ServicesPeriodontitis
If your hands bled when you washed them, you would be concerned. Yet, many people think it's normal if their gums bleed when they brush or floss. Swollen and bleeding gums are early signs that your gums are infected with bacteria. If nothing is done, the infection can spread. It can destroy the structures that support your teeth in your jawbone. Eventually, your teeth can become so loose that they have to be extracted."Peri" means around, and "odontal" refers to teeth. Periodontal diseases are infections of the structures around the teeth. These include the gums, the cementum that covers the root, the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone. In the earliest stage of periodontal disease, gingivitis, the infection affects only the gums. In more severe forms of the disease, all of the supporting tissues are involved.
Dental Plaque
Dental plaque is a biofilm, usually a pale yellow, that develops naturally on the teeth. Like any biofilm, dental plaque is formed by colonizing bacteria trying to attach themselves to the tooth's smooth surface. It has been speculated that plaque forms part of the defense systems of the host by helping to prevent colonization of microorganisms that may be pathogenic.
Endodontic
Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with diseases of the tooth's pulp. The pulp is found in the center of the tooth and in canals (called root canals) inside the root of each tooth. Pulp includes connective tissue, nerves and blood vessels. Pulp nourishes the tooth when it first emerges through the gum. Once the tooth matures, the pulp can be removed without destroying the tooth. That's because each tooth also is nourished by a blood supply in the gums.
Sealants
A sealant is a clear or tinted plastic protective coating for teeth. It is painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars). These are the areas where most cavities form.Molars and premolars have grooves and crevices. Dentists call these pits and fissures. Food can get stuck in these crevices. Some are so deep that the bristles of a toothbrush can't reach into them.Grooves and crevices provide the perfect environment for bacteria to grow and cause cavities. Sealants help to prevent this from happening. They cover the grooves and crevices so that food cannot get into them.
Dental Implants
Today, crowns and bridges made on dental implants should look and feel like your own teeth. Dental implants are a routine part of modern dentistry – no longer considered “experimental” or even “new.” The have revolutionized dentistry, and now they are tried and true.
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Cosmetics Dentistry
Everyone would like to have a perfect smile, but nature is rarely so accommodating. Maybe you're one of the lucky ones who never needed braces. Still, the rough-and-tumble of life can result in chips. Your teeth may look dingy. Habits such as smoking or drinking coffee also stain teeth.
Until fairly recently, the average person couldn't do much about how teeth looked. In the past two decades, however, dental materials and techniques have greatly improved. Now, most people can have almost model-perfect teeth using materials that resist color changes and are almost as strong as the originals.
There's never been a better time to brighten your smile or fix imperfections. Demand for cosmetic dental procedures is greater than ever. That's partly because baby boomers with money to spend are looking for ways to feel and look younger.
However, you should keep a few things in mind while making your decision:
- It can be expensive. For example, porcelain tooth veneers may cost $600 to $2,000 per tooth.
- Insurance doesn't cover most cosmetic procedures.
- Materials aren't indestructible. Crowns, inlays and veneers are stronger and more durable than they used to be, but they won't last forever. They may crack or chip or the cement may weaken. They may have to be redone within 10 to 15 years.
- It's important to be realistic. Cosmetic dentists are enhancers. They can manipulate, shape and polish materials to create dazzling smiles. What they can't do is change the shape of your mouth or your overall appearance. In order for tooth restorations to truly look natural, they have to work for you. Cosmetic dentistry can improve your appearance; it won't completely transform it.
One of the benefits of cosmetic dentistry is that the final results are easy to predict, if only cosmetic problems are being fixed. Whether you decide to have a gap filled, a chip repaired or a stain concealed, you're unlikely to have unpleasant surprises later. But if the work is more extensive, such as a full mouth reconstruction, then results are not as predictable.
- Prosthetic Dentistry