1. Prevention and treatment of gum disease
Regular preventive care can help you enjoy a lifetime of good
dental health, free of pain or other dental discomforts. Dental
care is less expensive than dental neglect. Your dental health
also affects your general health. A healthy mouth, with well
cared for teeth, enables you to chew properly, speak clearly,
and to smile confidently. By caring for your natural teeth,
you are contributing to your general well-being and enjoyment
of life. We recommend regular visits to ensure early detection
of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. Many dental
insurance companies recognize the importance of preventive care
and authorize visits twice a year.
Gum disease affects the supporting tissues of the teeth, the
bone and the soft tissue next to the teeth. The pockets between
the gum and the teeth are deeper and the gum can recede. This
can ultimately cause tooth mobility and pain. It is the most
common cause of tooth loss in the United States. Patients with
gum disease require more frequent cleaning appointments and
may need the attention of a dentist who specializes in treating
this problem (Periodontist).
2. Restoring teeth that are decayed
Bacteria in our mouths produce acids that break down teeth
by forming cavities. A filling involves the removal of the decayed
tooth structure and its replacement with an appropriate restorative
material. Many types of filling material are used, including
silver amalgam, tooth-colored (composite) material and porcelain.
Each material has its advantages and drawbacks andwe
can help you decide which is best for your situation. Large
fillings are a short term solution and these teeth are often
prepared to receive a crown to protect the tooth from breaking
down further. Crowns can be made of gold, porcelain fused to
metal or all-ceramic material, depending on the particular case.
3. Replacing missing teeth
Teeth may be missing for a variety of reasons and are replaced
using a fixed bridge or implant if possible. This treatment
will restore esthetics and function to the patient. A patient
missing a large number of teeth may require a removable partial
denture. These can be all acrylic or have a cast metal frame
to give them more strength.
4. Cosmetic dentistry
The most popular cosmetic procedure is bleaching the teeth
to make them whiter. An impression is taken to form a cast on
which a custom bleaching tray will be fabricated. The patient's
current tooth shade is recorded so comparisons can be made later.
Bleaching gel is dispensed to the patient when they return for
the tray. This is a safe and effective way to brighten the smile.
Our system differs from those available over the counter in
that our trays fit the mouth better and we are able to perform
a proper diagnosis. Other cosmetic procedures include veneers,
which can be composite or porcelain. These are indicated if
the tooth structure is mostly intact but stains or perhaps minor
fractures are present. These can also be used to close gaps
between teeth. We will advise you on which procedure
is appropriate for your case.
5. Your children's teeth
Your child's first teeth will begin coming in between three
and sixteen months (usually around six months). The two bottom
front teeth will be the first to come in and they will be followed
by the four upper teeth in four to eight weeks. The timing of
the eruption of the first tooth is largely influenced by genetics,
so if there is a family history of getting the first tooth late,
then your child will probably also get his first tooth late.
Your child will continue to get new teeth until he has all
twenty of his primary teeth when he is three years old, with
most children getting about four new teeth every four months.
Children begin shedding their first teeth when they are around
6-7 years old, and this process is complete with the loss of
the 2nd molars when he is about 11-13 years old. Permanent teeth
begin erupting at around 6-7 years of age and continue until
your child gets his third molars (or wisdom teeth) when he is
about 17-22 years old.
So when should the first visit be? If your child doesn't have
any risk factors for developing cavities, such as sleeping with
a cup or bottle or walking around all day with a cup of juice,
and if his teeth seem to be developing normally, then you can
probably wait until your child is two years old.
Sealants are usually applied to the back teeth to help protect
the grooves and pits of these teeth that can be hard to clean
and are prone to developing cavities. A sealant is a plastic
material that is applied to the teeth, hardens, and provides
a barrier against plaque and other harmful substances. Sealants
should be applied to the 1st and 2nd permanent molars and appropriate
premolars as soon as possible after they erupt.
6. Keeping your teeth healthy as you grow older
Americans have the best dental health in the world.
Fluoridation has reduced the incidence of decay tremendously.
Today's older Americans have more teeth than those of previous
eras. This is great news and also means this group of Americans
do not need dentures as often as in the past. Dental problems
this group can have include cavities on the root surfaces, gum
disease, broken teeth, and migration of teeth secondary to partial
tooth loss. We enjoy helping our older patients maintain their
healthy smiles using the many modern treatment options available.
1. Prevention and treatment of gum disease
Regular preventive care can help you enjoy a lifetime of good
dental health, free of pain or other dental discomforts. Dental
care is less expensive than dental neglect. Your dental health
also affects your general health. A healthy mouth, with well
cared for teeth, enables you to chew properly, speak clearly,
and to smile confidently. By caring for your natural teeth,
you are contributing to your general well-being and enjoyment
of life. We recommend regular visits to ensure early detection
of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. Many dental
insurance companies recognize the importance of preventive care
and authorize visits twice a year.
Gum disease affects the supporting tissues of the teeth, the
bone and the soft tissue next to the teeth. The pockets between
the gum and the teeth are deeper and the gum can recede. This
can ultimately cause tooth mobility and pain. It is the most
common cause of tooth loss in the United States. Patients with
gum disease require more frequent cleaning appointments and
may need the attention of a dentist who specializes in treating
this problem (Periodontist).
2. Restoring teeth that are decayed
Bacteria in our mouths produce acids that break down teeth
by forming cavities. A filling involves the removal of the decayed
tooth structure and its replacement with an appropriate restorative
material. Many types of filling material are used, including
silver amalgam, tooth-colored (composite) material and porcelain.
Each material has its advantages and drawbacks andwe
can help you decide which is best for your situation. Large
fillings are a short term solution and these teeth are often
prepared to receive a crown to protect the tooth from breaking
down further. Crowns can be made of gold, porcelain fused to
metal or all-ceramic material, depending on the particular case.
3. Replacing missing teeth
Teeth may be missing for a variety of reasons and are replaced
using a fixed bridge or implant if possible. This treatment
will restore esthetics and function to the patient. A patient
missing a large number of teeth may require a removable partial
denture. These can be all acrylic or have a cast metal frame
to give them more strength.
4. Cosmetic dentistry
The most popular cosmetic procedure is bleaching the teeth
to make them whiter. An impression is taken to form a cast on
which a custom bleaching tray will be fabricated. The patient's
current tooth shade is recorded so comparisons can be made later.
Bleaching gel is dispensed to the patient when they return for
the tray. This is a safe and effective way to brighten the smile.
Our system differs from those available over the counter in
that our trays fit the mouth better and we are able to perform
a proper diagnosis. Other cosmetic procedures include veneers,
which can be composite or porcelain. These are indicated if
the tooth structure is mostly intact but stains or perhaps minor
fractures are present. These can also be used to close gaps
between teeth. We will advise you on which procedure
is appropriate for your case.
5. Your children's teeth
Your child's first teeth will begin coming in between three
and sixteen months (usually around six months). The two bottom
front teeth will be the first to come in and they will be followed
by the four upper teeth in four to eight weeks. The timing of
the eruption of the first tooth is largely influenced by genetics,
so if there is a family history of getting the first tooth late,
then your child will probably also get his first tooth late.
Your child will continue to get new teeth until he has all
twenty of his primary teeth when he is three years old, with
most children getting about four new teeth every four months.
Children begin shedding their first teeth when they are around
6-7 years old, and this process is complete with the loss of
the 2nd molars when he is about 11-13 years old. Permanent teeth
begin erupting at around 6-7 years of age and continue until
your child gets his third molars (or wisdom teeth) when he is
about 17-22 years old.
So when should the first visit be? If your child doesn't have
any risk factors for developing cavities, such as sleeping with
a cup or bottle or walking around all day with a cup of juice,
and if his teeth seem to be developing normally, then you can
probably wait until your child is two years old.
Sealants are usually applied to the back teeth to help protect
the grooves and pits of these teeth that can be hard to clean
and are prone to developing cavities. A sealant is a plastic
material that is applied to the teeth, hardens, and provides
a barrier against plaque and other harmful substances. Sealants
should be applied to the 1st and 2nd permanent molars and appropriate
premolars as soon as possible after they erupt.
6. Keeping your teeth healthy as you grow older
Americans have the best dental health in the world.
Fluoridation has reduced the incidence of decay tremendously.
Today's older Americans have more teeth than those of previous
eras. This is great news and also means this group of Americans
do not need dentures as often as in the past. Dental problems
this group can have include cavities on the root surfaces, gum
disease, broken teeth, and migration of teeth secondary to partial
tooth loss. We enjoy helping our older patients maintain their
healthy smiles using the many modern treatment options available.
