Experts recommend that each family member see a dentist every six months for optimal oral health, and one of the easiest ways to ensure this is by establishing a relationship with a qualified family dentist. Family dentists are trained to care for patients of all ages and oral conditions, so you can get the dental care your entire family needs in one location.
During a typical dental checkup, the dentist will examine your mouth, take X-rays if necessary, and perform a professional cleaning. They will also check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and other potential issues. These regular visits are key to maintaining good oral health.
In addition to the routine treatments, it’s also important to have an open conversation with your family dentist about your oral and overall health. Discuss any changes in your oral condition, pain or discomfort, medications you’re taking, or any other health concerns. Your oral health can be closely linked to your general well-being, so being thorough in these discussions is vital.
Family dentists are experienced in handling various concerns, including dental anxiety, which is common among both children and adults. They are skilled at working with patients of all ages, including seniors, who may have specific needs. If necessary, family dentists can refer you to specialists such as orthodontists, endodontists, or oral surgeons to ensure comprehensive care for all your dental needs.
Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment now and achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. Hergott is accepting new patients from Meriden and the surrounding area.
While maintaining good oral health is essential, it’s not the only aspect to consider when it comes to your smile. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on creating the most attractive smile for you, transforming crooked, discolored, or otherwise imperfect teeth into a smile you’ll be proud to show off.
As a growing field, cosmetic dentistry has become increasingly popular. The goal is to help you achieve a smile that not only looks beautiful but will also last for a lifetime. You can easily find a cosmetic dentist by asking for recommendations from friends and family, conducting online research, or consulting your general dentist for referrals.
Modern cosmetic dentists use advanced technologies to offer the latest treatment options. Some common procedures performed by cosmetic dentists include:
- Teeth Whitening – Brightening the color of your teeth and minimizing stains
- Veneers – Attaching porcelain shells to the fronts of your teeth to cover imperfections
- Implants and Crowns – Restoring missing teeth for improved appearance and function
- Bonding – Using composite resin to repair chips and fill gaps
- Contouring – Reshaping teeth to enhance their look
- Braces – Straightening teeth and correcting jaw misalignment
In addition to improving your smile, visiting a cosmetic dentist often ensures a comfortable experience. Many procedures are painless, and those that may cause discomfort can be managed with sedation techniques. Sedation dentistry is also available to help patients who experience anxiety or fear about dental visits.
If you’re dissatisfied with your smile, schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist to discover the options available for transforming your appearance.
Schedule a consultation today to explore our Cosmetic Dentistry options at our Meriden dental office.
It’s back-to-school time and that means kids everywhere will be participating in sports. It’s time for football, soccer, volleyball, and all sorts of sports teams to get back in shape. That not only means conditioning your body, but also getting all the right gear. One item that you don’t want to forget is a mouth guard to protect yourself from mouth and facial injuries.
Dentists recommend mouth guards for participants in both high-impact sports and individual sports. Team sports often resulting in mouth injuries include football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, and hockey. Individual sports that carry high risks include cycling, gymnastics, skateboarding, martial arts, and rollerblading.
Mouth guards are worn to protect the mouth from a variety of possible injuries. They may be minor like a chipped or cracked tooth, or cuts from biting the inside of your mouth. Worse injuries can occur like jaw fractures, and athletes might experience tooth loss or nerve damage. Fractures can cause difficulty breathing, swallowing, eating, or speaking.
Dentists suggest that many sports injuries can be avoided by wearing a mouth guard, and they are available for athletes of all skill sets and ages. They are available in most sporting good stores, or you can opt to have customized mouth guards created by your dentist. Mouth guards are even available in a wide variety of colors, so athletes can choose them to coordinate with their school colors. They are also useful for people who wear traditional braces or Invisalign retainers.
Because many sports can be risky, there’s no reason to ignore the danger to your mouth. Wear a mouth guard to protect your smile throughout the season.
Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment now and achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. Hergott is accepting new patients from Meriden and the surrounding area.
The innovative approach of Invisalign has revolutionized smile improvement for individuals of all ages. No longer limited to children and teenagers, Invisalign appeals to adults well into their retirement years. It’s never too late to transform your smile and boost your self-esteem with this advanced solution.
What Problems Can Invisalign Address?
Invisalign does more than just straighten teeth to create a perfect smile. It can effectively address various dental issues, including:
- Gaps between teeth
- Overcrowding
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Open bites
- Crossbites
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign involves wearing custom-made, invisible plastic aligners over your teeth. These aligners are designed to gently shift your teeth into improved positions. New trays are provided every few weeks as your treatment progresses.
The removable nature of the aligners allows for easy dental hygiene, enabling normal brushing and flossing without the hassle of wires or brackets. The clear plastic trays are nearly invisible, fitting snugly over your teeth to prevent embarrassing slips or speech difficulties.
Who Can Benefit from Invisalign?
Invisalign is suitable for almost anyone with permanent teeth and healthy gums. For older patients, it offers additional benefits by addressing dental misalignments that can contribute to:
- Gum issues caused by gaps or overlapping teeth, which hinder proper cleaning
- Jaw or joint pain in the mouth, head, or neck area
Correcting these issues not only enhances oral health but also promotes long-term comfort.
Invisalign for Older Adults
More patients over 50 are seeking orthodontic treatments than ever before. Invisalign offers an excellent alternative for those wanting to avoid dentures and maintain their natural teeth. It improves both the aesthetics and health of your smile, ensuring better function and appearance.
A beautiful smile can enhance your outlook on life, helping you look and feel younger. By improving your attitude and confidence, Invisalign makes achieving an attractive, healthy smile easier than ever.
Do you live in Meriden or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.
Being a teenager can be tough, and if your teen’s smile could use some improvement, it can be even more challenging. If your teen is dealing with crooked, gapped, crowded, or misaligned teeth, Invisalign may be the ideal solution to consider with their orthodontist.
In the past, metal braces were the go-to treatment for teens, but they often led to self-consciousness due to the “metal mouth” look and the concern about food getting stuck in the brackets. However, Invisalign offers a more discreet solution that provides the same effective results as traditional braces. Instead of metal wires and brackets, Invisalign uses clear plastic trays, making the straightening process much less noticeable.
How Invisalign Works for Teens
The Invisalign treatment begins with impressions and x-rays, which help the orthodontist understand the current condition of your teen’s teeth. A mold is made from these impressions to create custom-designed aligners. Over time, your teen will use a series of aligners to gradually straighten their teeth in a comfortable, effective way.
No Food Restrictions with Invisalign
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are removable, which means there are no food restrictions. Your teen can enjoy all their favorite foods without worrying about food getting stuck in their braces or damaging their hardware. Simply remove the aligners before eating and put them back in afterward.
Maintaining Oral Hygiene
One of the benefits of Invisalign over traditional braces is that it’s easier to maintain good oral hygiene. The aligners are removed before brushing and flossing, making it much simpler for your teen to clean their teeth. Encourage your teen to brush after meals and floss at least once a day for the best results.
Following the Plan
For Invisalign to work effectively, it’s important that your teen wears the aligners as directed by their orthodontist—typically 22 hours a day, except when eating or cleaning their teeth. Consistency is key to ensuring your teen’s teeth are straightened as efficiently as possible.
Invisalign gives your teen the chance to improve their smile discreetly and comfortably. Make sure they follow their orthodontist’s instructions to get the best results.
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Meriden dental office.
There are times when a tooth is so severely damaged by decay, trauma, or cracking that a simple filling isn’t the best option. In these situations, a dental crown may be recommended to restore the tooth’s health and functionality. If a tooth is missing entirely, your dentist might suggest a dental bridge to close the gap and maintain your oral health.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown, also known as a “cap,” is designed to completely cover and protect a damaged tooth. Once bonded in place, the crown offers a stable, strong, and aesthetically pleasing replacement for the original tooth. Custom-made using impressions of your teeth, the crown matches the size, shape, and position of your natural tooth for a seamless appearance.
Dental crowns are an ideal solution for a severely compromised tooth. They eliminate discomfort, provide tooth stability, and preserve your appearance. Depending on the material chosen, your crown can look and feel as natural as your original tooth.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is used to span a gap caused by a missing tooth. Having such a gap isn’t just a cosmetic concern; it can lead to difficulties with chewing and speaking. Additionally, neighboring teeth may shift into the empty space, increasing the risk of gum disease and jaw complications.
Dental bridges literally bridge the gap by anchoring to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. These bordering teeth are trimmed to support crowns, which act as anchors for the bridge. Between the two crowns, a replacement tooth is custom-made to fit the space perfectly. With a dental bridge, you can regain your ability to eat and speak properly, and it helps maintain the natural shape of your face and lips.
Longevity and Care
Dental crowns and bridges are excellent long-term solutions for maintaining dental health and can last a lifetime with proper care. To avoid damage to your dental work, refrain from chewing on hard items like ice or hard candy. Additionally, maintaining regular dental checkups is essential for preserving the integrity of your crowns and bridges.
If you are considering dental crowns or bridges, visit our Meriden dental office for professional advice and personalized care.
We offer dental crowns and bridges at our Meriden dental office.
