Having your teeth replaced with dental implants means that you’ll be able to experience life to the fullest. You’ll once again be able to eat several of the foods you previously had to give up and smile with confidence. Still, you have to get pass the most important part: the dental implant surgery. If you’re feeling a little nervous, it’s perfectly normal. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to make for a smooth process. Continue reading to learn more!
(more…)Before Your Dental Implant Surgery, be Sure to Do This
June 8, 2021
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Does It Hurt to Get Dental Implants?
May 15, 2021
Pain During Your Dental Implant Surgery
The first step to treating your tooth loss involves placing at least 1 dental implant into your jawbone to serve as a new root. The number of posts needed varies depending on the number of teeth you’re treating. Your gum tissue will be opened to gain access to your jaw, where are small hole will be strategically drilled into it to place your post. Afterward, your gums are sutured closed, and you’ll begin the healing process. Although the surgery is invasive, you won’t feel anything because anesthesia or sedation are used to ensure you’re comfortable. In some cases, you may not even remember your appointment.
Pain During Your Recovery
As with any surgical treatment, you can expect there to be some discomfort after the sedative or anesthesia wears off. Many patients report the pain to be less than what’s experienced after a tooth extraction. It is rare for patients to have significant discomfort during their recovery.
Your dentist will recommend taking any prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers as instructed to manage any discomfort while your mouth heals. You can also apply a cold compress to the outside of your face to decrease pain, swelling, and bruising. It’s best to stick to a soft diet to avoid pain or injury to the surgical sites. As your pain dissipates, you can resume your regular diet, but keep away from anything that’s overly hard or sticky. On average, it takes about 14 days for any soreness to completely resolve.
Pain After Your Recovery
Once your jawbone has fused to your implant posts through a process called osseointegration, and you’ve been fitted with your restoration, you shouldn’t experience any pain. Your dental implant should never hurt. If you develop any pain, swelling, or the implant feels loose, it can indicate a problem. You should contact your dentist right away to prevent dental implant failure.
Sit Back and Relax with Dental Implants
If the thought of pain during your dental implant surgery is giving you anxiety, discuss your concerns with your dentist. They’ll help calm your nerves, so you can sit back and relax while they rebuild a beautiful, functional smile.
About Dr. David Earnest
Dr. Earnest earned his dental degree at the University of Texas and has completed advanced training in implant dentistry. As a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, he has the qualifications you can trust to treat your tooth loss. Contact our office today to see if dental implants are right for you.
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How Excellent Oral Health Supports Your Immune System
March 14, 2021
Over the past few decades, doctors and dentists have discovered a great deal of new information about how the human body works. This has led to a more integrative approach to health and wellness. As an example of the more evolved approach, dentists have found a connection between the quality of a person’s oral health and his or her immune function. As you continue reading, find out how taking proper care of your teeth and gums can result in better immune system protection.
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5 Dangers of Mail-In Aligners
February 14, 2021
1. No Supervision by a Professional
Visiting a dentist or orthodontist may seem like an inconvenience, which is one reason mail-in aligners appealing. While it might keep you out of the dental chair, it can open the door to several complications. During your treatment, you won’t be under the supervision of a professional to monitor the movement of your teeth to ensure there aren’t any unexpected obstacles.
2. Not Tailored to You
If you’re not under the care of a dentist, your treatment using clear aligners may not be tailored to your specifications because your plan won’t be adjusted as needed. As a result, the aligners you receive in the mail may not reflect the actual steps your teeth need. If your teeth begin moving in an unanticipated direction, it can lead to big problems down the road.
3. Limited Treatment Options
Mail-order aligners require you to send an impression of your mouth to the company. A dentist will review the impression to see if you’re a candidate. Unfortunately, patients who have complicated issues may not be able to fix their bite and alignment concerns. Choosing a professional system, like ClearCorrect, can be used to resolve a variety of imperfections that aren’t possible using mail-in options.
4. Unexpected Dental Expenses
If an issue arises throughout your treatment, it won’t be detected because you aren’t being monitored by a dentist. You might end up with significant damage to your teeth and gums, like tooth loss and gum recession. As a result, you could require many expensive and painful corrective procedures to reverse the complications.
5. Outdated Techniques
Traditional impression material is outdated because it leaves too much room for error, which could affect your aligners. Dental offices use digital impressions and state-of-the-art technology to ensure accurate results.
Invest in a Straight Smile
If you want to correct your bite and alignment issues, skip the risk of mail-in aligners. ClearCorrect is a nearly invisible treatment to help you achieve the results you want without any unnecessary complications. Your dentist will create a series of personalized aligners to move your teeth gradually and safely into position. You’ll wear the aligners for at least 22 hours per day. After finishing your series, you’ll have a straight, dazzling smile you’ll want to show off.
Don’t risk your smile using a mail-in solution. Choose a professional to reach your orthodontic goals.
About Dr. David Earnest
Dr. Earnest earned his dental degree at the University of Texas. He has completed advanced training in many specialties, like ClearCorrect. As a member of the American Dental Association, you can rest assured your smile is in good hands. Contact our office today to see if you’re a candidate for ClearCorrect.
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What Does Dental Insurance Cover?
November 21, 2020
Focus on Prevention
Dental care focuses on prevention because it’s proven to reduce your long-term oral health expenses by keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Research shows every $1 spent on prevention can save as much as $50 on restorative care. Your dental insurance makes it easy to get the routine services you need.
By paying your monthly premiums, you have access to a comprehensive policy that includes 100% preventive coverage. You can benefit from 1-2 preventive appointments per year to keep your smile healthy.
Treat Dental Issues Quickly
Even with the best prevention, a complication can arise. You don’t need to worry about a large dental bill. After reaching your deductible, your policy can cover 50% to 80% of the cost until hitting your yearly limit. You can use your policy to help offset the expense of many common treatments, like fillings, extractions, and root canals. You can reinstate your oral health without draining your wallet.
Choose the Right Dentist
To make the most of your policy, your dental insurance will recommend you choose an in-network dentist because they have pre-negotiated rates. You can still visit any dentist who accepts your coverage, even if they are out-of-network; however, you’ll need to pay the difference between the office’s fees and your insurance’s allowable amounts. You’ll have the freedom to choose the best dentist for your specific needs to enjoy personalized plans to reach your oral health goals.
Don’t Let Your Benefits Expire
Your dental insurance is a monthly investment. At the end of the calendar year, your dental policy will expire. You won’t be reimbursed for your premiums or deductible if you don’t use all your benefits. In addition, nothing will carry over into the new year. Anything you haven’t used will be lost for good.
Invest in a Healthy Smile
Your dental insurance is there to keep your teeth and gums healthy to achieve lasting oral health. If you have any questions about your policy, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist for clarification. They will work on your behalf with your insurance carrier to file the necessary claim forms for reimbursement.
About Dr. David Earnest
Dr. Earnest earned his degree at the University of Texas. He is a member of various dental organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Academy of Osseointegration. He works with many insurance plans to keep his services affordable. If you have benefits that you’re about to lose, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
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Maximize Your Dental Insurance Before It Expires
October 20, 2020
Reduce Overall Dental Expenses
Your dental insurance plan is designed to keep your teeth and gums healthy to reduce your overall oral health expenses. By paying your monthly premium, you have access to a comprehensive plan that can include:
- 100% preventive coverage
- 80% minor restorative coverage
- 50% major restorative coverage
Your dental plan focuses on prevention because research shows every $1 spent on preventive care can lower restorative dentistry expenses by $50. You can get the cleanings and checkups you need for only a small co-payment. If it hasn’t been 6 months since your last visit, don’t worry. You can still use your coverage for your second hygiene appointment before the year ends.
Quickly Treat Dental Issues
If you have a dental concern that needs to be treated, like gum disease or a cavity, you don’t need to worry about a large bill. After reaching your annual deductible, you can use your yearly allowance to help offset the cost of your treatment. If the fee for the procedure exceeds your remaining benefits, your dentist can split the costs across calendar years to keep it affordable.
It’s best to have your procedure as soon as possible because any benefits you don’t use won’t carry over into 2021, and you won’t be reimbursed for them either. As a result, you could lose the opportunity to restore a healthy smile for affordable rates.
Enhanced Safety Standards
Dental offices have been closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic; however, many have opened their doors, so you can get the care you need. Dental offices are already some of the cleanest places, but they’ve revamped their safety protocols to make it safer than ever to visit the dentist. You can rest assured, your risk of exposure is minimal, so you can enjoy the comprehensive services your smile depends on without adding coronavirus to your concerns.
Invest in a Healthy Smile
On average, less than 3% of Americans meet or exceed their annual limits, so you likely have coverage remaining that you’re about to lose. Don’t throw money down the drain. Place an appointment with your dentist at the top of your to-do list, so you can start the new year with a healthy smile.
About Dr. David Earnest
Dr. Earnest earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Texas. He is a member of various organizations, including the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Earnest strives to provide affordable services, which is why he accepts many leading dental insurances. If you need an appointment before you lose your coverage, contact our office today.
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What Causes Some Dental Implants Cases to Be More Complex?
August 11, 2020
A single missing tooth might be enough for you to cover your mouth while you speak, but multiple missing teeth may have you seeking the confines of your home and avoiding social gatherings altogether. It’s not just your aesthetics that is negatively affected but also your oral health. The more vacated sockets in your smile, the greater your risk for bone and tooth loss. If you are seeking a way to replace your missing teeth, it might be time to consider dental implants. But before you move forward with treatment, it’s important to learn why certain cases are a bit more complex than others.
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The Do’s and Don’ts of Whitening Your Dentures
July 11, 2020
Everyone wants a bright white smile, even if you have dentures. However, even the brightest sets of dentures can become stained over time. Fortunately, there are ways that you can whiten your false teeth and avoid staining in the future. Continue reading to learn more from your dentist about the do’s and don’ts of whitening your dentures as well as ways that you can keep them white in the future.
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Visit Your Dentist Instead of the ER for Dental Emergencies!
May 13, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed some unusual challenges. For starters, as the availability of testing becomes greater, the infection numbers continue to rise around the country. That doesn’t stop the other mishaps of life from happening, like dental emergencies. If you find yourself dealing with one, it’s important that you seek care from a local emergency dentist, first, but why? Read on to find out!
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Maximizing Your Dental Insurance Before the End of the Year
November 15, 2019
If your dental insurance is based on the calendar year, pretty soon your plan will reset, and you’ll lose any benefits that you haven’t utilized yet. For many Americans, this could mean losing hundreds of dollars that could have been used to protect their pearly whites. Do you want to save money on your dental care? Read on to learn more about the importance of using your dental benefits and seeing the dentist before January.
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