Benefits of Replacing Teeth

When a tooth is lost, why replace it? This is common question when a tooth is lost. To understand why you need to replace a tooth you need to understand the function of teeth.

Everyone knows that teeth are used in chewing. Without proper chewing, proper digestions cannot occur.

Teeth are also important for speaking. Your tongue depends on your teeth to help make complicated letter sounds.

Aesthetics is another major function of your teeth. Teeth maintain the size and shape of your lower face. Without teeth, the form and function of your mouth can be effected.

Once again, why replace a lost tooth? When a tooth is lost, the patients ability to chew, speak, and smile can be effected.

Preventing tooth loss is our goal as a dental practice. However, if a tooth is lost, replacing it to maintain all the functions of your teeth and mouth is important.

Are Dental Restorations Noticeable?

This Simple Dental Restoration is Noticeable (But in a Good Way)

Most people you meet have at least one. If not, their oral health is better than most or you
wouldn’t recognize it if they did. We’re talking dental restorations. More specifically, a dental filling.

Take notice or preferably go unnoticed

Dental treatment could be one of those health necessities that you’d prefer to keep to yourself. Some procedures make that easier than others. The days of metal fillings, for example, are somewhat history. Even so, you see the evidence when someone (or perhaps you) smile. Metal or “old silver” dental restorations have lasted longer than most. Or they’re worn and in need of replacing.

How to know if you’re due for a replacement

A few common symptoms can reveal it’s time to replace your tooth restoration. A toothache, localized mouth pain, sensitive teeth, tooth decay, and gum recession are signs that your restoration could benefit from a replacement. Increase your restoration’s “mileage” and improve your smile Mercury (or metal) free white fillings are a go-to replacement for your old dental fillings. The white material blends with the natural color of your remaining tooth structure and your surrounding teeth.

White (tooth-colored) fillings also help maintain the strength of your treated tooth. And did
we mention that you (or anyone else) won’t notice you have one. Next to having dental treatment when you need it is not looking like you did. White fillings accomplish that making them the next to perfect replacement for your “old” or unattractive dental restoration.

Contact our Wayne dental office about your “old,” unattractive, or failing tooth restorations. Schedule an examination to discuss mercury-free white fillings for a strong, appealing, new dental restoration.

This is Essential When You Experience Tooth Loss

You might not expect it. But it happens.

Tooth loss!

Aside from oral trauma, the loss of a tooth or multiple teeth can set in motion a number of threats to your oral health. Delaying treatment enhances your impact risk.

One is all it takes

Depending on where your tooth loss occurs, your appearance is the first to suffer. Next is your tooth function.

One tooth might not affect your ability to eat or chew significantly. Yet the loss of more than one tooth will increase your functional challenges.

One missing tooth is one too many. Your teeth are designed to function as a unit in each arch (upper or lower) of your mouth.

Alignment, bone health, gum tissue health plus daily function are affected when a tooth gap exists.

The deeper issue

It’s not as much the loss of a tooth that causes long-term problems (there are solutions).Your problems mount when you delay tooth replacement (ignore solutions). Each tooth is more than what you see or utilize on the surface. Your tooth roots create stability within your jawbone and how each tooth aligns above your gum line.

Teeth that shift will weaken each root. Weakened tooth roots will begin to impact the health of your bone and gum tissue.

A solution to consider

Since tooth roots are a significant part of your tooth’s anatomy wouldn’t it make sense to replace them at the “root level?” A dental implant does that.

Implants from root to tip provide a secure, natural-looking, and naturally functioning new tooth. A dental implant:

Restores your tooth function and appearance

Adapts to your bone and gum tissue

Preserves the health of your jawbone and gums

Remains stable and will not shift or move

Tooth loss happens

It helps to be aware of the impact…and how to restore it when it does.Contact our Wayne dental office about your missing tooth or missing teeth. Schedule an examination to diagnose your tooth loss condition and discuss your tooth replacement options including dental implants.

What Cosmetic Dentistry Does for Your Health Can Also Positively Affect Your Calendar

A glance at your calendar and your mind begins to race. Right?

The decisions often start with where you’re going, what clothes to wear, and it proceeds from there. There’s another decision that can boost your confidence as your social calendar fills up in the weeks or months ahead.

It’s about dentistry…cosmetic dentistry to be more specific.

Cosmetic dentistry provides health benefits. It also amplifies something else.

Your smile gives you an advantage wherever you go. Plan now to make sure yours does as you prepare for an upcoming class or family reunion, a wedding, a vacation, or other social event you have calendared in the weeks ahead.

Top priority

Your dental health is of utmost importance. The health of your teeth and gums can make-or-break your smile.

Cosmetic dentistry places a priority on your health first. There are restorative benefits that some procedures primarily provide to assure that your oral health is protected and maintained.

White (tooth-colored) dental fillings treat your decay damaged teeth, restore your tooth structure, and improve the appearance of your treated tooth. They are also a recommended replacement for old, worn-out, and more visible metal (silver) fillings.

Dental crowns are another treatment that has a restorative as well as a cosmetic benefit.

Crowns cover your tooth that’s damaged by decay with a natural looking replacement.

A dental crown also provides the functional, surface structure for a tooth that’s been replaced with a dental implant. Your dental crown is designed to perfectly match your surrounding teeth for a healthy aesthetic improvement.

Put a smile on it

Other cosmetic dentistry procedures are dominant smile enhancers. Treatments can include teeth bleaching (whitening), veneers, and orthodontics featuring Invisalign(r).

These procedures noticeably improve the appearance of your smile. Orthodontic dentistry does that plus it improves the alignment of your teeth to assure healthy teeth and gums along with your smile.

Now is the perfect time to improve the health and look of your smile. Contact our Wayne dental office about cosmetic dentistry and schedule an oral examination to discuss treatment options.

Why a Full Mouth Restoration Could be the Answer to Your Dental Issues

The damage starts somewhere. It’s often the result of a single missing or damaged tooth.

The problem with dental problems? They can worsen without necessary treatment.

Restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry provide you a duo of solutions that can stop the progression of damage.

Stop your mouth from “unraveling”

A full mouth restoration uses a combination of restorative and cosmetic procedures to improve your health and your appearance. Your teeth and gums will return to their proper, healthy function.

One damaged, broken, or missing tooth can unravel a number of oral health problems. Your symptoms can include issues with biting, chewing, tooth wear, and pain in your jaw, head, or neck.

Dental trauma is a common cause that sets issues in motion. Neglecting your dental health can also increase your need for more extensive treatment.

A full mouth restoration can help if you’ve experienced any or a combination of the following:

Worn, broken, or chipped teeth

Missing teeth

Chronic pain in your jaw, head, or neck

Treatment with a full-mouth restoration can eliminate the risks associated with these and more.

The benefit of dental “teamwork”

An oral examination is the best place to start. This initial step will diagnose your dental health and determine the combination of treatment that will restore your tooth function and appearance.

Full mouth restoration can include a combination of procedures such as:

Dental crowns, tooth-colored fillings, and dental inlays and onlays for treating tooth decay

Dental implants, an implant supported denture, or a dental bridge to replace your missing tooth or teeth

Root canal therapy to save your tooth and treat and remove infection

Orthodontics to align your bite

Veneers, dental bonding, or teeth whitening to improve the appearance of your teeth

A night guard to stop tooth wear and protect your dental treatment

Your full mouth restoration requires multiple appointments to complete. Each procedure requires a period of healing prior to the next phase of treatment.

Contact our Wayne dental office about your missing, damaged, or decayed teeth. Schedule a dental examination to discuss restorative and cosmetic dental treatment with a full mouth restoration.

Why It Matters to Compare a Dental Implant and a Dental Bridge

It’s important to weigh-your-options. You have a choice when considering a missing tooth replacement.

Your solutions often come down to two. For example, dental implants or a dental bridge.

Each tooth replacement option is effective. And each has their advantages.

Before you decide

Let’s explore the primary issue associated with losing a tooth or teeth. The longer you delay filling your missing tooth gap the greater your risk of bone loss in your jaw.

Tooth loss and bone loss affects your surrounding teeth and your gums. Alignment and ongoing deterioration can have long-term impact on your oral health.

A dental bridge is an effective tooth replacement. But it’s limited in preserving your bone and tissue health.

Dental implants on the other hand have a substantial impact on preserving your bone tissue. An implant forms a new tooth root that your gum and bone tissue adapts to following placement.

It’s vital that you not further complicate your oral health by choosing a tooth replacement that might not be as effective given your missing tooth circumstances.

Know your advantages

Your teeth support each other. Tooth roots form the foundation that keeps each tooth secure.

Dental implants are unique. The new tooth root created by the implant secures your functional new tooth (dental crown) on the surface.

Dental implants preserve your bone tissue. This helps prevent damage to your surrounding teeth and additional and more costly dental procedures.

Dental implants are made to last. Your implant has a 95% success rate as a restorative dental treatment and can last longer than a dental bridge.

Compare your available treatments when you’ve experienced tooth loss. Contact your Wayne dentist about the important comparison between a dental implant and a dental bridge.

Schedule a dental examination to discuss your best tooth replacement solution.

Would highly recommend Dr. Spina!

I have seen Dr. Spina for several years now and it has consistently been an A+ experience. He and his staff provide great dental work and it is very apparent that they take upmost pride in what they do. Would highly recommend Dr. Spina!

—Zachary Steinly

5 out of 5 stars

Dr. Spina is an excellent Dentist

Dr Spina is an excellent dentist. His office is clean and has a very convenient location in Wayne and his staff are SO friendly. After a recent appointment they even called me the next day to check in and see how I was. He is very gentle and really has your best interest at heart. Highly recommend Dr Spina to everyone!

—Lisa Graham

5 out of 5 stars

Dr. Spina is awesome!

Dr. Spina is awesome! It had been about 6 years since I had been to see a dentist when I made my first appointment with him and I knew I had multiple teeth that needed help. On my first visit, we put together a prioritized, step by step plan to address my issues and then over the next few months we just set about checking things off the list. From that first visit to today, everyone in the office has made going to the dentist amazingly easy. They’re all super nice and each of my visits have been quick, pleasant and surprisingly, painless. I’ve even sent a few of my friends and coworkers there and they’ve all had great experiences too. My only regret is not calling Dr. Spina years ago.

—Brent Huntington

5 out of 5 stars

What to Do the Next Time You Hear the Word “Gingivitis”

You might recall hearing the word a time or two. It’s likely you’ve heard it during a TV commercial or an infomercial.

Gingivitis gets a fair share of media attention. And there’s a basic reason.

Gingivitis is the earliest condition and most common form of periodontal (gum) disease. It can impact your oral health, as it does millions, when it attacks your teeth and gum tissue.

The top of the downward spiral

Good dental health relies on maintaining the health of your teeth. It also depends on keeping your gums healthy.

Gingivitis begins the downward trend associated with gum disease. Untreated gum issues can have a long-term and irreversible affect on your oral health.

The bacteria that multiply within the plaque and tartar build up on your teeth can progress into your gum tissue. More specifically, it deep dives into those hard to reach pockets between your teeth and gums.

If the hardened tartar isn’t removed bacteria can begin to cause tooth decay and gum tissue damage. Once the infection sets in and gum disease starts you can ultimately experience tooth loss.

What it helps to notice and what to do

Gingivitis can be treated. The earlier the better.

Color changes in your gum tissue and gums that are swollen, inflamed, and bleeding should be examined. It’s vital to schedule a dental examination when you notice any of these symptoms.

Prioritize your at-home dental care. Routine brushing and flossing can remove and dislodge plaque from building up and hardening into tartar.

Schedule teeth cleanings two times per year to keep your tooth surfaces free from plaque, tartar, and bacteria growth. Once gingivitis has begun a deep cleaning can help eliminate the risk of gum disease progressing.

Ask us about laser dentistry for periodontal treatment. And contact your Wayne dentist to schedule your next dental examination and with your questions about gingivitis.