Patient Education

Routine Dental Hygiene

Prevention and maintenance are the key components to avoiding costly and extensive dental treatment. When you schedule routine dental hygiene visits at our office, you're doing more than taking care of your dental health. Modern science has proven time and time again that your dental health is directly related to your physical health. So take care of yourself by scheduling a regular six-month exam and dental cleanings twice a year. You'll feel better, look better and avoid excessive dental treatments in the long run.

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Digital X-rays

In our office, we've replaced traditional x-rays with the latest Digital Radiography Technology. Digital Radiography reduces radiation exposure up to 90% while providing higher quality diagnostic images. A routine part of dental health, dental radiographs provide you with the highest standard of care in thorough diagnosis and treatment.

Digital Radiographs help us:

• Obtain digital radiographs within seconds
• Conduct early detection of dental decay
• Provide images of both hard and soft tissues, expanding both dentist diagnosis and treatment options
• Evaluate the level of dental bone

Your digital radiographs are performed in our office in a safe manner to offer you the greatest protection possible. Through this technology, we can discover any developing tumors, cysts, abscesses and decay not visible to the naked eye.

A full mouth series of dental x-rays is recommended for new patients. A full series is usually good for three to five years. Bite-wing x-rays (x-rays of top and bottom teeth biting together) are taken at recall (check-up) visits and are recommended once or twice a year to detect new dental problems.

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Periodontal Exam

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal Disease is an infection of the teeth, gums and the bone that surrounds the teeth, and it's the leading cause of adult tooth loss. Stopping this condition begins with a thorough diagnosis. The main cause of periodontal disease is the accumulation of plaque, the sticky film of food and bacteria that forms constantly on your teeth. It's hard to see plaque. The bacteria in plaque invade the spaces between the teeth and gums and begin producing toxins. These toxins, combined with your body's reaction to them, destroy the bone around your teeth. Once bone has been lost, it never grows back on its own. When too much bone is lost, there's so little support for the teeth, they get loose and have to be removed.

If you have periodontal disease, you may have some of these symptoms:

• Persistent bad breath
• Bleeding of the gums when brushing or flossing
• Swollen, tender gums
• Gums pulling away from teeth
• Loose teeth

With healthy gums:

• They are tight against the teeth.
• There aren't any pockets.
• They don't bleed.

It is possible to have no noticeable symptoms. In fact, most people who have periodontal disease aren't even aware of it. Because of this, we perform a thorough examination with a periodontal probe and x-rays. Periodontal probing measures the depth of pockets in your gums. We measure the pocket from the bottom of the pocket, where it's attached to the tooth, to the top of the gums. A probe reading of more than 3 millimeters is a sign of periodontal disease. In general, the deeper the pockets, the greater the spread of periodontal disease. Gums sometimes bleed during probing. This is also a sign of infection. X-rays tell us a lot about periodontal disease. With a healthy mouth, the bone comes up high around the necks of the teeth, and even throughout the mouth. With advanced periodontal disease, the bone level is much lower and tartar is built up on the teeth. Tartar shows up on x-ray as small white lumps on the sides of the teeth. Once we found periodontal disease, we'll talk with you about treatment options and proper home care to minimize bone loss and restore the health of your gums.

Scientists have discovered a link between periodontal disease and respiratory infections. In fact, if you suffer from periodontal disease, you may be breathing harmful bacteria into your lungs everyday. Periodontal disease is an infection of the teeth and gums. The infection causes pockets to form in your gums and if the plaque is not removed, a vast number of various kinds of bacteria grow and multiply in these pockets, including some that may lead to respiratory problems. As you breathe in, these bacteria enter your lungs, where they can multiply and inflame lung tissues. Evidence indicates that bacteria in your lungs can lead to respiratory infections like pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is especially true if you smoke, have a weakened immune or already have a respiratory condition. Smokers are three to six times more likely to have periodontal disease, and two times more likely to loose teeth.

Researchers also have discovered that if you have periodontal disease, you may have an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and infective endocarditis.

If we determine that you have periodontal disease, we'll recommend an appropriate treatment plan, and we'll work with you to create a suitable oral hygiene routine. In most cases, Periodontal disease can be remedied with in-office and at-home treatment. Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy may also be recommended.

Scale and Root Planning (Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy)

The goal of scaling and root planning is to eliminate the source of periodontal infection by removing plaque, tartar and bacterial toxins from the root surfaces below the gum line. When you have active periodontal disease, routine cleanings are not enough because they generally remove plaque and tartar from above the gumline only. To keep you comfortable, we usually numb you before root planning begins. Using instruments, we carefully and meticulously remove the plaque and tartar from around and beneath the gumline, and then smooth the root surfaces. This removes the source of infection and helps your gums heal. As they heal, your gums will tighten around your teeth. We may schedule scaling and root planning over several appointments. This way we can promote your comfort, check the healing and help you fine-tune your homecare efforts.

Post-op Instructions

After your periodontal surgery, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours. Avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. Don't eat anything for two hours following surgery.

It's normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a surgery. To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended. Do not take medication on an empty stomach or nausea may result. Apply an ice pack (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) for six hours following surgery to decrease pain and swelling.

After twenty-four hours, to further reduce pain and swelling, rinse three times a day with warm salt water (put a tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water, gently rinse-swish-spit). If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.

Some slight bleeding is normal for a day or so following surgery. If bleeding persists, apply firm pressure with a moist gauze pad or bite on a tea bag for twenty minutes. Elevate your head with pillows. Call our office if this doesn't control bleeding or if bleeding increases.

For the first 48 hours, restrict your diet to soft foods such as yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese and soups until you can chew comfortably. Relax as much as possible and avoid all strenuous activities for the first twenty-four hours following surgery.

Continue your normal home-care routine in the non-treated areas. You may gently rinse around the treated area with warm water or mouthwash, but frequent or vigorous rinsing must be avoided until healing has taken place. Call us if pain or swelling persists or if you have any questions or concerns.

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Porcelain Veneers

Veneers can improve your smile. Veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or plastic that's bonded to a tooth to improve its color and shape. A veneer generally covers only the front and top of a tooth. Veneers can be used to close space between teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth, or whiten stained or dark teeth. When teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, veneers can protect them from damage and restore their original looks. It takes two or more appointments to restore teeth with veneers. The final result is beautiful and natural-looking teeth.

With veneers:

• Natural tooth structure is preserved and the surrounding soft tissues remain undisturbed.
• Individual teeth of dissimilar color and contour can now be matched.
• Permanent stains such as those caused by antibiotics administered during childhood, can be masked.
• Fractured and trauma-damaged teeth can now be restored without the invasive tooth reduction necessary for full crown coverage.

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Tooth-Colored Fillings

Silver and gold fillings used to be your only choices, especially for back teeth. Today, we can replace silver fillings and create a much more natural look. We can use one of the new strong synthetic resins or porcelain. Since these materials are bonded to the teeth, they are very strong and durable. Silver fillings really darkened your smile. Replacing them with tooth-colored fillings can make a dramatic difference. The new fillings are nearly invisible. They restore teeth to their original natural beauty and help you look your best.

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Bonding

With bonding, we can close spaces between teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth, or whiten stained or dark teeth. A single tooth can be shaped and colored, or your entire smile can be changed. When teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, bonding can protect them from damage and restore their original looks. Bonding your teeth with resin is a one-appointment procedure. Bonding can improve your smile and the final result is beautiful and natural looking teeth.

Post-op Instructions for Aesthetic Dentistry

It will take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite. When the bite is altered or position of the teeth is changed, it takes several days for the brain to "recognize" the new position of your teeth or their thickness as normal. If you continue to detect any high spots or problem with your bite, call us so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.

It's normal to experience some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity. Removing tooth structure and placement of new materials may result in a period of adjustment. Your gums may also be sore for several days. Rinse three times a day with warm salt water to reduce pain and swelling. Mild pain medication should ease your discomfort during adjustment period.

Don't be concerned if your speech is affected for the first few days. You will quickly adapt and be speaking normally. You may notice increased salivary flow, because your brain may be responding to the new size and shape of your teeth by increasing salivary flow. This should subside to normal within a week or so.

Daily plaque removal is critical for the long-term success of your dental work. Maintain a regular oral hygiene routine. Daily brushing and flossing are musts. Regular cleaning appointments in our office are also critically important. We will use the appropriate cleaning abrasives and techniques for your specific cosmetic work. It's important to change habits to protect your new teeth. Any food that could chip, crack, or damage your natural teeth can do the same to your new cosmetic restorations. Avoid sticky candy (such as peanut brittle) and any unusual substances (such as fingernails, pencils or ice).

Avoid or minimize your use of foods that stain, such as tea, coffee, red wine and berries. Smoking will quickly yellow your teeth. Let us know if you grind your teeth at night or engage in sport, so we can make you a custom mouthguard.

Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, we always welcome your questions.

It's important to change habits to protect your new teeth.

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Teeth Whitening

Whitening creates a more aesthetic and more youthful appearance by reversing the discoloration of tooth enamel.

Zoom In-Office Tooth Whitening

In our office, we offer Zoom! In-Office Tooth Whitening, your teeth will become dramatically whiter in just over an hour. It is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results.

The procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to cover your lips and gums, leaving only your teeth exposed. The Zoom! Whitening Gel is then applied, and a specially designed light is used to enhance the chemical action. The Zoom! light and gel work together to gently penetrate your teeth, breaking up stains and discoloration.

Home Whitening

Another way to get your white smile is by at-home whitening. We fabricate a custom fitted tray into which you place a whitening gel. At night after filling the trays with the gentle solution, simply insert them and resume your normal activities or retire for the evening. Generally patients wear the trays for at least 2 to 4 hours per day. The best results usually take two to three weeks. Cosmetic whitening is an easy and dependable way to a more beautiful smile.

In general, tooth whitening works for most people. Tooth whitening is most effective if your teeth are darkened from age, coffee, tea or smoking. Teeth darkened with the color of yellow, brown or orange respond better to lightening. Other types of gray stains caused by consumption of tetracycline or excessive fluoride can be lightened, but with less-than-satisfactory results.

If you're interested in brightening your smile, have your teeth evaluated by us. Not everyone is a good candidate for tooth whitening. In some cases of serious discoloration and pitted teeth, for example, veneers may be more appropriate than bleaching. Moreover, crowns, bridges, and fillings do not bleach, so it may be necessary to replace dental work to make it blend with the new color of your bleached teeth. An x-ray of your teeth may be the only accurate way of making a true assessment.

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Root Canal Treatment

When the nerve of a tooth becomes infected, root canal treatment can save the tooth.

Infected tooth symptoms:

• Sensitive to hot or cold
• Causes swelling or pain
• Bad taste in mouth
• No symptoms at all

How do teeth become infected?

Though some teeth without cavities can become infected, deep cavities are the main cause of infection. Deep cavities can allow germs to get into the pulp chamber. These germs cause infection and the pulp dies. The pus from the infection eventually builds up at the root tip and makes a hole in the bone. This is called an abscess. A blow to a tooth may also cause the pulp to die and then become infected. An infected tooth will never heal on its own, and as it gets worse, it will continue to be a source of infection that drags down your immune system; that can affect your entire body.

Root canal treatment usually involves three steps:

• First, we remove the infection to promote healing.
• Next, we place filling material in the root canals.
• Then, we crown the tooth to protect it.

Post-op Instructions:

• Root Canal Treatment often takes two or more appointments to complete. A temporary filling or crown is placed to protect the tooth between appointments.
• After each appointment when anesthetic has been used, your lips, teeth, and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointments. Avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off.
• Between appointments it's common for a small portion of your temporary filling to wear away or break off. If the entire filling falls out, or if a temporary crown comes off, call us so that it can be replaced.
• It's normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root canal appointment, especially when chewing. To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.
• To further reduce pain and swelling, rinse three times a day with warm salt water.
• To protect the tooth and help keep your temporary in place, avoid eating sticky foods (especially gums), hard foods, and if possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth. It's important to continue to brush and floss normally.
• Usually the last step after root canal treatment is the placement of a crown on the tooth.
• If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office.

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Porcelain Crowns

A crown is a form of restoration. It is usually a method of restoration when the tooth has been damaged to the point that a conventional filling of inlay cannot be used. A crown is a form of restoration. It is usually a method of restoration when the tooth has been damaged to the point that a conventional filling or inlay cannot be used.

If you're having a tooth-colored crown made, it could be a porcelain-and-metal crown, or with new technology available today it could be an all-porcelain crown. To have enough strength to withstand biting forces, porcelain crown used to always be built upon a metal core. If you've ever noticed a dark blue line at the edge of a crown, now you know what caused it: the dark metal inside the porcelain. New breakthroughs in adhesives and stronger porcelain materials now make it possible to make crowns entirely out of porcelain, which can then be bonded to the teeth. All-porcelain crowns maintain a translucency that makes them hard to tell from natural teeth. Without metal, the problem of a dark line at the edge of the gums is eliminated. This allows us to place the edge of the crown above the gum line and that's healthier for your tooth and gums. When you want to improve your smile, all-porcelain crowns are a beautiful and natural-looking choice.

Crown After Root Canal Treatment

After a tooth has had root canal treatment, it's weak and brittle. It's weak because the center of the tooth was removed to get at the infected nerve and only the sides of the tooth are left for support. And it's more brittle because the nerve and blood supply are gone. There's a tremendous amount of force on the edges of teeth when you bite together. After a tooth breaks, it's much more difficult to repair. A crown covers and protects a root-canalled tooth and helps prevent it from breaking.

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Porcelain Bridges

Placing a bridge after a tooth's been lost can prevent a chain reaction of problems that would affect your entire mouth. Like other things, teeth need each other for support. When one tooth is lost, the biting force changes on the teeth next to the space, and they begin to shift. When a tooth no longer has anything to chew against, it begins to extrude out of the socket. You can eventually end up losing it. As your bite changes, it gets harder and harder to chew your food. And you may get damage to your jaw joint, the TMJ. It's much harder to clean teeth that have shifted. Harmful plaque and tartar accumulate in these new hard-to-reach places, causing cavities and the permanent bone loss that comes with gum disease. Like other bridges, a dental bridge uses abutments for support and to hold it in place. A missing tooth really changes a person's smile, but a bridge is a good way to get your smile back.

If you're having a tooth-colored bridge made, it could be a porcelain-and-metal bridge, or, with new technology available today, it could be an all-porcelain bridge. To have enough strength to withstand biting forces, porcelain bridges used to always be built upon a metal core. If you've ever noticed a dark blue line at the edge of a bridge, now you know what caused it: the dark metal inside the porcelain. New breakthroughs in adhesives and stronger porcelain materials make it possible to make bridges entirely out of porcelain. All-porcelain bridges maintain a translucency that makes them hard to tell from natural teeth. Without metal, the problem of a dark line at the edge of the gums is eliminated. This allows us to place the edge of the bridge above the gum line and that's healthier for your tooth and gums. When you want to improve your smile, all-porcelain bridges are a beautiful and natural-looking choice.

Post-Op Instructions for Crowns and Bridges

Crowns and bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. On the first appointment, the teeth are prepared. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. After each appointment when anesthetic has been used, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off.

On rare occasions, temporary crowns come off. Call us if this happens and keep the temporary so we can re-cement it. It is very important for the proper fit of your final restoration that temporaries stay in place.

It's normal to experience some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. Your gums may be sore for several days. Rinse three times a day with warm salt water (a tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water, rinse-swish-spit) to reduce pain and swelling. Use medication only as directed.

To help keep your temporary in place, avoid eating sticky foods (especially gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth. It's important to brush normally, but floss very carefully and remove the floss from the side to prevent removal of the temporary crown.

If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office.

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Dentures

When many of your teeth are loose or painful, you may have passed the point where you can save them. This is usually caused by advanced periodontal disease. Periodontal disease causes bone to be lost, and if it's not caught in time, there's so little support for the teeth they have to be removed. Removing your teeth and replacing them with a denture may be the best way to eliminate the infection and restore the health of your mouth. When this is all done the same day, it's called an immediate denture.

To begin the process of making a denture, we first take impressions of your mouth. From these impressions, we make precise working models of your mouth, and it's on these models that we made the denture. We'll work with you to select the best color and shape for your new teeth. When your denture is ready, we'll extract your remaining teeth. You'll be thoroughly numbed before any teeth are removed, and should feel no pain. As soon as your teeth are out, your denture will immediately be placed. For the first 24 hours, your new denture will feel tight because your gums are swollen. As your bone heals over the 6 to 9 months, your gums will shrink and your denture will feel loose. When this happens, we'll use a temporary lining material to tighten the fit. After this period of healing, we'll either construct an entirely new final denture, or send your immediate denture back to the lab and have it relined for its final fit. Some temporary problems are a normal part of adjusting to your new denture. At first, your denture may tip when you chew. You may notice increased salivary flow. It may seem bulky. You may gag a little. Your tongue will feel crowded, and you may have difficulty speaking. But don't worry. As you get used to your new denture, these problems will go away. Like learning any new skill, at first it will feel awkward to eat with your new denture. But with time and practice you'll make the adjustment. Nobody likes to lose their teeth, but when your teeth are infected, removing them and getting an immediate denture can improve your health, smile and confidence.

Denture Care

Dentures, like natural teeth, must be kept free of plaque and tartar. This prevents permanent staining and bad breath. Use a denture brush and one of the many commercial products to thoroughly clean all of the surfaces of your denture at least once a day. Tough stain and tartar can be removed by soaking your denture in white vinegar for several hours. If there are no metal parts in your denture, you can also soak them in a diluted Clorox solution. Whenever your denture is out of your mouth, it should be stored in water. Brush your remaining teeth, as well as your tongue, palate, and gums with a soft-bristle brush each day to remove plaque. This keeps your teeth and tissues healthy, stimulates circulation, and keeps your breath fresh. A healthy mouth and confidence will come with proper denture care. (Effervescent is one kind of denture cleanser.)

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Partials

An upper partial denture can be a good way to replace missing teeth. When you save your remaining teeth and have a partial denture, you'll chew better, look better, and have a healthier mouth. The metal clasps fit around the anchor teeth and hold the partial in place. A partial denture prevents several problems. By filling in spaces, it stops neighboring teeth from shifting. When missing teeth aren't placed, it can set off a chain reaction that can result in cavities and periodontal disease. It also helps balance your bite. This means you'll chew better and have a healthier jaw joint. Partials also add support to your cheeks and lips. This support is necessary to speak clearly and look your best. Some temporary problems are a normal part of adjusting to your new partial denture. At first, it may tip when you chew. You may notice increased salivary flow. It may seem bulky. You may gag a little. Your tongue will feel crowded, and you may have difficulty speaking. But don't worry. As you get used to your new partial, these problems will go away. With time and practice, you'll make the adjustment and be eating with confidence.

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Implant

An implant is an excellent way to replace a missing tooth and represents an alternative to denture or bridgework. A dental implant is a small titanium cylinder that's surgically inserted into the bone of the jaw to replace the root of a missing tooth. An artificial tooth is attached to the implant. Placing a dental implant after a tooth has been lost can prevent a chain reaction of problems that would affect your entire mouth. Teeth need each other for support. When a tooth is lost, the biting forces change on the teeth next to the space, and they shift. When a tooth no longer has anything to chew against, it begins to extrude out of the socket. You can eventually end up losing it. When your bite is slightly off, it's common that one tooth may hit sooner than the rest. This causes undo stress on the involved teeth, and they begin to flex. It is this continual flexing and stress over time that causes the enamel to separate from the inner dentin layer, forming the familiar-looking notch that we call abfraction. As your bite changes, it gets harder and harder to chew your food, and you may get damage to your jaw joint, the TMJ. It's much harder to clean teeth that have shifted. Harmful plaque and tartar collect in these new hard-to-reach places, causing cavities and the permanent bone loss that comes with gum disease.

A bridge is another way to solve the problem of a missing tooth. But two advantages of an implant over a bridge are that the teeth next to the space aren't affected as they are in the bridge prep, and the implant helps stop the ongoing bone loss that occurs once a tooth has been lost. A missing tooth really changes a person's smile, but a dental implant can replace the missing tooth and improve your smile.

Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant. For a successful implant to take hold, a candidate must have proper bone density and have a strong immune system. In general, good candidates who have dental implants can expect high success rates with the procedure. Call us for dental implant consultation.

Post-op Instructions for Implant Surgery

After implants have been placed, it's important to follow these recommendations during the healing period:

• Avoid chewing until the numbness from the anesthetic has completely worn off. If we placed any temporary restorations, avoid chewing for at least one-half hour to allow the temporary cement to set.
• Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed.
• To control minor bleeding after surgery, apply moderate pressure with gauze pads or a clean, moist tea bag wrapped in a gauze pad. To reduce discomfort or swelling for several days after surgery, use ice packs. It's normal for your gums to be sore and swollen for several days. Beginning 24 hours after surgery, rinse your mouth three times a day for two weeks with warm salt water. Use about 1 teaspoon of salt per glass of salt water. Swish very gently so you don't disturb the implant sites.
• Limit your diet to soft foods like yogurt, cottage cheese, soups, soft-cooked eggs and ground meat for the first several months after surgery. Do not chew hard, crusty foods. Also avoid very hot and spicy food until your gums are healed.
• Brush and floss very gently. We may recommend that you clean implant sites carefully with gauze or a cotton swab. If we have recommended a mouth rinse, use it as directed.
• Do not smoke or use any tobacco products until healing is complete. Using tobacco increases the risk that your body will reject the implants.
• If you usually wear removable appliance, such as dentures or partial dentures, we may advise you not to wear while the implant sites heal.
• Call us if the top of the implants gradually shows through the gum. This is usually not a problem, but we should check it.
• Call our office if you have persistent numbness, bleeding, or discomfort or if you have any other concerns.

Post-Op Instructions for Implant Restorations

After final restorations have been place, it's important to follow these recommendations to ensure long-term success:

• If we used and anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing until the numbness has completely worn off.
• Take antibiotics or other medications only as directed.
• To reduce any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three times a day with warm salt water. Use about 1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water. It's normal for your gums to be sore and swollen for a few days.
• Brush and floss around the implants thoroughly but gently.
• We may also recommend special floss, brushes, mouth rinses, or other cleaning aids to keep the area free of bacteria.
• Avoid using any tobacco products. Ideally, you should quit altogether, because using tobacco increases the risk that your body will reject the implants.
• Avoid hard chewing and grinding, because these habits can damage implants and their restorations.
• If this is a continuing problem, we may need to adjust the restorations or have you wear a night guard.
• Call us if your restorations feel loose so that we can tighten them.
• Call our office if you have persistent discomfort of if you have any other questions or concerns.

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Extractions

Dentistry has come a long way, but there are still some situations where teeth have been so damaged by decay that they must be removed. The roots of teeth extend into the bone of the jaw. A crown covers and protects a damaged tooth. It fits over the part of the tooth above the bone, but can't go below the bone. So, the more teeth that we have to work with above the bone, the better.

Dry Socket

Dry socket occurs when the normal blood clot is lost in the socket after a tooth, usually a lower molar, has been removed. After an extraction, a blood clot acts a lot like the familiar scab on the skin surface. It promotes healing, helps stop bleeding, and protects the sensitive underlying structures during the healing process. When dry socket occurs, this blood clot is lost and the inflamed socket and underlying nerve and bone suddenly becomes exposed to the oral environment. The result? A dull throbbing pain starting one to four days following extraction. It may radiate into your ear, and it doesn't respond to normal pain medications. You may also notice a foul odor or taste in your mouth. Several things can cause premature loss of blood clot from the extraction site:

• Smoking
• Forceful spitting
• Sucking through a straw
• Coughing or sneezing
• Carbonated or alcoholic beverages

It's also important to keep your fingers and tongue away from the extraction site, and refrain from smoking (ideally for 2 weeks following surgery).

Call our office right away if you notice any symptoms of dry socket.

Treatment for dry socket includes a gentle rinsing of the socket with a medicated solution. We may also pack the extraction site with a gauze dressing that contains a soothing anesthetic. You'll usually need to return to our office several times over a period of a week or so, so that we can change the dressing and monitor the effectiveness or your pain medications. Over time, that all-important clot will fill back in, and the area will begin healing normally once again.

Post-Op Instructions for Extraction:

After an extraction, it's important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That's why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes after the extraction. If bleeding or oozing continues after you remove the gauze pad, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another thirty minutes. You may have to do this several times.

After the blood clot forms, it is important to protect it, especially for the next 24 hours. So don't smoke, suck through a straw, rinse your mouth vigorously, or clean the teeth next to the extraction site.

These activities will dislodge the clot and slow down healing. Limit yourself to calm activities for the first 24 hours, this keeps your blood pressure lower, reduces bleeding and helps healing process.

After the tooth is extracted, you may feel some pain and have some swelling. You can use an ice bag to keep this to a minimum. The swelling usually starts to go down after 48 hours.

Use pain medication only as directed, and call the office if it doesn't seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluids and eat only soft nutritious foods on the day of the extraction. Don't use alcoholic beverages and avoid hot and spicy foods. You can begin eating normally the next day or as soon as it is comfortable.

Gently rinse your mouth with salt water three times a day, beginning the day after the extraction (a tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water, rinse-swish-spit). Also, rinse gently after meals, as it helps keep food out of the extraction site. It is very important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours; this should include brushing your teeth and tongue and flossing at least once a day. This speeds healing and helps keep your breath and mouth fresh.

Call us right away if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling after two or three days, or a reaction to the medication. After a few days, you will be feeling fine and can resume your normal activities.

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Nightguards

People with nighttime grinding habits may wear away their tooth enamel "ten times faster" than those without "abusive chewing habits." Eventually, your teeth may be worn down and destroyed.

In addition to relieving head, neck, jaw joint and shoulder pains, treating bruxism and clenching is cost effective compared to ignoring the condition and exposing teeth to continued grinding. Without treatment, crowns, bridges, implants and dentures are often needed to repair or replace worn and damage teeth.

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Invisalign

Invisalign is the clear way to straighten teeth without braces, using aligners. Aligners are made of a clear, thin medical-grade plastic that is virtually invisible when worn.

Using advanced 3-D computer imaging technology to simulate tooth movement, the doctor uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners that gradually move your teeth. You wear each aligner for about two weeks, moving from one set to the next, until your new smile emerges.

What are the benefits of Invisalign?

Nearly invisible – You can straighten your teeth without anyone having to know.
Removable – You can still eat and drink what you want.
Better oral hygiene – You can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth.
Comfortable – There are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasions.

How long does treatment take with Invisalign?

As with other orthodontic options, treatment times will vary depending on the complexity of your case. The average treatment time is about a year.

Does Invisalign hurt?
Unlike many orthodontic options that have sharp edges, Invisalign’s smooth plastic aligners aren’t abrasive to the inside of the mouth the way metal braces are.

Because aligners move the teeth incrementally over two-week periods, any soreness is typically mild and subsides within a few days. In contrast, other appliances may require more forceful (and painful) changes because adjustments are only made at each appointment (typically every six weeks).

Is it okay to drink hot or cold beverages while wearing Invisalign aligners?
Except for water, we recommend that you do not eat or drink while wearing the aligners. This is to avoid formation of cavities and stains, and warping of the aligners with extremely hot drinks.

Daily Care and Maintenance of Your Invisalign Aligners

1. Clean your aligners prior to each insertion. Use the Invisalign Cleaning System or a soft-bristle toothbrush using water or a small amount of toothpaste.
2. Rinse each aligner thoroughly with water after each cleaning.
3. DO NOT use denture cleaners to clean aligners or soak them in mouthwash. These products can damage the surface of the aligner, causing it to become dull and more visible.

Proper Oral Hygiene

1. Remove your aligners for eating and drinking, except when drinking water (only).
2. Brush and floss your teeth after each meal or snack prior to re-inserting your aligners.
3. Regular dental checkups and cleaning are recommended for the continued health of your teeth and gums.

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