Can a Cracked Tooth Be Saved?

Opening summary: Many cracked teeth can be treated, but whether a tooth can be saved depends on where the crack begins, how far it extends, whether the pulp and root are involved, and how much sound tooth remains. A crown may protect some cracked tee... Read More

Veneers, Bonding, and Whitening: Which Option Fits Which Problem?

Opening summary: Whitening, bonding, and veneers solve different cosmetic concerns. Whitening changes the shade of natural teeth. Bonding adds tooth-colored material to reshape naturally small, uneven, or misshapen teeth or close selected small space... Read More

Small Gaps Between Teeth: Bonding, Invisalign, or Veneers?

Opening summary: Small gaps between teeth may be closed by adding tooth-colored bonding, moving teeth with Invisalign or another orthodontic approach, or covering selected teeth with veneers. The best option depends on why the space exists, the size ... Read More

What Cosmetic Dentistry Can and Cannot Fix

Opening summary: Cosmetic dentistry can improve tooth color, shape, proportion, certain gaps, and some alignment or bite concerns. It cannot make decay or gum disease disappear, whiten existing crowns or fillings, guarantee a perfectly symmetrical re... Read More

Common Dental Problems Seniors Face as They Age

Opening summary: Growing older does not make tooth loss inevitable, and new dental problems are not proof that someone has neglected their health. Medications, dry mouth, gum recession, chronic conditions, dexterity changes, and decades of wear can a... Read More

How Often Should North Raleigh Families See the Dentist?

Opening summary: Many families are familiar with dental visits every six months, and that schedule is common. Still, the right interval is not identical for every person. Age, cavity and gum-disease risk, medical history, past treatment, home care, a... Read More

Understanding Dental Sealants

Opening summary: Dental sealants are thin resin coatings that cover the cavity-prone pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. For many families, they offer a simple way to protect newly erupted permanent molars before decay has a chanc... Read More

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Opening summary: Many dental crowns serve well for years, but no crown has a guaranteed expiration date. A frequently cited clinical range is about five to 15 years, and some crowns last longer. Material, fit, the amount of supporting tooth, decay ri... Read More

When Does a Tooth Need a Crown Instead of a Filling?

Opening summary: If you have been told that a tooth needs a crown, it is reasonable to ask why another filling will not work. A filling repairs a limited area when enough healthy tooth remains to support it. A crown surrounds a tooth that has been we... Read More

Lost Crown: What to Do and What Not to Do

Opening summary: If a dental crown comes off, save it, keep the tooth clean, avoid chewing on that side, and call a dentist promptly. Do not use household glue or force the crown back onto the tooth. A dentist needs to determine why it loosened and w... Read More