Cosmetic Dentistry for a New You

If you have been considering a makeover for your teeth and gums, contact your dentist who can help determine what cosmetic or restorative dental treatments would be best for your smile.

Cosmetic and restorative dental procedures are not entirely cosmetic as treatments such as dental implants can actually improve your bite.

These days you don’t have to spend a fortune or several months to get the smile that you have always wanted. Modern dental technology has made it possible to fix chips, cracks and fill in gaps in just one appointment with an affordable solution known as CEREC®. With CEREC®, you can have the smile of your dreams in just one single visit. CEREC® is used for veneers, dental crowns and to replace your old silver amalgam fillings. Some dentists are even using CEREC® for dental implants.

If your stained or discolored teeth cannot be helped with over the counter or professional tooth whitening, you may want to consider Dental Veneers. Dental Veneers have come a long way and can cover up those interior stains or old restorations that have been keeping you from smiling.

Of course, if you are unsure about Dental Veneers, but would still like to close that gap between your teeth, talk to your dentist about dental bonding. Dental bonding is a procedure that is used for inlays, onlays and chipped teeth. Your dentist may also recommend dental bonding to lengthen your short teeth or to replace your old fillings.

If you have always disliked your smile because your gum line nearly covers your teeth, call and schedule an appointment with your dentist for crown lengthening. Crown lengthening is a procedure that can be used to get rid of your gummy smile.

Tooth recontouring is another procedure that your dentist may consider if you do not like the shape of your teeth. Reshaping or recontouring, also known as slenderizing, stripping, enameloplasty or odontoplasty is a dental procedure that your dentist may use to remove small amounts of enamel on your teeth. This will change the surface, shape, or length of your tooth or teeth. Recontouring is used to balance your smile.

If you would like more information regarding cosmetic or restorative dental procedures call and schedule and appointment with your dentist today. 

When a Dental Emergency Needs Treatment

There is nothing worse than a dental emergency, especially if it is one of your kids on Little League opening day.

Dental emergencies happen every second of every day, and even more so once spring sports start, but thankfully, your dental emergency can usually be taken care of on the spot.

According to a recent study conducted by the American Dental Association, dental emergencies happen in both individual and contact sports. Even people who play tennis, surf, or participate in a friendly game of racquetball could be finding themselves headed to the E.R. or their dentist’s office.

Your dentist explains that most facial injuries could have been prevented had the participant worn a custom-made mouthguard. Any type of mouthguard is fine, but a custom-made mouth guard offers much better protection. With that being said, accidents do happen, and according to your dentist, some of the most common ones could have be prevented.

Almost 50 percent of girls and boys will suffer from a tooth or mouth related injury during childhood. Mouth injuries are quite common with mouth and tooth injuries happening after a fall, a fight, or a sports injury.

In the majority of cases, mouth and tooth injuries are not serious or life threatening. Your dentist explains that although in some rare cases serious complications may arise, injuries to the mouth and teeth could have lasting effects on your sons or your daughter’s appearance ultimately affecting his or her self-esteem and confidence.

After a mouth or tooth injury, most parents scratch their heads when it comes to seeking medical attention. 

Your dentist explains that any of the symptoms below could indicate an emergency dental visit. 

• Pain or tenderness in or on a tooth
• Broken, loose, or missing teeth
• Bleeding does not stop after pressure has been applied
• Jaw pain
• Breathing problems or problems with swallowing
• Something stuck on the tongue, cheek, and mouth or in the throat (Never remove)
• Gaping cut on his or her face
• A puncture at the back or your child’s throat
• A lip cut that has crossed over the lip line border into surrounding skin
• Blurred Vision
• Slurred Speech
• Weakness
• Numbness
• High temperature above 100.4 degrees 

Other signs of infection from a tooth or mouth injury could be increasing pain, stiffness or pain in the neck, chest pain or drooling. If your child cannot open his or her mouth, it’s time to see the doctor or your dentist.

If you have a dental emergency on your hands and notice one or more of the signs above, call or click and schedule an emergency dental visit with your dentist as quickly as possible.