Common Dental Problems

Cosmetic Issues

Sometimes a healthy smile is not the only thing you're looking for. Let Dr DeSantis take your smile to the next level utilizing modern and minimally invasive techniques, from professional whitening, straightening your teeth with Invisalign, Minimal drilling veneers, ceramic crowns, bonding and more! Want to replace your old silver fillings with tooth colored ones? Tired of that gray line from your old crown? No problem! Some common cosmetic issues are discolored or malpositioned teeth, crowded teeth, missing teeth, misshapen teeth, short teeth, gummy smiles, tarnished old silver fillings, and worn teeth. You would be surprised how easy some of these problems are to fix. Once we have your problem list, we can move on to the next step. Cosmetic services start with planning and forecasting your new smile. Start with the end in mind. New smile previews are available under some circumstances, where you can try on your new smile before getting too involved in the process. Options can be presented to get you the best cosmetic result and keep to your budget. Our lab technicians are some of the most skilled in the world and almost any result desired can be achieved. Of course, we also have options for whitening the smile you've already got!

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Missing Teeth

In the past, replacing missing teeth was limited to dentures or bridges. Modern advances in dental implants can turn your old denture into a souvenir. If an implant isn't right for you, then modern and innovative denture techniques allow for tighter fitting, stronger, more realistic looking, and cosmetic dentures. There are many reasons for tooth loss. The three biggest reasons are trauma, tooth decay, and gum disease. Once we figure out what you're at risk for, we can help replace your missing teeth and minimize your risk for future tooth loss. That's what it's all about. Don't fix the problem without addressing the cause. We can help you

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Cavities

Cavities start in different areas of the tooth in different individuals and a person's pattern of decay can tell us a lot. Early detection is best and small cavities are always easier to fix than big ones. Depending on how much of the tooth was affected, there are different options for putting it back together. Cavities can happen to anyone. Even if you're an adult and never had one before. In fact, due to lifestyle changes, habits, medications, and diet, new cavities can form on high risk areas at almost any age. Sometimes that tooth you had filled as a kid has a cavity that has gone undetected for years and you just didn't know. Our approach is one of management of the damage done by a cavity but more importantly recognizing the cause and minimizing your risk. It seems like common sense. Fix what's broken and prevent it from happening again.

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Gum Disease

There is a large percentage of our population in the United States that has been affected by or will be affected by periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease. It is surprisingly common and we are learning more and more about the complicated nature of this chronic illness and how it affects the whole body every day. The key information to take away here is that gum disease is caused by bacteria, the damage results from your immune system trying to kill those bacteria, the effects are long term, and the damage may be permanent. Some individuals affected by this disease do not even know they have it. Early diagnosis is critical for management. Studies show that as the inflammation caused by gum disease is reduced through treatment and management, risk for diabetes and heart disease are reduced. Gum disease is a major cause of tooth pain and tooth loss. A thorough gum evaluation is part of your exam and we will let you know the steps you can take to manage this if it has already started or precautions to take to prevent its onset. This is manageable in most cases, but first we need to know it's there. There are many new and innovative treatments available and some do not require any surgery.

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Teeth Clenching, Grinding, or Headaches

Stressed out? Who isn't? These days, we have a lot on our plates and most of the time we can handle it. But, something has to give and odds are if you have worn teeth, wake with your teeth together, have jaw pain, or headaches, you are clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep. Some new information suggests that this may even be related to obstructive sleep apnea. A comprehensive approach to diagnosis and management is key to prevent the damage caused by this condition. Sometimes it's easy and sometimes the road is long and slow going, but the impact that managing this can have on your quality of life can not be dismissed. There is a complicated mechanism at work here within one of the most complicated joints in the body. We can help get this under control and prevent longterm damage. Dr. DeSantis will evaluate your situation and explain everything to you so you understand the problem, how it's happening, and options for a solution.

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Cracked or Fractured Teeth

Whether you recently had a fall or injury or there has been damage developing over time, cracked teeth can be very painful and really impact your daily life. It's easy to see a cracked or fractured tooth after an injury, but some fractures take years to present themselves. It may have been that elbow during gym class in the fifth grade or the swelling and expansion of an old filling in your molar, or even that one tooth that hits harder than the others when you grind your teeth. Sometimes teeth weaken with age and sometimes there are changes in habits, diet, or medications that put us at risk for weaker teeth. The symptoms can be subtle at first and may last for years. Sometimes fracture lines can be seen through the magnified view during an exam but sometimes they are undetectable until there are symptoms. The good news is if you have symptoms, many times a fracture can be isolated and managed. If a fracture extends onto the root or too deep into the tooth, more involved treatment may be needed to fix the situation. Worried about a cracked tooth? Call us, it won't be scary.

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Sensitive Teeth

This one is very common. Most of the time this can be managed with topically applied medications or even changing your toothpaste. Other times the cause is hidden cavities or more complicated causes. The odds are that your sensitive teeth can be managed and you can start enjoying ice cream again soon!

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Deteriorating Dental Work

Dental work does not come with a warranty and even though we hope that all doctors and treatment are equal, the truth is that each patient and tooth is different, skill varies, and techniques and materials have changed over the years. Almost all dental work will break down over time and although the dental profession is always striving to duplicate mother nature, we are just not quite there yet. We do however now have at our disposal some of the greatest materials and techniques that make the work last, be strong, and is getting pretty close to what you had as original equipment. There are ways that certain materials will fail and Dr. DeSantis can help you to recognize early signs of this so you can have a say in how the situation is managed. When it is time to replace work that was previously done, it will be done with the utmost care using modern materials and techniques.

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Loose Dentures

This is a common problem and many times it is an easy fix. If you have your denture for a long time, the odds are that the gums and jaw bone have changed over time and now no longer fit the inside of the denture. Sometimes there is an error in original denture fitting that causes the denture to slip a little too high and your cheek muscle pushes it down when you chew. These dentures can usually be corrected with a reline or refitting and sometimes a simple adjustment will do. When there is no way to fix the loose denture, other options can be explored. If you do need a new denture, Dr.DeSantis utilizes advanced impression and fitting techniques and utilizes highly skilled lab technicians to deliver a quality denture that you will serve you well

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