Don’t Let Missing Teeth Make You Miss Out on Life

Don’t Let Missing Teeth Make You Miss Out on Life

Dental Implants Crystal Lake and Elgin ILA missing tooth doesn’t just mar your smile. It can have serious effects not just on your appearance, but on your dental health and your health and wellness as a whole. Luckily, with dental implants, you can turn back the clock and regain your confidence and health.

Health Risks of Missing Teeth

Missing teeth can be caused by injury, gum disease or tooth decay. No matter the cause, a missing tooth can have a serious impact on your wellbeing and your health. Teeth that are missing in the front can lead to a loss in confidence and a negative effect on your appearance. But, even when you can’t see a missing tooth, it can still be causing harm.

When a tooth is missing anywhere in the mouth, other teeth can shift, leading to crowded or crooked teeth. Your gums can recede, which affects the stability of the surrounding teeth. Missing teeth can also lead to advanced gum disease since it is easier for bacteria to accumulate.

How Dental Implants Can Help

Dental implants provide a permanent solution to missing teeth. The posts bond with the natural bone in your jaw, creating a secure anchor. As a result, you do not have the potential complications and issues that can come with solutions like dentures or bridges.

The procedure is one that has been used successfully for over thirty years. First, your implantologist will place a post in your jaw to anchor the new tooth. Then, the specialist will add a connector and finally a crown that looks like your natural tooth.

A dental implant can provide both cosmetic and health benefits right away. Once the implant is in place, it functions exactly like your natural teeth. There is no special care needed; just brush and floss regularly.

At Advanced Dental & Implant Care, we provide healthy and attractive smiles that can last for a lifetime. Our dentist, Dr. Pottorff, is proud to serve patients in Elgin, Crystal Lake, and the surrounding areas. We accept a range of dental insurance, including Medicare, for our dentistry care.

Are missing teeth impacting your confidence, comfort and health? Get in touch today. We can discuss a plan of care to restore your smile.

How to Take Care of Your Dental Implants

How to Take Care of Your Dental Implants

Caring for Dental Implants Crystal Lake and HuntleyEven in a world with more dental health products designed to preserve our smile than ever before, tooth loss is a real problem. Our teeth work hard during our lifetime and are have exposure to bacteria, the threat of decay, and disease daily. Cleaning them every day by brushing and flossing is drummed into us from childhood, and mouthwashes and regular visits to your dentist further support our dental health. Nevertheless, the majority of adult Americans will have lost at least one permanent adult tooth by the time they reach their mid-thirties. By age 50, the average U.S. citizen could have lost as many as 12 of them.

Unfortunately, tooth loss is something that can have a severe impact on our confidence and wellbeing, as well as our ability to use our teeth properly. Have you been told you need a dental extraction, or are you already missing at least one tooth? Dental implants might be the right treatment for you! Alternatively, you may already have a bridge or dentures and be looking for a more reliable, standalone solution that does not put pressure on surrounding teeth.

Dental implants are artificial and as such, cannot get cavities like a natural tooth. However, implants can be affected by gum disease; also known as periodontal disease or periodontitis. Thus, gum disease that progresses to moderate or severe stages can put your implants at risk. Furthermore, patients with advanced periodontitis can suffer from jaw bone deterioration that causes implant posts to come loose.

Whether you have dental implants already, or you are considering them for the future, taking proper care of them is essential. Proper implant care will ensure they will remain attractive and in good condition. Here is our guide to taking care of your dental implants.

Brush your teeth every day and do it well!

Brushing is the single most crucial thing that you can do to help protect your natural teeth and preserve your implants. Doing so will remove the food debris that interacts with the natural bacteria in your mouth. Also, this will stop the accumulation of plaque on your teeth that can eventually cause gum disease.

Use a soft-bristled brush and a fluoride toothpaste. Brush at least twice each day for at least two minutes each time.

Do the floss!

No, we aren’t talking about the latest dance craze! Proper dental flossing is essential if you want to keep gum disease at bay. The floss gets in the little gaps between your teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach, removing food particles that could later lead to decay and periodontal disease.

Give up smoking

Smoking is terrible for your general health, but it is also bad news for your teeth. Nicotine stains your natural teeth and can also discolor your implants, ruining their naturally attractive appearance. Smokers have also shown to have a significantly higher chance of developing gum disease. There are various reasons for this, including nicotine causing the mouth to become dryer, and a lack of oxygenated blood flow to the gums. By giving up smoking, your health and your dental implants will benefit.

Visit your dentist as requested

Most patients require a check-up with their dentist at least once a year, with some patients being asked to return every six months. Your dentist has had specific education and training in spotting potential dental problems. Such as gum disease, early and before they can cause severe damage to your oral health. Don’t put off your dental appointments. They will help to ensure that your new implants look and feel great for years to come.

For more advice on the best way to look after your dental implants, please contact us and make an appointment at our office. You can also visit our blog about the advantages of dental implants to learn more about the benefits.

We also treat patients in the surrounding neighborhoods of Huntley, Carpentersville, Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Barrington, West Dundee, East Dundee, McHenry, Woodstock, Pingree Grove, Prairie Grove, Cary, Elgin, South Elgin, and Island Lake.

Dentures and Implants – Teeth in a Day

Dentures and Dental Implants – Teeth-in-a-Day

Porcelain Veneers AlgonquinStatistically, many of us will lose a tooth during our lifetime. The sheer numbers are staggering. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and 36 million Americans do not have any teeth at all or are losing their teeth.

Fortunately, as the number of Americans missing teeth has risen, so has the number of ways to replace missing teeth, and the conversation is no longer just about dentures, crowns, bridges, and implants. Now you can get a bridge supported by implants in just one day with the teeth in a day All-on-4 procedure.

Sound different? That’s because it is. Christopher Pottorff, DMD, at Advanced Dental & Implant Care in Algonquin, Illinois, and serving patients in Carpentersville and surrounding communities, shares his insights about the teeth in a day procedure.

Replacing missing teeth is job No. 1. You don’t want the embarrassment and inconvenience of living without a full set of functioning beautiful teeth. Otherwise, you will experience bone loss, which changes the shape of your face. Plus, you won’t be able to speak, eat, or chew properly.

Dentures work fine for some folks, but who wants to deal with messy adhesives and putting dentures in and taking them out? Wouldn’t it be nice to a get a full permanent set of beautiful teeth and with less hassle?

That’s where the teeth in a day All-on-4 implant-supported dental technique comes in. Think of it as a variation of traditional dental implants with some really great perks. The teeth in a day All-on-4 bridge does not come out, and the look is so natural, you will forget they’re not your real teeth.

Teeth in a day

With traditional dental implants, a titanium post is surgically placed in your jaw for every missing tooth. If you need to replace a full arch and choose traditional implants, on average Dr. Pottorff places anywhere from six to eight implants.

With the teeth in a day All-on-4 implant-supported denture, Dr. Pottorff can place a full upper or lower arch with only four to six implants. This translates into a more patient-friendly, more immediate treatment option, and in many cases, quicker healing time.

As if that were not enough, the teeth in a day All-on-4 process means that on your surgery day, you will leave the office with a full arch of functional, permanent teeth.

No Bone grafting needed

In the traditional dental implant process, patients who lack sufficient jawbone to support the implants usually need to undergo bone grafting or guided bone regeneration. With the teeth in a day All-on-4 implant-supported bridge, implants are placed differently, leveraging the areas in your jaw where there is naturally more bone and eliminating the need for bone grafting.

Less is more

The teeth in a day All-on-4 process has all the benefits of traditional implants without the time investment. With fewer implants, healing time, and dental appointments, and no waiting around for your new artificial teeth, less can really be more when it comes to the All-on-4 bridge-supported implants.

If you have missing teeth and are interested in getting teeth in a day, this is the option for you. Contact us at Advanced Dental & Implant Care by calling our office. We can schedule a no-charge consultation for you.

 

Advantages of Dental Implants

Advantages of Dental Implants

Advantages of Dental ImplantsDental implants are an exciting option for people with missing teeth. For many years, people who lost teeth because of gum disease or other reasons had only two choices: dentures or bridges. Today, dental implants offer a very attractive alternative and there are many advantages of dental implants for Huntley & Elgin patients. In fact, they’re now the standard of care for replacing missing teeth.

A dental implant is a procedure in which your missing tooth is permanently replaced with a non-removable beautiful ceramic crown that looks natural. The implant acts as an artificial tooth root, and the bone grows around it, bonding itself to the implant.

Advantages of Dental Implants Huntley

People choose dental implants for many reasons. They’re more comfortable and attractive than bridges or dentures and they are permanent. Implants can improve your appearance and increase your self-confidence. They also offer many health benefits. More than three million people in the United States have dental implants & that number is growing steadily. At Advanced Dental & Implant Care, our patients have discovered the many benefits of dental implants, such as the following:

A More Youthful Face

Choosing to have a dental implant can improve your smile and make you look younger and more attractive. Implant crowns are made to match the color of your natural teeth so they blend perfectly and enhance your smile. Implants actually stimulate bone growth in your jaw and help retain your face’s natural shape and smile so they help maintain a more attractive youthful appearance.

More Self-Confidence with Dental Implants

When you feel good about your teeth and your smile, your self-confidence increases. With implants, you won’t have to worry about hiding your teeth with your hand or smiling with your lips closed. You won’t have to worry about loose dentures or what others might think of your missing or imperfect teeth. Implants look and feel like your natural teeth, so any self- consciousness you may have had disappeared.

Healthier Teeth (MOST IMPORTANT)

When you have dental implants, you do a favor for your remaining teeth. That’s because implants reinforce your natural teeth which helps them last longer. Implants are stronger than natural teeth, and they can’t get cavities or break. When you are missing a tooth more stress is on your teeth that are left because there are fewer teeth to take the force of your bite. This causes your teeth to wear down more quickly which results in more dental work or loss of more teeth If you lose a tooth or have a tooth extracted, getting a dental implant as soon as possible helps prevent bone loss at the site of the missing tooth.

Easy Cleaning

With dental implants, you brush and floss just as you would your natural teeth. This is great news for people with bridges that can trap food in your mouth or dentures which require scrubbing or soaking.

A Return to the Foods You Enjoy and Healthier Digestion

Having dentures or bridges can lead you to avoid certain foods, either because of pain or because food becomes trapped in uncomfortable places. Dental implants are like natural teeth, so there’s no need to avoid certain foods for those reasons.

If you have any missing teeth, or if you’ve grown tired of dealing with bridges or dentures, call our office at (847) 854-1200 or use the online booking tool to make an appointment for a free implant consultation. Dr. Pottorff, a dental implant specialist serving patients for dental implants in Huntley, Elgin, South Elgin, and nearby communities. He will answer all of your questions about dental implants and help you decide whether they’re right for you.

Dental Implants Overview

Dental Implants Overview

Dental Implants in Huntley and Crystal LakeCould you imagine telling your grandparents, or even your parents, that they could have their missing teeth replaced using a method that would feel no different, and look no different, then a full set of healthy, natural teeth? Back in the day, they would have thought such a thing was unthinkable, and they would have been right. Today, though, dentists can replace missing teeth using dental implants, which are the next best thing to your own teeth. So, what are they? How can they give you back full functionality and appearance? This overview will explain.

How Dental Implants Work

Dental Implants are made using a titanium post, which is placed surgically in your jaw. It fuses to your jawbone, and then your dentist places an abutment on top of the post. The abutment anchors a dental crown, which is a prosthetic tooth, usually made from porcelain. Although the implant itself is simply the titanium post, all three components together form what we typically refer to as “dental implants.”

Patients who have chosen dental implants in the Crystal Lake, Barrington, and Huntley areas will find that they work no differently from their own, natural teeth. And implants, unlike other restorative dentistry treatments like dentures or bridgework, will actually work to stimulate the jaw and encourage bone growth. This is because your jawbone grows around the implant. Dentures simply rest on top of your jaw and do nothing to encourage bone growth and nothing to inhibit bone loss.

Other Benefits of Dental Implants in Crystal Lake

In addition to encouraging bone growth, patients who choose dental implants will find that they never have to worry about their prosthetic teeth slipping or sliding. In addition, because implants are permanently fixed in the jaw, you never have to worry about taking them out for cleaning, and there is no danger of dropping and breaking them. Implants can be cleaned the same way you would your natural teeth.

With dental implants, you just have to keep up with your ordinary regimen of oral care. Come in and see Dr. Christopher Pottorff for checkups, get regular professional cleanings, and of course, brush and floss.

Remember, though, that the crown is still vulnerable to some of the things that might also damage a natural tooth. Biting or grinding can harm the crown, and of course, a blow to the mouth can cause breakage. Generally speaking, though, your implants are impervious to anything other than gum disease, which could cause them to fail.

Contact Our Office To Schedule Your Appointment

To talk about dental implants, or to book a consultation, call Dr. Christopher Pottorff at Advanced Dental and Implant Care, 847-854-1200. We also treat patients in the Barrington, Crystal Lake, Huntley, Algonquin, Carpentersville, South Elgin, and surrounding areas.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

A Beautiful Practice For All Your Dental Needs

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 “We believe providing our patients with a better experience is the best way to ensure they have healthy, attractive smiles that last a lifetime. We go above and beyond to make sure our patients are comfortable, even at the most basic level. We understand going to the dentist can be an uncomfortable experience, but with our office, it doesn’t have to be. So when you visit us, you will see what sets our office apart from other dentists and implant specialists. From routine dental care to perfect natural-looking implants and cosmetic dentistry, we promise you will be impressed. Schedule your visit today!”

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