Active areas of tooth decay are often the direct result of your child struggliing to maintain a consistent daily oral hygiene regimen. In an instance where a significant amount of tooth enamel has been lost to a large cavity, a dentist like Dr. Joseph Szymczak team might recommend treating the primary tooth with a dental crown restoration.

Also referred to as a dental cap, this treatment process will effectively replace the primary tooth’s enamel layer with an alternate dental material. The dental crown will then serve to maintain the tooth basic function and structural presence long enough for the permanent replacement to emerge from their gums.

If Dr. Joseph Szymczak has any other tooth decay or oral development concerns, he will help you understand the necessary treatment or preventative options. This might include dental fillings, fluoride treatments, or protecting their molars and premolars with dental sealants.

If you live in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area and your child has a problematic tooth, you should call 616-453-0002 to have it examined and treated at MI Roots Family Dental.

The post A Primary Tooth with a Cavity Might Need a Dental Crown first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

A crown essentially replaces the enamel layer with an artificial material. Most of the time a crown on a tooth in your smile will call for using porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. The process starts with Dr. Mark Osenieks removing the entire enamel layer of the tooth. This leaves behind a post-like abutment that encases the pulp and root of the tooth.

A detailed impression is made of the area, which is sent to our dental lab. This will serve as a guide while they custom craft a porcelain tooth to replicate the original. Then, Dr. Osenieks will secure a hard plastic temporary crown over the abutment to protect it. When your new crown is ready, we will call you back into the office to have the temporary crown removed and cement the porcelain crown in place.

If you have an unappealing tooth in your smile, we invite you to call our dedicated dental team in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 616-453-0002 to have it restored with a custom porcelain crown. We are here to help you have a healthy, confident smile!

The post A Cosmetically Unappealing Tooth in Your Smile Can Be Fully Restored by a Porcelain Crown first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

When might Dr. Joseph Szymczak recommend a dental crown in Grand Rapids, Michigan?

– To keep a weak tooth from breaking
– To hold together a cracked tooth
– To cover misshaped or badly stained teeth
– To cover a dental implant
– To improve the appearance of a tooth
– To restore a tooth that is broken or badly worn
– To support a tooth with a large dental filling
– To anchor a dental bridge

How do I care for a tooth with a dental crown?
A tooth with a dental crown does not require any special care. However, a tooth that is covered with a dental crown is not immune to decay or gum disease. Continue to practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day, taking extra care around the dental crown where the gum meets the tooth. Also, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash at least once every day.

We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about dental crowns and to schedule a visit with our dentist.

The post What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

What can a dental crown do?
A dental crown can do many things for you and your smile. It can strengthen a weak tooth, restore a broken tooth, disguise a severely misshapen or discolored tooth, and support a tooth that has a large filling. A dental crown can also save a tooth that has been severely damaged by injury or decay, restore a broken tooth, hold a dental bridge in place, and cover a dental implant.

What is the process involved in placing a dental crown?
The process involved in placing a dental crown is painless and easy. However, it does usually require two visits to our dental office. First, your dentist will examine your tooth by taking a few X-rays. Then, if a dental crown is the right choice for you, he will numb your tooth and surrounding area with a local anesthetic. Once your mouth is numb, your dentist will shave the surface of your tooth down to allow room for the restoration. Next, he will make impressions of your tooth, will send them to the dental lab where your crown will be created, and will place a temporary crown over your tooth. As you wait for your permanent crown to be created, please be careful to not eat any chewy or sticky foods. When your crown is ready, you will come back into our office and your dentist will check the fit, color, and size of the crown and will cement the restoration into place.

How do I care for a dental crown?
Caring for a dental crown is simple and easy. All you need to do is brush your teeth every morning and every night, floss your smile at least once a day, rinse your mouth with beneficial mouthwash daily, and attend your six month checkups. These four things are extremely important, and if you stay on the right track, you will have a strong and successful dental crown.

Dental crowns are beneficial dental restorations that can help you finally achieve your smile goals. If you would like to learn more or if you would like to schedule your first dental crown appointment, please call our office at 616-453-0002. We look forward to working with you!

The post The Details About Crowning Your Tooth first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Tooth sensitivity is a painful, inconvenient, and bothersome condition that is very common nowadays. It generally occurs when the gums pull back from your teeth, expose your roots, and allow easy access to the tooth nerves. Other things that cause tooth sensitivity include:

• Worn teeth
• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Teeth-whitening products
• Plaque buildup
• Teeth-grinding habits
• Age
• Acidic foods
• Dental work
• Long-term mouthwash use

Luckily, with the modern dental technology available in the world today, all of these problems are treatable. Some treatments include:

At home

• Brushing and flossing regularly
• Using a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Using desensitizing toothpaste
• Watching what you eat
• Using fluoridated dental products
• Refraining from grinding your teeth
• Visiting your dentist every six months for a cleaning

Professional treatments

• Dental bonding
• Fluoride treatments
• Dental sealants
• Root canal treatment
• Dental inlays
• Surgical gum grafting
• Gum disease treatments

With these treatments and the help of your dentist, you will have the smile you are looking for. So, to take that first step toward improving your oral health, call our office today and schedule an appointment with our caring dentist! We look forward to helping you find the comfort you deserve.

The post What You Can Do About Your Sensitive Teeth first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over your tooth to repair and strengthen it. Dental crowns are used by dentists to restore teeth. Dental crowns can restore or fix the shape, size, strength, or appearance of your tooth. Your dental crown can save your tooth by doing one or more of the following:

• Protect your tooth from breaking if it is weak
• Restore your tooth if it is broken or worn down
• Cover, protect, and support your tooth if it has a large dental filling
• Cover a tooth that is misshapen or stained
• Improve the appearance of a tooth

Ask our dentist about your options with a dental crown and how a dental crown can help you.

The post Improved Smiles with Dental Crowns first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.