The Importance of a Pre-Extraction Exam

Removal of a single tooth can materially alter the configuration of your mouth. The way you eat can be significantly impacted. If the dental issue was not properly diagnosed, the condition may worsen in conjunction with ancillary complications. A proper dental exam will thoroughly assess the condition of the mouth and identify the best way to resolve interrelated or layered issues. This is also your opportunity to address any questions or concerns you may have.

In the course of a conventional exam, your mouth will be inspected for cavities, gingivitis and oral cancer. You may have x-rays or similar analyses performed to identify signs of additional irregularities. Your mouth will be assessed to determine if disease or decay pose an imminent threat. The dentist or hygienist will give you tips on any areas where your oral hygiene is insufficient. He or she will inquire about your general health and the nature of any ailments you may have. If you do have other ailments, the dentist will ask about how they are being treated and if you are taking any medicine for them. It’s important that you answer honestly. Your responses will be incorporated in your treatment plan.

If a tooth is identified as decaying or damaged, your dental professional will determine if extraction is the best course of action. Depending on the extent of the damage, repair may be an alternative. Without a preliminary dental exam, a tooth could be removed unnecessarily.

Legitimate conditions that warrant extraction include pervasive decay or disease and situations where there is not room in the mouth for an incoming tooth. Sometimes teeth are extracted because they are so misaligned that they are useless. Ancillary medical issues could warrant the removal of a tooth. Patients with radiation treatment to the head or neck may develop heightened risk of tooth decay which could result in extraction. Individuals being treated for ancillary ailments may also have a compromised immune system. Additionally, people who have received organ transplants may be more at risk for infection as some of their prescribed medicine may reduce the effectiveness of the immune system.

Patients may not know what information is pertinent to a potential dental procedure. Therefore, they may not be forthcoming with relevant information, particularly if it’s embarrassing or sensitive in nature. For this reason, a dental exam and patient inquiry must precede a tooth extraction. The dentist will know the relevant questions to ask. He or she will also be able to properly assess if an extraction is required. Click here to learn more information on teeth extraction in Apex and to schedule a dental exam.

Dental Implants Vs. Dentures

 

Having the self-confidence to smile for a picture or at a co-workers joke can be difficult for those with missing or broken teeth. Whether decaying teeth and gums from Periodontal Disease or an accident leaves someone with injured teeth, it can be an embarrassment and frustration. Fortunately, modern dentistry has many options to choose from. Two common solutions are dental implants and dentures. While they may sound similar, these two technologies are quite different.

One of the greatest differences between dental implants and dentures is the permanency of each. While dentures can be removed from the mouth for cleaning and repair, a dental implant is permanently secured into the jaw through oral surgery. Over two to six months, the implants, or screws, will mold to the jawbone and eventually createattachments for other artificial teeth.

During the bonding period, temporary tooth replacements are placed on top of the implants to help the patient eat, drink and smile. Once the jawbone has fully bonded with the implants in the jaw, the patient has artificial teeth roots. Next, the abutment is set. This small connector then attaches to the replacement tooth, known as the crown. Once these steps have been completed, a patient with an implant is left with a secure tooth replacement for decades.

Another difference to take note of is the materials used to create dentures and implants. The implant anchors are generally made from titanium while the crowns are made from porcelain or ceramic. In contrast, crowns for dentures can be made from sturdy plastic or porcelain while the base is usually made from a base of acrylic.

When choosing dentures, patients can typically choose from full, partial or a fixed bridge. A full denture replaces either a full set of upper or lower teeth. When a patient is ready for full dentures, adhesive will be temporarily used to keep them in place. Once the muscles in the mouth and cheeks have adjusted to the denture, the adhesive will no longer be needed. A partial denture replaces just a few teeth when there are enough natural teeth still left in place. A fixed bridge is an alternative to an implant as it utilizes natural teeth on both sides of the missing tooth. The replacement tooth is cemented into place while the natural teeth support it.

When it comes to choosing between dental implants and dentures, patients need to discuss these differences with their dental provider. To learn more about dental implants in Cary, check out this website. Here you can explore additional information about dental implants and dentures and how they can help you smile big and bright.

Brush for More Than Your Smile

A thorough brushing of your teeth does more than give you pearly whites and fresh breath. It also decreases your risk for Periodontal Disease, respiratory problems and Diabetes. So let your toothbrush be your foundation for a healthy, clean body.

The Benefits of a Brighter Smile

 

If you are embarrassed by stained, yellow teeth, cracked molars or suffer from the pain of a broken tooth, you should consider cosmetic dentistry. With many benefits ranging from increased self-confidence to healthier oral hygiene, these services may be just what you need.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is an evolving sector of dental work that encompasses many different procedures. Some of the most common types include:

• Teeth whitening
• Bonding
• Enamel shaping
• Crowns and caps

Teeth whitening is a perfect solution if you suffer from stained teeth due to excess coffee or improper brushing over the years. Bonding is generally used to fill tiny cavities or cover up an exposed root in your gum line. Enamel shaping can be used to change the look of your teeth if they overlap or you have a bite problem. Crowns and caps are put in place when a broken tooth needs to be repaired or when a tooth undergoing a root canal needs protection.

Advantageous Beyond Looks

While cosmetic dentistry will greatly improve the appearance of your teeth, it will also make them healthier and protect you from other diseases. Your mouth is the gateway for bacteria to enter your entire body. If you have an exposed root, that opens up a pathway for bacteria to enter your bloodstream.

If you would like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry in Cary, please visit this website. You may be just one click away from getting that beaming smile you always dreamed of.

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Top 5 Benefits of Having Veneers

Have you always wanted to have a better smile? When you happen to notice other people around you who have both white and straight teeth, you may even start to feel a bit jealous. However, porcelain veneers would allow you to achieve a much better looking smile so that you would no longer have to envy anyone else.

The veneers conceal imperfections. If you have certain problems with your teeth, such as cracks and gaps, they will no longer be noticeable once you have the veneers put on over top of your real teeth. They are also a great choice for those who have teeth that are too spaced out or are currently overlapping one another.

They will make your teeth stronger. If you have had cavities in the past, the dentist may have used fillings to keep them from getting any worse. In just a few years, those fillings may not be in good condition. Unlike fillings, the veneers actually make you teeth stronger so you can eat the things you like without worrying about experiencing any kind of serious pain.

You can have them custom made to your liking. It is possible to choose the size and color of the veneers before they are made. If your teeth are a bit small, you may want to add some length to them so you can have a fuller smile. The dentist will show you a model of them to make sure you are happy with the way they look before the creation process even begins.

If you take proper care of them, they will last a long time. Most people only need to have them changed every 10 years or so. As long as you follow the instructions that have been given to you by the dentist on how to care for them correctly, you should not have any problem keeping them in good condition for nearly a decade.

You will feel more confident. The way your teeth looked in the past could have prevented you from doing a lot of things that you wanted to do, such as talk to new people or smile confidently while talking to your boss at work.  However, the veneers will give you the confidence you need to smile and laugh. You may even feel more attractive when you have the veneers cemented over your real teeth because of how beautiful they look.

There are plenty of good reasons to consider this cosmetic dental procedure, especially if you are a good candidate for it. If you would like to learn even more about porcelain veneers in Morrisville, check out this website.

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How Dental Crowns Are Made

 

Getting a dental crown is a relatively easy and pain-free process. During the first appointment, the dentist will prepare your tooth for the crown by shaping it and getting a dental impression. On your second visit, he or she will place the crown by using cement filling.

Preparing the Tooth

During your initial visit, the dentist will anesthetize your tooth and shave it down. This ensures that it is strong enough to take the crown and that all the decay has been removed. Once the tooth has been shaped, the dentist will make an impression of the tooth by drying it out and placing putty around it and surrounding teeth. The putty creates a solid impression after sitting on the tooth for a few minutes. Some dental offices are able to make optical impressions that don’t require putty. After the impression is made, the dentist will place a temporary crown on your tooth while the impression gets sent to the lab.

Placing the Crown

When you return in one to two weeks, the dentist will place the crown. For this appointment you don’t need any anesthesia. The dentist will have you inspect the look of the crown before placing it, and he or she will check the placement before affixing it to the tooth. Once both you and the dentist are satisfied, he or she will place cement inside the crown and then seat the crown on your tooth. The dentist will then scrape away any excess cement.

Dental crowns are much less scary than many people think. The process is pretty simple, and the crown will help protect your tooth from further decay. To learn about dental crowns in Santa Cruz, please visit this website.

Bad Brushing Habits That Can Damage Your Teeth

Did you know that there is a right way and wrong to effectively brush your teeth? Check out a list of some of the bad habits that could potentially do more harm than good on your teeth.

How Pediatric Dentists Help Kids Stay Comfortable at the Dentist

 

Young children may often feel nervous about going to the dental office because they do not know what to expect. The sounds of the dental tools could cause them to feel uncomfortable and worried about what is going on in their mouth. However, there are quite a few things that pediatric dentists do to help kids stay comfortable at the dentist.

Create a Kid-Friendly Office

The first thing a pediatric dentist will normally do is decorate the office to make it kid-friendly. Not only are the walls often painted with bright colors and decorations, but there may even be a few other things in the office that keep children excited, happy and comfortable. Some of those items include:

• Books
• Video game systems
• Aquarium with plenty of fish
• Crayons and coloring books

Offer Fun Prophy Paste Flavors

During the dental cleaning, a pediatric dentist may offer some fun prophy paste flavors for the child so that he or she will feel more involved. Some of the different flavors offered may include cotton candy, bubblegum, chocolate and watermelon.

Hand Out Gift Bags at the End of a Visit

After each visit, the pediatric dentist may hand out gift bags to the children. These bags can include a toothbrush, mini toothpaste and a few small toys or crayons for the kids. It gives all of the children something to look forward to after their visit. Check out this website to find out more about the dentist for kids in Cary.

How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist

There’s a reason models and actors look especially attractive: they have beautiful smiles with perfectly aligned, sparkling white teeth. When you look in the mirror, yours may not be quite as spectacular. However, you can fix that the same way they did: have some cosmetic dental work performed.

Cosmetic dentistry can include anything from simple whitening to filling in gaps to replacing teeth altogether. For any kind of procedure, you want to know that it will be done right and done well. In order to find the best person for the job, be prepared to do a bit of research.

The term cosmetic dentistry is not an official field, so legally all dentists can say theyare qualified to perform the work. All licensed ones are taught basic procedures, but some take extensive training and study to perfect their efforts. The most qualified will likely be members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. To be accredited with the organization, they must pass both a written and an oral exam. They must also show documentation of a broad range of treatments on at least five patients.

Dentists advertise in local phone books, online and even on billboards. In fact, there are so many it may be difficult to know where to start looking. If you trust your general one, you can ask for a referral. If you have friends or family members who have had work done, ask them who they went to.

When deciding on one, the most important step can be looking at their past work. He or she should have a book of before and after photos that show what they have done. Be sure to verify that the pictures are of his or her actual patients and not just stock photos. If you like what you see, then you will most likely be happy with the work that will be done on you.

For extensive work, such as veneers, the dentist should also offer a consultation. During that time, you can review different tooth shapes, sizes and colors. The experienced professional should know what will look best on your face.

Soft or Hard Bristles?

Due to the great variety of brushes on the market, choosing your toothbrush can be quite a challenge, When it comes to choosing between soft or hard, the answer is not always clear. To help you decide, consider the benefits of both.

Soft Bristled Brushes

Soft bristled toothbrushes are highly recommended by dental professionals. Due to their gentle bristles and their ability to easily clean between teeth, they are a great option if you have sensitive gums or gingivitis. Soft toothbrushes also cause little damage to your tooth enamel, keeping your teeth and gums strong and less sensitive to hot or cold foods. When choosing a soft toothbrush, keep in mind these factors:

• Does the brush head easily fit inside your mouth?
• Can you clean hard to reach areas with the brush?
• Is the package stamped with the ADA Seal of Approval?

Hard Bristled Brushes

While soft bristles are the best choice for many people, hard bristled brushes have a few benefits as well. Toothbrushes with more rigid bristles can be helpful for brushing in between morals and other areas that are difficult to clean. However, hard brushes can push teeth away from your gums, causing the exposure of roots. If you choose to use a hard toothbrush, use it cautiously and gently.

Your dental care starts with safe brushing and the proper toothbrush. To learn more about tooth extraction in Durham, please visit this website.

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What Does Flossing Really Do?

Flossing does more than just get out food particles annoyingly stuck between your teeth. It also prevents bad breath, cavities, tartar buildup, and gum disease.

Encourage Your Child to Brush Their Teeth and Win the Bathroom Battle

Getting your child to brush their teeth can be a daily, epic battle. If you want to encourage fun and healthy oral hygiene with your children, follow these simple tips.

1. Incorporate Rhymes and Songs

Singing songs to your children or reciting a rhyme while they brush can do wonders. For 2 minutes you can read a silly rhyme or sing songs about brushing teeth. You can also play a recording of their favorite song and at the end of 2 minutes they will have much cleaner teeth!

2. Set Timers and Stopwatches

Kids also love racing to beat a clock, making 2-minute timers great motivators. You could even add an extra 30 seconds for swishing water in their mouths or cleaning up the sink. Some fun and kid friendly options for timers include:

• 2 or 3 minute sand hourglasses
• Animal egg timers such as owls, chickens or pigs
• Digital timers attached to electronic toothbrushes

3. Competition and Rewards

Many children are also motivated by competitions and rewards. Brothers and sisters can compete for the longest tooth brushing. You can also incorporate sticker charts and prizes, handing out a small award after earning a certain number of stickers for brushing their teeth.

Oral hygiene plays an important role in your child’s health, making tooth brushing a daily need. To learn more about dental bridges in Chapel Hill, please visit this website.

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Even Yoda Brushes His Teeth

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Why Does My Breath Stink?

 

No one wants it, but some 80 million people have it: chronic halitosis, commonly known as bad breath. You can chew gum and mints all day, but sometimes it just won’t go away. Knowing the reasons behind your smelly aircan help you stop it beforehand.

1.       Food

Everyone knows that certain foods, like onions and garlic, leave your mouth tasting bad. But any type can leave particles trapped in your teeth and on your tongue, and when they break down they release unpleasant gases. When you don’t brush regularly they linger even longer, creating a bacteria paradise.

2.       Dry Mouth

After you eat, your saliva works to break down particles and clean your choppers and gums. When you get dry, bad odors don’t go anywhere. That’s why you may have particularly bad breath in the morning, especially if you sleep with your jaw ajar. Chronic dry mouth can be the result of dehydration or a side effect from some prescriptions.

3.       Tobacco

Tobacco use in general often leads to gum disease, another reason behind bad breath. Smoking, itself, leaves an unpleasant odor as well.

4.       Fasting/Dieting

When you are crash dieting or skipping meals, body fat can break down, creating ketones. Those chemicals create a sickly sweet smell in your breath.

Everyone has bad breath once in a while. If you feel like you have it more often than not, you may be able to prevent it by changing your eating or hygiene habits. See this website for more information on dental exams in Cary.

Pregnancy and Oral Health

Did you know that your oral health can affect your pregnancy? Learn more about how your brushing, flossing and dental maintenance habits can affect your health and that of the new baby’s. There’s more to consider than you might think.

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What to Look for in a Family Dentist

The American Dental Association recommends you have a checkup every six months. Since you’ll be seeing your dentist often, it makes sense to find one that you have confidence in. Here’s a quick checklist for choosing one.

1.       Do You Feel Comfortable?

Between 5 and 8 percent of people avoid going altogether because they are afraid. If you are one of them, you probably don’t have the right one. Choose one where the staff is friendly and helpful. You should feel at ease, not tense.

2.       Is the Dentist Knowledgeable?

Every person who is licensed should know how to perform basic procedures, but do you feel like he or she is good at them? If you don’t have confidence in the work being done, move on.

3.       Is It Convenient?

Everyone is busy and it can be difficult to make time for an appointment. Find a professional with office hours that will work for your schedule.

4.       Is the Office Neat?

A clean and orderly waiting area is usually indicative of the way the treatment bays will be. If it doesn’t feel right to you, don’t worry about hurting anyone’s feelings: walk away.

5.       Is the Dentist on Your Health Plan?

Most dentists are on several health plans, but to avoid an expensive surprise, ask beforehand if your visit will be covered.

Knowing that you will have a positive experience can make it easier to get there. To learn more about choosing the best family dentist in Raleigh, please visit this website.