Category: Featured

The two most common reasons for bone loss in the jaw are tooth loss and gum disease. Chronic periodontitis (advanced gum disease) results in the formation of bacteria that gradually deteriorates the jawbone, as well as the ligaments that serve to connect the teeth to the bone. If you are missing several teeth, you might also run the risk of bone loss. The health of the jawbone is maintained by the everyday stimulus of chewing food. If that stimulus is

Most of us have heard about how plaque and tartar buildup on teeth leads to tooth decay and even gum disease. But do you really understand how plaque and tartar actually accumulate on the surface of your teeth? It’s much easier to prevent that from happening if you understand how it happens in the first place. Let’s begin by briefly describing the difference between tartar and plaque. Plaque is a transparent film of bacteria that builds up on the surface

Most of us have heard of a “makeover.” Typically, it involves taking an average-looking person and making significant improvements in his or her looks through hairstyle, clothing, and/or makeup. But have you ever heard of a smile makeover? The concept is actually quite similar to other makeovers – it involves making a dental patient’s smile as healthy and beautiful as possible. A smile makeover can work for almost anyone, no matter how dentally challenged they may be. Here are a

The holiday season is fast approaching, and for most of us that means enjoying lots of delicious food with family and friends. But that doesn’t mean you should take a holiday from your oral health regimen. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep your teeth and gums healthy and still enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. Focus on the veggies and dairy. There are so many foods around at Thanksgiving that are bad for your teeth, so

For many, many years, dentists had only one choice when it came to material for fillings: silver amalgam. And while amalgam was quite strong and durable, it did come with some disadvantages. Although the amount of mercury contained in silver amalgam has never been proven to be harmful to dental patients, some people were concerned about the trace amounts of mercury present in the material. And, after a certain number of years, the silver color of the amalgam would darken,

You may be surprised to learn that recent studies indicate that U.S. adults between the ages of 35 and 50 are missing, on average, from 5 to 7 teeth! That’s a remarkable number. And while it’s true that those numbers may include wisdom teeth – many people have between 1 and 4 wisdom teeth pulled in their early 20s – that’s still a lot of missing teeth! Fortunately, modern dental technology provides many methods to replace those teeth, several of

While it’s true that almost all dentists would much rather save a patient’s teeth than remove any, there are some circumstances where tooth extraction is the only viable option. Fortunately, modern dental methods make extraction no more or less of a challenge for a dentist than any other procedure, although it is up to the patient to follow the dentist’s advice after the procedure to make sure the recovery process goes smoothly. If you’re wondering whether or not you might

Modern dentistry offers dental professionals and patients a wide variety of options that weren’t available just a few short years ago. One of those is porcelain dental material. This versatile material is used in a variety of appliances and restorations, including fillings, crowns, veneers, inlays and onlays, bridges and implants. When you think of the word “porcelain,” you may think of delicate piece of china. But modern dental porcelain is anything but delicate. In fact, it’s an extremely strong and

Millions of people throughout the U.S. and the world suffer from gum (periodontal) disease. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss and deterioration of the bones that support teeth. Worse still, gum disease has been linked to other more serious health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and even Alzheimer’s disease. Fortunately, there are several effective methods used to treat periodontal disease. Scaling and root planing: This is the traditional, nonsurgical method that involves removal of plaque

Years ago, people who wanted straighter teeth had only one choice: traditional metal braces. While there’s no doubt that these dental appliances did (and still do) work, people who wore braces often found them uncomfortable and difficult to clean – not to mention embarrassing. Fortunately, dental technology has come a long way since then. Today, people who want a straighter smile have a variety of alternatives from which to choose. Here are some modern teeth-straightening methods: Ceramic braces – These