Select The Best Cosmetic Dentist For Your Dental Implants In Fort Lauderdale

Cosmetic dentistry has become a bit of a buzz word in recent years.  When you think of cosmetic dentistry, you may think of smile makeovers with beautiful porcelain crowns or veneers or professional teeth whitening for that Hollywood white smile.   Dr. Nancy Rotroff and Dr. Gerard Wasselle of Excellence in Dentistry in Fort Lauderdale, FL, want to point out that one of the most effective and widely implemented cosmetic treatments is also a restorative one!    Dental implants can restore and enhance your smile in a number of ways!  From aesthetic improvements of replacing unsightly missing teeth to structural support to restore your ability to properly chew, they are an excellent option for patients looking to replace missing teeth.

What Is Restorative Dentistry?

Restorative dentistry focuses on dental function.  After preventative dentistry, your regular dental cleaning and checkup, one of the primary services we offer is restorative dentistry, repairing or replacing any decayed, broken or missing teeth.  Even when your dental needs require restorative dentistry, there is often an overlap between restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Several procedures are considered both restorative and cosmetic:

• Dental Bonding – Your dentist uses a small amount of tooth-colored composite material to fill in small gaps between teeth (diastema closure bonding), repair chips and cracks, or reshape crooked or malformed teeth. 
• Dental Bridge – Replacing one or more missing teeth not only restores the aesthetics of your smile and gives a fuller appearance to your facial features,  it also restores your full dental functionality (your ability to chew and speak clearly) once the missing tooth or teeth are replaced.
• Dental Crowns – Protecting a weakened tooth, whether due to decay, trauma, or following root canal therapy, a dental crown restores the structure and function of your tooth.  While a dental crown is often used for the purpose of restoring a tooth's structural integrity, it can also be placed cosmetically to enhance your smile.
• Dental Implants – The ultimate fusion of restorative and cosmetic dentistry,  dental implants restore the function of your missing tooth or teeth and the dental implant crown can enhance your smile cosmetically.

Do Dental Implants Hurt?

The dental implant is surgically placed by a top rated oral surgeon under local anesthetic so you may feel pressure but you should not feel any pain.  Following the procedure, you may feel mild pain or soreness for several days. Typically, you can use over the counter medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for any discomfort you may experience.

Can Dental Implants Replace My Missing Teeth?

Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth or all teeth in an arch (implant supported dentures). Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option for a number of reasons:

• Most Natural Feel and Function. Dental implants are look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. Restore your confidence to smile, eat the foods you enjoy, and engage in social activities without worrying about a gap in your smile or your denture falling out.
• Long Lasting. With proper care of your dental implant, it can last a lifetime.
• No Other Teeth Are Involved. Unlike traditional dental bridge where the teeth on either side of you gap are shaved down in order to place the bridge, the dental implant does not involve any neighboring teeth. 
• Preserve Bone and Prevent Facial Sagging. When you loose a tooth, the bone in your jaw starts to resorb due to lack of stimulation from the root of your tooth as you chew.  As you loose bone in your jaw and due to missing teeth, your face can begin to sag giving it an aged appearance.  Because dental implants replace the root of the tooth as well as the crown, they restore the stimulation your jaw bone needs to stay strong.

Do Dental Implant Dentures Cost More Than Traditional Dentures?

Yes, dental implant support dentures cost more than traditional dentures, but the benefits clearly outweigh the cost.  Because your denture is supported by dental implants, it does not slip or move, cause sore spots, or restrict what foods you are able to enjoy.  Your implants are designed to last a lifetime, though the denture may need to be replaced every 8-15 years depending on how well it is maintained. Every case is different, from the number of dental implants used to retain the denture and whether bone grafting is necessary to provide adequate bone levels prior to placing an implant.  

If you are interested in learning how dental implants can restore your smile or are looking for a dental office that offers dental implants for seniors, contact Excellence in Dentistry.  Dr. Nancy Rotroff or Dr. Gerard Wasselle offer dental implant consultation services.  Simply call our dental office at 954-928-1666 to start your journey to your new smile! We are conveniently located at 2480 E. Commercial Blvd in Fort Lauderdale. We accept many PPO dental plans.