Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental Care for Crowns, Bridges and Braces

If you have fixed bridgework, braces or other dental work which connects adjacent teeth, cleaning under and around it with an interdental brush can prevent tooth decay and gum disease. While their use may seem intuitive, many people are unaware that plaque accumulates under bridge connectors, around orthodontic brackets, etc. This animation describes use of an interdental brush to avoid recurrent caries around fixed bridge retainer margins, and the resulting failure of expensive dental work.



Above article & video produced by: www.ToothIQ.com


Cosmetic Dentistry
Purcellville Dental Timothy A. Smith, DDS
609-T East Main Street
Purcellville, VA 20132

General Dentistry Purcellville VA

Dental cavities
Cavities are holes, or structural damage, in the teeth.

Tooth decay is one of the most common of all disorders, second only to the common cold. It usually occurs in children and young adults but can affect any person. It is a common cause of tooth loss in younger people.

Bacteria are normally present in the mouth. The bacteria convert all foods -- especially sugar and starch -- into acids. Bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva combine in the mouth to form a sticky substance called plaque that adheres to the teeth. It is most prominent on the back molars, just above the gum line on all teeth, and at the edges of fillings. Plaque that is not removed from the teeth mineralizes into tartar. Plaque and tartar irritate the gums, resulting in gingivitis and ultimately periodontitis.

Plaque begins to build up on teeth within 20 minutes after eating (the time when most bacterial activity occurs). If this plaque is not removed thoroughly and routinely, tooth decay will not only begin, but flourish.

The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel surface of the tooth and create holes in the tooth (cavities). Cavities are usually painless until they grow very large and affect nerves or cause a tooth fracture. If left untreated, a tooth abscess can develop. Untreated tooth decay also destroys the internal structures of the tooth (pulp) and ultimately causes the loss of the tooth.

Carbohydrates (sugars and starches) increase the risk of tooth decay. Sticky foods are more harmful than nonsticky foods because they remain on the surface of the teeth. Frequent snacking increases the time that acids are in contact with the surface of the tooth.

Above article from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov

Purcellville Dental
Timothy A. Smith, DDS
Telephone: 540.338.0110
609-T East Main Street
Purcellville, VA 20132

White dental fillings Purcellville VA

No Mercury! No Metals! No Kidding!
For years, the silver-mercury amalgam was the standard filling material used in dental practices, and many practices still use it. While they are a reasonable restoration, amalgams have certain shortcomings. Metal does not bond well to teeth, so decay can and does eventually leak into the tooth. But the biggest reason many of our patients are choosing the white bonded fillings has to do with the way they look. Many people just don’t want an ugly black plug in their teeth. We offer modern, state-of-the-art restorations that are a natural-looking white, contain no metals, and can actually strengthen your teeth. They also bond very tightly with the healthy part of the tooth so there is much less chance of decay in the future.

Visit our main web site to learn more about our white dental fillings!

White Dental Fillings Purcellville VA

No Mercury! No Metals! No Kidding!
White Dental Fillings

For years, the silver-mercury amalgam was the standard filling material used in dental practices, and many practices still use it. While they are a reasonable restoration, amalgams have certain shortcomings. Metal does not bond well to teeth, so decay can and does eventually leak into the tooth. But the biggest reason many of our patients are choosing the white bonded fillings has to do with the way they look. Many people just don’t want an ugly black plug in their teeth. We offer modern, state-of-the-art restorations that are a natural-looking white, contain no metals, and can actually strengthen your teeth. They also bond very tightly with the healthy part of the tooth so there is much less chance of decay in the future.

Visit our main web site to learn more about our white dental fillings and other cosmetic dental treatment services in Purcellville VA