Why Are My Teeth Breaking?

How freely you flash your pearly whites is a quick window into your confidence and self-esteem. There are a lot of factors — from cosmetic to urgent — that can undermine that confidence and cause you to hide your teeth behind pursed lips or the back of your hand.

A serious concern for many of us - one that has both functional and cosmetic implications - is fragile, brittle teeth. Many people struggle with teeth that are weaker than they used to be, or more brittle than they should be. Weak, brittle teeth can interfere with your ability to eat, laugh, and live confidently. You may be contributing to that weakness by some bad habits, or you may be the victim of factors beyond your control. Regardless, Soundview Family Dental can help you prevent and bounce back from fragile, brittle teeth.

 

 

Why Are My Teeth Breaking?

There are several known causes for brittle and fragile teeth, as well as other factors that are associated with an increased risk of easily broken teeth. 

Genetic factors that affect your enamel and dentin can result in fragile teeth. Genetic predispositions may mean that you have softer than normal enamel, meaning it is more easily broken than for most people. Genetic factors may also affect the characteristics of the layer just beneath the enamel — the dentin — and may also mean your teeth are more brittle than normal.

Periodontal disease is often called gum disease. Whatever you call it, it is caused by bacterial growth that accumulates because of poor oral hygiene habits. The early form of periodontal disease — gingivitis — does not generally cause irreversible bone or tissue damage. However, if it is not treated effectively, and if you do not make a renewed commitment to good oral health, you can develop periodontitis. Periodontitis causes the retraction of bone and tissue from your teeth, which produces “pockets” at your gumline, which fill with debris and can lead to infection. In its advanced form, periodontitis results in fragile teeth that are prone to falling out. Make no mistake, periodontal disease is a serious condition, and should not be ignored.

Osteoporosis, which weakens the bones throughout your body, and renal disease, which affects your body’s ability to absorb calcium, can also contribute to brittle and fragile teeth. 

Risk factors for brittle and fragile teeth

While these risk factors do not directly cause brittle and fragile teeth, they indirectly contribute to circumstances which can result in teeth that break more easily than they should:

Multiple and repeated dental procedures in individual teeth or the same area of your mouth or jaw can, ironically, result in weakened teeth over time. A series of cavities in the same area, fillings that have had to be repeated, or cavities and fillings in adjacent teeth can, over time, result in weakness. Weakness attributable to multiple and repeated dental procedures can be addressed by exploring alternative dental treatments — crowns instead of or in addition to fillings, for example.

Some medications indirectly contribute to making your teeth brittle or weak by inhibiting your ability to absorb calcium or to produce saliva. If you lack sufficient saliva in your mouth, you will suffer a loss of enamel which, in turn, makes you vulnerable to tooth decay and weakness that comes with it. 

Your own personal habits can also increase the risk that you will suffer brittle or weak teeth. For example, it is possible to brush too often or too hard, which can wear away essential enamel. Over-the-counter whitening toothpaste (as opposed to professional-grade whitening toothpaste) can wear away your enamel, too.  Also, if you experience sleep bruxism — the habit of clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth as you sleep — you may gradually weaken your teeth and suffer broken teeth and dental work.

Acidic and sugary diets and switching rapidly between hot and cold foods and drinks weakens teeth by exposing them to chemicals that degrade their integrity and too-quick cycles of expansion and contraction. And poor overall nutrition weakens all the tissues of your body, including your teeth.

 

 

How to treat and manage brittle teeth?

Now that you have a better understanding of some of the causes and risk factors for weak and brittle teeth, some of the ways of managing brittle teeth — or your vulnerability to weak teeth — may be becoming clear.

Since tooth decay advances to the point of periodontal disease is a significant problem, a commitment to daily oral hygiene habits, and to twice-annual teeth cleanings and dental appointments, will help preserve the strength and integrity of your teeth. Your dentist will spot potential issues and develop a treatment plan to halt issues before they become significant risks. 

Along the same vein, you can preserve the strength of your teeth and reduce the risk of weakness or brittleness by avoiding acidic and sugary foods or, if you cannot resist, emphasizing excellent oral hygiene immediately after indulging. Commitment to good overall nutrition for the sake of your general health will also contribute to stronger and less brittle teeth. 

At Soundview Family Dental, we will partner with you to reduce the risk of brittle teeth, and to offer treatment alternatives that prioritize preserving your natural tooth function. If for whatever reason your natural teeth are no longer able to support your oral needs, we can offer options for this, too.

If successive cavities in the same area of your mouth have contributed to weakness, we may recommend crowns or other restorations to protect your teeth and restore full function. If you are experiencing tooth weakness due to periodontal disease, we will provide non-surgical (cleaning, scaling, and planing) and surgical (pocket reduction, bone and tissue grafts, tissue regeneration, and bone surgery) to halt the disease and preserve teeth strength. If you have a badly infected tooth, we will recommend painless root canal surgery capped with a crown to prevent that tooth from breaking or becoming reinfected.

Finally, in the unfortunate but possible event that some natural teeth are simply not strong enough to support your dental function and lifestyle, we will provide dental implant options to eliminate any fear that your teeth will crack, split, or break at any time.

Conclusion

You can do many things to keep your teeth as strong as possible — including keeping them as clean as possible and keeping us as involved in your oral health as possible. If you are experiencing repeated cavities in the same cluster of teeth, the need for frequent fillings in the same area, easily chipped or cracked teeth, broken teeth, tooth decay, advancing gingivitis, or tooth loss — regardless of how any of those issues were caused — Soundview Family Dental can provide preventive and restorative solutions. Our goal is simple — to preserve and return your teeth to their rightful place in your confident and healthy smile. 

Are your teeth more brittle or fragile than they used to be? Or weaker than they need to be for you to eat, laugh, and live confidently? Please reach out and let us take a look and offer some suggestions and solutions. 

 

 

Why Are My Teeth Breaking? is courtesy of: https://www.soundviewfamilydental.com/

Soundview Family Dental
201 5th Ave S Suite 103, Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 563-6360
Our Edmonds Location

How To Fix a Broken Tooth at Home

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body, harder even than your bones. Hard as your teeth are, they’re no match for the stress of car accidents, sports collisions, trips-and-falls, playground roughhousing, or even just biting down on some hard candy. 

Chipped, broken, and dislodged teeth are common. Each scenario can be very painful and can result in serious dental issues that will need dental attention — sometimes urgently. We’ll break down what you should do if the unfortunate happens. Soundview Family Dental can help with every consequence of a chipped, cracked, broken, or dislodged tooth. 

 

 

What to do if you break or chip a tooth?

The damage that you can do to your teeth runs the gamut from a tiny chip or crack to snapping a tooth or having one completely dislodged. As for how to respond immediately and what you should do next, there are a lot of things in common, but we’ll consider them separately: chipped and cracked teeth; and broken and dislodged teeth.

Chipped and cracked teeth

Chips and cracks are common, and most often occur when you’re chewing or biting something hard or doing something you shouldn’t be doing with your teeth — like trying to open a bottle. Depending on the location of the chip and depth of the crack, you may experience pain or simply notice a sharp edge or unexpected crunching sound in your mouth.

As soon as you identify you’ve cracked or chipped a tooth, rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean any food debris away from the area. If you can salvage any chips, wrap them up in moist gauze. 

Unless you’re experiencing significant pain or bleeding, a chipped or mildly cracked tooth is not generally a dental emergency. For mild pain or discomfort, use a cold compress (or ice or frozen peas wrapped in a clean towel) and over the counter pain medication. If you’d prefer a natural remedy, you can apply clove oil or even a wet peppermint tea bag to the sore area for some relief. 

While small chips and cracks are not emergencies, you should still contact your dentist to tell them what happened. Describe the location and depth of the damage and the symptoms you’ve experienced. Your dentist will know your dental history, including any tooth decay or particular vulnerability to infection. Chips and cracks are potential invitations to tooth decay and bacterial infection and maybe much more significant than they appear to you in your mirror. Your dentist will recommend whether to come in for a follow-up appointment and how quickly. 

Broken and dislodged teeth

If your tooth has broken or become completely dislodged from your mouth, you’re dealing with a dental emergency. There are some things to do immediately but, once they’re been dealt with, the next step is to call an emergency dentist for an assessment and appointment as soon as they recommend. Your goal should be to get in touch with a dentist within 30 minutes. 

If you can find the broken piece of your tooth, or the whole tooth that was knocked out of your mouth, try to salvage it so that your dentist has the option of restoring it to your mouth if possible. If you find the broken or dislodged tooth, rinse it very gently but be careful not to wash away or detach any tissue or material that is still attached to it. 

If your tooth was knocked right out, place it back into its socket if you can do so without forcing it and without any risk of swallowing it. If you’ve broken off just a piece, or putting the whole tooth back into its socket is not an option, then put it in a clean container with milk, saline solution, or saliva and take it to the dentist with you when you go. 

A broken or dislodged tooth is going to hurt, and may result in some swelling and bleeding. You can minimize the swelling and bleeding by holding a wet compress against the gap in your jaw or even against the outside of your face on the affected side. If you don’t have a cold compress, make one by wrapping a clean cloth around some ice or a small bag of frozen peas.

An emergency dentist will help you with the pain right away but, until then, take over the counter pain medication. When swallowing the pills, be careful not to let them come into contact with the inflamed gums around your damaged tooth. Those pills can burn that inflamed gum tissue. 

 

 

Temporarily fixing a chipped tooth

You may notice a sharp or jagged edge or corner of your tooth where the chip came off. That sharp or jagged edge creates a risk that you may bite the inside of your cheek or tongue accidentally. Those accidental nicks can be uncomfortable and raise the risk of infection. While waiting to go to the dentist, you can protect yourself from that sharp edge in a couple of ways.

Many drugstores sell emergency dental kits that include paraffin wax. You can soften some paraffin wax between your fingers and then place it over and around the chipped tooth to provide some protection. If you’re all out of paraffin wax, you can also use chewing gum — sugarless! — in the same way. 

What NOT to do at home

We can wrap this section up in section in five easy words — don’t pretend you’re a dentist. There are a few more don'ts to add. Don’t try to smooth down the edge of a jagged tooth with a file or sandpaper. Enamel and the dentin beneath it are important substances to your oral health, and dentists can preserve them while fixing a chipped or broken tooth. DIY tooth contouring is very likely to make a chip or crack worse than better and may introduce bacteria to the damaged area.

Don’t try to pull a broken tooth or a nearly dislodged tooth with pliers or any other tools. You’ll complicate the situation by causing infections and cause yourself an incredible amount of pain. Your dentist will assess what needs to happen next and is trained and equipped to do what is necessary painlessly and without causing infection. 

Finally, don’t assume that the chip or crack is as small as it looks to you. Your dentist knows the structure of your teeth intimately, and can even take images to see whether the crack or chip is threatening the integrity of your tooth altogether. If the crack or chip is worse than it looks, you want the dentist to know that as soon as possible so they can act quickly to preserve your tooth and oral health. 

When is it an emergency?

Broken or dislodged teeth are always emergencies. Even if you experience no other symptoms, contact an emergency dentist if you’ve suffered a broken or dislodged tooth. If your tooth is merely cracked or chipped, call the dentist when it is convenient to do so for their advice and assessment. But if you experience any of the following symptoms after suffering a cracked or chipped tooth, contact an emergency dentist: persistent or worsening bleeding; persistent or worsening swelling; fever; or a metallic taste in your mouth.

See professional help even after home care

The home remedies for chipped, cracked, broken, and dislodged teeth are not permanent solutions. They’re just ways of responding in the moment, to buy you time until you see a dentist.  Do not underestimate the importance of your teeth — even baby teeth — to your overall health. Your dentist will take all steps necessary to eliminate pain, restore your teeth if possible, offer alternative solutions such as implants if your tooth cannot be restored, and protect you from any risk of infection.

Chipped, cracked, broken, and dislodged teeth are unfortunately very common. So too are the complications of all those issues — including unnecessary permanent loss of natural teeth, loss of dental function, and infections. The good news is, all of those complications can be avoided by acting quickly and getting timely support from a dentist. If you’ve suffered a chipped, cracked, broke, or dislodged tooth, contact us so we can help you immediately.

 

The post How To Fix a Broken Tooth at Home is republished from: www.soundviewfamilydental.com

Soundview Family Dental
201 5th Ave S Suite 103, Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 563-6360
Our Edmonds Location

What are the Different Types of Braces?

Whether you are looking to improve the look of your smile, or to treat dental misalignments or other functional concerns, the main treatment option your orthodontist turns to is braces. When people think of braces, they often think of traditional metal braces covering the teeth. But that’s not your only option. Oftentimes, your orthodontist may recommend non-traditional braces to treat your concerns and help improve your smile. 

 

 

Why Do You Need Braces?

Braces are a highly effective treatment option designed to adjust and repair a variety of dental concerns, all while helping to improve your smile. While traditional metal braces were the only option for many years, advances in dentistry now offer many different treatment options. Your unique dental concerns play a role in determining which type of braces will provide you with the best results. 

How Do You Know if You Need Braces?

At Soundview Family Dental, we recommend that you see your dentist every six months for regular dental exams, starting at an early age. This allows the dentist to closely monitor your dental health and evaluate any potential concerns that may require orthodontic treatment with braces. While treatment with braces during childhood is best for some concerns, many orthodontic treatments require the loss of all baby teeth first.

Some common conditions addressed by braces include:

• Crowded teeth
• Missing teeth or increased space between teeth
• Overbites or underbites
• Teeth that do not align or meet correctly
• Disproportion of the jaw or teeth
• Incorrect jaw position
• Jaw disorders
• Difficulty chewing food due to improper dental alignment
• Breathing issues
• Early or late baby teeth development
• Late or delayed adult teeth development

 

 

Different Types of Braces?

As we have mentioned, orthodontic treatment with braces goes far beyond the idea of traditional metal braces. While metal braces are still the best treatment option for some conditions, there are a variety of different options available. Together, with your orthodontist, you will decide which type of braces will work best for you. This can include any of the following options.

Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces use metal brackets that attach directly to the teeth. Wire then attaches to each bracket by the use of elastic bands. During your treatment, the orthodontist adjusts the wires and replaces the bands to slowly move your teeth into the desired location. Traditional metal braces are typically the least expensive treatment option, while often being the most effective. Despite the development of new treatment options, metal braces are still the option most used for treatment. Unfortunately, they are also the most noticeable treatment option. This leaves many people self-conscious about their appearance and looking for alternative treatment options. Additionally, because these brackets attach directly to your teeth, you must use caution with certain foods, such as hard candy or sticky foods, as they can damage the brackets and wires.

Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces are similar to both traditional and ceramic braces, but with a slight twist. While metal and ceramic braces utilize elastic bands to attach the wire to the brackets, the brackets used with self-ligating braces have a spring-loaded door that holds the wire in place. This eliminates the need for elastic bands and can make adjustments quicker and easier for the orthodontist. The elimination of elastic reduces the risk of trapped food which can contribute to plaque formation. In addition, self-ligating brackets can either be metal or clear, offering a less visible option. However, while the brackets can be clear, the wire is still traditional metal. 

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are like traditional braces and use metal brackets and wires. The only difference is these braces go on the inside of the teeth, making them virtually invisible. While more aesthetically pleasing, these braces are less effective and unable to treat more serious alignment concerns. They can also cause discomfort for some as they come in direct contact with the tongue. Because of their placement, they are also more difficult to clean and maintain. They can also make eating difficult and certain foods can cause damage.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces work in the same manner as traditional metal braces. The only difference is that instead of metal brackets attached to each tooth, the brackets are made from a ceramic material designed to blend with the natural color of your teeth. In some cases, even the wires used can match your natural tooth color. This makes them much less noticeable. Unfortunately, this difference also makes them much more expensive than traditional braces. Additionally, if you do not thoroughly clean and care for the brackets during treatment, they may become discolored and stained. Like traditional braces, you must also avoid certain foods that can damage your brackets and wires.

Clear and Removable Braces

Clear and removable braces, such as the brand Invisalign, are a completely different option for orthodontic treatment. While the previous braces we mentioned attach directly to your teeth, this option does not. Instead, these types of braces use a series of custom-fit clear plastic aligners that you place over your teeth. You can remove them to eat and to clean your teeth. Every two weeks or more throughout your treatment period, you replace the aligner with a slightly different aligner designed to slowly move your teeth into the desired position. These differences make them more appealing to many as they are invisible to others and they allow you to eat and drink anything you choose without the risk of damage.

Unfortunately, while these may seem like the ideal option, there are disadvantages associated with clear aligners. They can only correct minor to moderate dental concerns, and are only available for teenagers and adults - not younger children. Because you can remove these aligners, there is the risk of accidental loss, and replacement aligners can be costly. The fact that you can remove the aligners also increases your responsibility for treatment. You must always wear the aligners, aside from eating and cleaning. Forgetting to wear an aligner for a day or longer can increase the duration needed for your treatment.

 

Making the Decision to Start Orthodontic Treatment with Braces

When your dentist recommends a consultation with an orthodontist, knowing your options for braces allows you to work with them to determine which treatment option will work best for you. While each available form of braces cannot treat every condition, in many cases, you do have options and your orthodontist will work with you to find the braces that fit your needs.

The blog post What are the Different Types of Braces? is republished from: https://www.soundviewfamilydental.com/

Soundview Family Dental
201 5th Ave S Suite 103, Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 563-6360
Our Edmonds Location

What Does a Cavity Look Like?

Cavities are a common dental problem. Everyone is likely to suffer from a cavity at some point in their lifetime. While cavities are a common dental condition, knowing the signs of a cavity can help you seek early treatment and avoid possible tooth loss. In addition, understanding what causes a cavity can help reduce your risk of having a cavity, and prevent dental damage that cavities can cause. At Soundview Family Dental, we encourage regular dental care, dental exams, and fluoride treatments to reduce your risk of cavities. But, when you think you may have a cavity, we’re also here to help.

 

 

What is a Cavity?

A cavity is the destruction of the outer layer of the tooth, or the enamel. This destruction exposes your inner tooth to damage and, if left untreated, cavities can lead to complete tooth loss. You’ve probably heard that regular brushing and flossing, especially after meals, can help reduce your risk of developing a cavity. But why does that make a difference? To better understand this, let’s look at what causes a cavity and how they form.

 

How Does a Cavity Form?

When you eat and drink, you’re not just feeding your body. Your mouth is filled with naturally occurring bacteria, and when you eat or drink, you are also feeding that bacteria. This is especially true when you eat foods and beverages high in sugars and starches. When food and drink particles remain on or stuck between your teeth, the bacteria feed on it. When this occurs, it creates a clear sticky film known as plaque. If the plaque remains on your teeth, it can harden into a substance known as tartar or calculus. This can occur under or above the gum line. This tartar makes plaque more difficult to remove and becomes a shield for bacteria.

Plaque is very acidic and works to remove minerals in the enamel of your teeth. This creates tiny openings in the enamel that expose the dentin, or inner surface of the tooth. When this occurs, bacteria can enter the dentin and further damage your tooth, often resulting in tooth sensitivity or pain. If left untreated, bacteria will continue to move deeper into the tooth until it reaches the pulp where the nerve endings and blood vessels are. This can lead to extreme pain and swelling.

While cavities can occur anywhere on a tooth, there are areas that are more prone to cavity development. These include:

• Chewing surfaces of the molars – these surfaces have grooves and crevices that can trap food particles and increase the risk of bacteria growth.
• Between your teeth – food particles can easily become trapped between teeth and increase the risk of bacterial growth. This is one reason flossing is so important.
• Near the gum surface – At the bottom of your teeth, near the gumline, is an area where bacteria can collect.

 

 

Visible Signs That You May Have a Cavity

A cavity is a hole in your tooth. However, cavities are not always visible to the naked eye. Even a small hole can be enough to let bacteria in. In many cases, you may experience symptoms of a cavity before you can even see them. However, there are physical signs that can indicate the presence of a cavity. These can include:

• Tooth Discoloration – In many cases, tooth decay and cavities lead to tooth discoloration. If you are noticing a slight color change or a dark area forming on the surface of a tooth, chances are you may have a developing cavity.
• Black Spots or Holes - In the early stages of a cavity, there is often little to no discoloration. However, as a cavity progresses, you may see black spots on the surface of your tooth or open holes in your tooth.

If caught early, cavities can be treated with fillings. However, extensive tooth damage can lead to the need for a root canal and crown in order to save the tooth. If left untreated, cavities can lead to complete tooth loss.

 

Other Signs That You May Have a Cavity

While the previously discussed physical changes to your teeth can be signs of a cavity, often you will experience symptoms of dental decay long before you can visibly see a cavity. While everyone’s experiences are different, some signs of a possible cavity can include the following symptoms.

Sensitive Teeth

As cavities develop, they create tiny holes in the enamel of your tooth. These holes expose the dentin of your teeth. With the dentin exposed, you can experience tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods. These foods can stimulate cells and nerves within the dentin that can lead to discomfort.

Toothaches or Headaches

Toothaches or regular headaches can often be the first sign of a cavity. As the cavity exposes the dentin and nerves of your teeth, this can lead to discomfort. When left untreated, a cavity can cause an infection or abscess in the tooth. This can contribute to pain, pressure, and swelling in your tooth or surrounding gum tissue. In some cases, this can contribute to severe headaches or pain and pressure in your ear.

Pain When Eating

While a constant toothache doesn’t always occur, you may experience pain when chewing and eating. As the bacteria eats away at your tooth, it can cause swelling and inflammation. When you bite down or chew, this places additional pressure on already swollen tissue and can result in pain or discomfort.

 

 

Cavity Prevention

While cavities are a common dental concern, there are things that you can do to reduce the risk of cavity development. These include:

• Practice Good Oral Hygiene – This includes regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing. This is especially important after eating to help remove food and beverages that contribute to cavity development. If you are at high risk for cavities, your dentist may also recommend regular use of a fluoride rinse.
• Get Regular Dental Exams and Cleanings – Regular dental visits allow your dentist to monitor potential issues before they contribute to cavity development or treat cavities early. Regular cleanings help to reduce plaque and tartar on the teeth. During a cleaning, your dentist may also recommend a fluoride treatment.
• Consider Dental Sealants – Dental sealants provide a protective layer to the chewing surface of the teeth. Sealants do not last forever and may need reapplication every few years.
• Drink Tap Water – Many community water supplies contain added fluoride which can help to reduce tooth decay.
• Avoid Frequent Snacking and Sugary Drinks – If you frequently snack or sip sugary drinks throughout the day, you increase your risk of bacterial growth that can contribute to cavity formation. Consider sipping water throughout the day, limiting your snacks, or brushing your teeth after snacking.
• Eat Foods Good for Your Teeth – Instead of reaching for a candy bar at snack time, consider foods that benefit your teeth. For example, fruits and vegetables help to stimulate the flow of saliva. This helps wash away food particles and helps to decrease the risk of bacterial growth. Sugar-free gum is also a great alternative that helps remove food particles from the surface of your teeth.

 

At Soundview Family Dental, your dental health is our number one priority. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or if you think you may have a cavity, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

The post What Does a Cavity Look Like? was first published to: www.soundviewfamilydental.com

Soundview Family Dental
201 5th Ave S Suite 103, Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 563-6360
Our Edmonds Location

Can a Dental Bridge Be Removed and Recemented?

A dental bridge is a fixed appliance that helps replace missing teeth. Typically, dental bridges can last for decades without ever needing attention. However, bridges can become loose or damaged, decay can get under the bridge and damage surrounding teeth, or changes in your teeth alignment can affect how the bridge fits in your mouth. When these things occur, bridge removal may be necessary. But can a dental bridge be removed and recemented into place? It all depends on the integrity of the bridge and the underlying problems. Here, Soundview Family Dental explains what a dental bridge is, and the complications that can lead to removal and replacement.

 

 

What is a Dental Bridge?

When you lose a tooth due to decay or other complications, the empty space affects the nearby teeth. With an open space, nearby teeth can tilt or drift out of place, affecting your bite and causing pain or tooth damage. A dental bridge is an appliance that replaces the empty space. A dental bridge consists of two or more crowns that fit on the top of the anchoring teeth or abutment. Between these crowns is a pontic, or false tooth, which will fill the gap of your missing tooth. The dentist cements the crowns into place over the healthy surrounding teeth. A dental bridge both restores the functionality of your teeth, and also provides significant cosmetic benefits by replacing a lost tooth and giving you back your smile.

 

Possible Risks and Complications Associated with Dental Bridges

As many as 120 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth. This makes dental bridges a quite common and necessary dental appliance. While bridges are a highly successful dental treatment option, there is always a risk of possible complications that can require the removal or replacement of a bridge. These can include:

• An improper or ill-fitting bridge – a poor or loose fit can lead to the build-up of tooth decay on the healthy teeth that are under the crowns. Because the dentist must file down the healthy teeth in order to place the crown, these teeth are more susceptible to decay. This decay to the anchoring teeth can lead to tooth damage and bridge instability.
• Damage to neighboring teeth – Over time, dental bridges can develop rough areas. If these rough areas come in contact with other teeth, they can wear down natural tooth enamel on healthy teeth.
• Increased risk of gum disease – Dental appliances, such as a dental bridge, can increase a person’s risk of gum disease. Regular brushing can help reduce this risk, as can regular dental cleanings. Regular dental visits allow your dentist to catch any potential signs of gum disease early and nip it in the bud before it causes any lasting damage.
• Fractures to the pontic or crowns – While pontics and crowns are made to handle the force of chewing, they can still be fragile. Eating hard foods, such as hard candy, can crack or fracture the surface, create a chip, or completely damage the bridge. While small chips and cracks can often be repaired, larger breaks can require a new bridge.

 

Causes of Dental Bridge Failures

While dental bridges are designed to last for many years, many things can contribute to the failure of a dental bridge. When this happens, your dentist may need to remove, repair, or replace your dental bridge. Some common causes of bridge failure include:

• Poor Oral Hygiene – The number one cause of bridge failure is poor oral hygiene. The build-up of decay around and under the crown can cause damage to the stabilizing teeth, resulting in bridge failure.
• Poor Abutment Support – Changes to supporting teeth can reduce the stability of a dental bridge. Instability or reduced support from these teeth can result in uneven distribution of pressure on the bridge and can result in failure.
• Bad Habits – Do you tend to chew on a pen when stressed? Do you suffer from nighttime teeth grinding? Are nuts and hard candies your favorite? Any of these habits can cause damage to the crowns or pontic of your bridge.
• Lack of Regular Dental Care – While good oral hygiene at home is essential to maintain the life of your bridge, so are regular visits to your dentist. Regular oral exams can catch any potential problems with your bridge before they lead to bridge failure.

 

 

Can a Bridge Be Recemented After Removal?

How a dentist removes a damaged bridge depends on a variety of different factors. Loose bridges can often be easily removed and repaired, allowing your dentist to recement the bridge into place. However, the cement used to bond a bridge in place is designed to last for many years and it is not always possible to remove a bridge without causing damage to the support of surrounding teeth. Your dentist can try to tap off the bridge, but this can often injure and even fracture the support teeth. In these cases, the dentist will need to drill off the bridge and create a new one. What your dentist chooses to do will depend on the cause of the bridge failure, how strong the current bridge bond is, the integrity of the supporting teeth, and the desired result.

 

Consult Your Dentist for Recommendations and Treatments

As you can see, dental bridges provide both a structural and cosmetic solution for missing teeth. But they also require care and often change of habits. If you have missing teeth, or if you currently have a dental bridge that is causing you concern, contact Soundview Family Dental today to see how we can help. It may be possible to repair an existing bridge while in place or with careful removal, or it may be time for a new bridge.

Can a Dental Bridge Be Removed and Recemented? was first published on: https://www.soundviewfamilydental.com

Soundview Family Dental
201 5th Ave S Suite 103, Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 563-6360
Our Edmonds Location

What is Laser Dentistry?

While you may be familiar with laser treatments in the medical and cosmetic surgery fields, the use of laser treatments also occurs in the dental field. You may be familiar with laser whitening treatments, but when it comes to oral care, lasers offer many more options. Do traditional drills and sharp dental instruments give you nightmares and keep you from regular dental visits? Then laser dentistry may be just what you are looking for.

While not yet considered mainstream in many dental offices, the use of lasers to treat hard and soft tissue dental conditions is rapidly growing and an option at Soundview Family Dental. When used, the focused light beams target diseased or damaged tissue, and in most cases, this minimally invasive procedure offers patients many benefits over traditional dental treatment options.

What is Laser Dentistry?

LASER stands for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.” The laser instruments used by dentists create a narrow and focused beam of light designed to react to specific tissue. Each laser instrument produces different wavelengths in order to target specific tissue. For example, soft tissue lasers target gum and soft tissue, such as the gums, while hard tissue lasers target hard tissue, such as teeth and bone.

When you come in for a laser dental treatment, you will find your appointment begins in a similar fashion to traditional dental treatments. You may receive anesthesia or a sedative, though at a much lower amount than required for traditional treatment. You will not experience the vibrations and discomfort you experience with traditional dental drills and, in most cases, you will experience little to no pain or discomfort. Laser treatments are often much quicker and more economical than traditional dental procedures and offer other additional benefits.

Benefits of Laser Dentistry

In addition to reduced or eliminated pain during dental procedures, laser dentistry offers a wide variety of benefits for patients. These can include:

• No need for anesthesia with some procedures
• Reduced risk of bacterial infections – the use of lasers sterilizes the area as it treats
• Decreased need for sutures with some procedures
• Minimal bleeding as the laser promotes blood clotting
• Faster healing times
• Less post-procedure pain and swelling
• Less damage to the surrounding tissue – the focused light produced by lasers allow the dentist to focus on damaged tissue while leaving healthy tissue untouched
• Reduced anxiety and increased comfort – for many people, the sound of a dental drill is enough to keep them from the dentist. Laser treatments are quiet and relatively pain-free, helping patients feel more comfortable and relaxed during treatment.
• Reduced need for medications and antibiotics after treatment

Procedures that Use Laser Dentistry Treatments

When it comes to laser dentistry, certain lasers focus on the treatment of the teeth while others focus on the treatment of gums and soft tissue. The differences between the lasers depend on their wavelength and the type of tissue they target. For example, the light wavelengths used by soft tissue lasers are easily absorbed by hemoglobin and water, making them ideal for gum and tissue treatment. In contrast, the wavelengths used with hard tissue lasers work with the calcium phosphate salt in your teeth and bones, making them ideal for specific procedures of the teeth. The specific dental work you require will determine the type of laser your dentist uses.

Hard Tissue Procedures

Hard tissue lasers use wavelengths that are absorbed through water and the calcium phosphate salt inside the tooth or bone. Dentists use these lasers to cut this hard tissue. Hard lasers reduce the need for anesthesia for procedures such as fillings. Common procedures that use hard lasers include:

• Prepare and shape teeth prior to composite bonding
• Repair worn-out or damaged fillings
• Remove minor amounts of tooth structure
• Treating teeth sensitivity – sensitivity to hot and cold is the result of the open tub

Soft Tissue Procedures

The wavelengths in soft tissue lasers are easily absorbed by hemoglobin (a molecule found in the blood) and water.  This makes them ideal for treating gum issues as they can cut into soft tissue while simultaneously sealing exposed blood vessels. This helps to reduce bleeding and reduce your healing time. In addition, laser treatments effectively kill bacteria in the mouth, reducing your risk of infection after treatment. Common procedures performed with soft lasers include:

• Gum disease – the traditional treatment for mild to severe gum disease can include scaling and root planing to remove plaque and tartar as well as bone grafting or soft tissue grafting. Laser gum surgery eliminates these procedures as the laser can remove inflamed or dead tissue while killing bacteria.
• Correcting uneven or disproportionate gum lines
• Address restricted tongue movement
• Lengthening crowns
• Removing folds in oral soft tissue often caused by dentures

Additional Laser Dentistry Procedures

In addition to soft and hard laser treatment options, laser dentistry has other applications. Specific lasers can help you avoid dental x-rays and their associated risks by identifying tooth decay before it is visible to the naked eye. Your dentist can then treat the tooth decay with hard and soft tissue treatments. 

Laser whitening is another laser dental option commonly used to help brighten and improve your smile. After your dentist places whitening gel on your teeth, lasers help speed up the process and produce much whiter and brighter results.

Lasers have also made a big difference when it comes to crowns, veneers, and bridges. Laser CAD/CAM technology allows your dentist to produce more precise teeth impressions, making the procedures much more comfortable for patients.

Laser Dentistry That You Will Find at Soundview Family Dental

At Soundview Family Dental, we utilize Electro Surge laser technology to provide quality deep cleanings and address periodontal disease. This laser technology also allows us to perform many soft tissue procedures with less pain, better results, and a much faster recovery, making this treatment option a patient’s favorite.

If you are interested in learning more about how laser dentistry can help you address your dental concerns, contact Soundview Family Dental today.

 

The article What is Laser Dentistry? is republished from: https://www.soundviewfamilydental.com/

Soundview Family Dental
201 5th Ave S Suite 103, Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 563-6360
Our Edmonds Location

Hi, I am Dr. Eric Kitts. Welcome to Soundview Family Dental! Located in beautiful downtown Edmonds. I grew up in the state of Washington and did my dental school at the University of Washington. 

When it came time to open a practice, I really wanted to open a practice in a beautiful community such as Edmonds. Every patient is different. Every patient deserves to have a customized treatment plan and individualized care. Patients leave our office feeling like it was all about them. One thing that I'd like people to understand is that the health of your teeth and gums affects your whole body. Poor oral health can have systemic consequences. It can affect your mood, your overall well being, and you're cardiovascular health. It's very important to take good care of your teeth and gums. And to visit your dentist regularly. 

We're able to provide the best care because we don't compromise what we do. We have a state-of-the-art facility with the best technology. And quite frankly, the best staff. When patients leave here I want them to feel like they were well cared for and that they want to come back. 

Dentistry is always exciting. It's always on the move. There are always new and bigger things coming out and I enjoy being apart of it. 

Come check us out! Let us care for your smile! 

Visit our website: https://soundviewfamilydental.com/ 

Map: https://g.page/soundviewfamilydental

Soundview Family Dental 

201 5th Ave S Suite 103

Edmonds, WA 98020

(425) 563-6360