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Posts for: February, 2017

New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny

By Jose I. Arauz, DMD, PA
February 23, 2017
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   dental implants  
NewFrontTeethforaTeenagedDavidDuchovny

In real life he was a hard-charging basketball player through high school and college. In TV and the movies, he has gone head-to-head with serial killers, assorted bad guys… even mysterious paranormal forces. So would you believe that David Duchovny, who played Agent Fox Mulder in The X-Files and starred in countless other large and small-screen productions, lost his front teeth… in an elevator accident?

“I was running for the elevator at my high school when the door shut on my arm,” he explained. “The next thing I knew, I was waking up in the hospital. I had fainted, fallen on my face, and knocked out my two front teeth.” Looking at Duchovny now, you’d never know his front teeth weren’t natural. But that’s not “movie magic” — it’s the art and science of modern dentistry.

How do dentists go about replacing lost teeth with natural-looking prosthetics? Today, there are two widely used tooth replacement procedures: dental implants and bridgework. When a natural tooth can’t be saved — due to advanced decay, periodontal disease, or an accident like Duchovny’s — these methods offer good looking, fully functional replacements. So what’s the difference between the two? Essentially, it’s a matter of how the replacement teeth are supported.

With state-of-the-art dental implants, support for the replacement tooth (or teeth) comes from small titanium inserts, which are implanted directly into the bone of the jaw. In time these become fused with the bone itself, providing a solid anchorage. What’s more, they actually help prevent the bone loss that naturally occurs after tooth loss. The crowns — lifelike replacements for the visible part of the tooth — are securely attached to the implants via special connectors called abutments.

In traditional bridgework, the existing natural teeth on either side of a gap are used to support the replacement crowns that “bridge” the gap. Here’s how it works: A one-piece unit is custom-fabricated, consisting of prosthetic crowns to replace missing teeth, plus caps to cover the adjacent (abutment) teeth on each side. Those abutment teeth must be shaped so the caps can fit over them; this is done by carefully removing some of the outer tooth material. Then the whole bridge unit is securely cemented in place.

While both systems have been used successfully for decades, bridgework is now being gradually supplanted by implants. That’s because dental implants don’t have any negative impact on nearby healthy teeth, while bridgework requires that abutment teeth be shaped for crowns, and puts additional stresses on them. Dental implants also generally last far longer than bridges — the rest of your life, if given proper care. However, they are initially more expensive (though they may prove more economical in the long run), and not everyone is a candidate for the minor surgery they require.

Which method is best for you? Don’t try using paranormal powers to find out: Come in and talk to us. If you would like more information about tooth replacement, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Crowns & Bridgework,” and “Dental Implants.”


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A Root Canal Can Stop Tooth Decay and Save Your Tooth

By Jose I. Arauz, DMD, PA
February 08, 2017
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: root canal treatment  
ARootCanalCanStopToothDecayandSaveYourTooth

Tooth decay can wreak more havoc than just producing cavities. It can work its way into the innermost parts of the tooth — the pulp and tiny passageways called root canals that lead to the tooth's connection with the bone.

If that happens, you'll need more than “drilling and filling.” Without intervention, your tooth could be lost. That intervention is a root canal treatment, a procedure that removes the infection from within the tooth and preserves it from re-infection.

You've probably heard the old belief that root canal treatments are painful. With modern anesthetic techniques to deaden pain, that's not true. In fact, root canal treatments stop the pain caused by infected nerves within the pulp and root canals. More importantly, it saves your tooth.

Root canals can be performed by a general dentist. More extensive decay or complex root canal networks may require the services of an endodontist, a dentist who specializes in root canal anatomy and treatments. Endodontists have advanced techniques and equipment to handle even the most difficult case.

Regardless of who performs it, the basic procedure is the same, as is the goal: to completely remove all diseased tissue within the tooth and seal it with a special filling to prevent re-infection. To access the diseased pulp, we first drill an access hole, usually in the biting surface of a back tooth or the back of a front tooth. We then use specialized instruments to remove the infected tissue and flush out the space with antibacterial solutions.

We then insert a filling called gutta percha into the empty pulp chamber and root canals, seal off the filling with adhesive cement, and close the access hole with filling. These fillings and sealants prevent bacteria from reentering the tooth. For added protection against infection and fracturing, we also recommend placing a full-coverage dental crown. This also enhances the appearance of the tooth, which must be modified during the root canal procedure.

The end result: your once endangered tooth has been preserved for hopefully many years to come. So if we recommend you undergo a root canal treatment, don't wait — the tooth you save may be your own.

If you would like more information on root canal treatment, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.


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Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • 3 Ways Orthodontic Techniques Could Prevent a Poor Bite
        • Legal or Not, Marijuana Poses a Health Risk to Your Gums
      • January (3)
        • 3 Reasons Why Your New Dentist Needs Your Treatment Records
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • 4 Ways to Check on Your Brushing and Flossing Effectiveness
  • 2018
      • December (4)
        • Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
        • Why Dental Implants Are Right for You
        • Stop Smoking to Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
      • November (3)
        • Be Wary When Considering Botox Treatment for TMD
        • Don't Ignore Sudden Tooth Pain - Your Teeth may be Telling you Something
        • Gum Surgery Can Improve Your Smile and Save Your Teeth
      • October (5)
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
        • What You Should Know About Antibiotic Therapy Before Implant Surgery
        • Eat the Right Kind of Carbs to Protect Yourself from Gum Disease
        • Signs You May Need a Tooth Extracted
        • Orthodontics and Your Teen
      • September (3)
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
        • What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
        • Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
      • August (4)
        • Pros and Cons for Flossing Before Brushing and Vice-Versa
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • Can Cosmetic Gum Surgery Benefit My Smile?
        • World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!
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        • Anchors Make all the Difference in Successful Orthodontic Treatment
        • We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
      • June (4)
        • Bone Grafting Might be Necessary Before You Obtain an Implant
        • Treating Loose Teeth in Adults
        • June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
        • Tips for Picture-Perfect Summer Smiles
      • May (3)
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • Not a Fan of Using CPAP for Your Sleep Apnea? Consider an Oral Appliance
        • Sealants Could Protect Your Child's Teeth From Future Problems
      • April (3)
        • What You Should Know About Veneers for Teenagers
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment
      • March (2)
        • Drawing Impacted Teeth into the Open can Restore a Smile
        • 3 Fluoride Sources You Should Monitor for Your Family's Dental Health
      • February (2)
        • No- or Minimal-Prep Veneers Reduce Permanent Alterations to Your Teeth
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
      • January (4)
        • Let Dental Implants Make Your Smile Whole Again
        • The Type of Tooth Pain You Have Could be Telling You What's Wrong
        • Watch for These Developing Bite Problems with Your Child's Teeth
        • 4 Areas We May Check During Your Older Loved One's Regular Dental Visit
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Holiday Tips for Healthier Teeth
      • November (3)
        • Looking Good for the Holidays
        • Are You Keeping Good Oral Hygiene Habits?
        • There's a Good Reason for Adults to Consider Orthodontics - Better Oral Health
      • October (4)
        • Mayim Bialik's "Halloween Fairy" Helps Keep Her Kids' Teeth Cavity-Free
        • The Timely Use of a Palatal Expander Could Help Correct a Cross-Bite
        • Why the Treatment Model for Your Jaw Joint Disorder Matters
        • Would Dental Implants Help Me?
      • September (2)
        • Think You Have Sleep Apnea? Find Out for Sure to Get the Right Treatment
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
      • August (3)
        • The 3 Top Causes for Tooth Sensitivity
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • What is Gum Recession?
      • July (3)
        • Use the Same Prevention Strategy to Defeat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • Screw or Cement: Which is Best for Attaching Your Implant Crown?
      • June (3)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • Don't Ignore These Signs Of Periodontal Disease
        • Dealing with the Reality of Increased Disease Risk with Braces
      • May (2)
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Only a Dental Exam can Identify the Root Cause of Your Tooth Pain
      • April (2)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • Instill in Your Child the Daily Habit of Brushing and Flossing
      • March (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • Even if a Root Canal Won't Work, This Procedure Could Save your Tooth
      • February (2)
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • A Root Canal Can Stop Tooth Decay and Save Your Tooth
      • January (3)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
        • Get Control of Dry Mouth to Protect Your Dental Health
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
  • 2016
      • December (1)
        • Success with Dental Implants Depends on Attention to Detail
      • November (2)
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • Cleft Repair can Restore a Smile, Change a Life
      • October (3)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • What's the Cost of Skipping a Check-up?
        • Where - and How - Does it Hurt? Getting to the Source of Tooth Pain
      • September (5)
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • Gum Recession Could Shorten the Life of Your Teeth
        • Welcome to our Patient Newsletter!
        • To Floss or Not to Floss...is that a real question?
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
      • August (2)
        • Lasers are Making an Impact in Treating Gum Disease
        • A Toothless Tiger?
      • July (2)
        • 3 Things to Consider for Lowering Your Child's Risk for Cavities
        • A Royal Fix
      • June (2)
        • Effective Hygiene is Key to Preventing Enamel White Spots While Wearing Braces
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • May (2)
        • To Prevent Tooth Decay, Practice Effective Brushing and Flossing
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
      • April (2)
        • Quitting Smoking can Improve the Health of Your Teeth and Gums
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • March (3)
        • There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • Treating Small Enamel Cracks Could Help you Avoid a Dangerous Tooth Fracture
      • February (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Oral Sedation Helps Reduce Anxiety During Dental Treatment
      • January (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • Stopping Tooth Decay Could Require Root Canal Treatment
  • 2015
      • December (3)
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • With Proper Management, Dental Implants can be a Reality for Diabetics
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth

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Dr. Jose Arauz, Director
Email: jose@implantperiohealth.com
Phone: (910) 577-1315
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Email: ambassador@implantperiohealth.com
Phone: (910) 545-0106

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Jose I. Arauz, DMD, PA
200 Doctors Dr Ste N
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 577-1315
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