Find Us:
20737 13 Mile Rd. Roseville, MI 48066
43570 Garfield Clinton twp., MI 48038
Patient Library
Find helpful information in our digital library.
Archive:
- 2019
- November (6)
- Be Alert to the Unintended Consequences of Cancer Treatment to Oral Health
- Treating a Young, Permanent Tooth Requires a Different Approach
- Keep Oral Care in Focus for a Family Member With Special Needs
- Share These Timely Dental Care Tips With Your College-Bound Son or Daughter
- More Than Indigestion: How Acid Reflux Could Harm Your Teeth
- Tooth Sensitivity Could Be a Sign of Deeper Problems
- October (6)
- Do a Little Extra Food Prep to Ease TMD Discomfort
- How to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk From Halloween Candy
- Make Your Baby as Comfortable as Possible During Teething
- That Scalded Feeling Isn't in Your Head - It Could Be Burning Mouth Syndrome
- Here's What You Can Do to Avoid Gum Disease
- Don't Panic Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding but Do Keep an Eye on It
- September (6)
- To Extract or not Extract? The Big Decision About Your Child's Wisdom Teeth
- Here's What you Need to Know about a Root Canal Treatment
- Don't Delay Seeing the Dentist If You Suspect Gum Recession
- Periodontal Maintenance Can Help You Avoid Another Episode of Gum Disease
- 3 Reasons to See a Pediatric Dentist
- Don't Let Gum Disease Cut Short Your Implant's Service Life
- August (6)
- That Toothache Might Not Be From Your Tooth: The Problem of Referred Pain
- 4 Serious Health Conditions That Gum Disease Might Make Worse
- Your Sinus Infection Might be a Sign of a Tooth Problem
- Don't Let Summer Heat Increase Your Risk of Dental Disease
- Make Sure Your Kids' Teeth Are Ready for School
- Oral Hygiene Might Be on the Decline With the Newest Adult Generation
- July (7)
- Taking a Trip Abroad? Do This to Protect Your Dental Health
- If Appropriate, Antibiotics before Implant Surgery Could Reduce Infection Risk
- Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
- How Dentists Provide Your Child the Benefit of X-Rays as Safely as Possible
- Transforming Your Smile with Veneers, Step by Step
- Floss First or Last? Here are Reasons for Either Approach
- Dentures with Implants Could Help You Avoid Bone Loss
- June (6)
- This Rare Tongue Condition Often Looks Worse than it Actually is
- Root Canals are a Safe Way to Save Teeth
- What You can Do to Stop Sugar from Harming Your Health
- Crown Lengthening Could Help with Treating Hard to Reach Cavities
- Jaw Joint Disorders may be Connected to Other Health Problems
- A Retainer-Like Device can Preserve the Space Left by a Lost Primary Tooth
- May (6)
- 3 Things You Can do to Help Promote Your Child's Dental Development
- Consider an Effective and Affordable RPD for Teeth Replacement
- 3 Tips for Successful, Safe Home Teeth Whitening
- Root Canal Therapy Might Just Save Your Tooth!
- Your Teenager not Ready for an Implant? Here's What We Can Do Instead
- Preserving the Pulp is Priority One with a Newly Erupted Permanent Tooth
- March (6)
- 3 Things You Should Know About Teeth Grinding
- 4 Things to Avoid if You Want to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- Here's How to Manage School Snacks and Your Child's Dental Health
- Catch Root Resorption Early for Best Chances of Saving Your Tooth
- A Child's Teeth Grinding is Normal - But You Should Still Keep an Eye on it
- You Don't Have to Live with a Gummy Smile. Here's How We Can Change it!
- February (6)
- 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
- Your Toothache is Telling you Something's Wrong in Your Mouth
- You May Need Your Dentist's Help Easing the Pain of Severe Canker Sores
- 4 Tips to Prevent Childhood Tooth Decay
- Use the Same Prevention Strategy to Defeat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
- 3 Reasons Why Your New Dentist Needs Your Treatment Records
- January (6)
- A New Veneer with Minimal or No Tooth Alteration
- How a New Approach to Treating Decay Could Benefit You
- 'Get Rid' of Those Unattractive Teeth with Porcelain Veneers
- 3 Things You Might Notice with Your Child's Teeth That Need a Dentist
- You may Need Orthodontic Treatment Before Obtaining Implants
- Porcelain Veneers Might not be the Best Option for Teenagers
- 2018
- December (6)
- Why the Treatment Model for Your Jaw Joint Disorder Matters
- Practice Daily Oral Hygiene to Prevent Calcified Plaque Formation
- Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- Dental Visits are Key to Detecting Early Developing Tooth Decay
- 4 Reasons you may want Your Dentist to Whiten Your Teeth
- November (6)
- Dental Care is Difficult but not Impossible for a Special Needs Child
- Survey Says: They'd Rather Have a Root Canal
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- This November, Become a Non-Smoker
- Dentures are Still a Viable Choice for Tooth Replacement
- Don't Ignore Sudden Tooth Pain - Your Teeth may be Telling you Something
- October (6)
- Try the Conservative Path to Jaw Pain Relief First
- Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
- How to Maximize Your Child's Dental Health Potential
- Don't Stress Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit Unless it Persists
- 3 Factors That Could Affect the Success of a Root Canal Treatment
- Ease Your Child's Teething Discomfort with these Tips
- September (6)
- Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
- Not all Dental Crowns Share the Same Quality of Life-Likeness
- We can Build up Lost Bone Before Your Implant
- Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
- 3 Ways to Take the Jitters Out of Dental Visits
- A Low Sugar, High Fiber Diet will Help Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy
- August (6)
- Cosmetic Questions to Ask to Get You on the Right Path to a Better Smile
- World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!
- What to do if Your Child has a Toothache
- Be on the Alert for Gum Disease While Wearing Braces
- Veneers may Offer a Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- Recreational Marijuana Could Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease
- July (7)
- 4 Reasons why Quitting Chewing Tobacco is Good for Your Oral Health
- If at All Possible, Primary Teeth are Worth Saving
- Your Dental Care Efforts are Just as Important as Your Dentist's
- Know the Facts to Reduce Your Child's Teething Discomfort
- Get Your Vitamins the Natural Way for Optimum Dental Health
- Don't Delay Treatment of Gum Disease
- What You Should Know About Veneers for Teenagers
- June (6)
- 3 Types of Tooth Pain and What They Might be Telling You
- 3 Questions to Answer Before Your Smile Makeover
- Professional Whitening Offers an Effective Way to Restore Your Smile's Luster
- Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
- Saving a Diseased Primary Tooth Could Mean Better Oral Health Later in Life
- Winning the War on Gum Disease Requires Post-Treatment Vigilance
- March (5)
- Although a Challenge, Chronically Ill Children Need Tooth Decay Prevention
- Transform Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers
- 4 Things You Should be Doing Now for Your Baby's Long-Term Dental Health
- Topical Fluoride Adds Extra Protection against Tooth Decay
- 3 Tips for Helping Your Kids Develop Great Tooth-Friendly Habits
- 2017
- October (5)
- Monitoring Your Child's Thumb Sucking Could Help Avoid Future Bite Problems
- The Right Treatment for Your Child's Injured Tooth Increases its Survival
- Antibiotics Could Help Ensure your Implant Surgery is Successful
- 4 Reasons Why You May Need to See a Periodontist for Your Gum Disease
- These 3 Tasks Show How Saliva is Amazing
- May (5)
- Watch for These Developing Bite Problems with Your Child's Teeth
- Techniques for Keeping Impacted Canine Teeth from Spoiling Your Smile
- Consider Bone Health When Deciding Between Implants and Dentures
- Don't let Periodontal Disease Cause Your Gums to Recede
- New Saliva Test may Help Identify Oral Cancer Earlier
- April (5)
- A Healthy Diet is Your Best Source for Vitamins and Minerals
- Encourage Your College-Bound Child to Practice Good Oral Health Habits
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- An Affordable RPD Could be the Answer to Your Missing Teeth Problems
- Safety is a Priority When Imaging Children's Teeth with X-Rays
- 2016
- November (5)
- Reduce Your Oral Cancer Risk with Better Diet and Lifestyle Choices
- Don't Let the Acid in Sports and Energy Drinks Ruin Your Tooth Enamel
- Inflammation is a Key Element in Both Oral and Systemic Diseases
- Don't Let an Eating Disorder Wreck Oral Health
- Effective Dental Care Depends First on Getting the Big Picture
- September (5)
- Implants can Support a Total Tooth Replacement Restoration
- Keeping up Good Hygiene Still a Necessity with Dental Implants
- Keep Your Saliva Flowing - Your Oral Health Depends on it
- Certain Mouth Rashes Don't Respond to Topical Steroid Treatments
- Effective Oral Hygiene is Key to Disease Prevention While Wearing Braces
- June (5)
- Dental Offices Hold to the Highest Standards to Protect Patients from Infection
- 4 Things You Should be Doing to Maintain a Healthy Mouth
- A Crown Could be the Answer to Preserving Your Damaged Tooth
- Teens Benefit Most from A Temporary Solution to Missing Teeth
- Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
- March (5)
- Treating Small Enamel Cracks Could Help you Avoid a Dangerous Tooth Fracture
- Kids, Cats and Canines: Dental Development Through the Ages
- Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
- Though not Always Seen, it's Still Important to Replace a Missing Back Tooth
- Advancing Gum Disease Requires Thorough Treatment to Control it
- 2015
- December (5)
- Five Facts about Bacteria
- Extracting Wisdom Teeth Now May Prevent Dental Problems Later
- Cosmetic Gum Surgery Can Restore Health as Well as Appearance to Gums
- Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
- Treating a Baby Tooth with Inner Decay can be Complicated - but Still Necessary
- August (5)
- Attention to Detail Crucial to a Beautiful Smile Supported by Dental Implants
- Air Abrasion Offers a More Pleasant Dental Office Experience than Drills
- Replacing a Back Tooth May Help You Avoid Future Dental Problems
- Conscious Sedation Eases Treatment Anxiety for Young Dental Patients
- Brushing and Flossing Hard to Do? Consider Your 'Power' Options
- 2014
- September (5)
- Making the Right Choices With Removable Partial Dentures
- Determining the Cause of Tooth Looseness Key to Effective Treatment
- Finding the Right Bacterial Balance for Optimum Oral Health
- Successful Outcomes With Dentures Depends on Attention to Detail
- Extend the Life of Your Dental Appliance With Proper Care
- 2013
- 2012
- August (8)
- Nine Things to Expect During Your Appointment with the Dental Hygienist
- Oral Health Tips for Special Needs Children
- Testing Your Knowledge on Caring for Your Dentures
- Understanding The Factors That Can Influence Dental Implant Success
- FAQ: What You Need to Know About Your Child's Baby Teeth
- Crowns: Do You Know Your Options?
- Cat Cora's 6 Ways to Keep Kids Off Junk Food
- Sinus Surgery — Creating Bone for Dental Implants “Out of Thin Air”
- 2011
Tags
- oral hygiene (42)
- oral health (92)
- common symptoms (11)
- periodontal (gum) disease (4)
- tooth decay (26)
- cambra (1)
- tmd (3)
- tmj (4)
- bone grafting (6)
- dental implants (45)
- missing teeth (3)
- veneers (13)
- smile makeover (13)
- cosmetic dentistry (30)
- fluoride (5)
- teeth whitening (14)
- bad breath (5)
- loose dentures (2)
- dentures (8)
- overdenture (1)
- pediatric dentistry (44)
- thumb sucking (5)
- sedation dentistry (5)
- oral sedation (2)
- teeth grinding (4)
- night guards (1)
- snoring and sleep apnea (6)
- replacing teeth (2)
- missing tooth (2)
- dental implant (5)
- root planing (3)
- sensitive teeth (4)
- wisdom teeth (8)
- celebrity smiles (7)
- gum recession (5)
- root canal (10)
- dental injury (5)
- mouthguards (3)
- dental hygiene (3)
- impacted wisdom teeth (1)
- dental health tips (1)
- bonding (1)
- oral cancer (11)
- periodontal disease (17)
- gum disease (54)
- diabetic (1)
- toothache (11)
- tooth pain (6)
- power bleaching (1)
- medication (1)
- aspirin (1)
- porcelain veneers (11)
- heart disease (1)
- oral piercings (1)
- bridgework (1)
- sinus surgery (3)
- crowns (5)
- baby teeth (3)
- dental hygienist (1)
- nutrition (10)
- tooth loss (1)
- tooth colored fillings (3)
- dental fillings (3)
- orthodontics (4)
- braces (5)
- sports dentistry (3)
- dental emergencies (2)
- dental injuries (6)
- age one dental visit (1)
- first dental appointment (1)
- tooth wear (2)
- grinding (1)
- chewing gum (1)
- sealants (2)
- bleeding gums (2)
- tooth bleaching (1)
- artificial sweeteners (2)
- dental emergency (2)
- mouthguard (2)
- teething (7)
- endodontics (1)
- periodontal plastic surgery (1)
- dry mouth (1)
- gummy smile (3)
- discolored teeth (1)
- bleaching (1)
- stained teeth (1)
- denture (1)
- furcation (1)
- xylitol (1)
- crown (1)
- dental appliance (1)
- loose teeth (2)
- removable partial dentures (1)
- pregnancy (1)
- crown lengthening (4)
- dental care (4)
- diabetes (4)
- oral surgery (1)
- root resorption (3)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- partial denture (3)
- snoring (3)
- sleep apnea (3)
- muscle frenum (1)
- periodontal surgery (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- canker sore (1)
- bridge (2)
- air abrasion (1)
- fillings (1)
- cosmetic gum surgery (2)
- bacteria (1)
- root canal treatment (14)
- dental specialists (1)
- tooth replacement (3)
- tooth staining (1)
- chewing tobacco (1)
- gummy smiles (1)
- tooth extraction (2)
- orthodontic treatment (5)
- mouth rash (1)
- salvia (1)
- canker sores (2)
- tooth erosion (1)
- flossing (1)
- saliva (2)
- toothpaste (2)
- tmj disorders (5)
- local anesthesia (1)
- burning mouth syndrome (1)
- x-rays (2)
- extractions (1)
- eating disorders (1)
- metal allergies (1)
- dental exam (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- bone graft (1)
- interceptive orthodontics (1)
- tobacco (1)
- dental anxiety (1)
- jaw pain (1)
- dental records (1)
- gerd (1)
- laser dentistry (1)
- removable partial denture (1)
- space maintainer (1)
- floss (1)
- dental sealants (1)
- dental treatment (1)
- cancer (1)
- osteoporosis (1)
Categories:
My Blog
Posts for: November, 2013

Even before your infant's first tooth emerges, you can take steps to reduce the risk for cavities!
Cavities occur when decay-causing bacteria living in the mouth digest carbohydrates (sugars) introduced into the mouth via food and beverages. This produces acid, which can eat through the protective enamel surface of teeth and attack the more vulnerable dentin below. Infants aren't born with decay-promoting bacteria; however, they can acquire them from their caregiver(s) through close contact, for example:
- Kissing on the mouth
- Sharing food
- Sharing eating utensils (e.g., a spoon or glass)
- Cleaning off a pacifier by mouth
Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease! It can start as soon as the first tooth erupts — which generally happens around age 6 to 9 months but can be as early as 3 months or as late as 1 year. Besides being potentially painful, severe tooth decay may cause your child to lose the affected primary (baby) tooth before it's due to fall out on its own. That, in turn, can raise the risk of orthodontic problems because primary teeth maintain space for permanent teeth, which also use them as their guide for coming in properly.
It's important to clean your child's teeth regularly once they appear and to refrain from certain feeding activities that have been linked with early tooth decay. For example, use of a sleep-time bottle containing a liquid with natural or added sugars, such as formula or juice, can result in a pattern of severe decay once referred to as “baby bottle tooth decay.” These days, the term early childhood caries (ECC) is more commonly used to also encompass decay linked to continuous sippy-cup use, at-will breast-feeding throughout the night, use of a sweetened pacifier, or routine use of sugar-based oral medicines to treat chronic illness.
We recommend that you schedule a dental visit for your baby upon eruption of his or her first tooth or by age 1. This first visit can include risk assessment for decay, hands-on instruction on teeth cleaning, nutritional/feeding guidance, fluoride recommendations, and even identification of underlying conditions that should be monitored. Your child's smile is a sight to behold; starting early improves the odds of keeping it that way!
If you would like more information about infant dental care, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Age One Dental Visit.”

Porcelain laminate veneers are one of the innovative techniques dentistry has developed for restoring teeth to improve their color and shape so that they look as good as or better than the originals.
What are porcelain veneers? Porcelain is a ceramic material that is baked in a high-heat oven until it becomes glass-like. Your grandmother's antique china teacups are probably made of porcelain. Dental porcelains are especially made to perfectly mimic the color, reflectivity and translucency of natural tooth enamel. A veneer is a covering or shell, a false front; dental porcelains can be fashioned into veneers used to restore the enamel surfaces of teeth.
What is a laminate? A laminate is a structure created by uniting two or more layers of material together. Dental porcelain laminate veneers refer to the combination of tooth enamel bonding material and porcelain veneer.
When are porcelain laminate veneers used? Porcelain veneers are used to enhance the color of stained, darkened, decayed and heavily restored teeth. They are also used to: correct spaces between teeth; straighten slightly rotated teeth; correct problems in tooth shape and some bite problems. They can be good solutions for broken teeth or teeth that have been worn by habitual tooth grinding.
What is the process of placing the veneers? Room generally needs to be created to place a veneer; generally requiring about half a millimeter of reduction of tooth enamel. Artistic dental laboratory technicians fabricate veneers. About a week of laboratory time is usually needed to construct your veneers.
How do I know whether I will like the way my new veneers look? Computer imaging can be used to digitally replicate your teeth and create images of the proposed changes. Models of your teeth can be cast and changes can be made in white wax for your preview. Temporary veneers can also be fabricated as a test drive before the final veneers are fabricated.
How long will porcelain veneers last? Veneers can last 20 years or more. They are very strong but like glass, they can break if extreme force is applied to them. You should avoid such activities as opening bottles, cracking nuts, or biting into candy apples with your veneers.
How do I look after my new veneers? Once the veneers are placed, you should continue daily brushing and flossing. There is no higher incidence of decay around them than with your natural teeth. However, the more dental work you have in your mouth, the more vigilant you need to be. Of course, keeping your sugar consumption low helps to protect all of your teeth from decay.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment or to discuss your questions about porcelain laminate veneers. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Smile Design Enhanced with Porcelain Veneers.”

Our smiles are our “calling cards” for first impressions. When our front teeth are missing, chipped or otherwise damaged, it will certainly make an impression — and not a positive one.
The good news is many aesthetic problems with front teeth can be remedied with the use of composite resins. This cost-effective treatment choice not only minimizes a negative appearance, but can actually create a positive smile transformation.
Composite resins are tooth-colored materials made up of two or more polymer substances. We call materials like these biomimetic, meaning something non-living that’s fashioned to appear or “mimic” something living. Composite resins are made of substances that aren’t teeth, but fashioned to look and function like teeth.
Composite resin restorations are bonded to the outside of the tooth with dental adhesive, with little to no preparation of the enamel surface of the tooth. They’re best suited for teeth with minor to moderate damage from decay or trauma, but where the majority of the structure is still viable and intact.
These restorations require skill and an artistic eye to achieve the most life-like result. One of the most important considerations is tooth color. The natural color of your teeth is actually a combination of color from the inner core of the tooth, the dentin, and the outer enamel layer. Much of the color comes from the dentin as it shows through the translucence of the enamel. The intensity and hue also changes along the length of the tooth — there are subtle zones of color that run vertically along the length of the crown (the visible portion of the tooth). Our aim is to replicate this variety of color in the restoration and affix it in such a way that it blends with the natural color of surrounding teeth.
Composite resins aren’t the best option for all situations; depending on the tooth’s condition and location, a porcelain veneer may be the better choice. After a thorough dental examination, we can make the best recommendation for your situation. If conditions are right, a composite resin restoration could transform your smile and your life.
If you would like more information on front teeth repair options, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Artistic Repair of Front Teeth With Composite Resin.”

You've probably heard about dental implants — today's best option for replacing missing teeth; maybe you even have one or more already. A dental implant is a tiny screw-shaped metal post that sits in your jawbone and supports a lifelike dental crown. Natural teeth and implant-supported teeth have differences and similarities.
The main difference between implants and natural teeth — besides the fact that you were born with one and not the other — is the way they attach to your bone. Implants actually fuse to the bone, becoming part of it. This is a unique property of titanium, the metal from which implants are made. Maintaining that attachment is extremely important; we will discuss how best to ensure that in a moment.
Natural teeth do not ever become part of the bone that surrounds them. Instead, they attach to it via the periodontal ligament (“peri” – around; “odont” – tooth), which is made up of tiny fibers that go into the tooth on one side and the bone on the other. These fibers form a sort of hammock for each tooth.
Another difference is that natural teeth can decay while implant-supported teeth can't. But that doesn't mean you don't have to worry about dental hygiene — far from it! And here's where we get to the main similarity: oral hygiene is extremely important to maintain both teeth and implants. Lax oral hygiene for either can result in bacterial infections that may lead to gum disease, and even bone loss.
The main enemy of a properly fused implant is a bacterial infection known as “peri-implantitis” (“peri” – around; implant “itis” – inflammation), which starts when bacterial biofilm (plaque) is allowed to build up on implant-supported crowns. Peri-implantitis can lead to a well-like or dish-shaped loss of bone around the implant, which in turn can cause the implant to lose its attachment to the bone. If this happens, the implant can no longer function. Fortunately, this infection is preventable with good brushing and flossing techniques at home, and regular professional cleanings here at the dental office.
So another similarity, then, is that natural teeth and implants can last a lifetime with proper care. And that's the result we're aiming for!
If you would like more information about dental implants, please call us or schedule an appointment. You can also read more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Dental Implant Maintenance.”