Your Annapolis family dentist at Ruland Family Dentistry answers many questions about restorative, cosmetic and preventive services, which involves three popular treatments: Invisalign clear aligners, dental implant restorations and crowns and bridges. Here are answers to frequently asked questions Dr. Louis Ruland, Dr. John Ruland and Dr. Michael Ruland in Annapolis, MD, can help you with:

FAQs about Invisalign

What are Invisalign aligners?

Invislign aligners are removable clear braces suitable for mild to moderate orthodontic problems such as overbite, tooth rotation, crowding and gaps. Made from biocompatible acrylic, they are fully removable for meals, oral hygiene and special occasions such as weddings.

Who qualifies for Invisalign?

Many older teens and adults do. Conventional metal braces remain the best choice for complex orthodontic cases, but your doctor will evaluate prospective what you need using an oral examination, X-rays and three-dimensional imaging.

How long does treatment take?

Treatment takes nine to 18 months, with a year being average. Patients come to Ruland Family Dentistry every four to six weeks to pick up their aligner pairs and for a simple progress assessment.

FAQs about crowns and bridges

Why would I need a crown?

Crowns are one of the most frequently placed dental restorations. They cover and protect a tooth structure that is failing because of decay, fracture, root canal therapy or a dental abscess. They are a better choice than tooth extraction because they preserve roots and as much of the enamel above the gum line as possible.

What are crowns made of?

Crowns are made from gold, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal (PFM). Your Annapolis family dentist suggests a material based on patient preference, budget and location of the restoration. For instance, gold crowns work well at the back of the mouth where crushing forces are greatest. All-porcelain is more aesthetically pleasing at the front of the mouth.

When does the dentist advise bridgework?

Bridgework--either fixed or removable--spans a gap left after tooth loss. It replaces one, two or more teeth in a row and is supported on either end by crowns. Dentists may use implants to anchor bridgework, too.

FAQs about implant restorations

How common are dental implants?

The American College of Prosthodontists says that about 2.3 million implant-supported dental crowns are placed every year.

What are the parts of the single-tooth implant?

This popular tooth replacement consists of a titanium screw placed into the jaw bone, a metal extension post and a custom-fabricated porcelain crown, or implant restoration.

How long does the implant process take?

Healing after implant placement takes several weeks as the jaw bone bonds to the implant through osseointegration. The results are worth the wait since osseointegration makes the implant stable and secure.

Do you have other questions?

The team at Ruland Family Dentistry loves patient education. Ask them about any aspect of your oral health care. If it's time for your routine exam and cleaning, call the Annapolis, MD, office today for an appointment.