Common Answers
Building Healthy Smiles
Did you know that a cavity is what is left after tooth decay is
removed? Or that the incidence of tooth decay is second only to the
common cold? Decay is the most important cause of tooth loss in younger
people. Periodontal (gum) disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in
adults. Both are case4d by the presence of bacteria.
Thanks to preventive, minimally invasive dentistry, we can help you to
control bacteria and preserve your oral health with some back-to-basics
advice...
1. Brush, floss, and rinse.
2. Stay away from sugary foods.
3. Get regular checkups for your
whole family to curtail decay, gum disease, and correct the overcrowding
or gaps that can cause problems.
Remember...the true foundation of even the most glamorous Hollywood
smile is a healthy mouth!
Balancing pHacts
BALANCE: Symmetry and balance affect
your smile's appearance in more ways than one. Some substances can
affect the acid balance of your smile.
ACID: Some factory workers, lab
technicians, and professional wine tasters can experience teeth staining
and erosion. For example, wine makers can taste from twelve to
eighty wines per day!
ALKALINE: Competitive swimmers of any
age can develop swimmer's calculus - brownish stains on their teeth.
Chlorinated water's high pH factor can cause salivary proteins to break
down, forming organic deposits on the teeth enamel.
PREVENTION: Most patients can control
exposure to these kinds of hazards. But if staining or tooth sensitivity
due to enamel erosion are a problem for you, come and see us.
INTERVENTION: We can provide a
professional assessment and cleaning, and suggest home care products and
techniques.
Other Answers
Advantages of a family or general dental practice:
As a family or general dentist, Dr. Marino can offer most phases of
dental treatment in one office. All dental treatment is done by Dr.
Marino.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry includes any dental procedure that will make the
patient's teeth and smile look attractive and natural. A few of the
cosmetic dental procedures provided by Dr. Marino are: teeth whitening,
natural looking white fillings, bonding, porcelain crowns and veneers,
space closing, chip repair, replacing of missing teeth, and natural
looking dentures. Call Dr. Marino's office for details.
Children's Dentistry
Dr. Marino feels it is very important for children to have good dental
treatment. Without such early care, the child can experience pain,
abscesses, severe decay, crowding, and damage to permanent teeth. Taking
care of problems early can save the parents a lot of time and money.
White Non-Mercury Fillings
For years, dentists have placed silver (black) mercury metal fillings.
Dr. Marino uses bonded white resin fillings which give the teeth a
natural appearance.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is done by making a customized clear tray that fits over
your teeth. A special whitening gel is placed in each tray and then they
are worn for a few hours each day. The initial treatment time is 3-4
weeks, followed by a 1-2 day treatment every few months for a touchup.
Natural Looking Crowns (Caps)
Natural looking crowns (caps) are used to repair broken or severely
decayed teeth. The crowns are mostly made with porcelain, and in some
cases, may contain some gold for strength.
Emergency Treatment
Unfortunately, dental emergencies can occur. Dr. Marino provides
emergency dental treatment for toothaches, broken teeth, and dental
abscesses. Patients are never stranded during a dental emergency. You
want to pick a dentist who will be there when you really need it.
Bad Breath (Halitosis) Treatment
The first way to treat bad breath is to eliminate the plaque and
bacteria in a patient's mouth that causes bad breath. This can be done
by good home care, in-office cleanings, other gum treatments, and tongue
brushing. There are other sources of bad breath such as nasal and lung
odors.
Preventive Dentistry
This refers to any treatment that will prevent or minimize dental
problems. Examples of preventive dentistry are: filling cavities while
they are small, fluoride treatment, good home care, cleanings by the
dental hygienists, mouthguards, and orthodontics (braces).
Infection Control
Dr. Marino and her staff strongly believe in good in-office infection
control. They adhere to a very high standard of instrument sterilization
and treatment room cleanliness.
Gum Treatment
Over 75% of all adults have some form of gum disease. This can range
from minor gum redness to severe periodontal disease (where the gum
disease has dissolved some of the jawbone). Dr. Marino and her staff
want to prevent gum problems by doing the things mentioned in the
Preventive Dentistry section. If the patient has gum disease, Dr. Marino
will outline a treatment plan to get those gums and teeth healthy again.
Root Canals
Teeth nerves don't respond well to trauma. The trauma to the nerve can
come from deep decay, cracks, or a blow to the tooth. When a root canal
is performed, the tooth is numbed well, the dying nerve is removed from
the canal, and the canal space is filled with a plastic cement. Often a
crown or cap is placed on this tooth. Root canals allow dentists to save
teeth that otherwise would have to be removed.
Denture Services
Dr. Marino provides most forms of denture services such as repairs, full
dentures, and partial dentures around teeth.
Implants
Dental implants are titanium cylinder shaped devices that are placed in
the jawbone to replace missing teeth. They are more expensive than
regular bridgework. However, they don't require grinding on the adjacent
teeth like bridgework does.
Insurance and Payment Options
Dr. Marino's office accepts any dental insurance that allows you to
choose your own dentist. Her well-trained staff can review with you some
payment options that would work with your budget.