“I have never left a exam with Dr. Carp without being fully informed on the steps I can take to improve my condition. He and his staff are discreet and provide me with peace of mind that I am one of thousands with the same dental concern.”
Penny Weiner Patient
Regular Check-ups
Do you think you only need a check up once a year? That may be a mistake. After your next visit, ask your dentist how often you should have a check-up. Simple, regular check-ups using fluoride and/or the sealing of small pits in the enamel of your teeth may severely limit your chances of tooth decay and other more serious and painful problems.
Eat A Healthy Diet
Do you love Gummy Bears, Swedish Fish and other sticky treats? We do too! But, eating sticky or dry foods that remain on your teeth increases the risk of cavity development. So, if you can’t eat healthy all the time, remember to brush your teeth after each meal. It will significantly decrease your risk of cavities!
Floss Daily
We realize that flossing can be a pain but it is very important if you want to have a healthy smile and odorless breath! Try to use dental floss at least once a day to remove harmful plaque and left over food from between your teeth. In addition to flossing, regular brushing with a soft brush will prevent gum disease, which causes bad breath and can lead to loss of teeth.
We are always welcoming new patients to our practice. Request a new patient exam here.
A: Tooth loss can have a far-reaching effect on your dental health and personal appearance. When you lose one or more teeth, your remaining teeth can drift out of position. This can lead to a change in the bite, the loss of additional teeth, decay and gum disease.
Dental implants can be an effective method to replace one tooth or several teeth. Each implant consists of a metal anchor that is inserted into the jawbone, and a protruding post, which is outfitted with an artificial tooth. Implants can also support a bridge, replace a partial denture or secure a fixed denture. The process requires surgery and may take up to a year to complete.
Replace a missing tooth.
Support a bridge.
Secure a removable denture.
Secure a fixed denture.
Procedures
Several steps are usually necessary to place an implant. Depending on the type of implant, the steps may vary. The placement of a single-tooth endosteal implant is illustrated below:
The first step is completed under local anesthesia. A metal anchor, or artificial root is placed into the jawbone. Bone grows around the anchor. This takes about three to six months.
Next, a "healing cap" is placed when the implant is uncovered.
Then, the healing cap is removed and a metal post, or abutment, may be attached to the anchor.
When your gums and jawbone have healed, a crown (artificial tooth) is constructed, then screwd or cemented to the post. Fitting your new crown properly may take several appointments.
Brush and floss your implant twice daily, just like your natural teeth. Be sure to brush the back of the abutments and floss around the front, back and sides. Avoid chewing on hard objects or extremely sticky food. Proper oral hygiene will help keep your implants and your mouth healthy.
Q: What are crowns and bridges?
A: When a tooth is fractured, has a large, old filling, or is severely damaged by decay, your dentist may recommend the placement of a crown, or cap. Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your smile. Types of crowns include the full porcelain crown, the porcelain-fused-to-metal crown and the all-metal crown.
Fitting a crown requires at least two visits to the dentist s office. Initially, the Dentist:
Removes decay and shapes the tooth.
Makes an impression.
Makes and fits a temporary or transitional crown of plastic or metal.
In a subsequent visit, the dentist: Removes the temporary crown, fits and adjusts the final crown. Cements the crown into place.
Few incidents have greater impact on dental health and personal appearance than tooth loss. When one or more teeth are missing, the remaining teeth can drift out of position, which can lead to a change in the bite, the loss of additional teeth, decay and gum disease.
When tooth loss occurs, your dentist may recommend the placement of a bridge. A bridge is one or more replacement teeth anchored by one or more crowns on each side.
Initially, the dentist prepares teeth on each side of the space to receive crowns and makes an impression of the entire area.
Fits temporary or transitional bridge.
In a subsequent visit, the dentist places, adjusts and cements fixed bridge.
Q: What is a root canal?
A: If your tooth s nerve chamber becomes infected by decay, or damaged by trauma, root canal treatment is often the only way to save your tooth.
Inside the hard outer shell of each tooth is a specialized area called the pulp or nerve chamber. The pulp chamber contains a system of blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves, the pulp, which enter from the bone through the root canals. This system provides nourishment for the cells within the tooth.
Deep tooth decay or other injury can cause damage to or infection of the tooth pulp. In a root canal or endodontic treatment, the dentist removes the damaged or infected pulp and replaces it with a special filler which helps maintain the remaining tooth structure.
Some indications of the need for root canal treatment may be:
Spontaneous pain or throbbing while biting.
Sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
Severe decay or an injury that creates an abscess (infection) in the bone
Procedures
Step 1:
After the tooth is anesthetized, an opening is made through the crown into the pulp chamber.
Step 2:
The length of the root canals is determined.
Step 3:
Unhealthy pulp is removed. Canals are cleaned, enlarged and shaped.
Step 4:
Canals are filled and sealed. A metal post may be added for structural support or to retain restorative materials.
Step 5:
The tooth is sealed with a temporary filling. Usually a gold or porcelain crown adds further protection.
Q: What are Wisdom Teeth?
A: Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the final teeth to develop. Most of us have four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth. They usually emerge during our late teens or early twenties.
Often times, wisdom teeth become trapped or impacted in the jawbone, or simply or simply fail to erupt. This can cause crowding or displacement of other teeth, or lead to the development of localized tooth decay, infection, or gum disease. Impacted wisdom teeth are set in the jawbone in unusual positions, sometimes horizontally, which stops them from erupting in a normal way.
Angular, bony impaction of third molar (wisdom tooth).
Soft tissue impaction of third molar (wisdom tooth).
In most cases, it is recommended that impacted wisdom teeth be extracted. Depending on the position of the tooth, third molar or wisdom tooth removal can be performed in your dentist s office, at an outpatient surgical facility, or in a hospital.
Incision in made and overlying bone is removed.
To ease any discomfort and promote healing:
Use ice packs on the cheek for swelling.
Apply biting pressure with clean gauze to stop bleeding.
Eat soft foods and drink extra liquids.
Avoid hard or crunchy foods in the tender area.
Bruch carefully the day after surgery.
Take prescribed medications and follow all instructions.
Call your dentist or physician immediately in case of emergency.
Q: What is Periodontal Disease?
A: Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Mainly caused by plaque bacteria, it is usually painless in the early stages. Regular dental visits are essential to maintaining gum health and timely diagnosis and treatment when needed.
The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. Advanced periodontal disease is a more serious condition with warning signs like: persistent bad taste, permanent teeth that are loose or separating; changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
There are many forms and stages of periodontal disease. Most common are:
Gingivitis - The earliest stage of gum disease, often characterized by bleeding, tenderness, swelling and redness of the gums. Toothpaste or mouth rinse may be used to help reduce bleeding and inflammation for mild gingivitis.
Periodontitis - A more advanced stage of gum disease involving bone and ligament surrounding the teeth. If left untreated, it can damage the bone and supporting tissues. Your gum separates from the tooth and the bone level deteriorates.
Advanced Periodontitis - Further progression of periodontitis with major loss of bone support. Your gums recede farther and separate. Pus may develop, bone loss continues and your teeth may loosen or fall out.
Treatments
Your dentist will examine you for periodontal disease during each routine checkup. A periodontal probe will be used to determine if there is any breakdown in the gum tissue attachment or if pockets have developed between your gums and teeth.
Treatment will depend upon the type of periodontal disease and how far the condition has progressed. Treatment options include:
Scaling - Removes deposits above and below the gum line.
Rootin Planning - Smoothes rough root surfaces so the gum can heal. Local anesthesia may be used.
Oral Irrigation - Direct liquid below the gum line to flush out toxins and germs to help restore the gums to health.
If deep pockets are found and bone has been destroyed, your dentist may recommend periodontal surgery.
A proper program of brushing, flossing, and regular professional cleaning will help fight plaque accumulation and gum disease, and help you keep your teeth for a lifetime.
