Dental FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions & Common Dental Problems
Loose Dentures
Complete and partial dentures, also called “plates” or “false teeth” replace missing teeth. When a denture is initially placed, it is designed to fit snugly next to the gum tissue. Over time, the gums change from the constant pressure of the denture, and the jawbone underneath the denture begins to “atrophy” or wear away as bone cells lose the blood circulation and stimulation previously provided by the teeth.
If loose dentures are your reality, there are a few possible solutions:
Dental Adhesives – these are a temporary solution that may help. It is important to be aware that after a while, these products will start to lose their effectiveness as the denture fit deteriorates further.
Denture Relines – If your denture is in otherwise pretty good shape, it might be possible to reline it with a new cushion of acrylic material to try to achieve a better fit.
Mini Dental Implants – These tiny, miniature titanium cylinders are surgically placed in the bone to function as a replacement for the tooth root. A small o-ring attachment is fitted to the top of the mini-implant and used to seat and secure the denture as a “snap”. This approach is often used with existing dentures that need stabilization.
Implant Dentures – Standard dental implants provide the ability to secure and stabilize a denture; the recommended approach is to place four or more implants to fit as attachments into the denture, which is specially designed to fit onto the implants. The result is a securely fitting denture that allows the patient to talk, eat and laugh normally without the embarrassment of a slipping loose denture.
If you are struggling with loose dentures, Contact Us to schedule a personal consultation with
Dr. McDonald and learn more about possible solutions for your smile.
No Time for Dental Appointments?
Today’s busy lifestyles make it tough to make time for dental appointments. Here are a few tips to maximize your time and keep you smile healthy:
Download and print patient registration forms and complete them prior to arriving to speed administrative processing. Be sure to give us your email address so we can email your appointment reminders and other important information.
If you have restorative needs, ask about scheduling a longer appointment to accomplish more in a single visit.
Develop a strong Home Care program – ask us how to structure your personal daily dental care routine. This will help prevent gum disease and decay – avoiding these will help minimize the number of trips you have to make to our office.
Don’t put off necessary treatment – postponing procedures almost always makes the problem worse. If you notice a “twinge” of sensation in a tooth, best to let us check it out and prevent a potential problem before it becomes an unexpected dental emergency that disrupts your schedule.
See your physician – the “body and mouth” health relationship has been proven to be a significant connection. If you have heart disease or diabetes, or take medications that cause a common side effect called “xerostomia” or “dry mouth”, it is critical that you follow up with your physician regularly to monitor your condition and evaluate the effects of your medication.
It is also very important to see us on schedule for routine checkups and cleanings to help prevent dental conditions that arise from medication side effects, such as dental decay and gum disease. Early detection saves time and money.
Have questions? Contact Us today and let us help you find a schedule-friendly way to keep your smile healthy!
What’s Hot in Smile Makeovers?
Studies have confirmed that having confidence in your own smile can make a big difference in how you interact with others both socially and professionally. We encourage you to bring in photos of smiles you like and let us offer ideas on how to create the look you want. A few “hot” topics in cosmetic dentistry:
Teeth Whitening – “Did you lose weight?” “Did you get a tan?” Our patients often tell us humorous stories about the comments they receive after teeth whitening. Our office features ZOOM!® in-office whitening, which achieves results in a single appointment. We also offer a take-home tray system, which can be used daily to lighten teeth gradually. Read more about ZOOM! Whitening
Dental Implants – “My Mom is smiling again”, “I can eat crunchy foods!” – Patients that have worn dentures for a long time have discovered the advantages of dental implants – these tiny metal cylinders are used to anchor dentures for a secure, solid bite – what a difference! Implants are also used to replace single missing teeth rather than placing a bridge. Read more about Dental Implants
All-Porcelain Crowns – Many patients that have aged crown and bridge work are freshening up their look with all-porcelain crowns. No more grayish lines at the gum line – porcelain is the most natural-looking tooth replacement material available. Shades can be matched to whitened natural teeth for a synchronous (and glamorous!) new smile. Read more about
Porcelain Crowns
Prepless veneers – Patients that have permanently stained teeth that (a common side effect of some medications taken during childhood) are often unable to whiten their teeth. Prepless Veneers are thin, porcelain shells that are bonded to teeth without the need for drilling. We protect the function of your bite while creating the “style” that you want!
Get Fit tips for your smile
“FACT: A typical 12-ounce can of soda contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar”
Keeping your smile healthy can be a wise move. Healthy teeth and gums not only make your teeth feel and look better, they are also good for your budget. Some tips to keep your smile healthy:
Be mindful of continuous sipping of soda, tea and coffee drinks – drinks that contain sugars combine with acids and bacteria to evolve into harmful dental plaque that can cause tooth decay. Studies show that even no-calorie drinks have flavor additives that are even more aggressive than simple sugars. Constant exposure to tooth surfaces cause more harm than consuming these beverages with meals. Water is the best drink for both your body and your smile!
Sticky, sugary foods, such as caramels, or even all-fruit products (raisins and “gummy” foods) can adhere to the chewing surface of teeth and reside on the tooth surface longer than other types of foods normally washed away after eating by fluids. Limit these types of foods, and when they are consumed, be sure to brush and floss soon afterwards.
As with continual exposure of sugar and flavor additives with beverages, the same applies to breath mints and hard candy. Tucking a mint in the corner of your mouth repeatedly during the day is bad news for your teeth.
Don’t bite hard objects or hold things with your teeth – this includes chewing ice or crunching hard candy. These habits can potentially chip the edges your teeth and create small fractures in tooth enamel; after years of this type of habit, patients often require tooth restorations to replace lost tooth structure.
Take care of your smile, every day – let us help you develop a strong home care regimen including brushing, flossing and medicated rinses to keep your teeth squeaky clean and your gums healthy.
