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Dental Cleanings Remove
Dental Cleanings
The American Dental Association recommends that you see your dentist every six months to maintain optimum <a href="/reference/conditions/dental-health">dental health</a>. During a normal check-up Greg Nicholson, DDS will clean your teeth. During a dental cleaning, plaque and tartar deposits are removed. If tartar builds up, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria. The purpose of getting your teeth cleaned is to leave the teeth clear and smooth so that the bacteria are unable to stick to the teeth.
Sometimes dentists refer to teeth cleaning as prophylaxis which is Greek for “to prevent beforehand”. Regular cleanings can prevent gum disease and help detect much more serious problems. Cleanings will also keep your teeth white so they will sparkle the next time you smile. The dental hygienist uses an ultrasonic instrument to loosen the larger pieces of tartar from the teeth. It also sprays water to move away debris from the working area. This instrument makes a high pitched sound, but is not sharp in any way. In order to reach the smaller pieces of tartar the hygienist will use a scaler and a curette. These curved hand tools are able to reach into smaller areas. The curves in these instruments match those of the teeth and make it easier to scrape off the harder-to-reach tartar on, and between, the teeth.
When the cleaning is done the hygienist may use a polisher to polish your teeth. Gritty paste is placed inside the cup part of the hand tool, and when it is applied it leaves the teeth shiny. Greg Nicholson, DDS might finish up with a fluoride treatment which will strengthen your teeth. Fluoride usually comes in different flavors and is placed into a foam tray. You will be asked to bite down for thirty seconds while the fluoride covers your teeth. After, you will rinse and spit.
Some people avoid the dentist because they are afraid of getting their teeth cleaned. If it has been a long time since you have visited the dentist, it may take longer for the hygienist to clean your teeth. If you follow up with regular dental visits, those visits will take much less time.
If at any time you feel any <a href="/reference/conditions/pain">pain</a>, be sure to let your Greg Nicholson, DDS know. They would be more than happy to work with you to alleviate any fear or discomfort. If you live near Murfreesboro, TN, call (615) 893-5500 to schedule your appointment today. There is nothing better than the feeling of clean teeth to enjoy when you leave Greg Nicholson, DDS.
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Dental X-Rays Remove
Dental X-Rays
X-rays give dentists valuable information to help determine the state of your <a href="/reference/conditions/dental-health">dental health</a>. They allow dentists to see the state of your teeth beneath the surface. X-rays are a form of energy that travels in waves. These waves can enter solid objects. If an object is dense, the waves are absorbed. If they are not, these rays are able to pass through. When a dentist takes x-rays, the rays pass through cheeks and gums, but are absorbed by teeth and bone which are much denser. When looking at the x-ray film, teeth and bones will be light white while gums will appear much darker in color. Fillings are even denser than bone so they will appear as bright white areas on the film. Cavities will appear on x-ray film as a dark spots in a light tooth.
These x-rays allow dentists to see tooth decay, abnormalities, bone decay, gum disease, cysts and tumors. There are two main types of x-rays: intraoral (inside) and extraoral (outside). Intraoral x-rays are those where the dentist or dental assistant asks you to open your mouth and then “bite down” on a hard piece of film. These x-rays give up close, detailed pictures of individual teeth. Extraoral x-rays are made with the film outside the mouth. These x-rays show the teeth and also the jaw and skull. They are also used for monitoring growth of impacted teeth.
Radiation can cause cell damage. Though X-rays used by dentists emit small doses of radiation, over time these small does can add up. Dentists take precautions to minimize their patient’s <a href="/reference/conditions/radiation-side-effects">radiation exposure</a>. They use lead shields, reduced doses of x-rays, improved film (requiring less exposure), and film holders to reduce film slipping. If you are pregnant it is important to tell your dentist because radiation exposure can pose a risk to the fetus. Dentists usually order x-rays on a first visit then only if needed on subsequent visits. If you change dentists, work with both dental offices to transfer the record of your x-rays so you will not have to take new ones.
A new type of x-ray technique is digital radiography. Traditional film is replaced with an electronic pad. The x-ray hits the pad instead of the film. This type of x-ray reduces radiation exposure by as much as eighty percent. This is a newer technology, but it is becoming increasingly popular.
If you live in the Murfreesboro, TN area and have any questions or concerns about your dental x-rays, call (615) 893-5500. During your next appointment at Greg Nicholson, DDS, we will review your
medical history, examine your mouth and then determine whether or not you need x-rays.
Procedures Performed
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Fillings Remove
Fillings
No cavities! You sigh with relief whenever the dentist gives you the good news that you won’t need a new filling - this time. Of course, fillings are not always something that you can avoid.
Dentists use fillings to treat teeth that are cracked, broken, worn down, or decaying. Filling the decayed area strengthens the tooth and keeps the decay from spreading. If left untreated, these problem teeth can lead to a lot of <a href="/reference/conditions/pain">pain</a>.
Dentists try to find cavities before they cause too much damage or pain. They identify cavities by looking for discolorations that indicate decay. They also use sharp metal instruments to feel the enamel of the tooth. The enamel around teeth that are decaying will be softer than the enamel around healthy teeth. Dentists can also use X-rays, small laser wands, and cavity detecting dye to identify cavities.
Once the cavities have been found, your dentist will determine if the problem can be fixed with a fluoride treatment. If a fluoride treatment isn’t enough, your dentist will remove the decayed area on the tooth and then replace that area with a filling.
Before a tooth is filled, the dentist will use a local anesthetic around the tooth to numb the area. Next, the dentist will use a drill, laser or abrasion instrument to remove the decayed part of the tooth. The extent of the decay will determine what tools will be used. Lastly, the area will be fitted with a filling.
There are several different filling materials that are available to dentists today. Teeth can be filled with gold, porcelain, tooth colored composites, plastic and composite resin. Cost, location, durability, and patient preference will determine which type of filling material will be used. Silver amalgam can also be used as filler, but patients should be cautious. Silver amalgam is made up of mercury mixed with silver and other metals. If a patients is allergic to mercury or concerned about mercury fillings, they should speak with Greg Nicholson, DDS and choose another type of filling. Also, concerned patients can have their current mercury fillings removed and replaced with a different type of material.
Inlays and onlays are also options for filling teeth. These are called indirect fillings and require two dental visits. Indirect fillings are used when the tooth has become so decayed that there is not enough tooth structure left to support a filling. However, enough structure remains so a crown is not needed. The decay is removed and an impression of the tooth is taken. An indirect filling is made in a dental lab and then placed during the second visit. Severe tooth decay will call for a dental crown which is a cap that fully covers the decayed tooth.
Speak with Greg Nicholson, DDS to determine which toothpaste, floss, and care you should use for your particular needs. If you feel uncomfortable at any time, please call (615) 893-5500 and schedule an appointment. After your initial dental work is completed, you can avoid new cavities by visiting your dentist regularly and maintaining good <a href="/reference/conditions/dental-health">dental health</a>.
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Crowns Remove
Crowns
A dental crown is a way of protecting and restoring a decayed or broken tooth. If a tooth has decayed to the point that it will not support a filling or an inlay, a crown can be placed over the tooth or dental implant to repair the tooth. A crown cups over the part of the tooth that lies at and above the gum line, becoming the new outer surface of the tooth. It restores the function and look of the problem tooth. It’s also called a tooth or dental cap.
Dental crowns can be used to protect a weak, decayed or cracked tooth. In addition to helping with supporting teeth, crowns can also help a tooth’s appearance. Crowns improve the look of a tooth by covering teeth that have large fillings, are misshapen, or are discolored. They also can be used to hold a dental bridge in place. Dental crowns can be made from metals, porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin, or ceramic materials.
Metal crowns are strong and long-lasting, but have a metallic color that is unappealing to some patients. Porcelain-fused-to-metal matches the color of your teeth. However, the porcelain part can break off exposing the metal color. Resin is less expensive, but wears down more quickly. All ceramic and porcelain crowns match your natural color, but they are not as strong as the crowns that include metals.
Dental crowns require two dentist visits. During your first dental visit, Greg Nicholson, DDS will examine and clean the tooth. X-rays may be taken to check the roots and bone surrounding the tooth is strong enough to support the new crown. Next your tooth and gums will be numbed to file down the chewing surface of the tooth, to prepare for the crown. Then impression putty is used to make an impression of the tooth that will be crowned. The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory where the permanent crown is made. Greg Nicholson, DDS will fill the tooth with a temporary crown to protect the tooth until your next dentist visit.
During your second dental visit, the temporary crown will be removed. A local anesthetic will be used to numb the area and the new crown will be cemented into place. These crowns usually last between five and fifteen years depending on the material making up the crown. Also patient diligence can affect the lifespan of the crown. You can extend the life of your crown (and all your teeth) by taking good care of your teeth and scheduling regular checkups with Greg Nicholson, DDS. Call (615) 893-5500 to schedule your appointment today.
Conditions Treated
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