It’s very common to have a fear of going to the dentist. Some people are afraid of pain while their teeth are being worked on, while others have a fear of being told everything is wrong with their teeth. Whatever your fear is, here are some tips about how to reduce your anxiety while you’re at the dentist: Call and ask if they have a dentist for fearful patients - Giving the dentist's office a heads up about your fear of the dentist will give them time to find the best dentist for you. Not all dentists will have the patience to work with a nervous patient. Find a distraction - Some dentist offices have television, coloring stations for kids, magazines, and books in the waiting area. These are great things to use to calm your nerves while you wait to be seen by the dentist. Don't go alone - Even though it sounds silly, find a time to go to the dentist that works for your spouse too. This will give you someone to support you and reassure you that everything is going to be okay during your dentist appointment. Be a little early - Getting to the dentist a little early will give you or your child time to get acclimated to the new surroundings. Children tend to do better at the dentist when they see their parents get their teeth cleaned, so finding a family dentist is preferable for parents. Relaxation techniques - To help reduce your anxiety while you’re getting work done on your teeth at the dentist you could bring a stress ball and try to keep your mind focused on anything other than the dentist. This will decrease your chances of panicking while your dentist is working. Speak up if you feel pain - It’s a good idea to have a signal for the dentist to communicate that you are feeling pain. No matter what anyone says, it is not normal to feel pain at the dentist. Something like holding up one finger or your hand are great ways to communicate to your dentist that something doesn’t feel right.
Over the last decade, cosmetic dentistry has significantly evolved. There are a wide variety of treatments that are available to address practically any cosmetic complaint. If you often wish that your teeth looked better, cosmetic dentistry is right for you. If your teeth are stained, chipped, broken, missing, or have gaps; modern cosmetic dentistry can give you a better smile - the smile you’ve always wanted. At Mentor Smiles, our dentists work with you to create an individualized treatment plan. Continue reading to see why cosmetic dentistry may be right for you and some of its many benefits.
There’s no question that implant dentistry has come a long way. Patients who have lost one or more teeth no longer have to be embarrassed about their incomplete smiles. Instead, with the help of dental implants, they can show off new teeth that look and function just like the ones they were born with! Here at Mentor Smiles, we’re dedicated to making sure that all patients who are candidates for implant dentistry can enjoy the benefits of this revolutionary procedure. To help you determine if dental implants might be a good fit for you, we’ve laid out the pros and cons below. Check them out, and if you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, give us a call today! THE PROS 1. Easier Chewing and Speaking Trying to chew or speak clearly when you are missing one or more teeth is not easy. In fact, it can be downright impossible in some circumstances. With a dental implant, though, you’ll have a replacement for that missing tooth that feels and functions just like the real thing. You’ll be able to enjoy your favorite foods and attempt those tongue-twisters with no problem! 2. Jawbone Preservation Jawbone is one of those “use it or lose it” things in life. If you do not have a full smile, part of your jawbone may start to be reabsorbed into the body. By placing an implant, we signal to your body that the jawbone is still needed, so it’s not reabsorbed. (This is why it’s better to get implants sooner rather than later.) 3. A Full Smile Forget about being embarrassed over the appearance of your smile! Once you have your dental implant put in and topped with an appropriate crown, very few people will be able to tell the difference between an implant and a natural tooth. You’ll be able to smile wide for the camera and show off your smile whenever and wherever you want. THE CONS 1. The Cost There’s no question that dental implant costs can be a barrier for many patients. We can’t give a general cost range here, as so much depends on the patient’s insurance coverage and individual circumstances. What we can do is say that we are committed to working with patients and their insurance companies to make sure that patients who need dental implants can get them. 2. The Time The dental implant process can be a lengthy one, taking as many as 3-6 months and numerous appointments before the implant has fused to the jawbone and can be crowned. That’s why we’re now offering one-day implants for patients who qualify. Depending on your personal circumstances, we might be able to place and cap implants in just one day! 3. Candidacy While dental implants are a necessary treatment for many patients, the truth is that not all patients are candidates for them. If you’ve already lost significant portions of your jawbone or are missing many teeth, dental implants might not be a practical solution. However, rest assured that Mentor Smiles will work with you to find a treatment that gives you the full smile you need and deserve. Obviously, there’s only so much we can cover in a single blog post. If you have more questions about dental implants or want to discover if you’re a candidate, just get in touch with us! We’d be happy to schedule an appointment for a consultation and help you find the right treatment for your smile. Call us today to get started !