DENTAL IMPLANTS
People are living longer than ever, and while regular brushing, flossing, and checkups allow many of us to maintain our natural smiles for a lifetime, sometimes our teeth just can’t keep up. If you’ve lost a tooth (or a few teeth) due to injury or disease, dental implants can rejuvenate both your smile and your oral health. An implant is a synthetic tooth root in the shape of a post that is surgically placed in the jawbone. The “root” is usually made of titanium, the same material used in many replacement hips and knees, a metal that is well-suited to pairing with human bone. A replacement tooth is then fixed to the post. The tooth can be either permanently attached or removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth. The ideal candidate for implants is a non-smoker who has good oral health, including a sufficient amount of bone in the jaw, and healthy gums with no sign of gum disease.
ENDODONTICS
Saving your natural teeth is the goal of every dentist. Skilled dental specialists called endodontists diagnose and treat tooth pain, in addition to performing root canal treatments. With three years of extended dental school, they are able to customize and perform complex treatments using cutting-edge technology. Endodontics help with tooth pain, injury and tooth sensitivity. At Fortune Smiles, our dentist will discuss your diagnosis to evaluate your treatment options whether your issue is in your molars or is more complex. Most of the time, your best option to save your teeth or tooth is a root canal, but if there has been trauma, a root canal might not be a viable option. If you have a root canal, a local anesthetic will be used, enabling you to drive yourself home. During the procedure, a temporary filling is placed in your tooth that will be replaced with a permanent restoration. Pain medication can be given as needed.
INVISALIGN
You may be unhappy with the alignment of your teeth but do not want to go through the process of having traditional braces, which may disrupt your lifestyle. Fortune Smiles is pleased to offer Invisalign to teens and adults with mild or moderate alignment challenges. The process involves creating customized aligner trays worn over the teeth that can be removed for eating and drinking. The trays use gentle pressure to rotate and straighten teeth into the desired position. The severity of alignment challenges determines the cost.
Insurance may cover some part of the treatment, and there are also other payment options. The process can take between 10 and 24 months. Fortune Smiles is here to guide you in every step of the process of aligning your smile. Once treatment is complete, you can use Invisalign retainers to prevent teeth from shifting.
ORTHODONTICS
With constant and gentle directed pressure, teeth can be moved into alignment. Materials available at Fortune Smiles include plastic, metal and ceramic. These new materials are more discreet, compact and appealing than traditional metal braces. Dental appliances can be removable or bonded to the teeth. If you are hesitant given the use of wires, consider new alloys and memory wires can result in gentler and more effective treatment, while reducing pain and discomfort.
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends seven as the age at which children should visit the orthodontist. Even patients in their 80s can be fitted for braces. Treatment can last between 18 and 24 months. Braces can fix crooked teeth, minor or significant gaps, and improper bite, which may result in significant issues if not properly treated.