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!

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.

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.

Find out how this simple cosmetic procedure could improve the aesthetics of your smile.

Dealing with minor imperfections that others may not notice but that bother you? Are you looking for a subtle, simple way to enhance one or more of your teeth? Then look no further than our Findlay, OH, cosmetic dentist Dr. Krystal DeClerck, who is ready to give your smile the revitalizing boost it needs through dental bonding.

What is dental bonding?

This simple, inexpensive, and painless procedure uses a tooth-colored resin that is easily moldable when applied to the surface of your teeth. This material can be used to cover unsightly cosmetic imperfections while also improving the color or shape of one or more teeth. Everything from chips and cracks to stains and gaps between teeth can be improved with this easy and non-invasive cosmetic treatment.

How does dental bonding work?

We will first need to prep the tooth in order to make sure that the bonding resin sticks to the surface so we can mold and contour it over the tooth. In order to do this, we will paint a gel over the tooth that will safely and painlessly etch the enamel and roughen it so that the resin stays on.

From there, we will choose the proper resin that most closely matches the shade of your teeth. We will apply and mold the resin over the flaw or flaws and then harden it with a dental light. In 30 minutes to one hour, you can have a completely restored and improved smile.

How long will my results last?

Like most dental restorations, bonding resin won’t last forever; however, if you continue to maintain good oral hygiene and visit our Findlay, OH, dentist every six months for routine cleanings then the bonding resin could last up to eight years or more. The average lifespan of resin is about four to eight years, depending on the tooth that has been treated and how you care for your smile.

Here at our dental office, we pride ourselves on offering the very best dental services possible in Findlay, OH. Whether you want to find out if dental bonding is right for you or you’re interested in the other cosmetic services we offer, don’t hesitate to reach out to DeClerck Family Dental for the dentistry you need.

Root canal treatment or endodontic therapy is a series of procedures that treat issues within the soft pulp tissue inside of a tooth. A root canal procedure by a Findlay, OH dentist is necessary when inflammation and/or infection develops in the pulp tissue of the tooth. The pulp contains connective tissue, nerves and blood vessels. Without treatment, the infection will not go away leading to a dental abscess and other health problems within the body.

More about Root Canals

FACT: Root canals can save natural teeth while avoiding dental restoration procedures. These restorations can lead to the need for dental implants or bridgework, which can be costly.

FICTION: Generally, people associated root canals with a lot of pain. However, this dental procedure is no more uncomfortable than receiving a filling and with the proper preparations, a patient should expect to have mild discomfort following their root canal.

FACT: Root canals generally occur because of deep tooth decay. Ultimately, untreated dental cavities allow bacteria to go to the center of the tooth infecting the pulp tissue. Regular dental examinations and cleanings can help reduce the need for root canals in children and adults alike.

Root canal therapy begins like a filling does with an anesthetic to numb the tooth and the surrounding area fully. Next, a small opening is made on the tooth allowing the Findlay dentist access to root canals and pulp chamber. All of the dead or dying tissue is removed and the area is cleaned and disinfected fully before a sealant is applied to seal off the opening preventing future infections from occurring.

If you have sharp pain when you bite, sensitivity to hot or cold food or beverages or noticeable swelling, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a Findlay, OH dentist today. Call 419-422-8972 today!