Dental x-rays, also called radiographs, are a key diagnostic tool for dentists. Many people think x-rays are dangerous; but x-rays are among the safest and most reliable imaging technologies today. Dentists and dental hygienists are trained in the safe use of x-rays in a dental office setting. For example, patient safety is maintained through: Using...
Whether due to accidents or tooth decay, millions of Americans are missing teeth. People often replace missing teeth for cosmetic reasons, but there are other good reasons to replace them, too. Missing teeth can lead to further oral health problems in the future. Dental implants provide a more permanent replacement for those missing teeth, and...
Dental expenses can be a big part of an individual’s or a family’s medical expenses.Dental procedures such as root canals, fillings and repairs, and braces can run into the hundreds and even thousands of dollars. It would be great if these procedures were all tax deductible, but this is not always the case. Many dental...
A cavity, simply put, is a hole in a tooth. In the early stages, a cavity may resemble an innocent white spot. But when left untreated, that cavity may cause more serious dental issues. Can cavities go away on their own? Unfortunately, no. A “Hole” Lot of Trouble Although many of us do our best...
Even though there are other products available, sometimes traditional braces are still the best option to straighten teeth. Less visible products like Invisalign are not for everyone because they do not always use enough force to move seriously crooked teeth. People with small teeth might have questions such as “Do braces work on small teeth?”...
Teeth grinding at night, known as sleep bruxism, affects roughly 13% of adults. While it is not serious, continuous clenching of the jaw while grinding can cause headaches, disruption of sleep, jaw pain, and dental health issues. Once a patient identifies the cause of their teeth grinding, they can take the proper steps to stop...
Clear plastic teeth aligners hit the market in 1997. They quickly became a popular alternative to traditional metal braces. Invisalign, created by Align Technology, was the first (and for a long time, the only) option. Over the years, more products emerged under different brand names and with different sales models. One of the most prominent...
It is natural for people to have questions about any substance that is put into their body, and dental fillings are no exception. Some publications have raised concerns about the materials used in some fillings. Is there any cause for concern? And if so, which dental fillings are safest? The most recent research indicates that...
Teeth whitening at the dentist, or even with some at-home kits, is often a two-part process. Along with a bleaching agent that is applied to the teeth, an instrument called a curing light is moved over the teeth to help activate the chemicals. Because some curing lights use UV technology (others are halogen or LED),...
There is currently a bill making its way through Congress that would require the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to provide dental care for veterans in the same way it provides medical care. Currently, there are about 9.3 million veterans getting VA health care, but only 1.35 million meet the requirements for dental care....