Invisible Braces!

 

 

When it comes to “invisible” braces, Invisalign braces are the gold standard. Unlike traditional dental braces, which use brackets and wires to straighten teeth, Invisalign braces use a custom-made series of clear plastic aligners that are completely removable. The comfort and convenience of Invisalign braces are unbeatable. You can eat whatever you want; you can remove Invisalign® braces whenever you need to; and you can brush and floss more effectively. Invisalign braces are effective for patients who have problems with crowding, spacing, crossbites, overbites and underbites.

What Should You Look for When Choosing a Dentist?

     You and your dentist will be long-term oral health care partners; therefore, you should find someone you can be comfortable with. To find a suitable dentist to meet your needs, consider asking the following questions as a starting point:

·         What are the office hours? Are they convenient for your schedule?

·         Is the office easy to get to from work or home?

·         Where was the dentist educated and trained?

·         What's the dentist's approach to preventive dentistry?

·         How often does the dentist attend conferences and continuing education workshops?

·         What type of anesthesia is the dentist certified to administer to help you relax and feel more comfortable during any necessary dental treatment?

·         What arrangements are made for handling emergencies outside of office hours? (Most dentists make arrangements with a colleague or emergency referral service if they are unable to tend to emergencies.)

·         Is information provided about all fees and payment plans before treatment is scheduled? If you are comparison shopping, ask for estimates on some common procedures such as full-mouth X-rays, an oral exam and cleaning, and filling a cavity.

·         Does the dentist participate in your dental health plan?

·         What is the dentist's office policy on missed appointments?

If visiting a dentist's office:

·         Does the office appear to be clean, neat, and orderly? Do all surfaces and equipment in the treatment room appear clean?

·         Is the dental staff helpful and willing to answer your questions?

·         Do you observe the dentist and staff wearing gloves and other protective gear during actual patient treatment?

Cosmetic Dental Implants

Cosmetic Dental Implants

It's almost impossible to feel confident when you smile if you're missing teeth. Cosmetic dental implants can change that. With cosmetic dental implants, you get the best in function and aesthetics. Cosmetic dental implants are securely anchored in the jaw bone for maximum comfort and durability. The replacement tooth, or dental crown, is made of tooth-colored porcelain so that your cosmetic dental implants look, feel and function just like your real teeth!

Smile Makeover

 

     Tired of masking your smile because you don't like the way your teeth look? A smile makeover can be a big boost to your confidence and self-esteem. With a total smile makeover, chipped teeth, cracked teeth, gapped teeth, crooked teeth, stained teeth and gapped teeth can be completely transformed into the smile of your dreams. This is done through a combination of restorative and cosmetic dental treatments, including white fillings, cosmetic dental bonding, porcelain veneers, cosmetic dental crowns, dental braces, dental bridges and dental implants.

Nail Biting Can Lead to Bruxism

      People who bite their fingernails when stressed, chew on a pencil if nervous or clench their jaw during activities such as sports competitions could be at greater risk for bruxism, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

Bruxism, more commonly known as teeth grinding, is the unintentional grinding or clenching of teeth that may cause facial pain. Bruxers (another name for those who suffer from bruxism) may bite down too hard unconsciously and at inappropriate times, for example, when they are sleeping. The condition is often associated with emotional stress.

"Bruxism is a very common problem, and is treatable if you see your dentist," says Ken Sutherland, DDS, a Delta Dental senior dentist consultant. “However, without help, bruxism can cause bigger problems."

Over time, bruxers may experience jaw pain, tense muscles, chronic headaches and sensitive teeth. Forceful biting when not eating can also cause the jaw to move out of proper balance. If bruxism is not treated, a patient may have to deal with serious injury to his or her tooth enamel or receding gums in some areas because of the damage done to the alignment of the jaw. If vigorous grinding occurs at night, it can lead to crumbling teeth and, in some cases, teeth can be worn down to the gum line.

Signs of bruxism

Because people are often not aware that they grind their teeth, it's important to be aware of the signs and to seek treatment if bruxism is suspected. Some signs of bruxism include:

• Tips of the teeth appear flat
• Tooth enamel rubbed off, causing extreme sensitivity
• Popping and clicking of the jaw
• Tongue indentations

Your dentist can examine your teeth to determine whether you may have bruxism and, if so, can suggest the best method of treatment. Bruxism therapy helps to change a bruxer's behavior by teaching him or her how to rest the tongue upward with teeth apart and lips shut. Simply becoming aware of the problem can be enough to stop the habit. One of the best ways to stop teeth grinding is to remove the source of stress.

 

 

 

 

Brushing and Flossing

A dynamic duo. Combining flossing and tooth-brushing to thoroughly remove plaque each day will help prevent cavities and gum disease. It doesn’t matter whether you floss or brush first; what matters is that you remove the plaque.

Good daily oral hygiene practices are just as important for your oral health as regular dental checkups. Brushing and flossing protect your teeth from decay and gum disease, which is caused by your teeth’s most persistent enemy, plaque — a sticky, colorless, invisible film of harmful bacteria that builds up on your teeth every day.

Brushing

You should brush your teeth for two to three minutes with fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day. If you can brush your teeth after every meal, that’s even better. Keep a toothbrush at work so you can brush after lunch.

What’s the best toothbrush? The requirements for a good toothbrush are simple:

• it should bear the American Dental Association (ADA) stamp of approval (found on the package);

• its head should fit easily into your mouth;

• it should be labeled “soft” and have round-ended bristles to prevent damage to teeth and gums.

An electric toothbrush may help those who have difficulty brushing their teeth, but a regular toothbrush can clean teeth just as well.

Technique tips. When you brush, you should keep the bristles angled against the gumline and brush along the gumline and the inner and outer surfaces of each tooth. You should finish by brushing your tongue, which helps remove bacteria from your mouth. You can find more helpful tips on how to brush and floss properly in the Oral Health section of our web site.

Flossing

How important is flossing? According to the Academy of General Dentistry, only flossing can remove plaque from between teeth and below the gumline, where decay and gum disease often begins. Make sure to floss at least once a day, preferably before bed, to clean the places where a toothbrush can’t reach.

The truth about toothpaste.

Tartar control. Baking soda. Whitening action. How do you choose the one that’s most effective? The truth is that as long as your toothpaste contains fluoride and has the ADA seal of approval, the brand or extra features you choose don’t really matter.

Straight-Up Advice

by: Dr. Dunkleberger DDS

For career success

         A straight smile is a tangible business and social asset. In surveys, people have judged those with straight teeth as much more likely to win a job competition over those with crooked teeth ... and to be more socially successful. For minor twists, turns, and gaps, you can skip traditional braces and choose veneers or bonding which require only a visit or two and can camouflage overlapping, gapped, or uneven teeth so that they appear straight. Boost your smile power – fast! Call for a consultation appointment.