Regular Dental Implants vs Mini Implants: What’s the Difference?

Missing teeth can be a huge issue both functionally and aesthetically. Not only do they impact the way you chew and speak, but they can also lead to further dental problems. That is why it is so important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible. Dental implants have become one of the most popular methods of doing just that, but not everyone is a candidate for regular dental implants. This is where mini dental implants come in. Let’s take a closer look at the difference between regular dental implants and mini dental implants to help you decide which one might be best for you.

Read further to learn more about regular and mini implants and their purpose, or to schedule an appointment to see the dental professionals at Susquehanna Dental Arts. We offer both general dentistry and more specialized care like amalgam removal, implants, and Invisalign application and maintenance.

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What is a Flipper Denture? Learn More About this Temporary Solution

When a front tooth suffers trauma, be it from natural decay or from a sports injury, or some other cause, you will need oral surgery to repair them. After the removal of the tooth or teeth, a flipper denture will be put in place to fill in the gap.

What is a flipper denture? It’s basically a partial denture that mimics the look of the patient’s natural teeth and serves as a temporary solution until a permanent dental implant or dental bridge can be made.

To make flipper dentures, impressions of your mouth are used to create a model of your teeth. This model is then used to create a wax replica of your tooth or teeth. The wax replica is then sent to a dental lab where it is used to create the final product out of either 300 or 500 series dental acrylic.

Read further to learn more about flipper dentures and their purpose or schedule an appointment to see the dental professionals at Susquehanna Dental Arts. We offer both general dentistry and more specialized care like amalgam removal, implants, and Invasalign application and maintenance.

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Are There Dentists Who Offer Oral Cancer Screening Near Me?

While there is no way to prevent oral cancers, there are ways to lower your risk of developing them. An oral cancer screening test to detect early signs of cancer is on the list of ways to lower your risk.

Are there dentists who offer oral cancer screening in Lancaster County and nearby areas? Yes, Susquehanna Dental Arts, located in Columbia, PA, uses the VELscope VX Enhanced Oral Assessment System. VELscope helps dentists and clinicians to find oral precursor malignant lesions.

There are about 54,000 cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer in the United States this year, according to the American Cancer Society. The organization estimates deaths from an oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer at more than 11,000. Overall, the lifetime risk of developing an oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer is about 1 in 60 (1.7%) for men and 1 in 140 (0.71%) for women.

Read further to learn more about oral cancer screenings, risk factors for oral cancer, and other means of prevention.

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5 Ways Athletes Can Protect Their Teeth

It’s exciting to watch your family members and friends play sports and to cheer on the athletes in your life. But you want the same smile that steps onto the field to step off the field at the end of the game, with each tooth in place. So how can athletes protect their teeth?

Following are 5 ways athletes can protect their teeth, along with additional tips to help them maintain their oral health beyond their sports seasons.

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How Often Should You Whiten Your Teeth?

Teeth whitening is a more conservative approach to improving the appearance of discolored teeth than other restorative treatments, such as veneers or crowns. Done too frequently and without proper preparation, however, it can also cause sensitivity, gum irritation, and loss of enamel.

So, how often should you whiten your teeth? Teeth whitening should be done no more than once every 3 to 6 months. This may vary depending on the product strength. The frequency may also depend on the patient’s age and existing conditions such as mild fluorosis, trauma, inherent discoloration, and staining from tetracycline use.

Habits such as drinking coffee regularly and smoking will also impact the efficacy of teeth whitening.

We understand that tooth discoloration can have a negative impact on your quality of life. It’s why we offer teeth whitening services at our dental office in Columbia, PA.

While we realize there are many over-the-counter products available, know that a dentalcare professional can monitor and help avoid any negative impact tooth whitening products may have on your soft and hard oral tissues. If these are impacted, it can be very painful and cause serious dental issues in the future. It is best to ask a dentist how often you can have teeth whitening.

Read further to learn more about various teeth whitening options and the variables that impact the frequency of teeth whitening treatments.

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Why Do Teeth Shift With Age?

Everyone’s teeth continue to shift throughout their lifetime. It’s a natural occurrence regardless of orthodontic work and occurs even when the best oral care is provided.

Why do teeth shift with age? Because our jaws change shape as we age. Additionally, teeth grinding, tooth loss or tooth removal such as wisdom teeth extraction can cause teeth to shift. Gum disease, bone loss, and even the use of a CPAP machine also may cause teeth to move.

Comprehensive holistic dentistry services can monitor and resolve shifting in your teeth that may become worrisome and can help determine the root cause of it. Read further for more detail on the variables involved in teeth shifting, the need to monitor it, and solutions to help remediate it.

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How Often Should You Get Your Teeth Cleaned?

The health of our teeth can mirror our overall well-being. Regular cleanings play an important role in our oral health, so how often should you get your teeth cleaned?

You should visit your dentist twice a year, ideally every six months. At a minimum, once a year. During these visits, it’s best to get a professional cleaning to remove plaque, help prevent gumline decay, and check for any oral health concerns. Children should begin seeing a dentist for cleanings, or at least for general exams, once their first tooth appears.

People with diabetes, however, may need to get their teeth cleaned every 3-4 months. Studies have shown that diabetes is associated with an increased risk of periodontitis. Gum disease can raise your blood sugar levels. At the very least, people with diabetes should schedule dental visits more often than the typical 6-month interval. Professional teeth cleanings and good oral hygiene can help a diabetic lower their HbA1c

Susquehanna Dental Arts staff makes it a priority to build a rapport with our patients and adhere to holistic dental services to contribute to their overall well-being. Are you ready to meet our caring staff and schedule your next professional teeth cleaning?

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Keep reading to learn more about the frequency of professional teeth cleaning and how it impacts one’s overall health.

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How To Protect Crown Teeth So They Last?

Dental crowns are a great solution to help protect damaged teeth and restore your smile.

Yet the surface of crown teeth will wear from normal use, so you’ll need to learn how to protect crown teeth. Proper care for crown teeth includes brushing and flossing, regular dental checkups, and forgoing hard foods. You may need to consider wearing a mouth guard if you play sports and if you grind your teeth. In instances where the crown shows extensive degradation, the occlusal surface of the crown can be repaired with a direct restorative such as amalgam or composite.

At Susquehanna Dental Arts, we provide our customers with zirconia crowns, which rank among the most durable crowns available. Read further to learn how you can better protect crown teeth, so they last.

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How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Dental crowns help protect damaged teeth and restore your smile, but since they cost more than fillings and other traditional dental procedures, you might be wondering how long do dental crowns last?

Dental crowns typically last from 5 years to more than 25 years, depending on the materials used to make them and how well you care for them.

At Susquehanna Dental Arts, we provide our customers with zirconia crowns, which rank among the most durable crowns available. These are second only to gold crowns for longevity. (If a customer requests a gold crown, we will gladly provide one. However, the cost for gold crowns can be prohibitive.)

There are also temporary crowns, which only last a few weeks and are not meant as a permanent solution. Read further to learn about other materials used to make dental crowns, durability, and different types of crowns.

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How Common Is Fear of The Dentist and Can I Get Rid of My Fear?

The new patient coordinator at Susquehanna Dental meets fearful or anxious patients almost daily, so fear of the dentist is very common. It can also range from trepidation to an exaggerated unconscious fear called dental phobia. However, we do believe dental phobia can be overcome eventually.

For those who are fearful but can still convince themselves to visit us, we commend you! We want to help make your regular visits as comfortable as possible.

For those with more extreme fear, we offer tips on how to overcome your fear of the dentist and alleviate the anxiety associated with dental care.

First, let’s look at possible reasons behind it.

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