GENERAL DENTISTRY

Bonding is the process of adhering composite resin material that is matched to the color of the tooth to the front of the tooth. This is done to repair damage done to the tooth by decay, to close gaps between the teeth, to alter the alignment of the tooth, or for cosmetic purposes. First, the surface of the tooth is roughened so the bonding will hold. Next, a gel is applied to micro etch the tooth surface and a bond/primer agent is applied so the material adheres to the surface. Composite resin material is then placed on the tooth and hardened with intense light. As a last step, the composite resin is shaped and polished to get a lustrous finish.

A bridge is an option for filling the space created by a missing tooth. A natural looking tooth is created to fill the space; the sides of the bridge are formed by using the two adjacent teeth for support. Bridges are both functional and cosmetically pleasing. Creating beautiful bridge work is both an art and an exact science. Gold alloys, all ceramic, or porcelain bonded to metal alloy are some of the materials used. The choice of material depends on requirements for wear, strength, and/or esthetics.

There are several reasons that a missing tooth should be replaced as soon as possible. If not treated, the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift inward, creating a chain reaction of bad things. When a tooth is missing the surrounding teeth start to “fall” since teeth use their neighbors for support. As this worsens, the bite changes in response to the pressure. Eventually, this can result in problems with the entire jaw, e.g. TMJ. The surrounding teeth also have a tendency to deteriorate, and it is just a matter of time before they, too, are lost.

Crowns are full coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is broken, cracked, or too deteriorated to be restored with a filling. They look and feel like your existing teeth and are most commonly done after root canal treatment, or when a large filling wears out. When a large filling is placed, the natural tooth becomes compromised and is more likely to break. Keep in mind that the jaw muscles are the strongest muscles in the human body, subjecting teeth to tremendous pressure. Crowns completely cover the weakened tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth against breakage. Remember, it’s less expensive and restoration is easier if you place the crown before the tooth becomes cracked or broken (i.e., root canalled teeth always break eventually).

Comfort-Fit Dentures help you eat — and smile — with confidence. There are different types of dentures and partials, but they share their common function. They replace teeth that have become loose or have been lost due to bone loss. It’s time for dentures when bone loss around the roots of the teeth is extensive enough to loosen them or cause them fall out. No one enjoys losing their natural teeth, but you can relax in knowing that you can still eat and talk normally.

First, the entire mouth is examined to determine which teeth need to be removed. The loose teeth are then extracted. Dentures or partials are fitted to go over or around whatever teeth remain in the mouth, depending on the type. There is an adjustment period after dentures are placed in the mouth, and it can take some getting used to. But once accustomed to the dentures, all the normal functionality and appearance return and you can carry on as usual.

In 1995, Gentle Dental Care became one of the first practices in Idaho to stop using mercury fillings. Tooth-Colored Restorations, or fillings, provide an incredibly natural look that matches your teeth, and are much safer than the old mercury fillings.

Fillings replace tooth structure after decay is removed. It is called a filling because new material fills the hole that the decay left. When you smile, you want people to notice you – not your dental work. That’s why most teeth today are treated with bonded tooth colored composite resin fillings. Cavities can be treated easily and painlessly if caught early enough. Left untreated, decay can lead to tooth pain and/or infection, and the tooth would need a root canal or extraction.

If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own! A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed in your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, injury, or some other reason. Under proper conditions, such as placement by a periodontist and diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates for implants.

While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling you may forget you ever lost a tooth. You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don't feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. Dental Implants are the perfect solution for regaining a beautiful, functional smile for life.

Mouth guards are prescribed when the teeth need to be protected or repositioned for one reason or another. Different shapes, sizes, and materials are used depending on the usage. Reasons for mouth guards include:

Sports Activities
Clenching
Grinding
TMJ Treatment

The foundation for your teeth consists of gums, ligaments and bone. The medical term for these structures is the periodontium. Just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house, unhealthy periodontium jeopardizes the health of your teeth. Signs of unhealthy gums may include the following:

Gums that are red and bleed easily
Persistent bad breath
Gums that are pulled away from the tooth
Loose teeth
Changes in the bite or position of the teeth

Even one of these signs can mean trouble. However, with proper care, it may be possible to return the gums to a healthy state. Don’t delay coming in for treatment, because things won’t get better on their own. Treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing done under local anesthetic. Sometimes antibiotics are necessary. Severe gum disease may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. So don’t delay. It is important to get the proper treatment at the first sign of a problem.

It's no secret that needing a root canal can cause you worry or concern. But it doesn't have to. Today's innovative root canal techniques are more efficient and patient-friendly than ever before, and they are available here at Gentle Dental Care. We can perform the vast majority of root canal therapies in a single office visit. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call and schedule your appointment with us today:

Persistent aching or throbbing tooth pain
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or liquids
Pain while chewing or pain in your head, neck or ear

When a cavity is allowed, through neglect, to reach all the way to the pulp, root canal treatment is necessary (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy). Other reasons for root canal therapy can include deep restorations or trauma to the tooth that damages the nerve. Once this occurs the pulp becomes infected, and can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone (this is an abscess). Once the pulp is infected it can’t heal on its own and must be treated. Teeth in this condition are often painful and can even weaken the entire immune system. Untreated infections in the head area are dangerous since they can spread quickly. The following symptoms are indicators that the pulp has become infected: sensitivity to hot/cold/sweets, pain, swelling, pain when biting, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup.

A root canal is then performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp, and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The alternative treatment is extraction. Once the infection is under control, the canals are filled in to prevent further infections. A core build-up and crown is usually recommended for restoring a tooth that has had root canal therapy.

This simple, noninvasive procedure is accomplished by placing a thin resin material on the occlusal (flat) surface of a molar, and then curing it with a special light. Sealant material fills in narrow grooves in the tooth's anatomy that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has such fine grooves or pits that not one bristle of a toothbrush can get in. Over time, cavities develop, and you don't want that. By sealing the grooves and pits, it is possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy.

TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint; Temporal, as in temple area of the skull, mandibular as in the mandible, or lower jaw, and joint as in where the head and jaw meet. Misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension can cause problems in this joint. This is an area where two bones meet so cartilage buffers them. There are also five muscles that contribute to stability and function. When things go wrong in this complicated area, a good deal of trouble can result.

Symptoms of TMJ:

Headaches
Earaches
Trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth
Clicking or popping of the jaw
Pain in the jaw muscles
Soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face

Dental treatments for TMJ can include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, and filling gaps between the teeth. There is no one solution that is right for all cases. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent grinding or clenching that is contributing to the problem. If left untreated and taken to extremes, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint.