Dentures Complete or partial dentures can replace your missing teeth and give you the confidence to smile. Dentures can be used to replace teeth that have been lost due to trauma, decay, or gum disease. It is important to replace missing teeth, not only because teeth help with eating food, but because

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. It is made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals. Types of dentures Complete dentures replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents

The following suggestions are presented to assist you in learning to use and properly care for your new dentures. If you have had teeth removed in conjunction with the placement of new dentures, you may also refer to Post Operative Instructions for Extractions. Breaking In Period: Most new dentures

People living with diabetes are vulnerable to a host of systemic problems in their entire body. Unfortunately, the mouth and teeth are not immune from such problems, and many diabetics with oral problems go undiagnosed until conditions become advanced. Infections and other problems such as receding

Dry Mouth What do I need to know about dry mouth? Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while--if they are nervous, upset or under stress. But if you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be uncomfortable and can lead to serious health problems. Dry mouth... What is dry mouth? Symptoms

Saliva is one of your body's natural defenses against plaque because it acts to rinse your mouth of cavity-causing bacteria and other harmful materials. Dry mouth (also called Xerostomia) is a fairly common condition that is caused by diminished saliva production. People with medical conditions, such

A knocked out tooth or bitten tongue can cause panic in any parent, but quick thinking and staying calm are the best ways to approach such common dental emergencies and prevent additional unnecessary damage and costly dental restoration. This includes taking measures such as application of cold compresses

Many people inherit the problem of excessive or uneven gums. An aesthetic surgical procedure called a gum lift can be used to correct this problem.

General Procedure When restoration procedures such as root canal therapy, crowns, or fillings are not enough to save a tooth, it may need to be pulled, or extracted. Tooth extraction procedures today are far less painful than ever before, thanks to powerful anesthetics and sedatives. In many cases,

Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and until the anesthesia has worn off. The initial healing period usually takes one to two weeks, and you'll likely experience some swelling for the first forty-eight hours. Avoid chewing for two hours following surgery, or until the numbness has completely

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions How safe are dental X-rays? There is very little risk in dental X-rays. We are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which children are exposed. Lead aprons and high-speed film are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation. Back

Fillings How Teeth Are Restored After diagnosing the problem and devising a treatment plan, the next step to restore a tooth to health is to make you comfortable. We will give you a local anesthetic so that you do not feel any discomfort. After the decay is removed, the tooth is ready to receive

Frequently asked questions: dental fillings Are dental amalgams safe? Is it possible to have an allergic reaction to amalgam? Is it true that dental amalgams have been banned in other countries? Is there a filling material that matches tooth color? If my tooth doesn't hurt and my filling is still in

Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours or until the anesthesia has worn off. Sensitivity: Sensitivity, especially to cold, is common for a time following treatment. For the first few days avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages. It is normal to have discomfort in the gums around the tooth

Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth like a turtleneck. When you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue and bone is destroyed, forming "pockets" around the teeth. Over time, these pockets become deeper, providing a larger space for bacteria to thrive and wreak havoc. As

What is flossing? Flossing is a method for removing bacteria and other debris that cannot be reached by a toothbrush. It generally entails a very thin piece of synthetic cord you insert and move up and down between the sides of two adjoining teeth. Why is flossing important? Many dentists believe

For decades, fluoride has been held in high regard by the dental community as an important mineral that strengthens tooth enamel, which thereby helps to prevent decay of tooth structures. Water fluoridation is endorsed by nearly every major health and safety-related organization in the world. Communities

Fluoride Experiment This experiment simulates the protection power of fluoride. What you'll need: 1 bottle of fluoride rinse 2 eggs 1 bottle of white vinegar 3 containers What to do: Pour four inches of fluoride rinse solution into one of the containers and then place an egg

For decades, fluoride has been held in high regard by the dental community as an important mineral that is absorbed into and strengthens tooth enamel, thereby helping to prevent decay of tooth structures. In nearly every U.S. community, public drinking supplies are supplemented with sodium fluoride

Fluoride Info Dental decay is a common condition all over the world. One way to help prevent cavities from occurring is through the use of fluoride. Fluoride helps harden the tooth enamel and make it more resistant to tooth decay. A small cavity can be stopped and even reversed by the remineralization

Fluorosis is a condition in which your body has been exposed to too much fluoride. In normal doses (typically found in a safe drinking water system and an ADA-approved toothpaste), fluoride is a healthy compound that promotes strong teeth, which has the ability to fight cavities and other problems. But

Fractured Teeth Fractured Cusp This is the most common type of tooth fracture and has the best long term prognosis. In this type of fracture, a part of the tooth can completely break off and, occasionally, no pain is felt after the tooth fractures. Treatment for this type of fracture is to place

Frenectomy Frenectomy is the surgical procedure for removing a frenum. A frenum is a fold of tissue that passes from the lip or cheek to the gum, or from the tongue to the gum as shown to the right. A surgical procedure is required to remove a frenum if it interferes with the normal alignment of

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The first line of defense against oral health problems In general dentistry, the dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of conditions, disorders and diseases affecting the teeth, gums and maxillofacial

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A Amalgam - Material made from mercury and other alloy mixtures used to restore a drilled portion of a tooth. Anesthesia - Medications used to relieve pain. Anterior teeth - Front teeth. Also called incisors and cuspids. Arch - The upper or lower

Soft tissue grafts are sometimes performed to treat gum disease, or correct other abnormalities. The procedure involves taking gum tissue from the palate or another donor source to cover an exposed root in order to even the gum line and reduce sensitivity. Periodontal procedures are available to

Gingivitis is the medical term for early gum disease, or periodontal disease. In general, gum disease can be caused by long-term exposure to plaque, the sticky but colorless film on teeth that forms after eating or sleeping. Gum disease originates in the gums, where infections form from harmful bacteria

Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours or until the anesthesia has worn off. Diet Do not eat for about 3 hours following the surgery. Then, a soft or liquid diet, including warm soup or instant breakfast, is advised for the next 2-3 days. Avoid alcohol, carbonated drinks, and hard, brittle foods

Gum Tissue Graft There are two main types of gum tissue. One type is the attached tissue, which is the pink, firm gum that is attached to the bone. The other type is the unattached tissue, which is red and not attached to the bone. When the attached tissue is lost, you need a periodontal procedure

How to Brush Brushing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning process. Brushing removes plaque from: the chewing surfaces the cheek and tongue sides of teeth at the gumline, where periodontal disease often begins Most people tend to brush too hard so we strongly advise the use of

How to Floss Flossing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning process because it removes plaque from between teeth and at the gumline, where periodontal disease often begins. If you find using floss awkward or difficult, ask us about dental floss holders or interdental cleaning devices that are

How to Read X-rays Dental x-rays enable us to see inside a tooth. This quick guide shows you some of what we see and what we are looking for. This is an x-ray of the back teeth on the upper arch. With x-rays, you can only see the hard tissues, such as the teeth and bone but you cannot see the

Before development of dental implants, dentures were the only alternative to replacing a missing tooth or teeth. Implants are synthetic structures that are placed in the area of the tooth normally occupied by the root. Implants are anchored to the jawbone or metal framework on the bone and act as

Standards and Best Practice With all of the increased media attention on infection outbreaks such as AIDS and multi-drug resistant strains of viruses, it's no wonder people have heightened concerns about infection control during a medical procedure. Gloves, gowns and masks are required to be worn