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Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
If you are missing one or more teeth, Dr. Petinge may recommend dental implants. An implant looks and feels more like the natural tooth it replaces. They are fast becoming one of the most popular tooth replacement options. They have many benefits, but how do you know if dental implants are right for you?
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
Your smile affects you and your life in several ways. It’s not just about how you look, it’s how it makes you feel. When you are proud of your smile, you are confident about your appearance. If you have a flawed smile, you may lose confidence or deal with low self-esteem. When you are missing teeth or have teeth too damaged to repair, dental implants may be a great option. Here’s a look at a few ways to know if you are a good candidate:
- Can’t chew comfortably because of a missing tooth (or teeth).
- You would like to have a tooth replacement option that looks and feels natural.
- You have lost or know you are going to lose one or more teeth.
- Dentures are not giving you the chewing power you’d like.
- You have good oral health overall.
- You don’t have any health conditions that prohibit surgical procedures.
When should I get dental implants?
Dental implants are an option when you have missing teeth if you do not want or cannot go with dentures or bridges and crowns. Replacing a lost tooth is important. If you don’t, it can lead to other problems later. Implants have some aesthetic benefits, of course. But they are also important to the overall function of your mouth. They offer these benefits:
- Keep teeth in proper places
- Support a healthy bite
- Support a healthy jawbone
- Prevent bone deterioration
When a tooth is lost, the jawbone starts to deteriorate. The pressure and stimulus of chewing help to preserve the jawbone.
Top 5 Reasons to Get Dental Implants
There are a lot of reasons a person may lose a tooth. Perhaps you were in an accident, and it got knocked out. Disease and tooth decay are often causes for the loss of a natural tooth. Take a look at these five reasons to consider dental implants.
- They are a permanent restoration.
- They are convenient and as easy to care for as your natural teeth.
- You’ll have no dietary restrictions.
- They provide you with a strong biting force.
- Implants look and feel like your natural teeth.
How are implants Inserted?
Dr. Petinge chooses an implant that matches the coloring of your natural teeth. A post is surgically implanted into the bone socket where the natural tooth used to be. You will need time for this to heal and for the jawbone to grow around the post. This will secure it in place. Somewhere between 6 to 12 weeks, you’ll return to the Saugus, MA dental office to have the connector post inserted. Then your new tooth will be attached.
Does it hurt to get dental implants?
The pain associated with getting dental implants is minimal for most patients. Some don’t feel any pain or discomfort during the actual process. Local anesthesia is used to minimize pain and discomfort. After the procedure, the area where the implant was placed may be tender. Using over-the-counter pain medications is usually enough to ease the pain.
How do I take care of dental implants?
You may be given some general post-procedure instructions for your dental implants. After they heal, caring for them is as easy as caring for your natural teeth. Dr. Petinge continues to recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once daily.
How much do dental implants cost?
The cost of dental implants will vary for each patient. One factor that influences the cost is how many you need. Another factor is if you need a bone graft before the implant can be placed.
Contact Us!
If you are interested in learning more about the dental implant process or finding out if you are a good candidate for them, call us at (781) 233-8248. You may also fill out the contact request form on this page. Schedule a consult to discuss dental implants with Dr. Petinge today!
5 Healthy Food Habits to Prevent A Canker Sore
A canker sore is a small ulcer that develops inside the mouth on soft areas like the base of the gums, inside cheeks, or inside the lips. They are not cold sores, and they are not contagious. But canker sores can be painful and uncomfortable for days. Depending on where they are located, they can make speaking and eating difficult. Here are a few tips to help you prevent canker sores
What causes canker sores?
Unfortunately, there is no known cause of canker sores. They do tend to run in families, so kids are more likely to get them if their parents have dealt with them. Although it’s not known directly what causes canker sores, they can appear if you:
- Feel stressed
- Feel exhausted
- Injure your mouth
- Wear traditional braces
- Have allergies
- Eat or drink highly acidic foods and drinks
- Have a vitamin deficiency
- Have an immune disease such as celiac, IBD, HIV, or Lupus
Can I start eating healthy foods to prevent a canker sore?
If you are prone to getting canker sores, there may be a few changes you can make to help prevent them. You may be able to eat healthy foods to prevent canker sores as well as make some changes to your lifestyle. Dr. Petinge offers a few ideas that can help you prevent them.
- Try limiting your intake of highly acidic foods and drinks. If you notice fewer canker sores, you can slowly add them back into your diet.
- If you are feeling sick or rundown, get plenty of rest. See your primary healthcare provider to see if any underlying conditions are influencing your tiredness or illness.
- Try reducing your stress levels. Try yoga, exercise, deep breathing, and other strategies for helping to manage stress.
- Dentures and traditional metal braces can rub against the inside of your cheeks and cause sores and discomfort. Dental wax can be used on braces to provide a layer of protection. Schedule a checkup with Petinge Dental to see if dentures or braces can be adjusted.
- Good oral hygiene is essential to help prevent or treat canker sores. If your mouth has unchecked decay, plaque, or bacteria building up, then it can make it more difficult for the natural defenses of the body to fight.
Five Healthy Food Habits to Help Prevent Canker Sores
If your canker sores are due to a vitamin deficiency, there are some dietary changes you can make to help prevent them from recurring. Here are five great habits to try:
- Get plenty of B12, iron, and folate in your diet.
- Talk to your primary care or dietician about taking a supplement.
- Eat lots of nutrient-rich fresh foods like parsley, kale, carrots, and spinach.
- Yogurt contains natural probiotics that can be beneficial for your body’s immune system.
- Boost your protein intake.
What to do if You Get a Canker Sore
Sometimes despite your best efforts, you may get a painful canker sore. If you do, here are a few tips to help speed healing and shorten its duration.
- Apply topical analgesic obtained from a local pharmacy.
- Take over-the-counter pain meds like Tylenol.
- Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. This can help speed healing and decrease inflammation.
- Use only a soft-bristled brush to avoid irritation.
Ask Dr. Petinge About Canker Sores
If you still have any questions about canker sores or your oral health care, contact us at Petinge Dental. We’ll be happy to address your concerns and answer your questions. Is it time for your routine visit? Call today to get it scheduled!
Five Ways Your Cosmetic Dentist in Saugus Can Give you a Beautiful Smile
Get your smile ready for “no mask required” with a Smile Makeover by an experienced cosmetic dentist – Dr. Stephen Petinge, located in the North Boston community of Saugus, MA.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic an increasing number of patients have sought out the services of cosmetic dentists for a complete Smile Makeover. Whether because of missing teeth, dealing with discoloration or because of an uneven smile, cosmetic solutions offer the prospect of a more uniform, attractive, magazine-quality smile. Cosmetic dentists, like Dr. Stephen Petinge, are capable of employing a wide range of techniques to help people get that flawless smile. But it’s not only about a straight set of pearly whites. If you’d still like to make some changes to your smile now that you’ve dropped the mask, it’s not too late!
The word cosmetic might make you think that these dentists are only focused on enhancing your smile’s appearance. It’s certainly true that appearance is a big reason why patients seek out these services. The improved self-confidence and body image that comes from having an attractive smile cannot be understated! However, the benefits of working with a cosmetic dentist go far beyond superficial appearance. In fact, the work of a cosmetic dentist can help you save your teeth, fix aspects of your bite alignment that may cause excessive wear on your teeth, and could even dramatically improve your oral health by eliminating areas where food can get trapped and cause dental decay.
Here are a few of the ways in which a cosmetic dentist at our Saugus dental office can improve your oral health and your smile all at once.
1. Porcelain veneers
Your cosmetic dentist in Melrose may recommend porcelain veneers as a way to improve your smile. These are custom-made shells designed to cover the front of your teeth to improve their color and appearance. There are plastic veneers available as well, but porcelain is generally considered the best option for correcting defect in natural teeth.
Veneers are a long-lasting method of improving teeth with chips, spaces or strange shapes, and they also cover up unsightly stains. To make the veneer, the dentist will make a mold with your teeth and then create the veneer in the lab. You’ll need an appointment to get the mold made, then another appointment to get the veneer inserted, and to make sure it is a good fit.
2. Dental bonding
If you have an excessive amount of space in between teeth or have chipped, cracked or broken teeth, dental bonding can be an effective way of resolving this issue. Bonding materials can help to fill cavities or protect exposed roots, and can improve the appearance of your teeth. The bond will last for a few years, though it will eventually start to wear down and could be susceptible to chipping or staining. Bonding is a common cosmetic fix that’s great for restoring your ability to articulate while you talk.
3. Dental implants
Dental implants can be an effective long-term cosmetic solution, but they require more extensive procedures that can be costlier. Where bridges use nearby teeth to anchor replacement teeth, implants are surgically affixed to the jawbone. An implant is simply a post fixed into the jawbone where the tooth root used to be. A dental crown that looks like a natural tooth is then placed on top of the implant to finish off the replacement of the missing tooth.
These implants, installed by a specially trained cosmetic dentist, feature titanium fused to the jawbone, an abutment that goes over the part of the implant that comes out of the gums, and a crown that creates the tooth-like appearance. A couple implants can be a great, stable tooth replacement, though it might not be the most effective solution for more than just a couple of teeth.
4. Implanted dentures
Implanted dentures are a costly option, but are effective for replacing larger numbers of missing teeth and for doing a larger makeover of your smile. This solution is beneficial because it helps you retain bone density through osseointegration—when the bone fuses to the implant. Implant dentures are a scale solution for several missing teeth or degenerative dental problems. Also called all-on-four or all-on-six, the implant supported denture sits on four or six implanted posts. The denture then fits over the implanted posts and does so more firmly than regular dentures giving more power to your bite so the denture won’t slip the way traditional dentures often do.
These dentures make it much easier for you to chew food again and talk without affected articulation or enunciation. Plus, they’ll simply provide a much healthier looking and more attractive smile!
5. Teeth whitening
This is one of the most popular procedures you can have performed by a cosmetic dentist in Melrose, and the most purely “cosmetic” service you’ll find on this list. Over an extended period of time, teeth can become discolored or stained. This is especially common among people who drink a lot of coffee or tea, or people who smoke. Teeth bleaching is one of the simplest ways to begin improving the look of your teeth and can help freshen up your smile and give your face a brighter appearance.
Your dentist will create a custom regimen for you based on your whitening needs, and may even discuss how deep a shade of white you’d like as the end result. You may undergo in-office whitening, or be given a custom mouthpiece tray at home. At-home whitening often takes two to four weeks, while in-office whitening can occur in one or more visits of one to two hours.
Explore the opportunities of cosmetic dentistry
Interested in learning more about what a cosmetic dentist can do for you? Contact Dr. Petinge and his team at Petinge Dental to schedule an appointment. There are plenty of cosmetic dentistry options available to explore—finding the best one that works for you will improve oral health and give you the perfect smile you crave.
How Does Ultrasonic Tooth Scaler Treatment Bring On Sparkling Smiles?
Decades ago, dental professionals discovered that the primary cause leading to gum disease was biofilm. This is a bacterium that grows in the moist environment provided by the mouth. Dental specialists worked hard to develop effective ways of removing these harmful bacteria. Modern technology gave way to ultrasonic dental scaling. The ultrasonic dental scaler is used to remove the hard deposits on the surfaces of the teeth. How does the ultrasonic tooth cleaner work?
How the Ultrasonic Tooth Scaler Works to Protect Your Smile
The ultrasonic dental scaler used by Dr. Petinge helps improve the teeth cleaning experience in many ways. The cleaner involves using a tool designed to send ultrasonic vibrations to the teeth and gumlines. These vibrations remove calculus and tartar. Regular brushing and flossing help keep your teeth and smile looking great, but it cannot remove the tartar buildup. The vibrations sent by the scaler break the calculus deposits apart as the tip can oscillate up to 35,000 cycles per second. Water flows from the tip of the device to help wash away the debris as is removed from the teeth. The water also helps keep the device from overheating.
Benefits of Ultrasonic Scaling
The ultrasonic dental scaler is designed to achieve better penetration into periodontal pockets. The tips are shaped in a way that allows deeper penetration. That means a deeper, more thorough cleaning to ensure your teeth and your smile are preserved.
Reduces Treatment Time
When you compare the ultrasonic tooth cleaner with traditional scaling, it is much faster. That means less time spent at the Saugus Dental office. Dr. Petinge and the dental hygienist will educate you on how to maintain your clean teeth so that they remain free from plaque for longer.
More Effective
Using power instrumentation like the ultrasonic dental scaler is a much more effective method than traditional cleaning treatment. It’s designed to reach difficult spaces so your teeth are cleaned more thoroughly. That helps you keep your sparkling smile intact!
Elimination of Plaque
The ultrasonic dental scaler uses vibrations for removing plaque and tartar. It causes them to break away from the teeth. Plaque is totally eliminated using this cleaning method.
Less Trauma for Gum Tissue
Traditional dental scaling disturbed gum tissue while trying to manually remove plaque. Sharp-cut edges caused trauma to the tissue. Ultrasonic scaling doesn’t cause any trauma to gum tissue or sensitive areas of the mouth. The modern technique greatly reduced the chance of an injury.
More Comfortable for You
Traditional scaling could be quite uncomfortable. Ultrasonic scaling is very comfortable. You won’t be subjected to loud abrasive sounds or hear metal scraping during the scaling procedure.
How Ultrasonic Dental Scaling Saves You Money
By visiting Dr. Petinge for regular checkups and cleanings can help prevent cavities. They can also be discovered at an earlier stage so they are more easily treated effectively before doing more damage to your teeth. A small cavity can end up costing you quite a bit of money. If it’s left untreated, it can lead to the need for more intensive treatments like root canals, tooth loss, or infection management.
Eliminates Bad Breath
Sometimes, bad breath is caused by the foods you eat. But more often tartar buildup is behind halitosis. Removing tartar buildup can often cure chronic bad breath. Brushing your tongue during your daily oral care routine can also help remove odor-causing bacteria.
Ready to Experience Ultrasonic Dental Scaling?
Is it time for your routine teeth cleaning? It’s important if you want to maintain your sparkling smile! Call Saugus Dental today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Petinge. Please contact us if you have any questions about the ultrasonic dental scaler.
What you need to know about fluoride treatment | Stephen Petinge, DMD
We hope that your oral health is a priority to you. If it is, you should learn about all the benefits you can get from Fluoride. To begin with, it’s one of the best overall options for helping fight tooth decay. However, over the last few years, there’s been some confusion about what fluoride is, who needs it, and if it is safe. Some erroneously support going to a fluoride free dentist. But Dr. Petinge, your trusted Saugus dentist offers this information to clear up the misinformation about how important fluoride is to dental health.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral. It’s found widely in nature and is also in some of the foods we consume. It’s the 13th most abundant mineral on the earth. You have probably heard about fluoride since it’s a common ingredient in toothpaste. Researchers back in the 1930s discovered that people who drank water that was fluoridated had a lot fewer cavities than those who didn’t.
Does Fluoride Help Your Teeth?
Demineralization is a term used for the loss of minerals caused by acids that attack tooth enamel. Demineralization unfortunately can lead to tooth decay. Fluoride helps to redeposit minerals on the enamel. This makes your teeth less vulnerable to plaque bacteria and acid.
Does Everyone Need Fluoride?
Many people think that just children need fluoride, but adults need it too. Research has shown that fluoride strengthens developing teeth but can also be beneficial for helping to reduce tooth decay in all ages.
Is Fluoride Safe to Use?
Nearly 70 percent of the US has fluoride added to their water. Its presence in drinking water has spawned over 3000 studies on fluoridation. The CDC has used research to conclude that fluoridation is one of the leading public health measures. The American Dental Association and the American Medical Association have both endorsed water fluoridation. Topical fluoride, like what you find in mouth rinse and toothpaste is deemed a safe and effective way to help prevent tooth decay.
What is a fluoride treatment?
When you come to our Saugus dental office for a Fluoride treatment, the dental hygienist will apply fluoride to your teeth using a swab or brush. You’ll have to wait about 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything. This allows the fluoride time to repair small, microscopic holes in tooth enamel. The fluoride is the same used in toothpaste and mouth rinses, but it is more concentrated and provides faster benefits. A fluoride treatment is a simple way to improve your teeth’s health and reduce the risk of cavities. In some cases, Dr. Petinge may prescribe fluoride supplements to be used for home treatment.
What are the benefits of a fluoride treatment?
If you choose to go to a fluoride free dentist, you may be missing out on many benefits. The preventive benefits of fluoride treatments include:
- Eliminate bacteria that cause decay which reduces cavities
- Makes developing teeth more resistant to decay by strengthening the enamel
- Repairs weakened enamel and help prevent future weakening by improving its ability to absorb minerals like phosphate and calcium
- It’s an affordable treatment that can help delay or prevent more extensive and costly dental work
- Helps prevent premature tooth loss and gum disease
- Help maintain baby teeth
There are many benefits associated with fluoride treatments. Talk to Dr. Petinge about your specific dental needs and how they can benefit you.
Contact Your Saugus Dental Team
When was your last fluoride treatment? A fluoride treatment is one of the most common preventative treatments offered. Call us today to schedule a visit. Dr. Petinge will be happy to discuss how a fluoride treatment can benefit you as well as your children.
How Dental Braces Can Bring on an Awesome Smile for You
If your Saugus dentist has recommended braces, there is a good reason for it. Dental braces are used to straighten your teeth and improve your smile. If your teeth are misaligned, talk to your cosmetic dentist in Saugus, MA about your concerns. Braces slowly move your teeth into proper alignment by using constant, gentle pressure. Here are a few ways dental braces help you achieve a great smile.
More Natural Smile
Dental braces straighten your teeth which results in a more natural smile. When your teeth are aligned properly, it improves your overall appearance and gives you a boost of self-confidence. You’ll naturally smile more when you have a smile you are happy with and proud of. Smiling helps boost your overall wellbeing and health.
Dental Braces Help Keep Your Teeth from Becoming Damaged
When teeth are misaligned, they can touch each other incorrectly. Eventually, this can cause chipping and wearing away of your teeth. For those who have a deep bite meaning your teeth tend to stick out, the front teeth often get chipped. If you have a crossbite, the back teeth are susceptible to fractures. Braces help protect from damage by improving your bite and your smile.
Braces Help Improve Your Dental Health and Preserve Your Smile
Many think that the sole purpose of braces is to straighten your teeth for cosmetic reasons. Of course, straight teeth are more attractive, but they are easier to clean. Braces help improve your oral hygiene routine by making it much easier to care for your teeth properly. Crooked or crowded teeth are difficult to clean. Crevices and crowded spots make great places for food particles, bacteria, and plaque to build up. These spaces also stain more quickly. Crowded teeth make it challenging to brush your teeth well and make it difficult to floss between teeth. People with crooked teeth are much more likely to have tooth decay and gum disease.
Braces Affect the Jaws
As braces realign your upper and lower teeth, it helps your jaws and lips be more proportionate to the rest of your face. As everything lines up properly, it balances out your bite which can also relieve jaw pain. When the TMJ or temporomandibular joint in the jaw is misaligned, it can cause headaches, ear pain, and jaw pain. Braces help align the teeth and bite and relieve pressure misalignment can put on the jaw.
Healthier Teeth and Gums
Properly aligned teeth break down food better which is essential for good digestion. Even though the stomach and gut play roles in the digestive process, it all starts in the mouth. Enzymes in the mouth begin to break down food as teeth grind it into smaller pieces. This aids the body in absorbing nutrients. Dental braces rightly align your bite so that your chewing capabilities are improved. By consuming a well-balanced diet, your body and teeth benefit from nutrients preserving your smile.
Contact Your Cosmetic Dentist in Saugus, MA
Investing in dental braces can provide you with a long-lasting beautiful smile and a host of other benefits including improving your self-esteem and self-confidence. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more about how braces can help enhance your life and your smile.
How to Prevent Trauma to Your Teeth
Sometimes unforeseen circumstances happen, and mouth trauma occurs. Common trauma can include a broken, chipped, or cracked tooth, or a tooth that becomes dislodged or knocked out. Serious injuries may mean emergency dental care or an unplanned dental visit. Trauma can often involve more than your teeth and affect your lips, tongue, or cheeks. Sometimes preventive care can help prevent trauma to your teeth.
Tips for Preventing Tooth Injuries
Wear a Mouthguard
A mouthguard serves many purposes. When playing rigorous sports, kids and adults should wear mouthguards. They can help prevent tooth injuries. A night guard is worn at night to help to prevent tooth injuries for those who grind their teeth during sleep.
Wear Protective Sports Equipment
Some sports have more potential for causing facial or tooth trauma. Football, hockey, rugby, and baseball are rigorous enough that your teeth and face are in danger. You can protect your facial area by wearing a face cage and helmet. Sometimes face guards can be worn in conjunction with a helmet. Without the faceguard, a helmet also protects the head. Even though it might not protect mouth and tooth injuries, it can reduce concussions and other serious injuries.
Likewise, if you are skating or biking, wearing a helmet can be great preventive care. Depending on their design, they can help prevent facial injuries. But they can also save your life or prevent a serious head injury.
Avoid Some Foods
Chewing on hard objects like pencils or eating hard foods like ice or candy can cause damage to your teeth. There are a lot of tooth injuries that occur when someone eats hard foods like nuts. Chewing on hard objects can injure a tooth. Stopping these habits can help prevent tooth injuries.
Wear Seat Belts and Use Car Seats
Wearing a seatbelt could save your life or the life of your loved one should you be in an automobile accident. They can also help prevent injuries to the jaw, face, and nose. Even minor accidents can lead to serious injuries. Small children can be spared serious injuries by being restrained in an approved car seat that is properly fastened into the vehicle.
Wear a Hard Hat on the Job
If you work behind a desk, this may not apply to you. However, if you work in an industrial area or construction area a hard hat can protect you from potential accidents. They are required in some work zones.
Supervise Young Children
Young children are very susceptible to injuring their teeth. Supervising them when they engage in risky activities can help prevent many injuries. When babies begin walking, make sure they don’t have objects in their hands that could cause damage to their teeth or mouth if they were to fall. A toy or even a sippy cup can cause injury to a tooth. Many small children slip in the bathtub and injure a tooth or their mouth. Installing safety gates can keep them out of areas too dangerous for them to play in. Padding on sharp corners on furniture can help protect small children from mouth trauma. Taking preventive measures can help prevent tooth injury for small children.
Let us help YOU!
Wearing mouth guards and other types of protective gear, supervising small children, and wearing seatbelts can go a long way when it comes to preventing mouth trauma and injuries. If you do need emergency dental care, or injure your mouth or a tooth, please call our offices. Let us help you take care of your family’s mouth and teeth.
Trauma to the teeth and mouth can turn very serious. Here are a few tips from Stephen Petinge, DMD to help you prevent mouth trauma.
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