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If you lose a tooth for any reason, the greatest thing you can do is replace it as soon as possible. A missing tooth can cause misalignment, bone deterioration and can have a significant impact on your self-esteem. There are various options for replacing a missing tooth, and Cedar Ridge Esthetic and Family Dentistry are the dental implant experts in Urbandale, Iowa. A dental implant is the most common restoration surgery. An implant is a lengthy surgical process that yields long-lasting and desired outcomes. We have created this page to help you better understand the procedure and benefits of a dental implant. Learn more about why you should get dental implants to replace lost teeth.

 

What are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a surgically implanted tooth replacement. The technique consists of three steps, each of which must be completed at a different time. The procedure may appear lengthy, but it results in a permanent tooth replacement that can last decades if properly cared for. The implant is designed to fit the anatomy of your teeth so that they will blend in with your other teeth. Nobody, including yourself, will be able to tell you have a dental implant. 

 

What is the Procedure for a Dental Implant? 

The entire dental implant surgery can take up to six months on average. This is because of the many different steps that are spread out, enabling your mouth to heal. The post, abutment, and crown are the three components of an implant that are all placed at a separate time.

The post is the first component to be installed. The post resembles a metal screw and will replace your tooth’s root. A local anesthetic will be administered to help ease any discomfort you may feel. We encourage you to inquire about our various sedation alternatives to let you feel more at ease while prepping for the surgery. The dentist will drill deep into the jaw bone, exposing the gums and making a place for the post. Once the post is placed, your mouth will require time to heal, setting it in place.

The abutment is the second piece of the implant that is placed in your mouth. You’ll go back to the dentist at a later date once your mouth has healed around the post. The abutment serves as a connecting element between the post and the crown. It’s what will keep the crown in place. Your mouth, particularly your gum line, will need time to heal around the abutment once it is placed on top of the post. While you wait, you will receive a temporary crown.

The crown is the last component of a dental implant. While you are going through the implant process, a crown will be made to fit your exact specifications in terms of shape and color. Once placed, it will blend in with the surrounding teeth and be entirely undetectable. It is typical to have some sensitivity in your mouth when this portion is installed, but your implant can be utilized immediately. Over time, you will not even be able to tell that you have a dental implant. It will feel completely natural. 

 

​​All qualifying patients at Cedar Ridge Esthetic and Family Dentistry in Urbandale, Iowa, can receive dental implants to help them regain a bright, attractive smile. If you have a missing tooth, we urge you to schedule an appointment to determine if a dental implant is the best solution for you. If you have any further questions about dental implants, please give us a call or come into our office today! 

At Cedar Ridge Esthetic and Family Dentistry, we believe that everyone deserves a confident smile that is bright white and perfectly straight. Today, it is difficult to determine what will work best for you when there are so many aesthetic and restorative alternatives. Two of the most popular choices are teeth whitening and veneers. Both teeth whitening and dental veneers have their advantages and disadvantages. At our dental office in Urbandale, Iowa, we provide both procedures and want to make sure that each patient is aware of their options.

 

Teeth Whitening

Today, one of the most popular and least expensive cosmetic procedures is teeth whitening. In just one hour, it can transform the appearance of your smile. Teeth whitening can make your straight smile even brighter if you are already satisfied with the appearance of your teeth’ alignment. We provide professional teeth whitening services that can dramatically improve the appearance of your smile.

Many artificial additives and colors are found in the meals and beverages we consume. These foods and drinks can stain our teeth, making them discolored and undesirable over time. We use a strong whitening chemical in our teeth whitening that penetrates deep into the enamel in our dental office. The procedure is a non-invasive, permanent process. 

Only your natural teeth will benefit from teeth whitening. This means that the whitening gel will not brighten dental implants, crowns, bridges, or dentures if you have them. You’ll need to talk to your dentist about brightening these devices individually. Before you whiten your teeth, the dentist will discuss your desired results, ensuring that the entire procedure is tailored to your needs.

 

Veneers

Veneers are very popular since they may whiten and modify the contour of your teeth. They can straighten your teeth and offer you a new smile without requiring several surgeries. They are thin porcelain plates that serve as a protective shell for your teeth. They are custom-made to fit the anatomy of your teeth and are bonded to the surface of your teeth. Veneers can improve a variety of elements of your teeth, but they specifically target the following characteristics: 

• Misalignment
• Gaps
• Uneven Tooth Lengths
• Stains or Discoloration 

Veneers are a procedure that can be done in as little as two visits to the dentist’s office. During the first visit, our doctor, Dr. Ayah Bilbeisi, will take x-rays and impressions of your teeth that she will use to create the veneers. Dr. Bilbeisi will carefully note your desired shape, shade, and length of veneers, and at a later visit, you will return to have the veneers placed. The enamel of your teeth will need to be shaved down in order to create room for the veneers in your mouth. Once placed, the veneers will be permanent and will become your new, natural teeth. 

 

Teeth Whitening vs. Veneers – Which is Better?

Teeth whitening and dental veneers can improve and transform your smile’s appearance, giving you greater confidence. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and the dentist’s recommendation will be based on your specific condition. We invite you to explore our website in-depth, reading about each procedure. If you have any questions, please let us know. Visit Cedar Ridge Esthetic and Family Dentistry in Urbandale, Iowa, now to learn more about what we have to offer.

Even though our teeth are one of the strongest components of our bodies, they still have limitations. At Cedar Ridge Esthetic and Family Dentistry, we do everything to help you keep your smile healthy. However, the unexpected can still occur. We are ready to assist you in any dental emergency, whether you fall, get hit, or bite something hard, but especially in the case of broken teeth. A damaged tooth can cause discomfort right away, and understanding how to react in each case might mean the difference between recovering your natural smile and not. Our Urbandale, Iowa, dental office can help you if you have a broken tooth. 

 

What do I do First When I Have a Broken Tooth? 

When you first notice that you’ve broken a tooth, try to find the missing piece. If found, place the fractured piece back into your mouth, bite down, and hold it in place with gauze or a cloth. Keep the tooth wet if you can’t get the piece back into your mouth. It works best if you soak it in milk or warm salt water. If you cannot locate the missing piece, do what you can to stop any bleeding, reduce any swelling, and then come into our office right away. 

To help with the sensitivity, we recommend using mild pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These over-the-counter pain medications should be taken exactly as instructed. Use wax or sugarless gum on top of the fractured tooth if it is pointy or sharp to prevent tearing in your mouth. Apply pressure with a rag if you’re feeling any bleeding. Reduce any swelling or inflammation with a cold compress. Please contact our office as soon as possible. Our doctor, Dr. Ayah Bilbeisi, has been professionally trained and is completely qualified to handle your dental emergency. 

 

What Happens Once I am in the Office?

We will get you back to the dentist as soon as you come to our office. Dr. Ayah Bilbeisi will evaluate the break and the shattered pieces and choose the best course of action as promptly as possible. Our dental assistants will do everything they can to relieve your pain and make you feel more at peace. Everyone’s circumstance is unique, but we can restore the original tooth in most cases. If that is the case for you, work will begin right away to save your tooth. 

If this is not the case, and your original tooth cannot be restored, you can choose from a variety of dental restoration options. Dental bonding is the most common, followed by dental crowns, bridges, and veneers. Each of these procedures will restore your smile to its original appearance. No matter what happens or how your tooth breaks off, you can be assured that there is a recovery for you. We will not begin any restoration procedure unless you completely understand the steps and feel comfortable with the process. 

 

We have been expertly educated on treating dental emergencies at Cedar Ridge Esthetic and Family Dentistry. One of the most common dental emergencies we assist with is broken teeth. Please do not hesitate to contact us and come to our Urbandale, Iowa, dental clinic if you break a tooth. We’ll get you into our office as quickly as possible to relieve your pain and get you on the road to recovery. We love your smile as much as you do, and we want you to know you’re in good hands!