2021 on Listen to Your Dentist When They Recommend Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Crowns Or Veneers For Tooth Restoration: What You Should Know

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 16:25:05 +0000

If you do not like the appearance of your teeth, you have some options. Veneers and crowns are among some of the more popular teeth replacement and restoration options. Whether a tooth is broken, worn down, or you just don't like how a tooth or several teeth look, you can make a change. If you have narrowed your options to veneers and crowns, there are some important considerations to think about before you decide:

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are thin porcelain composite material that is sealed onto the top of your teeth. They are commonly used to cover up teeth you are unhappy with. You can use veneers to cover broken teeth, damaged teeth, or teeth that are discolored. The veneers help to make your smile more symmetrical.

What Are Crowns?

Crowns are used to restore teeth. Unlike veneers, crowns are placed over the entire tooth rather than the surface. There is no natural tooth exposed when a crown is placed. There are many benefits to getting crowns. There will be no opportunity for bacteria to enter the tooth that could cause an infection. Crowns are also quite strong and difficult to break. A crown is used typically in concert with a root canal. The crown is used to cover the exposed tooth left behind after a root canal removes the dead tooth and root material.

How Do You Choose the Best Option?

There are several things you should consider before you decide which option is best for you. First, you need to discuss the options with your dentist to get their advice on which type of tooth restoration option is better for you. Both veneers and crowns require some work done on your existing teeth upfront before the final restoration can be completed.

For veneers, the existing teeth need to be sanded down almost completely before they can be replaced. Crowns also require the removal of a lot of existing tooth material so the crown can fit over the old tooth. The preparation for a crown can be more complex because the crown has to fit just perfectly to prevent the shifting of your other teeth.

One thing to keep in mind is both of these tooth restoration options can last a long time, but they will need to be replaced over time. You have to care for them properly for them to last as long as possible. Be sure to discuss the pros and cons of each of these options to help you decide.

For more information on dental crowns and veneers, contact a dentist near you.

Why Are Your Teeth And Gums So Sensitive After A Professional Cleaning?

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 09:59:27 +0000

Some people have teeth that are more sensitive than yours might be. Clearly, having sensitive teeth is a real concern for a great number of people, and this is obvious due to the number of sensitive toothpastes and mouthwashes that are available. But this can still be a problem that you're blissfully unfamiliar with, until the day that all changes. Why are your teeth so sensitive after your last dental checkup?

Dental Cleaning

Professional dental cleaning is a standard feature of your regular checkups, even though it might not be necessary each and every time you find yourself reclining in your dentist's chair. While your own toothbrush and general oral hygiene practices are invaluable in maintaining the health of your teeth, you will need extra assistance every few months. Plaque that remains on teeth can calcify, becoming tartar, and no matter how hard you brush, that tartar isn't going anywhere until your dentist removes it.

The Problem With Tartar

Tartar is problematic for a number of reasons. It can take on a distinctive brown shade, easily augmented by smoking, coffee, red wine, or anything that tends to discolor teeth. Its rough outer edge also promotes the formation of additional plaque, and its location, not to mention its high concentration of bacteria, at the gingival margin can aggravate your gums, leading to gingivitis and other forms of periodontal disease. It might be obvious that tartar must be removed, but why has its removal made your teeth feel so sensitive?

Scaling

Professional dental cleaning can utilize different methods, and scaling is likely to be involved. Scaling can be performed with a manual tool or an ultrasonic scaler, but your dentist must literally scale the tartar off your teeth. It's not traumatic for teeth, but it's still possible to feel its after-effects.

Sensitivity

Some sensitivity after dental scaling shouldn't come as a surprise. Remember that scaling sometimes must remove subgingival tartar, located beneath your gum line, which can be mildly invasive. Additionally, you may have already been experiencing some discomfort due to the inflammation of your gums that compelled your dentist to perform such a deep cleaning. The cleaning itself can further irritate your gum inflammation.

A Temporary Concern

Any discomfort and sensitivity should only be fleeting. Your tissues will begin to heal the moment your dentist has completed your deep cleaning, meaning any adverse reaction should quickly subside. If your teeth and gums remain sensitive, contact your dentist. There may be a secondary cause for your sensitivity, or the inflammation of your gums may have been too strong to be overcome with scaling, meaning that additional treatment will be needed.

The better care you take of your oral health, the less likely it is that your dentist will need to scale your teeth at each appointment. That being said, scaling can be an essential component of maintaining your oral health, and any sensitivity triggered by the procedure shouldn't last especially long. For more information, contact a local dental cleaning service, such as Family Dentistry Of Woodstock.

Do Wisdom Teeth Always Need To Be Extracted?

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 13:30:37 +0000

Wisdom teeth can be described as the third set of molars located at the very back of your mouth, and they usually start growing during late adolescence. When your wisdom teeth are coming in, you'll usually feel pressure in your jaw where they're growing, and you may be able to feel them underneath your gum line. Unfortunately, wisdom teeth commonly cause oral health problems for many people. To learn what kind of problems they can cause and how to tell if you'll need to have yours extracted, read on.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Often Cause Problems?

The main problem with wisdom teeth is that they often don't erupt from your gums correctly. Wisdom teeth may grow directly towards your other teeth instead of growing upwards, causing them to become stuck underneath your gums. The pressure of the growing wisdom teeth can push your other teeth closer together, causing a crowded smile. It can also cause you to have jaw pain.

Sometimes they grow at an angle to your other teeth instead of directly upwards, which means that they only partially erupt from your gums. The small stub of the tooth that sticks out is usually difficult to fully clean when you're brushing and flossing, so it provides a place for disease-causing bacteria to hide.

Even when they grow normally, it can be difficult to clean them. It's hard to reach them since they're so far at the back of your mouth. This can lead to an increased likelihood of developing tooth decay or gum disease.

Do Wisdom Teeth Always Need to Be Extracted?

If your wisdom teeth grow in the right way, aren't crowding your other teeth together, and you can clean them easily when you're brushing and flossing, then it's usually safe to leave them in. Unfortunately, this tends to be a fairly rare occurrence, most people's mouths are too small to accommodate the growing wisdom teeth without their existing teeth becoming crowded together.

The best way to know if you'll need to have your wisdom teeth removed is to schedule an appointment with a dentist and take an X-ray of your mouth. Your dentist will be able to see the angle that your wisdom teeth are growing towards, and they'll also be able to tell if they'll start to cause your other teeth to crowd together. An X-ray will be able to determine if they're growing properly or not. If they're growing at an angle, then it's a good idea to opt for wisdom tooth extraction surgery as soon as you can in order to prevent them from causing your healthy teeth to crowd together.

If your wisdom teeth will cause problems with your dental health in the future, then it's best to remove them as soon as possible. Wisdom tooth extraction surgery is easier when the teeth are still growing since their roots have not fully formed yet. During surgery, your growing wisdom teeth will be exposed and removed in order to prevent them from causing problems with your healthy teeth.

For more tips about tooth extraction services, contact a local dentist.

6 Types Of Dentist And How They Can Assist You

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 09:59:48 +0000

When you need dental work done, you generally seek out a local dentist. But there are several types of dentists. And not all dentists can perform the same dental procedures. When you need dental treatment, it helps to be aware of the different types of dentists so that you can choose the right one for you.

Here are six types of dentists that you may need to use in the future.

1. General Dentist

General dentists take care of a range of dental areas such as:

Cavities
Minor gum disease
Dental cleanings
Fluoride treatments
Dental checkups
General dental health

These are the dentists that many people see on a yearly basis to ensure that their dental health is in good shape. If you need some fillings done or you want to check on your dental health, then see a general dentist.

2. Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric dentists care for the dental health of children. If you have a baby or a young child, then seek out a pediatric dentist as early as you can. Pediatric dentists can ensure that your children are developing dentally as they should. They can also recommend and use treatments such as braces for children with malocclusion.

3. Cosmetic Dentist

If you need to improve the appearance of your teeth, then a cosmetic dentist can help. This type of dentist can create and place dental veneers, dental crowns, dental bridges, and perform whitening procedures to remove stains from your teeth.

4. Prosthodontist

When you want to replace a tooth or teeth with dental implants, then you should seek out a prosthodontist. Prosthodontists excel at creating and placing dental implants. They also perform gum and bone grafts for patients.

5. Orthodontist

If you have issues with malocclusion, for instance, your teeth are not straight or positioned correctly, then you need to see an orthodontist. Orthodontists create and place braces such as traditional braces and clear braces like Invisalign.

6. Periodontist

Gum disease is a serious issue that can cause your gums to recede. Gum disease can even cause tooth loss if not treated. If you are suffering from gum disease, then seek out a periodontist. Periodontists diagnose and treat gum disease by performing scaling and cleaning to remove bacteria from the gum pockets around teeth.

General dentists can treat general dental issues like cavities and broken teeth. But if you have a specific problem such as gum disease, staining, or jawbone loss, then make sure you look up the right type of dentist.

Why When You Brush Your Teeth Matters in the Morning

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 09:23:26 +0000

Everyone knows that they should be brushing their teeth twice a day to get rid of plaque. However, have you ever put thought into when you should be brushing your teeth in the morning? Should you be doing it as the first thing you do when you wake up, or waiting until after you have your breakfast? Here is what you need to know about when you should be brushing your teeth.

You Still Have Plaque On Your Teeth In The Morning

Even if you brush your teeth right before you go to bed, you are still going to wake up with a layer of plaque on your teeth. There is bacteria in your mouth no matter how much you brush, and it builds up while you're sleeping. The problem with this plaque and bacteria is that you need to remove it first thing in the morning, because you do not want it mixing with the foods that you have for breakfast. Those foods actually mix with the plaque and cause it to secrete acids on your teeth, which make your teeth more prone to having decay. By brushing your teeth first thing in the morning, you are going to get rid of the plaque that formed on your teeth overnight. This reduces the chance of having tooth decay form from those foods you eat for breakfast.

You May Be Brushing Too Soon After Breakfast

The other problem with waiting to brush your teeth until after you finish eating is that you may be doing it too soon after you finish breakfast. While dentists do recommend that you brush after every meal, you also cannot go straight from eating to brushing. This is due to the nature of what most people eat for breakfast, which are acidic foods. Things like orange juice, coffee, pastries, and eggs are acidic in nature and not necessarily good for your teeth. If you end up brushing right after eating, you could be scrubbing the acidity into your teeth, and potentially cause damage to your teeth over time.

The problem is that most people eat, brush, and run out the door quickly in the morning. If you brush after breakfast, you want to give your mouth about half an hour for your saliva to naturally wash away the acidity on your teeth and cause the acidity to neutralize. If you do not have time, you need to rinse your mouth out with water so that most of the acidity is gone.

For more information on a dentist, contact your local dental practice in Greenville, SC.

Can You Get Your Missing Tooth Replaced In One Visit?

Tue, 25 May 2021 16:46:40 +0000

When you are missing a tooth, especially in the mouth's front area, you can feel demoralized and upset. When a tooth is gone, the open space in your mouth can negatively impact your overall confidence. Fortunately, you have some options that can replace your missing tooth in one visit, at least temporarily. Here are some things you need to know:

How Can a Tooth Be Replaced in a Day?

An oral surgeon will look at your damaged or missing tooth to begin the restoration. The replacement will involve the placement of a dental implant. The process of getting a dental implant can take months, but you can get a temporary tooth placed while you wait for the entire implant to take place.

The doctor will start the dental implant process by checking your bone density within the jaw. If your jawbone is strong enough to hold an implant, the doctor will begin the process of inserting the screw into the jawbone. Once that process is finished, you can have a temporary tooth placed while your permanent crown is in production.

Keep in mind that, depending on the location of the missing tooth, a temporary may not be possible. Your jawbone may not be strong enough to support a tooth that needs to function. The implant can take longer to integrate with the jawbone and therefore cannot support a temporary tooth.

However, when the jawbone is in great shape and you have no other dental issues that would prohibit a temporary tooth, you can leave the procedure with a temporary tooth in the open gap in your mouth, essentially restoring your smile on the same day. In a best-case scenario, you will never be seen without some type of tooth in your mouth.

After the dental implants have had time to fuse to integrate to the jawbone and have completely healed, a customized porcelain crown that matches your other teeth will be attached to the head of the dental implant, which is permanent and will completely restore the missing tooth.

Are You a Candidate for a Temporary Right Away?

As mentioned, you must have a strong jawbone structure to ensure the temporary tooth can be fully supported. There are some other indicators that make you a good candidate. You are also a good candidate if the missing tooth is visible within your smile line. If your doctor does not believe a temporary bridge is not a good option, you may be able to get a temporary crown with your initial implant procedure.

Are You Eligible For an Immediate Dental Crown?

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 08:30:08 +0000

Perfection takes time, so it's probably not surprising that correcting a problematic tooth with a dental crown can take several visits to accomplish. Your dentist will need to prepare the tooth—removing a small amount of surface enamel to accommodate the crown. This allows them to determine the precise dimensions of the required crown by applying a mold to the prepared tooth. The crown is then manufactured and permanently bonded onto the tooth.

However, some patients might be eligible for a streamlined version of this procedure, significantly speeding up the process without compromising the quality of their dental work. Read on to learn more about immediate dental crowns.

Your Eligibility

A patient's eligibility for immediate dental crowns is dependent on two main factors, although additional concerns can also affect eligibility. Your dentist will discuss these with you if they're relevant. The primary considerations are:

Whether the tooth requires additional treatment (the necessity for a root canal, or to have a cavity filled) before the crown can be applied.
Whether the dental practice has the necessary equipment to provide an immediate dental crown, as this isn't always the case.

But how do these immediate crowns actually work?

Dental Crowns in a Single Visit

For eligible patients, the necessary measurements, preparation work, manufacturing, and fitting can often all be achieved in a single visit. What's the process?

The tooth is recorded from several angles, using a special intraoral camera.
These images are sent to an onsite system, which then creates a precise 3D model of the required dimensions of the crown. This acts as a type of digital mold, meaning that a physical mold isn't needed.
The crown is then manufactured (also onsite). The necessary color of the crown will be accounted for during the manufacturing process.
While the crown is being manufactured, your dentist will prepare the tooth. This involves enamel shaving, which removes a thin layer of surface enamel. This allows the crown to be fitted without increasing the mass of the tooth.

The manufacturing process is generally completed by the time that the preparation work has been completed. This means that the finalized crown can then immediately be bonded onto the prepared tooth.

So while not all patients can receive an immediate dental crown, it's extremely advantageous to choose this option if it's available. You can walk out of the dental practice on the same day. To learn more about this process, contact a local dental clinic.

Laser-Focused And Patient-Centered Dental Care

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 16:28:08 +0000

Laser technology is being utilized in a wide variety of settings — even your dental office has gotten in on the act. The precision focus offered by laser technology makes it ideal for dental uses. Read on and find out how your dentist is using lasers to do things in a new and better way.

No Drill and No Anesthesia?

The traditional way of having a cavity filled, while certainly not agonizing, can be a drag. The needle, the drilling, and the time it takes often have dental patients putting things off for as long as possible. With a dental laser, painless and quick removal of tooth decay is now possible. The laser is aimed at the decayed area as it painlessly removes decay and then it continues to work its magic as it automatically seals the nerve endings as it does so. Teeth prepared in this manner may also be more likely to hold on to their fillings better due to the pristine condition the laser leaves the tooth. If you have more extensive cavities, however, you might have to go the traditional route.

Mucoceles No More

If haven't heard of mucoceles, don't worry — they are also known as oral cysts. Usually, these non-cancerous cysts are removed during outpatient surgery where patients have to be anesthetized. Anyone who's had outpatient surgery knows it can take the better part of a day for everything to be done. With laser surgery, though, no anesthesia is needed and the best part is that the laser does a better job of making sure that only the cyst and not any healthy tissue is affected.

No More Snoring

Snoring has many causes, but often it's your wobbly soft palate that is the problem. With a carefully aimed laser beam, your soft palate can be shaped up and tightened in no time flat. Laser surgery on the soft palate can also help improve collagen production and that will further firm up the area.

Bacteria: Dangerous and Plentiful

Bacteria lives on everything and your mouth is no exception. Unfortunately, when bacteria grow too dense, they can attack your gums and cause both tooth decay and gum disease. As part of a regular cleaning, dental hygienists are increasingly relying on a beam of laser light to destroy harmful bacteria in the mouth. It's difficult to achieve a more thorough clean than with a laser.

Visit a family dental clinic and find out how they use lasers in their practice to improve your dental health.