Transition Smiles

Dentures – Get The Best Value For a Confident Smile

Feeling self-conscious about a tooth you lost recently? Has your confidence taken a beating as a result? Well, you don’t have to put up with this. Neither should you wait until the rest of your teeth begin to move out of place before you act. If you have been considering getting dentures, then this post is for you. What if you already have dentures and are looking for ways to improve them? By the end of this post, you’ll have your answers.

First of all, the good news is that you are not limited in your options. You can actually select from several types that are available in the market. Consider their pros and cons too and consult your dentist for the best results.

Dentures have been around for a long time. Predictably, there has been a lot of development in denture technologies. From appearance to materials, manufacturing to support systems.

Suffice to say, this has left patients with a lot of options to choose from.

And while most people love choice, too much choice usually just leaves people confused. People don’t know where to start when they’re presented with too many options. So, what are the best dentures to use?

Economy Dentures

As the name implies, economy dentures are designed to be affordable for as many people as possible. They’re the absolute most basic type of denture around.

They’re here to try to provide a basic level of care to people regardless of their financial situation. Read more at My Dental Care Guide…

You could also opt for custom dentures that are designed to only fit your mouth. This option gives you the freedom to make changes according to your preferences.

Even so, you are likely to encounter some difficulty adjusting to the use of new dentures. What should you expect and what can you do about it?

Denture Irritation

Minor irritation, especially on eating, is one of the common problems with new dentures. Your dentist can make small adjustments at the review appointment to remove any irritations. If they are causing any severe irritation, remove your dentures. Just before you can attend your dentist, try to wear the dentures again as any areas of irritation will show up on the gums so the dentist will know exactly where the problems lie.

Several review appointments and adjustments may be necessary before the dentures are adjusted exactly as needed. Read more at Dental Care Matters…

You may encounter challenges when eating with your dentures. This is primarily because they don’t feel natural. However, with time, you will get used to it.

3d lower teeth and dental implant isolated on white

Another issue that is likely to come up when you have complete dentures is what can be referred to as the lack of denture fit. Basically, it’s when the dentures feel loose. What can you do about it?

Some of the biggest complaints made by people who wear dentures include not being able to eat as they would like and dealing with the prosthetic continually slipping and moving around in their mouths. Most people who wear dentures are not huge fans of dental adhesives that are used to keep dentures in place. Many of these products come with slightly weird tastes.

Now, there is a better alternative for those who want something better than dentures but cannot afford to have all of their missing teeth replaced with implants.

Understanding denture stabilization

Many people refuse to wear dentures because of the way these devices continuously move around in the wearer’s mouth. Fortunately, denture stabilization is now possible. Implants can be used to keep the dentures firmly in place. Read more at Preferred Dental Center…

Denture stabilization is a viable option for you today. If you have been wondering how to enjoy a custom-designed denture that fits perfectly in your mouth, then this is your opportunity. At Harrell Dental Implants, we provide excellent denture stabilization services. Call us today to book an appointment.

ZOOM! Tooth Whitening Prior To Dental Implants Is Ideal

The great majority of Harrell Dental Implant Center patients prepare for their treatment well in advance. This is beneficial because it is ideal for patients to have their existing teeth whitened ahead of their implant therapy. Doing so enables Dr. Robert Harrell and his staff to match patients’ new implant crowns to their post-treatment shade of brightness. HDIC offers ZOOM! whitening, which can lighten teeth up to seven shades with a single application.

The process of combining whitening and implants — in that order — is considered a best practice by most reputable implant providers. Below you can see what other dentists have to say about it:

Thoughts On Teeth Whitening: Is This Possible After Getting a Dental Implant?

Dr. H. Ryan Kazemi says:

Yes, you can get teeth whitening after your dental implant and crown have been done already. It does not affect the implant nor the crown. The ideal approach, however, is to do the whitening first and then have the crown made for the implant. That way the dentist can match the color much better to the whitened teeth.

Dr. David E. Azar says:

You can do whitening after having a dental implant, it will not effect the implant as long as it is fully integrated. But keep in mind that if you already have a crown on that implant the porcelain will not get whitened. If the crown is visible it may have to be replaced to match the new lighter color of your teeth.

Pre-planning For a Brighter Smile

With the luxury of time on our side, we can set a plan to whiten your natural teeth first so that your new dental implant can be perfectly matched. This is important whether you are receiving a single dental implant or a dental implant bridge to replace multiple teeth. (If you are getting an All-on-4 appliance for full-mouth restoration, there is obviously no need to worry about matching shades.) Whitening your teeth is ideal since studies reveal that a bright smile can take more than a decade off your appearance. But, if you already have implants, crowns or other cosmetic enhancements, you shouldn’t whiten your smile without your dentist’s approval. Learn more below:

How Fabricated Teeth Respond to Whitening Treatments

For patients who have crowns, veneers, dental implants or bridges, whitening fabricated or modified teeth is something you need to consider before starting a whitening treatment. Why is that? Because many different dental materials such as those used in restorations or cosmetic treatments will not respond to whiteners. In fact, the whitening treatment could actually damage your fabricated teeth. Especially if the restoration is old, leaky, or the tooth around it has started to decay again. You may start to experience sensitivity, burning, or tissue irritation simply from an over-the-counter whitening kit.

Some superficial stains, such as those caused by tobacco or coffee may lift off of your crowns or tooth-colored fillings. But, you should never start a whitening routine without first checking with your dentist and having a thorough exam of your teeth and restorations. You want to be sure that you won’t damage your natural teeth or fabricated teeth during the whitening process.

Create a Comprehensive Plan

Tell Dr. Harrell if you are hoping to have your smile ready for a specific event, such as a wedding, holiday party or speaking engagement. Knowing your target date will help him schedule your treatment. Each client is different in terms of healing and contraindications. Certain lifestyle habits, such as smoking, and taking some medications can affect healing rates and abilities. It is vital to discuss these potential complications and follow all pre- and post-operative instructions for the ultimate results. If you are considering teeth whitening along with your dental implant therapy, we are happy to coordinate your treatment for the optimal outcome.

Harrell Dental Implant Center is the Charlotte area leader for dental implant procedures of all varieties. Book your free consultation with us today to learn more about the benefits of dental implants and ZOOM teeth whitening. Call 704-206-1330 or use the contact form on our website to make your appointment. We look forward to hearing from you.

Avoid These Foods and Drinks During Dental Implant Healing

The treatment team at Harrell Dental Implant Center wants you to experience the ultimate smile satisfaction from your implant therapy. Dental implants are uniquely able to replace your missing and damaged teeth and give you the brilliant, natural-looking smile you desire. As part of our commitment to helping you achieve the best results, we want to educate you on some common foods and beverages to avoid during the healing phase of your treatment. The following post has some basic details; we’ve excerpted the first two entries:

Popcorn. Even if you go to the movies, make sure you avoid the popcorn. This tasty treat has a knack for getting stuck in between teeth. Ordinarily, this is just a small inconvenience. However, in the case of dental implants, popcorn getting stuck can cause pain and inflammation that might put the implant at risk. The best way to avoid this is just to skip out on the popcorn and eat some soft foods instead.

Ice. While ice technically isn’t a food, many people do enjoy crunching on it, especially when sipping a drink. Unfortunately, this is something you should never do with implants. Like vegetables, ice is hard and unrelenting. If you bite down the wrong way, you could fracture or crack your implants.

Education and Implant Success Go Hand In Hand

Our skilled and dedicated staff believes in empowering our patients with pertinent information, tips and tricks to aid their healing journey. Learning what to stock up on ahead of time and what to avoid after your oral surgery will help you maximize your healing potential. Discover some vital do’s and don’ts below:

Do

Opt for softer foods like soups, rice, mashed potatoes, eggs and yogurts, especially in the beginning of the healing process; however, this rule is especially important for the first two days after surgery.

Eat foods at room temperature immediately after your procedure.

Drink lots of water. It’s important to stay hydrated as it will boost your immune system and promote the healing process.

Don’t

Eat crunchy foods like chips or pretzels for six to eight weeks after surgery.

Eat chewy foods like gum, cookies or red meat, as it can pull the implant away from the gums.

Eat anything that could get lodged between your teeth like seeds, nuts or popcorn.

Drink or eat anything hot right after surgery. The anesthesia will numb your mouth and make it difficult for you to judge how hot something is. We don’t want you to risk getting burned.

Use a straw when enjoying a beverage.

Drink alcohol for 24 hours after your surgery. Learn more compliments of Silver Oaks Dentistry

Daily Cleaning and Regular Checkups

One of the best things about dental implants is the fact that they don’t require any special cleaning. Simply maintain a standard daily mouthcare routine — brushing, flossing, swishing — along with regular dental checkups and cleanings. With this basic care, your new smile will stay healthy and brilliant for years to come. Also, reduce alcohol intake and avoid sugary drinks, including sugar-added fruit juices, to minimize the growth of harmful bacteria that can attack your teeth and gums.

Book Your Dental Implant Consultation Today

If you are ready to boost your self-esteem and have the beautiful smile you deserve, contact Harrell Dental Implant Center and schedule your free consultation appointment. We will be happy to discuss the procedure options, address your questions or concerns and show you why dental implants are the best possible method of teeth replacement.

Call 704-206-1330 or use the contact form on our website to make your appointment. During your consultation a complimentary digital smile preview (an $85 value) will be created to show how you will appear when your implants are in place.