(217) 546-3333What is the Recovery Process Like for Cosmetic Dental Procedures?
October 2, 2012
Recovery process for popular cosmetic dental procedures
There is a recovery time for all dental procedures, but as time goes by and new methods are developed, the recovery period often shortens. This means sleepless nights and time off work are reduced to an absolute minimum.
Dental Veneers
Today, dental veneers are an amazingly different experience from earlier versions of this popular cosmetic dental procedure. The porcelain used is much thinner and much less conductive, which means an increase in dental sensitivity. The complete procedure now even takes less than 3 hours, and the recovery time is far shorter than in the past as the process needs far less anesthetic used to alleviate pain.
Dental Implants
With dental implants, as with any sort of surgery, the recovery period can vary depending on the type of procedure and the needs of the individual patient. Generally, the following are commonly experiences for patients after the procedure has been completed:
- Prescription pain medication is normally a necessity for 2-3 days.
- Swelling that may be a result of the procedure usually reaches a peak within a 24-36 hour period, then reduces at a steady pace and returns to normal within 3-5 days
- Patients can normally return to work 2-3 days after the surgery, if swelling in the face area is not a concern.
- A normal amount of physical activity and exercise can also re-start after the 2-3 day recuperation time.
For a single implant situation, there is normally only minor swelling and very little pain that requires medication. A patient is able to go back to their usual routine the next day. In both situations, the area might still be tender for 1-2 weeks afterwards as the tissues go about the full healing process.
The healing time may be greater if any molar extractions have taken place. It is impossible to reduce the healing time, but it can be delayed if you are a smoker, fail to eat a proper diet, fail to clean your teeth sufficiently, or if you have a medical condition, like diabetes.
If you or a member of your family is looking for more information on dental implants, veneers or other cosmetic denistry procedures, do not hesitate to contact Dr. VanderMolen, at (217) 546-3333 to discuss the options available to you. Click here for more information on the services available from Advanced Dental Care.
Dental Implants – Springfield IL – How Long Do They Last?
June 12, 2012
Dental implant is a relatively new field in aesthetic and medical subjects that can help people with dental problems. When people are experiencing missing tooth because of decay, accidents, or other issues, they won’t have to worry that such issue can hamper their looks. They can still look attractive and appealing with dental implants. According to most medical experts, dental implants are even better than dental bridges for the following reasons:
– Dental implant can work on its own. It’s independent and doesn’t need any support from any neighboring teeth.
– It can be long-lasting with correct care and maintenance.
– It’s reliable due to the solid support and foundation.
– It looks like real teeth, so people won’t have to worry that their teeth will look false or odd.
– It’s comfortable and supportive with a natural feel.
Professional dentists experienced in dental implants may perform two kinds of dental implant procedures for their patients. The implant types are:
– Endosteal or in the bone procedure. It’s one of the most common procedures. Doctors will place cylinders, blades, or screws in the jawbone through surgical method. This type of procedure will be performed for patients with removable dentures or dentures.
– Subperiostal or on the bone procedure. The procedure will be performed on the top side of the jaw with protruding metal framework in order to hold the prosthesis. This type of procedure will be performed for patients no have problems with conventional dentures and have the very minimum of bone height.
So how long do dental implants last? The most common working period will last between 15 to 20 years. However, it also depends on the maintenance and care. If people are able to care for their dental implants greatly, they can surpass the 20 years of lasting period. Moreover, the lasting period of the dental implants also depends greatly on the dentists’ skills. Consequently, finding a qualified and experienced dentist is paramount.
If people want to care for their dental implants, the methods are quite simple and easy, but everything needs to be done regularly. They need to brush and also floss their teeth. Be sure that they clean their teeth thoroughly. Regular dental check-ups as directed by your dentist are also essential.
Dr. VanderMolen is the experienced Dental Implant specialist you need for a successful outcome. For more information on Dental Implants and other solutions for your missing teeth, contact our office at (217) 546-3333 . We look forward to hearing from you!
Custom Dentures Springfield IL – What are the benefits?
May 15, 2012
Custom dentures are prosthetic teeth that are custom made according to comfortably and flawlessly fit inside a patient’s mouth, while having a realistic appearance. Custom dentures do not only serve a cosmetic purpose but are also functional too. The color, shape and size of the prosthetic teeth can be easily changed. Even the bite of custom dentures can be adjusted to ensure that patients are able to chew properly using these prosthetic teeth.
When dentists design the preliminary denture, they adjust it until it fits comfortably in the patient’s mouth while testing other concerns. Dentists continue making adjustments to the custom dentures until the patients are completely satisfied with the denture in their mouth. As patients continue providing feedback, dentists are able to adjust the custom dentures accurately according to specifications of each patient. Once both the dentist and the patient are satisfied with the preliminary denture, the final denture is fabricated.
Custom Dentures are Comfortable and Functional
Dentists use special materials to fabricate custom dentures so that they comfortably fit and easily adjust inside the patient’s mouth once the patient begins using the dentures. It is the material these dentures are made of that makes them custom, allowing dentists to continue making adjustments until the patient is satisfied with the results. Dentists do their best to ensure that patients ultimately feel happy with the look and feel of the custom dentures placed in their mouth. Dentists are even able to ensure that their patients feel comfortable even when using their dentures to bite hard by using a permanent soft-liner. The retention of the lower denture when the jaw is gripped by it is also increased by this feature.
Chewing is an important normal function and dentist custom grinds the prosthetic porcelain teeth that used to optimize the patient’s chewing ability. The angle cusp of the upper denture is kept at 33-degree and the dentist custom grinds the lower jaw to fit the upper teeth accurately. Thus, the bite and the chewing efficiency of the denture is stabilized by the custom grinding.
Custom Dentures Feel and Look like Real Teeth
A lovely smile is something that everyone wants and with custom dentures, dentists are able to satisfy their patients and achieve the desired look they want. It is much easier to please patients with custom dentures since they can be easily customized, and patients are able to have prosthetic teeth in their mouth, which are simply perfect for them.
Dentists use a particular material to fabricate custom dentures so that the enamel of natural teeth is ideally simulated. This is why the prosthetic porcelain teeth in custom dentures look so realistic and reflect light in the same unique fashion as real teeth. Thus, for all those who unfortunately lost all their teeth, but still dream of having a beautiful smile, custom dentures can prove to be quite a beneficial solution.
Dr. VanderMolen has the expertise to give you the best results. For more information on Custom Dentures or to schedule a consultation, contact us at 217-546-3333 or info@smilespringfield.com.
Custom Dentures in Springfield IL – What are they?
May 8, 2012
Custom Dentures are prosthetic teeth replacements, not unlike the dentures you have always heard of, but SO MUCH BETTER! Custom Dentures are made just for you with the look and feel you deserve.
Custom dentures look and feel more natural because they are made with you in mind. Factors such as age, color of natural teeth, size of mouth, gender and physical appearance help the dentist to determine the combination of teeth that would look best in your mouth.
Look at the teeth of others and you will notice that the most natural and beautiful smiles are made up of teeth that vary slightly in length and width, alignment and spacing. “Perfect” or “Chiklet” teeth are not the most natural! With Custom Dentures your smile will not give you away; no one will know that you have false teeth.
See Dr. VanderMolen today for more information on Custom Dentures and get the look that is right for you. To schedule a consultation, contact us at 217-546-3333 or info@smilespringfield.com
Teeth Whitening – How is it done?
January 18, 2012
Professional teeth whitening procedures easily last up to three years, depending on the lifestyle of the patient. Drinking too much coffee, tea, red wine and using tobacco products will accelerate the darkening of teeth. To prolong the effects of the teeth whitening procedure, patients are advised to cut down on snacks and drinks with high sugar levels and to use a whitening toothpaste.
Professional Bleaching
During professional bleaching hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is used. These chemicals are used to break down and permit the oxygen to get into the enamel of the teeth. This treatment is commonly done over three to four weeks. The cosmetic dentist will make a customized mouth guard in which the bleaching chemicals will be placed and on your teeth between 30 to 60 minutes per treatment. Some treatments can be continued at home. To speed up the whitening process, some treatments are left for up to 8 hours and results are visible within seven days.
Professional Internal Bleaching
With professional internal bleaching the bleaching agent is placed inside the core of the tooth thus working from the inside out. This form of whitening can only be performed on teeth that have been root treated and no nerves or blood vessels are present. The cosmetic dentist will drill a hole into ach of the teeth and placing the bleaching agent inside every tooth and then seal it again. Approximately seven days later the bleaching agent is removed and the holes are filled with a colored filling. Because of the lack of nerves, there is no pain associated with this procedure.
Laser Whitening
During the laser whitening process, rubber protection is placed on the gums and the teeth are painted with the bleaching product. Once the teeth are painted, a laser beam is projected onto the teeth that activate the bleaching agent. This form of teeth whitening can easily whitens the teeth up to six times lighter than the normal teeth shade. It is also known that laser teeth whitening are more costly than traditional bleaching.