The procedure begins with administration of a local anesthetic to reduce any discomfort. Then, a small instrument called a “scaler,” or an ultrasonic cleaner, is used to clean beneath your gum line to remove plaque and tartar. The root surfaces on the tooth are then planed and smoothed. If effective, scaling and root planing helps the gums reattach themselves to the tooth structure.  Additional measures may be needed if the periodontal pockets persist after scaling and root planing.

There are several types of fixed dental bridges (cannot be removed), including conventional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges and resin-bonded bridges.  Some bridges are removable and can be cleaned by the wearer; others need to be removed by a dentist. Porcelain, gold alloys or combinations of materials are usually used to make bridge appliances. Appliances called implant bridges are attached to an area below the gum tissue, or the bone.

Moreover, people with many forms of cancer can develop complications—some of them chronic and painful—from their cancer treatment.  These include dry mouth and overly sensitive teeth, as well as accelerated tooth decay. If oral cancer is not treated in time, it could spread to other facial and neck tissues, leading to disfigurement and pain. Older adults over the age of 40 (especially men) are most susceptible to developing oral cancer, but people of all ages are at risk. Oral cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, but the tongue appears to be the most common location. Other oral structures could include the lips, gums and other soft palate tissues in the mouth. Warning Signs In general, early signs of oral cancer usually occur in the form of lumps, patchy areas and lesions, or breaks, in the tissues of the mouth. In many cases, these abnormalities are not painful in the early stages, making even self-diagnosis difficult. Here are some additional warning signs: If a tumor is found, surgery will generally be required to remove it. Some facial disfigurement could also result. Prevention Prevention is the key to staving off oral cancer. One of the biggest culprits is tobacco and alcohol use. Certain kinds of foods and even overexposure to the sun have also been linked to oral cancer. Some experts believe certain oral cancer risk factors are also hereditary. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is one of the best defenses against oral cancer. Maintaining good oral hygiene, and regular dental checkups, are highly recommended.

How Do Clear Aligners Work? How Are Aligners Made? You’d Be Amazed…

Wisdom Teeth Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that erupt in the back corners of the upper and lower normal adult mouth. Unfortunately, most people experience problems from wisdom teeth; in most cases, this is because the teeth erupt too close to existing permanent teeth, causing crowding, improper bites, and other problems. If wisdom teeth are causing a problem, this could mean that they are impacted.  Impacted wisdom teeth can be extremely painful, as well as harmful to your oral health. Symptoms are easy to spot: severe discomfort, inflammation, and some kinds of infections. Many people need to have their wisdom teeth extracted to avoid future serious problems. In general, the lack of the four wisdom teeth does not hamper one’s ability to properly bite down, speak or eat. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have an impacted wisdom tooth:

What is Root Canal Therapy?  Root canal therapy focuses on cleaning, filling, and sealing the tooth’s interior. Behind each tooth’s hard enamel shell is a soft, pulpy center called tooth pulp. When this interior pulp becomes infected, it causes pain, sensitivity, and tenderness. These nerves stretch down to the base of your teeth, connecting them to the jaw. We drill into the tooth with root canal therapy to access and remove the infected pulp. After cleaning all traces of harmful bacteria, we fill the empty tooth with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. This will support your tooth and protect against infections.  See All Services Benefits of Root Canal Therapy? Root canal therapy boasts a large variety of benefits that everyone can enjoy:    When to get Root Canal Therapy?  There are a few symptoms that may signify the need for root canal therapy:    Is Root Canal Therapy Safe? Yes! Root canals are common and safe. All our treatments are FDA-approved and boost a staggeringly high success rate. While pain, swelling, and pressure may last a few days after the procedure, we have medication to speed up the process. If the side effects don’t subside within a few weeks, we’ll take another look at your teeth.    Root Canal in Greenville, NC Thanks to modern technology, root canal therapy has never been more available. That’s why we’ve invested in the most advanced tools to provide the highest level of care available. Dr. Kevin Holley and our team are excited to keep your smile looking and feeling great with root canals. Schedule an appointment today to learn more. 

Porcelain veneers can mask undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline, by an injury, or as a result of a root-canal procedure, and are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth. Patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn may consider porcelain veneers. Typically, veneers entail at least three appointments: diagnosis and treatment planning, preparation, and bonding. During the tooth preparation visit, usually lasting one to two hours, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Usually, about a half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. During the same visit, a mold is taken of the teeth, and sent to the laboratory for the fabrication of the veneers. During the final “bonding” visit, also about one or two hours, the veneers are placed on the tooth surface with water or glycerin on the teeth to check their fit and get a sense of the shade or color. While the veneers are resting on your teeth, they can be adjusted with various shades of cement to match the color of your teeth. To apply the veneer, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. Once a special cement is sandwiched between the veneer and tooth, a visible light beam, or laser, causes a catalyst to be released, hardening the cement. During a two-week period of adjustment that follows, you may notice the change of size and shape in your teeth. It is important to brush and floss daily. After one or two weeks, you`ll return for a follow-up appointment. Porcelain veneers are reasonable facsimiles of natural teeth, not perfect replacements. It`s not uncommon to see slight variations in the color of porcelain veneers upon close inspection, as this occurs even in natural teeth. For certain patients no preparation of the teeth may be necessary. Please see our specialties page for more information. &amp;lt;br /> <br />

One type of stain—caused by traumatic injuries, medications and fluorosis—actually begins inside the tooth; brushing and flossing don’t help. Another type of stain—one that can be more easily attacked by brushing, flossing and rinsing—is caused by external factors such as foods. More and more people today are choosing tooth-whitening procedures to reverse the effects of aging and abuse from food and tobacco stains. Some commercially available “whitening toothpastes” can be somewhat effective at removing stains and making teeth a few shades brighter. However, many of these products have abrasive substances that can actually wear away your tooth’s enamel. Whitening agents actually change the color of your teeth, but only are effective on certain types of stains. For example, bleaching agents have a difficult time removing brownish or grayish stains. These products also are not as effective on pitted or badly discolored teeth, or on restorations such as crowns, bridges, bonding and tooth-colored fillings (porcelain veneers or dental bonding may be more appropriate in this case). Professional whitening performed by our office is considered to be the most effective and safest method; done properly, tooth whitening can last as long as five years. Over-the-counter whitening systems are somewhat effective as long as they are monitored and directions followed closely.

What are Dental Implants? Dental implants are a reconstructive treatment we offer to rebuild your dream smile. Medical-grade titanium posts are embedded into the jaw to mimic a natural tooth and keep your jaw aligned. We cap the posts with natural crowns that blend seamlessly into their environment. Although dental implants are famously durable, you can positively impact the lifespan of your dental implants with healthy oral habits. The titanium post can last the rest of your life with proper care, while the dental crown needs to be replaced every 10-15 years. Benefits of Dental Implants? High Success Rate. Thousands of dental implants are performed daily, with an incredibly high success rate. All our dental implants are FDA-approved, effective, and safe. Match Your Natural Teeth. Dental implants won’t stand out like a sore thumb. On the contrary, they won’t stick out at all! We build all our crowns with natural ceramic or porcelain and color them exactly to match your existing teeth. Implants Can’t Get Cavities. Artificial teeth don’t decay or get cavities. While it’s still important to clean daily to protect your teeth and gums, our implants are cavity-free for life. Easy Care. Unlike other dental procedures, which may require special care or attention, implants are incredibly low-maintenance. There’s no need for cups, special flossers, adhesives, or cleansing tablets! Support Adjacent Teeth. When one of your teeth goes missing, the surrounding teeth lose form and start to “creep” into the open area. Over a long enough period, this can cause severe misalignments and jaw imbalances. Protect your other teeth with a dental implant today. Improve Speech. Teeth are essential in speech. They help control our tone, sounds, and level of clarity. When you’re missing a tooth, it impairs your speech and muddles your words. Dental implants offer a long-term solution for a replacement tooth and crystal-clear speech. Alternatives to Dental Implants While dental implants are safe and durable, there are a variety of other treatments available to restore your smile: Dental Bridges. Dental bridges are a less-invasive method for restoring your smile. While non-surgical, it’s less durable and more prone to loosening. Instead of drilling into the jaw, we cap each surrounding tooth with a new crown and bridge between them with a replacement tooth. Partial or Full Dentures. If you’re missing multiple teeth, dentures may be for you. Instead of numerous tooth implants, we can use partial or complete dentures to fix them all simultaneously. Are Dental Implants Safe? Yes! Dental implants are a surefire way to restore any tooth when done correctly. As with all dental procedures, however, there are potential complications. Due to its surgical nature, possible side effects include nerve damage, injury to the gums, or implant fractures. While extremely rare, they may occasionally occur. Dental Implants in Greenville, North Carolina At Kevin Holly DMD PPLC, there’s no reason you can’t have the smile of your dreams. Dr. Kevin Holly and our team are proud to offer extraordinary care and long-lasting results using the most advanced technology and techniques available. With dental implants and our other restorative treatments, we can restore any smile to its former glory. Schedule an appointment today to get started.