Newsletter

Wondering about the latest in dentistry?

We're working very hard to make sure your visits are convenient, comfortable, and gentle. To that end, we investigate all of the latest technologies and techniques. Click on the desired topic to learn more:

• Periodontal Disease
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Bridges and Crowns

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Something to Smile About

Caring for your oral health includes regular teeth and gum care. Neglecting your gums can eventually lead to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, which is a culprit for the deterioration of your overall oral health. Periodontal disease affects 75 percent of adults over 35 years of age and is responsible for approximately 70 percent of all adult tooth loss. Since symptoms of periodontal disease are mild, some people never realize their mouth is under bacterial attack.

Highly recognized as a greatly progressive disorder, periodontal disease is triggered by preventable factors, like plaque buildup, tobacco use, certain medications, and stress, as well as unpreventable causes, like systematic disease and fluctuating hormone levels during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. Research proves up to 30 percent of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease.

Periodontal disease begins when the bacteria in the sticky film which forms on the tooth surface, what we call plaque, causes gum inflammation. If the irritation is ignored, plaque will release toxins to break down the natural fibers that hold your gums to your teeth, permitting even more bacteria and toxins to invade. Plaque deposits quickly harden into calculus or tartar, which is a rough, porous substance that cannot be removed by brushing. Over time, this progression can lead to severe inflammation, bone loss, gum recession, and tooth loss.

Symptoms and signs include:

• Red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums
• Gum recession, or gums pulling away from teeth
• Loose or separating teeth
• Pus between the gum and tooth
• Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
• Bite changes
• Change in the fit of partial dentures

If you have noticed any of the above signs or symptoms, please call our Brandon dental office immediately to schedule a consultation and assessment. Together, we can win the battle against periodontal disease and maintain your fresh and healthy smile.

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From Dull to Dazzling: Enhancing Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry

Some people only visit the dentist for checkups or toothaches. However, dentistry is no longer reserved for preventive care and routine maintenance. Today’s dentists are artists, as well as doctors. Cosmetic dentistry seeks to create a more aesthetically pleasing and healthy smile. Many doctors practice functional aesthetics, which means they’ll create a smile that’s beautiful and functional through a combination of procedures uniquely designed to suit your needs.

Even patients who are meticulous about their dental care routines can have a less than spectacular smile. Drinking coffee, tea, or wine, smoking or chewing tobacco, and simply growing older can take a toll on your teeth, causing them to look dull and stained. Some medications can also cause discoloration. One easy, safe way to restore your smile is through teeth whitening.

Restorative and aesthetic procedures can be combined to create a smile that’s perfect for you. For instance, cracked, chipped, or unevenly spaced teeth can be made to look fresh and new with bonding or veneers. In fact, your dentist can even reshape your front teeth to create the smile you’ve always wanted. Crowns can restore function and beauty to instable teeth, and all-porcelain crowns leave no dark lines at the gum, so your smile will maintain an all-white, natural beauty. Bridges or dental implants can replace missing teeth and restore the underlying structure that makes your face full and youthful. These dental procedures will not only give you a more beautiful smile, but they will also restore full oral function, as well as your self confidence.
If you are not satisfied with your smile and want to transform it from dull to dazzling, ask us about cosmetic dentistry. We can’t wait to make you smile!

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Smile Renovation

We’re rough on our teeth. How many times have you chewed on ice or played sports without wearing a mouthguard? If you also skip semi-annual dental appointments and neglect a rigid homecare regimen of brushing and flossing, you compromise your smile even further. People damage or lose teeth every day from injury, disease, or decay. A damaged tooth can destroy oral function and cause pain, and a missing tooth will leave a gap in your smile. Your mouth must compensate for the lack of chewing power when a tooth is missing, so the chewing force may move to another part of the mouth. This causes the remaining teeth shift out of place and further destroys your smile.

We always suggest taking care of your teeth because preventive care can save you time, hassle, and money. But when accidents happen, we have solutions.

Simple dental procedures can restore your damaged tooth, replace your missing tooth, and return your smile’s natural, fresh beauty. A crown snugly covers the complete visible surface of a structurally unsound tooth to add strength and stability, while restoring the tooth’s natural shape and size. Crowns can be made of precious metal, porcelain pressed to metal, or all-porcelain. For damaged teeth, crowns restore beauty and function.

A bridge can actually replace missing teeth. Fused between two porcelain crowns, abridge can replace one or more teeth to complete your smile. If you prefer a more stable and long-lasting prosthetic, a dental implant may be the right choice. Dental implants closely mimic nature in that they start with a firm foundation – a titanium post inserted into the missing tooth’s socket. This post creates a prosthetic tooth root that bonds with natural bone tissue. On the top of the implant, we can place a beautiful prosthetic tooth, a dental implant restoration, that will look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth.

The moral of the story is to be nice to your teeth, be diligent with your oral hygiene, and visit your dentist regularly. Your teeth are hard workers, but they’re also precious part of your body that you should care for and respect. However, if the damage is already done, see us immediately. We can help you decide on the best treatment to restore your smile. Your teeth will thank you for it.