According to the American College of Prosthodontists, more than 120 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth. Whether they are knocked out or lost due to decay, missing teeth pose a number of problems besides just looking bad. It might be harder to eat or speak clearly with a missing...
When the dentist recommends a dental crown, patients might wonder if they have a choice. There are other options, but sometimes a crown is the most effective and economical alternative. Fixing the damaged tooth is the dentist’s top priority, but it is understandable that cost, convenience, and appearance are also important factors for the patient....
It might start with a slight twinge when eating something cold or an outright toothache. Maybe a tooth has some spotting or an obvious hole. When someone first suspects a cavity, what comes next? Can the cavity be fixed at home? Unfortunately, the answer is “no.” Dental cavities are serious issues that require attention from...
For years, root canal procedures have had a bad reputation as something extremely painful. But most patients agree that the discomfort is not that much different than getting a dental filling. Root canals are the safest, most effective way to ease the pain of an infected tooth. In fact, the pain and sensitivity of an...
Teeth can become stained over time by foods like coffee, tea, and wine, as well as from smoking or from certain medications and health conditions. Teeth also tend to darken in color as people age. The quest for a whiter, brighter smile is so common that tooth whitening is now a multi-billion-dollar industry. Within that...
A visit from the Tooth Fairy is a fun way for children and parents to celebrate the milestone of losing a baby tooth. But with the tooth in hand, parents might be left to wonder: How does the Tooth Fairy make the experience magical and memorable? The Tooth Fairy replaces each tooth under a child’s...
It’s human nature to avoid unpleasant things, so it is not surprising that many people try to ignore a cavity. They choose to put up with the pain and discomfort rather than finding a solution. Some fear that going to the dentist for a filling will hurt. And for those without dental insurance, there is...
Normally, a root canal procedure takes two visits to the dentist or endodontist. But advertisements promising a “same day root canal” are becoming common. Can dentists do a root canal in one visit, or is this just a marketing ploy? It turns out that getting a same-day root canal procedure is indeed possible. But the...
Cosmetic dentistry includes a number of procedures that can help patients get a whiter, brighter, smile. This can include teeth whitening, tooth restoration, veneers, and more. The biggest challenge with cosmetic dentistry is finding the right professional to do it. Some dentists advertise a specific focus in cosmetic dentistry. Others might have a different focus,...
Anyone considering Invisalign for straighter teeth has no doubt heard a lot about its advantages. But they may not have heard about Invisalign attachments, also called Invisalign buttons. Two of the biggest selling points for Invisalign are that the clear plastic aligner trays are less noticeable than old-fashioned braces, and that you can take them...