Should You Get Dental Sealants?

August 13, 2018 by jensendental

Should You Get Dental Sealants?

Prevention is often the best method of treatment, especially where oral health is concerned. Dental sealants are a simple way to help prevent tooth decay or other damage to the teeth. Though regular brushing and flossing are important components of good oral hygiene, there are certain areas that are more difficult to clean. These areas are particularly at risk, because it’s easier for plaque or food particles to build up there.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Sealants are a thin layer of plastic that serves as a layer of protection for your teeth. The sealant prevents food particles or plaque from building up over the teeth, which helps to protect the teeth from decay. Toothbrush bristles can cause enamel to wear down, which can leave the tooth vulnerable.

The Procedure of Obtaining Dental Sealants

Obtaining dental sealants is simple and painless. They are usually applied in a matter of minutes. First, any teeth receiving the sealant will be cleaned. The teeth are dried, then an acid solution is used to roughen the texture of the teeth. This will help the sealant bond to the surface of the teeth. The teeth are then rinsed and dried. Finally, the sealant is painted onto the teeth. After it dries, the procedure is complete.

How Much Do Sealants Cost?

Many insurance companies will cover dental sealants for people under 18. Your insurance provider will be able to tell you if sealants are covered under your insurance plan. Sealants are fairly inexpensive, and can help prevent larger, much more expensive problems from occurring.

Dental sealants serve as an extra layer of protection for your teeth. Sealants must be checked regularly for wear and tear, but dentists are capable of replacing sealants as necessary. Sealants are simple to obtain and can help prevent large problems from occurring. To discover whether dental sealants are right for you, contact us at Jenson Dental today!

In-Office vs At-Home Whitening Treatments

July 13, 2018 by jensendental

In-Office vs At-Home Whitening Treatments

Everyone wants to make a good first impression, but stained teeth can make you feel self-conscious. There are multiple options for teeth whitening treatments, so which one is right for you? Different treatments can get you different results and you always want to ensure the continued good health of your teeth.

In-Office Whitening

In-office whitening treatments are typically more expensive, but they also provide more drastic results. They involve a thorough exam, where your dentist will determine any problems that may hinder your results, cause you undue pain, or end with damage to your teeth. An in-office whitening treatment will provide immediate results, though it may take a few days for the final results to be apparent.

The dentist’s presence allows the use of a gel that contains higher levels of hydrogen peroxide than an at-home treatment, which will provide a larger difference in shade. A professional in-office whitening treatment will provide immediate results safely.

At-Home Whitening

At-home whitening treatments are typically inexpensive and more convenient than an in-office treatment. They do contain lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, so they don’t provide the same degree of change that you see with an in-office whitening treatment. At-home whitening treatments can also cause tooth sensitivity. Furthermore, you must be careful to examine the ingredients of the kit before applying it to your teeth, to ensure that your teeth will not sustain damage from the product.

When using an at-home whitening treatment, you must follow the directions carefully. Using the product in any way other than that intended can result in damage to your teeth. Prior oral hygiene problems can result in severe pain when using the whitening kit. Ideally, you should get a professional dental cleaning before using an at-home whitening solution.

An at-home whitening treatment is ideal when the level of whitening desired is minimal. For a significant change, an in-office whitening treatment will give you the best results. An in-office whitening treatment followed by a dentist provided at-home whitening kit will give you the largest amount of whitening possible. Either solution works, but you must be careful when using an at-home whitening kit.

To learn more about an in-office whitening treatment, or to schedule your dental checkup, contact Jenson Dental today.

How is 3-D Printing Used in Dentistry?

June 13, 2018 by jensendental

How is 3-D Printing Used in Dentistry?

The invention of 3-D printing has served to make a variety of innovations in dental technology. There are many kinds of tools that can be created more quickly and efficiently through the use of 3-D printing. Not only can this make the creation of tools faster, but it can also reduce the costs. There are studies dedicated to advancing the use of 3-D printing in dentistry, but there are already plenty of uses for 3-D printing.

Convenient and Fast

The ability to print dental tools directly in the office helps to make the process much faster. Rather than getting an imprint taken and waiting while the imprint is sent to the lab, made, and sent back to the dentist’s office, the tool can be made directly in the office. Additionally, the use of 3-D printing requires a 3-D scan, which eliminates the need for gross, gummy imprints.

3-D printing allows the use of CEREC crowns, which can be implemented the same day. These crowns are created directly in the office, which will allow patients to receive a permanent crown immediately, rather than wait for a permanent crown to be made. This eliminates the need for uncomfortable temporary crowns that can become dislodged easily.

Make a Variety of Dental Products

3-D printing can help create a variety of products that make dental work more efficient. These products include:

Night guards
Clear orthodontic retainers
Same day crowns
Dental implants

Everyone’s mouth is formed differently, which creates the need for personalized dental implants. This can result in long waits for a lab to create these specialized tools, which can create discomfort during the wait time. This can also require several dental visits, while 3-D printing can cause procedures to be done in a single visit.

Here at Jenson Dental, we are happy to be able to offer 3-D printing solutions for our patients. These can allow you to get the dental work you need more quickly and effectively. Printing directly from our office allows us to ensure that your implant will be a perfect fit for you. For more information about 3-D printing and how it is used in dentistry, contact us at Jenson Dental today!