The teeth, gums and jawbone all work together to support each other and keep the mouth healthy. When one of these three elements is missing, it may cause deterioration in the other two. Most gum and bone deterioration is caused by infection of the teeth or gums. Infection is much more likely to occur at sites where teeth have been damaged or lost and it is not always noticeable until the very advanced stages. Proper oral hygiene is important, but it becomes even more difficult to prevent infection when teeth are missing. [Read more…]

Getting crowns and bridges is not only important for your mouth for aesthetic reasons but also for protecting the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. With these in and taking the place of missing teeth, chewing and eating is easier. A bridge may also reduce jaw pain if you have a tendency to favor chewing in one part of your mouth in an effort to avoid the place where the missing tooth was. Furthermore, maintaining your dental health is an important part of maintaining your overall general health. [Read more…]

Tooth problems are a common issue, however they are something that you can’t just hope to get rid of. In fact, the longer you wait, the more serious a tooth issue can get. Sometimes the tooth can get infected and will cause you serious pain. Luckily, there are treatments that dentists can do, such as an extraction, root canal, crowns and bridges in order to resolve any problems that have occurred. [Read more…]

Proper dental check-ups are important for the entire family. Good dental care begins long before children’s permanent teeth start to come out, and regular dental care teaches them to care for their teeth from an early age.

One advantage of going to the dentist as a family is that it can be reassuring for children who are anxious about the visit. Family dental visits also present a powerful model for children that demonstrates the importance of regular dental check-ups and cleaning. Making it a family affair demystifies the dentist and turns it into a routine visit rather than a scary, unknown prospect. [Read more…]

Crowns are used to cap and save a damaged tooth while protecting it from further decay. Temporary and permanent crowns differ in the materials they are made of as well as in their use. [Read more…]

Despite popular knowledge to the contrary, bridges and crowns are typically no hassle; both procedures typically consist of two visits – one to prepare the teeth and fit a temporary crown or bridge, and one to place a permanent crown.
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Dental crowns and bridges are permanent dental prosthetic devices that differ from temporary removable devices such as dentures, and as such, they have an altogether different set of maintenance steps. Below are some of the common questions that wearers ask about the protection and maintenance of their crowns and bridges.

■ Are there activities to avoid to ensure that crowns and bridges do not get dislodged?

As a permanent solution to broken or damage teeth, the steps to protect crowns and bridges are practically the same as those for protecting permanent teeth. However, if you are wearing a temporary crown or bridge as you wait for the fabrication of the permanent version, the best way to protect them is to avoid chewing hard food or other hard objects. Sticky foods may also dislodge a temporary crown or bridge, and thus are best avoided.

■ Would having crowns and bridges affect your outdoor activities significantly?

Wearing a permanent crown or bridge shouldn’t impact your outdoor activities other than normal. If your activities involve significant physical contact, you can help protect your dental prosthetics by wearing a mouthguard or helmet.

■ Why is it safe to continue playing sports without having to worry about your crowns and bridges?

When the glue used to attach a crown or bridge has solidified, it’s practically safe for the wearer to resume with his or her favorite sports or outdoor activities because permanent crowns and bridges—especially those installed by a highly capable dentist—are just as strong as your permanent teeth.

■ When can you resume full activity after the crowns or bridges recoup?

The material used to glue a crown or bridge permanently has usually set by the time a patient leaves the dental office, so you can resume full activity almost immediately after having a permanent crown or bridge installed. With that in mind, be mindful of the decay that can develop in the area where the crown or bridge meets the tooth. Brush and floss carefully and regularly to prevent problems.

Sources:
How To Protect Your Teeth During Sports, colgate.com
After Crowns & Bridges, crystallakefamilydentistry.com

What is Restorative Dentistry?

Restorative dentistry is the management of diseases of the teeth, gums, and jaw with a focus on restoring the mouth to its optimal functionality and appearance. It includes endodontics which deals with problems of the dental pulp, periodontics which focuses on problems with the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and prosthodontics which focuses on dental prosthetics.
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