Month: December 2020

If you have crooked teeth, our Invisalign dentist can help give you a straighter and more beautiful smile. Compared to traditional metal braces, Invisalign teeth straightening clear aligner trays are more discreet and can be a great option for orthodontic treatment.

More information about the process of straightening your teeth with Invisalign:

Initial Invisalign Dentist Consultation

During an initial appointment, Dr. Atty Smith will examine your teeth and will take photos and X-rays. As a preferred Invisalign provider, Dr. Smith can verify whether this method is best for your needs or can recommend alternative options. Our office uses state-of-the-art 3D image technology to create a treatment plan and design your first aligner.

How Invisalign Teeth Straightening Works?

Invisalign aligners work by getting progressively tighter. This process moves your teeth into alignment and usually targets one or a small number of teeth at a time. Typically, you will switch the plastic aligners every two weeks. You will need to wear the aligners for at least 22 hours every day and should only remove them for eating, brushing, and flossing.

When You Need to See Your Invisalign Dentist?

Unlike with braces, you will not need to visit your dentist every time you tighten your aligners. The switch to a new set can typically be completed at home. Every few weeks, you will come into the office and we will make sure the treatment is progressing properly.

Length of Invisalign Treatment

If your teeth are mildly crooked, you may be able to complete treatment in as little as six months. Other patients have a timeline of closer to 12 months. This will depend on your unique circumstances and Dr. Smith will discuss the amount of time you can expect to wear your aligners.

After Invisalign

After your teeth have been straightened, they may shift due to changes in your jawbone during orthodontic adjustments. As a result, it’s important to wear a retainer after your treatment in order to make sure your smile stays straight. Once you finish your initial treatment plan, we will fit you for a retainer. You will need to wear this full-time at first but as your teeth become more stable in their new positions, we can discuss adjusting how often you need to wear the retainer. Our Invisalign dentist is happy to answer any questions you may have about this or any other aspects of the teeth straightening process.

Fixing Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth can impact your self-confidence and oral health. At Smith Dentalworks, we can help you get a new smile that you will love. We are a preferred Invisalign provider and also offer a variety of other cosmetic and restorative dental treatments including veneers, teeth whitening, crowns, and more.

To schedule a consultation with our Invisalign dentist, contact us today.

Seeing your dentist regularly is essential for your oral health. In addition to this, the steps you take at home are also important. Day-to-day maintenance of your teeth and gums helps keep them healthy. This can prevent a wide range of issues from gum disease to tooth loss. It’s worth the time to create good at-home dental hygiene habits.

Maintaining Dental Restorations

If you have dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, dentures, et cetera, there may be specific oral hygiene instructions you need to follow to maintain them. Your dentist can help you understand how to do this.

Flossing

You should floss once daily. Whether you do this in the morning or at night is up to you, but it is usually recommended that you floss before you brush. This is because brushing clears away any food particles that may become dislodged.

To floss properly, you should wind the floss around your middle fingers, leaving one to two inches in the middle. Place this portion between your teeth and gently move it along the gum line on both sides. Then, move the floss to reveal a new, clean portion, and continue until you have cleaned between all of your teeth. If you prefer, you can also use a water flosser.

Brushing Your Teeth

Choosing a Toothbrush

When choosing a toothbrush, make sure to choose one with soft bristles. Harder bristles can wear away at your enamel and damage your teeth over time.

When it comes to manual vs electric toothbrushes, both can be good options. Electric brushes make it slightly easier to clean your teeth effectively but are more expensive. A manual toothbrush is usually okay to use and the most important thing is that you brush regularly no matter what type of brush you use. You also need to replace either type of brush once the bristles begin to wear down or after four months at a minimum.

Choosing Toothpaste

The toothpaste you use should have at least 1,000 parts per million of fluoride and a seal of approval from the American Dental Association. Beyond this, which brand you choose is usually a matter of personal preference. If you have sensitive teeth, you should choose a toothpaste that is specifically made for this problem. If over-the-counter sensitive toothpastes are not able to help, it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist to get a prescription option and to check for any underlying issues.

Toothbrushing Technique

Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth and gently move it back and forth, making sure to reach all the surfaces of each tooth as well as your gums. Continue this process for at least two minutes and repeat twice daily.

Preventive Dental Care in Oro Valley, AZ

At Smith Dentalworks, we can help you maintain your oral health and provide teeth cleanings, check-ups, and other types of preventive dentistry. Our dentist can also give you helpful tips for maintaining your dental hygiene at home.

To schedule an appointment with our general dentist, contact us today.

If you are missing all or most of your upper or lower teeth, dentures are typically the best restorative solution. They can allow you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence again. Although well-made conventional dentures will fit snugly and comfortably in your mouth, implant dentures are even more secure and have the added benefit of supporting the health of your jaw. If you are interested in getting implant-supported dentures, Smith Dentalworks can help.

The steps of the implant denture process:

Initial Implant Dentures Consultation

The first step to getting implant dentures is a consultation with your dentist. We will examine your mouth, take X-rays, and discuss your goals. This allows us to determine whether or not implant-supported dentures are a good fit.

Other Dental Treatments, As Needed

Depending on your specific circumstances, other types of dental care may be necessary before you can get implant-supported dentures. For example, if you have some remaining teeth, these will need to be extracted. We will discuss your treatment plan with you in detail so you know exactly what to expect.

Dental Implant Surgery

Your dentures will be supported by dental implants, which are titanium posts implanted in your jaw. These act as artificial tooth roots and stimulate your jawbone, which helps prevent bone loss. In order to get dental implants, you will need to undergo surgery. At Smith Dentalworks, we work with an experienced and trusted oral surgeon and they will complete the placement of the implants. If you have already experienced substantial bone loss, bone grafting may be necessary prior to surgery.

Healing and Temporary Dentures

After your surgery, you will need time to heal so your implants can fully integrate with your jaw bone. This process is known as osseointegration and typically takes between three and six months. We will fit you for temporary dentures that you can wear until your final ones are ready. Temporary dentures are not designed for long-term use, but look natural and are durable enough for the period between surgery and getting your final dentures.

Implant-Supported Denture Placement

Once your dental implants have healed, we can place your final dentures. We will make sure you love the way they look and feel and you will be able to make any adjustments necessary. After this, you will be able to enjoy your new smile.

Maintaining Your Implant Dentures

Implant-supported dentures are easy to maintain and clean at home. You will need to brush twice daily with a non-abrasive denture toothpaste and should also clean between the dentures and your gum line. You should also visit our office regularly for professional cleaning and check-ups.

Smile with Confidence Again

If you are ready to restore your smile, we can help. Implant dentures are an excellent option and may be the solution for you.

To make an appointment to discuss implant-supported dentures, contact us today.