If you’re missing a tooth, due to an accident, an extraction, or gum disease, you know it’s a cause for concern. Not only is a missing tooth, especially in the front of the mouth, unsightly- it can affect the alignment of your existing teeth and even cause problems in chewing.
Luckily, there’s an answer in dental implants. You can replace a single tooth with a properly placed implant, which will preserve the appearance of your existing teeth and restore your smile.
What is a dental implant, exactly? It’s simply a titanium screw, placed in the bone in between the existing teeth. This “screw” acts just like your existing tooth roots- anchoring the new toot in place. It will be several weeks while the implant bonds to your bone – but after that, your dentist will make a dental crown that fits onto the implant- and you can enjoy your new smile.
Is the surgery painful? Actually, most patients report less discomfort than a normal cavity filling. Local anesthesia takes care of pain during surgery, and pain medication can be prescribed for post-op soreness.
Your dentist is the best resource for finding out if a dental implant is right for you. There are factors to consider, including the condition of the existing bone and surrounding teeth, which may impact the effectiveness of the implant. Bone grafts or braces may be required before an implant can be placed.
Replacing missing teeth with dental implants has advantages for almost all patients: improving appearance, oral health, chewing and speaking normally, and improved self-esteem. Talk to Dr. Gilmer today to find out your options for dental implants.

Your dental health is one of the most important aspects of your overall physical health. Taking care of your teeth and gums involves daily brushing and flossing as well as six month checkups with your trusted dental professional. With this maintenance program, most dental problems can be avoided. Even with perfect care, your still may experience one or more of the top five common dental care issues.

The number one dental care issue is tooth decay. Although most tooth decay occurs in children, adults are also at risk. The best way to avoid tooth decay is by brushing and flossing regularly. Along with poor oral hygiene, food and beverages containing sugars and starches can contribute to tooth decay. Maintaining proper oral care after these types of food and beverages will help keep decay at bay. Routine dental visits will also help to prevent small dental problems from developing into larger issues.

As we age, gum disease becomes more common. Most often, an excess of plaque can be attributed to this dental condition. When left on the teeth and around the gumline, plaque turns into tartar, which causes inflammation. Untreated, this inflammation leads to a condition called periodontitis. Periodontitis is a gum disease which causes gums to recede and bone to pull away from the teeth. The best way to prevent this unnecessary disease is to have regular checkups every six months.

Toothaches are a common dental health issue. There are many reasons for toothaches: nerve damage can cause severe toothaches, as can cavities, grinding and clenching your teeth and even gum disease. All of these conditions are easily treatable. It’s vital for you to visit Dr Gilmer immediately when you’re experiencing any abnormal dental symptoms. Dr Gilmer will be able to accurately diagnose and treat the reason for your dental discomfort.

The fourth most common dental health issue concerns overly sensitive teeth. Over time, brushing too aggressively, grinding and clenching your teeth or excessive bleaching can cause your teeth to become more sensitive than normal. Additionally, gum recession can cause your teeth to feel more sensitive than normal. Dr Gilmer will be able to recommend the appropriate types of toothpastes and rinses to help ease your sensitivity.

The fifth most common dental health issue is acid erosion. This dental condition occurs when the enamel on your teeth has literally been eroded as a result of coming in contact with an excessive amount of acid. Eating highly acidic food like oranges, lemons or limes can cause acid erosion. As we age, erosion can occur from tooth decay or gum disease. Symptoms of acid erosion include general sensitivity, a loss of enamel, or even discolored spots on the surface of the tooth. Be sure to ask Dr Gilmer for treatment options.

As you can see, these five dental care issues are all easily treatable, and in some cases completely avoidable. Regular dental checkups and preventative maintenance are key to prolonging optimal dental health.

If you are unsatisfied with the appearance of your smile, cosmetic dentistry may be the solution. There are many reasons to consider cosmetic dentistry. You may want to improve your appearance if you’re seeking a job, looking for a mate, or just want to feel more confident in professional and social situations. Cosmetic dentistry can also contribute to your overall dental health.

Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way. Not only can cosmetic dentistry help to improve the appearance of your teeth by whitening and brightening your smile, but it can also help to straighten and even out teeth, fix decaying, cracked or chipped teeth and evening improve your gum line!

The number one reason people consider cosmetic dentistry is to whiten their teeth. There are several over the counter methods available for teeth whitening, some of which may actually work for you. However, it’s best to discuss these treatment options with Dr Gilmer before beginning any whitening regimen. Together, you and Dr Gilmer can determine what’s best for your particular condition. The Dental Center at Easton has access to new material and techniques that can be performed in our office in as little as one to two visits.

Are your teeth chipped, broken or jagged? Do you refrain from smiling, laughing or showing your teeth in social settings? If needed, cosmetic dentistry can improve the shape, form and color of your teeth by bonding the unsightly areas. If you have dark spots on your teeth, Dr Gilmer may be able to erase those spots with micro-abrasion scrubs. Discussing all available options with the staff at the Dental Center will determine which type of treatment is best for you.

Cosmetic dentistry can be an affordable and practical way to restore your smile, create a more youthful appearance and give you the confidence to succeed.

Your dental health is one of the most important aspects of your overall physical well being. Finding the right dentists is an essential element in maintaining your health over your lifetime. Whether you’re relocating, your dentist is retiring, or you’re not comfortable with your current dentist, finding the right provider take a bit of research – but it’s well worth it.

Ask yourself a few of these standard questions in considering a new dental health professional:

What are the office hours?
Is the office near public transit, or is parking available?
What insurances are accepted?
How long has the dentist been in practice?

Try to find testimonials for you prospective new dentist – either through personal referrals or online. Angie’s List and Google reviews often offer a comprehensive opinion of the dental practice in question.

Once you’ve determined which dentist to choose, call the office to schedule an appointment. Your first visit is an opportunity to get comfortable with the dentist and staff. Use this time to ask appropriate questions so that you can make informed decisions.

You may want to ask your dentist specific questions about your particular dental situation. If you are very sensitive during cleanings, or require additional anesthesia in certain situations, your first visit would be a good time to discuss these concerns. Just like people, some dentists are more amenable than others in providing additional care. Also inform your new dentist of any specific dental concerns, previous unusual dental experiences or any other irregularities with your dental history.

Be sure to discuss the charges for regular checkups and xrays with the office staff. Most offices will provide pretreatment estimates for your services at no charge. When you have thorough knowledge of what services your new dentist offers, and the potential costs to you, you can make an informed decision.

Root canal treatment is performed when the pulp (core) of a tooth is diseased or damaged. This procedure requires the removal of the pulp followed by filling and sealing the inside areas (the pulp chamber and root canals).

There are a lot of myths surrounding root canal procedures. Many patients fear getting a root canal because they think it’s painful. However, this quite simply isn’t the case. With modern endodontic treatment, root canals are virtually painless. In fact they can actually relieve pain, by removing the cause of the problem causing tooth discomfort.

In addition, a root canal procedure can be the best way to save your natural tooth. Most root canals take an hour or less, and with modern pain medications, the patient will experience no pain whatsoever. Root canal procedures are actually the most comfortable, effective, and safest way to save the natural tooth, without the trauma of extraction, or the time and expense of a prosthetic tooth replacement.
Another concern is the perceived high cost of a root canal. In actuality, a root canal can cost thousands of dollars less than an implant, with much less treatment time.

It’s best to visit to your dentist on a regular basis (every six months is recommended), take good care of your teeth, and report to your dentist any pain you may be feeling. Preventative dental care may be the best way to avoid root canals. However , in many cases a root canal can be the best way to save the natural tooth. Generally, It’s a painless and very time efficient procedure-nothing to be afraid of.

When you choose Invisalign to treat your smile, learning about the entire process will help you make the right decision. Choosing the right dentist is your first step. Your current dentist may already be an Invisalign provider, and if not he or she can recommend a doctor who can help you. It’s important to find a dentist who has received specific Invisalign training.

Once you select a dentist you will then discuss your specific concerns with your dentist. Some patients are terrific candidates for Invisalign. Invisalign now addresses both simple and more complex cases. Ask questions to your Invisalign provider about: costs, insurance coverage, treatment expectations, and length of treatment, which are all common concerns.

If you and your doctor decide Invisalign is right for you, X-rays, photos, and impressions of your teeth are used to create a digital model of your treatment. This allows you to view your treatment from start to finish in a virtual computer animated model. Next a series of clear custom-made aligners are created for you. With Invisalign- the aligners are made from smooth, clear, and comfortable BPA-free plastic. You will not experience the pain and irritation like you would with traditional metal braces. You can even remove them when you eat, brush and floss. (It’s recommended to wear your aligners 20-22 hours per day.)

The on-going treatment involves replacing the aligners every 2 weeks, which will help your teeth gradually shift into place. Every case is unique – but you’ll be revealing your new smile before you know it.

Invisalign is a great solution for improving your smile without unsightly and painful braces and most people won’t even know you’re wearing them!

When should you begin caring for your infant’s teeth and gums? Dental care for infants begins soon after birth, and even though your baby doesn’t have teeth yet you can start your child on their way to a great smile for life. First steps, before teeth appear, you may keep their gums clean with a clean wet washcloth or gauze, after feeding. This can also be helpful when teething, soothing their irritated gums.

Once your baby develops teeth, usually between six and 12 months, buy an infant toothbrush which has extremely soft rounded bristles that won’t scratch his gums. Ask your dentist about fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride can cause problems over time. You may want to brush your babies’ teeth with just water.

Even though baby teeth will fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth. It’s still important to keep them clean brushed and flossed. This is because the baby teeth are actually placeholders for permanent teeth and if the baby teeth fall out prematurely, permanent teeth may grow in crooked.

As your child grows, make sure you teach him or her how to use their toothbrush properly and how to floss their teeth. You may need to be involved in this process until the time they are six or seven just to make sure they’re getting all their teeth cleaned and flossed properly. After they master the skill of brushing and flossing, you may just need to check up on them regularly in order to make sure they’re doing the proper procedures.

As far as regular dental visits, most dentists recommend bringing your child in for his first check-up soon after the age of one or when teeth appear. Your dentist can help you keep your child’s mouth, teeth, and gums healthy throughout the many stages of childhood from infant to teenager. Establishing good dental health and good dental health routines are critical to your child’s overall health.

If you find that your employer offers dental benefits, then you are in a great position and should take advantage of those dental benefits, because they are the best you will find. Fewer and fewer employers have dental benefits plus health benefits, so if you find yourself in a position where they are available to you, taking your employer up on that option only makes sense. And, no, you should not wait until you have an urgent need to see an emergency dentist before making this decision.

Why do employers get the best benefits?

Sheer numbers are the main reason why employers are able to get the best dental benefits. They can offer the insurance company higher premiums – this is because the employee pays a portion of the premium, and the rest is paid by the employer. Multiplied by several employees, and especially within large corporations where there can be several thousand employees, the insurance company will be receiving high premiums each month. The insurance companies then offer large companies excellent rates on their insurance policies, because they know the overall contract will be large. This allows employers to offer better overall dental plans to their employees than the employees would be able to get on their own.

When a dentist joins a dental network, they agree to offer discounted benefits to those on the plan. This discount can be as much as thirty-five percent. Dentists are also monitored to ensure that all patients are receiving quality care.

Many employers split the cost of the dental plan with their employees, which means that the employees can have affordable dental insurance benefits, which are typically better than individual dental insurance policies, for the same or less cost than an individual dental policy. When they go to the dentist, a portion of all bills will be paid by the insurance company, with a co payment due from the insured patient. This is better than a dental discount program, which simply offers discounted dental care and may be limited in its scope of coverage, although most typically cover visits to an emergency dentist.

Regardless of your current insurance situation, remember that your emergency dentist is always available. Call today to set up an appointment.

When you were a pre-teen, probably one of the scariest things you could imagine was coming back from the dentist’s office with braces. Once you became an adult, you were probably relieved that you escaped your teens without having a mouthful of metal.

Surprisingly, many adults get braces, too. Why? Many people did not get braces when they were young because either their parents could not afford braces, or their teeth could not be straightened with the techniques of 40 years ago. Now they have problems with their teeth and gums, get indigestion all the time or they are just unhappy with their smile.

Other people did have orthodontic treatment when they were young, but they did not wear their retainers until they stopped growing (little known fact: you should wear your retainer until you are 24). The result is that their teeth are now a little bit crooked. Now they are unhappy with their smile so they get braces too.

As much as 25 percent of the orthodontic treatment being done is being done on adult patients. Most adults get orthodontic treatment because they realize that taking care of your smile is part of taking care of yourself.

Of course, the idea of revisiting the nightmare of your teen years is a bit intimidating—for example, in an episode of “Sex and the City,” Miranda briefly wore braces, only to have them removed because she was incredibly self-conscious about them.

Thankfully, many dentists (including us!) offer Invisalign, which is an alignment device that is clear, as well as much more comfortable than the traditional metal braces. Invisalign is removable, so you would take them out to eat, drink, and brush, greatly reducing the chance of decay that comes with metal braces. With Invisalign, you “graduate” to a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks. The aligners give less force per week and less pain than do fixed appliances.

Look at your smile – your smile is the most important feature on your face. Are you happy with your smile now? Does your smile look as good as it did when you were younger? What do you think about someone who has a pleasing smile – do you find them attractive? What do you think about someone who has an awful smile – do they look old and haggard? At the end of orthodontic treatment, people’s smiles end up looking fabulous.