Although tooth decay can be prevented with attentive oral hygiene, decay is the most common problem encountered in the field of dentistry. As we eat, food particles can be trapped between the teeth. Bacteria that occur naturally in the mouth feed off these particles, creating an acidic byproduct called plaque. This acid, in contact with tooth enamel, leads to decay.

Plaque and Tartar—What is the Difference?

Plaque most commonly builds up between the teeth and in areas between the teeth and gums. If it is not removed through routine brushing and flossing, it hardens and becomes a substance called tartar. If plaque or tartar are left on the teeth, they can lead not only to decay but also to gum disease, both of which can cause tooth loss.

Once tartar builds up on the teeth, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to effectively remove it by yourself. This is one of many reasons why regular dental visits are so important. When you visit the dentist, either the dentist or the dental hygienist uses special tools to remove tartar from the teeth. They will also evaluate the health of your teeth and gums, and check for any signs of decay.

Keeping Plaque and Tartar Off Your Teeth

Your everyday at-home oral hygiene habit is the first-line defense against plaque, tartar, and decay. General guidelines for everyday care include:

• Brushing after meals whenever possible
• Flossing once per day
• Using proper brushing and flossing technique
• Avoiding sugary foods and drink

In addition to at-home care, regular visits to the dentist are important to maintain your dental health. Your dentist will provide more thorough cleaning, fluoride treatments, regular X-rays, and screenings for oral cancer. Cleaning removes plaque and tartar that your brush cannot reach or effectively remove. X-rays can detect decay that cannot be seen with the naked eye, as well as helping monitor issues with tooth roots or with the jawbone.

For additional suggestions on how to take the best possible care of your teeth, as well as for guidelines on proper technique, contact our DDS in Downtown Denver for an appointment.

Tooth loss doesn’t always affect a number of teeth. Sometimes only a few teeth are lost, or even a single tooth can be broken, dislodged, or damaged by decay to the point where the tooth must be removed.

When you lose a tooth, there are several options for replacing the missing tooth. In the past, teeth were often replaced with a fixed partial denture, also known as a bridge. Today, patients who need to replace a single tooth have the option of using a dental implant.

How a Bridge Works

A dental bridge uses neighboring teeth to anchor the replacement tooth. Placing a bridge always requires the neighboring teeth to be restructured to accommodate the portion of the bridge that anchors the replacement tooth. In a traditional bridge, these teeth are extensively reshaped to make room for crowns. The crowns then support the replacement tooth in between the teeth that receive the crowns.

Less invasive types of bridges use metal strips to attach the replacement tooth to neighboring teeth. These strips are bonded to the teeth with a special resin. This type of bridge requires less modification to the neighboring teeth.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Unlike bridges, dental implants do not require modification to healthy teeth. An implant dentist can place a single implant in the space left behind by the missing tooth. Implants are permanent, and replace not only the chewing or biting surface of the tooth but also the tooth root. The titanium screw that takes the place of the missing tooth root bonds to the jawbone, allowing it to stimulate bone growth so the jawbone does not deteriorate.

Using an implant to replace a single tooth allows the tooth to be replaced without altering any other teeth. The implant is permanent and will last many years.

Implants are generally placed in a two-step process. First, the tooth root is implanted and given time to heal and bond to the bone. After this healing interval, the visible portion of the tooth is added. The replacement tooth is custom made and color-matched to your remaining teeth.

For information about how a single tooth can be replaced with a dental implant, please contact Dr. Bernard Jin, a dental implant dentist serving Vancouver.

Dental crowns have been used for many years to help repair cracked teeth or to strengthen a tooth that has undergone a root canal. Crowns are also used for cosmetic applications.

The decision to use a dental crown is based upon the need of the individual patient and the condition of the tooth in question. In some cases, less invasive approaches can be used instead of crowns. It is important to consult with our dentist serving Cheeseman Park to determine whether or not your individual situation can be best treated with a dental crown.

Uses of Dental Crowns

Crowns are used less often now than they have been in the past, but are still common for certain conditions or problems. For example, at one time crowns were commonly used to cover severely discolored teeth, but now porcelain veneers, which require much less alteration of the tooth, are used more often. Today, the most common uses of dental crowns include:

• To repair a tooth that has been severely cracked
• To anchor a traditional bridge
• As part of a root canal procedure

Crowns can be made of metal, metal covered with porcelain, or of porcelain or another tooth-colored material. Crowns made of metal are more often placed on the back teeth, where chewing subjects them to high levels of pressure. For front teeth, porcelain materials are more commonly used.

How Crowns Work

A tooth must be restructured to make room for a crown. Typically, the dentist grinds the tooth down to a peg shape, over which the crown is fitted. Crowns are custom made from molds formed from the reshaped tooth. Your dentist will place a temporary crown while the custom crown is manufactured in an off-site lab. This temporary crown is then removed, and the permanent crown put into place. The dentist makes any necessary adjustments to the permanent crown to be sure it is comfortable and is shaped properly to accommodate your bite. When this process is complete, the crown gives you back a strong, serviceable tooth and a smile you can be proud of.