Watkin Dental Associates

When bone mass is too thin or too soft to keep a dental implant in place, a bone graft will help the bone fuse to the implant and keep it secure.

Crowded teeth can make it hard to brush and floss well. Then it’s easier for plaque, tartar, and harmful bacterial to build up — and down the line, this can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Your crowded teeth can also get worse over time. We like to catch problems before they become a bigger dental problem. Point out the teeth to us at your next exam.

When looking for a dentist, there are a few factors to take into consideration. Location and office hours to fit your lifestyle will make scheduling appointments easier for you and your family. Check the dental office's website to see if your dentist is someone you can relate to. A good dental office will have bio's and information about your dentist. Take a scan of social media pages as that is a way to get a quick summary of services they offer, members of the dental team, and a snap shot of the philosophy of the office.

In many cases, dental implants are considered an elective procedure by many dental insurance providers. Because of this, dental insurance typically doesn’t cover dental implant placement. Although we are seeing more and more plans covering some or all of the costs. Check with your plan provider to determine your specific benefits including any deductible or co-pay requirements.

The average cost of a dental implant can depend on various factors including the region or area where a patients lives and the dental professional performing the procedure. The average cost of dental implants range from $3,000 to $4,500. This includes the implant surgery, all the necessary components including the implant crown.

Dentures require a great deal of work. Because a denture is not permanent it will need to be removed and cleaned. You will need to purchase and use adhesives to keep it in place. Lastly, dentures may not stay in place when you are eating such foods as apples, corn, meat or sticky foods. Dental implants are implanted into the bone of your jaw. A natural looking tooth is attached to it and it is firmly in place. Eat, speak, and smile with your dental implants for a lifetime.

Dental implants are designed to be a long lasting solution if you are missing one tooth, several teeth or all your teeth. You can maintain the same type of care for your dental implants as you would for natural teeth. Brushing and flossing each day plus regular dental check ups with our office.

Invisalign is a popular choice because of many benefits: - Clear aligners allow for more aesthetic appearance and better oral hygiene routine - More comfortable as it is custom-made to fit your bite - Affordable (about the same price as traditional metal braces) - Faster treatment so less time spent at the dentist

People with missing teeth have problems eating certain foods such as meat, vegetables and fruits, which can compromise their nutrition. In the case of denture wearing patients they may lose the sense of taste. Because dental implants function more like teeth, they offer the benefit of better health due to eating the foods you want for better quality of life.

Research shows that once the teeth are removed, the jaw bone shrinks and changes shape. Typically, dentures should be checked every year, and often they should be remade when they lose their fit and are loose in your mouth after 5-10 years of use. By using dental adhesive, you may have masked the loose fit of your dentures. Even though you have adapted to these dentures, you are not receiving the function and appearance you deserve. Also, it is important that you take your dentures out at night to allow your gum tissues to rest and decrease the possibility of sore spots.

Yes, currently we are accepting new patients, although the Covid-19 pandemic (we were shut down for 10 weeks) has put us in a backlog of patients trying to get cleanings. One alternative that seems to work for many of our patients is to put your name on our cancellation list. During the week a patient may call that cannot make an appointment and we will contact you to see if that appointment time is convenient for you. This system works very well.

Our dentists will look for inflammation of the gums and plaque or tartar at the base of the teeth. Using a probe, we will determine if the beginning stages of gum disease exist by measuring pockets in your gums and decide if further tests are required. Typical signs include: Gums bleeding when brushing or flossing ‍ Gum discoloration and inflammation‍ ... Gum tenderness and sensitivity ‍ ... Gum recession (Teeth look longer) ‍ ... Halitosis (Bad breath) ‍

1. What do you like or dislike about your teeth regarding color, size, shape and spacing? 2. Are you pleased with how much of your teeth show when your lips are relaxed and when you smile? 3. Do you want teeth that are perfectly aligned and white or more natural looking with slight color, shape and shade variations? 4. Are you happy with the amount of gum tissue you show when smiling? The answers to these questions will give your dentist an understanding of your vision and goals and be able to create the smile you want and deserve.

Most patients need to learn how to use dentures properly and as a result, it takes a little time to get used to them. After a while, you should be able to eat fairly normally, but it may take more time to get comfortable with harder foods or sticky foods. Using a small amount of denture adhesive (no more than three or four pea-sized dabs on each denture) may help stabilize the dentures and help hold them in place while you learn how to get comfortable with them and may make the learning process easier. Chewing gum: Dentures and chewing gum do not usually work well together, no matter which brand of chewing gum you decide to try. The gum typically sticks to the acrylic plastic in the denture and may break a seal on the dentures, which will loosen them as a result. Gum may remain stuck to the denture and eventually harden and discolor. Ultimately, if you wear dentures, you should avoid chewing gum.

The first step is to get you into our schedule for a cleaning. If you are not experiencing any pain or discomfort then we can do a thorough exam during this appointment with our hygiene team and dentist. If you do have concerns about your oral health then we would like to see you sooner rather than later. In the meantime you can brush, floss, and rinse regularly to hold you over until your professional cleaning and exam.

We have an appointment request form on the home page of our website. You can leave us your contact information along with the best days and times that you can come in to our dental practice. We will look for appointment times that fit the days and times that you are looking for and call or email you with the information.

The material veneers are made out of cannot be whitened, but are typically a beautifully natural white from the beginning!

Yes, our team regularly places dental implants to help improve bite, appearance, and teeth function. Call our office (978) 345-6919 today to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants!

Yes, with help. Managing shifts of your teeth typically requires the use of orthodontic or dental appliances. You may have to wear a removable retainer or have a permanent one installed. Additionally, if this issue is caused by tooth grinding, wearing a mouth guard while you sleep can help.

No, a veneer is a thin porcelain shell that covers your natural tooth’s surface to improve its appearance.

Yes, veneers are designed to remain in place for the rest of your life. They will usually last for 10-20 years, and if one loosens, wears out, or breaks, it needs to be replaced.

When you’re first fitted for new dentures, it’s normal to experience minor irritation, which should fade as your mouth becomes accustomed to them. The period of pain varies. If you’ve previously worn dentures and now have a new set it may take longer. Similarly, if you had some natural teeth present that were removed at the time of the new dentures, the areas where the extractions were performed may be painful or uncomfortable for up to several weeks after the removal of the teeth. Regular visits to your prosthodontist to adjust the dentures as you go through the normal healing process are recommended.

Dentures may replace all or only some of the teeth. The dentures that replace all the teeth are known as complete dentures and they rest on the gums that cover the jawbones. The stability and retention of these dentures can be improved by attaching them to dental implants. Dentures that replace some but not all of the teeth are known as partial dentures. They attach to the teeth that are still present and also cover and rest on the gums and bone where the teeth are missing. Dental implants can also be used to restore and stabilize partial dentures as well.

Most Dental Insurance Plans are accepted. Call us to confirm that Watkin Dental Associates is part of your provider network. Have your insurance card in front of you. Also, plan to pay your copay or deductible portion at time of service.

Yes, we use dental materials that allow us to match the color of your tooth. We have a tooth shade guide that we use to pick the right color for the filling. This process is highly recommended vs. the old process of silver amalgam fillings.

We recommend 2 times per year to get a thorough cleaning from our hygiene team. During these appointments we will also check for any dental problems on each tooth in your upper and lower jaw. We like to take updated x-rays every few years to make sure there are no underlying issues that we need to take care of.

Electric toothbrushes, especially those with heads that rotate in both directions, or 'oscillating' heads, are really effective at removing plaque. This helps keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay. There are several studies showing that people who use an electric toothbrush have healthier gums, less tooth decay and also keep their teeth for longer, compared with those who use a manual toothbrush.

Dental X-rays (radiographs) are images of your teeth that your dentist uses to evaluate your oral health. These X-rays are used with low levels of radiation to capture images of the interior of your teeth and gums. This can help our dentists to identify problems, like cavities, tooth decay, and impacted teeth. We use shields to protect our patients as well.

Brushing your teeth is important, but dental sealants may be the best way to prevent kids from getting cavities. Dental sealants are a thin coating that is painted on teeth to protect them from cavities. he research shows that dental sealants prevent 80 percent of cavities for two years after application.

Depending on your situation and goals it's totally possible to whiten teeth from home with some of the tray options we offer here in our practice. A Professional Teeth Whitening session in our practice will whiten teeth from the inside out and you'll see whiter teeth after just one treatment (takes about one hour). Treatment and supervision by our dental team reduces the risk of damage to your teeth or gums compared to home teeth whitening systems purchased off the shelves in your local store.

A smile makeover is a chance for you to tell us exactly what you want to do with your smile. We can set aside time to review your oral health goals and discuss options to improve an area, such as straightening teeth, fixing chipped teeth, missing teeth, teeth whitening, crowded teeth and more. It may be for a special event coming up or if you are speaking in front of groups of people at work, whatever it may be we can help you understand all the details, time frames, and costs.

It depends on the individual but here are the basics: there are 3 parts to replacing a single tooth. The dental implant itself, the abutment that attaches to the implant, and the crown that attaches to the abutment and implant. Expect about $1,500-2,500 for the dental implant. Expect another $2,500 for the abutment and crown.

The exact cause of most canker sores is unknown. A stress or minor injury to the inside of the mouth is thought to be the cause of simple canker sores. Certain foods —including citrus or acidic fruits and vegetables (such as lemons, oranges, pineapples, apples, figs, tomatoes, strawberries) — can trigger a canker sore or make the problem worse. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), is another common cause. Sometimes a sharp tooth surface or dental appliance, such as braces or ill-fitting dentures, might also trigger the sores.

Using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can help prevent tooth decay, but don't use mouthwash (even a fluoride one) straight after brushing your teeth or it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth. Choose a different time to use mouthwash, such as after lunch.

Regular dental exams are a critical part of preventive health care. During a dental exam, the dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth and check for cavities and gum disease. The exam includes evaluating your risk of developing other oral problems and checking your face, neck and mouth for abnormalities.

Patients frequently ask us what signs or symptoms they need to be aware of, to know when to come to the dentist. Here is a list of the most common reasons to give us a call right away: - Mouth sores, growths or changes that are not going away - Jaw pain or swelling in the face or gums

The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between your teeth daily with an interdental cleaner (like floss). Cleaning between your teeth may help prevent cavities and gum disease. Cleaning between your teeth helps remove a sticky film called plaque.

You want to choose a dentist that offers cost-effective, high-quality dentistry for you and your family, while also being close to your home. Watkin Dental Associates strives to provide the best dental care around while also remaining in a convenient location! Call our office (978) 345-6919 today to learn more about why we are one of the community's favorite dentists!