A Visit To Your Dentist 

A visit to the dentist should be pleasant and beneficial. Establishing a relationship with your dentist and his or her staff will help to make your visits to the office more pleasant and comfortable. By getting to know the people who you are working with, will make asking questions about your mouth easier and thereby help to remove some of the fears you may have associated with going to the dentist. When your dentist speaks to you about the condition of your mouth and recommends treatment to you, feel free to ask questions about the type of work, what is involved and what the outcome should be. The more you know about your mouth, the more involved you can be in the care and maintenance of your mouth. Since you will have the greatest amount of contact with the dental staff, get to know the rest of the dental team. 
The staff is trained to assist the Dentist. A hygienist may clean and polish your teeth and instruct you in proper home care. If you have any problems or questions the hygienist will alert the doctor for you. The office staff is responsible for the appointments, billing and insurance. They are well versed in these areas and are usually able to answer any questions you may have about such matters. Together with your dentist you can keep your smile healthy and happy. 

Teething 

Babies are as individual in their teething as they are in everything else they do. It’s not uncommon for some babies to drool for weeks before their first tooth comes in. For others, teeth just seem to appear without much fuss at all. Quite often a baby will have sore or tender gums and that tends to make them irritable. To help soothe any sore spots, gently rub them with a clean finger or the back of a small, cold spoon. Teething rings also work well. Try and avoid teething biscuits since many of them contain sugar and shouldn’t be offered. 
Some parents worry that their child’s teething is either to early or too late. There is absolutely no link between when the child’s teeth come in and how strong the teeth will be. Most babies begin to get primary teeth after the age of four months, usually six to nine months. The timing of teeth is genetic, and late-teething parents are likely to have late-teething children. 
Be sure to examine all of your baby’s teeth especially on the inside or the tongue side every two weeks for dull whiter spots or lines. These can be signs of nursing bottle decay. If a bottle is left in an infants mouth for a long period of time and it contains anything but water, decay can occur more rapidly. Sugar in the liquid mixes with bacteria in the dental plaque to form acids that attack tooth enamel. Each time your child drinks liquids containing sugar, acids attack the teeth for at least 20 minutes. When children are awake, their saliva tends to carry away the liquid. But during sleep the saliva flow decreases and these liquids pool around the child’s teeth for long periods bathing the teeth in acids. If your baby needs a bottle for comfort before falling asleep, fill the bottle with plain water. Regardless of your child's age, if you notice anything unusual in your baby’s mouth, seek dental care immediately. 

Loosing Baby Teeth 

 The process by which a child looses their baby teeth is a simple one. At about age six the roots of the baby teeth begin to dissolve, as this happens the teeth begin to get loose. A baby tooth may wiggle about for quite a while before the tooth actually falls out. Gentle coaxing by pushing on the tooth is not harmful, however, be sure that your child does not put excess pressure on the tooth with his tongue. It is not abnormal for the permanent tooth to make an appearance with the baby tooth still in the mouth. If however, the baby tooth does NOT fall out soon after the permanent tooth breaks through, notify your dentist. An over retained baby tooth may interfere with the normal development of the adult tooth. 
Baby teeth are also responsible for guiding the permanent teeth into their proper position in the jaw. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely due to an accident or decay it is important that the space be held open. Usually this is done with a little device called a space maintainer. If this space is not held open, the tooth underneath may have problems growing in later on. Baby teeth generally come out when they are ready, without any complications. Notify your dentist of any problems or questions. 

Thumbsucking 

Sucking is a normal reflex of a baby. Simply put, it relaxes and comforts them. The need for sucking usually comes to an end between the age of two or three. But for some, prolonged and vigorous sucking after the age of four can cause problems with normal dental development. If you are concerned your child’s sucking may cause dental problems, visit your dentist and discuss the matter. He or she can tell you the best method for weaning your child from the habit. 

Alll About Our Teeth 

We are born with two sets of teeth, primary or first and secondary or permanent. The primary teeth are also called deciduous, as are trees, which lose their leaves every fall. Deciduous teeth begin to appear at about six to eight months. 20 teeth make a complete set and all are in by age three. The three-year molar is the last to appear. The permanent teeth start to grow at about age six and all are present except the wisdom teeth between the ages of twelve to fourteen. The twelve-year molars are the lasts to grow in, until the wisdom teeth start to break through from age 17 on. 
Including wisdom teeth our permanent teeth number 32. Few people however have room for all 32 teeth, which is why wisdom teeth may need to be removed. The front teeth are called incisors; the eyeteeth are referred to as canines; side teeth as premolars or bicuspids and back teeth as molars. Since our second set of teeth is the set we are supposed to keep for the rest of our lives, it is important that they be given proper care. Regular and thorough brushing and flossing as well as routine check ups by your dentist will do much to safeguard your smile.

Mammalons 

Each anterior tooth grows from tooth buds. These three tooth buds fuse to form our permanent teeth. Anterior teeth have three points on them when they first erupt. These points are called the Mammalons. Within one or two years the points of the Mammalons wear away, but the internal structure is still present. 

Your Child’s New Teeth 

Even though your child’s first teeth are replaced by a permanent set, they play a very important role in your baby’s dental development. When your child is born, all 20 of the primary teeth, which will appear over the next two years, are already present in your baby’s jaws. These teeth are almost fully developed but will remain hidden under the gums until the front teeth begin to emerge at about six or seven months. Teething will continue on and off for about two years. Around age six the permanent teeth begin to appear and teething will continue on and off until about age twelve. At that point all the permanent teeth with the exception of the wisdom teeth are present. 
Even though baby teeth will be replaced by the permanent teeth, they are crucial to the jaw development and positioning of the permanent teeth of your child. Because the baby teeth are responsible for guiding the permanent teeth into their proper place in the mouth, baby teeth that are missing or prematurely lost may need to have their natural space held open, usually by a little device called a space maintainer. Any missing teeth should be brought to the attention of your dentist. How your child cares for his baby teeth will play an important role in how he treats his second and final set. Children’s teeth get plaque just as adult teeth do; therefore they need to be cleaned just as permanent teeth. Because children’s mouths accumulate plaque just like adult teeth, their gums are also susceptible to the gum problems plaque can cause. Bleeding gums need to be cared for. Notify your dentist if your child’s gums bleed when he or she brushes. 
Diet also plays as an important role in the dental health of a child as it does an adult. Your child’s teeth should be cleaned daily and sweets and starchy foods kept to a minimum. Also, try to avoid having your child sleep with a bottle with milk, formula or fruit juice, you run the risk of "nursing bottle mouth" – a dental condition that destroys your child’s teeth through early, serious decay. Sugar in these liquids mixes with the bacteria in the dental plaque in the mouth to from acids that attack tooth enamel. Each time your child drinks liquids containing sugar, the acids attack the teeth for at least 20 minutes. When the child is awake, their saliva tends to carry away the liquid. During sleep, the saliva flow decreases and these liquids pool around the child’s teeth for long periods, bathing the teeth in acid. Don’t think that a pacifier dipped in honey or sugar is beneficial either – this will damage the teeth just as easy. Best advice, if your child needs a bottle at bedtime, fill the bottle with plain water. Any discoloration on your child’s teeth should be brought to the attention of your dentist for his or her evaluation. 
Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be a pleasant experience and should be before age 2, definitely before all 20 teeth are in the mouth. You can do much to prepare your child for his first visit, and help him or her to look forward to this new experience. . Children visiting the dentist for the first time are full of questions. Entertain your child’s curiosity by talking about the upcoming visit. Don’t mention needles or "that it won’t hurt" - this may frighten your child. You can tell your child the dentist will count their teeth to see how many there are and maybe take some pictures of their teeth as well. Your dental office may have a book you can read to your child about the first visit to the dentist, if not the library has a lot of information about this subject matter. Proper care of your child’s’ teeth will avoid problems in the future and help to keep your child’s’ smile bright and healthy. 

This Document is Taken from 
http://www.dental.am/eng/dental/oral.php

An alternative to veneers is a process called bonding, in which a tooth-colored material that looks like the enamel of your teeth is molded and shaped, and then hardened and polished. Bonding can be used to improve the color of a tooth, or close unsightly gaps.

Bonding is generally not as permanent a process as veneers, and can vulnerable to the same kind of staining your natural teeth are prone to. Bonding can also be more prone to chips and cracks than veneers.





Caps are generally preferred to bonding when such a procedure isn't deemed to be effective in the long run.

People with stained or dull teeth usually benefit from whitening, which is a safe and effective way to brighten stained, discolored or dull teeth. Even a stubborn single tooth that is noticeably duller or less white than your other teeth can be individually brighten. 

Teeth bleaching products, which contain peroxides, actually change your natural tooth color anywhere from five to seven -- but even up to twelve -- shades brighter

One process known as chairside bleaching involves applying either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the soft tissues in the mouth. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light is used to enhance the chemical action. 





If your teeth aren't very dark or very stained, you may need only one bleaching session. Tooth bleaching safely lightens the color of your teeth, and can last up to five years. 

In general, bleaching works for most people. Tooth bleaching is most effective if your teeth are darkened from age, coffee, tea or smoking. Teeth darkened with the color of yellow, brown or orange respond better to lightening. Other types of gray stains caused by fluorosis, smoking or tetracycline can be lightened, but with less-than-satisfactory results. 

If you're interested in brightening your smile, have your teeth evaluated by us. Not everyone is a good candidate for bleaching. In some cases of serious discoloration and pitted teeth, for example, veneers may be more appropriate than bleaching. Moreoever, crowns, bridges, and fillings do not bleach, so it may be necessary to replace dental work to make it blend with the new color of your bleached teeth. An X-ray of your teeth may be the only accurate way of making a true assessment.

There are alternative, natural-looking materials to conventional silver-colored fillings – materials made from porcelain and composite resins, which are colored to match natural tooth enamel. Unfortunately, few materials can match the strength and durability of dental amalgam and such, may need more frequent replacement. Common amalgam alternatives include: Composite fillings -- As stated, composite fillings are just what the name implies: a mixture of resins and fine particles designed to mimic the color of natural teeth. While not as strong as dental amalgam, composite fillings provide a pleasing aesthetic alternative. Sometimes, composite resins need to be cemented, or bonded to a tooth to allow for better adhesion. Ionomers -- Like composite resins, these materials are tooth-colored. Ionomers are made from a combination of various materials, including ground glass and acrylic resins. Ionomers are typically used for fillings near the gum line or tooth root, where biting pressure is not a factor. They are more fragile than dental amalgam, however. A small amount of fluoride is released by these compounds in order to facilitate strengthened enamel in the affected area. Porcelain (ceramic) -- This material is usually a combination of porcelain, glass powder and ceramic. Candidates for porcelain fillings are typically crowns, veneers and onlays and inlays. Unlike ionomers, porcelain fillings are more durable but can become fractured if exposed to prolonged biting pressures. 

If you are reluctant to smile because of yellowed, injured, cracked, or chipped teeth, you may want to consider crowns. Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like porcelain, placed on the top of a tooth.

Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth’s function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal. When decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, crowns are often used to restore the tooth. 





Crowns are also used to attach bridges, cover implants, prevent a cracked tooth from becoming worse, or an existing filling is in jeopardy of becoming loose or dislocated. Crowns also serve a cosmetic use, and are applied when a discolored or stained tooth needs to be restored to its natural appearance.

A tooth must usually be reduced in size to accommodate a crown. A cast is made of the existing tooth and an impression is made. The impression is sent to a special lab, which manufactures a custom-designed crown. In some cases, a temporary crown is applied until the permanent crown is ready. Permanent crowns are cemented in place.

Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely noticeable and can restore the natural contour of your teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth. 

Bridges are sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures, because they are semi-permanent and are bonded to existing teeth or implants. Some bridges are removable and can be cleaned by the wearer; others need to be removed by your dentist. 



Porcelain, gold alloys or combinations of materials are usually used to make bridge appliances. Bridges can correct speaking problems, making chewing easier, and provide added comfort. To learn more about bridges, please contact us today.

Appliances called “implant bridges” are attached to an area below the gum tissue, or the bone.

Are you tired of or avoiding dentures? Are you finding that bridges aren’t right for you? Are you looking for a permanent method of tooth replacement? If so, dental implants may be the answer. Before development of dental implants, dentures were the only alternative to replacing a missing tooth or teeth. Implants are synthetic structures that are placed in the area of the tooth normally occupied by the root. Implants are anchored to the jawbone or metal framework on the bone and act as a foundation for an artificial tooth or permanent bridge. In some cases, implants can be used to attach dentures.

Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant. For a successful implant to take hold, a candidate must have proper bone density and have a strong immune system. Diabetics and people with chronic bruxism (teeth clenching) are generally not favorable candidates. In all cases, dental implants require strict oral hygiene.

Implants are so well-designed, they mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. Implants are usually made of a synthetic yet biocompatible material like metal or ceramic. 

In general, good candidates who have dental implants can expect high success rates with the procedure. 

The procedure can take several visits. During the first visit, an anchor is placed into the jawbone and the site is allowed to heal for several weeks or months. This gives your tissue time to grow around the anchor to more firmly hold it in place.

During a follow-up visit, an artificial, natural-looking tooth is fitted over the implanted anchor.

Marked by tender, bleeding, or swollen gums, periodontal (gum) disease is a very real threat to many adult Americans. The disease is caused by plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth, which eventually weakens the fibers that bond gums to the teeth. The first stage, called gingivitis, is reversible if treated. Left untreated, it can progress, eventually leading to serious oral health problems such as tooth decay and loss. If you have periodontal disease, hekimim can help by removing diseased tissue and treating infected gums. For more information about our periodontal options, please contact us today.

If the thought of going to the dentist conjures up scary images of drills, pliers, and needles, you may want to consider conscious sedation. Conscious sedation is a safe, effective treatment used to help anxious patients relax so that they can get the dental care they need. Patients are always carefully monitored during treatment, ensuring the highest standards of safety. To find out more about conscious sedation, please contact our practice today.