Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Seniors Trust Local Dentist to Care for Their Teeth

Dentist
Dr. Krupa treats patients of all ages in his dentist office.  Seniors have come to trust that he will provide dependable advice and solutions to all of their oral health care needs.  Dentistry has improved significantly over the past several decades which have enabled more people to keep their natural teeth as they age.  Even with these advancements, around 70 percent of the U.S. adult population will experience some form of tooth loss.  This makes regular teeth cleanings and working with an expert important.

Seniors can suffer from a variety of oral health issues.  When adult teeth first come in they are strong and full of enamel and other minerals.  As people age their teeth go through the process of demineralization where teeth start to lose their strength.  Regular teeth cleanings, fluoride toothpaste, and a specific diet can help put minerals back on teeth and make them stronger again.  Still, they are typically not as strong as when a person was younger simply due to the constant stress and strain that teeth experience. This makes them more susceptible to becoming damaged, cracked, or broken.

Another condition seniors often suffer from is dry mouth. This is where the body stops producing the saliva it needs to wash away bacteria naturally.  This can lead to bad breath that smells stale and an increased risk of cavities.  Patients with this condition can benefit from drinking more water and having their teeth cleaned at our dentist office on a quarterly basis in order to keep their breath smelling fresh.

Restorative Solutions
There are many restorative dentistry solutions that are available to people today.  Dr. Krupa is an expert at providing real solutions so that patients can continue to enjoy their life and the taste of their favorite foods.  He provides a variety of services including:
  • Dentures.  This can be a temporary or permanent solution that can be completed fairly quickly.  Many patients prefer dentures because they don’t want to have oral surgery but need their appearance improved ASAP.  A full or partial set can be created and patients are on the road to recovery much faster.
  • Dental Bridges.  A bridge is created when a crown is placed on the two teeth surrounding the missing one.  A bridge forms in between them and holds the new tooth in place.
  • Dental Implants.  In this procedure, a metal piece is inserted underneath the gums and secured to the jawbone.  The implant needs time to heal and once it does a new tooth is attached that will look and feel completely natural.
There are many ways that Dr. Krupa helps patients restore teeth that have become damaged or fallen out but it starts with preventative care. As a local dentist, Dr. Krupa recommends that seniors have their teeth cleaned at least twice a year so that oral infections and gum disease can be prevented.  By keeping the teeth and gums healthy seniors have a greater chance of being able to keep all or most of their teeth throughout their lifetime.  This should be combined with a good oral hygiene routine at home.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Sedation Dentist and Cosmetic Dentistry

Sedation Dentist
If you are considering a cosmetic dentistry procedure, visit a sedation dentist.  This way you can stay comfortable during the procedure and eliminate any anxiety that you may be feeling at the thought of having dental work done.  There is no need to live with a smile you don’t like when there are options for transforming it, while remaining comfortable. 

There are several types of cosmetic dentistry solutions that can turn an ordinary smile into something beautiful.

Here are some of the commonly used procedures and how sedation can make them more comfortable. 

White Fillings
When a patient gets a cavity, Dr. Krupa can treat it and use a white or natural colored filling instead of a metal one.  This solves the health issue while using a material that looks natural and won’t standout. Many people feel nervous when thinking about having a cavity treated, and a sedation dentist can provide something to ease the anxiety along with local anesthesia that numbs that specific area. 

Dental Veneers
Veneers can be used to solve multiple problems with teeth. They can restore a tooth that has become chipped or gotten a small hole in it.  Cosmetic issues can also be addressed like covering a dark stain, making teeth even in lengths, and closing gaps in between teeth.  The veneer itself is a thin shell that is made of ceramic and looks completely natural.  In order to prepare the tooth for the veneer, a dentist must prepare it by removing a portion of the enamel.  This part of the procedure can be uncomfortable traditionally, but a sedation dentist can make it pain-free.  By eliminating any anxiety or pain, the procedure is more enjoyable, and once the veneer is placed on top of the tooth, it will help to create a gorgeous smile. 

Dental Crowns
A crown is used when a tooth needs to be restored and strengthened.  It is a cap that surrounds the tooth completely so that when a tooth becomes severely cracked, or a large portion of it is removed due to a root canal or other procedure; a crown can hold it together, make it strong, and look natural.  In order to prepare a tooth for a crown, enamel has to be removed from all sides. This way the crown will fit over the tooth without pushing the surrounding teeth out of the way.  A sedation dentist can make sure that the procedure is completed without pain, both during the preparation time and when the final crown is placed. 

Dental Implants
This procedure has a surgical component and should not be completed without pain relief.  In order for an implant to work, a metal post has to be implanted under the surface of the gums.  This post is then secured to the jawbone.  Without pain relief, this would be very uncomfortable but a sedation dentist has a variety of options that can prevent a patient from feeling any pain.  In fact, some patients even go to sleep during the procedure. 
With an expert like Dr. Krupa, patients can have the cosmetic dental work done that they want without fear, anxiety, or pain.