News with category ToothRepair

Cavities aren’t always the black, visible holes that cartoons or online drawings make them out to be. Often tooth decay isn’t visible at all. That’s why it’s important to see your dentist on a regular basis. The earlier we diagnose your cavity, the simpler it is to correct the tooth infection.

Sensitivity to Changes in Food or Temperature

Sweet foods or liquids are the most common items to cause pain in a decaying tooth. Just because you’re not eating sweets doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Naturally sweet foods like juice or fruit may cause pain as well. While it’s fairly similar to experience cold sensitivity, it’s not common for heat. Severe pain from hot foods may mean there’s nerve damage.

Pain When Biting Down

Something feeling “off” when you bite down is a tell-tale sign of tooth decay. It’s also a common symptom of cracked teeth. If possible, let us know what the general area is that hurts when you chew. You may even be able to pinpoint the exact tooth.

Rough Edges on Your Teeth

When you run your tongue along your teeth, does everything feel smooth? A rough area may mean something is wrong. Believe it or not, your tongue may pick up on the cavity before your tooth even starts to hurt.

An X-ray Can Give You Answers

Digital dental x-rays make it possible to see through and between teeth, where cavities often start. We utilize low-radiation imaging to screen for decay during your exam, so that it’s more difficult for a cavity to go overlooked. When we find decay early on, it means a smaller and more affordable filling to fix it. In some situations, early decay can even be reversed through fluoride therapy and remineralization techniques.

If you think you have a cavity or have gone more than six months since your last dental exam, call North Road Dental Clinic in Carnegie today to schedule a checkup. For information visit our tooth repair and fillings page

Did you know that most types of tooth loss can be avoided? Of course, there will always be exceptions here and there, but when it comes to the most common situations we see in our Carnegie dentist office, there are steps you can take to prevent tooth loss from happening before it’s too late.
Here are a few tips:

Wear a Protective Mouthguard During Athletic Activities

Dental injuries occur every day, especially to athletes (no matter their age.) Wearing a custom fitted mouthguard offers the best protection against knocked out teeth and concussions.

Floss Every Day

The leading cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease. Even if your brushing is great, it won’t clean between the teeth and under the gumlines where periodontitis starts. Clean these areas daily. If you hate flossing that much, consider investing in a water flosser.

Drink a Lot of Water

Staying hydrated rinses your mouth to neutralize bacteria levels, acids, and prevent xerostomia (a risk factor of tooth decay.) Tap water also contains fluoride, to make your teeth stronger.

Don’t Ignore that “Twinge” Feeling

Do one of your teeth feel “off” from the rest? Your body could be trying to tell you something. If a small cavity is starting to develop, it’s best to treat it while it’s still small. Large decay can spread quickly, to the point that the only option left to treat it is to remove the tooth.

Schedule Routine Dental Checkups

At North Road Dental Clinic, our Carnegie dentists recommend seeing patients for a checkup at least every six months. These frequent intervals help us to screen for problems earlier on (when treatment is easier) and work with patients to form good habits to intercept issues as they arise.

Call our Carnegie dentist today to schedule.

If you have a tooth that needs attention, our Carnegie dentist will provide you with the best treatment options available. In most cases, there is more than one to choose from. Ultimately, your dental treatment is up to you, the patient, when it comes to which option you choose. Our clinic strives to inform and guide you, so that you can make the best decision regarding your dental health. Preventing Additional Damage When a tooth is broken or has a cavity, a filling is usually the first choice to repair it.  During this procedure, we remove the decayed section of the tooth and build the tooth back up by bonding filling material to it. It’s important to know that fillings are not as strong as your natural tooth.  The larger the filling, the more compromised the tooth will be.  If you have a strong bite or eat hard foods, you could in fact, break the tooth off further. To avoid this, if we feel that the tooth would be too weak to fill, we may recommend a crown instead. A Protective Outer Shell A crown is a fabricated shell of porcelain that is permanently cemented over your tooth to protect it.  During this procedure, we will need to reduce the tooth around the edges and its’ biting surface, so that when the crown is placed, it lines up properly with the other teeth. A crown is beneficial because it’s made from very strong material.  So rather than chewing up and down on a tooth with a large weak filling, you will chew on the crown.  This practically eliminates the chances of the tooth breaking.  However, crowns are more expensive than fillings.  They also normally require at least two visits to complete.  The first appointment will be to reduce the tooth and place a temporary crown.  The second will be to cement the permanent crown. Call at North Road Dental Clinic in Carnegie today.  Together, we can find the best treatment options for your unique smile.

You’re ready to enhance your smile. Whether it’s a tiny chip in your front tooth or several teeth that have been bothering you for years, North Road Dental Clinic can help. When it comes to covering or masking aesthetic irregularities in the “smile zone” of your mouth, there are typically two different options to consider aside from restorative crowns: dental veneers or composite bonding. Get Full Coverage with Custom Veneers Veneers are thin porcelain shells that mask the entire tooth behind them, essentially changing the way your teeth look when you smile. They’re best used in sets, rather than for one tooth. By placing 4+ veneers side-by-side, you can enhance the appearance of things such as:

• Crooked or crowded teeth (some people refer to veneers as “instant braces”)
• Enamel discoloration and staining
• Uneven smiles
• Misshaped teeth

Take a Minimalist Approach Through Bonding Composite bonding uses tooth coloured materials (similar to what is used for white fillings) to rebuild small chips or irregularities in teeth. They’re ideal for smaller issues in one or two teeth, rather than multiple areas across the front of your smile. You may want to opt for bonding if you have a:

• Small gap between your teeth
• Chipped or uneven tooth
• Localized area of irregular tooth enamel
• Exposed tooth root

Schedule a Consultation for More Information A typical veneer case will take two or three appointments to complete, while bonding usually only requires one visit. Veneers also tend to be more of a financial investment than bonding is. The Carnegie dentists at North Road Dental Clinic are happy to discuss which options are best for your teeth. When it comes to quality and aesthetics, there’s a lot to consider. Schedule a smile makeover consultation to learn more about whether veneers or bonding are right for your smile.

Every smile makeover that we perform at our Carnegie dental clinic is unique. For some individuals, only one treatment is needed; others opt for a combination of two or three, for a more comprehensive approach to their aesthetic goals. At North Road Dental Clinic, these are top three cosmetic treatments that we offer: Porcelain Veneers For the most dramatic impact on the way your teeth look, porcelain veneers are one of the best choices. Each veneer bonds to the natural tooth behind it, masking the appearance of aesthetic imperfections such as crowding, discoloration, uneven enamel, etc. Veneers are usually completed in a two or three-visit process, depending on the type of veneers that you choose. As soon as they’re in place, it will make your smile look completely different. Teeth Whitening Simply lightening the colour of your teeth may be the only thing necessary to take your appearance to the next level. Teeth whitening is a great option to consider if you have healthy, straight teeth, or before planning more permanent treatments that need to match your existing smile. Opt for take home teeth whitening that you complete in the convenience of your own home, rather than weaker kits you can buy at the grocery store. You’ll see better results that are easy to maintain throughout the years. White Fillings and Crowns If your smile has been impacted by tooth decay, trauma, or other structural issues, then a cosmetic restoration can improve its health and appearance. These restorations are custom-matched to the colour of the teeth around them, letting them blend in with your smile rather than stand out. Not only are white fillings aesthetically pleasing, they’re less invasive to your tooth. Which one — or two — is right for you? Contact North Road Dental Clinic in Carnegie to schedule a cosmetic consultation today.

It’s been a while since your last dental checkup, and you’re starting to worry that something is wrong with one of your teeth. When you bite down, it feels “off”, not to mention there’s a rough area when you run your tongue over it. To your surprise, you find out that you need more than a filling to repair it. Instead, our dentist in Carnegie recommends a dental crown. But you’ve never had a crown before, so you’re not quite sure what to expect. What Exactly is a Crown? Crowns are full-coverage restorations that go over and around the tooth, rather than inside of it like a filling. This protects more brittle or compromised tooth structure, allowing it to withstand everyday wear. Some people refer to crowns as “caps.” The Treatment Experience At North Road Dental Clinic, we’re here to make sure your crown treatment is a comfortable one. After numbing the tooth and removing any damaged tooth structures, we’ll shape the remaining enamel so that a crown can slip over the tooth, then take an impression. You’ll wear a temporary crown for a week or two, while your permanent one is being designed. Once it’s ready, you’ll stop by our Carnegie dental clinic to have the new crown bonded into place. Most of our crowns are made of a high-grade porcelain that matches the colour of the teeth adjacent to them. In some cases, other materials might be preferred. Caring for Your Dental Crown Through good home care and ongoing maintenance, your new crown can last for several years. You will want to floss around it daily, to prevent bacteria from seeping under the margin. We recommend scheduling a checkup at our Carnegie dental clinic twice a year to make sure that your crown and other restorations are all intact. Call North Road Dental Clinic today to schedule your next visit!