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So, is it safe to go to the dentist? The short answer is yes. Each person is taking care of themselves based on their level of comfort. On the other hand, medical offices are following safe and stricter guidelines. At our office, we’ve taken things a step further by installing a Vollara Air & Surface Pro Unit. We will touch on this in a later section.

Is it Safe to Go to My Dentist Appointment?

All dental care workers should be following strict guidelines to keep you, the patient, comfortable and safe. While each office may have their own way of doing things, here are some of the basic actions being taken:

• All employees in the office wear masks
• Tools are sanitized and/or replaced after use
• Patients will remain in the parking lot until they are called in
• Surfaces are disinfected 2x more than usual
• Masks are required for anyone who enters the office
• Appointments are spaced out accordingly
• Tempuratures are checked upon entering
• Patients are asked about any symtoms or exposure
• Common waiting room items, like kids toys or magazines, are removed
• Patients asked about any recent travel
• Waiting room furniture is placed in a socially distanced manner
• Patients are asked to limit the number of people they brought with them when/if possible

Aside from all these things, our office is happy to announce we’ve taken things a step further.

Vollara Air & Surface Pro Unit

We’ve installed a very special unit here at our dental office in Monroe, Michigan. We are taking every measure to keep our patients feeling comfortable and safe. So, if you were wondering “is it safe to go to the dentist” we hope this unit assures you of your safety.

This unit is the only technology available in products proven to reduce over 99.9% of the virus that causes COVID-19 on both surfaces and in the air, according to Active Pure. It works by pulling in free oxygen and water molecules in the air. It does this by using a patented honeycomb-like matrix. The technology creates unbeatable oxidizers called ActivePure Molecules. Then, these molecules are released back into the space or room where it identifies and destroys COVID-19 causing viruses. Also, it doesn’t matter their size, or if the viruses are in the air, or on surfaces.

The Statistics

Here are some of the statistics sourced from and provided by Active Pure. These statistics are based on the studies they oversaw. All testing was completed in FDA Compliant laboratories.

Conclusion

Know your comfort level and make sure the office you go to makes you feel safe. If not, look into a dental office that is focused on your safety. The system we have at our office, plus all the other measures we’ve taken, can give you substantial peace of mind. The safety and comfort of our patients is our primary concern. Request an appointment with our office today!

A dental crown is simply a cap that is placed on top of a damaged tooth. Those who get dental crowns often have a large cavity, a cracked tooth, or a weakened tooth. It’s also common to have a dental crown procedure after a root canal due to how fragile the tooth becomes.

Dental Crown Procedure

There are two ways this procedure is done. The traditional way is a multi-day procedure, completed in 2 visits, that includes the addition of a temporary crown. The second is a same-day procedure. While each dental office may have their own unique steps. Here are the basics for each procedure:

Multi-day

1. Your dentist will thoroughly examine the tooth. They will then prepare the tooth that needs a dental crown. Much of this might include x-rays and dental molds.
2. The tooth at question will be filled. Part of the tooth’s outer layer must be removed for proper crown placement.
3. Your dentist will make a small impression of the newly filled tooth and the surrounding teeth.
4. A temporary crown will be placed over your tooth for protection purposes.
5. The impression taken is sent to a lab where the custom crown is made. This step can take weeks.
6. Once the custom crown is in, you will come in for a second visit and final step. The dentist is now ready to cement the crown to your damaged tooth. When the crown comes in, you’ll return for the second visit, so your dentist can cement the crown to your tooth.

Same-day

1. Digital imaging is done of your mouth
2. Utilizing a digital scan from the imaging, your dentist is able to create the custom crown right there and then. Know that there may be a 1-2 hour wait time until the crown is ready.
3. Once ready, the dentist cements the fresh crown onto the damaged Once the crown is ready, your dentist cements it into place. The entire process takes about 2 to 4 hours.

Keep in mind, not all dentists have the necessary technology in order to perform a same day procedure.

Not all dentists have the technology to make same-day crowns. Ask your dentist if this option is available and the estimated cost, especially if you don’t have dental insurance.

Types of Dental Crowns

The cap can be made from different types of materials. Here’s are the different types:

• porcelain
• zirconia
• ceramic
• composite resin
• metal
• combination (two or more materials

Choosing the proper type for your needs and situation is very important. Your dentist should consider where the tooth is located, how much of it is visible during smiling, the function of the specific tooth, what’s left of the tooth, and the color. All these factors included will ensure you are getting the type you need.

Dental Crown Cost

The cost can vary between dentists and also vary based on the material of the crown. Cost can range roughly between $800 to $1,500, in some cases more, according to Cleveland Clinic. Full gold crowns can near as much as $2,500. Gold crowns are less common today.

Additional charges can be added if more extensive work needs to be completed based on your situation. But, part or all of your procedure(s may be covered if you have dental insurance. See your plan benefits to learn more

Care

To prolong the life of your dental crown, you’ll want to put some effort into taking care of it. Avoid chewing hard objects and/or candy. Also, you can get a bite guard if you tend to clench your jaw in the nighttime. Finally, be sure to wear a mouthguard when playing recreational sports. If you have any concerns about your crown contact your dentist immediately.

Conclusion

If your tooth is damaged beyond an easy filling repair, your dentist may recommend a dental crown procedure. It’s important to have a proper consultation. Your care should be catered to your specific situation and needs. Request an appointment with our office today!

Want an alternative? In some cases veneers can be proper alternatives to dental crowns, learn more here.

Simply put, dental veneers are a very thin and tooth-colored outer covering that are used to improve the look of your teeth by attaching to them. They are usually made from some kind of porcelain or resin-composite which are then attached to your teeth via bonding.

The process is certainly more involved than that, but that captures the overall process. Typically, veneers are most often applied to the front teeth to create a more straight and symmetrical smile.

There are two types of veneers to talk about with your dentist:

• Traditional: These veneers are usually made out of porcelain and require a more involved preparation that includes grinding down the teeth to allow for a proper placement.
• No-Prep Veneers: While these may require some tooth preparation, they are often minimal because these veneers only impact the enamel layer of the teeth.

You dentist will be able to guide you in created a veneer plan that fits your needs. While the treatment seeks to be a permanent solution to a cosmetic problem, you will still need to maintain your oral hygiene and schedule regular dental cleanings and dentist visits.

When to Get Veneers

Porcelain dental veneers have dramatically changed cosmetic dentistry. Veneers can last much longer than bonding and are helpful in resolving a variety of cosmetic issues such as:

• Re-shape teeth that are misaligned
• Eliminate stains that won’t come out with teeth whitening procedures
• Fix gaps between teeth
• Long-term fix for teeth that are chipped, fractured, crooked or broken

For more about deciding if dental veneers are right for you, click here.

The Veneer Procedure

We start the veneer process by removing a very small amount of tooth structure. We then take an impression that we send to the lab to create your custom veneers. We will provide you with temporary veneers until your permanent veneers arrive. Keep in mind, temporary veneers are very fragile and must be treated delicately. Once your permanent veneers arrive they are bonded to your teeth. Learn more about the veneer procedure here.

Tips for Maintaining Your Veneers

• Don’t chewing on hard objects (finger nails, pens, straws, etc.)
• Don’t open packages or bottles with your teeth
• Since veneers are mostly on the front teeth, try eating hard foods with your back teeth only
• Get a bite guard if you clench your jaw at night
• Always wear a mouth guard when playing sports

One of the latest trends in dental health is at-home teeth aligners that don’t require a single trip to the dentist or orthodontist. Some of these new companies are even promising straight teeth in roughly six months, but is it all too good to be true?

The reality is that while at home teeth aligners may work for some, milder tooth alignment issues, there are many opting for this convenience when really, they should be having a professional offer a treatment plan that might include traditional braces or other orthodontic care. In other words, at-home aligners might not be enough for everyone.

How much do at home teeth aligners cost?

There are a variety of at home teeth aligner companies that offer a doctorless experience when it comes to getting these aligners. The pricing for these packages ranges from one-time fees to payment options to even subscription plans. The pricing tends to range from $1700 – $2500 and each approaches the process a bit differently.

Am I a candidate for at home teeth aligners?

When it comes to knowing if you might be a candidate for at home aligners, it is hard to say without having a professional look at your teeth. For instance, here are some situations where clear aligners simply will not get the job done:

• Teeth Rotation: If a tooth or teeth have rotated due to some form of crowing or misalignment, these at home clear aligners might not be able to bring that tooth back to the right position.
• Intrusions: Any too that is lodged into the jawbone will not be fixed by at home aligners.
• Tooth Malformations: Any round or pointed teeth are not likely to be able to fit properly in a at home aligner.
• Extrusions: Teeth that sit up high on the bone will not be fixed by a simple aligner.

There are other situations where these at home teeth aligners will not be able to resolve moderate to serious jawbone or tooth misalignments. The only way to know for sure is either to try the at home products and risk wasting money or speak with a professional to get a comprehensive plan that could work for you.

Conclusion

Either way, the important thing to note about at home clear aligners is that they simply don’t replace the need for a dentist or orthodontist. Your orthodontist will be able to offer you complete alignment treatment options, but in some cases your dentist may also offer at-home care options for alignment issues. For the peace of mind on this, we recommend speaking to a professional on the best treatment plan for your tooth misalignment issues.

If you would like a professional opinion, contact us to set up an appointment today and we can either offer solutions to your alignment issues or advise you on your next steps for correction your alignment issues.

Sports and other fitness related activities are some of the most common things people do that results in the need for emergency dental care. While many preventative measures might be followed, accidents can still happen, especially when participating in higher contact sports like football and hockey. 

While majority of these kinds of injuries happen to children involved in sports, the reality is that many adults participate in leagues and pick up games for a variety of sports that can lead to dental injuries. The most important thing to understand is what kinds of dental injuries, whether young or old, constitute a dental emergency.

For many, knowing the difference between an emergency and non-emergency can help you avoid costly and unnecessary trips to the emergency room. If you’re unsure, it is critical you speak to your dentist. But here is some info on common emergency situations and non-emergency injuries.

Emergency Dental Injuries

Pain, bleeding and nerve damage are the greatest indicators of an emergency situation. If you have experienced a dental injury and are experiencing any of these issues, you must contact your dentist immediately. Many dentists block time in their schedule 7-days a week to handle emergency requests or are “on-call” to handle your emergency needs.

If you’ve attempted to contact your dentist, but are unable to get ahold of them or they are not available to see you, you should immediately head to the emergency room in order to receive a professional opinion and get treated for the injury.

In some cases, even if there is no bleeding or pain, a severely cracked took will require immediate attention by a professional. Also, injuries that occur after a tooth extraction can be dangerous to the long-term health of your mouth. In almost all cases, you should consult a professional ASAP after a dental injury.

Non-Emergency Dental Injuries

Dental injuries that result in minor chips, cracks and fractures can sometimes be handled during the regular business hours of your dentist. There is no clear-cut rule for how to know if you have a emergency, which is why even if you aren’t experiencing pain, bleeding or and nerve damage, you should still consult a professional.

Some dentists even offer you the ability to reach them via text message, where you can share a picture of the injury during non-work hours and have your dentist examine the picture. In many cases, that could be enough information to allow your dentist to provide a recommendation that might save you the time and money associated with an emergency room visit.

Rule of Thumb – Speak to a Dentist

No matter the severity, any dental injury should be reviewed by a professional as soon as possible. If you’re unable to reach your dentist or they aren’t available to see you, see if there is a way to share a picture or speak with your dentist remotely. And if that isn’t an option, an emergency room visit might be required. Even if you find the injury is minor, at least at that point you can have peace of mind.

Given all that we know about the importance of good dental health and regular visits to your dentist, a surprisingly large amount of people don’t regularly see a dentist for check-ups and cleanings. According a 2016 study from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 35.6% of US adults ages 18 to 64 haven’t been to the dentist in the past year.

There are a number of reasons for this, but the primary reasons people avoid the dentist include the following:

• Cost: Many don’t visit the dentist every six months because they don’t have dental insurance and/or they think a visit to the dentist is too expensive. The reality is that dental care doesn’t have to be extremely costly, especially if you are already taking good care of your mouth and teeth. This spans everything from eating healthy, to avoiding high-sugar drinks and smoking, to flossing and brushing regularly. A healthy lifestyle will minimize your chances for any major dental procedures down the line.
• Anxiety & Fear: Whether it’s from portrayals of dentists in Hollywood, or the simple fact that you are letting another person put their hands and instruments in your mouth, some people get anxious when needing to go to the dentist. Regardless of what created these fears, most day-to-day dental procedures are painless. More importantly, patients should find a dentist and dental office that is comfortable, welcoming and offers a calming atmosphere. The right dentist and staff can go a long way in overcoming these dental anxieties.
• No Time: The world moves very fast these days and people often find themselves with no time to spare. Between work, kids and a host of other responsibilities, the dentist is a distant thought for some. However, some dental offices are dedicated to driving down wait times for their patients. Ultimately, visiting the dentist is only a commitment of 30 minutes to one hour every six months.

While other reasons for not going to the dentist exist, the consequences of not seeing a dentist regularly can be great. Often when it comes to our dental health, complications and problems build slowly over time. That slightly uncomfortable tooth will turn into a nagging pain which can end up being a dental emergency. Preventative dentistry is the best protection from these issues.

Additionally, studies have found that poor oral health may be linked to heart disease and stroke as a result of oral bacteria making its way to the bloodstream. Dental check-ups every six months will help you prevent these issues before they become major pains both physically and financially.

If you haven’t been to the dentist in over six months, click here to make an appointment today.