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 Gap Teeth

We’re proud providers of Fast Braces and Invisalign at the Bridges Smiles Dental Group in Somerset County. They’re great options for people who want to fix cosmetic problems with their tooth alignment, such as a gap (or diastema) between their upper front teeth. But determining the right course of orthodontic treatment requires us to learn more about what caused the gap.

Sometimes, the teeth are misaligned due to not having enough room to erupt. Fast Braces are good for minor problems, as is Invisalign, but major orthodontic work will require traditional braces.  If a gap is really the only problem, it may be possible to simply cover it up with veneers, which are false fronts for teeth that can be made in a slightly different shape. These are also a good option for when the teeth are stained or have minor cracks.

It is also important to be mindful of factors that may prevent the teeth from closing. If the strip of tissue called the labial frenum, which connects the inside of the upper lip to the jaw, is overly large, it will have to be reduced. If a patient involuntarily thrusts their tongue forward when they swallow, an overbite will develop along with a diastema and the assistance of an ear, nose, and throat doctor will be needed.

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.

 

Root Canals and Orthodontics

At the Bridge Smiles Dental Group in Somerset County, we provide patients with a wide variety of dental services, including root canals and invisible orthodontics. Sometimes patients’ teeth have been injured and need to be moved, in which case a root canal may be a better option than a prosthetic.

When teeth are cracked at the root, they need to be removed, but in the cases of other injuries and infections, they may only need a root canal and a new crown. This may be the better option when orthodontic work needs to be done because the point of an implant is to fuse with the surrounding bone structure. Once an implant is integrated, orthodontic treatments will be unable to move it, and if it does move, it needs to be taken out.

In contrast, a root canal maintains the health of the outer portion of the tooth root, which can be guided through the bones of the jaw. We are providers of the Invisalign clear series of removable aligners, but artificial crowns are also able to receive the adhesive which is used to affix orthodontic brackets to teeth. Traditional orthodontics may be necessary if a tooth was knocked far out of place.

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.

 

Caring for Invisalign

Bridge Smiles Dental Group recommends Invisalign for patients with mild to moderate spacing or crowding of the teeth.  Invisalign’s clear aligner system straightens teeth without the metallic look of braces. Another perk of Invisalign clear aligners is that they require less maintenance and won’t prevent you from eating certain foods.  Although you won’t have to make too many changes, there are still guidelines you should follow to wear and care for your aligners!

You should remove Invisalign each time you eat, but if you do eat anything while wearing the aligners make sure to clean them thoroughly afterwards. It is also best to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.  Ideally when wearing clear aligners, you would only drink water. Colorful drinks can stain the aligners and too many hot drinks can eventually warp the plastic.  If you do drink anything other than water while wearing the aligners you should rinse them with warm water afterwards. 

Cleaning your clear aligners regularly is important for your teeth and straightening treatment.  Clear aligners can become discolored over time without losing their effectiveness, but the color can show on your own teeth and continue to darken.  Invisalign offers its own brand of cleaning solution, and there are several soaking solutions available over the counter, but brushing the aligners is also a sufficient cleaning option.  Do not use toothpaste to brush the aligners because subtle abrasive properties of toothpaste could harm the aligner.  It is best to use a mild dish soap and a soft bristle brush to clean the aligners each time you brush your teeth.

If you have any more questions about Invisalign at our 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.

Straighten Your Teeth Invisibly with Invisalign

At Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. we offer a wide variety of options for straightening your teeth, but in this post we are specifically going to discuss Invisalign treatment. Invisalign uses a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you, without the discomfort of “metal mouth.” These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth for approximately 22 hours a day. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements our dentists plan out for you. There are no metal brackets and no wires to tighten.

Because the trays are removable, you can continue doing all the things you normally would, from brushing and flossing to eating whatever you like. Depending on your treatment you will have a certain number of aligners. You will wear each set of aligners for about two weeks removing them only for the purposes above. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move little by little, week by week, until they have straightened to their final position. You’ll visit us about once every six weeks to ensure that treatment is progressing as planned. Treatment time varies depending on the patient.

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