Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, typically emerging in the late teens or early twenties. Standard dental practice recommends removing wisdom teeth before they are fully formed, as this is when the roots have not yet completely developed and rooted into the jawbone. Younger patients tend to recover more easily from the surgery, and many dentists believe that early removal can prevent future dental issues associated with wisdom teeth.
If your wisdom teeth were not removed when they first emerged, here are some signs and symptoms that could indicate the need for extraction:
- Impacted wisdom teeth: These are trapped in the jawbone or gums, causing discomfort.
- Wisdom teeth emerging at awkward angles: This can lead to pressure on adjacent teeth.
- Crowding: Wisdom teeth may not fit in your mouth, causing crowding of the surrounding teeth.
- Decay or disease: Wisdom teeth may suffer from decay due to difficulty in cleaning them properly.
- Fluid-filled cysts: These may develop near the gumline around the wisdom teeth.
- Pain: Any of the above issues can cause discomfort or pain.
The decision to remove your wisdom teeth should be made in consultation with your dentist or oral surgeon. They can evaluate the position and health of your wisdom teeth and make a recommendation for treatment.
If removal is necessary, your dentist may choose to extract one tooth or all four molars at once. The procedure is typically outpatient, and recovery usually takes just a few days. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed, contact your dental office to determine if wisdom tooth removal is right for you to maintain your long-term oral health.
Dental implants have been a trusted solution for over sixty years and have become the preferred choice among cosmetic dentists for replacing missing teeth.
A dental implant consists of two key components: a titanium screw-like base and a custom-made replacement tooth that fits onto the screw. The titanium screw is surgically placed into the patient’s jawbone and, over time, it fuses with the bone in a process called osseointegration, which is what makes dental implants so reliable and long-lasting.
This bond with the jawbone allows the implant to fully replace the root of a missing tooth. Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, support a dental bridge, or serve as secure anchors for dentures.
The jawbone stays healthy by being stimulated by the natural roots of teeth. Without the roots, the bone begins to shrink, which causes dentures to shift over time. Dental implants replicate tooth roots, providing continued stimulation to the bone, which helps prevent bone loss and maintains facial structure.
With a high success rate and a natural look, dental implants are a stable and secure option for replacing one or more missing teeth. They are widely regarded as the best solution for tooth restoration by cosmetic dentists.
If you’re missing a tooth and seeking the best replacement option, consult with a cosmetic dentist in [Fernandina Beach] to learn more about how dental implants can benefit you and restore your smile.
Are dental issues holding you back? Take control of your oral health by booking an appointment with our experienced team at our Fernandina Beach dental office.
If you feel anxious about visiting the dentist, you’re certainly not alone. Studies show that around 50% of adults experience some level of fear regarding dental visits, with about 5% of those individuals experiencing severe anxiety. Despite these fears, the desire for a beautiful smile and good oral health often motivates patients to push through their anxiety and see their dentist.
Here are some techniques many patients use to manage their fear and successfully get through dental appointments:
- Using internal resources – Encouraging yourself that you can manage the situation, even if you’re nervous.
- Prayer – Turning to a higher power for strength during the procedure.
- Self-distraction – Engaging in activities like singing or playing mental games to keep your focus off the treatment.
- Distancing – Convincing yourself that any discomfort is temporary and imagining it as something else, like numbness.
- Optimism – Focusing on the positive aspects and reminding yourself of what comes after the appointment.
Interestingly, optimism is often one of the key strategies in overcoming dental fear. Patients who use this mindset tend to visit the dentist more regularly and report lower levels of anxiety. Additionally, humor has been found to be an excellent way to reduce stress during dental visits. A lighthearted atmosphere can break down psychological barriers and make patients feel more comfortable with their dentist and the dental team.
However, if these methods don’t work for you, sedation dentistry may be a viable option to consider. At [Amelia Dental Group], we offer a range of sedation options tailored to help you feel relaxed and at ease during your treatment.
Whatever strategy you choose to help you manage dental anxiety, the most important thing is to continue to prioritize your oral health by returning for regular visits. Consistent dental care is essential to maintaining optimal dental health.
Magazine articles often say that a smile reveals a person’s personality. If so, you don’t want to have dull, yellow, stained, dingy teeth! Instead you want a faultless set of pearly whites that communicates the best things about you, such as good hygiene and a confident air.
To transform your smile from dull to brilliant, teeth whitening is a great option. The field of dentistry has developed a whole array of products and procedures for brightening smiles. For example, patients may choose to completely hide their discolored teeth behind dental veneers. Or, tough stains can be covered up with dental bonding. If you’re looking for methods that simply bring your yellowed teeth back to a more appealing shade of white, there are several teeth whitening techniques to choose from:
Over-the-counter products are available from your local drugstore including whitening strips, gels, pens, toothpaste, mouth rinses and more. These require consistent use following the directions, and take longer than most other methods. Most products do provide some level of improvement, but not as dramatic as professional methods.
Home whitening methods are available from your dentist, such as customized trays that you fill with a special bleaching solution to wear at home for a period of time. At-home whitening typically takes several weeks to achieve desired results.
Professional whitening is performed at the dentist’s office using specialized tools. It is the most effective method and results are visible in only about an hour, due to the highly concentrated bleaching solution and enhancement with ultraviolet light or lasers.
Teeth whitening not only brightens your smile but also can shape your entire personality. A common benefit is increased self-confidence because you no longer feel you need to hide your teeth, but instead you tend to smile and laugh and speak more easily. Feelings of embarrassment about your teeth can affect you in many ways, but a smile that you’re proud of can improve the way you interact with others. Ask your dentist about whitening methods that can help you improve both your smile and your personality.
Dr. Garrett
By all accounts, missing teeth negatively impacts a person’s quality of life. Smiling, laughing, eating and speaking just aren’t the same when there are holes left by teeth that used to be there. Instead of going through life with missing teeth or uncomfortable dentures, consider the cutting-edge option of dental implants.
An increasingly popular restoration, dental implants are one of the most requested procedures in dentistry. They involve surgically inserting a titanium post directly into the jaw so that it fuses with the bone in a process called osseointegration. Once the area has healed, an artificial tooth is placed on top of the titanium post to provide a fully functional and aesthetically pleasing new tooth.
One of the reasons for the success of dental implants is that they have the edge over the other options because of the benefits. They provide a very long-lasting, durable solution because they literally will last your entire life with proper hygiene and checkups. Implants are a one-time investment in your smile.
Implants do not negatively affect other teeth since placement doesn’t tamper with adjacent teeth. Implants are good for your jawbone because bones require stimulation to maintain strength and density. Your facial structure also benefits when you have a complete set of teeth, instead of ending up with a saggy, unsupported looking face.
Dental implants are both convenient and comfortable. No special care is required, such as with dentures, because normal brushing and flossing is all that’s needed. Implants are securely in place in your mouth and become part of your body; you won’t even realize you have them. You’ll also be able to continue eating the foods you love since no diet restrictions are necessary with implants.
Another great thing about dental implants is they help boost your self-esteem. You’ll enjoy a whole new level of confidence when you can smile, laugh, talk and eat without worrying about missing teeth. If you choose to get dental implants, you can expect your quality of life to improve.
If you need a dentist in Fernandina Beach contact us today
Sedation dentistry, also known as “sleep dentistry,” refers to the practice of calming and relaxing a patient prior to a dental procedure with the use of pharmacological agents. Sedation dentistry began in the late 1700s when a chemist named Humphry Davy began experimenting with inhaled gasses and first observed the analgesic effects of nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” on himself and on dental patients.
In 1844, an American dentist named Horace Wells used nitrous oxide as a dental anesthetic during the extraction of his own molar tooth. Wells made the observation that while he experienced very little pain while undergoing the extraction, he was still fully conscious during the procedure. A few years later, dentist William Morton and surgeon John Warren performed a public oral surgery at Harvard University, demonstrating the analgesic properties of a sulfur-ether compound, further proving that sedation dentistry should be explored further.
For years, trial and error procedures informed doctors of the safety of various levels of pain-relieving gasses. It was discovered that 100% nitrous oxide, when used in prolonged dental cases, could lead to hypoxia, a condition in which the body is deprived of the oxygen it needs to thrive, something that can eventually lead to death. Finally, a Chicago surgeon named Dr. Edmund Andrews began mixing nitrous oxide with oxygen, administering them simultaneously. This allowed for safer analgesic options for both surgical and dental procedures. Ether and chloroform, combined with some nitrous oxide, was later shown to provide deeper sedation for prolonged treatments.
Intravenous (IV) sedation began in the 1960s at the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in California. Dentists there experimented with IV sedation for the highest level of management for pain, anxiety, and fear for dental patients undergoing surgery.
Today, dentists routinely turn to sedation dentistry for their patients to relieve pain, stress, and to provide the most comfortable dental therapies as possible. Talk to your dentist to discover the latest sedation dentistry options and to see how they can help you positively experience your next dental procedure.
Are dental issues holding you back? Take control of your oral health by booking an appointment with our experienced team at our Fernandina Beach dental office.
