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Isaacson Gentle Dentistry
4700 White Bear Parkway White Bear Lake, MN 55110651-762-7677
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Hidden Consequences of Losing Teeth

Invisalign's® invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners will give you the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted. And best of all, no one can tell you're wearing them. Invisalign® is great for adults and teenagers.

What is Invisalign®?

  • Invisalign® is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
  • Invisalign® uses a series of clear, removable aligners to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.
  • Invisalign® has been proven effective in clinical research and in orthodontic practices nationwide.

How Does Invisalign® Work?

  • You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
  • As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the their final position.
  • You'll visit us about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
  • Total treatment time averages 9 - 15 months and the average number of aligners during treatment is between 18 - 30, but both will vary from case to case.

How Are Aligners Made? You'd Be Amazed...

  • The aligners are made through a combination of our expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology.

Here are some before and after pictures that we have provided to help you see what invisalign could do for your smile:

Before Invisalign Crowding:

After Invisalign crowding:

 

Before Invisalign Crowding:

After Invisalign Crowding:

 

Before Invisalign Open Bite:

After Invisalign Open Bite:

 

Before Invisalign smile:

After Invisalign smile:

 

Consequences of Tooth Loss.If you have lost any of your teeth, you no doubt realize there are consequences to living without them: Your smile may not look the way you want it to; eating, speaking and intimacy may be more difficult; and your self-confidence may fade. Though serious, these are not the only impacts. There are hidden consequences of losing teeth that affect not only your appearance but also your health.

Importantly, a loss of jawbone inevitably follows tooth loss. Bone needs stimulation to maintain its form and density. In the case of the jawbone, that stimulation comes from the teeth, which make hundreds of fleeting contacts with each other throughout the day. The small stresses produced by these contacts are transmitted to the bone, prompting it to regenerate constantly. When a tooth is lost, the stimulation it provided disappears. In just the first year of tooth loss, there is a 25% decrease in bone width. This is followed over the next few years by an overall 4 millimeters decrease in height. If enough teeth are lost, and as bone loss continues, the distance from nose to chin can decrease and the lower third of the face partially collapses. With a lack of structural support, the lips sag; that's why toothless people often appear unhappy. Also, extreme loss of bone can make an individual more prone to jaw fractures.

You may also find that some of your remaining teeth actually shift into the spaces left open by your missing teeth. This in turn can cause additional bite problems and even jaw joint (TMJ) pain. Finally, compromised nutrition and poor general health can result if eating healthy foods like raw fruits and vegetables becomes too difficult without teeth.

Now here's the good news: Dental implants — the state-of-the-art tooth-replacement method preferred by dentists — can prevent all this.

How Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss

Dental Implants 101.Besides helping a person without teeth look and feel great again, dental implants actually prevent bone loss. That's because they are made of titanium, which has a unique ability to fuse to living bone. By actually becoming a permanent part of the jawbone, dental implants stabilize and stimulate the bone to maintain its volume and density.

Dental implants are placed during a minor surgical procedure using local anesthetic and then, after a healing period, topped with a lifelike dental crown. Together, these precision components look, feel and function exactly like your natural teeth. Dental implant success rates exceed 95% — the highest of any tooth-replacement option.

Other Options for Tooth Replacement

Other than dental implants, your tooth-replacement options include fixed bridgework that incorporates or uses the adjacent teeth, and removable dentures. You should be aware, however, that the disadvantage of both of these options is that they may damage the anatomical structures on which they rest. For example, fixed bridges rely on support from two adjacent, possibly healthy teeth, which must be filed down and capped; this can make them susceptible to decay and root canal problems. Removable partial dentures hook onto existing teeth, which may become loose over time. And full dentures press on the bony ridges that used to support the teeth, accelerating the bone loss that began when the teeth were lost in the first place.

The above tooth-replacement options are all less expensive than dental implants, but only when viewed in the short term. Since bridgework and dentures may cause new problems and will likely need replacement themselves, they don't offer the same long-term value. When viewed as an enduring investment in your comfort, health and well-being, implants offer the best return by far.

Related Articles

Losing Teeth - Dear Doctor Magazine

The Hidden Consequences of Losing Teeth For those missing even one tooth, an unsightly gap is actually the least significant problem. What's of far greater concern is the bone loss that inevitably follows tooth loss. Dental implants can preserve bone, improve function and enhance psychological well-being. Learn how implants serve both as anchors to support replacement teeth and preserve bone... Read Article

Dental Implant Surgery - Dear Doctor Magazine

Dental Implant Surgery Many people are surprised at how relatively easy dental implant surgery is because they let their imaginations get the better of them before they go through the actual procedure. The reality is that most patients experience no pain during the surgery and very little discomfort afterward. Let's back up and start with the basics to increase your understanding and allay any apprehension... Read Article


Patient Education

 
Patient Education Menu
  • Educational Videos
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    • Nitrous Oxide
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    • Removable Dentures
    • Smile Makeover
    • Snoring & Sleep Apnea
    • Teeth Whitening
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  • Emergency Care
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    • Traumatic Dental Injuries
  • Endodontics
    • Combined Root Canal & Gum Problems
    • Cracked Teeth
    • Root Canal Retreatment
    • Root Canal Surgery (Apicoectomy)
    • Root Canal Treatment
    • Root Canal Treatment FAQs
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    • Tooth Sensitivity
    • Whitening Traumatized Teeth
  • Implant Dentistry
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    • Dental Implants FAQs
    • Fixed Dentures
    • Hidden Consequences of Losing Teeth
    • Top Reasons to Choose Dental Implants
  • Oral Health
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    • Antibiotic Premedicationfor Dental Treatments
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    • Nutrition & Oral Health
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    • How To Brush
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  • Oral Surgery
    • Blood Thinners & Dental Procedures
    • Bone Grafting
    • Cleft Lip & Palate Repair
    • Corrective Jaw (Orthognathic) Surgery
    • Extractions
    • Facial Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery
    • Headaches & Migraines
    • Oral Cancer Screening
    • Oral Diagnosis and Biopsies
    • Sedation Dentistry
    • Sinus Surgery
    • Wisdom Teeth
  • Orthodontics
    • Early Orthodontic Treatment
    • Invisalign for Adults
    • Invisalign for Teens
  • Pediatric Dentistry
    • Age One Dental Visit
    • Fluoride & Your Child
    • Nitrous Oxide for Children
    • Pregnancy & Your Child's Developing Teeth
    • Sealants
    • Sleep Apnea & Behavior Problems in Children
    • Space Maintainers
    • Teething
    • Thumb Sucking
  • Periodontal Therapy
    • Cosmetic Gum Surgery
    • Gum Grafting
    • Loose Teeth & Bite Problems
    • Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment
    • Oral Systemic Connection
    • Periodontal (Gum) Disease
    • Periodontal Flap Surgery
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  • Technology
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4700 White Bear Parkway
White Bear Lake, MN 55110

651-762-7677 Call or Text
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                                                              COVID-19 Office Update

Carefully following guidance from the State of Minnesota, Isaacson Gentle Dentistry is open. Our primary concern is the health and safety of our patients and the team.  Because of COVID-19, we have made many changes to protect you.  We will be screening you for any sickness or COVID-19 symptoms prior to your appointment by phone and at your appointment. Please cancel your appointment with us as early as possible if you have any COVID-19 symptoms (fever, dry cough, loss of taste, nausea, etc). When you arrive at our office, we will have you wait in your car in our parking lot instead of our waiting room.  Upon welcoming you into our office, we will take your temperature.  We have windows in our office, which will be open, we have HEPA air filtration, and we are limiting the number of patients and team members in our office. We have the recommended PPE’s and are following the American Dental Association, OSHA, CDC, and State of Minnesota guidelines for protecting you and our team.

 

 

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4700 White Bear Parkway
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
651-762-7677

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Monday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday: By Appointment
Sunday: Closed
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White Bear Lake, MN Dentist
Isaacson Gentle Dentistry
4700 White Bear Parkway
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
(651) 762-7677
(651) 762-1861 Fax