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Tooth loss is a challenge for everyone; whether it’s because of a sports injury, severe infection, or a planned extraction, it takes a physical, emotional, and psychological toll. It hurts to chew, you may be disappointed that you lost a tooth too soon, and your self-confidence suffers.

Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several solutions for tooth loss, and one of the most widely-used is dental bridges. 

What a Bridge Does

A bridge is a dental prosthetic that is designed to restore function and appearance to your smile. It consists of two dental crowns with an artificial tooth or pontic suspended between them. The pontic sits in the space left by the missing tooth, and ...

If you’re a nail-biter, you know that the habit can be painful and embarrassing. But did you know that it affects more than your fingers and can actually lead to serious oral health problems?

Your dentist in Phoenix wants you to be aware of any habits that put your oral health at risk, so here’s what you need to know about nail-biting and kicking the habit.

Why Do We Bite Our Nails?

Researchers are still looking for the medical reason behind the habit, but we do know it’s widespread; the National Institutes for Health says that 20 to 30 percent of us are nail biters. There’s even a name for it - ...

Over fifty years ago, the Surgeon General’s Advisory Committee published a landmark report on the effects of smoking. While everyone today is aware of the dangers of smoking, at the time the information was groundbreaking because it was the first official report that showed a direct connection between smoking and lung cancer. 

Smoking and Its Effect on Oral Health

Recently, this report was updated to include additional complications related to smoking, like oral cancer, gum disease, and dental decay. But other oral health problems were also linked to smoking.

• Smoking and other tobacco products affect the attachment of soft tissue and bone to your teeth and impact the normal function of gum tissue ...

Do you panic at the thought of getting a root canal? Are you fearful until the last moment when you're tempted to reach for the phone and cancel your appointment?

You're not alone.

Root canals are the most universally feared dental treatment, and even though many of the reasons for the procedure's negative reputation no longer apply, the myths persist. However, it's time to set the record straight once and for all. 

The primary reason many people fear root canals is because they equate it with discomfort. It's true that when you arrive for your appointment, you are probably in a great deal of pain. This is the result of trauma or ...

Losing a tooth can take its toll, not just on your oral health, but also on your self-image. It can be a challenge to act confidently around others when you don't even want to open your mouth.

So, the first step is to decide (with the help of your dentist) which type of tooth replacement best suits you. You know that bridges replace missing teeth, but you've also heard that dental implants are another option. The question is, which is right for you?

Benefits of Dental Implants vs. Bridges

It will help you to understand the difference between the ...

The goal of dentistry is to provide preventive exams and cleanings to keep your smile healthy and restorative treatments if something goes wrong. It’s essential for your oral health to retain as much tooth structure for as long as possible, so extraction is not something we take lightly.

Before we recommend removing a tooth, we will exhaust every other option available. But in some cases, the only sensible treatment approach is extraction.

If extraction becomes necessary, you can be sure that we will explain why the procedure is required and how it will benefit your long-term oral health. We use state-of-the-art technology like digital x-rays so you can see for yourself ...

Did you know that numerous studies indicate your periodontal health can have a significant impact on your general health? Research in this area continues, and as it does, our understanding of the role that chronic gum infections play in your overall health grows.

Gum Health and Gastric Cancer

Another of these studies was published recently in the Journal of Periodontology and it investigates the connection between gum disease and gastric cancer. It is believed that the presence of certain types of bacteria causes gum infections and chronic inflammations, which in turn can contribute to the development of gastric cancers.

To gather their results, the researchers tested 35 patients who were recently diagnosed with gastric ...