EMA Dental Blog

Most people have heard of a crown, but they don’t really know what they are, beyond something Prince Harry will one day wear!

At EMA Dental, we use crowns to repair teeth that are damaged and to anchor bridges onto adjacent healthy teeth. A crown is a cap placed over the part of the tooth that sits above the gum line. They can be made of either metal alloy or porcelain.

Reasons to have a crown

Crowns can have a wide variety of uses. The most common are:

• If a tooth is deeply cracked or worn
• If a tooth has a very large cavity
• If a tooth has a root canal procedure
• If a tooth is abnormally small, oddly shaped, or very discolored

How are crowns placed?

Fitting and placing a crown usually takes two appointments. During your first appointment, we remove any decay or other area of the tooth that is not savable. In cases where a tooth has extensive decay, it can’t be simply filled because the filling will occupy too large an area and won’t have the strength necessary for long-term chewing and biting. A crown is needed.

To prepare your tooth for a crown, once we have removed any decay or damage, we shave off some of the healthy portion of the tooth. This is necessary to make room for the crown to be fitted atop the tooth. Then we take dental impressions and send them off to the lab for the fabrication of your crown. While the crown is being made, we fit you with a temporary crown.

When your crown is finished, you return and we check the fit. Then the crown is permanently cemented onto your tooth. Any final shaping and polishing is done, and you’re good to go.

So, give that damaged or decayed tooth the royal treatment — have the pros at EMA Dental put a crown on it. Call either our Longmeadow or Northhampton offices to schedule your appointment.

Sometimes a tooth cannot be saved. Maybe it has been damaged from a sports injury or other trauma. Maybe the decay in the tooth is just too involved to leave enough healthy tooth for a filling. Or maybe, the tooth has been damaged for too long and is dying. In these cases, extraction is necessary.

But what to do about the gap?

Some people think you can leave a gap from a single tooth alone. After all, it’s only a single tooth, right? Well, this can lead to a series of problems.

First, the teeth on both sides of the missing tooth tend to want to fill the space, sliding out of alignment in doing so. Second, a healthy tooth keeps the jawbone below it healthy. How? When you chew food, a certain amount of energy goes down through the tooth into the jawbone below. This energy keeps the jawbone continually adding new mass. When a tooth or teeth are missing, that area of the jawbone no longer receives that stimulation and begins to lose bone mass.

Implants to the rescue

You can have a bridge with a crown to replace that missing tooth, or you can have a dental implant. At EMA Dental, we believe implants are the best choice for permanent replacement.

A dental implant is actually a titanium screw that is placed down into the root socket from the missing tooth. The titanium implant is left in place to allow the jawbone to accept it and grow around it, a process known as osseointegration. Once this has happened and the implant is now basically part of your jaw, a post is attached to the implant with an artificial tooth on top of that.

Just like a real tooth

That artificial tooth feels and functions just like a natural tooth. Why? Because it is anchored into the jawbone exactly as a natural tooth is. You can eat whatever you want, and caring for an implant is just like caring for a natural tooth.

Do you have a missing tooth? Let’s replace it with a dental implant at EMA Dental. Call us for an appointment at either of our two offices.

Studies have shown that people respond more positively to people with bright white teeth. They are perceived as younger and more attractive than people with discolored or stained teeth. We offer professional teeth whitening in our Refresh Whitening Spa at EMA Dental, but what the procedure entails can be influenced by the degree of tooth discoloration.

Figuring out the causes behind a patient’s discolored teeth is important. Those causes can be internal or external.

External triggers

Tooth discoloration due to external causes is a result of the stains being in the outermost surface of the teeth. Causes of this type of staining are:

• Coffee, tea, red wine, dark colas, fruit juices
• Chewing and/or smoking tobacco
• Chlorhexidine mouthwash (it’s true — mouthwash can stain your teeth)
• Certain medications or supplements such as tetracycline, liquid iron, doxycycline, and others

Internal causes

When staining is caused by internal forces, this is often referred to as intrinsic discoloration. In these cases, the dentin (the middle layer of the tooth) becomes a dark hue. Reasons for intrinsic discoloration are:

• Age
• Tetracycline (staining from this antibiotic is common among people who were given the drug at an early age)
• Fluorosis, or exposure to an elevated level of fluoride at an early age.

As us about tooth whitening treatments in our Refresh Whitening Spa. Call either our Longmeadow or Northhampton offices.

Nobody likes to have stained teeth, whether the cause is one too many cups of coffee or taking tetracycline when you were young. Fortunately, there are many whitening options at our Refresh Whitening Spa at EMA Dental — from in-office treatments to at-home whitening kits.

The tooth whitening process of your choice, however, should be based on the underlying cause of your tooth discoloration. Here are the reasons for tooth discoloration.

• Genetics. Some people are born with enamel that is thinner than normal. The teeth appear more yellow due to the underlying dentin.
• Certain medical conditions such as extreme cases of fluorosis and certain types of fungal infections. Improper development of the enamel may also be a result of amelogenesis or dentinogenesis.
• Use of certain medications such as tetracycline use during pregnancy (this affects the child rather than the mother) and early childhood. Certain antihistamines and antidepressants have also been shown to cause tooth discoloration.
• Poor dental hygiene (brushing, flossing, regular dental cleanings)
• Chronic smoking
• Certain foods such as coffee, wine, tea and dark-colored sodas

Tooth Whitening at EMA Dental’s Refresh Whitening Spa
Our Refresh Whitening Spa at EMA Dental offers different whitening options. You can opt for our relaxing in-office whitening, or you can utilize our home whitening kits. Our team will help you select the best option for you discoloration.

People hear about dental bonding, but since most people only really know two “bonds” — James and jail — there may be a need for enlightenment.

Dental bonding uses resin, a plastic-like material, to remedy a variety of dental issues. Bonding is used when a tooth needs a large cavity filled, to correct gaps, even fix the appearance of crooked teeth. Bonding can be used in lieu of more expensive treatments such as porcelain veneers.

Bonding can be used to:

• Restore decayed teeth
• Fill cracks and repair chips in teeth
• Permanently fill gaps between teeth
• Brighten heavily discolored teeth
• Replace certain types of fillings
• Protect the teeth when gums recede
• Improve symmetry of the teeth
• Hold veneers and crowns

Bonding benefits
There are three pretty groovy reasons to consider bonding.

• Price — Bonding can be used in place of more expensive options such as crowns, precious metal fillings, and veneers. A talented dentist can achieve similar results with bonding.
• Simplicity — Bonding is done right in our office, and usually in just one appointment. No waiting for lab fabrication or downtime.
• No pain — Because bonding material is applied to your teeth, there is no need for anesthesia.

At EMA Dental, we are bonding experts, so when keep it in mind the next time you need to have some work done.

There is no need to doubt your smile any longer. With the help of our treatment, you will feel a new confidence and that smile might even become your own favorite feature. Feeling good about your oral health is important in every outlet of life. Professionally, you want to greet your clients with a firm handshake and a genuine smile. Let us give you the smile you have always wanted.

Composite are a Great Option

If you are suffering from tooth decay or if your teeth require reshaping or color change, composites might provide a perfect option for you.

Composites are:

• Tooth-colored
• Resin mixtures
• Identical to the original tooth

Bonding Can Bring Back That Smile

Similar to composites, bonding is a procedure that requires the application of a resin material to teeth, which is then hardened with a special light, bonding the material to the original tooth. Dentists apply this in layers, building up the material to suit the area in question, to restore a tooth’s shape and help to improve a client’s smile.

Bonding can be a solution for:

• Chipped teeth
• Reshaping teeth
• Improving appearance of discolored teeth

Veneers Are a Great Option

Veneers can be a great option to improve the appearance of:

• Crooked teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Misaligned teeth

Our veneers are made of high-quality ceramic and attached to the front and top of existing teeth. This treatment provides an easy solution for patients and does not leave any apparent sign of dental work, other than an improvement to the overall appearance of teeth.

A new veneer is made from a direct model of your original tooth, which is sent away to a lab to ensure that the unique veneer is a perfect fit for your tooth. Once your veneer is ready, it is trimmed down to fit properly. Your tooth is then cleaned, polished, and prepared, roughing the tooth surface to allow for a stronger bond. Dental cement is applied and once the veneer is placed on the tooth, your dentist will use a special light to activate the cement, creating an attachment between the veneer and the original tooth, and curing the veneer. Excess cement is then removed and your bite will be examined. Any final adjustments are made as needed.

Complete Smile Makeovers

You deserve to have a smile that makes you feel confident about your appearance. If you’re concerned about how your smile looks and makes you feel, we can help. Whether it’s just adjusting the shape of a tooth or two, changing the color of your teeth, or a complete makeover, we can design the right treatment plan to achieve your goals.

We understand that:

• No two smiles are the same
• The dental journey is a combination of artistry and science
• Dental changes can change your whole outlook

We want you to be happy with what you see in the mirror, and be confident in your interactions with other people. Call us today to book your consultation and discover the perfect smile that’s waiting for you.

If you are considering Invisalign or traditional braces, you likely have a lot of questions. Which works better? Which method is less expensive? How long will each take for the best results possible? It’s certainly understandable… navigating these options can be confusing. But never fear! We’re here to help! That’s why we’ve assembled this handy guide to answer your questions.

What’s the difference between Invisalign and traditional braces?
We’re so glad you asked! Braces are the metal brackets you are used to seeing. The bands are glued to your teeth, and little wires link the bands together. New versions of the brackets come in colors to match your teeth, or your personality!

On the other hand, by design, Invisalign is intended to be unseen. The trays are made of clear plastic. These trays slip over your teeth and gradually move your teeth into the desired position. The treatment may involve x-rays and impressions to ensure the trays are configured accordingly.

Can I play sports with braces?
Braces may not be ideal for some serious contact sports. Brackets and wires can cut your gums and mouth tissue. Invisalign is a smooth plastic surface, so cuts and abrasions are less likely to happen.

How long does each method take to straighten my teeth?
Each situation is different, and each treatment plan is individualized based on your unique needs, so it’s difficult to say how long each might take. In some cases, Invisalign can work in as little as 6-18 months, depending on the unique needs of each patient. Braces could take a bit longer.

Which will work best for me?
There are pros and cons to each treatment plan. Adults may prefer the less obvious look of Invisalign for personal or professional reasons. The ability to remove the trays to enable easier brushing and flossing is also a benefit of Invisalign.

Clearly, the decision requires more that we can outline here. The only way to know if Invisalign is right for you is to schedule a consultation with our office. We’re happy to evaluate your unique needs and make the best recommendation possible.

In the musical Bye, Bye Birdie, Albert Peterson sings: “Gray skies are gonna clear up! Put on a happy face.” But what if he had been singing about gray teeth instead of gray skies? How are you supposed to put on a happy face when your smile is marred by dark and discolored teeth?

One of the permanent solutions to your gloomy-looking smile is a set of Veneers. Whether your sad face is caused by gaps, crooked teeth, discoloration, other damage, or some combination, veneers act as a natural-looking mask for your teeth. Think of it like a false front for a building. The functionality of the inside of the building (or your mouth, in this case) is completely the same, but thanks to a fancy front, it looks drastically better.

So how can you obtain a set of fine veneers to turn that frown upside down? Here’s what you need to know.

The Process
After you have met with your dentist for a diagnosis, you will need to return two more times. During the first of these two visits, your dentist will shave off a tiny bit of enamel from your tooth. This makes room for the veneers. Once the enamel is removed, the dentist will make a model of your mouth so that the veneers will fit your teeth perfectly.

The second appointment will follow in a week or two. This is when the veneers are applied to your teeth. This is done with a special dental bonding cement. Your dentist will carefully set, trim, and adjust the look and fit of the veneers so as to affect only your look and not more important things like your bite.

Choose Carefully
While veneers are right for many people, you need to remember that this is a permanent decision. It cannot be reversed, and when your current veneers wear out in about 5 to 10 years, you will need a new set. In addition, veneers can be expensive. Usually costing hundreds or even a thousand dollars for one tooth, veneers are also generally not covered by insurance, as it is a cosmetic procedure.