can tell you whether you’re a candidate or what you might need to become a candidate for implants.

How much do dental implants cost?

Prices vary for any medical procedure, and dental implants are no exception. Between the implant post, the crown, the office visits, and other necessities, implants often range between $3,000 and $4,500 each.

That’s a loose range, though. Your cost will vary based on your oral health, your implant surgeon, your potential need for bone grafts, and more. There are various dental implant options too, and this will impact your total cost.

You may not need to bear the full cost on your own, though. Many dental insurance plans cover some of the cost of dental implants.

How do I care for my dental implants?

The beauty of dental implants is that they look, feel, and function like natural teeth. That holds true for the maintenance too.

You should brush and floss your implants the same way you would your natural teeth. Dental implants can also be damaged by plaque buildup, so just like natural teeth, you need to keep up with consistent cleanings from your dentist.

What are my options for dental implants?

Every patient’s implant process is customized to their oral health and their needs. However, within the category of dental implants, there are several options you may have depending on your circumstances.

Traditional Implant Surgery

A typical implant surgery involves the multi-procedure process we described above. You receive the post implant in the first visit. After the bone has adhered to the implant and your custom crown is ready, you can receive the custom crown on your second visit.

This is a common strategy that works for a wide range of patients. The downside is that you have weeks or months of waiting before you can get the cosmetic results you want.

Same-Day Implants

Some patients are eligible for our advanced same-day implant procedure. With this process, we use cutting-edge technology to create your crown in the office. This lets us place the titanium implant and attach the crown on the same day.

All-on-4

Some patients with no natural teeth choose to transition from dentures to full implants. This doesn’t mean you need 32 individual implants. Instead, we often use an option called All-on-4.

In this procedure, we place four titanium posts at specific angles. This allows those four implants to support a full mouth of crowns. You get a shiny new smile without an extensive series of pricey procedures.

All-on-4 is also helpful because you only need robust bone tissue in four areas of the jawbone, not the entire jawbone. This often lets us avoid bone grafts.

What to do before you get dental implants.

If your dentist has recommended dental implants, you’re on the road to a brighter, more beautiful smile. Now that you know all about the basics of the procedure and what to expect, you can start the process feeling confident in the journey ahead.

Remember that every implant procedure is unique to the patient. To discuss your specific case and how implants may help you, call Bentz Dental Implants to schedule a consultation.

5 Things Dentistry Prosthodontics Can Treat That Surprise Most People

Restorative Dental Care

Prosthodontics isn’t just about replacing missing teeth.

In the U.S., 7% of people lose at least one permanent tooth before they turn 17. By their mid-30s and 40s, more than two thirds have lost a tooth.

Tooth loss can impact your daily life and your overall well-being. When that happens, it’s time to see a prosthodontist to get a replacement tooth in the form of an implant, veneers, or partial dentures.

But, prosthodontics is about much more than just replacing missing teeth. Read on to learn what other conditions you can treat with this type of dentistry.

What is prosthodontics?

Prosthodontics is a type of dentistry that restores the appearance and function of your teeth and mouth. It includes the entire process, including a diagnosis, designing the solution, and placing the restoration.

This is also known as prosthetic dentistry because it uses replacement teeth to make your mouth look and function at its best.

Your prosthodontist might restore your smile with a crown, a bridge, dentures, or veneers. They can also handle complex smile makeovers, dental implants, and bite and jaw issues.

1. Occlusal Disease and TMJ Symptoms

Occlusal disease is a condition that affects your bite. It happens when your top and bottom teeth are misaligned. If your bite doesn’t feel right and you have tooth sensitivity or jaw pain, you could be suffering from occlusal disease.

If you don’t treat occlusal disease, it can wear down your teeth and put extra stress on your jaw bone. You might also notice TMJ symptoms, which is pain in the joint that connects your jaw to your skull.

A prosthodontist can address these problems by reshaping some of your teeth so they fit together better. If some teeth have worn down, they can add a cap to address the problem. If it’s an alignment issue, they might even suggest braces or another orthodontic treatment.

2. Snoring and Sleep Disorders

If your spouse or partner complains about your snoring or you often wake up tired, you might have sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea breathe irregularly while they’re sleeping. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea, where the throat muscles relax and narrow your airway.

The great news is, you may be able to get some relief with prosthodontics. Your dentist can create a special mouth guard that will keep your airway open while you sleep.

This type of mouth guard pushes your jaw and tongue forward, which keeps your airway open. Keep in mind that mouth guards for snoring and sleep apnea aren’t the same as the ones for teeth grinding.

Over-the-counter mouth guards for teeth grinding, only fit over your top teeth. For snoring relief, you need one that repositions your jaw. That’s why it’s better to get a custom guard from your dentist.

3. Traumatic Mouth Injuries

Prosthodontists can also fix problems from traumatic mouth injuries. Playing sports, car accidents, and other accidental mishaps can damage your teeth and mouth. It can cause pain, low self-esteem, and make it harder to talk or eat.

As soon as the injury occurs, you should see an endodontist, which is a specialist who handles emergency dental care. If you get treatment soon enough, you may be able to save your tooth.

After the endodontist treats the initial trauma, a prosthetic dentist can take over. If you’ve chipped, cracked, or lost a tooth, there is a prosthetic solution. Your dentist will evaluate the health of your tooth and give you some options for restoration.

If you have one or more missing teeth, they might suggest dental implants or a bridge. If you have a chipped or broken tooth, they might need to repair a crown or do a filling. If you’ve had a serious mouth injury, a prosthodontist can rebuild your upper and lower jaws and restore your teeth.

4. Congenital Issues or Birth Anomalies

Congenital issues or birth anomalies are something you’re born with. It can happen to any part of your body, including your mouth and teeth. If your teeth, mouth, or jaw makes you feel self-conscious or it interferes with your daily life, a prosthodontist can help.

If you have an area where a tooth never erupted, a prosthetic dentist can offer a solution. They might suggest a dental implant or braces to address the missing tooth.

If it’s a structural issue with your jaw, your dentist can actually rebuild the structure of your mouth. This will provide a stronger foundation for your teeth and protect the structural integrity of your face. Plus, you’ll enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile that will last for the rest of your life.

5. Damage from Cancer Treatment

Unfortunately, one of the additional side effects of cancer and cancer treatment is dental problems. Some treatments can affect the salivary glands, and with less moisture in your mouth, you’re at a higher risk for cavities, sensitive gums, and jaw pain.

A prosthodontist can offer solutions to these problems to help lower your risk of infection and maintain the function of your mouth.

Oral cancer treatment can also change the look and function of your mouth. A prosthetic dentist can reconstruct the shape of your jaw with bone grafting. They can also use dental implants or implant-supported dentures to give you back your smile.

Are you in need of prosthodontic care?

Whether you’re dealing with tooth loss, a dental issue you’ve had since birth, an injury, or TMJ, prosthodontics can help. With the right care, you can improve your smile and your overall health.

If you’re suffering from any of the above conditions and you’re in need of prosthodontic care, Bentz Dental can help. We offer everything from bridges and dentures to implants and full-mouth reconstruction. Contact us today to book an appointment or to learn more about our services.

September 2020