Applegate Dental PLLC Blog

There’s no denying that dental implants have multiple health benefits. From allowing you to eat a variety of nutritious foods to helping you to maintain the structural integrity of your jawbone and gums, they serve an important role in your overall wellness. But did you know that dental implants also have cosmetic benefits? Here are a few surprising ways that they can improve your appearance, too!

For better or worse, traditional braces are associated with kids and teenagers, and like many that age, you had braces back in school. Your smile was corrected and perfectly straight, but since then, your teeth have shifted out of alignment again. You want to avoid having to wear braces a second time as an adult, if possible. After all, you’re not a kid anymore, and you shouldn’t have to look like one!

You know Invisalign is an option for straightening teeth, but can you get this treatment if you had braces before? The short answer is a resounding yes! In fact, Invisalign is perfect for those who have regressed for the following important reasons.

When you started Invisalign treatment, you agreed to a few conditions. Mainly, you agreed to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day. But now that you have them, you may find it more challenging to meet this requirement than you thought it would be.

Keep reading to learn why you should stick to this obligation and how to make it easier to meet your 22-hour requirement.

You’ve always felt self-conscious about your overbite. Even if no one has commented on it directly, you think it draws the wrong kind of attention to your smile. Fortunately, you can correct your bite without getting metal braces. In other words, Invisalign can be used to fix a misaligned bite!

But why should you worry about resolving a bite problem? How does Invisalign work to correct it? Read on to find out!

Out with the old and in with the new—the saying goes. In some situations, this expression rings true. The old object needs to be replaced with a newer, more innovative, and more effective version. A prime example of this in dentistry is dental crown materials. For years, metal crowns were the standard, and they had their perks, including durability.

But times have changed, and metal crowns should be replaced with metal-free ones. Why? Here are just four reasons to consider!

In modern times, people take many luxuries and advancements for granted. Little things that are now accepted as normal didn’t exist in the past. Metal-free dental crowns, for instance, underwent centuries of development to reach this point. Whether you’re a history buff or not, learning about how these restorations have changed over the years can help you appreciate the realistic repair they offer now. Keep reading to see how far dental crowns have come!

During a royal coronation, a crown is set upon the sovereign’s head. Obviously, a lot of fanfare and ceremony come with the occasion, but the act of placing the crown itself is pretty fast and simple. To the layperson, putting a dental crown on a tooth can seem just as straightforward—just attach it over the top, right?

Although dental crowns are also referred to as caps, it doesn’t necessarily mean they can be put over teeth without any prework. In fact, there are five steps your dentist must take to give you a dental crown properly. Keep reading to learn more about this process.

Would you buy concert tickets and then purposefully not go? Would you purchase food from a grocery store, and then immediately throw it all away? Of course not. Every month this year, you’ve paid dental insurance premiums, but if you haven’t taken advantage of covered services, you are putting money directly in the insurance company’s pocket. What a waste!

So how do you take full advantage of your insurance benefits? Take these steps!

When you took a breath just now, chances are you didn’t consciously think about it. From processing new knowledge to controlling every system and function in the body including simply breathing, your brain plays a vital role in keeping you alive and well. Unfortunately, although rare, brain abscesses come with a high mortality rate. Needless to say, if at all possible, you want to avoid getting this infection.

Crossword puzzles and brain teasers may help you stay mentally sharp, but did you know that maintaining your oral health could help your brain stay strong as well? Keep reading to learn how these are related and how keeping your smile in good condition may help you prevent brain abscesses.

Goldilocks knew the value of getting things just right. Talented comedians know how to land the punchline at the perfect moment. Fortunately, when it comes to timing getting dental implants, it’s a little more flexible. There’s not a single moment when you can receive them or a deadline you must meet. However, you may require extra care to get yourself in that ideal position for implants again. Read on to learn about whether you can wait too long for dental implants.