Dental Implants Are the Long Term Answer
Every American has heard about George Washington’s trials and tribulations with unhealthy teeth and their wooden replacements, and some have even seen them preserved in the museum. President Washington never smiled, because of his teeth. He was the most high-ranking individual of the country at that time, yet could not enjoy the benefits of functioning teeth. His teeth affected his quality of life. In contrast, the dental techniques of today offer various alternatives for replacing teeth, as detailed in other chapters, so suffering is unnecessary. One alternative still resembles a modern version of Washington’s teeth, known as a denture, and still affects the quality of life today. There is a better alternative. Patients with loose, ill-fitting dentures that...
I Grind My Teeth, Can My Dentist Help?
Approximately 25 percent of people grind their teeth at night. The condition, known as bruxism, can cause tired jaw muscles, increased tooth sensitivity, facial pain, jaw tightness, ear pain and teeth that are flattened, worn down, chipped or fractured. Luckily, a dentist can offer relief to people who grind their teeth using a variety of methods and procedures. A custom mouthguard can help reduce the effects of teeth grinding. Typically made of plastic, the mouthguard can help the upper and lower jaw move more easily, reduce muscle strain and protect the teeth from abrasion. Patients typically wear the device every night while sleeping, and although a mouthguard cannot cure bruxism, it can significantly reduce the discomfort and deterioration associated with...
What is a Sleep Apnea Dentist?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to start and stop. Without treatment, the potentially serious disorder can cause cardiovascular problems, headaches, memory problems, impotence, daytime fatigue and complications with surgery and medications. Luckily, a sleep apnea dentist can offer those diagnosed with the disorder an effective, easy to use treatment that can relieve the symptoms of sleep apnea. Patients with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea may benefit from a dental device that helps regulate breathing. A mandibular advancement device (MAD) looks similar to a mouthguard and can help keep the airways open by forcing the lower jaw down and forward. Other patients may benefit from using a tongue retraining device (TRD), a splint that...
What is a smile makeover and is it right for me?
A smile makeover can transform your smile from dull to dazzling and gap-filled or gummy to gorgeous. Using an array of advanced procedures, a cosmetic dentist can fix misaligned, stained or chipped teeth, re-contour gums and give your smile a balanced look that will give you plenty of reasons to flash your pearly whites. Chipped, cracked, crooked or stained teeth can be repaired using dental veneers. The thin shells of ceramic, porcelain or composite bonding material are applied to the front surface of the teeth and can dramatically alter their appearance. Veneers are a natural-looking, comfortable and secure, resist abrasion and can even improve periodontal health by protecting your teeth from plaque accumulation. Missing teeth can be replaced by dental implants...
Root Canal Treatment can save teeth: Northern Virginia Endodonotics
Root canals, or pulp removal procedures, save nearly 25 million teeth in the United States each year. The procedure is conducted when the pulp, found in the center root system of every tooth, becomes infected or damaged through trauma or fractures. Most commonly, patients require a root canal when an untreated cavity erodes the tooth’s dentin and enamel, cause the decay to reach the root canal. Bacteria may then infect the pulp, and antibiotics are powerless to stop the infection because it is inside the tooth. The infection can cause inflammation when it restricts the blood supply to the tooth, which prevents the pulp from healing. Infections can also affect the bone surrounding the tooth, causing an abscess to form. Root canals may also be performed by an...
Benefits of Laser Dentistry – Leesburg Virginia Laser Dentist
Many people dread going to the dentist because they fear the drills and other instruments used in dental procedures. This apprehension may even prevent some patients from getting the care they need due to their aversions to shots, drills and pain. Fortunately, laser dentistry now provides no shot no drill no pain procedures that benefit patients in many ways. Patients who want the maximum in safety and comfort can find it in a laser dentist. The technology uses state-of-the-art precision to enable dentists to perform many procedures without causing the patient pain, including repairing cavities, tooth sensitivity and gummy smiles. Laser dentistry can also be used to treat benign tumors, cold sores, damaged nerves, sleep apnea, soft tissue folds and inflammation...