What is a dental implant?

Before and after picture of patient with implants

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If you are in jeopardy of losing a tooth your dentist may give you the option of having a dental implant placed. A dental implant is a device that replaces a missing tooth root and supports crowns, bridges or dentures.

The most important requirement for placing dental implants is availability of adequate bone for support. If teeth are lost to trauma, or have been missing for a long time, the bone volume in the area may be compromised. Today's bone grafting procedures can recreate the missing bony tissue at the site of the missing teeth so that implants can be placed. Your Dentist can recommend one of many types of grafting procedures that is right for your situation.

For additional information please contact Rochester Advanced Dentistry 248.656.2020

www.rochesteradvanceddentistry.com

Are your teeth giving you a headache?

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Headaches can be a major problem effecting a persons life drastically if they persist and are frequent. There are many causes of headaches; allergies, fatigue, stress...

One common cause of headaches that is commonly overlooked is teeth grinding.

When a person grinds their teeth it stresses the jaw muscles, it can also damage the TMJ (jaw joint) this can often result in headaches.

Your dentist is often able to diagnosis your grinding just by looking at your teeth-

The signs that show that you are grinding your teeth include:

• Extreme wear on the teeth
• Large bone growths (your bodies way of protecting your teeth)
• Chipping away bone and enamel at the gum line as well as gum tissue recession
• Chipping enamel

Many treatment and preventative options are available depending on your symptoms

For additional information or to schedule an appointment please contact

Rochester Advanced Dentistry 248.656.2020

Lasers in Modern Dentistry

There are many uses for lasers in modern dentistry. Lasers can be used as a cosmetic procedure to improve your smile. If you are self conscious about a gummy smile, we can use laser therapy to reshape the gums and improve the appearance of your smile!


Lasers can also be used to effectively treat gum disease. The laser removes bacteria from gum pockets and encourages the natural healing process.

There are also different types of hard tissue lasers and CO2 lasers the can effectively prepare teeth for restoration, although, in most cases the restoration must be for initial placement. In some cases, the need for anesthetic is eliminated. After the teeth are prepared, a composite or porcelain filling can be placed to properly restore the tooth to proper function.

To find out how laser dentistry can benefit you, contact Rochester Advanced Dentistry or call (248)656-2020.

Teeth Grinding and Clenching

Have you ever been told that you clench or grind your teeth? You may be unaware of this habit until you visit the dentist. Most of the time bruxism, which is the technical term for teeth grinding, usually occurs while you sleep.

Common symptoms clenchers and grinders experience include:

• chipped teeth


• tooth sensitivity


• dull headaches


• TMJ soreness


• "notching" at the gumline, also known as abfractions


• recession of the gum tissue


• not getting a good nights sleep can also be be a symptom of grinding.

Occlusal guards, which are hard acrylic appliances custom made to fit the teeth, help to prevent any further damage by protecting your teeth. The appliance is worn on the upper teeth while you sleep, or during your most stressful times of the day. Occlusal guards do not fix any damage that has been done to the teeth, it is more of a way to prevent any further damage that may be done while clenching and grinding. The occlusal guards absorb the forces of your bite. Over the counter guards are uncomfortable and can make you grind more because they are soft and your brain registers that as food. Only the custom made occlusal guards are recommended by us at Rochester Advanced Dentistry.