Cosmetic Dentistry
Before performing a cosmetic dental procedure, our dentist will hold a cosmetic consultation with you. Your smile goals will be discussed. Tell our dentist what you would like to accomplish and he will examine the current state of your smile. Our dentist will then recommend one or more cosmetic dental treatments that will produce the look that you desire. Our dentist and team will ensure that you understand your treatment options so that you can make an educated decision about your dental care.
Treatments
Dental Hygiene
We cannot stress enough the importance of pairing dental hygiene with dental care in our office. Mars Hill Dentistry and our dental team are pleased to provide education about dental hygiene in Mars Hill, North Carolina.
Patients should brush their teeth twice a day, morning and night. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a head that is small enough to reach all areas of your mouth. You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Use a fluoride toothpaste, as fluoride provides extra protection against tooth decay. With your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle where your teeth meet the gums, brush back and forth using small, circular movements. Brush all the surfaces of your teeth, paying special attention to your front and back teeth. Brush your tongue from back to front to remove plaque and prevent bad breath.
Floss at least once a day with whatever type and flavor of floss you like best. Work your floss between your teeth gently. Curve your floss around each tooth and gently slide it under the gum line. Firmly move the floss up and down a few times to remove the plaque.
We welcome you to contact our dental office today to learn more and to schedule your next appointment with our dentist.
Dental Sealants
Even with proper brushing and flossing, it can be difficult to remove the plaque from all of the crevices of the back teeth. To protect the back teeth from decay, Mars Hill Dentistry may recommend dental sealants in Mars Hill, North Carolina. Dental sealant is a plastic coating that our dentist paints on the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars to protect them from decay. Dental sealants are typically placed on the teeth of children, but adults with no decay or dental fillings in their molars can also benefit from dental sealants.
To place dental sealants, our dentist will first thoroughly clean the molars or premolars. Each tooth is dried and an absorbent material is placed around them to keep them dry. The chewing surfaces of the teeth are roughened using an acid solution to ensure a strong bonding process. The teeth are rinsed and dried again. Our dentist then paints the dental sealant onto the chewing surface of each tooth. A curing light may be used to help harden the sealant. Your dental sealants will last for up to ten years. Our dentist will check them at your regular dental checkup appointments and replace them if necessary.
Feel free to contact our dental office today to learn more and to schedule your next visit.
Teeth Cleaning
Mars Hill Dentistry recommends that you and your family schedule a teeth cleaning at least every six months. This appointment includes a professional teeth cleaning, fluoride, a dental exam, and dental X-rays.
At the beginning of your appointment, our hygienist will remove all of the plaque and tartar from your teeth using a small, metal tool. Then our hygienist will floss your teeth and polish them. Fluoride is then applied to your teeth. Fluoride is a mineral that helps protect your teeth from decay by strengthening your tooth enamel. Our dentist will then examine all of your teeth and gums for signs of decay, gingivitis, and other oral problems. Sometimes, our dentist will decide to take dental X-rays to get a more thorough, closer look at your smile.
We urge you to contact our dental office immediately if you experience any dental pain or any kind of dental emergency. The following problematic symptoms need to be examined by our dentist as soon as possible:
• Toothache
• Tooth sensitivity
• Red, swollen, or sore gums
• Gums that bleed easily when you brush and floss
• A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
• The loss of a permanent tooth
• A loose permanent tooth
To learn more and to schedule your next visit, please contact our dental office today.
Dental Inlays & Onlays
Dental inlays and onlays are similar to dental fillings, but they are constructed in a dental laboratory. When there is not enough tooth structure to support a filling, but the tooth is not damaged enough to need a dental crown, Mars Hill Dentistry may recommend dental inlays and onlays in Mars Hill, North Carolina. Dental inlays are like fillings, but the work lies within one of the bumps on the chewing surface of the tooth. Dental onlays are sometimes called dental crowns. They cover one or more cusps on the chewing surface of the tooth. Inlays and onlays last up to 30 years, which is much longer than traditional dental fillings. Dental inlays and onlays can be made from composite resin, porcelain, or gold.
To place a dental inlay or onlay, our dentist will remove the decay or an old filling. An impression is taken of your tooth and those around it so the inlay or onlay can be constructed. Our dentist may place a temporary filling to protect your tooth while the inlay or onlay is being constructed. When the inlay or onlay is complete, the temporary filling is removed and the inlay or onlay is permanently cemented in place.
Please contact our dental office today to learn more and to schedule your next visit.
Contact Mars Hill Dentistry Today!
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