Give the Gift of Dental Implants

What could be better than receiving a gift that will last forever! Now’s your chance to help give somebody a smile makeover with dental implants designed specifically for the individual receiving the gift. Now’s your chance to get those New Year’s resolutions started with the perfect smile. A gift like this would enhance not only a person’s appearance, but also their confidence to smile all the time.

There are a couple of ways to get this started. Naturally, it first needs to be determined whether or not dental implants are the best solution. If that is the case, first schedule a free consultation to determine the options. But for the sake of this blog – let’s assume the person needs dental implants.

You first may want to research ways to pay for the procedure. There are a variety of options that will fit many people’s budgets. Cash is always an acceptable means of payment. Credit cards are just as favored. Sometimes you can get a discount on the entire service paying with cash. If this fabulous gift is for a family member, does your insurance cover the procedure? Or, perhaps you qualify for care credit – a medical and dental credit card payment plan. Many times, you will not only qualify for care credit, but it may come with an interest free time period bonus. Naturally, you can get really creative and request money from your friends and family via a website and/or contest.

The next step, once you know how you will pay for this amazing gift, is to set up the appointments for the procedures. Double check if your gift can be Teeth in a Day or All on Four procedures. These procedures will save time in that they can be done in a single day as opposed to several trips and a variety of procedures with a longer waiting and heeling time.

Now it’s time to put the surprise together. Get creative here! Maybe you give the person a set of chompers that begin moving once wound up. Within the perfectly shaped teeth could the gift written down on paper and folded up to fit the inside of the chompers teeth. The sky’s the limit, especially considering what a person can do with the perfect smile!

Oral Cancer Prevention

Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, affects nearly 35,000 Americans each year and kills around 8,000. While oral cancer may occur at any age and affects both men and women, it is most common in men over 40. Oral cancer can begin almost anywhere in the mouth- this includes the teeth, tongue, gums, top of the mouth, bottom of the mouth, inside and outside linings of the lips, inside linings of the cheeks, and sometimes even near the top of the throat. It is important to prevent oral cancer as a healthy mouth and oral cavity are essential for a healthy, functioning body. Below are some ideas to help reduce the risk of oral cancer. You may already be incorporating some of the ideas into you own life. Read on for our thoughts:

Tobacco use is the primary cause of oral cancer in both men and women and should be avoided. Tobacco use not only includes smoking cigarretes, but also cigars and pipes. Chewing tobacco may also cause cancer. It is best to not start using tobacco, but if you are a user, consult with your dentist or doctor to determine the best treatment plan available to help lessen or eliminate your use of tobacco.

Your risk for oral cancer increases with the amount of beer, liquor, or wine consumed per day. Someone that drinks three to four alcoholic beverages per day has an oral cancer risk that is twice that of someone that does not consume alcohol. To reduce your alcohol use, consult with a doctor or review treatment centers or groups in your area.

Sunlight exposure may increase the risk of mouth or lip cancer. Make sure you wear a protective chapstick or lotion when in the sun, especially for extended periods. And, Prevent the growth of bacteria and diseases in your mouth by brushing at least two times a day and floss regularly. Make sure to incorporate healthy foods into your diet and start or maintain an exercise routine. With the right mindset and determination, you can equip your body with the best tools possible to help prevent oral cancer.

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FREE Consultations

Congratulations! You’ve had all of your regular check-ups and your major dental issues have been handled. Now what? Or you’ve found a new dentist and you’re not sure what to ask for. What needs to be done and how will you know it?

Ask your dentist for a FREE consultation. At this appointment, you and your dentist will discuss your dental history and overall dental health. What work have you had done in the past? Are you experiencing any pain or discomfort now? As you share your concerns, he will be able to show you what options are available and answer all your questions about them.

Your dentist will also ask you how satisfied you are with your smile. Are you interested in restoring or enhancing your smile through cosmetic dentistry such as whitening, crowns, alignment or sculpting? Some cosmetic procedures can also tighten up the spaces between teeth or fill in gaps in your bite, making it easier to chew and easier for your teeth to resist cavities. Your dentist will be able to address your concerns and questions, and advise you on which treatments would be best for your unique wants and needs.

Your FREE consultation will also include some discussion on the likely costs of your procedures, taking into consideration your insurance coverage. Payment options will be discussed, so it is important to bring along any family member who makes financial decisions with you. When your free consultation is over, you and your family will have the confidence of knowing what procedures you need next, how they’ll impact you and how you’ll pay for them.

Advances in Cosmetic Dentistry

If you’ve been putting off cosmetic dentistry because of low expectations, time constraints or discomfort, here’s a quick run-down of the latest technological advancements that may change your mind.

Using the latest in scanners and computer-aided design and manufacturing, your dentist can now create a full-color, 3-D, virtual model of your mouth and digitally design precise veneers, crowns or bridges. A computer then carves your pieces from solid ceramic material. Using these systems, your work from start to finish may be done in a single visit. Also, computer-designed and crafted pieces are stronger, fit precisely and color-match your other teeth perfectly.

Advancements in pharmaceuticals have created new options that make cosmetic dentistry completely comfortable. These include desensitizers administered before treatment and non-injection sedation to calm anxiety. There are also pain-free slow-delivery injections and methods to reverse the numbness many people experience following treatment.

Precision tooth sculpting is also available now due to advancements in laser technology. This greater precision means a tighter bite, a faster procedure and a better smile.

Clear, easily removable aligners have overtaken old-school wire braces. Braces are now virtually unnoticeable and have no irritating, sharp metal edges. You can also remove them for eating, brushing, flossing or for special occasions.

With the latest advances in cosmetic dentistry, improving your smile is now easier and more comfortable than ever with better results. There’s now no reason left to avoid it. Call Affleck Dental today to schedule a FREE consultation! 801-782-5010