Mariya Barnett, DDS Blog

For many people, a morning cup of coffee is a nonnegotiable part of the day. So, if you’re considering Invisalign, you might be wondering whether straightening your teeth means giving up your favorite caffeinated beverage. Fortunately, you don’t have to say goodbye to coffee! However, you’ll need to make a few adjustments to your routine to protect your aligners, prevent staining, and keep your treatment progressing as planned.

Dental bridges are an effective way to replace missing teeth. You might’ve gotten one yourself and are enjoying the stable bite they have given you. While reliable, this restoration can’t last forever. You might wonder when you should get a replacement, so here is what you should know about the lifespan of this tooth replacement and ways to increase its longevity.

If you’re missing one or more consecutive teeth, you may have gotten a dental bridge to restore the gap. This treatment is a reliable solution, as it uses a dental implant or natural tooth on either side of the gap to hold it steady. With proper care, your results can last up to 15 years or longer. However, it can fail if you aren’t careful. Here are four reasons and ways to avoid them.

One minute, everything is fine. The next minute, you’re looking down in horror as you discover your dental bridge has fallen out of your mouth and on to the ground! Bridges are built to last, but they can occasionally become loose or fall out. When this happens, you may think you can simply put the bridge back in yourself and wait for a routine appointment.

A brighter smile can boost your confidence, which is why professional and at-home teeth whitening products have become so popular. However, whitening isn’t appropriate for everyone, and using a whitening product without first evaluating your oral health could lead to discomfort or disappointing results.

If you’ve looked in the mirror and noticed a dark line along the edge of your dental crown, you’re not alone. While it can be surprising to see, this black or gray line doesn’t always mean something is wrong with your oral health. In many cases, it’s simply the result of the type of crown that was used.

The good news? Today’s dental materials offer natural-looking alternatives that can eliminate the dark line and restore your confidence in your smile.

Scroll through social media for just a few minutes, and you’re bound to see someone showing off dramatic “before and after” photos using a whitening toothpaste, charcoal powder, LED light kit, or whitening strips they picked up at the local store. These products promise a brighter smile at a fraction of the cost of professional treatment, making them incredibly appealing.

But are these over-the-counter whitening products really as effective as they claim? The answer is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no.

If you’ve recently had a dental crown placed, or you’re considering getting one, you’re probably wondering how long it will last. The short answer is that it depends largely on you! While dental crowns are durable restorations designed to withstand everyday use, they aren’t indestructible. On average, a crown can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, and with the right care, many last even longer. That said, the habits you practice every day play a huge role in determining whether your crown lasts as long as it should. Here’s what you can do to make the most of your restoration.

If your dentist has recommended a dental crown, you might be feeling a little uncertain about what the process actually looks like. That’s completely understandable; most people have heard of crowns but aren’t quite sure what getting a dental restoration feels like. The good news is that getting a crown is a routine procedure, and knowing what to expect ahead of time can make the whole experience feel much more manageable. Here’s what you need to know.

If you have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, then you may be all too familiar with the jaw pain it causes. You might be looking for ways you can get it treated, but who should you call? While you might want to reach out to your primary care physician, your dentist might be a better option. Here’s more about this condition and why your oral healthcare provider can be the person for the job.