Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Night Guards

If you or your sleep partner is suffering from teeth grinding, you know how it can interfere with getting a good night’s rest. At Greenville Family Dentistry, we offer solutions for teeth grinding.
 
Teeth grinding involves clenching the jaw and gnashing the teeth unconsciously during sleep. The exact cause of teeth grinding is not known, but it is very common and occurs in both children and adults. It some instances, grinding the teeth can lead to damaged teeth, jaw pain and headaches.
 
We offer custom fit night guards in order to treat teeth grinding. The night guard acts as a barrier between your top and bottom teeth, which prevents grinding and gnashing of your teeth.
 
The process of making a night guard is easy. We start by taking an impression of your teeth, and the guard is then made in a dental lab. Since your night guard is made specifically for you, it fits comfortably and allows you to breathe normally.
 
In addition to night guards, we offer a variety of services including periodontal treatment, bonding, extractions, TMJ treatment and other services.
 
For more information on teeth grinding treatment or in order to have a night guard made, please call Greenville Family Dentistry at 903-455-6701.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are a type of restorative dental procedure that helps to protect the tooth from further decay or damage. It is also known as a partial crown, because the process is very similar to a crown. However, it is more conservative than a crown and involves less removal of healthy tooth structure.
 
Here at Greenville Family Dentistry, we perform inlays and onlays to help strengthen a tooth susceptible to breaking, prevent permanent damage that would need an implant or bridge, and restore its shape as well. The inlay is placed inside the tooth, while the onlay is more extensive and goes on the outside of the tooth.
 
Like with dental crowns, inlays and onlays performed in our office take about 2-3 weeks in total. Here is a summary of the procedure:
 
1. The patient visits our office and has a local anesthetic to numb the area of the tooth. This makes it so the patient is comfortable and does not experience any pain during the procedure.
2. A drill is used to remove the damaged portion of the tooth; this is where the inlay or onlay will go.
3. With the tooth prepared, impressions are made for the inlays or onlays and sent to the lab.
4. The patient returns in about two weeks to have the inlay or onlay bonded to their tooth. This is similar to a crown, though it is not covering the entire tooth.
 
For inlays or onlays as a restorative dental procedure, visit us at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX!

Friday, December 12, 2014

Dentures

Missing teeth can interfere with your self-image and make you shy away from social situations. Missing teeth can also affect the structure of your face and interfere with proper speech. Dentures are one option for replacing lost teeth. Replacing missing teeth with dentures can improve your appearance, increase self-confidence and restore your ability to chew properly.
 
At Greenville Family Dentistry, we offer our patients options including full and partial dentures. Full dentures replace all the teeth in your mouth. If you opt for full dentures, any remaining natural teeth will be extracted. After the gums are given time to heal, the dentures are placed. This option is considered conventional dentures.
 
A second option to consider is immediate dentures. This involves extraction and immediate placement of the dentures. The gums heal while the dentures are worn. Dr. Christopher Emuedue DDS will discuss options and determine if you are a candidate for immediate dentures. In addition to full dentures, we also offer partial dentures for patients who have some healthy, natural teeth remaining.
 
Dentures may take some time to get used to, but can be a good choice in order to replace missing teeth. The experienced staff at Greenville Family Dentistry will educate you on how to take care of your dentures. Regular dental appointments are still essential in order to maintain proper oral health.
For more information on dentures or to schedule an appointment please call Greenville Family Dentistry at 903-455-6701.