Restorative Dental Procedures with Dr. Cranham Can Help Your Teeth Regain Function

Posted on May 18, 2013 by cranhamsmiles

Restorative dentistry is one of the different forms of dentistry available at the dentist office in Chesapeake, Virginia. Restorative dentistry revolves around treating the teeth and restoring them so that they are in better condition than before, especially if there is decay or damage. Dr. Cranham is a restorative dentist in Chesapeake, Virginia. Dr. Cranham is a versatile dentist but he focuses primarily on restorative dentistry because he wants to help patients achieve healthy teeth. Anyone who wants to find a dentist in Chesapeake, Virginia who offers restorative dentistry can visit the dental office of Dr. Cranham.

In order to begin the process of restoring the teeth, the patient will need to visit the dentist office in Chesapeake, Virginia. Restorative dentistry always starts off with a diagnosis of the condition of the teeth. Dr. Cranham has to take a close look at the teeth to see what is going on and whether or not there is any decay or damage. As a local restorative dentist in Chesapeake, Virginia, Dr. Cranham will provide you with detailed information on the treatment that will be best for each patient’s situation. Dr. Cranham feels that it is necessary to talk with each patient about the treatment so that they understand the process of the restorative procedures before they make a final decision.

Some of the restorative dental procedures that Dr. Cranham offers include dental implants and dental crowns. Dr. Cranham will replace a missing or damage tooth with a dental implant, which he molds and puts together so that it will match with the rest of the teeth. Dr. Cranham uses the dental crown to repair teeth that are chipped or broken. The crowns are customized for each patient and help to restore the teeth in a natural way. There are several different materials that may be used to put these crowns together, which includes porcelain and metal materials. A dental crown can ultimately improve the appearance of the teeth while also making it easier to chew. The dental crowns are a complete restoration process that will not take too much time to be completed.

Let Dr. Cranham Restore your Smile Today | Chesapeake

Posted on January 29, 2013 by cranhamsmiles

In the field of dentistry, there are many specialties for different kinds of conditions of the teeth. Restorative dentistry is one of those specialties in dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases of the teeth and other anatomical parts of the mouth. Restorative dentistry is not the same as cosmetic dentistry, as its purpose is not just for the appearance – restorative dentistry is meant to restore the teeth back to health with various procedures by your dentist.

Our teeth can experience serious diseases and infections, just like any other part of our body. Decaying teeth can lead to the loss of that tooth completely, and infections and run deep within the roots of our teeth and cause our teeth to break apart on their own. Bacteria can trap itself underneath the gums. The ultimate consequence of any negative condition of the teeth is loss of the teeth – and when we lose teeth, we lose that tooth’s specific function.

One example of a restorative dentistry procedure available at your local dentist is root canal therapy. A root canal is needed when the pulp within our teeth becomes infected and the channels of the root need to be cleaned out before the tooth loses its function. A hole is drilled in the tooth and all of the pulp and root are cleaned out with small needle-like objects. Once your general dentist is finished, the tooth is usually capped with a crown for its protection.

An infected tooth in need of a root canal should be a priority. These infections can bring pain deep down into the jaw, local pain at the site of the infection, gums that swell up with pus called abcesses and even the tooth eventually beginning to break apart to reveal smelly bacteria underneath, which could cause more infection if food is trapped inside it or cut the tongue. Restorative dentistry focuses on giving you a healthy smile again and treating the pain, discomfort or loss of function associated with a tooth disease.

If a tooth is lost, there are restorative procedures such as dental implants and bridges that can put a porcelain tooth in its place. This way, your smile is not affected and you still have the function of that tooth.

Restorative dentistry is safe and effective, and can help you feel great about the look and feel of your smile again.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Bridges?

Posted on April 23, 2012 by admin

By the age of 45, nearly 70 percent of all Americans have lost at least one tooth to an accident, gum disease, tooth decay or a botched root canal, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Missing teeth can be a source of great embarrassment. Not only are they cosmetically disfiguring, they can also interfere with a person’s ability to speak and eat.

Fortunately, there are solutions for missing teeth. One of the most popular is the dental bridge, a prosthetic device containing artificial teeth, or pontics, designed to span the gap caused by the missing teeth. Dental bridges are anchored either to natural teeth, teeth capped with crowns, or dental implants capped with crowns. It’s critically important that the bridge fits securely in the mouth, using these supports. A misaligned bridge can lead to all sorts of dental problems including increased incidence of tooth decay and gum disease, a crooked bite and an increased risk for developing temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). The dentist or the dentist’s assistant will take a mold of the oral cavity. This mold will be sent to a dental laboratory where trained technicians will craft the new bridge to the exact contours of the patient’s mouth.

Cleaning and caring for a dental bridge are very important. The ideal candidate for a dental bridge is someone who understands the importance of oral hygiene in order to maintain a healthy smile. Brush your teeth every time you eat, and floss at least once a day. There are special products engineered to help floss the gums under dental bridges. These products, called floss threaders, are designed to help you anchor dental floss so it fits more easily in the tight space between the bottom of the bridge and the gums. There are also a number of specially designed flosses, tapered on the ends to fit under the bridge, but thick in the middle so they can still attack the plaque. Make sure you visit your dentist twice a year, so he or she can make sure the bridge is fitting the way it was designed to fit.

Restorative Dentistry Can Transform Your Mouth To the Beautiful Smile of Your Dreams

Posted on January 21, 2012 by admin

A healthy and beautiful smile can increase your confidence as well as enhance the overall function and health of your mouth. If you were not one of the few fortunate people to be born with a gorgeous smile, here is some great news for you, restorative dentistry can transform your mouth and give you the smile that you deserve.

Purpose of Restorative Dentistry:
Restorative dental procedures can fill in gaps between teeth, correct misalignment issues, repair damaged teeth, remove stains and discoloration, and enhance the overall appearance of your smile as well as the health of your teeth and gums.

Restorative Procedures:
Common procedures include tooth whitening, veneers, implants, bridges, bonding, shaping, braces, and gum surgery. Tooth whitening may be done in a dental office or at home. Options include bleach trays or laser technology. Veneers, bridges, and implants are used to fill in gaps or replace missing teeth. Veneers can also serve to cover stains and discoloration. Bonding and shaping procedures contour and repair chipped teeth. Braces, whether traditional metal styles or newer invisible types, are used to straighten crooked teeth and realign your bite. Gum surgery can lengthen teeth through the removal of gum tissue.

Cost of Restorative Dental Procedures:
While the cost of each procedure varies, some may be covered by dental insurance. Your dentist will help you work out a plan that fits within your budget and needs.

Maintaining Dental Work:
To keep your smile looking great for years to come, it is essential that you care for your teeth by developing good oral hygiene habits. Daily brushing and flossing combined with an anti-cavity, fluoride rinse will stave off harmful bacteria-causing plaque. Regular dental checkups are a must as well.

Prevent tooth loss, avoid further damage, and update your old dental treatments with the latest technology and best in personalized care. Restorative dentistry will not only alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by dental problems, but it can also transform your mouth, displaying the beautiful smile of your dreams. Visit your dentist to formulate a treatment plan that enhances beauty and improves the long-term health of your entire mouth.

Advantages of the Hard Tissue Laser and the Soft Tissue Laser

Posted on October 20, 2011 by admin

It is not uncommon for adults and children alike to fear trips to the dentist. The sound of a dental drill is enough to send many people into a panic. Fortunately, dentistry is an ever-evolving field, and technological advances are continually improving the experience of visiting the dentist.

Two of the most promising dental technologies in use today are the hard tissue laser and the soft tissue laser. Lasers are devices that produce concentrated beams of monochromatic light. These beams can be strong enough to cut through a wide range of matter. Lasers are being used across the field of medicine to perform tasks previously performed by surgical cutting implements such as scalpels.

The hard tissue laser, as the name implies, is used on hard tissues. In dentistry, this type of laser can be used on teeth in place of the traditional dental drill. The hard tissue laser is often much less painful than the traditional approach, which leads to a decrease in the need for anesthetics. Hard tissue lasers also create an ideal bonding surface in preparation for new fillings. Perhaps the biggest advantage of hard tissue lasers is that they possess none of the negative associations that many patients have towards dental drills. Furthermore, procedures carried out with hard tissue lasers often take less time to perform than procedures carried out with older techniques.

The soft tissue laser works on soft tissues such as the gums. In treating advanced periodontal disease, the soft tissue laser provides a minimally invasive alternative to older surgical approaches. Soft tissue lasers can cut diseased tissue away with much less bleeding than other techniques. The soft tissue laser also helps prevent infection because the laser beam disinfects the areas it touches. When dentists employ soft tissue lasers they need to give their patients much less anesthetic. In some cases, no anesthetic at all is required.

Dental Bridges and How They Work

Posted on September 20, 2011 by admin

A dental bridge is used to bridge the gap between missing teeth that have been lost due to injury, surgery or other means. A dental bridge is literally just what its name implies; using whole teeth as an anchor, replacement false teeth are used to fill the gap between. Many modern bridges are so well made by using advance technology, that they are permanent and indistinguishable from a person’s natural teeth.

A dental bridge is a viable option for many people who have lost teeth from any variety of reasons, but do not need a full set of dentures. The patient’s gums have to be in relatively good condition for a bridge; diseased gums may become more irritated or infected if false teeth are inserted where natural teeth are missing. The anchor teeth, too, must be firm and not in any danger of falling out, for these help support the dental bridge. There are several types of bridges available, and talking to your dentist about which options work best for your particular type of tooth loss will help you select which is most viable.

Before you have a bridge made, you will have to undergo a process in which the dentist reshapes the anchor teeth so a permanent crown can be fitted over them. You will also get a temporary bridge to wear while the new crowns are being made in a dental laboratory to help protect your gums and reshaped teeth.

The second visit will usually include making sure the teeth are ready to have the permanent bridge placed. After this is done, the dentist will fit the permanent bridge into your mouth and use a temporary tooth cement to bind it into place. The temporary cement will hold the new bridge in place firmly, but will help to ensure it fits correctly after a number of weeks. Adjustments can then be made by the dentist as needed.

Once the new bridge is fitted correctly, permanent tooth cement will be used. Afterward, the bridge cannot be removed without surgical procedure, and the replacement process is finished.

Porcelain Veneers

Posted on August 10, 2011 by admin

I always joke that I owe my social life to my orthodontist. My permanent teeth came in all wrong. I had a ginat gap right between my front two teeth. I was a typical, awkward, goofy kid with crazy teeth and giant glasses. Finally in the fourth grade I started my long journey to straight teeth with braces. For three years of my life I had a shiny, metal smile. Not so bad when you are a kid, but pretty embarrassing for an adult to have to deal with. Thankfully, now tehre are porcelain veneers to fix all kinds of teeth problems. Gaps are easily concealed without years of painful, ugly braces. Stains are completely covered up without an expensive whitening procedure every few months. Porcelain veneers are an easy, beautiful solution.

Porcelain veneers are thing, ceramic shells that fit over your teeth, they easily and painlessly cover up gaps and other imperfections, such as chips, cracks, or discolorations. Porcelain veneers are undetectable. Veneers look and feel just like your teeth underneath, so nobody will notice; although you will get compliments on your perfect, stunning smile! Porcelain veneers can last for a decade before having to get them redone, unlike whitening procedures which have to be done every few months to keep up.

Once you have decided on veneers, the design and application will take three visits to your dentist. The first visit is an analysis; going over what you want to achieve with your look and what veneers are right for you. The second visit is simply taking a small sample of your enamel (this usually is painless, and if pain does ensue, a small amount of local anesthesia is given to the patient), also the dentist takes an impression of your smile so that they are fitted perfectly. The third visit is the bonding and application of the porcelain veneers to your teeth. You will have to go back for a visit a week or two after they are applied. this is just a follow-up to make sure thngs are going smoothly and there is no discomfort.

Once they are in place you will love showing off your beautiful smile!

TMJ Therapy

Posted on July 5, 2011 by admin

People often suffer great pain when their teeth do not align correctly or if there is something wrong with the two joints in front of their ears that connect the lower jaw to the skull, known as TMJ joints. This is known as temporomandibular joint disorder. In most cases, people with this disorder endure migraines, facial and jaw aches, neck and back pain, and have an abnormal bite. Other symptoms include chewing difficulty, emitting clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth, chronic earaches, and teeth grinding.

TMJ Therapy is the leading solution for relieving TMJ related pain and discomfort. Cranhamsmiles.com details a couple of different TMJ therapy methods that have been successful with a number of patients. By utilizing advanced technology systems, the exact source of discomfort can be pinpointed. This is crucial because no two TMJ disorder cases are the same, and every TMJ therapy is created to suit each individual patient’s needs. The Sirona Galileoes (CBCT) scans TMJ joint surfaces and analyzes exactly where the problem source is. The computer system TekScan shows how teeth fit together and reveals a patient’s bite and teeth alignment. Bio-JVA records the motions and vibrations of TMJ joints. The amount of vibration detected indicates how severe the problem is.

Analysis from these technology systems and a careful examination of the patient’s TMJ joints and mouth allow dentists and orthodontists to create specialized therapy treatment plans. In minor cases, corrective therapy aims to relax muscles and calm down inflammation. This can be done through gentle jaw exercises, a soft diet regimen, and warm and cold moist compressors. Other treatment methods include utilizing a splint, oral medication, facial massages, and in extreme cases, surgery. Long term treatment can last well over six months.

Chronic headaches, body aches, and trouble chewing are just a few symptoms that people with TMJ disorder endure. TMJ therapy is an effective method that aims to allow people to feel relief and smile without pain again.

What You Need to Know About Advanced Restoration Dentistry

Posted on May 20, 2011 by admin

Advanced restoration dentistry is the diagnosis and treatment of problems of the teeth that can include anything from an unattractive smile to broken teeth. It is also used to correct problems such as pain in the teeth or jaw. Advanced restoration dentistry is a long-term solution to dental problems that may have been previously treated unsuccessfully.

The term advanced restoration dentistry is a general one, so before any dental procedures are undertaken, it will be necessary for the patient to have a consultation and complete exam. This will determine how severe the patient’s problems are and a treatment plan will be made to address the issues involved with their dysfunctional teeth.

Advanced restoration dentistry is an integrated approach which combines the talents of many types of dental specialists. For example, both an orthodontist and oral surgeon may be required to complete treatment on one patient. Some of the typical procedures that take place with advanced restoration dentistry are braces, fillings, root canals, veneers, bridges, whitening, plastic surgery, rebuilding bone and gums and grafting.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is another type of issue common to advanced restoration dentistry. This is a condition that causes pain in the jaw, as well as the face, ears and neck. It can cause extreme difficulty with chewing food and therefore lead to a nutritional breakdown. Unfortunately, there is not a good awareness among the general public that TMJ is a condition dentists can easily fix so it is often left untreated.

Dental technology has come a long way in just the past few years, making it possible to complete in one visit what used to take several. More and more, pictures of the mouth that are needed for treatment are being obtained through digital images, replacing the X-ray machines which concerned some patients. The scraping and prodding of the teeth which is done to locate tooth decay is giving way to digital detection as well.

Fear of going to the dentist is a common one, but if you are in need of advanced restoration dentistry, you may be pleasantly surprised that there is little to fear and much to gain.

Bridge Work

Posted on April 19, 2011 by admin

The teeth serve a variety of crucial functions: they are an important part of eating, digestion, and speaking. They also help in supporting facial structure. Missing teeth can ruin your smile and are known to contribute to poor oral health. One way to replace missing teeth and reverse the damage they may be causing is with bridge work.

Fixed dental bridges are custom-fit dental devices that allow one or more prosthetic teeth to fill gaps in the smile. Bridges are attached to the healthy adjacent teeth. If the neighboring teeth aren’t healthy enough to support the bridge work, dental implants may be an option.

A bridge serves many important functions. It will support the cheeks and lips, renewing proper facial shape. It can improve overall oral health, as it lowers the stress on gums and surrounding tissues. A bridge can also decrease the risk of gum disease, and improve the clarity of speech.

Installing a dental bridge is a two-part process. The teeth must first be prepared before having the bridge attached. At the first appointment, some enamel and dentin will be removed from the neighboring teeth. The dentist will make an impression of your teeth to ensure the bridge will fit precisely. The impression will be used by an experienced dental technician to create your custom bridge work. At the second appointment, the dentist will affix crowns to the teeth on both sides of the gap. Then the dental bridge will be permanently attached to those crowns.

A bridge is made of either gold or non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of materials. To achieve a natural, healthy-looking smile, porcelain is typically bonded to the outside of the metal. The bridge work is easy to care for; simply brush and floss as you would the natural teeth. It is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene, since the bridge needs the neighboring teeth to remain healthy and supportive.