Why Do I Have a Diastema?

Many kids present with diastemas in their primary teeth, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. As their larger permanent teeth come in, those spaces keep their teeth from being overcrowded. However, in some cases, the space is too big (or their teeth are too small, depending on how you look at it). There may also possibly be an oversized labial frenulum (the skin flap between your upper lip and two front teeth) that keeps the teeth from closing together completely. Or there could be a misalignment or protrusion of teeth.

Treating Diastemas

Schedule a consultation with your Dr. Greenfield to uncover the cause of your diastema. Once the reason for the gap is determined, an informed treatment plan can be designed to meet your desires and needs. Treatment options will generally include the possibility of porcelain veneers (ultra thin pieces of porcelain that adhere to the outside of the teeth) dental crowns, partial bridges, dental implants, and orthodontics. Multiple orthodontic possibilities are now available which can straighten teeth without the embarrassment of obvious bracket-and-wire braces.

Visit your Lake Orion Dentist

Are you concerned with gaps in your teeth, or any other dental issues? You can visit Dr. Greenfield’s office in Lake Orion at 248-693-6213 to schedule a dental appointment or cosmetic consultation. We offer comprehensive dentistry services to patients in Lake Orion and surrounding communities.

Sugar Bugs

Streptococcus mutans are quite commonly found in the human mouth, though we aren’t born with the germs. S. mutans are able to grow best in temperatures between 18 and 40 degrees Celsius. The temperature of a “normal” mouth averages at 37 degrees Celsius, making your oral cavity the perfect home for these crafty bacteria. Streptococcus mutans have something in common with you:  they break down sugar in order to have the energy to live their lives. The by-product of their sugary diet is acid. A deluge of lactic acid on your teeth will demineralizes tooth enamel, which is supposed to serve as the protective outer layer of your smile. When S. mutans aren’t stopped from all of these procedures, they will eventually work their way into infecting your dentin, which is better known as a cavity.

Dealing with Cavities

The importance of biannual checkups may seem clearer to you now that you realize there is a constant battle going on inside your mouth between healthy teeth and bacteria. Small cavities can’t always be prevented by your oral hygiene, which is why visiting Dr. Greenfield every six months is so essential. When our dental team is able to examine your mouth that often, we can catch the tiniest cavities and fill them fast. This means the germs won’t have a chance to infiltrate your dental pulp and infect your roots. The best way to cut a germ’s travel plans short is to provide the one-two punch of daily oral hygiene and biannual dental checkups.

Visit your Lake Orion Dentist

You can visit Dr. Greenfield’s office in Lake Orion at 248-693-6213 to schedule a dental crown appointment or cosmetic consultation. We offer comprehensive dentistry services to patients in Lake Orion and surrounding communities.

Prevention and Early Intervention

Preventive dentistry refers to dental care designed to support clean teeth and gums and healthy development of oral tissues. Dentists are the main stop for dental care, but pediatricians may also look at your child’s teeth during their overall health checkups. The importance of dental checkups and cleanings translates into a much lower risk of many diseases which start in the mouth, but can affect overall health down the line. Catching dental infections early makes problems much more treatable and less expensive to remedy.

CDC on a Quest

Scientists at the CDC looked at 11 clinical preventive services including hearing and vision screenings, lead levels in the blood, and questions about dental care. In 2007, eight out of 10 little ones between 10 months and four years were screened in the various oral and overall health areas. After two years, it was found that over half of the children had not visited a dentist within the prior year. Even worse, nine out of 10 had not received sealants or fluoride treatments as a part of preventive care. By educating patients and figuring out the core issues at hand, along with promoting the Affordable Care Act, the CDC hopes to help change these numbers in the near future to reflect more proactivity in preventive dental care for kids.

About Your Lake Orion Family Dentist

To learn more about our services, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brad Greenfield, contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry at 248-693-6213. We welcome patients living in and around Lake Orion, Royal Oak.

Stop the Spread of Cavities

It’s a natural thing for parents to take the tactic of rationing candy. Moderation tends to be considered best in all consumption. However, when it comes to sugar, it may be better to let your kids go all out less often. Why? The sugar in candy feeds germs in your child’s mouth (and yours, as well, if your sneaking a few Snickers here and there). If you tell your little one they can have one piece after lunch, one for a snack, and one as dessert after dinner, that’s three times the opportunity for germs to gorge on sucrose as well. By letting your child have the three pieces all at once, you can encourage them to brush their teeth afterwards and deprive bacteria all of those extra opportunities to create acid in your mouth.

Handle Acid with Care

Speaking of acid, one thing to consider is all of the candies on the market that are extremely acidic. If your child is a big fan of sour gummies, sprays, powders, or hard candies designed to make them pucker their lips and impress their friends, these treats are as good as taking a shot of vinegar or lemon juice in terms of teeth. Acid weakens tooth enamel, and is a big part of how germs damage your teeth. They produce acid as a by-product when they consume sugar. If your child eats sour candies, they’re adding extra acid to the party, and their enamel will surely be compromised, at least temporarily. If these are the candies of choice for your child, encourage them to rinse with water after eating, but wait for an hour before actually brushing, to avoid permanent enamel damage.

About Your Lake Orion Family Dentist

To learn more about our services, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brad Greenfield, contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry at 248-693-6213. We welcome patients living in and around Lake Orion, Royal Oak.

If Your Child’s Teeth Get Injured

Do you know what to do if your child’s teeth are injured while playing sports? Take the following steps to help save your child’s tooth and avoid future pain and expense.

• If the tooth has been knocked out find it and save it. A common misconception is that a knocked out tooth cannot be saved, but it can.
• The tooth needs to be stored in one of three ways within 15 minutes to keep the roots alive:
  • Try to place the tooth back into the socket and have your child gently bite down on a tea bag, gauze, a clean wet cloth, or cotton ball to keep it in place.
  • Place the tooth into a container of milk, water will not work.
  • Have your child tuck the tooth between their cheek and gum.
• If the tooth is not replaced into the socket, control the bleeding by applying pressure to the gum where the tooth was lost using a clean wet cloth, gauze, tea bag, or cotton ball, and apply ice to control the swelling.

Research shows that dental related sports injuries can be reduced by wearing a facemask, helmet, and/or a custom-fitted mouth guard. Research indicates that orofacial sports injuries that are left untreated can result in chronic pain, emotional trauma, and tens of thousands of dollars in future financial costs. Don’t wait if your child loses their two front teeth. After following the above steps contact your dentist immediately.

About Your Lake Orion Family Dentist

To learn more about our services, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brad Greenfield, contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry at 248-693-6213. We welcome patients living in and around Lake Orion, Royal Oak.

A dental crown is essentially a cap placed over a tooth to restore strength, shape, girth, and appearance. Permanent crowns can be made of various metals, porcelain-fused-to-metal, all composite-resin, or all ceramic. The crown is cemented onto the tooth, providing a full encasement of the original part of the tooth that remains. Before that happens, however, many people are sent home from the dentist office with a temporary crown. Temporary crowns can be made of acrylic or stainless steel and serve as a one-size-fits-all protection of a tooth or filling awaiting a custom made permanent crown. Fortunately, technology is allowing dentists to provide patients with perfectly fitted crowns in one single visit. Dr. Brad Greenfield of  Lake Orion Family Dentistry  will share the basics regarding CEREC.

Why Do I Need a Crown?

• Reasons for which a patient might require a crown include some of the following:
• To protect a tooth weakened from decay or injury
• To hold together the parts of cracked teeth which are in danger of breaking completely
• Restoration of broken or severely worn down teeth
• Support of a tooth with a cavity too large to withstand a simple filling
•   Covering over severely discolored teeth

CEREC – The Ultimate in Crown Convenience

The Blue Cam CEREC machine makes dental crowns right before a patient’s eyes. In the same visit, you are prepped and fitted with a beautiful enamel-like crown, color matched to your existing teeth. The convenience of the single visit extends to the fact that you will not have to deal with a poorly fit temporary crown while you wait for your restoration to be fabricated. CEREC is bonded to your tooth through a chemical process which allows Dr. Greenfield to save as much healthy tooth tissue as possible. Crowns made on the CEREC are done “chair-side.” In just one appointment, a patient can walk away with a natural looking, strong restoration to their damaged tooth, and never have to even think about a temporary crown.

CEREC from Lake Orion Dentist

You can visit Dr. Greenfield’s office in Lake Orion at 248-693-6213 to schedule a dental crown appointment or cosmetic consultation. We offer comprehensive dentistry services to patients in Lake Orion and surrounding communities.

Teeth Whitening in your Home

Teeth whitening has been around since the 1700s. Some of the archaic methods for teeth whitening in the past  included ground up stones and other abrasives, drilled holes in teeth filled with acid, and even urine. Why urine? The  acid found in bodily waste actually will brighten teeth, but of course, at a rather unpleasant cost. Fortunately, modern day methods for brightening tooth enamel are more conservative and effective than in years past. Dr. Greenfield offers professional-grade teeth whitening kits which allow you to bleachyour teeth with dental grade gel in the comfort of your own home. These kits feature custom-molded mouth trays that hold bleaching gel close to teeth, while keeping saliva out. Wear the trays as directed, and you’ll enjoy a brighter, bolder, more memorable smile in two weeks or less.

Zoom! Into a Bright Smile

If you prefer to whiten in the office, Zoom! Whitening is a one-visit, in-office treatment which boasts dramatic results. Zoom! Whitening is a great choice if you have a big event coming up soon and don’t have time to wait for several weeks of daily whitening sessions to see noticeable results. Zoom!  uses a light-activated, safe bleaching gel to dramatically improve the whiteness of tooth enamel 8 to 10 shades in just one office visit. Whether you opt for home whitening or Zoom!, you can keep your smile bright and attractive throughout the year by implementing home touch-ups as needed.

Teeth Whitening in Lake Orion

You can visit Dr. Greenfield’s office in Lake Orion at 248-693-6213 to schedule a whitening appointment or cosmetic consultation. We offer comprehensive dentistry services to patients in Lake Orion and surrounding communities.

We’ve had music on our mind ever since we heard about the Downtown Lake Orion gazebo concert series. With concerts every Wednesday evening, it’s not hard to get out weekly arts fix. Of course, that set us to thinking about the talented musicians who make the concerts possible, and what being a musician means for oral health. Dr. Brad Greenfield shares helpful information for musicians considering cosmetic dentistry in Lake Orion, MI. By the way, you can click here for a full concert schedule and details.

How Is Dentistry Different for Musicians?

We all rely on our mouth to eat, speak, and express ourselves, but the mouth serves a special purpose for musicians, allowing them to play their musical instrument of choice. Every structure within the mouth—the tongue, jaw, and position of their teeth—impacts their ability to produce the right sounds. For those non-musicians amongst us, you might be surprised that musicians even have a special word for it: embouchure. It’s a complex relationship between these oral structures that allows for the ideal range, tone, and endurance needed to play brass or wind instruments.

What About Cosmetic Dentistry?

Any procedure that alters the size or shape of your teeth may change the way you play your instrument, so porcelain veneers or contouring may not be the most viable options. However, you may wish to consider dental bonding, which can repair very minor imperfections, such as a chipped tooth. Because you aren’t adding bulk to the tooth, you should notice no difference in your embouchure.

Dental Tips for Musicians

• Don’t be shy. If you’re a musician, don’t hesitate to tell us!
• It’s very helpful when our musically inclined patients explain exactly how they play their instrument and how it fits with various mouth structures – even if it means bringing your musical instrument to your dental checkup.
• We’ve also seen musicians who have a mold made of their mouth and teeth. If you ever experience a dental emergency, a mold is the best way to ensure that your dentist can restore the teeth to their original glory, preserving your embouchure.

Questions about cosmetic dentistry in Lake Orion, MI? To learn more about our services, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brad Greenfield, contact us at (248) 693-6213. We welcome patients living in Lake Orion, Clarkston, Royal Oak, and the surrounding cities.

Similarities Between Veneers and Bonding

Bonding and veneers are both highly versatile cosmetic dental treatments capable of treating multiple cosmetic flaws, including:

• Cracks and chips
• Minor fractures
• Slight crookedness and overlapping
• Gaps
• Stains that do not respond to teeth whitening treatment

The Beauty of Bonding

Bonding is a fast, affordable alternative to veneers. The procedure can be completed in only one office visit, making it ideal for anyone with an unforgiving schedule. Because the special resin used for bonding isn’t translucent like veneers, it is best reserved for the most minor imperfections. Dr. Greenfield often recommends bonding for patients whose teeth have sustained damage to the tooth enamel, a concern that makes teeth more prone to showing stains. A good example would be patients whose teeth show signs of dental fluorosis or damage caused by an acidic diet. However, it can be used for any of the purposes listed above.

Unique Properties of Porcelain Veneers

Have you ever watched an awards show, perused a fashion magazine, or read a blog about celebrities? If so, then you’ve probably witnessed porcelain veneers in action. Veneers, a favorite among stars and other high-profile figures, are widely considered to be the pinnacle of cosmetic dentistry. Much of the magic lies in dental ceramic, the material used to craft veneers. Unlike bonding material, porcelain is stain-resistant and boasts a natural translucence comparable to that of natural tooth enamel. The procedure for crafting and applying veneers is slightly more involve than that of dental bonding, and more than one office visit is necessary.

Are you a candidate for bonding or veneers? To learn more about cosmetic dental treatment in Lake Orion, MI, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brad Greenfield, contact us at 248-693-6213. We welcome patients living in Lake Orion, Royal Oak, Clarkston, Bald Mountain, and the surrounding areas.

Do I Really Need a Root Canal?

First, let’s clear up some confusion about the name of the treatment itself. The procedure isn’t actually called a root canal; it’s a root canal treatment or root canal therapy. Actually, everyone has several root canals in each of their teeth. These miniscule tubules begin deep within your tooth in a bundle of nerves and tissue. When an infection strikes your tooth, these nerves are exposed and you experience pain. Without treatment, an abscess or infection originating near the root of your tooth may cause the tooth to become non-vital, that is, dead.

But Won’t a Root Canal Treatment Hurt?

Some discomfort is to be expected following your procedure, but take a moment to put this into perspective. Suppose you’ve just  broken your leg while playing football. When you arrive at the emergency room, you don’t question that the bone must be stabilized and set to ensure proper healing. To do so, the surgeon must actually touch and manipulate your leg before encasing it within a cast. The cast isn’t the painful part; the fracture is. You certainly wouldn’t shy away from having the broken bone set, knowing that to do so would cause even greater pain and damage. Root canal treatment is the same way. No, it’s not fun or painless, but it is absolutely necessary. Dr. Greenfield also offers multiple sedation options for patients who have anxiety or fear about having dental work completed.

Will I Require Restorative Dentistry?

Most patients will require further dental work to reinforce the affected tooth or teeth. Otherwise, you will be unable to eat and speak as before. Dr. Greenfield generally restores the infection-free tooth using a CEREC dental crown, which can be placed in a single office visit. That brings us to another misconception–that treating infected root canals requires several lengthy office visits. And as for metal fillings, visible to all when you open your mouth to eat or speak? No thank you! Our patients appreciate that our crowns are tooth-colored so others will be unable to tell that you’ve undergone a dental procedure.

Delaying a root canal treatment is dangerous. To learn more about our services, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brad Greenfield, contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry at 248-693-6213. We welcome patients living in and around Lake Orion, Royal Oak.