The Art and Science of Maintenance

Maintaining the health of the human body is a lifelong endeavor. We are blessed to live in a time when the human population is living longer than any previous generation. We are also living in a miraculous time when advancements in dentistry are improving the quality of life better than ever before. Patients are keeping their teeth or maintaining a smile through dental implants where previous generations would have only been able to go with no teeth or use plastic dentures. Two of the biggest pleasures we enjoy in life are 1. communicating with those we love and 2. eating the foods we enjoy. Our goal at Blackstone Dental is to create confident smiles together with our patients and then help them maintain that smile for the rest of their life.

One concern we see in our office is a patient investing significant time and money into restoring their smile, then having the mindset that their work is "done".

Completing the treatment is only part of the process.

Think about buying a new car. After the initial purchase of the vehicle, maintenance becomes crucial. Keeping the car clean, regular tire rotations, tire replacements, brake replacements, oil changes, and other routine vehicle service are all expected in order to maintain the vehicle as long as possible. No one would buy a car with the idea that because they now have a new car they will never need to maintain it again. In fact, you would probably be more motivated to maintain the vehicle because you have invested so much in it. Your mouth deserves the same approach.

Dentistry Requires Maintenance

Modern dental care is amazing at repairing damage, replacing missing teeth, restoring function, and dramatically improving a smile. We strive to reduce the risk of future disease, and that requires consistent maintenance.

A crown can still develop decay around its edges. An implant still depends on healthy bone and gums. Restorations are exposed to thousands of chewing cycles every day. Teeth can crack or wear. Plaque and bacteria continue to accumulate. Gum disease can return. As the body ages the defense mechanisms begin to break down and the risk of disease increases.

Routine dental visits after treatment aren't simply about "getting your teeth cleaned."

They're about protecting everything we've worked together to accomplish and managing each patients individual risk factors.

During maintenance visits, we can evaluate the overall health of our patients and how it affects your gums and supporting bone, screen for cancers, examine existing dental work, look for early signs of decay or wear, monitor your bite, and identify small changes before they become major problems.

Small Problems Are Usually Easier to Solve

There is an important principle in dentistry:

Problems rarely become simpler or less expensive when they are ignored.

A small cavity may require a filling. If it progresses, the tooth may eventually need a crown. If decay reaches the nerve, it may require root canal treatment. If the tooth becomes damaged beyond repair, it may need to be removed and replaced with an implant or bridge.

The same principle applies to gum disease, implants, crowns, and other dental treatment.

It's very similar to ignoring the warning light on your car. The light itself may represent something relatively simple. Continuing to drive for thousands of miles without addressing it can turn a manageable repair into a major one.

Dentistry works the same way.

Protect the Investment You've Already Made

When someone has completed significant dental treatment, one of our biggest goals is to help that treatment last as long as possible.

Good home care matters tremendously. Brushing, cleaning between the teeth, and following any recommendations specific to your situation are the foundation.

Professional maintenance is the other half of that equation.

Depending on your individual risk factors, that might mean visits every three, four, or six months. There isn't one perfect schedule for everyone. The goal is to establish a maintenance interval appropriate for your mouth and the dentistry you've had completed. We want the work our patients have completed last as long as possible, and that requires consistent maintenance.

Maintenance Is Part of the Treatment

Perhaps the biggest change in thinking is this:

Maintenance shouldn't be viewed as something separate from dental treatment. It is part of the treatment.

At Blackstone Dental, our team is trained in the most up to date treatments and technologies to help you maintain your smile. We want your maintenance visits to be comfortable and educational as you receive the care you need.

Just as regular servicing protects a vehicle you depend on every day, consistent dental maintenance helps protect the investment you make in your mouth.

Whether you are consistent with your maintenance, or you have gotten off track, we look forward to helping you maintain your smile at Blackstone Dental!