Bonding in Parker, CO

As a general dental practice, we at Ardas Family Dental in Parker provide restorations to people of all ages with a wide range of needs. If a patient is missing a tooth or needs one extracted, we can provide replacements that are not only durable, but which preserve the mouth’s aesthetic by matching the other teeth’s color. But most restorations don’t require as much intervention as replacing an entire crown or tooth root. Among the most common kinds of restorations is bonding, which can be done in a single visit for patients suffering from minor chips and imperfections.

Dental bonding is done when a small amount of the tooth’s enamel has been chipped, or when a tooth has a small crack or stain or its surface area needs to be increased. It may be provided as an alternative to veneers if a patient wants their teeth to look longer or close small gaps between them. After the teeth have been cleaned, we will apply an etching acid to the ones undergoing bonding to increase their surface area. The bonding material is applied as a soft resin and shaped with tools called burnishers. It is then hardened with a blue light and polished.

The process of applying bonding to a single tooth usually takes an hour or less. It may not even require anesthetic, if the patient doesn’t have an exposed nerve or decay. Bonding is also sometimes done in conjunction with periodontal treatment if a patient’s gums have receded to expose their sensitive tooth roots. However, once the bonding is solidified, a patient may take care of it through regular brushing and flossing and expect it to last for as long as ten years.

Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420.

Acid Reflux in Parker, CO

If your teeth are sensitive, it means something is wrong with them and you should get them examined. Ardas Family Dental in Parker provides treatments for a wide range of dental problems, and we believe everybody is entitled to comfortable, functional teeth. There are several potential contributors to tooth sensitivity, including bacterial infection and nighttime jaw clenching. But if you’re older or a smoker, one source of toothaches to consider is acid reflux.

The powerful acid in our stomach is sealed off from the esophagus by a sphincter. Normally, this sphincter only opens to admit food into the stomach, but there are times when it can get stuck open or open in response to swallowing or upheaval in the stomach. When that happens, acidic gas bubbles up, causing chemical damage to the esophagus and the painful sensation we call heartburn. Although enamel is much harder than esophageal lining, if acid is frequently entering the back of the mouth, it can slowly dissolve enamel, starting with the upper back teeth. This would ultimately leave teeth with less shielding for their nerves.

Acid reflux is more likely to occur in people who smoke, consume alcohol, or who eat foods such as red meat, onions and garlic, chocolate, or citrus fruits, particularly in large quantities before bed. Preventing acid reflux would usually require a change in lifestyle, although a gastrologist may be able to provide medication. A dentist may be able to recognize acid reflux by the distinctive pattern of wear it leaves. If acid reflux is suspected, patients may benefit from the application of sealants and fluoride treatments for more shielding, and from chewing artificial gum to stimulate the production of more saliva, diluting the acid.

Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420.

Mouthguards at Ardas Family Dental

Taking care of your teeth means more than daily maintenance. Brushing and flossing are important, but so is protecting your teeth from the sort of injuries that could leave them chipped, cracked, or broken off. At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, we provide a wide variety of restorations for people whose teeth are in all sorts of condition, but we also want our restorations to last and for patients to avoid needing emergency care. One of the most simple things everyone can do to protect themselves is to use a mouthguard, so we wanted to explain a bit about them and how to choose the one that’s most appropriate for your needs.

The American Dental Association classifies mouthguards by three types: stock, mouth-formed, and custom-made. Stock mouthguards are those which are purchased pre-shaped and cannot be reshaped. They provide better protection than using nothing, but are not as good as a mouthguard that fits a specific wearer. Mouth-formed mouthguards are those which can be boiled to soften them and then reshaped around a wearer’s teeth. They are often used for children and teenagers, whose teeth are rapidly shifting. Shaping a mouthguard on someone with fixed orthodontics may require a dentist’s supervision, but is essential for protecting an athlete undergoing orthodontic therapy from the risk of broken wires or brackets.

Customized mouthguards are those which are shaped specifically for a patient based on an impression of their teeth. They are made from the most sturdy material and provide the best protection. Mouthguards of all sorts need to be cleaned regularly, as do their cases, and they shouldn’t be exposed to high temperatures that might warp their shape. But when used properly, mouthguards can reduce dental injuries by forty percent, and are particularly beneficial to people playing contact sports.

Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420.