Category: Patient Education

Is A Perio Tray What You Need?

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ptray Periodontal disease is on the rise and it is thought to be due to the modern diet. Studies of microbes in the mouths of our ancient ancestors have shown that as our diets changed so too did the amount of pathogenic oral bacteria. Our oral cavities are filled with good bacteria and bad bacteria. The good bacteria help keep the bad bacteria in balance, but as our diets shifted over from natural foods such as meat and vegetables to carbohydrates, processed flour, and sugar, the bad bacteria began to win out. Half of today’s population, 30 and older, have gum disease. Those over the age of 65 have a higher incidence. Therefore, if you are over the age of 30, there may be a chance that a Perio Tray® is what you need.  

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Metal-Free Fillings

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fillings3 Silver amalgam fillings are a mixture of silver, tin, copper, and mercury. They have been under scrutiny for years due to the belief that mercury leaches out of the filling and you’re your body causing serious illnesses. Even though these claims have never been substantiated, another type of dental filling has been introduced. It is a metal-free filling that is tooth colored and made of plastic and glass. This metal-free filling is called composite resin.

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Test Your Denture Knowledge

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dentureoptions There was a time when people expected to lose their teeth as they aged and end up wearing dentures. Today with modern dental technology, new and improved dental materials, minimally invasive dental practices, and a variety of dental treatment options, people are keeping their teeth longer. Speaking of a variety of treatment options, there are several options if one was to need dentures. How much do you know about dentures if you were to need them in the future? Test your denture knowledge with our true or false quiz below.

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How The Idea Of Dental Implants Was Implanted

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implnts Modern dental implants have been utilized since the 1970s. That implants are a successful and effective dental treatment used to replace missing teeth has been proven via scientific research and decades of clinical use. The idea of implanting titanium into bone was stumbled upon in 1952 by an orthopedic surgeon studying how bone healed. Simply put, he placed a small cylinder-like piece of titanium into live bone and was baffled when he couldn’t remove it. That’s how the idea of implants was planted.

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Gutta Percha For Root Canal Treatment

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gutta percha If you’ve never had a root canal there is no doubt that you’ve at least heard about them. Root canals are said to be painful and they are often dreaded, but the truth is that they are not any more uncomfortable than a dental filling. A root canal replaces the pulp of the tooth. The pulp is in the root of the tooth, and the root is considered to have canals, hence the term root canal. Gutta percha is what is used to replace the pulp during root canal treatment.

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How Do You Decide If A Crown Is For You?

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decs Having a tooth crowned is much better than having it pulled. You should try to maintain as much of the healthy tooth structure as possible whenever you are having a dental problem. Pulling a tooth means that you will eventually need a dental bridge or an implant. A dental bridge can require more invasive dental work than a crown, and an implant requires highly invasive and complex surgery. If you are trying to decide whether to have a tooth pulled or crowned, take our true or false quiz below to help decide if a crown is right for you.  

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Bridge Crossing Optional…

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brdgcrossing Most anyone who is missing one, two, or three consecutive teeth has the option to replace them with a dental bridge. Dental bridges are a common treatment for missing teeth. They are minimally invasive, affordable, and today’s materials make them indistinguishable from the patient’s natural dentition. Function and appearance are two very important reasons to replace missing teeth, and today’s variety of dental treatments makes bridge crossing optional. Implants are another treatment for missing teeth. However, implants require a surgical procedure which makes them more invasive and more expensive.

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Mommy, I’m Afraid Of The Vacuum…

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dv You may still remember your dental visits from when you were a child. Were they good or bad? Did you know what was going to happen? Were you afraid? Were the dental instruments frightening to you? And what about that thing the dentist put in your mouth that sucked up your saliva? That machine can be scary to children and so can the whole dental experience. Even if it is simply a teeth cleaning, if your child does not know what to expect they may find it a very frightening experience. Has your child ever said “Mommy, I’m afraid of the vacuum…”?

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Your Professional Dental Cleaning

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cleanings You may feel as if you take excellent care of your teeth. After all, all your teeth really need are to be brushed and flossed regularly right? Not so. No matter how diligently you think you brush and floss, in most cases your teeth will still need professional cleaning. Even if you miss the slightest bit of plaque, it can harden into tartar and once that happens it can only be removed by your hygienist. Dental exams and cleanings are preventive dentistry, and the goal is to keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime.

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What Can Implants Do For You?

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implnt A dental implant is a permanent and reliable way to restore one or more teeth. A dental implant consists of a titanium post that acts like the root of your tooth. The post is “implanted” into your jaw where your missing tooth fell out. Over a period of about three months, the titanium post osseointegrates or biologically fuses with your jaw bone. This “root” is then crowned with a synthetic tooth that restores the function and esthetics of your smile. If you are missing one or more teeth, look into what can implants do for you.

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