One of the consequences of losing a tooth that most people are unaware of is also losing the bone surrounding that tooth.  It is something that few consider when having a tooth removed.  When a tooth is missing, the jawbone that used to surround it begins to shrink.  First, it shrinks in width, and then it begins to shorten in[…]

Hearing the phrase “Just pull it!” makes most dentists cringe.  Why?  Because there are consequences when you lose a tooth.  We understand that some teeth have a hopeless prognosis and must be removed.  We’re not talking about cases where extraction is the only option, and you opt to replace the missing tooth with a dental implant.  The consequences that this[…]

Dental implants are one of the most exciting advances in dental treatment.  They allow you to replace one or more missing teeth in the most natural way possible.  They replace both the roots and the crown (exposed portion) of teeth, so they function as well as a natural tooth. We often claim that one of the biggest advantages of restoring[…]

Did you know that dental implants can fail?  Every medical procedure carries a risk for failure.  Doctors of every kind have patients sign an informed consent stating that they understand the risks associated with a procedure and agree to proceed knowing those risks. An essential part of an informed consent is the explanation of these risks by your doctor, which[…]

What is a Dental Implant? Dental implants have been used predictably and successfully to replace missing teeth for decades. An implant is considered the best way to restore a missing tooth because it most closely resembles a natural tooth. It has a root form in the jawbone (simply called the implant or implant body), an abutment that projects out of[…]

The History of Dentures More than 36 million Americans do not have any teeth. Unfortunately, this state, called edentulism, is nothing new. Teeth have been removed due to decay and gum disease for thousands of years. People have also been attempting to replace those missing teeth for thousands of years. There is historical evidence that dentures were made as far[…]

Choosing to replace your missing or badly damaged teeth with dental implants is a big decision, and it’s important to select an experienced dentist who develops customized dental implant treatment plans to perform your procedure. At Designer Smiles, we understand that every single dental implant case is unique and each demands a treatment strategy that’s custom-tailored to deliver long-lasting, functional,[…]

This year, the Academy of American Implant Dentistry (AAID) is holding the 65th Annual Implant Dentistry Education Conference at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans on October 26-29th. Committed to continuing education for the benefit of her patients, Dr. Ann Haggard is looking forward to attending this conference to learn about the latest developments in dental implant strategies and technology.[…]