Lakewood Complete Dentistry Blog

From London Bridge to Galloping Gertie, history is full of frightening accounts of what happens when bridges fail. While dental bridges can be fantastic ways to replace lost teeth, they can also fail early if they don’t receive proper care. Certain bad habits can degrade the components of your dental restoration or erode the cement holding them in place, eventually causing them to break or fall out. Luckily, there are a few simple best practices you can adopt to keep your bridge in great condition. Here’s a quick guide to how you may be able to help your appliance last longer.

Porcelain veneers are a sought-after choice for addressing smile imperfections such as cracks, gaps, chips, and minor misalignments. Unlike traditional orthodontics, the veneer process is more streamlined, though it involves several key steps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through each stage of the porcelain veneers process, providing a comprehensive overview of what to anticipate on your path to a stunning smile.

Wisdom teeth are an example of a mostly useless feature of your mouth. In most cases, they become a source of discomfort, requiring extraction. But did you know that some patients have these extra teeth while others don’t? If you want to learn more about these mysterious molars, continue reading. You’ll become an expert and learn why they don’t always make an appearance.

The human body is complicated. Usually, it’s pretty good about telling you when something’s wrong, which might be why you thought you didn’t need a tooth extraction. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, warning signs aren’t always communicated. If your dentist is suggesting your tooth needs to be evicted, that could very well be the case. Keep reading to learn about the more common reasons why.

If you need a tooth extraction, you’re probably focused on the actual extraction part. That’s understandable. After all, the words “tooth extraction” don’t exactly make you think of rainbows and butterflies. However, there is one post-op complication you’re going to want to know more about before your treatment: dry socket. What is this dental discomfort, and what can you do about it? Keep reading to find out more.

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks on the planet, but you may be wondering how long you should wait before enjoying this beverage after having a tooth pulled. After a tooth extraction, it’s crucial to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions precisely to prevent infection and ensure that the wound heals properly. Here’s why you should wait a while before enjoying a cup of coffee after having your tooth pulled.

99.7% of adults say an attractive smile is an important personal asset, but few people have perfect teeth naturally. Not to mention, injuries, poor oral hygiene, age, and many other factors can affect the appearance of your teeth. No matter the reason, you can have a flawless smile to be proud of. Here are the best reasons to invest in a smile makeover.

(more…)

Once you near the end of your orthodontic treatment, it’s time to say goodbye to the little bumps known as Invisalign attachments. For months, these tiny protrusions have been helping your teeth move into their desired positions. Now that your results have been achieved, their services are no longer required. But does it hurt?

Continue reading to learn more about Invisalign attachments and what it’s like to have them taken off.

Invisalign is a great way for many people to straighten their smiles without worrying about the conspicuous metal parts and dietary restrictions that come with traditional metal braces. Obviously, this makes Invisalign clear aligners a great option for those who are looking to have a nice meal and make a great first impression when on a date. Here are a few things to keep in mind when dating while wearing Invisalign.

It’s a new year, and that means it’s a new opportunity to get your oral health in check! If you’ve been struggling with your oral hygiene routine, now is the time to take a step back and plan. After all, a healthy mouth will lead to a healthier body and a happier outlook on the year ahead.

So, if you want to learn some great oral health goals for the new year, continue reading. Hopefully, you’ll find some inspiration for your own resolutions!