Gum Disease Myths Dispelled by Your Sheridan Dentists

Posted May 1, 2012 by Dr. Coon

Gum disease is a common yet often misunderstood illness. According the American Academy of Periodontology, up to 80% of the population in the United States will develop some form of gum disease. Periodontal disease ranges from mild and reversible to severe and chronic. Dr. Donald Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Cody Coon dispel some common misconceptions about gum disease.

Myth: Gum disease isn’t a serious medical problem

Gum disease can advance into a chronic bacterial infection. In fact, gum disease is linked to a number of systemic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. Once gum disease advances into periodontitis, the condition must be managed with professional treatments and deep cleanings.

Myth: It’s natural to lose teeth in old age

Tooth loss is not a natural part of aging. In fact, teeth can last up for a lifetime. The number one cause of tooth loss is actually gum disease. Your teeth are supported by your jawbone and gum tissue. Tartar buildup inflames and infects gums causing gum line recession. As the gums recede, tartar collects below the gum line and along tooth roots. Over time, the teeth lose support and fall out. (more…)

Little Known Facts about Porcelain Veneers

Posted April 24, 2012 by Dr. Coon

Veneers Started in Hollywood

The first porcelain veneers were made in the early 1900’s. They were typically used for actors in Hollywood who needed to change the appearance of their smile. These veneers were temporary and would fall off in a matter of days. Now, porcelain veneers can last for decades with thorough oral hygiene. Additionally, modern veneers are not limited to the rich and famous. With advancements in technology and cosmetic procedures, veneers are more affordable than ever. For less expensive smile makeover, dental bonding is a cheaper alternative to veneers, which covers many of the same smile imperfections.

Whitening and Veneers

Porcelain veneers are great for covering light tooth discoloration and staining. The porcelain shell has enough opacity to make your teeth appear whiter while maintaining the slight iridescence of natural teeth. However, if you would like a dramatically whiter smile, or if you are only placing veneers on a few front teeth, it may be a good idea to have a whitening treatment before veneer placement. Once veneers are attached to your tooth, the restoration cannot be lightened. Neither over-the-counter products or professional teeth whitening can brighten porcelain since it does not have the same composition of your natural teeth.

Preventing Staining with Porcelain Veneers

While veneers are mostly stain resistant, they can be susceptible to discoloration around the edges of your tooth. Since the porcelain is attached to the front of your tooth, the dental cement used to attach the restorations may take on some staining. You can prevent dark discolorations around your porcelain veneers by flossing daily. With a thorough oral hygiene routine, you can remove the food particles from between your teeth that can attract bacteria and decay. Dental cleanings will also help you maintain your veneers and keep them sparkling for years. (more…)

Dental Implant FAQs

Posted April 17, 2012 by Dr. Coon

Why is replacing a missing tooth important?

Missing teeth create a domino effect of oral health problems. All of your teeth are placeholders in your smile. Each tooth has a specific function and is shaped and located specifically for that purpose. When the tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth can become unstable in their positions. These remaining teeth will drift out of position to accommodate for the missing tooth. Often, this creates malocclusion, or bad bite. When teeth are out of place, your top and bottom teeth do not align correctly. Malocclusion causes bruxism (teeth grinding), TMJ disorder (a condition associated with jaw pain), and countless other dental health issues.

How does a missing tooth affect my jaw?

Not replacing a missing tooth can have serious implication for your jawbone health. Alveolar atrophy, or jawbone shrinkage occurs as a result of a missing tooth. A healthy tooth root connected to the jawbone will encourage jawbone growth with the stimulation from chewing. When the tooth is gone, the chewing stimulation stops to that area and the bone begins to deteriorate. Jawbone atrophy combined with multiple missing teeth can create a collapsed look in the patient’s smile.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Dental implants prevent malocclusion and jawbone deterioration by replacing the missing tooth. A small titanium post acts as an anchor for the restoration. The post is placed into the jaw and osseointegrates with the bone. After the biocompatible post fuses to the bone, a crown can be placed on top of the post as the only exposed portion of the implant above the gum line. The titanium anchor and the porcelain crown offer security and discretion. The post allows the restoration to feel stable and natural. The porcelain crown mimics the coloration, size, and shape of the tooth, making the implant look authentic. (more…)

Sheridan Dentist Recommends Mouth Guards for Youth Sports

Posted April 10, 2012 by Dr. Coon

Did you know April is National Facial Protection Month?

While not many of us will celebrate this occasion with hockey mask parties or full face football helmet brunches, this awareness month is meant to help athletes and parents of youth athletes protect their mouths during sports activities. Drs. Donald Coon, Justin Coon, and Cody L. Coon of Grinnell Street Dental, recommend mouth guards to prevent dental and facial injuries during sports.
Protecting your teeth during contact or collision sports is vital to your dental health. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, more than five million teeth will be knocked out during sports activities this year. In fact, as much as 40 percent of kids’ injuries this year will be related to dental trauma.

How to Choose the Right Mouth Guard

The mouth guard has been in active use since the early 20^th century by boxers. Today, the mouth guard has evolved into a sophisticated protection device that can save you the physical, emotional, and financial backlash that comes with knocking out a tooth. You have many options when it comes to choosing a mouth guard for yourself or your child, but each of these falls under three main categories of mouth guards.

Custom-fabricated Mouth Guards in Sheridan

These mouth guards are made in our dentist’s office in Sheridan using vacuum-forming or heat-lamination techniques to fit specifically to the patient’s exact occlusion. The teeth-protecting cushion offers comfortable breathing and ease with speaking because it fits securely to either the upper or lower arch. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends this type of mouth guard for maximum retention and protection of teeth. Our Sheridan dentist offers comfortable mouth guards for sports protection as well as TMJ and bruxism treatment. (more…)

Preparing Your Smile for Prom in Sheridan

Posted April 3, 2012 by Dr. Coon

It’s about that time of year. If you’re in high school, you are probably trying on prom dresses, picking out a suit, and deciding what to do with your hair. Have you considered what to do about your smile? If you have smile issues, prom season is the perfect time to whiten your teeth or correct a crooked smile. At Grinnell Street Dental, we can help you smile your brightest.

Teeth Whitening in Time for Prom

If thinking about all of the pictures you will have to take before you even leave the house has you hesitant, Sheridan dentists Dr. Donald Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Cody L. Coon can help. Cosmetic dentistry services like teeth whitening can have you smiling brightly in front of the camera. In as little as one hour, our in-office whitening treatments can lighten your teeth up to ten shades brighter. Using peroxide, the whitening treatment penetrates the tooth, removing deep stains from coffee, sodas, and other dark drinks.
Grinnell Street Dental also offers at-home whitening kits for the convenience of whitening treatment at any time of the day. At-home whitening allows you to use the bleaching trays during your morning routine, on your way to school, or before bed. The results are a brilliant smile that goes perfectly with your prom duds. (more…)

Healthy Eating for a Healthy Smile (and a Healthy Body)

Posted March 27, 2012 by Dr. Coon

The month of March is National Nutrition Month, and the 2012 National Nutrition Month theme is Get Your Plate in Shape. As the month of March comes to a close, Sheridan dentists Dr. Donald Coon, Dr. Cody Coon, and Dr. Justin Coon urge you to get your own plate in shape to achieve optimal oral and overall health.

The Effects of Snacks on Your Dental Health

Even though a layer of tough enamel protects them, your teeth are very vulnerable to the foods and drinks you consume. Because of this, you need to pay attention to what you eat—avoid sugary, starchy, and acidic foods—and how you eat it.
For example, snacking throughout the day exposes your teeth to constant acid attack, so it’s better to eat three balanced meals rather than munch all day long. Still, if you must snack, healthy snacking is the way to go. Read on for some healthy snacking tips from your Sheridan dentists. (more…)

CEREC Dental Crowns from Your Sheridan Dentist

Posted March 13, 2012 by Dr. Coon

At Grinnell Street Dental, Sheridan dentists Dr. Cody Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Donald Coon offer top-of-the-line restorative dental procedures and treatments to help their patients restore optimal look, feel, function, and health to their smiles. One of these restorative dental procedures is dental crowns. Read on to find out more about dental crowns and how Dr. Coon uses advanced technology to restore his patients’ smiles.

What is a Dental Crown?

By definition, a dental crown is a custom-made restoration that fits over your whole tooth to take the place of the anatomical dental crown—the top portion of the tooth that appears above the gum line.
Often referred to as a dental cap, dental crowns repair appearance, strength, health, and function to a tooth that has been damaged by injury or decay or has undergone an extensive dental procedure like a root canal.
Once upon a time, dental crowns took two appointments to place—one appointment to prepare your tooth and place a temporary crown, and another appointment to place your permanent crown once it returned from fabrication at the state-of-the-art dental laboratory. Today, Sheridan dentist Dr. Coon is proud to offer CEREC one-visit dental crowns to his patients. (more…)

All About Dental Bridges from Your Sheridan Dentist

Posted March 6, 2012 by Dr. Coon

Do you have missing teeth that force you to hide your smile due to embarrassment? Have your surrounding teeth shifted to compensate for the missing teeth and now your smile and bite are misaligned? If so, Sheridan dentists Dr. Cody Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Donald Coon have a conservative and powerful solution for you: a dental bridge.

What is a Dental Bridge?

Much like a set of dentures or a dental implant, a dental bridge replaces a missing tooth or several missing teeth in row.
The difference between a dental bridge and a denture is that a bridge is fixed in place, meaning it functions just like a natural tooth without the chance of a loose or unstable fit. At Grinnell Street Dental, we offer two options when it comes to stabilizing your dental bridge—implant-retention and crown-retention. With an implant-retained bridge, a dental implant is placed within the socket of the missing tooth, and a lifelike dental bridge is attached. With a crown-retained dental bridge, crowns are placed on the teeth surrounding the space left by the missing tooth, and these abutment crowns hold the dental bridge in place as it truly bridges the gap between the supporting teeth. (more…)

Treating Gum Disease with Perio Protect at Grinnell Street Dental

Posted February 21, 2012 by Dr. Coon

At Grinnell Street Dental, Dr. Cody Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Donald Coon are dedicated to helping their patients achieve and maintain healthy teeth and gums. To do this, these Sheridan comprehensive care dentists aren’t afraid to do more than the tried-and-true preventive and general dental techniques. Today, we’d like to talk about one preventive dental treatment we use to help our patients maintain healthy smiles that you might not have heard of before: Perio Protect®.

What is Perio Protect®?

Perio Protect® is a customized, comprehensive system that is designed to help patients manage biofilms, which are communities of bacteria that colonize in the spaces—also known as periodontal pockets—between the teeth and gum tissue in gum disease-infested gums. The overall goal of the Perio Protect® method is to manage oral biofilm with minimally invasive dentistry for lasting oral health. (more…)

Achieve a Straight Smile at Grinnell Street Dental

Posted February 14, 2012 by Dr. Coon

Today is Valentine’s Day so hopefully you’ve already come up with the perfect present for your significant other. If not, however, or if you want to show your Valentine that you love them all year round, Sheridan, Wyoming dentists Dr. Cody Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Donald Coon have the perfect gift to help your partner—or yourself—achieve a beautiful smile.

Straighten Your Smile Without the Metal

As a professional, image-conscious adult, it’s no surprise that you want a natural-looking smile that’s beautiful and gives you self-confidence. If your smile woes are based on the position of your teeth however, these same image-conscious feelings may keep you from your dream smile because you don’t want to have a mouth full of metal braces. At Grinnell Street Dental, we have an alternative to traditional metal orthodontia: Invisalign.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a revolutionary teeth straightening system that gives you the results of traditional braces without the burden and eyesore of a mouth full of metal. (more…)

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