Cracked Tooth Syndrome:
Cracked tooth syndrome is a occurrence associated with the teeth that start to have hairline fractures in the enamel that can eventually lead to tooth sensitivity and fracture of the tooth. Treatment for individual teeth of patients with cracked tooth syndrome is usually full coverage restorations such as a porcelain or gold onlay or crown. A preventi ve appliance may be recommended, called a bitespint or biteguard to help slow the progress of fractured teeth
Can I grow a new tooth as an adult?:
Recent Stem cell technology has reported that with a cell from the patient's own wisdom teeth it may be possible to grow and implant a new tooth, but the size, shape and success of the tooth has not been determined. This is not available to the public yet and is still in the experimental stages.
What is a root canal?:
Great advances have been made in the treatment of teeth with root canals thanks to improved methods and technology. A "Root Canal" is a phrase that in the past tended to be feared and is subject for today's media to poke fun. A root canal, also called an "Endodontic Obturation" is not removal of the root of the tooth, rather it means the remnants of the nerve and tissue that was inside the roots of the tooth is removed, the area thoroughly cleaned, shaped and disinfected. The root canal is then sealed. Root canal treatment typically is no longer painful and can usually be done in one visit. After a root canal, your dentist may recommend a crown to protect the tooth.
What is a dental Implant?:
A Dental Implant is a Titanium post or screw that is placed into the bone in place of a missing tooth. The procedure has a very high success rate in comparison to most other dental restorations. Implants are usually done in stages, which means, the implant is placed into the bone first, after a few months the bone integrates with the implant making it part of your jawbone. Then the crown or "tooth" is placed onto the post that was grown together with the bone. Implants have progressed tremendously over the last 20 years. Now some can be placed and the teeth replaced at time of implant placement.
What is a Cosmetic Dentistry?:
There currently is not a "specialty" in cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry is a way to transform your smile into a more appealing arrangement, color and position that will allow you to function normally as well. There are many forms of "restorations" which include veneers, bleaching, crowns, Invisalign® braces, composite bonding and porcelain materials. Current materials have improved over to allow for some great smiles.
Oral Cancers:
We do an examination during a routine cleaning and X-Rays visit to check for oral cancers. There are additional tests that can be done, some with light, others with a brush sample that can determine if you have an oral cancer. Oral cancer accounts for about 5% of all cancers and are not very common. If you are concerned about a lesion in your mouth, visit your dentist or health professional. New tests are available now to test for oral cancers.
Latex Hypersensitivity:
More and more people are becoming sensitive to Latex gloves and other man made materials. Latex hypersensitivity basically means the body develops an allergy to Latex. Some reactions can be a rash where the skin was touched to more severe allergic responses. We combat this by using Vinyl or Nitrile gloves for those sensitive patients.
Digital X-Rays:
Digital X-Rays or radiographs use a sensor to transfer your X-Ray image to a computer. Phosphor plates can also be used for the same purpose. Two positive aspects of digital X-Rays are they use less radiation than tradition films and they do not use chemicals in the development and processing of the images. This makes them appear to be better for the environment. Digital films can be used as any image on a PC, i.e., it can be printed, sent to insurance companies.
Dental Veneers:
When you think about Dental Veneers, in some ways they have a similar process application as false fingernails except they usually last much longer. A thin layer of porcelain is placed and bonded over the teeth to either restore a missing portion of the tooth/teeth or to change the appearance of your smile. The dentist may take impressions of your teeth and do a very mild reduction of the teeth to obtain optimal aesthetics.
Dental Amalgam: Truth & Fiction: regarding oral health. Click on this ADA Link