Did you have braces as a teenager, only to find out you need them again years down the road? This isn’t as uncommon as you may think—as a teen, after you get your braces off, you likely feel like never touching another orthodontic appliance again, including a retainer. Unfortunately, this mindset can cause your teeth to become misaligned, crowded, and gapped again down the road, only for you to find yourself in need of a second round of orthodontic treatment. Thankfully, this time will be a little different!

Dental implants are no small investment, but they offer a priceless return on your investment in the form of life-changing benefits, like a complete and healthy smile that’s lifelike in every aspect. If you’re considering this leading-edge solution to tooth loss, you’ll want to choose a provider with all of the traits of a great implant dentist, from additional training to the latest technology. Read on to learn about five things to look for before choosing your implant dentist.

Stepping up to the plate to take care of your smile can sometimes be a longer process than expected, especially if you require preparatory treatments before you can replace your missing teeth. These added procedures can tack on more recovery and treatment time to your smile restoration journey, and while that may be disheartening, remember that in the long run, doing so will allow your full or partial dentures to last longer and serve you better. Read on to learn more about what your timeline will look like if you need one or more teeth extracted before you can restore your grin with dentures.