Dental technology has expanded in Boise and across the United States in recent years. There are options now that were undreamed of, just a few decades ago.

One of the most significant advances is dental implants. Implants consist of an artificial tooth attached to a titanium post that is implanted into the patient’s jaw . It’s the post that is the implant, and it replaces the root of a missing tooth.

The idea of dental implants is not all that new. Anthropologists have discovered evidence of implants being performed by ancient Mayans. By modern standards, they were very crude. And we don’t even want to think about how those implants were inserted into the patients’ jaws.

A modern dental implant provides many important advantages over a dental bridge or dentures:

• Longevity – Dental implants are tough and permanent, meaning with proper care they can last ten years or more.
• Seamless – Fabricated to have the same shape, size and color of the original tooth, the implant will blend seamlessly with all the other teeth. If the original tooth had aesthetic issues, these can frequently be fixed with the implant crown.
• Function – A dental implant functions like a natural tooth allowing for normal eating and speaking.
• Convenience – Unlike dentures, no adhesives, rinsing, or removal is necessary.
• Independent – Like the missing tooth, the dental implant is treated individually. No damaging of adjacent teeth is required, as with dental bridges. This independence allows nearby teeth to remain intact. Cleaning is easier than with most dental bridges which can require the threading of floss under and around the artificial tooth.

If you are interested in a dental implant, call Blaisdell Family Dentistry in Boise to schedule a  consultation. If you are a good candidate for the procedure, the process can begin. We also provide family and general dentistry, and look forward to meeting you!

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

Do you get sweaty palms when you go to the dentist? A pounding heart, at the mere thought of having a cavity filled? Dental anxiety is brutal – but with sedation dentistry in Boise, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Many people who fret about the dentist over issues large and small have chosen sedation dentistry. Though the terms ‘sleep dentistry’ and ‘oral conscious sedation’ are frequently used interchangeably, they are not identical. Let’s consider the main types of sedation.

Nitrous Oxide
The first level uses nitrous oxide, or ‘laughing gas’ as it is commonly called. Nitrous oxide is safe and effective, and has been used in dentistry for many years. It goes to work at the first inhalation, relaxes the patient during the treatment, and wears off quickly. If you need a little help to get through dental services, but don’t want to be knocked out cold, nitrous may be a good option.

Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation doesn’t work as rapidly as nitrous oxide, but it helps most patients achieve a deeper level of tranquility. These medications, however, do not usually lead to complete unconsciousness. Thus, oral sedatives and nitrous oxide are considered ‘conscious’ sedation.

IV Sedation
IV sedation uses medications similar to those used in surgery and results in a state of deep relaxation. Most patients are unaware to what is going on in their mouths. IV sedation is often used for root canals, wisdom teeth extractions, and multi-procedure smile redesigns. Patients will require a ride home afterward.

General Anesthesia
With general anesthesia, we use a licensed anesthesiologist. General anesthesia makes the patient fully asleep. It is used for complex dental treatment, and sometimes for children and adults with extreme dental anxiety.

For more information about sedation dentistry, and procedures like dental implants, call us at Blaisdell Family Dentistry. We also provide general and family dentistry.

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

New Boise parents may be surprised by the latest in family dentistry and infant oral care. Parents are advised to begin brushing their baby’s teeth as soon as the first teeth emerge.

Brand-new teeth, the American Dental Association reminds us all, are just as vulnerable to cavities as older teeth. ADA guidelines are to use a cloth and a smidgen of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) to wipe each tooth. As more teeth come in, it becomes more important for them to be brushed at least twice a day.

As your baby grows into toddler-hood, it is vital to select the proper toothbrush. A soft-bristled brush, using a small amount of toothpaste, is best. Infant and toddler-sized toothbrushes with a small head of bristles are ideal. Some brushes are circle and triangular-shaped, reducing the chance of injury in case of a fall.

If the toothpaste is causing an unpleasant struggle, brush without it. The goal is to remove food bits that will create bacteria, followed by plaque and then cavities.

When two teeth touch, it’s time to begin flossing. It’s important to make sure no food is lodged between the teeth. Proper flossing requires fine motor skills, which most toddlers don’t have yet. Parents need to assist with flossing until they are sure their child can do it effectively.

Until the child is old enough to properly brush, they should receive adult supervision and guidance. Instilling the proper brushing and flossing procedures will reap lifelong benefits. While it may seem that supervising them is time-consuming, remember that it’s forming a daily habit that will protect their health.

Your child’s first dental visit should be within six months of the first tooth appearing and no later than their first birthday. It may seem early, but most parents bring their child to the pediatrician early. You can trust your dentist to look out for potential troubles and advise you about how to help your child keep a healthy smile.

Ask about sealants, x-ray safety, and fluoride supplements. A dentist can also advise parents with older children about teeth protection for athletics, and orthodontics.

If you live in the Boise area and don’t yet have a trusted family dentist, call Blaisdell Family Dentistry to schedule your child’s dental appointment. By starting young, your child will become familiar with our dental practice and our friendly staff, ensuring that he or she never develops a fear of the dentist.

We provide complete dental services, including cosmetic dentistry and dental implants.

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

If you are one of the many denture wearers in Boise, you know that dentures are not an ideal solution for missing teeth.

Problems with dentures include slipping, gum irritation, trouble eating and talking, bone loss, and an inability to taste food due to a covered palate.

To put it plainly, dentures do not feel and function like natural teeth.

Good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups can help you avoid the need for dentures later in your life, but other factors can make dental replacements an inevitability.

The good news? Modern dental implant technology offers a better tooth restoration solution. If you currently wear traditional dentures and are not happy with them, implant anchored dentures may dramatically change your life. Your chewing ability will be similar to that of natural teeth.

How about a thick T-bone at your favorite Boise steakhouse? Corn on the cob at the Western Idaho Fair? The pleasure of a crisp apple? Not only will you enjoy your favorite foods again, you’ll avoid the embarrassment of having your dentures rattle around in your mouth in public.

Before you pay for another denture reline, ask your Boise dentist about the possibility of dental implants.

Come see us at Blaisdell Family Dentistry in Boise for more information about dentures and dental implants.

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

Hello friends of Blaisdell Family Dentistry! Today’s post focuses on jaw bone health.

To remain dense, your jaw bone needs to be consistently stimulated by the pressure of chewing, biting, and talking. Each tooth has a root structure attached to the surrounding bone material. As each tooth absorbs the forces of everyday mouth function, it stimulates the bone surrounding the root.

In some cases, tooth extraction is the only possible treatment for our patients with tooth damage beyond repair. However, we make every effort to preserve the root structure. When a tooth is extracted, the jaw bone that surrounded the original root structure begins to recede.

Fortunately, tooth implants provide a new, artificial root which keeps the surrounding bone healthy and strong. A dental implant consists of a strong titanium post which is placed in the jaw bone. It replaces the original root and eventually integrates into the surrounding bone.

After the implant has been placed and the surrounding bone has healed and meshed with the implant, a post is inserted into the implant. The new artificial tooth, or crown, is then attached to the post. Implant restoration is a safe and effective treatment for tooth loss with a very high success rate.

For more specifics about dental implants, call Dr. Lynn R. Blaisdell at 208-922-6902. The friendly team at Blaisdell Family Dentistry provide world-class dental treatment for patients in Boise and the surrounding areas.

Excellence in Dentistry

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

For thousands of years, dentures have been allowing people to chew foods harder than mashed bananas and flash some teeth when they smile. However, Boise denture wearers know how unstable, irritating, embarrassing, and inconvenient they can be.

Today, Boise dental patients with missing teeth are fortunate to have a tooth replacement choice that is far better than both traditional dentures and dental bridges. A tooth implant provides the total package, so to speak. An implant replaces the visible part of the tooth and – this is key – also the root.

The dental implant process works like this: A super-strong titanium post is anchored directly into the jawbone. An abutment is then attached to the post. Finally, a crown or denture is attached to the abutment. Tooth implants provide the following benefits:

Stability – Implants don’t move around in your mouth.  This permits normal chewing, swallowing, and speech.
Bone Retention – The post prevents the bone loss that almost always occurs after a tooth is extracted
Dental implants prevent jaw muscle dysfunction that can occur when remaining teeth are forced to compensate for missing teeth
Tooth implants eliminate gum irritation caused by dentures
No need for denture relines
No denture adhesive needed (Remember, they are anchored in your jawbone just like natural teeth!)

Boise dental implant patients with one or two missing teeth can replace each missing tooth with a permanent implant. Boise dental patients with significant tooth loss are usually best served with an implant-anchored denture.

If you want more information about tooth implant costs in Boise or cosmetic dental financing, call Blaisdell Family Dentistry at 208-922-6902. Blaisdell Family Dentistry is a full-service general and cosmetic dental practice dedicated to preventative dental care. We offer:

teeth whitening
porcelain veneers
dentures
prepless veneers

Excellence in Dentistry

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

Perhaps you have heard or seen the Boise dental industry’s advertising about dental implants. Most Boise dentists claim that dental implant dentures can change your life. Does this sound like hype? Exaggeration?

Let’s look at the facts about dental implant anchored dentures in Boise:

Chewing: An oral implant denture can restore up to 95 percent of normal chewing function. How important is chewing? Can you chew easily with your current full or partial denture? Can you bite apples? When was the last time you ate a raw carrot?

Fit: Implant anchored dentures stay in place. An implant denture doesn’t slide around in your mouth and cause sores. Meridian implant denture wearers who exercise regularly especially appreciate this benefit.

Appearance: How does your smile look? Can you smile confidently? How many Sun Valley denture wearers love their smile? Implant anchored dentures look like natural teeth. They don’t move when you smile, eat, talk, bike, swim, dance, golf, ski; you get the idea.

Bone health: When teeth are extracted, bone recession can occur over time (in fact, this happens in almost every case). Because a titanium implant is an artificial ‘tooth root’ inserted into your jaw bone, your bone has a better chance of staying healthy. If there are no other adverse conditions present, your jaw bone should remain strong and dense, just as if the original tooth root were there.

If you hate your dentures, why don’t you come in for a consultation about dental implants and mini-implants? We can discuss all the particulars including procedure specifics, healing time and dental implant cost. Then you can decide for yourself if implant dentures will, as promised, change your life.

Hundreds of Sun Valley dental implant recipients have replaced missing teeth with jaw-bone anchored tooth implants. Unlike a dental bridge, a tooth implant consists of a titanium post inserted into the jaw bone. The bone meshes with the post to create a strong base for the natural-looking prosthetic tooth and crown that attaches to the post.

Dental implants are usually the ideal restoration for Sun Valley people who want to replace a missing tooth. There is a problem, however, if the jaw bone is too thin at the implant site.

When a tooth is extracted, the bone loses the blood circulation at the former site of the root. Consequently, bone recession often occurs. If the recession is extensive, there is not enough bone to hold the dental implant post.

Bone grafting can augment the bone at the implant site and provide the bone density necessary for a successful implant. This is usually effective, but it does require time for the new bone to generate. A new discovery may provide a quicker solution for regenerating bone.

Researchers at the Georgia Health Sciences University College of Dental Medicine have identified a protein that quickly stimulates the production of new bone. The research team, led by Dr. Ulf M.E. Wikesjo, implanted bone morphogenetic protein in test subjects and discovered that “more new bone formed within four weeks than with conventional bone grafting.”

This protein will require extensive testing before it is available for Sun Valley dental implant patients. However, I am pleased at the prospect of an additional method for making dental implants possible for my Sun Valley patients with missing teeth and jaw bone recession.

For information about tooth restoration options including tooth implants, dental bridges, and porcelain crowns, call Blaisdell Family Dentistry at 208-922-6902.

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

When a tooth’s nerve and pulp becomes infected, a dentist and patient must make a choice of whether to attempt to save the tooth by performing a root canal or to extract the tooth.

There are several factors that influence this decision. These include whether there is infection in the surrounding bone, the amount and condition of the remaining tooth structure, the strength of the supporting bone, and the presence of periodontal disease.

During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp of the tooth is removed. This tissue contains veins, arteries and lymph vessels. The dentist or endodontist uses files of various sizes to clean out the canals. Once the roots are cleaned out and widened, they are filled with a special rubber material that seals them off.

The root canal is the first step in the complete tooth restoration. After the root canal, without a crown, the tooth will probably become dry and brittle. The final steps are the core build-up and crown. This protects what’s left of the tooth and allows normal function.

A root canal is typically the most conservative treatment when a root is infected or a tooth has acute decay or damage. Root canals have been performed with success for generations and have a very low failure rate.

But there is always a slight possibility that a tooth with a root canal can have complications down the road. If there was a tiny crack in the treated tooth, it can become re-infected. Teeth with curved roots are more difficult to fill and they can also become re-infected. Occasionally, the tip of a file can break off in a root during the procedure and cause problems.

Because there is always a slight risk that a root canal can fail and eventually require extraction, some Boise patients wonder if they should just get a dental implant in the first place. This is not a black and white decision. Like root canals, dental implants have a high success rate. But there are risks with dental implants, as well.

If you have been told that a root canal or a dental implant is required, talk with your dentist about the pros and cons of each procedure. If you do not currently have a dentist, we invite you to schedule a consultation at Blaisdell Family Dentistry.

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, ID
83709

When you meet someone in Boise who is missing a front tooth, what does that say to you? Do you wonder if they were in an accident? Do you automatically start making assumptions about their income, level of education and overall physical health?

Though it is extremely unfair, we are often judged (and misjudged) by our appearance. Even if a person is impeccably dressed and groomed, a missing front tooth detracts from the overall pleasing impression.

Here is a personal story from a woman who lost a tooth:

I lost my job and along with it my dental insurance, then a month later, one of my front teeth. It has been very hard to find work…. and I know the missing tooth has cost me several jobs.”

A missing tooth can be a big deal.

Dental implants not only restore oral health, they restore self-confidence. Dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. Studies have shown that after more than 20 years, the vast majority of dental implants placed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons continue to function at peak performance. If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Dental implants are one of the procedures we routinely perform at Blaisdell Family Dentistry to help our Boise clients regain the beautiful smile they once had. Not all cosmetic dental procedures are as extreme as teeth implants. There are many minimally-invasive remedies for unattractive smiles.

Porcelain veneers instantly provide a perfect, gleaming tooth surface for Boise clients with broken or discolored teeth. Tooth whitening is a quick and affordable dentistry procedure that achieves dramatic results without requiring the removal of any tooth structure. Call Blaisdell Family Dentistry at 208-639-0489 for more information about smile design and restorative dentistry.

-Dr. Lynn R. Blaisdell & Dr. Craig Blaisdell