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What Are Dental Crowns Used For?

dental crownIf you have a cavity or damaged tooth, your dentist may be able to treat it with a filling. In some cases, however, the only option is to use a dental crown to repair the tooth.

 

Dental crowns are ceramic or resin prosthetics that are designed to fit over your natural tooth. Once they are in place, they look like one of your own teeth. Typically, they are attached with a special dental adhesive that holds them in place. With dental implants, they are attached to a metal post that is embedded in your jawbone.

 

Crowns are usually reserved for situations where teeth are severely damaged, either as a result of trauma or decay. Since the whole tooth is covered by the crown, they provide a high degree of protection.

 

Dental crowns are used for treating a number of conditions, including the following:

 

  1. Teeth That Are Fractured Or Broken
    If an accident occurs, teeth can break or fracture. Injuries like these leave the tooth prone to infection and decay. Patients with broken teeth may have difficulty eating or chewing their food. A dental crown can be used to restore severely damaged teeth, helping them function like they should again.
  2. Treating Previous Dental Restorations That Have Come Loose Or Fallen Out
    Most dental work is extremely durable, meaning that it will last a long time. Eventually, however, fillings, crowns, and other dental restorations will wear out. Depending on the situation, they might come loose, break, or fall out of the patient’s mouth. During a dental appointment, the dentist evaluates the tooth to determine whether a new crown is required to replace the damaged dental work.
  3. Repairing Severe Decay
    Dental fillings are the most common treatment for cavities or dental decay. In situations where the decay is extremely severe, however, a dental crown may be required to repair the damage. If the structure of the tooth has been significantly affected by the decay, a crown is usually a better treatment option than a filling since it provides extra protection and strengthens the tooth.

If you think that you need a dental crown, set up an appointment today here at Dentistry on Broadway. Our friendly staff members will be glad to help you.

What Are The Benefits Of Implant Dentures

implant denturesMissing teeth is something that impacts a lot of people. Not only can it negatively impact your speech and confidence, but it can negatively impact other areas in your life including your ability to chew and digest food properly.

 

While removable dentures used to be the only solution, there is now a better way to restore not only your smile but the function of your teeth with implant dentures.

 

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How To Protect Your Teeth Using Sealant

smiling childrenIf you have lots of tooth decay that is the result of cavities, then your dentist might recommend that your teeth have a sealant put on them. A dental sealant refers to a type of coating made from a plastic material that is put on your teeth.

 

Typically, a sealant is put on the back teeth, since that is where chewing takes place. The coating prevents decay from taking place. Whenever a dentist decides to place a dental sealant on a tooth, it is to provide the tooth with more protection than a filling can offer, to help ensure the tooth remains healthy.

 

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Benefits of Replacing Missing Teeth With Dental Implants

A dental implant in the lower jawBesides depriving you of your smile, living with missing teeth also has health effects. As such, replacing missing teeth doesn’t serve the aesthetics purpose alone – it does so much more, including boosting your self-esteem.

 

Unlike in the past, where there were fewer options for replacing missing teeth, dental implants have greatly served this purpose for over 30 years. Dental implants are metallic screw-like roots that are bonded with the jaw bone. They are then connected to a custom-made crown through an abutment, to restore the look and functionality of your lost tooth.

 

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How To Deal With Gingivitis

Is there a little bit of blood when brushing your teeth? This could be the first warning of gum disease, and should never be ignored. The mild variety is known as gingivitis. When you have this condition, the gums are infected. If this condition is not treated, the condition can worsen and start traveling below the gum line and reach the bone. When this happens, it becomes a more serious gum disease known as periodontitis.

 

It has been shown that gingivitis and periodontitis increase the risk of conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, and pneumonia. The best way to deal with this is early detection.

 

Treatment For Gingivitis

 

The main goal will be controlling the infection. The dentist is going to have a look and see the areas infected, then come up with a treatment plan.

 

Deep Cleaning For Gingivitis

This is the first step taken in treating gingivitis. Regular cleaning cleans only above the gum line, while deep cleaning will go under the gumline. Dentists have special instruments they use when deep cleaning the teeth.

 

The dentist can also do a procedure known as scaling. This is the process of scraping off tartar below and above the gum line. The dentist can also do root planning. This is where the rough surface of the roots is smoothed out. This is going to help the gums reattach to the tooth.

 

You might have to make more than one visit to your dentist when treating gingivitis.

 

Medication For Gingivitis

There is no magic pill that is going to treat gum disease, but there are some medications that can be used as part of the treatment. Some of them include;

 

  • Antibiotic microspheres or antiseptic chip: this is where tiny gels or particles are inserted into pockets in the gum, and slowly release medication with time to help in reducing the pockets and getting rid of bacteria.
  • Antibiotic gel: after deep cleaning, this is spread into the pockets to help in controlling the infection.
  • Enzyme suppressant: this is a tablet you take after deep cleaning. It helps in blocking enzymes from breaking down your gum tissue.
  • Oral antibiotics: these are capsules or tablets you swallow to deal with more serious infections

Surgery For Gingivitis

If a deep cleaning doesn’t help with the problem, then the next option is surgery. The two options are:

 

  1. Gum graft surgery: this is where tissue from another part of the mouth is taken then used in covering exposed roots to help in preventing decay or bone loss. It is also going to help with sensitive teeth.
  2. Flap Surgery: the dentist is going to lift the gums to reach tartar that is deep in the gum line. The gums are then stitched back tight to prevent any more forming of the tartar.

Call Dentistry On Broadway For Early Gum Disease Treatment

If you believe you have the early stages of gum disease then please contact Dentistry On Broadway for a free consultation and evaluation. Treating gum disease successfully is easier when you get started with that treatment in its early stage, which is gingivitis.

The Benefits Of Choosing An Holistic Dentist

holistic dentistIn recent years, many people are taking the holistic approach when it comes to managing their health. It should not be surprising that this extends to their dental care as well. There are many providers who offer this type of services, but many people have some reservations about forgoing a traditional dental office. Here are a few benefits you can look forward to if you go to a holistic provider.

 

Staying away from fluoride is one reason to head to a holistic dentist. This has always been known for reducing the risk of developing cavities, but there are some health risks associated with it as well, like arthritis and bone cancer. If you go to a provider that is focused on whole health, they will have methods of cleaning your teeth that do not include the use of harmful toxins.

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Benefits Of Root Canal Treatment

dentist performing root canal treatmentEndodontic therapy, better known as a root canal, is a dental procedure that comes in handy for people suffering from extreme tooth decay, prolonged toothaches, and sensitive teeth.

 

The process is painless and leaves you more comfortable compared to when a tooth is extracted. The process involves the removal of the infected pulp.

 

The inside of the tooth is then cleaned, disinfected, filled with a polymer called gutta-percha, and sealed with a sealing cement.

Root canal procedures restore tooth functionality through a virtually pain-free process and also restore the visual appeal of your teeth.

 

If you are suffering from toothache or tooth decay, there are lots of reasons why root canal treatment would be good for you. Here are some of the benefits of root canal treatment:

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