General Dentistry

Preserving Dental Health

Even with regular brushing and flossing, plaque and tartar buildup can harm healthy teeth. If left untreated, common bacteria found in the mouth can irritate gums causing gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth decay, loss and serious infections that can move through your bloodstream, affecting not only oral health, but your general and cardiovascular health. If you have swollen, tender gums or painful or loose teeth; please contact our dental office today.

A combination of good oral hygiene practices including regular brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups with professional dental cleanings can prevent these and other dental complications. During a general dental visit, Dr Max, Dr. Gatta and their experienced dental hygienists will provide a comprehensive checkup including:

Professional Dental Cleaning to remove hardened plaque and calculus as well as to polish teeth and remove stains.

Comprehensive Dental Exam to evaluate overall oral health and identify any potential dental health issues early so they can be treated quickly and painlessly. The dental exam includes the examination of oral hard and soft tissues, teeth, occlusion, periodontal health, TMJs, and head and neck muscles.

Dental Radiographs (X-rays) to identify and treat any hidden dental irregularities. Dr. Max and Dr. Gatta will recommend preventative treatments as necessary.

Dentures

Denture Health and Oral Health are both Essential Most people know that you need to take care of your natural teeth, but not everyone realizes that you also need to treat your new dentures with the same level of care. A well-fitting and functioning denture can improve your confidence and quality of life. The comfort and fit of your denture is affected by the health and quality of the tissues underneath. This is one of the reasons why it is important that you take care of both your oral health and denture health. Some simple tips include:

• Regular denture home care routines, like proper cleaning and storage

• Using the correct products to clean and maintain your dentures

• Having regular oral examinations and denture assessments

• Discussing any denture discomfort or issues with your prosthodontist

• Removing your dentures for at least 6-8 hours each day Ill-fitting dentures can negatively affect chewing and speech, and can lead to soreness or irritation of the oral tissues and denture-related oral infections. Excessive use of denture adhesives can also affect your health and even mask potential problems.

As a prosthodontist, Dr. Gatta can help with all these concerns. With three years of training beyond dental school, I specialize in the health of restored teeth. Current trends for denture fabrication involve digital techniques that can provide a superior quality denture, improved fit, and a high quality acrylic material.

Loose Dentures Can Lead to Serious Health Concerns Do your dentures fit comfortably and securely? It’s natural for the fit to deteriorate over time, which can be caused by changes in your gums and bone, as well as breakdown of the materials used in making the denture. Precise fit of a removable denture is a necessity. Beyond diminished chewing ability and appearance, individuals with ill-fitting dentures have been found to be at a four times greater risk of developing head and neck cancer. A prosthodontist can help. As specialists with extensive training in prosthetic dentistry, we help patients maintain functional and attractive dentures. A bad fit may not be the only indicator that you need new or modified dentures. Other things to look for include: – Chronic irritation of the gums under the denture – The need for denture adhesives for everyday activities – The denture appears discolored, cracked, or is unstable – If the denture has been in use for more than five years.