Benefits of Panoramic X-Rays

In order to get the best care, you need to visit a clinic with the best tools. We at the Bridge Smiles Dental Group often provide patients with dental restorations and orthodontic services. To plan our patients’ treatments and monitor their progress, we use three-dimensional panoramic imaging, a type of x-ray more commonly known as a Panorex.

Use of the Panorex does not require any special effort on the patient’s part. After removing metallic objects from their person, they will bite down on a hard piece of plastic that is used to position their jaws. They will then stand still for about twenty seconds while the Panorex’s panels rotate around their head. The machine’s height may be adjusted as needed.

The Panorex will produce a digital image that can be used with software that helps us to predict future tooth migration. The patient is not required to hold film in their mouth, as is needed for older x-ray machines, and there is less risk of radiation exposure. The 3-D image is crucial for determining whether the patient is a good candidate for implants, planning wisdom tooth extractions, and detecting abnormalities in jaw bone tissue. It also allows us to monitor dental wear and instability associated with temporomandibular joint disorder.

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 Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Causes of Bad Breath

Do you often have bad breath? It may not be something you ate. We’re dedicated to helping our patients maintain their oral health at the Bridge Smiles Dental Group, and we want our patients to be aware of the signs of infection and other problems. Halitosis, or bad breath, is one of the most significant indicators that your oral hygiene needs more attention.

Bacteria colonize the papillae of the tongue and the spaces between tooth roots and the surrounding gum tissue. Their secretions turn into plaque, and eventually, tartar. Oral bacteria excretions are foul-smelling, and the more food debris oral bacteria have to feed on, the more secretions they’ll produce. They may also consume other biological material, such as nasal discharge that lands in the back of the throat.

Scent related to infections will be worse when the patient lacks saliva to neutralize bacterial acid. Other conditions that can contribute to halitosis are those such as diabetes which create an elevated risk of gingivitis. People may also suffer from bad breath if they have frequent bouts of acid reflux, which may be related to a diet high in citrus juice, alcohol, or red meat. Regular brushing and flossing is crucial to mitigating all of these, as is use of a tongue scraper and mouthwash.

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 Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Getting Veneers

If you have chipped, cracked, or slightly gapped teeth, you may not need to have the entire crown replaced. The Bridge Smiles Dental Group in northern New Jersey offers dental veneers to restore your smile. Within two weeks, we can provide you with prosthetic tooth surfaces that will remake your appearance for years.

A veneer is a piece or porcelain that adheres to the front of a tooth. Before we can place it, we must shave a bit of enamel off the patient’s natural tooth to make room for it. (This is done while that patient is numbed.) We will then make an impression of the patient’s reshaped teeth, which we will send to a dental laboratory. While the patient is wearing temporary prosthetic teeth, the dental laboratory is milling their custom-fitted and colored veneers. This will take about two weeks. Once they’re finished, the patient will return to us, and we’ll apply an etching acid to their teeth in order to increase the teeth’s surface area. The veneers can then be cemented on, and the patient will soon be eating and speaking normally.

Veneers can last for ten years when cared for properly. The patient will have to brush and floss as normal and should be careful to wear a mouthguard during physical activity. If the veneer is being used to correct minor crookedness in a tooth, the patient may find that their oral hygiene will become easier to maintain.

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 Bridge Smiles Dental.