Rejuvenate Your Smile with Full Mouth Reconstruction from Dr. Papageorgiou

February 28, 2013

Filed under: Restorative Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — drpapageorgiou @ 6:21 pm

When you’re embarrassed by the state of your teeth, seeking out dental treatment can be difficult – especially if you know you’re in need of multiple treatments. You already interact every day with people who are judging you solely by what your smile looks like; you don’t need a dentist to get an up close and personal look too! Whether damage happens because of age, trauma, or simply a lack of brushing and flossing, we’re not here to judge at Papageorgiou Dental Associates. We all make mistakes – that’s how we know we’re human, after all! No matter the case, you deserve a healthy, five-star smile that you’ll be proud to share with the world. That’s why our team in Natick, MA is happy to offer full-mouth reconstruction as a rehabilitative option. With the help of full-mouth reconstruction, we can follow a personalized treatment plan that will revitalize your teeth and get you back to optimal oral health, all judgment-free!

What exactly is full-mouth reconstruction?

Full-mouth reconstruction isn’t just one dental treatment – in fact, it’s several.  The service consists of a combination of restorative and cosmetic treatments that’s individualized for each specific patient. First, you’ll come in for a comprehensive oral exam, where we’ll determine the true extent of your problems by inspecting your teeth, gums, and bite. Then, we can share with you our recommendations for treatments while also taking into account your needs and concerns. By undergoing full-mouth reconstruction, we’ll be able to restore your smile more efficiently and effectively by combining multiple treatments into single appointments, saving you valuable time.

Some of the treatments used in full-mouth reconstruction include:

Don’t let embarrassment or fear keep you from smiling one moment longer – our team is ready to provide you with the expert, comfortable care you deserve. Call Papageorgiou Dental Associates today with any questions you have about about full-mouth reconstruction, or if you’re ready to schedule a consultation. Our team serves patients from Natick, Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Ashland, Sherborn, and beyond.

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

February 21, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — drpapageorgiou @ 6:21 pm

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

Filed under: Restorative Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — drpapageorgiou @ 10:46 pm

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

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — drpapageorgiou @ 6:31 pm

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

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — drpapageorgiou @ 6:31 pm

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

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , — drpapageorgiou @ 5:18 pm

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.

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