2011

Dental Filling Benefits

Dental Filling Benefits

by drrapisarda

You’ve heard the advice over and over again: be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss every night, and visit your dentist for a check-up twice a year. (Ideally, though, you should try to brush your teeth after every meal.) The reason you do this is to remove plaque and food particles from your teeth to prevent cavities and tooth decay from forming. Cavities can greatly compromise the overall structure of a tooth if they go untreated, which may lead to tooth pain, weakened teeth, chipping or cracking of a tooth, or even tooth loss.

Cavities can be hard to detect, especially ones that are small or just starting to form. That’s why visiting your dentist twice a year is so important. A skilled Springfield, MA cosmetic dentist like Dr. Robert Rapisarda will be able to identify those small cavities as well as cavities that are forming. This is great for effective restoration and cavity prevention.

There are plenty of benefits to getting a dental filling. For one, getting tooth decay identified and treated early is ideal for maintaining overall dental health. We mentioned earlier how tooth decay can compromise the overall structure of a tooth and lead to many dental problems. When you get a filling, these problems can be dealt with promptly. Less tooth structure will be lost when you get a cavity filled, which means less potential damage to a tooth and its internal structures. Really, this is just a means of guaranteeing your lasting dental health down the road.

Another benefit of getting dental fillings is that they are not the metal fillings of the past. In fact, those fillings were found to have many adverse effects. For one, metal fillings can expand and contract slightly in extremes of temperature, which can cause slight tooth damage or even discomfort. Sometimes these fillings also contained mercury, which is a toxic and harmful substance.

New white fillings are made of a composite ceramic material that is the same color as your natural teeth. Placing these fillings requires less tooth preparation than placing metal fillings, which is another benefit.

If you have more severe tooth decay, another treatment option will need to be used. Inlays and onlays are a good option. These are essentially large fillings designed to restore more substantial portions of a tooth. These are quite sturdy and able to restore the appearance of a smile as well as a person’s bite strength. In cases of major tooth decay or damage, a dental crown will need to be used. These are caps that are fitted over a severely damaged tooth, restoring its appearance and protecting it from further harm.

To learn more about dental fillings, Springfield, MA teeth whitening, and the many other options available for effective dental care, contact our Barre, MA cosmetic dentistry practice today. Our entire team looks forward to meeting you in person.

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Dental Crown Uses

Dental Crown Uses

by drrapisarda

There are plenty of options available for people who are dealing with tooth decay and major damage to their teeth. Some options are able to provide more structural support that others, which is critical when a lot of tooth damage has been sustained. When you visit Boston area cosmetic dentist Dr. Robert Rapisarda, he will determine the best dental care option to meet your needs.

One possible dental care option that can benefit you is dental crowns. Dental crowns are these specially crafted caps that fit over a tooth. The dental crown will help ensure that the tooth looks good and functions just as a normal tooth would. You see, dental crowns can be crafted of ceramic dental composite materials, which means that they can be custom-colored to match your surrounding teeth and are also sturdy enough to handle the chewing and wear that regular teeth go through.

There are plenty of uses for dental crowns. For one, people who have teeth that are severely chipped or cracked would benefit from getting dental crowns. When a tooth’s structure is that compromised, it needs to have solid support to reduce and pain or discomfort on your end. While bonding and Boston porcelain veneers are good for less severe cases of chipping and cracking, dental crowns are well suited for more serious cases.

Another good use for dental crowns is for major tooth decay. As with dental injuries above, the dental crown will provide support, structure, and sturdiness to help restore the appearance and function of your teeth. Dental fillings, inlays, and onlays can be used for varying degrees of tooth decay, but dental crowns are best for major issues.

In addition to the above, dental crowns are also good for replacing a single missing tooth. When you get a dental implant, a dental crown will be placed atop the implant abutment. This dental crown will be rooted in place just as a natural tooth would thanks to the advances in implant dentistry.

If you would like more information about your many options for expert dental care, contact our Barre cosmetic dentistry practice today.

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Three Things You Should Know about Porcelain Veneers

Three Things You Should Know about Porcelain Veneers

by drrapisarda

You have probably heard the phrase “porcelain veneers” before, especially in relation to extreme dental makeovers and celebrity smiles. They’re really a great option for people who wish they could give their smile a makeover given just how many dental problems that they can fix. Springfield, Massachusetts area cosmetic dentist Dr. Robert Rapisarda has helped many patients through the expert use of porcelain veneers for smile restorations and enhancements.

We’d like to go over three facts about porcelain veneers that you should know. Knowing these three facts may help explain why porcelain veneers are such a popular and desirable treatment option for so many people.

1. Porcelain Veneers are Extremely Versatile

First and foremost, porcelain veneers are able to address many different dental problems with great effectiveness. If you have teeth that are slightly crooked, teeth that are severely stained, or teeth that are chipped or cracked, you may be able to benefit from porcelain veneers.

2. Porcelain Veneers are Indistinguishable from Real Teeth

Another great thing about Springfield, Massachusetts porcelain veneers is that they are virtually invisible. Dr. Rapisarda will color match your veneers to your surrounding teeth so they blend in seamlessly. Since the veneers are semi-translucent just like a normal tooth, light affects them just as it would your normal teeth. The veneers themselves are so subtle, but the final effect of them can be quite dramatic.

3. Caring for Your Porcelain Veneers is Simple

One of the best things about porcelain veneers is that you don’t need to do anything super special to take care of them. Just brush your teeth as normal and be sure to floss as usual and you and your dental veneers will last a long, long time.

So there you have it. Three great facts about porcelain veneers. And on top of those, you should know that getting porcelain veneers placed is painless and easy. To schedule a consultation and find out if porcelain veneers are right for you, contact our Barre, Massachusetts cosmetic dentistry practice today.

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Causes and Treatments for Dry Mouth

Causes and Treatments for Dry Mouth

by drrapisarda

If you have ever had dry mouth before, you know just how much of an inconvenience it can be. Dry mouth can make it difficult to eat and speak as you usually would. Dry mouth may even be the sign of a different health condition that needs to be looked into. Boston area cosmetic dentist Dr. Robert Rapisarda and his entire staff at his Barre, MA office would like to take this opportunity to look at the basic causes of dry mouth. After taking a quick look at those, we’d like to take a look at the different treatments for dry mouth that are available that you may wish to consider.

Dry mouth is also known as xerostomia. The condition is easy to identify since we’ve all experienced in some degree before: it involves reduces saliva production in the mouth. One of the common causes of dry mouth is dehydration. It’s important that you stay hydrated throughout the day, and reduced saliva production is a sign that you may need a quick glass of water. Of course, dehydration is not the only cause of dry mouth. Many people notice their mouths become dry due to anxiety, tension, worry, and so on.

Another common cause of dry mouth is blockage of the salivary gland or salivary glands. To remedy this issue, your doctor or dentist may suggest you suck on sour candies in order to promote increased saliva production. This should help remove the blockage in due time. Some health conditions such as diabetes may result in dry mouth, so be sure to keep that monitored just in case. And on last cause to mention is alcohol consumption. Since alcohol can dry out the mouth, drinking too much can lead to dry mouth. Be sure to drink responsibly and in moderation.

Apart from remaining hydrated and promoting saliva production to remove blockages as mentioned above, there are a number of artificial saliva products that are available for people with serious dry mouth. These may come in candy/lozenge form, spray form, gel form, or rinse form. We’ll discuss each of these with you in more detail at our office.

For more information about dry mouth as well as Boston dental crowns and other options for effective dental care, please contact our Barre, MA cosmetic dentistry office today. We will assess your dental health situation and make a decision that best meets your needs.

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Porcelain Veneers vs. Teeth Whitening

Porcelain Veneers vs. Teeth Whitening

by drrapisarda

If you have teeth that are stained, you know just how much that can alter the appeal of your smile. It’s important that you consider the many different options for whitening your smile that are available to you at your dentist’s office.

When you come to the office of Springfield, MA cosmetic dentist Dr. Robert Rapisarda, he’ll evaluate if porcelain veneers or teeth whitening is best suited to meet your needs. While this consultation will best be performed at our office, the team here would like to take a brief moment to cover some of the basics about porcelain veneers and teeth whitening.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic shells that are designed to conceal dental problems and restore the overall appearance of your mouth. The porcelain veneers are partially translucent just like your actual teeth, which means that they will look completely natural. Better that than a fake appearance like unchewed chiclets on your smile.

Teeth Whitening

Undergoing Springfield, MA teeth whitening is a great idea for most people who have stains on their teeth and would like to have a brighter and whiter smile. The teeth whitening treatment that you receive from a dentist is much more effective than the products that you can purchase over the counter. In just one hour, you smile can be whitened by many shades.

Porcelain Veneers or Teeth Whitening?

Figuring out the right treatment for you will really depend on the level of tooth discoloration that you are dealing with. For most cases of stained teeth, professional whitening is the best option. There are, however, some stains and cases of discoloration that are too serious for teeth whitening treatment. In those cases, porcelain veneers is best.

It should also be pointed out that porcelain veneers can do more than conceal stains. Porcelain veneers is also a great option if you have teeth that are slightly uneven or a little misaligned, as well as teeth that are chipped or cracked.

For more information on your options for dental care or to schedule a consultation, please contact our Barre, MA cosmetic dentist today.

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Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges

Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges

by drrapisarda

If you have one missing tooth or multiple teeth that are missing, it can greatly affect the appearance of your smile, your dental health, and even your general health. For one, gaps between teeth are rather unsightly. In addition, it may be difficult to properly chew certain foods when you are missing even just a single tooth. It should also be noted that your remaining teeth could shift out of place due to the large gap or gaps between teeth, and that bone loss may occur in the area of those gaps.

There are many ways to address the problems associated with a missing tooth or missing teeth. Two of these options are dental implants and dental bridges. Our Boston cosmetic dentist and the entire team here at the practice would like to take a moment right now to compare dental implants and dental bridges and how they can benefit patients.

Dental bridges are artificial teeth that are held in pace by attaching to adjacent teeth and bracing against the existing gum line. Dental bridges literally bridge the gap between your teeth. They are removable and generally easy to clean.

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that used to hold artificial teeth in place. Placing Boston dental implants involves oral surgery since the implants need to be anchored into your existing bone and soft tissue structures. Once the dental implants are surgically anchored in place, a period of osseointegration will need to take place to fuse the dental implants with your jaw structures. This period takes a few months, but once complete, your dental implants will be extremely secure.

In general, dental implants are a better choice than removable dental bridges. The dental implants can support a single artificial tooth, dental bridges, or full dentures, and they will help prevent bone loss in the jaw. However, not all people are good candidate for dental implants, in which case, dental bridges are a good choice and quite effective.

For more information on how you can deal with missing teeth and other dental health matters, contact our cosmetic dentistry office in Barre, MA today.

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Robert A. Rapisarda, DMD

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00am - 6:30pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 8:00am - 1:00pm

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