All-On-4 Dentures, also called Implant-Supported Dentures or Implant-Retained Dentures, are a great option for patients who have lost their natural teeth. Implant-supported dentures are the middle ground between the conventional denture that uses adhesive and the more expensive advanced full-arch dental implants. All-On-4 Dentures are a great option for individuals who are seeking an affordable option to significantly improve their ability to chew and smile. The support of the implant allows the dental fixture to be shaped into a horseshoe, reducing the bulkiness and opening the palate to create more space for the tongue and better ability to taste food. Implant-supported dentures are sturdier and do not require adhesive. The …
Do I Need a Dental Crown or Filling?
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 …
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, …
Why Do Dentists Need Your Health History?
We know no one enjoys filling out paperwork, but in any medical environment, all those questions about your medications and medical history are incredibly important. Most people acknowledge that they need to fill out paperwork at places like their GP or orthopedic, but at dental offices, paperwork is often left ignored and unfinished. Because people typically come to the dentist twice a year, it can feel more routine than going to other medical offices. This translates to people not feeling the need to mention things like new medications or recent surgeries. Your teeth don’t have much to do with the rest of your body, right? In reality, your overall health has a strong impact on the health of your teeth and gums. Even small changes to your …
Three Reasons You Should Replace Missing Teeth
The aesthetic benefits you get from replacing missing teeth are a good enough reason to start the process, but the impact goes way beyond that. Replacing lost teeth is crucial for your long-term oral health. Here are some of the reasons why patients should consider replacing missing teeth sooner rather than later: 1. Lost function and form are restored Teeth and their roots work in tandem to stabilize a person's bone structure and bite. When some teeth are missing, the teeth surrounding them are prone to shifting towards the gap created by the lost tooth. This can easily lead to crooked teeth alongside the hole in the person's smile. A tooth's roots serve an important role in keeping the bone structures in and around the jaw …
Periodontal Disease and COVID-19
From the beginning, doctors have known that COVID-19 is especially dangerous for high-risk groups, including older adults and people with underlying health conditions like heart disease and asthma. But research is still uncovering new risk factors, which now includes gum disease. The condition may affect up to half of American adults, and appears to be linked to a higher COVID-19 death rate, per a new study published earlier this month in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. In the study, researchers followed 568 patients infected with the novel coronavirus, dividing them into two groups: those without major issues (mild symptoms) and those who faced complications like ICU admission and ventilation or, eventually, death. They found …