Crown or Veneer? Which One Is Right for You?

Winston-Salem Dentist Enlighten Dental , , , , , , 0 Comment

Often when you go to the dentist, he or she will recommend a crown for a tooth or teeth. Or perhaps you admire someone’s teeth that have had a veneer. These terms can be confusing, so make sure you understand what you are getting when your dentist recommends it.

A crown is a cap that is placed on the entire tooth by the dentist to restore the shape and size, strength, and appearance of the tooth.

As a preventive measure, a crown may be used to protect a tooth from breaking, and it can even be used to hold together the parts of a cracked tooth.  In severe cavity cases, a crown is used to prevent further damage to the tooth. Crowns may also be used for cosmetic purposes in order to cover teeth that are severely discolored, but we typically don’t recommend this.

There are various materials that can be used to make a crown.

  • Metal crowns may be made of gold or another type of alloy. They rarely chip or break, but are most often used for out-of-sight teeth, such as molars.
  • Porcelain that is fused to metal (PFM) crowns are commonly used due to the strength of the metal, and the porcelain can be colored to match the adjacent teeth. This has been the “workhorse” of tooth-colored crowns for many years.
  • Another option is either porcelain- or ceramic-only crowns.  While they have the most natural look, they are not as strong as metal crowns.
  • The least expensive type of crown is a resin crown; however, they may wear down over time.

Your Enlighten Dental Care dentist can help in choosing the type of crown that is best suited for you.

Veneers are a simple, noninvasive solution to solving dental flaws and may also be used to protect the surface of the tooth from damage.  A veneer is a custom-made thin-layer shell of either composite resin or dental prcelain. The veneer is placed over the tooth or several teeth.

Cosmetically, veneers enhance the look of teeth while maintaining a natural appearance.  Veneers also feel and function as the natural teeth.

Your dentist will prepare your teeth for veneers by removing a small amount of enamel prior to bonding the veneers that are a perfect shape, fit, and color designed specifically for you.

Questions about crowns vs. veneers and which one is right for you? Contact the Winston-Salem dentists at Enlighten Dental Care!

Dental Bonding with Winston-Salem Dentists at Enlighten Dental Care

Uncategorized 0 Comment

Are you looking for a way to improve your appearance? Dental bonding is a relatively inexpensive cosmetic dental procedure used to create or enhance a beautiful smile.  At Enlighten Dental Care, we offer dental bonding for individuals who want to lengthen their teeth, close gaps, or repair decayed, chipped, fractured or discolored teeth.  The procedure costs approximately $200 to $300 per tooth.

A dental bonding procedure begins with you and your Enlighten Dental Care dentist choosing a tooth-colored resin bond that closely matches the color of the tooth or teeth that will be bonded.  The resin bond is typically made from a plastic dental material.  To roughen the tooth, your dentist will then change the surface of the natural tooth by slightly abrading it.  A conditioning liquid that the resin will adhere to is then applied to the tooth.

The next step is to mold the resin to the tooth, followed by curing the resin with a blue light.  After the resin has hardened, the dentist sculpts and polishes the tooth for a natural look.

Dental bonding is a relatively quick procedure, ranging from 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete the process.  To avoid staining the resin, coffee, tea, cigarettes and any foods that stain the teeth should be avoided for the first 48 hours after the procedure.

Also, remember that bonding material is not as strong as an actual tooth.  To prevent chipping your bonded teeth (or any teeth for that matter), avoid fingernail biting, chewing on ice, hard foods and any objects that are not meant for digestion.

How do you protect your dental bonding? Good oral hygiene is the only care needed to keep the natural look of the dental bond.  Thus, with good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist for teeth cleaning, dental bonding can give you a beautiful smile that lasts up to 10 years.

Winston-Salem Dentist Has Six New Year’s Resolutions for Your Teeth!

Winston-Salem Dentist Enlighten Dental , , , 0 Comment

Happy New Year! While you are busy making that list of New Year’s resolutions about saving more money and going to the gym, make a few for your teeth, too! Here’s six resolutions that will help keep your smile healthy and bright for 2013.

  1. Stop sipping soda all day. Carbonated soft drinks have a lot of sugar and acids that can cause tooth decay. Juices and sports drinks also contain too much sugar. And diet sodas still have the acids that can erode your teeth. Best bet? Drink water! And at least rinse your mouth with water after having one of the other drinks.
  2. Stop chewing ice. It can chip, crack and break your teeth and wear down your tooth enamel. If you really are crave ice, you may have a condition called “pagophagia,” which is a compulsive consumption of ice and is associated with iron deficiency anemia. Treatment with iron supplementation may help.
  3. Avoid hard candy and chewy candy. (See our Halloween blog for reasons why on this one!) Starchy foods don’t do teeth any favors either!
  4. If you smoke, stop! It can cause discoloration to teeth, bad breath and, of course, cancers of the mouth and other parts of the body.
  5. Brush twice a day and floss every day. The best way to prevent tooth decay is by what you do at home, and brushing and flossing are the ways to remove plaque. Just make it a resolution and a habit! Read this blog for tips on brushing and flossing. 
  6. Schedule dental appointments and don’t skip them! Professional dental cleanings twice a year form the foundation for preventing gum disease and tooth decay.

Remember, you are in control of your oral health! Take care of your teeth so they will last you for many New Years to come!

 

Winston-Salem Dentist Suggests Five Teeth-Friendly Gifts or Stocking Stuffers

Winston-Salem Dentist Enlighten Dental , , , 0 Comment

The holidays are filled with sugary treats, but they are also a great time to encourage good oral hygiene habits. Here’s a few great tooth-friendly gifts for your family members!

1) Dental floss. This is a great time to stock up, so there’s no excuse not to floss. If you’re feeling really creative, try flavored floss — from bacon to cupcake flavored!

2) Electric toothbrush. Products like the Phillips Sonicare DiamondClean toothbrush clean more plaque and make a great gift for someone who likes their teeth to have an ultimate clean feeling.

3)  Musical toothbrush. Perfect for the kids, ARM & HAMMER™ offers a Tooth Tunes™ toothbrush with Music In Your Mouth™ technology. that pumps two minutes of your favorite music directly through your teeth and straight to your head! Now your kids will know exactly how long to brush and enjoy doing it.

4) Teeth whitening. This is a great gift for someone who has expressed interest in the procedure. There are many options for teeth whitening in Winston-Salem — from over-the-counter products to whitening in the dentists office — in many different price ranges. Click here to find out more.

5) Fruit basket. High fiber fruits help remove plaque and promote saliva flow, which helps to neutralize acids that attack tooth enamel. Whole Foods in Winston-Salem does a nice gift basket.

And remember, when you are enjoying those delicious holiday meals and candy treats, make sure to brush and floss afterwards!

Meet Kelly Burchette

Winston-Salem Dentist Enlighten Dental , , , , , 0 Comment

Kelly Burchette Enlighten Dental CareAt Winston-Salem dentist office Enlighten Dental Care, we want you to get to know our excellent staff even better. Here’s a few things you may not know about Kelly Burchette.

How long she has worked at Enlighten Dental: Three years.

Pets: One dog — Sophie, a miniature Dachsund

Favorite quote or funny saying: “Jesus, fix it!”

Recent milestones: Kelly recently had her second child, named Eli David.

Volunteer work: “Working with our youth group, team kids.”

Last song downloaded from iTunes: “Alive” by Natalie Grant.

Last movie seen: “2016″”

Last book read and recommended: “Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy” by Eric Metaxas. “Great read!”

Click here for Kelly Burchette’s bio.

Teeth Whitening Options with Winston-Salem Dentist Office

Winston-Salem Dentist Enlighten Dental , , , , 0 Comment

Are your pearly whites more like fifty shades of gray or yellow? This is very common. As we age, our enamel thins and teeth darken. In addition, eating, drinking and, in particular, smoking, create a layer of film on the teeth that causes a yellowish tint. Regular brushing and dental visits help, but sometimes they are just not enough.

Teeth whitening can help. But it’s important to remember that if you’re not taking good care of your teeth, it’s unlikely that any kind of whitening will significantly improve stains caused by not brushing your teeth. So start out with good dental habits and healthy teeth and gums before you try to bring back the perfect shade.

Over-the-Counter Products

Whitening toothpastes can help remove surface stains, but they do not contain bleach and can only lighten by about one shade.

The Phillips Sonicare DiamondClean toothbrush is an innovative product that has been clinically proven to remove up to four times more plaque than a manual toothbrush in four weeks, improve gum health in two weeks and whiten teeth in as little as one week.

Whitening rinses, such as Listerine Whitening, help freshen breath and reduce dental plaque, as well as containing hydrogen peroxide to help whiten teeth. These need to be swished around in the mouth every day, and it may take up to 12 weeks to see results.

There are other over-the-counter methods to make your teeth lighter and brighter. Whitening gels are clear, peroxide-based gels that you apply with a small brush directly to the surface of your teeth, usually twice a day for about two weeks. Or, you can use whitening strips, such as Crest Whitestrips, which are coated with whitening gel and applied twice a day for 30 minutes for about two weeks. Both types of products create whiter teeth for about four months.

Home Bleaching with Tray-Based Systems

Tray-based tooth whitening systems can be purchased over-the-counter or through your dentist’s office.

At Enlighten Dental Care, we use the custom tray system. We make an impression of the patient’s mouth in order to create a mouth guard-like whitening tray. The tray is filled with a gel whitening solution containing a peroxide-bleaching agent. The trays must be worn for half an hour to an hour every day for seven to 10 days on average — possibly longer — depending on how much discoloration there is. Often, people wear the trays overnight while they are sleeping.

With trays purchased over the counter, you put them in hot water to mold to your mouth.

These systems cost approximately $50 if you buy them over the counter and a few hundred if you purchase them through a dentist’s office.

Whitening in the Dentist’s Office

The quickest method for whitening teeth is in-office bleaching.  The whitening product — which is highly concentrated and very different from the products you buy over the counter — is applied directly to the teeth. The patient’s gums have to be protected from this material, and it may be used in combination with heat, a special light and/or a laser. These professionally applied tooth whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 15 percent to 43 percent compared to the over-the-counter methods, which may contain hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 10 percent to 22 percent.

In-office bleaching takes 90 minutes, and results are immediate. However, several appointments may be needed to achieve the level of whiteness desired. For example, if the teeth are stained blue-gray from use of the antibiotic tetracycline, this kind of staining is more difficult to lighten.

At Enlighten Dental, we use Zoom!® teeth whitening, which costs about $600.  The benefits of doing in-office bleaching or home supervised by a dentist are as follows:

  • The dentist can perform a complete oral exam and take a medical history to determine if bleaching is the correct course of treatment based on the type and extent of stains
  • The concentrations of peroxide are higher; therefore, the treatment is faster
  •  Side effects, such as tooth sensitivity, can be monitored, and minimized with other aids beforehand.
  •  In-office procedures use a protective gel or shield to protect gums and oral cavities from the effects of bleaching.

Enlighten Dental is giving away a custom Take-Home Bleaching System valued at $300! Go to our Facebook page and like it to enter! Then enter the contest by Clicking Here! contest runs until December 15, 2012. 

Learn More about Mary Jane Miller

Uncategorized, Winston-Salem Dentist Enlighten Dental , , 0 Comment

At Winston-Salem dentist officeMary Jane Miller at Winston-Salem dentist Enlighten Dental Enlighten Dental Care, we want you to get to know our excellent staff even better. Here’s a few things you may not know about Mary Jane Miller.

How long she has worked at Enlighten Dental: Two years.

Pets: Three cats — Sebastian, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Ringley.

Favorite quote or funny saying: “I always say ‘Cheese & Crackers.’ That is my way of expressing frustration while still being a lady!”

Volunteer work: “My youngest daughter and I volunteer with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer run/walk. It is usually around my birthday, so that is my present to myself.”

Last song downloaded from iTunes: “I don’t have an iPod, but I do occasionally look up videos and lyrics on YouTube. I looked up a song by FUN the other day, because I can never understand what they are saying!”

Last movie seen: “The Avengers when they re-showed it on Labor Day Weekend. It was great! (I am a geek.)”

Last book read and recommended: “I re-read ‘The Help.’ It is an amazing book, and I would recommend it to anyone. It is a such a good story of courage and honor and respect for one another.”

Click here for Mary Jane Miller’s bio.

Winston-Salem Dentist: “Halloween Candy Is a Scary Treat for Your Teeth”

Winston-Salem Dentist: “Halloween Candy Is a Scary Treat for Your Teeth”

Winston-Salem Dentist Enlighten Dental , , , , , , , 0 Comment

October is here, and the candy aisles are filled with those delicious Halloween treats. It’s hard to resist stocking up for the big night without sampling. And then when your kids bring home the big bonanza on October 31 …

OK, we know how hard it is to resist raiding the candy bag. But at least we can offer some words of advice. These are the scariest Halloween candies for your teeth:

  • Taffy. Taffy makes your teeth stick together and can break fillings or crowns. They also stick to the grooves of your teeth, which means bacteria can feed on it and cause cavities.
  • Candies filled with sticky fillings like caramel or nuts. These do the same damage as taffy.
  • Hard candies such as jawbreakers and lollipops. They can be sticky, and they take a long time to dissolve. The longer a food stays in your mouth, the more acidic the mouth becomes, which can break down tooth enamel.
  • Sour candy. It’s acidic and can weaken and wear away tooth enamel
  • Pixie Stix, Fun Dip, etc. These are just pure sugar. They do dissolve quickly and don’t require chewing, but they can change the mouth’s pH and promote bacteria.
If you’re not convinced, consider this.  At Enlighten Dental, we do keep — and have used on a couple of occasions — Bit-o-Honey and  Mary Jane candies for attempts to purposefully loosen restorations in teeth.  One time, while trying to remove two very well done gold inlays that fit so well they could not be removed with any dental instruments or materials, it was necessary to raid a neighboring podiatrist’s candy dish for a Bit-o-Honey. It worked like a charm and pulled the inlays right out.  Another time, a patient was insisting a crown was loose on a back molar. We couldn’t confirm it clinically or make it move, but we could get it to lift off after biting on a semi-frozen Mary Jane candy.So what do we recommend if you absolutely must sneak a treat?

Sugar-free gum, of course! It is sweetened with xylitol, which is a natural sugar the bacteria is unable to form plaque on. Bonus: Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals has been shown to reduce tooth decay, because increased saliva flow helps wash out food and neutralize the acid produced by dental plaque bacteria.

OK, but if you really must have candy, try the plain old chocolate bars, which don’t stick to your teeth. Eat them all on Halloween night and then brush and floss really well.

Here’s some more tips:

  • If you’re going to consume candy and other sugary food, eat it with meals in order to help neutralize acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and rinse away food particles.
  • Drink more fluoridated water, which can help prevent tooth decay.
  • Maintain a healthy diet, which affects the health of your teeth and gums.
  • Avoid sugary beverages, including soda, sports drinks or flavored waters.
  • Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.

And don’t forget to come see us at Enlighten Dental for regular check-ups to keep your teeth and gums healthy!

 

New Guidelines for Knocked-Out Teeth

New Guidelines for Knocked-Out Teeth

Winston-Salem Dentist Enlighten Dental , , , , , , 0 Comment

As fall sports in Winston-Salem swing into full gear for kids and teens, it’s important to look at what to do if a tooth (or teeth) gets knocked out.

We dentists refer to a knocked-out tooth as an “avulsed” tooth. If a tooth gets knocked out, the blood vessels and supporting tissues are damaged too. Unfortunately, these cannot be repaired and will need a root canal. However, the bone can reattach to the root of the tooth once it has been put back into place, and the tooth can be saved. It is important to act quickly and to know what steps to take that will best save the tooth or teeth.

With advances in knowledge and technology, the thinking on avulsed teeth has evolved. Many past recommendations suggest placing the tooth in milk until you can get to the dentist. While milk is preferable to water or saliva (which can cause periodontal ligament cells on the tooth’s root surface to die), it is not ideal. The ideal fluid that shows beneficial effects in preserving the root cell viability is a pH-balanced cell-reconstituting solution, such as Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution from Life Technologies.

If an avulsed tooth is placed in the correct fluid prior to being reimplanted, the success rate can be increased from 10 percen to 90 percent. Save-a-Tooth® is one tooth-saving system that has received Food and Drug Administration approval and the seal of acceptance from the American Dental Association. This is a kit we would recommend that parents, athletic trainers, coaches and school nurses have on hand.

Be prepared for accidents that involve teeth by having the proper storage solution on hand. If a tooth is knocked out, take the following steps:

If you or your child’s tooth is knocked out, take the following steps to improve your chances of saving the tooth:

  1. Handle the tooth carefully only touching the white enamel. Don’t touch the root because it can be easily damaged.
  2. Place the tooth into the appropriate fluid, such as the Save-a-Tooth® system. If you do not have the proper storage solution, place the tooth in milk.
  3. Get to the dentist within 24 hours if you have the tooth in a scientifically tested avulsed tooth-preserving system.
  4. The dentist will clean the tooth, reimplant the tooth back in its socket and splint it within guidelines based on the individual’s situation and how long the tooth has been out of the mouth.

The takeaway? The prognosis for avulsed teeth has dramatically improved with new dental protocols for re-implanting the tooth. If your tooth is knocked out, time is of the essence for teeth that are out of the mouth, but you can buy time if the tooth is in the correct holding solution.

If you have an avulsed tooth, call Enlighten Dental immediately at 336-765-0904. 

Grinding Your Teeth? Find Treatment for Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) in Winston-Salem

Grinding Your Teeth? Find Treatment for Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) in Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem Dentist Enlighten Dental , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

Are you a teeth grinder? Do you clench your teeth when under stress during the day, or are you waking your husband or wife up at night with the grinding noise?

These days, life is moving at a fast pace and people are under more stress. In our practice, we have seen that a symptom of that stress — teeth grinding, also known as bruxism— is on the rise. Bruxism is simply a condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth without even knowing it.

Other than keeping your partner awake at night, bruxism can cause:

  • worn down, flattened, fractured or chipped teeth
  • worn tooth enamel that exposes deeper layers of your tooth
  • tired jaw muscles, jaw pain or tightness
  • sensitive teeth
  • headaches and earaches
  • chronic facial pain
  • damage from chewing the inside of your cheek
  • indentations in your tongue

Teeth grinding my be caused by psychological distress, such as anger, anxiety, frustration or stress. Often, however, it is caused by a physical reason such as abnormal alignment of teeth, abnormal bite, missing teeth or crooked teeth.  It can also be causes by a condition such as Parkinson’s disease or a side effect of some medications. In addition, your risk for bruxism is increased if you smoke, drink a lot of caffeine or take illegal drugs.

Grinding your teeth can cause headaches, face pain, damage to your teeth and tempomandibular disorders (TMJ). If you are experiencing bruxism, see a dentist who can help with diagnosis and treatment. At Enlighten Dental, we will check for signs of bruxism and try to determine the cause and whether you need treatment.

If there is a sleep disorder or a significant psychological reason for your teeth grinding, we will recommend seeing the appropriate therapist or sleep specialist. If the problem is a physical one with your teeth, we can work to correct the problem and provide treatment to help protect your teeth and jaws: A custom splint is your best protection. The splint is constructed of a hard acrylic to fit over your upper and lower teeth. In addition, we can create custom mouth guards, which are softer than splints; however, these can dislodge during teeth grinding.

Don’t let teeth grinding create more stress in your life by causing dental problems. Relaxation techniques, exercise, therapy and sometimes alternative medicine and sometimes medications may help. The first step is to see your dentist and find a way to protect your teeth from the wear and tear that bruxism can cause. Other tips to reduce teeth grinding include:

  • Avoid foods and drinks with caffeine.
  • Avoid alcohol, which may intensify teeth grinding.
  • If you feel yourself clenching your teeth during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth to relax your jaw.
  • Don’t chew gum or on anything other than food.
  • Hold a warm washcloth to your jaw to help you relax jaw muscles.

For more information on bruxism, contact Enlighten Dental

.

1 2