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Dental Implants St. Helens OR

Are You Taking a Calculated Look at Dental Implants?

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Any dental related cost can be viewed as an investment in your health and wellness. As much as possible, we try to help patients keep their dental investment honed on the area of prevention and, if so desired, the cosmetic improvement of the smile. However, sometimes, it is necessary to rebuild the structure of a tooth or teeth. Sometimes, we have to start from the ground up. Understandably, any patient who must replace a missing or failing tooth has to consider the cost of care. Here, we discuss how to do that prudently.

Assessing the True Return on Investment

When we think about replacing a missing tooth or teeth, we might be tempted to focus on the visible details like putting a tooth back where it belongs, so the smile looks good. There’s much more to tooth replacement than appearances. Teeth also need to function. They need to be reliable and secure so that you can eat (and actually enjoy your meals). They need to last, too. When we look at the average restoration like a bridge or denture, we see a lifespan of about 15 years in most cases, and that includes routine adjustments to account for bone loss. Surgical-grade titanium implants fuse with the bone, so they stay put. According to research, they can stay put for several decades. In one study, researchers estimated that dental implant treatment would cost 10% less than a bridge when viewed across its lifetime.

Assessing What Matters Most

What matters most when we replace teeth is not how the smile looks, or even that chewing function is restored. It’s the degree to which these benefits are attained that matters. For example, a full denture may give you back the look you once had, but if your teeth are sliding out of your mouth or rubbing on your gums, you may not wear your dentures all the time as you should. Even when dentures are worn consistently, there will be bone loss. This loss is only worse when dentures are not in place at all times. When considering the cost of tooth replacement, the ultimate factor to consider is your quality of life.

Learn more about dental implants. Call our St. Helens dental office at (503) 397-6144.

How to Sustain a Brilliant Smile | Teeth Whitening St. Helens OR

How to Sustain a Brilliant Smile

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There are numerous benefits to having healthy teeth and gums, and we discuss them regularly in our St. Helens general and cosmetic dentistry office. What also comes up often is the topic of brilliance. Patients want to know how they can avoid the pitfalls of tooth discoloration and how they can manage the radiance of their smile without having to have their teeth whitened frequently. We want to discuss some tips here.

About Professional Teeth Whitening

There is a reason why professional teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments sought today: it works. The value of a radiant smile extends throughout various areas of life, from dating and socializing to climbing the corporate ladder. Teeth whitening is a simple way to rejuvenate the face and makeover the smile. A white smile indicates youthfulness and goes so far as to portray a person as being more motivated, successful, and friendly. That’s a lot of value for a relatively minor physical feature!

When you have your teeth whitened by your dentist, whether you choose an in-office treatment or one you conduct at home, what you’re doing is setting a new baseline of radiance for your smile. This is why the first tip for a brilliant smile is to work with your dentist to establish that baseline. After that, it’s all about maintenance; and maintenance is as easy as mindfulness.

How Mindfulness Benefits your Smile

Mindfulness is a hot term used by individuals in the self-improvement industry. What could it possibly have to do with your smile? A lot, it turns out. When we create a habit of mindfulness, what we do is set our focus on a particular practice. That practice may be how we brush and floss our teeth (two minutes, twice a day). It may be how we care for teeth after we eat (rinse, don’t brush!).  It may be how we choose to consume beverages (use a straw when possible). Where we place focus on oral care, we have an excellent opportunity to minimize discoloration.

Our team would love to help you attain the brilliant smile you have always wanted. Schedule your teeth whitening visit in our St. Helens office at (503) 397-6144.

Dental Technologies St. Helens OR | How Dental Innovation Serves Your Smile

How Dental Innovation Serves Your Smile

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The word “innovation” gets thrown around quite a lot these days, and there are good reasons for this. In the past century, we have witnessed so many changes in technology that the way we live now is far different than our ancestors did just a handful of decades ago. Every field of practice, from music to construction to healthcare, has evolved in significant ways. Here, we want to give attention to a few of the dental innovations that are serving our patients’ smiles.

Dental Technologies

The manner in which dentists diagnose conditions and monitor oral health is not often discussed. However, the technologies that are used in dentistry today have improved so significantly that there is reason to cheer. Patients who visit our St. Helens, OR office benefit from digital x-rays and laser cavity finding instrumentation. Additionally, we use simple yet powerful modalities like Bio-EMG and Myomonitor TENs to facilitate accurate diagnosis and treatment planning for bite issues and TMJ disorder.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings aren’t necessarily new, but they are still catching on. This innovative restorative method is more than a cosmetically pleasing treatment for cavities. The composite resin material from which tooth-colored fillings are made is ultra-durable, too, which maximizes the lifespan of this type of filling. Furthermore, composite resin is bonded to enamel, leading to secure, tight margins around the restoration.

Dental Implants

Tooth loss has historically been a primary problem that then led to others. For example, tooth loss could lead to a misaligned bite if the empty space is not filled with an artificial tooth. Filling space with an artificial tooth has meant that two healthy teeth would need to be altered so they could anchor that prosthesis. Widespread tooth loss, even if corrected with dentures, has historically led to bone loss that eventually changes the shape of the face. Now, we’ve got dental implants to negate all of these secondary concerns after tooth loss.

Dental implants are tiny titanium posts that are set into the jawbone, where they will become solidified in bone. Their presence in the jawbone promotes bone regeneration and also lays a new foundation for tooth stability.

Schedule a Consultation

Experience the value of personal, friendly dental care. Contact our St. Helens office at (503) 397-6144.

General Dentistry St. Helens OR

Studies Point to Specific Dental Risks for Today’s Teens

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You may remember your teenage years as a time of increased independence. Teens largely have the ability to choose what they eat and when. Partly as a result of societal norms and partly due to just being busy, many teens reach for easy foods such as burgers, fries, and soda. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, everyday dietary habits of the average teenager presents a risk of tooth erosion.

The most prominent culprits of tooth erosion among teens are soft drinks and sports drinks. For the teen who consumes energy drinks, the risk of enamel breakdown is even higher. If you look at the ingredients list on any can of soda, you will see the word “acid” listed at least once. The concern is not whether or not an acidic ingredient is natural but that any acidic ingredient will cause enamel to erode, or deteriorate. We need durable enamel if we want to avoid cavities and infection deep inside teeth! The high instance of erosion is concerning because this condition can cause irreparable damage to teeth.

And There’s More

As if erosion were not a significant concern all on its own, further research should cause us to be even more mindful of teens’ oral health. In one study discussed by the Academy of General Dentistry, researchers confirmed a direct link between soda consumption and increased instances of bone fractures among teenage girls. Why would this be, and what does it have to do with teeth?

The years between age 9 and 18 are significant for bone development. It is over this time-frame that bone growth is most substantial. Therefore, it is during these years of life when teens are in great need of calcium. Calcium is the foundation of healthy bones as well as strong teeth. The average teen needs 1300 mg of calcium a day. Here’s where things can get tricky.

Calcium stores are vital to healthy teeth and bones. When a teen consumes phosphoric acid, a common ingredient in soft drinks and sports drinks, their body’s ability to absorb calcium decreases. Hence the increased risk of bone fractures.

Does this information mean that teens cannot drink soft drinks? Not necessarily, but limiting intake certainly could help. Additionally, teens benefit from staying up to date with dental exams and cleanings that can spot and treat erosion before it causes substantial damage.

Schedule a Consultation

We’d love to see you in our St. Helens office. Call (503) 397-6144 to schedule care for your family.

Porcelain Veneers St. Helens OR

So You Want Porcelain Veneers

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Who doesn’t like the idea of flashing a Hollywood smile every day, without effort (except for a little time at the sink)? All we have to do is look at the number of cosmetic dentistry treatments that are performed each year to validate that theory. Worldwide, treatments like teeth whitening and porcelain veneers are helping men and women of all ages fully embody their unique personality simply by transforming their smile.

What Porcelain Veneers Do

All kinds of surfaces can be veneered. To veneer means to cover for cosmetic enhancement. By that definition, we can see that porcelain veneers are intended to cover teeth to make the smile more attractive. Porcelain dental veneers are an excellent option for organic cosmetic enhancement because porcelain closely resembles enamel. This dental material is translucent, so you can see through the tip of a veneered tooth just as you will a natural tooth. Light also hits porcelain in the same way it does enamel. That means you don’t have to veneer every tooth that is visible in your smile to obtain a new, beautiful appearance.

Porcelain veneers work by covering tooth structure. What these covers do is disguise flaws like stains, gaps, chips, and more. If there is something that makes a tooth or teeth stand out for the wrong reasons, chances are a porcelain veneer can disguise it.

Caring for Veneers

There are some aspects of cosmetic dentistry that can feel intimidating. Regarding porcelain veneers, that aspect is how to maintain teeth after treatment. It would be irresponsible to brush over the fact that porcelain veneers are an investment into your smile. It is for this very reason that we want to promote longevity for every one of our patients. The bright side is that porcelain veneers are hardy; their lifespan is lengthened through the same care that you give natural teeth.

If you’re considering porcelain veneers as a way to get the smile that best suits you, your decision may be made easier by knowing that daily brushing and flossing go a long way in maximizing your initial investment. Flossing is vital to the prevention of decay at the margins of veneers. For additional benefit, you may also develop a habit of rinsing the mouth with water after consuming sugary or acidic substances like soda and coffee.

In the end, the results that can be obtained with porcelain veneers cast an enormous shadow over any tips and tricks to maintain their beauty for as long as possible.

Learn more about the value of porcelain veneers. Call our Saint Helens office at (503) 397-6144.

TMD Treatments Can Reduce Flareups and Improve Quality of Life | St. Helens, OR

TMD Treatments Can Reduce Flareups and Improve Quality of Life

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If you’re living with temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ, you may be troubled by frequent flareups in symptomology. One of the aspects of TMD also referred to as TMJ or TMJ Disorder is that many people are living with this condition and its uncomfortable symptoms without any awareness that their pain could be related to the structure of their jaw. Here, we’d like to discuss TMD, what causes it, and how we can help you restore more comfort and ease to your life with appropriate treatment.

What is TMD?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a structure at the back of each side of the mouth. It is a joint that connects the jaw and the skull; a joint that enables you to speak and chew. Around this joint, there are muscles and tendons that support oral movements. Sometimes, these structures lose the ability to function together as needed for a full range of motion and comfort.

A TMD flareup describes the occurrence of heightened pain or other symptoms. Some of the common effects of dysfunctional TMJ include:

  • Jaw pain
  • Head, neck, and shoulder pain (including migraines)
  • Sensitive or sore teeth
  • Limited ability to open the mouth fully
  • Lockjaw
  • Ear pain or ringing in the ears

What May Help a TMD Flareup

One of the best ways to handle a flareup of pain related to TMJ Disorder is to recognize why pain occurs in the first place. For some people, it could be that they grind or clench the jaw when stress is not adequately managed. Sometimes, chewing certain foods causes the jaw to work too hard, resulting in pain. Symptoms may be relieved with over-the-counter medication, by applying ice to the jaw for about 20 minutes, and with lifestyle modifications that reduce stress on the jaw – and on the mind.

How your Neuromuscular Dentist Can Help

Ultimately, lifestyle modifications and medication are mere aspects of a comprehensive treatment plan for TMD. At Hiebert Smith Dental Group in St. Helens, OR, we look beyond symptom-relief and seek to understand where dysfunction originates. Our training in neuromuscular dentistry affords us the insight to fully observe oral structures by placing them in a relaxed state. It allows us to customize treatment on individual oral anatomy, and use a multidimensional approach to achieve an optimal outcome.

Schedule a Consultation

TMD symptoms can improve with oral appliances like night guards. However, there is also value in exploring the use of dental crowns, orthodontics, and other modalities to bring the jaw into better alignment.

Contact our office at (503) 397-6144 to learn more about treatment for TMD.

General Dentistry St. Helens OR

Growing Older Doesn’t Have to Mean Losing your Healthy Smile

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We, humans, have historically looked at aging from a negative point of view. Sure, we gain wisdom alongside those gray hairs, but there may seem to be far more disadvantages than advantages. For the patients who visit our St. Helens general and cosmetic dentistry office, aging doesn’t have to be something that adversely affects the smile. Through personal care and recognition of needs, we help adults of all ages preserve healthy teeth and gums.

Consequences of Oral Disease

We all know that a cavity can be painful. We also know that cavities might lead to the need for a root canal if we don’t get them treated right away. These are common stressors. But there’s more. Oral conditions like frequent tooth decay and gum disease do a lot more than cause localized pain and bad breath. Here’s what research suggests:

  • Oral disease is a bacteria problem, and bacteria can travel. More than one study has identified the presence of bacteria in the arteries of the heart. Not just any bacteria, though, the same bacteria that is found in diseased gums. Now, many doctors look at gum health as a biomarker to cardiovascular health.
  • Bacteria may also reach the lungs, according to studies. When this happens, the risk for infection such as pneumonia increases.
  • Diabetes and gum disease are two conditions that tend to go hand in hand. This is because diabetes stresses the immune system and incites systemic inflammation. These two factors are involved in gum disease. Furthermore, some studies suggest that gum disease can have an adverse effect on blood sugar regulation.

Tips for Prolonged Oral Health

There are times in life when we need to look beyond the recommendation for brushing and flossing. We realize that, for older adults, this general standard just won’t do. The goal in personal dentistry often revolves around how we can make daily oral care more efficient.

  • Switch to an electric toothbrush or sonic toothbrush.
  • Talk with your dentist about using a Water Pik or flossing tool.
  • Clean dentures daily. Talk with your dentist about the best technique for denture care to prevent subtle scratches in which bacteria may collect.
  • Sip water throughout the day to combat dry mouth associated with medication or hormone changes.

Certain risks for dental problems cannot be eliminated. However, strategies can be implemented to support long-term health. For personal care that attends to your smile, call (503) 397-6144.

Teeth Whitening St. Helens OR St. Helens OR

If Your Goal is to Look Younger, Let’s Revive Your Smile

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There are several things that people do today to look younger or preserve the beauty of their skin and other features. We nip and tuck. We eat well. We inject lines and wrinkles to smooth them out. Of the many treatments that are used to turn back the hands of time, those that revolve around the smile are significant. At the same time, they are easy, too. If one of your resolutions for the new year is to manage your aging process with a few professional treatments here and there, we can help you. In our St. Helens general and cosmetic dentistry practice, there are two proven options for teeth whitening that our patients love.

Why is Professional Care Needed?

In recent years, several commercial products have been developed to add convenience to the teeth whitening process. The thing is, whitening toothpaste and strips are minimally effective and may only really hold value for maintenance after deep bleaching. Teeth become yellow because minuscule debris collects in the tubules of enamel, settling far beneath the surface, near the second layer of tooth material. To break up these stains, we must be able to reach them, and that means more highly concentrated peroxide.

Just how bleaching is performed is up to the individual. We offer treatment here in our office, as well as home whitening kits that contain powerful ingredients. The primary advantage of letting us work is, well that we do the work. It doesn’t get more convenient than that! In-office treatment takes less than an hour and can take up to 10 years off the face. However, some patients prefer the gradual progress of a home whitening kit. This enables them to better manage any side effects, like temporary sensitivity.

Research has demonstrated the value of a radiant smile in refreshing the face to look younger. If you would like to experience the benefits of a younger looking smile for yourself, schedule a visit with our friendly team for your own teeth whitening treatment. We’re happy to speak with you at (503) 397-6144.

Invisalign St. Helens OR

Do You Want a Straighter Smile Without Braces?

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Crooked teeth are a problem. They get in the way of your highest confidence, downgrade your smile, and even affect your oral health. Many people know this. And yet, there is still a strong aversion to braces. This is evident by the number of people who choose to forego any treatment at all for misaligned teeth. It is also revealed by the popularity of treatment protocols that do not require the use of brackets and wires to straighten teeth. Invisalign is a prime example of such treatment.

Benefits of Invisalign:

Invisalign is often discussed for its obvious benefits, like letting patients eat whatever they’d like. If you’ve looked into this treatment, you are probably well-aware of what it can achieve. It’s also important to know what to expect when progressing toward your best smile.

  1. Straightening teeth with Invisalign doesn’t mean reaching your goal faster. Yes, Invisalign may work quickly in some cases of mild misalignment. So would braces, though. The objective of treatment is not to expedite the process, but to make it a little easier on the patient.
  2. Staining is a real risk. Adults who love to sip on a morning cup of coffee may find that they have to curb their habits when they start Invisalign. Patients cannot leave aligners out of the mouth for long periods of time. Additionally, you cannot drink colored beverages while wearing aligners. This means drinking one cup at a given time and then putting aligners back into place – after rinsing the mouth with water, of course.
  3. “Comfort” is a subjective word. When we’re comparing smooth plastic aligners to braces, one will come out a winner. When we’re talking about comfort in general, we need to be honest and say that patients should not expect for Invisalign treatment to be complete without potentially uncomfortable sensations. The teeth are moving, after all.
  4. There’s a hidden benefit. Interestingly enough, many adults who straighten their teeth with Invisalign also notice that they drop a few pounds. This is likely when there has been a strong snacking habit that is curbed due to the presence of aligners. Talk about a win-win!

We would love to meet you in person to discuss how you can benefit from Invisalign treatment. Call (503) 397-6144 to arrange your consultation.

Cosmetic Dentistry St. Helens OR

Cosmetic Dental Treatments for a Dazzling Holiday Smile

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We are in that time again, the one where we watch the weather change and look forward to weeks of festivity. Even if your holiday seasons doesn’t typically involve multiple parties; even if you are more of a stay-at-home-under-a-blanket-on-a-cold-night kind of person, there may be something about this time of year that makes you want to walk with a little more bounce in your step. The holidays are a time of reflection for many of us, and that often means we look not only at how far we have come but also where we may want to go in the future, including how we want to show up in the coming year.

There are numerous ways to treat yourself over the holidays, and perhaps no single way may also enhance your life experiences quite like a smile makeover. In our St. Helens general and cosmetic dentistry office, we offer friendly care that revolves around each patient’s needs. If you’d like to show up for your holidays with an abundance of confidence, you may need to look no further than your smile.

A Quick-Change for your Smile

There is a common misperception that cosmetic dentistry is somewhat complicated and expensive. On the contrary, we have ways to quickly maximize the power of your smile. Consider the benefits of:

  • In-office teeth whitening. A radiant smile is about an hour away for patients who schedule in-office teeth whitening. This method is ideal for those who are less likely to perform daily whitening at home, or who want a dramatically whiter smile for a special event.
  • Home whitening. Something that needs to be said about home-whitening is that it works. In fact, the whitening system that you can get from your dentist is as effective at lifting several shades as in-office whitening. The difference is not in the results; it is in the performance of the process. Consider home whitening as a pre-holiday smile-boost.
  • Porcelain restorations. Dental restorations now look more lifelike than ever before. Porcelain is commonly used to fabricate restorative crowns or onlays and is also the best possible material for cosmetic veneers. Appropriate porcelain restorations can disguise gaps and stains and can alter the perceived position of a tooth or teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry is a gift that continually gives back. To learn more about maximizing your smile with personalized treatment, call (503) 397-6144.