Have you ever bitten down and felt like your teeth aren’t lining up the way they used to? Or have you ever been surprised to discover that your back teeth don’t meet up anymore when you clench your jaw? These are indicators that your bite has changed. Your bite is the term for the position of your upper and lower teeth when you close your mouth and bring your upper and lower jaw together. The alignment of your bite is important as far as your ability to speak and chew food, but it’s also important for your overall dental health. Persons with a severe underbite or overbite get important treatment to remedy the situation. If your bite has changed, you will also need to get dental treatment. Here are some reasons why your bite may have changed.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a very serious condition in which the mouth is overrun by bacteria, gum tissues have loosened away from the edges of the teeth, and bone loss may have occurred. Due to the extreme nature of periodontal disease and its way of loosening teeth, the bite is usually affected as well. If you feel that you have one or more loose teeth and your bite has changed, see your dentist right away to find out if you have developed periodontal disease.

Jaw Hinges

If you’re an older adult with relatively healthy teeth and gums but your bite has changed, your jaw hinges may be wearing down. Don’t worry – this happens to many people as they age. Certain other conditions can speed up this process, such as arthritis and grinding the teeth at night. Your dentist can do some diagnostic tests to determine if this is the cause, and recommend treatment options for you.

Wisdom Teeth

If you’re a younger adult, you might experience a change in your bite when your wisdom teeth grow in. As you can imagine, room must be made for more teeth at the back of your mouth. The change should be subtle, but if it’s not, or if it’s causing a problem, you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed.

If you notice that your bite has changed, don’t try to figure out the reason by yourself. Make a dentist appointment so you can get a professional opinion on the cause, as well as available treatment options.

Waterlase is a dental laser treatment tool that makes it possible to perform regular dental treatments without the need for shots or major discomfort. Commonly used on children and even pregnant women, this treatment has numerous advantages, including less discomfort for the patient. Take a look at some of the frequently asked questions regarding Waterlase dental treatment.

What exactly is Waterlase dentistry?

Waterlase dentistry is an innovate treatment method that involves the use of a laser that is combined with both water and air to perform certain types of treatments. lasers have been used in other medical procedures for many years, but they have only started showing up in the dental practice field in the last few years. Waterlase can be used to treat multiple conditions, including:

• to eradicate cavities before a filling
• to eliminate small fragments of bone after an extraction
• to properly clean sugar spots from the teeth
• to prepare a tooth before a crown is added

Why is the Waterlase method better for fillings?

When you get a filling done in the traditional way, the dentist uses a small drill that has a bur on it that breaks away bits of the damaged tooth. Even though this method is effective, the friction from the drill can cause some pain and discomfort for the patient. Plus, it is easy to cause damage to adjacent teeth or the tooth being drilled. Waterlase gives the dentist a gentle and precise way to remove only the damaged parts of the tooth. There is no friction, no heat, and no risks to the surrounding teeth.

Why do patients heal faster after Waterlase treatments?

Waterlase is a gentle and efficient way to perform many common dental procedures. The procedure is non-invasive and is less likely to damage the soft tissues in the mouth than some forms of traditional treatment, such as drilling. Therefore, after a patient has received treatment using Waterlase, there is less discomfort and they can bounce back rather quickly.

Overall, Waterlase dentistry treatment is a valuable component of modern-day dental practice. Reach out to us at the office of Michael J. Tupta for more information about Waterlase and if this is a treatment option we can offer you.

If you are dissatisfied with the color of your teeth, you can have them professionally whitened to improve your smile. Your dentist can provide this helpful service upon request, though it is not covered by insurance. To help you decide if this procedure is right for you, read through this FAQ to learn all you need to know about professional teeth whitening services.

How bright will my teeth look after whitening?

Although the brightest white might seem tempting, it does not suit everyone. You need to consider many different factors to find a shade that flatters you. You will work with your dentist to find the optimize tooth whitening shade for your perfect smile. Professional teeth whitening can often lighten your enamel by up to eight shades. Your dentist will show you all the possibilities and you can select from them to perfect your beautiful smile.

Will whitening my teeth hurt or make them sensitive?

Having your teeth professionally whitened should never cause any pain or discomfort. If you note any problems, let your dentist know right away.

Over-the-counter tooth whitening kits have the potential to make your teeth much more sensitive, but it is much less likely with professional whitening services. Your dentist will take the necessary steps to ensure your enamel does not incur any damage during the whitening process. There is always a risk of increased sensitivity, however, as is the case with all teeth whitening products.

How long does it take to fully whiten my teeth?

To keep the risk of sensitivity to a minimum, dentists usually take up to four weeks to complete the professional teeth whitening process. By gradually removing stains and whitening the teeth, it is possible to achieve the desired results without side effects. You can expect to spend at least one hour in the office once a week throughout this process.

Do I need to have the teeth whitening process repeated?

Although effectively, professional teeth whitening does not provide permanent results. You must take proper care of your teeth and avoid stain-causing substances to get the most out of the improvements to your smile. Even then, you may need to have the process repeated from time to time to retain your dazzling smile.

When can I come in for teeth whitening?

You can schedule an appointment for professional teeth whitening services at your earliest convenience. Just give us a call at 304-744-4150 to schedule your visit with your trusted dental care professionals.

Do you have questions about an upcoming cosmetic dentistry procedure? If so, here’s a list of our most frequently asked questions and their answers.

What Are Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?

Cosmetic dentistry procedures are any form of treatment that improves the aesthetic appearance of your mouth. For example, crowns and bridges can replace broken or misshaped teeth, dentures and implants can provide a brand-new smile, and teeth whitening can brighten and lighten stained teeth. These procedures are intended to improve your self-esteem and help you feel more comfortable with your smile.

Will My Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure Hurt?

While you might experience slight discomfort during the procedure, Dr. Tupta will do everything he can to minimize these sensations. He uses various kinds of anesthetic to numb your mouth so you won’t feel pain during the procedure.

Who Can Benefit From Cosmetic Dentistry?

Anyone who is unhappy with their smile can benefit from cosmetic dentistry. In particular, it’s a great choice for patients with broken or chipped teeth, missing teeth, and yellowing or graying teeth. At your initial appointment, Dr. Tupta will talk with you about your concerns and devise a personalized treatment plan to help improve these deficiencies. Usually, the only patients who don’t qualify for a cosmetic procedure are those with poor oral hygiene or active infection in the mouth.

Will My Insurance Cover a Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure?

Unfortunately, because most cosmetic dentistry procedures are not medically necessary, health insurances often don’t provide full coverage. However, if you have a separate dental policy, you may receive at least partial coverage for your procedures. To know for sure, contact your insurance companies to ask about your coverage.

Does Cosmetic Dentistry Have Health Benefits?

The benefits of cosmetic dentistry go far beyond just improving your smile. Chewing and speaking may be easier, and you may also be able to preserve density in the jaw if you’ve lost teeth. You may also have a decreased chance of infection because bacteria will have less room to grow once empty spaces have been replaced by crowns or bridges.