Our Las Cruces dental office is pleased to offer a full range of dental care services and dental treatments. Our dental services include: children's, cosmetic, family, general, implant, laser, preventive, restorative and sedation dentistry.
Dentists complete 122 million composite tooth restorations in the United States each year, according to Oregon State University (OSU). But the average lifetime of posterior dental composites is only 6 years. Bioactive glass may improve their durability and provide some of the minerals that have been lost to tooth decay. “Bioactive glass, which is a type of crushed glass that is able to interact with the body, has been used in some types of bone healing for decades,” said Jamie Kruzic, a professor at the OSU college of engineering. The hard and stiff material can replace the inert glass fillers now mixed with polymers to make modern composite tooth fillings. “This type of glass is only beginning to see use in dentistry, and our research shows it may be very promising for tooth fillings,” he said. “The bacteria in the mouth that help cause cavities don’t seem to like this type of glass and are less likely to colonize on fillings that incorporate it. This could have a significant impact on the future of dentistry.” Bioactive glass is made with compounds such as silicon oxide, calcium oxide, and phosphorous oxide, and it looks like powdered glass. Its antimicrobial effect is attributed, in part, to the release of ions such as those from calcium and phosphate that have a toxic effect on oral bacteria and tend to neutralize the local acidic environment. “Almost all fillings will eventually fail,” Kruzic said. “New tooth decay often begins at the interface of a filling and the tooth and is called secondary tooth decay. The tooth is literally being eroded and demineralized at that surface.” To read the entire article, please visit DentistryToday.com
If you have become frustrated with adhesives to eliminate denture movement while eating or speaking, we have an alternative that will put a smile on your face. Overdentures will lock your dentures into place with just a few dental implants. They are removable and easily snap off for proper cleaning. Come in and let us determine if overdentures are the right option for you!
The silver-mercury amalgam has been used by dental practices for dozens of years. They are a reasonable restoration, but metal does not bond tightly to teeth. Eventually, the filling will loosen and allow decay to set in. Also, many people are unhappy with the appearance of a dark filling in light teeth.
We use only composite resin fillings that bond very tightly to teeth. They are made to match the shade of the tooth they fill, and are unnoticeable when laughing or speaking. They actually add strength to the teeth while minimizing the chances of decay setting in. Bridget Burris, DDS Jared S. Wallis, DDS 1748 South Triviz Drive Las Cruces, NM 88001 (575) 522-1983 LasCrucesDentist.com
If your mouth or jaw hurt, it could be from a toothache. Toothaches usually indicate a cavity but they can also signal gum disease. In some cases, a toothache is a sign of an abscess or impacted tooth. A toothache should be evaluated by a dentist right away to determine the cause of the problem and prevent the tooth from dying. Above article from: MouthHealthy.org Bridget Burris, DDS 1748 South Triviz Drive Las Cruces, NM 88001 (575) 522-1983 LasCrucesDentist.com
Myth 1: The consequences of poor oral health are restricted to the mouth Expectant mothers may not know that what they eat affects the tooth development of the fetus. Poor nutrition during pregnancy may make the unborn child more likely to have tooth decay later in life. “Between the ages of 14 weeks to four months, deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, protein and calories could result in oral defects,” says Carole Palmer, EdD, RD, professor at TUSDM and head of the division of nutrition and oral health promotion in the department of public health and community service. Some data also suggest that lack of adequate vitamin B6 or B12 could be a risk factor for cleft lip and cleft palate formation. In children, tooth decay is the most prevalent disease, about five times more common than childhood asthma. “If a child’s mouth hurts due to tooth decay, he/she is less likely to be able to concentrate at school and is more likely to be eating foods that are easier to chew but that are less nutritious. Foods such as donuts and pastries are often lower in nutritional quality and higher in sugar content than more nutritious foods that require chewing, like fruits and vegetables,” says Palmer. “Oral complications combined with poor diet can also contribute to cognitive and growth problems and can contribute to obesity.” Myth 2: More sugar means more tooth decay It isn’t the amount of sugar you eat; it is the amount of time that the sugar has contact with the teeth. “Foods such as slowly-dissolving candies and soda are in the mouth for longer periods of time. This increases the amount of time teeth are exposed to the acids formed by oral bacteria from the sugars,” says Palmer. Some research shows that teens obtain about 40 percent of their carbohydrate intake from soft drinks. This constant beverage use increases the risk of tooth decay. Sugar-free carbonated drinks and acidic beverages, such as lemonade, are often considered safer for teeth than sugared beverages but can also contribute to demineralization of tooth enamel if consumed regularly. To read the entire article written by Medardo Chua, please visit IDentalAccess.com Bridget Burris, DDS Jared S. Wallis, DDS 1748 South Triviz Drive Las Cruces, NM 88001 (575) 522-1983 LasCrucesDentist.com
Many things can cause these symptoms, which can make it difficult to diagnose. Possible causes include sinus problems, toothache, arthritis, injury, teeth grinding, gingivitis or problems with your jaw like TMJ. Your dentist will conduct a thorough exam, which may include X-rays, to determine the source of the pain.
A Very Effective Preventive Treatment for Children and Adolescents
Any amount of decay, even the smallest cavity, will require a restoration. Is there a treatment that can help in the prevention of cavities? Yes! Dental sealants have been proven to be very effective in the fight against cavities. It is one quick and easy application to the back teeth that will help to preserve children's and adolescents' adult teeth for a lifetime.
The whole procedure takes just minutes! After the teeth are cleaned, one thin coating of a clear sealant is applied to the exposed surfaces. The dentist uses a curing light to bond the application to teeth. And that is all there is to it. No shots, drilling, or tooth removal are necessary. We highly recommend this treatment to reduce the occurrence of cavities. Bridget Burris, DDS Jared S. Wallis, DDS 1748 South Triviz Drive Las Cruces, NM 88001 (575) 522-1983 LasCrucesDentist.com
When it comes to personal oral hygiene, not all men are as attentive to their teeth as women. Starting with the checkup, surveys suggests men are more likely to see a dentist only in the event of a problem. So, guys, learn how to step up your oral care routine with the following tips for maintaining a healthy smile and preventing oral health problems before they start. Toothbrush Tips Brushing is just one part of keeping your mouth clean - doing so twice a day, in particular. However, the average man brushes his teeth 1.9 times a day, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). It's not enough to brush quickly and be on your way; two minutes of thorough cleaning is your most effective approach. Keep in mind you don't need to brush hard during this process. Use a soft-bristled brush such as Colgate® Slim Soft™ and brush gently at a 45-degree angle. Some helpful hints: Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, rinse it after each use and store it in an upright position to air dry. Storing it in a container actually allows microorganisms to grow on the brush, explains the American Dental Association (ADA), so it's best to avoid this method. Sports and Dental Injuries Playing contact sports can lead to trauma in unexpected places, and this includes broken, chipped or lost teeth. Wear a mouthguard when you're on the field and a helmet when you're on your bike. Ultimately, see your dentist as soon as possible after experiencing an incident to quickly assess the damage and determine what can be done to fix it. To read the entire article written by Margie Monin Dombrowski, please visit Colgate.com
A cracked or broken tooth can happen for a variety of reasons- brittle teeth, teeth grinding, injury. The crack may be invisible to the naked eye and even X-ray, but they can be incredibly painful and create bigger problems if left untreated. If you experience pain when chewing see your dentist. They can diagnose the cause and develop a plan for treatment.
You may have been told you are not a candidate for dental implants because of insufficient bone density. If you would like to take care of your denture problems of slipping and tilting, you will be pleased to learn of mini implants. They will secure your dentures as well as regular implants, can be placed in just one visit, and the procedure is painless! Even more amazing, you can eat whatever you like the same day. Give us a call today to add to your quality of life by relieving these problems with your dentures. Bridget Burris, DDS Jared S. Wallis, DDS 1748 South Triviz Drive Las Cruces, NM 88001 (575) 522-1983 LasCrucesDentist.com
Dentists complete 122 million composite tooth restorations in the United States each year, according to Oregon State University (OSU). But the average lifetime of posterior dental composites is only 6 years. Bioactive glass may improve their durability and provide some of the minerals that have been lost to tooth decay.
