Dental sealants are made of body-safe plastic polymers

In reality both composite and amalgam fillings serve an important role in modern dentistry.

Gum disease is caused by the over-accumulation of bacteria

Dentures restore a good percentage of your chewing power

Considering dental implants to restore your smile? Without question, dental implants are one of the most effective modern solutions when you have lost a tooth or several teeth. However, as it is with any dental procedure, there can be pros and cons to consider. Take a look at a few pros and cons of dental implants to help you make the best decision. Pro: Potentially Lifelong Tooth Restoration With the proper care, dental implants have the potential to last for the rest of your life. While the false tooth attached to the implant may wear down or need to be replaced, the implant itself remains as long as there is no damage to the bone that supports it. Con: Dental Implant Surgery Takes Time One of the few drawbacks of getting a dental implant is the time involved. You will face a recovery period after the procedure. The implant must fuse with the bone, which can take up to 5 to 7 months. If you required bone grafting, this can also take a few months to heal. While dental implants take more time than some other solutions, the outcome is worth it. Pro: Implants Look Natural Because the implant goes directly into your jawbone, the finished procedure provides what looks like a natural tooth. The only way implants are visible is during an x-ray procedure unless the crown is removed. Con: Not All Patients Are Candidates for Implants While most patients are good candidates to get dental implants, there can be situations when an implant is not ideal. For example, an individual that has a medical condition that impedes healing or heightens the risk of implant rejection may not be a good candidate. Pro: Implants Are Cost-Effective Since implants have the potential to last for many years, they are a highly cost-effective restoration option. While the initial upfront cost can be more expensive due to the complexity of the procedure, you won't be facing new costs every few years to have new procedures performed. For example, if you opt for a bridge to replace missing teeth, this may only last a few years before needing to be replaced. Likewise, dentures and partial dentures tend to need replacing after a while. Would you like to find out if dental implants are the right option for you? Reach out to our office to schedule a consultation .

No question, visiting a dentist for preventative care may be one of the most important things you can do for your oral health. However, a lot of your oral health truly is in your hands. In fact, you can make several changes right now that may make a difference in your oral health. Check out five things to start doing today to make sure your smile is well-protected. 1. Skip the Soda Soda is acidic, sugary, and contains artificial colors—all three can be bad for your teeth. If you are usually sipping on soda, consider limiting your intake to protect your teeth. Try having a soda with your meal, for example, but sip on water outside of meal times. 2. Use Mouthwash Mouthwash is often deemed as an unnecessary step in the dental hygiene process, but it really does offer a lot of advantages. For one, if you miss any bacteria while brushing and flossing, mouthwash will take care of it. Using mouthwash may also help with bad breath, fight plaque buildup, and reduce the risks of tooth decay. 3. Stay Hydrated Proper hydration is extremely important for your oral health just as it is for the rest of your body. For example, water supports saliva production, and saliva helps keep your mouth clean and bacteria levels at a healthier state. Try to get in ample water on a daily basis and keep your mouth feeling hydrated—you will do your smile health a favor. 4. Limit Sugar and Starch Intake Plaque develops on teeth when the sugar and starches are broken down by bacteria in your mouth and the particles stick to the teeth. Therefore, cutting sugar and starch intake can actually reduce how much plaque buildup you have on your teeth on a daily basis. 5. Don't Forget to Floss Flossing is incredibly important, but over half of adults may not floss at all. Ironically enough, about 50 percent of cavities actually start between the teeth where flossing is most beneficial. If you are guilty of skipping the floss when you brush, picking it back up daily may drastically cut your chances of problems with decay and gum disease. Find a General Dentist to Help Need a dentist to help you keep tabs on the health of your smile? At Rayford Dental, we'd be happy to give you just that. Reach out to our office to schedule an appointment .

If you have a missing tooth or several missing teeth, dental implants are one of the best long-term solutions. Dental implants look like natural teeth, restore your smile, and restore your chewing function. However, a lot of people avoid seeking dental implants because they are concerned that surgical placement will be painful. So, is dental implant surgery truly painful? Here's what you should know before deciding implants are not the right option for you. First, a Closer Look at Dental Implant Surgery Obtaining dental implants can look a bit different depending on the type of procedure and type of implant. However, the general process involves surgically implanting the implant into the jaw bone. Once the soft tissue around the implant has healed, an artificial tooth is placed on the post. During the procedure, you will be given a local anesthetic or possibly general anesthesia to keep you comfortable. Is Dental Implant Surgery Painful? Any type of surgery can come along with some level of discomfort. However, every measure will be taken when you opt for dental implants to make sure you are comfortable throughout the process. After leaving the office with the new implant, your mouth will likely still be numb due to the local anesthetic, and this can take several hours to subside. When the medication wears off, you may have some discomfort around the implant site or even in your jawbone. The dentist may give you a prescription for medication to help with the pain, or, you may be instructed to take over-the-counter pain relievers. In either case, most patients only feel the discomfort for several days after the procedure, and the level of pain should not be anything unbearable. Discuss Dental Implants with a Cosmetic Dentist In the end, dental implant surgery may come along with some minimal discomfort, but the end result is well worth it. If you believe you would be a good candidate for dental implants, we are happy to take care of you at Rayford Dental. Schedule an appointment for a consultation to discuss smile restoration options today.

When you opt for cosmetic dentistry procedures, several materials may be used to give you a smile you love. A material that is often used to change the look of your teeth or even restore their shape or appearance is porcelain. Whether you opt for a porcelain bridge, veneers, or crowns, taking good care of these new fixtures is important. Take a look at how to care for porcelain fixtures. Follow Good Dental Hygiene Practices Even though porcelain dental fixtures are not your natural teeth, the materials do have to be taken care of regularly. And, if you skimp on dental hygiene after treatments, the underlying teeth can lead to problems. For example, if you have a porcelain crown and don't brush and floss daily, the remaining natural tooth can decay, which could cause the crown to come out. Limit Foods Likely to Cause Stains Porcelain can be susceptible to stains over time. Therefore, it is best to limit foods and drinks that are known to cause stains. Some examples include coffee, tea, soda, and dark berries. While you don't have to eliminate these items from your diet, it is best to make a point to clean the fixtures soon after exposure. Wear a Mouthguard During Contact Sports If you play football, hockey, or other contact sports, be sure to wear a mouthguard. While porcelain is a durable material, direct blows to the teeth could cause breakage. Avoid Tobacco Tobacco, whether that is smoking or using smokeless tobacco, can be damaging to porcelain veneers, bridges, and crowns. Using tobacco can lead to unsightly brownish-yellow stains, but may also contribute to gum disease and underlying tooth decay. Follow Your Dentist's Advice on Follow-up Care Once your new dental fixtures are in place, the dentist will go over how you should properly take care of them. They will also let you know what to expect as far as checkups and durability. Be sure to follow aftercare instructions and work with the dentist to ensure you get the right level of follow-up care. Interested in Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures? Whether you have concerns about the shape, size, color, or alignment of your teeth, the skilled team at Rayford Dental can help. We provide a full collection of cosmetic and restorative dentistry options. Go ahead and give us a call to set up that appointment.

While dental health awareness has lowered the number of people who face major dental problems, many people do have significant problems. Full smile restoration is a combination of general and cosmetic dentistry to restore a patient's smile to a more pleasing form and function. Smile restoration is usually done for patients that have more than one type of problem with their teeth, but every situation can vary. Therefore, the process may involve a collection of different dental procedures. Take a look at a few of the common procedures done during full smile restoration. Root Canals and Fillings Natural teeth first need to be treated to make sure they are no longer at risk of decay or extraction. Therefore, the first part of smile restoration will typically be handling any root canals or cavities that need to be addressed. Root canals may be necessary if a tooth is decayed extensively, while fillings are more suitable for basic cavities. Crown or Bridge Placement Crowns (often referred to as dental caps) are used to restore a tooth that is damaged. For example, if one of your teeth has decayed extensively and a root canal has to be done, a crown may be placed over that tooth after treatment to fully restore and protect it. Bridges are used to fill gaps where a tooth has been extracted or is missing. Dental Implants Some patients opt to get dental implants as part of the smile restoration process. Dental implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, but they may also be placed to support a fixed bridge or denture. Likewise, dental implants are a good replacement option for patients that have been using a partial denture and want something more stable. Dental Bonding Dental bonding is done to change the shape or size of teeth to a minimal extent. For example, if a patient has a gap between their front teeth, the dentist can use the composite material to slightly widen both teeth to close the gap. Work with a Qualified Dentist Full smile restoration can be a life-changing experience for a patient that has struggled with their smile. If you have several things about your smile you want to change, contact us to schedule an appointment.