Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. That’s because dentures make it easier to eat and speak better than you could without teeth—things that people often take for granted. When you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, making you look older. Dentures can help fill out the appearance of your face and profile. They can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that your appearance does not change much. Dentures may even improve the look of your smile. Traditionally, your dentist took impressions and sent …
Why are Dental Records Important?
Let's say you're happy at your local dental office, and don't anticipate things will change… but one day your dentist announces that she is going to retire. Or maybe a job transfer takes you to a new city where you don't know anyone. Under these circumstances, you will need to begin seeing a new dentist. Will your past dental records follow you to the new dental practice? Good question. In fact, many people wonder why those old records are needed — isn't a new chart created for every new patient? Of course, it is a dentist's professional and legal obligation to maintain a record of your visits to the dental office — and if you don't transfer your records, the dentist must start from scratch. But if you want to receive the best care …
ADA Study: Dentist one of lease likely health professions to catch Covid-19
A new survey by the American Dental Association indicates that less than 1 percent of dentists nationwide have tested positive for COVID-19. Experts say that’s because of safety policies and disinfectant practices dental offices have had for decades. Experts add that dental health is important not only for your teeth but also because dental infections can lead to other ailments, including heart disease. Even during a pandemic, it’s still safe to go to the dentist. That’s what the American Dental Association is telling the public. The organization published a study today that reports that less than 1 percent of dentists nationwide have been found to be COVID-19 positive, which is far less than that of other health …
Dental Filling Choices
When it comes to having a cavity filled, it’s important to know that you have the right to decide, after consultation with your dentist, what treatments and materials are used for your dental care. Your dentist considers materials to use on an individualized basis, taking into account the size and location of your cavity. Cosmetic considerations, how long the filling could last, insurance coverage and out of pocket costs are some other factors you might want to consider. The ADA encourages you to talk with your dentist so that together you may choose the material that’s right for you. Here are some common dental filling options: Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, are a mixture of glass or quartz filler that provide good …
Steps to Take in a Dental Emergency
Accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Here are some tips for common dental emergencies: For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Then, get to your dentist’s office right away. For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold …
How Tooth Decay Causes Cavities
Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. It can be a problem for children, teens and adults. Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, constantly forms on your teeth. When you eat or drink foods containing sugars, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with your teeth and over time the enamel can break down. This is when cavities can form. Cavities are more common among children, but changes that occur with aging make cavities an adult problem, too. Recession of the gums away from the teeth, combined with an increased incidence of gum disease, can expose tooth roots to plaque. Tooth roots are covered with cementum, …
What is the Difference Between DMD/DDS for a Dentist?
If you’re looking to find a dentist you may notice that while most are listed with a “DDS”, some may be listed as “DMD”. They both mean the same thing—your dentist graduated from an accredited dental school. The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees. Dentists who have a DMD or DDS have the same education. It’s up to the universities to determine what degree is awarded, but both degrees use the same curriculum requirements. At our Beaufort dental office, both Dr. Covington and Dr. DuRant graduated with a DMD degree. Did you know that the level of education and clinical training required to earn a dental degree is on par with those of medical …
Why Use a ADA Dentist?
Conduct, Respect, Truthfulness, & Truthfulness When you go to an ADA/American Dental Association member dentist, you can feel confident that your dentist has promised to follow the extensive ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct. Every ADA member dentist has agreed to practice under The ADA Code and it covers five basic principles: respect for your wants and needs as a patient; to do no harm; to always do good; and to treat all people with fairness and truthfulness. Your doctor-patient relationship is based on the trust and confidence you feel and many specific actions and safeguards. Below are just a few areas from the ADA Code that you can expect your ADA member dentist to follow: If you have any reason to …
What is a Composite Filling?
Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small- to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing. They can be used on either front or back teeth. They are a good choice for people who prefer that their fillings look more natural. Composites cost more than amalgam and occasionally are not covered by some insurance plans. Also, no dental filling lasts forever. Some studies show that composite fillings can be less durable and need to be replaced more often than amalgam fillings. It generally takes longer to place a composite filling than it does for a metal filling. That’s because composite fillings require the tooth be kept clean …
Covid-19 – Our New Safety Equipment, Protocols & Procedures
As you are reading this, know first and foremost, we hope you and your family are doing well during these uncertain times. As our office has started to see patients again, we are often asked if it's safe to go to the dentist. Honestly, during the two and a half months we closed our office, Dr. Covington and Dr. DuRant wondered the same thing. When the pandemic first came about there were so many uncertainties about how it spread. As the Covid-19 situation has unfolded, the scientific community has narrowed how the disease does spread. Using this information and after many hours of reading CDC, OSHA and a variety of dental association recommendations, Dr. Covington and Dr. DuRant both felt it was possible to safely reopen the office if …