The anchoring teeth are known as abutment teeth. The fake tooth is called pontic and can be manufactured out of porcelain, alloys, and gold. The dentist trims down the two teeth touching the gap from either side and keeps the middle part open. You can keep the bridge area clean by flossing inside the gap amidst the crown and the gum. Advantages of dental bridges Missing teeth can hinder confidence and affect the want or ability to smile. With dental bridges, you can have a restored smile again. Difficulties in chewing and speaking can now be relieved. The teeth near and around the missing tooth, are prone to falling prey to improper distribution of force during biting. This would be mitigated with the help of dental implants. The rest of the teeth in your mouth would not drift out of their natural position. Types of dental bridges Dental bridges fall in three categories: 1. Traditional Bridges– A traditional bridge is where a crown for the missing tooth is created on each side of it and the pontic is placed in the middle. They are generally made out of ceramic or fusion of porcelain with metal. They are the most common types of bridges used by dentists. 2. Cantilever Bridges - These are used when the adjacent teeth are present on only one side of the missing one. Cantilever bridges are not commonly used and are not recommended for the teeth in the back of the mouth as they may apply excess pressure on other teeth and damage them. 3. Maryland Bonded Bridges– These bridges are prepared out of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal or plastic teeth and artificial gums, which are held together by a porcelain or metal framework. They are also known as resin bonded bridge. Your existing teeth are bonded to the bridge with the help of metal wings on either side. How are Dental Bridges prepared? When you first visit your dentist to get a dental bridge, he will have the abutment teeth prepared. These teeth are re-contoured through removal of a part of enamel to provide for space to accommodate a crown to be positioned over them. To facilitate easy preparation of the pontic, crown and the bridge by the dental lab, the dentist will send the model of the same by taking impressions of your teeth. The dentist will prepare a stopgap bridge to be put in the mouth for protection of the exposed teeth and gums while the lab prepares the bridge. On your next visit, the dentists will remove the makeshift bridge and check the compatibility and adjustment quotient of the permanent bridge in your mouth. Once the proper fitness level is achieved, he will put the bridge. You may need to subsequently visit the dentist a number of times to have the metal framework and biting convenience adjusted. The number of visits and adjustments required will vary from individual to individual. If you have chosen to get a fixed bridge, the dentist will ascertain the fitting quotient by temporarily cementing the same in place for a few weeks. Once there are no more issues, the permanent cementing would be carried out. Cost of Dental Bridges The expenses incurred in getting a dental bridge made would depend on the nature of bridge and the specific region where the procedure is carried out.
Something about the whole experience gives most people shivers down their spine. Although it is not in anyone's top five list of things do there are many reasons why regular dental check ups are important part of our overall health. Catch the Little Things Before They Become the Big Things Getting a cavity filled is not a great experience but it is much better than having to get a root canal. Regular dental check ups allow you to catch cavities when they are small and easy to fix or even catch and reverse the beginning of tooth decay. It can also help to catch the early stages of gum disease before it becomes a major health problem. Oral Cancer Detection Cancer is a scary word and its even scarier when you realize that it can even invade your mouth. Dentists are able to detect warning signs and early signs of oral cancer which increase your chances of survival. Regular dental check ups increase the likelihood that oral cancer will be detected early. Clean the Places You May be Missing It happens to all of us, you go in thinking that they are not going to be able to say one bad thing about your mouth and you find out that you have not been cleaning around your molars at all. No matter how diligent you are with brushing and flossing it is entirely possible that you have missed some spots. Regular dental check ups help to educate you on the spots you are missing and get your entire mouth extra clean. Even if it seems like torture at the time you know you walk out of the room feeling like your teeth are exceptionally smooth. To Maintain Your Overall Health Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body and science is proving that your mouth health affects your overall health more than anyone could have ever imagined. Gum disease has been linked to some serious conditions including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease. The links have not been fully understood but if getting a regular dental check up is all it takes to ward off these serious diseases then it seems like an easy decision to make. Educate Yourself It may seem as though dental hygienists and dentist are judging know-it-alls but they are really there to help. Going to your regular dental check ups is a perfect time to educate yourself and get any questions you may have answered. It is also a great time to learn about the newest and greatest technology in dental procedures and prevention. It may seem scary, boring, or even a waste of time but a regular dental check up is
Wisdom teeth removal is a very common procedure, but it’s important to make sure you know what to do – and what not to do – as you recover. These tips can help you prepare so you’ll have the best chance of an easy, trouble-free recovery: Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon and support staff about what to expect after your wisdom teeth removal. It’s important to follow their advice, and they’ll have knowledge or your particular circumstances and needs. Make sure you have someone to drive you home from your procedure. You may also want to have them pick up your pain medication on the way home and stay with you for a while. Make sure that they also understand your instructions from your dentist or oral surgeon’s office. Rest for the remainder of the day. You can usually go back to some of your normal activities the next day, but avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or exercise that could dislodge the blood clot from its socket. You’ll have gauze to gently bite down on. Do this periodically, and replace the pad when it gets soaked with blood. Bleeding should stop within 24 hours. Use an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes at a time if needed for the first day. Moist heat from a washcloth wet with warm water can also be used for the second or third day. Get plenty of rest, and elevate your head with pillows. Avoid accidentally biting the inside of your cheek or lip. This can be easy to do when it’s still numb. Also avoid rubbing the area with your tongue. Drink plenty of water after your surgery. Don’t drink hot beverages or those with alcohol or caffeine in them for 24 hours. You’ll also want to avoid using a straw for at least a week so you don’t dislodge the blood clot. Eat soft foods for the first 24 hours. Applesauce, pudding, yogurt, or thin soup are good choices. While you’re still healing, avoid foods that are very chewy, hard, or spicy. For the next day or two, you may want to stick with soft foods like pasta or scrambled eggs. Don’t smoke for at least 24 hours, and if you chew tobacco, don’t use it for at least a week. Don’t brush your teeth or rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours. After a day, gently rinse with a warm salt water mixture made with about a half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of water. Do this several times a day, particularly after eating or drinking. This can help reduce swelling and pain. If you had stitches that need to be removed, make a follow-up appointment to have this done. Notify your dentist or oral surgeon if you have any concerns about your recovery after your wisdom teeth removal. Make sure to call if you have swelling that gets worse after two or three days, a fever, bleeding after 24 hours, or severe pain that isn’t helped by medication. Also call if you have pus or oozing from the socket or numbness that doesn't go away.
A Porcelain Fixed Bridge is used to implant another tooth in your mouth. For those missing teeth, this is a perfect solution to replacing the missing tooth without your mouth looking too weird. Hockey players can rejoice, knowing that their mouths can be fixed with bridges. A Porcelain Fixed Bridge uses the teeth around it in order to replace your missing tooth. How does the bridge utilize the teeth around the missing tooth? Porcelain is used to recreate a tooth, emulating the enamel look and feel. Porcelain is a strong material that will make your new tooth durable. The surrounding teeth are connected with the porcelain tooth (with the fake tooth being the literal bridge between the two), and then replaced into your mouth. As long as the tooth is correctly molded in conjunction with the other two teeth, your mouth will look as though you were never missing a tooth at all. The Porcelain works best because it can easily be molded into the shape of the surrounding teeth. A huge benefit of a porcelain fixed bridge is that it is easy to maintain. There is nothing different with the porcelain material, it acts just like a regular tooth does. That means you can brush and floss your teeth as you normally would, and acidic things like mouthwash should have no ill effects on the tooth. A bridge is used to implant another tooth in your mouth and there are actually different types of bridges that are available, so speak to your dentist regarding which might be best for you. However, the porcelain bridge has some large benefits. In terms of aesthetics, the bridge can improve your smile greatly. This is huge for most people, because a nice smile is how people judge others and can give you a huge self esteem boost. Without replacing your tooth, your teeth can get out of line, and a bridge keeps your teeth from losing their shape. Having the tooth replaced also helps greatly with chewing, as often lacking a tooth affects the ability to chew on one side. One down side to a bridge is that they can be costly. A single bridge with porcelain will typically cost close to one thousand dollars. The price will vary depending on the tooth that is being replaced and how much porcelain they have to use. Remember that a bridge is used to implant another tooth in your mouth which is not a cheap procedure. Replacing a tooth will almost always be costly. The process of getting a bridge is not quick either. It will typically take at least a couple of visits to the dentist to get it done. First, you have to get your teeth looked at, and the models have to be prepared. Then, when the lab prepares your teeth, you have to have them placed. The bridge will have to be adjusted over a couple of visits to see if it fits properly and if your bite is fine. Each person will have different cases when it comes to getting a bridge fitted, however. A porcelain fixed bridge has many benefits and can improve your teeth greatly.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon are usually the "preferred" doctor to remove the wisdom teeth thou a General dentist may be able to do this procedure as well. It is preferred to see the oral surgeon as he does many more then the usual dentist and that is his area of expertise. You may even go to the hospital if the teeth are severely impacted or if they expect you to have any complications. What are wisdom teeth? Why would I need surgery? Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars and usually appear later in life starting in the late teens, around age 17 all the way up to age 25. They can cause problems during this time. If they are impacted you may feel pain in that area. You may hit that area when brushing your teeth and notice some tenderness or if you touch it with your finger. I have had my own experience with them and it feels very tender and sore to the touch. You may also get some swelling of the gums in and around that area and maybe into the jaw. This will take place as they try to erupt thru the skin of the gums. Most likely you will need to have surgery if your jaw is too small as they can damage adjoining teeth, the jaw area and even the nerves. Also it can prevent you from having future problems with your teeth as you age. Not everyone has all four molars. Some people have less than that or even none at all! Impacted molars are the ones that don't want to break thru the skin and sometimes the root attaches itself to another tooth right next to it. That's what happened to me and I had all four removed at one time. A partial eruption can cause you to have an slight opening for bacteria to seep thru causing infections or even tooth decay as it will make brushing more difficult. Surgical removal of the wisdom teeth will be determined by the dentist by taking some xrays. Then he will most likely recommend that you remove them sooner rather than later and get them out before they are fully grown. When having the surgery, you may want to be put under anesthesia and you will not feel a thing! Thou I have known some to stay awake during this process. Me? I would rather be sedated and have them get it done. After surgery you will be given instructions on how to have them heal. In my day my stitches were attached to my face in that area! I wondered why it hurt when I laughed. Now they use dissolvable stitches. Your mouth may be numb, sore, swollen. Ice packs are very helpful and soothing. You will want to eat soft foods in the beginning and nothing too hot or cold. Rinse with warm saltwater as your mouthwash. Do not smoke during this time. And carefully brush your teeth. This procedure generally works well to also prevent crowding of the back teeth and gum diseases and tooth decay. This procedure of having them surgically removed is rarely harmful to your overall health.
Economy dentures are selected by many patients. The low cost gives them the name 'economy dentures' while the speed with which they can be fitted and worn lends them the additional title of 'same day dentures'. With these perks it is easy to see why they are selected so often. More traditional dentures can require going to many different appointments, filling up your calendar for weeks. It can be frustrating to go so long without proper dental replacements even after beginning the process of acquiring dentures. Skipping the need for attending repeated appointments for alterations and adjustments keeps the price of economy dentures low while keeping your calendar free - no need for countless preparation visits when you choose same day dentures. Same day dentures are a great choice for those who need dentures but still have teeth requiring extraction. Same day dentures can actually reduce bleeding and speed up the healing process after the teeth are pulled. The economy dentures are set directly onto the gums, causing the bone tissue to be stimulated which leads to the production of additional bone growth. This new growth replaces the teeth that were still rooted, quickening the healing process. Economy dentures are selected by many patients for cosmetic reasons as well. Rather than dealing with holes in your mouth after the extraction, same day dentures give you an immediate smile with a full set of teeth. Due to these benefits, economy dentures are selected by many patients needing extractions. Most dental practices that offer same day dentures are equipped with an in-house laboratory on their facilities. At your appointment, your doctor will evaluate your dental state and take measurements of the inside of your mouth, your head and your facial structure. The dimensions taken will be used for the fitting of your dentures. The information will determine the correct size of the economy dentures. When the measurements have been taken, discuss with your dental team your price range, the tooth coloring options and the materials to be used. After that, your doctor will need to take an impression of your teeth. This step is completed early on to give the lab the benefit of maximum time to create your economy dentures. Once the impressions have been taken, talk to your doctor about your preferences. Communicate about the results you are hoping for as well as any fears or questions you may have. When your dentures have been made they will be set into a wax base. At this time, you will try them on. The dentures are not completed yet, but this step will give you and your doctor the opportunity to check how they fit and look. Further changes can still be requested and carried out. After the updates to your economy dentures are completed, you will try them on again for your doctor. Together you will examine the look and fit of your new dentures. You are ready to go the same day with your brand new smile! The immediate gratification of a more comfortable appearance is another reason economy dentures are selected by many patients.
When your dentist discovers that you have structural weakness in a tooth, he or she may suggest that you get either an inlay or an onlay. An inlay or an onlay is ideally the same type of procedure used to make your teeth stronger, allowing you to restore the integrity of any tooth that's been physically damaged or subject to tooth decay. An inlay is an implant that does not cover the entire tooth, but acts as a filler to damages that don't extend into the root. Though an inlay can be composed of amalgam, composite, porcelain, or gold, there are specific criteria that will help your dentist decide which filler to choose. Porcelain and gold fillers are required when damage is slightly more extensive and restoration needs to be strong enough to sustain biting and chewing. An inlay differs from a filling in that it's fabricated outside of the body, instead of hardening over a short period of time. An onlay is composed of the same materials as an inlay, but more commonly uses porcelain or gold. Porcelain offers the advantage of strength, durability, and a result that looks cosmetically indistinguishable from a real tooth. Gold is used second often because it molds well, doesn't interfere with bodily functioning (being non-toxic), and can be appealing for cosmetic purposes. The onlay may be a traditional crown or a cap that includes a cusp-where replacement of missing cuspids are required to reinforce the damaged tooth. Both procedures will give you a stronger and healthier-looking tooth, so when your dentist recommends that you get either an inlay or an onlay, be confident that your mouth will benefit. The advantage of having an inlay or onlay over a resin filler or enamel bond, are that discoloration over time is minimal. The procedures differ by dentist, but will often be similar in price, due to the need for fabrication of your implant. You can expect to go to the dentist at least two times in order to have an inlay or an onlay implanted. If your tooth requires a root canal, it may take three. If damage extends into the root, where the nerve has suffered some decay, a root canal will be performed prior to implanting the inlay or onlay. The first appointment you will have an impression made of the tooth, so that an implant can be made from the mold. The second appointment involves the procedure where local anesthetic, gas, or gentle sedation is used to insert the implant. If you aren't comfortable with dental procedures, you should opt for sedation, though overall, the process is minimally-invasive and painless. Afterward, you might experience discomfort in the tooth the night of the appointment, and possibly for a couple more days. Both procedures only take a couple of hours to complete the day of the second appointment, so in no time you an greatly improve your chances of saving the damaged or decaying tooth. And because there is minimal pain or discomfort involved in either, they make for a relatively easy way to maintain and restore a healthy smile.
Despite the many improvements in dental care, millions of American still suffers from tooth loss; usually due to gum disease, tooth decay or injury. For years, the only treatment options were dentures and bridgework; however dental implants are now available and are usually the first choice for those who would like to restore damaged or missing teeth. Dental Implants Defined Dental implants are replacement teeth that are anchored to the jaw bone; this is the most important difference between them and the other methods used to replace teeth. They are the ideal solution for missing teeth because they can help you look and feel better, regain your self-esteem, have a better quality of life, and are recognized as the standard of care for tooth replacement. Advantages of Dental Implants There are a ton of advantages to replacing missing teeth with dental implants. Some of them include: Closest thing to natural looking, healthy teeth- Dental implants are stable and strong. They restore a lost tooth so that it functions, looks, and feels like a natural tooth. Long lasting solution- A big advantage of dental implants is that although they may need some periodic adjustments, they can last a lifetime if properly cared for. No more embarrassment- You will no longer have to feel the shame of having missing teeth or deal with removable dentures loosening or falling out when you eat, talk, or laugh. Helps you retain the natural shape of your face - If you are missing teeth, your face can appear to be sunken. Another advantage of dental implants is that they will allow you maintain the natural shape of your face so that you won't appear older than you actually are. Protects healthy bones- When you have empty spaces in your mouth due to a loss of one or more teeth, this can lead to additional health issues like the deterioration of your jawbone. Dental implants are the only dental restoration option that stimulates and preserves the natural bone and helps to stimulate bone growth and prevent bone loss. Eat your favorite foods- If you love to eat, then this is another advantage of dental implants that you will love. When you replace your teeth with implants, you will be able to enjoy your favorite foods with hesitation. This means that you can bite naturally and eat whatever you want without discomfort. Protects the healthy teeth that you already have- Dental implants are placed in the jawbone where the missing tooth root was and they don’t impact healthy teeth. They also prevent the nearby healthy teeth from shifting as they would, if there were an empty space there for an extended period of time. Predictable results- Dental implant treatment has a reputation of being reliable and providing long term successful outcomes. The Bottom Line If you are missing your teeth, for any reason, dental implants will help restore your smile, self-esteem, and your facial structure. In addition, they are the best long term solution and will help you regain quality of life.
I bet most of you have heard of a crown that is meant for a tooth but unless you have had one you might not be familiar with what a crown really is. You may even be surprised to know that there are actually different types of dental crowns. There are three different types of dental crowns that are categorized by what materials they are made of. The thee kinds are: All metal All ceramic Porcelain fused to metal The all-metal crowns are commonly made of a metal alloy, which might have a silver color, or gold. This type of crown is used mostly for back teeth because they are the strongest materials used for a crown and there is not as much of a cosmetic concern. If you are someone that will need a crown in the near future for a back tooth, this is your best bet. They can be more expensive but the life of the crown is much longer. All-ceramic (or porcelain) crowns are a great and slightly newer type of crown for people concerned about a "normal" or natural looking tooth. The ceramic type of crown isn't quite as strong as the all-metal crowns so it is more likely to be used on front teeth. If you get a porcelain crown you should expect to replace it more often than a metal crown. There are a couple options for a ceramic crown if this is something that you are considering. If you would like a crown that has an excellent appearance even if you have to wait a bit for it to be milled you could get a porcelain jacket. They have been around for over 100 years and are usually used on just the front teeth since they are not very strong. They are the most realistic looking option available. A modern ceramic crown can be used if you are interested in a same-day crown. Most of the modern ceramic crowns can be milled quickly meaning you will get your dental work done the same day with no extra wait. If you don't want to bother with a temporary crown or a delay in tooth repair this is a great option. Some modern ceramic crowns are focused on a more realistic appearance. like what you can get with the porcelain jacket, so you might not be able to get a same-day crown with these. Porcelain fused to metal can offer "the best of both worlds" in a way. This kind of crown gives your tooth a metal base with a porcelain shell. It would be like if you put an all metal crown on your tooth and then put a porcelain jacket over it. The porcelain and metal are fused together in high heat to make one crown so the procedure is just as simple as either of the other two types of crowns (don't worry). The nicest part of this crown is the strength the metal gives it while still having a realistic tooth appearance from the porcelain. With all the types of dental crowns available today, what kind would you prefer to have?
Detect caries - the safe method Caries detection through the perfect supplementation of three competent procedures: Your trained expert eye, x-ray imaging, and the DIAGNOdent pen. Caries detection made easy: Early, initial caries and hidden caries can be safely detected using the LASER fluorescence technology. The optional display offers a perfect view of the measured values - in every position. Secure detection of caries - your benefits at a glance Improved patient loyalty due to pleasant methods of treatment and successful prevention confirmable by figures Reduced use of the manual probe, decreased abrasion of the enamel Gentle measurement enables micro-invasive treatment, without the unnecessary removal of healthy enamel in many cases Billable, follow-up services High patient loyalty + and improved service = increased success of your dental practice