Dental implants are today's top choice for tooth replacement. Composed of a titanium metal screw, extension post and porcelain crown, a single-tooth implant restores oral function and smile aesthetics and improves jaw bone dentistry. Ask Dr. Krystal DeClerck, your family dentist in Findlay, if dental implants are right for you.

Why choose dental implants?

Some people balk at the cost of dental implants, and yes, these artificial teeth are most expensive than conventional bridgework or dentures. However, implants have unbeatable features which traditional dental prosthetics do not.

The benefits of dental implants are:

1. Strong biting and chewing
2. Improved jaw bone and gum tissue density
3. Natural appearance
4. One-time placement and long-term retention (usually a lifetime)
5. Ability to support dentures and bridgework when inserted in multiples
6. Biocompatibility (the body does not reject them)
7. Comfortable placement and restoration

In the United States, approximately three million adults have dental implants, says the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and that number is on the rise. In fact, both dentists and patients like implants because of their high success rate--up to 98 percent, according to the Institute for Dental Implant Awareness.

Do you qualify for dental implants?

If you have lost one or more teeth to accident, dental caries or gum disease, you could be a candidate for tooth replacement with dental implants. Dr.DeClerck can tell if you're well-suited for the procedure by looking at your jaw bone density and oral and systemic health. If these factors in mind, she'll recommend the procedure, and don't worry. She'll accomplish every step of it at DeClerck Family Dental. You won't run all over town from specialist to specialist.

Steps of implant placement

There are several, and they may be separated by weeks to months because of the healing process. Also called osseointegration, the bond between the implant and the jaw bone takes time and patience. However, once the implant is secure in the jaw bone, it is just as durable and stable as a natural tooth root.

When fully integrated, your implant can accept a metal alloy abutment,

or post, and a realistic porcelain crown which is indistinguishable from neighboring natural teeth.

Caring for a dental implant

If you brush, floss and see your dentist in Findlay twice a year for a check-up and hygienic cleaning, you already know how to care for a dental implant. Plaque and tartar threaten implant sites just as they do natural teeth. So, hygiene is critical to long-term retention.

Also, if you smoke, please see your physician about a tobacco cessation program. You'll have healthier gums and bone around your implant if you stop all tobacco usage.

Interested?

Who wouldn't want a great-looking and functioning tooth replacement to fill a smile gap? Call DeClerck Family Dental today to discuss dental implants. Dr. DeClerck will outline your treatment options and put you on your way to a complete smile. Call (419) 422-8972 for a consultation in Findlay, OH, today!

Have you chipped a tooth, lost a large filling or undergone root canal therapy? Dental crowns from Dr. Krystal DeClerck in Findlay, OH, address these issues and more. A predictable and often-used alternative to dental extraction, porcelain crowns replace large amounts of damaged enamel, recreating excellent aesthetics and oral function.

How crowns restore damaged teeth

Basically, a crown is a tooth-shaped jacket of premium-quality porcelain. It encases the healthy parts of an injured tooth, recreating its natural appearance, matching its neighboring teeth and allowing it to bite and chew normally once again. A crown covers the tooth above the gum line and spares a tooth from additional fillings or even extraction.

Dr. DeClerck can tell from examination and digital X-ray imaging if your tooth is a good candidate for a porcelain crown. Sometimes, when a tooth is infected or severely fractured, she will perform root canal therapy first to stave off infection, relieve pain and seal the tooth against further bacterial invasion.

Steps to a crown

1. Dr. DeClerck will anesthetize the tooth and when it's numb, remove the damaged areas. She'll shape the tooth to receive the crown. Sometimes, she adds a post to create adequate supporting structure.

2. The Findlay dentist takes oral impressions. These negative imprints of the tooth and the ones adjacent to it help the dental lab fabricate your crown with proper size, shape, and bite.

3. Your dentist places a temporary restoration over the tooth so it looks and functions as normally as possible while the permanent crown is made.

4. You return to DeClerck Family Dental to permanently bonding of the new dental crown. Because of advanced fabrication processes, most crowns fit well right away. However, most patients need a few days to adjust to this new restoration, say experts at the Cleveland Clinic.

Crowns have other uses

Crowns also play a role in tooth replacement procedures. For instance, some people opt to replace one or more missing teeth with an appliance called a bridge. Composed of one or more pontic, or artificial teeth, bridges affix to adjacent healthy teeth on opposite ends of a smile gap. The adjacent teeth, also known as abutment teeth, must be ground down to receive porcelain crowns which hold the artificial teeth in place.

Also, crowns restore dental implants. These highly successful tooth replacements have three parts: a titanium implant which resides in the jaw bone, a metal alloy abutment, or extension post, and a crown to finish off the artificial tooth.

You and your crown

You should enjoy a great partnership for ten years or more as long as you floss, brush and get your six-month cleanings and examinations with Dr. DeClerck. Also, ask her about a bite guard if you grind your teeth. This acrylic appliance will save your teeth, and your crown, from undue wear and tear.

Find out more

For more information on crowns or the other fine restorative dental services DeClerck Family Dental provides, please call your dentist in Findlay, OH, at (419) 422-8972 for an appointment.

Protect your child’s teeth from cavities with the extra simple safeguard.

As a parent, you try everything to keep your children’s smiles healthy. With decay being a very common and serious issue for children, perhaps you are trying to keep them away from sugar or ensuring that they are brushing and flossing regularly. Keep up the good work! Of course, sometimes children’s teeth, especially back teeth, are prone to cavities. One way our Findlay, OH, dentist, Dr. Krystal DeClerck, can help reduce your child’s risk of decay is by placing a dental sealant.

What is a dental sealant?

All you have to do is open your mouth and you’ll notice that the chewing surfaces of back teeth (also known as molars) are full of little ridges and grooves. Unfortunately, these areas can be a great place for bacteria and food to get trapped. It can be difficult for children to thoroughly brush these chewing surfaces, which can lead to plaque and tartar buildup and eventually decay; however, to prevent cavities, our Findlay family dentist will place a clear, plastic coating over these chewing surfaces to seal out food and bacteria.

How are dental sealants placed?

The minute a parent hears about a procedure of any kind, especially a dental procedure, they worry their child might throw a tantrum. We are here to ease your concerns. Getting sealants is painless and easy. In fact, we can even place them during their next routine cleaning so they don’t even have to come in for a special visit.

Once their teeth are clean we will apply a special liquid over the back teeth. The solution will roughen the surface of the tooth to make it easier for the sealant material to stick to the tooth. Then the tooth is cleaned and dried to remove the solution before painting on the sealant. After the sealant has been painted on, it will be hardened into place using a light. The sealant is now complete. Plus, you won’t even be able to see the sealant.

When can my child get sealants?

It’s important to protect your child’s teeth as soon as they come in. That’s why it’s generally a good idea to talk to our family dentists about getting sealants as soon as the 1st set of molars comes in (usually around 6 years old) and then again when the second set of molars comes in (around 12 years old).

Do you have questions about getting dental sealants for your child? If so, don’t hesitate to call DeClerk Family Dental in Findlay, OH, to find out if this is the right way to preserve your child’s beautiful smile.

Discover the benefits of getting tooth-colored dental fillings.

Has our Findlay, OH, family dentist Dr. Krystal DeClerck recently told you or a loved one that you could benefit from getting a dental filling? Find out more about one of the most commonly used dental restorations around.

What is a dental filling?

A filling is only placed over a hole that has formed as a result of decay. Chances are good that if you don’t already have a dental filling that you know many people who do. Of course, you wouldn’t be able to tell just by looking at someone’s smile.

If our Findlay, OH, dentist detected a cavity during your last checkup then you will need a dental filling in order to restore the tooth once the cavity has been removed. Not only does the filling restore the appearance of the tooth but also it helps rebuild the tooth’s strength.

Why choose tooth-colored fillings?

In the past, dental fillings were made from different kinds of material, including certain metals like silver or gold; fortunately, dentistry has come a long way and we are able to provide our patients with a dental filling that isn’t visible or aesthetically unpleasing, as metal fillings can often be. This is why we offer tooth-colored fillings.

Tooth-colored fillings are made from a material known as composite resin. This material is similar to putty and it’s designed to match the exact shade of your tooth so that it blends right in with the rest of your tooth enamel. The aesthetic benefit is a major reason why so many people turn to composite resin fillings to restore their tooth or teeth.

Furthermore, leaving a tooth unfilled after a cavity can leave it weak and prone to damage or even an infection. This is why it’s necessary for us to fill the tooth immediately after removing the decay. Don’t worry; filling a tooth is simple and painless, and can be completed in just one appointment.

Here in Findlay, OH, DeClerck Family Dental takes pride in providing thorough dentist care for your entire family. No matter whether you need to schedule a routine cleaning or you have questions about the services we offer, don’t hesitate to reach out to us anytime.

If you’ve been looking for a new, more refreshed look for your face, you may benefit from a skin treatment called Botox. It is one of the top five cosmetic-minimally invasive procedures according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. You don’t have to schedule a separate appointment with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon for Botox— Dr. Krystal DeClerck at DeClerk Family Dental in Findlay, OH can administer the treatment.

About Dental Botox Treatments
Wrinkles and lines are caused by muscles contracting in your face. When you smile, laugh, or make certain expressions, those muscles are activated. Botox, also called botulinum toxin A, freezes the muscles, relaxing the lines and smoothing out the outer surface of the skin. After applying an anesthetic for your comfort, your dentist must make small injections into the muscle layer of the skin at specific points. You will start to see positive results in a few days.

Will Botox Help You?
If you have saggy, wrinkly skin or deep creases in your face, Botox treatments by your Findlay, OH dentist could help you. If you are now seeing the effects of years of laughing and smiling (laugh lines and crow’s feet), one session can reverse those effects. It is a skin treatment to consider if you are not a good candidate for plastic surgery or other procedures that may require deep anesthesia and a long healing period.

How Long Does Botox Last?
Your Botox treatment can last for up to six months. That’s up to half a year of younger, smoother-looking skin. After several sessions, some patients may see the results last even longer as the muscles “learn” to stop contracting. If you avoid direct sun exposure and commit to a good skin care regimen, you can avoid problems with new wrinkles in the future.

See a Botox Dentist
Imagine the convenience of going to the dentist for a basic dental cleaning and also having a quick Botox treatment before you leave. This is possible when you visit DeClerck Family Dental in Findlay, OH. Call (419) 422-8972 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Krystal DeClerck.