Brushing and flossing on a daily basis is the best way to take care of your teeth and gums. Keeping a daily routine will help minimize the risk of gingivitis or tooth decay as you age.

Gingivitis is a condition caused when bacteria surrounds the teeth and enters the gums. The gums can become irritated, inflamed and bleed. To prevent the condition from worsening, regular cleanings are recommended. During a visit, proper brushing and flossing techniques will also be discussed.

Periodontal disease is a broader term for gingivitis and begins with little or no symptoms. Like gingivitis, it is caused by bacteria that surrounds the teeth and enters the gums. The gums become irritated, inflamed and bleed. If not properly treated, the condition worsens. Noticeable symptoms now appear. They include: Bad breath, gum recession, gum sensitivity to acidic foods, abscesses, tooth pain and tooth loss.

Periodontal disease needs immediate attention. Through a series of periodontal cleanings, root planing and scaling, laser therapy and local antibiotics, the condition can be controlled. Periodontal surgery is only necessary for severe cases.

Not a tremendous amount. But there are some.

Silver fillings are known as amalgam fillings and have been around for decades. Made from a metal alloy, the metal expands and contracts as hot and cold food or drinks are placed in the mouth. This allows for little bacteria to enter a tooth once filled; keeping the tooth healthy and strong.

White fillings, also known as composites, are often made of plastic or glass polymers. These cosmetic fillings allow a cavity to be filled with a substance that will look and feel just like your existing tooth structure. This restoration is created with a resin material and fits tightly into a tooth to prevent decay. Rather than a gray or silver material in your mouth, the composite color will match the tooth color.

There are several ways. Dental procedures that will improve the look of your smile include:

Teeth whitening
Bonding
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain crowns

Contact Phenix Dental today. Our office will prepare a customized treatment plan.

It’s a cost-effective and safe procedure to restore a healthy smile. Over the years, fluoride has been added as a whitening product because it reduces the risk of tooth and gum sensitivity. Tooth whitening is monitored by a dentist and only done after an exam and a comprehensive cleaning.

The whitening process can last for a number of years, if maintained properly. Beverages such as coffee, tea, cola and wine will reduce the whitening. Remember, if it can stain a white shirt, it will stain your smile!

Bonding is used to fill gaps between teeth or to change a tooth’s color. The immediate results are amazing. In only a few hours, you will notice a difference in the look of your teeth. Bonding, like tooth whitening, may change color over time because of coffee, tea, cola and wine.

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of material that are attached to the natural teeth. Veneers change the size, shape and color of a patient’s teeth. This procedure is used to repair fractured teeth, teeth darkened by age or medication, or a crooked smile. Patients also ask for porcelain veneers to simply feel and look younger with a better smile! The entire procedure can take as few as two visits.

They are a permanent cosmetic procedure that covers the entire tooth. It will change the size, shape and color of the teeth in as few as two visits.

It is a replacement for a missing tooth or tooth root. Made from titanium, this screw-like object is inserted under the gum and directly into the upper or lower jaw bone. There is usually little discomfort during this procedure. After a few months, the implant and bone fuse together, creating an anchor for the new tooth.

Implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth and look and function like a natural tooth. An implant is maintained by routine cleaning visits by your hygienist and decreases the possibility of bone loss, periodontal disease, tooth movement, and further tooth loss. Implants are a replacement option for a full or partial denture because the implant replaces only a tooth that is missing. A traditional bridge would involve the two or more adjacent teeth being compromised to create a false tooth in between.

Just about everyone. Because of advancements in dentistry and specifically dental implants, most people are candidates. There can be exceptions because of chronic illness, heart disease and severe osteoporosis.

The average implant procedure requires 3 to 4 visits. The first visit is to X-ray the implant area, take an impression that will serve as a surgical guide, and create a temporary prosthesis to cover the implant.

The next visit is to place the implant. A local anesthesia is applied to the area. A minor incision is made by the dentist where the implant will be placed. The implant is then inserted into the jaw bone and sutures close the wound. The procedure is usually completed with only minor pain.

You will return in about three months when the porcelain crown is created to cover the implant.

Fees vary from dentist to dentist. Schedule a consultation to discuss the procedure with the dentist and confirm all fees involved.

With routine cleanings and proper home care, an implant can last about 30 years.

Contact Phenix Dental at 401.942.4760 to discuss payment options.