Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about Emergency Dentistry!
Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the role played by your Dental Assistant!
If your mouth or jaw hurt, it could be from a toothache. Toothaches usually indicate a cavity but they can also signal gum disease. In some cases, a toothache is a sign of an abscess or impacted tooth. A toothache should be evaluated by a dentist right away to determine the cause of the problem and prevent the tooth from dying.
Above article from: MouthHealthy.org
Butler Family Dental Chris A. Butler, DMD 1745 West 17th Avenue Eugene, OR 97402 (541) 485-6645 MyDentistEugene.com
Your mother was right: Never open bottles, packages, or other containers with your teeth. You might permanently chip or crack the enamel.Gnawing on anything else -- like pens or fingernails -- or chomping down on seeds, popcorn kernels, or ice could have the same result.Above article from: Webmd.com/oral-health
Butler Family Dental Chris A. Butler, DMD 1745 West 17th Avenue Eugene, OR 97402 (541) 485-6645 MyDentistEugene.com
The best way to find out why a tooth is sensitive is to have dental professional examine you. They can look for the signs of dentin exposure, and run tests to determine what the true cause of the sensitivity is. Sometimes, the sensitivity is due to a cavity or gum disease - these can be treated to address the sensitivity. Other times, the cause of the sensitivity is because the enamel has been lost through abrasion or erosion, or the gums have receded, causing the roots to be exposed.
What Can Be Done?If the sensitivity is due to a cavity, a restoration can be placed. If gum disease is the cause, the dental professional can perform a thorough cleaning of the area.
However, if the cause is from dentin being exposed, then there are a number of professional and at home treatments that can be used to reduce the sensitivity.
In Office Procedures:
- Fluoride varnish can be applied to exposed areas, strengthening the enamel and dentin
- Fluoride foam or gel can be placed into a mouth tray; you then sit with this in your mouth for 3-5 minutes, providing the teeth with a high concentration of fluoride to strengthen the areas
- Bonding agent, the material used to stick tooth colored restorations to teeth, can be used to seal the dentin surface and provide a barrier to the stimuli that cause sensitivity
At Home:
- Use a very soft bristle tooth brush, with low abrasive tooth paste
- Brush correctly and do not over brush
- Use a tooth paste specially formulated to soothe the nerve endings in the tooth
- Use a high concentration fluoride toothpaste (given to you by the dental professional) to strengthen the tooth surface
There are a number of treatments available, and your dental professional can help you find those that will work best, depending on your situation. Always seek a dental professional's help - do not try to diagnose this problem yourself. It may be the sign of something more serious, and only a dental professional can tell you what it really is.
To read the entire article visit Colgate.com
Butler Family Dental Chris A. Butler, DMD 1745 West 17th Avenue Eugene, OR 97402 (541) 485-6645 MyDentistEugene.com
With the American population living longer, seniors' oral health has become an important issue, as has the widespread problem of elder abuse. Every year more than 2.5 million older Americans may be victims of elder abuse, and in some cases dentists serve as the first line of defense, according to a report in the May/June 2005 issue of General Dentistry, the clinical, peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
To read the entire article, visit: KnowYourTeeth.com
Butler Family Dental Chris A. Butler, DMD 1745 West 17th Avenue Eugene, OR 97402 (541) 485-6645 MyDentistEugene.com
Fillings – Two Options to Choose From
We offer two choices for filling materials. The silver-mercury amalgam filling has been the standard filling material for many years. It provides an effective and affordable material that is covered by dental insurance plans. We also provide composite resin fillings that do not have any metal and can add strength to the remaining tooth structure. They are made to match the shade of your tooth, and patients like them as they make for a more attractive smile. We will discuss which option best suits your needs before any treatment begins.
Intra-Oral Camera Lets You See For Yourself
Dr. Butler works together with his patients to form a bond of teamwork. By using the miniature intra-oral camera, you can see the interior of your mouth on video. With this close-up imaging, you can take an active role in making decisions about your treatment. Patients appreciate seeing for themselves what the problem is and feel confident about the treatment that follows.
Butler Family Dental
Chris A. Butler, DMD
1745 West 17th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97402
(541) 485-6645
MyDentistEugene.com
Teeth Whitening – Dazzling Results!
Part of a pleasing smile is the whiteness and brightness of your teeth. You can eliminate stains and darkness with our professionally supervised bleaching process. Dr. Butler provides customized whitening trays that are made in his lab. We produce the supplies and give you instruction to complete the process at home. This is a safe treatment that really works! You can expect a brighter, whiter smile within 1 – 14 days.
A Missing Tooth Can Cause Other Problems
Don't think that missing a tooth is no big deal. There are various complications that can result from just one lost tooth. The most important function of your teeth is chewing. Missing teeth can mean getting fewer nutrients from the food you consume. Difficulty chewing also may lead to softer, less healthy food choices that can lead to gained weight. Speech can also be altered as certain words are slurred or mispronounced. When teeth are lost, bone deterioration occurs in the jaw, creating a "sunken" look that may make you look older than you are.
We recommend dental implants for as many teeth as you have missing. They will let you chew every type of food, recapture a great smile, and return your confidence. They look so natural, no one will know they're not your original teeth.
A New Smile in Just Two Visits!
Veneers can be the quick-and-easy answer to correcting unattractive gaps, unusually shaped teeth, or severe discoloration. In as few as two visits, veneers can change a crooked smile into a very attractive one, giving the appearance of months of orthodontic treatment. Veneers are very durable, thin sheets of advanced dental ceramic. Dr. Butler bonds them to your natural teeth, creating a straight, uniform, and attractive smile. They also take care of the defects of a single chipped, worn, or cracked tooth. They are made to match the shade of your other teeth and are then bonded to the remaining tooth structure to completely conceal the problem. They blend in with your other teeth to give a very natural-looking smile.
Technology That Makes Cleanings Easy
With the Cavitron™ Ultrasonic Scaler, we can now remove build-up of plaque and tartar from your teeth and gumline with little or no discomfort. This high-tech scaling instrument uses high-frequency vibrations to easily take off these harmful deposits. This helps to keep gum disease from developing or worsening, and you will be very pleased both with how clean your teeth feel and how much less scraping you need!
We offer two choices for filling materials. The silver-mercury amalgam filling has been the standard filling material for many years. It provides an effective and affordable material that is covered by dental insurance plans. We also provide composite resin fillings that do not have any metal and can add strength to the remaining tooth structure. They are made to match the shade of your tooth, and patients like them as they make for a more attractive smile. We will discuss which option best suits your needs before any treatment begins.
Dr. Butler works together with his patients to form a bond of teamwork. By using the miniature intra-oral camera, you can see the interior of your mouth on video. With this close-up imaging, you can take an active role in making decisions about your treatment. Patients appreciate seeing for themselves what the problem is and feel confident about the treatment that follows.
Part of a pleasing smile is the whiteness and brightness of your teeth. You can eliminate stains and darkness with our professionally supervised bleaching process. Dr. Butler provides customized whitening trays that are made in his lab. We produce the supplies and give you instruction to complete the process at home. This is a safe treatment that really works! You can expect a brighter, whiter smile within 1 – 14 days.
Don't think that missing a tooth is no big deal. There are various complications that can result from just one lost tooth. The most important function of your teeth is chewing. Missing teeth can mean getting fewer nutrients from the food you consume. Difficulty chewing also may lead to softer, less healthy food choices that can lead to gained weight. Speech can also be altered as certain words are slurred or mispronounced. When teeth are lost, bone deterioration occurs in the jaw, creating a "sunken" look that may make you look older than you are.
Veneers can be the quick-and-easy answer to correcting unattractive gaps, unusually shaped teeth, or severe discoloration. In as few as two visits, veneers can change a crooked smile into a very attractive one, giving the appearance of months of orthodontic treatment. Veneers are very durable, thin sheets of advanced dental ceramic. Dr. Butler bonds them to your natural teeth, creating a straight, uniform, and attractive smile. They also take care of the defects of a single chipped, worn, or cracked tooth. They are made to match the shade of your other teeth and are then bonded to the remaining tooth structure to completely conceal the problem. They blend in with your other teeth to give a very natural-looking smile.
With the Cavitron™ Ultrasonic Scaler, we can now remove build-up of plaque and tartar from your teeth and gumline with little or no discomfort. This high-tech scaling instrument uses high-frequency vibrations to easily take off these harmful deposits. This helps to keep gum disease from developing or worsening, and you will be very pleased both with how clean your teeth feel and how much less scraping you need!