A dental veneer is a wafer-thin shell of tooth-colored material that fits over the outside of a tooth. Veneers are a popular option for cosmetic dentistry because they are a less intrusive option than dental crowns, and provide much quicker results than braces or aligners. They are also popular because of their wide range of uses: they can be used to brighten and correct discolored teeth, straighten a smile, close gaps, correct a misshapen tooth, and fix fractures and chips.

Approximately 5 million wisdom teeth are removed in the U.S. every year! Because our jaws have evolved to be too small to fit third molars (aka wisdom teeth), they often grow in incorrectly - pushing against other teeth, erupting at an angle, sometimes even getting stuck in the jaw bone. Some lucky people have wisdom teeth that grow in correctly and do not need to get them removed, and an even smaller number of lucky people do not grow wisdom teeth at all! However, chances ar

October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and it’s a timely reminder for all of us to keep up with good dental hygiene. Let’s brush up on why oral health is so important to our overall health and lives! Our teeth play such an important role in our lives; they’re there for us when we talk, laugh, chew, and eat. They complete our face shape by supporting our facial structures, and nearly 50% of American adults think that a smile is the most memorable feature after first meeting

Wisdom teeth removal can be a major rite of passage for teens and young adults, with approximately 80% of the US population getting them extracted! But why do most people need to get these third molars taken out, anyway? There are several serious oral health issues that can develop if impacted wisdom teeth are not removed - that is, wisdom teeth that are not growing in or positioned correctly. Check out the common complications caused by impacted wisdom teeth that are not ext

Root canal therapy (abbreviated as RCT, also called endodontic treatment or therapy) is highly effective at saving teeth that would otherwise die and have to be removed. As with all dental procedures, it’s best to get a tooth in need of an RCT treated quickly so that the situation doesn’t worsen. That said, how do you know if you need a root canal? When Root Canal Therapy Is Needed First, let’s begin with why RCT may be needed. When the pulp of a tooth (the soft tissue inside

For many parents, getting their children to brush their teeth is a twice-daily battle - but they are battles well worth having! Good oral hygiene is important at all ages, and aids young children in speech, educational and social development. Children suffering from oral pain tend to perform worse in school; a recent study revealed that children with tooth pain were 4 times more likely to have a low grade point average (below 2.8 GPA) compared to children without oral pain. O

It can be easy to put off your regular dental exams, even when you notice a nagging symptom in your mouth. But ignoring warning signs can easily allow seemingly minor issues to become more serious and require further treatment down the road. Catching and treating oral health issues early on saves you precious time and money, so be sure to visit the dentist if you notice any of these signs! Pain in Your Jaw or Teeth Probably the most obvious sign to see the dentist, pain in yo

Are you considering teeth whitening? If so, there are a few things you should consider before undergoing this treatment. Are You a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening? Teeth whitening, whether by professional or over-the-counter treatment, should only be used by people with healthy gums and teeth. This is because all teeth whitening treatments contain the bleaching agent peroxide, which can cause increased sensitivity and even damage to people with tender or receding gums. If

It can be tough finding healthy treats that your dentist would actually approve of, especially in the summer! Treats like ice cream, popsicles, lemonades, and cold sodas are great for cooling off, but they are absolutely loaded with sugar, which we all know can wreak havoc on our teeth. In fact, added sugar makes many so-called “healthy” treats remarkably unhealthy. A prime example is the ever popular frozen yogurt: froyo sellers like to claim their product is very healthy, b

Because a single missing tooth increases the risk of tooth damage and decay as well as numerous other oral health problems, we always recommend replacing a missing tooth. There are many different tooth replacement options to suit a wide variety of needs and budgets, such as dental implants, dentures and bridges. What Is A Dental Bridge? A dental bridge literally bridges the gap between healthy teeth and a missing tooth. It is a good restoration option for patients who do not

Summer is for sun, fun and smiles! Keep away tooth decay and keep your smile healthy and bright with these summer smile tips, for you and your entire family! Stick to a Routine | Brush and Floss Daily With vacations, reunions, social events and more, it can be easy to fall off routine during the summer. But no matter how busy or eventful your summer gets, it’s important to keep to routine for yourself and for your kids. Make a point to set aside a few minutes at the beginning

Dental implant surgery is typically performed in several visits over the course of several months. While this might seem like a lengthy procedure, the vast majority of patients find it well worth the time and cost because dental implants so closely resemble their natural teeth. A properly placed and cared for dental implant is virtually indistinguishable from a healthy natural tooth in fit, feel, stability and function! Let’s take a look at the typical 2-stage dental implant

We live in a world of choices, with a glut of options in everything from restaurants to streaming subscriptions and even to toothbrushes! Here are a few simple factors that will help you choose the right toothbrush for you: 1) Always Choose a Soft Bristled Toothbrush. Though toothbrushes also come with medium and hard bristles, most dentists agree that a soft bristled toothbrush is the way to go. Soft bristles offer less risk of damage to gums, gum recession, and worn tooth e

Dental implants have been called the most significant dental innovation of our generation, and it’s easy to see why! They are designed to closely mimic the structure of our natural teeth, from root to crown. With a 98% success rate -- the highest success rate of all tooth replacement options! -- implants are the best long-term solution for replacing missing teeth. When properly placed and cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime. How Do Implants Mimic Our Natural Teeth?