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What to Expect When You Need Dental Implants

What to Expect When You Need Dental Implants

A dental implant is designed to replace the root of a tooth. When you lose a tooth, that gaping space can cause a variety of problems. The dental implant fills in this space and creates a base for a crown or replacement tooth. If you have lost a tooth or had one pulled, your dentist may recommend an implant to preserve the shape of your jaw and allow for a fresh, new synthetic tooth to be added.

Benefits of Dental Implants

  • Permanence: Because the dental implant fuses with the existing bone in your mouth, they become a permanent addition and don’t need to be removed or replaced regularly.
  • Improved appearance: Your mouth will retain its natural full shape and you won’t have to worry about shifting or changes in appearance when you have implants
  • Better speech and eating: If you have dentures, they can move about when you eat or speak. This slipping and sliding can cause slurred speech and make it difficult to chew your food. Since dental implants are permanent, they won’t slip or shift as you eat or talk.

What to Expect from the Process?

Your dentist will examine you and develop a treatment plan designed to address your individual needs, including implants if required. If you need an extraction, the tooth will be pulled first, and your dentist may augment the socket with some additional material to preserve the space for the implant. An artificial root made from titanium will be added to the space where your tooth was. Your jaw will need to heal for several weeks; as it heals it will grow around the new post and secure it in place.

A dental implant is a multi-step process; after about 12 months, the implant is ready to be fit for a crown, or replacement tooth. Your dentist will create a new tooth to fit into your mouth and add it to the implant, creating a new, permanent replacement for your lost tooth.

Your dentist can help you learn more about your tooth replacement options and come up with an individual treatment plan designed to restore your smile and improve your oral health.

 

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Restorative Dental Care in Mississauga at Dr Hassan’ Dental Office

Restorative Dental Care in Mississauga at Dr Hassan’ Dental Office

Dental Restoration: What You Need to Know

Damaged or missing teeth are a problem for thousands of Canadians. Thankfully, your dentist has many dental restoration techniques for these problems. Here are some of the most common types of dental restoration and what you need to know about them.

Fillings

Fillings are used when tooth decay causes a small hole, or cavity, in your tooth. Fillings close up the hole, stopping the spread of tooth decay.

Several types of fillings are available, including:

  • Amalgam: This silver-coloured filling is the most common type currently used in Canada, according to the Canadian Dental Association. Amalgam fillings are made of several types of metal. They are very strong and inexpensive. One disadvantage of amalgam fillings is that their colour makes them noticeable.
  • Composite: Many people favour this type of filling because its white colour blends in with your tooth. The filling is made from a mixture of plastic and glass. They usually last around ten years.
  • Gold: Cast-gold fillings are made from gold and other metals. They are very strong and durable. However, gold fillings can be expensive, and their colour stands out against the white of your teeth.

Dental Inlays and Onlays

Some teeth may have too much decay for a simple filling. When this happens, dentists may use an inlay or onlay–methods of covering the surface of a damaged tooth. The difference between an inlay and an onlay is that an inlay covers a smaller area of the tooth, while an onlay covers a larger area. Inlays and onlays are usually made from the same types of materials as fillings.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a hollow cap that sits over the original tooth. It looks and feels like a regular tooth. Crowns are used for several reasons, including repairing broken teeth, covering teeth with large cavities, or after a root canal.

 

Many people are frightened at the prospect of getting a dental crown, but the procedure is relatively simple. It usually takes two appointments with your dentist. At the first appointment, your dentist will prepare your tooth and take an impression of it. Your permanent crown will be made in a lab and sent back to your dental office. While you are waiting, your dentist may attach a temporary crown. At your second appointment, your dentist will attach your new permanent crown over your natural tooth.

Dental Bridges

Your dentist may recommend a dental bridge, or fixed bridge, to replace one or more missing teeth. Your new replacement tooth is usually fused to crowns on either side of it. A bridge can also be fused to dental implants. Dental bridges usually last about ten years.

Dentures

Dentures are removable replacement teeth. They can replace just one tooth or all of your teeth. Dentures are made by taking custom impressions of your mouth. With proper care, dentures can last from five to ten years.

Dental Implants

Another option for people with missing teeth is dental implants. This solution is permanent and involves attaching a metal post to your jawbone to act as a tooth root. A replacement tooth is later attached to the post, leaving your mouth looking natural and gap-free.

Modern dental patients have many options when it comes to dental restoration. Your dentist can help you choose a dental restoration program that’s right for you.

If you’re looking for dental restoration in Mississauga, look no further than Dr. Hassan El-Awour. Our family-friendly dental office is open 364 days a year!

 

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Sensitive Teeth? Here’s Why!

Sensitive Teeth? Here’s Why!

Do you ever cringe when you watch someone bite into ice cream? Are you sometimes fearful of that first sip of hot soup or drink of tea? You’re not alone. Sensitive teeth are one of the most common complaints we hear about!

Teeth Become Sensitive When Nerves Are Exposed 

On the outside of each tooth is a protective layer of enamel. Over time, the enamel can wear away, leaving an inner layer called the dentin, exposed. This occurs due to normal wear and tear, poor dental hygiene and/or certain lifestyle choices. Dentin contains fluid-filled tubules that reach into the innermost part of the tooth where all the nerves reside. Because the nerves inside the tooth are exposed when the enamel is eroded away, sensitivity is the result. Another form of tooth sensitivity develops when gum recession leaves the root of the tooth exposed to food, drink and air.

Desensitising Toothpaste Can Help

Desensitising toothpastes are a great way to ease tooth sensitivity. Many of our patients ask us how these toothpastes actually work! It’s simple: they are specially formulated to either block the tubules in the dentin, protecting the nerves in the tooth from exposure, or numb your teeth, in a manner of speaking, so you don’t register the pain of sensitivity.

It’s important to remember, however, that if your teeth are at all sensitive, your first stop should be your dentist’s office. Some problems that cause teeth to be sensitive can be quite serious and may require more extensive treatment than desensitising toothpaste can provide.

Follow These Helpful Tips To Avoid Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive teeth can range from mildly annoying to severely painful. To prevent further damage to your teeth, or any sensitivity in the first place, follow the suggestions below:

  • Practice proper oral hygiene: Gum disease and tooth decay are frequently the cause of tooth sensitivity. Avoid smoking or any form of tobacco use.
  • Don’t brush so hard: Aggressive brushing or brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush can cause gum recession and enamel erosion. Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and don’t apply too much force. Plaque comes off easier than you think!
  • Protect your teeth: If you clench your teeth frequently or have been diagnosed with bruxism (teeth grinding), make sure you protect your teeth with a night-guard provided to you by your dentist and try to be conscious of your clenching habits during the day.
  • Make sure your diet is healthy: Eat sugar and carbohydrates in moderation. Drink plenty of water and eat foods that are good for your teeth such as dairy products and vegetables.

Take Our Advice! Don’t Live With Pain!

No matter what your level of discomfort, the tooth corner believe that nobody should have to live with tooth pain. If you experience any kind of sensitivity in your teeth, come in and see us! We can diagnose the root cause of your sensitivity and work out the best way to treat it.

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Night guards: Give your teeth the beauty rest they deserve

Night guards: Give your teeth the beauty rest they deserve

Do you wake up with terrible headaches and a sore jaw? Are your teeth flattened and worn down? If so, you may be in the habit of grinding your teeth. Nighttime Bruixism, or teeth grinding, is when you unconsciously grind your teeth during sleep. This can do loads of damage to not only your teeth but to your jaw as well. That’s why it’s crucial to take action early on before too much damage is done.

One of the best ways to combat grinding your teeth at night is by wearing a night guard. A night guard is a mouthpiece you wear while you sleep that protects your teeth from the dangers of bruxism. They will prevent you from doing any damage to your teeth or jaw from grinding during sleep.

What is Bruxism?

Bruxism is the technical term for grinding your teeth. Most often, the grinding is done unconsciously, so you might not even be aware that you have this issue. Regardless of whether you’re aware of grinding your teeth or not, bruxism is a potentially dangerous condition to have. Grinding your teeth can lead to countless problems such as:

  • Headaches
  • Tooth pain
  • Jaw soreness
  • TMJ disorder
  • Tooth damage (chipped teeth, fractures, loose teeth)
  • Earaches
  • Neck pain

The force from grinding overworks your jaw muscles and causes you to wake up feeling sore. The muscle tenderness from your jaw, teeth, and neck all contribute to your headaches. If the damage is severe enough, you may need to get crowns, veneers, or other restorations to fix your teeth. Night guards will not only lessen your bruxism symptoms but also will save you money in the long run.

Why Night Guards Are Important

Night guards are one of the best ways to reduce and even eliminate your nighttime grinding. Your dentist will simply take an impression of your teeth, send them to a lab, and have a night guard specifically designed for you. Wearing your night guard while you sleep will help protect your teeth from the dangers of grinding and may also prevent you from grinding your teeth altogether. This will help get rid of the headaches you’ve been experiencing as well as any pain or discomfort from your jaw or teeth. Night guards will overall improve the quality of your sleep and help you wake up feeling refreshed instead of groggy and in pain.

Teeth grinding is a hard habit to kick especially if you’re under a lot of stress. Night guards can help you prevent any further damage from bruxism while also giving you a good night’s sleep. Reach out to Dr. Hassan to talk about getting night guards to help relieve your symptoms.

 

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Can Receding Gums Grow Back?

Can Receding Gums Grow Back?

One of the several conditions that affect the gum; surrounding & holding the teeth in the mouth, is receding gums. This occurs, simply by not taking care of your oral health. This can result in the tissue around the teeth to disappear gradually or even recede over time. Many people who are affected by a receding gum often wonder whether it is possible to have it grow back.

Signs of a receding gum

It is important to note that the gum is responsible for protecting the teeth. The gum is made of a soft tissue that is responsible for holding the teeth in place in the jaw region. When there is receding of the gum, it appears as if it is transparent and the teeth will appear in a more prominent way and even become loose. 

Causes of a receding gum

One of the major causes of a receding gum is gum disease. Gum disease can be worsened by various conditions such as plaque and tartar build up, tooth decay, dental and poor oral hygiene. This is on top of alcohol use, poor diet, teeth grinding and substance abuse. These can have a large impact on the health of your gums.

Natural treatment for receding gums

There are certain measures that can prevent the problem from becoming more severe. These include:

  • One of the best way of preventing a receding gum is by establishing a good oral care habit. Avoid pressing hard on the gum as this will only serve to make it recede more. This can also help to get rid of excess bacteria that get trapped in your teeth’s crevices.
  • Eat healthy foods. The diet may not be a major cause of receding gum. However, it may end up hurting the overall health of your gum.  Avoid eating sugary substance that have corn fructose.
  • Limit your drinking of alcohol and avoid smoking.
  • Minimize your intake of carbonated soda.

With these measures, it is possible to prevent a receding gum. However, you should still pay a visit to your local Tooth Corner to ensure your oral health is in great condition

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Your Child’s Baby Teeth Are Important

Your Child’s Baby Teeth Are Important

“DO I NEED TO FIX my child’s baby tooth since it’s going to fall out anyway?” This is a question we get asked a lot as dental professionals. The answer is a resounding YES! Primary, or “baby,” teeth serve an important purpose in your child’s present and future oral health. Our Pediatric  dentists in Mississauga often get these queries from eager parents.

Baby Teeth Have Three Main Functions

Besides providing an aesthetic appeal to your child’s smile and boosting their self-esteem, primary teeth have three main functions:

  1. They aid in proper chewing, fostering good nutrition
  2. They promote proper speech development
  3. They reserve a space for permanent teeth to grow in

If a primary tooth falls out or must be removed before its time due to decay, the surrounding teeth may shift into the gap, causing dental crowding and future orthodontic problems. In some cases, untreated infections in baby teeth can even affect the developing permanent teeth.

Taking care of those primary teeth not only prevents decay, but also helps your child get into the habit of good oral hygiene and sets the stage for their future oral health.Baby teeth may fall out but they’re still very important!

Regular Dental Visits Make For A Lifetime of Healthy Smiles

Your child’s first dental visit is an important milestone! Children should visit the dentist when their first tooth appears or around their first birthday.

A February 2005 Children’s Dental Health Project report found that children who visited the dentist by age one were less likely to visit the emergency room for oral health problems. They also found that children age five who had their first dental visit by the age of one incurred less oral health-related costs than their peers who didn’t see a dentist until age five.

On your child’s first visit, we will check their mouth for decay and other problems as well as show parents proper cleaning techniques. Another benefit of early, regular dental visits is that we can determine if a child is at a higher risk for cavities and implement appropriate intervention.

Baby Teeth Matter

Even though they’re temporary, your child’s baby teeth are essential to their growth and development. Teach children to take care of their baby teeth and set them on a lifelong path of good oral hygiene. If you have any questions, call us or comment below!

We love our patients and their beautiful smiles!

Image by Flickr user Donnie Ray Jones used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

 

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