If your child is ready for their first visit to the dentist, or if they have a dental emergency, you may be wondering about the best type of professional to treat him or her. Is it necessary to take your kid to a pediatric dentist, or can you bring them to your current dentist? Some...
Having a piece of a tooth break off and fall out is certainly startling. And if there is pain or blood involved, it is definitely considered a dental emergency. Even if it doesn’t hurt or bleed, a cracked tooth or chipped tooth should be seen by a dentist. The amount of urgency, however, depends on...
It’s hard to ignore a toothache, and even if you can, it’s not always a good idea. Sensitivity or pain in the mouth is usually a sign that there is a problem. It might go away, but if it doesn’t, it could be a dental abscess. A dental abscess is a bacterial infection at the...
No one wants a crooked smile, but it’s sometimes hard to get clear, unbiased information about the many options for straightening teeth. Two of the more popular options for teeth straightening that people compare are clear braces vs. Invisalign. Sometimes, these two terms are used interchangeably. For our purposes, we use “clear braces” to mean...
Most dental offices have either closed or gone into “emergency only” status during COVID-19 quarantine. So, while it is possible to get emergency dental care in most places, patients might also want to consider “internet only” options for speaking with a dentist online for simple consultations (non-emergencies). This is what is called teledentistry. Teledentistry is...
No one wants spotty, stained, or tarnished teeth to stand in the way of a beaming smile. Many turn to teeth-whitening for help. But for someone who has had dental work such as crowns, it’s not always that easy. People eager to have their smiles back often ask, “Can dental crowns be whitened?” Dental crowns...
As of right now, most U.S. states have suspended elective procedures in dental practices. But this leaves the question: What about dental emergencies? Where should you go, and what should you do, if you have one? (And what counts as a dental emergency, anyway?) While many are turning to their local hospital emergency rooms (ERs),...
If you’re contemplating having your teeth straightened and have been researching options, you’ve probably heard of Invisalign. According to Invisalign’s website, more than 7 million people have used the non-traditional orthodontic device. As a discreet, removable alternative to metal braces, it is very popular with teens and adults. If you’re wondering “can I get Invisalign?”,...
Health insurance is an obvious concern for most expectant mothers, and it comes up naturally in the course of needing prenatal care and an obstetrician. Few parents, however, think about when to add a kid to dental insurance. Is it important to have dental insurance for kids? Babies aren’t born with teeth, after all, and...
A dental crown is a cover or cap that is placed over a tooth. This might be because of damage, decay, or after a root canal procedure. Crowns are molded out of gold, porcelain fused to metal, ceramic or resin in the shape of the original tooth. Root canals and crown placements are considered endodontic...