If you have lost a tooth due to trauma or chipped your tooth while eating, your dentist needs to be the first person you call when a dental emergency occurs. Many dentists set aside time specifically for dental emergencies, which means it is important to keep their after hours contact information with you at all

Used mostly in restorative dental procedures, porcelain crowns and bridges play a key role in keeping your mouth functioning properly after a tooth is lost or removed. Unlike removable devices like dentures, crowns and bridges are cemented place—but they are not permanent like dental implants. Crowns and bridges are typically used to fix an existing

Dental implants are the only permanent solution available to replace a missing teeth. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve lost a tooth due to decay, trauma or overcrowding, it’s important to visit your dentist immediately. Because teeth support each other, it only takes one missing tooth to cause the surrounding teeth to shift. When this happens,

With so many teeth whitening options available—both over-the-counter and professional—it can be difficult to determine which option is best for your teeth. While take-home tray whitening systems are effective, patients typically prefer in-office teeth whitening with their dentist. That’s because professional whitening involves careful preparation and the use of high-quality products that yield results almost

Temporomandibular joint disorder—also called TMJ or TMD—describes a group of conditions that affect the muscles in your jaw. The temporomandibular joint is the main cause of pain in these cases. These joints connect the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull. Located on each side of your head, these joints work together so you can do

Dental veneers are the perfect cosmetic dental solution for patients who want to completely redesign their smile without orthodontics or invasive procedures. Veneers are thin shells made from of porcelain or resin composite materials that are custom-made to cover the front side of your teeth. Veneers work by covering up unsightly stains or chips, while

Dental sealants are an effective preventive dental procedure used to protect teeth from cavities and decay. They are essentially plastic coatings that are painted on the chewing surface of the teeth to protect teeth from decay. While sealants are most often used in children—usually applied to the baby molars—adults can benefit from dental sealants, too.

Dentures are removable dental appliances that are used to replace missing teeth. Whether you’ve lost teeth from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing the missing teeth is critical—not only for your oral health, but overall health as well. Dentures are made to closely resemble your natural teeth, which means there generally aren’t any noticeable

A root canal procedure is performed when the soft tissue—also known as the pulp—inside of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected. When the pulp becomes infected, it is usually caused by an untreated deep cavity or tooth fracture. Damaged or dead pulp causes blood flow and cellular activity to flow towards the infected area, which

Dental X-rays—also called radiographs—are a widely-used preventive and diagnostic tool that your dentist uses to locate damage and disease that isn’t visible to the naked eye. X-ray procedures are typically performed yearly during your annual cleaning appointments. Receiving regular x-rays helps your dentist monitor and track the progress of your oral health. There are several

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material is applied and bonded to existing teeth. Bonding is most often used for cosmetic purposes, but it can also be used to close spaces between teeth, to make teeth look longer, or to change the shape or color of teeth. Dental bonding

Your wisdom teeth—also called the third molars—are the last teeth to develop and erupt in the mouth. Because of this, there is often little room left in the mouth to facilitate these new teeth. As a result, wisdom teeth often erupt sideways, only partially, or become impacted—meaning the tooth is blocked from erupting. When this

When it comes to minimizing the risk of broken teeth or injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw, custom mouth guards are the most effective option available. With so many over-the-counter and boil and bite mouth guards readily available, it can be difficult to find a something that is both comfortable and safe. That’s

A tooth extraction involves removing a tooth from it socket in the jawbone. Even though permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime, there are a number of reasons why a tooth extraction might be necessary. The most common reason for tooth extraction involves teeth that are badly damaged—either from trauma or decay—that cannot be

Orthodontics is an effective way to cosmetically enhance the appearance of crooked, misaligned, and crowded teeth. Not only do misaligned or crowded teeth affect the appearance of your smile, but it also affects how your teeth function. That’s because cleaning hard-to-reach areas becomes increasingly difficult, which can lead to tooth decay. When tooth decay goes