“I am notoriously afraid of doctor’s, especially dentists. I hadn’t been to a dentist in years before I came upon Carp Dental. Wow! What a difference having a knowledgeable, compassionate, and gentle dentist makes. Dr. Carp and his staff were so efficient and calming that I couldn’t believe I was done with my visit that quickly and without any pain. They now have a patient for life!”
Michael Feinman Patient
Regular Check-ups
Do you think you only need a check up once a year? That may be a mistake. After your next visit, ask your dentist how often you should have a check-up. Simple, regular check-ups using fluoride and/or the sealing of small pits in the enamel of your teeth may severely limit your chances of tooth decay and other more serious and painful problems.
Eat A Healthy Diet
Do you love Gummy Bears, Swedish Fish and other sticky treats? We do too! But, eating sticky or dry foods that remain on your teeth increases the risk of cavity development. So, if you can’t eat healthy all the time, remember to brush your teeth after each meal. It will significantly decrease your risk of cavities!
Floss Daily
We realize that flossing can be a pain but it is very important if you want to have a healthy smile and odorless breath! Try to use dental floss at least once a day to remove harmful plaque and left over food from between your teeth. In addition to flossing, regular brushing with a soft brush will prevent gum disease, which causes bad breath and can lead to loss of teeth.
We are always welcoming new patients to our practice. Request a new patient exam here.
Potential bite and jaw joint problems from teeth shifting to fill the space
The "sunken face" look associated with missing teeth
Desire to improve chewing ability
Desire for a more permanent solution than dentures
The Solution:
A dental implant is an appliance used to replace the roots of teeth. The implant is surgically attached to the jaw bone and an artificial tooth is attached to the top of the implant, creating a natural looking, undetectable replacement for the missing tooth. In the event that more than one tooth is missing, several implants may provide a base for a series of artificial teeth known as a fixed bridge (see fixed bridges.) Implants can even be used to secure a full set of removable dentures for people who have no remaining natural teeth. This can greatly improve chewing ability and reduce the risk of choking.
It generally takes about six months for the surgical implant to heal before the final installation of the artificial tooth or teeth can be finished.
Advantages:
Dental implants with artificial teeth are the closest thing to re-growing your natural teeth. They are strong, stable, durable and virtually undetectable. By filling gaps left by missing teeth, implants can provide better chewing ability and head off jaw joint problems. They are far superior to removable dentures.
Disadvantages:
Dental implants are excellent, state-of-the-art restorations and have few disadvantages when compared to alternatives such as dentures. However, dental implants do require surgery and time to heal, and they are initially more expensive than dentures or fixed bridges. These disadvantages are offset by the ease of use, saved time and long term health benefits of implants.
Alternatives:
Dentures are a poor alternative to dental implants. However, in some cases, where finances are a primary concern, dentures are the only alternative.
