Don’t let that embarrass you! Dr. Modic understands that most people are actually in the dark about this. Talking about dental implants isn’t exactly common social conversation! We can help.

The process of applying dental implants begins with inserting small titanium posts into the jaw as the “root structure” for a denture, bridge, or crown. The next step involves several weeks of healing so that these small implants can fuse with your bone and produce a strong anchor. A temporary crown is worn above the implant during the healing time until you are ready for your custom-made crown, bridge, or denture to be securely attached to the small metal post. In the end you’ll be left with a natural-looking, long-lasting, AND beautiful smile!

Here is a short list of benefits:

Eating Will Be Enjoyable Again! — Because dental implants are anchored in the bone, they can provide biting force similar to natural teeth.

You’ll Save Your Healthy Neighboring Teeth! — In most cases, adjacent teeth are not altered or harmed in any way.

Easily Maintenance! — Dental implants are just as easy to brush and floss as natural teeth.

A Permanent Solution! — Your implants can last a lifetime!

Very High Success Rate! — With a 95% success rate, dental implants are one of the most successful options available for replacing missing teeth.

Thank you for the trust you place in our practice. Don’t forget to schedule an appointment to visit with us! We look forward to helping you smile with confidence.

Also, be sure to take a moment to join us on Facebook by clicking on the logo below. It’s the best place to stay connected with our practice and, it gives us a chance to better get to know you.

Fortunately, proper brushing techniques don’t require a lot of time at all! Simply brush for two minutes, twice a day…that’s only 240 seconds total. If it really is a time issue you’re dealing with, set your alarm clock back 2 minutes. Your oral health is worth it and your smile will thank you!

Now, although two minutes really isn’t very long in the grand scheme of things, it can seem like a long time to brush your teeth if you’re used to a 20-second scrub. So, next time you’re in the bathroom brushing, bring along your phone and time yourself!

To properly brush your teeth, use gentle strokes and pay extra attention to your gum line, those hard-to-reach places, and the areas surrounding your fillings or crowns. If you concentrate on thoroughly cleaning each section of your mouth, those 2 minutes will fly by!

Here is a great video by Colgate that illustrates proper brushing techniques:

By the way, among the most interesting responses from that same survey suggested that pets crave toothbrushes as well as homework. But now that you’re motivated to take your brushing and flossing seriously, you won’t need to pretend like the dog ate your toothbrush! You’ll be a brushing pro.

Feel free to contact us is you have any additional questions about maintaining good oral hygiene!

EVEN THE MOST DILIGENT FLOSSERS AND BRUSHERS sometimes forget about the added benefits of mouthwash

But don’t worry—even if you already brush, floss, AND rinse with mouthwash everyday, you’ll find this content useful. The affect that mouthwash has on your oral health is often dependent upon the type of mouthwash you use.

So, before we get into the do’s and don’ts of choosing a mouthwash, let’s talk a little bit about why we recommend it.

Not only can mouthwashes make our mouths feel and smell fresher, they help prevent cavities and periodontal disease. They also help reduce the amount of plaque and bacteria in our mouths. However, don’t let these facts fool you into depending on mouthwash alone! Brushing and flossing are still essential to our oral health as rinses cannot adequately remove food and plaque on their own—they simply help prevent plaque.

Now, what’s the key difference between all the varieties of mouthwashes? Frankly, some help more than others, and some may even contain ingredients that should probably be avoided. For example, fluoride helps prevents cavities, but sodium lauryl sulfate tends to dry and irritate mouths, especially if you suffer from canker sores.

Be careful when choosing your mouthwash, and feel free to ask Dr. Modic for a recommendation that will suit your specific dental needs!

Here’s a little cheat sheet of ingredients to look for that should help you in the meantime.

If you have any additional questions regarding mouthwashes or dentistry in general, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Did you know…

• Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in a human’s body.
• Toothbrush bristles were originally made from cow hair.
• A shark goes through about 40 SETS of teeth during its lifetime.
• A person’s teeth set is unique—much like their fingerprints. Even identical twins do not have exactly the same set of teeth. Did you know that your tongue print is also unique?
• The average woman smiles about 62 times a day! A man? Only 8!
• Kids laugh around 400 times a day. Adults… just 15.
• According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the average person only brushes for 45 to 70 seconds a day. The recommended amount of time is 2-3 minutes.
• People who are right-handed typically chew their food on the right side of their mouth. Left handers? The left side.
• 50% of people consider the smile the first facial feature they notice.
• 80% of people are not happy with their smile.
• 78% of Americans have had at least one cavity by age 17.
• 32% of Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait of a co-worker.
• According to the recent American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry survey, 92% of Americans believe that an attractive smile is an important social asset.

Well, there you have it! We hope you enjoyed those facts! It never hurts to know a little more about your smile. Contact us if you have any other dental-related questions or to set up an appointment!

Oh, and please “Like” us on Facebook too!

We look forward to seeing you during your next visit!

IT’S NO LONGER LIKE THE OLD DAYS when it comes to denture technology, materials and fit. If your parents or grandparents had dentures, chances are they had a much different experience than what yours would be!

First of all, some people think that dentures, or partial dentures, are only for “old people”. False. While Dr. Modic does everything possible to save existing teeth, sometimes dentures are the best alternative—regardless of your age. You may be recommended full dentures if you’ve lost—or are in danger of losing—all of your teeth. However, if you only have some missing teeth with otherwise healthy teeth and gums, then partial dentures may be recommended. That way, we can utilize those healthy teeth for better support.

Dentures can make a huge difference in everyday life.

Dentures can help you eat normally and speak more clearly. One of the great things about today’s modern dentures is that they look and feel like natural teeth, and are made of the finest, modern dental materials. Dr. Modic spends an equal amount of time determining the proper fit and function and making them look natural. Each tooth is individually designed, positioned, and color matched for a “realistic” look that’s nearly always mistaken for one’s natural teeth.

A little trivia…

Despite what people commonly think, George Washington’s different sets of dentures were NOT made of wood. Materials at that time included hippopotamus ivory, gold pivots, springs, other people’s human teeth, cow’s teeth, and rivets.

One more quick thought…

Here at Academy Dental Care, we work with the very finest dental laboratories to fashion your dentures—featuring premium, low-staining, long-lasting teeth with a strong, high-impact acrylic base. Don’t be fooled by the concept of “self-fitting” dentures which are often offered with discounting pricing. Chances are you’ll be very disappointed with them—and if they hurt, you won’t want wear them. They can also lead to other oral health problems because of their improper fit.

Speaking of improper fit… Do you mind if we have a little fun for a minute?

If you think dentures may be the solution for you, let’s visit. Click here to make an appointment.

Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page by clicking on the image below! There, you’ll come to best understand the culture that surrounds our dental practice. It’s a culture that helps you feel comfortable knowing that you’re receiving the very best oral health care—from people who care. We treat people, not teeth.

To what are we referring? Those unsightly silver amalgam fillings that used to be the standard way of filling all cavities.

Fortunately, today’s advances in dentistry and oral health awareness are causing these silver alloy fillings to gradually become thing of the past. Here at Academy Dental Care we now offer you, our valued patients, beautiful white composite fillings that match your teeth. When you open wide and visit with people, your fillings will no longer draw unwanted attention. In fact, it’s practically impossible to even tell the fillings are there!

If you still have silver amalgam fillings from your past, we recommend that you consider having them replaced—and not just because of their less aesthetically-pleasing appearance. Silver amalgam fillings don’t bond as well to teeth—in order to make sure the filling is held in place, it has to be prepared with “undercuts” that can weaken the tooth structure and result in fractures. Amalgam fillings can also corrode over time as they swell and expand, putting you at risk for cracks. Additional problems can also occur as moisture and bacteria leak through microscopic spaces that develop between the tooth and the filling over time. Often, if not given immediate attention, this can cause a tooth to decay completely and/or break.

White composite fillings don’t require undercuts in your teeth, making them much more proficient in bonding, and definitely superior. In fact, such fillings can actually help strengthen teeth. And of course they’re much more aesthetically pleasing.

Still have questions about silver amalgam fillings and what to do about them? Set up an appointment with us. We’d love to go over all the options with you.

And don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook so we can stay connected with you!

Dental work is a mix between science, management, engineering, and artistry. Each day is different and challenging.

Technological advances in the dental profession happen every day as techniques, materials used, and procedures become increasingly advanced. The opportunities to learn and improve are endless.

But, best of all, the dental profession provides us all with the opportunity to help people and to make a difference in their lives. It may not seem like much, but the personal fulfillment that comes from being a dentist and helping people feel better about their smile and/or oral health is fantastic. Sometimes “feeling better” means “physically” better (if someone is uncomfortable or in pain). Sometimes “feeling better” means “emotionally” better (such as helping someone have the self confidence to smile again).

We want all of you to know how much we appreciate you, our valued patients. YOU are what make us smile.

We are also lucky here at Academy Dental Care to be able to work with such talented, great friends.

Some of you may be in the early early stages of choosing your own career paths—OR, you may have children or grandchildren who are making career decisions right now.

If we can ever be of help to you—or to somebody you care about—in answering questions about the varied careers in the dental profession, please let us know.

Thanks again for being friends of our dental practice.

In case you’re interested, attached below are a brochure AND a short video that will help you learn more about careers in dentistry.

(You can click directly on the brochure to read it or download it.)

By the way, we sure appreciate having you “Like” on our Facebook page. If you haven’t visited our page yet, simply click on the logo below. Thanks!

Of course, here at Academy Dental Care we remind everyone that they should do all they can to keep their teeth healthy and to minimize the amount of restorative dental work needed. However, here’s the deal… In most cases, root canals are no more uncomfortable than having a cavity filled, and the benefits greatly outweigh any minimal discomfort.

Sometimes, if you have a decaying, dying or dead tooth, a root canal may be the only way to save it—and saving your natural teeth is nearly always the best way to go. Healthy, stable, natural teeth allow you to eat the foods you want and to maintain proper nutrition. They are an integral part of your lifelong health. A root canal is often the very best way to preserve that natural tooth. Alternatives to root canals are typically far more involved, are more costly, and require additional treatments including having the tooth completely extracted and replaced with a bridge, implant or denture.

Here at Academy Dental Care we want to be sure you understand that there are potential side effects that can result from an untreated root canal infection, including:

• Abscess: An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the roots of your tooth.
• Swelling: This swelling can spread to other areas of your face, neck, or head.
• Bone Loss: You could lose part of the bone around the root of your tooth.
• Drainage Problems: A hole can occur in the side of the decaying tooth, which causes drainage into your gums or even into your skin through your cheek.

When it comes to keeping your teeth healthy and doing your best to avoid a root canal, the bottom line is always the same one we all should have learned as kids… Brush, floss, and schedule regular cleanings and checkups. Also wear a mouth guard when playing sports.

Do all you can to minimize the need for a root canal. BUT, when necessary, don’t avoid or postpone one. Root canals can be a huge blessing in disguise when it comes to restoring the health of your smile.

If you have more questions about root canals, please speak with Dr. Modic. Thanks for the trust you put in our practice.

Also, be sure to connect with us on our Facebook Page by clicking on the image below: