Other Dental Services

Over time, our teeth begin to weaken and become more susceptible to problems such as decay, cracks, or discoloration. Crowns are used to renew the appearance and function of a tooth. Crowns are not limited to just replacing the natural tooth but can be designed to create an even better aesthetic appearance.

Other reasons for needing a dental crown include:

• To protect a weak tooth from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth.
• To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there is not a sufficient amount of tooth structure remaining.
• To cover severely discolored teeth.
• To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down.

Also, they are often used in conjunction with root canal therapy, dental implants, or as an anchor for a bridge.

Crowns are typically made from porcelain in order to maintain strength and a natural appearance. The process of placing a crown may take 1-2 office visits.

The procedure of receiving a crown is as follows:

First Visit

• X-rays will be taken to check the roots of the tooth receiving the crown. If the tooth has extensive decay or there is a risk of infection, a root canal treatment may be performed first.
• Anesthesia is used to numb the area to eliminate pain. The tooth that is receiving the crown will be filed down to make room for the crown.
• Your dentist will make an impression of the tooth using paste or putty. These impressions are sent to the lab where the crown will be manufactured.
• A temporary crown is placed to cover and protect the prepared tooth while the crown is being made.

Second Visit

• Once your permanent crown arrives, your temporary crown will be removed and your permanent crown will be placed over your tooth to ensure the right fit and color.
• If the permanent crown is acceptable, an anesthetic will be used to numb the tooth and the crown is permanently cemented in place.

Once treatment is complete, continue to practice proper at-home care and keep regular office visits to help your crown last many years. Much like your natural teeth, crowns require routine brushing and flossing.

Bridges

A dental bridge is used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. A tooth or teeth neighboring the missing tooth or teeth may be crowned and used as anchoring teeth to support the replacement tooth. It is important to replace missing teeth to avoid shifting of surrounding teeth, which may lead to a misaligned bite, TMD, and other problems.

Dental bridges are custom-made to match your natural teeth in color and overall appearance. They are made from mixtures of gold, metal, alloys, or porcelain to ensure that they are strong and durable. With appropriate at-home and professional care, your dental bridges may last for years.

Besides the aesthetic disadvantage of missing a tooth, if left untreated, structural changes to your mouth and jaw may occur, making it difficult to eat, speak, and digest properly.

Porcelain veneers are cosmetic solutions that may be recommended for those who are interested in restoring the color and appearance of their teeth. They are used to recreate the natural look of teeth, while also providing strength and flexibility that is comparable to natural tooth enamel.

Porcelain veneers can be used to:

• Re-shape teeth
• Improve the look of your teeth due to stains
• Fix teeth that are chipped, fractured, crooked or broken
• Close gaps between teeth

Porcelain veneers are custom-made to fit over your natural teeth. The foundation of your natural teeth must be strong and healthy in order to be a candidate. Results from veneers can be drastic, and instantly improve the appearance of your smile. Since veneers are individually created for each patient, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth. Unlike natural teeth, veneers can also resist stains from coffee, tea, and cigarette smoke.

Procedure
Veneer preparation may involve the removal of a small amount of tooth structure. An impression is taken and sent to the lab to fabricate the custom veneers. During this time, temporary veneers may be placed on your teeth. Temporary veneers are very fragile and need to be treated gently during eating and cleaning.

Once your permanent veneers arrive, they are bonded to your teeth. Avoid chewing excessively hard foods with your veneers.

Porcelain veneers are very durable and can last for years when cared for properly. Continue brushing, flossing, and keeping up with regular professional cleanings to add to the longevity of your dental veneers.

Periodontal disease (periodontitis) is the leading cause of tooth loss and is one of the most common health conditions in our population. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics and poor oral hygiene. Also, people who smoke or chew tobacco, have uneven teeth, or don’t have a set routine for professional teeth cleaning are more prone to periodontal disease.

When bacteria start to collect in your mouth, a sticky, colorless substance known as “plaque” develops. Plaque builds up on your teeth. If not removed during brushing and flossing, the plaque particles can harden and turn into tartar. Over time, plaque and tartar become more difficult to remove at home. Receiving regular professional cleanings is vital for maintaining your oral health and preventing periodontal disease.

The longer the plaque and tartar remain on the teeth, the more harm they can cause to your oral health. Accumulated plaque and tartar may lead to gingivitis, an early form of periodontal disease. Routine professional cleanings and proper at-home oral care can prevent gingivitis from developing.

Signs of Gum Disease
It is important to visit your dentist for a complete exam if you experience any of the following symptoms:

● Sore, inflamed or receding gums
● Bleeding while brushing or flossing
● Loose teeth
● Presence of bad breath
● Pockets between the gums and tooth

In cases where gingivitis is not treated early, it can advance to periodontal disease, which can not be reversed, but only maintained. Inflammation affects the soft tissue (gums) and teeth, creating pockets between them. If left untreated, the pockets become deep and cause teeth to become loose and eventually fall out.

Treatment
A common solution for controlling periodontal disease is a deep dental cleaning, also referred to as “scaling and root planing”. While the procedure is usually painless, in some cases, your dentist may recommend numbing the area for comfort. Scaling is the removal of the dental tartar from the tooth surfaces, and root planing is smoothing the root surfaces.

Once reaching an advanced stage, periodontitis cannot be completely reversed. With proper at-home care combined with regular in-office maintenance, your dentist can prevent the disease from progressing and leading to tooth loss. Daily flossing is crucial to preventing and treating periodontal disease.

• Remove tartar build-up on your teeth
• Remove plaque
• Perform teeth polishing to help remove light surface stains and prevent plaque from easily reattaching to your teeth

• Evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene
• Check your bite and jaw for any problems
• Evaluate your risk of tooth decay and gum or bone disease
• Evaluate existing tooth restorations
• Screen for oral cancer
• Take dental x-rays if necessary

1. A thorough cleaning is done
2. Each tooth is then dried
3. A solution is put on the chewing surfaces of the teeth to help the sealant bond to the teeth
4. The sealant is painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and is hardened using a curing light.

• Dry mouth
• Gum disease
• History of frequent cavities
• Presence of crowns and/or bridges
• Undergoing orthodontic treatment

Your dental office emphasizes the importance of providing routine oral cancer screenings. our dentist is certified to detect oral cancer and discuss the available diagnostic options with you. Detecting any abnormalities in your oral health early will help you get the treatment you need to either regress or eliminate the risk of developing a more serious oral health condition.

Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer can be found on the lips, tongue, gums, or lining of the mouth or throat. Studies show it is responsible for the death of one adult American every hour. Early detection of oral cancer is crucial to its treatment success. For this reason, your dentist recommends an annual oral cancer screening. There are a number of oral cancer symptoms that start to appear early on, including:

• White or red patches in your mouth
• A mouth sore that won’t heal within two weeks
• Unexplained bleeding in your mouth
• A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat
• Problem or pain with swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
• Lumps or swellings in or around your mouth
• Ear pain
• Dramatic weight loss

If you show any symptoms that last for more than a week and show no signs of regressing, schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately.

Oral cancer can happen to anyone, although research suggests that it is slightly more common in men. Those who smoke or use tobacco products are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop oral cancer. Oral cancer is also more likely to occur in those with genetic predisposition, prolonged sun exposure, or those who drink alcohol excessively. However, it is important to note that anyone can get oral cancer.

Treatment success depends on the size, type, and stage of cancer. In most cases, small cancerous tumors are removed along with a small ring of healthy tissue that surrounded it, and radiation or chemotherapy is then delivered to kill off any remaining cancerous cells.

A dental extraction may be recommended when a tooth is deeply decayed, causing severe pain, or in conjunction with orthodontic treatment. Pain management techniques and technology have made dental extractions possible with little to no discomfort.

After this procedure, be sure to rest and follow the doctor’s orders. You can use a cold compress to keep swelling down and reduce pain. Also, limit yourself to soft foods after surgery. Avoid drinking from a straw, spitting, and smoking to prevent dry sockets. Your dental team will provide after-care instructions following your extraction.

Extraction Site Preservation
When removing a tooth, it may be important to consider what will be done with the empty space after that tooth is removed. If nothing is done with the extraction site, the jaw bone may degenerate and change shape during the healing process which can cause the remaining teeth to shift causing malocclusion.

A dental implant or bridge can be used to fill in the empty space.

About 10 million wisdom teeth are removed each year from 5 million people. Oral surgery to remove wisdom teeth is a standard procedure that is practiced every day. After visiting your dentist, he or she may recommend getting your wisdom teeth removed. However, you may wonder why you need them removed even though they don’t cause pain.

Just because your wisdom teeth are not a source of pain doesn’t mean that there is nothing wrong. Most of the time, wisdom teeth need to be removed because they don’t have room to grow properly and may cause problems. Other reasons include:

Damage to other teeth: Impacted wisdom teeth can shift other teeth as they continue to grow. This can undo the effects of braces, crowns, bridges, and partial dentures. It can also cause mouth pain and bite problems.

Sinus issues: Problems with wisdom teeth can lead to sinus pain, pressure, and congestion.

Jaw damage: Impacted wisdom teeth may develop cysts or tumors. If they aren’t treated, they can hollow out your jaw and cause damage to nerves.

Inflamed gums: Because there is limited space for wisdom teeth to erupt, infection and inflammation may be common. Gum disease and inflammation can lead to receding gum tissues, deterioration of the jawbone, and tooth loss.

Cavities: Your wisdom teeth are more susceptible to cavities since it is more difficult to clean them. Bacteria can grow, which causes cavities to form.

Before deciding on getting your wisdom teeth removed, your dentist will look at the shape of your mouth and the position of your teeth. In addition, he or she will take x-rays to determine the growth pattern of your wisdom teeth.

There is no age limit to getting your wisdom teeth removed but as you get older, surgery and recovery can be more difficult. In most instances, you can wait several months to see if anything changes in your wisdom teeth before making a final decision. However, if you experience pain or swelling near the back of your teeth, contact your dentist for a consultation.

Dentures are beneficial for those who wish to replace all or most of their teeth. They are custom-made to provide a natural appearance and comfortable fit in your mouth. Dentures may restore your confidence and allow you to smile freely.

Depending on your need, you may benefit from a full or partial denture:

Conventional Full Dentures
Removing all of your teeth may be valuable to your oral health. When your gums are healed, your dentures are placed in your mouth and adjustments may be made. Your dental team strives to make this process as comfortable as possible for you.

Immediate Full Dentures
Immediate dentures are placed instantly after your teeth are removed. These dentures are recommended for those who have suffered from tooth decay, gum disease, or dental injuries. Immediate full dentures speed up the wait time for healing without teeth. Follow-up appointments will have to be made to adjust dentures if needed.

Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are used to replace several missing teeth. Partial dentures prevent the shifting and erupting of the other teeth.

You should care for your dentures just like you would for your teeth. They should be brushed daily to remove food particles and plaque. Brushing can also help prevent the teeth from staining. You will also need to keep regular appointments with your dentist to screen for oral cancer, correct ill-fitting dentures, and contribute to your overall health.

Harmful bacteria on the tooth can lead to decay. Your dentist can remove the decayed portion of the tooth and fill the area. Fillings can also be used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down. Tooth-colored fillings are made out of porcelain or composite resin, which is undetectable and offers an aesthetically pleasing solution for a decayed tooth. This protects the tooth from infection and further decay.

When decay is left untreated, it can worsen, causing infection and severe pain. The infected tooth may eventually require a root canal or extraction.

The process for placing a composite resin dental filling is as follows:

1. The tooth is isolated from saliva to keep it dry.
2. Air abrasion is used to remove the infected part of the tooth.
3. A liquid bonding agent is applied to the remaining tooth structure to help the next layer adhere to the tooth surface.
4. The composite resin is placed in layers over the opening.
5. A curing light is used to harden each layer of composite resin material.
6. After the tooth is filled, the composite resin is shaped to resemble a real tooth.

Composite resin not only restores your teeth but also gives you a natural look.

You can decrease your risk of cavities and other dental diseases by:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day
• Flossing daily
• Keeping up with regular professional cleanings
• Avoid eating or drinking acidic or sugary foods and beverages

Sometimes children or adults may have bruxism, or teeth grinding, during sleep. This is commonly seen during growth periods or times of stress, and is often minor and may cause little or no issue. In some cases, however, excessive grinding during sleep can lead to chipping or wearing of the teeth or even discomfort or pain in the jaw.

When this occurs, your dentist may advise the use of a custom nightguard to protect your teeth from further damage. A night guard is a custom-made oral appliance worn over the teeth while sleeping. This prevents the teeth from grinding against one another overnight, which not only protects the teeth from immediate damage but can also serve to help break the unconscious habit of bruxism and protect your teeth from this kind of damage in the future.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should visit the dentist within six months after the presence of the first tooth or by his or her first birthday. The early oral examination aids in the detection of the early stages of tooth decay. Early detection is also essential to maintaining good oral health.

With regular check-ups and cleanings, your dentist can ensure healthy and happy smiles. It is recommended for all patients to schedule a routine six-month check-up exam. Your dentist will screen your child’s mouth for tooth decay and gum disease. Regular professional dental cleanings are essential for a healthy mouth. During your child’s dental cleaning, they will gently remove any buildup of plaque or tarter.

Your dentist may also recommend dental sealants for your child. Sealants protect against tooth decay and cavities on your child’s molars. Molars are the most susceptible to cavities and least benefited from topical fluoride. Sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth and are highly effective in preventing tooth decay. Fluoride may be applied to the teeth as well. Topical fluoride is used to strengthen enamel and make teeth more resistant to tooth decay.

Without proper dental care, children are susceptible to oral decay. Healthy smiles should not stop at your dental office. Your dentist will educate you and your child on how to make good food choices and how to properly brush and floss at home.

Your dentist has the experience and qualifications to care for your child’s teeth, gums and mouth throughout various stages of childhood.