Patient Education

Implants are a fantastic option to replace missing teeth. They nearly mimic natural teeth anatomy and function, especially considering that the adjacent teeth in the mouth are not “shaved” or modified to assist in an implant placement. But, despite so many advantages, there are several important factors that can determine the success of an implant in the mouth. Just like any other prosthetic in your body (artificial knee, shoulder, pins or screws in the spine),

How to stop bleeding gums? Gum bleeding, other than tooth pain, is one of the commonest motivating factors for a person to seek dental care and advice. Most people will notice bleeding from gums while tooth brushing or flossing. While gum bleeding is usually not severe or heavy in nature, it can be concerning enough, given the wealth of common information on the internet about all types of cancers and infections. The commonest reason for

Third molars or “Wisdom” teeth  Third molars get their unique name as “wisdom teeth” from the Greek words “odontos sophias” which loosely translates to teeth of wisdom. As legend goes, it was believed most people would attain these teeth at a “mature or wiser” age – between the ages of 12 – 30. That is not to be taken seriously though, as there are plenty of wise people who congenitally miss third molars!  Most wisdom

Cavities are a result of a breakdown in the tooth structure. That breakdown can occur due to various reasons. The commonest reason is bacteria, causing a disease of the dentition called dental caries. Bacteria reside in our bodies, and in the mouth in their natural habitat. It is only when the environment of the mouth and of the body changes, that these bacteria get an opportunity to proliferate and attack the teeth. Those conditions can

There are surprising number of people, whether they’re aware of it or not, who have at least some problems resulting from malocclusion, or a bad bite. Bite problems can range from minor ones involving only an improperly placed filling (easily corrected), to those caused by lost teeth, to genetic ones ( over crowding and jaw misalignment) involving most or all of y our teeth. If you have difficulty opening your jaw fully this could be

In dental lingo, a restoration refers to any material or device ( fixed or removable) that is used (1) to replace lost tooth structure and restore the tooth to function or (2) to replace a lost tooth.  There are many types of restorations, including fillings, crowns, bridges, partial dentures, and full dentures, all of which will be discussed below. Filling – A filling usually refers to a restoration that restores part of a tooth.  Types

Many children have a hard time when it comes to tooth eruption,or teething, and some have a very, very hard time of it. Teething can be so traumatic and painful to your baby that you may think there’s something wrong, especially if you’re a first-time mom. But teething is a normal part of tooth development and growth. If your baby is irritable, has a slight fever, has congestion, and cries excessively for no apparent reason, you should

Composite veneers, usually simply called composites, are bonded to the tooth in a totally different way than the porcelain or acrylic veneers.  Whereas the other veneers are like false fingernails placed on top of the real ones, the composite veneer is like fingernail polish that is painted on the nail. The same initial etching process takes place, but after the tooth has been roughened, the paste-like composite resin is applied directly to the tooth.  Then

There are two main stages of periodontal disease. The first is a disease of the gums, or gingivitis. The second is called periodontitis, which is a disease of the ligament and bone that hold your teeth in your jaws. Although these two forms of periodontal disease are the most serious forms of dental disease, they’ve never been given enough recognition by the public for the destruction they can cause.  Tooth decay wounds, but the real killer

Dental Disease is not an obscure and mysterious ailment.  You didn’t inherit dental disease from your parents.  Dental disease is not only a disease of the mouth but also a disease of the body. Any time part of your body becomes diseased, it stresses  your entire body’s immune system.  The stress can be most harmful when the disease is a chronic one, which is the form of dental disease from which most patients suffer. Dental

All tooth decay must be removed and the tooth repaired.  Every day you postpone treatment will end up costing you more money, more time, and more of your tooth. It would be great if filling a tooth meant  you only had to remove the decayed part.  unfortunately, that’s not the case. The decay, once it gets into the dentin, often spreads out in all directions.  Many times the decay will undermine the enamel that supports

With time, if even one tooth is missing, the space may cause: — teeth in front of space to drift back creating spaces in between front teeth. — teeth behind space to tilt forward. — tooth above space to erupt down. Because these teeth drift out of position, several conditions may occur: — severe occusal (bite) problems that could lead to clicking of the jaw, headaches and jaw pain. — hard to clean areas are

If you have this type of periodontal disease, you are at the stage where the infection has broken through the first line of defense, the gums, and has begun to attack the ligaments and bone supporting the teeth.  This is the stage where bone loss occurs, causing the pocket, the space between the gum and the tooth, to deepen. Periodontitis, like gingivitis, occurs in different forms and can involve parts of, or all of, one

• Immediately following a tooth extraction, keep pressure on gauze until bleeding stops, 30-45 minutes. Repeat if necessary. If heavy bleeding continues, call your dentist. • Do not smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously, or drink through a straw for 24 hours. These activities will disturb the healing blood clot. • Do not suck on extraction site. • Immediately after a tooth is extracted, you may experience some discomfort and notice some swelling. • To reduce swelling, place

If you want to restore your mouth to health and function, missing teeth must be replaced. (There are some exceptions, like wisdom teeth.)  If you don’t have them replaced you will be creating many problems. These range from a loss of chewing function, a bad bite, and possibly temporomandibular joint ( TMJ) problems, to the increased probability of decay and periodontal disease.  Your dentist will provide you with all the options regarding the best and

If you never had gum disease; if you have perfect dental restorations, no bad contacts, a healthy diet; if you understand all the hows, whys, and whens of oral hygiene and are faithful to your hygiene program — you may never need to floss. Only a few percent of the population fall into this category. Flossing removes food, breaks up plaque formations, cleans the teeth, and massages the gum.  All other parts of the teeth

A partial denture, commonly just referred to as a “partial”, is a removable appliance used to replace missing teeth. Along with implants, it’s the only choice left if you’ve lost all the back teeth on either or both sides of your jaw, upper or lower. Also, a partial can be used to replace missing teeth if you can’t afford a bridge. The main differences between a fixed bridge and a removable partial are:

Any time is a good time to brush, but some times are better times than others. The most crucial times are after eating and in the morning. Brushing immediately after eating, especially if the meal or snack contained processed food and refined sugar. By “immediately,” I mean as soon as possible, but absolutely within four to six hours after any meal. The damage caused by food left in your mouth is directly proportional to how long

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Burns of the mouth are very common, and some can be serious enough to require immediate treatment. Generally, after the cause of the burn is removed or the affected area flushed with water(if the burn is caused by a chemical such as aspirin or Clorox), the wound will heal by itself, although it may be tender for a while. Hot food, hot liquids, or chemicals — Often you’ll be more aware of burns from heat