Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Problem: Tooth Decay

Also known as cavities, tooth decay occurs when plaque is allowed to linger on teeth for too long.

Who can suffer from tooth decay? Anyone can get a cavity, but children and older people are the most prone. The incidence among children has been declining, because of the increased use of fluoride toothpastes, but more than half of all children have cavities by the second grade. Older adults are prone to cavities at the root because protective gum tissue often pulls away.

What to do: Brush with a fluoride toothpaste and floss every day. Children can also benefit from sealants applied to the chewing surfaces of their back teeth as soon as their adult molars come in. Older people should be vigilant and those who have a tendency toward dry mouth should receive regular fluoride treatments from a dentist. They should also use a fluoride-containing mouth wash.

Problem: Gum Disease

A bacterial infection caused by plaque that attacks the gums, bone, and ligaments that keep your teeth in place. The early stage is known as gingivitis, the advanced stage is called periodontitis.

Who can suffer from gum disease: Everyone. It is estimated that half of all adults have some signs of gingivitis. Most at risk are people with poor oral hygiene; those with a systemic disease, such as diabetes, and smokers. Women also have a tendency to develop gingivitis during pregnancy. Other risk factors are stress, which weakens the immune system, and genes.

What to do: See a dentist regularly. Let your dentist know if your gums feel tender or bleed. Gingivitis can be reversed with regular brushing and flossing. To combat periodontitis, a dentist or periodontist may perform a deep cleaning around the teeth and below the gum lines and prescribe medication to combat the infection. If the disease has progressed to affect your gums and bone, your dentist might suggest surgery, such as a gum graft.

Problem: Tooth Infection

The pulp inside the tooth is damaged or becomes infected because of decay or injury. The root canal, which connects the top pulp chamber to the tip of the root, may become infected, too.

Who’s at risk: Anyone with a deep cavity or a cracked tooth, which can let in bacteria. An injured tooth can have a problem even if it's not visibly cracked or chipped.

What to do: If you feel pain in or around a tooth, see your dentist. He may refer you to an endodontist, who specializes in root-canal procedures. In one to three visits, the dentist will perform a root canal. He will remove the pulp, clean the pulp chamber and root canal, then fill the tooth. Finally, he may seal the tooth with a porcelain or gold crown.

Problem: Enamel Erosion

Exposure to acid, primarily from soda or citrus drinks, can wear down the surface of the teeth, making them rounded and discolored.

Who’s at risk: Anyone who drinks lemonade, soda and diet soda, or sports drinks all day.

What to do: If necessary, teeth can be restored with bonding materials. But to prevent further damage, you have to change your habits. If the cause is soft drinks switch to water. Second best is to drink sodas with a full meal, then follow with a tooth brushing, sugarless gum, or a gargle with water.

Why does Starbucks sell 256 thousand gallons of coffee every day? Because the average American generally doesn’t get enough sleep and needs to compensate in order to stay focused throughout the day. Although coffee is a temporary solution, the root of the problem is not really being addressed and we’re missing out on the benefits of a good sleep.

When a person gets the necessary 7 hours of good sleep, there are effects that occur which include enhanced concentration, enhanced mood, reduction of stress effects, optimized immune system and increased pain inhibition. Simply put, good sleep makes us healthier. In fact, it even makes the flu shot work better.

So how do we get this good sleep so we can avoid the ample caffeine intake and the fatigued feeling throughout the day? Well first we have to assess the reason why we’re lacking this sleep. In most cases it’s some form of sleep apnea. This is defined as a disorder in which breathing halts briefly but repeatedly during sleep. Although this sounds like something one would know they experienced, most people don’t even realize they do this.

Snoring is the most common sign that a person suffers from sleep apnea which explains why 23% of sleep partners sleep in separate rooms. But before you send your partner to the couch, consider that they may need to see a dentist that specializes in sleep apnea. Not only because of the daily drowsiness, lack of concentration and lowered immune system, but also because sleep apnea leads to serious health issues. These issues include respiratory disease, stroke and heart attack according to sleep apnea dentist Evetta Shwartzman D.M.D.

A CPAP (machine that forces oxygen through a face mask during sleep) used to be the only way to treat sleep apnea and it still is for severe cases. For less severe cases, a comfortable mouth guard is available that is worn at night. Referred to as The SomnoDent, this guard fits the teeth in such a way that it actually opens up the airway. This allows for more oxygen to enter the body and minimizes lack of breath events throughout the night.

As a result, you wake up feeling more rejuvenated, experience less stress and build up your immune system to handle sickness. More importantly, this actually prolongs your life. By minimizing your chances of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, you’re more likely to live a longer and healthier life.

For photos and more information please contact: Diana@dreamsmiledental.com or call (781) 330-0900.

There are many dental procedures, but it may be the root canal that has the worst reputation of them all. And because of its reputation, at Dream Smile Dental we get lots of questions about them.

It is important to know that very few root canals are painful, very few deserve their reputation. We often get asked, “Will I be in pain during or after the root canal?”

During the root canal treatment your mouth and gums will be entirely numb; you will feel nothing. After the root canal, patients are rarely in pain. There are a few extreme cases, and in those cases, the dentists at Dream Smile will prescribe you something for the pain.

Because of the reputation of the root canal procedure, many patients will say, “well, I don’t feel any pain; can’t I wait on receiving a root canal?”

Unfortunately, the answer is no. It is never a good idea to wait on any needed dental treatment, especially a root canal. If you require a root canal, it needs to be done as soon as possible in order to prevent further infection. The infection can spread too, and really complicate your health, sometimes seriously.

Lastly, we often have people wondering if their insurance company will cover a root canal procedure. But we can’t answer that question. Every insurance plan is set up differently. Therefore various procedures are covered differently according to their fee schedule. Dream Smile Dental works with most insurance plans. To find out what your plan will specifically cover, contact us.

For missing teeth there is a way now to have a permanent and natural looking replacement. Missing teeth are detrimental to your overall health and your own self confidence. Replace one or many missing teeth with dental implants for a healthy and confident new smile.

Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures are not your only options when replacing missing teeth. Dental Implants vary from other solutions because with the proper dental hygiene and care, they function as a normal, natural tooth. Proper oral hygiene will help keep your implants and your mouth healthy.

Dental implants, an effective method to replace one tooth or several teeth, consist of a metal anchor that is inserted into the jawbone, and a protruding post is outfitted with an artificial tooth which replaces the missing tooth both cosmetically and structurally.

The process of integration of the implants into your jaw helps your replacement teeth feel more natural, restoring functionality and improving appearance. Patients find the secure fit of their new tooth very comfortable which gives them more confidence. A smile with confidence is a natural and healthy looking smile.

Contact Dream Smile Dental to see if you are a candidate for dental implants.

Does your teen need braces? Invisalign teen may be able to help. At Dream Smile Dental we have a special on Invisalign just for your family. Save $1200 on two invisalign treatments, either two family members or you and a friend. But there is more. When you start your invisalign teen treatment during the promo dates, you can also get free in-office whitening at any point during your Invisalign treatment.

Invisalign is comfortable, affordable and effective. Best of all, Invisalign is invisible. Invisalign uses clear removable aligners so your teen can continue brushing and flossing the way they normally do.

Because there are no brackets or wires, your teen will have the confidence of a great smile even while their teeth are being treated. Don’t worry about them losing the aligners. You get up to six free replacement aligners.

Your teen doesn’t have to suffer, or be uncomfortable. With free teeth whitening during the Invisalign process, they’ll have a happy, confident smile for the school photo.

This Back-to-school special runs through November 11th. Contact Dream Smile Dental for more information.

Whether it is a first date or a business meeting, you need all of your tools and assets at your disposal. A self-confident smile should be one of those tools. With technology come choices that can help you smile with confidence.

Even the smallest change to your smile can affect the way you look and feel about yourself. Consider teeth whitening. But consider it the right way.

Over-the-counter whiteners are a bit of a cumbersome process that generally only whitens the front 6 teeth. Whitening toothpastes and rinses have minimal effect on the stained or yellowed teeth.

Teeth Whitening done at the dentist’s office is much more controlled, is easier to use, and produces better results. All toothpastes help remove surface stains and some whitening toothpastes contain gentle polishing or chemical agents. These have more stain removal effectiveness.

But these whitening toothpastes help remove surface stains only, they can lighten your tooth's color by about one shade. In contrast, light-activated whitening conducted at Dream Smile Dental can make your teeth three to eight shades lighter. In-office dental bleaching provides the quickest way to whiten teeth.

Call Dream Smile Dental at 781-330-0900 to schedule your teeth whitening consultation.

Just mention “the dentist” and some people break out into a cold sweat. Just the thought of the sound of the drill can cause quite a bit of anxiety in some people. But dental health is as important as physical health, you can’t avoid the dentist's office.

Sedation dentistry may be a good idea for you when the idea of the dentist causes stress and anxiety. What is sedation dentistry? It’s the use of medication and local anesthesia during dental procedures to help patients relax in a sleepy state; perfect for children or those with dental phobias.

Several medications are available to help create a more relaxed, comfortable dental visit. Some drugs control pain, some help you relax, and others put you into a conscious sedation state during dental treatment. The procedure itself, your anxiety level, allergies and your overall health will determine which avenue is best for you. The dentists at Dream Smile will work together with you to devise the best course of action for  your overall comfort.

Contact Dream Smile Dental and schedule a consultation to discuss concerns or to ask specific questions.
 

Many adults suffer from chronic jaw pain. Some common symptoms include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth, or headaches and neck pain.

Two joints, the temporomandibular joints or TMJ, and several jaw muscles make it possible to open and close the mouth. They work together when you chew, speak or swallow. These various muscles located in the face and neck hold your jaw, control the movement of your jaw, as well as allow you to chew and swallow. This muscle movement is done subconsciously, and if your bite is off, your body automatically strains your muscles to allow for your jaw to work; this is called accommodating.

The TM joints are among the most complex joints in the body. Located on each side of the head, they work together to make many different movements, including a combination of rotating and gliding actions used when chewing and speaking. Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder. If your bite is off balance, your muscles will work extra hard to hold, control and allow for the chewing and swallowing. Overtime, the temporomandibular joints become over stressed and TMJ dysfunction occurs.

Diagnosis is an important step before treatment. Neuromuscular dentistry uses modern technology to assess the function or dysfunction of the jaw and creates the optimum bite for your specific case while creating your new beautiful smile. The goal of the neuromuscular dentist is to find the natural position of your jaw and restore it to its optimal position of balance, thus eliminating TMJ disorders. This takes the pressure off of your joints and overstrained muscles, eliminates jaw or teeth clenching, and allows for your muscles to act naturally.

This treatment can also pinpoint the source of your headaches, ear congestion, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, neck pain, jaw clenching or teeth grinding, jaw joint pain, and even nervousness or insomnia. If you are interested in a TMJ consultation, please contact us. Enjoy a more well rested smile and appearance.

What is TENS?

Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS) is a term given to battery operated instruments that provide a gentle painless electrical stimulus through the skin to nerve pathways. At Dream Smile Dental, we use ultra-low frequency TENS to deliver a stimulus through the nerve pathways of the head and neck. These gently exercise the muscles controlled by those nerves, and causes the muscles of the head and neck to relax.

How are muscles related to dentistry?

Head, neck and jaw muscles play a very important role in your dental health. Different muscles come into play for posturing, opening, and closing the jaw and swallowing. The muscles that keep your jaw from falling open are small and go from the jaw upward through the cheeks, into the forehead and around the ear. If your teeth don’t fit together properly, these muscles are over-worked. Subconsciously holding these muscles tense for a long time can result in muscles spasms, and tension. Tense muscles restrict blood flow and oxygen to those muscles, and also prevent the washing away of waste products like lactic acid. This eventually leads to headaches or other head and neck pain.

Can’t I just relax these muscles?

No. If your teeth don’t fit together correctly, you subconsciously hold your jaw in a position that often causes muscled tension. It is very difficult to change this on your own and often requires a lot of training. Ultra low frequency TENS relax the muscles of the head and neck.

How does it work?

Electrodes are placed on your skin over the nerves controlling the muscles of the head and neck. The TENS unit is attached to these electrodes. It delivers mild stimulus to those nerves every 1.5 seconds. This causes the muscles to react, and it causes the rhythmic exercising of the muscle. As time passes, these muscles begin to relax and blood flow through them is increased. Because it is repetitive it causes the rhythmic exercising of the muscle. As time passes, these muscles begin to relax and blood flow increases clearing away lactic acid build up and producing healthier more relaxed muscles, resulting in comfort and relief. In most cases, the muscles become relaxed after 45-60 minutes.

When does Dream Smile prescribe TENS?

If we are treating you for a dental issue where we want to relax the head and neck muscles in order to find your best bite, TENS is applied in the office. However, there are occasions when we will prescribe a small TENS unit for home use called the BNS-40. This is a much smaller version of the office  unit which applies the same stimulus to the muscles.

We may prescribe the home unit for the following:

•   To relax your muscles before you come to the office for dental treatment or analysis.
•   To relieve muscle tension pain.
•   To determine whether relaxation of your facial and neck muscles will lead to pain relief.

Dental Implants are a great option to consider for replacing missing teeth. Rather than resting a false tooth on the gum line or using adjacent teeth as anchors, implants act as long-term replacements that your periodontist fixes into the jawbone before the cosmetic dentist can place a permanent crown on top of it.
 
Tooth loss can have a far-reaching effect on your dental health and personal appearance. Dental implants are artificial replacements designed to fully replace lost teeth both in functionality and in appearance. Dental implants are very durable and have a long-lasting life. Once installed, they can last for at least 10 to 15 years or even more depending on the aftercare that is taken.

Due to new technology, it is now possible to replace missing teeth and actually implant a working and natural looking tooth. The most popular dental implants are made from titanium. Titanium is used because it has a number of properties which make it very suitable; it is very durable and is very resistant to corrosion. It is biocompatible, which means that the human immune system should not reject implants made from titanium.  Osseointegration is the process where the titanium dental implants implanted into the bone and the cells of the bone fuse with the titanium. They grow together making the implant very stable; because of this, titanium is the material of choice.
 
The first step to dental implants is where the titanium screw is implanted into the jawbone. Once the gum line heals fully, the crown is built over the titanium implant. The crown is constructed from porcelain or composite materials and is built in such a way that it matches the surrounding teeth.