Understanding Dental Implant Procedures: What You Need to Know

by Elizabeth Huynh | Apr 9, 2023 | Children's Oral Hygiene, Orthodontics, Restorative Dentistry

If you have a missing tooth, getting a dental implant may be the perfect solution. Whether you’ve already decided to undergo the procedure or are just exploring your options, you may have a lot of questions about dental implants. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about getting dental implant surgery.

What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a fake tooth that is surgically inserted into the gums to replace a missing tooth. The implant is usually made out of titanium and must be placed by an oral surgeon. It is a screw-like piece that is inserted into the jawbone and closely resembles the root of a tooth. The dentist will later attach a crown to the implant so it resembles your other natural teeth.

How Long Will the Procedure Take?
The length of the procedure depends on your dental health, how many teeth are involved in the procedure, which teeth are being replaced, and if a tooth needs to be extracted first. For a single tooth, the implant surgery can take around one to two hours, from applying the anesthesia to the end of the procedure. Talk to your dentist for a better estimate of how long the procedure will take.

image of dental implant Now Dental Carmichael California Better Smiles

Tooth human implant (done in 3d graphics)

The Surgery
Before the surgery, your dentist may give you a list of pre-operative instructions, which you should follow closely. The full procedure needs to be completed in two phases, with the whole process taking between six and nine months.

It is during the first phase that the dentist will surgically place the implant in your mouth. Your mouth will be numbed using local anesthesia, so you will not be able to feel a thing. The dentist will then use a drill to create a hole in the bone for the implant. The implant will be inserted into the space and the gums will be closed over the implant.

Over the following months, the implant will become securely attached to the bone. During the second phase, the implant is re-exposed using a small incision. Then, the dentist will make impressions of your mouth in order to craft the new implant crown. Once the crown is made, the dentist will place it in your mouth and, voila, the procedure is finished.

Post-Surgery Discomfort, Complications, and Care
It is completely normal to experience some discomfort following your dental implant surgery. You may experience some light bruising and swelling in the gums and soft tissues. Discomfort is typically treated with an ordinary painkiller like ibuprofen or codeine. There are some complications that you should be watchful for. Potential complications include:

Bone loss around the implant
Infection of the surrounding gums and bone
The implant failing to adhere to the bone
Your body rejecting the implant

Following the procedure, your new tooth must be cared for and checked often, just like your other teeth. Follow your dentist’s post-surgery suggestions. Continue to brush and floss every day and visit your dentist for a checkup every six months, or more often if your dentist recommends it.

For more information about dental implants or to schedule an appointment, contact us at Now Dental. Now Dental is you full service dentist in Carmichael, CA, ready to help you before you need implants and we are there for you if you do!

Tips to Prepare Kids for Their First Dental Visit

by Elizabeth Huynh | Feb 18, 2023 | Carmichael CA Dental Office, Children's Oral Hygiene, Dental How To

Tips that help you help your child understand the importance of dental hygiene!

By teaching your kids about the importance of oral health and hygiene from a young age, you’ll set them up for a lifetime of success and good health. Preparing a child for their first dental office visit is critical for setting a good tone. Now Dental is a child-friendly dentist, but a lot of how a visit to the dentist is received by a child depends on parental preparation!

Your Child’s First Dental Appointment
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child makes their first trip to the dentist no later than their first birthday. This not only sets up healthy habits for life, but it also ensures that a professional is keeping an eye on your child’s oral health. While it may not seem like those incoming baby teeth are a big deal, there are situations which may call for earlier intervention by a dentist!

Cultivate A Positive Attidue In Your Child Towards Dental Care
One of the biggest factors in whether or not your child has a positive experience with the dentist depends on your own attitude and example. If you act anxious, express negative feelings towards dental visits, or let your child see your own fears about the visit, it may cause your child to feel more afraid of the process. Instead, if you can bring a positive attitude and chat about the dentist in a positive light, you’ll set the tone that a visit to the dentist is a good thing.

For young kids, having too much time to think about a new, unknown experience can lead to stress, so don’t tell your kids about their upcoming dental visits until the day of the appointment. This will prevent unnecessary worrying on their part. The morning of the visit, tell them they’re going to have a fun visit with the nice tooth doctor, and answer their questions without going into too much detail.

Videos, Games, and Books
For many kids, being a little more prepared for the experience can help to set expectations and remove fear of the unknown. Age-appropriate books, YouTube videos, and games can help familiarize them with the dental setting. Playing “dentist” with your child is an excellent way to get started. Have them recline in a chair, count their teeth, brush their teeth, and talk about the importance of taking care of their teeth. Then, switch roles, allowing them to play the dentist.

Smart Scheduling
Scheduling a dentist appointment during naptime or mealtime is setting your child up for failure. Instead, be smart with your scheduling, choosing a time of day when your child is most likely to be content and in a good mood.

Positive Reinforcement
No matter if your dental visit goes off without a hitch or if your child struggles with the process, take some time after the appointment to focus on what went well. The more you reinforce the positive aspects, the more your child will focus on those good parts.

Choose the Right Dentist
Of course, choosing the right dentist for your family makes all the difference in your kids’ experience. Tips to prepare kids for their first dental visit are just guidelines that can help your child tolerate time at the dentist’s office. To set up an appointment for your child for family dental care near Carmichael, CA, reach out to the pros at Now Dental today!

7 Interesting Things You Should Know about Dentures

by Elizabeth Huynh | Nov 16, 2022 | Restorative Dentistry

Dentures have come a long way in the last few decades, and there are now a wide variety of options available to replace natural teeth. Read on to learn more about dentures, their care, and other interesting facts about dentures and general dentistry in Carmichael, CA.

Partial Dentures vs. Full dentures
When most people think of dentures, they think of full dentures where the dentures replace all of your natural teeth. They can be fitted for your upper and/or lower jaw, are stuck into place with suction or a temporary adhesive, and can be removed as needed. Partial dentures, on the other hand, are able to replace teeth when the other remaining teeth are not able to support a bridge or other tooth replacement method. Partial dentures are fastened to the gum line and remaining teeth, and like full or complete dentures, they are easily removed.

Denture Materials
Historically, dentures were made of porcelain or plastic. More modern dentures are made of hard resins, however. These resins are not as durable as natural teeth, which is why they have to be periodically replaced. You should also be careful not to drop or break your dentures as the hard material can crack or chip if not cared for properly.

More Than Teeth
While dentures are commonly used to replace missing teeth and make your smile look complete, they actually serve more purposes than just that. They support the structures in and around the cheeks and lips where missing teeth create problems, they allow you to eat foods that wouldn’t be possible with missing teeth, and they can help with pain management and gum exposure. Dentures are often an important part of your oral and overall health.

Immediate Dentures
During the healing process after tooth removal, immediate dentures can be used to give you function in your mouth and offer a temporary solution until permanent dentures can be fitted and made. These dentures are more easily refitted than permanent dentures during periods of adjustment and swelling, which can last up to 6 months after extraction. Immediate dentures are then discarded and replaced with more permanent options.

Overdentures
For people with few natural teeth remaining or who experience aversion to or extreme discomfort with typical dentures, overdentures are another option. Overdentures are created to fit over existing teeth, dental implants, gums, or roots. They are more easily removed and are often found to be more comfortable than traditional dentures.

Cleaning Your Dentures
Just like natural teeth, dentures need to be regularly cleaned and cared for daily. Rinse them with clean water after meals, brush them with a soft toothbrush and denture cleaner daily, and clean your gums and remaining natural teeth while your dentures are out.

Denture Care
In addition to regular rinsing and brushing after meals, remove them at night, keep them from drying out by soaking them in water or a denture-safe solution, and avoid dropping or melting your dentures.

For more information about caring for your dentures or to schedule your next appointment for general dental care in Carmichael, CA, reach out to Now Dental by calling 1-916-966-2009!

Cavity Prevention And Care – What You Need To Know about Cavities

by Elizabeth Huynh | Sep 26, 2022 | Dental How To

Cavities can lead to other health issues!

Poor oral hygiene can lead to infections and even cancer

Flossing, brushing after every meal and regular checkups can help prevent cavities!
Cavities are one of the most common health problems around the world. Untreated cavities can lead to other health issues, not typically associated with oral care. From abscesses to oral cancers, the implications of not dealing with dental cavities left untreated can lead to extreme pain and other serious health complications!

Before your appointment, it’s helpful to learn more about cavities, their causes, and how they are treated. Use the guide below to learn everything that you need to know.

What Is a Cavity?
Cavities are holes that develop in your teeth, starting out small and becoming larger over time (if they’re not treated). Cavities are the result of tooth decay. Anyone, including infants, can develop tooth decay, even if they believe they have a good oral hygiene routine. Since they do not usually cause pain when they first appear, many people do not realize that they have a problem until it becomes much worse. Getting regular check-ups at Now Dental, a Carmichael, California family dentistry practice can help to detect and resolve issues early.

Symptoms
There are a few common symptoms that can arise when you have a cavity. These indications may include:

Tooth pain
A noticeable hole in a tooth
Tooth sensitivity
White or black staining on your teeth

Tooth Decay Sources
Plaque causes tooth cavities to form. Plaque is a sticky substance made of saliva, bacteria, acid, and food that sticks to the teeth. Every mouth is home to bacteria. When you eat or drink something with sugar in it, the bacteria turn the sugar into acid, which becomes plaque. Plaque begins to form as soon as your drink or eat sugary foods. It sticks to your teeth and, over time, will cause the tooth enamel to erode. The enamel is the coating on your teeth that guards them against decay. When the enamel erodes and becomes weaker, you are more likely to develop cavities.

Risk Factors
If you have teeth, you are at risk of developing cavities. However, some people have a higher risk than others. This includes those with poor oral health habits, people who consume a lot of sugary or acidic foods and drinks, and those who don’t get enough fluoride. Other risk factors include dry mouth, acid reflux disease, and eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia.

Treatment Options
There are a few different methods that dentists use to treat and repair cavities. During your next appointment, be sure to mention any symptoms you are experiencing like pain or tooth sensitivity. The dentist will then perform an oral exam and X-rays to determine if you are experiencing tooth decay. The recommended treatment option will depend on the severity of the cavity. Treatment options include early-stage fluoride treatment, tooth fillings, crowns, and root canals.

Prevention Tips
When it comes to cavities, prevention is always better than expensive dental treatments. You can work to prevent tooth decay from occurring by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and visiting your dentist twice a year for regular cleanings.

When it comes to flossing, your dentist may suggest you floss after each meal, especially if you experience bleeding gums.

You should also limit snacking between meals and cut down your intake of sugary and acidic foods like candy, soda, juice, and refined carbs. Some foods can also combat tooth decay. These include calcium-rich foods, fruits and veggies that are full of fiber, water with fluoride, unsweetened black or green tea, and xylitol sugarless chewing gum.

If you believe you have a cavity or you just want to be schedule a check-up, contact us at Now Dental today!

Keys to Avoiding Tooth Loss

by Elizabeth Huynh | May 11, 2022 | Dental How To

Teeth well-cared for last a lifetime

Tips on how to prevent tooth loss, save money and reduce chances for dental pain!

Your teeth are important to you, both now and in the future. People value how they look, and a toothless smile could relegate you to the “B” team at work and in social circles. Worse, losing teeth may affect your health as you get older. Many of the elderly may face poor nutrition because of pain caused by dentures and trouble eating. Keeping your teeth is probably among your priorities, even if you never really thought about it. Here are the keys to avoiding tooth loss.

Brush and floss properly regularly

It’s no secret that you should brush twice a day and floss once a day. Doing so keeps your smile beautiful by limiting stains, and allows you to keep your teeth. Brushing removes bacteria and plaque. Flossing keeps tartar from forming, so there’s no place for bacteria to hide. Use a fluoride toothpaste and make sure you’re putting in a full two minutes.

Regular dental checkups can prevent pain and expensive treatment

Going to see the dentist for a tooth cleaning once every six months keeps your teeth and gums healthy. It also gives you the opportunity to consult an expert if you notice that your teeth or gums are bleeding. Since gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, visiting a dentist is your best bet to find it and stop it before it becomes too much to handle. A dentist can also tell if you grind your teeth and take care of the problem by providing you with the right prevention tool or technique.

Stop Smoking and cut out all tobacco products

Smoking is bad for your health. Chewing tobacco is bad for your health. Cut out the tobacco products, you’ll smell better, your breath will smell better, and you’ll be more likely to keep your teeth instead of losing them to cancer or an increase in bacteria buildup.

Mind the Gap – The sooner you deal with missing teeth, the better

If you already have missing teeth, they could lead to more problems. Teeth move to fill in the gaps; this movement is detrimental to your oral health. Make sure you find a dentist to deal with the problem, so that you can have a healthier smile.

Don’t ignore tooth or jaw pain! Your getting a message!

Too many people ignore tooth pain. While sometimes the pain may be due to sensitivity that’s normal as people age, other times, it’s tooth decay, and waiting to take care of it only causes more problems. Teeth don’t heal on their own, so the longer you wait to take care of a hurting tooth, the more likely you are to face some sort of surgical procedure. Whether extraction or a root canal, going to the dentist to take care of it sooner will make the procedure easier to deal with, and in the long run, less expensive and less painful for you.

Choose and stick with the right dentist for you and your family!

Going to the dentist shouldn’t cause you concern or anxiety. If it does, you may need to find another dental office that can help you feel more comfortable. The more you enjoy going to the dentist, the less likely you are to put off routine checkups or taking care of tooth pain. If you’re looking for family dentistry in Carmichael, CA, contact Now Dental and schedule an appointment for your oral health needs.

Contact Now Dental, a family dental practice in Carmichael, CA, today! We can help you keep your teeth health!

Now Dental is conveniently located at 6500 Coyle Ave #6, Carmichael, CA 95608, just across from Mercy San Juan Medical Center.
Cross Street: Dewey Dr.