Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it.
Do you ever notice that your gums bleed when you brush?
Do your gums ever feel tender or swollen?
Flossing and
brushing
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Wilcox immediately if you notice any of the following signs of gum disease: Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth; Red, swollen or tender gums; Gums that have pulled away from the teeth; Bad breath that doesn't go away; Pus between your teeth and gums; Loose teeth; A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite; and A change in the fit of partial dentures.
MAKE YOUR
|
Dental repairs for a long lasting smile
Fixes that fit: customized dental solutions
Root Canals in 1 Visit
Dr. Wilcox uses root canal treatment to treat problems
of the tooth's soft core (the dental pulp). Years ago, teeth with diseased
or injured pulps were removed.
Today, Dr. Wilcox uses a high-tech approach to root canal treatment, reducing pain and offering an effective way to save teeth. Treatment is usually completed in just 1 visit.
Crowns for Coverage
If you want a smile that's your crowning glory,
you may need a crown (also called a cap) to cover
a tooth and restore it to its normal shape and size. A crown will make your tooth stronger and
improve its appearance.
Dr. Wilcox uses crowns to cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't enough tooth left. Crowns can be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that's already broken. A crown is also a good way to cover a dental implant or teeth that are discolored or badly shaped.
Do You Need A Crown?
Call Dr. Wilcox at 505-268-4484 for
a complementary consultation and digital X-Rays if:
- Your teeth become sensitive to hot or cold foods or liquids, or when you bite;
- Your mouth feels painful, or if you have a toothache; or
- Your temporary or permanent crown becomes loose.
Bridging the Gap
If you're missing one or more teeth, you may notice
a difference in chewing and speaking. Dr. Wilcox offers options to help
restore your smile.
Bridges help maintain the shape of your face, as well as alleviating the stress in your bite by replacing missing teeth. Sometimes called a fixed partial denture, a bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been.
The restoration can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support. Unlike a partial denture, which you can take out and clean, a fixed bridge looks and feels like natural teeth.
- Conventional bridges replace one or more teeth attached to crowns.
- Fixed bridges attach to the back of nearby natural teeth using a metal or plastic strip and cement.
- Implant bridges attach artificial teeth directly to the jaw or under the gum tissue.
Depending on which type of bridge Dr. Wilcox recommends
for you, the comfort and longevity of the bridge depends on its foundation.
So it's very important
to keep your remaining teeth healthy and strong.
Broken Teeth
If you have been involved in an auto accident,
suffered a sports injury or other incident resulting in a broken tooth:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
- Use cold compresses on the area to keep any swelling down.
- Call 505-268-4484 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Wilcox immediately.
Dentures Done
Right
If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether
from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can
replace your missing teeth and your smile.
Dr. Wilcox takes measurements and makes models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, you do not have to be without teeth during the healing period.
Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take good care of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.
Positively
Composites
Composites
or white fillings are the material of choice for many patients today.
Dr. Wilcox uses composite filling materials designed to match the color
of your teeth and blend in with your tooth enamel.
They're a perfect choice when the cavity is in a visible area, such as on the front teeth, at the gum line, or some back teeth when restoration is small.
The two main ingredients are plastic resin and a filler of finely ground glass-like particles. Although composites are preferred for cosmetic reasons, if a cavity is too large, or is in an area where much chewing occurs, Dr. Wilcox may recommend a different restorative material.
Like all fillings, composites, over time, may need replacing. Schedule regular dental check-ups with Dr. Wilcox in order to detect any problems early.
