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Bridges
A great smile can help instill confidence and self-esteem, and thanks to recent developments in dental science, even individuals with lost or missing teeth can look poised and self-assured. A dental bridge is an excellent option for replacing teeth lost to aging, accidents, or disease.
- A dental bridge literally “bridges” the gap created by one or more missing teeth, using the adjacent teeth as a support. Bridges are either removable or fixed, and can be constructed from a variety of materials. Besides being aesthetically pleasing, dental bridges can also restore your ability to speak and chew properly. Dental bridges are an excellent solution to even out your smile and improve your oral health.
- A bridge can improve overall dental health and you deserve to have a beautiful smile. If missing teeth have affected your self-confidence, a bridge May be the perfect solution for your specific needs.
General Dentistry Offerings
TMJ – Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
TMJD, or tempomandibular joint disorder, is actually an umbrella term used to describe pain in the tempomandibular joint and jaw muscles and the condition causes chronic discomfort for nearly 15% of adult Americans each day. The disorder is most often caused by an inflammation of the TMJ, the joint connecting the jawbone to the skull which provides the movement that makes eating, speaking and swallowing possible.
- This inflammation is often due to overstressed and rigid jaw muscles, injury, or poorly fitting dentures or other appliances. At other times, TMJ is aggravated by jawbones that do not fit together properly, resulting in a “bite” problem that often makes talking and chewing extremely difficult. Those suffering from the effects of TMJ can develop problems such as mild to severe jaw pain and a popping or clicking sound when opening or closing their mouths. If you experience these or other symptoms, you may have TMJ.
- Fortunately, modern dentistry has developed many painless and simple solutions for people who suffer from TMJ and other painful disorders. Visiting a dentist who specializes in TMJ treatment can alleviate uncomfortable joint and bite problems so that you can get the relief that you deserve.
Cavities
- Cavities are the most common and most preventable dental problem in the country today, occurring when residual sugars in the mouth are converted into acids which attack the enamel on the outside of teeth. As the acid eats its way through this protective layer, it exposes the delicate nerve center of the tooth. Exposed nerves can cause extreme pain and sensitivity to heat, cold, and pressure.
- In order to correct a cavity, part of the damaged tooth is prepared and the hole is filled with a strong yet pliable substance. Fillings made of mercury, gold, and silver were popular for many years, but new advances in dental technology allow dentists to use composite resins or porcelain inlays and onlays. Unlike older and less attractive metal fillings, porcelain and resin fillings move with your tooth and offer better protection over a longer period of time. In addition to treating current cavities with these new procedures, more and more people are electing to replace their old fillings with new, cosmetically pleasing porcelain covers.
- However, more important than cavity correction is cavity prevention. A healthy, low sugar diet and daily maintenance of brushing and flossing is essential for preventing cavities and gum disease. Regular dental visits are also imperative for long-term dental health.
Crowns
- A crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that covers the entire tooth to restore its size, shape, and function. Crowns provide much more than cosmetics – dental crowns are used to repair cracked or broken teeth, to strengthen and protect weakened or decaying teeth, and to provide support for other dental structures, such as bridges or dentures. Permanent dental crowns can be made from all metal, ceramic, or porcelain composite materials.
Children Sealants
Dental sealants are a quick, easy, and relatively cheap (as opposed to the dentist bills you’ll accumulate for root canals) solution for preventing cavities. Although the idea behind sealants is not new, they’re quickly becoming the go-to treatment for kids who need extra help in the dental department.
- Sealants are a plastic material that is placed in the pits and fissures of the chewing surfaces of your teeth, particularly the molars at the back because toothbrushes can’t reach all the way into the grooves to clean well.
- Kids are notoriously bad brushers and tend to ignore the problem areas in the back of the mouth that lead to cavities and decay, making them the prime target market for sealants. (However, if adults have certain problem areas that could be cured with sealants, this could be an option for them too.) The American Dental Association recommends that kids receive dental sealants as soon as their adult teeth erupt.
- Those who are more susceptible to cavities and decay – whether that is because they are genetically prone to cavities, don’t have great oral hygiene habits, or lack access to dental care – should consider getting dental sealants as a preventative measure.
Cleanings
- When you have a cleaning appointment with our dental hygienist, your visit will be focused on achieving gingival health and removing areas of plaque and tartar build up. Depending on the condition of your surrounding bone and gum tissue, your cleaning may be as simple as one visit or may need to be completed in several visits. The dental cleaning you will receive will be discussed with you at your new patient examination. At the appointment, the hygienist will give you oral hygiene instructions to better care for your teeth and gums.
Dentures
The loss of teeth due to disease, accidents, or age can negatively affect self esteem and the ability to eat and speak properly. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry provides many options for those who have experienced the loss of multiple teeth. Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and the surrounding tissues, and are custom made to resemble your natural teeth. Dentures may be a complete set, in the event of total tooth loss, or partial when some natural teeth remain. Ask us how dentures can help restore your smile and help you regain your confidence.
- Dentures are partial or complete sets of artificial teeth for either the upper or lower jaw. Although aesthetic improvements are obvious, the benefits of dentures extend beyond physical appearance. Without teeth to support the jaw and gums, skin can hang and sag, impairing a person’s ability to eat and speak. These complications can dramatically affect one’s quality of life and overall happiness.
- Dentures are custom-made to closely resemble your natural teeth. For this reason, there should be no noticeable change to your facial appearance aside from your vastly improved smile. Dentures can also allow you the pleasure of eating certain foods again and can alleviate the embarrassment caused by missing teeth. Contact us today for the right denture solutions tomorrow.
Implants
The loss of a tooth can be both painful and embarrassing, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent problem. A replacement tooth known as a dental implant can be placed into the jaw to repair the smile and boost confidence.
- A dental implant is an artificial tooth inserted directly into the jaw through a simple and innovative procedure. Implants mirror the appearance and feel of a real tooth, can smooth out rough spots in a smile, and can improve a person’s ability to speak and eat. Should there be any need for further dental work such as a crown or bridge, an implant also provides an excellent anchor for these replacements.
- Most people find that implants feel more natural and secure than dentures and other substitutes. If you have otherwise healthy gums and bone, you could be an ideal candidate for dental implants.