Thursday, August 27, 2015

TMD

TMD can be a very painful and frustrating condition to deal with. The symptoms that go along with TMD may seem unrelenting, but there are treatments. The experienced dentists of Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA offer relief to patients suffering from the effects of TMD.


TMD, or temporomandibular disorder, is a condition where the temporomandibular joint, the TMJ, is dysfunctional. The TMJ is the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull. The joint can become enflamed, swollen, and tender. It can cause aching around the ear and face, difficulty chewing, and a clicking sound. The joint may also lock the mouth open or closed.


The cause of TMD is often not clear. However, if the TMJ disc is eroded or moved out of place, it can cause TMD. Also if the joint’s cartilage is damaged by arthritis or if the joint as a whole is damaged by injury, these can also cause TMD. Often, grinding the teeth or clenching the jaw can also lead to TMD.


The dentists here at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center can observe the TMJ and determine if TMD is the problem. A night guard is available to prevent the teeth grinding at night, or at least lessen the effects. Surgery for TMD is sometimes needed, but often just changing the way the jaw muscles are used through behavioral treatment is enough to provide relief.


If you are experiencing a sore or painful jaw, come in for an evaluation. To schedule an appointment at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call us at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Clear Braces for a More Discreet Straightening Process

Straightening your teeth is an investment in a beautiful smile. While the end result is fantastic, often times patients do not like the look of braces during treatment, which can deter patients from straightening their teeth like they want. Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center of Philadelphia, PA offers clear braces to their patients desiring straight teeth but a more discreet process.


Clear braces work just like traditional metal braces, but the brackets are made of ceramic. The ceramic brackets are translucent, so they blend right in with your teeth. In certain cases, a clear wire is also available for even more discretion. These braces have advanced over time, so unlike versions of the past, the brackets are now stain-resistant. With good care, this keeps them unnoticeable for the duration of the straightening process. Clear braces are available for most cases.


The clear braces work just like traditional braces do, so the ceramic brackets are bonded to the fronts of your teeth and a wire is clipped in that is tightened every few weeks. Over time, the consistent pressure from the wire moves the teeth into the directed positions.


If you are looking to straighten your teeth but do not want to have that metallic smile for a year or more, ceramic braces may be the perfect option for you. To schedule a consultation with the dentists of Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center here in Philadelphia, PA, call us at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com

Friday, August 14, 2015

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

When it comes to tooth extractions, wisdom teeth are very commonly extracted. While some wisdom teeth grow in okay, even those can be recommended for removal. The doctors of Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center perform wisdom teeth extractions for many of their patients in the Philadelphia, PA area.


Wisdom teeth often come with complications. Many people do not have enough room in their mouth to grow wisdom teeth in correctly. When a wisdom tooth grows in at the wrong angle, it can damage other teeth, causing pain and irritation. This bad angle also creates hard-to-reach spaces in the mouth where bacteria can collect. In the event that the tooth becomes stuck in the jawbone, impacted, the tooth will only emerge partially. When the tooth only partially emerges, it can leave a flap of gum tissue over the tooth, which is a great spot for bacteria to become trapped. This can cause gum disease and decay the tooth.


Even when wisdom teeth grow in correctly and with enough room, they are still sometimes recommended to be removed. Since they are so far back in the mouth, they are hard to reach for brushing and flossing. This is especially recommended for those with a weakened immune system.


Wisdom teeth extraction is a common procedure and you are under great care by the skilled doctors of Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA. To schedule an appointment, call us at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Scaling and Planing Procedure in Philadelphia, PA

Gum disease is irritating, painful, and if not treated, it can lead to tooth loss. Not to mention it diminishes the look of your smile. When gum disease travels down to the roots of teeth, a scaling and planing procedure must be performed to clean the tooth. The skilled dentists here at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center are trained in scaling and planing and perform them here in our Philadelphia, PA dental office.


When gums are diseased, they can begin to recede and create deep pockets. Since they pull away from the teeth, this allows bacteria to reach the tooth’s root and wreak havoc. The tooth’s root is now vulnerable to the bacteria and can be decayed. When left untreated, this will eventually lead to the loss of the tooth. In order to clean out the bacteria and prevent any more from harboring, a scaling and planing is performed. A scaling is performed with a metal tool that will scrap the tooth clean of any bacteria. A planing is then the process where the tooth is smoothed out. Any rough patches where bacteria can be caught are smoothed down. This process is usually completed in a couple of appointments. Depending on the level of disease, the mouth may be split into sections for completion.


If you are experiencing bleeding, red, irritated gums, schedule an examination with Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA. Call us at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com