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The Advantages of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are restorations that cover the entire tooth, restoring strength and appearance while preventing further damage. At Dawson Modern Dentistry, they are used to restore teeth broken or weakened by decay. Following root canal treatment, they are often placed on strengthening and protecting the tooth from breakage. Crowns are made from several different materials customized for your smile. Each material offers unique benefits, and your restoration will be personalized to match your smile goals and needs. Dental crowns can strengthen and protect your teeth while improving your smile's overall appearance. Crowns are also used for cosmetic reasons to enhance the appearance of discolored, misshapen, or broken teeth. Once the permanent crown is in place, it can be challenging to tell which teeth are capped by the crown. They look and feel like your original teeth! THE PROCEDURE FOR DENTAL CROWNS Using only local anesthesia, your dentist will reshape the tooth by removing decay or building up areas of the tooth that have been worn down over time. Once the tooth is prepared, impressions are made of your teeth so that a custom crown can be created just for you by a lab technician. At your next appointment, your permanent restoration will be placed. It will be bonded to your tooth with a resin-based cement to ensure it stays in place for years. However, avoiding sticky foods during this time is essential as the temporary crown may pop off. Once you and your general dentist are happy with the look and feel of the crown, it will be cemented into place, allowing you to show off your smile again in no time! HOW DOES DENTAL CROWN WORK? A crown fits over your tooth like a cap, supporting and strengthening it. While crowns typically cover only the tops of teeth, they can also protect a tooth’s root if exposed. Crowns can be made of porcelain or ceramic materials, gold alloys, and other metals. These options offer different benefits for you to choose from depending on your needs and preferences. For example, metal crowns are more robust and better able to sustain the force of biting and chewing than porcelain ones. However, some people choose metal tooth-replacement options because they closely resemble the appearance of natural teeth better than other materials. Porcelain and ceramic crowns can provide a more aesthetically pleasing opportunity, but they may not last as long or be as strong as metal alternatives. Once the crown has been created, it will be cemented to cover the entire visible portion of your tooth above the gum line. This helps prevent further damage and repair broken and damaged teeth. Protect your new crown from damage by avoiding chewing on hard foods, ice, or other complex objects such as pens or fingernails. For the best dental care tailored to your needs, visit Dawson Modern Dentistry at 3555-2 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Matthews, NC 28105, or call (704) 565-9512.

How Effective Is Invisalign?

Invisalign promises to help you get straighter teeth within 18 months while keeping your smile intact. This orthodontic treatment has only been around for two decades and has gained massive popularity in recent years.  According to the manufacturing company [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263131814_Treatment_outcome_and_efficacy_of_an_aligner_technique_-_regarding_incisor_torque_premolar_derotation_and_molar_distalization], Invisalign “can effectively perform major tooth movements, such as bicuspid derotation up to 50° and root movements of upper central incisors up to 4 mm”.  We have worked with hundreds of patients with orthodontic issues and have helped solve their problems with Invisalign. If it sounds too good to be true, let’s take a closer look at the Invisalign treatment to help you understand how effective it is.  WHAT RESEARCHERS SAY Based on a study published in the Australian Dental Journal [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/adj.12480], Invisalign is the most efficient clear aligner on the market. Researchers noted that the efficiency of the product’s versions released after 2010 has improved, now applying more force on the wearer’s teeth. In another study published on PubMed Central [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6160377/], researchers noted that Invisalign works well for non-extraction treatment of mild to moderate malocclusions of non-growing patients. In other words, Invisalign helps solve bite and misalignment issues in late teens and adults. Other conclusions of the study include: * Invisalign can solve most moderately complex issues in a shorter time than alternatives but can take longer when treating complex issues. * Invisalign can straighten dental arches by leveling and de-rotating the teeth.  * The use of additional Invisalign attachments is effective for different types of movements like overbite control, expansion of maxillary posterior teeth, and canine and premolar rotational movements. * The bottom line is that Invisalign works well to solve most bite and alignment issues in teens and adults by shortening the treatment period. Its efficacy as regards more complex issues is still under debate. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Easing Dental Anxiety: Coping Methods that Can Help

If you suffer from dental anxiety, you are not alone. Many patients experience some level of uneasiness or fear when it comes time to visit the dentist. Dental anxiety can lead to missed appointments and oral health problems. Speak Up About Your Fears If you are feeling apprehensive about seeing a dentist, it is important to vocalize this to both your dentist and dental team. For example, if you are afraid of pain during a procedure, your dental care provider will want to know so that they can take steps to make you more comfortable during your appointment. Likewise, if you experience any anxiety or nervousness before an appointment, you should speak with your dentist about sedation dentistry options. By speaking up about your fears and discussing your treatment options, you can work together to develop a plan that helps you feel as relaxed as possible at the dentist’s office. Take An Trusted Person With You Bringing a friend or family member along can help ease your anxiety in the dentist’s office. Your loved one’s presence can help you feel more relaxed during your visits. Just be sure he or she will be respectful to the dentist and office staff. If he or she is anxious about your appointment or nervous about the sights and sounds of the office, it can worsen your own anxieties about the visit. You could also find comfort in having a loved one there to provide support and help you remember the details afterward. Bring Distractions Bringing a distraction to your appointment can help pass the time. Many patients use smartphones to check email or play games during their appointments. Some people even bring tablets for movie or music time at their dentist’s office. Just check with the office to make sure it’s an acceptable distraction! Most dental offices offer televisions in the exam rooms as well. These screens sometimes show informational videos during dental procedures. Patients can sit back and relax as the chair reclines. While you’re watching tv or taking a nap, your dentist will continue to work to fix your smile! Consider Sedation Dentistry There are many safe and effective forms of sedation available to help you relax during your treatment. Talk with your dentist about which option might best meet your needs and concerns. Here are just a few benefits of using sedation during treatment procedures: * Removes anxiety completely. * Increases comfort and reduces stress or discomfort. * Prevents gagging on the dentist’s tools during the procedure. * Allows you to receive longer or more complex treatments in a single visit. * Improves your quality of life by improving your dental health. * Gives you the oral health care you need that doesn’t create additional stress and anxiety in your life! It is important to note that every patient is different; for some people, sedation isn’t necessary at all! Discuss your concerns and preferences in a consultation appointment. Your dentist can help you decide if you should be sedated during your next dental procedure and recommend safe options to meet your needs. Call Dawson Modern Dentistry at (704) 565-9512 or visit Dentist in Matthews, NC, at 3555-2 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Matthews, NC 28105.

WHAT ARE INVISALIGN ATTACHMENTS?

It used to be that Invisalign treatment was only available for patients with minor occlusal issues. However, with advancements in SmartForce Invisalign Attachment technology, Dr. Ashley Dawson can now treat patients with more complex malocclusions at our Mint Hill office, without the need for traditional metal or ceramic braces.  In these more advanced cases, tiny, tooth-colored structures are attached to your teeth and act as anchor points for aligners, helping to gradually move your teeth into the desired position. Attachments are made out of a composite resin, just like teeth fillings, and are strategically placed to achieve different results.  How Do Invisalign Attachments Work? It may be helpful to understand how Invisalign works first, before breaking down how attachments aid in the alignment process.  Invisalign utilizes a series of removable, clear plastic aligners that are each shaped slightly differently than your existing smile. They subtly move your teeth over the course of treatment, resulting in a beautiful, straight bite. Sometimes, however, your teeth need to be pushed or pulled in a certain way that just isn’t possible with the aligners alone, and that’s where attachments come in. The durable composite resin attachments are tiny shapes that are affixed to specific teeth at strategic angles that give the aligners an anchor to grip onto, providing the leverage necessary to move teeth into their desired position. In some cases, “buttons” can be placed, and rubber bands will be utilized to coax stubborn teeth into alignment.  For many patients in the past, tricky misalignments or other complex cases would automatically rule out Invisalign entirely, and end up requiring the use of traditional metal orthodontics. At Dawson Modern Dentistry, however, we’re experts at utilizing Invisalign to its fullest potential, so you can straighten your smile, and find new levels of self-confidence.  Will I Need Invisalign Attachments? Dr. Dawson has years of experience in bringing dream smiles to life with Invisalign, with and without attachments. Something she’s learned over the years is that every grin is unique and creating a beautiful, functional bite is not a one-size-fits-all process. When you visit our Matthews, NC office, Dr. Dawson will perform a comprehensive exam to find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, and if your treatment will require the use of attachments.  DON’T WAIT TO START SMILING - CONTACT OUR MINT HILL DENTAL OFFICE If you’re unsatisfied with the alignment of your smile, but don’t want to deal with the uncomfortable nature of traditional metal braces, Invisalign may be right for you. With advancements in Invisalign technology, attachments make Invisalign more accessible than ever. There’s no time like the present to get started, so give us a call at (704) 565-9512 or get in touch with us online to schedule a consultation in Mint Hill with Dr. Ashley Dawson today!