Losing a tooth can be an overwhelming experience. Aside from having a gap in your beautiful smile, you have a host of tooth replacement options to choose from. However, if you want the next best thing from a natural tooth, dental implants are your answer. They’re the only restoration currently available that can replace a tooth both above and below the gumline, making it more permanent, functional, healthy, and lifelike than options like dentures and dental bridges. Read on as your implant dentist explains what sets dental implants apart from other tooth replacement options.

Do-it-yourself braces have become a trend on social media. Using a concoction of glue, paper clips, rubber bands, and other household objects, people are taking getting a straighter smile into their own hands. If you’ve seen some of these videos that claim DIY braces save time and money, you may have asked yourself: “Are at-home braces the same as Invisalign?” However, the saying “If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is” applies to this unconventional treatment. Here are six important reasons why you should steer clear of this dangerous trend and see your dentist for a straighter smile instead.