Albano & Bruens DDS

What, exactly are dentures, you ask? It is actually a broad term applied to a number of different oral appliances. They can be full (comprising the full set of upper or lower teeth, or both) or partial (filling gaps when only a few teeth have been lost or removed).

Remember, protective dental sealants are not only for children but can help adults too. Adults that have increased risks for cavities and decay can benefit from the application of dental sealants which can protect teeth for at least 10 years.

One technique used in sedation dentistry is called inhaled minimal sedation. Here, you breathe in nitrous oxide through a mask, which helps you to relax during the dental procedure. This is the only form of sedation in which you are able to drive yourself home afterward.

Confused over whether to choose a dentist with a DDS or a DMD degree? Don’t be: The two are equivalent. Most dental colleges award graduates a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree while others use the Doctor of Dental Medicine degree name.

How long do you brush your teeth each time? A good practice is to brush twice daily for at least two minutes. Do that for 40 years and you will have spent nearly 40 days brushing your teeth!

Do you know that people with periodontal disease are 2 times more likely to develop heart disease? Other research has found that 95% of American adults with diabetes also have periodontal disease.

Until the mid-18th century, the dental profession went by various names. Some of the most common designations included barber-surgeon, operator for the teeth and surgeon dentis [sic]. The term dentist didn’t move into widespread use until the late 1760s.

What is fluorosis? This is the staining of the teeth caused by excessive exposure to fluoride during the first eight years of life. While the condition is permanent, there are fortunately a number of treatments available that may significantly mask the discoloration or cover them up completely.

There are several potential causes of receding gums, including poor oral hygiene, old age and certain medical conditions such as diabetes. Left untreated, the gums become increasingly susceptible to bacteria growth which leads to decay and tooth loss.

Do you have any issues with cracked or chipped teeth? Don't be self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth. We can correct those issues so you never have to hide your smile.

Children's primary teeth need as much care as their permanent teeth need. Otherwise, serious problems can develop as they grow, including speech impediments and health issues.

What are endodontists and what do they do? Most famous for their root canals, these dentists work on the pulp of our teeth. Covered by hard enamel and dentin, this mass of nerves and soft tissue is what endodontists try to preserve or remove if found to be beyond preservation.

Do you have a discolored, chipped or cracked tooth that you would like to have repaired? Talk with us about dental bonding, a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin is applied to the damaged area to fix it.

What is a mouthguard? It is a shielding device that covers the teeth to prevent damage to them, as well as the gums, and lips. It is mainly used to prevent accidental injury to the mouth during contact sports.

Today, the 18th century dentist John Greenwood is known for three things: He was one of the youngest soldiers to fight in the Continental Army; he invented the treadle-powered dental drill; and he crafted George Washington’s last-known set of dentures.

While juice is considered healthy for both adults and kids, consumption should still be limited because it contains sugars. It’s important to restrict their intake to no more than 4 ounces a day of 100% fruit juice.

Did you know that as many as one in four adults do not brush their teeth every day? Moreover, the average person only brushes their teeth between 45 and 70 seconds rather than the recommended 2 minutes.

After brushing your teeth, dentists recommend waiting about 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing. But don't sit around with foam in your mouth (unless you enjoy looking like you have rabies). It's OK to go ahead and spit it out.

Minimal sedation may involve either oral medications or the use of nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is more commonly known as laughing gas, and it has the quickest recovery time of the different sedative processes. The method we use will depend on your personal tolerances and needs.

One hesitation people have about having dental surgery is the need for sutures or stitches in their mouth. Dental lasers may be used for the painless and suture free removal of soft tissue folds often caused by ill-fitting dentures.

Do you ever worry that you won’t be able to eat normally once you have a tooth replaced with a crown? Remember, these are permanent solutions that should not impact your ability to eat your favorite foods.

If this is your first visit, it is likely that we will take x-rays of your mouth. But relax, the dosage is low and highly unlikely to put your health at risk.

Have you ever heard of hyperdontia? It is a medical condition in which an individual has extra teeth (aka super-numerary teeth). Sometimes they can overfill the mouth. In other cases, they grow in and replace lost permanent teeth.

At the first sign of a problem with your teeth or gums, schedule a visit with us. Catching tooth decay or other issues in the early stages usually means a fast and fairly simple treatment.

TMJ often responds well to a range of non-invasive treatments. To alleviate your immediate discomfort, the dentist may recommend temporarily switching to a soft diet, taking mild pain relievers and applying moist heat packs.

In the 1990s, the laser industry created the kinetic cavity preparation (KCP) that effectively replaced the need for dentist drills. It uses a microscopically fine powder through the method of ‘air abrasion’ to gently remove decay.

How does tartar form? Tartar, also known as dental calculus, is created when tooth plaque mixes with the minerals in your saliva. Crystals are then formed which harden into plaque.

If your teeth are yellowed or stained, your dentist can whiten them in office to make them look younger and cleaner. In-office whitening is faster and more effective than at-home options.

Using a proper brushing technique is important when brushing your teeth to help ensure that you are cleaning your teeth without accidentally causing damage to them.

Did you know that our mouth’s condition reflects our overall health? For instance, unusual erosion of tooth enamel could be caused by more serious underlying conditions such as acid reflux and teeth grinding. This is why it is necessary to seek a dentist’s advice, as they can refer you to other specialists.

There are medications that can affect your dental health. For instance, the US Food and Drug Administration lists more than 400 medicines that can cause dry mouth. Unfortunately, this dryness can result in tooth decay, so ask your dentist how to address this side effect if you have to take these drugs.

If your face bled whenever you washed it, you'd call the doctor, right? The same goes for your gums. If they bleed when you brush, you need to make an appointment to find out why.

Sedation dentistry does eliminate the awareness of time to the point where most patients do not realize how long they have been in the chair. This makes it an especially valuable method for procedures that take several hours to complete.