Marco Island Dental Blog

Modern dentistry offers anyone who experiences tooth loss several options for replacing missing teeth and restoring one’s ability to smile confidently. Most people are familiar with dentures, removable false teeth that fit over the gums and have been used for centuries to replace full or partial teeth loss in an arch. Due to significant advancements in implant technologies, dental implants fused into the jawbone have emerged this century as an optimal tooth replacement solution. And, as with dentures, dental bridges have been used to replace missing teeth for centuries. However, unless you’ve been confronted with the need to replace missing teeth, you may not know exactly what a dental bridge is and how it differs from dentures and implants.

If teeth misalignment or related orthodontic issues have long made you self-conscious about exposing your teeth, transform your smile with an alternative to traditional metal or ceramic braces. Launched in the U.S. in 1999, this innovative FDA-approved orthodontic device called Invisalign® enjoys a 96% satisfaction rate from the 18 million patients who have undergone the treatment. Little wonder, given the numerous benefits Invisalign® holds over braces, including ease of fitting, greater comfort, enhanced dental hygiene, and a discrete appearance that makes them far less noticeable than braces.

Do you feel anxious before dental appointments? If so, you’re not alone, as numerous clinical studies have determined that up to 80% of American adults have some form of dental anxiety, ranging from mild to severe. In fact, dentists themselves can be prone to dental anxiety, as one study determined that almost 28% of dental students experienced dental fear before an appointment.