Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness, and swelling (inflammation) of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. It’s important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly because if left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis and you might lose your teeth to decay. The most common cause of gingivitis is practicing poor oral hygiene. If you are not maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center are here to assist you and provide you with routine dental cleanings.

Gingivitis commonly occurs because of films of bacteria that accumulate on the teeth (plaque). Gingivitis is a non-destructive type of periodontal disease, which means that it can be prevented. Generally, gingivitis resolves with good oral hygiene – longer and more frequent brushing, as well as flossing. If the condition is left untreated, gum disease can spread and affect tissue, teeth, and bones, leading to periodontitis which can eventually lead to tooth loss.

If you show symptoms of gingivitis, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Inlays and Onlays

The Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center provides patients with many types of restorations to keep their teeth beautiful and working correctly. One type of restoration which other people may not see very often but which makes a huge difference is the partial crown. Known as an inlay or an onlay, this kind of restoration repairs the grinding surface of a molar or premolar.

The difference between an inlay and an onlay is how much of the tooth surface it replaces. The back teeth have several raised, pointy bits, called cusps, with indentations in between. Inlays fill in the indentations, while onlays cover indentations and damaged cusps. If the patient needs a partial crown because of tooth decay, Dr. Malik will remove the decayed material before making an impression of the patient’s mouth. This impression is then sent to a lab where a custom-fitted partial crown will be milled out of porcelain.

Placing the inlay or onlay only takes a single trip, once it’s been made. Patients will soon be chewing comfortably again.

Shireen Malik, D.D.S, operates the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center at 1128 Walnut Street, Ste 500, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 191078. To schedule an appointment, call 215-279-1193 or visit NicholasCosmeticDentalCenter.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Orthodontics before Implants

The Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center of Philadelphia is equipped to provide for a wide range of patients’ cosmetic and orthodontic needs. But patients who need extensive work done may not know what to get first. Implants are an incredibly effective type of restoration but they nearly always need to be placed after orthodontic work has been completed.

If the orthodontics are needed to correct overcrowding, there may not be room for the implant, let alone a new crown. But the main reason orthodontics don’t work on implants is the way in which implants need to fuse with the patient’s jaw bone. Endosteal implants get their name from the endosteum, a layer of tissue inside bones. An implant is inserted into this layer and if the osseointegration process goes correctly, new bone tissue will grow around it. The bone and titanium matrix won’t be pushed out of place by any orthodontic device, nor would a patient want it to be.

Because implants cannot be moved, it is important for the arches of a patient’s teeth to already be in the right shape if the artificial tooth is to align properly. However, patients who already have implants may still be able to undergo orthodontic treatment. It depends on which teeth need to be moved and to where. In some cases, an implant can actually provide helpful anchoring to the jaw ridge.

Shireen Malik, D.D.S, operates the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center at 1128 Walnut Street, Ste 500, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 191078. To schedule an appointment, call 215-279-1193 or visit NicholasCosmeticDentalCenter.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Wisdom Tooth Decay

As we age, we acquire wisdom, and the same goes for wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth appear between the ages of 17-21 and are known as the third set of molars. When they erupt correctly, healthy wisdom teeth can help you chomp your food a little faster.  However, if they start to cause you pain and discomfort, you may need to schedule a consultation one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center to discuss extraction.

If you bite on a piece of food that is too hard or you experience a mouth injury, wisdom teeth may become troublesome. They can also become cracked, broken, and decayed. When this happens, the risk of infection increases, because if a tooth becomes broken, it could leave a hole that makes the tooth vulnerable to bacteria and decay. Decay can form on any tooth surface, but when the decay begins to attack the wisdom teeth, depending on the position of the tooth it becomes difficult to clean. Depending on the individual case, one of our doctors may be able to fill the tooth, but even in cases where a filling could be successfully placed, if the wisdom tooth cannot be adequately maintained, recurrent decay can occur. Though many patients tend to procrastinate through the process, extraction is always best to avoid infection.

If your wisdom teeth are still intact and you have questions about removal, please give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

A Deep Cleaning for Your Gums

Deep cleaning your teeth is not something you do after eating a messy meal. A deep cleaning is required to treat gum and periodontal disease. If you haven’t been to the dentist in quite some time, you not only increase your chances of developing gum disease, you risk needing costly procedures to reverse the damage. The treatment that our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center utilize is called scaling and root planing and we are going to explain when it’s necessary.

Deep cleanings are offered when dental X-rays show some bone loss and a full-mouth exam reveals one or more gum pockets greater than 4 millimeters deep. Ideally, normal healthy pockets will be no more than 3 millimeters deep. If the pockets are greater than 5 millimeters, our doctor might prescribe a deep scaling and root planing appointment. Severe periodontal takes some time to develop, therefore, to prevent it you should practice proper oral hygiene at home and schedule regular cleanings twice a year.

If you think you may benefit from a deep cleaning, please give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Electric Toothbrush Apps

At the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, we strive to help patients understand the wide variety of dental products available to them. Among these are the new smart phone apps that manufacturers such as Oral B and Kolibree are creating for their electric toothbrushes. These apps are designed to make electric toothbrushes more useful to children and people with disabilities, so we thought we’d provide a run-down of them.

A manual toothbrush is as good as an electric toothbrush when used for two full minutes during each brushing session. Many kids struggle to do this, which is why the reduced time an electric toothbrush requires is advantageous to them. However, they still have to use it for a certain amount of time and in the right way. New apps provide users with a reward system, games and videos which last the length of time for which they are supposed to brush, and educational content to provide encouragement. Some apps also provide feedback on which tooth surfaces the patient is overlooking and whether the toothbrush’s settings need to be adjusted. This could potentially help users correct mistakes they’re not aware their making.

Whether to get an electric toothbrush depends greatly on a patient’s situation, but manufacturers are constantly producing new products which may be useful to some people.

Shireen Malik, D.D.S, operates the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center at 1128 Walnut Street, Ste 500, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 191078. To schedule an appointment, call 215-279-1193 or visit NicholasCosmeticDentalCenter.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Gum Pocket Reduction

At the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental center, Dr. Shireen Malik provides treatments which can improve the health of patients’ gums as well as their teeth. One of the restorative treatments she provides which patients also report significantly improves the appearance of their smiles is a gum pocket reduction.

Healthy tooth roots fit snugly into gum pockets, but some plaque inevitably creeps in. This is why deep cleanings and planings are necessary. When patients go too long without a deep cleaning, gingivitis can develop in response to bacteria colonies producing acid-causing plaque in the pockets, which the leads to periodontal disease. As bone and gum tissue decay, the empty space they leave behind become a home for more bacteria, and trap even more plaque.

Once an enlarged gum pocket has been cleaned, Dr. Malik may want to close it off. This may be as simple as making an incision and pulling a flap across a pocket, which would then be sutured. In some cases, it may require a full gum graft. However, once the pocket is reduced, the patient’s tooth root will no longer be exposed, making is much less painful and making their smiles more attractive.

Shireen Malik, D.D.S, operates the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center at 1128 Walnut Street, Ste 500, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 191078. To schedule an appointment, call 215-279-1193 or visit NicholasCosmeticDentalCenter.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Hidden Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Snoring may seem comical, but obstructive sleep apnea is no joke. It can increase your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes – and even make you more dangerous on the road. Although sleep apnea has many dangers, we’ll discuss a few. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, scheduling a consultation is the first step in treating this sleep disorder.

Obstructive sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure in people who have it. The frequent nighttime awakenings that plague people with sleep apnea cause hormonal systems to go into overdrive, which results in high blood pressure levels at night. People with obstructive sleep apnea are also more likely to suffer heart attacks and die in the middle of the night. The causes may be low oxygen or the stress of waking up often during sleep. Weight gain plays another role in the hidden dangers of sleep apnea. Adding weight raises your risk of sleep apnea, and up to two-thirds of people with sleep apnea are severely overweight. Obstructive sleep apnea can often be cured if you lose enough weight, but that can be tough to do.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with us to discuss your treatment options. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

How Teeth Become Yellow Over Time

As humans, our teeth consist of four types of tissues: dentin, pulp, enamel, and cementum. The pulp is the innermost layer of the tooth followed by dentin and the outer layer which is enamel. The cementum portion of the tooth is located at the base of the tooth, which holds the tooth in place along the jawline. When these parts of your teeth become yellow in color, our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center can make them a little brighter using a variety of cosmetic options.

Dental enamel coats each tooth and acts as a protective shield. When the enamel erodes from too much acidic exposure, it causes yellowing to occur. Dentin which is the middle layer of the tooth naturally gives teeth a yellowish color. Dentin makes up most of the tooth and is a hard, yellow substance. Environmental factors can also cause teeth to turn yellow and so can different medications, smoking, and age. Smoking not only yellows teeth but it can do the same to fingernails. Age can factor into teeth yellowing because, over time, our enamel wears off, exposing dentin. Excessive tartar buildup can lead to yellowing of the teeth.

If your teeth are yellow, give us a call to discuss your whitening options. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

The moment has arrived, your child is one-year-old and it’s time to schedule their first dental visit. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, we want to preserve your child’s teeth and gums for years to come and we start this process by first introducing them to our staff to assure they feel comfortable in our dental chair. Here's what to expect! 

During your child’s first visit, one of our doctors will examine his or her mouth, teeth and gums, as well as evaluate adverse habits such as thumb sucking. They will also check to see if your child needs fluoride treatment and teach him or her all about cleaning their teeth and keeping their gums healthy. If your child has well surpassed the age of one, you will need to limit their sugar intake as a method of cavity prevention. At our office, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care and can offer dental sealants as a way to protect your child’s teeth. Once the oral exam is complete and you are satisfied with your experience, we will suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.

If you are searching for a pediatric dentist, look no further and give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Toothbrush Care

Brushing your teeth plays an important everyday role for personal oral hygiene and effective plaque removal. You may not give much thought to cleaning your toothbrush; however appropriate toothbrush care and maintenance are important considerations for oral hygiene. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, we want you to know how and when to replace, clean, and store your toothbrush.

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush approximately every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed. However, toothbrushes will wear out more rapidly depending on factors unique to each patient. It is also important to never share a toothbrush because this practice could be a concern for people with compromised immune systems or existing infectious diseases. If your toothbrush comes in contact with another, thoroughly rinse the brush with warm tap water to remove any remaining toothbrush and debris. When you are done using the toothbrush, store it in an upright position and allow the toothbrush to air-dry until used again.

If you have further questions regarding toothbrush care, give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Ear Aches after Teeth Extraction

At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, we want patients to know that extractions are done for a number of reasons. You may have a tooth that is badly damaged to the point of decay or you may need an orthodontic appliance such as braces and your mouth is too overcrowded to place them. The most common type of extraction is wisdom teeth removal, but no matter which type of extraction you need to encounter, there will be a type of pain you need to prepare for.

Pain that seems to originate in your ear after having a tooth extracted is not unusual. The most likely cause of the ear pain after wisdom teeth removal is that there are many nerves in and around your teeth and jaw which send signals through your head and past your ears. Because you have trauma in the area of the tooth extraction, it is normal for the nerves to send pain signals to your brain. Ear pain is often caused by the patient biting down with force on something. This is one of the reasons why you are instructed to eat soft foods in the days immediately following a tooth removal. Despite ear pain being a common problem, if the pain becomes severe or gets worse than normal you should contact us to ensure the pain is not caused by something else like an infection.

If you have questions about extractions, don’t hesitate to give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

What are Wisdom Teeth For?

As you begin to enter adulthood, your wisdom teeth make their presence known in the far reaches of your mouth. Wisdom teeth – officially the third molars – are the last set of teeth to come in, usually between 17 and 25 years of age. The reason we have them lies in the mouths of our ancestors because early humans needed an extra row of teeth to chew their food: a diet of uncooked, hard items. Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and will need to be removed by one of our dentists at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center.

When wisdom teeth are misaligned, they may position themselves horizontally, be angled toward or away from the second molars, or be angled inward or outward. When these teeth are poorly aligned, they can crowd or damage adjacent (healthy) teeth, the jawbone, or nerves. It’s important to know that just because your wisdom teeth aren’t causing you pain doesn’t mean there isn’t anything wrong. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, your dentist will look at the shape of your mouth and the position of your teeth to make a decision on whether or not they need to be extracted.

If you wish to inquire about wisdom tooth extractions, give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Dental Bridges

Missing teeth need replacements for the health of your mouth, the ability to chew, speak, and much more. One of the popular options we have here at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA is the dental bridge.

A bridge works by using the two teeth adjacent to the open space to fit a new tooth in between them. There are also bridges available for when a tooth only has one adjacent tooth because it is missing on the end of your upper or lower set of teeth.

To place a bridge, first, we prepare the two adjacent teeth so that crowns can fit on top of them. This involves reshaping them. We then take impressions so a dental laboratory can create the bridge. The bridge itself consists of the two crowns with a full replacement tooth in the middle, called a pontic. The patient will wear a temporary bridge while the permanent bridge is being created. A couple of weeks later, the custom bridge is bonded into place. The patient now has a natural-looking and durable solution for a missing tooth.

Replacing missing teeth helps keep good speech, chewing ability, and a sturdy jawline. It also helps you flash your best smile!

If you want to learn more about dental bridges, contact Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center by giving our Philadelphia, PA office a call or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. 

Dental Sealants for Cavity Protection

Cavities are no fun to get filled and they are not good for your dental health in the first place. During a certain age group, cavities can become prevalent. This is why here at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, we are able to provide patients with dental sealants. They are great cavity prevention for kids or adults.

Dental sealants are placed on the chewing surfaces of molars to block out bacteria and debris from the deep grooves. The sealant is a liquid plastic material that is hardened with a curing light. Sealants are great for kids between the ages of six to fourteen, also known as the cavity-prone years. Adults may also benefit from sealants if they have not had any cavities or fillings in their molars. Sealants can last for up to ten years or longer.

To place sealants, the teeth are first cleaned and dried. An acidic solution is then placed on the teeth to roughen up the surface. This aids a strong bond between the sealant and the tooth. The acidic solution is rinsed off, the teeth are again dried, and the sealant is painted onto the surfaces. A curing light is then applied for hardening. The patients can use their teeth normally shortly afterward.

Sealants provide that extra protection for teeth that need it. To schedule your appointment with Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call our office at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. 

When a Dental Implant Fails

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. In fact, they are one of the most reliable long-term methods of tooth replacement. However, as with any other surgical procedure, there are a variety of internal and external factors that cause complications or even total failure of treatment. If this ever were to happen to you, our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center are here to assess the situation.

Osseointegration describes the formation of a direct functional and structural connection between a person’s bone and an artificial implant. There are two primary reasons for “later” implant failure after the osseointegration process has been successful. These include over-stressing implants with too much biting force or inflammatory disease of the gum tissues and/or bone around the implant. Prevention plays a tremendous role in avoiding implant failure. Once the implants are placed, it’s crucial to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. Make sure you schedule regular dental cleanings to help keep the tissues around your implants healthy.

If you have questions about dental implants, please give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

The Temporomandibular Joint: Explained

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the jaw joint. You have two of them which work together as a pair, one in front of each ear. Without this joint, you would not be able to chew your food, yawn, or even speak. The joints connect the lower jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones of the skull on each side of the head. When this joint begins to cause facial pain, headaches, and/or jaw muscle stiffness, our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center can develop a treatment plan.

When you open your mouth, the rounded upper ends of the mandible on each side of the jaw glide along the joint socket at the base of the skull. They slide back to their original position when you close your mouth. This joint is unique in the sense that the articular surfaces of the bones never actually come in contact with one another – they are separated by an articular disk. This disk splits the joint into two synovial joint cavities, each lined by a synovial membrane. It is important to keep in mind that occasional clicking or discomfort in the jaw joint or chewing muscles is common, but if you have a serious concern for TMD, you should schedule a consultation with our doctors.

If you have questions about the temporomandibular joint or TMJ/TMD, please give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Hundreds of different types of bacteria live on our teeth, gums, tongue and other crevices in the mouth. Some are helpful, but some can be harmful such as those that play a role in the tooth decay process. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, we want our patients to know that good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay.

When a tooth is exposed to acid frequently – for example, if you frequently eat foods or drinks containing sugar and starches – the repeated cycles of acid attacks cause the enamel to continue to lose minerals. This will cause a white spot to appear if the minerals have been lost. When this happens, this is a sign of early decay.

You can help prevent tooth decay by following these tips:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.


• Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.


• Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking.


• Visit us at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center for professional cleanings and oral examination.

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

How to Get Kids to Brush Their Tongue

At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, it is our goal to provide your child with that winning smile. Teaching kids how to brush and care for their teeth is an important part of overall dental health. While brushing and flossing remove bacteria from teeth and gums, as much as 50% of bacteria live on the surface of our tongue.  When you are teaching your child about what’s involved in good oral care, be sure to remind them that brushing their tongue is just as important as brushing their teeth.

Complete brushing should include brushing all surfaces of the teeth, brushing the tongue and then finishing with flossing. A fun way to teach your child how to brush their tongue is to have them stand in front of the mirror so that he or she can see themselves. Then, ask them to stick out their tongue as far as they can. While their tongue is out for a few seconds, talk about making sure they keep it clean just like they keep their teeth clean. Tell your child that if they don’t clean and brush their tongue when brushing their teeth, they might leave germs behind on their tongue and that this will cause stinky breath.

If you have questions about pediatric oral care, please give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

How are Braces Removed from Teeth?

It’s official. You have undergone months, or perhaps years, of orthodontic treatment in the form of dental braces and now the glorious moment has come to finally have them removed. Understanding the process that our doctors at Dr. Shireen Malik, D.D.S., at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center will follow to remove your braces will help you better know what to expect when the time comes.

The removal of braces is a relatively quick and painless procedure and they must be removed in the reverse order from how they were applied. Therefore, the small elastic bands that are placed on each bracket to hold the wiring system in place must be taken off first. To do this, Dr. Shireen Malik, D.D.S. will use a small dental instrument with a hook to carefully remove each band.

After the elastic bands are removed, Dr. Shireen Malik, D.D.S. will use small pliers to gently detach the wire from the groove on top of each bracket and from the anchor bands that may be located on the back molars.  She will then use special pliers to squeeze and remove each bracket individually. Because the separation of the bracket and tooth occurs at the point where the bracket met the adhesive keeping it in place, a residue will remain on the tooth until it is polished and cleaned.

After the removal of your braces, Dr. Shireen Malik, D.D.S. will discuss the need for you to continue orthodontic treatment in the form of permanent or temporary retainers. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Shireen Malik, D.D.S., at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.