Family, Cosmetic and Emergency Dentists in Scottsdale, AZ
Call Us Today to Schedule a Visit!

(480) 991-4727


11111 N. Scottsdale Road #220
Scottdale, AZ 85254
  • Home
  • Smile Gallery
  • Dr. Gibbons
  • Dr. McAdams
  • Dr. Smith
  • Our Team
  • Our Office
  • Blog
  • Radiation Safety
  • Contact
  • Dental Implants
  • Patient Forms
  • Referring Doctors
  • INFECTION CONTROL
  • Patient Portal

What to Know About Tooth Loss

12/30/2022

0 Comments

 
It is definitely beneficial to take good care of your oral health in order to keep your teeth healthy for a longer period of time. The natural aging process or poor oral hygiene are the leading causes of Americans losing their teeth. In spite of this, advancing dental technology has resulted in older Americans keeping their teeth longer than ever. In addition to controlling whether you lose your teeth, good oral hygiene can help you prevent them from falling out. You can combat tooth loss by addressing the most common causes listed below.

Tooth loss causes

Cavities: ​

​Small holes form in teeth when decayed areas become cavities. When the holes are not treated correctly, they can cause further damage to your teeth beyond just a cavity, which is a serious health concern. It is important to note that they can cause damage to your enamel, your dental pulp in the center of your teeth, as well as necessitate a root canal procedure if left untreated. You can prevent cavities by applying good oral hygiene routines and making sure that you see the dentist regularly if you want to prevent them from developing.

​Gum Disease:

Adult tooth loss is most commonly caused by gum disease. The bacteria that accumulate on your teeth's surface causes inflammation in your gums, as a result of bacteria accumulating there. There are two phases of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. As nearly half of all adults experience gingivitis at some point in their lives, it is considered to be relatively common.

Generally, you can reverse it if you take proper care. In the absence of treatment, gingivitis can cause pockets to form between the tooth and gum, which can harbour harmful bacteria. Gum disease has become a result of gingivitis at this stage. As a consequence of untreated gum disease, you may lose your teeth if you cannot eliminate the bacteria in your mouth.

Visiting your dentist regularly and maintaining good oral hygiene habits are the best ways to prevent gum disease. With the help of our oral healthcare professionals, Scottsdale residents can expect the best in the area. Our team can provide you with assistance if you are concerned about gum disease.

Physical Injury:

The result of an injury can be tooth loss, and some injuries lead to this. There are several reasons why tooth loss can occur, from sports to outdoor activities to an accident. If you play sports or engage in any major physical activity where your mouth could be affected by trauma, it is important to wear mouth guards.

Certain Diseases:

A number of diseases can increase your chances of developing gum disease and losing your teeth. A variety of diseases can have an impact on your oral health, such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis. If you are experiencing any other factors that may affect your oral health, make sure to inform your dentist about them.

Risk Factors:

Even poor nutrition and diet can negatively impact your teeth and gums. Smoking and chewing tobacco are two of the most common bad habits. A healthy lifestyle, regular dental checkups, a good oral hygiene routine, and maintaining good oral hygiene are all essential to maintaining a healthy smile for a lifetime

Routine for proper oral care

Healthy teeth and gums and overall health are dependent on good oral hygiene. Make sure you brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Protect your teeth against future cavities by using fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. Daily flossing is a critical addition to brushing.

To maintain good oral health, you should visit the dentist twice a year (or more frequently if needed) for regular dental checkups. Keeping your diet healthy and eating balanced meals is also essential. Drinks containing sugar, and acids should be limited. Cavities and gum disease may result from these foods mixing with harmful bacteria in your mouth.
McAdams Dental provides great dental hygiene services in Scottsdale Arizona!  We can help you find the right treatment options if you have lost your teeth. Dental Implants, Bridges and even Dentures are among the treatment options they offer to restore your smile. Depending on your dental needs, they will help develop a treatment plan for your needs.  Make an appointment with our office today!
0 Comments

Surgery of the oral system - Bone Grafts

12/30/2022

0 Comments

 
There are many amazing things about bone in the human body. Many people consider the bone to be the hardest piece of tissue in their body, but it has the ability to regenerate large sections of itself with the help of a bone graft. Modern technology has improved safety and predictability in bone grafting procedures over centuries.  Oral surgery procedures often require bone grafts to restore bone integrity, allowing patients to resume a high quality of life after treatment.

Bone Grafting: A History

A Dutch doctor, Dr. Jacob van Meekeren, performed the first recorded bone graft in 1668 when he placed a piece of canine bone inside a soldier's skull. Ideally, this new fragment would heal the wound by growing around the new bone. Upon removing it, the doctors discovered that the xenograft had fully integrated into the patient's skull, so they discovered it in its original form.  Bone grafting was not widely used until 150 years after the first experiment. The first recorded autograft occurred in 1821, and the first documented allograft took place in 1881 when a humeral bone was fused with a tibial bone sample.

Bone grafting's benefits and limitations were sufficiently understood by 1950 for the very first bone bank to be established. During the 1960s, a new understanding of demineralized bone matrix and bone morphogenic protein was discovered as a result of this knowledge. It can be argued that the advancement of osteoconductive, osteoinductive, and osteo-promote materials over the past 50 years is one of the most significant contributors to the fact that bone grafting is now a predictable process for surgeons, by making it an easier procedure.

​Oral surgery bone grafting

All bones in the body can benefit from bone grafts. However, oral surgeons have been able to achieve brilliant things with this technology. It is very rare for the jaw bone to disintegrate after the loss of a tooth, making it a fragile bone. Dental implants are frequently sought by patients who are experiencing jawbone loss. This bone can be restored with bone grafting technology, dental implants can be inserted, and other procedures can be performed.

In bone grafting, either your own bone or bone taken from a tissue bank is used to make the graft since bone is the main component. The bone graft is used where neither bone nor bone growth is present, such as in cases of repairing implants or gum disease, or for those procedures which require the growth of bone, such as sinus lifts, where bone needs to be regenerated.

Our Scottsdale, AZ oral surgery practice performs two of the four commonly used bone grafts below.

Invasive bone grafting

Several types of major bone grafting are performed to correct jaw defects such as cleft palates, tumors that have been removed from the bones, and accidents that have displaced bones. In some cases, patients may be able to use bone from their own bodies for the implant. The most common locations in which bone can be harvested are the skull, hip, or lateral knee bone. As well as the bone slice, a special membrane will be placed over the surface in order to encourage the regrowth of bone. It is over time that bone cells called osteoblasts become activated, and the cells in the body will absorb the bone with the backing of the bone and merge together to create a strong, stable bone. It is almost always necessary to perform this procedure in an operating room and to spend a few days in the hospital afterward.

The sinus lift

While sinus lifts may sound radical, they often turn out to be very predictable procedures. Dental implants in the maxilla bone require a sinus lift. A healthy dental implant cannot often be placed in this region because there is not enough bone. Sinuses are raised by placing donor bone at their bottoms. This bone is strong enough to support a dental implant after several months after becoming part of the maxilla. The placement of dental implants can sometimes be combined with a sinus lift, depending on the amount of bone present. It will be necessary to take X-rays and to have a thorough examination.

The field of oral surgery has benefited greatly from bone grafting. A dental implant, a sinus lift, or the correction of dental trauma can be secured using this procedure. There would be a huge difference in the field of oral surgery without bone grafting. A second application of bone grafting technology will be discussed in our next blog in Scottsdale, AZ. For more information visit McAdams Dental.
0 Comments

Getting Uneven Teeth Corrected Using Cosmetic Dentistry

12/5/2022

0 Comments

 
Smiles and laughter with confidence are what everyone wants. When your teeth are uneven, you may not feel comfortable flashing your pearly whites. It is common for teeth to be uneven. Uneven teeth can be corrected in many ways so that you can smile confidently without feeling self-conscious.

While some methods, like veneers and contouring, are less invasive and complex, Braces can be are more complex but more satisfying in the end! Smiling is contagious! You can have your teeth straightened, aligned, coloured, or fixed with cosmetic dentistry.
Picture

How Do Teeth Become Uneven?

There are a number of factors that can lead to uneven teeth. Usually, the cause of an uneven smile may be genetics, poor oral hygiene, teeth grinding, or accidents which have occurred in the past.  Tooth grinding is a major player causing a crowded smile as well.  

There is a possibility that you may consider uneven teeth to be a mere cosmetic concern. There are, however, other dental problems that can result from uneven teeth.  Crowded teeth can be more difficult to maintain leading to gum problems in the future.  Depending on your bite, you may develop TMJ disorder, which causes pain in your jaw. An important step in preventing these serious oral conditions is to correct your uneven teeth.

Veneers

Veneers are a thin layer of porcelain that is custom made with a tooth-colour that is bonded over the front surface of your teeth to cover the visible surface. Minor imperfections, such as teeth with uneven shapes, gaps, and chips, can be hidden with them.

As well as masking worn enamel and discolorations, veneers may conceal discolorations. It takes only a couple of appointments to complete dental veneers, which are minimally invasive.
​

A thin layer of enamel is removed from the surface of your teeth so that the veneers can be attached. After the veneer has been attached, the final step is to seal it. A complete smile transformation will result once the procedure is completed. The perfect smile can be created by altering your teeth's shape, size, length, and colour with veneers.

Despite their cosmetic appearance, veneers serve more than one purpose! As a result, you may not need to undergo extensive dental treatment and your bite can be improved.

Your teeth are protected from further damage by porcelain veneers, and your bite and jaw are aligned properly with porcelain veneers as well. Additionally, if you take care of them properly, they will last for many years and the lifespan can even be extended.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a very minimally invasive procedure. This procedure is also quite quick and can correct minor tooth damage, uneven teeth, and gaps in teeth. It will result in a more symmetrical and straighter smile due to the straightening of your teeth.

It is typically the case that your dentist will apply a small amount of tooth-colored composite resin to your tooth at your appointment for dental bonding. In order to blend in with your other teeth, the material is molded into the desired shape and colour.

Hardening and polishing are then performed on the resin. A dazzling new smile awaits you after the procedure is complete.

Contouring

Reshaping your teeth is referred to as contouring. The dentist uses a rotating instrument called a bur to remove a thin layer of enamel during this procedure.

If your cosmetic dental issues are small, your teeth can be slightly reshaped, resized, or resurfaced due to minor differences in their shape, length, or surface. It will make your smile look more consistent because all your teeth will look the same.

Chips, crowding, and unevenness can be repaired quickly with this technique. Front teeth are the most common place to use it. Also, a local anesthetic is rarely necessary for the procedure, which is relatively painless.

Crowns

In cases of decay, broken or missing teeth, porcelain crowns are a common solution. This restores the aesthetics and function of a damaged tooth by covering it above the gum line.

In addition to correcting uneven teeth, crowns can also be used to correct crooked teeth.  With the help of a crown, your dentist can modify the shape of a tooth, making it blend in with the rest of your smile.

With a crown, you get a natural look that is custom-made for you. The durable design ensures that the bite is not compromised. Teeth are strengthened by crowns, which reinforce them.

Braces

Orthodontics can correct crooked, misaligned, crowded, gapped, or misaligned teeth regardless of your age. A chip, crack, or any other type of damage cannot be repaired with these adhesives.

You might not be able to get the desired effect with braces if you have uneven teeth. Corrective orthodontics can be recommended by your dentist if you are a good candidate.

Braces have helped many of our patients improve the appearance of their smiles by straightening and aligning the teeth. Gradually, they correct spacing issues and misaligned bites by shifting teeth into the correct positions.

McAdams Dental works with many local Phoenix and Scottsdale Orthodontists who can use braces as the initial step towards a beautiful smile makeover.  

Clear Aligners

Despite the fact that clear aligners have a different appearance than braces, they serve the same purpose. A clear aligner is a plastic device that uses clear brackets to attach to your teeth. Braces are attached to your teeth with metal brackets.  In this way, teeth straightening with them is more discreet. If you're looking for a low-profile option, clear alignment trays are the best choice.

In the same way that braces shift your teeth into the correct position, clear aligners do the same. Gradually, your teeth are moved using clear plastic trays.
​

Invisalign clear aligners are available at McAdams Dental in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Cosmetic dentistry in Arizona can correct uneven teeth

The cosmetic dentistry practice of McAdams Dental can change your smile for the better! Whether you need to fix damaged teeth or fix irregularities in your smile, we can help you with a variety of cosmetic dentistry methods.  As well as rejuvenating smiles and restoring patients' confidence, our team has been practicing in Arizona for more than 40 years of experience.

To learn more about cosmetic dentistry in Arizona, call McAdams Dental at (480) 991-4727.
0 Comments

What To Expect During a Root Canal: 4 Myths

12/4/2022

0 Comments

 
There are many people wo are concerned about the possibility of a root canal. A root canal may be the only way to save a tooth that is infected, and millions of root canals are performed each year.  They are incredibly safe and effective, despite myths you might hear about them online.
​

Your dentist may recommend a root canal and you may be nervous about it. Understanding common root canal myths can help give you some peace of mind.

Myth 1: "A root canal is necessary if you suffer from tooth pain."

It is not always an infection that causes tooth pain, but dental pain is a warning that problems are developing.  This is one of the reasons why it is necessary to have regular dental visits (as well as many other reasons). 
Tooth pain is often associated with a root canal, a common misconception. If you are experiencing tooth pain, there may be many reasons for it. 

It is possible to experience toothaches due to cavities, cracked teeth, gum disease, and sinus pressure, for example. A trained professional can perform tests to rule out other issues before recommending root canals.
​

Many times early intervention can stop tooth pain before it progresses to a tooth infection and help you to avoid needing a root canal!

Myth 2: "There is pain associated with root canals."

There is nothing better than modern technology. Root canals are now as easy to perform as filling cavities with today's anesthesia and procedures. 

Most of the time, your tooth can be fixed without experiencing any pain. A skilled dentist will minimize your discomfort during the procedure by using pain management techniques.

When you have a root canal, your dentist will remove the damaged part of the tooth and, as a consequence, you stop experiencing toothaches. A root canal will reduce the amount of pain you experience.

Myth 3: "Root canals are worse than pulling teeth."

Natural teeth cannot be replaced perfectly. Dental implants have come a long way and are now adequate for restoring function and appearance to your mouth, but they still don't match natural teeth.  Dr. McAdams always says "if you can fix a tooth, you should!  It's always better than pulling it."

Whenever possible, it is always better if you are able to save your natural tooth rather than extract it from your mouth. If a tooth undergoes a root canal treatment, it will still serve to improve your function and appearance.

More good news!  Root canals require much less recovery time than extractions and dental implants. In addition, it poses no threat to adjacent teeth or supporting tissues.

Myth 4: "Illness is caused by root canals."

The internet is a wildfire for misinformation. We believe finding a practice you can trust, and putting your trust in your doctors and dentists is the most important thing for the future of your health.

A root canal does not increase the risk of illness or disease based on scientific evidence.
​

In the early 1900s, flawed research gave rise to this myth, but has since been discredited. Root canals have stood up to rigorous study and are highly regarded for their ability to treat infection safely.

A Root Canal: What You Can Expect

X-rays will be taken of the affected tooth and testing performed in order to determine if a root canal is necessary.  If you need a root canal, your dentist will determine if your procedure would be best performed in their hands or if a specialist is needed for a complex case.

Local anesthetics are administered first to keep you comfortable during the procedure.

A dental dam is very important and is used to isolate the infected tooth. The surgery location is thus protected from contamination by saliva or debris.

The tooth is prepared by your dentist or endodontist, and the decay and infected pulp inside the tooth are removed using a drill.

Cleansing and shaping are done to your teeth's roots and medications are placed inside the roots during the procedure and usually placed in the canal afterwards for a period of 1-2 weeks. A temporary filling is placed on the tooth at the end of the procedure. Before the permanent filling can be applied, you will need to heal.

After the tooth has healed and symptoms are resolved, you will have to remove the temporary filling and replace it with a permanent one to seal the tooth at your second appointment. This process also involves permanently filling and sealing the root channel at the same time.

The post-procedure phase

Some patients experience soreness after the anesthetic wears off. You can opt for over-the-counter pain medicine or ask your dentist for a prescription pain reliever. 

The infection may require antibiotic treatment if it infection has spread beyond the root of the tooth. In the hours following your procedure, numbness is likely to persist for 2-4 hours. If you are experiencing any numbness, you should not eat until the symptoms have completely disappeared.

After the procedure, the tooth may be tender for the first few days, so you should eat softer foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth.

Keep your oral hygiene habits as good as possible! A toothbrush should be used twice a day, and flossing should be done once a day.

Scottsdale, AZ Root Canal Surgery From McAdams Dental

It may seem intimidating, but root canal therapy eliminates pain and restores function to the tooth by removing infection and infection-causing bacteria. There is no need to fear root canals anymore because they are a common procedure that is intended to relieve pain.

Thousands of root canals have been performed successfully at McAdams Dental. During these procedures, we strive to minimize pain and discomfort. An infected tooth can be comfortably saved with a root canal. 

Call McAdams Dental at (480) 991-4727 or go to our contact page to learn more about root canal surgery in Arizona.
0 Comments

    Author

    McAdams Dental and Scottsdale Prosthodontists maintain this blog to keep our patients in the know about things at our office!

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    June 2021
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    June 2016
    August 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    July 2014
    May 2014
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    August 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

McAdams Dental Scottsdale AZ
Providing flawless dental services to satisfied patients is what we take pride in as a dental team that values compassion and patient relationships!
Quick Links
  • Home
  • Smile Gallery
  • Blog
  • Patient Forms
  • Contact Us
Get In Touch
11111 N. Scottsdale Road #220
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Call Dr. McAdams:  480-991-4727
Call Dr. Gibbons:  480-368-0060
Email us:  smile@mcadamsdental.com