Dental bonding involves placing a small amount of tooth-colored putty on a tooth and shaping it to fill in a small chip. It’s a fast and cheap solution, which may lead you to wonder if it’s still a high-quality dental procedure.
What Problems Dental Bonding Solves
In short, dental bonding is a worthwhile procedure.
Bonding works wonderfully for chipped tooth repairs. The process is non-invasive, meaning that it doesn’t require any invasive steps or numbing shots. Because bonding is a quick procedure, you don’t need to schedule multiple appointments like you would if you were to get a dental crown.
Many patients love their smiles after bonding, because the treatment is cost-effective and fast. They get instant results without breaking the bank.
Dental Bonding – The Drawbacks
Dental bonding can break off. If you bump your bonded tooth hard enough, the bonding material can pop off, leaving you with a chipped tooth again. To fix that, you may need to have your tooth slightly shaved away a bit to make a clean slate for more bonding. If this happens again and again, your tooth can become too weak for bonding to work anymore.
Dental bonding also has its limits. If your tooth has a large chip or decay, it may need more than a patch-up.
When Dental Bonding Is Not the Answer
Does your tooth need more help than dental bonding can give? Your dentist may recommend a crown or veneer to reinforce your tooth. These options provide more strength and coverage than bonding, and may even last longer.
Talk with a dentist near you to find out whether dental bonding is the right choice for your smile.
Posted on behalf of:
Gwinnett Family Dental Care
3455 Lawrenceville Hwy
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
(770) 921-1115
Dental crowns and veneers are both beautiful restorations that can completely remake your smile. Which one is right for you, though?
Find Out What Your Tooth Needs
The main thing you need to figure out is which restoration will best meet your tooth’s needs.
Crowns are restorations that completely cover a tooth. Crowns are designed to strengthen teeth that have a large cavity or crack in them. You could get a dental cap on any tooth in your mouth.
On the other hand, veneers only replace a thin layer of enamel on the very front of an upper front tooth. Veneers are cosmetic in nature and don’t improve the integrity of a tooth, so they’re only used on the ones you see when you smile.
If you have a decayed or cracked front tooth, then odds are good you’ll have to cap it. As long as your tooth doesn’t need much in the way of structural support, then you can probably just get a conservative veneer.
Keep in mind that you can’t get a veneer on a back tooth. If you’d like to enhance the look of a molar, then a sturdy tooth-colored crown is your best bet.
Determine What You Can Be Responsible For
Veneers and crowns are both permanent in the sense that once you get one, your tooth can never again be without. But veneers aren’t usually covered by insurance, so you have to be ready to pay out-of-pocket if you lose or damage your restoration.
Choose the treatment that meets your tooth’s needs and do your best to take care of it, so that you’ll have a smile that looks great for years.
Ask a cosmetic dentist near you for help deciding between a veneer and a crown.
Posted on behalf of:
Group Health Dental
230 W 41st St
New York, NY 10036
(212) 398-9690
It’s no secret; wearing braces can be extremely tedious.
Braces are often uncomfortable, inconvenient, and it can feel like you’ll be wearing them for the rest of your life.
Why haven’t your braces fixed your teeth yet? As it turns out, there are several factors that affect the speed of your orthodontic treatment.
Teeth Can Only Move So Fast!
How fast that is depends on your unique bone makeup.
Braces put pressure on teeth to move them through the bone. But the bone tissue has to break down and heal up around the teeth to accommodate their movement. There are unique processes that make this happen and there isn’t much you can do to make them go any faster.
Your Teeth Have Changed Already – You Just Didn’t Notice
Until the braces come off, it can be hard to spot any dramatic changes. But the changes appear as if they aren’t happening at all.
Try taking a close-up photo of your smile at the beginning of each month. Comparing the pictures will help you to notice that you are getting results and encourage you to hang in there for the rest of your treatment.
You Might Be Getting in the Way
Your orthodontist has given you a list of “rules” as far as what you can and cannot eat with braces, and what you should do to keep them clean.
If you aren’t mindful of your oral hygiene or eating habits, you can compromise both your teeth and braces. This only adds time to the overall length of your treatment.
Ask your dentist or orthodontist about what you can do to make sure your treatment doesn’t last any longer than it has to.
Posted on behalf of:
East Cobb Orthodontics
2810 Lassiter Rd
Marietta, GA 30062
(770) 993-7118
Not everything you’ve ever believed about dental implants is true. Here are eight myths your dentist is ready to debunk.
Your health or dental insurance may cover more than you think. The dental implant specialist can also help you schedule comfortable payment installments. A permanent dental implant can actually be cheaper than other dental solutions that need replacement over time.
You’ll be completely numb during the surgery and you can even opt for sedation to doze your way through it. Implant placement is usually quicker and easier than most people think.
The main thing is to stay away from cigarettes just long enough for your implant to heal after surgery, since smoking slows down the healing process.
There are shorter “mini” implants that can make the most of limited bone. New technology allows implant specialists to carefully plan a challenging surgery. Finally, you may qualify for bone grafting.
Dental implants are so natural-looking that no one would ever know you had one.
Just because they’re a valuable investment doesn’t mean implants are hard to care for. You gently brush and floss them like your other teeth and schedule regular dental checkups. That’s all!
Not all dentists have equal experience in placing implants. Do your research and choose an implant specialist or seasoned dentist who has a solid track record of successful implant procedures.
Implants are one of the most predictable and successful procedures in dentistry.
Learn more about dental implants by talking with your local dentist or implant specialist.
Posted on behalf of:
Green Dental of Alexandria
1725 Duke St
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-1725
Your new denture is a valuable investment, and one that you depend on every single day. So it only makes sense that you want to take good care of your denture and make it last a long time.
Here are five things you should do to keep your denture clean, strong, and beautiful for many years.
You can prevent a lot of stain, odor, and debris buildup on your denture if you rinse it carefully after each meal or snack. A quick rinse under water is all it takes. Swish some water in your mouth too before putting your denture back in.
Use a soft-bristled brush designed for dentures to clean your appliance. Regular brushing removes food debris and prevents stains from settling into the acrylic. Handle your denture with care while you clean it.
Did you know that dentures can shrink and warp if they dry out? They’re designed to fit perfectly in a moist environment like your mouth. That’s why you need to soak your denture in a dentist-approved solution during times you’re not wearing it, such as while you sleep.
Germs on your gums can move right back in to a clean denture. Wipe down your gums every day, even if you don’t have any natural teeth left. Use a rinse to control bacteria growth if your dentist advises it.
Regular dental checkups are as important for denture-wearers as they are for those with natural teeth. See your dentist often to make sure your denture is strong, and your mouth is healthy.
Posted on behalf of:
Green Dental of Alexandria
1725 Duke St
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-1725
Kids can indicate that they have a toothache in different ways. For example, your child may refuse to eat solid foods, stubbornly oppose tooth brushing, have difficulty sleeping, or fuss and cry.
Toothaches in children can be caused by:
Determining the cause of your child’s distress can be difficult. But there are some steps you can take to help him or her get relief.
Have your child rinse out their mouth with a little salt water. This step is most effective if your child is old enough to tolerate the salty rinse and then spit it out.
Make sure the water is neither too hot nor too cold. The rinse can bring down swelling, cleanse the mouth of some of the bacteria, and dislodge food debris.
Take a look inside your child’s mouth to see what’s going on. If you notice a lot of plaque or food debris around the problem tooth, try gently cleaning it away with a toothbrush. Simply brushing away the buildup can provide some relief.
Next, offer your child a liquid or chewable pain reliever such as Tylenol or Motrin. This can help your child stay comfortable until you can get professional help.
Offer an ice pack for your child to put on the outside of his or her cheek to numb the pain.
Even if your child starts feeling better, that doesn’t mean you should ignore their toothache. Head to a pediatric dental office as soon as possible for a checkup.
Posted on behalf of:
Grateful Dental
2000 Powers Ferry Rd SE #1
Marietta, GA 30067
(678) 593-2979
Garlic is healthy and a delicious ingredient in meals, but it’s also notorious for lingering on the breath. What can you do to keep the noxious odors from sabotaging your reputation? Try one (or two or three) of the following suggestions.
Brush Your Tongue
Brushing your teeth after a garlicky meal can help get rid of lingering odors, but make sure you get your tongue, too. That’s where a lot of smelly germs and debris end up. A clean tongue will reduce your chances of having bad breath.
Rinse with Minty Mouthwash
No toothbrush handy? Rinse with mouthwash. Choose one with a powerfully minty flavor to mask your garlic breath for as long as possible.
Chew an Herb or Spice
Fresh herbs and whole spices work very well at minimizing stinky breath after a meal. Parsley, cloves, and fennel are great natural breath-fresheners.
Eat Fresh Mint, Apples, or Lettuce
Did you know that garlic breath can continue long after you’ve brushed your teeth? That’s because the smelly compounds in garlic enter your bloodstream, transfer from the blood to the air in your lungs, and are released back out your mouth when you exhale.
To treat your garlic breath at the source, you need to eat a food with enzymes that help break down garlic’s odorous compounds before they can reach your lungs. Research indicates that fresh mint, apple slices, and lettuce can do the trick. Eat one of these foods immediately after your garlicky meal and you should be able to avoid having dragon breath for the rest of the day!
Consult with a dentist offering halitosis treatment if you suspect your bad breath is caused by more than just your diet.
Posted on behalf of:
Gold Hill Dentistry
2848 Pleasant Road #104
Fort Mill, South Carolina 29708
(803) 566-8055
Crooked teeth don’t just look bad – they pose a major risk to your oral health and can even be a sign that something has already happened.
What Causes Crooked Teeth?
Teeth tend to shift easily during childhood. At this time, the jawbone is still rapidly developing. A tooth can move when it’s pressed on by actions such as thumb sucking.
Crooked teeth can also be genetic. If a child’s parent needed braces, chances are good the child will eventually need dental braces as well. It’s also possible that inheriting one parent’s small jaw and the other parent’s larger teeth can lead to tooth alignment issues.
But what if your teeth were fine throughout childhood? What does it mean if they’re just now getting crooked?
Unfortunately, that’s probably a sign of trouble.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
If you have wisdom teeth coming in below the gum line, they can push on the teeth in front of them. This causes crowding, especially among the front teeth.
Still have your wisdom teeth or aren’t sure if you do?
See a dentist to get some x-rays to find out.
Missing Teeth
Your teeth keep moving forward. When there’s a gap in the alignment, the teeth behind the space tend to shift and tip over to fill it in. That’s one of the reasons why dentists recommend replacing missing teeth as soon as possible.
Gum Disease
Gum disease attacks the ligaments and bone that hold teeth in place. It can cause teeth to loosen. As they do, they may shift and splay out of alignment.
See your dentist for a checkup and to find out what could be causing your teeth to move out of their natural alignment.
Posted on behalf of:
Broad Street Braces
2010 South Juniper Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
213-234-3030
Do you know the difference between a fixed and removable bridge?
Understanding the pros and cons of each will help you make the right decision if you ever need to replace a tooth or two.
Fixed Dental Bridges
A fixed bridge is often made from porcelain to resemble the color and texture of natural teeth. It sits anchored to two natural teeth via dental crowns and its middle portion spans the gap in between with an artificial tooth.
Fixed bridges don’t come off once they go on. These restorations will stay in your mouth until something happens that weakens the teeth supporting it.
You might prefer a fixed bridge if you want a restoration that looks natural and has no risk of falling out. There are a couple of downsides: fixed bridges can be difficult to clean under and they also weaken the capped teeth they rest upon.
Removable Dental Bridges
A removable dental bridge is also known as a partial denture. It’s made of one or more fake teeth suspended on an acrylic frame. Sometimes, the frame is reinforced with a metal base and clasps.
You can take out a removable bridge for easy cleaning. A partial denture doesn’t require sacrificing the health of two of your natural teeth to support it. But it may not be the best option if you wouldn’t want anyone to find out you wear something that you take in and out.
Fixed or Removable Bridge – Which Is Right for You?
You’ll want to carefully discuss the pros and cons with a dental professional before you decide. Talk with your local dentist to find out which restorative option is best for both your oral health and your lifestyle.
Posted on behalf of:
Feather Touch Dental Care
1175 Peachtree St. NW Ste 1204
Atlanta, GA 30361
(404) 892-2097
Generations of parents have tried the old string-and-a-door trick when it comes to pulling out their kids’ loose teeth. It may seem like a logical and effective method for removing stubborn teeth, but dentists urge caution the next time you’re tempted to pull one out.
Avoid Premature Pulling
If your child has a loose tooth, confirm that it’s truly ready to come out. For example, the bottom front teeth are usually the first to go around 6 or 7 years of age. Next come the upper front teeth.
Even though all baby teeth should eventually fall out, it’s important that they do so on the right schedule. If a baby tooth falls out prematurely, it can cause the adult tooth to grow in crooked.
Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle
Forcing out a loose baby tooth that isn’t quite ready can cause unnecessary pain, bleeding, and tissue damage.
It’s better to encourage your child to frequently and gently wiggle the tooth until it’s free. Your child can use their tongue, brush around the area, or try biting into an apple.
Remember: easy does it when it comes to pulling loose teeth!
When a Baby Tooth Is Stuck
If you’re sure that a baby tooth just needs a little more encouragement, then proceed with caution.
With clean hands, grasp the baby tooth with a piece of tissue or gauze. Use a gentle back and-forth wiggling motion to try loosening its attachment to the gums. If it hurts your child, then don’t force it.
Consult your child’s dentist for help in removing baby teeth that don’t seem to fall out on their own.
Posted on behalf of:
Gainesville Dental Group
1026 Thompson Bridge Rd
Gainesville, GA 30501
(770) 297-0401
A fairly common occurrence in the mouth is the existence of extra bone development along the outside or inside of the jawline near the teeth, or in the roof of…
Lingual frenectomy and lingual frenuloplasty are both dental procedures used to correct a condition called ankyloglossia. Ankylogloassia, more commonly known as ‘tied tongue’, is an abnormality of the lingual frenulum….
Sedation dentistry is a wonderful option for many people who would not or cannot tolerate dentistry in a traditional dental setting. Many people have a fear of visiting the dentist,…