Mint Family Dental

A dental bridge is an appliance used to replace one or more missing teeth. These appliances are cemented into place and cannot be removed by the patient. As the name implies, the bridge is made out of three pieces that fit into the open space in the mouth, “bridging” the gap. Most bridges are made of a pontic tooth (or false tooth), held together by two crowns (a “cap” that covers the tooth, approximating its normal size and shape). This trio is then attached (cemented) to the abutment teeth (the surrounding teeth of each side of the gap). There are several different types of dental bridges. We will recommend the most appropriate one for your mouth condition and the location of the missing tooth or teeth.

If you have lost some or all of your natural teeth, dentures can be used to replace your missing teeth – improving your health as well as your appearance. Dentures prevent the sagging of facial muscles, which makes a person with no teeth look much older. Dentures also enable you to eat and speak normally, little things often taken for granted until natural teeth are lost. Brush your gums, tongue, and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and to help remove plaque. Regular dental checkups are needed so we can examine your mouth and dentures to ensure a healthy and comfortable fit

Sometimes it is necessary to reconstruct the entire mouth to improve function, stability and esthetics. Regain your youth, boost your confidence. See what a sparkling, white smile can do for you and the quality of your social life. We use state of the art techniques, equipment and materials to accomplish your desired results – the perfect smile, the smile of your life.

Gum-recontouring (gingivectomy) involves the removal of the top portion of the gum to make the teeth appear longer and the gum-line even. People who have excess gum covering the front teeth and an upper lip that comes up high when they smile are often self-conscious about their “gummy” smile. An uneven gum-line can make the teeth appear to have different lengths, which takes away from the appearance of an attractive smile. To correct these problems, we numb the area and remove the excess gum. The patient is instructed to use an antiseptic mouth rinse such as Peridex on a Q-tip and apply upward pressure on the gums as they heal. The procedure is not painful, but some mild discomfort can be expected a day or two after the procedure. The gum is not damaged. The procedure can usually be completed in about 30 minutes.

A dental implant is an option to replace a missing tooth. In this procedure, a small titanium shaft is surgically implanted into the bone and allowed to set. The bone grows around it forming a tight connection, which additionally slows or stops the bone loss that occurs when the root of a natural tooth is missing. Once the implant is firmly set in the mouth, the dentist then works to attach the replacement tooth onto the top of the shaft. This permanent solution has the advantages over bridge work that it does not stress the surrounding teeth.

Neuromuscular Dentistry can help alleviate symptoms such as headaches, neck and shoulder pain, jaw pain, clicking or popping in the jaw, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The majority of North Americans suffer from one or more of these symptoms, and unfortunately in many cases these patients’ symptoms are either misdiagnosed or dismissed as having no physiological cause. In a number of cases, these symptoms can actually be attributed to TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome), also referred to as TMD (temporomadibular joint disorder). These terms are just different names for the same group of symptoms. A Neuromuscular Dentist may be able to help you if you are suffering from any of the above symptoms or a number of other symptoms.

Make your smile beautiful inside and out. If you have ever self-consciously laughed wondering if anyone can see your old, worn silver fillings, then porcelain inlays and onlays may be an option. With the daily stresses exerted on your teeth, old restorations (fillings) sometimes need to be replaced. After a period of time, these fillings go dark with age or can fracture from decay. Porcelain inlays and onlays are an esthetic alternative and they look exactly like the rest of your natural tooth. Inlays and onlays protect and restore large portions of the decayed tooth, much like a large filling. An inlay covers more of the inside decayed part of the tooth and an onlay covers some of the inside but also more of the outer structure of the tooth. Because they are made with porcelain, they are customized to your natural tooth shade and look like your natural tooth. Porcelain inlays and onlays are made from the same strong, tooth colored material that is used for crowns and bridgework. A customized shade makes them virtually undetectable.

People seek cosmetic dentistry for a variety of reasons. Some people simply want to look younger, and cosmetic dentistry is like a dental facelift that can quickly “reverse” the natural aging process of teeth. Others have had unattractive teeth their whole lives and have always felt self-conscious because of them. They will rarely smile, which can often hide a warm side of their personality. Modern dentistry offers a wide variety of treatment options for people seeking to enhance their smile. The options range from porcelain veneers to braces. In many cases, a combination of these techniques is required to deliver best results. We can explain the many different techniques available in the field of cosmetic dentistry and show you the benefits! If you have ever thought about cosmetic dentistry, this guide can be extremely helpful in understanding the many options available to you.

Resin fillings are also referred to as composites, white fillings or bonding. Resins can make a substantial improvement in the appearance of the teeth in a short period of time. Resins are used to repair small cavities or chips in front teeth, as well as fill small cavities in back teeth. Resin cosmetic procedures can usually be completed in about an hour. We will recommend what is best for your particular situation following a thorough evaluation.

Endodontic treatment, more commonly known as root canal therapy, is necessary when the pulp of your tooth becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes such as deep decay, repeated dental procedures on your tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. With proper care, an Endodontically treated tooth will function normally for years to come.

These old black, unsightly silver fillings are unattractive. With today’s advances in modern dentistry, we can transform these old fillings into beautiful and natural looking teeth. Because silver fillings are metal, they will expand and contract with temperature changes in your mouth (hot foods, cold drinks). These expansions and contractions create fracture lines along the teeth. Over the years, these teeth may become weak and may crack and break. These old, unsightly fillings can be replaced with either resin fillings or beautiful, life-like porcelain restorations. These restorations are bonded to your teeth which make them stronger, more resistant to fractures, and restore them back to their natural form, function, and looks.

From a one hour, one visit instant whitening, – laser bleaching – to a take home bleaching procedure. We use prescription strength bleaching gel to remove these brown and yellow stains of your teeth that make you look older and unattractive. Regain your youth, boost your confidence. See what a sparkling, white smile can do for you and the quality of your social life. We offer a free no-obligation computer simulation of what you would look like with a whiter, brighter smile. Mint Family Dental is proud to offer both ZOOM and VENUS Whitening Systems! Laser whitening has been clinically proven to be safe and effective and many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. Almost anyone can benefit from tooth bleaching – schedule a consultation with one of our dental professionals today!

The TMJ or temporomandibular joint is the small joint located directly in front of the ear. This joint allows for movement of the lower jaw during opening and closing. TMJ disorders, dysfunction, and TMD are terms that describe a malfunction or problem related to this joint and its associated components, mainly its muscles and ligaments. As you open and close during chewing, speaking, and swallowing this complex joint and its associated muscles are put in function, When all the elements are in harmony this joint operates smoothly and without pain. However, an abnormality in this system may result in difficulty in opening, clicking, popping or grating noises, and in many cases moderate to severe pain. Patients who suffer with these symptoms are diagnosed as having a TMJ disorder. Treatment Options Treatment of TMJ dysfunction varies depending of the diagnosis and degree of dysfunction. They may include jaw exercises, cold or hot pack applications, medications, electrical stimulation, biofeedback, and others. The use of a night guard or occlusal splint is in many cases extremely effective in reducing pain and restoring normal function. In most cases non-surgical modalities are quite effective. Patients are generally able to regain normal function with the absence of pain.

Tooth shaping involves removing a small amount (generally 1 to 2 millimeters) of the outer portion of the tooth (enamel) from the teeth. Tooth shaping can shorten long teeth, round off pointed teeth, and help create a pleasing smile that gently follows the contour of the lower lip. The procedure is quick and painless (the enamel has no nerves), and is usually completed in less than 30 minutes. A small minority of patients get slight sensitivity after tooth shaping. This can be remedied with prescription strength fluoride or in-office desensitizers. The procedure does not cause any long-term damage to the teeth.

There are several advantages to utilizing lasers in dental procedures. Dentists may not need to use a drill or administer anesthesia in some procedures, allowing the patient to enjoy a more relaxed dental experience. Laser procedures can be more precise. Also, lasers can reduce symptoms and healing times associated with traditional therapies; reduce the amount of bacteria in both diseased gum tissue and in tooth cavities; and control bleeding during surgery. LASER DENTISTRY Dental lasers can be used to: Reduce the discomfort of canker and cold sores Expose partially erupted wisdom teeth Remove muscle attachments that limit proper movement Manage gum tissue during impressions for crowns or other procedures Remove overgrown tissues caused by certain medications Perform biopsy procedures Remove inflamed gum tissues and aid in the treatment of gum disease Remove or reshape gum and bone tissues during crown lengthening procedures Help treat infections in root canals Speed up tooth whitening procedures

Gone are the days of the “metal mouth” with new materials reducing the bracket size and matching tooth color. New techniques help to quicken the alignment process, reducing irritation and discomfort while providing precise tooth movement. Six Month Smiles ® is a modern twist on tried-and-true orthodontics. There is little debate within the orthodontic community that braces are the most widely used and most effective method to give patients straight, healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. Six Month Smiles has taken the best aspects of braces and modified the treatment and the materials to give adults a common-sense, cosmetic solution that fits your lifestyle. Here is what makes Six Month Smiles so innovative: Average treatment times of only six months Six Month Smiles Lucid-Lok™ clear brackets and Chameleon™ tooth-colored wires are barely visible Use of braces has shown to provide the most conservative and predictable final result Six Month Smiles Patient Tray Kits™ ensure that your appointments are fast and comfortable Low forces and short overall treatment times increase comfort, safety, and hygiene Six Month Smiles is typically less expensive than traditional braces, aligner therapy, or veneers.