Cosmetic Dentistry Archives | Sterling Heights Dentist, Dr. Farhat of Dental 1 Care

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

January 17, 2020 by dental1admin Leave a Comment

Tooth discoloration can affect you in many ways, like making you self-conscious about your smile. As a result, your social interactions and other aspects of your life can take a hit. But what causes teeth to become discolored? Read on and discover some of the common causes of tooth discoloration and the common remedies that dentists in Sterling Heights MI recommend.

Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Pigmented Foods and Drinks. Some vegetables, fruits, and drinks like coffee, red wine and soda can stain your teeth if you consume them frequently.

Tobacco Products. People who consume various tobacco products, such as cigarettes and chewing tobacco, face a high risk of developing tooth discoloration. This is due to the chemical compounds found in tobacco, according to orthodontists in Sterling Heights, MI.

Poor Dental Hygiene. When you aren’t as vigilant about maintaining oral hygiene by flossing and brushing, you are likely to develop dental stains. This is because plaque will readily harden on your teeth and form calculus. Poor oral hygiene also allows pigmented foods and drinks to stay in contact with your teeth for long, resulting in stains.

Some Medications. Medications, such as some antibiotics, high blood pressure medication and antihistamines can also stain your teeth. This effect is particularly pronounced when kids whose teeth are still developing take those drugs.

Age. As one grows older, the enamel on the teeth gets eroded leaving dentin closer to the surface of the teeth. Dentin is closer to brown or yellow in color, so when it is exposed, your teeth will look discolored.

Genetics. Some people are naturally endowed with tooth enamel that is thicker or whiter than that of others. Your discolored teeth may have nothing to do with your oral care habits, the foods and drinks you consume or any medication you are currently taking.

Environmental Factors. You may also develop stains on your teeth if you live in an area with high concentrations of fluoride in the water supply or when you take large amounts of fluoride as a supplement. Fluoride rinses and treatments can also eventually cause tooth discoloration.

Trauma. Dr. Lyons, an orthodontist in El Dorado Hills CA, has encountered numerous cases of people with discolored teeth resulting from trauma, such as accidents during contact sports. Kids whose teeth are still developing can also get stains due to a fall that affects the enamel.

How to Prevent Tooth Discoloration

As the discussion above shows, many of the causes of teeth discoloration are within your control. Therefore, you can prevent this cosmetic dental problem by making simple lifestyle changes. For example, make sure that you brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. You should also control or drop habits like cigarette smoking that increase your risk for tooth discoloration. Having teeth cleaning services every six months by a professional at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights MI will also avert tooth discoloration.

Treatment Options for Tooth Discoloration

If you already have stains on your teeth, talk to a dentist in Sterling Heights MI about the applicable treatment options. He or she will recommend the most appropriate from the following remedies;

Improving your flossing and brushing techniques.
Limiting your consumption of drinks and foods that stain your teeth.
Getting dental veneers.
Undergoing dental bonding.
Undergoing teeth whitening (using OTC whitening products, in-office teeth whitening or at-home teeth whitening trays made by your dentist in Sterling Heights MI).

Don’t let discolored teeth affect the quality of your life. Contact us at Dental One Care if you live in Sterling Heights MI and we will give you our considered opinion about how you can treat the discoloration and avoid the recurrence of dental stains.

Why You Might Need Another Round of Braces

December 21, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Approximately two in ten people who have braces are adults. So, don’t think that you’re alone if you’re having to undergo treatment as an adult. While the prospect of wearing braces may not be the most exciting one, the orthodontics experts at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI, reassure you that orthodontics has made serious advancements over the years. Therefore, you will have more options, such as clear aligners, to choose from. Here are some reasons why you may need another round of braces as an adult.

You Overlooked Wearing Your Retainer as a Teen

Dr. Fardi Farhat, a Sterling Heights dentist, explains that orthodontic treatment requires several steps. So, having your braces removed doesn’t mean that the treatment has ended. Dr. Fardi adds that many teenagers neglect to wear their retainers. This is a big mistake because the retainer helps to keep your teeth in place. Without the retainer, the teeth can move again and become crooked or misaligned. When this happens, you will need to visit Dental One Care in Sterling Heights so that Dr. Fardi Farhat can assess the state of your smile and dental health. Braces may, therefore, be one of the treatment options to fix the problems.

You May Have Needed to Wear the Retainer for Longer

A lot has been changing for the better in the field of dentistry, and orthodontics in particular. With a better understanding of orthodontics has come the knowledge that people may have needed to wear retainers for much longer than had been originally thought. For example, some patients may have needed to wear retainers throughout their lives rather than for just a few years as they had been instructed based on the information available at the time. If you are one of those people who didn’t wear your retainer for as long as the current understanding suggests you should have, then a trip to Dental One Care would be helpful for you to learn how Dr. Fardi Farhat and the team can design an appropriate orthodontic treatment plan for you.

Changes to Your Oral Structures

Younger people, such as teens, normally wear braces so that their teeth and jaws can be directed to grow well. Over time, changes keep happening and these changes may take your teeth out of alignment as you grow older. Consequently, you may need another round of braces.

Injuries and Other Dental Problems

Many adults also end up needing a second round of braces as a result of injuries or other dental problems that afflict them. For example, if you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), the abnormal levels of stress exerted on your teeth may cause them to shift out of their positions. Such shifts may be so severe that only orthodontic treatment by the experts at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights MI can correct the resulting defect. For other people, accidents can have such a serious effect on their teeth that they may need to wear braces or undergo other forms of orthodontic treatment in order to deal with the effects of that trauma.

As you can see, there are a variety of reasons that could make it necessary for you to wear braces again later in life. The only way to be certain that you can benefit from the second round of braces is by coming to Dental One Care for a consultation with Dr. Fardi Farhat who will assess you and explain the available options for resolving the issues observed. You will, therefore, be empowered to make informed decisions about the way forward to better dental health, so schedule an appointment today.

11 Tips for Invisalign Patients

August 21, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Because Invisalign aligners are worn for up to 22 hours each day, it isn’t uncommon for patients to be concerned about the way their day-to-day lives will be affected by this treatment. Dr. Fardi Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI has compiled the following tips and tricks to help each patient get the very best from Invisalign while minimizing the inconveniences associated with wearing the aligners.

Switch Aligners While Going to Bed

The highest degree of soreness, tenderness or even pain tends to be felt by Invisalign patients when they have just switched from one aligner to another.

While this soreness or tenderness is unavoidable, Dr. Fardi Farhat recommends that patients switch aligners just before going to bed rather than in the morning. This timing is advisable because the adjustment to the new aligner will happen while you sleep and the soreness will be no more (or will be considerably lessened) by the time you wake up.

Make Cold Compresses Your Friend

The tip above will address the worst of the discomfort that you feel each time you start using a new Invisalign aligner, but some residual soreness or tenderness may carry over into the next day or two. For such situations, a cold compress placed outside the mouth will go a long way towards alleviating the discomfort.

Mind What You Eat

We asked our friend, Dr. Kristina Neda, a dentist in Georgetown, KY, to share her tips for Invisalign patients. Dr. Neda explains that just like any cosmetic dentistry treatment, you’ll need to be mindful of what you eat. When you feel sore as a result of wearing Invisalign aligners for the first time, one of the worst things that you can do is to eat foods that are chewy, crunchy or crispy. This is because such foods will place an added strain on your teeth and gums, and this is not what you want.

Dr. Fardi Farhat recommends that you refrain from consuming crunchy, crispy or chewy foods while wearing Invisalign aligners so that you don’t strain your teeth unnecessarily.

Adopt the Right Sleeping Position

In the beginning, patients may notice that they produce a larger volume of saliva when they wear Invisalign aligners for the first time. This excessive production of saliva will gradually reduce as your oral structures become accustomed to the aligners.

Before that normalization happens, it is wise to prop up your head and lie on your back while you sleep. This will reduce how much saliva you produce while you sleep and it will prevent drooling.

Breathe Through the Nose

The excess production of saliva that happens in the first few days when you start wearing Invisalign aligners can cause this saliva to flow out of your mouth if your mouth stays open while you sleep.

One way to prevent this flow of saliva is by keeping your mouth closed and only breathe through your nose. If you breathe through the mouth by default, talk to your dentist in Sterling Heights, MI and you will get advice on which specialist to see so that you don’t suffer avoidable inconveniences while wearing Invisalign aligners.

Always Have an Aligners Case

As Dr. Fardi Farhat will tell you before you get your set of Invisalign aligners, you should remove these aligners each time you are going to eat or chew anything and put the aligner back in your mouth after brushing or cleaning the teeth and gums after eating.

The ability to remove your Invisalign aligners periodically carries a risk that the aligners will be lost or damaged during the time that they are out of your mouth. To prevent such an eventuality, it is advisable to have a case in which you can place your aligners at all times. Talk to a Sterling Heights dentist for advice on which case to acquire if you currently don’t have one.

Avoid Hot or Pigmented Beverages

You can take drinks while wearing an Invisalign aligner. However, caution should be taken when taking pigmented beverages, such as coffee, because these may stain the clear aligners.

In the same vein, avoid taking hot drinks while an aligner is in your mouth. The hot drink will warp the aligner and your treatment may be compromised. This is not to say that you shouldn’t drink anything hot. Instead, be aware of the risk and remove the aligner before consuming the hot or pigmented drink.

Don’t Worry When Kissing

You can kiss your partner while having an Invisalign aligner in your mouth. However, you are also free to first remove the aligners before you kiss if this will make you more comfortable. Note that colored lipstick and lip-gloss will stain your clear aligners, so keep the aligner out of your mouth if this risk of staining is present when you kiss.

And the Photo Shoot!

The shiny aligners will make your smile bright in photos, and this is a good thing because any imperfections in your teeth will be masked. However, when the camera is focused on your face or mouth, the clear aligners may be visible, so you may need to get creative and avoid these kinds of photos as much as you can if you are concerned that people will know that you wear aligners.

In the long run, you will develop healthy dental habits as a result of the little adjustments that you make to your lifestyle while you wear Invisalign aligners. These good habits will serve your dental health in good stead, so embrace those changes as lifelong habits. If you still have questions about Invisalign aligners, or indeed about any aspect of your dental health, give us a call at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights. Dr. Fardi Farhat and the entire team will gladly address your concerns and give you the care you need to get your dental health back.

How to Close a Gap in Your Teeth

July 10, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Despite all your efforts to maintain the highest level of dental hygiene, you may be horrified to see a gap developing between two teeth. Such gaps can feel larger than they actually are, especially if they are between your front teeth. Fortunately, a gap in your teeth can be fixed. In this article, we discuss why these gaps develop, as well as highlighting the available treatment options at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI.

Common Causes of Gaps Between Teeth

Diastemas, or gaps in teeth, commonly occur between the front teeth but can also appear between any other two teeth in your mouth due to one or more of the following factors;

Mismatched jawbone and teeth sizes

Extra space can develop between teeth if the size of the jaw bone is too large or too small relative to the size of the teeth. Dr. Fardi Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI, explains that this mismatch between the size of the teeth and the jaw bone can also cause one’s teeth to crowd.

Undersized or missing teeth

See a Sterling Heights dentist as soon as you lose a tooth or several teeth because this condition may cause gaps to develop between your remaining teeth. Experts at Dental One Care explain that when you lose a tooth, the adjacent teeth may move towards the gap left. As these teeth move, they create gaps between themselves and the teeth nearest to them. Gaps may also result from one or more teeth that are smaller than those nearest to them.

An overgrown labial frenum

The labial frenum is a piece of flesh that grows from the upper lip to the gums. If this tissue grows excessively, it can extend to the middle of your front teeth and prevent the natural progression of the process through which this gap is closed.

Bad habits

When you suck your thumb, constantly hold a pencil between your teeth, or engage in any other bad oral habit, you may develop a gap between your front teeth. Dr. Fardi Farhat cautions parents to wing-off their child from pacifiers once necessary.

An abnormal swallowing reflex

Dentists in Sterling Heights explain that under normal circumstances, the tongue automatically presses against the roof of the mouth while you swallow. However, some people’s swallowing reflex can cause gaps to form between the front teeth affected each time an individual swallows.

Periodontal disease

Gum or periodontal disease can progress to a point at which gum recession starts taking place. Bone loss can also occur when gum disease is left untreated. When that happens, teeth can become loose and move, causing gaps.

Treatment Options for Gapped Teeth

Dental Bonding

One of the easiest, most economical, and fastest ways to treat gapped teeth is by dental bonding. In this simple procedure, tooth-colored material is placed on the tooth before using a special light to harden or cure the material. The process of curing the resin makes it form a strong bond with the tooth, thereby closing the gap.

Bonding has several other benefits, such as being reversible and requiring just one visit. Dr. Fardi Farhat cautions that the bonding resin used can develop chips and cracks easily, so great care must be taken to preserve these restorations.

Use of Dental Veneers

Your dentist in Sterling Heights, MI, can also recommend dental veneers to close the gaps between your teeth. This process is relatively invasive since it requires some enamel to be removed from the front surface of your teeth in order to make room for the thin porcelain (or other material) veneer that will be cemented onto the teeth.

Veneers also mask other imperfections that you may have on your teeth, such as minor chips and cracks. Dr. Farhat, Sterling Heights’ dentist, also adds that veneers are more durable than bonding since they are made from stronger materials.

However, the use of dental veneers is an irreversible process because the teeth are weakened by the removal of a thin layer of enamel. The veneers protect the teeth after the removal of enamel and sustain the functionality of the teeth.

Orthodontics

Another way to fix gaps, especially severe gaps, involves undergoing orthodontic treatment. For example, you may wear traditional braces or newer orthodontic devices like Invisalign to move all your teeth so that all the gaps are closed at once.

The only downside that Dr. Farhat points out regarding this form of treatment is that the treatment process takes longer than the time required to fix the problem compared to using another method, such as veneers or bonding.

Don’t let the gaps in your teeth affect the beauty and functionality of your smile. Schedule an appointment at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI, and the experienced professionals at the office will recommend the most cost-effective treatment option based on your unique circum

Improve Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry

June 28, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Cosmetic dentistry has advanced so much that the options available to those who want to improve their smiles are so abundant that they may need help in selecting the procedure which is best suited for their needs. Here is a brief discussion of some of the cosmetic dental procedures offered at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights. Use this information to narrow down your options as you consider ways to fix any cosmetic defect you or a loved one has.

Teeth Whitening

As you grow older, the foods and drinks you consume, the medicines you take, and other factors take a toll on your teeth, thereby causing them to lose their natural bright color. When that happens, several options are available to you to restore your bright smile. For example, you can ask Dr. Fardi Farhat, a leading dentist in Sterling Heights, to prepare a customized teeth whitening tray which you can use at home to get rid of the stains in a gradual process. Alternatively, the experts at Dental One Care can perform in-office teeth whitening using a stronger bleaching agent than what is contained in at-home teeth whitening kits.

In-office teeth whitening may be more costly when compared to at-home teeth whitening, but you get quicker results, and the process is overseen by a professional. For instance, while at-home teeth whitening may take several weeks to show results, in-office whitening brings results immediately, and you walk out with brighter teeth.

Dental Veneers

You may have heard of veneers on furniture, haven’t you? Well, dental veneers also refer to thin materials that are placed on the front of your teeth for one or several reasons. For example, the veneer may be used to cover a permanently stained tooth, or it can be intended to improve the appearance of a poorly shaped tooth.

Veneers are mainly used to provide a temporary fix to cosmetic defects on the teeth which are visible when you smile or speak. You shouldn’t, therefore, consider them as a remedy for a defect affecting the teeth at the back of your mouth.

At least two visits are needed to get veneers. The first visit to Dental One Care caters for the initial consultation as well as taking an impression of the teeth upon which veneers will be placed. Color matching is also done during this visit. The second visit is for placing the veneers on the teeth once the external dental lab sends the completed restorations back to Dr. Fardi Farhat. Veneers are more complex and therefore, more expensive than dental bonding.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding entails placing tooth-colored resins on a tooth with a minor defect, such as a chip, discoloration, or poor shape. The resin bonds with the tooth under the influence of a special light. This simple procedure can be completed in one visit to Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, unlike veneers, which require several visits. However, the material used during bonding stains and cracks easily, so you want to take better care of the bonded tooth if you want to retain the bond for years.

Dental Crowns

As the name suggests, a dental crown covers your entire tooth in the same way that a cap does on one’s head. Crowns are the cosmetic restoration of choice when serious structural or cosmetic damage occurs. For example, a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy may be so weak that only a crown will keep it together for years. Similarly, badly fractured teeth need crowns to retain their structural and aesthetic integrity.

The superior strength of crowns comes from the materials, such as porcelain, gold, and other metals, from which they are made. Crowns can be temporary or permanent. Temporary crowns are made from less durable materials since they aren’t intended to be used for long. Permanent crowns are usually fabricated by an external lab, so you use the temporary crown while you wait for the permanent one to be made. Crowns are more expensive than the cosmetic dentistry procedures described earlier, but they make up for that higher price tag by their durability.

Enamel Contouring and Shaping Procedures

If you want to make minor changes to the size, shape, and position of your teeth, then talk to the experts at Dental One Care. The Sterling Heights dentists will remove some enamel from the surface of your teeth in order to fix the defect which has you bothered. Many times, enamel shaping and contouring is done in combination with dental bonding since the removal of some enamel from your teeth can leave them weaker.

Dental Braces

Braces are primarily used to correct dental crowding, misalignment, bite problems, and jaw muscle issues. Traditionally, braces were composed of metal wires while today there are plastic nearly-invisible aligners used to move your teeth in a more discreet way. Some conditions, such as when you want to move back teeth with deep roots, are better handled by traditional metal braces while other cases, such as minor misalignment, can be fixed using clear braces. Talk to Dr. Fardi Farhat to find out if you qualify for the clear braces (Invisalign, for example). The correction of your dental defect usually takes several months as the braces are adjusted periodically while they slowly move the teeth to their new positions.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are one of the most complex and expensive cosmetic dentistry procedures. It involves the surgical placement of a metal screw (usually titanium) in your jaw and letting that metal fuse with your jawbone before a component called an abutment is placed in the implant. The top part of a tooth replacement called a crown is attached to this abutment anchored in the implant. The entire process can take anywhere from three months to more than half a year, depending on how quickly your body can heal after each of the different steps of the procedure. Nearly everyone can get dental implants since some of the limiting factors, such as bone loss, can be corrected through other procedures (bone grafts, for example). We asked our friend, Dr. Matt Laurich, a dentist in Livonia, MI, about dental implants. Dr. Laurich says dental implants are one of the best cosmetic treatments you can choose from at the dentist because they basically pay for themselves since they last forever!

Many more cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as dental bridges and procedures to fix indentations in your gums, also exist. Talk to Dr. Fardi Farhat and an appropriate cosmetic dentistry procedure will be recommended to fix your specific condition. Why stay with an imperfect smile when solutions exist?

Is Dental Bonding for Me?

June 24, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Dental bonding refers to a process through which your dentist in Sterling Heights places a special resin on your tooth to fix a minor cosmetic or structural issue. This procedure is very popular for very many reasons as you will discover in the discussion below.

Defects Where Dental Bonding is Helpful

Discolored teeth. When your tooth or teeth are discolored, Dr. Fardi Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, can apply this special resin to the affected teeth so that their color matches that of the rest of your teeth.

Minor chips. When your tooth is chipped, it can develop an unflattering appearance especially if that tooth is among those that are visible when you smile. In such a case, you can contact Dental One Care so that dental bonding is applied to mask the chipped area of your tooth.

Small teeth. Some people’s teeth are naturally small and those individuals would like to have their teeth made slightly bigger. Dental bonding comes in handy in such situations since the bonding material can be placed on the sides of the teeth to make them look wider than they naturally are.

Short teeth. Some people want to make their teeth look longer than they are naturally. The team at Dental One Care can place the bonding resin on the top surface of those teeth in order to improve their length.

Minor gaps in teeth. Dental bonding can also be used to close the small unwanted gaps between teeth. For patients with this problem, Dr. Fardi Farhat places the bonding resin on the sides of the teeth so that the gaps are eliminated.

The Pros of Dental Bonding

Non-invasive. One of the biggest reasons for the popularity of dental bonding is that the procedure is non-invasive, unlike other procedures such as dental crowns or veneers. Dental bonding is therefore reversible because the structure of your natural tooth isn’t affected during the procedure.

It is quick and simple. Undergoing dental bonding on one or more teeth takes a short time to be completed. This means you can schedule the procedure within your workday and still get back to your to-do list without anyone being the wiser. This is unlike other dental procedures, such as getting dental implants, which take months to be completed.

It is affordable. The simplicity of dental bonding is also reflected in its affordable cost. The materials used for this procedure are readily available and no specialized skill is required to apply the bonding resin. The net result of all these attributes is that the bill you get at Dental One Care for this procedure will be affordable.

Many issues can be addressed at one go. We asked our friend, Dr. Chris Green, a dentist in Parker, CO, about the benefits of dental bonding. Dr. Green says dental bonding can also fix more than one issue with the same tooth or teeth. For example, your local dentist can apply a bonding resin on a tooth to make it bigger and also cover the stubborn stain which hasn’t responded to teeth whitening treatments.

Potential Limitations of Dental Bonding

Dr. Fardi Farhat cautions that not every cosmetic problem can be fixed by dental bonding because this procedure best addresses minor defects only. For example, people with severely cracked teeth are better off getting a dental crown because it does a better job of giving the damaged tooth added structural strength.

Additionally, the dentist in Sterling Heights explains that the bonding resin used isn’t very strong, so this makes the procedure suitable for the teeth at the front of your mouth only. The back teeth are exposed to a lot of pressure as you chew and these forces can easily damage the bonding resin.

Dental Bonding Procedure

The initial exam. First, you will be examined by the Sterling Heights dentist to confirm that dental bonding will be helpful for you. Patients with major cosmetic or structural issues may be advised to opt for a more appropriate procedure.

Next, Dr. Farhat may or may not administer a local anesthetic around the tooth to be bonded. Anesthesia is usually not required, but people with chipped teeth or teeth with other abnormalities may need it since their teeth tend to be sensitive.

Once the anesthesia takes effect, the professional at Dental One Care will place cotton pads inside your mouth to keep saliva from interfering with the dental procedure.

An etching solution is now applied to the surface of the tooth to roughen it in preparation for the bonding resin going to be applied. This resin looks like putty and it is shaped before being placed on your tooth. The particular resin used is selected to match the color of your tooth.

Once the resin is in place, the dentist in Sterling Heights will use special tools to put final touches to the shape of the resin before polishing it to remove any sharp edges. The final step involves shining a special light on the resin so that it cures (hardens).

How to Care for Your Bonded Tooth

Avoid using your bonded tooth (or any other tooth for that matter) to bite hard substances, such as nut shells and ice. As already mentioned, the bonding resin isn’t very hard and can easily be damaged if used to bite or chew hard things.

Go for professional dental cleanings every six months so that the tooth beneath the bond remains healthy. Otherwise, the bonded material will detach from your tooth if the health of the underlying tooth is compromised by dental diseases.

Dr. Fardi Farhat also cautions that you should watch your intake of pigmented foods and drinks, such as coffee since these can easily stain the resin bonded onto your tooth. Once stained, the dental bond can only be replaced since it cannot be whitened in the same way that natural teeth can be whitened.

Do you still have questions about dental bonding? Contact Dental One Care for answers to any question you have about dental bonding or any other dental issue. Dr. Fardi Farhat and the entire team are standing by to give you the treatment you need to maintain your smile for the rest of your life.

The Must-Knows About Dentures

April 9, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

The Must-Knows About Dentures

Gone are the days when dentures were ill-fitting, unsightly and uncomfortable. Today, dentistry has taken so many strides that many people are opting for dentures even if other dental prosthetics could suffice for their condition.

Nevertheless, many who could benefit from these replacements don’t get them because they don’t have sufficient information about dentures. The experts at Dental One Care have put together this guide so that you can get answers to many of the concerns you may have had about dentures.

Of course not all your questions may be addressed here, so you may still need to talk to Dr. Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI for a personalized assessment of the suitability of dentures for your needs.

Dentures Defined

Basically, dentures are one of the replacement options when you have lost some or all of your teeth. The only distinguishing attribute of dentures is that they aren’t permanently attached or anchored in the jaw or natural teeth.

Dentures are designed to replace many teeth at a go, so they are the go-to option for those who have lost all or nearly half their natural teeth. Dentures can be full or partial depending on the needs of a patient.

When Should I Consider Getting Dentures?

Your Sterling Heights dentist may recommend dentures if you have wide gaps in your mouth due to the loss of several teeth in one or both the upper and lower row of teeth. These wide gaps rule out the use of fillings or crowns as options since there isn’t sufficient anchorage for these alternatives.

Older people who have endured pain and persistent root infections may consider dentures once all other options to save their natural teeth have been exhausted. In this case, the remaining teeth will be extracted and replaced with dentures to put an end to the infections and pain.

Dr. Farhat will recommend either partial or full dentures based on the number of natural teeth that you still have and the location of the gaps which need to be filled.

What Is Based on to Recommend Partial or Full Dentures?

As already mentioned, the dentist in Sterling Heights, MI considers several factors when deciding whether you should get a set of partial or complete (full) dentures. First, the number of teeth remaining plays a role.

If very few teeth are left (only four, for example), then the dentist may extract the remaining ones and give you full dentures. This is because those remaining teeth may no longer be serving any functional or esthetic role, and it could be costlier to design and manufacture a set of dentures that accommodates those remaining teeth.

Secondly, the condition of your remaining teeth will also be assessed before a decision to recommend full or partial dentures is made. If those teeth are extensively decayed or damaged (or have another serious dental issue that gives them a poor prognosis) then the teeth will be pulled and you will get full dentures.

How Are Dentures Made?

The exact process that is followed when creating a set of dentures will depend on the unique requirements of each patient. Generally, a detailed picture of your mouth is usually created by taking numerous measurements. A cast is then made and tried on to confirm that it fits your personal specifications. It isn’t uncommon for several of these casts to be made and tried on since a good fit is critical to the long-term utility of these prosthetics.

You, therefore, need to be patient throughout this process, especially given that you are unlikely to get your final set of dentures until after several weeks have elapsed in case some teeth were pulled.

This wait time is important because your mouth transforms during the healing process and the final fitting should be done once your gums and oral structures have reached some form of stability.

How Do They Stay Firmly in Place in the Mouth?

You may have heard horror stories (most likely exaggerated ones) that dentures dramatically fall out of the mouth when you laugh out loud or while you eat. You may have also been told that one must keep applying some kind of adhesive in order to retain the dentures in place.

Dr. Farhat explains that all those aren’t true because only ill-fitting dentures require an adhesive to stay in place. Fitting dentures rely on suction power to remain firm in the mouth. Your Sterling Heights dentist can only recommend an adhesive if your oral structures, such as the gums, change so much that you feel sore or have pain because the dentures are shifting in your mouth.

Even then, a new set of dentures, or an adjustment of your current set, is sufficient to fix the problem so that you don’t need to apply an adhesive anymore.

Is It Easy to Eat With New Dentures?

The professionals at Dental One Care say that it is normal for the dentures to feel awkward in your mouth during the first few weeks after you get them. This is because your oral structures haven’t gotten used to these devices, but this gradually changes as you use your dentures daily.

Dr. Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI recommends that you deliberately chew using both sides of your mouth so that all sides get used to the dentures. You will soon be able to use these dental replacements in the same way that you were using your natural teeth.

The only condition given is that you should avoid consuming very hard or sticky foods (hard toffees, for example) since these can dislodge the dentures. Chewing gum is a no too.

For How Long Should One Wear Dentures Daily?

Generally, dentures can be worn during the day and removed at night so that the gums can rest and repair themselves while you sleep. However, Sterling Heights dentists often ask patients to wear new dentures overnight in order to determine how well those dentures are fitting. Soreness, tenderness or pain in any section of the gum in the morning suggests that an adjustment needs to be made in that part of the prosthetics.

Do Dentures Require Special Care?

We asked our friend, Dr. Taher Dhoon, a dentist in Greeley, CO, about the care of dentures. Dr. Dhoon says that many people think that dentures require less care, which is not the case. Although dentures do not require any special care, you should still continue your oral health routine to ensure the longevity of your dentures. It is advisable to place them in a container of water overnight so that they stay supple and clean. You can add a cleaning solution to this water, but make sure to ask Dr. Farhat for his recommendations first.

You also need to brush the dentures after removing them in the evening and before you wear them in the morning. This will keep them clean and protect you from the oral bacteria that may have been breeding on them. Periodic dental visits are still necessary so that the experts at Dental One Care can monitor your oral health and act promptly if a problem develops.

An important tip that Dr. Farhat gives his patients is that they should always place a cloth or bowl beneath the dentures as they are brushing them. This will prevent the dentures from falling to the floor and being damaged if you accidentally drop them.

Aren’t Dentures Expensive?

The cost of dentures depends on several factors. First, the materials from which they will be made affects their price. Dentures made from cross-linked polymers are the most costly.

Secondly, the number of fittings that you need also add to the final cost of the prosthetics. There’s nothing you or your Sterling Heights dentist can do to control this since the unique issues you have may necessitate the use of several casts before the best fitting is achieved.

Thirdly, people who need tooth extractions also end up paying more since this step is charged separately.

It is advisable to talk to your dentist about any payment plans available if you are concerned about the cost of getting dentures. Also, find out about the warranty on the dentures so that you don’t pay more if the dentures fail within the warranty period.

Still have questions about dentures? Contact Dental One Care and all your concerns will be addressed. Or book an appointment today so that you can be evaluated and advised on the suitability of dentures for your needs.

What Happens If I Don’t Replace A Missing Tooth?

March 19, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

What happens if I don’t replace a missing tooth? A missing tooth is a very common problem among people due to bad eating habits, tooth damage, wear and tear and gum diseases. At Dental One Care, our dentist Dr. Farhat treats missing tooth problems on a regular basis. However, have you ever thought of the effects that a missing tooth can have on your appearance and overall personality?

The Effects of a Missing Tooth

A missing tooth makes you appear older than you actually are and gives you an unpleasant appearance. Additionally, it also places unnecessary pressure on the surrounding teeth and puts your oral health at risk. This makes it very important for you to consult a professional dentist in Sterling Heights to help you with the issue.

What Other Problems Can Occur Due To A Missing Tooth?

The most evident effect of a missing tooth is obviously reflected on your looks. But if you do not pay attention to it, severe problems can occur and pose a serious threat to your dental and oral health. Some of the common issues pertaining to a missing tooth that people seek treatment for at Sterling Heights dentists include the following:

Crooked Teeth

We asked our friend, Dr. Cody Cowen, a dentist in Baton Rouge, LA, the question of what happens if I don’t replace a missing tooth? Dr. Cowen says that crooked teeth are one of the most common results. Your teeth provide support to each other. When there is a missing tooth, the neighboring teeth begin to shift towards the gap. With time, this leads to crooked teeth, issues in biting and pain in your jaw joint.

Tooth Decay and Gum Conditions

When your teeth shift as a result of missing tooth, you might not be able to properly brush the surface and in-between while brushing and flossing. Due to improper cleaning, plaque deposits on the surface and between your teeth. This condition increases the risk of various gum diseases as well as tooth decay, leading to the loss of another tooth.

At Dental One Care, our qualified and experienced dentist, Dr. Farhat, provides professional treatment for all kinds of teeth and gum diseases.

Loss of Bone

Your teeth provide support to your jaw bone by stimulating the growth of the jaw bone. When you have one or more missing teeth, this can lead to jaw shrinkage, which changes the structure of your jaw and ultimately the shape of your face.

TMJ Disorders

When you have a missing tooth, other teeth shift to take its place, gradually. This puts a strain on the Temporomandibular joints (TMJ) of your jaw bone which is connected to your skull bone. Due to this strain, you are likely to experience headaches, pain, and discomfort in your TMJ joints.

Dietary Changes

Missing teeth not only have adverse effects on your appearance and oral health but also affect your diet. A missing tooth makes it difficult for you to eat many healthy foods, such as raw vegetables, fruits, etc. This harms your health in the long run.

All these problems associated with a missing tooth cause health, social and professional problems. There are several treatment options available at Dental One Care for missing teeth, which include dental bridges, dental implants, and full or partial dentures. Our expert, trained and experienced dentist, Dr. Farhat is proficient in performing all dental procedures with proficiency and care at our Sterling Heights Dentist Clinic.

How to Fix Crowded Teeth

February 27, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

How to Fix Your Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth are a common occurrence, but that provides little comfort to someone who is living with this condition. Fortunately, many remedies exist, but you need to work with your dentist to understand your specific situation before selecting one of those remedies. Read on and learn more about this condition and what Dr. Farhat at Dental One Care can do about it.

The Causes of Crowded Teeth

According to Dr. Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI crowded teeth result when your jaw is too small to accommodate all your teeth, or the teeth can be too large to fit in your jaw. People who have a cleft palate or cleft lip can also suffer from crowded teeth.

Dentists in Sterling Heights have also handled cases of individuals who have crowded teeth resulting from the presence of extra teeth in the mouth or trauma to the jaw. Breathing through the mouth, allergies, asthma, thumb sucking and other similar habits have also been associated with crowded teeth.

Risks Associated With Crowded Teeth

Heightened Risk of Dental Trauma:

People who have crowded teeth are at a higher risk of suffering trauma to their teeth. This is because some of their teeth may protrude from the mouth. Any misaligned teeth can also suffer extensive damage in the event of trauma to the mouth.

Speech Problems:

Dr. Farhat explains that some people with crowded teeth can have difficulties with their speech. This is especially true for people whose crowded teeth prevent their tongues from moving freely during speech. These people may need to undergo speech therapy to correct the problems caused by the crowded teeth.

Potential for Compromised Overall Health:

Numerous studies have pointed to health complications in the rest of the body due to oral health problems. For example, oral bacteria can eventually migrate and cause heart disease if gum disease is left untreated for long. Crowded teeth create favorable conditions for such systemic problems to develop since it can be hard to maintain oral hygiene when you have crowded teeth.

Abnormal Tooth Wear:

Crowded teeth are also prone to wearing out prematurely, especially when bite issues result from that crowding. Many people with crowded teeth have some teeth that don’t align properly with the corresponding teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Consequently, there will be direct contact between the affected teeth as one is chewing. This causes the teeth to wear out sooner than they would have.

Periodontal Disease:

Gum disease or periodontal disease is more likely to exist among people with crowded teeth. As already mentioned, it is hard to clean your teeth properly when those teeth are crowded. Sterling Heights dentists say that many people with crowded teeth have bad breath for this very reason (inability to clean their teeth properly).

Treatment Options for Crowded Teeth

Cosmetic Recontouring:

One of the treatment options that Dr. Farhat considers for someone with crowded teeth is cosmetic recontouring. During this procedure, the crowded and misaligned teeth are reshaped so that they can fit properly again. This method is usually sufficient for people with a minor case of teeth crowding.

Braces:

Your dentist in Sterling Heights, MI can also recommend that you wear braces in order to deal with the problems associated with teeth crowding. This treatment option can last for several months or even years as the teeth are gradually shifted to better positions. Dental aligners are an alternative to braces for this approach. We asked our friend, Dr. Matt Laurich, a dentist in Livonia, MI, about treatment options for crowded teeth. Dr. Laurich says that braces are one of the most common options patients choose. Braces will not only help the crowded parts of your mouth but also enhance the overall look.

Tooth Removal:

In some cases, dentists can opt to extract some teeth in order to deal with a severe case of overcrowding. Once this is done, the remaining teeth may have the space that they need to shift (through the use of aligners) to positions that will offer better esthetic and functional outcomes.

Dentists consider many factors before selecting a treatment plan to deal with crowded teeth. For example, the age at which you seek for help can influence the method that is selected for you. Similarly, the extent to which your teeth are crowded also has a bearing on the method selected to treat your condition. It is therefore advisable for you to contact Dental One Care so that Dr. Farhat or any of the other experts can examine you and recommend the best course of action.

Common Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments

February 18, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

6 Common Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments

Cosmetic dentistry refers to the professional dental care that specializes in improving the appearance of your teeth, mouth, and smile. These procedures are usually elective (optional), but some cosmetic dental procedures can improve the function of your dental structures. The range of cosmetic dental procedures varies from the simple to the complex procedures as the examples below.

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding is commonly referred to as just “bonding.” This cosmetic dentistry procedure is recommended for individuals who have suffered decay, damage or discoloration to their teeth. Dr. Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI will apply the composite material after drilling out the damaged or decayed sections of your teeth. He will sculpt that composite material so that it looks like a natural tooth. The tooth will then be cured using intense light so that it hardens and performs like your other teeth. Bonding is an inexpensive procedure suitable for people with decayed, cracked, chipped or worn down tooth edges.

Dental Veneers

These are fabricated from medical-grade ceramic materials, such as porcelain. They are customized for each patient and look realistic after the placement process. Dental veneers resolve a variety of cosmetic issues, such as gaps between teeth, chipped teeth, and crooked or damaged teeth. Dr. Farhat uses a strong dental adhesive to attach the veneer to the front surface of the affected tooth. This cosmetic dentistry procedure is relatively expensive.

Teeth Whitening

We asked our friend, Dr. Taher Dhoon, a dentist in Greeley, CO, about the most common cosmetic dentistry treatment. Dr. Dhoon says that teeth whitening is by far the most common cosmetic dentistry procedure out there. Your smile can vastly improve just by a simple teeth whitening session. This procedure can be done at home or at the dentist’s office. The cosmetic dentistry procedure should be done once all the plaque and tartar has been removed from your teeth. The bleaching agent used can then act upon the teeth surfaces to get rid of the stains affecting the color of your teeth. The experts at Dental One Care always select the most appropriate teeth whitening products and methods so that you get the results you want. For example, a bride who has a wedding in a few days may require a different approach to another person who doesn’t have an urgent event for which they want whiter teeth.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are the “caps” placed on damaged or worn teeth to preserve their appearance and function. Dr. Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI likes to call them a blend of cosmetic and restorative dental work because the crowns will make you look better while easing functionality in the affected teeth. However, these durable cosmetic or restorative devices may not be recommended for teeth in certain parts of the mouth. Such as areas where the bite force exerted is significant since the crowns will be damaged quickly under that pressure.

Dental Implants

This is one of the most expensive cosmetic dentistry procedures. It is an invasive procedure through which a dental implant is placed in the jaw to serve as the root of a missing tooth. After a healing process of up to six months, a crown is placed on this implant so that you can use that restoration in the same way as you would use your natural tooth. The implant fuses with the bone to make the crown very firm. While the implant may last a lifetime, the crown placed on the implant will need to be replaced after ten or more years.

Dental Shaping

This is an exacting cosmetic procedure in which a Sterling Heights dentist files the misshapen tooth using an electric tool. This is so that what is left has a shape that is aesthetically pleasing and matches the rest of your teeth. The main downside of tooth reshaping is that the procedure removes enamel from your teeth. So, this can eventually trigger problems, such as sensitivity, later on.

Visit Dental One Care if you need cosmetic dentistry in Sterling Heights. Dr. Farhat and his team will discuss all the options available and recommend what’s best for you. Did you undergo a cosmetic dentistry procedure elsewhere and issues have developed? No problem, Dental One Care can help!