The Dental Place

Common Causes of Tooth Loss

January 5, 2018

The loss of one or more teeth can be devastating at any age. Missing teeth can impact speech, the foods you can comfortably eat, and your self-confidence can be eroded. An ideal solution to restore dentition is with dental implants.

Some of the reasons tooth loss occurs include:

Trauma – A fall, car accident, or sports injury are just a few of the things that can result in damage to your mouth resulting in tooth loss.
Dental Decay – Cavities occur very often in children, but adults can be faced with decay due to negligent care or a diet high in sugar or carbohydrates. Daily brushing and flossing are needed to help control plaque buildup; patients who sip on soda or other sugar laden beverages are more likely to experience dental decay than those who sip on water.
Gum Disease – Tooth loss due to gum disease does not happen overnight. Periods of neglect or the daily use of tobacco contribute to the onset of gum disease. There are early signs of gum disease such as bleeding, swollen gum tissue; chronic bad breath; teeth appearing to pull away from gum tissue; or teeth feeling loose … any of these signs require a trip to the dentist for treatment.

Patients that have experienced tooth loss can have their dentition restored with dental implants. Your dentist will complete a review of your overall health and a thorough dental exam to determine your candidacy for this procedure.

Some of the qualifying requirements include sufficient bone in gum tissue, (there are treatment solutions for bone loss available, if needed), patient commitment to care throughout the implant process, willingness to give up tobacco, if used and the time needed as the dental implant and restoration process can take a year from start to finish.

A dental implant is a small titanium post that is embedded surgically in gum tissue where tooth loss has occurred. Depending on the number of teeth being supplanted, one or more implants may be needed.

A healing period follows … during that time bone is grafting to the implant incorporating the post to become a permanent part of the dental anatomy that will be secure enough to support the restoration that will eventually be placed.

The final restoration will be affixed to the implant allowing the patient to chew normally, speak clearly, and smile with renewed self-confidence.

Contact our office today to schedule a consultation!

How to Keep the Treats from Playing Tricks On Your Child’s Teeth

October 20, 2017

Halloween parties and costumes can distract children from performing day to day important functions; and as parents we must deal with that plus bags of candy and snacks that can wreak havoc on kid’s teeth. Don’t be forced into emergency treatment at the dentist – be proactive with your children’s dental health.

Dental decay seems to be a pervasive problem for children … that is because their teeth have not fully developed lacking the strength of adult teeth. Plus monitoring their diet is very hard as they often eat away from home.

There are things you can do to help keep your children cavity free …

Teach them how to perform daily oral maintenance. Provide the correct tools and monitor their use. One of those tools might include an electronic toothbrush. An electronic toothbrush often comes with a timer to signal your child to know they have brushed a full two minutes. A toothpaste or gel that contains fluoride helps to strengthen dental enamel.

Flossing daily removes debris your child’s toothbrush missed, and when used correctly flossing also helps stimulate healthy gum tissue. While brushing is necessary for great dental health, flossing is just as important so make sure you incorporate this habit into your child’s daily oral health care routine.

Don’t allow sugary treats to take up residence in your child’s room. Keep in mind that what your child may enjoy most is the act of trick or treating. It’s not necessary for them to eat everything they collect.

Finally, make sure your child sees the family dentist every six months. A thorough cleaning will remove all plaque that has formed since their last appointment. Plaque build-up leads to dental decay.

Your dentist can offer preventative measures such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants that will provide protection to the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth not already impacted by dental decay.

Enjoy the holiday, but do everything you can do make sure your children are maintaining good dental habits.

Lost Back Molar: Is a dental implant an option?

October 6, 2017

A back molar tooth is very important in your ability to chew correctly. If a tooth is missing it can be uncomfortable often resulting in chewing on the opposite side all the time. Dental implants allow the patient to enjoy normal chewing (on both sides); and eating all the favorite foods you love from crunchy to chewy just like you did before tooth loss occurred.

The dental implant process begins with a discussion about your overall health followed by a very thorough dental examination including dental x-rays to help determine bone strength. Lack of sufficient bone in the jaw where the implant is needed may mean additional treatment such as a bone graft.

If bone augmentation is needed, it will be performed before the implant is placed. In some instances, it may be done at the same time as the implant surgery.

The patient will need to make sure they keep the implant area clean and healthy to prevent infection, a primary cause of implant failure. In addition to daily oral maintenance, tobacco use must cease as this is another primary reason for implant failure.

Throughout the healing period, the implant area is protected by a temporary covering. During this time bone is grafting to the titanium implant … this process is referred to as osseointegration. As the bone and implant merge, the implant is becoming a permanent part of the dental anatomy that will provide strength and support for the restoration that will ultimately be cemented to the implant.

When healed, an abutment will be attached to the implant. The restoration will be tried in, and when fit and function are correct, it will be cemented in place.

Your dentist will have the restoration fabricated to match surrounding teeth in size, contour, and shade so your dental work will be undetectable. This means you will be able to smile and laugh with self-confidence; speak without fear of your dental work slipping or moving; and you will be able to eat all the foods you love.

Care for your implant is the same as your natural teeth … brush and floss daily and visit your dentist every six months for cleaning and exam. To learn more about your tooth replacement options, contact The Dental Place at 972-264-5795.

Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

September 18, 2017

Our teeth are very strong, but they are not invincible. Using them to open packages, ‘cut’ thread, or as a means to keep your fingernails trimmed are a few of the ways you can abuse your dentition leading to the potential for broken or cracked teeth. Trauma to the dental nerve from a broken tooth can lead to the need for root canal therapy.

A root canal, also known as endodontic therapy, is a procedure where the contents of the root canals of a tooth are removed. Those contents are made up of the dental nerve, blood, and pulp. Once a tooth has erupted, the nerve is no longer needed. Saving the tooth with a root canal is a much better option than resorting to the only other choice, which is tooth extraction.

Indications that you may need a root canal include sensitivity to hot or cold, pain in a tooth when biting down, a sore like a pimple on the gum, or swelling. Your dentist will take an x-ray to determine that a root canal is needed. The x-ray is also needed to identify the number of canals involved; it is imperative that all canals be treated for a successful procedure.

The root canal gets underway by numbing the tooth involved; a rubber dam will isolate the tooth to keep it dry. The dentist will create an access point in the tooth. Using endodontic files, each canal is cleared of its contents.

If infection is present, the dentist may pack the tooth with antibiotics; or may provide oral antibiotics for the patient. The access point of the tooth will need to be sealed; however, if infection was present, the dentist may wish to wait until certain the infection has cleared before permanently sealing the tooth. In many cases, a dental crown is used to seal the tooth.

You can easily see why it is so important to use teeth only to chew. But with that said, there are some things that should be avoided such as chewing ice or chewing on inanimate objects like pencils or pens. Learn to use proper tools like scissors, bottle openers, and nail clippers instead of your teeth.

However, if you realize you have cracked or broken your tooth, contact our team at The Dental Place as soon as possible.

Help Your Teeth Age Gracefully With You

September 4, 2017

Growing older does not have to mean you stop caring about your appearance. A consultation with your cosmetic dentist will present several ways you can correct your dental imperfections, and provide the bright and healthy smile you deserve.

Dental stain – Illness, medications, and years of wear can result in discolored or stained dentition. The Opalescence teeth whitening system may be the perfect option offering a take home whitening program that will be designed specifically for your needs.

For many years, dental decay was repaired using silver amalgam. As you have aged, those silver fillings may have turned dark. You now have the option of having those fillings replaced with a tooth colored composite resin. Your dentist will carefully remove old fillings and replace them with composite resin that can be closely matched to your tooth shade making new fillings virtually impossible to detect.

Dental crowns have been used to repair broken or badly decayed teeth for decades. However, now most dental crowns are made using porcelain, a strong and stain resistant material that eliminates the need for gold or metal crowns. Dental crowns are also used as the final step to seal a tooth following root canal therapy, as a means to attach a fixed prosthesis, or as the restoration for a dental implant.

If tooth loss has occurred, dental implants allow the patient to eat all the foods they love; speak without fear of slippage; and smile or laugh with self-confidence knowing their missing teeth have been restored using the method that is closest to having their biological teeth back.

For the patient who is looking for a minimally invasive cosmetic enhancement to hide chipped or broken teeth; unwanted gaps; deeply stained teeth; or uneven teeth … porcelain veneers may be recommended. Veneers are wafer thin shells that are made to match teeth in size, shape, and shade. Your cosmetic dentist will cement them in place once fit and function are correct.

Once you have completed your smile makeover, proper care will allow you many years of enjoyment. Brush twice daily and floss to remove what your toothbrush missed. See your dentist every six months for cleaning and dental exam.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact our team at the Dental Place today.

Will I need a dental crown following root canal treatment?

August 21, 2017

Any time a tooth experiences trauma, there is a possibility that the roots of the tooth have sustained damage. Infection can occur resulting in possible tooth loss. There is a procedure that can be done to save the tooth, and that is endodontic therapy, more commonly known as a root canal.

Symptoms that a root canal may be needed include discomfort when biting down, sensitivity to temperature, and/or swelling of the face or jaw. Treatment should be rendered as soon as possible as infection can lead to an abscess, a pocket of infectious material that can spread if not treated.

The root canal process begins with a dental x-ray of the infected tooth. An x-ray identifies the number of roots involved and their position. Each root must be treated; failure to reach all roots can result in procedure failure and the need for retreatment.

The dentist will segregate the tooth to keep the area dry. The tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic and an access point is created in the tooth. Endodontic files will be used to penetrate each root removing all the root’s contents … blood, pulp, nerve, and infection if present.

Once all roots have been treated, your dentist will determine the best way to seal the access point. For molar teeth, generally a dental crown is used. Your dentist will want to make sure the tooth has been successfully treated before placing the crown. A temporary will protect the tooth that has been prepped for a crown. Another option to seal the opening is with a tooth colored composite resin.

If infection was present, the dentist may place an antibiotic in the canals and/or prescribe an oral antibiotic depending on the severity of the infection.

A crown is often made from porcelain which will be fashioned to match surrounding teeth in size, shape, and color. Once the crown is cemented in place sealing off the access point, the root canal process is considered to be complete.

A dental crown made from porcelain is stain resistant and strong. Your protective crown is made to last for many, many years. Caring for your crown is the same as all your teeth … brush twice every day with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily, and see your dentist every six months for cleaning and exam.

To learn more about the root canal process or to schedule an appointment, contact The Dental Place at 972-264-5795 today.

Dental Implants for Renewed Self Confidence and Peace of Mind

August 7, 2017

When an adult loses one or more permanent teeth, there can be numerous problems associated with that loss. The ability to chew properly can limit what can be eaten; we rely on our teeth to form sounds allowing us to pronounce words correctly; and an individual’s self confidence can be severely eroded when put in a position of eating or speaking in public. Tooth replacement with dental implants provides a very viable solution.

The first step to resolving lost teeth is a consultation with your dentist. The overall health of the patient is reviewed followed by a thorough dental exam. Dental x-rays will be taken to determine if sufficient bone strength is present; lack of jaw bone does not necessarily eliminate the patient’s candidacy for dental implants … but additional treatment may be needed to enhance bone to help ensure a successful implant procedure.

When the decision to move forward is made, the dentist will surgically place the small titanium implant in the gum tissue where tooth loss has occurred. The use of titanium has multiple advantages … titanium is less likely to be rejected. And this alloy has been proven to be a metal that allows bone to fuse so that it will become a permanent part of the dental anatomy acting much like the roots of a biological tooth.

Over a healing period of months, jaw bone will fuse to the implant, a process known as osseointegration. Once healed, an abutment will be attached to the implant. A final restoration will be bonded to the abutment completing the process.

That final restoration has been made to match surrounding teeth in size, shape, and shade making this cosmetic enhancement undetectable. But its appearance is almost secondary to its functionality. You will be able to eat all the foods you love; and you will speak clearly once again without fear of your replacement teeth slipping or moving.

Caring for your dental implant is the same as what you do for all your teeth … brush twice every day with a fluoridated toothpaste and floss every day to remove what your toothbrush missed. And it is important to keep appointments with your dentist every six months to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Your self confidence and peace of mind are permanently restored thanks to dental implants.

To learn more about your tooth replacement options, contact our team at The Dental Place today.

Nail Biting May Lead to Dental Issues

July 24, 2017

Nail biting is a habit often started due to nervousness, stress, or boredom. Very often a nail biter is a child or teenager (some outgrow the habit, while some don’t) and this habit can contribute to many dental problems if not curtailed. Your dentist can offer tips on ways you can break this habit; in addition your dentist can advise you what can be your fate if you don’t find ways to end nail biting.

If you habitually bite your nails during the day and want to stop, using a bitter nail polish will provide a reminder every time you put your fingers in your mouth. While wearing gloves might look silly, you can resort to this when you’re at home. Many patients benefit from wearing a mouthguard to break the nail biting habit.

In addition to the potential dental problems that can occur, biting your nails is extremely unsanitary. Our mouths already contain bacteria, but when you add in the germs from items you touch throughout the day, you increase the odds of spreading that bacteria throughout your body. When you bite your nails you take the chance of a jagged nail cutting into gum tissue creating sores and possible infection.

A few of the dental hazards associated with nail biting include the potential for chipped, worn enamel; broken teeth; misshapen teeth; jaw problems; and bruxism (teeth grinding). Nail biters often position their jaw to bite their nails that can eventually lead to a malocclusion where the top teeth do not align properly with the bottom teeth.

As enamel wears away, teeth are weakened leading to chipped dentition, the potential for decay, and the need for restorative work. Additional problems include similar symptoms experienced by patients who grind their teeth or clench their jaw such as headache, facial pain, and jaw discomfort. Over time teeth sensitivity can occur as well as receding gums.

While nail biting can seem benign, it can lead to costly repair and the potential for years of treatment to undo what this action created. If you or a family member has become a habitual nail biter, your dentist can help.

In the meantime, make sure you are doing everything to take care of your teeth by daily brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist every six months for cleaning, polishing, and a dental exam.

Call our team today at The Dental Place to schedule your visit!

Top 5 Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

July 10, 2017

Porcelain veneers are a minimally invasive cosmetic response to many dental maladies, such as stain or discoloration, chipped or uneven dentition, or unwanted gaps. A consultation with your cosmetic dentist will explain how you can achieve the smile makeover you’ve always wanted and enjoy these benefits:

Time Savings: Treatment with porcelain veneers can be completed in a matter of weeks; you don’t need to spend years in a teeth straightening program to achieve the appearance of a symmetrical smile.

Natural: Veneers offer a translucent, natural appearance.

Stain resistant: Porcelain is naturally stain resistant so if you are considering teeth whitening, make sure you mention this to your cosmetic dentist so treatment is rendered in the proper order. Even though porcelain does not respond to any teeth whitening treatment, you can select the porcelain teeth shade you wish and whiten biological teeth first so all will match at procedure completion.

Specific treatment available: You can repair one or multiple teeth allowing the patient to pinpoint exactly which teeth they want to enhance.

Tolerable: Porcelain is well received by gum tissue lessening the possibility of rejection, abrasion, or gum tissue discomfort.

Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth colored shells that are permanently cemented to the front of teeth requiring treatment. Your cosmetic dentist will remove some enamel from the front of teeth to be improved about the thickness of the veneer itself. This will allow an even, natural appearance once veneer and tooth are bonded together.

The dental lab will fabricate veneers. This takes about two weeks. Any small adjustments needed can be made by your dentist chairside after veneers are tried on for fit and appearance.

Porcelain veneers are permanent, but not invincible. The patient will be advised not to bite into hard or sticky foods, not to bite fingernails and patients known to grind their teeth may not be good candidates for this cosmetic repair.
Caring for veneer-treated teeth is exactly what you do for all your teeth … brush twice daily, floss daily, and see your dentist every six months for cleaning and exam. Teeth with veneers can still experience dental decay so it is important to make sure you extend the proper care because if a cavity occurs on a veneer covered tooth, repair can be more extensive than a repair on an untreated tooth.

Contact our office today to discover your own treatment options!

Electronic Toothbrush: A Great Weapon Against Plaque Formation

June 19, 2017

While you can clean your teeth properly with a manual toothbrush if you brush each tooth consistently for the same amount of time, an electronic toothbrush can increase efficiency when it comes to oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth, along with flossing, is an essential part of preventing oral health conditions – particularly tooth decay and periodontal disease. Electronic toothbrushes provide some benefits for preventing the accumulation of harmful substances like plaque and tartar over a manual toothbrush. If you want recommendations for oral hygiene products including electronic toothbrushes, feel free to ask our dentist at your next checkup or cleaning.

Benefits of Electronic Toothbrushes

Electronic toothbrushes can help improve one’s oral hygiene regimen – especially if the brush heads rotate quickly or pulse sonically. The pulsating or rotating aspects of brush heads are consistent and therefore allow a person to clean oral surfaces evenly. An electronic toothbrush will remove most of a day’s plaque deposits when patients brush all their teeth for a total of two minutes. Moreover, sonic pulses help stimulate soft oral tissue – particularly the gums. Those with dexterity issues or folks who have trouble cleaning all teeth with the same amount of strokes typically benefit from the steady rotation of an electronic brush head. Moreover, by holding the toothbrush over teeth and not applying excessive pressure, a person can avoid brushing too vigorously. Brushing vigorously can irritate the gums and weaken teeth over time so it is important to clean teeth with gentle circular motions, a feature that most electronic toothbrushes provide.

Why Plaque is Dangerous to Oral Health

Plaque is colonized oral bacteria. It is a sticky substance that coats teeth. When plaque is exposed to calculus, it hardens into tartar and cannot be brushed or flossed away. Tartar accumulation is a leading cause of periodontal disease. Proper oral hygiene can help prevent tartar buildup by removing daily plaque deposits.

Even if you practice meticulous oral hygiene, dental cleanings and checkups are still necessary. Call us today to reserve an appointment.