Sep 10, 2015 | Blog
Dental crowns and bridges were originally made to fix terribly damaged or missing teeth. No matter how your teeth have been damaged, crown and bridge restorations can help to restore your beautiful smile.
Even one missing tooth can cause surrounding teeth to shift and create a crooked smile. Missing and broken teeth can also cause problems speaking and chewing. One of the best options for restoring function and improving the aesthetics of your smile are dental crowns and bridges.
Crowns are placed over a tooth to help restore form and function when a traditional filling is not sufficient to do the job. A bridge works to replace missing teeth. There are several options for the type of bridge that is placed, depending on your specific situation. Crowns and bridges can be made of natural looking tooth-colored material, metal, or some of both.
Crowns improve the look of your smile, improve the function of your teeth, and help restore your overall oral health. A crown can be used to repair and protect a tooth with old, broken-down fillings as well as to replace older, metal crowns. Crowns are also used to protect the existing tooth structure following root canal treatment.
Bridges are used to fill the space of missing teeth, to keep the remaining teeth from shifting and causing changes in the jaw and facial structure. Bridges are also used as an alternative to removable dentures. Bridges can be supported by either natural teeth or dental implants, and improve both the look and function of your smile.
If you are suffering from missing or damaged teeth, consult with Central Falls, RI dental Dr. Frias to find out more about how crowns and bridges can improve both the beauty and function of your smile.
Sep 21, 2015 | Blog
Porcelain veneers are an excellent choice for improving a smile that is marred with chips, cracks, stains or are mildly misaligned. The process of placing porcelain veneers involves covering the front of your natural teeth with a very thin shell of porcelain. Veneers are bonded directly to your tooth with a strong adhesive material. Once placed, porcelain veneers should look completely natural and last for years. Some of the advantages of porcelain veneers include:
- Porcelain veneers are customized to you, allowing you to choose the shape, color and size of your veneers to best fit your mouth and the results you hope to achieve.
- Veneers will not change color over time.
- Veneers are stain resistant and will not be altered by pigment intense foods and beverages.
- Veneers cover a vast array of imperfections, including stains, gaps, chips, and cracks.
- Recovery time from the placement of veneers is quick, allowing you to return to normal function almost immediately.
- Care of veneers is easy, requiring the exact same brushing and flossing as your natural teeth.
- Porcelain veneers can help strengthen fractured teeth and restore them to normal function.
- Veneers are long-lasting, and can be expected to last as much as twenty years.
- Veneers are strong and resistant to scratching.
- Veneers are natural-looking.
However, there are a couple of disadvantages to porcelain veneers that should be considered before you decide to move forward:
- The placement of veneers requires your natural teeth to be altered by removing some of the surface enamel.
- Once placed, the color and shaped of the veneers cannot be altered.
- Veneers are not a good option for severely crooked or misaligned teeth.
- Placement of veneers is not reversible; once you have veneers placed, you will always need veneers.
Overall, the advantages of porcelain veneers appear to outweigh the disadvantages. If you are interested in learning more about how porcelain veneers might be the answer to correcting your less than perfect smile, schedule a consultation with a qualified cosmetic dentist.
Sep 28, 2015 | Blog
Your child’s first appointment with the family dentist is a crucial time to ensuring a positive perception of dental care. The experience your child has at their initial visit could shape their opinion about oral healthcare for a lifetime. For this reason, it’s important to make sure your family dentist is prepared to make your child feel comfortable and fully understands the needs of children.
Once your child is able to follow directions, they are old enough to visit the family dentist. Simple requests, such as opening their mouth, can be practiced at home prior to the first visit. Practicing will also help your child understand what to expect and make them more at ease.
You should look for a family dentist who is likeable and is comfortable making conversation with children. Many family dentistry practices offer amenities geared specifically for kids, such as game rooms, toys and books in the waiting room, and televisions with kid-friendly programming in the exam rooms. These kid-centered distractions will help keep your child occupied and less concerned with the actual dental treatments. Family dentistry offices also often offer “treats” at the end of a successful visit. The anticipation of a trip to the “treasure box” may be just the incentive your child needs to ensure a smooth first visit.
Talk to the office staff at your family dental office prior to your child’s first appointment to find out more about what types of amenities and incentives they offer for children. Usually, the first visit is simply about assessing their teeth, getting x-rays, and letting your child get comfortable with the dental process. In cooperation with your family dentistry staff, your child can become comfortable with dental visits and look forward to a lifetime of good oral health.
Dentist for kids in Central Falls, RI
Oct 7, 2015 | Blog
Cosmetic dentistry is the term used for any dental procedures that improve the aesthetic appearance of a person’s smile, including teeth, bite and/or gums. Cosmetic dentistry doesn’t necessarily improve the function of a person’s teeth, but it can change almost everything else. Two dental specialties focus primarily on the appearance of a patient’s teeth. They are prosthodontics and orthodontics.
Many cosmetic dentistry therapies are performed safely every day and are virtually risk-free. Your cosmetic dentist might perform any of the following common restorative dentistry procedures:
- Veneers – thin wafers of porcelain or composite resin material that are bonded directly to the surface of your natural tooth. Tooth reduction through enameloplasty prior to application may be necessary.
- Bonding – dental composite material added to the tooth’s surface, sculpted into the proper shape, then hardened and polished to resemble natural tooth material.
- Dental crowns – restorative work to preserve a tooth with an infected root.
- Dental bridges – restorative work that bridges the space left by acutely gapped teeth or by missing teeth.
- Enameloplasty – the removal of tooth structure to reshape a tooth. This improves the appearance of a tooth by correcting a small chip or altering the length, position or shape of a tooth.
- Gingivectomy – the removal of any gum tissue. An example of this is a gum lift, which raises and shapes the gum line, giving the illusion of longer teeth.
- Teeth bleaching/whitening – the lightening of the surface of the tooth. This is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic dental therapies.
- Gum depigmentation – the lightening of the surface of the gum tissue.
If you are considering a cosmetic dentistry procedure and you live in the Central Falls, RI area, contact our office today. You may have many options available to meet your particular smile needs.
Oct 14, 2015 | Blog
Endodontic or root canal treatment is a dental procedure that sometimes is the only way to save a badly damaged tooth. It involves removing infected tooth pulp, cleaning the root canal, and filling and sealing the area to prevent future problems. Instead of risking permanent tooth loss, seeking dental treatment and potentially a root canal procedure can be crucial.
The inside part of your tooth is filled with tissue called its pulp. It contains blood vessels and nerves, and is important in maintaining a healthy tooth. If your tooth breaks or becomes otherwise damaged, the pulp can become infected or harmed beyond repair. The tooth pulp will die when it is beyond its ability to heal itself. Bacteria can enter the pulp from exposure to your saliva, and a painful infection may form.
The best way to maintain your health is to have the infected pulp removed before the infection can spread to surrounding areas. When infection spreads, the likelihood of tooth loss increases and your overall health can even be negatively affected.
Undergoing root canal treatment should not be avoided or delayed. For one thing, you may be experiencing significant pain. Having a root canal procedure actually eliminates the pain and restores the function of your mouth. Often, once the diseased pulp is removed and your root canal is cleaned and sealed, a crown may be placed on top to protect your natural tooth from fracture or other problems. The extent of your root canal procedure depends on the advancement of your case and your specific oral health. That’s another reason not to delay treatment, because you may qualify for simpler root canal treatment if your tooth has not become severely damaged.
Saving your tooth with root canal therapy is often the best advice your dentist can give. The procedure restores your oral health, relieves symptoms, and allows you to maintain your natural smile.
We offer root canal treatment at our Central Falls, RI dental office.
Oct 21, 2015 | Blog
Your teeth are one of your most important assets. Keeping them healthy and attractive should be your goal at every stage of life. From young children all the way through senior adults, maintaining a pain-free, functional and appealing smile is also the goal of your family dentist. These types of dentists provide preventive maintenance and corrective procedures for every family member. Here are some tips to help you achieve good oral health.
See a family dentist
Regular dental checkups play an important role in the condition of your teeth, gums, and overall oral condition. Professional teeth cleanings and exams every six months are the best way to keep your pearly whites in shape. Family dentists focus on patients of all ages and are trained to handle issues in every stage of life. Each family member can see the dentist in one convenient location, and establish a longtime relationship with the dentist and staff.
Learn proper dental care
Family dentists teach patients good oral hygiene practices from early childhood, helping to establish a lifetime of dental care. Parents who begin taking children to the dentist at a very young age learn how to help youngsters care for their teeth and gums even before they are able to perform the tasks themselves. Family dentists also make sure that patients know how to properly care for their mouths as they encounter different issues that might develop with age.
Limit snacks
Your family dentist will confirm the fact that sugar is bad for your teeth. Constant snacking on sweets creates a nonstop attack on your teeth. Taking care of your mouth and cutting down on snacks will help keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Use dental floss
Another tip that family dentists advise is to floss your teeth at least once daily. This helps eliminate plaque and food particles, lowering your risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
Try an electric toothbrush
Many dentists recommend using an electric toothbrush for good results. They are simple to operate, reach areas well, and promote longer brushing.
