Papageorgiou Dental Associates Blog

Give Your Teeth a Break with TMJ Treatment in Natick, MA

February 21, 2013

In the dentist’s office, you’re probably used to hearing all about the common oral health problems that can affect your teeth, from cavities to gum disease to misalignments. But did you know that one of the most painful and frustrating oral conditions you can experience actually affects an area of the mouth you may have never even heard of before?

We’re talking about the temporomandibular joints, commonly referred to as TMJ. These joints connect your lower jaw to your skull, and they contain crucial elements such as blood vessels, nerves, and bone. However, whenever they’re even slightly misaligned, it can cause debilitating symptoms. Worse, TMJ disorder can often even negatively impact both your dental health and your overall wellbeing. Here at Papageorgiou Dental Associates, we’re committed to providing you with expert, personalized care that serves every part of your mouth, not just your pearly whites. That’s why we’re happy to provide various choices for TMJ therapy at our Natick, MA office.

How do I know if I’m suffering from TMJ disorder?

Here are some common symptoms that often indicate TMJ disorder:

  • Persistent pain in the face, neck, head, shoulders, or back
  • Constant, excessive headaches
  • Jaw joints that pop or click
  • Stiffness in the jaw
  • Constant problems with opening and closing the mouth when chewing
  • Ringing or pressure in the ears

If these sound familiar, please don’t hesitate to come in and see us so that we can inspect your jaw for signs of TMJ disorder. Dr. Christina Papageorgiou and her excellent team can provide you with a complete oral examination, a precise, thorough bite assessment, and then an in-depth discussion about the various kinds of TMJ therapy we can offer you. Your comfort is a top priority for us, so we want to make sure we agree with you on a solution that bests fits your individual needs and desires.

Don’t keep living in constant pain – let us relieve your joints with TMJ therapy and get you back to smiling sooner! Call Papageorgiou Dental Associates today to schedule your consultation visit. Our team serves patients from Natick, Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Ashland, Sherborn, and beyond.

Rebuild Cracked or Damaged Teeth with the Help of Crowns

February 11, 2013

crownsNo matter how well we care for our teeth over time, many of us will still suffer crucial damage to our teeth at some point.  Maybe it happens because of a sudden, shocking injury to the face that leaves you with an ugly crack, or perhaps your age has simply caught up with your smile. Even if you have neglected dental care and your tooth breaks down due to decay, that doesn’t mean you aren’t deserving of effective, precise treatment that will rectify the damage. Crowns are one of the restorative treatments that you may need in order to rebuild your damaged teeth and restore their functionality and beauty.

What exactly is a crown?

Crowns are essentially small “caps” that are snugly fit over the affected tooth or teeth in one’s mouth. Crowns help to repair the tooth, as well as keep it safe from new bacteria that could sneak in and cause further damage. Crowns are made from several materials, including stainless steel, traditional metal amalgam, composite resin, and dental porcelain. The type of material used will come down to a choice made by the patient, based on a professional recommendation from their dentist. While the availability of this treatment varies from practice to practice, your local dentists in Natick, MA are proud to provide crowns as an effective restorative treatment.

Crown procedures usually take around two appointments to complete. Your dentist first takes a detailed impression of the affected tooth. This impression is then used to construct a brand-new, custom-made crown that will fit your unique look perfectly. Once they’ve been completed, all that’s left to do is for your dentist to fit them in place and make any necessary adjustments.

What’s the difference between the materials used for crowns?

There are benefits and disadvantages to each.  Metal is a stronger material and is often recommended for crowns needed on the back teeth; however, it doesn’t blend in it at all to the natural color of the teeth, leading to potentially embarrassing situations. Porcelain crowns can be matched to your smile’s natural shade and allow you to keep more of your natural tooth structure, but they tend to be weaker and more expensive. Today, most dentists recommend porcelain crowns as the optimal choice for restorative treatment; however, the choice will ultimately come down the patient.

Our dentists in Natick, MA provide precise, personalized care, and they are here to help with all your restorative dentistry needs, including crowns. We also serve the areas of Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Ashland, Sherborn, and beyond.

Rest Easier With Sleep Apnea Treatments in Natick, MA

February 1, 2013

Sometimes, it can take years before you find out you have a snoring problem. Someone might let you know at a sleepover when you’re still young, or maybe a significant other elbows you in the middle of the night because you’re keeping them up. You might even wake yourself up once in a while! Most of the time, snoring is just a harmless, if annoying habit – but did you know that it can indicate a deeper problem? Sleep apnea is a condition that results in abnormal pauses in one’s breathing during unconsciousness that can result in gasping, choking, and yes, snoring. If left untreated, sleep apnea can be a dangerous condition to have, which is why, here in our Natick office, Papageorgiou Dental Associates offers diagnoses, tests, and various treatments to combat sleep apnea. After all, you need your rest!

Could you have sleep apnea? Here are some of the symptoms:

  • You wake up often in the middle of the night
  • You feel exhausted during the day, no matter how long you slept the night before
  • You’re often in a bad mood, for reasons you don’t understand
  • You find it hard to concentrate, or you often forget things
  • You gasp, choke, or cough – sometimes so badly that it wakes you up

If you’re experiencing some of the symptoms above, it’s a definite possibility you could be suffering from sleep apnea. Our team here at Papgeorgiou Dental Associates will be happy to give you a definite diagnosis, as well as provide you with various ways to combat your sleep apnea. Let us help you sleep better so you’ll feel more like showing the world your smile! Call us today to schedule an appointment. Our team serves patients from Natick, Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Ashland, Sherborn, and beyond.

Protect Your Mouth by Knowing the Signs of Gum Disease

January 25, 2013

In a previous blog post, we discussed the effects gum disease can have on your health, as well as what our team here at Papageorgiou Dental Associates could do for you in regards to periodontal therapy. But all of your questions might not have been answered. For instance, maybe you’re been wondering if you have gum disease, and if you do, how severe it is. After all, pain isn’t the only indicator that there could be a problem, as some would believe. Here at our Natick office, we offer you personalized and effective care that always puts your needs first – but first, you have to take that first step through the door. Here are some of the indicators of gum disease:

  • If your gums bleed during or after you brush your teeth
  • If you have bad breath that persists even after using mouthwash and other treatments
  • Tenderness, swelling, or discoloration
  • A bite that feels strange, or teeth that start to feel loose, like they’re shifting around
  • Pockets of pus that ooze around your teeth
  • If chewing is painful
  • Receding gums or teeth that are no longer appearing

In addition, there are also a number of factors that indicate a much higher risk of gum disease than normal. These are:

  • If you use tobacco
  • If you have diabetes
  • If you’ve undergone therapy for cancer of any kind
  • If you’ve taken steroids at any point in time

If any of these categories or symptoms seem to fit you, don’t panic – using either traditional tools or our soft-tissue laser, our team at Papageorgiou Dental Associates will help ease your gum disease symptoms and improve your overall health through periodontal therapies, giving you a reason to smile.

Gum disease can worsen if not treated, so don’t hesitate! Call Papageorgiou Dental Associates today to schedule your consultation visit. Dr. Christina Papageorgiou would be happy to assess your oral health and recommend a treatment plan. Our team serves patients from Natick, Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Ashland, Sherborn, and beyond.

Everything You Need To Know About Root Canals

January 24, 2013

root_canal2Out of all the dental procedures you could undergo as a patient, root canal treatment seems to be the one that makes the most people cringe in fear. Maybe that’s because of the longstanding rumor about it being unbearably painful, or simply because it’s a long procedure that seems incredibly invasive. Whatever the case is, root canals are not as bad as they’ve been built up to be over time. In fact, they’re a crucial and effective treatment that can save your natural teeth from having to be extracted due to extensive decay or infection.

Are you suffering from one or more of these symptoms?

  • Severe tooth pain when chewing
  • Prolonged sensitivity to excessively hot or cold temperatures
  • Your tooth has darkened a shade
  • Swollen or tenderness in the gums
  • A persistent pimple on the gums that keep recurring

If so, then you may be in need of root canal treatment.

When undergoing a root canal procedure, your dentist or endodontist will first take X-rays so as to see if there are any infections in the bone that surrounds your tooth. Then, a hole will be drilled into the affected tooth and the pulp, bacteria, decayed nerve tissue, and related debris will be cleaned out. Your tooth is then sealed, either directly after the cleaning or at a second appointment in a week, depending on your dentist’s preferences (if if it’s the latter, you’ll be provided with a temporary filling to keep out contaminants). All that’s left after that step is for your dentist to see if any further restoration is needed to restore your tooth to full functionality.

Root canal treatment is highly successful, and many teeth that have undergone a root canal last a lifetime. Additionally, a root canal doesn’t hurt anymore than a common filling does, according to most people.

In the case of a root canal, seeking immediate treatment is crucial if you want to save your natural tooth. Call your local dentist if you’re exhibiting any of the symptoms above, or if you have any questions about the procedure.

Emergency Dentistry

January 3, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , — drpapageorgiou @ 8:08 pm

emergency dentistryDental emergencies strike without warning. Do you know what to do when one hits you? Many don’t, which is why we’d like to use today’s post to briefly explain what you should do if you find yourself facing a dental emergency. Below are some of the most common reasons patients have for seeking emergency dental care, followed by tips on how to handle them.

Knocked Out Tooth

Sometimes a knocked out tooth can be reattached if treatment happens soon enough. To increase the likelihood that your tooth can be reattached, gently clean the tooth and try to put it back in the socket it came from. If you can’t do that, store the tooth in a bag of milk. Call your local emergency dentist as soon as possible for an appointment.

Broken Tooth

As with a knocked out tooth, save as much of your broken tooth as you can and clean the area gently with water. To ease pain and swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. Call your dentist for help.

Toothache

Toothaches can be caused by a variety of things. If you have a toothache, try flossing around the tooth that hurts to see if there’s any debris lodged nearby. If you find something that looks like a pimple near the tooth that hurts, that could be a sign that you have an abscess. If left untreated, the infection from an abscess can become more serious. Call your dentist as soon as possible if your pain doesn’t go away.

Lost Crown

If you have lost a temporary or permanent crown, your first step should be to clean the crown and temporarily put it back in place with toothpaste or denture adhesive. These are just short-term fixes, though. Call your dentist as soon as possible for a reattachment appointment.

Bit Lip or Tongue

In cases where you have injured your lip or tongue, clean the area and use ice to reduce pain or swelling. If you’re experiencing serious bleeding, visit your local emergency room.

Broken Jaw

As with an injured lip or tongue, a broken jaw will require a visit to your local emergency room. If you have lost any teeth as a result of your injury, call your dentist after you have sought care for your jaw.

These are just a few of the problems that patients can face. If you’re having an emergency that is not mentioned here, or if you want to learn more about one that is, call your local emergency dentist. Seeking immediate care in any of these cases is important. Call your dentist.

Have a Complete Smile Again with Traditional or Implant-Supported Dentures

December 14, 2012

Because a complete smile is so essential to a healthy lifestyle and overall wellbeing, most dentists offer traditional dentures as one of their restorative dentistry services.  Dentures are designed to replace a full row of upper or lower teeth, so that patients can enjoy better appearance and functionality.

Both are important.

When functionality is limited, it’s harder to enjoy the foods you need for a balanced diet. And when you don’t feel confident about how you look, the thought of smiling can intimidate you. The benefit of restoring your missing teeth with dentures, then, is that you can finally enjoy a better sense of confidence and improved functionality, resulting in a better sense of wellbeing.

But there is another choice you should know about—implant-supported dentures. Unlike traditional dentures, which are held in place with suction or an adhesive cream, implant-supported dentures provide results that look and feel truly natural. They do this by replacing your missing tooth roots with dental implants.

Why is this important?

Because your roots are what promote the growth of new bone tissue in the jaw. When a root goes missing, bone loss—and the loss of other teeth—is inevitable. Dental implants are designed to stop that process by bonding with the jaw, spurring the growth of new bone tissue. As a result, implant-supported dentures can give you back the strong, secure smile you’ve been missing.

Have you been considering traditional dentures or implant-supported dentures? Talk to your local restorative dentist. Through a consultation and oral exam, your dentist can assess your oral health, the strength of your jaw, and determine a restorative plan that meets your needs.

Transform Your Smile with Professional Teeth Whitening from Papageorgiou Dental Associates

November 29, 2012

What’s the number one thing keeping you from smiling with confidence? For many patients, embarrassing teeth stains are the answer to that question. Teeth stains are commonly caused by foods, beverages, aging, tobacco use, and even some medications. But you don’t just have to live with teeth stains; you can overcome them with professional teeth whitening from Papageorgiou Dental Associates.

Dr. Christina Papageorgiou’s Natick dental office offers two great options for you to take advantage of. With each one, we can help you come closer to your goal of a bright, dazzling smile. Our options include:

Kör Whitening

As one of the most effective in-office teeth whitening systems available, Kör can help you achieve safe, beautiful results in about an hour. What’s more, because of the unique way Kör whitens teeth, patients who’ve experienced sensitivity in the past can look forward to experiencing little to no sensitivity at all with this revolutionary method. To learn more, visit Kör Whitening’s homepage for videos and a helpful FAQ.

NiteWhite and DayWhite

If you’d prefer to whiten your smile in the comfort of your own home, or if you just need a way to touch-up your in-office results, one of these take-home teeth whitening systems may be right for you. Both use custom-made trays and professional-grade bleaching gels to help you achieve beautiful results in about two weeks or less.

Are you ready to find out more about teeth whitening? Call Papageorgiou Dental Associates in Natick to schedule your consultation. We serve patients from Natick, Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Ashland, Sherborn, and beyond.

 

How Can Cosmetic Dentistry Help Me?

November 16, 2012

The benefits of cosmetic dentistry can be life-changing. Studies and research of one kind or another have all shown that, by smiling more and having a smile you feel proud of, you can enjoy a better sense of wellbeing. For instance, smiling increases the body’s levels of endorphins and serotonin, reducing stress and creating a pleasing sense of calm. What’s more, people with a beautiful smile are perceived as being more intelligent, successful, and friendly.

Effective Services for a Transformed Smile

Two of the most effective and most common cosmetic dentistry services out there are teeth whitening and Invisalign.

Many dental offices that offer teeth whitening offer two different versions—in-office and take-home whitening. Both promise professional results, but in different ways. In-office whitening with a system like Kör Whitening can help you achieve stunning results in just one office appointment. Patients who might be sensitive to in-office treatments, on the other hand, may want to consider a take-home system. With take-home whitening, you can achieve the same results as with in-office whitening, but on your own schedule.

Invisalign is a version of clear braces used most often by adults who have put off orthodontic care. Instead of using metal brackets and wires to straighten teeth, the way traditional braces do, Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners. With Invisalign, you can enjoy greater convenience than with other options. That’s because Invisalign can be taken out to eat, brush, and floss. That’s a level of convenience that traditional braces just can’t touch.

To find out which cosmetic dentistry service is right for you, call Papageorgiou Dental Associates. A professional cosmetic dentist like Dr. Papageorgiou can help you understand your needs, your options, and propose an effective solution to help you meet your goals.

 

Enjoy Relief for Gum Disease with Periodontal Therapy from Dr. Papageorgiou

November 15, 2012

As important as cavity-free teeth are, your teeth aren’t the only important aspect of your smile.  Healthy gums are just as essential. Recent medical studies have linked poor gum health to a wide range of other health problems in the rest of the body, including:

  • Heart disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Pneumonia

Thankfully, with the periodontal therapies you’ll find at Papageorgiou Dental Associates, patients from Natick and beyond have somewhere to turn when faced with such a common condition like gum disease.

It’s been estimated that gum disease affects 75% of American adults. But not every one of those cases is the same. For some, treating gum disease may only mean spending more time brushing and flossing every day. In other cases, a more advanced procedure, like scaling and root planing, may be necessary. Using either traditional dental tools or a soft-tissue laser, our team at Papageorgiou Dental Associates will help you remove bacteria and calculus from your smile, easing your gum disease symptoms and improving your oral health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Do your gums routinely bleed during or after brushing? Do you struggle with frequent bad breath? Are your gums extremely red, discolored, or sensitive? All of these are a sign that you might have gum disease.

Call Papageorgiou Dental Associates today to schedule your consultation visit. Dr. Christina Papageorgiou would be happy to assess your oral health and recommend a treatment plan. Our team serves patients from Natick, Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Ashland, Sherborn, and beyond.

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