Aug 14, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
Prosthodontists have many treatments available to diagnose, treat and rehabilitate your mouth. If you are missing teeth or if you wish to restore your natural teeth, a prosthodontist can address the function, comfort, appearance and health of your teeth. One of the options available to replace one or more missing teeth is a partial denture.
Patients who are missing teeth, and for whom the remaining teeth cannot accept a bridge due to severe decay or gum disease may consider partial dentures as a solution. As well, patients who lack sufficient bone to accept dental implants may seek information about partial dentures.
With partial dentures, different materials come together to replace not only missing teeth, but missing gum tissue. A cast metal base holds a pink-toned plastic gum tissue embedded with artificial teeth. The teeth can be made of resin or porcelain. The metal base holds the partial dentures in place and is essential to the rigidity and stability of the removable prosthesis.
A partial denture is designed to look as natural as possible. The pink-toned gum tissue base is designed to fit lightly on your gum tissue, and will need to be adjusted over time for comfort and health. Weight loss or gain or changes in diet and health can affect the fit of your partial denture.
Initially, you can expect a slight change in your ability to speak due to the extra bulk of the partial, but most patients find that this passes quickly. You should not wear your partial dentures to sleep. Remove them before sleeping, clean them, and give your mouth a chance to rest. Underlying gum tissue must reestablish optimal blood circulation to remain healthy.
Because plaque can accumulate on your partial denture and gum tissue, you should gently brush your gums and clean your partial denture daily with an appropriate cleanser and brush. Never leave your partials out to dry; they must be stored in water when you are not wearing them.
Talk to your dentist today if you have any questions about how a partial denture could help you with any concerns you have about your mouth.
If you live in the Conyers, contact us today
Aug 7, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
For a large number of people, an attractive, even smile has never been in reach. Many adults have vivid childhood memories of disliking their smiles, hiding behind hands when laughing or smiling close-lipped in photos. Adults who have had lifelong oral health problems can have so much more to deal with than someone who has mild gum disease or a few cavities.
Understandably, it can be the adults who are in desperate need of dental care who are the most anxious about it. These patients may avoid oral care altogether, leading to worsening dental problems. Because their problems have been ongoing since childhood, there is often a presence of very negative experiences while in the dental chair. In the past dentists could project a feeling of judgment or scolding, leaving children reluctant to return for care, turning into adults reluctant to return for care.
There are reasons for tooth problems, even serious ones, which are simply beyond a patient’s control. Patients can be born with problems affecting tooth enamel, or can be at a disadvantage since birth, resulting from a mother’s lack of proper nutrition or the consumption of some antibiotics while pregnant.
If you have a smile that has needed work for years, now is the time for you to schedule a consultation with a skilled cosmetic dentist. The first meeting is just to talk and to make a tentative plan. Once you know what your options are, begin taking steps toward getting the smile you’ve always dreamed of having. A good cosmetic dentist understands that so many factors affect a patient’s smile, and will help you achieve your smile goals while being supportive and helpful, not degrading or judgmental. You can turn a lifetime of hidden smiles into a beaming smile of confidence and positive self-esteem.
Our dental office is located in Conyers
Jul 28, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
With little improvement in the economy, reduced wages, job loss, and health care costs on the rise, people are cutting expenses wherever they can. Often, people start by forging dental appointments. Other times, dental visits are seen as optional and fall off the list of priorities.
Before you cancel your next appointment, think about the importance of dental care:
- You can save time and money. Everyone has heard the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Keeping regular checkups on the calendar allows your dentist to monitor your oral health and catch a small problem, such as a cavity, before it turns into a larger issue, like a root canal.
- Dental visits can improve your appearance. If you want to maintain a vibrant smile, regular appointments can help. A professional cleaning and polishing will remove build up, allowing your smile to really sparkle.
- Routine checkups keep your oral health in good shape. Gum disease, tooth decay, and TMD can compromise your dental health. Without treatment, these issues can wreak havoc on your mouth and cause serious damage. At your regular appointment, your dentist will discuss options to address any problems and protect your smile long-term.
- Your dentist can detect other health problems. In many cases, your mouth shows signs of overall health issues. For example, X-rays of your teeth can indicate the development of osteoporosis, a condition that causes weakening and brittleness in bones.
Schedule your appointment at our Conyers dental office
Jul 21, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
If missing teeth have compromised your smile and oral health, dentures can help. Unfortunately, many people have misconceptions about dentures so they live with incomplete smiles. Separating the reality from common myths can help you make the best decision for your dental health.
Myth: Dentures will last forever
Fact: Though your prosthetic teeth are designed to withstand normal wear, they can get damaged if they are dropped, left to dry out, or placed in hot water. With time, dentures can change in appearance or function.
Myth: People can tell when you wear dentures, which is embarrassing
Fact: Usually, the signs of dentures, like slippage, odors, or stains, occur because of poor maintenance. Cleaning your prosthetic and storing it as recommended will help your dentures function properly.
Myth: With dentures, you can’t eat or speak normally
Fact: Although you can’t eat everything you want, most denture wearers can eat a healthy, balanced diet. If you experience persistent speech or eating problems, contact your dentist.
Myth: I can fix the dentures myself
Fact: You might be handy with cars or electronics, but don’t attempt to adjust your dentures because you can cause damage and possibly ruin your dental appliance.
Myth: You don’t have to visit the dentist if you have dentures
Fact: Not only does your mouth still need attention, but your dentures require care too. When you visit the dentist, your doctor will check your mouth for signs of oral cancer and other conditions that can show symptoms in the mouth, such as diabetes. Your dentist will also examine your dentures to make sure nothing is loose and that the prosthetic is in good shape.
Our dental office is located in Conyers
Jul 14, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
If you are missing any teeth, you probably would like to find a way to close that gap and restore your smile. The solution may be a dental bridge, which consists of two tooth crowns being placed on each end of the gap and a replacement tooth or teeth in between. Dental bridges can be held in place by your real teeth or by implants.
To find out if a dental bridge is the best solution for you, let’s learn about the basics.
Benefits
Dental bridges can return your smile and your ability to chew and speak properly. They help maintain your face shape, and prevent your other teeth from moving out of their proper positions. Bridges are also natural in appearance, making it hard for others to tell they are not your real teeth. If you practice proper oral hygiene, your bridge should last ten years or longer.
Types of bridges
- Fixed bridges are the most common, and are fused between two porcelain crowns. They can’t be removed from your mouth.
- Resin-bonded bridges, usually used for front teeth, are made of plastic teeth and gums anchored by a metal frame. The metal bands on each side are adhered to your existing teeth, which must be in good condition.
- Cantilever bridges are used when you have adjacent teeth on only one side of the gap. This type of bridge anchors the false tooth to one side over one or more natural adjacent teeth.
Costs
The price of dental bridges depends on the type used and where you live. Dental insurance usually pays a percentage of the fees, sometimes about half of the entire cost. A general estimate for dental bridge cost ranges from $500-900 per tooth, with additional costs for crowns and other parts of the procedure.
If you need a dentist in Conyers, contact us today
Jul 7, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
As we age, our teeth naturally yellow and look darker. The foods we eat and lifestyle choices we make can also hasten this process. If you would love to enjoy a bright, vibrant smile, several different options exist to help you attain the desired results.
Having a gorgeous set of pearly whites can boost confidence and improve self esteem, so why not make an investment in yourself?
In-Office Whitening
With chairside whitening, your dentist can remove discolorations and brighten teeth up to 10 shades in one appointment. Products such as Zoom! Whitening or BriteSmile can make you look and feel years younger.
Professional Take-Home Kits
Some individuals prefer to whiten on their own timetables or to control the level of brightness. At-home whitening produces stunning results in just 10 to 14 days. Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send these molds off to a lab for creation of your custom trays. Simply apply the professional-strength gel as directed by your dentist, and wear the trays for the specified time period.
Store-Bought Whiteners
These days, you can find rows of whitening products at your local grocer or drug store. Although these options are much cheaper than professional whitening through your dentist, over-the-counter whitening agents may not work as well and they can cause sensitivity or damage to teeth or gums if not used properly. It’s best to whiten your teeth under the guidance of your dentist.
Home Remedies
You should always be careful about what you try at home, but these simple tips can temporarily give your smile a little pizzazz:
- Use a toothpaste with baking soda, which lightens stains
- Eat crunchy foods like carrots, apples, and celery to naturally remove surface stains
- Choose clothes with dark colors to help bring out the white in your smile
Schedule your appointment at our Conyers dental office
