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...
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,...
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...
When harmful bacteria cause an infection in a tooth or in the gums, there is a chance that an abscess will form. Pus gathers at the source of the infection, appearing as a lump or boil. This inflammation will often make the area swollen and painful. Getting a diagnosis of an asbcess, or suspecting you...
Most people think that toothaches and cavities go together. While they often do, some cavities hurt very little or not at all—at first. Likewise, a tooth can experience pain without a cavity. Any cavity, whether it hurts a little, a lot, or not at all, should be taken seriously and fixed as soon as possible....
Emergencies, by definition, are unexpected events. Dental emergencies are no different. Even people who take good care of their oral health can suffer accidents, trauma, or the sudden worsening of a dental problem. Some issues call for immediate emergency dental care and should not wait until the next checkup. What types of things can wait...
Modern-day dentistry has advanced in some remarkable ways. Things like dental implants that look and feel just like real teeth and dental sealants that help children avoid getting cavities would have surprised dentists and patients alike 100 years ago. As welcome as these advancements are for many people, they are bound to raise some questions....