Inlays and onlays are dental restorations used by a select number of dentists. In certain cases, inlays and onlays are a conservative alternative to full coverage dental crowns. Also known as indirect fillings, inlays and onlays offer a well-fitting, stronger, longer lasting reparative solution to tooth decay or similar damage. These restorations are beneficial from both an esthetic and functional point of view.
Inlays and onlays can often be used in place of traditional dental fillings to treat tooth decay or similar structural damage. Whereas dental fillings are molded into place within the mouth during a dental visit, inlays and onlays are fabricated indirectly in a dental lab before being fitted and bonded to the damaged tooth by your dentist.
The restoration is dubbed an “inlay” when the material is bonded within the center of a tooth. Conversely, the restoration is dubbed an “onlay” when the extent of the damage requires inclusion of one or more cusps (points) of the tooth or full coverage of the biting surface.
If you feel as if you are a candidate for an inlay or onlay, contact your Mortenson Family Dentist to schedule a free consultation at 502-244-9595 or request an appointment on our website at www.mortensonfamilydental.com. We'll see you soon!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Wisdom Teeth - Do They Make You Wiser?
Unfortunately, that's not the case. So, why are those pesky third molars that cause so many so much discomfort called "Wisdom Teeth"?
Your wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop and erupt into the jaws. They usually present themselves in the late teen years, which coincides with passage into adulthood and is referred to by some as the age of wisdom; hence "wisdom teeth". Unfortunately, more often than not, the wisdom teeth are now usually trying to erupt into a jaw that is too small.
SO, HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE WISDOM TEETH?
Wisdom teeth present potential problems when they are misaligned - they can position themselves horizontally, be angled toward or away from the second molars or be angled inward or outward. Ask your dentist about the positioning of your wisdom teeth. He or she may take an X-ray periodically to evaluate for the presence and alignment of your wisdom teeth. Your dentist may also decide to send you to an oral surgeon for further evaluation.
Your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend that your wisdom teeth be extracted even before problems develop. This is done to avoid a more painful or more complicated extraction that might have to be done a few years later. Removal is easier in young people, when the wisdom teeth roots are not yet fully developed and the bone is less dense. In older people, recovery and healing time tend to be longer.
If you feel you have problems with your wisdom teeth, give us a call for a free consultation at 502-244-9595 or visit our website at www.mortensonfamilydental.com to find a location near you.
Your wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop and erupt into the jaws. They usually present themselves in the late teen years, which coincides with passage into adulthood and is referred to by some as the age of wisdom; hence "wisdom teeth". Unfortunately, more often than not, the wisdom teeth are now usually trying to erupt into a jaw that is too small.
SO, HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE WISDOM TEETH?
Wisdom teeth present potential problems when they are misaligned - they can position themselves horizontally, be angled toward or away from the second molars or be angled inward or outward. Ask your dentist about the positioning of your wisdom teeth. He or she may take an X-ray periodically to evaluate for the presence and alignment of your wisdom teeth. Your dentist may also decide to send you to an oral surgeon for further evaluation.
Your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend that your wisdom teeth be extracted even before problems develop. This is done to avoid a more painful or more complicated extraction that might have to be done a few years later. Removal is easier in young people, when the wisdom teeth roots are not yet fully developed and the bone is less dense. In older people, recovery and healing time tend to be longer.
If you feel you have problems with your wisdom teeth, give us a call for a free consultation at 502-244-9595 or visit our website at www.mortensonfamilydental.com to find a location near you.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Why BUY Tickets When You Can WIN Them? Sugarland, Jeff Dunham, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts! We're Giving Them Away NEXT WEEK
It's true! Mortenson Family Dental will be giving away TWO tickets to EACH concert at the Kentucky State Fair this year!
Sugarland, Jeff Dunham, Rascall Flatts, or Tim McGraw tickets are all up for grabs. So, why BUY tickets to all the Kentucky State Fair concerts when you can win them, just by being a Fan or a Tweep?
Please read the following carefully. To be eligible to win you must:
1. Become a Fan on Facebook (current fans are already eligible, but you must do #3)
2. Become one of our "Tweeps" on Twitter (current Tweeps are eligible too, but you must do #3)
3. Introduce yourself in a post on the Facebook Fan Page or on Twitter and tell us how you will use your tickets. A much needed date? A gift for a friend? A surprise? To propose to your significant other?
We will announce the winners on our Facebook Fan Page and Twitter profile on August 18th at noon. You will have 30 minutes to claim your tickets in a post before we draw a different name! Share this blog with your friends and family. As always, if you need us for anything, we're here for you at 502-244-9595 or at www.mortensonfamilydental.com.
We can't wait to hear from you on Facebook and Twitter!
Sugarland, Jeff Dunham, Rascall Flatts, or Tim McGraw tickets are all up for grabs. So, why BUY tickets to all the Kentucky State Fair concerts when you can win them, just by being a Fan or a Tweep?
Please read the following carefully. To be eligible to win you must:
1. Become a Fan on Facebook (current fans are already eligible, but you must do #3)
2. Become one of our "Tweeps" on Twitter (current Tweeps are eligible too, but you must do #3)
3. Introduce yourself in a post on the Facebook Fan Page or on Twitter and tell us how you will use your tickets. A much needed date? A gift for a friend? A surprise? To propose to your significant other?
We will announce the winners on our Facebook Fan Page and Twitter profile on August 18th at noon. You will have 30 minutes to claim your tickets in a post before we draw a different name! Share this blog with your friends and family. As always, if you need us for anything, we're here for you at 502-244-9595 or at www.mortensonfamilydental.com.
We can't wait to hear from you on Facebook and Twitter!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Temporamandibular Joint Disorder (T.M.D)
What is the Temporomandibular Joint?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint that slides and rotates just in front of your ear, consisting of the temporal bone (side and base of the skull) and the mandible (lower jaw). Mastication (chewing) muscles connect the lower jaw to the skull, allowing you to move your jaw forward, sideways, and open and close.
The joint works properly when the lower jaw (mandible) and its joint (both the right and left) are synchronized during movement. Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) may occur when the jaw twists during opening, closing or side-motion movements. These movements affect the jaw joint and the muscles that control chewing.
What is Temporomandibular Disorder?
TMD describes a variety of conditions that affect jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and nerves associated with chronic facial pain. Symptoms may occur on one or both sides of the face, head or jaw, or develop after an injury. TMD affects more than twice as many women than men and is the most common non-dental related chronic orofacial pain.
What causes TMD?
Normal function for this muscle group includes chewing, swallowing, speech and communication. Most experts suggest that certain tasks, either mental or physical, cause or aggravate TMD, such as strenuous physical tasks or stressful situations. Most discomfort is caused from overuse of the muscles, specifically clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism).
These excessive habits tire the jaw muscles and lead to discomfort, such as headaches or neck pain. Additionally, abnormal function can lead to worn or sensitive teeth, traumatized soft tissues, muscle soreness, jaw discomfort when eating, and temporal (side) headaches.
What TMD symptoms can I experience?
- An earache without an infection
- Jaw pain or soreness that is more prevalent in the morning or late afternoon
- Jaw pain when you chew, bite or yawn
- Clicking when opening and closing your jaw
- Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
- Locked or stiff jaw when you talk, yawn, or eat
- Sensitive teeth when no dental problems can be found
What can I do to treat TMD?
The majority of cases can be treated by unloading (resting) the joint, taking a non-aspirin pain reliever and practicing stress management and relaxation techniques. It's important to break bad habits to ease the symptoms. Most treatment for TMD is simple, often can be done at home, and does not need surgery. For example, control clenching or grinding during the day by sticking your tongue between your teeth. If you still experience pain, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth at night. So see your Mortenson Family Dental dentist for a nighttime mouthguard.
Most people will experience relief with minor treatment. More severe cases may be treated with physical therapy, ice and hot packs, posture training and orthopedic appliance therapy (splint). Eating soft foods and avoiding chewing gum also will help relax the muscles.
Is TMD permanent?
The condition is often cyclical and may reoccur during times of stress, good or bad. As the patient, you should be active in your treatment after seeing a dentist for a diagnosis regime by being aware of the causes of your jaw problems. Make routine dental appointments, so your doctor can check TMD on a regular basis.
Sources
Giblisco, Joseph A. DDS, Charles McNeill, DDS, Harold T. Perry, DDS. Orofacial Pain; Understanding Temporomandibular (TMJ) Disorders. Quintessence Publishing Co., Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois. 1994.
E. Mac Edington, DDS, MAGD, ABGD.
NIDR, Temporomandibular Disorders, Bethesda, Maryland.
Wilkinson, Tom, "New patterns of dental disease; Management of temporomandibular disorders." Australian Dental Association News Bulletin, No. 246, July 1997.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint that slides and rotates just in front of your ear, consisting of the temporal bone (side and base of the skull) and the mandible (lower jaw). Mastication (chewing) muscles connect the lower jaw to the skull, allowing you to move your jaw forward, sideways, and open and close.
The joint works properly when the lower jaw (mandible) and its joint (both the right and left) are synchronized during movement. Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) may occur when the jaw twists during opening, closing or side-motion movements. These movements affect the jaw joint and the muscles that control chewing.
What is Temporomandibular Disorder?
TMD describes a variety of conditions that affect jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and nerves associated with chronic facial pain. Symptoms may occur on one or both sides of the face, head or jaw, or develop after an injury. TMD affects more than twice as many women than men and is the most common non-dental related chronic orofacial pain.
What causes TMD?
Normal function for this muscle group includes chewing, swallowing, speech and communication. Most experts suggest that certain tasks, either mental or physical, cause or aggravate TMD, such as strenuous physical tasks or stressful situations. Most discomfort is caused from overuse of the muscles, specifically clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism).
These excessive habits tire the jaw muscles and lead to discomfort, such as headaches or neck pain. Additionally, abnormal function can lead to worn or sensitive teeth, traumatized soft tissues, muscle soreness, jaw discomfort when eating, and temporal (side) headaches.
What TMD symptoms can I experience?
- An earache without an infection
- Jaw pain or soreness that is more prevalent in the morning or late afternoon
- Jaw pain when you chew, bite or yawn
- Clicking when opening and closing your jaw
- Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
- Locked or stiff jaw when you talk, yawn, or eat
- Sensitive teeth when no dental problems can be found
What can I do to treat TMD?
The majority of cases can be treated by unloading (resting) the joint, taking a non-aspirin pain reliever and practicing stress management and relaxation techniques. It's important to break bad habits to ease the symptoms. Most treatment for TMD is simple, often can be done at home, and does not need surgery. For example, control clenching or grinding during the day by sticking your tongue between your teeth. If you still experience pain, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth at night. So see your Mortenson Family Dental dentist for a nighttime mouthguard.
Most people will experience relief with minor treatment. More severe cases may be treated with physical therapy, ice and hot packs, posture training and orthopedic appliance therapy (splint). Eating soft foods and avoiding chewing gum also will help relax the muscles.
Is TMD permanent?
The condition is often cyclical and may reoccur during times of stress, good or bad. As the patient, you should be active in your treatment after seeing a dentist for a diagnosis regime by being aware of the causes of your jaw problems. Make routine dental appointments, so your doctor can check TMD on a regular basis.
Sources
Giblisco, Joseph A. DDS, Charles McNeill, DDS, Harold T. Perry, DDS. Orofacial Pain; Understanding Temporomandibular (TMJ) Disorders. Quintessence Publishing Co., Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois. 1994.
E. Mac Edington, DDS, MAGD, ABGD.
NIDR, Temporomandibular Disorders, Bethesda, Maryland.
Wilkinson, Tom, "New patterns of dental disease; Management of temporomandibular disorders." Australian Dental Association News Bulletin, No. 246, July 1997.
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