Repairing your teeth with dental crowns may seem like a foreign idea, especially if you have never had a porcelain dental restoration before. However, the procedure and the reasons behind it is easy to understand with the help of your dentist. Find out more about dental crowns and how they can help you with Dr. Adriana Torena at Allure Dental Group in Bridgeport, CT.

What are dental crowns? 
A dental crown covers a tooth to protect it after being damaged or to prevent damage due to instability. The crown itself is made from porcelain in a dental laboratory. It is designed and created by a dental technician using an impression of your mouth, taken by your dentist and sent to the laboratory. With the proper care, crowns can last years before requiring replacement.

When are dental crowns necessary?
Dental crowns are one of the most versatile restorations, used in many situations, including to:

• stabilize a tooth with a large filling
• protect a damaged tooth
• hold a dental bridge in place
• restore the surface of a tooth to make biting possible
• renew the appearance of a discolored or misshapen tooth
• replace a missing tooth as part of a dental implant
• preserve the structure of a tooth instead of requiring extraction

Dental Crowns in Bridgeport, CT
Dental crowns usually require two appointments with your dentist. At your first appointment, your dentist will prepare the tooth for the crown by removing parts of its enamel and shaping it into the correct form to fit inside of the crown. This provides the best environment for a proper bond between the crown and the natural tooth. Your dentist then takes an impression of your mouth and places a temporary crown onto the tooth. The dental laboratory requires about two weeks to create the crown itself. After this waiting period, you will have your second appointment. At this visit, your dentist places your final restoration.

For more information on dental crowns, please contact Dr. Adriana Torena at Allure Dental Group in Bridgeport, CT. Call (203) 368-9016 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Torena today!

A missing tooth will need to be replaced as soon as possible if you want to prevent further issues from happening.

When you lose a tooth, the problems don’t just stop there. In fact, there are so many issues that someone with tooth loss will face if they don’t visit our Bridgeport, CT, cosmetic dentist Dr. Adriana Torena to get the missing tooth or teeth replaced. With so many wonderful ways to replace your teeth, there’s no reason why you should put it off. If you do put it off, then you may end up facing even worse issues such as,

Bone Loss

The jawbone and your gums both need stimulation from your tooth’s roots to stay healthy. When they are no longer getting ample stimulation due to tooth loss, this causes the jawbone to deteriorate and shrink. As a result, gums start to recede, which can affect the strength and support that neighboring teeth need to stay stable and healthy. This may even cause teeth to collapse if left untreated.

Uneven Smile

When you have a gap or gaps in your smile due to tooth loss, this leaves a wide-open space that the rest of your teeth will gradually try and shift around to close the gap. As you might imagine, when this happens, the rest of your smile may become crooked or misaligned. Not only is the problem embarrassing but it can also place excessive wear on certain teeth, which can lead to chips, cracks, and fractures.

A Change in Face Shape

Tooth loss and a shrinking jawbone can all affect the shape of your face. You may find that the chin begins to recede and the cheeks become wrinkled and saggy. This is because these changes to your teeth and jaws make it impossible to fully stabilize the muscles of the cheeks. Of course, everything from dentures to dental implants can support these muscles to prevent sagging.

Problems with Decay and Gum Disease

With large gaps becoming a popular spot for decay-causing bacteria to thrive and for teeth to shift out of alignment, these are issues that can make it more difficult to keep your teeth and gums healthy. As a result, our Bridgeport, CT, dentist may detect more cavities during your next visit or find that you now suffer from gum disease, too.

Allure Dental Group in Bridgeport, CT, prides itself on providing the ultimate in dental care, whether you want to replace missing teeth or schedule your routine cleaning. We offer it all so that you always get the care you need whenever you need it most.

Don’t let decay and gum disease impact your oral health.

No one likes the idea of finding out that they have cavities or gum disease. Our Bridgeport, CT, cosmetic dentist, Dr. Adriana Torena, hates being the bearer of bad news. Luckily, there is some good news we are happy to share: some helpful tidbits to prevent these issues from happening to you.

Brushing: You should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste (look for a toothpaste that has the ADA seal of approval). Every time you brush you should brush for about 2-3 minutes. Set a timer if you don’t have an electronic toothbrush that will time your brushing session for you.

Flossing: Everyone should floss their teeth, as this is the most effective way to clean gums and between teeth. Your toothbrush won’t be able to get into all those crevices between teeth, but floss can. By flossing every night before bedtime (preferably before you brush your teeth) you can remove plaque and food from between teeth and prevent decay or gum disease.

Dental Products: The products you use can also determine how clean you get your teeth and gums. Once the toothbrush head’s bristles start to fray, it’s time to replace it (this usually happens every 3 months). However, you should also replace your toothbrush head after sickness to prevent harmful bacteria from re-entering your body.

Electronic vs. Manual: The type of toothbrush you choose to use really depends on your personal preference. If you are someone who brushes too hard you could be damaging healthy enamel. In this case, using an electronic toothbrush, which already provides the proper amount of force needed to clean teeth, might be a better option. Those who have dexterity issues such as arthritis may also find electronic toothbrushes to be easier to handle.

Preventive Care: While at-home dental care is so very important this should never take the place of professional cleanings. Even the healthiest-looking smiles still need routine care to make sure that teeth and gums are free of disease or decay. A lot of these dental problems don’t present with any symptoms, so if you want to protect your smile and prevent issues from happening to you then you need to see us every six months.

Don’t let problems befall your beautiful smile. By coming in every six months you can prevent these issues from getting worse. Turn to Allure Dental Group in Bridgeport, CT, for the preventive care you need to keep teeth and gums dazzling and healthy.

Unfortunately, many people suffer from bad breath, a condition known medically as halitosis. Bad breath can make you feel embarrassed or make social interactions awkward. However, you can overcome your bad breath and take action to prevent it in the future with help from your Bridgeport, CT dentist. Find out more about bad breath with Dr. Adriana Torena at Allure Dental Group.

What is halitosis? 
Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. This condition is almost always caused by poor or improper dental hygiene. However, halitosis can also come from a case of gum diseases like gingivitis or periodontitis. In some cases, food particles trapped in the teeth or mouth can also cause bad breath. Medical infections, kidney or liver problems, radiation therapy, stress snoring or even age are also contributing factors to this condition.

How can I prevent bad breath? 
Your body naturally prevents bad breath with saliva production. The saliva washes away food particles and bacteria trapped in the mouth and helps fight halitosis. Some people, such as those who snore or breathe through their mouth, produce less saliva, resulting in bad breath. Preventing bad breath is as easy as committing to a strong dental hygiene routine. Brush your teeth twice daily and floss at least once. Be sure to brush your tongue and behind the back molars. Chewing sugar-free gum can help increase saliva production and freshen breath.

Bad Breath in Bridgeport, CT
A person at average risk for tooth decay or gum disease should see their dentist once every six months for a regular examination and cleaning. These regular dental visits help your dentist find and treat tooth decay and gum disease, which can lead to bad breath. Additionally, your regular cleanings alongside your at-home oral care routine will keep bacteria, plaque and tartar from building up on your teeth to further reduce the chances of halitosis.

For more information on bad breath, please contact Dr. Torena at Allure Dental Group in Bridgeport, CT. Call (203) 368-9016 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Torena today!

There is no question that dentistry has come a long way in the last few decades alone. From professional teeth whitening treatments to dental implants, it is now possible to drastically improve and completely transform your smile in just a few simple visits to the dentist's office, no matter what the circumstances or situation.

In many cases, traditional treatments like dental crowns and bridges, which have been around for as long as dentistry itself, are the perfect option for replacing part or all of a damaged or missing tooth. Dr. Adriana Torena, a cosmetic and family dentist in Bridgeport, CT, recommends crowns and bridges to restore or replace teeth that have been damaged by extensive decay or trauma.

Smile Restoration in Bridgeport, CT

A dental crown (also known as a cap because it is placed over the remaining portion of an existing tooth) can either cover a damaged tooth, or completely replace one that has fallen out or requires extraction. A dental bridge closes the gap created by a missing tooth with a replacement crown. In this case, the crown is anchored in place by abutments, which are crowns placed on the teeth on the right and left side of the missing tooth to complete the bridge. Modern dental crowns are primarily made of high quality porcelain, which closely match the color and texture of a natural tooth, making dental restorations with crowns and bridges virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding teeth.

Dental crowns can also help to save teeth from more invasive treatments, like extractions. When severe tooth decay and larger cavities require extensive drilling or a root canal, a crown can be used to preserve the cosmetic appearance and function of the remaining healthy portion of the tooth.

Contact a Dentist in Bridgeport, CT

For more information on the dental restoration procedure that is right for you, contact Allure Dental Group by calling (203) 368-9016 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Torena today.