What are Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin restorative shells used to cover the surface of the teeth. Veneers are designed to look like the tooth itself, and are used to improve the appearance of your teeth. They are made of porcelain, a material that provides a natural appearance and feel when bonded to the surface of the tooth. Veneers resist staining, and last between five and ten years. With this “magic,” you can have your teeth looking perfect in no time!

Should I Get Veneers?

If your teeth are structurally healthy but don’t look the way you’d like them to, teeth veneers can be a great choice. They can give you a whiter, more uniform smile and bolster your confidence.

Getting dental veneers can be a good idea if you have any of the following issues:

● Your teeth are discolored from extensive staining

● Your teeth have gaps or misalignments

● Your teeth are chipped

● Your teeth are worn down in other ways

If your tooth has more extensive damage, such as significant decay or chipping, then a dental crown, inlay, or onlay might be a better choice. We can talk about this when you come in.

What is the Process for Getting Veneers?

We start with a consultation to make sure we know exactly what you want from your new veneers. We’ll talk about what you want to change about your teeth and whether veneers are the best choice. Next, we’ll schedule an appointment for you to have the veneers placed. This process begins with removing a little bit of the enamel from the surface of your teeth, taking an impression of your mouth, and then having the veneers made to perfectly fit with your teeth. When placing the veneers, we make sure that they look as natural as possible in terms of color, size, and shape.

How Do I Take Care of my Veneers?

With veneers, you’ll take care of your teeth just as you would without them: with regular brushing and flossing. If you’re taking good care of your teeth, your veneers should last for several years, and are very secure. You might even forget that the veneers are there! However, to avoid the small risk of dislodging the veneers or damaging the porcelain, it’s important not to grind your teeth or chew on any object that isn’t food, as this puts unnecessary pressure on your teeth.

A root canal is a dental procedure that becomes necessary when a tooth has decayed so much that the nerve tissue becomes infected.

What Causes Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is caused when the bacteria in our mouths, and the foods we eat, create acid that erodes the tooth. Two major factors that put your teeth at a higher risk of decay are eating sugary foods and smoking cigarettes.

A hole in the tooth caused by decay is called a cavity. When you have a cavity, you need to go to the dentist for a filling. If the tooth continues to decay and the hole gets deeper, you will need a root canal.

When Does a Cavity Turn into a Root Canal?

There are three layers of the tooth: enamel (the top layer), dentin (middle layer) and nerve tissue (deepest layer). If your tooth has decay to the enamel or dentin, a simple filling is enough to repair the cavity. However, if the cavity is left untreated, the decay will reach the deepest layer of the tooth, the nerve tissue. At this point, a root canal is necessary to repair the tooth.

What are the Signs that I Need a Root Canal?

If you have a cavity that has reached the nerve tissue, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• Toothache when pressure (such as chewing) is applied to the tooth
• Tooth sensitivity to heat or cold
• Discoloration of the tooth
• Swelling or tenderness of the gums

What Happens During a Root Canal Procedure?

First, we use local anesthesia to numb the area near the tooth. Next, we remove the tooth’s decayed nerve tissue and any related damage. After cleaning out and washing the tooth, we place the dental filling. Because the procedure involves such sensitive tissue deep in the tooth, you may experience discomfort for a few days afterward.

How can I Make Sure my Cavity Doesn’t Turn into a Root Canal?

Root canal therapy is much more involved than a simple filling, and it’s also more costly. The best way to prevent the need for a root canal is to take good care of your teeth with regular brushing and flossing, attend dental check-ups regularly, and get cavities filled as soon as possible. Once the tooth has started decay, the problem will only get worse. The longer you wait to fill a cavity, the more likely it becomes that you will need a root canal to repair the damage to the tooth.

What are Dental X-Rays, and Why Do I Need Them?

We use dental x-rays to take images of your teeth and the surrounding gums and bones. These images can be taken from the inside of your mouth (intraoral) or from the outside of your mouth (extraoral). Either type of x-ray may be necessary, depending on what the dentist is looking for. X-rays help us find cavities and impacted teeth, check on the health of the roots of your teeth, and find any problems with your jaws.

What is the Difference Between Film and Digital X-Rays?

With a digital x-ray, we use digital x-ray sensors instead of traditional film to take images of your teeth. Because digital film is a newer technology than traditional film, it has some great benefits when it comes to x-rays. In our practice, we use digital x-rays because the process is quicker than traditional radiography, uses less radiation, and provides higher-quality images.

How do Digital X-Rays Work?

In traditional x-rays, light-sensitive film is exposed to the x-ray. With digital x-rays, on the other hand, a digital-detector system is used in combination with the x-ray. Like a digital camera, a digital x-ray allows us to see and manipulate the images on a computer immediately after taking them. That way, we can see what’s going on with your teeth right away.

Why are Digital X-Rays a Good Alternative to Traditional X-Rays?

The picture quality in digital x-rays is very good. For example, we can enlarge images to see even a very small problem with a tooth. In addition, digital x-rays are more efficient than traditional x-rays. We can immediately send the images of your teeth to another provider for a consultation if necessary, and save the x-rays to your electronic patient file. There is no risk of the images getting lost.

Are Digital X-Rays Dangerous?

Although radiation is used in all x-rays, clinical x-rays are very safe. This is especially true of digital x-rays, which expose the patient to only about 10% of the radiation used in a traditional film x-ray. The digital-detector system, which captures x-rays and converts them to images, is an advanced and sensitive technology. For this reason, the radiation does not need to be as strong as it does for traditional film x-rays.

We are all exposed to a little radiation in our day-to-day lives, and dental x-rays make up a very small fraction of this exposure. As an added precaution, your Bridgeport dentist will provide you with a lead apron during imaging to make sure that your body is as safe from radiation as possible. The benefits of dental x-rays, in keeping your teeth and bones healthy, far outweigh the risks.

Do you know what to do in a dental emergency?

 What constitutes a dental emergency?

 A “dental emergency” is a situation in which:

• A tooth is knocked out
• A tooth is cracked
• A tooth is partially dislodged or “extruded”
• An object is stuck between your teeth
• You have a toothache
• A filling or crown is dislodged

If you’re not sure whether something is a dental emergency, it’s always best to come in. If you have a dental emergency, there are steps you can take before your appointment to protect your teeth.

What should I do if my tooth is cracked, knocked out, or dislodged?

If your tooth is cracked or chipped, try to save any pieces of the tooth that have fallen out. Rinse your mouth using warm water, and rinse the pieces as well. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth while waiting to see the dentist. If your mouth is bleeding, gently apply gauze.

You should also apply a cold compress and gauze if your entire tooth has been knocked out. Try to save the tooth and gently rinse it in warm water. While waiting to see the dentist, protect the tooth by storing it in milk or salt water. If you are able to see the dentist within one hour, there is a high chance that the tooth can be saved and returned to the socket.

If your tooth has been dislodged, simply apply a cold compress, take a pain reliever such as Advil if needed, and come in to the office as soon as possible.

What should I do if I have a toothache?

Rinse your mouth with warm water. Floss to remove any possible irritants that could be causing the toothache. While you wait for your appointment, hold a cold compress to the outside of your mouth.

What should I do if an object is stuck in my teeth?

If you can’t remove an object by flossing, come into the office as soon as possible. Do not try to remove the object with a sharp object, as this can damage your gums or the surface of your teeth.

What should I do if my filling, crown, or inlay falls out?

When a crown or filling falls out, it can be painful because of the air and pressure exposed to the damaged tooth. Try to save the filling or crown, rinse it with warm water, and make an appointment as soon as possible. While you wait to see the dentist, apply a bit of clove oil to the affected area. Clove oil, which you can buy at your local pharmacy, will provide pain relief.