Helpful Articles.
Insight & Advice
for Your Oral Health
Family Block Appointments: Save Time, Smile Together
In this post, we’ll look at how family block appointments can simplify your schedule, reduce stress, and keep everyone in your household smiling—without multiple trips to the dentist.
What Is a Digital Impression?
Dental impressions are used in dentistry for a variety of different purposes. They are crucial for creating custom oral appliances and dental restorations that look and feel natural in the mouth. For example, impressions are commonly used to create custom teeth whitening trays and custom mouthguards that fit much more comfortably than one-size-fits-all trays and oral appliances.
Impressions can also be taken of a single tooth or just a few teeth for treatments like dental crowns, bridges, or veneers. Once this information is collected, it’s used to design a restoration that will fit perfectly over each tooth to instantly protect them and enhance their appearance.
Traditional Impressions vs Digital Impressions
So what does a dental impression involve? It depends on the type of impression that you receive.
Traditional dental impressions
This type of impression involves filling a mold full of dental putty. Then, it is placed in the patient’s mouth, and the patient is instructed to bite down into the mold. The patient must remain as still as possible for around 45 seconds to one minute while the putty hardens around their teeth. Once the mold is removed, the dental professional then checks it to ensure that an accurate impression was created.
While some patients find this process to be quick and easy, others struggle with traditional dental impressions. For patients with sensitive gag reflexes, a traditional impression can trigger their gag reflex and make it very difficult to sit still for an entire minute. In other cases, patients simply don’t like the mess that’s involved with biting into goopy dental putty.
Digital impressions
On the other hand, digital impressions tend to be more comfortable for patients. With digital dental impressions, a handheld wand is gently run over the top, bottom, and sides of the teeth. While this is happening, the device is capturing thousands of high-quality images. This creates a very precise digital model of the patient’s teeth and the entire process only takes a few minutes. Plus, there is no messy, strange-tasting putty to worry about. Digital impressions are also available to use right away, which streamlines dental treatments for patients.
The Latest Dental Technology at Springs Village Dentistry
Our Holly Springs team uses advanced dental technology to enhance the comfort of our patients. We strive to provide the very best dental care possible. We offer a wide range of dental treatments for patients of all ages. Want to learn more about the services and technology we offer? Contact our office today!
How Flossing Every Day Can Benefit You
Brushing twice a day is important for your oral health, but so is flossing! If you fail to floss, you may develop serious dental issues. Why should you floss every day? Here are three main benefits.
1. Flossing Protects You From gum disease
Flossing removes plaque between your teeth and along the gum line, which is important because plaque leads to gum disease. Gum disease is the inflammation and infection of the gums. In its early stage, gum disease is usually reversed with better oral hygiene. As it advances, your gums bleed, hurt, and pull away from your teeth. Gum disease is the #1 cause of adult tooth loss. To protect your smile against gum disease, you’ll want to floss!
2. Flossing prevents tooth decay
When you have a lot of uncleaned plaque and tartar on your teeth, your risk for cavities goes up. Cavities can cause significant pain and tooth loss if they’re not treated. Brushing removes a lot of plaque, but flossing cleans areas a toothbrush can’t reach. For the best protection against cavities, brush and floss every day.
3. Flossing prevents bad breath
Your breath can become unpleasant after eating certain foods – like garlic and onions – but bacteria produce a bad smell, too. The more plaque and tartar you have on your teeth, the worse your breath will be. Daily brushing and flossing remove more plaque than brushing on its own, leaving your breath fresher.
Maintain great oral health at Springs Village Dentistry in Holly Springs, NC
Flossing is an essential part of a good oral hygiene routine, so if you’ve been neglecting it, now is the time to start! You might experience some bleeding and tenderness if it’s been a while since you flossed, but that’s normal. Continue flossing every day and as your gum health improves, the bleeding should stop. We can give you tips on proper flossing techniques when you are in for your regular dental cleaning. If you have any questions about flossing or want to book an appointment with Dr. Molta or Dr. Moore, please contact us today!
How Has Root Canal Therapy Changed Over The Years?
Root canal therapy treats tooth infections and helps dentists save natural teeth. A root canal may sound scary, but thanks to modern dentistry, it’s often no worse than getting a tooth filling! This procedure was not always a comfortable experience. How has root canal therapy changed?
Dentists use different materials
During a root canal, dentists remove the pulp inside an infected tooth. This space needs to be sealed afterward. In the distant past, dentists used a variety of materials including rubber, cement, lead, and asbestos! Today, gutta-percha is the standard filling. It’s a plastic substance that comes from the percha tree. It’s heated and then compressed into the tooth’s canal after a root canal procedure. We seal it with special adhesive cement. These materials are very safe.
Dentists use better tools
Dentists from older TV shows and movies often use a scary selection of tools for root canals. Over the years, however, tools have become much more precise, so the procedure is more effective and less invasive! Diagnostic technology has also improved significantly, which makes it easier to find exactly where infections are.
Root canals aren’t as painful
Many people worry root canals will hurt, but the fact is dentists have used anesthesia for many years. Local anesthesia is usually tried first, but if your infected tooth is in bad shape, we may need something stronger. We also offer sedation options. Additionally, recovery is much less painful thanks to better pain management methods. Rather than causing a lot of pain, root canals relieve the pain that comes from tooth infections.
Root canals at Springs Village Dentistry in Holly Springs, NC
Tooth infections often come with painful symptoms, so if you’re ever struggling with a toothache, please visit us as soon as you can. We’ll determine if you need a root canal. Thanks to modern dentistry, root canal therapy is much safer, more precise, and more comfortable than in the past. If you have any questions or want to book an appointment with Dr. Molta or Dr. Moore, please get in touch today!
Diabetes & Oral Health
According to the CDC, around 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes. Around 1 in 3 have prediabetes, which is when you have elevated blood sugar levels not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Long-term effects of diabetes include an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as problems with the nerves, kidneys, feet, and eyes. Your oral health is affected, too!
High Blood Sugar increases your risk of cavities
The bacteria that live in your mouth use sugar for food. When they eat, they produce acid that damages your teeth. High blood sugar levels, which are caused by diabetes, give this bacteria more fuel. Because diabetes increases your cavity risk, it’s especially important to maintain excellent brushing and flossing habits. Cleanings at the dentist are also essential. Depending on your cavity risk, you may need more than two cleanings a year.
Diabetes & gum disease reinforce each other
For people with diabetes, gum disease is the most common dental disease. Around 22% of those with diabetes get gum disease. When you get gum disease, which is an infection, it can cause your blood sugar to rise. This makes your diabetes harder to control.
Diabetes can cause dry mouth
Many people with diabetes also struggle with dry mouth. The disease itself can cause your mouth to produce less saliva, while many medications for diabetes also have dry mouth as a side effect. Without enough saliva to wash off plaque and food debris from your teeth, you’re more vulnerable to cavities.
Maintain great oral health at Springs Village Dentistry in Holly Springs, NC
Managing your diabetes is important for good overall health and good oral health! To counter the negative effects of the disease, drink enough water, brush, floss, and visit the dentist for regular cleanings and exams. If you have any questions about our services or want to schedule an appointment with Dr. Moore or Dr. Molta, please contact us today!
What To Expect From Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth removal is seen as a rite of passage for many young adults. If you’re getting ready for a wisdom tooth extraction, you might have a few questions — especially if you haven’t had a tooth extracted before. Here’s some wisdom tooth “wisdom” so you’ll feel more informed.
Why Do I Need My Wisdom Tooth Extracted?
Your wisdom teeth erupt when you’re between 17-20 years old and they’re the final set of molars you’ll get. Because wisdom teeth are located far back in your mouth, they’re more likely to grow crookedly. Their location also can make it difficult to properly clean them which leaves you vulnerable to cavities, infection, overcrowding, and more.
On the other hand, your wisdom teeth may not even erupt at all. Often they will remain impacted under your gums. Wisdom teeth don’t really benefit your oral health or your smile, so we often recommend you have them removed in order to avoid infection or any issues they might cause to your smile down the line.
What Happens During a Wisdom Tooth Extraction
During a wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist will administer sedation to help you feel relaxed during your treatment. Depending on which type of sedation they use, you might have a numbness around your wisdom tooth, feel deeply relaxed yet conscious, or even be asleep during your extraction. Your dentist will then either extract the wisdom tooth if it has erupted or make an incision in your gums and remove the tooth piece by piece if it is impacted.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction Aftercare
After your wisdom tooth is extracted, you might experience bleeding at the extraction site for the next few hours. We’ll provide you with gauze and specific instructions on how to navigate the days and weeks following your extraction.
- Take any prescribed pain medication as directed
- Ice your cheeks to help ease any pain and swelling
- Avoid drinking with straws because they can rupture blood clots formed at the extraction site and cause bleeding
- Rinse your mouth with salt and warm water to keep the extraction site clean
- Eat soft foods until the extraction site heals
- Refrain from smoking
Affordable Wisdom Tooth Removal in Holly Springs, NC
At Springs Village Dentistry, we offer comprehensive dental services ranging from preventive to cosmetic to restorative. Plus, we offer flexible financing and a Dental Wellness Club to make our treatments affordable so you can have the healthy, beautiful smile you desire. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
How Can I Reduce the Cost for Dental Care
Good oral health and hygiene play an essential role in your overall health. Without maintaining good oral health, the ability to speak, smile, or eat may become difficult. While it’s understandable that the cost for care comes into consideration, avoiding dental care due to the cost can result in a high price in the end.
Here are three ideas to help reduce the cost of dental care!
1. Routine Dental Visits
Preventive dentistry visits play a significant role in keeping your cost of dental care low. The American Dental Association recommends routine appointments every six months. While this frequency may change per individual, these dental exams are worth going to since addressing dental issues before they worsen can result in less expensive treatments.
2. New Patient Offers & Other Specials
If it has been a while since your last dental visit, or you have relocated, inquire about new patient offers. Offices that love to meet new patients may offer a special for an initial visit to help patients get the care they need at an affordable price. Sometimes dental offices may offer other deals like free consultations or reduced pricing on an electric toothbrush.
3. Payment Options
Are you aware of the many different ways to pay for your dental care? While many think the primary method of payment is dental insurance or out-of-pocket, some offices provide a dental membership plan. Others allow the work you need to be broken down into phases to fit your budget better. Don’t hesitate to inquire about payment options or work with the dentist to find affordable and effective treatments.
Affordable Dental Care in Holly Springs, NC
At Springs Village Dentistry, we never want patients to avoid dental care due to the cost. We provide a variety of financial options, including a new patient special. We also offer an in-house Dental Wellness Club! If you ever have financial questions, our friendly team can answer them and help you make the most out of available options. Call us today if you’re ready to receive affordable dental care or would like to learn more!
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