The bonded bridge – also known as the Maryland Bridge – can be an ideal and better technique for replacing a missing front tooth compared to its fixed bridgework counterpart. A fixed bridge is comprised of a sequence of connected crowns or caps, whereas a bonded bridge is made up of one or two artificial teeth that feature wings which are connected on either side. The way a bonded bridge is used to replace a tooth is the wings are fixed to the inside of the patient’s teeth on each side of the missing tooth.

The bonded bridge is not a new technique, but this is the first time in a number of years that it has been favored. The reason why dentists had problems with the bonded bridge previously was because the wings were once only made of metal, were unaesthetic, and required frequent visits for refastening. Now, the wings of bonded bridges can be made from durable resin, which not only fasten firmly to the teeth, but are also attractive to patients.

There are different methods for fixing the bonded bridge to a patient’s mouth. One method that is often used for the front teeth involves the preparation of the adjacent teeth for the bonded bridge. Once prepared, a mold is taken which is created into the bonded bridge. The loose tooth of the patient that is to be replaced by the bonded bridge is removed when the mold is ready and replaced by the bonded bridge. Thus, the tooth is removed and replaced with the bonded bridge at the same dental session, so the patient never has to showcase a missing tooth, and can always have a perfect smile.

What are benefits of a bonded bridge?

• Less cost
• Less preparation or drilling of teeth
• Less time needed to complete treatment
• Wings help stabilize the teeth it fastens to (particularly beneficial to individuals who are prone to slightly loose teeth from gum disease)

However, despite the benefits of the bonded bridge, it is important to note that it is not as strong as fixed bridgework. This makes the bonded bridge inappropriate for certain situations such as for:

• Certain teeth near the front of the mouth where biting forces are generally less strong.
• People who have heavy jaw musculature
• Weak or extremely loose teeth
• Individuals who grind their teeth day or night
• The space where teeth are missing is too large

Thus, when all is said and done, the decision to use a bonded bridge depends on the dentist and the patient’s particular situation. In order to find out if you are candidate for a bonded bridge, speak to your Chandler dentist should this procedure interest you in.

Your wedding photos hold the memories of your special day that you will cherish forever. For this reason, having a perfect smile is a must for most wedding couples. The perfect smile doesn’t necessarily mean perfect pearly white, straight teeth. On the contrary, while those characteristics can add to the beauty of a smile, your main concern is to ensure your teeth are healthy.

Good dental health is vital because no one wants to be bothered by a toothache or a broken tooth on their wedding day or honeymoon. All of your attention should be focused on enjoying your big day, not worrying about a chipped tooth showing in your smile, or dealing with consistent pain. Therefore, brides and grooms to-be should make it a priority to pay a trip to their dentists to have their teeth checked, regardless if they are suffering from a tooth malady or not.

Another excellent reason to see the Chandler dentist prior to your special day is to catch any problems early. A number of dental problems, especially cavities, tend to occur with little or no warning. This is the main reason why dentists encourage their patients to have a checkup every six months. Discovering a small cavity, or other potential tooth problems means that treatment can be administered quickly, which saves both time and money, and in many cases, unnecessary pain.

On the other hand, should a small cavity be left untreated, it will grow and eventually result in a painful infection that affects the blood vessels and nerves within the tooth. Although treatment can be provided to save the infected tooth, the treatment is a not-so-pleasant procedure known as a root canal. After having a root canal, pain can last one to two weeks, but in some cases, pain has been known to remain for three weeks. Thus, this is not a procedure you will want to receive prior to your wedding.

In addition, you should also keep in mind that if a tooth emergency arises on your honeymoon, this could be a serious problem, especially if you travel to a foreign destination where dental assistance may be non-existent or questionable at best.

Aside from ensuring healthy teeth, some bride and grooms to-be may also wish to have cosmetic dentistry performed before their wedding. There is nothing wrong with obtaining cosmetic dentistry if you feel that whitening your teeth, tooth shaping, or porcelain veneers would give you a more beautiful and confident smile.

Just remember, whether you obtain cosmetic dentistry or not, regular dental care helps prevent emergencies, and maintains the health and preservation of your teeth. You deserve to look and feel your very best on your wedding day. Don’t neglect your teeth and you wont’ be afraid to smile.

There is nothing new about body piercing. It’s a practice that is as ancient as tattooing and other forms of personal decoration. However, oral piercing is something that is relatively new to the oral and dental healthcare profession. After all, puncturing oral tissues – such as the tongue, cheek, and lip – in order to wear ornamental jewelry, can have a large impact on oral health.

Jewelry used for oral piercing can range from rings and studs to other kinds of decorative pieces. It is growing dramatically as part of a popular body art movement, especially among teenagers and young adults.

Though it is possible for the piercing procedure to occur without problems, there is a high risk of danger to the health of the individual experiencing the piercing. The industry is extremely unreliable and inconsistent because of the lack of licensing and certification for those who provide the body piercing.

This makes it difficult for individuals to decide on their body artist, and the environment in which their piercings will occur. There are many different elements to be considered when it comes to your health and safety, including the cleanliness and sterility of the equipment, and even just the training and experience of the person performing the piercing.

Furthermore, oral piercings can be exceptionally painful. They are, after all, performed without anesthetics, since the people providing the piercing do not have a license to administer drugs. Only physicians, dentists, and podiatrists are licensed to prescribe anesthesia. Commonly, body piercing occurs in tattoo parlors, hair salons, or even in private homes. There is no assurance that these individuals have any training at all, or even know how to properly sterilize their equipment.

The risks include:

• Serious oral infection
• Swelling, risking difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Blood clots
• Hemorrhaging
• Cracked teeth
• Inhaled or swallowed jewelry pieces

Individuals choosing to have oral piercings done should make certain to have that piercing checked by a dental health care professional as soon as it is performed, and then contact that dental health care professional should there be any signs of infection, or if the wound does not appear to be healing properly.

It is becoming quite common to have porcelain veneers and crowns, but it is important that you understand how to best maintain these restorations for the longest life, most pleasant appearance, and most comfort.

When it comes to chewing, you should be able to eat all of the normal foods that you’ve always been able to eat. However, just like with your natural teeth, you should be careful when it comes to excessively hard foods, such as ice, hard candy, raw carrots, bones, etc.

Remember that it is possible for the porcelain material to break from the teeth when extreme force is applied. Be reasonable about your expectations.

Keep up your visits with the Chandler dentist every three to six months, for an examination. By catching any prospective problems early, you can usually repair them very easily. On the other hand, if you avoid seeing your dentist on a regular basis, and a problem is left to develop, it may require redoing your restoration entirely.

Make sure to take proper preventative action so that your risk for damage is at its lowest, and you’ll achieve the maximum possible longevity. This will not only mean the best life for your restorations, but it will also ensure that future decay is prevented, and supporting tissues are protected. Among the best ways to achieve this is by brushing regularly with a toothpaste that contains fluoride, and by following up with a good flossing session.

When properly cared for, you should appreciate many problem-free years with your crowns and porcelain veneers. However, you should know that the following situations will usually occur no matter how well maintained and examined your restorations may be:

• Extreme trauma and force can cause veneers – just like regular teeth – to break
• Slight staining around the edging of your veneers or crowns can occur over time.

As long as you consult your Chandler dentist in good time, repairs can usually be made rather quickly and easily.

You should also note that gum tissue can recede from porcelain veneers, revealing the discolored tooth beneath. This occurrence would take many years to occur, but does require a veneer replacement to remedy.

Since ancient times, people have always made special efforts to replace missing teeth, for both practical and cosmetic purposes. Today, dentists have perfected a number of techniques for accomplishing this goal, with dental implants being at the top of that list. Teeth can be lost for a number of reasons: gum disease, accidents, and decay.

The relatively recent emphasis on preventative dental care has meant that there has been a reduction in gum diseases and decay. Still, though, there are millions of individuals who live with incomplete sets of teeth. For those people, dental implants can allow them to reach their best level of dental health, and enjoy their best smile.

There are many different kinds of dental implants, coming in a range of shapes and sizes, depending on the kind of tooth they are to replace, what they’re made of, and their specific design. The three most common types of dental implants are “subperiosteal” – meaning that they consist of both a blade and a root, and must be surgically attached.

These implants are used most frequently on the lower jaw and are placed on the bone – they’re the oldest type of implant that exists today. The blade consists of a flat piece of metal which is placed in the bone itself.

The most frequently used dental implant is the root form implant, with a conical shape, and can be either threaded or non-threaded, and may or may not be coated with a special material.

Of course, missing teeth aren’t the only reason that some people may choose dental implants. Dentists can also replace single crowns, bridges, and complete sets of teeth with implants.

Traditionally, a dental implant will require two surgical procedures. The first procedure places the dental implant fixture onto the bone. Once this is complete, there is a “rest” period of about 4 to 6 months to allow the area to properly and fully heal. This healing process allows the bone to actually grow in around the implant and onto the surface of the implant, so that it is securely embedded (this process is called osseointegration).

Once osseointegration has been achieved, the second procedure can be done, where it is uncovered and the tooth replacement itself is fitted.

These dental implant procedures are surprisingly pain-free and easy, and allow patients to smile, chew, and function with greater confidence, and not suffer from embarrassment anymore. The new freedom they experience provides a whole new outlook on life.

It’s estimated that there are approximately 46,000 cases of AIDS in the United States as of 2006, and this growing number has become an issue in the dental industry. After all, people with HIV and AIDS are now capable of living long and typically healthy lives with the treatments that are now available to them. This means that good oral hygiene and maintenance remains an important part of their lives just as it is to anyone else’s.

However, some dentists and hygienists are struggling with what they have interpreted as a heightened risk in treating these individuals. There are six main issues facing dentists in this new era of AIDS. These are:

1. Routine dental care
2. Screening, recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of oral lesions
3. Working with other social support networks and healthcare workers
4. Providing information to other healthcare workers
5. Educating the community
6. Assisting infected healthcare workers

Though saliva, tears, and sweat can contain the HIV virus, they are not the form of body fluids that are able to contain high concentrations of the disease, and are in such low concentrations that they’ve never caused an infection in another person. It is only blood or other body fluids contaminated with blood that should be avoided by dentists; this is where there is a risk of transmission. It would also require direct contact through a fresh cut, open sore, abrasion, etc, and must occur fairly quickly, as the virus cannot survive outside the body for more than a few minutes.

The American Dental Association (ADA) has established compliance with the Universal precautions against AIDS and HIV, and asserts that they are adequate for preventing the transmission of the viruses from patients to dental healthcare workers and from the dental professionals to patients. This has been extensively studied over the last 10 to 15 years, and the ADA is certain that general health care settings pose no threat for the transmission of AIDS or HIV.

This being said, some dedicated dental clinics for HIV infected patients have been developed for more complex dental healthcare needs, so that patients and dental healthcare workers can function in much greater confidence. This allows special attention to be given in the case of:

1. Increased tendency for bleeding
2. Infections occurring post-operation
3. Drug interactions
4. Adverse drug reactions
5. Special survival prognosis

As long as special care is consistently taken to follow ADA accepted efforts, HIV and AIDS won’t present a risk for patients or dental healthcare professionals.

If you want to preserve your oral health, and avoid dental problems, you need to ensure you are using the essential dental cleaning products. Below are the three main dental tools you require to ensure a fresh and clean mouth that will make your dentist proud.

1. Toothbrush – A toothbrush helps to remove food particles, plaque and bacteria from your teeth. There are many toothbrushes available on the market, each with different features. This can make it difficult to decide what toothbrush is the right one for your teeth. To help make the decision making process easier, keep the following in mind.

• The toothbrush should have soft bristles.
• You should be able to hold it comfortably in your hand.
• If you choose a manual toothbrush, make sure the tip is small enough that it can reach all appropriate mouth areas with ease.
• If you choose an electric toothbrush, make sure the bristles are designed to move in a backward and forwards motion.
• Manual and electrical toothbrushes are both acceptable and work well when applied properly. The only difference is an electrical toothbrush may be the more convenient and comfortable choice for those with arthritis.
• You should dispose of your toothbrush every few months, especially when the bristles are no longer firm or in their original shape.

2. Toothpaste – Like toothbrushes, there are plenty of toothpaste brands to choose from. Although your personal toothpaste preferences may vary (I.E. you would like whitener, a specific flavor, or tartar control included), as long as you purchase toothpaste that includes fluoride, you have made the right selection. Fluoride is important because it helps to prevent cavities.

Keep in mind, you only need a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for brushing your teeth, and brushing should be done twice daily.

3. Dental Floss – It doesn’t really matter what type of dental floss you use, because all dental floss is designed to remove food, and cavity causing plaque from between your teeth. The three main types of dental floss methods include:

• Conventional dental floss – a string of floss you wrap around your fingers and push in-between your teeth.
• Dental flosser – A tiny plastic stick that features a small piece of straight floss on the end that can be pushed in between teeth.
• Dental floss threader – A thin, plastic needle-like tool that allows you to tie a string of floss on the end, so you can thread floss between your teeth. The threader is required if a fixed dental bridge hinders the use of regular flossing methods.

Use the method of flossing that is most comfortable for you. Floss daily, and dispose of floss after each use.

Make sure you speak to your Chandler dentist about the best dental cleaning tools you can apply to your daily oral hygiene routine, to ensure you keep your mouth healthy and your teeth and gums strong.

Dental fillings are a very common and often simple dental procedure. Children and adults alike receive dental fillings and more people have dental fillings than not. The purpose of a dental filling is to seal small breaks in teeth and - more commonly - to seal the hole left in a tooth after the removal of a cavity. Fillings are designed to protect the tooth by preventing further damage from occurring, and also prevent the tooth from extraction.

Currently, there are two main types of dental fillings a person can acquire – amalgam (silver) and composite (white/tooth colored). Although both provide your tooth with protection, the fillings are slightly different from one another, and there are pros and cons to each. The following is information you need to consider regarding the amalgam and composite dental fillings, to help you determine which filling is best suited for you.

Amalgam fillings
Good factors:

• Amalgam fillings are strong and durable because they are comprised of metal. Therefore, they can endure hard, biting pressure. This makes them an ideal choice for filling back teeth.
• Amalgam fillings are quite inexpensive and most dental insurance companies will cover these fillings.

Bad factors:

• Amalgam filling is made up of different metal materials including mercury. Although, studies have not found this filling to pose a health risk, mercury by itself is extremely toxic.
• Amalgam fillings are silver in color and are very noticeable.
• Amalgam filings do not harden to the tooth instantly. It takes a few hours after the filling has been inserted before it adheres in place, so chewing should be avoided.
• The dentist needs to make a larger preparation in the tooth in order for the filling to fit, which results in extra loss of tooth structure.
• It is not uncommon for those who receive amalgam fillings to experience sensitivity to hot and cold.

Composite Fillings
Good factors:

• Composite fillings are designed to match the color of your teeth and provide a natural look.
• These fillings are made up of glass particles and acrylic resin. No mercury is included.
• The dentist only needs to make a small preparation in the tooth, allowing less tooth structure to be lost.
• The filling is hard by the time the procedure is over, so there is no waiting period.

Bad factors:

• The composite filling is the more expensive filling and dental insurance companies do not always cover composite fillings for back teeth.
• The procedure for this filling is a longer process.
• Composite fillings will stain over time when exposed to food and drink such as tea and coffee. However, the composite filling will not whiten as teeth will, when bleached.
• Composite fillings are not as strong as amalgam on back teeth.

Keep in mind that some dentists no longer use amalgam fillings. Make sure you discuss your filling options with your Chandler dentist and hear his/her recommendations.

Tooth whitening products have become all the rage lately. They’ve been advertised – and used – very heavily over the last few years. However, what isn’t as heavily advertised is the fact that tooth whitening agents aren’t for everyone.

Among the most common side-effects of bleaching your teeth is sensitivity. Though it is important that tooth whitening systems that you purchase be effective, you also need to make sure that they are safe to use before you irritate the inside of your mouth, and cause yourself unnecessary pain.

At-home tooth-bleaching products commonly use a 10 percent carbamide peroxide ingredient. Dental researchers have discovered that there are many safety considerations that are connected to using this kind of product. Especially in the case of tray-based systems.

Though this may be very effective for whitening your teeth, it is important that you speak to your Chandler dentist before making the decision to use them. Only your dentist will know if they are the right kind of product for you.

The two most common side-effects that you could experience if you use the wrong kind of tooth whitening system for you are:

• Thermal sensitivity – sensitivity to hot and cold.
• Gingival irritation – gum irritation.

Other less common symptoms include tooth pain, sore throat, tissue tingling, and headaches. If you should experience any of these symptoms while using a tooth whitening product, it is very important that you discontinue use – even if they are only minor in nature. You should always make certain to report your symptoms to your dentist.

When it comes to safety while using 10% carbamide peroxide teeth whiteners, the products are generally considered to be safe to your health, and should not have any notable effect on the mineral content or microhardness of your tooth enamel, nor will it harm the nerve in your teeth . Furthermore, any dental work you’ve had will usually remain safe.

However, in order to avoid the pain of tooth sensitivity, consulting your Chandler dentist is a necessary step when choosing any tooth whitening product.

Finding dental care and dental plans in Chandler Arizona is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle. Indeed, dental treatment is an expensive process, so it’s important to try to find dental insurance to help you to cover some or all of the costs.

However, finding dental care and plans can be somewhat of a daunting task since there are so many different kinds of insurance coverage available, so it’s hard to know where to start. Remember that when you’re finding dental plans, they’re not all created equal, so you need to work to narrow down your options so that they cover what you want, and they are within your realm of affordability.

To do this, consider the following while you’re finding dental plans:

• Use the internet to your advantage by looking into the various dental insurance plans that are available - especially those available more locally, or at least within your state. Narrow down your efforts for finding dental care by starting with the companies that are specialized in dental coverage itself, as opposed to all forms of health insurance.
• Once you have some candidates in mind, speak with some different insurance agents who will help you in finding dental care and plans that are best suited to you. If you happen to have a dentist who you trust - or better a friend who is a dentist - ask him or her.
• Make sure that while you’re finding dental care and dental plans, you don’t overlook the maximum coverage for the year in the plans being considered. Commonly, dental coverage will reach a maximum of $1000 per year, which is the total amount that will be paid in your dental costs every year.
• Get to know the way dental networks run. While you’re finding plans you’ll discover that some insurance will only cover you if you visit a certain dentist within their own network. If your regular dentist doesn’t happen to be within that network, you may not receive the kind of coverage that you’re hoping for.
• Speaking of your dentist, finding dental care may be as easy as speaking with your own dentist office, as they may offer their own plans, interest free!
• If you are finding dental care for yourself, make sure that you aren’t covering yourself twice without knowing it. You may already have a plan with your employer. Double check to be sure you don’t qualify for your employer’s insurance before you start forking out the cash for an additional coverage.

Of course, it’s important not to forget that one of the best ways of finding dental care is simply to ask the people you know. Many people you know already have dental plans similar to what you’re looking for. Talk to them and see what you can learn.