Thursday, June 18, 2015

Replacing Missing Teeth: You Get What You Pay For


While it’s true that dental implants tend to be a more costly restoration compared removable dentures and bridges, there are tremendous benefits involved in implant dentistry. Dental implants offer: 

• Durability - Your new tooth or teeth are built to last. With proper care and regular checkups, the implant should last as long as you need them to.

• Nearly-Natural Feel and Appearance – Implants are placed into jawbone (the term implant comes from the fact that it is literally implanted) and bond with the bone; you can enjoy life as if your tooth was never lost.  Implant patients see improvements in speech, biting and chewing, and the appearance of their smiles.

• Better Oral Health Overall - When a tooth or teeth is lost, the lack of your natural tooth root, and the gap created in your smile, can create dental problems. Jawbone in the area will begin to weaken because it is no longer supporting the same amount of teeth and existing teeth neighboring the vacancy can begin to shift toward it, throwing off your bite alignment.  But when an implant is placed, bone is stimulated and existing teeth stay in place.

• Sturdiness - With the dental implant becoming a permanent part of your smile, you won’t experience the loosening or shifting of removable appliances.

Dental implants are money well-spent when it comes to your oral health. While dental bridges and dentures may need to be entirely replaced every few years, an implant requires less cost associated with life-long maintenance, making them the more cost-effective decision in the long run.

At our Montreal dental office, our friendly dental team does everything we can to ensure that you get the smile you deserve. If you have questions about getting dental implants, please call our office for your consultation.

Monday, June 1, 2015

6 Ways to Brighten Your Smile on Your Own

Bright and white teeth have taken the forefront of cosmetic appeal. Now more than ever, white smiles are associated with good oral hygiene and positive first impressions. If you are interested in whitening your teeth, you might be close to scheduling a chair-side whitening appointment in your dentist’s office. However, there are plenty of other healthy options to consider before visiting your dentist.

Brush and floss regularly: White teeth starts with good oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing every day will help eliminate bacteria, keep caries at bay, and maintain your gum health. Each of these benefits will also help you keep your smile bright.

Snack on fruits and veggies: Try eating fruits and vegetables throughout the day in order to help brighten your smile. Fruits and vegetables help scrape off plaque from the surfaces of teeth and can contribute to a whiter smile in the long run.

Don’t smoke: There aren’t many benefits to smoking, and its ability to whiten your teeth certainly isn’t one of them. If you are working toward a whiter, healthier smile, it’s best to eliminate smoking from your daily routine.

Eliminate staining drinks: Regularly consuming liquids like coffee and red wine can stain your tooth enamel and dull your smile. You might consider cutting back on these drinks in order to keep your smile white. But if you simply can’t resist, try drinking these liquids through a straw to direct the flow of the liquid away from your teeth.

Try over-the-counter whitening strips: Although they may only target front-facing teeth, over-the-counter whitening strips are capable of noticeably brightening your smile.

Contact Dr. Lenny Slepchik in downtown Montreal: The most effective way to gain a brighter smile is to schedule a chair-side whitening appointment with your local dentist.

Dr. Lenny Slepchik is a general dentist with a focus on cosmetic dentistry located in downtown Montreal. If you are interested in having your teeth whitened, contact our dental office today and schedule an appointment.