Everyone has some aspect of their smile that they just don’t care for. These concerns may include discoloration, misaligned teeth, and excessive gum, among others. This is where cosmetic dental care comes in, saving the day with treatments to beautify your smile. However, some patients wonder if they’ll be able to receive cosmetic dentistry care from their general or family dentist.
Every dental specialty receives the same training at the start of their careers, including handling cosmetic dental concerns. While there are specialists for handling complex cosmetic concerns, every dentist can provide aesthetic treatments for their patients. In addition, there are benefits to visiting your family or general dentist to have your cosmetic treatments performed.
These benefits include:
These four factors mean making your general dentist the home for cosmetic treatments can provide superior results. General and family dentists provide other services that often cross lines between cosmetic and other areas of dentistry. Some examples of procedures like these include:
When considering your dental health, ensuring you’re getting the best care you can is essential. This usually means sticking with your primary dentist produces the best possible results. Cosmetic dentists and other specialists are the right options for severe or complex cases. Our team will let you know if the services of a specialist are necessary to achieve the results you’re looking for.
If you’re ready to begin your journey to great oral health with McCartney Dental, it’s time to give us a call. Dr. Jonathan McCartney, DMD, and the other members of our team will talk about your dental care goals. From cosmetic care to restoration and orthodontic dentistry, we’ll work with you to design the right treatment plan for you. It all begins with a call to (941) 423-4334 to schedule your first visit to our North Port, FL office. During your visit, you’ll undergo a thorough dental exam and a comprehensive medical and dental health history review. Call us today, and let’s start working together on the beautiful smile you dream of!
When you need surgery on your mouth, many options for specialists are available. The type of specialist you’ll be referred to depends on the kind of surgery you need. Endodontists and oral surgeons are similar in that they both provide oral surgery. But there are many differences between the two. Knowing the differences between endodontists and oral surgeons will help you make an informed decision.
Endodontists generally perform preservative treatments through root canals and other surgeries. Root canals are used to correct diseased teeth. “Endodontist” originates from Greek words meaning “inside the tooth.” When an endodontist treats your teeth, they’re working on the internal spaces of the teeth.
Oral surgeons are trained to perform surgery on the mouth and face. To become an oral surgeon, they must complete four or more years of education to learn more about surgery. Their area of expertise is more comprehensive, and oral surgeons offer more options for facial surgeries. Knowing what each specialist excels in is the first step. But now you need to know what the surgeries they perform are:
Both specialists can operate on your teeth. Both are essential members of your dental team. However, endodontists perform small operations on the inside of your teeth. Oral surgeons focus on repairs and restorations across your entire face. Your timing is vital when deciding between an endodontist and an oral surgeon. What can start as a simple root canal can become an infection that requires an oral surgeon to repair if you wait too long. Extractions and implants are expensive when compared to root canals and endodontic procedures.
An endodontist can treat cracked and broken teeth if the injury isn’t severe. But if the crack extends beneath the gum line, you’ll need an oral surgeon to extract and replace the tooth. If the crack or break only affects the tooth’s surface, your endodontist can use a filling to restore the appearance of your tooth. Consulting your dentist is the only way to determine if your tooth is easily repaired.
If you notice a problem with your teeth, call McCartney Dental to make an appointment with a member of our staff. If you’re unsure what specialist you need, we can help you decide. The longer you wait to correct a tooth problem, the more likely you will need expensive, painful surgery.
When we lose a tooth, it can impact our lives in various ways. We may become self-conscious about smiling due to the visible gap in our smile. We may begin to lose the ability to eat our favorite foods, and with enough teeth lost, it can even impact our ability to speak clearly. There can be a notable impact on our social lives and careers as we lose confidence, begin to smile less, and experience the discrimination that can come with an imperfect smile. Here at McCartney Dental, we’re dedicated to providing our patients with effective approaches to addressing missing or damaged teeth.
There are a variety of restoration options available capable of restoring a single tooth or an entire arch. Which one will be right for you will be determined by the reality of your oral health, financial reality, and personal preferences. Some of the most common options are found below:
Each of these tooth restoration treatments can effectively restore form and function to your smile. Dr. Jonathan McCartney will help you determine which of these approaches will be the one that gets you the results you’re hoping for.
If you’re ready to begin looking into dental restoration options for your smile, it’s time to see Dr. McCartney. It all starts with a single call to 941-423-4334 to schedule your consultation and dental exam. During your visit, you’ll undergo a full examination, dental history, and dental cleaning. Dental imaging often accompanies these steps to get a complete picture of your oral health. Following this, you’ll speak with Dr. McCartney about your treatment options and start planning the best approach for you!
Every child needs good oral hygiene. But not all children need orthodontic treatments early. When a young child faces crowded teeth, crooked teeth, or gaps, it might be time to see an orthodontist. How old should your child be when seeing an orthodontist? Most orthodontists recommend starting these visits at six or seven.
When you hear “orthodontic treatment,” you generally think of braces. That is true. But braces and aligners are considered Phase II of treatment. Early orthodontic treatment, or Phase I, addresses concerns before braces or aligners are needed. But what does Phase I entail?
Phase I of treatment is used to help children who have most of their primary teeth. Sometimes, the growth of permanent teeth can be obstructed by primary teeth. Depending on your child’s issue, different options exist to correct these issues. Palatal expanders, partial braces, and retainers are commonly used in Phase I of treatment. This phase addresses possible skeletal issues in the jaw or with alignment before permanent teeth grow.
If your dentist notices an issue with your child’s jaw or alignment after permanent teeth grow, they might suggest early orthodontic treatment. What are the concerns your orthodontist might have? Here are some of those concerns:
Treating these conditions earlier can pave the way for later orthodontic treatments. Thinks of phase I as the gateway to phase II. With the correct early treatments, your child may not need metal braces or clear aligners later.
Not all children need early orthodontic treatment. If your child doesn’t have a pronounced concern with the alignment of their jaw, generally wait until phase II. Your child may not need orthodontic treatments at all. X-rays and dental exams are the best way to ensure whether your child needs any orthodontic treatment. If your child’s teeth are misaligned, visiting the orthodontist is in order.
As stated before, six or seven is the best time to start visiting an orthodontist. Many children don’t need treatment that early, but a visit can’t hurt. Visiting your orthodontist can provide peace of mind and a treatment plan.
If you think your child needs orthodontic treatment, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist. The longer your wait, the more vital the visit becomes. Your dentist can refer you to a pediatric orthodontist if you still need to find one. The orthodontist can perform the necessary examinations to tell you if your child needs early orthodontic treatment. If they aren’t eligible, your orthodontist can tell you when they might need them.
Having confidence in our smiles starts with ensuring our teeth stay healthy. While brushing and flossing, we prevent many dental issues; sometimes, these issues become so severe that we need a professional’s help to remedy them. There are two professionals in the dental field we often see. Our Dentists and their Dental Hygienists. Both have licenses to practice, though their titles are different. A Dentist is a Doctor Of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), and a Dental Hygienist is a Registered Dental Hygienist (R.D.H.) After taking their base courses in college, which can be lengthy, both D.D.S. and R.D.H. require special training. There are, however, a few differences between the two, especially in the treatments they provide. Let’s discover what each of them does.
Similar to other medical professionals, Dental Hygienists go through special training. The length of this training is shorter than their dentist counterparts, however. Upon completion of their degree program, aspiring hygienists need to clear an exam to receive their license, allowing them to practice anywhere in their state. Upon receiving their license, they can add R.D.H. to the end of their name.
The first person you’ll usually encounter during dental visits is a Dental Hygienist. Their role in the dentist’s team is crucial, as they examine your mouth and note any problems which they provide to the dentist. They aren’t the ones who diagnose the issue, as that is the dentist’s job. A Dental Hygienist provides different treatments that help guarantee good oral health while providing information about products and skills that benefit your gums and teeth.
Dental Hygienists have several responsibilities they take care of before the dentist can provide their treatments. Below are some of those responsibilities.
They are known as Doctors of Dental Surgery due to the numerous treatments they provide regarding our dental health, such as tooth removal. Dentists have to study more than Dental hygienists, thanks to the increased responsibilities that come with their particular dental career path. Learning about the specializations in dentistry requires a lengthy education where techniques for caring for particular dental concerns are taught. Periodontists are a great example of this, as they care for gum-related issues.
Like Dental hygienists, Dentists also have several responsibilities they take care of in their careers. Below are some of these responsibilities.
Despite the differences in the responsibilities and education of dentists and dental hygienists, both careers are equally important. They can ensure they’re providing their patients with the best possible care by assisting each other.
Today’s dental practices are moving towards better technologies to treat their patients, and one of the latest advancements to hit the scene is artificial intelligence. By making healthcare more digitalized, dentists can quickly improve how they provide their services to their patients. But what does artificial intelligence look like? We’re here to briefly explore this topic more fully by showing what artificial intelligence can do for people needing dental care.
Most dentists are equipped with intraoral scanners, cone beam computerized technologies, and 3D printers to provide valuable restorations for their patients. In recent years, however, developments in artificial intelligence have led to AI-driven software for processing and analyzing data on a more accurate scale. This allows dentists to automate responses from dental x-ray scans and provide treatment recommendations from a larger pool of data to treat problems such as cavities and gum disease.
In specialty practices, artificial intelligence can be used as robotic assistants for semi-automated tasks, including taking dental impressions and providing feedback on a patient’s toothbrushing methods. For instance, a cosmetic dentist can work with artificial intelligence to analyze x-rays, measure dentofacial features, and determine treatments for their patients. Although it cannot fully replace the expert eye of a dentist with years of experience, it can act as an assistant in larger areas of information, allowing dentists to take that information and turn it into personalized care.
While artificial intelligence can easily benefit dental practices in their diagnosis and treatments, patients on the other side can experience more fluid, professional oral care that’s valuable to their experience. They can experience numerous benefits, including:
While artificial intelligence is currently in its preliminary stages, it will eventually become a place for dentists to seek out second opinions and better accuracy for their patient’s treatment plans. For more information, make sure to speak with your dentist about what they can provide for you for your dental care treatments with the help of artificial intelligence.
Mail-in braces have been a common commodity and have become a long-lived trend. However, it has become one of the most harmful trends available for children, teenagers, and young adults, hoping they can straighten their smiles. Mail-in braces are a good solution for dental care through the internet. However, they come with risks that can be both detrimental and even irreversible. These variants of braces can be particularly dangerous for children with misaligned teeth, and we’re to provide the reasons why we must avoid them at all costs.
Whether you’re taking your child to a pediatric dentist or you go to your orthodontist, they use methods that are backed by research and utilize safety steps to protect your or your child’s teeth during the alignment process regarding braces. During the alignment of a child’s teeth, their teeth will move gradually due to the shifting and pressure placed on their jaws and tissue structures within their mouth. Because of this, it’s known to be easier for children to straighten their misaligned teeth due to the ways that their body changes as they grow up.
With mail-in braces, they attempt to offer appealing advantages over going to a dentist’s office. These advantages include cost-effective braces, enhanced straightening capabilities, and more straightforward usage. In reality, mail-in braces cause far more problems than braces provided and installed by a dentist, as they don’t use the proper safety steps, leading to restricted teeth movement, which presents a much higher risk to your child’s teeth development.
Due to the risks that mail-in braces can and have created, those seeking solutions must visit their dentist before deciding on any treatment options. A dentist can provide safe solutions for oral health that will benefit both you and your children in the long run in both a healthy and financial outcome without running the risk of potentially damaging you or your children’s teeth.
In their youth, teaching our children about dental health is vital. Before the first primary tooth grows, we must prepare to guarantee the child’s oral health. Once the first tooth arrives, we must ensure that this tooth remains as healthy as possible before it is replaced with its adult counterpart. While these are temporary, known as baby teeth, they remain crucial parts of our children’s development processes. They ensure that the jaw develops appropriately, guiding it, so there’s enough room for all the adult teeth soon to come. To maintain the healthy growth of our children’s teeth, we must provide them with a foundation of reliable dental hygiene.
When teaching our children the importance of oral hygiene, they must know what they need to do, how often it needs to be done, and how to care for their teeth properly. When it comes to our children, nothing speaks louder to them regarding being taught about something, especially hygiene, than making them feel heard and answering any questions they might have regarding their oral health. It may seem unimportant to answer repetitive questions from our children. However, every time you answer their questions, the answer becomes more ingrained in their minds, creating a motivation behind their choices towards their oral health. These are some techniques you can use to aid your child’s healthy oral habits.
Dentists spend years assisting families like ours to develop integral oral hygiene routines as an essential part of their careers. They stay up to date with the latest info in oral hygiene and health, ensuring that this information is given to their patients. They can also aid us in choosing the appropriate oral hygiene products for our families and ensuring that our children’s choices are the best they can make.
How others perceive us has been a core of human culture since the beginning of history. The specifics of how we “should” look to meet the current social norms have changed as often as the weather. The invention of the internet has made our appearance seem all the more critical, especially for those born to it. With Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, and Twitter providing an ongoing march of ever more polished and filtered images, our view of reality can quickly become distorted. With so many people using social media to communicate with those they care about all over the world, it’s hard to remain unaffected.
Selfie culture is one of the most notable driving forces behind the rise of social dysmorphia. Selfie culture is the compulsive sharing of images of ourselves through various social media channels. Through these images, we create an impression of how we look and our lives are. In many cases, the images and the description of our lifestyle are misleading and flat-out fabricated at worst. One of the driving forces behind these manipulations is a desire to be well-perceived by others and even envied. However, this has led many people of all ages to develop a misguided view of a healthy and natural appearance.
This has led to the rise of a mental health concern known as smile dysmorphia. Smile dysmorphia is the perception that our smiles are unhealthy, unattractive, or somehow flawed despite none of these things being true. This is often the cause of deep insecurity in those suffering from this condition. These individuals will seek out cosmetic dental care that is unnecessary. In the worst cases, they’ll go to extremes to reach that ideal smile and appearance.
Those with smile dysmorphia often seek treatments such as the following:
One essential part of battling smile dysmorphia is building a good relationship with your dentist. As a dental health professional, you can rely on their assessment of your smile. They’ll offer healthy and effective treatment options to help you meet your aesthetic dental concerns without putting your oral health at risk. Call for a consultation today!
Every time you go to your dentist, they take pains to help ensure you’re healthy. One quiet service they provide is scanning their patient’s oral cavities for cancer. Oral cancer occurs in many forms and is treatable if caught early. For this reason, checking for this disease is an important part of every dental visit.
Several indicators are on your dentist’s watchlist as they perform a standard dental exam. Oral cancer can appear in your throat, cheeks, tongue, and gums. Any of the membranes within your mouth can be a place where this condition can form. Signs of discoloration are one of the earliest indicators your dentist is on the watch for. However, lesions that aren’t healing properly, polyps, and other sores can also indicate something is amiss. When oral cancer is suspected, your dentist may request one of the following tests:
In addition to the above tests, your dentist may order CAT scans, MRIs, or additional x-rays to reach a conclusive diagnosis. The information these tests provide can help direct your medical providers toward effective treatment options. These tests will reveal the aggressiveness of cancer, the degree to which it has progressed, and how far it may have spread.
If you find yourself worrying about the presence of oral cancer, reach out to your dentist or primary care provider. These cancers are those that can be effectively treated in their earliest stages. As a result, you must remain vigilant about their presence. Your dentist or primary care physician will address any concerns you have, and tests will be done to determine if there’s any need to worry. If oral cancer is detected, they’ll coordinate in developing a treatment plan with you that will give you the greatest chance of becoming a cancer survivor.