When you come in for dental sealant placement, the back teeth are thoroughly cleaned. The teeth are then rinsed and dried carefully. A special solution is used to roughen the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The solution is then rinsed off. The rough surface produced allows for the dental sealant to attach to the tooth. After your teeth are dried again, our dentist will paint the liquid sealant onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. A special light will be used to harden the dental sealant in place. The dried sealant is a hard-plastic varnish coating. You will be able to chew with the tooth normally.

Dental sealants can last for up to 10 years. Care for your teeth with dental sealants in the same way you would care for your other teeth. Make sure you come in for your regular dental appointments so that our dentist can examine your sealants. Dr. Joseph Szymczak can repair or replace sealants as needed.

For more information about dental sealants and to schedule your next appointment, please contact MI Roots Family Dental at 616-453-0002 today.

The post How Dental Sealants Are Placed first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Your dentist will start by conducting a thorough tooth-examination, which might also include taking some X-rays. It’s important to make sure the tooth decay hasn’t reached the sensitive interior of the tooth. The dentist will then use a drill to carefully remove all traces of tooth decay from the enamel layer.

An amalgam filling is composed of a special blend of dental metals. They are rather durable once cured, making them a preferred choice for repairing a cavity on a back tooth or small biting surface.

A special ultraviolet light will then be used to harden the amalgam, ensuring its bond with the surrounding tooth enamel. This will effectively restore the full function of the tooth for many years to come. Improvements in your daily oral hygiene routine will also help to extend the life of the filling, while also preventing new areas of tooth decay from forming.

If you suspect a cavity has formed on one of your molars, or on any other tooth, you should call 616-453-0002 to seek treatment at MI Roots Family Dental’s dental office in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The post A Cavity on a Molar Might Be Repaired by a Standard Amalgam Filling first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Still, root canal therapy has earned a bad reputation. For example, have you ever heard that you should avoid root canal therapy at all cost? While you should care for your smile to avoid the need for root canal therapy, you shouldn’t avoid the treatment if you do need it. If you have a damaged root canal which can only be addressed by root canal therapy, your tooth may ultimately die and need to be extracted.

Still, do you know how you can recognize a damaged root canal? There are actually several symptoms you can watch for, including pain and discomfort, pain when you chew, sudden sensitivity to temperature, and an unusual taste in your mouth. However, you also might have a damaged root canal without experiencing any of these symptoms. This is another reason we recommend scheduling regular appointments with us, as we can detect problems and in this case, save your tooth!  

If you’d like to learn more about the care you can receive from us, please don’t hesitate to give the office of MI Roots Family Dental a call at 616-453-0002. We look forward to answering your questions, and helping you with all of your smile care needs!

The post Debunking Myths About Root Canal Therapy first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Amalgam

This kind of filling is the most common type used. Silver in color, it consists of metals such as tin, silver, copper, and mercury. Amalgam is the least expensive filling and very durable. Additionally, it is easier to place and hardens quickly.

Gold

Made of gold, copper, and other materials, this is the most durable filling available. Also known as an inlay or onlay, a gold filling can last for 20 years if not longer. However, it is the most expensive filling and may take longer to make.

Composite Resin

This filling is the best for cosmetic purposes. Made of glass, quartz, and other materials, it blends in with natural tooth colors. Though this type is becoming more popular, it is less durable than amalgam filling and more expensive. This type is also only used to fill small to medium sized cavities.

The post Get Your Fill On Fillings first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.