Tag Archives: Dentist

Let Dr. Cranham Restore your Smile Today | Chesapeake

Posted on by
Reply

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.

Meet Dr. John C. Cranham, Family Dentist in Chesapeake

Posted on by
Reply

From the moment you walk into the dental office of Dr. John C. Cranham, you are greeted with a state of the art facility with the most modern technology available to dentists in Chesapeake. You will be met with the very friendly and professional team that Dr. Cranham hand selected to run his family dentistry office.

Dr. John C. Cranham graduated with honors from the Medical College of Virginia in 1988. He has continued to be a leader and well respected international speaker on many areas of dental education through his programs known as Cranham Dental Seminars. He teaches other dentists around the world through different lectures, mobile programs and intensive hands-on training. In 2008, Cranham Dental Seminars joined with The Dawson Academy, a world-renowned continuing education facility in St. Petersburg, Florida, where Dr. Cranham is the acting Clinical Director of the Dawson Academy. He teaches other dental professionals family dentist and general dentist courses.

Dr. Cranham divides his time between his own dentist office and his teaching practice, which he feels gives him a good balance of devoting his time as a dentist in Chesapeake while keeping up with the latest technology and practices through his teaching programs.

Dr. Cranham is a well-respected author who continues to develop educational programs for the modern day dentist office that keeps him and his students on the leading edge of an ever-evolving field of dental progression.

If you want a dentist in Chesapeake who provides some of the best general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry or restorative dentistry, Dr. Cranham is the perfect choice for you. With his experience and skills, Dr. Cranham takes on some of the most complex cases in restorative dentistry. You no longer have to have to suffer from low self-esteem because of an embarrassing smile. As a local dentist, you will want to refer all your friends and family to Dr. Cranham when you see your results.

If you are new to Chesapeake and want to find a dentist for all your family needs, we are here to provide you with a complete treatment plan suited just for you.

Dental Implants

Posted on by
Reply

Though most patients love the results of their dental implants, it’s a long procedure and can be costly. The patient should check to see if their health insurance covers it, as it may be considered an elective procedure. They should also consult with their dentist about possible financial aid or an installment plan.

The patient also needs to know if they’re a good candidate for the dental implant. They must have enough healthy gum tissue and bone in their jaw to hold the implant properly. If they don’t, but still insist on an implant, they must be willing to undergo bone or tissue grafts. They have to know that the procedure will take time and commitment on their part and should be willing to follow the dentist’s instructions.

During the procedure the dental surgeon implants a titanium post in the patient’s jaw. The bone will then take time to grow around the post and anchor it. This process takes some months and in the meantime the patient is instructed by the dentist as to the best way to care for their mouth while the bone and tissue are healing around the post. In the meantime a temporary crown will be placed for cosmetic reasons and so the patient can eat properly. Because the crown is only temporary, the patient will be asked to eat a soft diet.

After the post has been fused it’s uncovered and an attachment is placed to make an anchor for the crown. The crown has been formed in a dental lab and matches the size, shape and color of the patient’s other teeth precisely. While this used to be done according to the aesthetic considerations of the dentist, it’s now done by computer. Only the patient and their dentist will need to know that the implant isn’t a real tooth.

During the procedure the patient is given anesthesia to make them comfortable. Afterwards the patient will need to take care of the implant like they would their natural teeth, which means daily brushing and flossing. The dentist might also prescribe a special mouthwash for a time, or a special type of brush to clean the implant.

Patient Testimonials

Posted on by
Reply

I spent six months interviewing dentists. Dr. Cranham was recommended by dentists and dental hygienists I know personally. He gave me the best natural-looking teeth I only dreamed of. I have developed a big smile since I have had my teeth done.

 

Patient Testimonials

Posted on by
Reply

I am typically not an easygoing patient; however, my experience with Dr. Cranham and his staff continues to be nothing short of excellent. I am constantly reminded of my satisfaction with their work by a steady stream of compliments from both friends and strangers.

Dental Implants are Beneficial and Make Your Smile Beautiful

Posted on by
Reply

There are few things more depressing than not being able to chew properly because of a missing tooth. Even more saddening is the odd looks that you might get when you have large gaps in your smile. Fortunately, there is away to permanently fill in the gaps in your smile using dental implants.

Dental implants are used to substitute the roots of missing teeth. Once they are established, the dentist can use them as anchors for replacement teeth or a crown.

Benefits to oral health

Dental implants are not only necessary for improving the quality of life right now, but are also necessary for preventing further damage to the teeth. Spaces in your smile can increase the chances that you experience tooth decay or gum disease. These conditions can lead to more lost teeth and can also make it more possible that the surviving teeth are knocked out of alignment. This can create larger and more expensive dental problems down the road.

Comfort and convenience

Dental implants fuse with the bone. This makes the dental implant permanent and also more natural-looking. Dentures can slip around in the mouth and even fall out, which can interfere with your ability to speak. Many patients feel that they have more confidence when they have dental implants.

Dental implants are also much more comfortable than dentures. They are like your real teeth and will remain in your mouth for your entire life if you take good care of them. Teeth that are not reduced are much more likely to last.

With other options, such as bridges, the tooth must be reduced to an extent in order for the bridge to fit. However, dental implants allow for the nearby teeth to be kept intact.

Suitable for most patients

Implants can be used with any patient. However, they are the most suited for patients who are not able to wear removable dentures. The dentist will inspect your mouth to make sure that you are the right candidate for a dental implant.

Why You Should Not Put Off Routine Cleanings

Posted on by
Reply

One common problem in America is that many people put off going to the dentist, for a wide variety of reasons, until there is a serious problem with their teeth. Many people do not want to go to the dentist because they have their own fears or anxiety over having routine dental work performed. However, because these people allow their fears to get in the way of going for a checkup, they typically end up causing more harm to their teeth as routine dental checkups are very important.

When an individual goes to an appointment for a dental checkup, the dental hygienist will be doing a number of different tasks. For starters, he or she will be checking for gum disease, which is actually quite common, especially amongst those who rarely visit their dentist. Gum disease has even been linked with other serious diseases, such as heart disease. When gums are clean and healthy, some diseases can be prevented. When the gums are cleaned by a dental hygienist, an individual is not only preventing diseases, they are also preventing their teeth from falling out.

There are some people who end up being diagnosed with oral cancer. Those who do not visit their dental hygienist would be completely unaware of whether or not they had this type of cancer. A dental hygienist will be able to detect oral cancer immediately which can actually end up saving the patient’s life.

Halitosis is a common condition that many people, especially those who avoid their routine dental checkups, suffer from. Halitosis actually stands for bad breath and it goes way beyond the average morning breath smell. Those who go to their dental checkups and do not put them off and those who also take care of their teeth at home, in between their checkups with the dentist, will typically not have to deal with halitosis at all.

Overall, those who put off their routine dental checkups are putting themselves at risk for a number of different oral problems and health conditions. It is best to schedule an appointment with a dentist and keep the appointment to ensure that the teeth and gums are as healthy as possible.

Replace Those Old, Metal Fillings

Posted on by
1

If you’ve had fillings put in in the past, you may have gotten the silver amalgam fillings of days gone by. However, there are more comfortable and attractive options on the market today. Luckily, Cranham Smiles can help.

Today, composite resin fillings are taking the place of amalgam fillings. The resin fillings are less noticeable and more comfortable and durable than their silver counterparts, and since they’re tooth-colored, people won’t even notice you’ve had dental work done. And if your silver fillings are starting to fall out, you’ll definitely need a replacement.

If you notice that you have mouth pain, you may need fillings for the first time. If plaque builds up on teeth, acid will deteriorate the tooth and cause decay. This can be painful and should be treated quickly before the problem progresses. Resin fillings are the way to go, especially considering that metal fillings can actually deteriorate over time. When this happens, bacteria gets through little openings in the filling, causing more tooth problems. Also, the mercury in amalgam fillings can stain your teeth and gums.

Tooth problems sometimes go beyond needing a simple filling, though. Large cavities often need a bit more work, and a porcelain inlay will cover the entire surface of the tooth. Some people may even need a dental crown that covers the entire tooth if the tooth is weak and breaking.

Cranham Smiles’ Cosmetic Dentistry of Norfolk has specialists who perform basic, general dentistry; cosmetic dentistry; advanced, restorative dentistry; and treatment of bite problems. And since a gorgeous smile can’t be the one and only outcome of a visit to the dentist, the staff at Cranham Smiles will make sure that your teeth are healthy and strong underneath their outward beauty. Plus, you’ll be able to see the projected outcome of your procedure before you have any work done, thanks to the office’s digital imaging technology.

Visit CranhamSmiles.com for more information. You can find out about the staff, treatments and technology at Cranham Smiles, sign up for dental training, find a seminar, see before and after procedures, and read patient testimonials on their website.

Make your Smile Dazzle

Posted on by
Reply

Having your teeth whitened can make you look younger and feel more confident every time you smile. A quick consultation with your dentist can help you determine whether or not teeth whitening is the best answer for your discolored or stained teeth.

Over-the-counter tooth whiteners advertise that they can create whiter teeth quickly and easily. The truth is that whitening strips, toothpaste, and gels whiten your teeth very slowly and cannot provide the same quality of brightness that you would experience from having your teeth whitened by a professional dentist. Some over-the-counter products actually contain chemicals that can cause damage to your teeth and gums. If you are really interested in having your teeth whitened, it is best to visit a dentist and have the procedure done by a professional. Otherwise you may be throwing your money away on products that don’t whiten properly or are bad for your oral health.

Not everyone wants to have their teeth whitened in a single day. It can be startling to suddenly have bright white teeth when you have lived with severe stains for years. Your dentist can provide you with tooth whitening tools that you can take home and use regularly to provide a more gradual whitening process. Custom bleach trays can be created in just a few days. You can use the trays to gradually bleach your teeth, or to touch up previous tooth whitening if it begins to get dull. If you are more interested in having your teeth whitened right away, you can undergo treatment in as little as two hours at the dentist’s office. A whitening gel is applied to the teeth and then exposed to a light that activates it and whitens your teeth quickly.

Professional teeth whitening by a licensed dentist is completely safe for you and for your teeth. Children who are under the age of 13 should avoid tooth whitening because their teeth are still forming. Pregnant or lactating women should also avoid tooth whitening procedures because the calcium in their teeth may be weakened by their pregnancy. Everyone else can approach tooth whitening as a safe and effective way to erase years of damage and staining from their teeth.

Porcelain Veneers

Posted on by
Reply

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!