Bite Checks

This National Children’s Dental Health Month, we of Bridge Smiles Dental Group want to remind the families we care for why bite checks are so important. Children’s biannual dental examinations are an opportunity to do deep cleanings and provide sealants as a defense against decay. But they’re also an opportunity for us to monitor the progression of our patients’ permanent teeth and determine whether they’re chewing comfortably or grinding their teeth.

Bruxism, nighttime teeth grinding or jaw clenching, is a common reaction to stress. It could also be caused by obstructive sleep apnea, which forces the body to reposition the jaw to open the upper throat’s airways. It can cause pain that radiates to the rest of the head, neck, and shoulders and cause difficulty opening the mouth (a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder). It also may weaken the gingival ligaments holding teeth in place or cause the teeth to erode or crack.

During the examination, our hygienists will look for signs of bruxism on a patient’s enamel. They may also do a tactile test of the temporomandibular joints, which connect the lower jaw to the head, ask the patient to demonstrate closing their teeth together, and ask about the patient’s comfort when chewing or after waking up. A night guard can protect a patient from bruxism, but we may refer pediatric patients for orthodontic assessments if we think a bite disorder is due to tooth misalignment or has pushed teeth 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.

 

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.

 

How to Clean Retainers

When the first phase of your orthodontic work is done, you’ll find oral hygiene much easier. But you’ll also have to learn how to take care of your retainer. At Bridge Smiles Dental Group, we understand that our patients have questions about this, which is why we’ve provided this guide.

Always make sure your mouth is as clean of food debris as possible before putting your retainer in. Rinse it off before reinserting it, and rinse it when you take it out, as well. But be careful to only use water that is cool or room-temperature; hot water can permanently warp a retainer’s shape, requiring it to be replaced. Once a day, you should thoroughly, but gently brush your retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush (not the same one you use for your teeth). Be careful when deciding which toothpaste you use, as fluoridated toothpaste contains minerals which can scratch the retainer, allowing bacteria to colonize the crevices. It is better to use soft toothpaste, such as the kinds made for dentures.

Also be sure to regularly clean the retainer’s protective case. People need to use retainers for a long time, but if one becomes damaged, don’t hesitate to get it replaced.

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.

 

Braces – Pain Management

Though there are many benefits of traditional braces, sometimes you have to play through the pain. The main disadvantage to this orthodontic method tends to be the metal mouth appearance, but a close second is the tightening of the wires that our doctors perform during your routine visit. There are two types of pain that traditional braces may cause, and our doctors at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. would like to tell you how you can manage both.

The pain of braces may be attributed to internal or external factors. Sometimes the pressure that braces put on the teeth can leave them sore. Additionally, the physical rubbing of the brackets and wires can cause pain in the soft tissue (gums). If a wire is sticking out and you don’t have time to stop in for us to fix it, orthodontic wax is available for purchase at your local drugstore. Other methods of pain control include taking ibuprofen, brushing your teeth in a soft manner, and eating soft foods.

If you have questions or concerns about orthodontic treatment, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide 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.

Why Not to Do Your Own Orthodontics

We of the Bridge Smiles Dental Group are proud to have provided orthodontic corrections on patients suffering from the effects of misalignment. While we sympathize with patients who want healthy smiles quick and on the cheap, we are concerned by a recent study by the American Association of Orthodontists which found that 13% of orthodontists have had to help a patient who attempted to do orthodontics on themselves.

Bone migration cannot be rushed. The orthodontic process doesn’t just push teeth through gum tissue; it also pushes them through jaw bone. If this is done too quickly, the bone will not have time to repair itself and the teeth could easily shift back or come loose.

DIY orthodontics was popularized by somebody who 3D printed his own aligners, but most home remedies are much cruder. Tying teeth together will pinch off their blood vessels and creates a risk of the tie sliding into the gum pocket, from which it must be fished out with a hook. Many of the materials people have suggested to use in place of wires, such as rubber or fiber, would also rot or release harmful chemicals. Our office offers fast braces to people who want to correct overcrowding or misalignment. We urge prospective patients to look into this option instead of doing something which may result in their needing replacement teeth.

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

Clear, Less Noticeable Braces

Having a nice, straight smile is a desire so many of us have. However, the thought of traditional metal braces may scare a patient away. That is why here at Bridge Smiles Dental Group in Neshanic Station, NJ and Somerville, NJ, we offer clear braces.

Clear braces work just the same as traditional braces but they are less visible. Clear braces have ceramic brackets which blend in well with the color of your teeth. Clear or tooth-colored wires can also be possible. In every other sense, they work just like traditional braces. They are applied the same way; brackets are attached to each tooth and are all connected by a wire. The wire is tightened in different directions to apply continuous pressure on the teeth. Over time, the teeth shift into place. Each patient has a different case, but the average amount of time for a teen to wear braces is about two years. For an adult, the average is one year.

Clear braces take away the traditional metallic look of braces and create a less noticeable form of straightening. Many patients can now feel better about the look of their smile while undergoing treatment.

If you are interested in a more discreet set of braces, clear braces may be the perfect option for you. To schedule a consultation with Bridge Smiles Dental Group in our Neshanic Station, NJ office, call (908) 782-4418. To schedule at our Somerville, NJ office, call (908) 725-0400. Appointments may also be requested through our website, www.bridgesmilesdental.com.

Benefits of Traditional Braces

Orthodontics is a specialty discipline of dentistry that focuses on alignment of the teeth and jaws to improve a person’s smile and oral health. Fortunately for our patients, Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. offers a wide variety of options for straightening teeth, but today we are going to discuss the benefits of the good old fashioned traditional braces.

Traditional braces are the most effective type of braces for treating complex cases such as overcrowding and overbites. In their entirety, they work by applying continuous pressure over a period of time to slowly move teeth in a specific direction. In addition, traditional braces give our doctors the control they need to move the teeth in small increments at a time. The main reason you may opt out of this orthodontic route is the metal mouth appearance, but we’d like you to know that today’s braces are more visually appealing than ever before. With a range of color options for both the brackets and the elastics, these little details allow our patients the chance to express themselves.

If you are searching for a straighter smile, give us a call to discuss your orthodontic options. To learn more about traditional braces as well as 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.