(217) 546-3333Dental Implants Offer a Superior Alternative
July 15, 2013
If you are wearing dentures at the moment and you would really like a change, dental implants may be right for you. Dr. VanderMolen at Advanced Dental Care can offer you this innovative, permanent alternative.
You don’t have to be one of the thousands of people who are living with dentures which do not fit well, and therefore cause continual discomfort. Dentures have served a purpose for many decades for those people who have had to endure tooth loss with its accompanying problems of eating and speaking. If you are looking for more natural looking and feeling teeth, there is now an option where permanent dental implants can be installed to replace traditional dentures.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a replacement tooth root that is fixed into the jaw bone and acts as a foundation to support dental prosthetics. At the time that the implants are installed, Dr. VanderMolen will drill small holes into the jawbone, and put into position small, threaded rods made from titanium. When he has completed this process, he will tighten the dental implants so that they will not move. The dental implants will be positioned where teeth are missing so that they can act as a foundation for a dental crown or bridge which can be firmly fixed into place.
There are great benefits when using dental implants as a substitute for dentures. The most important is that they form a firm foundation for affixing permanent replacement teeth. Once this has been added, then eating and speaking occur with far more confidence. Dental Implants, firmly rooted in the jaw, look and act as natural teeth.
Less Chance of Allergic Reactions with Titanium Implants
Materials used in dentures can sometimes cause allergic reactions in their recipients, but titanium dental implants do not cause the same sorts of responses, even though they are embedded firmly into the jawbone. This means that more people can use dental implants to replace those teeth that have been lost. Over time their true worth will be revealed as you will smile, eat and speak as naturally as if you had all your original teeth.
If you have lost teeth and would like to know more about how dental implant procedure can benefit you, make an appointment by calling Dr VanderMolen at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield today at (217) 546-3333.
Take advantage of our FREE Dental Implant Seminars held regularly in Springfield. For more information CLICK HERE.
2013 Small Business of the Year Nomination
June 26, 2013
On Monday we were honored to be nominated by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce for the 2013 Small Business of the Year Award.
Here’s a picture of Dr VanderMolen and the team with the nomination certificate:
It’s truly an honor to be able to live and work in such a GREAT place. Thank you to ALL of our patients and friends for making it all possible.
Oral Care for Teens: What Parents Need to Know
June 17, 2013
We all have that desire to show off a lovely smile, but what we do not want are stained teeth, bad breath, decaying teeth, tooth loss or gum disease, whether as a teenager or an adult. All of these can be prevented at just about any age through the use of Preventative Dentistry procedures.
However, the teenage years are often the time when teeth are neglected the most. A busy teenager has a social life to enjoy, examinations to take and a future to think about. With little time to free up while experiencing the excitement of growing up, dental visits and serious oral health care sometimes become less of a priority.
Failing to implement good dental care practices while in the teenage years can be very bad for future oral and dental health. In the long run, this could destroy a smile and break the teenager’s long term confidence, especially in social situations.
Points of importance for a teen’s dental care
- We recommend that your teen brushes and flosses his or her teeth at least two times a day. If they want to maintain a better smile, a brush following each meal will add that freshness to the face.
- Teenage diets should be packed with nutrients that will build up and maintain the health of permanent teeth. This means only consuming moderate amounts of starchy or sweet food to avoid the development of any dental cavities and other gum problems.
- Hormonal changes throughout puberty can contribute to the development of minor periodontal disease by increasing the blood flow circulating around the gums. This leads to a rise in sensitivity in the gums which, when irritated by food or liquids, become inflamed, feel painful to touch and sometimes turn a red color.
- Smoking, which is often started in the teen years, causes stained teeth, loss of teeth, gum disease, bad breath and mouth cancer. If smoking and drinking take place together, this can elevate the chance of mouth cancer development.
- The greatest number of dental accidents and the resultant injuries take place between 13 and 17 years age, while playing sports. In some sports such as basketball and baseball a mouth guard should be used to protect the teeth from accidental injury.
- Visiting the dentist should be promoted and monitored by parents, who should also emphasize dental health when bringing up teens by ensuring that dental checkups are regular and their teeth are assessed for periodontal disease.
- There are many ways that your dentist can help your teenage son or daughter to improve their self image by offering teeth shaping cosmetic procedures. Click here for more information on these services.
Personal image and what other people think about us are far more important in teenage years than in any other part of our lives. Different types of cosmetic dentistry options are available for teens who would like to enhance their appearance and personal image and they are not always too complicated or expensive.
If you would like advice on how you could help your teenage child’s oral hygiene, do not hesitate, call Advanced Dental Care at (217) 546-3333 today, to make an appointment. We would love to see you at our office.
Implant Dentistry: Preserving Natural Dentition
June 3, 2013
Preserving natural dentition
Dental implants have become one of the most comfortable and effective means of teeth replacement. The reason for the wide-spread use of dental implants in restorative dentistry is the excellent set of aesthetic and functional properties of dental implants. Among the numerous benefits of dental implants, the most important is the preservation of the natural dentition.
After the loss of a tooth, the surrounding bone undergoes resorption (bone loss) extensively due to lack of support. A dental implant placed in the same socket holds the bone and prevents undue loss.
Loss of a tooth creates an imbalance in the dental occlusion. The tooth present opposite to the missing tooth becomes functionally compromised. There can be a drifting of the rest of the teeth causing gaps between them and the tight contacts open up. Food particles and debris can get trapped in these gaps and become difficult to remove. Eventually, the teeth undergo decay and might even progress to the stage of loss of vitality if treatment is not done in the right time. Proper oral hygiene in such circumstances becomes difficult, thus increasing the chances of periodontal disease. Dental implants can prevent these problems by providing a functional replacement for the missing tooth.
If crowns and bridges are utilized as an option for teeth replacement, the integrity of neighboring teeth can be affected adversely. This is mainly due to the fact that they derive their support from the adjacent teeth. The periodontal ligament and the bone of the adjacent teeth have to bear extra stresses which in due course of time weaken them and, at times, even lead to their loss. Dental implants are inserted directly into the bone so they do not require support from the neighboring teeth. They function independently and naturally similar to every other tooth in the dentition.
Are you interested in learning more about dental implants? Attend one of our monthly No Cost/No Obligation Dental Implant Seminars. For details and dates and to register CLICK HERE or call us at (217) 546-3333
Dr. VanderMolen has the answers you need. Call and make an appointment at Advanced Dental Care today, (217) 546-3333.
The High Costs of Neglecting Your Teeth
May 27, 2013
It’s true; many Americans are neglecting their teeth. With limited dental coverage provided by insurance companies, many visit the dentist only when a serious problem arises. However, skipping your regularly scheduled dental check-ups can result in long-term costs to your health and your bank account. Preventative Dentistry is essential to a healthy mouth and body.
If you are waiting until you are in pain to visit the dentist, you are waiting too long. A small cavity may not cause pain until it has reached the root of the tooth. A relatively cheap and quick procedure to fill a cavity can prevent the need for a root canal, removal or implant which can cost thousands of dollars per tooth. During your regular dental visits, you will also be screened for signs of oral cancer. A recent study found that oral cancer is now the most expensive type of cancer to treat, with the average annual costs at almost $80,000 per year. The problem with most oral cancers is that they are uncovered so late in the disease that treatment is extremely difficult; early detection is the key to combating the treatment costs.
It is a fact that good oral hygiene is essential to overall health. Poor dental care can lead to all sorts of other health issues, including the number one killer in America: Cardiovascular disease. Oral bacteria build up when teeth are neglected and have been linked to clogged arteries and stroke. Another type of heart disease, endocarditis, has also been linked to bad dental hygiene. Heart disease alone costs over 300 billion dollars in health costs each year in the U.S.
In addition to visiting Dr. VanderMolen regularly for cleaning and check-ups, there are steps you can take on a daily basis to increase your oral health; regular brushing and flossing, a healthy diet low in sugar and avoidance of tobacco products.
It’s never too late to take control of your oral care. Contact Advanced Dental Care of Springfield today at (217) 546 – 3333, and set up an appointment. Dr. VanderMolen can provide you with a custom assessment analyze your risk factors and get you back on track to better health.