Root Amputation
Root amputation is a specialized dental procedure, whereby one root is removed from a multi-root tooth. The tooth is then stabilized and rendered fully functional with a crown or filling. The multi-root teeth best suited to the root amputation procedure are the molars at the back of the mouth. These large flat teeth have either […]
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Cracked Tooth
Cracked and fractured teeth are common dental problems. As people retain their natural teeth longer (due to advances in dental technology), the likelihood of cracked teeth increases. There are many reasons why teeth may crack, for example, biting on hard objects, trauma, grinding and clenching of teeth. All of these behaviors place the teeth under […]
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What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is one of many dental specialties. The word “orthodontics” is derived from the Greek words orthos, meaning proper or straight and odons meaning teeth. Orthodontics is specifically concerned with diagnosing and treating tooth misalignment and irregularity in the jaw area. Initially, orthodontic treatments were geared toward the treatment of teens and pre-teens, but these […]
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Who Can Benefit From Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that is concerned with diagnosing, treating and preventing malocclusions (bad bites) and other irregularities in the jaw region and face. Orthodontists are specially trained to correct these problems and to restore health, functionality and a beautiful aesthetic appearance to the smile. Though orthodontics was originally aimed at treating […]
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What is a Malocclusion?
A malocclusion is an incorrect relationship between the maxilla (upper arch) and the mandible (lower arch), or a general misalignment of the teeth. Malocclusions are so common that most individuals experience one, to some degree. The poor alignment of the teeth is thought to be a result of genetic factors combined with poor oral habits, […]
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Panoramic X-rays
Panoramic X-rays (also known as Panorex® or orthopantomograms) are wraparound photographs of the face and teeth. They offer a view that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. X-rays in general, expose hidden structures, such as wisdom teeth, reveal preliminary signs of cavities, and also show fractures and bone loss. Panoramic X-rays are extraoral […]
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Ridge and Sinus Augmentations
Ridge and sinus augmentations are surgical dental procedures used to fill in areas of the gum line and underlying bone that have deteriorated as a result of tooth loss or extraction. Specifically, a ridge augmentation refers to the reconstruction of degenerated or underdeveloped gums, and a sinus augmentation refers to an enhancement of the amount […]
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Gingivitis & Periodontitis
Gingivitis and periodontitis are gum diseases caused by a proliferation of bacteria along and beneath the periodontal tissues. Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease, beginning with minor symptoms like gum inflammation. Although it is highly treatable, gingivitis is often left untreated and allowed to progress into an advanced stage of a periodontal disease […]
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Diagnosis
Periodontal disease – also known as gingivitis and periodontitis – is most easily identified by the visible symptoms it causes as it progresses. In its beginning stages, a periodontal disease often causes no symptoms at all, making it difficult for the average person to notice. With time, bacteria begin causing inflammation in the gums, which […]
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Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is an endodontic procedure used to clear infected pulp away from the pulp chambers and canals of a diseased tooth. Infections occur when bacteria are allowed to enter the pulp – often due to untreated decay or a crack in the tooth. During a root canal, the tooth is opened and the […]
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VELscope Vx
The VELscope VX is a groundbreaking technology that is changing the way dentists screen for oral cancer. This cordless device is used to painlessly and quickly examine the soft tissues of the mouth for signs of abnormal, pre-cancerous or cancerous cells. Dentists wear special eyewear and shine the VELscope VX blue light onto the tongue, […]
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Intra-Oral Camera
Dental imaging is a foundation of oral health diagnostics. Intra-oral cameras play a key role in office imaging, with many dentists using intra-oral cameras to detect the tiniest grooves, pits, cracks, and carries. Using a chairside unit and hand-held photographic wand, dentists can acquire images of the teeth from angles not previously available. These images […]
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Laser Dentistry
For nearly two decades, lasers have been used for restorative and cosmetic purposes in dentistry. Today, lasers are approved for safety by the Food and Drug Administration, and they have become much more prevalent and standard in dental offices across the country. Lasers work by delivering energy in the form of light. This energy can […]
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DIAGNOdent Laser by KaVo
DIAGNOdent is the future of dental decay detection, providing a highly accurate and reliable means of identifying dental caries. With DIAGNOdent, dentists can discover the beginnings of decay before it has a chance to progress. DIAGNOdent is capable of detecting even the tiniest of caries, pits and crevices that are potential sources of decay. It […]
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CEREC
CEREC has changed the way dentists perform patient restorations. CEREC stands for ‘ceramic reconstruction.’ It’s a 3D imaging and camera assisted design center that allows dentists to take digital impressions of patient teeth and use the images to create a virtual restoration. The images can be sent to a dental laboratory for fabrication or combined […]
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Sedation Dentistry
The use of sedation in dentistry has revolutionized the way patients view dental visits. Patients who once were afraid or anxious about even the most routine dental procedures now visit the dentist with confidence. Sedation is typically administered to healthy individuals who need help relaxing or managing treatment anxiety. Reasons for needing sedation may include […]
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Types of Braces
Dental braces have come a long way since they were invented in the 1800’s. Today, Americans and residents of are privy to a bevy of tooth-straightening options, each of which offers different benefits. Currently, the most popular types of braces used in include: Metal Braces – These are traditional braces most often seen in children […]
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Invisalign
Invisalign is an orthodontic appliance system used to inconspicuously treat crooked and crowded teeth in adults and teens. This modern take on braces features a system of clear aligner trays that are worn at all times with the exception of during meals and when brushing or flossing. The trays are custom fitted to the teeth, […]
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Orthodontic Preventive Care
The field of orthodontics spans beyond corrective treatments. It also includes preventive care, which is used to prevent the development of a bad bite or crooked and overcrowded teeth. In fact, some children who undergo preventive treatments can avoid the need for far more invasive treatments later in life. By the time preventive orthodontic treatments […]
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Orthodontic Post-Op Instructions
The process of placing an orthodontic appliance is non-surgical, but it does require special post-procedural instructions to minimize patient discomfort and protect each patient’s appliance from damage. Failure to follow these instructions can prolong treatment, make treatment more costly, or even result in a dental or orthodontic emergency. Did you know… that it is normal […]
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Orthodontic Two-Phase Treatment
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a dual step method of aligning a child’s teeth and producing a functional bite. Usually, two-step orthodontic treatments begin between the ages of 7 and 9, when many of the primary teeth remain in a child’s mouth. The braces stay on for a year or two, after which time they are […]
Continue Reading... What is Orthodontics
An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of crooked or misaligned teeth. Contrary to popular belief, this branch of dentistry is not merely about the cosmetic appearance of patient smiles, but also about their oral health. Patients who visit an orthodontist for treatment often find it easier to brush their teeth and […]
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Emergency Orthodontic Care
Orthodontic emergencies can occur at any time during treatment and often pertain to complications with appliances. An orthodontic emergency is any circumstance that causes pain, threatens a patient’s health, or interferes with the course of orthodontic treatment. An emergency orthodontist can offer immediate assistance for emergencies, some of which include: broken wires loosened bands oral […]
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Children Orthodontics
The majority of patients undergoing orthodontic care are children and teens. When kids are young, their jaws are constantly growing to accommodate new teeth. It is during this time that the teeth are easily moved, allowing for a shorter treatment time – especially in patients who undergo early treatment. Braces, retainers, and spacers are just […]
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Orthodontic Treatment Braces
Orthodontists primarily treat patients who need help correcting certain maxillofacial problems, such as misaligned teeth, malocclusion, or too much space between the teeth. Treating these conditions requires the assistance of orthodontic appliances, of which there are many. Orthodontic appliances come in many variations – some being fixed and some being removable. They serve various purposes, […]
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Adult Orthodontics
Everyone deserves a smile they can be proud of, and many achieve straightened, well-aligned teeth after undergoing orthodontic treatment as a child. But for adults who do not have the privilege of having straight teeth, orthodontics are still an option. In fact, there is no such thing as being too old for orthodontic treatment. More […]
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When is the Best Time to Consult an Orthodontist
Orthodontists are dental specialists who work to bring the teeth and jaws into their ideal position for optimal oral health. It is very common for children and young teens to visit orthodontists to monitor or correct complications with emerging permanent teeth. Though a child may visit the orthodontist at any time, the elementary years serve […]
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Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are clear coatings applied to the surfaces of a child’s molars to prevent the development of tooth decay. They work by preventing food and plaque from resting in the grooves and crevices of molars – an area especially susceptible to cavities. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. […]
Continue Reading... Digital X-Rays
Digital x-rays are a more streamlined way of taking dental radiographs. Like traditional x-rays, digital versions provide an in-depth view of the structures of the mouth, helping dentists detect complications and develop effective modes of treatment. Digital x-rays are capable of revealing hidden caries, bone erosion, and even tooth decay hiding beneath restorations. Requiring less […]
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Dentures
Dentures are an effective and affordable way of replacing missing teeth. Composed of a durable plastic resin and sometimes porcelain, both partial and full dentures can be fabricated to look and feel natural. Today’s dentures are custom-fit to make it possible to eat foods with confidence and speak articulately. Depending on the patient’s preferences and […]
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