A dental crown is a custom-designed, tooth-shaped restoration that is fitted over the prepared surface of a damaged tooth to recapture the appearance and function of the tooth. A bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth and is usually attached securely to the existing teeth on either side of the gap. Recent developments in dental techniques and materials have allowed dentists to provide crown and bridge restorations that are virtually indistinguishable from a person's natural teeth in both form and function.

If you suffer from lost teeth or teeth that are badly damaged by decay or accident, crowns or bridges may be able to repair their appearance and preserve their function.

Feel free to contact our office if you would like more information on crowns and bridges.

When people think about tooth loss they normally think of accidents or tooth decay. What most people don't realize is that the leading cause of tooth loss among adults is actually diseases of the gums rather than the teeth themselves. In fact, gum disease or periodontal disease, results in more lost teeth than trauma and tooth decay combined.

Typical signs of periodontal disease are gums that bleed when you brush or floss, red, swollen and tender gums, persistent bad breath, and teeth that appear to be getting longer. Fortunately, with prompt treatment in its early stages, periodontal disease is highly treatable. As a result, we regularly screen our patients for the telltale signs of gum disease.

Please call our office if you are concerned that you may be suffering from periodontal disease. We will be happy to answer any of your questions or arrange a consultation appointment that will fit your busy schedule.

Bleeding during brushing and flossing is often the first sign of periodontal (gum) disease. This means that your gums have become inflamed or infected as a result of plaque and tartar buildup along and below the gum lines. This condition can become very serious if left untreated and can eventually lead to receding gums and tooth loss.

The best treatment for this condition is a visit to your dentist for a thorough check-up and cleaning, followed by a complete regimen of brushing and flossing. With prompt and thorough treatment, the condition if caught early can normally be corrected. Please feel free to call our office if you have noticed bleeding during tooth brushing, or if you would like direction on proper homecare techniques.

While brushing is very effective at removing plaque and food debris from your teeth, a toothbrush simply cannot effectively clean all of the surfaces of your teeth. In particular, the spaces between your teeth are difficult, if not impossible to clean properly by brushing alone. This can mean that people who brush regularly are still very susceptible to cavities and gum infections in these areas.

The use of dental floss or tape once a day can clean these difficult to reach surfaces and provide you with a truly clean and healthy mouth. It takes just a few minutes per day. Please contact our office if you have any questions about the proper care of your teeth and gums. Any one of our staff members will be happy to answer your questions.

Your dentist recommends a soft toothbrush to protect your teeth and gums from the damage that a firm bristle can do to your teeth and gums especially when combined with overly aggressive brushing. A firm bristle toothbrush can actually damage the enamel on your teeth and cause your gums to shrink leaving your tooth roots exposed. A soft bristle brush combined with gentle pressure and the right brushing technique will provide all the cleaning power you need. For more information, ask your dentist for advice on proper brushing and flossing techniques at your next appointment.

The answer is Yes and No. The whitening agents contained in almost all tooth whitening material products are either carbamide peroxide or a stabilized hydrogen peroxide.

The difference is that the materials prescribed by a dentist are generally stronger concentrations that provide faster, more dramatic and longer lasting results. More importantly, your dentist can provide the personalized advice that you need to determine if whitening is right for you. Your dentist is also trained to recognize and treat any potential problems that may arise from your use of tooth whitening products.

We invite you to call our dental office for more information on teeth whitening alternatives.

Recent studies have shown that by the age of three, a child is already at risk of having cavities which can be caused by something as innocent as putting a baby to sleep with a bottle of juice or milk. Along with taking our first look at your child's oral condition, this first appointment is also largely focused on the parents and helping them to establish a good oral hygiene program and diet for the child. We believe that a child should have his or her first dental visit by the age of 3.

It is a little known fact that a child's primary teeth are vital to the long-term health of their permanent adult teeth. The premature loss of primary teeth as a result of accidents or decay can cause serious problems, including poorly spaced and crooked adult teeth. As a result, it is just as important to care for a child's baby teeth as it is for the adult teeth that follow.

Firstly, you can take solace in the fact that you are not alone. A significant percentage of adults suffer from some level of fear of dental treatment. However, given the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums to your overall health, it is imperative that you find a way to deal with these fears.

In our clinic we offer a range of techniques to help our patients reduce their anxiety. Here are a few ideas that you might consider;

• Visualize yourself in a comfortable place while in the dental chair - a warm sandy beach for example.
• Avoid drinking beverages that contain caffeine before your appointment.
• Ask us lots of questions about your treatment - quite often fears of the unknown are the worst fears of all.
• Our ultimate goal is to enable our patients to receive dental treatment in a comfortable state of mind. Please feel free to call our office if you would like to learn more about our unique approach to this serious problem.

Well, you might be surprised to learn the extent of what really goes on during your regular check-up. In addition to cleaning and polishing all the visible and hidden surfaces of your teeth, we also check for many potential problems. Tooth decay, oral cancer and periodontal (gum) disease are just a few examples of problems that can have serious consequences if left undetected.

We recommend that our patients visit our office at least twice each year to ensure their optimal oral health and to help avoid serious and costly problems. In certain cases, we may even recommend 3 or 4 visits per year in order to properly treat conditions that require more regular attention.

Maintaining a regular dental appointment schedule isn't just good for your teeth, it's an important part of your overall health.