Rochester Dentists

November 25, 2021

Tooth loss is a common issue that affects millions of Americans throughout the country. Fortunately, losing a tooth doesn’t mean that you have to go the rest of your life with an unsightly gap in your smile. Dental implants are a preferred tooth replacement option because they have so many benefits that you can’t get anywhere else. However, not all patients are ready to get their implants right away. Some need to undergo a bone graft beforehand. Read on to learn why this is the case.

Why Does Missing Teeth Lead to Bone Loss?

The root of your tooth stimulates your jaw whenever you chew, therefore keeping it strong and healthy. However, when you lose teeth, your jawbone isn’t receiving this same stimulation. Over time, the bone tissue will be reabsorbed by the body. As time goes on, the more the bone deteriorates. This can cause difficulties when it comes to eating and speaking. It can even affect the future alignment of your surrounding teeth.

What Is Bone Grafting?

A bone graft works by transplanting bone tissue into the jaw. This bone can come from another part of the mouth, a different part of the body, or by a human or animal donor. Sometimes, synthetic material is also used. Once this new piece of bone is placed in the correct area, it will seal itself to the old bone tissue in the areas that you need it. This is a relatively minor procedure, and patients are generally sedated during the process. Most patients who receive bone grafts report that the experience was pain-free.

Why Do You Need to Have a Bone Graft?

Needing a bone graft before dental implants is fairly common. This technique is required when a patient doesn’t have a sufficient amount of healthy bone tissue in their

Are you looking to replace your missing teeth? One of the great things about today is the fact that you don’t need to settle for gaps in your smile. There are a variety of different tooth replacement options out there to choose from, like dental implants. Implants have become a preferred method by dentists and patients alike because of their numerous benefits. However, you want to pick an implant dentist that you can trust. Continue reading to learn what you should look for when choosing one.

Experience in Dental Implant Surgery

Pick an implant dentist who is very familiar with the dental implant placement procedure. You want to see a dentist who has done this many times in the past with excellent results. When you choose a dentist who has a lot of previous experience, you will feel a lot better when it comes to the day of your surgery.

Advanced Dental Training

It is advantageous to choose a dentist who has taken advantage of additional educational opportunities in the area of implant dentistry. One great way a dentist can do this is by becoming involved with professional dental institutes and organizations. This way, you know that your dentist is on top of all the latest techniques and technologies.

Patient Reviews

To learn more about what you can expect from a particular dentist, you should take a look at some online reviews. You want to know what previous patients thought about the process of getting dental implants with the dentist in question. Look for a dentist who has plenty of detailed, quality, and positive reviews. If you see a lot of them, this is a great sign.

Before and After Photos

Dental implants help to restore the health of your smile, but you want to like the way they look

If you suffer from winter mouth issues, this time of year can be terrible. While others are outside enjoying the snow, you are searching for ways to protect your sensitive teeth from the cold gusts of wind. Luckily, there are ways to combat this problem. Keep reading for a list of 4 common winter mouth problems and what you can do to fight them.

Canker Sores

These small ulcers can be white or yellow in color and can suddenly appear on your gums, your cheek, your tongue, the roof of your mouth or the inside of your lip. They are typically the result of a vitamin deficiency, hormonal changes or sensitivity to acidic or spicy items like lemons or apple cider. To help them heal faster, mix one teaspoon of salt with ½ cup of warm water and swish it around in your mouth for about 15 to 30 seconds. This will clean the sore and help it heal faster. Manuka honey has antibacterial properties, so dabbing a bit on your sore can help reduce pain, size and redness.

Chapped Lips

In winter, the cold air will pull moisture from your skin and can leave you with dry, cracked lips. But try not to lick them! The saliva will evaporate and dry your lips out even more. Instead, make sure you are hydrating your body from the inside out by drinking plenty of water and applying a lip balm.

Sensitive Teeth

A cold gust of wind can cause horrible pain for those with sensitive teeth. This condition is usually the result of decay, eroded enamel, exposed dental nerves and chips or fractures in your teeth. At the first sensation of dental pain, it’s important to schedule a visit with your dentist right away. Depending on the seriousness of your

Did you know that your remaining dental insurance benefits are set to expire at the end of the year? That’s right, insurance coverage typically does not roll over from one year to the next. Dental insurance is a monthly investment, and like any investment, you should want to see a significant return! Thankfully, it is not too late in the year to still save money and boost your smile. Here are 5 tips from a dentist on how to maximize your dental insurance benefits before they expire.

#1: Understand Your Plan

The first step to maximizing your insurance benefits is to understand how your plan works. Here are 3 key terms that you should know:

• Deductible – This is the minimum amount patients must pay out-of-pocket for dental care before their insurance kicks in.
• Co-Pay – A fixed amount paid by the patient before receiving a specific dental care service. For example, a patient may be required to pay $30 for scaling to fight gingivitis. Meanwhile, their insurance will cover the remaining cost of the procedure.
• Annual Maximum – Most dental insurance policies set a maximum coverage amount per year. Once a patient reaches this limit, they will be expected to pay 100% of any additional dental care costs.

#2: Schedule a 2nd Dental Checkup

One easy way to get the most out of your dental insurance is to schedule a routine checkup before the end of the year. Even if you already visited your dentist in Framingham this past winter or spring, most dental insurance plans cover two checkups per year – at 100%! This means scheduling a 2^nd dental exam and professional cleaning likely won’t cost you anything out of pocket.

#3: Don’t Waste Your Deductible

If you have already met your deductible this year but have

We’ve all experienced it at one point or another, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is unpleasant for yourself and can be embarrassing if you are speaking to someone else. It is more common than you may think. Chronic halitosis affects more than 80 million Americans and it usually originates from the gums and tongue. Thankfully, there are ways that you can prevent it from occurring and stop it in its tracks.

Brush Twice a Day

Even though pretty much everyone knows that they should be brushing twice a day, many neglect brushing their teeth before going to bed. This contributes to bad breath because you aren’t cleaning away plaque and food debris that has accumulated on your teeth during the day. You could also try an additional round of brushing with baking soda. This makes it more difficult for the bacteria that causes bad breath to grow.

Floss Daily

Even if you brush twice a day, you wouldn’t be reaching every area in the mouth. This is why it’s important to floss. By removing food debris and plaque along the gumline and between the teeth, you are reducing the number of halitosis-causing bacteria in the mouth.

Use a Mouthwash

A mouth rinse is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine. It helps to wash away leftover food debris and residue. However, you should be aware that mouth rinses only temporarily cover up the problem if you are dealing with chronic bad breath. It could even make it worse by drying out the mouth. If dry mouth is the cause of your bad breath, look for an alcohol-free rinse instead.

Brush Your Tongue

Alike your teeth and gums, your tongue can also harbor bacteria. When you brush your teeth, don’t forget

August 14, 2020

Summer is here! This means that the kids have finally finished their schoolwork and you may even have some fun activities planned for you and your family. Whether that consists of a big trip or just relaxing in the backyard, your family’s smiles should not be forgotten. Your family dentist in Framingham shares some tips and tricks to help avoid dental emergencies and maintain healthy teeth.

Establish an Oral Hygiene Routine

Since the kids are home from school, this is the perfect time to establish a permanent oral hygiene routine to upkeep their smiles. This should include brushing twice and flossing once daily. Also, you shouldn’t forget to schedule regular dental visits. Having regular cleanings and checkups is crucial to maintain good oral health.

Make Healthy Choices

When it is hot outside, you may feel the urge to reach for an ice-cold sports drink or a bowl of ice cream from the freezer. While there is nothing wrong with doing this on occasion, frequently sipping and snacking on sugary things ultimately leads to increased tooth decay and more time getting fillings. Limit your family’s intake of these treats and stock up on healthy snacks instead. You could try sliced apples, yogurt, baby carrots, cheese, nuts, or celery.

Stay Hydrated!

Water is the best thing you can drink to stay hydrated and it benefits your entire body. After all, you’re made up of 60% water. When you drink it frequently, you neutralize harmful acid that causes tooth decay, wash away food debris, and prevent dry mouth. Tap water is usually the best option because it often contains fluoride, which is especially important for younger children whose smiles are still developing.

Only Use Teeth for Chewing Food

Remind your children that their teeth are meant for chewing their food, not for opening

Congratulations on your newly completed smile! A denture is a tried and true method for quickly replacing missing teeth and regaining a full set of pearly whites. They may not be a permanent solution like dental implants, but you can easily expect them to last at least a decade if you care for them properly. Extend the lifespan of your new smile with these eight easy and effective denture care tips.

Tip #1: Handle Your Denture Carefully

Your denture is built to be strong, but it isn’t indestructible. You should always take your time when removing, replacing, or cleaning it to ensure you don’t accidentally drop it on a hard countertop or tiled floor, which can easily cause chips or cracks. Lay a towel on the counter or sink to protect it should it fall.

Tip #2: Rinse Off Your Denture After Eating

Food particles will cling to your denture after you’ve eaten, which can attract bacteria. After eating a meal or snacking, take a moment to rinse away any lingering particles.

Tip #3: Clean Your Mouth After Removing Your Denture

Plaque and bacteria naturally build up in your mouth over time. Make sure to gently brush your natural teeth, tongue, cheeks, and gums every morning and night to keep them healthy.

Tip #4: Brush Your Denture At Least Once a Day

Bacteria, food particles, and plaque can collect in the small spaces created by your denture. To lower your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral infections, brush your denture at least once a day.

Tip #5: Soak Your Denture Overnight

It’s essential that you remove your denture at the end of the day. However, your denture may warp and collect bacteria if allowed to dry out. Always soak it in water or denture cleaning solution before going

Have you always wanted a straighter, more attractive smile but cannot stand the thought of wearing metal braces? Good news – you do not have to! Invisalign in Framingham can straighten your teeth without any of the unsightly brackets and wires. You may have heard about the modern alternative to metal braces, but how much do you really know about Invisalign? Let’s find out! Here are 5 interesting facts about Invisalign clear braces that may surprise you.

The Inventor of Invisalign Wore Metal Braces

The inventor of Invisalign, Zia Chishti, was inspired to find a better way to straighten teeth after wearing traditional metal braces himself in his early twenties. The Stanford University graduate designed the innovative orthodontic aligner system, secured funding partners, and launched Align Technologies, the company that produces Invisalign, in California in 1997.

Invisalign Is Worn Around the World

Today, Invisalign helps men and women around the world to straighten their teeth with their innovative system of clear plastic aligners. To date, over 8 million people – including more than 1 million teenagers – have turned to Invisalign to transform their smiles. The American company boasts operations in North America, Asia, and even Israel.

Hollywood Celebrities Use Invisalign

One of the major benefits of Invisalign in Framingham is that it straightens teeth so subtly that most people around you won’t even notice. Even Hollywood celebrities, who are constantly surrounded by fans and cameras, turn to Invisalign clear braces to achieve a fabulously straight smile. Here are just a few A-list stars who have used Invisalign:

• Oprah Winfrey
• Justin Bieber
• Tom Cruise
• Serena Williams
• Eva Longoria

Straight Teeth May Improve Oral Health

While many men and women opt for Invisalign treatment for cosmetic reasons, straightening your teeth can have a positive impact on your overall oral health as