One of our patients, Laura, came to us because she had lost a tooth in an accident. Laura was desperate to find a tooth replacement solution that would restore her smile and remain stable and attractive for years. Because Laura didn’t want to deal with her restoration on a daily basis, she opted for a dental implant.

Dental implants are small titanium rods that are surgically inserted into the jawbone, replacing the missing tooth root. Over time the titanium of the implant bonds with the jawbone. Once the implant is stable, it is capped with a natural-looking restoration.

One of the major benefits of dental implants is that they are permanently implanted into the jawbone, so they do not shift like dentures or bridges. Additionally, dental implants do not require an extensive amount of specialized care, they can be cared for in the same way that you care for your natural teeth.

In order to preserve the health and appearance of you dental implant our Sullivan dental implant dentists recommend that you:

Maintain healthy dental hygiene habits. You can help keep your mouth healthy by brushing and flossing at least twice a day and having semi-annual professional dental cleanings.

Watch what you chew. Your dental implant will allow you to eat and drink normally, but you should still take care to avoid chomping on hard candies and ice. These substances can cause small cracks in your restoration and undermine the strength of your implant.

Don’t grind or clench your teeth. Many patients habitually grind or clench their teeth, either because they are stressed or because their bit doesn’t align properly. If you notice that you’re suffering from aching jaw or tooth pain, tell your dentist—you may be grinding your teeth in your sleep.

Laura loved the look and functionality of her dental implant—she was able to smile confidently and easily maintain her teeth. Give our Sullivan dental implant dentists a call if you have any questions or you’d like more information—(573) 321-4008.

Our patient Lauren came in recently for her regular dental cleaning, and she mentioned that her teeth weren’t looking as luminous as she wanted them to. Lauren really wanted to refresh her smile before the holidays. Our Sullivan cosmetic dentists explained to her that with professional teeth whitening treatments we could lighten her smile by several shades.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening treatments are available as professional formulations and over the counter products. Although we frequently call these teeth whitening treatments, they are actually classified as teeth bleaching treatments, because they utilize carbamide or hydrogen peroxide to whiten dental enamel. Teeth bleaching products have the ability to whiten teeth beyond their natural shade of whiteness.

These products are generally applied as gels or pastes. They are kept in place with mouthpieces, whitening strips, or are applied directly to exposed teeth and cured with a laser.

The primary difference between professional teeth whitening products and at-home formulations is the potency of the product. The teeth whitening gel that your dentist uses has a greater concentration of peroxide, meaning that it whitens teeth faster and more effectively than at-home products. Self-administered whitening strips or gels have a lower concentration of active ingredients, so although they are less effective, they are also less expensive and they can be applied without a dentist’s supervision. Additionally, some patients will find that their teeth are only responsive to full strength professional products—this often depends on the extent and type of enamel staining.

Lauren chose to have professional teeth whitening, and she loves the results. Her teeth are significantly whiter now, and her whole smile looks younger and more cohesive. If you’ve been considering cosmetic dentistry in general or teeth whitening in particular, don’t hesitate to give our Sullivan cosmetic dentists a call for more information—(573) 321-4008—we’re here to help!