Lakewood Complete Dentistry Blog

While the teeth are usually the most noticeable part of the smile, the gums serve the crucial role of providing them with the circulation, nutrition, and structural support they need to stay healthy and beautiful. Unfortunately, the gums can be compromised by factors like injury and infection, which can lead to serious long-term consequences like tooth loss and possibly dangerous secondary infections like pneumonia and sepsis. Here’s a quick overview of why your gums may be sore and inflamed and what you can do about it.

Since it first earned FDA approval for cosmetic applications 1989, BOTOX®, also known as botulinum toxin, has quickly become the most common cosmetic procedure in the United States. In fact, the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons estimates that 7.4 million injections were performed in 2022 alone. But what is it, and where did this injectable treatment come from? Here’s a brief history of BOTOX®, and how your dentist can use it to make you appear more youthful!

If you’ve looked in the bathroom mirror recently and noticed that your face is beginning to show signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sunken cheeks, or sagging lips, you might be starting to worry that your days of looking youthful are behind you – but this isn’t true! With the help of dermal fillers, you can enjoy results that have you looking youthful and vibrant once more. Keep reading to learn a little more about dermal fillers and how they can be used to promote incredible, natural-looking results.

You want to straighten out your crooked teeth, and you know you have two options for doing so: traditional braces or Invisalign. Many patients find Invisalign to be the more comfortable and convenient treatment, but how long will it take for you to complete it? Weeks? Months? Years?

Truthfully, the exact amount of time you could end up wearing Invisalign aligners varies. Don’t worry, though – this post will tell you what factors could affect your timetable!

Invisalign attachments are designed to make your orthodontic treatment more efficient by helping to keep your aligners in place. Though they are painless to apply, these “bumps” can cause your teeth to be a bit more sensitive on days when you advance trays. A common question many patients have about them is if it hurts to remove them. Here’s what you can expect from these accessories, and why there’s no need to fear Invisalign attachments at any stage of treatment!

If you look at the cosmetic dental treatments available today, you might notice that they are safe, administered in sanitary environments, and only minimally invasive if at all. However, people have tried a wide range of methods to pretty up their smiles over the centuries, and many of them would be downright gross or scary by modern standards. Here’s a brief overview of a few primitive teeth whitening treatments to help you appreciate just how amazingly safe and effective modern cosmetic dental procedures are.

Cosmetic dentistry has transformed the smiles of millions of people into beautiful new states, but some prospective patients may be concerned about whether these treatments are safe. The truth is that these procedures are safe, comfortable, and generally noninvasive. Here’s a brief guide to a few popular cosmetic dental procedures as well as how your dentist will ensure your safety and comfort.

The mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body. This means, if you are experiencing gum disease, it can have a negative impact on your overall wellbeing. It has even been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Continue reading to learn more about the connection between gum disease and brain health as well as some steps to keep your gums healthy going forward.

Gum disease is quickly becoming one of the most common oral health problems seen by dental professionals today. Impacting millions of Americans, its damaging effects can spell disaster for patients’ oral and overall health. But did you know this harmful infection can also take a toll on your facial shape? Keep reading to learn what can happen if you fail to receive treatment and what you can do to avoid looking much older than you really are.

Dental crowns have played a significant role in dentistry, evolving from rudimentary restorations to sophisticated tools for preserving oral health and aesthetics. Needless to say, many of our smiles would not be in great shape without the help of these innovative solutions – however, crowns have not always looked or felt as they do now. They’ve seen quite a few changes over the course of humanity, believe it or not! As we reflect on their history, we can appreciate the advancements that have shaped modern prosthodontics.