Dentistry Blog, Top Dentists in Lowell

28Feb2025

Top Options for Replacing Missing Teeth

Lowell, MA – Missing teeth can be a source of embarrassment, but it can also impede on your daily life. It can be difficult to eat and speak properly and can cause other dental issues. Luckily, there are so many options today to replace missing teeth. Ranging from dental implants to dentures, there is an option that is right for you. Dr. Thakore of Lowell Dental Arts explains some of the most common options to replace missing teeth.

Dental implants

Dental implants have become the gold standard when it comes to replacing teeth. They are the most stable, and the most natural looking and functioning option. Implants are small titanium screws that are affixed directly into your jawbone to act as a tooth root would. Then, a replacement tooth, or crown, is affixed to it. Because the implant goes directly into the jaw, it is as stable as a natural tooth would be.

Dental implants are an excellent option because they can prevent future bone loss, function just as natural teeth do, and there is no impact to the surrounding teeth. However, the procedure is a surgical procedure and requires several months of healing in between steps.

Dental bridges

Dental bridges can be used to replace one or more missing teeth. They consist of a false tooth or teeth that are anchored in place to crowns placed on the adjacent teeth. Dental bridges are more affordable than implants, however, they require the surrounding teeth to be fitted with crowns that the bridge can attach to. Bridges can properly restore function and aesthetics to your smile but may need to be replaced every 10-15 years.

Partial dentures

Partial dentures are a very cost-effective way to replace missing teeth. They consist of a base that is made to look like your gums with fake teeth attached. They fit directly over your gums to replace any missing teeth. They can be removed to properly clean. Dentures are not only cost-effective, but they are less invasive than either implants or bridges. However, they may not feel as stable in the mouth and may require periodic adjustments.

Complete dentures

Complete dentures replace an entire arch of teeth that are missing. They are custom created for every patient to fit as snugly and securely as possible. They are the most affordable option for replacing a full arch or mouth of teeth and are less invasive than other options.

Implant-supported dentures

Implant-supported dentures provide the stability of implants with the ease of dentures. The dentures are anchored to implants that are inserted directly into the jawbone. This makes them as stable as possible and will help preserve the jawbone. Implant-supported dentures are more expensive than traditional dentures and do require the same surgical implant procedure as traditional dental implants.

So, how can you know which tooth replacement option is right for you? The experienced team at Lowell Dental Arts, led by Dr. Thakore, is here to help. Our goal is to restore your smile to proper function, aesthetics, and health, while also considering your personal preferences and needs.

After a consultation, we’ll discuss which options we believe will be best to restore your smile and help you understand the process and costs involved. And our caring team will be with you every step of the way.

If you’re ready to see how we can help you return your smile to optimal health and beauty, call us today at 978-506-0027.

How Much Does a Root Canal Cost in Lowell, MA?

15Feb2025

Lowell Dental Arts Dental Restoration

How Much Does a Root Canal Cost in Lowell, MA?

Lowell, MA – Root canals are important dental procedures that can save broken, infected, or severely decayed teeth and prevent further damage. The procedure involves removing a damaged nerve (dental pulp) from within the root of a tooth and thoroughly cleaning and sealing off the space left behind. Root canals can preserve a natural tooth and prevent future pain. If you end up need one, you’re probably wondering how much a root canal is going to cost. Dr. Thakore of Lowell Dental Arts explains the costs involved in a root canal and factors that can contribute to the final price.

The average cost for a root canal in Lowell, MA is around $1,600 without dental insurance. But there are several factors to consider when looking at your cost. They include:

Factors Affect a Root Canal’s Cost

The location of the tooth. Teeth that are more difficult to reach may be more expensive to treat. Molars also tend to have multiple branches of nerves that need to be cleaned and filled, requiring more time.

The extent of your issue and variable size and structure of your particular tooth. The more complex your procedure is, the higher the cost will be.

Your location. Areas with higher living costs will have higher costs for resources like dental care. That means your root canal can be more expensive in a more highly populated and expensive area of the country.

Experience of your dental team. The more experienced and skilled your dental team performing the root canal, the higher your costs can be. However, you are paying for their knowledge. With a highly skilled dental team, you can rest easy knowing your smile is in excellent hands.

The dental crown. After your root canal procedure, you will typically require a dental crown to cover the tooth. When the nerve is removed during a root canal procedure, the tooth is hollowed out in the cleaning process, rendering it a bit more fragile and brittle. A crown will cover the entire chewing surface of the tooth, helping to prevent any fractures to the tooth. Crowns alone can cost anywhere from $800 to $3,000.

Your dental insurance. If you have dental insurance that covers dental crowns, you can see the portion that you owe significantly decrease after the cost of the root canal is subtracted from your allowance for the year. Even the best insurance plans may not cover the entire cost of the root canal or crown, and allotted yearly maximums vary.

There may be other components to a root canal procedure that may or may not be included in the cost. This includes x-rays, a physical exam and consultation, anesthesia, and the root canal procedure itself.

Do I really need a root canal?

Root canals are common procedures, saving millions of teeth every year. If a root canal is recommended, it is important that you follow through with the procedure.

Root canals can:

Treat infection. If you have a tooth that has cracked or become badly decayed, bacteria can reach into the nerve within the root of the tooth. This can lead to infection. A root canal cleans out all of the infected nerve and then seals the area to prevent any future infection.
Relieve pain. Infected nerves can cause severe tooth pain. By properly cleaning and sealing the tooth and its roots, your dental team can relieve pain and prevent future issues from reappearing.
Preserve your natural tooth. After treating the infection and sealing it, the natural tooth can be saved. You may require a crown to cover the tooth, but you will not have to undergo a tooth extraction. Saving your natural tooth also ensures proper chewing and bite force, while saving your surrounding teeth from excess wear and strain.
Prevent further complications. If an infected tooth isn’t treated, the infection can spread. This can lead to abscesses and more health problems.
Improve oral health. Root canals can ensure the future health of your smile and prevent future oral health issues, such as additional infections, from occurring.

How do I know if I need a root canal?

Root canals can repair a tooth that has been cracked or severely decayed. For some patients, these issues may not cause immediate problems, but it is still important to have a decayed or cracked tooth looked at. Other patients may have symptoms indicating they could benefit from a root canal. Those symptoms include:

Severe pain, especially when eating
Random, throbbing pain within a particular tooth
Lingering sensitivity to temperature changes in the mouth
Tiny pimples on the gums
Swollen or tender gums
Change in color of the gums, such as darkening
Bad taste in the mouth

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to be seen by a dental professional as soon as possible.

At Lowell Dental Arts, our team is adept in treating cracked or damaged teeth with root canals. We can help you restore the look and function of your smile; while removing infection and insuring you are pain-free. Call Lowell Dental Arts today at 978-506-0027 if you believe you may need a root canal.

5Dec2023

Lowell Dental Arts Team Dental Implants

How Do I Know Whether a Crown or Dental Implant Is Better for Me?

When you notice a tooth that seems compromised, whether from severe decay, traumatic injury, or something else, you likely wonder how best to restore it. Two common options your dentist may recommend are dental crowns or implants. A modern dental implant offers the strongest and most natural alternative for missing teeth and has been used for over 60 years, according to News Medical. But how do you decide what’s right for your situation?

Evaluating the State of Your Tooth

The condition of the actual tooth in question is the first thing to look at. If significant tooth structure remains with no irreversible pulp damage, a crown may work well. Crowns cap damaged teeth, holding everything stable and secure while restoring form and function. However, if little solid structure remains or the pulp tissue has become infected with no chance of healing, extraction with an implant to replace the missing tooth may make more sense.

Considering Your Specific Needs

You also want to think about factors beyond the status of that single tooth’s health. Look at the bigger picture of your smile. Do you have other teeth already missing in the area? If so, a dental implant can allow you to rebuild a fuller, healthier smile. But if most teeth remain intact, crowning a salvageable one may suffice. Also, consider risk factors like periodontal disease or bruxism. Those may impact recommendations too. Talk through all the personal considerations that may influence which option integrates best for your mouth long-term.

Thinking Through Logistics

The process involved with installing a crown or implant factors into your decision too. Crown placement typically requires less invasive tooth preparation with fewer appointments over a shorter overall treatment timeline. So, if those logistical factors are priorities and the tooth itself can support a crown, it may have advantages over implants. In contrast, the surgical aspect of implants makes the process more intensive. You’ll need adequate bone density and a site clear of infection. There’s also integration time for true healing before final restoration. So, an implant takes more time.

In the end, what matters most is restoring your best possible function and aesthetics in a way tailored to what you need and want. Talk over specifics openly with your dentist. Be sure you understand the limitations or downsides to compare. Ask lots of questions so you feel good about how you’ll proceed. Our dental professionals at Lowell Dental Arts can help you select the best dental options for your needs, whether that be a crown or dental implant. Call us today to schedule an appointment

4Dec2023

Lowell Dental Arts Team Oral Health

The Most Common Questions About Invisalign

Orthodontic care can help you correct dental issues such as misalignment, bite problems, and more. According to BioMed Central, over 9 million individuals in the United States receive orthodontic treatment each year, making it the third-largest treatment category in dentistry. Invisalign is a popular type of treatment that can help patients achieve the smile they’ve always wanted. Let’s learn more about this option and see if it’s a good choice for you.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an innovative method of orthodontic care that uses a removable device. The device is molded to fit the mouth and apply gentle pressure to the teeth. This gentle pressure, over time, will start to shift the teeth into the desired position. The appliance can be taken out for eating but, otherwise, it’s recommended that the device stay in place at all times.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?

Invisalign is a good option for people who don’t want to commit to metal braces. Metal braces are more invasive and permanent than this type of appliance. Metal braces are also sometimes uncomfortable. Invisalign isn’t uncomfortable for most patients. Patients also like the option of removing the appliance if they need to.

How Do You Care for the Appliance?

Caring for the Invisalign appliance is somewhat simpler than caring for braces. You will need to remove the appliance once or twice a day and clean it thoroughly as you would a retainer. Keeping the appliance clean is important to your oral hygiene.

Is Invisalign Expensive?

Invisalign can be covered under dental insurance just like traditional orthodontic braces. You’ll want to talk with the orthodontist and the insurance company, however, to find out details on payment and coverage. Most people find this type of treatment comparable in price to traditional braces.

Will Invisalign Work for Anyone?

Invisalign orthodontic treatment is recommended for people with mild to moderate crowding or crooked teeth. This type of treatment can shift teeth into a more desirable position. However, this device cannot be used to treat some forms of very severe malocclusion, or crooked teeth. It’s not used to correct moderate to severe bite problems. If you are dealing with these types of issues, you will likely need traditional braces and orthodontic care.

If you’re looking for orthodontic care near you, please contact Lowell Dental Arts today. We are here for your orthodontic needs.

8Nov2023

Lowell Dental Arts Team Oral Health

What to Expect from Your First Dental Cleaning as an Adult

It’s not uncommon for adults to avoid the dentist because of anxiety, but it’s never a good idea. Your dental health can really go downhill if you don’t visit the dentist regularly. According to AAO, the three oral conditions that most affect overall health and quality of life are cavities, severe gum disease, and severe tooth loss. If you have some dentist anxiety, it’s good to know ahead of time what to expect. This can bring you some relief and help you get the dental care you need. Let’s look at a few things you can expect at your first dental cleaning as an adult.

The Physical Exam

Before you have a cleaning, you will have an oral exam. During this exam, a dental hygienist will use a tiny mirror to check inside your entire mouth, including the backs of your teeth. This is done to check for any signs of gingivitis. If there is a problem, the hygienist will call in the dentist to examine you as well. You can also expect your hygienist to examine your mouth and throat with gloved hands to examine for any abnormalities or lumps. This is to check for oral cancer.

The Removal of Plaque and Tartar

The next part of the visit will be to remove plaque and tartar. The hygienist uses a tool called a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from the gum line. It can also be used between your teeth as well. During this part of the procedure, you might hear scraping. This is normal and completely safe. If there is a large amount of tartar, this step may take longer. You can avoid the build-up of plaque and tartar by brushing and flossing regularly.

Cleaning

You are now ready for the cleaning part of your appointment. A toothpaste will be applied to your teeth, and your hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth with a high-powered electric brush. This machine does make noise, but it’s essentially a high-tech toothbrush.

Thorough Flossing

Following the dental cleaning, your hygienist will floss your teeth. They are trained in how to floss your teeth the right way and may be able to reach parts of your teeth that you can’t reach at home due to the angles of your mouth. This part may feel uncomfortable if you aren’t accustomed to flossing. Be patient and remember that this is very important for proper dental hygiene.

Rinsing and Fluoride

Your mouth will be thoroughly rinsed out and fluoride will be applied should you request it. This helps to strengthen your teeth and can help fight against cavities. The fluoride treatment will be left on your teeth, and it’s recommended to avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes to give the fluoride time to seal.

While undergoing your first dental cleaning as an adult may seem intimidating at first, you may find that you enjoy your cleanings (especially the clean feeling of your teeth afterward). If you’re in need of professional dental cleaning, please contact us at Lowell Dental Arts today to schedule an appointment. We’re here for all your dental needs!

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