Category Archives: Blog

Dentures vs Implants

Have you been weighing on which option to get? On one side, you have dentures, and on the other, implants. Here are a few pointers about these 2 dental appliances.

Dentures

There are 2 types of dentures: complete and partial. When all the teeth are missing, complete dentures are ideal; when some teeth remain, partial dentures. The primary purpose of dentures is to replace lost or missing teeth. The good thing about dentures is that they are removable, and you can easily clean them simply by getting them out of the mouth and wash it.

Complete dentures are either immediate or conventional. Conventional complete dentures are used when all the teeth are removed and the gums have healed. These dental appliances are usually set in the mouth about 8 to 12 weeks after the removal of the teeth. Immediate complete dentures, on the other hand, can be placed in the mouth right after the teeth are removed. The patient need not wait for the gums to heal. However, this is just a temporary solution while waiting for conventional dentures to be made.

Partial dentures usually has replacement false teeth on top of its gum-colored base; thus, it is known by its other name, false teeth dentures. In order to hold it in place in the mouth, this type of denture has a metal framework. It is commonly used to fill the gap left by the missing teeth, preventing the remaining teeth from moving and changing its position.

There are alternative to dentures. For years, people thought the only solution for missing teeth were bridges and dentures. Today, we have dental implants. While it may be a bit more expensive compared to dentures, dental implants have the look and feel of real teeth. In fact, dental implants are becoming more popular these days.

Dental Implants

Dental implants replace missing teeth from its roots, giving it a strong foundation and the look and feel of natural teeth. Aside from its aesthetics, these dental appliances offer wonderful benefits:

Peace of mind: There is comfort in knowing that they would not fall while you speak. Unlike poorly fitted dental appliances, dental implants will slip and cause you to mumble your words.

Improved comfort and self-esteem: Dental implants do not have the discomfort as that of removable dental appliances. Thus, it makes eating and chewing easier. What’s more, they can make you feel good about yourself because you can smile confidently with it.

Durability and reliability: With proper maintenance, you can count on dental implants to last for many years. In addition, dental implants have a success rate of about 98 percent.

The downside, however, to dental implants is that not everyone can be a candidate for this dental treatment. But as a general rule, anyone who is healthy enough to go through a normal dental extraction procedure can become a candidate for dental implants. In addition, the candidate must follow good oral care and do regular dental visits. People who smoke, diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes, or have undergone radiation therapy in the head or neck region must have to be evaluated first before they can be made suitable for dental implants. For those that can’t meet the requirements to become eligible for dental implants, false teeth dentures are still an option.

If you are considering dental implants or false teeth dentures are an option, talk to the friendly dentists at Alpenglow Dental. To discuss your dental care needs, schedule an appointment today by calling (801) 878-1700.

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Extreme Tooth Pain: How Do You Know If You Need A Root Canal?

Are you suffering from extreme tooth pain? Is there swelling around the area of the affected tooth? Have you visited a dentist and was told that you have a root canal problem? You are one of the millions of Americans who are suffering from this dental disease. However, the good news is that your affected tooth can be treated and still be saved if you opt to undergo a root canal treatment. Also known as endodontic treatment, this procedure can alleviate pain and protect your tooth from further deterioration.

When you need exceptional dentistry care to help you with your root canal problem, you can depend on the reliable dentists at Alpenglow Dental for genuinely compassionate care and exceptional treatment. With their extensive skills and vast experience, it’s no wonder they have been recognized as one of the best Salt Lake City dentists.

To get a better understanding of how a root canal treatment works, let’s first take a look at the composition of the tooth.

Each one of our teeth is covered by the protective layers of dentin and enamel, which guards it from bacteria, infection, or damage. But beneath the hard exterior of our tooth lies a very sensitive and delicate part. This soft tissue area is known as the pulp. It is where the fragile nerves, blood vessels, and other vital connective tissues are positioned.

When the tooth’s protective cover is breached and bacteria gets through and penetrates into the pulp, it can cause infection or inflammation. In turn, this can result to tooth decay and damage. If left untreated, it can lead to pain, discomfort, swelling, or tooth loss.

Saving Your Tooth with Root Canal Treatment

The objective in an endodontic or root canal treatment is to carefully clean and disinfect the affected tooth. After the bacteria and debris are removed, the tooth is sealed with a rubber-like substance to protect the delicate pulp from further infection and damage. In most cases, a root canal treatment is usually completed in one or two appointments.

When correctly done, a root canal treatment can restore normalcy and efficacy in chewing or biting as well as protect the nearby teeth from getting infected. The pain, discomfort, and swelling is eliminated for a more comfortable dental functioning. Root canal treatment can also enhance the look and feel of one’s smile.

Getting a Root Canal Treatment

Are you struggling with severe tooth decay? Would you like to alleviate the extreme tooth pain and discomfort? Want to avert further, and possibly permanent, damage to your teeth? Would you like to improve its feel and function? Having a root canal procedure done is your best solution to protect your teeth from deterioration and restore your beautiful, healthy smile.

Wondering if you’re a good candidate for a root canal treatment? Speak with the friendly dentists at Alpenglow Dental and get an expert advice about your dental condition. These highly skilled and proficient dental specialists can help you with your root canal woes. They understand how difficult life can be for a person struggling with root canal problems.

Get the benefits of a top-notch, premier dentistry care from one of the leading Salt Lake City dentists. Come to Alpenglow Dental and experience truly compassionate treatment and exquisite smile care. Give them a call today at (801) 878-1700 to arrange your appointment.

 

How to Protect the Enamel on Your Teeth

Located at the center of each tooth is the pulp. This is a highly sensitive area since this contains the delicate nerves and vital blood vessels that supply the needed nutrients to the teeth and gums. The pulp is covered by the many layers of our tooth. If exposed, the pulp becomes susceptible to infection or damage, which can be very painful. Among the common symptoms of an infected or damaged pulp are visible injury, swelling, and extreme sensitivity of the gums and teeth to hot or cold. Thus, it is very important to protect the pulp. To do this, you need to fortify its primary defense against infection or injury, ie. protect the enamel on your teeth.

The pulp of your teeth becomes exposed when the teeth is broken or cracked or the enamel is breached. In most cases of cracked or broken teeth, it is difficult to determine the main cause of pain or discomfort because the symptoms come and go. When the crack extends into the highly sensitive areas, the affected tooth becomes susceptible to damage and infection. Accordingly, you may have to see professional dentists in Salt Lake City for your dental health needs. If not treated, it may result in the loss of the tooth. To avoid this, it is very important to protect the enamel on your teeth.

The enamel of your teeth is among the most durable substances in the body. Characterized as a hard, semi-clear protective layer, the enamel shields your teeth from the day-to-day damage resulting from biting, chewing, and similar other activities. The enamel is also responsible for protecting your teeth from the damaging effects of hot or cold food items or beverages. Yet despite being a hard exterior and a highly effective defense mechanism, your enamel will, over time, become susceptible to damage caused by acids, tartar, and bacteria in your mouth, among many other things.

As this protective shell gradually erodes, your teeth becomes increasingly prone to cavities or tooth decay as well as become highly sensitive to hot or cold. Here are a couple of simple, easy ways to protect the enamel on your teeth.

Food and drinks with high acidic content can slowly erode and wear away the protective layer of your teeth. Save your enamel from further wear and tear by simply cutting down on these highly acidic food items and beverages. These include soda, citric fruits and juices, coffee, tea, and the like.

Make it easy on your enamel and brush your teeth after every meal. This is particularly imperative if you’ve partook food or drinks high in acidic content. If brushing is not possible, rinse your mouth and gargle thoroughly. Chewing some gum can also help reduce the acid in your mouth.

If you can’t help it with your soda, coffee, or citric juices, use a drinking straw. That way, the acidic content will bypass your teeth. As much as possible, finish it up with milk to cancel out the acid.

Don’t forget to drink more water throughout your day. Water can help flush out the unwanted acids and bacteria.

With these simple habits, you can help keep your enamel intact and your teeth strong against the harmful elements that cause cavities or tooth decay. When you need help with dental health problems, look to one of the best and most reliable dentists in Utah County. Come to Alpenglow Dental and experience top-notch dentistry care with a personal touch. Get in touch with us at 801-878-1700.

Is flossing really that important? (Hint:Yes) Find out why

Is flossing necessary? Do you really need to floss? Only a few are well-informed on the need to floss regularly and why it is important. A visit to your dentist, he or she would recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day. But what about flossing? Patients are recommended to floss once a day.

The question is: Why should you consider flossing when you’ve already brushed your teeth? Brushing can only do so much in keeping your mouth clean and healthy; however, flossing contributes to optimal mouth care and teeth cleaning.

A toothbrush is designed with soft bristles made to physically remove a sticky, bacteria-laden film called plaque on the sides of your teeth while toothpastes contain fluoride, which helps reduce bacteria in your mouth. But even with these tools combined, they can only clean your mouth up to a certain degree because the bristles of your brush can’t adequately clean in between the teeth. But with flossing, it does the trick.

Dental floss is a special oral hygiene tool designed to remove plaque in between the teeth and corners of your mouth where bristles find it hard to reach. For over-all, total health care, it is highly advisable to brush and floss daily.

While flossing plays a major role in good oral hygiene, it is also a more gentle way of cleaning the teeth since our teeth are positioned in the gums and jaw. The roots of each teeth are held firmly by the jaw, and the roots and bones are covered by the gums, which is composed of soft, sensitive tissues.  The space between gums and teeth are most delicate; it is where small bits of food get stuck. Overtime, plaque forms and hardens, becoming tartar, which is a thick, disgusting film that covers the surface of our teeth if we don’t observe proper oral hygiene and that dentists scrape out using special tools. Tartar may lead to gingivitis — red swollen and sometimes bleeding gums. If left untreated, these symptoms can lead to severe gum diseases such as periodontitis.

Without proper oral care, a person can develop tooth and gum diseases that go beyond discolored teeth, bad breath, bleeding gums. Bacteria in the mouth, if not properly addressed and eliminated, can cause other health problems like diabetes, heart ailments, and respiratory illness, which can affect your overall health in the long run. And did you know, according to research, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.? What’s more, about 25 million Americans have diabetes.

But the good news is all these can be avoided, whether it’s a simple tooth problem or a complicated gum disease. Prevention is the best key to optimal good health. Thus, it is highly important that you brush and floss regularly. Flossing only takes a few minutes a day. It’s a small, simple step that contributes to your long-term health; an easy price to pay for optimal oral health.

Fight bacteria and other oral concerns by finding a trusted oral physician. Alpenglow Dental houses highly skilled and professional Salt Lake dentists. Get in touch with us at (801) 878-1700 to achieve and maintain beautiful, healthy teeth!

Last minute dental appointments

Its the end of the year and we still have openings for last minute dental exams! If you have a painful area around a tooth or just want a fresh mouth for the NEW YEAR call us to schedule an appointment. We have 4 convenient locations along the Wasatch front to serve your dental needs.

Give us a call today! 801-878-1700