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2 Pillsbury St. Ste 301 Concord, NH 03301
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2 Pillsbury St. Ste 301 Concord, NH 03301
Home Care
Maintaining a healthy smile depends on what happens between your visits with us. Good home care habits can be established by anyone committed to carving out a few minutes each day. Like regular exercise, consistency is the key to building a healthy habit. Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes and flossing once a day are the standard for ideal home care.
With so many products on the market today, it can be confusing to sort it out alone. Your hygienist can help you narrow down the endless options and form a plan with the hygiene tools that fit you and your dental needs. Will an electric toothbrush help you keep your mouth cleaner between professional visits? Would a prescription toothpaste help reduce plaque based on your unique chemistry? Many factors that fit into a plan to maximize the time and effort you put into keeping your smile healthy.
Some patients considered high-risk for dental problems benefit from even more individualized routines. Simple, inexpensive substitutions can transform the environment of your mouth and dramatically reduce disease activity. For example, Xylitol is a naturally-derived sweetener that can minimize cavities in children and adults when used in the right dosages.
Dr. Reddivari has been a general dentist since 2003. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in dentistry in India before earning his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, with high honors, from Boston University, Goldman School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Reddivari is currently serving as a Captain in the U.S Army Reserves.
Dr. Reddivari is a member of the American Dental Association and the N.H. Dental Society and attends many continuing education courses to keep himself up to date with changes in the field of dentistry.
When he is not working, Dr. Reddivari enjoys spending time with his family and friends, and fishing.
Dr. Malik graduated from one of the best dental schools in India in 2004. It was his quest to get better and learn more, that got him to the United States. He then received his Master of Public Health from East Tennessee State University in 2007 before moving to Boston and earning his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Boston University, Goldman School of Dental Medicine in 2009. He has been practicing in New England area since then . He joined the US Army in 2013 and served for 8 years.
Dr. Malik is very passionate about acquiring new skills and using technology to provide the best care to his patients . He believes in treating everybody like his family.He likes to spend time with his patients understanding what their goals are and how to get there as a team. He has spent the past 12 years in private practices, providing extensive cosmetic dentistry, including everything from simple “bondings” to close spaces, to veneers and full mouth rehabilitations. He is the recipient of multiple awards and distinctions in dentistry, including the prestigious Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD ). Currently he is working towards his Mastership in AGD. He has also acquired a Mastership in implant dentistry from IADI (International Academy of Dental Implants).He has received training from some of the world renowned clinicians.
Dr. Malik maintains active memberships in numerous professional societies. He is a member of Academy of General dentistry (AGD) ,American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) & International Academy of Implant Dentistry (IADI).
In his free time,he loves catching up on movies . He is blessed with a beautiful wife, one daughter and a son. He also loves vacationing with his family.
Braces are considered a rite of passage for many young people, much like getting your driver’s license. Sometimes clear brackets and tooth-colored wires can help hide the hardware. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will help you explore the options and discuss if braces fit your treatment scenario.
While orthodontics can solve many tooth alignment problems, successful treatment relies on good patient compliance. Wearing elastic bands consistently, keeping follow-up appointments for adjustments, and practicing outstanding home care can all help lead to a positive outcome. This commitment involves frequent preventive visits with your hygienist which helps avoid cavities around brackets. The Concord Family Dentistry team specializes in helping our orthodontic patients through this process so you can enjoy a gorgeous, healthy smile.
Orthodontics with braces involves teeth straightening and jaw alignment, combining beauty and function. Identifying potential problems as a child may allow for easier treatment, but it’s never too late to discuss ways to enhance a smile!
Clear Correct clear aligners invisibly straighten your teeth over time using medical-grade plastic. These trays can be removed for eating and cleaning and make the orthodontic process more comfortable for patients because there are no wires, brackets or elastics to worry about. Imagine being able to enjoy an apple without slicing it into small pieces or enjoying popcorn without it getting stuck in your brackets.
Using continuous pressure over a series of trays, you can see results faster and with less discomfort than traditional braces. Plus, no brackets and wires mean no sore spots on your cheeks, lips and tongue.
An initial visit and consultation with photos, x-rays and a 3D digital scan of your teeth will allow Dr. McLaughlin and Dr. Sosa to determine if ClearCorrect aligners will work for you. After all the preliminary work is complete, you will receive a series of trays from your dentist with specific instructions for wear – usually two to three weeks per step, at least 22 hours per day.
An initial visit and consultation with photos, x-rays and a 3D digital scan of your teeth will allow our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry to determine if ClearCorrect aligners will work for you. After all the preliminary work is complete, you will receive a series of trays from your dentist with specific instructions for wear – usually two to three weeks per step, at least 22 hours per day.
Invisibly straighten your teeth
Allow you to eat foods that are “off limits” with traditional braces
Make cleaning and brushing easy
Most people are excellent candidates for ClearCorrect aligners. However, ClearCorrect may not be a suitable choice for extensive orthodontic cases involving significant movement. Some may also choose fixed braces because there are no trays to lose or remember to wear.
You may discuss adding whitening to your plan, removing years of yellow stain accumulation. In some cases, the beauty of porcelain lifts a straight smile to another level or may even offer an alternative to orthodontics.
The smile you’ve always dreamed of may be closer than you think with flexible payment options and more insurance plans choosing to cover clear aligners as an acceptable method of orthodontic treatment. Check with our office today for more information.
For ultimate camouflage, tray or aligner systems offer a modern straightening method. Designed with sophisticated software and 3D digital models of your teeth, a series of clear plastic trays are made. Medical-grade plastic without wires, metal, springs, or rubber bands gently moves your teeth into place. Gradual pressure on specific teeth with each aligner means less discomfort and, in many cases, shortened treatment times. Your provider dispenses several sets of aligners at a time, allowing you to change to a new one at home every two weeks.
Removable trays can be set aside for short periods allowing normal eating and cleaning. Enjoying an apple without the intrusion of brackets and wires works well for many patients. And the smooth plastic surface offers a comfort level to the tongue and cheeks unequaled by other forms of straightening.
Committing to consistent wear, at least 22 hours each day, helps ensure the success of your treatment. While clear aligners work extremely well for adults, a responsible teen can be a candidate too. And adults of every age have discovered the perks of straight teeth with aligners.
Straighten your teeth in stealth mode
Allow you to eat the foods you like during treatment
Make cleaning and brushing easy
Close eye-catching gaps
Correct overlap/crowding issue
While aligner treatment works for 90% of straightening cases, some tooth movements may not be possible. Or you may prefer the security of fixed braces. Today’s orthodontics offer more choices than ever. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry can help you discover the path to a straighter smile.
You may discuss adding whitening to your plan, removing years of yellow stain accumulation. In some cases, the beauty of porcelain lifts a straight smile to another level or may even offer an alternative to orthodontics.
The smile you’ve always dreamed of may be closer than you think with flexible payment options and more insurance plans choosing to cover clear aligners as an acceptable method of orthodontic treatment. Check with our office today for more information.
Teeth are the hardest substance in our bodies and can withstand a tremendous amount of force. But damage can occur, especially when grinding forces start to wear it away. A habit of nighttime clenching or grinding will harm teeth, muscles, and jaw joints over time. Protecting against abrasive forces is critical.
Normal chewing results in brief intervals of contact between teeth. Under normal circumstances, your teeth should only contact for about 5 minutes each day. Slight amounts of wear over years of use is common, and bite edges can chip a little.
Sometimes teeth develop a flattened, worn appearance, even in young patients. X-rays may reveal unusually thin layers of enamel as if sandpaper has been drawn across the chewing surfaces of the teeth. A few minutes of chewing daily simply shouldn’t erode the enamel so much.
Some patients develop a subconscious habit of grinding their teeth, either during the day or night. In many cases, the abrasive action occurs only during sleep, and for only a few seconds at a time. If you wake up with a sore jaw or a morning headache, chances are you’re grinding your teeth during the night. In some patients, enlarged jaw muscles develop on the sides of the face from this nighttime grinding. These muscles are, ounce for ounce, the strongest in the body, which means they can do a lot of unnecessary damage.
The unusual activity not only wears down teeth and strains the overworked muscles. The compressive forces can also damage the intricate jaw joints on one or both sides. Damage to the joints may lead to arthritic changes, chronic pain, and popping or clicking. Once these changes settle in, reversing their condition may become impossible.
If you’re waking up with a sore jaw or headaches, or you’ve noticed chips or flattening of your teeth, a consult with our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry is recommended. The sooner the problem receives attention, the less damage there will be. Often a carefully calibrated night guard will eliminate the symptoms while protecting your precious enamel.
Daytime habits of clenching or grinding deserve attention too. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will analyze your bite and make sure they’re moving against each other properly when you chew. Regardless of the cause, eliminating the strain on the jaw and your teeth as quickly as possible can save you money and time spent in the dental chair.
We’re concerned about the overall health of our patients, including their sleep health. Many people suffer needlessly from dangerous sleep disruptive disorders that keep them from getting enough oxygen at night. The risk of a heart attack is 23 times more likely than average with a sleep disorder, and 92% of stroke victims live unknowingly with this condition before having a stroke. Our training allows us to offer you education and treatment surrounding sleep health in the simplest and most cost-effective way possible.
Estimates suggest that more than twelve million Americans have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Most cases are still undiagnosed, contributing to diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and traffic accidents related to drowsy driving. Dentistry serves a vital role in treating this silent epidemic. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends oral appliances as a primary therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and for patients with severe sleep apnea who can’t tolerate CPAP treatment.
OSA is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep due to a blockage in the airway. Obstructions occur when throat muscles, the tongue, tonsils, or the soft palate relax and cover the airway, preventing breathing. The obstruction results in a severe drop in blood oxygen levels throughout the night.
OSA is typically diagnosed using a polysomnogram or a sleep study. During a sleep study, a sleep physician monitors brain activity and body system functions while a patient rests overnight at a sleep lab. The specialist evaluates the data collected to diagnose sleep disorders and recommend treatment. If prescribed by the sleep doctor, a dentist trained in sleep medicine works with them to treat obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. In some cases, a home sleep study may also be possible instead of reporting to a sleep lab.
Treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea may involve surgery, CPAP or BiPAP machines, or oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances provide the least invasive option and often a good choice for treatment of mild to moderate OSA. A carefully calibrated appliance like a CPAP or BiPAP can comfortably help hold the jaw in a precise position throughout the night.
All treatment recommendations should be made in conjunction with your sleep physician. If appliance therapy is selected, it’s essential the right method and positioning are designed to precisely maintain an open airway.
Despite the best intentions, teeth sometimes need to be removed. Regardless of the situation, this minor surgical procedure can be brought together in a way that considers your short and long-term concerns. From anxiety control to planning for tooth replacement, we’ll factor in every aspect of your case.
Despite your best efforts, teeth sometimes need to be removed to protect your health. When we’ve discussed all other possibilities, and you’ve decided on extraction, we’ll take every step to help you. Your well-being always takes priority in any treatment decision. Some patients prefer sedation to help with oral surgery, and we can review these options in your treatment plan. You can trust we take every measure to make sure even minor surgical procedures are as comfortable as possible.
Some teeth are removed more easily than others, but the Concord Family Dentistry team takes pride in helping every patient get numb with modern anesthetics to start every procedure. Once anesthesia settles in, our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry use specialized instruments to elevate the tooth out of place. You will receive specific post-op instructions help you care for the area after your procedure, with prescriptions for any medications needed during the healing period.
While our immediate concern is the short-term management of your care, we will also discuss your long-term plans for replacing missing teeth. Leaving a space is always an option, but spaces in your smile can create appearance and function challenges that are important to consider. Teeth slowly shift or migrate into open spaces, and minimizing the effects of an unbalanced bite can prevent issues later in life.
Although our primary goal is to help your teeth stay healthy and functional, an extraction is sometimes the best way to preserve the overall health of your mouth. Since teeth help nourish our bodies and support our confidence, we will help you find a game plan that fits your short and long-term goals.
The bone around your teeth is special and doesn’t regenerate when it’s lost. Your teeth rely on this bony foundation to remain stable and functional, and even small defects can compromise your ability to maintain a tooth. Sometimes we can repair these defects by adding bone grafting materials.
We can only imagine what our bodies would look like without bones. This scaffolding provides support, form, and protection to our organs and delicate tissue. The bone around your teeth, called alveolar bone, holds the teeth firmly in place. The particular height, shape, and density of this specialized bone can be compromised due to gum disease, tooth removal, and other forms of trauma.
If bone shrinks away from your teeth, it never grows back. In some cases, bone can be encouraged to fill in with grafting materials placed by our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry. Every situation presents a different scenario, but more options than ever exist to promote bone repair in the jaw. For example, when a tooth needs removal, a large hole then exists in the bone. While it will fill eventually fill in naturally, the site tends to shrink, drawing bone away from the area jeopardizing surrounding teeth. Grafting materials can be placed at the time of tooth removal to help preserve the existing bone level. Bone grafts are especially beneficial if you are like considering an implant-supported restoration in the future.
Even areas that have already suffered bone collapse can often benefit from specialized grafting material, bolstering nearly any part of the jaw bone. It’s important to note: bone destroyed by gum disease often leaves significant defects around teeth. While some of these areas are grafting candidates, many of them experienced irreversible bone loss and compromised support of the teeth. Controlling gum disease with your Concord Family Dentistry team will serve your health much better than corrective surgical grafts.
Minor surgical procedures are sometimes necessary to treat dental issues. Defects in the bone or supporting gum tissue may require repair with simple, yet precise surgical techniques.
Minor surgical procedures involving the teeth, gums, and jaw may be needed to preserve or enhance long-term health. While our philosophy rests on maintaining teeth, each situation deserves consideration. So when the discussion we have together leads to a surgical correction, our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will take every step necessary to ensure your comfort and safety.
A damaged tooth may need removal if it’s beyond repair. We also understand patients sometimes choose to remove a tooth due to financial limitations. We’ll always work hard to help you find the solution that fits every aspect of your situation. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry use the best methods and equipment to provide a quick and painless visit. Sedation options also offer a range of anxiety-reduction methods that you may wish to consider as well.
Biopsies of suspicious tissue, reshaping of gum defects, or removal of obtrusive bone present scenarios that may also involve surgical correction.
Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will determine with you the best way for you to receive care. On occasion, our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry recommend referral to a trusted specialist. Any time they feel you’ll be served best by a colleague trained in a particular treatment, they won’t hesitate to use the best resources for your care.
Dental bridges have traditionally been a top choice for replacing missing teeth. With the widespread use of dental implants, more options are now available to bridge gaps in your smile. Resilient, natural-looking porcelains, engineered into a bridge, can eliminate spaces of every size.
Whenever you cruise across a bridge over the water, you’re being supported by the same principles that hold a dental bridge. Crowned teeth on either side of a space are called abutments. They support an artificial tooth, called a pontic. While a bridge lasts for many years, sometimes the strain of supporting one or more missing teeth can cause the abutments themselves to weaken and may lead to more missing teeth.
In many cases, dental implants offer a better alternative, eliminating most of the load-bearing strain you see in traditional abutments. When carefully placed in the bone, an implant mimics the root of a tooth. They bear the load that the natural teeth used to hold, sparing the neighboring teeth from excessive forces. In some cases, two implants may be used to build a bridge spanning from one solid titanium piece to another.
Although the planning becomes more complicated with larger spaces, our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry know how to bring the puzzle pieces together to fit any scenario. Regardless of the scope of your treatment, the steps are similar to deliver a functional, brilliant smile.
Sometimes a removable appliance is the best way to replace missing teeth. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry can help you decide whether a partial denture or a complete denture would restore your mouth to its optimal function and appearance. Sometimes a combination of dental implants and dentures are used for unprecedented stability and confidence.
Dentures are an affordable way to replace any number of missing teeth in your mouth. They have a long history of success and continue to earn a place in the list of options for rebuilding your smile.
Dentures are removable substitutes for missing teeth. Full dentures are used when a person is missing all their natural teeth, while partial dentures replace only a few missing teeth here or there to eliminate gaps and improve chewing. Denture treatment is customized specifically to each patient, and our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry can help you decide which option works best for you.
Sometimes dental conditions, such as tooth decay or gum disease, can become unmanageable. This may lead to the decision to remove your remaining teeth on one or both arches. Full dentures are an economical and efficient way to restore your function and smile.
A complete denture consists of a thin gum-colored acrylic base that rests on the gum tissue. Porcelain or acrylic replacement teeth built into the base give the appearance of natural teeth. We know that your smile is unique, and our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry has the experience to help you select the teeth that will look the most natural. This also gives you the option to customize the way you look; whether you want a “new” smile, or want to recreate the one you had.
While dentures boast a long history of successful use, modern technology offers some options to enhance the way dentures fit and the way you look. In many cases, dentures can be secured more firmly to your jaw with the use of dental implants placed in the jaw. In addition to having greater retention and a more natural look, implant-supported dentures tend to last longer. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry can discuss these options and help you understand the ways they can improve your experience with dentures.
Whether you’ve lost one tooth or many, chewing and smiling can become more difficult because of the gaps in your smile. Partial dentures are an economical solution to replace missing teeth, fill in the spaces, improve chewing ability, and restore your confidence to smile. A partial denture will also help keep your natural teeth from shifting, lowering the risk of losing those teeth in the future.
Most partial dentures contain a thin metal framework that is designed with small metal clasps that wrap around the gum line of existing teeth. This allows for a smooth, non-bulky feel. The framework is supported by your natural teeth to provide a reliable, secure appliance that is easy to use and remove. Where teeth are missing, natural-looking replacement teeth are attached, and gum-colored acrylic is used to cover the metal framework. Remember your mouth and your needs are unique, and our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry work with skilled technicians to create a solution that is functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.
With advances in technology, implants can also be used to support removable partial dentures, improving the fit while reducing the bulkiness of the appliance. Dentures inherently bring some challenges, especially to new wearers. Our goal is to minimize the everyday frustrations and keep you as comfortable as possible.
We look forward to discussing your options to make your mouth full again and to give you back a confident, glowing smile!
Replacing missing teeth with implants brings your mouth back to full function and well-being. Stunning porcelains replicate natural teeth perfectly, whether it’s one or more missing teeth. Single crowns or complex bridges can be supported by implants, with solutions for every scenario.
A long-lasting choice, implant-supported dentistry brings you as close to growing new teeth as possible. Expertly placed in the same bone that once supported teeth, you’ll enjoy the strength and function of a natural tooth. Modern porcelains produce a result so life-like, you may forget they aren’t your natural teeth. Dentures can also be attached to implants when more than one missing tooth needs to be replaced. The stability and sense of confidence you develop with implants will leave you smiling.
Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry use the latest technology to collect all the data necessary to help plan your restorative case. Digital x-rays, 3D mapping, models, and photographs prove valuable. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry use highly regarded specialists to bring all components of your case together. But at all times, they serve as the quarterbacks of the entire plan.
Many patients find the procedure of implant placement easier than they anticipated. Various types of sedation may fit your comfort level best, so feel free to discuss them with our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry. Modern dental anesthetic numbs the site, and experienced hands carefully place the implant. A tiny guide hole provides a path for threading a small implant cylinder into place. The sterile piece is inserted into an exact location, and a smooth cover, or healing cap, protects the implant during the healing period.
In some cases, a temporary or permanent crown may be inserted at the time of surgery. Cases involving multiple implants often proceed the same way so that you can smile confidently immediately.
Implants can’t withstand normal bite forces until the bone has integrated fully into the implant body. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will help you decide what will work best during the initial healing period, ensuring you’re able to function while protecting your implants. This period usually lasts 3-6 months as the bone grows around the implant. Most patients experience minimal discomfort after placement, especially compared to an extraction.
Even with all the benefits, the cost of dental implant procedures is an important consideration. When your case brings together the latest imaging, advanced training, and unique material technologies, this service offers one of the best values in modern health care. Compared to the replacement of other hard structures and joints of the body, most dental implant procedures can be done at a small fraction of those costs. Most patients carry on with normal activities right away and usually enjoy a lifetime of normal chewing, bite stability, and appearance. We know the cost of dental implants is an important part of creating a complete plan that works for you.
The cost of dental implant services involves several critical factors unique to each patient. A fee quoted without careful evaluation and treatment planning may not only be incomplete but doesn’t consider what’s best for your mouth as an individual. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry customize your treatment plan after they evaluate your current oral conditions, needs, wants, and budget.
One thing is certain: You’ll get the highest value possible in modern implant dentistry. That means years of natural function and a smile you are proud to show. We look forward to discussing how we can partner together for the best solution for you!
If you’re confident, you smile more. If you smile more, you feel more confident. But what if you don’t want to flash your smile because you’re embarrassed by yellow teeth?
Sometimes a new smile emerges from the simplest steps. Teeth whitening removes years of dingy stains from your teeth. Coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, and chocolate dull white enamel surfaces. A brilliant boost along with some gentle polishing and reshaping of chipped, uneven edges can create an easy transformation. Simple and safe, most patients don’t realize how much discoloration embeds into their teeth until they see a new shine emerge.
Numerous products crowd supermarket shelves. While we don’t discourage these methods, you may want to consider the advantages of professional whitening:
Customized system: We offer in-office whitening that removes years of stain within an hour or less. We also can make trays that fit your teeth like a comfortable glove for whitening at home. Together we’ll find the right system for your situation and the best results, sometimes even combining the two methods for maximum short and long-term benefits.
Controlled gel formulas: We use the highest quality whitening formulas available for safety and consistency: professional strength with careful quality control from known sources. Beware of temperature-sensitive gels stored in uncontrolled environments or made in an unknown setting.
Sensitivity management: You may experience temporary sensitivity in your teeth while whitening. We have specific strategies for you to use, and will customize the product and method to help you have a comfortable and safe whitening experience.
Long-term results: Buying a box of whitening strips every few months adds up. A session with us in the office can provide an instant effect that may take days and multiple boxes of strips to obtain. Alternatively, you’ll have a system that should fit for years if you leave with custom trays. A simple refill syringe of gel picked up occasionally from our office allows you to keep your smile fresh for years to come.
Teeth whitening offers a predictable boost to your confidence through the power of a smile. Your Concord Family Dentistry team draws on years of experience to help deliver a smile boost safely and comfortably, and we are happy to answer any questions you have.
Many factors come together to create a perfect smile. Healthy pink gums form a stark contrast to the white teeth, framing their appearance. Gums wrap around the neck of each tooth in a scalloped fashion. Variations in texture, thickness, height, and color tone all influence the appearance of the gums serving their vital supporting role.
Sometimes one small area of gum can detract from an otherwise pleasant smile. The scalloped flow may be uneven, or a thick area may protrude unnaturally, causing a visual distraction.
Just as a piece of art benefits from reframing, gums can be contoured to complement the smile. Fortunately, laser technology often makes this procedure quick, painless, and dramatic. The results can be observed immediately, and after a few days of healing, your gums look perfectly natural. In some cases, more extensive contouring may be discussed. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry evaluate numerous factors before deciding which approach will give you the finest smile.
When we consider the options to preserve even a single broken tooth, we take a conservative approach. Fortunately, modern dental materials allow us to rebuild teeth to full function while maintaining as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Sometimes teeth suffer damage because of normal function over time, cavities, heavy bite forces, and trauma. While teeth may need to be fully “capped” with a dental crown, some smaller fractures can be perfectly restored with an onlay. A crown requires a little more tooth preparation, but onlays allow the unbroken portions of a tooth to be left uncut. A custom piece of porcelain, like a partial crown, is bonded to the damaged area.
Onlays blend seamlessly with the natural enamel and enhance both function and appearance. When the most conservative option fits your treatment plan, our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry may suggest an onlay for ultimate restoration.
Modern dentistry offers more options than ever to help you restore and maintain an optimal level of health. While the strength and beauty of materials continue to advance, the skill of the practitioner makes a significant difference in every outcome. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry focus on utilizing the best techniques for comprehensive care, returning even the most damaged mouths to full health.
Sometimes teeth undergo significant damage due to cavities, heavy bite forces, trauma, or even normal functioning. If a root canal is needed to salvage a severely compromised nerve, the tooth may be especially fragile. Many situations can leave teeth in danger of loss if treatment is bypassed. Dental crowns, or caps, allow these teeth to be rebuilt and covered with materials that mimic nature. Not only are most “capped” teeth indistinguishable from natural teeth, but they’re also extremely secure and comfortable.
Crowns can be crafted to repair a single tooth, multiple teeth (including the entire mouth), or in conjunction with dental implants to fill a space. In fact, when missing teeth enter the equation, special consideration might be given to placing a dental bridge or implants.
Today’s technology allows us to simplify the delivery of a crown into just one appointment. After gentle shaping of the tooth, detailed digital images captured by a computer give us the data we need to design your new restoration. Powerful software coupled with our training leads to a crown milled from the finest porcelain available, within a few minutes. We bond your new crown firmly into place, and you’ll be on your way! We look forward to introducing you to the difference advanced dental techniques make in your experience!
Cavities and small fractures can cause much larger issues if left untreated. In the past, metal restorations called amalgam fillings (or silver fillings) served a need but left many teeth discolored and strained from the wedging effect of the metal. Today, tooth-colored composite resins blend into the tooth structure and are chemically bonded to the tooth providing a strong, permanent restoration.
Composites serve both functional and aesthetic roles, often at the same time. For example, a cavity invading the front of a tooth along the gum line may be visible in your smile line. By gently cleaning out the soft, discolored area and replacing it with a tooth-colored filling, the tooth is restored and looks better than ever.
Composites contain a mix of liquid resin embedded with finely ground glass particles. After being molded to the prepared tooth structure, a blue light applied directly to the composite hardens the filling material within seconds. Once it’s shaped and polished to a high shine, the restoration is complete.
At Concord Family Dentistry, watching patients see their brilliant new smile for the first time highlights our days. Veneers can dramatically transform a smile, sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics.” A set of veneers can correct chips, stains, and even deeply discolored teeth. But they can also alter the length and size of teeth or help give the appearance of a straight tooth where there is not. While it may sound dramatic, it isn’t. Veneers provide a highly conservative approach to esthetic smile makeovers.
Veneers are one of dentistry’s ultimate combination of dental art and science, handcrafted and customized to fit your smile. These paper-thin pieces of porcelain bond to the outside of your natural teeth. But just because they’re thin, don’t be fooled. Veneers are highly versatile and can replicate all the complex nuances of a natural tooth.
There’s a lot of diagnostic work and careful planning that goes into a treatment plan that includes veneers. Models, photographs, and digital x-rays allow you and Dr. McLaughlin and Dr. Sosa to create a perfect blueprint to guide your treatment from start to finish. Like all successful projects, this planning can’t be compromised. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will consider your input and incorporate your desires into your veneer case, from color to shape and everything in between.
Once our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry plan your case, it will take around two appointments before you leave with a stunning new smile. At the first visit, the teeth are gently prepared to allow space for the ultra-thin porcelain to be crafted by a master lab technician.
Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will create temporary acrylic restorations that mimic the veneers, which you’ll wear for up to three weeks. These temporaries provide a preview of the general appearance of your new smile and lets you see try it out to see if any further changes are needed.
After your veneers have been masterfully crafted to you and our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry specific instructions, you’ll return for a second appointment. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will try in each veneer and evaluate the appearance and fit, giving you an opportunity to preview the new look. They will go through several steps to precisely bond the thin veneers to the surface of your teeth, creating an incredibly strong bond between tooth and porcelain. Minor adjustments to your bite and a final polish will leave you with a smile that may have you wondering why you waited so long to find Concord Family Dentistry
A variety of tooth and jaw issues can be resolved through orthodontics. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry may point out that your child’s baby teeth appear crowded, or the relationship between the upper lower teeth isn’t ideal. While it’s not generally a time for treatment, it may help you prepare for the possibility of future corrective care. As permanent teeth start to appear, usually around age 6, our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry monitor the process further and helps you decide if early orthodontic treatment makes sense.
Although many orthodontic wearers are teenagers, braces play a role for some children in their earlier years. Since permanent teeth are typically larger than baby teeth, space may need to be opened with the gentle force of braces or a device called a palatal expander. This allows adult teeth to move into place correctly, helping avoid more extensive treatment later.
A narrow jaw or a large overbite may create a similar dilemma. Gently guiding your child’s jaw growth while they are developing can make a tremendous difference down the road. Once the growth stops during teen years, the only corrective measure often involves surgery which is always a scenario to avoid when possible.
Many youngsters benefit from orthodontics after the baby teeth have fallen out and the permanent teeth have moved into place. This classic case may start in the early teen years, leaving a nicely aligned and highly functional set of teeth as your teen enters adulthood. The length of time spent wired-up can vary, but average treatment time often falls around two years.
Orthodontic treatment can solve almost every possible bite issue, but success relies on good patient compliance. Wearing elastic bands consistently, keeping follow-up appointments for adjustments, and practicing outstanding home care can lead to a positive outcome. This commitment involves frequent preventive visits with your hygienist as well, a strategy that helps avoid permanent staining from weakened enamel and cavities around brackets. Concord Family Dentistry specializes in helping our orthodontic patients enjoy a successful outcome: a gorgeous, healthy smile.
It’s easy to ignore, but a little bit of tooth decay or gum disease always leads to a little bit more. However, one thing is certain. If left untreated, it almost always results in pain, emergency treatment, and tooth loss. So why does this happen?
Millions of bacteria swim around in our mouths. Many of them are harmless, and some are even beneficial. But a few love nothing more than to eat away at the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. Like all living creatures, they need an energy source. Sugars are their snack of choice, and they use simple carbohydrates from our diet to manufacture energy.
Like all living creatures making energy, they also produce waste. These acidic wastes deposited on the teeth erode the hard surfaces, weaken the enamel, and form holes known as cavities.
Some bacteria produce a toxic waste that causes bleeding gums, and the destruction of bone around the teeth, which is called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the leading reason people lose their teeth and end up with dentures.
Most infections can be treated with antibiotics, but mouth bacteria require a different approach. Regular checkups help us identify new cavities, and periodic cleanings remove plaque and tartar that harbor millions of harmful bacteria. High-risk patients benefit from a customized approach with our team, and we have many methods to strengthen weakened enamel that has not yet developed into decay.
The complex cycle of inflammation and infection extends beyond the gums and mouth. In fact, research continues to uncover the many ways that our oral health affects the overall health of our bodies including heart health, and can influence medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and even some types of cancer. For example, mouth bacteria enter the bloodstream through inflamed and bleeding gums. Like a river, blood flow carries the bacteria to the small vessels of the heart and brain. Here they can damage the intricate vessel lining, leading to blockage of the vessel. Heart attack or stroke can result because of bleeding gums.
Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day and floss at least once a day: It sounds like a long time, but it makes a difference. Consider an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer or set a timer on your phone. If you don’t like to floss, consider toothpicks, proxabrushes or the magic of a Waterpik.
Brush for at least two minutes each time: It sounds like a long time, but it makes a difference. Consider an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer, or setting a timer on your phone.
Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly and replace every three months:Bacteria linger on your toothbrush, finding their way back into the mouth at the next use.
KDrink sugar-heavy liquids through a straw: A straw helps keep sugar from bathing the teeth directly before swallowing.
Drink sugary liquids through a straw: A straw helps keep sugar from bathing the teeth directly before swallowing.
Drink water after eating a meal: Water helps clean larger deposits of food from your teeth. Plus, we all could use a little more hydration!
Get cavities treated immediately: Cavities rarely hurt until they reach a critical stage. And don’t forget: a little bit of tooth decay eventually becomes a little bit more.
See your hygienist every six months: The risk of critical dental problems diminishes significantly if you’re visiting us twice a year. Patients that fit preventive dentistry into their schedule and budget typically enjoy fewer dental visits and expenses over time than those who wait for emergencies to develop.
Dental health during the teen years offers another set of challenges. For most parents, this doesn’t come as a big surprise. A dizzying number of changes strike during these formative years, and parents often experience a few frustrations along the way.
Teens listen more than we realize, and pestering parents can make a tremendous difference in the dental future of your young adult. You might feel like you’re nagging, but teens are always listening and believe it or not, the constant reminders to brush, floss, and eat well will sink in. Don’t underestimate any encouragement given to help your teen avoid the long-term effects of cavities and gum inflammation.
Preventive visits every six months provide us with an opportunity to coach your teen and reinforce the efforts you’re making with them. Sometimes the rapport we establish in a professional, yet friendly, setting proves especially effective. Plus, we can share problems with them through visual aids while reinforcing any positive efforts they’re making.
Limit sodas and energy drinks. Sugary carbonated drinks are the number one cause of tooth decay in adolescents. Many 20-ounce bottles of soda have 18 teaspoons of sugar in an extremely acidic liquid. The combination can be devastating for teeth as well as their overall health.
Encourage brushing before bedtime. The hours spent sleeping can be especially harmful as the mouth dries out and bacterial plaque flourishes.
Explain the dangers of sharing toothbrushes. Explain the dangers of sharing toothbrushes and that bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities can easily transfer from one person to another.
Slip in dental floss or a toothpick with their lunch or backpack.
Tooth decay often begins at an early age, making young children particularly susceptible. Nearly half of children between the ages of 2-11 have experienced tooth decay while 32% of kids between the ages of 9-11 develop cavities in their permanent teeth. Major contributing factors to this public health problem include baby formula with added sugar and heavily-sugared fruit juices. Even breast milk can cause cavities in baby teeth because of the natural sugars present.
Care for baby teeth should begin as soon as the first tooth appears. We recommend that you bring your child in for an exam no later than his or her first birthday. Regular six-month checkups will put kids on a schedule like most adults, establishing a routine that will last a lifetime.
The following early steps can help guard your child against tooth decay, even before their first dental visit:
Your baby’s teeth should always be rinsed with water or wiped down with a damp cloth after feeding, especially before they fall asleep. Milk or formula residue left in the mouth can promote decay even in the youngest patients.
Try to wean your child off bottle feeding by their first birthday. This helps avoid decay and minimizes the chance of jaw growth problems from excessive sucking.
Begin brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. Even if it’s barely poking through the gum, a tooth can develop decay if not cleaned properly. Start by brushing with a soft bristled brush and water and ask your dentist when it’s ok to begin using a small amount of toothpaste.
Help your child brush and remember that kids don’t have the dexterity to clean their teeth on their own until after they can tie their shoes.
Don’t give bottles of sugary drinks or milk before bedtime.
If you do choose to offer sugary beverages, have your child use a straw, so the teeth to have less contact with the liquid.
Try to limit the overall sugary foods your child eats and drinks.
Regular dental exams, professional cleanings, and good oral hygiene practices at home are essential to detecting and strategically managing periodontitis.
Our mouths provide a home to millions of bacteria, both beneficial and harmful. Bacterial waste forms a sticky substance, plaque, which adheres to the teeth. Brushing and flossing aim at removing plaque before it mineralizes into tartar. Tartar becomes a colony for more bacteria releasing toxins into the gums.
Gums react to this bacterial invasion with an inflammatory response thanks to your immune system. Around the base of each tooth, there is a small collar of gum tissue that forms a small crevice or pocket. This warm, dark environment provides a perfect habitat for deeper tartar and bacteria to infiltrate.
Early inflammation results in bleeding gums, known as gingivitis. Bacteria left untreated and undisturbed successfully create a chronic infection in the periodontal pocket. In many cases, the bone begins to deteriorate around the teeth. While gums may be slightly tender at this stage, there’s generally minimal discomfort as the bone begins to erode.
More than 50% of the bone around your teeth can disappear before any signs of looseness or pain appear. The bone around teeth never regenerates, so this loss becomes permanent and harder to control as the bacteria hide deeper into the gums. Untreated gum disease leads to abscesses and generalized tooth loss in many advanced cases.
There are several factors we take into account before we make a gum disease diagnosis. The small collar of gum, or pocket, around each tooth usually sits 2-3 millimeters deep, a space easily cleaned by floss or toothpicks. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry or our hygiene team can measure and chart multiple areas using a small measuring device called a periodontal probe. If these measurements are more than 3 millimeters and bleed upon probing then periodontal disease is present. Deeper readings indicate more advanced disease than shallower readings. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will also evaluate the texture and shape of your gums, and any movement detectable in each tooth. It’s also vital to examine the levels, shape, and density of the bone around your teeth on digital x-rays. By collecting all of this data, a clear picture forms about your gum condition.
After establishing a diagnosis defining the severity of gum disease, we can develop a personalized treatment plan. In milder forms with little or no bone loss, one or two visits with our hygiene team may bring the condition under control. When you leave our office with a strategy for daily home care and an established schedule for maintenance, little additional treatment may be needed.
If the inflammation has advanced and measurable bone loss is evident, a proactive approach to stop further deterioration should be strongly considered. Often, we will suggest gentle numbing of your gums, and a more in-depth cleaning process sometimes called root planing or scaling. Over a few visits, a portion of your mouth at a time will be deep cleaned. The infected pocket around each tooth, including the mineralized tartar, must be carefully cleaned out with hand and ultrasonic instruments. Polishing the teeth to establish glassy surfaces that help repel stain and plaque accumulation usually finishes this initial therapy.
Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry may suggest a medicated rinse, an electric or ultrasonic toothbrush, and other specific strategies to help you with your homecare routine. Remember, gum disease can be controlled but not cured. Dedicated daily efforts must be consistent to control the disease.
Regular home care is critical to arrest the progression of gum disease. Within a few hours of cleaning, the bacteria begin to repopulate and adhere to the teeth. Plaque left undisturbed will start to harden and mineralize within 24 hours. Remember, deeper gum pockets require even more diligence to prevent the bacteria from undermining the foundation of your teeth.
Since gum pockets previously damaged by bacteria can be difficult to reach at home, a faithful maintenance schedule with us is essential. We can customize your plan to include 2, 3 or 4 visits a year depending on the severity of disease, its response to treatment, and the consistency of your home care.
If our combined efforts don’t slow or stop the progression of your gum disease, we will suggest referral to a specialist, known as a periodontist. With specialized training in many gum conditions, further treatment may be recommended.
Research continues to establish clear links between bacterial disease in your mouth and ailments in other parts of the body. Studies show a link between oral bacteria and conditions such as heart disease, stroke, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, even certain types of cancers. The relationship between a person’s oral health and their whole body health has never been more understood than it is today.
Bleeding gums provide a direct pathway into the bloodstream, a journey that oral bacteria can quickly take. If an open wound existed on your skin, infection would be a concern. Gum tissue that bleeds should be looked at no differently. This helps explain why researchers continue to identify oral bacteria deposits in various areas of our bodies.
Diabetes and other auto-immune disorders lower the body’s ability to fight infection, allowing uncontrolled gum disease to advance faster and with more destruction. Research also confirms that the inflammation in the mouth can aggravate diabetes, making it harder to control. This two-way relationship between two chronic conditions emphasizes the importance of optimal oral health.
While dental emergencies can strike anyone, anytime, our patients who commit to regular preventive care appointments usually experience fewer problems over time. Professional cleanings with a registered dental hygienist allow us to take a proactive approach to your dental health, addressing issues while they are small and potentially avoiding issues altogether. Despite your best efforts, deposits of mineralized plaque, known as tartar, adhere to areas of the teeth. These deposits create a nice home for millions of harmful bacteria. Left unchecked, they flood toxins into the gums resulting in devastating chronic problems, even resulting in the loss of teeth.
When tartar is removed at your professional hygiene appointment, it doesn’t have the opportunity to produce irreversible damage. We use professional instruments and prescription strength polishing paste that gently buffs away stain and plaque, leaving your teeth ultra-smooth and shiny. Since discoloration settles into the enamel of your teeth over time, this helps slow yellowing while maintaining a glassy surface for better cleaning.
At every hygiene visit, we examine all the tissues of your mouth including gums, cheeks, lips, tongue, and jaw. Many patients are surprised at the large amount of surface area that we examine during an oral exam. It is just as important to have regular soft tissue screenings as it is to have a professional dental cleaning.
Oral cancer can afflict anyone although tobacco users put themselves at significantly higher risk than non-users. Chewing tobacco has up to 3000 different chemicals, including the same compounds used in pesticides and embalming fluid. Cellular changes below the surface aren’t always detectable until they’ve advanced to a critical stage.
Early detection and treatment of oral cancer can significantly increase your chances of a quick and complete recovery. The American Cancer Society reports that about 7,000 deaths result from oral cancer out of 30,000 cases diagnosed annually. If we suspect any unusual changes in your mouth tissue, we may suggest a biopsy and microscopic analysis by a qualified lab.
Many other non-cancerous changes can occur in your mouth’s tissue, from oral warts to autoimmune lesions. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry draw on their background in oral pathology to evaluate any abnormalities and determine if they should be monitored or removed.
We understand tobacco holds strong addictive powers over even the most health-conscious people. If you’re determined to quit, we want to support you in your efforts. Talk to your hygienist or our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry about the strategies and resources we have available so you can kick the habit.