If you have cavities or a weakened or fractured tooth, your regular or emergency dentist will likely recommend a filling or a crown. Sometimes these treatments can be used interchangeably, but it’s often better to use one over the other. Dentistry relies on several factors to help determine which option to recommend to patients. It’s important, though, to first understand the difference between crowns and fillings. A crown is a prosthetic device cemented onto the tooth, providing coverage, and strength to a tooth. A filling is a material bonded into a tooth, replacing the damaged tooth structure. Here are some of the ways that a dentist thinks about whether to recommend a filling versus a crown. Fillings are best when: There are …
What is Cerec Dentistry?
Our Beaufort dental team believes everyone can have a healthy, happy smile. However, even with regular brushing and flossing, this can’t always be achieved naturally. For example, some people are more prone to tooth decay than others, and stained teeth can be caused by genetics. Whether it’s for functional or cosmetic reasons, sooner or later your teeth may need some restorative work to stay healthy and look great. When you do, the CEREC system is your best option. Learn everything you need to know about CEREC and why this advanced restoration technology is the safest, most effective way to restore your teeth. What is CEREC? CEREC stands for “Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics” and is a …
Our Beaufort SC Dentist Office 8 Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures
While traditional dentistry focuses on oral hygiene and preventing, diagnosing and treating oral disease, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of the teeth, mouth and smile. In other words restorative, general and/or family dental practices address dental problems that require necessary treatment, whereas cosmetic dentistry provides elective – or desired – treatments or services. Cosmetic treatments may also provide restorative benefits. For example, dental fillings are a common procedure used to treat decayed teeth. Previously, most dental fillings were composed primarily of gold, amalgam and other materials that left visible dark spots on the teeth. Todays dental fillings may be considered cosmetic to a certain …
What Exactly Does a General Dentist Do?
Who is the one health care provider you see more than any other? For many people, the answer is: their general dentist. There’s a good reason for that—it’s because general dentistry is uniquely oriented toward the prevention of disease. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 65 percent of all dental procedures are either diagnostic or preventive. By placing a strong emphasis on oral health and hygiene, general dentists help people avoid the progression of oral diseases. If left untreated, these eventually result in pain, lost time at work or school—and an estimated cost of billions of dollars each year. General dentists are the main providers of dental care to people of all ages. At a routine visit to your family dentist, you will probably …
5 MUST-ASK QUESTIONS FOR YOUR BEAUFORT SC DENTIST
Suppose you are trying to find your new Beaufort dentist. After some research, you finally find the right one for you and book an appointment. But now you start wondering what your first visit will be like. You feel you don’t want to waste time or miss any important information on your first date. Here are 5 must- ask questions you should ask your dentist on your first appointment. 1. How Often Do I Need to Have my Teeth Checked? Your dentist will explain why regular checkups and good hygiene are so important to prevent teeth or gum problems. The American Dental Association, for example, recommends regular dental checkups to keep your mouth healthy. These regular checkups can diagnose problems promptly. This way, treatments will be …
Why Cerec Crowns are better than Traditional Dental Crowns
If you find yourself in a situation where you need a crown, it’s good to know that you have options. Well, it’s only really good if you understand your options, that is. But not to worry, we’re here to help! When it comes to dental crowns, your options are a CEREC crown or a traditional dental crown. Let’s go over the pros and cons of each and see which one comes out on top. The Pros & Cons of Traditional Dental Crowns For years, traditional dental crowns have been a reliable method of helping people achieve the smile they’ve wanted. In its time, the traditional dental crown was a groundbreaking method in dental advancement and contributed a great deal toward new discoveries. But thanks to the more recent development of the …
Gold Dental Crown – Cost, Facts, Pro & Cons
What is a gold tooth crown? Gold tooth crowns are the best choice for restoring your back teeth. Fitting a gold crown requires minimal removal of the tooth, the crown fits well and can last for a lifetime. Gold does not harm the opposing tooth like some other, tougher crowns (really important if you have bruxism/teeth grinding). Gold has two disadvantages: price and esthetics. Porcelain fused to gold crowns try to overcome the esthetic problems of gold crowns, but in terms of quality, nothing beats a full gold dental crown. What are the advantages of gold crowns? Full gold crowns have many advantages - like perfect fit, long-lasting, tooth-saving - that makes them a great choice for tooth restoration. Most dentists …
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
A dental crown is a cover for a damaged tooth. It helps restore the normal shape, function, and size of the tooth. Crowns don’t last forever, but you can extend the life of a crown if you take the proper precautions. Here we’ll take a closer look at the different types of crowns and their longevity, as well as the warning signs that a crown may need to be replaced. What is the purpose of a crown? According to the American Dental Association (ADA), if you have a large filling but not enough tooth remaining to hold it, a crown can help strengthen the tooth. Your dentist may also use a crown to: restore a broken or cracked tooth protect a weak tooth from breaking attach dental bridges protect a fragile tooth …
What is a Porcelain Fused to Metal Crown?
Porcelain fused to metal crowns (PFM crowns) are metal crowns with a layer of porcelain fused on the metal. This makes them almost as durable as pure metal crowns but a lot more esthetic. PFM crowns used to be the most popular crowns in dentistry for a long time. They are still used today, but nowadays ceramic crowns are preferred, especially for front teeth restorations. PFM crowns are more affordable than all-ceramic crowns. Even though they are not as esthetic as porcelain crowns they are still good candidates for back teeth restorations. What are the advantages of PFM crowns? PFM crowns are strong and durable Dentists have been using PFM crowns for more than 35 years. Even though all-ceramic crowns have better esthetics, …
Am I a Good Candidate for Invisalign®?
Invisalign® is a modern way to straighten crooked teeth, and a lot of people are considering it! However, it is important to remember that not everyone is a good candidate for every dental treatment that exists. This applies to Invisalign as well. Thankfully, we can help! Are you wondering if you’re a candidate for Invisalign? Most people are, but it can be helpful to know what makes someone a good candidate so that you can be prepared. Ultimately, it is best to consult with an orthodontic or Invisalign specialist so that they can evaluate your teeth to determine what’s best for them. This article highlights what makes someone a good candidate for Invisalign. Read on to find out more! A good candidate for Invisalign The following is …