One of the most important ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy is by brushing your teeth. You should be brushing 2-3 times a day.
Great teeth and gum care start at home. Brushing and flossing on a daily basis is the best way to take care of your teeth and gums on a continual basis. Flossing once a day helps keep your mouth healthy by cleaning between your teeth, where the toothbrush can’t reach. If you keep to a daily routine you will greatly minimize the risk of gingivitis or tooth decay as you age.
Gingivitis is a condition caused when bacteria surrounds the teeth and enters the gums. The gums can become irritated, inflamed and often bleed. In order to prevent the condition from worsening, regular hygiene visits are highly recommended. During your visit, our Hygiene team will teach you the proper flossing techniques and Oral Hygiene protocol for Home Care will prevent the Periodontal Disease.
Periodontal Disease is a quiet disease that begins with little or no symptoms. It is caused by bacteria that surrounds the teeth and enters the gums. The immediate condition is known as ‘gingivitis’. The gums become irritated, inflamed and often bleed. If not properly treated, the condition worsens. Noticeable symptoms now appear. They include:
Periodontal Disease is a chronic condition needing immediate attention. Through a series of periodontal cleanings, root planing and scaling, laser therapy and local antibiotics, this condition can be controlled. Periodontal surgery is necessary only for severe cases.
Sensitive teeth often come from the fact that your gums have slightly receded. This recession of the gum line allows the underlying dentin to show through which allows water and food easier access to the sensitive nerve. To manage this, there are a number of toothpastes, gels and even some dental procedures that can be applied. Speak to us in more detail if you have very sensitive teeth.
Silver Fillings, known as amalgam, have been around for decades. They are made from a metal alloy, which is the best restoration for fillings. The metal expands and contracts with the heat and cold placed in the mouth. This allowed for little bacteria to enter a tooth once filled; keeping the tooth healthy and strong.
White fillings, also known as composites, are often made of plastic or glass polymers. These cosmetic fillings allow us to fill a cavity with a substance that will look and feel just like your existing tooth structure. This restoration is created with a resin material and fits tightly into a tooth to prevent decay. Rather than a gray or silver material in your mouth, the composite color will match the tooth color.
There are several ways in today’s dental world to enhance your smile. Certain procedures include:
We have the capability to improve your smile using all or some of these procedures. For a consultation, please contact our office so that we may provide you with a customized treatment plan.
Tooth Whitening is a cost effective and safe procedure to create a beautiful, healthy smiles. Over the years, flouride is has been added to the whitening product. This reduces the risk of tooth and gum sensitivity.
Tooth whitening must be monitored by your dentist and only done after a comprehensive exam and hygiene cleaning.
The whitening process can last for several if years if maintained properly. Beverages such as coffee, tea, cola and wine will reduce the lasting effect. Remember, if it could stain a white shirt, it will stain your smile!
Bonding is a cost effective procedure used to fill gaps in the front teeth and to change a tooth’s color. The immediate results are amazing! Within just a few hours, you will have a great smile! Bonding like tooth whitening may change color over time due to coffee, tea, cola and wine.
Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain applied directly to your natural teeth. The entire procedure can be completed in as few as two visits. Veneers can transform the size, shape, and color of your teeth. This treatment is often used to repair fractured teeth, teeth discolored by age or medication, or even to correct a crooked smile. Many patients choose porcelain veneers to achieve a more youthful and attractive appearance.
Crowns are a permanent cosmetic procedure that covers the entire tooth. Crowns are typically installed to restore damaged and decayed teeth or to protect weakened teeth. They can be set in the mouth by either filing down an existing tooth or by implanting a metal base if the tooth is too damaged. It will change the size, shape, and color of the teeth in as few as 2 visits.
A Dental Implant is a “man-made” replacement for a missing tooth or tooth root. Made from titanium, this screw-like object is inserted under the gum and directly into the upper or lower jaw bone. There is usually minimal discomfort involved with this procedure. After a period of a few months, the dental implant and the bone fuse together. This then creates a strong anchor for the new tooth to be placed onto the dental implant.
The average dental implant procedure takes 3 – 4 visits. The first visit is to x-ray the area and take an impression of the mouth for a surgical guide and a temporary prosthesis to cover the new implant.
The next visit is to place the implant. A local anesthesia is applied to the area. (Any additional sedation is no longer necessary unless deemed by the dentist). The dentist will then make a minor incision to place the implant. The implant is placed into the jaw bone. The area will then be covered with sutures. The procedure is usually completed with minor pain.
You will next return in approximately 3 months to begin creating the Porcelain Crown to place over the Implant.
With major advancements in dentistry and dental implants, most people are candidates for dental implants. There may be exceptions which are due to chronic illness, heart disease, and severe osteoporosis.
The average dental implant procedure takes 3 – 4 visits. The first visit is to x-ray the area and take an impression of the mouth for a surgical guide and a temporary prosthesis to cover the new implant.
The next visit is to place the implant. A local anesthesia is applied to the area. (Any additional sedation is no longer necessary unless deemed by the dentist). The dentist will then make a minor incision to place the implant. The implant is placed into the jaw bone. The area will then be covered with sutures. The procedure is usually completed with minor pain.
You will next return in approximately 3 months to begin creating the Porcelain Crown to place over the Implant.
Fees for dental implants vary from dentist to dentist. Always schedule an implant consultation to discuss the procedure and all fees involved.
With routine dental hygiene scheduled and proper home care, a dental implant can last approximately 30 years to a lifetime.
Please contact us to discuss the options we have available to make your perfect smile today! We are very happy to offer CareCredit.