Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- December (6)
- Infection Control at the Dental Office Isn't Something New
- A RPD Could Be Your Answer to Replacing Missing Teeth
- Endodontic Treatment Could Save a Tooth in Crisis
- Local Anesthesia Makes for a More Pleasant and Pain-Free Dental Experience
- Far From a Safer Alternative to Smoking, Vaping Could Ruin Your Oral Health
- Don't Let Bad Breath Ruin Your Date Under the Mistletoe
- November (7)
- Dental Implants Could Help You Avoid This Long-Term Effect of Losing Teeth
- Engaging in Regular Dental Appointments
- Could a Metal Allergy Stop You From Getting Dental Implants?
- A Mild NSAID May Be All You Need To Manage Discomfort After Dental Work
- That Energy Drink You Take for a Boost Might Be Hurting Your Dental Health
- 3 Ways We Can Improve a Smile Affected by Unformed Teeth
- Targeted Tooth Removal Could Aid Treatment for Certain Bite Problems
- October (6)
- Tooth-Colored Fillings Provide a Viable Alternative to Dental Amalgam
- Here's the Scoop on Your Upcoming Root Canal
- A Root Canal Treatment Will Improve Your Health, Not Harm It
- There's a Quick Fix For That Irritating Mouth Sore You Keep Biting
- Transform 'Smile Zone' Teeth With Composite Resins
- 3 Ways to Protect Your Dental Work From an Early Demise
- September (6)
- How to Avoid This Painful Condition After Tooth Extraction
- Even All-Natural Fruit Juices Could Raise Your Child's Risk for Tooth Decay
- Implants Can Make It Easier to Restore Missing Teeth in Stages
- Chronic Jaw Pain Could be Related to Other Inflammatory Conditions
- Replace Your Teeth in Stages With the Help of Dental Implants
- Addressing Risk Factors: Taking the Fight Against Tooth Decay to a New Level
- August (7)
- 4 Simple Things You Can Do to Stop Bad Breath
- Stop Plaque Buildup Around Your Implant-Supported Bridge With Flossing
- Use This Product to Check Your Brushing and Flossing Effectiveness
- Why You Should Consider a Professional Procedure for Your Teeth Whitening
- What Really Happens During a Root Canal Treatment
- 3 Factors That Could Affect the Success of a Root Canal Treatment
- One Dentist for Your Whole Family
- July (7)
- Your Quest for a Dental Implant Might Be Interrupted by Bone Loss
- Some Simple Cosmetic Techniques Could Help Your Smile Age Gracefully
- Think Twice Before Considering Botox for Chronic Jaw Pain Relief
- This Oral Appliance Could Help Solve Your Sleep Apnea Problem
- Enjoy Your Ice Cream - But Just a Little for Your Dental Health's Sake
- Talk With Your Dentist About Antibiotic Therapy Before Implant Surgery
- Porcelain Veneers Could Change Your Smile and Your Life!
- June (6)
- Guide Your Older Children or Teens through These 3 Oral Health Areas
- Prevention and Early Detection of Root Cavities Could Save a Tooth
- What to Do For Mouth Injuries Your Child Might Encounter
- Don't Fear the Root Canal - it Could Save Your Tooth
- Instill These Habits in Your Child for a Lifetime of Great Dental Health
- Saving a Diseased Primary Tooth Could Mean Better Oral Health Later in Life
- May (7)
- Reducing Teeth Grinding Leads to Better Sleep and Better Dental Health
- Tooth Pain? Here Are Some Possible Causes
- Treating a Child's Tooth Injury May Require Special Consideration
- Preserving the Pulp is Priority One with a Newly Erupted Permanent Tooth
- What is Causing My Tooth Pain?
- Friendly Bacteria Can Help Protect Our Mouths From Disease
- Complex Mouth Conditions Call for Dental Specialties
- April (6)
- Lasers Beginning to Change Some Root Canal Procedures
- These High-Tech Tools Help Your Veneers Look Attractive and Natural
- Avoid Becoming a Dental Injury Statistic - Get a Custom Mouthguard for Your Young Athlete
- Why and How to Save a Diseased Tooth
- In These Uncertain Times, We Still Care About Your Dental Health
- A New Veneer with Minimal or No Tooth Alteration
- March (6)
- Composite Resin Could Amp up Your Teeth's Attractiveness in Just One Visit
- Instill Good Dental Habits in Your Child as Early as Possible
- Porcelain Veneers Might not be the Best Option for Teenagers
- It's Best to Avoid This Online Trend for Your Enamel's Sake
- If at All Possible, Primary Teeth are Worth Saving
- Extracting a Tooth is a Routine Procedure
- February (7)
- 4 Things to Do to Keep Your Child's Dental Development on Track
- Here's How You Can Protect Your Child's Teeth from Tooth Decay
- The Importance Of Preventive Care
- Manage These Risk Factors to Reduce Your Risk of Tooth Decay
- Why Vaping isn't a Safe Choice for Your Oral Health
- 3 Things You Should Do to Avoid Harm From Gum Disease
- This February, Show a Little Love to Both Your Heart and Your Gums
- January (6)
- 3 Reasons Why Smoking Doesn't Mix with Dental Implants
- Here's What You Can Do to Avoid Gum Disease
- Replacing a Back Tooth May Help You Avoid Future Dental Problems
- Is There a Better Way to Manage Pain Without Narcotics?
- Don't Worry About Dental Amalgam: It's Safe for Treating Cavities
- Celebrating Paul Revere, Patriot and Dental Craftsman
- 2019
- December (6)
- Know the Facts to Reduce Your Child's Teething Discomfort
- Clean Your Implants Just Like you Clean Your Natural Teeth
- Here's How We Can Jazz up Your Holiday Smile This Season
- Advances in Porcelain Veneers Improve Both Strength and Appearance
- Seek Coordinated Treatment If You Have Both TMD and Fibromyalgia
- Stay Vigilant with Oral Hygiene to Avoid Another Bout of Gum Disease
- November (7)
- 3 Tips for Helping Your Child Feel More Comfortable Going to the Dentist
- Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
- Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
- How Dental Implants Can Restore Your Smile
- Here's What You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening
- Keep Oral Care in Focus for a Family Member With Special Needs
- Having Diabetes Could Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease
- October (6)
- The Before, During and After of Root Canal Treatments
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- These Popular Drinks Could Put Your Enamel in Danger of Erosion
- It Takes Both You and Your Hygienist to Keep Your Smile Healthy and Beautiful
- How to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk From Halloween Candy
- Don't Ignore Tooth Pain - You May Need a Root Canal
- September (6)
- Despite Some Online Sources, Root Canals Don't Cause Disease
- Tooth Type and Condition can Affect Root Canal Therapy Effectiveness
- 4 Ways You Can Take Years off Your Smile
- If Appropriate, Antibiotics before Implant Surgery Could Reduce Infection Risk
- Implant-Supported Dentures Could Improve Your Bone Health
- Dental Office Infection Control Protects You From Viral Infection
- August (7)
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
- Catch Root Resorption Early for Best Chances of Saving Your Tooth
- Need a Root Canal? Here's a Step-by-Step Guide on What to Expect
- Make Sure Your Kids' Teeth Are Ready for School
- You Need a Dentist to Remove Tartar From Your Teeth
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Getting an Implant - if it's Under Control
- A Detailed 'Smile Analysis' Sets the Stage for a Successful Makeover
- July (7)
- 3 Ways to Protect Your Teeth in the Great Outdoors
- Taking a Trip Abroad? Do This to Protect Your Dental Health
- FAQs about Root Canal Therapy
- Root Canal Treatment Alleviates Pain and Saves Your Tooth
- Do a Little Extra Food Prep to Ease TMD Discomfort
- What Happens in a Root Canal Treatment and How it Can Save Your Tooth
- Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
- June (6)
- Answering Your Questions about Your Upcoming Teeth Whitening
- Considering a Smile Makeover? Be Sure You Include Your Bite
- Smoking Could Shorten Your Implants' Longevity
- Jaw Joint Disorders may be Connected to Other Health Problems
- Affordable Veneers Can Give You a New Smile
- Improve Your Dental Health by Mastering Your Brushing Skills
- May (6)
- Transforming Your Smile with Veneers, Step by Step
- 'Get Rid' of Those Unattractive Teeth with Porcelain Veneers
- Your Teenager not Ready for an Implant? Here's What We Can Do Instead
- Root Canal Therapy Might Just Save Your Tooth!
- Root Canals are a Safe Way to Save Teeth
- Your Teenager's Teeth May Not Be Mature Enough for Veneers
- April (7)
- E-Cigs Could be Just as Hazardous for Your Teeth and Gums as Cigarettes
- Your Sinus Infection Might be a Sign of a Tooth Problem
- What You Should Know About Veneers for Teenagers
- Manage Your GERD Symptoms to Prevent Enamel Erosion
- How Dental Crowns Protect Your Teeth
- 3 Questions to Answer Before Your Smile Makeover
- Why You Should Floss Around the Implants Supporting Your Bridge
- March (6)
- 4 Things to Avoid if You Want to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
- 4 Common-Sense Tactics to Lower Tooth Decay Risk Between Dental Visits
- 3 Ways to Take the Jitters Out of Dental Visits
- Use the Same Prevention Strategy to Defeat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
- Here's What you Need to Know about a Root Canal Treatment
- February (6)
- Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
- Your Toothache is Telling you Something's Wrong in Your Mouth
- Take Care of Your Gums, Take Care of Your Heart
- Watch Out for Re-Infection After a Root Canal Treatment
- Why the Treatment Model for Your Jaw Joint Disorder Matters
- Implant-Supported Dentures Could Boost Your Jawbone Health
- January (7)
- Dental Implants Better than Ever thanks to Ongoing Tech Advances
- You may Need Orthodontic Treatment Before Obtaining Implants
- Stay Hydrated in Winter for Better Year-Round Oral Hygiene
- People Born with Missing Teeth can Still Gain a Beautiful Smile
- Straighten Your Smile Discreetly With Invisalign
- A New Resolution - Floss!
- No- or Minimal-Prep Veneers Reduce Permanent Alterations to Your Teeth
- 2018
- December (6)
- Early Action Needed to Save Your Tooth from Root Resorption
- An Infected or Injured Primary Tooth Can Be Saved - but it's Complicated
- Practice Daily Oral Hygiene to Prevent Calcified Plaque Formation
- Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
- A "No-Prep" Veneer Could Eliminate the Need to Remove Tooth Enamel
- Don't give up on Flossing!
- November (6)
- A Crown Could be the Answer to Preserving Your Damaged Tooth
- A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
- Tooth Troubles for NBA Star Isaiah Thomas
- Take a Look into Your Future with a Trial Smile
- Increase Your Implant's Success Chances by Keeping Your Gums Healthy
- A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
- October (6)
- Create a Strategy to Deal with Dental Problems to Avoid Future Expenses
- Customized Temporary Crowns let you 'Rehearse' Your Future Smile
- Get a Look at Your Future Makeover Look Now with a 'Trial Smile'
- Dental Implants can also Support Other Traditional Restorations
- How to Help Your Kids Form Good Oral Hygiene Habits
- Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
- September (7)
- 3 Reasons for Why It's a Smart Move to Invest in Dental Implants
- Support Your Child's Teeth Development with Proper Hygiene and Dental Care
- Does My Tooth Need To Be Extracted?
- Take These Measures to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk
- What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
- Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
- Look After Your Teeth During Cancer Treatment to Avoid Dental Disease
- July (7)
- Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
- Teenagers with Missing Teeth Usually Need a Temporary Restoration
- Lasers Adding New Precision and Efficiency to Root Canal Treatments
- Ready for Summer Camp? Be Sure to Pack a Toothbrush
- Your Dental Care Efforts are Just as Important as Your Dentist's
- Provisional Restorations let you Try out Your New Smile First
- Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
- June (7)
- Help Your Child Develop Good Oral Habits and Avoid Bad Ones
- Caps, Gowns and Smiles for High School Graduation
- Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
- 3 Reasons for Blood Pressure Checks During Dental Visits
- Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Becomes a Major Health Issue
- May (6)
- Take Steps to Treat Chronic Mouth Breathing as Early as Possible
- Keep Your Baby's Fluoride Intake within Moderate Limits
- Replace Teeth for Better Speech
- Recreational Marijuana Could Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease
- See How Well You're Removing Daily Plaque with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- Getting Dental Implants Requires Minor Surgery
- April (6)
- Treating a Young, Permanent Tooth Requires a Different Approach
- Signs You May Need a Filling
- If You're not a Good Candidate for Dental Implants, Consider Bridgework
- Worried about Your Child's School Snack Choices? Here's What You Can Do
- Your Teen Could get a Straighter Smile with Clear Aligners Rather than Braces
- Protect Your Smile - National Facial Protection Month
- 2017
- November (5)
- Tooth Decay can be Less of a Problem with Minimally Invasive Dentistry
- Antibiotics Could Help Ensure your Implant Surgery is Successful
- For Your Teeth's Sake, Exercise Caution Consuming Energy or Sports Drinks
- Change Your Smile for the Better with Porcelain Veneers
- How Effective is Your Oral Hygiene? Find Out with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- September (6)
- Your Next Dental Visit Might Save Your Life - Here's How
- Your 'Smile Makeover' Should Uniquely Reflect You
- Back-to-School Is an Excellent Time for a Dental Checkup
- A Smile Makeover Depends on Balancing Technique with Beauty
- Want Straighter Teeth?
- Regular Flossing not Your Thing? Try an Oral Irrigator
- July (5)
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- Not All Bacteria are Harmful to Oral Health
- Here are the Facts on the Impact of Metal Allergies on Dental Work
- Besides Your Health, Shingles Could Affect Your Dental Care
- You'll Experience Little to No Discomfort During and After Implant Surgery
- June (6)
- Be Alert to the Unintended Consequences of Cancer Treatment to Oral Health
- Don't Neglect Your Flossing
- Teens with Missing Teeth may need a Temporary Fix Until They're Older
- Professional Whitening Offers an Effective Way to Restore Your Smile's Luster
- Even with Mercury, Dental Amalgam is a Safe Choice for Tooth Filling
- Answers to Common Questions About Root Canal Treatments
- March (6)
- What's Causing Your Throbbing Toothache?
- A Root Canal Can Stop Tooth Decay and Save Your Tooth
- Why Regular Dental Visits Are Important
- A Root Canal Treatment can Save Your Tooth and Relieve Pain
- Know the Facts Before Considering Botox for Jaw Joint Pain
- A Teen's Missing Tooth May Require a Temporary Replacement
- 2016
- November (5)
- Follow These Common Sense Steps When Your Child has a Toothache
- Where - and How - Does it Hurt? Getting to the Source of Tooth Pain
- Transform Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers
- Don't Let the Acid in Sports and Energy Drinks Ruin Your Tooth Enamel
- We can Minimize Discomfort from Canker Sores with a few Basic Treatments
- October (5)
- The Type of Tooth Pain You Have Could be Telling You What's Wrong
- Take Your Dentures out at Night to Extend Their Usefulness
- 3 Things to do to Prepare for Dental Emergencies While Traveling Abroad
- Inflammation is a Key Element in Both Oral and Systemic Diseases
- What to Expect Before, During and After Implant Surgery
- August (5)
- Find out What Kind of Tooth Staining you Have Before Seeking a Solution
- Metal Dental Amalgam: Still a Safe and Effective Tooth Filling
- Increase Bone Mass for Dental Implants through Grafting
- Do you need Simple Tooth Removal or Surgery? It Depends on a few Factors
- See Your new Look Before Dental Work with a 'Trial Smile'
- July (5)
- You can Still have Implants with Diabetes - if you have it under Control
- Don't Forget Hidden Fluoride Sources Your Family Could be Ingesting
- Quitting Smoking Decreases Your Risk of Implant Failure
- 4 Diet Changes You Should Make for Better Oral Health
- Teens Benefit Most from A Temporary Solution to Missing Teeth
- March (6)
- 5 Ways to Make Your Smile More Confident and Inviting
- Changes in Bone Structure can Affect Denture Fit
- Good Oral Hygiene Just as Important for Implants as for Natural Teeth
- Stopping Tooth Decay Could Require Root Canal Treatment
- What Is Dental Bonding?
- Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit
- 2015
- December (5)
- Have Teeth or Jaw Problems Checked Before Your Next Flight or Dive
- Improve Your Brushing and Flossing Habit with These Tips
- Taking the Right Steps to Prevent Early Tooth Decay in Children
- Some Patients Might Need Antibiotics Before Routine Dental Work
- Bitewing X-Rays Provide Early Detection of Tooth Decay in Back Teeth
- July (5)
- Cleaning Around Implants Crucial to Protecting Them from Loss
- What you can Expect if You're Undergoing Implant Surgery
- Clear Aligners Provide a Less Embarrassing Orthodontic Choice for Teens
- 3 Questions You Should Ask before Undergoing Teeth Whitening
- Treatment Options to Keep Stress From Causing Dental Problems
- March (5)
- Braces and Other Orthodontic Appliances: Which Type Is Best for You?
- Eating Disorders May Contribute to Damaged Teeth and Gums
- Whiten Your Teeth For A Better First Impression
- Did You Know? February Is National Children's Dental Health Month!
- Daily Hygiene Tasks Performed Properly Help Ensure Good Oral Health
- 2014
- August (5)
- Frequently Asked Questions about Inlays and Onlays
- Replace Missing Teeth to Prevent Other Teeth From Moving Out of Place
- Dental-Friendly Chewing Gum can be Beneficial to Your Oral Health
- Home vs. Professional Teeth Whitening - Weighing Your Options
- Dental Implant Surgery is a Routine, Worry-Free Procedure
- May (5)
- The Importance of Oral Hygiene During Cancer Treatment
- Jaw Pain Could be Linked to Other Pain Causing Conditions
- Why should you visit your dentist regularly?
- Did You Know? Minor Tooth Contouring and Reshaping Can Enhance Your Smile!
- Help Your Mouth's Ability to Fight Tooth Decay With Better Hygiene and Diet
- 2013
- December (6)
- Battling Bruxism and Saving Your Teeth
- Bad Eating Habits and Oral Health in Orlando
- Taking the Stress Out of Childhood Dental Visits
- TLC for Your Toothbrush
- Treating Accessory Root Canals Improves the Chances for a Successful Tooth Recovery
- Your Body's Intolerance to Gluten can Cause Dental Problems
- 2012
- August (7)
- Seven Things You Should Know About Oral Cancer
- The Effects Ordinary Tap Water Has On Your Oral Health
- How Modern Dental Fillings Mimic Real Teeth
- Matching Game: Which Smile Design Technique Is Right for You?
- Are Tooth-Colored Fillings Right for You?
- Tips for Maintaining and Caring for Your Dentures
- How Do Clear Orthodontic Aligners Work?
- 2011
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Marcia Martinez, D.M.D.
Orlando, FL 32812

My Blog
Posts for: December, 2019

The arrival of your child’s first set of teeth is a natural and expected process. But that doesn’t mean this period of development, commonly known as teething, is an easy time: your baby will endure a fair amount of discomfort, and you, perhaps, a bit of anxiety.
Knowing the facts about teething can help you reduce your child’s discomfort — as well as your own concern — to a minimum. Here are a few things you need to know.
Teething duration varies from child to child. Most children’s teeth begin to erupt (appear in the mouth) between six and nine months of age — however, some children may begin at three months and some as late as a year. The full eruption sequence is usually complete by age 3.
Symptoms and their intensity may also vary. As teeth gradually break through the gum line, your baby will exhibit some or all normal teething symptoms like gum swelling, drooling and chin rash (from increased saliva flow), biting or gnawing, ear rubbing, or irritability. You may also notice behavior changes like decreased appetite or disrupted sleep. These symptoms may be a minimal bother during some teething episodes, while at other times the pain and discomfort may seem intense. Symptoms tend to increase about four days before a tooth emerges through the gums and about three days afterward.
Diarrhea, rashes or fever aren’t normal. These symptoms indicate some other sickness or condition, which can easily be masked during a teething episode. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms you should call us for an exam to rule out a more serious issue.
Keep things cool to reduce discomfort. There are a few things you can do to reduce your child’s discomfort during a teething episode. Let your child chew on chilled (but not frozen) soft items like teething rings, wet washcloths or pacifiers to reduce swelling and pain. Gum massage with your clean finger may help counteract the pressure from the erupting tooth. And, if your doctor advises it, pain relievers in the proper dosage may also help alleviate discomfort. On the other hand, don’t use rubbing alcohol to soothe painful gums, or products with the numbing agent Benzocaine in children younger than two unless advised by a healthcare professional.
If you would like more information on dealing with teething issues, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Teething Troubles.”

Dental implants to replace teeth are a popular choice as much for their durability as their life-likeness. Most implants last for decades, which can result in lower long-term maintenance costs than other replacement options.
But to achieve this longevity, you must take care of your implants. You should brush and floss them daily right along with your remaining natural teeth — and continue regular semi-annual dental visits for cleanings and checkups.
You may be wondering, though: if they're made of inorganic materials, why worry with brushing them? It's true that bacterial plaque, the thin film of food particles most responsible for dental disease, doesn't affect them.
Your implants, though, don't exist in a bubble: they're imbedded in real bone, surrounded by real gum tissue and placed next to real teeth. All these other living tissues are susceptible to infection caused by plaque, even from plaque on non-organic implants.
The bone and tissues around an implant can even have a higher susceptibility to infection. This is because an implant's attachment in the jaw differs from that of natural teeth. An implant is imbedded directly into the bone; a natural tooth, on the other hand, maintains its hold through an elastic gum tissue between it and the bone called the periodontal ligament. Tiny fibers from the ligament attach to the tooth on one side and to the bone on the other.
Besides holding the tooth in place, the ligament also contains blood vessels that supply the tooth and surrounding tissues not only with nutrients but also antibodies that help fight infection. Due to the absence of a ligament connection, an implant doesn't enjoy the same level of protection from infection. Â It's much easier for tissues and teeth around an implant to become infected, and harder to stop it.
That's why prevention through daily hygiene is so important. So, be sure to brush and floss all your teeth — including implants — every day, and keep up your regular dental visits. And at the first sign of a possible infection — swollen, red or bleeding gums — see us as soon as possible for an examination.
Consider your implants a long-term investment in both your smile and dental health. Taking care of them will pay dividends for many years to come.
If you would like more information on taking care of your dental implants, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Dental Implant Maintenance.”

The holidays have officially begun! Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, it’s fairly certain you’re going to be spending time with lots of folks. From family gatherings to neighborhood open houses to the office holiday party, you’ll find yourself rubbing elbows with all the in-laws and out-laws in your social orbit. And because it’s the season of cheer, you’ll probably smile—a lot.
So, before the festivities go full tilt, take a little time to freshen up that wonderful smile of yours. Here are a few suggestions for having a smile this holiday season that you’re confident to put on display.
Dental cleanings. While professional dental cleanings primarily remove any lingering disease-causing plaque and tartar, they can have the secondary benefit of improving your smile’s appearance. So, if it’s close to time for your regular dental visit or you would simply like to give your teeth a quick polish, schedule a cleaning appointment for a little extra holiday sparkle.
Teeth whitening. You can gain a noticeable increase in smile brightness with a professional whitening application. With our advanced bleaching solutions and techniques, we can precisely control the level of brightness you desire, from a more subdued natural white to a dazzling “Hollywood” shine. And with care, the effect could last for several months or even years with an occasional touch-up.
Bonding. A chipped tooth can stand out from your smile like a smudge on a masterpiece painting. In many cases, though, we can repair minor chips and other defects by bonding composite resin to the tooth in a single visit. The process is simple: We color-match the resin to the tooth, then apply, shape and cure it. Your tooth will look good as new.
Porcelain veneers. For a more durable and comprehensive solution, consider veneers for dental flaws you do not wish to live with. These thin wafers of porcelain are permanently bonded to the front of teeth to mask chips, heavy staining or slight misalignments. And they are quite affordable compared to more extensive cosmetic restorations.
All of these cosmetic options can fit into most people’s budgets and don’t take a lot of time in the dentist’s chair. Veneers are the one slight exception: These require more than one visit to the dental office because they are custom-made for you in a dental lab. Also note that veneers often require the permanent removal of tooth enamel, so the tooth will require a veneer or other restorative covering from then on.
All in all, though, it doesn’t take much to put some much-needed zing back into your smile. In most cases, it only takes one visit—just in time to brighten up your holiday season.
If you would like more information about smile enhancement, please contact us or schedule a consultation. To learn more, read the Dear Doctor magazine article “Porcelain Veneers.”

One of the best restorative options for slightly deformed, misaligned or stained teeth is a porcelain veneer. Composed of thin, laminated layers of dental material, the veneer is bonded to the outside of the tooth to transform both its shape and color to blend with other natural teeth.
Veneers are more than a technical process — they’re works of art produced by skilled artisans known as dental lab technicians. They use their skills to shape veneers into forms so life-like they can’t be distinguished from other teeth.
How technicians produce veneers depends on the material used. The mainstay for many years was feldspathic porcelain, a powdered material mixed with water to form a paste, which technicians use to build up layers on top of each other. After curing or “firing” in an oven, the finished veneer can mimic both the color variations and translucency of natural teeth.
Although still in use today, feldspathic porcelain does have limitations. It has a tendency to shrink during firing, and because it’s built up in layers it’s not as strong and shatter-resistant as a single composed piece. To address these weaknesses, a different type of veneer material reinforced with leucite came into use in the 1990s. Adding this mineral to the ceramic base, the core of the veneer could be formed into one piece by pressing the heated material into a mold. But while increasing its strength, early leucite veneers were thicker than traditional porcelain and only worked where extra space allowed for them.
This has led to the newest and most advanced form that uses a stronger type of glass ceramic called lithium disilicate. These easily fabricated veneers can be pressed down to a thickness of three tenths of a millimeter, much thinner than leucite veneers with twice the strength. And like leucite, lithium disilicate can be milled to increase the accuracy of the fit. It’s also possible to add a layer of feldspathic porcelain to enhance their appearance.
The science — and artistry — of porcelain veneers has come a long way over the last three decades. With more durable, pliable materials, you can have veneers that with proper care could continue to provide you an attractive smile for decades to come.
If you would like more information on dental veneers, please contact us to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Porcelain Veneers.”

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that produces widespread pain and stiffness in the muscles and joints. The pain, muscle spasms and tingling it causes can disrupt sleep, alter moods and impair memory function.
Dealing with just this one condition can be overwhelming. But did you know 3 out 4 fibromyalgia patients also develop chronic pain and dysfunction involving their jaw joints? Known collectively as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), these jaw joint problems cause pain, muscle spasms and difficulty moving the jaws that can interfere with eating and speaking. TMD can also contribute to headaches and earaches.
Many researchers believe this prevalence of TMD among fibromyalgia patients stems from both conditions originating from the same primary cause—a malfunction within the central nervous system. In both cases, the brain and spinal cord may not be able to process pain signals in a normal fashion. This malfunction could also be generating and amplifying pain signals even when nerves are receiving no stimulation.
For decades now, the most effective treatment strategy for TMD has been to manage the symptoms with physical therapy and exercises, thermal therapy or medications. Relief for fibromyalgia has depended on medication and relaxation techniques like biofeedback therapy. But with the evidence of some connection between the two conditions, it may be helpful to coordinate treatment for both with a team approach involving all your healthcare providers, rather than treat them separately.
To that end, make sure both your dentist or physician treating you for TMD and your physician treating your fibromyalgia each know about the other condition. Consulting together, your healthcare team may find treatments (like certain drugs that counteract neurotransmitter imbalances) that might help reduce symptoms in both conditions. And cognitive-behavioral therapy, meditation and other therapeutic pain management techniques can help you cope with the pain.
Continued research into these two debilitating conditions and the possible links between them may have an effect on how we treat both. A holistic approach to treating them could be the wave of the future.
If you would like more information on the links between TMD and other chronic pain conditions, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Fibromyalgia and Temporomandibular Disorders.”