Palm Dentistry Blog

When most people think about tooth loss, they immediately focus on the impact it has on chewing, speaking, or smiling with confidence. But the effects go far beyond your mouth. Tooth loss can actually change the shape of your face over time, leading to noticeable differences in your appearance. Understanding why this happens can help you appreciate the importance of replacing missing teeth quickly.

It is estimated that half of all American adults have some degree of dental phobia, and of them, a full 20 percent have such severe anxiety that it may prevent them from getting even routine dental care. This can be extremely problematic, especially when you consider that the American Dental Association recommends you visit your dentist every six months for regular dental exams and cleanings. Skipping these important appointments can leave your smile vulnerable to a variety of problems ranging from cavities to gum disease to even oral cancer. But what’s causing all this fear? Here’s a closer look at some common reasons for dental phobia, and what you can do about it.

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, has been used to help dental patients sit calmly and comfortably during their appointments for almost two hundred years. During that time, it has been found to be overwhelmingly safe and free from long-lasting side effects, which makes it a great option for almost everyone who has trouble remaining calm or still in the dental chair or who is receiving an especially long or intensive procedure. Here’s a brief guide to how nitrous oxide works and how it has helped many people enjoy healthy smiles.

As much as we’d like for the results of orthodontic treatment to be absolutely permanent, this is unfortunately not the case. Factors such as oral injuries, neglecting to wear your retainer, or grinding your teeth after wearing braces can cause the teeth to drift out of alignment again, which makes them harder to clean and easier to injure. Here’s how people who have already worn braces may be able to benefit from Invisalign and what the process looks like.

Dental implants are an increasingly popular method of tooth replacement, and it’s easy to see why. Not only do they look just like real teeth, but they also work like them too. In fact, these permanent restorations have nearly the same biteforce as your real teeth, and because they’re permanent, you never need to remove them to clean them like you do with dentures. Better yet, there’s no need to worry about them slipping out while you’re speaking or eating, and you can even sleep without taking them out.

But unlike dentures, dental implants do have a five percent chance of failure. Though rare, dental implant failure can result in the need for additional procedures such as bone grafts and reimplantation surgery. Here’s how you can improve your dental implant success and keep your beautiful new smile looking and feeling great for a lifetime!

Dental implants are remarkable prosthetic devices that can replace lost teeth with strong and beautifully lifelike restorations that function just like real teeth. The success of a patient’s dental implants largely depends on these appliances thoroughly integrating with the jawbone after being placed, as this allows them to exert maximum chewing pressure and last for several decades if they receive excellent care

Unfortunately, certain habits such as smoking can complicate your recovery after receiving dental implants and even cause them to fail. Here’s a guide to how you may still be able to replace your teeth with implants if you smoke.

The new year may have just started, but award season is already gearing up for Hollywood stars. That means big-name actors and their pretty smiles are showing up on TV and social media. Still, the rich and famous haven’t always had gorgeous grins; there are many celebrities with dental implants now. Your Mission Viejo dentist can even prove that fact by sharing some proof. To that end, simply keep reading to learn about four Hollywood types who sport dental implants.

With your Invisalign treatment well underway this season, celebrating may look and feel a little different. That’s because with aligners, you’ll need to make some temporary lifestyle changes for the duration of your treatment. But don’t let these modifications stop you from enjoying yourself. Here are four important things to remember about wearing Invisalign during the holidays that will help you enjoy the festivities without hurting your progress.

If you’re considering Invisalign aligners, you probably already know that it’s faster, more comfortable, and a lot more discreet than wearing traditional braces. But as with any treatment, there’s always a bit of a learning curve. Here are five things that real Invisalign wearers wish they knew before beginning, and what you can do to adjust to them!

Having well-aligned teeth can bring a wealth of oral and overall health benefits as well as the confidence that comes with a beautifully straight smile. However, many would-be orthodontic patients are hesitant to commit to conspicuous and irremovable metal braces that come with a long list of dietary restrictions. While Invisalign is a comfortable and discreet way to straighten your grin while eating and drinking whatever you like, some foods and beverages can be harmful without the right precautions. Here’s how to drink coffee while staying on top of your Invisalign treatment.