Experience the Benefits of Laser Technology
Laser Dentistry has emerged as an amazingly effective alternative to the dental drill. Our laser is capable of working on both hard and soft tissues (teeth, gums and other soft tissue) for dental restoration. The Waterlase Laser has the ability to bathe the teeth and tissues with soft laser energy which has an analgesic (pain-killing) effect. This eliminates the need for needles and shots. These laser procedures are approved by the FDA for both adults and children. This is an amazing tool to use with children. Being able to do dental restorations on your children without giving them any shots helps to make a visit to the dentist not such a dreaded experience. Please know that large areas of decay cannot be comfortably removed without doing some numbing, both on children and adults.
The Waterlase laser can significantly increase your comfort in the dental chair. 90% of patients treated with the Waterlase system reported no discomfort during the laser procedure. These results are from a randomized, double-blind clinical trial conducted at the University Of The Pacific. Please know that the Waterlase laser is not used to remove old silver mercury amalgam fillings or old crowns. It is also not used to remove decay (a cavity) that is moderately to deeply entrenched in the tooth.
If treatment involves the removal of gum tissue, the use of another type of dental laser simply melts away the tissue resulting in little or no bleeding, swelling, infection with little or no post-treatment discomfort and eliminates the need for any stitches.
Do Dental Laser Treatments Cost More?
A number of people ask if laser treatments, cost more than conventional treatments. The answer is NO. Lasers provide an alternative means of performing traditional dental treatments in a way that is easier and more comfortable for you.
Removal of Decay with Laser Treatment
If getting shots and listening to the constant high-pitched whine of a dental drill is not for you, then you will love Dr. Norton’s laser procedures. Our Waterlase Laser removes tooth decay in enamel or old composite (tooth-colored) fillings quickly and painlessly. Just think what no needles and an absolute minimum of drilling will mean during your dental visits. As one of our new patients told us, she “will never go back to conventional dentistry!”
Detect Cavities Years Before Conventional Methods
Our Diagnodent diagnostic laser is the greatest advancement in diagnosis of dental decay since the x-ray. This incredible laser can harmlessly and painlessly find very small cavities, possibly years before they would have been found by conventional x-rays. It can frequently find defective areas around old crowns and bridges where decay is getting inside and under the crown. If tooth decay is present, Dr. Norton is alerted to not only the fact there is a cavity but this instrument gives him an indication as to how extensive it may be.
Laser Gum Treatment
Gum disease is one of the most common problems plaguing dental patients today. Never let gum disease be a problem for you or your family. Ultrasonic and laser gum treatments are comfortable procedures by which we can treat many periodontal problems without surgical intervention.
Laser gum treatment by Dr. Norton allows gum procedures to be completed in a gentle manner without resorting to traditional periodontal surgery that utilizes a scalpel and stitches. Conservative laser procedures are fast, easy and virtually painless.
Our dental laser can be used for other soft tissue procedures instead of using a scalpel as has been done in the past and is still done in many dental offices. The dental laser has many advantages over scalpel use. It uses an invisible energy beam to perform soft tissue procedures more efficiently and comfortably. This eliminates the necessity of a long recovery period sometimes experienced when a scalpel and stitches are employed.
Our Waterlase Laser can take away most of the pain from canker sores instantly and allow them to heal, usually within 48 to 72 hours. For significant results, treatment should occur within the first 24 hours after onset is noticed. The laser can also kill the viruses that cause cold sores, allowing rapid healing. Gentle, penetrating laser energy also stimulates healing at the cellular level. This is called photobiomodulation or biostimulation.
Repair Damaged Teeth and Rebuild Your Smile
Dental ImplantsDental implants provide the ultimate support for dentures. Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically implanted within the jaw bone, replacing lost tooth roots. We work closely with a local oral surgeon and periodontist who places dental implants, and Dr. Norton provides the necessary dentures and bridges once healing is complete.
Dental CrownsDr. Norton uses dental crowns to support teeth following root canals and other treatment that can compromise the structure of a tooth. Crowns fit on top of modified natural teeth, restoring their functionality. The large majority of the dental crowns at Dentistry at Sugarloaf are created in one day using our in-office CEREC® machine. Your crowns are matched to the color, size, and shape of your natural teeth, creating a beautiful, seamless smile.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge spans the gap left where you have lost one or more teeth in a row. A bridge comprises several individual teeth fused together to seamlessly restore your smile. It may be supported by specialized dental crowns placed on adjacent natural teeth, or secure onto dental implants that have been surgically placed within your jaw.
Achieve the Smile of Your Dreams
Invisalign®Invisalign® is a discreet and convenient alternative to traditional metal braces. The Invisalign® system gradually moves your teeth into alignment using a series of clear, removable plastic aligners. During an initial orthodontic consultation, Dr. Norton will create a treatment plan using Invisalign® software. He can even create a digital image that shows you how your teeth will look once your treatment is complete. If you want straighter teeth, but would prefer a more discreet option than traditional braces, Invisalign® is a great option to consider.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment that can address several aesthetic imperfections. Veneers attach to the front of your natural teeth, masking imperfections and creating symmetry in your smile. Dr. Norton can create veneers using our in-office CEREC® machine, or through our long-time laboratory partner. Veneers can cover chips, cracks, excessive spacing, discoloration, and more. Dr. Norton can help you determine whether veneers are a good option for you.
Teeth Whitening
Dr. Norton offers both take-home and in-office teeth whitening options to help patients eliminate deep dental stains. Whether you want to whiten in the privacy of your own home using custom-fitted trays, or in our office in the space of less than an hour, we have a teeth whitening option for you. Teeth whitening can help you smile look healthier, while highlighting all the best features of your smile.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. It is caused by the bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed through daily brushing and flossing, plaque can build up and the bacteria infect not only your gums and teeth, but eventually the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth. This can cause them to become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.
There are three stages of gum disease:
- Gingivitis: this is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gumline. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins (poisons) that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. You may notice some bleeding during brushing and flossing. At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.
- Periodontitis: at this stage, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may begin to form a pocket below the gumline, which traps food and plaque. Proper dental treatment and improved home care can usually help prevent further damage.
- Advanced Periodontitis: in this final stage of gum disease, the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are destroyed, which can cause your teeth to shift or loosen. This can affect your bite and, if aggressive treatment can't save them, teeth may need to be removed.
Read the rest of the article at Colgate.com to learn more about how to know if you have gum disease and how gum disease is treated.
The above article is from: Colgate.com
A few years ago, a dental newsletter published what seemed like an unusual story. A boy snagged his teeth on a basketball net while doing a slam-dunk.
A freakish accident? Not quite. After the article appeared, nearly 40 dentists wrote in with their own stories. They all told of would-be Michael Jordans who sacrificed their front teeth in pursuit of the perfect dunk.
In older children and adults, sports injuries are common. Dentists estimate that between 13% and 39% of dental injuries occur while playing sports.
About 80% of all dental injuries affect at least one of the front teeth. Damage to the tongue or cheek is common, too.
Basic Protection
Even if a tooth has been knocked out, it often can be saved if you get to a dentist quickly enough. Minor chips and cracks can be repaired. Dentists use tooth-colored materials that are nearly as strong as the original tooth. However, even "minor" injuries can cause serious and costly damage. If you enjoy sports or other high-risk activities, protect yourself. The use of mouth guards among football players, for example, is believed to prevent about 200,000 mouth injuries a year.
Depending on the sport, two types of protection are available:
- Helmets- A helmet is a must for activities that involve speed or impact. These include football, hockey, skating and bike riding. The helmet should fit correctly. It should also be appropriate for the sport you are playing.
- Mouth guards - Wearing a mouth guard is one of the best ways to prevent injury to your teeth, tongue and lips. A custom-fit mouth guard from your dentist is recommended. This type of mouth guard usually fits better than a ready-made one (found in sporting-goods stores). That means it may protect your teeth better.
If a custom-fit mouth guard isn't an option, try a "boil-and-bite" mouth guard. You can buy one in a sporting-goods store. You place the mouth guard in boiling water. Once the plastic is soft (but not too hot), you bite down on the mouth guard and mold the softened plastic around your teeth. If the mouth guard doesn't fit comfortably the first time, you can reheat it and do it again.
©2002-2013 Aetna, Inc. All rights reserved.
09/25/2013
The above article is from: Colgate.com
What Are the Different Parts of a Tooth?
- Crown- the top part of the tooth, and the only part you can normally see. The shape of the crown determines the tooth's function. For example, front teeth are sharp and chisel-shaped for cutting, while molars have flat surfaces for grinding.
- Gumline- where the tooth and the gums meet. Without proper brushing and flossing, plaque and tartar can build up at the gumline, leading to gingivitis and gum disease.
- Root- the part of the tooth that is embedded in bone. The root makes up about two-thirds of the tooth and holds the tooth in place.
- Enamel- the outermost layer of the tooth. Enamel is the hardest, most mineralized tissue in the body - yet it can be damaged by decay if teeth are not cared for properly.
- Dentin- the layer of the tooth under the enamel. If decay is able to progress its way through the enamel, it next attacks the dentin - where millions of tiny tubes lead directly to the dental pulp.
- Pulp- the soft tissue found in the center of all teeth, where the nerve tissue and blood vessels are. If tooth decay reaches the pulp, you usually feel pain.
What Are the Different Types of Teeth?
Every tooth has a specific job or function (use the dental arch in this section to locate and identify each type of tooth):
- Incisors- the sharp, chisel-shaped front teeth (four upper, four lower) used for cutting food.
- Canines- sometimes called cuspids, these teeth are shaped like points (cusps) and are used for tearing food.
- Premolars- these teeth have two pointed cusps on their biting surface and are sometimes referred to as bicuspids. The premolars are for crushing and tearing.
- Molars- used for grinding, these teeth have several cusps on the biting surface
The above article is from: Colgate.com
Bleeding or sore gums can be a sign of gingivitis, an early and reversible stage of gum disease, or simply the result of brushing too hard or starting a new flossing routine. If your gums bleed regularly, or enough to worry you, make an appointment with your dentist or physician, it could be a sign that something else is wrong.
Above article from: MouthHealthy.org
