Your dentist’s #1 goal is to help you enjoy a complete, healthy, and beautiful smile for life. However, many adults reach a point where imperfect oral health and hygiene catch up to them — and usually, the appearance of their teeth is the first thing they will notice. But your restorative dentist knows starting with the cosmetic usually is not the right move. Keep reading to learn the order of operations for complex treatment plans. It is a process, but with a little dedication, you will be smiling bright before you know it.
Start with the Gums
You probably do not think about them as much as you do your pearly whites, but your gums are crucial to your lasting oral health. If your gums have been affected by disease, this is most likely where your dentist will want to start in any complex treatment plan. Gum disease treatment or periodontal surgery will help to arrest gum recession and may rescue teeth that would have otherwise been lost.
Crown and Bridge
Teeth that have been damaged by dental decay or worn down due to teeth grinding and jaw clenching or as a result of injury may require extensive dental work/replacement. Dental crowns can help to bring back the form and function or worn teeth. The fixed bridge can replace several consecutively missing teeth. Both can be made from natural-looking materials to ensure that they blend beautifully with the teeth that surround them.
Quality Tooth Replacement
Patients who are in generally good oral and overall health and whose tooth loss is recent are typically good candidates for dental implants, the premiere replacement option for missing teeth. A complex treatment plan may involve the placement of one or more dental implants. This option actually promotes the growth of bone tissue to help the implant post fuse together with the jaw bone, for the most stable and attractive replacement possible.
Once again, complex treatment plans are not fast — and dental implants can take up to a year to complete. But truly nothing does the job better than this option.
Last But Not Least, Cosmetic Treatments
After your periodontal and dental health have been attended to, your dentist will provide the finishing touches with cosmetic treatments that help you to smile with full confidence. This may include porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, Invisalign, and more. Whatever it is that you need, this is definitely the most exciting part for patient and dentist alike.
At the end of a complex treatment plan, you get the best reward of all: a beautiful, healthy, and long-lasting smile. If you are experiencing severe dental damage, do not hesitate to get started with a restorative dentist you trust!
Meet the Dentist
Dr. L. Blaine Kennington is a trusted restorative dentist practicing in Castle Rock, WA. He has been transforming smiles for over 3 decades and has a big passion for complex treatment cases. To learn more about what is possible with your smile, do not hesitate to get in touch with Cowlitz River Dental by calling 360-703-9092.