(217) 546-3333Advanced Dental Care of Springfield Blog
Benefits of Night Guards and Sports Guards
April 29, 2014
If you or your children have participated in any action sports, you have probably used, or seen sport guards. Dental guards can also be used at night. In either case, the purpose is the same, to protect the teeth from damage. Mouth guards are not just for children, they are used in dentistry for those of all ages. If you are at risk for certain dental problems, your dentist may recommend a custom night or sports guard for you.
Night guards are most commonly suggested for those who grind their teeth at night, a condition called bruxism. A night guard can help alleviate sore and tense muscles that develop from consistent grinding. These tense muscles can result in tension headaches, popping and clicking jaws, and ringing in the ears.
Grinding can create teeth that are prone to decay. Wearing a mouth guard can help protect the tooth enamel, which can wear down over time from grinding pressure. For many patients with bruxism, wearing a night guard offers a better nights rest.
Sports guards are used for those participating in high-contact sports. Football, hockey, soccer, and rugby are a few sports that generally require mouth protection. These help prevent serious damage to the teeth and gums during a hit. The guard is made of a material that absorbs force, meaning they can reduce the impact to the entire skull, and could help prevent a brain injury as well.
While some mouth guards can be purchased over the counter, a dentist can provide you with a custom fit guard. Your dentist will create a mold of your mouth and send the impression to a lab. This ensures you have an accurate fit that will not fall out of your mouth or loosen over time.
Occasionally, long-term use of store-bought dental guards can lead to pain and dental issues. Because they are made of a cheaper material, they need to be replaced often.
Professionally fit mouth guards can help with minor bite adjustments, and they will be created from a material that is the correct density for your bite. This ensures that your teeth are given proper support where they need it, preventing pain from long term use.
To learn more about the benefits of wearing a sport or night guard, contact Advanced Dental Care of Springfield at (217) 717-4551 today. Dr. Matt VanderMolen will protect your smile for years to come.
Spreading Free Smiles – Dentistry from the Heart
April 28, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Spreading Free Smiles Across Springfield
Dr. Matt VanderMolen will host Dentistry From The Heart – providing people with FREE DENTAL CARE on Friday, June 13th 2014.
Springfield, Illinois – June 13th, 2014 – Dr. Matt VanderMolen will host Advanced Dental Care of Springfield’s Fifth Annual Dentistry From The Heart (DFTH) event – providing a FREE day of dental care to more than 100 residents.
The line will begin as early as 5:00 p.m. the night before, with many prepared to camp out in order to receive free services. Dentistry From The Heart patients travel from across Central Illinois every year to Dr. VanderMolen’s Springfield dental practice for the annual free day of dentistry, happening on Friday, June 13th, 2014.
In 2001, Dentistry From The Heart started with New Port Richey dentist Dr. Vincent Monticciolo as a way to giving back to the community and provide aid to the growing number of Americans without dental insurance. Since its inception, Dentistry From The Heart has grown to include over 200 annual events worldwide and provided more than 80,000 people with free dental care services.
Annually, Dr. VanderMolen and his team of dentists, volunteers and sponsors provide the first 100+ patients with a free extraction, filling or cleaning. This is the fifth annual event for Dr. VanderMolen, who has donated tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of free dental care to more than 500 Illinois residents.
“It is our favorite day of the year at Advanced Dental Care,” said Dr. VanderMolen. “The services provided by Dentistry From The Heart helps more than just a patient’s teeth, it gives them a renewed reason to smile.”
The media is invited to join the legion of volunteers, patients and Dr. VanderMolen on Friday, June 13th, 2014 to spread free smiles across Springfield through Dentistry From The Heart located at Advanced Dental Care, 4701 W Wabash Ave, Springfield, IL 62711. For more information please visit www.dentistryfromtheheart.org. CONTACT: Steve (217) 717-4551 or: steve@SmileSpringfield.com.
Dentistry From The Heart is a registered non-profit organization that provides free dental work for people those in need. Every year, Dentistry From The Heart events contribute millions of dollars in free dentistry and help more than 80,000 patients across the United States and around the world. For more information, visit www.dentistryfromtheheart.org
The Benefits of Preventative Oral Care
April 21, 2014
If you want a beautiful, healthy smile, preventative oral care is essential. Between daily oral hygiene routines at home and regular checkups with your dentist, proper preventative care can save you time, pain, and money.
It cannot be stressed enough: daily brushing and flossing are crucial for maintaining a healthy smile. Brushing and flossing keep particles from gathering between your teeth, keep bacteria at bay, and help prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Making basic oral care a part of your daily routine can prevent the need for costly dental procedures down the road.
Don’t skip on your regular dental checkups and cleanings. During your cleaning, your hygienist will attend to any of those spots you may miss during your daily routine and inform you of the areas you need to pay more attention to at home.
Your dentist is trained to catch serious dental issues. Early diagnosis and treatment for periodontal disease will ensure you have fewer office visits to the dentist down the road.
Your dentist can also determine which, if any, oral issues for which you may be at higher risk and can establish a plan to minimize your risk. The bottom line is preventative oral care will save you time and money. If you allow your teeth to become unhealthy, they may require expensive and painful procedures.
Many dental health plans cover preventative care visits with your dental office. One study found that many people are not taking full advantage of their health plans. We will work with you to establish a comprehensive preventative oral care plan that will ensure a healthy smile for years to come. Make an appointment with Advanced Dental Care of Springfield today. Call (217) 717-4551.
Gaining New Confidence with Cosmetic Dentistry
April 14, 2014
Many people feel self-conscious about their smile. If you have a crooked smile, missing or discolored teeth, you may be trying to find ways to cover up that smile in public. Why shy away from those work functions and social outings? Consider cosmetic dentistry, and be on your way to a whole new you, with a beautiful smile you can’t wait to show off!
There are several types of cosmetic dental procedures that can help give you the smile you have always wanted. Some of the most common are teeth whitening, crowns, dental bonding, and veneers.
If you have stained or discolored teeth, professional teeth whitening systems can be provided to you by your dentist. Whether it is an in-office procedure where you see same-day results, or a take home set custom molded for your mouth, your teeth can become several shades whiter in no time. Unlike the over-the-counter whitening kits, dental offices can use a stronger concentration of the whitening chemical, and they have staff properly trained to apply it. For you, this means faster and safer results.
If you need to fill gaps between your teeth, or want to change the color of your teeth, you may want to consider dental bonding. Dental bonding can also be used to fill cavities in a way that makes the tooth look healthy and natural, without any of those embarrassing metal fillers. Dental bonds use a tooth-colored material and are one of the quickest and easiest methods of tooth restoration in cosmetic dentistry.
However, dental bonds are more susceptible to chipping and staining than some other cosmetic options. If you have a habit of chewing on hard objects, eating or drinking staining foods, you may want to consider veneers or crowns.
Dental Crowns are often used when teeth are cracked, decayed, or damaged. They fit over the existing tooth and work to strengthen your tooth while improving the way it looks. In most cases, crown installation occurs over a few office visits, although new technology is allowing for crowns that can be installed in just one visit.
Your teeth will be reduced to make room for the cap, and a mold will be created of your smile. If you’ll be receiving your crown over the course of two visits, while your mold is sent to a lab for crown fabrication, you will be fitted with a temporary crown. On a subsequent visit, your dentist will cement your crown into place. Crowns can last for many years with proper care.
If you’ll be receiving your crown in one visit, it will be fabricated and placed all in one visit to the office.
Veneers are similar to crowns, but only cover the front area of the tooth. Veneers are created out of porcelain and can be used to fix a variety of cosmetic issues including discolored, crooked, or uneven teeth. Veneers are very resistant to staining, so they are a great long-term option.
To gain back your confidence with a brand new smile, contact Dr. Matt VanderMolen at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield today! (217) 717-4551.
Repairing Your Smile with Dental Bonding
April 7, 2014
Do you have decaying or chipped teeth? Are you embarrassed to show off your smile because of minor cosmetic flaws? Dental bonding is a common cosmetic dental procedure that can help repair unsightly and damaged teeth.
Dental bonding is a quick and easy procedure that can be done in office with little advanced preparation. Your dentist will first prepare a plastic adhesive that is gently shaped and polished to match the contour of your existing teeth. The adhesive is composed of a composite resin that is matched to the color of your natural teeth. Unless you are filling a cavity, you will not require anesthesia; the procedure is normally painless. Once you begin the bonding process, your tooth will be roughened. A liquid will be applied to prep for the resin adhesive. Then the adhesive is applied and shaped to fit naturally with your other teeth. The flexible material is hardened under an ultraviolet light or laser. Your dentist will then do any remaining shaping or trimming needed and polish the bond. The entire procedure can be completed in less than an hour per tooth.
There are many reasons you may be considering dental bonding, as it has a variety of applications. Most commonly, bonding is used to repair decayed, chipped, or cracked teeth. When teeth are decaying, resins can be used to fill cavities. Even if you do not have tooth decay, you can use dental bonding to change the look of discolored teeth. Bonding resin can even be shaped to close gaps, and lengthen, smooth or change the overall shape of the tooth. Occasionally, dental bonding is done to protect the base of a tooth when gums have begun to recede.
To learn more about how dental bonding can improve the appearance of your smile, contact Dr. Matt VanderMolen today. Call 217-717-4551 to schedule your consultation at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield.