Intrinsic Stains

We provide care for patients’ cosmetic needs at Bridge Smiles Dental Group, but it is important for patients to understand that intrinsic tooth stains need to be treated differently from other kinds. Extrinsic tooth stains are the ones on the surface layer of the teeth that are acquired from what the patient consumes, and they can be removed with bleach, but intrinsic stains may be too deep for whitening to work.

Intrinsic stains may be acquired or caused by the tooth absorbing dark molecules during its formation. The latter usually happens because the tooth was exposed to tetracycline antibiotics or excessive fluoride, and since these stains do not present a health threat, they can simply be covered with veneers. But the former is due to dental pulp inflammation, which results from trauma or infection. An infection could spread, with painful or deadly consequences for the patient, so the inflamed pulp needs to be removed during a root canal. As part of the root canal, the tooth will be filled and sealed, but the tooth may still require a veneer or a new crown afterward for cosmetic satisfaction.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge ST. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit BridgeSmilesDental.com.

 

Dental Bonding Breakage

Dental bonding is used on teeth that have been chipped, cracked, or fractured. It aesthetically resembles tooth enamel but lacks the quantity of strength. If our doctors at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. have corrected your smile with dental bonding in the past, we want to take the time to talk about what to do if the bonding dissolves, or breaks apart.

Tooth enamel is the strongest bone in the human body and once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. If you consume a diet that is high in acidity, your dental bonding is at risk for breakage. Additionally, if you eat foods that are crunchy, this may chip the enamel and put your smile back at square one. If you notice a slight crack in a tooth that has been bonded, visit us immediately as this is a sign it needs repair.

If you have questions regarding dental bonding, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400. 

Fastbraces

Our doctors at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. can straighten a patient’s smile in half the time with Fastbraces. Fastbraces are ideal for patients who have gapped or crooked teeth and can be placed on adults or teenagers. This short-term straightening solution can align teeth as quickly as three or four months.

With Fastbraces, a patient will spend less time in our office and experience little discomfort as compared to traditional braces. Fastbraces uses a special elbow bracket and super-elastic nickel wire. This is effective in aligning the crown and root of the tooth is a small amount of time. With traditional braces, it typically takes a year or more for this to happen. If you’re looking for a quick way to straighten your teeth, Fastbraces might be for you.

If you have questions regarding orthodontic options, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400. 

Pain from Fillings

Patients suffering from toothaches and decay related to their fillings can be assured of getting the best possible care at Bridge Smiles Dental Group. While it is normal for teeth to be a little sensitive immediately after getting a filling, persistent pain could indicate that the filling was insufficient treatment for the patient’s problem or has outlasted its time.

Fillings are often given in response to decay caused by bacteria, but if the bacteria were in the pulp of the tooth, normal cleanings won’t remove them. In those cases, the patient will require a root canal. A dental pulp infection can also occur if a tooth cracked or continued to decay after getting a filling, allowing bacteria an entry point.

It is also important to note that fillings don’t always last forever. If the seal bonding the filling to the tooth breaks, bacteria may enter the cracks and start causing decay again. Depending on how far the decay has progressed, another filling or a larger kind of restoration may be necessary.

Of course, it is also possible that the filling simply wasn’t shaped well. In any case, the doctors of Bridge Smiles Dental Group can help patients address the source of their problems.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge ST. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit BridgeSmilesDental.com.