The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by a professional cleaning at our dental office, followed by daily brushing and flossing.

A bridge may be recommended if you're missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause
the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing
teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges
are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. Your dentist can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.

A crown is used to entirely cover or "cap" a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. Other materials include gold and metal alloys, acrylic and ceramic. These alloys are generally stronger than porcelain and may be recommended for back teeth. Porcelain bonded to a metal shell is often used because it is both strong and attractive.

Your dentist may recommend a crown to:

• Replace a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining
• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
• Restore a fractured tooth
• Attach a bridge
• Cover a dental implant
• Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth
• Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment

Braces and orthodontic treatment are used to correct “bad bites,” or malocclusion (teeth that are crowded or crooked). In some cases your teeth may be straight, but your upper and lower jaws may not meet properly. These jaw or tooth alignment problems may be inherited or could result from injury, early or late tooth loss, or thumbsucking.

If you have an abnormal bite we may recommend braces or another orthodontic treatment to straighten out your smile. Correcting the problem can create a nice-looking smile, but more importantly, orthodontic treatment results in a healthier mouth. Not correcting an abnormal bite could result in further oral health problems, including:

• tooth decay
• gum disease
• tooth loss
• affected speech and/or chewing

Straightening your teeth can be accomplished in different ways. The kind of orthodontic treatment you have will depend on your preference. Traditional braces realign teeth
by applying pressure. They usually consist of small brackets cemented to your teeth, connected by a wire, which is periodically tightened by your dentist to gradually shift your teeth and jaw. The brackets may be metal or tooth colored. Removable aligners are another option for treating orthodontic problems.

Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile.

Types of dentures:

• Complete. This full removable denture is custom-made and placed in your mouth if all teeth have been lost or after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed, which may take several months. They are typically made from acrylic or a combination of acrylic and metal.
• This removable denture is inserted on the same day that the remaining teeth are removed. Your dentist will take measurements and make models of your jaw during a preliminary visit. You may need adjustments made to the denture in order to create a proper and comfortable fit.
• Partial. Sometimes some of your teeth remain or can be saved to preserve your jawbone and provide stability and support for the denture. Partial dentures are used to replace a gap of one or more missing teeth. They are usually fixed with clasps that connect to surrounding or natural teeth.

New dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place. You may find that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures, these problems should go away. Follow-up appointments with us are generally needed after a denture is inserted so the fit can be checked and adjusted.

Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, and helps to grow the root of your tooth during development. In a fully developed tooth, the tooth can survive without the pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

Contrary to jokes about the matter, modern endodontic treatment is very similar to having a routine filling and usually can be completed in one or two appointments, depending on the condition of your tooth and your personal circumstances.

You can expect a comfortable experience during and after your appointment.

• Saving the natural tooth with root canal treatment has many advantages:
• Efficient chewing
• Normal biting force and sensation
• Natural appearance
• Protects other teeth from excessive wear or strain

Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small- to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing. They can be used on either front or back teeth. They are a good choice for people who prefer that their fillings look more natural. It generally takes longer to place a composite/white filling than it does for a metal filling.