There are many reasons why people lose their teeth. The most common causes are cavities, periodontal disease, tooth wear, tooth erosion, and accidents. Years ago, extraction was one of the only options available for the treatment of these dental diseases, and many of us have parents or grandparents who had all of their teeth pulled… Read more »
Radiographs (x-rays) have always played a large part of diagnosis and planning within dentistry, and with the advent of cone-beam CT (CBCT) scanners, that role is becoming bigger still. Briefly, a CBCT is similar to a medical grade CT machine in that it allows 3-dimensional evaluation of bone (as well as other tissues); however, the… Read more »
Silver fillings, also referred to as amalgam fillings, are used to treat cavities, and have been one of the most common dental restorations over the last century. However, silver fillings contain mercury particles, and as such, have also been at the center of a long running debate related to patient safety. Some dentists have recommended… Read more »
Alternatives to Conventional Fillings If you get a cavity, chances are that your dentist will recommend a filling. There are two common types of fillings available, amalgam (aka silver) and composite resin (tooth-colored). Although silver fillings have a proved track record of long-term success, there has been a general trend away from them in practice. … Read more »
Tooth replacement and the shortened dental arch This may seem like a silly question, but considering the cost of tooth replacement, this topic comes up frequently in real life. To provide the answer, lets start with the fact that adults are supposed to have 32 permanent teeth. However, the vast majority of people in the… Read more »
How Dental Plans Work Almost all dental plans are a contract between your employer and a dental insurance company (eg Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, etc). Your employer and the insurance negotiate the type and amount of coverage that your plan will provide, which is largely based upon how much your employer wants to spend on… Read more »
Over the past few years I have heard an increasing number of patients say how hard it can be to find the right dentist. First off, there are a number of different types of dentists (general dentists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, etc.) and many people are unaware of what each does or doesn’t do. Another challenge… Read more »
The recent passing of Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, better known as the inventor of modern dental implants, serves as a reminder of the remarkable impact that dental implants can have for patients currently struggling with conventional dentures. Dental implants can be used in several different ways to help denture wearers and the purpose of this article… Read more »
“How much is a dental implant?” This is a common question from patients, and unfortunately it is not always so easy to answer. The purpose of this article is to outline the factors that affect the cost of dental implant therapy and offer recommendations to help patients understand their dental care.