Orland Park IL Oral Surgeon | 3 Ways Dental Implants Can Change Your Life

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Are dental implants the right choice for your smile? There are many reasons why dental implants would be a great option if you have missing teeth. Below are three ways they can change your life for the better.
Orland Park IL Oral Surgeon | 3 Ways Dental Implants Can Change Your Life
1. Confidence Boost

Missing teeth can make you afraid or embarrassed to smile in public. You no longer have to worry about what other people think of you because implants are made to match your teeth. Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth. You’ll have a ‘picture-ready’ smile that you will be eager to share.

2. Improved Functionality

Some people will opt for removable dentures over implants. Dentures can get loose and fall out when eating or speaking. With implants you never have to be afraid of that happening. Implants are securely anchored to your jaw. They don’t require dental adhesive and they can last a lifetime with proper care. Dental implants will make it easier to speak clearly and eat your favorite foods.

3. Better Oral Health

Losing a tooth can lead to additional health problems if it is not fixed. The jawbone can weaken and deteriorate over time if there is no tooth to support it. Implants protect existing bone structure and gums from moving or shifting into gaps.

Losing a tooth or multiple teeth can have an enormous impact on the quality of your life. Implants can bring you the confidence you once felt without being embarrassed of your smile. Implants look like natural teeth so no one can tell you have them.
Unlike dentures, implants also protect your healthy teeth while keeping your jawbone strong.

To see if dental implants are the right solution for you, schedule an appointment with our team today.

Orland Park IL Oral Surgeon | I Chipped a Tooth! What Can I Do?

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It usually starts pretty innocently. You’re biting into your favorite hard candy and suddenly you realize that there’s one little hard piece in your mouth you can’t seem to dissolve. You check it out and fear overcomes you when you see it’s a little chipped piece of a tooth.
Orland Park IL Oral Surgeon | I Chipped a Tooth! What Can I Do?
Enamel may be one of the hardest substances in the body but like most things in life, it has its limit. Whether you are chewing on ice or grinding your teeth at night, there’s always a chance of putting your teeth at risk. If you have chipped your tooth, there’s no need to panic. Here are a few things we can do to restore your beautiful smile:

Tooth Bonding

Tooth bonding has many structural uses, and it can be very helpful for repairing chipped teeth. Tooth bonding is a simple procedure that doesn’t require any numbing. The bonding materials and porcelain used are natural in color and can be designed to perfectly match your teeth. Your smile will look good as new, and people will have a hard time noticing you ever chipped a tooth to begin with.

Dental Crown

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that helps protect your teeth, while at the same time improving its appearance. An AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) dentist will likely use a tooth colored crown made out of porcelain or zirconia to look identical to your teeth. Crowns will also provide the durability and strength your teeth need to withstand daily use. You may only need a partial crown if our dentist sees that the chip doesn’t affect the entire tooth.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain laminate veneers are made up of several thin layers of ceramic used to repair chipped teeth. They will be bonded to the teeth to replace the original enamel of the tooth with a special adhesive. Dental veneers are a fantastic way to get your tooth to look whole and healthy again.

If you have a chipped tooth and would like more information on these methods, or to schedule a consultation, contact our office today.

Orland Park IL Oral Surgeon | Eating After Dental Implant Placement

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Following dental implant placement, our team may advise you to adhere to a soft food diet lasting from a few days to several weeks. Nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meat, eggs, low-fat dairy, and beans encourage healing due to their high nutritional content and being easy to eat. Here are some foods we recommend eating after dental implant placement:
Orland Park IL Oral Surgeon | Eating After Dental Implant Placement
Protein Shakes
Protein Shakes are an excellent source of not only protein, but vitamins too. Mixing the powder with milk leads to the consumption of even more minerals and vitamins necessary for healing. If you choose to have a protein shake, try to avoid using a straw the first few days and stick to drinking from a glass. The suction created by a straw may reopen the treatment site.

Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a great source of nutrients, vitamins, and protein to aid in recovery. Cottage cheese has a smooth texture that allows easy consumption and helps prevent any potential debris getting stuck in the implant area.

Soup
Soups can be a liquid meal replacement after dental implant placement. Before eating any soups or another warm dish, make sure the implant area has healed enough and avoid anything that is very hot. With protein and vitamins, soups and stews are nutrient rich and the liquid nature make them easy to consume. Avoid chunkier soups that have ingredients such as rice to avoid debris getting lodged in the implant area.

It is important that you follow our post operation instructions carefully. Doing so will help your mouth heal faster and prevent any potential damage from occurring. Remember to stick to soft foods for as long as you are able and to avoid overly hot foods and foods that can leave behind debris such as rice, popcorn and sunflower seeds. The foods listed above are only some of the options that we recommend eating after a dental implant placement.

If you have any questions regarding dental implant placement, other food recommendations, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us.