June 2016 - The Dental Place

June 21, 2016

There is a variety of proactive things you can do to protect your dental health: visiting your dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning and dental exam, brushing twice daily with a fluoridated tooth paste and flossing every day. However, you may also hear of a few dental myths that are circling out there. Here are just a few:

Teeth whitening is damaging. The new teeth whitening systems available today are less harsh than when first introduced years ago. Tooth sensitivity is probably the most problematic issue you might face when brightening your smile. Using a toothpaste formulated to treat sensitivity for a week or two prior to whitening should alleviate this issue.

Flossing is not important. You are asked at every dental appointment if you floss. The reason is that flossing is a critical component to your oral health. Flossing removes food debris your toothbrush is unable to reach. Gum tissue is gently massaged when flossed stimulating the gums. Plaque build-up lessens for patients that floss daily reducing the incidence of gum disease.

If I brush every day, I don’t need to go to the dentist as often. No matter how meticulous you are in caring for your teeth, you will experience some plaque build-up. At each dental appointment, plaque that has formed is removed. Realizing that plaque leads to dental decay and gum disease may motivate you to make sure you are seeing your dentist twice each year.

Scrubbing teeth will remove plaque. Using a hard bristle toothbrush and lots of pressure will produce more problems over time. Premature gum recession and worn dental enamel may result, and plaque will likely continue to grow.

Tooth loss is expected as you age. As toddlers and children, you expect to lose “baby teeth” as permanent teeth emerge that are expected to last for your lifetime. But accidents happen and problems may occur that result in the loss of one or more teeth. Patients that do not pursue some type of tooth replacement are risking bone loss and remaining teeth shifting toward the open spot. There are many alternatives when faced with tooth replacements, and we’re sure one of them will meet your needs.

Teeth straightening is for children. With advancements in methodology (clear aligners), many adults are realizing they can improve their smile and overall day to day living experiences once they’ve had their occlusion corrected.

To discuss your own treatment and care, call our team at The Dental Place today!

June 7, 2016

When a tooth is jeopardized due to excessive decay or a crack/break in the enamel, or when needed as the final step to root canal therapy, a dental crown is the best way to save or seal the tooth. A crown is aesthetically pleasing while offering protection and strength for the tooth requiring repair.

Dental crowns serve many purposes with the final result being the same: a restoration that has been made to match surrounding biological teeth in size, shape, and shade. Some of the situations where a crown is the best choice for solution include:

Excessive decay – When a tooth has been repaired previously, additional cavity correction might result in a broken tooth. A dental crown allows the base of the tooth to remain intact, the decay is removed and the remainder of the tooth is covered with a crown.

Broken tooth – When a tooth is compromised due to a crack or break in the dental enamel, correcting the tooth with a crown as soon as possible is the ideal option.

Root canal completion – When the root of the tooth is impacted due to trauma, decay, or infection the tooth will be saved if endodontic therapy is completed. The other option is extracting the tooth. With a root canal, the tooth is accessed using a dental hand piece, the contents of the canals are removed and the opening needs to be sealed – usually with a dental crown.

Another situation when a dental crown is used is to cover a dental implant. When a tooth is lost, a natural restoration is achieved with a dental implant. A titanium post is surgically placed in gum tissue where tooth loss has occurred. Once healing and osseointegration (bone merging with the implant) has completed, the dental implant process is completed by permanently cementing a crown over the implant.

The patient’s ability to eat the foods they love, speak with confidence and smile without embarrassment due to tooth loss is restored when a lost tooth is replaced with a dental crown covering the implant.

A tooth restored with a crown is easy to care for. Floss daily (your dentist will demonstrate the best way to floss around a dental crown), brush twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste and see your dentist every six months for cleaning and dental exam.

Are you late in your checkups? Contact our office today to schedule an appointment!