Blog Archives - CARLONE FAMILY DENTAL

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Do I Really Need a Nightguard?

3/10/2023

So you went to the dentist and they told you you're grinding your teeth and need a nightguard. What's the deal?

A nightguard is a thin mouthguard similar to that of an Invisalign tray which your dentist might advise you to wear to prevent the effects of nighttime grinding. Nightguards can be made out of a flexible material like that of a sports guard, or a rigid material for more durability.

Tooth grinding, especially at night is extremely common. Symptoms of nighttime grinding include:
-Waking with a headache or jaw pain
-Tooth sensitivity, especially to cold food and drink
-Chipping or shortening/flattening of teeth

Nightguards can also be effective in preventing snoring and protecting restorations like veneers and crowns.

If your dentist advises you may need a nightguard, it is important to listen. Severe grinding habits that go untreated can result in nerve exposure and the subsequent need for root canal treatments, collapses in bite and shortening of facial profile, and increased risk of tooth decay.

The truth is, most people can benefit from a nightguard. Here's what to expect:

Once your dentist advises you may need a nightguard, she will take a 3D scan of your mouth. You will then return in 2-3 weeks to pick up your custom mouthguard. The dentist may want to have you try it in to ensure proper fit and deliver care instructions. And that's it!

Nightguards are an easy way to ensure our longterm smile health and/or prevent pesky snoring not caused by sleep apnea. If you are concerned you may need a nightguard, please call our office to make an appointment or ask us at your regularly scheduled cleaning.

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Root Canals and Why They're Nothing to Fear

3/10/2023

Root canals have a bad reputation, and we are here to change that. A root canal treatment is an amazing and effective way to save an infected tooth that would otherwise be in danger of being lost. Not to mention, they make you feel better. Anyone who has had a severe toothache which was effectively treated with a root canal knows how remarkable root canal therapy can be.

Signs that you may have a tooth infection which requires a root canal include:
   -Severe or spontaneous tooth pain
   -Tooth pain that wakes you up at night
-Severe pain on biting or chewing localized to a specific tooth or area
-Marked sensitivity to hot/cold or sweet outside of   what is considered normal and/or lingering sensitivity that does not resolve in 2-3 seconds.
-Tenderness to the gums (sometimes associated with a swelling or foul taste)
   -Grayish or dark discoloration of the tooth

Appropriate and timely diagnosis must be made by your dentist to confirm your need for a root canal treatment.

What to expect:

Root canals are done under local anesthesia, meaning the entire tooth and affected area will be completely numbed to ensure a 100% painless treatment. Dr. Carlone will then remove the infected nerve in a process similar to getting a filling. He or she will then disinfect the root of the tooth. Most of the time, a root canal can be completed in one visit, however, the extent of the infection may call for a small amount of medication to sit in the root of your tooth for about 2 weeks before completing the final root canal to ensure total disinfection. Total pain relief following a root canal treatment can be instantaneous or take a few days. You may want to avoid chewing for a few days on the side of mouth that was treated to allow the tooth and tissues a chance to calm.

It is important to note that root canal treated teeth are more prone to weakening and fracture, and thus a crown is often indicated to ensure long term protection of the tooth after the root canal is completed.

What may seem like a long and daunting process is actually simple and can often be accomplished in an hour or less, with the added advantage of getting you out of pain! If you are having any of the symptoms listed above and/or suspect you may need a root canal treatment, please call our office as soon as possible.

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Are Veneers Right for Me?

3/10/2023

Before

After 4 Veneers

Many of us are curious about dental veneers but don't know our options or whether they are right for us and our smile goals.

Dental veneers are ultra thin porcelain shells which are fitted over our natural teeth to improve the overall look and shape of the tooth. We may advise porcelain veneers for patients with teeth that are chipped or ground down, crooked, severely discolored or stained, or just altogether not the size, shape or color that you ultimately desire.

Veneers can be extremely natural looking, and even incorporate minor imperfections to mimic a patients natural smile - just improved. For example, maybe you like the small gap between your two front teeth but just want a refreshed, slightly whiter smile and more optimal tooth shape. We can absolutely do that, and in many cases without removing or only very minimally removing your natural tooth structure. This means in this situation, the treatment is reversible. No commitments! You do not need to have extremely broken or discolored teeth or want Hollywood Chiclets to opt for veneers.

We will work with you to discover your treatment goals. Do you want a megawatt Julia Roberts smile or an understated "Somethings-different-about-you-I-just-don't-know-what" refresh? Veneers can do that or anything in between. Show us a picture of you 25 years ago and say "I want that," and we will do our best to restore you to the teeth of your youth.

Once you have decided you are curious about veneers, schedule a consultation. At the consultation, we will discuss your goals and ideal esthetic outcomes, take photos and a digital scan of your teeth and discuss treatment sequencing. There is no commitment to schedule a consultation.

If you decide veneers are right for you, we will have you back for a second appointment to try in a "mock-up" of your final smile. This is so you can test out the look and feel of your final veneers and tweak anything if necessary based on your needs. Once you decide you love them, we will prepare your teeth for the veneers and have you wear your temporaries for 2-3 weeks while our esthetic lab creates your final restorations.

In our third and final appointment, we will try-in and cement your final veneers and make sure your look, speech, and bite are perfect. Voila! You now have a refreshed and natural looking smile!

In short, veneers are a great option for a variety of smile goals, especially achieving a natural esthetic result that matches your individual facial features and dimensions. Questions or looking to get a consultation? Call us, we are here to help!

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What to expect when getting a filling

3/10/2023

Regardless of experiences you may have had in the past, or what you've seen on TV, fillings are a painless and easy way to guarantee the long term health of our teeth.

Here at Carlone Family Dental, we use tooth-colored fillings to restore decayed or broken down teeth. We will select a shade of filling that perfectly matches your natural tooth. Gone are the days of silver metal fillings!

Fillings can be done in one quick appointment and we know you will be happy with the results! Call us today to schedule your consultation with Carlone Family Dental!

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What is a Crown?

3/10/2023

Whether you have a large cavity, very old filling, discoloration, or took a big bite into a a peanut and the tooth has felt off since, porcelain crowns are a great option to strengthen and improve the appearance of a tooth that has been weakened!

Porcelain Crowns are prescribed by our doctors to completely cover and strengthen a tooth that has been otherwise weakened by fracture, root canal treatment, grinding, decay or any other structural impairment. They can also prevent future fracture of a tooth, especially those that are heavily restored, and relieve pain and sensitivity in an already fractured or damaged tooth.

These crowns are matched to your natural tooth shade and are virtually indistinguishable from a healthy tooth, only your doctor will be able to tell!

What to expect

Crowns typically take 2 appointments to complete. At your first appointment, Dr. Carlone will anesthetize the tooth to be crowned, and prepare and smooth the tooth to make room for the porcelain crown. He or she will then take a 3D digital scan of your tooth which our esthetic lab will use to create a fully unique and natural-looking porcelain ceramic crown.

Dr. Carlone will then hand make and cement a temporary crown to protect your prepared tooth while the lab makes your final restoration. If your temporary crown should fall out or break in the 2-3 weeks between your first and second appointment, let Carlone Family Dental know as soon as possible so that we can re-cement it or make you a new one. Temporary crowns are important to guarantee the perfect fit of your final crown. You can prevent this by avoiding especially hard or sticky foods while you have your temporary. No tootsie rolls please!

At your second appointment, Dr. Carlone will remove your temporary crown, clean your underlying tooth and gums, and cement your final, beautiful crown! Before doing so however, Dr. Carlone will make sure the crown completely matches your natural smile and bite so that if feels comfortable and looks great. The best crown is one you don't even know is there!

Please call our office if you have any questions about porcelain crowns or to schedule an appointment. We look forward to improving your smile!