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.