Gaps in your grin can detract from your daily quality of life because basic tasks like eating, speaking, and smiling suddenly become much more challenging. Thankfully, your dentist can replace one or several consecutively missing teeth with a dental bridge.

These prosthetics contain the correct number of artificial teeth sandwiched between two dental crowns that anchor to healthy teeth or implants on both sides of the space in your smile. They’re made from durable porcelain, but that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. Continue reading to learn 3 potential reasons your bridge might fail!

Before investing in any treatment, whether that’s a dental filling or dental implants, it’s important to understand the risks involved and be informed about how the procedures work. As a modern, gold standard for replacing missing teeth, dental implants utilize the latest and greatest techniques and technology to yield lifelike results. However, there’s a slim 2% chance that dental implant failure could occur. Although rare, it’s a good idea to understand how it occurs and what you can do to avoid it, which you can learn more about by reading below.

As you might know, stained teeth often stem from a person’s lifestyle. What you eat, how (and whether) you clean your smile, and similar factors affect whether your enamel looks white or not. That said, your discolored smile may not be your fault; specific genes also cause tooth stains. Your local Richmond dentist can even help you find out for sure. So, here’s a primer on hereditary tooth stains and how cosmetic dentistry treats them.

December has arrived, and although many families are looking forward to the upcoming holiday season, it’s also cold and flu season. Whether you’re traveling to see loved ones this time of year or are struggling to keep everyone healthy over the holiday break from school, it’s important to prioritize dental health if your child gets sick. Otherwise, the additional germs and illness increase their vulnerability to oral issues like cavities or gum disease.  

Continue reading to learn 3 tips to safeguard your child’s smile when they’re feeling unwell!

Many people wanting to address imperfections in their teeth hesitate to undergo cosmetic procedures because they assume it’ll be too expensive. Historically, it’s true that getting elective dental work done to enhance your appearance was a luxury that only a select few could afford.

However, more recent advancements in materials and technology have made treatments more accessible, so upgrading your grin is more affordable than ever. Continue reading to learn about three improvements that can give you a smile worthy of the red carpet!

Dental crowns are the tried-and-true method for treating a severely decayed or injured tooth. Usually made from durable porcelain, these prosthetics are bonded over damaged teeth to restore their appearance and functionality while protecting them from additional harm.

Unfortunately, many patients avoid getting dental crowns despite their many benefits because they’re worried it could hurt. Continue reading to learn more about what to expect from getting one of these prosthetics placed and how to care for your mouth afterward!

On the surface, mail-in clear aligners can seem very appealing. After all, why go to the trouble of making an appointment with your dentist when you can simply have smile-straightening aligners sent right to your home? However, the truth of the matter is that this option carries quite a few risks compared to Invisalign clear aligners provided by a dental expert. Below is a closer look at 4 dangers of mail-in aligners.

Brushing and flossing are effective in removing food residue and plaque to keep your mouth healthy, but they aren’t enough to keep preventable dental problems at bay. The American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup. If you’re skipping your semi-annual checkups, you’re at risk of several serious dental issues. Here’s how you can benefit from early detection by visiting your dentist regularly.

(more…)

Many ancient civilizations tried their hands at replacing lost teeth with methods similar to the dental implants used today. Through the centuries, various materials were used, like bone, stones, seashells, and animal teeth. Naturally, these techniques were not successful and often had fatal results. It wasn’t until an accidental discovery revolutionized tooth loss treatments. Here’s how it has transformed the success of dental implants.

(more…)

A lot of people think aesthetic dental work is (and must be) pricey. There’s even some truth to the idea, as dental insurance (often) won’t cover cosmetic dentistry. The good news is that it’s still possible to enhance your smile on a budget! With the right collection of tips and tricks, you can get a dreamy grin without ” breaking the bank.” See for yourself in this primer on three great ways to beautify your smile at a low price.