Legacy Trails Dental of Plano Blog

Dental implants have a lot to offer as a method of tooth replacement. They routinely last well over 30 years, providing patients with incredible aesthetics and a strong bite during that time. It’s no exaggeration to say that they are the premium tooth replacement option.

While most patients can get excited at that prospect, they tend to be a bit less enthused about paying premium prices. Dental implants can certainly be affordable, but you may have to think a little bit about how to make the dental work fit your budget.

If you’re in the planning stage of dental implants, here are some of the most common factors that affect the treatment’s overall cost.

Did you know that 92% of adults will experience tooth decay? Cavities are more common than childhood asthma. Although good oral hygiene and regular dental care can lessen your risk of decay, there’s another secret to a cavity-free smile. Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter. It makes enamel more resistant to bacteria that can erode your enamel. Not only can it prevent cavities, but it can also reverse the early stages of enamel loss. Fluoride is added to many dental products, but it is also in many public water sources. Here’s how drinking from the tap can keep your pearly whites strong and healthy.

(more…)

Facial swelling can result from a range of factors including injuries and infections. While it can certainly be unsightly, it can also indicate a dental or medical emergency that requires immediate professional attention. Here’s what you should know about dealing with facial swelling as well as a few tips on how to tell if you need to see an emergency dentist or another medical professional.

If you have dentures, you know that they provide many benefits for those who have experienced tooth loss. They’ve become a trusted way to rebuild your smile because they restore your ability to eat and speak normally. To continue making the most of them, however, it’s important to care for them properly and that includes soaking them at night. If you don’t know why this is so important, we’ve compiled some helpful information for you. Keep reading to learn 3 reasons why you don’t want to skip this step!

If you’ve ever lost a tooth, you know you have several options for replacement. One of the most economical is a dental bridge that links a set of crowns together over adjacent teeth that have been shaped into “posts.” This allows a complete restoration that looks natural and restores the function of your teeth.

There are instances in which bridges can fail, however. If you’d like to learn the most common ways dental bridges fail and how to avoid them, continue reading.

Tooth loss is not just a dental issue; it can significantly affect the overall stability and appearance of your face. While many people may associate tooth loss with cosmetic concerns, the changes that occur in your facial structure can also have an impact on your overall health. Dental implants are a great solution to these problems, but how do they help?

If you’re interested in understanding the ways your face can change after a loss of teeth, and how you can retain your youthful appearance, continue reading.

Some people might feel insecure about their smiles because they think they show too much gum tissue. While this is entirely a matter of individual preference, cosmetic dental procedures like gum recontouring can reduce visible gum tissue in the smile. However, some people might avoid getting these treatments because of a few misconceptions about them. Read on to learn about these gum recontouring falsehoods and the truths behind them.

Just about everyone had the experience of their teeth falling out when they were a child, but by the time you become an adult, you’ve probably long forgotten that feeling. So if you wind up with a loose tooth, you might not really know how to handle it.

Your first instinct should be to call your dentist, but until you can get to their office, here’s a step-by-step guide for how you should handle an adult tooth that has started to come loose.

Permanent teeth are supposed to last for a lifetime, but that does not happen for many adults. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, adults between the ages of 20 to 64 only have 25.5 teeth remaining. The American College of Prosthodontics reports that 40 million Americans don’t have any teeth. Although tooth loss is attributed to age, it can affect anyone. Dentures are the go-to solution to treat missing teeth, but there’s an age-related social stigma associated with them. You don’t have to be a senior citizen to benefit from dentures. Here’s why you’re never too young to invest in a new set of teeth.

(more…)

Keeping your smile strong and healthy is important, but you can’t forget your gums! Having a healthy smile doesn’t leave out the soft tissues in your mouth. When gums aren’t being cared for properly, your risk of developing gingivitis increases. When it is left untreated, this can progress to a much more severe form of gum disease known as periodontitis. In the end, this could mean loose teeth, tooth loss, jawbone shrinkage, and other serious problems. Here are some ways you can keep your gums in good shape.