Before general and restorative dental care became as advanced as it is today, extracting teeth that were substantially damaged or developed tooth decay was a more common procedure. Today, even severe cases of damage or infection to your tooth structure can often be successfully resolved with a highly lifelike restorative dental treatment. However, that doesn’t mean that tooth extraction is no longer a necessary dental treatment, or that all cases of compromised teeth can be successfully saved. If a tooth has to be extracted, then it’s typically best to do so as soon as possible, and to plan on replacing the tooth to fully restore your oral health and bite function. (more…)
When Root Canal Treatment Is Typically Recommended
Many people recognize what root canal treatment is, and the fact that it’s typically recommended for addressing a severe, internal case of tooth decay. However, the specific ways in which a tooth’s interior chambers can become compromised and the need for root canal treatment arises can vary from patient to patient. In some cases, you may not realize that root canal treatment is the right answer until your dentist explains the situation to you. Today, we explain a few times when root canal treatment might be the unexpected best option for saving your tooth. (more…)
Does Grinding Your Teeth Mean You Have Bruxism?
Some symptoms of oral health concerns are obvious, and the moment you experience them, you have a good idea what to do about it. For example, if your tooth hurts, you might automatically know something’s wrong with your tooth, even if you don’t know exactly what. However, not all oral health problems are that easy to detect, and not all warning signs are as easily recognizable as a toothache. For instance, if you notice that you grind your teeth a little more often than usual, how would you know if it’s just a habit, or a sign that you have bruxism? (more…)
Can Scaling and Root Planing Cure Your Gingivitis?
The problem with treating many dental health concerns is that treatment isn’t always exactly a cure. For example, in many cases of gum disease, the condition that affects your gum tissues can remain a threat even after you’ve received treatment for it. From that point forward, your goal will be to consistently manage the condition and prevent it from becoming more severe and causing more extensive damage to your oral health. Fortunately, gum disease can be successfully mitigated, and the earlier you address it, the better. If you notice signs of gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, then you should schedule scaling and root planing with your dentist as soon as possible. (more…)
Why It Matters that You Don’t Skip Your Dental Checkup
The importance of regular dental checkups and cleanings to your oral health is no secret. However, the significance of growing lax in your routine or skipping an appointment here and there might not be obvious until the consequences of it become noticeable in the form of poor oral health. Today, we take a closer look at the role that professional care plays in your overall oral health care routine, and why it matters that you don’t skip any of your dental checkups and cleanings. (more…)
The Surest Way to Cure a Chronic Toothache
If you’ve ever tried a home remedy or over-the-counter pain reliever to cure your toothache, but the discomfort came back, there’s a good reason why. In most cases, a sensitive or aching tooth is a sign that the tooth has a more serious problem than you might realize. Like most oral health concerns, this means the only way to effectively cure the toothache is to have it professionally diagnosed and treated at your dentist’s office. (more…)
A Few Important Facts About Tooth Loss
Many people recognize that losing one or more teeth is a problem, and that replacing their lost teeth is important to the state of their oral health. However, there is much about tooth loss that people often misunderstand, even if they’ve already experienced it. This can include the fact that tooth loss is often preventable, and that when it does occur, how you choose to replace your lost tooth or teeth can have serious implications for your long-term oral health. (more…)
How to Treat a Cracked Tooth Conservatively
The focus on conservative dental treatment is important for many different reasons. When it comes to your comfort and convenience, designing your treatment to be minimally invasive helps make your overall dental treatment easier to manage. In terms of your long-term dental health, conservative treatment means minimizing any changes to your healthy tooth structure to things that are absolutely necessary. Today, we examine what conservative treatment looks like when addressing a common concern such as a cracked tooth, and how we can help you restore and preserve your tooth with optimal results. (more…)
Choosing Invisalign® for the Right Reasons
There are many less-than-ideal reasons why older teeth and adult patients might hesitate to choose straightening their crooked teeth. For example, some may hesitate out of worry about how the placement of traditional braces may impact their smiles’ appearance and their overall confidence. The problem is that hesitating to straighten crooked teeth may only make the problem worse, leading to more severe oral health concerns and the potential need for more extensive treatment. Fortunately, many people can avoid having to get used to traditional metal braces by choosing Invisalign® clear aligners, instead. (more…)
Improve Your Chances of Avoiding Stained Teeth
If you notice that your smile has lost some of its youthful glow, it may be concerning. The good news is that most cases of teeth stains are relatively minor concerns that don’t significantly threaten your oral health. However, they can have a significant impact on your smile’s appearance, and the longer they remain, the greater than impact can be. Fortunately, you can take steps to keep your smile bright and stain-free longer and avoid the need for teeth-whitening or other cosmetic dental treatment. (more…)