Over the past decade there has been a lot of buzz in the media about same day implants and teeth. In some cases, a smile can be restored with a single implant and crown or with multiple implants and a set of teeth in just one day. Dentists must use good judgement when assessing a patient to determine whether same day implant restoration is a good option for that patient. In many cases it is much more difficult to place a single implant and restore it with a crown the same day than it is to place multiple implants and a full set of teeth in one appointment. [Read more…]
Preventing Jack O’ Lantern Smiles
When we think of October, many of us think of Halloween. Children dressing up in costumes, trick or treating, and, of course, the Halloween candy! But there is more to celebrate in October than just Halloween. It is also National Dental Hygiene Month! So to help you make it through Halloween with healthy teeth and good oral hygiene, here are our five favorite tips: [Read more…]
Are dental x-rays necessary?
As a mom of three, I feel the weight of responsibility to stay informed and protect my children from toxins and chemicals that may harm their developing bodies. Radiation is one of those toxins that concerns many people. Most dentists agree that limiting exposure to X-rays is important, but X-rays are necessary to find dental problems that can also be dangerous to the body. Your health suffers when people miss dental or other medical issues because they never took a radiograph. X-rays can help your dentist find and treat dental problems at an early stage, saving time, money and unnecessary discomfort. In our practice, each patient is evaluated individually for how often and how many x-rays are needed. [Read more…]
Back-to-School Dental Emergencies
In our dental practice, we sometimes see young patients being rushed into our office with injuries to their teeth from school-related activities. The injuries we have seen have ranged from a small chip on a tooth from a fall on the playground or hallway to teeth being completely knocked out by a Lacrosse stick or even another child’s head. So, what are you as a parent to do when you get that call from the school? [Read more…]
A Woman’s Guide to Hormones and Dental Health
Hormones can affect many aspects of a woman’s health – their weight, their mood, and even their dental health. You may be surprised to learn that women are more susceptible to gum disease during periods of hormone surges such as puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy. While changing hormones are a fact of life, being aware of how hormones affect our oral health can help us manage and prevent their impact. [Read more…]
Finding a GOOD Dentist for Your Family
As a mom of three, I know the pressures we moms feel in making decisions for our kids’ health. We buy organic when possible, we try to make sure our kids get outside and aren’t glued to their electronics all weekend, and we research online and among neighbors when trying to find healthcare providers like pediatricians and dentists. But how do you really know if a dentist is “good?” Do you seek the opinions of neighbors and co-workers? Co-workers and neighbors can be good resources for recommending a dentist based on the dentist’s personality, gentleness, and appearance of the office, but may not always know if the work being done is of high quality. However, word-of-mouth recommendations are a good place to start. Reading online reviews next to be sure that others have the same great experience is important as well. [Read more…]
SATISFYING THAT SWEET TOOTH WITHOUT TOOTH DAMAGE
We have all heard that we should avoid sugary foods if we want to have healthy teeth, but not all sugars and candies are created equal. Some sweets are less harmful to the teeth, and some are actually beneficial!
THE BETTER CHOICES… [Read more…]
BACK TO SCHOOL DENTAL TIPS
As another summer ends and a new school year approaches, many of us parents begin the task of preparing our children for their first day back to school. We shop for the necessary school supplies, we update their wardrobes, and we ensure they have the immunizations and booster shots necessary to continue in school. Children should also have a dental exam before returning to school to ensure they have a healthy mouth and the tools they need to maintain it. [Read more…]
A Beautiful Smile
Often when I am asked to restore patients’ smiles, the patients ask for qualities that they think will make their smile perfect – smooth on the incisal (chewing) edge and white. These qualities SOUND good, but in the mouth, they may not be so pleasing to the eye. So what makes a smile beautiful? Typically, the most esthetic qualities involve symmetry, a natural light color, and the appearance of health. [Read more…]