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General Dentistry
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Crowns are full-coverage restorations used to cover a tooth that is likely to break, or is too broken down to be restored with a filling. They are
most commonly done after a root canal treatment or when a large filling wears out (the larger the hole made by a
cavity that has to be treated, the more likely a crown will be needed).
Crowns ride over the weakened tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth against damage.
Crowns are fabricated over two appointments:
- In the first appointment, any decay is removed from the tooth and it is shaped to accept the crown. An impression is made and a
temporary crown is applied.
- In the second visit, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown applied and adjusted and cemented in place.
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Our office uses only tooth-colored restorative materials and we pride ourselves on using the most advanced techniques and delivering
the most functional and artistic dental restorations possible.
Restorations are used to restore a tooth to its natural form, function, and its original beauty.
We remove all old filling materials and decay, and replace with a new, bonded, tooth-colored material.
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Before
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After
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Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It typically attacks just below the gum line, causing the
attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. Classified by its severity, periodontal disease's
major stages are:
- Gingivitis — milder & reversible, it only affects the gums.
- Periodontis —
Factors that increase the risk of developing periodontal disease include:
- Tobacco smoking or chewing
- Systemic diseases such as diabetes
- Some types of medication such as steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs,
calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives
- Bridges that no longer fit properly
- Crooked teeth
- Fillings that have become defective
- Pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives
Warning signs that can signal a problem include:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Any change in the fit of partial dentures
It is imperative that gum tissue is built up to improve the attachment of the teeth and supporting tissues.
Special cleanings are performed to eliminate tartar and bacteria that have built up on the root surfaces. If the special cleanings do not make a
significant impact, antibiotics or laser gum therapy may be necessary. In worst cases, recommendation to a specialist may be required.
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Dentures can replace any missing teeth, whether a few or all.
Dentures will improve your appearance and increase your ability to eat and speak.
There are two types of full dentures:
- Conventional — Made and placed in the patient's mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed.
This process may take several months.
- Immediate — Inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the
patient's jaws during a preliminary visit. There is no intermediary period where the patient will be without teeth.
- You must still brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush to stimulate tissue circulation and help remove plaque.
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A root canal is necessary when an event occurs that allows bacteria to get into the inner portion, or pulp, of the tooth.
The more trauma that occurs to the tooth over time, the less likely the tooth is to remain healthy long-term. When the tooth begins
to die, it may become sensitive to cold, hot and biting pressure. Occasionally an abcess and swelling will occur.
Root canal therapy cleans out the infected tooth pulp and disinfects the tooth's canals. The canal is then filled to prevent further infection.
A core build-up and crown is recommended for restoring and strengthening the tooth.
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Bridges are an option for filling the space created by a missing tooth.
It is imperative that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible to prevent gaping and shifting of the surrounding teeth, which in turn causes
misalignment of the jaw, deterioration of surrounding teeth and gum disease.
The bridge is formed like the missing tooth and its sides use the two surrounding teeth for support.
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Temporal Mandibular Joint syndrome can be cuased by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma or excess muscle tension.
Treatment for TMJ may alleviate some of the symptoms, including:
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Trouble & soreness in opening & closing the mouth
- Clicking or popping of the jaw
- Pain in the jaw muscles
- Soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face
There is often no one solution that is right for the treatment of TMJ and treatments may include replacing missing teeth,
moving teeth, adjusting the bite, filling gaps between teeth. In worst cases, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint.
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