Author: Dental Express

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,” William Shakespeare wrote. Of course, he wasn’t talking about a dental crown, but for many, the procedure may also make them uneasy. We’ve taken the mystery—and uneasiness—out of dental crowns by addressing these commonly asked questions:

What is a crown?

A crown (also called a “cap”) is a permanent, protective covering that’s placed over a tooth to strengthen and protect it. It’s very different from a filling. While a filling repairs the natural tooth, a crown completely covers the surface of the tooth.

When is a crown needed?

A crown is needed when a tooth is extensively damaged by decay, misshapen, or cracked. It can also be used to support a tooth that has had a root canal pain treatment or to cover a dental implant. Dental crowns can also be used cosmetically to improve the appearance and color of a tooth.

What are dental crowns made of?

Crowns can be made of many different materials, including:

• Metal (nickel, gold, palladium or chromium)
• Porcelain
• Resin
• Other dental alloys

There are pros and cons to each type of material, so be sure to discuss your options with your dentist.

What is the process for getting a crown?

First, your dentist will have to treat the underlying condition that has damaged or weakened the tooth. This may involve filling a large cavity, performing a root canal, or repairing a broken tooth. After the tooth has been treated, it must be prepared to make room for the crown. Using dental paste, the dentist takes an impression of the treated tooth and the teeth around it. This is to ensure that the crown fits and does not “offset” your bite. Sometimes, impressions are done using a digital wand to scan images of your tooth. The impression is then sent to a dental laboratory. It may take several days to three weeks for the crown to arrive. The dentist will provide a temporary crown to protect your tooth until the permanent one arrives. When the crown arrives, it is permanently put in place using dental cement.

Does a dental crown hurt?

Dentists use a local anesthetic to numb the area being treated. If you experience soreness after the crown is placed, speak with your dentist, who may suggest over-the-counter pain relievers.

How long do they last?

This varies, depending upon the wear and tear on the crown. On average, crowns last 5 to 15 years. With proper oral hygiene and preventative cleanings, many crowns have been known to last much longer.

How do I care for a crown?

Care for your crown in the same way you would care for a regular tooth. Remember, while the crown may be made of metal or porcelain, it’s still protecting part of a tooth underneath it. Good oral hygiene is necessary to prevent bacteria from accumulating along the gum line.

Will my dental insurance pay for the procedure?

This will vary depending upon your insurance. If you have concerns, speak with your dental practice’s insurance and billing associate. This employee can help you understand what your insurance will or will not pay for and establish a payment plan if your insurance will not cover the procedure.

How much does it cost?

The cost of a crown varies widely depending upon what type of material is used, the size of the tooth, the complexity of the procedure, and how extensively the tooth was damaged. A crown may cost anywhere from $600 to $2,000. Every patient’s needs are different. Speak with your dentist to obtain an estimate for a crown that suits your needs. Most importantly, if you have any questions about whether or not a crown is right for you, speak with your dentist, who can provide more specific information. To view an animated illustration of a how a dental crown is placed and a cross-section of a dental crown, visit this site.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit: What You Should Know: There are several memorable milestones in a child’s life: the first words, the first steps and the first tooth … which means the first trip to the dentist. Getting your child ready for the dentist can be a daunting task, and to some, it seems unimportant. After all, the child is going to lose the “baby teeth” anyway. So how important is a first trip to a dentist? Very important.

Baby Teeth Set The Stage

Baby teeth are so crucial that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that children should see a pediatric dentist when their first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. Decay in baby teeth can increase the risk of decay in permanent teeth, and baby teeth help form a path that permanent teeth will follow. No one wants to have an unpleasant experience at the dental office. At Dental Express, we offer the convenience of being able to care for your entire family—our dental professionals specialize in treating both adults and children, so we are sensitive to the needs and concerns of our younger patients.

Tips For Your Child’s First Dental Visit

By making your child’s first trip to the dentist a positive one, you set the stage for a lifetime of good dental health. Here are some tips to help prepare your child for his or her first dental checkup:

• Provide a list of any medical conditions your child has or any medication he or she may be taking.
• Find an age-appropriate manner to explain to your child what is going to happen at the dentist’s office. This may involve finger puppets or colorful characters such as the “mouth monsters” that can be found here.
• Practice brushing your child’s teeth. Not only will this help establish good dental habits, but it will get your child used to the feel of a toothbrush in his or her mouth.
• Introduce your child to the dentist on the first visit. It may help for the dentist to show the tools that will be used.
• Bring a security blanket or a favorite toy to help your child feel more comfortable.
• Sometimes letting the child see and hear certain dental tools before a cleaning can be helpful, particularly if these tools–such as the suction cup/ spitting cup and rotary toothbrush—make loud noises.
• Reward good behavior by allowing the child to get a small prize from a grab bag.
• We have found that children (and adults!) enjoy looking at the trains in our waiting areas. Visiting the office before your actual appointment can help introduce the child to a new building with new sights, sounds and smells, therefore reducing anxiety before the actual appointment.

If you have questions about children’s dentistry or how to prepare your child for his or her first checkup, feel free to speak with us! We have provided dental care for entire families. We are happy to work with parents to ensure a positive experience and to help you teach your child about the importance of good dental hygiene.

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Sources: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry “FAQ: America’s Pediatric Dentists” Fox, Isadora. Parents Magazine. “First Trip to the Dentist.” American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry “Mouth Monsters“

Teeth Are Fascinating

How is your heart health linked to your oral health? What’s the hardest substance in your body? How do pig’s teeth compare to yours? Check out the answers to these questions and more in our fascinating facts infographic!

Afraid of the dentist? Here are 4 tips to help you relax: Spiders. Germs. Heights. What do they all have in common? They are some of the most common phobias in the world. Those with arachnophobia panic at the sight of a spider. Someone with mysophobia continually washes his or her hands due to a fear of germs. Don’t expect someone with acrophobia – the fear of heights – to climb a ladder to change your light bulb.

Dentophobia Is No Joke

But there’s another common phobia, and while you may have experienced it, you may not know its name. Dentophobia is a fear of the dentist. For many adults, this phobia can keep them from getting the medical help they need. A trip to the dentist can be intimidating. After all, there are whirring drills, lights, and sometimes, gum-numbing injections. For five percent of the population, this fear is so severe that their dental health suffers. In fact, according to Women’s Health Magazine, roughly 25 percent of those surveyed would prefer to never have a dental exam. This can lead to untreated tooth decay, which can, in turn, create a need for more intensive dental work. Before we review some tips to help you relax at the dentist, let’s look at the nature of a phobia. While it is perfectly natural to be leery of certain things (snakes, heights, spiders), those with phobias have such an extensive fear of these objects that it interferes with their daily life. Often, this phobia invokes a “fight or flight” response, which, in turn, can cause a panic attack. Frequent panic attacks may intensify the fear. Phobias can be caused by a traumatic event, unpleasant memories, or a previous upsetting experience. The good news is that relaxation techniques can help patients with dentophobia during a dental exam.

4 Tips To Help You Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden studied dentophobia and found that there are several strategies patients can use to overcome their fear of the dentist:

1. Imagination – Try distracting yourself by daydreaming or playing mental games. Essentially, anything that will help you think of something else can help you relax.
2. Encouragement – Tell yourself that you are strong and be optimistic about dental treatment.
3. Communication – If you are afraid of the dentist, let your dentist know! Many dental practices offer sedation or other techniques for helping you relax. For example, if you are bothered by the noise of the drill, then use earplugs. If you’re a mouth-breather and have trouble breathing with instruments in your mouth, you may wish to consider Breathe Rite strips or something similar.
4. Education – Sometimes, fear of the unknown can contribute to a fear of the dentist. Speak with your dentist about what to expect and what is going to be done on your visit.

Be aware that the longer you put off going to the dentist, the more involved your appointment may become. Untreated tooth decay can lead to other problems that may warrant a tooth root canal or tooth removal. Most important, let your dentist know about your fears. You are not alone, and you shouldn’t be embarrassed to discuss this phobia with your healthcare team. In many cases, they may be able to help you overcome or cope with this fear so you can get the dental treatment you need.

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Sources: Chan, Amanda. “Dental Phobia: 7 Common Fears and How to Conquer Them.” Women’s Health. “The Top 10 Most Common Phobias, Ranked.” Cherry, Kendra “What is a Phobia?”

Are Your Teeth Healthy? Take our Quiz: Headlines across the country declare how unhealthy Americans are, and this information is not just limited to nutrition or weight. The National Institute of Health indicates that our dental health also leaves something to be desired. According to a recent study, 92 percent of adults ages 20 to 64 have had dental caries (cavities or tooth decay) in their permanent teeth. Even worse, approximately five percent of adults age 20 to 64 have no teeth at all. Studies indicate that families with higher incomes and those with higher levels of education actually had a higher incidence of tooth decay than those of other socioeconomic groups.

Test Your Dental Health

So how healthy are your teeth? We’ve created this quiz from information provided by the American Dental Association to give you some insight. Answer the questions below and score yourself accordingly.

1. Do you smoke or use chewing tobacco? Write down 1 point for “yes” and 0 points for “no.”

2. Do you chew ice? Write down 1 point for “yes” and 0 points for “no.”

3. Do you drink several sodas during the day (diet and / or regular)? Write down 1 point for “yes” and 0 points for “no.”

4. Do you have sensitive teeth? Write down 1 point for “yes” and 0 points for “ no.”

5. Do your gums bleed? Write down 1 point for “yes” and 0 points for “no.”

6. Have you had a regular dental checkup within the last six months? Write down 0 points for “yes” and 1 point for “no.”

Scoring:

• 0 points This is one time when a zero is good news. This means you probably have a good grasp on what it means to have healthy teeth. Still, continue your regular checkups with your dentist.

• 1 to 3 points You have an understanding of what is needed to have a healthy mouth, but there are still areas for improvement.

• 4 to 6 You have several possible risk factors for developing cavities or gum disease. Schedule and appointment with your dentist.

If you didn’t do as well as you’d hoped, here are a few quick facts for you to consider:

• Chewing tobacco and smoking cigarettes can lead to gum disease which, in turn, can lead to tooth loss. It also places the user at a higher risk for mouth cancer.
• Chewing ice can damage the enamel and weaken teeth.
• Sodas, as well as citrus drinks and citrus fruits, are acidic, and can weaken the enamel, leaving your teeth vulnerable to tooth decay.
• While there are several things that can cause bleeding gums, it is never normal for your gums to bleed. It could mean gingivitis or it could simply mean that you are brushing or flossing too hard. Make an appointment to speak to your dentist.
• Sensitive teeth may be a sign that a cavity is developing.

Finally, it is difficult to ascertain your dental health if you haven’t had a regular dental checkup. Be sure to contact your dentist and schedule an appointment today. Your dentist can discuss the results of this quiz  with you and help establish a plan for healthier teeth and gums.

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Sources: National Institute of Health. “Dental Caries (Tooth Decay) in Adults (Age 20 to 64)” Information for quizzes from the American Dental Association. “Test Your Dental IQ.”

Five Surprising Things that Can Damage Your Teeth: Everyone has heard these time-honored pieces of dental advice:

• Don’t eat too many sweets.
• Be sure to brush and floss properly every day.
• Get regular dental checkups.

But there are other pieces of advice with which you may not be familiar. For example, did you know that one of the most damaging things you can do to your teeth occurs while you’re sleeping? Following are five surprising things that you may not realize can damage your teeth.

Bruxism

Bruxism, which is another name for teeth grinding, can damage not only teeth, but the jaw as well. It occurs most often while sleeping. Speak with your general dentist about the possibility of a fitted mouth guard that can protect your teeth during the night.

Dry Mouth

Saliva is not just necessary to help break down food, it is also one of your tooth’s best friends. Saliva cleanses teeth to help prevent tooth decay and other dental problems. While everyone has dry mouth from time to time, certain medications can cause dry mouth. While the condition itself is not damaging, it places teeth at risk for developing cavities and other oral health problems. Tell your dentist if you’re experiencing dry mouth and provide a list of medications you are taking.

Chewing Ice

This habit can hurt tooth enamel and leave your teeth vulnerable to decay or other damage.

Citrus Foods

A diet in fruits and vegetables is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. However, too much exposure to acidic foods—particularly citrus fruits—can spell trouble. Not only can the acids in oranges and lemons wear away at enamel, but they can also agitate and irritate mouth sores.

Any Food That Can Get Stuck In The Teeth

We’re looking at you, popcorn, potato chips, and even white bread. Anything that transforms to a gummy consistency when chewed or has small pieces like popcorn husks can lodge between teeth, making it difficult to remove and setting the stage for tooth decay to take control. If you have any of these habits, put an effective action plan in place to help prevent tooth decay and damage that can result. For example: instead of chewing ice to cool down, drink water instead. Staying hydrated can also help you if you are suffering from dry mouth. Diligently flossing and cleaning teeth after eating popcorn or corn on the cob can help prevent pieces from getting stuck between teeth, where they can harbor bacteria. But most important, be sure you have a professional dental cleaning scheduled twice a year. If you have any questions concerning your dental health, speak to your dentist.

How A Train Travels

Dental Express gained national attention when we were featured on A&E’s Shipping Wars. Watch the short clip to see how our iconic train made it all the way from Las Vegas to San Diego in record time!