According to the CDC, 90 percent of adults over 20 years old have had a cavity in a permanent tooth. Once a tooth has a cavity, decay must be removed to prevent further deterioration. The common fix is a dental filling. While fillings are considered a permanent solution to cavities, they will eventually wear out,...
Making the choice to start Invisalign treatment is the first step toward straighter teeth. New users learn that they must keep the clear plastic aligners in for 20 to 22 hours each day. Dentists also tell patients to remove Invisalign when eating. But what about drinking? Is it okay to have a morning coffee or...
There are plenty of options for correcting cosmetic dental issues like crowded or crooked teeth. Braces are one of the most common tools used by orthodontists. Braces can be placed on the front of the patient’s teeth, or, in the case of lingual braces, hidden behind the teeth. Another less visible alternative uses plastic trays...
People do not always think of teeth as alive, but they are. At the center of each tooth is an area called the pulp chamber. Nerves and blood vessels extend through the path known as the root canal to the pulp chamber, bringing the tooth sensation and nourishment. When the nerves and blood vessels at...
Crowns are commonly used to cap a tooth after a root canal procedure. They provide the tooth with strength and support. Crowns also protect the tooth from outside forces and infections, while providing the feel and appearance of a natural smile. Unlike veneers which cover the front of a tooth, crowns cap the entire tooth....
Dental sealants are usually used to prevent cavities. But sometimes they can be used to seal up minor cavities as well. Whether sealants are right for your kid depends on many things. For example, one child’s back teeth might be smooth. Another’s could be full of nooks and crannies. Also, a small cavity might be...
Dental plates and dental implants are two very different solutions to the same problem: Missing teeth. Understanding the differences, together with a dentist’s evaluation and guidance, will help determine which is right for you. A dental “plate” is a term referring to any removable dental prosthetic. This covers any type of false teeth: full dentures,...
The two most common orthodontic treatments for misaligned, crooked, or rotated teeth are braces and Invisalign (or other transparent aligner systems like byte). Many people, adults especially, prefer Invisalign because it is discrete and removable. But how long it take can matter, too. While Invisalign can work faster than braces, that is not always the...
When you need to find a dentist, you need to find a dentist…but not having dental or medical insurance can make that a daunting task. In a study collecting data from 2014 through 2017, the CDC reported that only about half of adults aged 18 to 64 had dental insurance. And while most dentists will...
Dentists suggest that patients have their teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist twice a year to remove plaque that can cause cavities. Deep cleaning also removes plaque, but is a more extensive procedure. It is only recommended only for people experiencing symptoms of gum disease, also known as periodontitis. Gum disease is an infection of...