Ellicott City Smiles Dental Group

Are you looking to replace one or more missing teeth? As a periodontist, I see countless individuals who want a solution that will restore their smile and improve their oral health. During consultations, I explain the available options and their pros and cons. But I also understand that many patients prefer to research on their own to get a better idea of what they want from a tooth replacement.

Many people focus only on their teeth when they consider their dental health, but your gums are just as important. After all, without strong enough connective tissues, there would be nothing holding your grin together.

But did you know that maintaining healthy gum tissues can also help preserve your facial structure? Continue reading to learn more about it and how you can help prevent periodontal disease to maintain a beautiful, healthy smile!

When my patients decide to have dental implants placed, they’re often primarily concerned with the surgery itself. However, I always take the time to ensure they understand what to expect afterward. It takes time for implant posts to form a lasting bond with the jawbone, and it’s essential to make sure nothing disrupts this process.

There are several things you will need to do to take care of your mouth while it’s healing after dental implant surgery. But there are also a few things that you should avoid doing during your recovery. Here are 4 key examples.

Many people mostly consider their teeth when they think about their dental health, but your gums are equally significant. After all, there would be nothing holding your smile together without them, which is why advanced-stage gum disease, or periodontitis, is the leading cause of permanent tooth loss in adults.

Thankfully, brushing and flossing twice daily helps maintain your teeth and connective tissues to protect your dental health. But did you know you might also prevent potential issues with probiotics? Continue reading to learn more about it!

When I finish a patient’s preliminary care for dental implants, they often ask the same question. Namely, they wonder what they should do next to prepare for the placement surgery. Their concern is only natural; a dental implant surgery is a big deal, even as it’s vital to the results they want.

I find that prepping nervous patients for implant surgery can relieve their anxiety. With that said, here are the recommendations I offer to help them prepare.

Hearing that you have gum disease can feel overwhelming at first. You may be wondering how serious it is, what treatment will involve, or whether your smile can fully recover. The good news is that periodontal disease is highly manageable when it’s caught early and treated by a qualified professional. Your periodontist is there to answer your questions, explain your options, and create a personalized treatment plan that protects your oral health.

Before beginning periodontal therapy, consider asking these important questions so you can feel informed and confident about your care.

When you decide to get dental implants to replace your missing teeth, you may not be able to have them placed right away. Depending on the state of your mouth and jaw, your dentist may determine that certain preliminary procedures need to be completed before you can qualify for dental implant surgery. In some cases, this might mean getting a sinus lift. Here’s a closer look at what this oral surgery involves and why it may be a necessary step of the dental implant process.

Finding a dentist near you who can confidently meet your needs can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what to look for. Still, caring for your teeth and gums is just as important as looking after your general health, so finding a great provider is a must. In our experience as dental professionals, we’ve seen many patients skip necessary care because they didn’t know where to turn. That’s why we made this easy-to-follow guide to help you make an informed decision.

Dental implants are one of the most reliable ways to replace missing teeth, but they require a strong and healthy jawbone for support. In some cases, a patient may not have enough bone density to securely hold an implant. This can happen after tooth loss, gum disease, injury, or prolonged denture use.

When the jawbone has weakened or shrunk, a dentist may recommend a bone graft before implant placement. During this procedure, bone material is added to the treatment area to encourage new bone growth and create a stable foundation for future implants.

While a bone graft is a common and predictable procedure, recovery takes time. Understanding what to expect can help make the healing process smoother and more comfortable.

Are there multiple aspects of your smile that you want to change? If you have several aesthetic and functional issues going on, you could likely benefit from full mouth reconstruction. This service combines multiple cosmetic and restorative treatment to restore your smile. Read on to learn more about some of the different dental treatments that could be included in your full mouth reconstruction.