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

Diabetes and Oral health

March 18, 2020 by dental1admin Leave a Comment

Recent studies show that 29.1 million people living in the U.S have diabetes. That is about 9.3 % of the total population. There are also 1.7 million new cases with each passing year. To top it all off, 8.1 million people do not even know that they have diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes affects your body’s ability to process sugar. Your body transforms all the food you consume into sugar which provides all the energy your body needs. Once you get diabetes your body stops making insulin, which is a hormone that is responsible for carrying sugar from your blood to your cells. Type II diabetes prevents your body from responding to insulin. In both types, your blood sugar levels shoot up which can cause problems in your kidneys, heart, eyes, and nerves.

Symptoms of Diabetes

You may have diabetes if you have frequent thirst, urination, hunger, fatigue, and irritability.

Diabetes can also affect your mouth, if left untreated, in the following ways;

You may notice that your wounds don’t heal as fast as they should
You may face trouble in tasting foods
For children with diabetes, teeth may start to pop up earlier than normal.
You would likely be more vulnerable to infections in your mouth
You may feel the shortage of saliva in your mouth which will make your mouth feel dry.
As saliva acts as a safeguard for your teeth, you could easily get cavities
Your gums would start to bleed

Why People with Diabetes Are More Likely to Get Gum Disease

Every person’s mouth is home to tiny bacteria. It’s normal. If bacteria gets into your gums then it will leave you with periodontal disease which will destroy your gums, all the tissues holding your teeth and bones.

Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease affecting those who have diabetes. With increasing age, poor blood sugar control increases the risk of gum disease.

How Can Your Dentist Help Fight Gum Disease?

Regular dental visits are crucial for maintaining oral health. Dr. Kristina Neda, a dentist in Georgetown, KY, adds that treating gum disease can help diabetes patients maintain their blood sugar levels. Taking care of your oral hygiene and scheduling dental cleaning sessions with your dentist can contribute to lowering your HbA1c which tells you your blood sugar levels hence indicating whether your diabetes is under control.

That is why you should have a good dentist because they can help treat your gum disease or help you in keeping your diabetes under control.

If you have diabetes or suspect that you may be developing gum disease, contact us at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI. Our team will do everything we can to treat your gum disease and improve your oral health.

Why Are Dental Regular Visits Important?

March 16, 2020 by dental1admin Leave a Comment

On normal days you might not even think about your oral health but when you start facing some sort of problems, you’ll likely rush to your Sterling Heights dentist. Well at least you worry enough to get checked out by a professional in serious situations, but you don’t want all your dental clinic visits to be an emergency. You should visit your Sterling Heights dentist regularly. In this article, we answer the most asked question we get: “Why are regular dental visits important?”

Early Warning Signs

It’s best to keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary, especially when it comes to your oral health. By scheduling appointments with an experienced dentist regularly, you will decrease the likelihood of developing oral diseases. It’s important to detect potential problems before they turn into something serious. Whereas if you only visit your Sterling Heights dentist when the situation gets serious then you might find out that now it is too late and the issue cannot be resolved. If you’re not sure about your oral health state, contact us at Dental One Care. Our team is happy to evaluate you to see what the next steps are.

Preventative Measure

Maintaining your oral health is only possible when you stay on top of your oral hygiene and visit your dentist in Sterling Heights. You should be brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing a minimum of once a day. Professionals recommend seeing your general dentist every six months. Visiting the dentist regularly means that you are taking a positive step towards keeping your mouth clean and healthy. This is important for both, aesthetic and health reasons. An orthodontist can also give you tips on how to improve brushing habits at home as the method taught to you when you were a child might not be the most effective one.

Visit Dental One Care

Now that you can see why dental visits are important, make sure that you stay on top of your oral health. If you’re looking for a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI, contact Dr. Fardi Farhat’s office. Our team is always welcoming new patients.

Jaw Pain

March 11, 2020 by dental1admin

The majority of adults go through the troubles of facial pain and chronic jaw pain. The most common symptoms of jaw pain are tenderness of the jaw, pain in and around the ear, headaches, and pain eating. There are several causes of jaw pain which makes the problem even worse. Sometimes jaw pain can be challenging to diagnose and treat.

To find out the cause of the pain, you would have to set up an appointment with your Sterling Heights dentist. Dr. Fadi Farhat will most likely perform an X-ray and examine your mouth thoroughly.

Several Things That Lead to Jaw Pain:

Injury
Tooth grinding
Arthritis
Problems with your jaw
Periodontal disease
Infections
Sinus problems

The type of treatment your Sterling Heights dentist decides will depend on the source of your facial pain. Pain can be tolerated and even treated with the following:

Root canal therapy
Antibiotics
Extraction
Mouth protector
Muscle relaxants
Exercises
Periodontal treatment
Anti-Inflammatory drugs

Preventing Jaw Pain

Knowing what triggers the pain in your jaw is crucial to prevent it from returning. Mentioned below are the few ways to stop it from returning once you have got rid of it

Avoiding crunchy foods, gum, or biting fingernails.
Eating soft or liquid foods such as soup or pasta
Take smaller bites of food
Avoiding caffeine
Trying massage, meditation, and aerobic exercise
Avoid grinding your teeth
Seek regular dental care with Dr. Farhat

If you are currently going through the immense pain in your jaw then look no further. Visit Dental One Care in Sterling Heights MI for all your dental care needs. We offer a wide range of dental services!

What is Bruxism?

February 18, 2020 by dental1admin Leave a Comment

Do you wake up with unexplained tenderness in your jaw? Does your significant other tell you that you grind your teeth in your sleep? Dental professionals describe bruxism is the term used to describe teeth clenching or grinding. Bruxism can lead to a number of oral health care concerns, including serious damage to your previously healthy teeth.

The better you understand bruxism and how it can impact more than just your ability to get a restful night, the better you’ll understand the treatment options that you have available to you from your dentist in Sterling Heights MI, Dr. Fadi Farhat.

Causes of Bruxism

There are several causes behind teeth grinding, with stress and anxiety often being the primary factors. If you feel stress and anxious during your waking hours, you are much more likely to feel the effects of the stress during your sleeping hours. This can lead to clenching your jaw in your sleep and also grinding your teeth.

Bruxism can also be attributed to an undiagnosed condition known as sleep apnea. Those who live with this condition experience irregular or paused breathing when they are asleep. A night guard can help many patients with their sleep apnea, but it’s important to undergo a sleep study that can evaluate your unique condition.

Symptoms of Bruxism

Outside of your partner telling you that you grind your teeth in your sleep, there are several other symptoms of bruxism for you to keep in mind.

Frequent headaches in the morning
Tightness, discomfort or pain in the jaw muscles
Unexplained wear and chipping on teeth
Damage to restorative dental work, including fillings and crowns
Loose teeth or the ultimate loss of teeth

Preventing Bruxism

Protecting your teeth from further damage is an essential part of keeping your teeth healthy and your smile bright. First and foremost, your first visit should be to your dentist Sterling Heights MI patients should know. Your dentist will be able to examine your teeth and any damage that may need to be repaired. Keeping on top of tooth damage or gum inflammation can help to prevent tooth loss.

The best preventative solution will be using a custom-fit and professionally made mouthguard. The mouth guard, worn while you sleep, will help to protect your teeth from the nighttime grinding. This will have the positive effect of keeping your tooth enamel healthy and could help you to see a reduction in those headaches that have been plaguing you each morning.

Are you looking to preserve the health of your teeth and protect against teeth grinding? Whether looking for bruxism solutions or orthodontic solutions, you will find that our team at Dental One Care offers a treatment plan that will meet your individual oral health care needs.

To find out more, contact us at Dental One Care to speak to one of our dental professionals. We can answer your questions and schedule your appointment with Dr. Farhat so that you can learn more about bruxism and find the right treatment solution for your needs.

What Is Oral Cancer Screening?

December 5, 2019 by Claire Leave a Comment

Oral cancer screening refers to an annual examination performed by your dentist in Sterling Heights, MI. This screening is used to identify signs of cancerous or precancerous conditions inside your mouth. The purpose of performing this examination is to catch oral cancer early when the odds of a complete cure are highest. At Dental One Care, we routinely perform oral cancer screenings during our patients’ routine visits. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about oral cancer screening.

Why Oral Cancer Screening Is Done

As already mentioned, Dr. Fardi Farhat, an orthodontist in Sterling Heights MI, conducts oral cancer screening to detect oral cancer or lesions that point to the possibility of oral cancer.

These screenings are particularly vital for people who are at a higher risk of developing oral cancer. The risk factors include;

Users of tobacco (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, cigars, and pipes)
Heavy alcohol drinkers
A history of oral cancer
A history of intense sun exposure (this heightens the risk for lip cancer)

When you visit Dental One Care, ask Dr. Fardi Farhat if you are at risk of developing oral cancer. The dentist in Sterling Heights MI will ask you several questions to ascertain your risk level. If you are found to be at risk, then oral cancer screening may become part of the routine assessments that you undergo at your dental check-up.

Limitations of Oral Cancer Screening

Additional Tests May Be Required

Many people may have sores in their mouths. Dentists in Sterling Heights explain that oral exams may not be sufficient to identify the cancerous or noncancerous sores. Additional tests may be required before a definitive oral cancer diagnosis can be made.

Not All Oral Cancers Are Detectable During Oral Exams

Cancers are abnormal cell growth patterns, and it is unlikely that an oral exam will unearth all the abnormal areas in your mouth. This means that the dentist could miss a cancerous lesion during your oral cancer screening exercise.

The Scientific Community is Still Divided

There is no research yet to confirm that screening for oral cancer can reduce the number of deaths from this condition. However, since the chances of a cure are highest when cancer is detected early, it is wise for you to undergo this screening just in case you are at risk of developing mouth cancer.

What to Expect During Your Oral Cancer Screening

Dr. Fardi Farhat says you aren’t required to prepare anything before the oral cancer screening. The screening fits nicely into the other routine dental care that you receive.

During the oral cancer exam, Dr. Fardi Farhat will look into your mouth carefully. The dentist in Sterling Heights MI does this to detect if there are any visible white or red patches or sores inside your mouth.

If you have removable dentures, our team will ask you to remove them so that the area beneath the dentures can also be examined for sores and patches.

Additional Oral Cancer Screening Tests

Dr. Fardi Farhat may use any of the additional tests below during your oral cancer screening.

Use of a blue dye. You may be asked to rinse your mouth with a blue dye. This special dye is absorbed by any abnormal cells in your mouth, making them turn blue. When the expert at Dental One Care looks into your mouth, he will immediately spot those blue areas.

Use of a light. Alternatively, the dentist may choose to shine a light into your mouth during the oral exam. The abnormal (and potentially cancerous) cells will look white while your normal cells will look dark under this light.

If Dr. Fardi Farhat finds any precancerous lesions or other signs of oral cancer, he may recommend a follow-up visit to Dental One Care to monitor your mouth. Additionally, the Sterling Heights dentist may recommend a biopsy so additional tests can confirm or rule out oral cancer. Fortunately, most lesions turn out to be noncancerous, so don’t be worried if abnormal cells are observed in your mouth. Simply do everything that Dr. Farhat asks you to do. If you still have questions about oral cancer screening, contact us at Dental One Care.

Why Do I Need an Orthodontist?

November 21, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

If you are lucky enough to have a beautiful smile, then you have your orthodontist to thank. Orthodontic treatment is a complicated process. It involves changing the facial, jawbones, and soft tissue as the teeth have to be moved into their new positions. Orthodontists go through several orthodontic programs and courses in a period of two to three years so that they can help they can create beautiful smiles for their patients. It is important that patients see their orthodontists regularly because the very foundations of their mouths are at stake.

About Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment does not show instant results. The process starts with the examination of your teeth and mouth, and the study of dental records, like X-rays and photos of your teeth.

From the information gathered in these examinations, the orthodontist develops a custom treatment plan. The details of the plan will be shared with you, details will include how long it will last and steps to be taken as a patient, such as scheduling appointments with the orthodontist regularly to ensure the effectiveness of the process.

A Few Orthodontic Treatment Tips

Our friend, Dr. Tim Lyons, an orthodontist in Sacramento, CA, emphasizes the importance of maintaining regular appointments. If regular visits are made, then the orthodontist will be able to identify and deal with possible complications that come with the treatment, if there are any. Appointments are usually scheduled every several weeks to access tooth movement and oral health.

By working together with your orthodontist, the treatment can promise life-changing results. Once you’ve completed your orthodontic treatment, you will feel more confident showing off your smile.

To make sure you achieve your dental goals, you would need to take care of what you are eating and drinking. It is best to avoid sugary drinks like sodas, sweet tea, and energy drinks. It is also important to take care of the brushing and flossing of your teeth as instructed by your orthodontist. Once you start to see the results, you will realize that all the sacrifices and efforts were worth it.

Our team of orthodontists includes professionals who are one of the best in Sterling Heights, MI. When you decide to choose Dental One Care for your orthodontic treatment, you can be assured that your smile is safe with us.

Myths About Oral Cancer

August 28, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

6 Myths About Oral Cancer

Does the mention of oral cancer, bring up any particular images or memories in your mind in the same way that other cancers, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer, do? If you don’t think oral cancer is serious cancer, then take a moment and think about the fact that one person dies of oral cancer in the U.S. every hour. That is a whopping 24 people every single day! You can now see how important it is for everyone to get accurate information about this form of cancer so that as many people as possible can be saved from its clutches. Here are some myths about oral cancer that should not detract from your understanding of this condition.

Myth #1: Younger People Cannot Get Oral Cancer

Many people believe that they are too young to suffer from oral cancer. This dangerous myth prevents them from taking the steps that they need to take to detect the disease early enough for successful treatment.

The fact is that while oral cancer is more common among older people, it can affect people of any age, including children and young adults. Dr. Fardi Farhat insists that the best way to be certain that you don’t have oral cancer is to under regular screening for the disease.

Myth #2: Only Smokers Suffer from Oral Cancer

We asked our friend, Dr. Chris Green, a dentist in Parker, CO, about oral cancer. Dr. Green explains smokers are indeed at a heightened risk of acquiring oral cancer, but many other risk factors predispose non-smokers to this cancer. For example, a family history (a child, parent, or sibling suffering from the disease) of oral cancer increases the risk that someone will also have this disease even if they don’t smoke. So, don’t think that you are immune from oral cancer simply because you don’t smoke. See a dentist in Sterling Heights for regular oral cancer screening so that you can be sure that you don’t have the disease.

Myth #3: You Don’t Need to Be Concerned About Oral Cancer If You Don’t Have Pain

It is also wrong to believe that you don’t need to be concerned about oral cancer if you aren’t experiencing any pain.

Pain may be a symptom in some cancers, including oral cancer, but pain alone (or its absence) cannot be relied upon as an indicator of whether someone has oral cancer or not. Some oral cancer lesions don’t cause any pain, so the disease may progress undetected if you are waiting for the pain in order to take action.

The best way to know for sure that you don’t have oral cancer is to undergo oral cancer screening each time you visit Dental One Care for your dental checkup every six months.

Myth #4: Stress Causes Oral Cancer

While everyone could do with a little less stress, the high levels of stress today cannot be blamed for the oral cancer cases we see. Dr. Fardi Farhat emphatically states that to date, no direct link has been found between stress and the development of oral cancer.

However, stress has been linked to other health challenges, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and insomnia. This could probably be the reason why some people have mistakenly linked stress to oral cancer.

Myth #5: You Will Get Oral Cancer If It Runs In Your Family

While dentists in Sterling Heights, MI will tell you that one of the known risk factors for oral cancer is a family history of the disease, this factor doesn’t on its own determine whether someone will get the disease. Several factors, such as one’s diet, alcohol, smoking, exposure to HPV or HIV, often combine to trigger the onset of the disease. It is worth repeating here that having a family history of oral cancer, or any other cancer for that matter, isn’t the only predictor of one’s chances of getting the disease.

Myth #6: Oral Cancer Isn’t Dangerous

When one compares oral cancer to other forms of cancer, such as breast cancer and cancerous brain tumors, one can see that oral cancer isn’t as aggressive as those other cancers. However, Dr. Fardi Farhat stresses that oral cancer is also dangerous as exemplified by the statistic mentioned at the beginning of this blog post that oral cancer kills at least one American every hour. You should, therefore, avoid taking this cancer lightly under the mistaken belief that it isn’t dangerous. Get screened at Dental One Care and start treatment early if you are found to have the disease.

As you can see, it may sometimes be hard to separate fact from myth if you don’t talk to a professional about what you hear or think. It is therefore advisable to visit Dental One Care regularly and put any query you may have about oral cancer to Dr. Fardi Farhat. The Sterling Heights dentist will give you the accurate information that you need, as well as screen you for the disease. Fortunately, chances are high for a complete cure if the disease is caught early, so don’t hesitate to undergo regular screening.

When to Visit the Dentist About Tooth Pain

August 23, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

You may be suffering from a toothache if you feel any sharp pain or even a dull ache in or around your tooth. A wide variety of underlying causes can trigger such toothaches, and those factors could cause a nerve to send pain signals to your brain. Some types of toothaches, such as transient pain, can be dealt with at home, but there are cases of tooth pain that require you to see Dr. Fardi Farhat at Dental One Care for professional diagnosis and treatment. This article explores some of the circumstances under which you should see a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI, immediately.

When Pain Persists

When your toothache is persistent (goes on for several days, for example), the pulp of your tooth may have been affected. This explains why you could be feeling pain even when you haven’t done anything, such as taking a hot beverage, to trigger than pain.

Contact Dental One Care so that the Sterling Heights dentist can examine you and treat the underlying cause of the persistent tooth pain before the problem gets worse.

Increasing Inflammation

Inflammation is a normal response of the body to an infection that it is grappling with. Inflammation is usually characterized by redness, tenderness, and some swelling of the affected area.

If your tooth pain is accompanied by worsening inflammation, it is time to see Dr. Fardi Farhat for help. That increasing inflammation may be an indicator that the gum or tooth infection has spread to the pulp of your tooth, and the sooner the dentist in Sterling Heights, MI gets to the bottom of it, the better.

Swelling Around the Face or Jaw

You should also see a Sterling Heights dentist if you are experiencing tooth pain, which is accompanied by visible swelling around your jaw or face. This symptom indicates that you may be suffering from an acute tooth or gum infection and that infection can easily spread to other parts of the body and cause additional problems. Getting prompt treatment at Dental One Care can save you from the pain, in addition to preventing additional dental problems.

Bleeding Gums

On its own, pain is an indicator that something is amiss with your health. When tooth pain is accompanied by bleeding around the gums, then you need to see your local dentist in Sterling Heights ASAP.

The pain and bleeding gums may be symptoms of advanced periodontal disease. You may also be suffering from an infection which your body has been unable to deal with on its own. Whatever it is, a dental care professional will diagnose it and administer the correct treatment so that you can be free from the pain and the underlying cause bringing that pain.

Fever and an Earache

It is also possible to have tooth pain that is accompanied by earache and fever. Depending on the tooth affected, any pain you experience can also manifest in another area other than around that tooth. For example, when the last molar is infected, chances are you will feel an earache on that same side of your face.

Tooth pain, an earache, and fever usually indicate that a dental problem is getting worse and is becoming systemic. So, the sooner you consult Dr. Fardi Farhat about the problem, the easier it will be to address the root cause of these seemingly unrelated symptoms.

You Suffered Trauma to the Face or Mouth

If you recently had a nasty fall or took a blow to the face or mouth and you are now experiencing tooth pain, see a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI immediately. Trauma to the face or mouth may cause damage to the teeth in a way that isn’t immediately apparent. So, when you develop tooth pain afterward, the damage may be coming to the fore. Seek professional help at Dental One Care and the Sterling Heights dentist may be able to save your tooth if the damage from the trauma wasn’t excessive.

As anyone who has experienced dental pain will tell you, this isn’t an experience that one would wish to undergo again. The best way to limit the likelihood that you will experience tooth pain is by taking preventive steps, such as brushing and flossing daily, wearing a mouth guard if you play contact sports and getting prompt help as soon as you notice anything amiss in your dental health. When problems are caught early, they will be treated before they progress to a level where they cause excruciating tooth pain. Contact Dental One Care if you ever experience tooth pain and our experienced team will provide the care you need to feel normal again.

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 Choose a Dental Crown

August 19, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

If you have just undergone a root canal, or your tooth was extensively damaged due to physical trauma, or you lost a tooth and want to replace it with an implant-supported restoration, your Sterling Heights dentist may recommend that you have a crown placed. One of the major decisions that you will have to make subsequent to deciding to get a crown is choosing the material from which that crown can be fabricated. The experts at Dental One Care recommend that you read this blog to the end so that you can have the information you need to make the best choice when faced with that question.

Gold Crowns

In the past, gold was the most common material from which dental crowns were made. Today, this material is no longer as popular because of the prohibitive cost of gold. For example, an ounce of gold can cost upwards of $1,300! Another reason why gold crowns aren’t as common is that these crowns aren’t esthetically pleasing since they don’t resemble natural teeth.

However, gold is an excellent choice if the crown will be placed in a part of the mouth that isn’t visible when you smile, such as at the back of your mouth. Dr. Fardi Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI explains that gold is a very good choice for a crown because it has a long track record of not causing any reactions or sensitivities when it is placed in the mouth.

Additionally, the Sterling Heights dentist says gold crowns are very strong and will easily take in stride all the bite forces exerted upon them while you chew. This is the primary reason why these crowns have been known to last for 40 or more years.

Another reason why you should consider gold crowns is that preparing your tooth for this type of crown doesn’t involve removing a lot of enamel from the tooth. This minimal preparation is important because you will be less likely to develop sensitivity to temperature extremes or pressure. If you can afford the cost, a gold crown would, therefore, be the best option for you.

Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Crowns

If a pure gold crown is out of reach for you, porcelain fused to metal crown can be a good way to enjoy the strength of gold without incurring the high cost of pure gold crowns. For PFM crowns, the substructure or core is made from gold or any other precious or semi-precious metal. These include platinum and palladium. The exterior or visible part of this crown is made from porcelain.

Dr. Fardi Farhat reveals that PFM crowns usually have a metal rim that is visible at the bottom of the crown. This rim can eventually show through when your gums recede, and this can detract from the visual appeal of the crown.

In terms of durability, PFM crowns can last between 7 and 12 years, so you can see how superior gold crowns are on durability alone.

Stainless Steel Crowns

Sterling Heights dentists may recommend a stainless steel crown, but these tend to be temporary. This explains why children whose milk teeth have decayed extensively or those that are too weak to support a filling are treated with stainless steel crowns.

This crown covers the entire tooth, just as crowns typically do. As the milk or baby tooth grows, the stainless steel crown grows with it and will come off once that baby tooth makes way for the permanent tooth.

Note that stainless steel crowns aren’t aesthetically appealing, but you can contact Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI and talk to Dr. Fardi Farhat about other options that are more esthetic for your kid.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are also referred to as all-ceramic dental crowns. These crowns are the most common these days because they look like natural teeth and a casual observer cannot know that you have a crown in your mouth.

Porcelain crowns are also suitable for teeth in any part of your mouth, so there are no limitations on where they can be placed. They are popular because they don’t cause users to develop tooth sensitivity as is the case when you have crowns made from metal. Porcelain also doesn’t trigger any sensitivities, so they are good for people who have a history of reacting to metal crowns.

Types of Porcelain Crowns

When you visit Dental One Care for porcelain crowns, Dr. Fardi Farhat will assess you and select from one of two types of these crowns. The first is the e.Max porcelain crown. This crown can be made and placed on the same day when you visit, and it forms a very strong bond with your tooth.

The second type of porcelain crown is one made from Zirconia. This is the strongest type of porcelain used to make dental crowns and advancements in dental technology have made it possible to make this crown virtually identical to natural teeth. However, Zirconia crowns don’t bond as strongly with the tooth as is the case with e.Max porcelain crowns.

What You Need to Know About Porcelain Crowns

There are a few downsides that you need to know about all types of porcelain dental crowns. First, these crowns will crack or break more easily when compared to other types of crowns. Secondly, these crowns can accelerate the rate at which the opposing teeth wear out due to the contact between the porcelain and the natural teeth. Furthermore, preparing a tooth for a porcelain crown requires the removal of a significant amount of enamel, unlike what happens for gold crowns, for example.

In terms of durability, porcelain crowns last anywhere between 5 and 10 years. As already mentioned, the care you provide for these crowns will protect them from fracturing or cracking, and this will be beneficial to their durability.

Note that because people are different, a dental crown material that is appropriate for one person may not be advisable for another person. For this reason, it is better for you to visit Dental One Care in Sterling Heights so that Dr. Fardi Farhat can examine you, take your medical history and then recommend the most appropriate dental crown material for your needs.