Diamons

cavities

Photography by Dr. Padval

Do You Have Old Fillings?

If you have old fillings, that will be one of the things we check on whenever you come in for an appointment. We'll examine your teeth to ensure that the damage or decay has not progressed any further. A filling is a tried-and-true method for fixing a cavity and preventing further damage to the tooth. When you have a small cavity, you probably won't even notice the difference initially. But, without treatment, the cavity will become bigger and bigger over time. Especially since it's [...]

By |2023-06-20T08:00:35-07:00June 20, 2023|Restorative Dentistry|

Dental Sealants: Are They Worth It?

What are dental sealants? Dental sealants are a thin, liquid coating that hardens onto teeth to cover their high-risk, vulnerable areas. Commonly used as prevention in children and adolescents, the sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth. (Particularly the large, rear teeth called molars.) The sealant itself is a composite resin. We apply a thin layer to the treatment area and then use a special light to "cure" the material. This process hardens the sealants, securely fixing them into place. Are sealants [...]

By |2023-02-21T08:00:01-08:00February 21, 2023|Children's Dentistry|

Wisdom Teeth: Should They Stay Or Go?

Why Get Rid of Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the very back of the mouth. They appear in late adolescence, at about ages 17 to 25, depending on the individual. The problem is that most people simply don't have enough room to accommodate these extra teeth. When wisdom teeth are "impacted," it means they are causing problems for neighboring teeth, possibly disrupting their alignment. They are also notorious for emerging in irregular positions, partially emerging, or failing to [...]

By |2023-01-24T08:00:51-08:00January 24, 2023|Patient Education|

Getting An Electric Toothbrush

Should I switch to an electric toothbrush? Or is my old toothbrush doing the job? For many people, making any change is a big decision. Maybe you make a list of pros and cons, carefully weighing benefits and potential drawbacks. Especially for significant changes that will affect your long-held daily habits, we understand that change may be hard. But sometimes it can be especially beneficial! One simple decision that can make a big impact toward improving your oral health is switching to an electric [...]

By |2023-01-03T08:00:50-08:00January 3, 2023|Patient Education|

Alcohol, Your Teeth, & Your Health

While some studies might find benefits in moderate drinking (such as antioxidants in red wine), you can surely obtain these supposed positives through other, more healthy options. In fact, alcohol consumption has mostly adverse effects on our well-being. Most people know this but still drink due to the cultural and social aspects. Of course, moderation is key. Taking it too far and drinking in excess can pose dangers to both your overall health and your teeth as well. Alcohol & Overall Health In the [...]

By |2022-12-20T08:00:47-08:00December 20, 2022|Patient Education|

Tooth-Colored Fillings vs. Amalgams

With advancements in dental materials, cavity fillings have come a long way. It used to be commonplace for dentists to use amalgam fillings to treat teeth affected by decay or cavities. Today, more and more people opt for tooth-colored fillings. What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings? Tooth-colored fillings are a composite resin that typically contains a ceramic & plastic compound. We apply this material to the prepared tooth, then cure it with a special light to harden it into place, completing the restoration. It's not hard [...]

By |2022-10-04T08:00:49-07:00October 4, 2022|Restorative Dentistry|

Bacteria That Cause Cavities

Which Bacteria Causes Cavities? Looking Inside Your Mouth You probably know that bacteria in your mouth cause cavities, plaque, and tooth decay. And you also probably know that proper at-home care such as brushing and flossing is the best way to prevent cavities and more serious problems. (Combine with regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings for best results!) However, most species of bacteria are relatively harmless to our oral health; just one or two strains cause cavities and tooth decay. They are called Streptococcus [...]

By |2022-09-06T08:00:37-07:00September 6, 2022|Patient Education|

Dental Bonding FAQs

What Is Dental Bonding? An amazingly versatile treatment to restore or cosmetically enhance your teeth. What is dental bonding? It sounds like making friends with your dentist, but it's actually a whole lot better than that! Bonding is a type of material that we use for many applications. It consists of a special composite resin designed to match your natural teeth—both in color and texture. What is dental bonding used for? In much the same way that tooth-colored fillings seamlessly fix cavities and decay, [...]

By |2022-07-05T08:00:09-07:00July 5, 2022|Restorative Dentistry|

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Why Wisdom Teeth Need to Go Wisdom teeth are the largest teeth in your mouth, and the very last to come in. When they do, they can cause problems for the surrounding teeth, a condition we call impacted. Back in the day, before modern dentistry, people didn't take good care of their teeth. It was fairly common for people to lose one or more, even before early adulthood. When that was the case, it made sense that we had an extra set of molars. [...]

By |2022-06-21T08:00:46-07:00June 21, 2022|Patient Education|

What’s In Saliva?

Why Do We Have Saliva? And why is it important to teeth? Saliva plays a critical role in the digestive process. While the jaw and teeth do the hard work of chewing, saliva is there to provide moisture, lubrication, and help break down food. Then, of course, it also makes swallowing the food a whole lot easier. Saliva is consists of about 98% of water. The rest is a particular combination of ingredients to help carry out its functions. These include mucus for lubrication [...]

By |2022-04-26T08:00:42-07:00April 26, 2022|Patient Education|