Conditions & Procedures
Dental Conditions
Abscessed Tooth
An abscessed tooth is usually sensitive or painful. The discomfort is what normally alerts the patient to the problem. Occasionally, an abscess may be detected on an x-ray and treated before the patient experiences any discomfort. Left untreated, an abscess may compromise the immune system and in some cases may become life-threatening.
Periapical (root-tip) Abscess
A periapical (root-tip) abscess is a pocket of infection at the tip of a root. The tooth becomes abscessed after the pulp (nerve) of the tooth becomes infected. A periapical abscess is usually caused by deep decay or an accident (trauma to the tooth involving nerve damage). A periapically abscessed tooth will require either Root Canal Therapy or an Extraction. In some cases an antibiotic will also be prescribed.
Tooth Discoloration
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Teeth become discolored for different reasons:
- Drinking coffee, tea, or colas.
- Some antibiotics may darken developing teeth in children.
- Aging – The dentin underneath the enamel of a tooth gradually darkens with age.
- Use of tobacco products.
- Accidents – If a tooth has been traumatized, sometimes the nerve will gradually “die”, and the tooth becomes dark.
- After Root Canal Therapy, a tooth will generally darken.
What Can Be Done About Tooth Discoloration?
The four most common remedies for tooth discoloration are:
- Bleaching
- Bonding
- Veneers
- Caps (Crowns)
Each patient must be evaluated individually, so contact us to set up a consultation. Your dentist will discuss the appropriate options with you for your particular case.
Teeth Grinding / Bruxism
What is Bruxism? Grinding (clenching) of teeth, also known as Bruxism, occurs in children as well as adults. Grinding of teeth generally occurs during sleep.
What if my Child is Grinding His or Her Teeth?
Children often grind their teeth when their teeth are erupting. This is not uncommon, nor is it a problem if it is mild. However, in more severe cases the child can develop a malocclusion. Malocclusion may then lead to TMJ problems or to a need for Orthodontics. If you have any concerns about your child’s Bruxism, be sure to have their dentist check for signs of excessive wear so that treatment options can be discussed and implemented to prevent serious problems.
What about Bruxism in Adults?
Adults may grind their teeth at night due to:
- Malocclusion (bad bite)
- Stress
The result of bruxism can be worn spots (attrition) that can lead to:
- Malocclusion (if the patient doesn’t have already)
- Sensitivity
- Brittle teeth that require crowns
- TMJ problems
How can Bruxism be Treated?
Sometimes, the damage caused by bruxism must be addressed first. Any malocclusion, sensitivity, brittle teeth, or TMJ problems should be discussed with your dentist first to be sure those problems are resolved and that the subsequent treatment for bruxism prevents a recurrence of those problems. Further damage from bruxism can be prevented with a night guard that is worn during sleep.
This guard is comfortable and easy for most people to wear. Contact us for an appointment to stop the damage caused by bruxism and correct any serious problems.
Cavities / Tooth Decay
Tooth Decay begins when the protein of your saliva combines with the sugars and carbohydrates of food particles. Bacteria-laden plaque, which make acid from the sugar in saliva, eats away at the hard enamel shell around your tooth. Left unchecked, a hole will be created in the enamel and a cavity will rapidly form in the softer dentin which lies under the enamel. If the cavity is caught in time, usually a Filling will correct the problem. Larger cavities may require an Inlay or Onlay, or a Crown. However, if nothing is done and the decay spreads, the sensitive pulp (nerve) may become involved, often causing an Abscess, and Root Canal Therapy or Extraction may be required.
Dental Procedures
Bonding
At Fairview Dental, our bonding procedure consists of adding tooth-colored composite material to “fill in the blanks” of our patient’s smile, when their teeth have spread too far apart. One of the most frequent uses of the bonding technique is to fill in a gap between front teeth.
This durable coating is applied and hardened with a special light, which ultimately “bonds” the material to the tooth.
One of the most frequent uses of the bonding technique is to fill in a gap between the two (2) front teeth. Think David Letterman, Michael Strahan or Madonna…
Dental bonding is an ideal way to correct minor cosmetic concerns. Using the same hard, durable composite resin that is used in fillings, your Fairview Dental dentist can sculpt a brand new surface onto your natural teeth that is imperceptible and undetectable.
Bridges
Permanent Fixed Bridge – A Permanent Bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. A Bridge will:
– Keep teeth from drifting into the space created from a missing tooth
– Help preserve normal function and normal bite for the jaw joint
A Permanent Bridge is usually anchored to the teeth on both sides of the space from the missing tooth. This gives the bridge strong support. Brushing a bridge is no different than brushing natural teeth, but special flossing instructions are given to keep the bridge and surrounding tissue healthy.
A Permanent Bridge is permanently bonded in place, unlike a Partial Denture (sometimes called a “Removable Bridge”), which is removable.
Chairside Tooth Whitening
– Prophylaxis (cleaning): Adult and Child
– Topical Fluoride Application
– Pit and Fissure Sealants
– Oral Hygiene Instruction
– Nutritional Counseling
– Other: Space maintenance appliances, etc.
Tooth Fillings
After decay is removed from a tooth, something must be placed in that space to give strength back to the tooth.
Fillings: Fillings are the most common restorative procedure.
Inlays and onlays: In addition to a tooth filling, lab fabricated inlays and onlays are sometimes used. Although many patients think of these as fillings as well, they are actually different since they are laboratory fabricated.
White fillings: White (metal-free) fillings are an alternative to silver (mercury amalgam) fillings. White fillings are made of a strong composite resin that is matched to the surrounding tooth color. In the past, white fillings were placed only on front teeth, but a stronger, more durable material has been developed that can withstand the chewing pressure of the back teeth as well.
White fillings are often preferable because:
- Many patients prefer mercury-free fillings
- Cosmetic reasons
- Patients with sensitivity to heat or cold find metal-free fillings to be more comfortable.
White Porcelain or Resin inlay or onlay: A porcelain or resin inlay or onlay is used when the cavity is too big for a filling, but isn’t so big that a crown is required. An inlay is a filling within the cusp tips of the tooth. Onlays (also known as overlays) will overlay one or more cusps in order to protect and strengthen the tooth.