You need to brush your mouthguard with a soft bristle toothbrush and antimicrobial soap.
Dr. Williams will assess your oral health and bite and speak to you about your concerns regarding an oral injury or tooth damage to determine if you’re a good candidate for a mouthguard.
Digital scans and physical impressions will be taken of your teeth and sent to a dental lab that will create a custom-made mouthguard for you to wear.
A custom mouthguard will be fabricated based on impressions of your teeth to perfectly match your bite. This process can take a few weeks.
Once your mouthguard is ready and has arrived at our office, you can come back in to pick them up and start your protective treatment.
If you have a contact sport, you’re at a much greater risk for tooth damage and tooth loss than the average person. A mouthguard will cushion your teeth to protect them from injury from a fall, an injury to the face, or an object hitting you in the mouth. The mouthguard absorbs the force, preventing damage and tooth loss.
If you grind your teeth at night, you are exerting up to hundreds of pounds of force onto your teeth which can cause fractures or broken teeth. While your teeth may not break overnight, over time they will become weakened, eroded, and more prone to damage.
You are more likely to grind your teeth if you have a misaligned bite. Many patients accidentally chip their teeth from teeth grinding because they were not conscious while they were doing it. If it’s been brought to your attention that you have bruxism, you need to wear a mouthguard to protect your natural teeth and dental restorations.
TMJ is closely connected with bruxism because teeth grinding is a large factor in causing jaw strain, pain, and lack of jaw mobility that causes TMJ. By wearing a mouthguard, you not only prevent teeth grinding that damages your teeth, but you also prevent jaw strain that causes jaw pain, headaches, and lockjaw.
A dental bridge uses two dental crowns to suspend a pontic, or false tooth, in the gap where a natural tooth has been lost. A metal appliance is often placed to attach the false tooth to the crowns. A dental bridge can prevent your other teeth from shifting over time and last for years.
The best way to treat an infected tooth is through root canal therapy. When the vulnerable pulp inside the tooth and root canals is exposed to oral bacteria, teeth become infected. This can happen if you accidentally crack your tooth or if you experience severe tooth decay.
To begin the procedure, your dentist will clean your teeth and numb your mouth. By drilling a hole in the enamel, your dentist can access and remove any decayed material from the interior of your tooth all the way down to the roots. After your roots are thoroughly cleaned, they will be filled with an inert material to maintain the structure and integrity of the tooth. You’ll be given either a dental filling or a dental crown that will protect and restore your tooth to complete the procedure.
To replace one or multiple missing teeth, partial dentures use false teeth and a metal and plastic framework that clip directly onto your remaining healthy teeth. This appliance can restore your smile, your bite, and your self-confidence. They are a convenient and affordable way to get your smile back, and typically don’t take too long to create.
Full dentures are used to replace the upper arch, lower arch, or both arches of your teeth and fit snugly on the gums. This restorative appliance is a strong option if you struggle with more serious dental health issues or have lost most or all of your natural teeth. You must have all remaining teeth extracted in order to have a full set of dentures fitted.
Mouthguards save you money on costly restorative treatment.
Custom-made mouthguards typically last for 6 months to 3 years. This depends on how fast degradation occurs if you have a misaligned bite, and how often you wear it.
If you wear your mouthguard to play sports and don’t suffer from any injuries, your mouthguard will likely last longer than a patient who has severe bruxism and grinds away at their mouthguard each night. Attend regular dental checkups every 6 months so your dentist can let you know when it’s time to replace your mouthguard.
Yes, unlike one-size-fits-all mouthguards that you would find in the drugstore, custom-fabricated dental mouthguards are created with your ultimate comfort and proper fit in mind. Since we create your mouthguard from impressions taken of your teeth, they will not be too large or too tight and will perfectly cushion your teeth without placing too much pressure. The mouthguards are made of a soft plastic material that cushions your teeth and gums.
No, mouthguards aren’t very noticeable because they are made of clear plastic that is transparent, similar to Invisalign aligners. They protect your teeth without disrupting your smile.
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If you have a misaligned bite, you might be wearing down your teeth at night.
Mon, Wed: 9am - 5pm
Tues, Thurs: 7am - 3pm
Fri: Available for calls 8am - 12pm
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