Toggle navigation
  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
417 W Flying Circle Drive Gillette, WY 82716(307) 682-3353
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Crowns and Bridges
    • Dental Implants
    • Teeth Whitening
    • Veneers Gillette
    • More Services...
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Patient Education

My Blog

Posts for: June, 2020

A Common Sense Approach to Managing Your Dental Care Costs

By Gillette Dental PC
June 21, 2020
Category: Oral Health
Tags: dental care  
ACommonSenseApproachtoManagingYourDentalCareCosts

It's a sad fact: Many people postpone needed dental treatment because of their finances. There's no doubt that treatments for many tooth and gum problems can be expensive. But delaying treatment can make matters worse—and when they do see their dentist to address the issue, the costs can skyrocket.

The thriftiest way to manage your dental health is to prevent disease before it occurs or seek treatment as early as possible. You may incur some initial expense, but you'll pay less in the long-run and have better health to boot.

Here's a common sense approach for easing the impact of dental care on your budget.

Form a customized care plan. The key to keeping your dental expenses in check is to be proactive, not reactive with your care. Don't wait until you begin noticing problems—instead, invest in regular dental visits where your dentist can assess your ongoing individual risk for dental disease. Using that assessment, your dentist and you can then create a care plan that lowers your disease risk and promotes optimal health.

Adopt sound hygiene practices. A simple toothbrush and a roll of floss could save you thousands in dental care costs over a lifetime. Using them daily removes dental plaque, the top cause for both tooth decay and gum disease. Couple that with regular dental cleanings and your risk for costly dental disease will go down significantly.

Try less expensive, short-term restorations. Even with the best prevention strategy, there's always a chance you'll encounter a problem with your teeth or gums. Unfortunately, the best permanent fix may be more than your budget can handle. In that case, consider a less expensive restoration (like resin or glass-based fillings) to protect and restore your problem teeth until you can afford a better permanent solution.

Talk with your dentist about long-term financing. Spreading out the bill for dental treatment over several payments can help you manage unforeseen costs. Talk with your dentist about treatment financing options they offer or sponsor. If possible, have a contingency plan for payment in place before you need it—just in case.

Any kind of dental care, even preventive maintenance, can cost you. But if you manage your care wisely, you can keep that cost to a minimum.

If you would like more information on managing your dental health, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.


0 Comment(s) Permalink

Here Is How We May Be Able to Bring an Impacted Tooth Where It Should Be

By Gillette Dental PC
June 11, 2020
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: wisdom teeth  
HereIsHowWeMayBeAbletoBringanImpactedToothWhereItShouldBe

If all goes normally, we have most of our permanent teeth as we enter puberty. Except, though, when it doesn't—sometimes incoming permanent teeth don't fully erupt, often because there's not enough room for them on the jaw. This can leave all or part of a tooth still up inside the gum and bones.

This condition is known as impaction, and it can cause problems with a person's bite and their smile. This is especially true of the upper canines, those pointed teeth located just under the eyes. Without them present, a person's smile can look oddly different. Moreover, it can worsen their bite and increase the risk of trauma and disease for nearby teeth.

Fortunately, there may be a way to coax impacted canines into erupting into their proper position on the jaw. It will involve, though, some minor surgery and orthodontic intervention to accomplish that feat.

First, though, a patient with missing canines should undergo a thorough orthodontic evaluation. This exam will reveal not only what may be going on with the missing teeth, but how the whole bite has been affected. Knowing the big picture will help direct the next treatment steps.

After pinpointing the impacted teeth's exact position (usually through x-rays or cone beam CT scanning), we then decide whether it's feasible to attempt to expose the teeth. Sometimes, a tooth's position is so out of place that it may be best to remove it and consider a dental implant or other restorative measures.

If it is in a workable position, then the impacted teeth would be exposed surgically (usually by an oral surgeon or periodontist). The surgeon would then bond a small bracket to the exposed tooth and then attach a small chain.

After suturing the incised gum tissues back in place, the chain extending outward from the gums would then be looped over orthodontic hardware attached to other teeth. This will place downward pressure on the upper canine tooth, and over several months prod it to fully erupt.

This may sound like an elaborate procedure, but it's fairly routine and predictable. As a result, a patient can finally get the full benefit of all their teeth, enhance their dental health and transform their smile.

If you would like more information on dealing with impacted teeth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Exposing Impacted Canines.”


0 Comment(s) Permalink

3 Reasons a Root Canal Treatment Might Fail and What You Can Do About It

By Gillette Dental PC
June 01, 2020
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: root canal treatment  
3ReasonsaRootCanalTreatmentMightFailandWhatYouCanDoAboutIt

It's not an exaggeration to say the modern root canal treatment has saved millions of teeth over the last century. Without this procedure, there's not a lot we can do to stop advanced tooth decay from infecting and destroying a tooth.

What's more, a root canal treatment could extend the life of a tooth for decades. Notice we said could—although most root canals do have satisfactory outcomes, there's still a chance a tooth may become re-infected. Here are 3 possible causes for an unsuccessful root canal treatment, and what you can do to lessen their impact.

The severity of the infection. Tooth decay usually begins at the enamel layer, softened by the acid produced by bacteria. Untreated, the infection can then spread through the next tooth layer of dentin until finally infecting the innermost pulp. From there the infection can move through the root canals to the bone, dramatically increasing the danger to the tooth. Root canal treatments have a higher chance of success the earlier they're performed in the disease progression, so see your dentist at the first sign of pain or other tooth abnormality.

The root canal network. An effective root canal procedure eliminates all dead or diseased tissue in both the pulp chamber and the root canals (these are then filled to prevent future infection). But this may prove difficult with teeth that have intricate root canal networks because of a higher risk of overlooking some of the canals. It may be best in such cases for an endodontist, a specialist in treating interior tooth issues, to perform the procedure using their advanced techniques and microscopic equipment.

The age of the tooth. Root canal treatment can weaken a tooth's structural integrity, especially with older teeth. This can make them more susceptible to fracture and a higher chance of infection. We can avoid this outcome by placing crowns on root-canaled teeth: The crown provides structural strength to the tooth and can add further protection against infection. Older teeth may also benefit from the placement of a small support post within it to further add stability before applying the crown.

If you would like more information on root canal treatment, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Root Canal Treatment: How Long Will It last?”


0 Comment(s) Permalink


July (3) May (4)
Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2021
      • January (2)
        • Dakota Johnson and Her Missing Tooth Gap Sparks Online Debate
        • Hockey Season Is Upon Us - Is Your Star Athlete Ready With Mouth Protection?
  • 2020
      • December (4)
        • Why You Need a Professional Teeth Cleaning
        • Your Food's Micronutrients Make a Difference in Your Dental Health
        • Boost Your Dental Health With Soon-To-Expire FSA Funds
        • Van Halen's Passing Reminds Us of the Dangers of Oral Cancer and How to Help Prevent It
      • November (3)
        • Treating Sleep Apnea Could Help You Avoid Diabetes
        • 4 Areas Deserving Attention as You Protect Your Teeth for a Lifetime
        • Don't Let Acid Reflux Disease Rob You of Your Teeth
      • October (5)
        • Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen: A Celebrity Couple's Secrets for a Beautiful Smile
        • DIY vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
        • Wisdom Teeth Bear Close Monitoring for Future Dental Health
        • 4 Ways You Can Better Manage Dental Care for a Child with Down Syndrome
        • What Can Dental Implants Do for You?
      • September (3)
        • Use Appropriate Hygiene Products for Maximum Smile Protection
        • NHL Iron Man Keith Yandle Suffers Dental Trauma on Ice
        • Smoking Increases Your Risk for Gum Disease
      • August (3)
        • Interceptive Orthodontics: Stopping Poor Bites Before They Develop
        • Call the Dentist Immediately If You Have a Loose Tooth
        • How Shawn Mendes and Miley Cyrus Got Their Stellar Smiles
      • July (4)
        • Here's the Scoop on Your Upcoming Root Canal
        • Talk With Your Dentist About Antibiotic Therapy Before Implant Surgery
        • These Digital Tools Increase the Success Rate of Dental Implants
        • Find Out How These Famous Celebrities Protect Their Smiles From Teeth Grinding
      • June (3)
        • A Common Sense Approach to Managing Your Dental Care Costs
        • Here Is How We May Be Able to Bring an Impacted Tooth Where It Should Be
        • 3 Reasons a Root Canal Treatment Might Fail and What You Can Do About It
      • May (4)
        • Long-Term Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
        • Viggo Mortensen's Red-Carpet Smile
        • 4 Things You Should Do - or Not Do - to Maintain Your Oral Appliance
        • Practice Daily Hygiene to Avoid Gum Swelling While Wearing Braces
      • April (4)
        • Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
        • How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Help Improve Your Smile
        • Hugh Jackman Is All Smiles for His New Broadway-Inspired Show
        • Extracting a Tooth is a Routine Procedure
      • March (4)
        • A Child's Damaged Tooth may require a Different Approach than an Adult's
        • Cosmetic Gum Surgery Can Restore Health as Well as Appearance to Gums
        • How Professional Teeth Whitening Can Rejuvenate Your Smile
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
      • February (3)
        • One Visit May Be All You Need to Restore a Chipped Tooth
        • 4 Common Causes for Gum Recession
        • Give Your Child Added Protection Against Cavities With Topical Fluoride
      • January (3)
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
        • 4 Things to Do to Keep Your Child's Dental Development on Track
        • Wearing Dentures 24/7 May Not Be a Good Idea - Here's Why
  • 2019
      • December (4)
        • Stop Bite Problems Early With Interceptive Orthodontics
        • The Benefits of Dental Crowns
        • Why Alfonso Ribeiro Is Grateful for Root Canal Treatment
        • Your Smile Can Be Your Passport to the World - Take Care of It With These Tips
      • November (3)
        • Eating the Right Carbs Helps Keep Your Gums Healthy
        • Having Diabetes Could Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease
        • Pop Star Demi Lovato Pops Out Jay Glazer's Tooth
      • October (3)
        • Don't Panic Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding but Do Keep an Eye on It
        • Vitamins Can Help Keep Your Oral Health in Top Shape
        • Your Quest for a Dental Implant Might Be Interrupted by Bone Loss
      • September (3)
        • Lady Gaga Wasn't "Born This Way?"
        • Dental Office Infection Control Protects You From Viral Infection
        • Your Dentist Might Hold the Key to Solving Your Sleep Apnea Problem
      • August (4)
        • 3 Ways to Correct Missing Front Teeth
        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
        • Rejuvenate Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers
        • Contrary to Popular Opinion, Vaping May Not Be Safer Than Smoking
      • July (3)
        • A Little Orthodontic Magic Could Help an Impacted Tooth Erupt
        • You May Need to Postpone an Upcoming Dental Visit if You Have Shingles
        • NBA Player's Injury Points Out Need for Mouthguards
      • June (4)
        • Jaw Joint Disorders may be Connected to Other Health Problems
        • Do You Have Periodontal Disease?
        • Root Canals are a Safe Way to Save Teeth
        • 3 Things to Watch Out for to Protect Your Oral Appliance
      • May (3)
        • Healthy Smiles for Alfonso Ribeiro and Family
        • Manage Your GERD Symptoms to Prevent Enamel Erosion
        • Simple Steps to Follow if Your Child has a Toothache
      • April (4)
        • Don't Use Benzocaine Products to Ease Your Baby's Teething Pain
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • Which Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure Is Right for You?
        • Get Ahead of a Developing Cross-Bite with This Early Intervention Measure
      • March (3)
        • 4 Common-Sense Tactics to Lower Tooth Decay Risk Between Dental Visits
        • Beat Dental Plaque While Wearing Braces with These Tools and Tips
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
      • February (3)
        • Severe Face Pain can be Managed to Reduce Discomfort
        • You may Need Orthodontic Treatment Before Obtaining Implants
        • National Children's Dental Health Month Highlights Importance of Baby Teeth
      • January (4)
        • Janet Jackson: Even pop stars get insecure about their smiles!
        • How a New Approach to Treating Decay Could Benefit You
        • Porcelain Veneers Might not be the Best Option for Teenagers
        • FAQS about Veneers
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
      • November (3)
        • Lasers Could be the Future for Gum Disease Treatment
        • A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
      • October (3)
        • Take These Measures to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk
        • How to Help Your Kids Form Good Oral Hygiene Habits
        • 3 Surprising Sugar Sources Your Baby Might be Consuming
      • September (3)
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
        • A Bonded Retainer Might Work for You after Orthodontic Treatment
      • August (4)
        • 3 Tips to Making Mealtime Easier During TMD Flare-Ups
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
        • Anchors Make all the Difference in Successful Orthodontic Treatment
        • Take Care of Your Dental Appliance and It Will Take Care of You
      • July (3)
        • Your Dental Care Efforts are Just as Important as Your Dentist's
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
        • Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
      • June (3)
        • 3 Areas to Watch to Avoid Excessive Tooth Wear
        • What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
        • Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love
      • May (3)
        • Lasers Poised to Transform Current Treatment for Gum Disease
        • Tooth Loss: A Health Risk for Older Adults
        • 4 Things You Should Focus on During Pregnancy for Optimal Dental Health
      • April (2)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • 3 Things You Might not Know About Moving Teeth
      • March (2)
        • 3 Fluoride Sources You Should Monitor for Your Family's Dental Health
        • Don't Ignore Tooth Pain - You May Need a Root Canal
      • February (3)
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
        • Quitting Smoking Decreases Your Risk of Implant Failure
        • 3 Reasons Why Smoking Doesn't Mix with Dental Implants
      • January (2)
        • Winter Tooth Tips
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Composite Resin Could Transform Your Tooth's Appearance in Just one Visit
        • Boost Your Overall Health by Reducing Gum Inflammation
      • November (2)
        • Looking Good for the Holidays
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
      • October (2)
        • Four Tips for Preventing Premature Loss of Baby Teeth From Tooth Decay
        • FAQ: Interceptive Orthodontics for Children
      • September (2)
        • Stay Vigilant with Oral Hygiene to Avoid Another Bout of Gum Disease
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
      • August (3)
        • The 3 Top Causes for Tooth Sensitivity
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • Use the Same Prevention Strategy to Defeat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
      • July (2)
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
        • Include Limitations on Sugar in Your Tooth Decay Prevention Strategy
      • June (2)
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • Gum Infection Around Tooth Roots Calls for Immediate Action
      • May (2)
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
        • We can Rid You of that Lump in Your Mouth you Keep Biting
      • April (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • Don't Forget Your Oral Hygiene While Wearing Braces
      • March (3)
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Antibiotics Before Implant Surgery Could Lower Infection Risk in Some People
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
      • February (1)
        • Know the Facts Before Considering Botox for Jaw Joint Pain
      • January (3)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Seek Immediate Treatment for this Advanced Form of Gingivitis
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Keep a Lookout for These Soft Tissue Conditions in the Mouth
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
      • November (2)
        • Teeth Grinding Could be Causing Your Teeth to be Loose
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
      • October (3)
        • Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking by Age 4
      • September (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • 4 Things to Give Your Child a Head Start on Good Oral Health
      • August (2)
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
        • Keep Your Saliva Flowing - Your Oral Health Depends on it
      • July (3)
        • A Royal Fix
        • Patients with HIV Must Pay Close Attention to Their Oral Health
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
      • June (2)
        • Orthodontics Could be the Smile Transformer You've Been Looking For
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • May (2)
        • Keep Alert to These Signs of Impending Tooth Decay
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
      • April (2)
        • Staining Within a Tooth Requires a Clinical Whitening Approach
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
      • March (2)
        • Facial Nerve Pain can be Reduced with the Right Treatment Approach
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
      • February (2)
        • Improving a 'Gummy Smile' Depends on its Cause
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
      • January (3)
        • The Many Advantages of Dental Implants
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • A Clear Diagnosis of Jaw Pain is Needed to Determine the Right Treatment
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
      • November (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • Infection Control Standards Keep Dental Patients Safe from Disease
      • October (2)
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • Be Wary When Considering Botox Treatment for TMD
      • September (2)
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
        • Sleeping in Dentures: Don't Do It!
      • August (2)
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • The Perils of a Loose Permanent Tooth - and What to do About it
      • July (2)
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • Orthodontics and Your Teen
      • June (3)
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • NSAIDs for Pain Management is Safe - if Used Properly
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
      • May (2)
        • Proper Cleaning Techniques can Help you Control Chronic Bad Breath
        • Kristin Cavallari and the Mystery of the Bathroom Sink
      • April (2)
        • Are Porcelain Veneers Right For You?
        • A World-Class Smile
      • March (2)
        • Life-like Dental Porcelain Helps Restore Smiles Marred by Unattractive Teeth
        • Bill Rancic's Smile Helps Close the Deal
      • February (2)
        • Removing Teeth Could Improve an Orthodontic Outcome
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
      • January (3)
        • Orthodontic Headgear: What It Is and Why It May be Needed
        • 50 Cent Tweets His Dental Exam
        • Difficult or Not, Plaque Removal is Necessary for Stopping Gum Disease
  • 2014
      • December (2)
        • Curt Schilling Blames Smokeless Tobacco for His Oral Cancer
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (66)
  • oral cancer (3)
  • gum disease (11)
  • dental exam (1)
  • orthodontics (7)
  • headgear (1)
  • chipped teeth (2)
  • extractions (1)
  • cosmetic dentistry (12)
  • braces (11)
  • veneers (4)
  • crowns (4)
  • smile makeover (2)
  • oral hygiene (25)
  • bad breath (2)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • ibuprofen (1)
  • pain management (1)
  • orthodontic treatment (18)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • loose teeth (1)
  • wisdom teeth (6)
  • dentures (2)
  • tmj disorders (5)
  • tmd (2)
  • infection control (1)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • dental sealants (1)
  • porcelain veneers (3)
  • tmj (1)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • dental implants (9)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • gummy smile (1)
  • facial pain (2)
  • teeth whitening (4)
  • dental emergency (1)
  • dental injury (7)
  • tooth decay (10)
  • mouthguards (5)
  • oral health (15)
  • bonding (1)
  • salvia (1)
  • pediatric dentistry (13)
  • thumb sucking (1)
  • tooth extraction (1)
  • teeth grinding (4)
  • chipped tooth (5)
  • periodontal disease (2)
  • retainers (1)
  • lump (1)
  • sugar (2)
  • sensitive teeth (1)
  • mouthguard (1)
  • smoking (3)
  • tooth pain (1)
  • fluoride (2)
  • dental care (3)
  • pregnancy (1)
  • tooth loss (1)
  • laser dentistry (2)
  • tooth wear (1)
  • clear aligners (1)
  • tads (1)
  • retainer (2)
  • crown (1)
  • Dentist (1)
  • baby teeth (1)
  • trigeminal neuralgia (1)
  • teething (1)
  • toothache (1)
  • gerd (1)
  • oral appliance (1)
  • root canal treatment (4)
  • dental visit (1)
  • vaping (1)
  • tooth replacement (1)
  • sleep apnea (2)
  • snoring (2)
  • dental implant (3)
  • vitamins (1)
  • diabetes (2)
  • nutrition (2)
  • Dental Crowns (1)
  • gum recession (1)
  • cosmetic gum surgery (1)
  • tooth extractions (1)
  • periodontal (gum) disease (1)
  • loose tooth (1)
  • dental injuries (1)
  • Professional Teeth Whitening (1)
  • DIY Teeth Whitening (1)
  • Teeth Cleanig (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Oral Health (98)
  • Dental Procedures (98)
  • Cosmetic Dentistry (2)

Our Location

417 W Flying Circle Drive
Gillette, WY 82716
(307) 682-3353

Map & directions

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
Gillette, WY Dentist Gillette Dental PC 417 W Flying Circle Drive Gillette, WY 82716 (307) 682-3353 Call For Pricing
  • Dental Website Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map