October 2015 - The Dental Place

October 20, 2015

When you “seal” something, it is often done to protect or preserve what you have sealed. The same idea applies to a dental sealant. Your dentist may recommend placing sealants on all permanent molar teeth that have not been affected by dental decay for use as a protective shield.

The process for obtaining dental sealants is fast and easy. Teeth are thoroughly cleaned; they are treated with a material to aid in the bonding effect of the sealant; sealant is applied; and a laser or curing light is used to expedite drying of the sealant. There is no need to anesthetize the teeth for treatment.

Although teeth appear to be smooth, there are many pits and indented areas on the teeth’s surface. The sealant material is literally painted on the surface of the tooth. The sealant flows into these spaces and forms a protective barrier to seal out the bacteria that eventually can evolve into dental decay.

Once a permanent tooth has emerged, your dentist or dental hygienist will encourage the application of the sealant as a means to protect the chewing surfaces of the teeth. And they have proven to be an effective deterrent for the formation of dental cavities.

The age of the patient is not a factor; however, as soon as practical it is advised to have sealants applied to the healthy teeth of your children. But teens and adults can enjoy this same protection for teeth unaffected by decay.

Dental sealants can last for many years; however, depending on the patient, sealants may need to be re-applied. Your dental provider can spot worn areas (patients that grind their teeth may be more likely to require re-treatment); or teeth where the sealant has broken off.

Why are dental sealants important? Application of the sealant is painless and easy … repairing dental decay is time consuming, costly, and can be uncomfortable. Teeth unaffected by decay are much healthier. Once decay has permeated the tooth, treatment to repair it weakens the foundation of the tooth.

Prevention is almost always the better path than having to fix a problem. And although brushing, flossing, and twice yearly dental visits are wonderful preventive measures to maintain excellent dental health, when additional treatment can provide an extra means of protection, it just makes sense to take advantage of it. For additional information, contact our skilled team today.

October 6, 2015

A dental crown has the capability to perform many functions, and saving a tooth by protecting it with a crown is one that has allowed millions of people to maintain excellent dental health.

Caring for a crown is the same as the steps you take to care for your biological teeth. You need to brush at least twice daily with a fluoridated tooth paste; floss daily (your dentist can show you how to successfully floss around a crowned tooth); and keep the twice yearly dental appointments to have your teeth thoroughly cleaned and examined.

Crowns not only allow your dentist to save your tooth, but they look natural and can last for many, many years. Some of the ways a dental crown can help you preserve your good dental health include:

Correct a cracked or broken tooth … there is no need to extract a tooth that has broken down. Removing a healthy tooth base simply means that you will need to learn to function without a tooth or spend hours and lots of money to correct with an alternative restoration.

Complete treatment following root canal therapy … when infection or trauma impacts the nerve of a tooth, endodontic therapy may be the only way to save the tooth from extraction. Once a root canal is completed, the access point needs to be sealed. A dental crown is an ideal way to finish the job.

Dental decay can attack a tooth more than once … when a tooth can no longer sustain further repair without risking its viability, a crown may be recommended. There are partial crowns (inlays or onlays depending on where the decay is prevalent) that may serve this purpose without having to remove more of the natural tooth.

As a means to support a fixed prosthesis … one or more dental crowns allows the patient to enjoy having lost teeth permanently restored.

When seeking a permanent solution to the loss of one or more teeth … dental implants are becoming more popular. They restore the ability to eat and speak with the same freedom you enjoyed before tooth loss; and they are protected with a restoration that is so natural and lifelike, it is difficult to discern the crown from natural teeth.

Although consuming some sticky foods may be discouraged, dental crowns provide solutions without requiring any special follow-up care.

To learn more about dental crowns or to schedule an appointment, contact The Dental Place at 972-264-5795 today.