Does a Dental Implant Hurt?

There are a few myths surrounding dental implants, which can cause those who need them to ignore an issue and not call your dentist. Do not let a fear of pain stop you from getting the help you need.  While the process could last for several months, your pain does not. In the end, you will have a dental implant that will improve your dental health and your live will be better for it.

Once you know you will have dental implant surgery, sit down with your dentist and ask any questions you have.  In many cases you will have the actual implant placed by a local oral surgeon, and your dentist will coordinate your care, and fit your new crown after your implant has healed.  Be sure to find out ahead of time what your pre- and post-surgery plans are, as well as any options you have for during the surgery. The best way to avoid pain in this situation is to be prepared. Take your dentist’s and oral surgeon’s advice—they know what they are talking about if they are experienced and trained.

Prepare for your dental implant surgery by following the directions given to you by your dentist. These may include ways to treat your mouth before the surgery, as well as any dietary restrictions based on the type of anesthetic you have opted for (local or general). Prepare for your dental implant surgery recovery ahead of time by asking what you should have ready. This will likely include salt water and ice packs, as well as soft foods, but these may vary based on each patient.  

How can you stop your dental implant surgery from hurting during the experience itself? Firstly, be sure you have chosen an experienced and properly licensed dentist. Ask about their training and if they have performed the surgery before. You should be comfortable with your dental team and they will be able to answer any and all questions you will have about the process. If you are particularly concerned about pain or have a severe aversion to dental work, ask your dentist about what anesthetic options they have available. Depending on your level of comfort, you may prefer local or general anesthesia.  After your procedure you’ll get a prescription for pain relief to help control the discomfort you experience.

After your surgery, ensure you understand any post-surgery needs and treatment. Leave yourself plenty of time to rest and do not push against restrictions placed on your activity by your dentist. Find out what the normal symptoms are, as well as any signs you need to keep an eye out for. Be sure to have your dentist office’s phone number handy in case you notice any negative symptoms.

Every case and patient is different. If you are concerned, there is no one better to ask than a Kirkland dentist with 20 years of experience in dealing with the dental implant process about what you can expect – Dr. Louis K. Cheung.  As an experienced dental implant professional he will be able to tell you what pain (or lack thereof) could be in store. It is likely you will only experience soreness from the surgery itself, and can look forward to the painless time after surgery, with your new dental implant, and new confident smile.

Protect Your Teeth, Break the Habit

The smile is the facial expression that mostly attracts others. With the help of great teeth, it can look more attractive. The healthier your teeth are, the happier your look. Clearly, the teeth help us look our best. Good oral hygiene and avoiding bad habits that damage your teeth can help maintain its health.

You might think ice is harmless but chewing on hard, frozen cubes can cause chip or even cracks on your teeth. Mindless chomping can irritate the soft tissue inside a tooth which regular toothaches might follow. Grinding your teeth can wear them down over time. Avoiding stress and bad sleeping habits can lessen this problem. Sodas contain phosphoric and citric acids which can damage a tooth’s enamel. Opening stuff with your teeth may be convenient and fast, but this habit can cause your teeth to crack or chip. Like chewing on ice, this habit can cause teeth to chip or crack.

Take good care of your mouth and teeth, keep them healthy and beautiful by avoiding these oral health habits. Visit a dentist in Kirkland, WA today and have your pearly whites check for early prevention of oral problems. 

General Dentistry: Bidding Cavities Goodbye

We hear and see toothpaste ads telling us that they protect our teeth from cavities. These ads persuade us to buy the product because we don’t want to have cavities. Many people fear having them without even knowing what they really are. What are cavities, and how do we bid them goodbye?

What’s a Cavity?

Cavities are products of tooth decay. They are developed when food particles stay too long on our teeth. When these food particles are stuck in the gaps of our teeth for longer periods of time, the natural bacteria in our mouth turns them into acid. The acids mix together with food debris, saliva, and bacteria, and plaque is formed, creating holes into the enamel or the inner layers of the teeth. These holes are cavities. 

Getting Rid of Cavities

When it comes to dental health, people only complain and visit the dentist if they already experience too much pain. Many dental problems begin from a single cavity and early intervention can definitely prevent further complications. To protect yourself and prevent cavities from forming, you should take good care of your teeth.

The most essential thing to remember in dental health is to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Don’t forget to brush especially before bedtime because this is when our bodies are at rest and bacteria begin to form their colonies without being interrupted. Also, you should brush your teeth in a circular motion and include your gums and tongue. Flossing is equally important to remove the food particles that are stuck in between your teeth. Brushing and flossing your teeth properly can significantly minimize the risk of having cavities. Avoid foods that are rich in carbohydrates too as they are usually the ones that tend to stay on your teeth. Limit your cakes, juice, soda, or other sweets. 

Lastly, don’t forget to visit your dentist regularly. It takes a keen eye to spot an impending cavity. If you’re looking for an experienced dentist in Kirkland, WA to cater to your general dentistry needs, Dr. Cheung is the one to call. Now that you understand what cavities are and how they can be prevented, it’s safe to say that you can bid them goodbye forever!

Dental Vulnerabilities When You’re Expecting

Hormonal changes during pregnancy make a woman vulnerable to gingivitis. When left untreated, the inflammation pulls the gums to pull away from the teeth, an occurrence called periodontitis. This creates space called ‘pockets’ that collect debris from food, which rapidly develop infection. Counter-measures conducted by your immune system may not be enough, due to bacteria spreading out rapidly below the gum line. Without dental intervention toxin/poisons start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place.

The Right Time

Upon your pregnancy, it is advisable to set an appointment with a dentist in Kirkland WA. Louis K. Cheung D.D.S. will clean teeth thoroughly and examine your gums to determine potential threats to your baby that may occur during pregnancy. 

Even with this precaution, dental problems may still occur. Dental procedures during pregnancy are acceptable as long as you’re communicating with your dentist, especially when taking medication. For your dentist in Kirkland WA., Cheung DDS will apply more safety precautions on your procedure. However, if possible avoid going to the dentist during the first trimester and the second half of the third trimester. These periods are critical for the baby. Interventions done orally can influence the baby’s growth. The best time for routine dental care is in the second trimester. This period allows your dentist to take preventive measures.

Going Beyond Brushing and Flossing

Dental hygiene plays an important role in living a healthy life. It’s not just about having a beautiful smile that you can flash in front of cameras, a dentist will be able to tell if you’re developing a diseases like diabetes or even pancreatic cancer. Maintaining your oral health is more than just brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day. You also need to get regular dental check-ups. There are some dental offices like Louis K Cheung DDS, a

dentist in Kirkland, WA that offers more than just your average check-up. Because in dental hygiene is of utmost importance, only the best dental services are offered to all patients.

Full Dental Services Offered

With a staff of registered and highly trained dental hygienists, you are in good and capable hands. Not only will you receive the proper treatment that you need, but they will also help you understand why you are getting that specific treatment. While sticking to the promise of being more than just your average dentist in Kirkland, WA. Louis K Cheung DDS has these following services:

 • Periodontal Laser Treatment – A minimally invasive treatment method for soft-tissue treatment. The lasers also function as a disease detection apparatus, especially valuable for gum therapy.

• Decay Prevention –It’s important to remember that there is not instant or magic cure for tooth decay, it should be viewed a preventive maintenance. With routine visits and a healthy diet, you and your dentist can work together to counter tooth decay.

• Oral Cancer Screenings – Oral Cancer has is not on the limelight, but that does not mean it’s any less deadly. By getting a simple, fast, and painless test done, you will be able to detect the warning signs of this disease.

These dental services may seem a little bit extreme at first, but when you are in the hands of an expert, know that only your best interests are at heart. Schedule an appointment with your dentist now to keep your smile bright and healthy.

Modern Dentistry’s Best Innovation: Dental Implants

There have been many advances in the world of dentistry recently. They range from your typical intra-oral camera to the wonders of oral cancer detection. These are innovations that the dental industry are proud to boast, but between all of these comes the best invention modern dentistry can offer, dental implants. Although there are options when it comes to replacing missing teeth, a dental implant lasts longer than the other alternatives. While at the same time, implants help with preserving the bone that supports the tooth which usually deteriorates over time.

Implants at Work

Before shying away from this “surgical procedure” because it sounds scary, it’s actually a minor and routine procedure that only requires anesthesia in most cases. Depending on the number of missing teeth, there are several treatments a dentist can suggest. For the case of one missing tooth, the implant will be inserted directly into the jaw bone in place of the tooth. After the initial insertion, healing time of a few months will be needed before a crown is attached. The amazing thing during the healing period is that the implant fuses with the bone surrounding it.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

After reading about the benefits and how dental implants work, it’s only natural to be curious if you can get one yourself. An ideal candidate must be in good general and oral health. The jaw bone must be sufficient enough to support the implant and gums should be free of any periodontal diseases. As a candidate, you should also be 100% committed in taking care of the implanted tooth.

It’s important to remember that the best way to determine if a dental implant is the best option for you is to consult a dentist just like Louis K. Cheung, DSS. Your go to dentist in Kirkland, WA. You will undergo a complete examination and depending on your condition, a tailor-made treatment plan will be suggested to you.

Dentistry of the Future

Technology in the field of dentistry has continuously been advancing in recent years. This is because more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of maintaining good oral health. There are now better and non-invasive solutions for dealing with traditional oral health problems. With the convenience of these new technologies, both dentist and patients are able to benefit from these techniques. By utilizing the technology dentistry has become more comfortable, efficient, and dependable.

Cheung DDS High-tech Dental Tools

Louis K. Cheung DDS, your dentist in Kirkland, WA is not behind in the technology. The practice uses the most high-tech dental equipment in the industry for our patients. We make sure to provide only the best available services and procedures to guarantee patients with a positive experience and excellent results.

Technologies like CEREC makes a one-day dental restoration possible, eliminating the need of multiple dental visits. By using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), durable ceramic restorations are done right in the dental office.

Intra-oral cameras are machines that makes understanding the value or oral health easier. Patients are able to see the conditions of their teeth which makes it easier for diagnosis and treatment. Digital dental impressions gets rid of the hassle of making dental molds for crowns.

The Ultrasonic Scaler gives a new meaning to teeth cleaning. It’s a time-tested technology that gets rid of bacteria and stains that toothbrushes can’t. While lasers are mostly seen in science fiction, they are also used by dentists to detect and treat oral diseases. Now, detecting tooth decay has been made easier and less invasive through laser decay diagnosis.

More dental practices will start using these high-tech dental equipment, just like your dentist in Kirkland, WA.

No More Fear and Anxiety Visiting a Dentist in Kirkland WA

When you seek dental help, you don’t simply evaluate the service based on appearance alone. You know that a dental clinic in Kirkland, WA with exceptional interior design do not exactly account for the professional service it provides. More than anything else, you base the service you need on the dentist’s reputation, experience and credibility.

It’s because a dental procedure is almost always a sensitive matter. Be it for family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, or general dentistry in Kirkland WA, a secure patient-dentist bond must be established first. Most individuals feel some discomfort, if not outright anxiety, whenever they talk about dental appointments. That uneasiness comes from the idea that dental services require invasive operations that only bring pain and apprehension to the patient, despite that dental services are carried out with anesthetics. There is an estimate that 9% to 15% of Americans avoid dental visits because of fear and anxiety, making it about 30 to 40 million people. According to a survey carried by the British Dental Health Foundation, 36% of those have avoided regular dental visits stated that fear is the main reason.

However, when your dentist is really good and backed by a reassuring team, you’ll find that the fears are largely unfounded. The sight of a dental chair no longer represents fear but rather reflects thoughts of relief and security. A professional dentist does not simply assure the patient that everything will be fine, but explains in thorough detail the process of any procedure to be given. Coupled with sincerity, passion and experience, any patient would feel at ease knowing that he or she is in good and trustworthy hands.

Years of practice in the field has earned Dr. Louis K. Cheung the respect of his colleagues and clients. His expertise in family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry made him one of the best dentists in Kirkland, WA. With the aid of remarkable staff and state-of-the-art technology in dentistry, you are guaranteed to have an exceptional dental care experience.