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Unlike dentures, dental implants can last the rest of your life. However, just like natural teeth, you do need to practice good oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene includes brushing twice and flossing once a day, regular checkups with your dentist in Murfreesboro and a good healthy diet full of calcium, protein, and vegetables.

Gum Disease Leading Cause of Tooth Loss

With that being said, people still suffer from tooth loss because of poor oral hygiene. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. While other things such as medication cause gum disease, dry mouth or tobacco, poor oral hygiene, which leads to gum disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss.

Missing Teeth Can Always Be Replaced

Thanks to the wonders of modern dentistry, it is possible to replace teeth that have been missing for years. Your dental implant dentist in Murfreesboro is a licensed and preferred dental implant provider and along with his team of implant, specialists will determine what type of dental implant is best for you.

If you have a mouth full of teeth that are well beyond repair and need to be removed, your Murfreesboro dental implant dentist will extract before beginning the dental implant process.

Remember, dental implant surgery is just that, surgery. There will be some healing time before you can have your surgically implanted posts crowned with artificial teeth. If you require a sinus lift or bone graft, the healing process will take longer.

Are Dental Implants for Everyone?

While most people are good candidates for dental implants, some patients may not be suitable.

People who suffer from chronic disease and systemic diseases take longer to heal making them poor candidates. Dental implant failure could also be a real issue for people who use tobacco as well. A comprehensive dental implant consultation is the only way to tell if you are a good candidate for dental implants.

If you would like more information regarding dental implants, or any other type of restorative dental procedure, call and talk to a team member from Fisher Dental today.

Cosmetic dental bonding could be the answer if you have chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth. If you have always wanted a beautiful straight and white smile, you can’t do better than Fisher Dental. Your Murfreesboro dentist has the experience and expertise to give you a beautiful smile.

What is Cosmetic Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is a process that corrects minor problems such as crooked, chipped, cracked, or stained teeth. Small gaps and teeth that are too short can also be corrected with bonding.

Unlike porcelain veneers or cosmetic dental crowns, bonding won’t take two or three dental appointments to complete. Dental bonding can be completed in a single dental visit depending on how much work you are having done.

Dental bonding is also reversible. Porcelain veneers and cosmetic dental crowns require some removal of tooth enamel making the process permanent. Cosmetic bonding requires little if any tooth removal, and is reversible.

The Process

If your Murfreesboro dentist determines that you are a good candidate for bonding, a liquid is painted on to the tooth or teeth. This allows the bonding to adhere to the tooth permanently. Once the tooth has been etched, dental resin is applied to the tooth or teeth. Once applied it is sculpted into place before being cured with a laser or light.

Bonding is permanent, but isn’t as strong as veneers or crowns. Dental bonding is also more susceptible to staining.

A New You with Cosmetic Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a less permanent and less expensive cosmetic dental procedure. Cosmetic bonding will last from seven to 10 years, or even longer, as long as you practice good oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene means brushing twice and flossing once a day. Your dentist in Murfreesboro also recommends enjoying a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables along with regular dental checkups.

Have you scheduled your annual checkup yet? Call and make your appointment for the new decade with your dentist in Murfreesboro today.

Missing teeth can cause all sorts of problems. While some think it is just an aesthetic issue, your dentist in Murfreesboro knows differently.

Adult teeth are not like baby teeth and are meant to last a lifetime. Enamel, which is the outer layer of your tooth, is harder than your bones and the hardest and strongest part of your whole body. However, that certainly doesn’t mean teeth aren’t vulnerable.

What Causes Missing Teeth

Your Murfreesboro dentist explains that lost teeth happen for a variety of reasons with poor oral hygiene being the most common. If you are not brushing and flossing every day, you will have tooth decay and gum disease. If left untreated you will lose your teeth because of gum disease.

Accidents and mishaps can also cause tooth problems. Teeth that suffer trauma from a blow to the head or an accident can also cause teeth to be lost.

The Problem with Missing Teeth

While missing teeth are both unsightly and uncomfortable, they can also cause other issues including:

• Jawbone shrinkage
• Gum recession
• Crooked or crowded teeth
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay
• Tooth movement

Overall Health and Oral Health

Poor oral health causes a multitude of problems. These problems can be deadly and include:

• Heart Disease
• Endocarditis
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight in babies

According to your dentist in Murfreesboro, there are a few ways you can fix missing teeth. These include dentures, dental bridges, and dental implants.

Unlike dental implants, both dentures and dental bridges will need to be replaced. Dental implants will last a lifetime as long as good oral hygiene is practiced.

Preventing Missing Teeth

You can prevent the problem by brushing twice and flossing once each day, eating a healthy diet that is rich in calcium, vitamins and minerals and seeing your Murfreesboro dentist regularly. Remember, addressing any dental problems early on is the best way to prevent missing teeth.

If you haven’t seen your dentist lately, call and schedule an appointment with your Murfreesboro dentist today.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and that means holiday parties with friend’s family and co-workers. With lunches, brunches, breakfasts and dinners, the food choices you make will obviously affect your waistline, but did you know that holiday goodies could also harm your teeth?

According to your Murfreesboro dentist, what you consume at the annual work Christmas party could result in an unnecessary trip to Fisher Dental. Below are some foods to avoid during the holiday season.

Hard Candy Breaks Teeth

Candy canes are at the top of the list when it comes to bad foods for teeth. Sucking for hours is like giving your mouth a sugar bath. Candy canes, butterscotch, and other hard candies can also break your teeth.

Sticky Candy Wrecks Havoc

Just like hard candy, sticky candy can break teeth and cause problems for restorations. Your dentist in Murfreesboro explains that salt-water taffy and sticky caramels can pull out fillings and even break wires and brackets.

Dried Fruit Sticks

While a healthier choice for your waistline, dried fruit isn’t good for your teeth. Those figs, apricots, mangos and other dried fruit will stick to the grooves on the backs of your molars. It is impossible to remove without brushing and converts to acid. Acid breaks down tooth enamel as well.

Sports and Energy Drinks Erode Teeth

While you may think you are doing yourself a favor by drinking something non-alcoholic, your Murfreesboro dentist recommends that you sip on water. You can add a slice of lemon but don’t go overboard as citrus fruits aren’t that great either

Citrus Fruits Damage Enamel

Your favorite citrus fruits can also be a real problem. Oranges, grapefruits, limes, lemons, and kiwi fruit are highly acidic. If you do enjoy, have that Ruby Red with a meal and don’t forget to rinse with water after enjoying.

This holiday season make wise food choices for your teeth and don’t forget to schedule your annual dental checkup with Fisher Dental.  

Professional tooth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure on the planet. However, tooth whitening can be taken to the extreme if you whiten too long or too often.

According to your dentist in Murfreesboro, using too much tooth whitening product can cause tooth sensitivity and even chalky or blue looking teeth.

Over the Counter Tooth Whitening Products

Those strips, pastes, gels, rinses and tooth whitening trays may be more affordable than professional tooth whitening. However, you won’t get the same results.

Because the hydrogen peroxide used in the whitening agent is not as strong in over the counter products, people use too much or too often. Also, over the counter tooth whitening products are not monitored by your Murfreesboro dentist either.

Professional Tooth Whitening

Done chairside or with custom made take home trays, professional tooth whitening is the smart way to brighten your teeth, as it can lighten teeth up to ten shades and is safer than over the counter products because the entire process is monitored by your dentist in Tennessee.

How It Works

Chairside Whitening

If you opt for chairside tooth whitening, your cosmetic dentist will prep your teeth before curing with a light or laser. This allows the active whitening ingredient to penetrate your teeth. The process is done two or three times, which takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

Custom Made Take Home Trays

Unlike over the counter trays, custom made trays fit your teeth like a glove. This avoids seepage that can cause gum damage. You will wear your trays with a prescription whitening gel over night or per your dentist’s instructions. Tooth whitening really does work and looks great.

Tooth Whitening in Murfreesboro

If you would like more information regarding professional tooth whitening, call and schedule an appointment with your Murfreesboro dentist today.

The holidays are just around the corner and that means lots of parties and gatherings. For some this is a very exciting time of the year, but for those that are not happy with their smile, it can be torturous.

People who have chipped, crooked, stained or missing teeth often hide their smile, especially if those problems are in the front of their grin. Also, a sad smile can also cause problems for your overall health as recent studies indicate a link between poor oral health and overall health.

Cosmetic dentistry procedures such as Porcelain Veneers are more affordable than you think. Best of all,  these treatments just may put you into the holiday spirit.

Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry

A cosmetic dentist restores and makes smiles more beautiful. Not everyone is born with a perfect smile. Unlike restorative dentistry, which is used to make teeth healthy and functional, cosmetic dentistry goes one-step further with procedures such as porcelain veneers, cosmetic dental bonding, cosmetic dental crowns, and clear braces. While dental implants are considered restorative, they are really a crossover procedure as they cosmetically enhance your smile as well.

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

According to your cosmetic dentist in Murfreesboro, there are several types of procedures that can give you the smile you deserve. These include:

• Tooth Colored Fillings
• Clear Braces
• Professional Tooth Whitening
• Cosmetic Dental Crowns
• Porcelain Veneers
• Inlays
• Onlays
• Dental Implants

Am I a Good Candidate?

Most people are good candidates for all types of procedures with the exception of clear braces and dental implants. Subsequently, only your Murfreesboro cosmetic dentist can determine what procedures would be best for you and your smile.

You really can have a new smile before the holidays with affordable cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures in Murfreesboro. Call for a no obligation cosmetic dental consultation with your cosmetic dentist in Murfreesboro today.