Invisalign vs Braces

With all of the health and aesthetic benefits of straight teeth, it is a common dental treatment. Here at Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, we offer several different types of orthodontics including braces and Invisalign. Keep reading to learn about the differences between the two major options.

The Invisalign trays are to be worn for twenty to twenty-two hours per day. You can take them out to eat, brush, and floss, unlike with braces. While this is a definite convenience factor, it means you will have to be strict with yourself to make sure you wear the Invisalign for the recommended amount of time. Otherwise, treatment will be delayed.

This also means that there are no restrictions on what you can eat with Invisalign, so you do not have to avoid crunchy, hard, sticky, or chewy foods. Since you can brush and floss normally, there are no special supplies you need to purchase like interdental cleaners and floss threaders.

The smooth plastic trays are also more comfortable than metal braces, so the calluses and irritated spots that braces cause are less likely. In addition, the trays are clear. This means you can straighten your teeth discreetly and will not have the metal look to your smile.  

Whether you desire braces or Invisalign for your straightening treatment will depend on your preferences. To learn more, give our Renton, WA office a call at (425) 271-7725 or visit our Fairwood Dental Center website, www.fairwooddental.com. 

Implant-Retained Dentures

Dentures can get a bad reputation for being uncomfortable and loose. However, with implant-retained dentures, those days are gone. At Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, we offer implant-retained dentures so that patients can get the most out of their smiles and actually enjoy wearing them!

In order to place implant-retained dentures, first, mini dental implants are placed along the upper and/or lower jaw lines. Usually, between four and six are used per jaw line. The dentures are then modified so that they clip right into the mini implants.

The dentures are easy to clip in for patients, so they can be clipped in and out just like normal dentures. The implants give the dentures a stable base so that they fit perfectly. No more moving around while smiling, talking, laughing, or eating. You can now have conversations with people with confidence! Implant-retained dentures also help keep the jawbone from degenerating as quickly! So your dentures will fit better for longer.

Mini dental implants are about half the size of full-size implants, so no surgery is required to place them and they heal quickly. Often, the patient’s dentures are able to be clipped in the same day.

Implant-retained dentures allow comfortability and confidence. To set up an appointment with Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, call our office at (425) 271-7725 or visit our website, www.fairwooddental.com. 

Traditional Metal Braces

Straight teeth create a nice smile and healthy teeth. Here at Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, one of the options we have available for orthodontics is traditional metal braces.

Braces are a teeth straightening system that works by applying metal bracing to the teeth that apply continuous pressure. Over time, the pressure moves the teeth into the desired position. About once per month, you will visit us to have your wires tightened in a new direction.

Today’s braces are made of super-strong metal alloys, so they are smoother and faster than braces of the past. Metal brackets are bonded to the front of teeth and a metal wire is clipped in which applies pressure into a certain direction. The duration for wearing braces varies with each case; however, it is usually somewhere between one and three years. You will need to pay extra-special attention to your teeth while brushing and flossing. There will also be certain foods to avoid while you have braces on.

Straight teeth promote a beautiful smile, healthy teeth, and healthy gums. If you are looking to straighten your teeth, traditional metal braces are a very popular option. To schedule your appointment at Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, call our office at (425) 271-7725 or visit our website, www.fairwooddental.com. 

Gum Grafting

Gum disease can ruin your oral health and it can perpetuate the condition by changing the gum tissues. Deep pockets are formed that hold in bacteria and make gum disease hard to clear up. For this reason, at Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, we perform gum grafting.

Even patients with healthy teeth and gums can have recessed gums that need grafting to fix them; however, gum disease is a common reason why gums recess. It can even create those previously mentioned pockets that trap bacteria. A gum graft is needed to return the gums back to a healthy state and protective state.

The gums should fit around the teeth snugly. They should be loose enough so you can floss, but tight enough so that bacteria and other debris cannot fall down into them. To build the gum tissue back up, gum tissue will be taken from another area in the mouth and moved to the area where it is needed. Often, the tissue will be taken from the palate or another area of the gums where there is excess tissue. The tissue is then stitched down into place for healing. The tissue will also promote further growth from the gums. The end result is a gumline that is healthy, protective of the teeth, and does not allow a resurgence of gum disease.

To learn more about gum disease, recession, and gum grafting, be sure to visit our website. To schedule an appointment with Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, give us a call at (425) 271-7725 or visit our website, www.fairwooddental.com. 

Sinus Augmentation

Dental implants are the only permanent tooth replacement option; however, sometimes due to bone structure, they may not be possible. In order to make dental implants an option again, here at Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, we are able to perform a sinus augmentation.

When a tooth is missing for a while, the bone in the area where the tooth used to be can begin to deteriorate. If it deteriorates far enough, it will not be able to successfully hold a dental implant. A sinus augmentation adds bone to the area between the upper jaw and the sinuses, a common place to lose bone or simply not have enough of it to begin with. The sinuses on either side of the nose are commonly too low for placing an implant for a molar or premolar. The bone is taken from another area in the jaw or from a place like the hip bone or shin bone. This added bone will also promote growth so the area will be large enough for a dental implant.

The process begins with cutting the tissue where the implant will be. The bone is exposed and a small opening is created. The membrane separating the sinus cavity from the jaw is pushed up and away. The bone graft material is then packed into the space. Afterwards, the area is stitched closed. The area will need several months to heal, but the end result is a large and strong jawbone that can hold a dental implant for life.

If you are interested in learning more about the sinus augmentation process or dental implants, contact Fairwood Dental Center of Renton, WA. We can be reached at (425) 271-7725 or through our website, www.fairwooddental.com. 

Pocket Reduction Surgery

When gum disease advances, it can create deep pockets in the gums that continue the cycle of gum disease. When these pockets are too large to heal on their own, a pocket reduction procedure is necessary. At Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, we perform pocket reduction surgery, sometimes called osseous surgery, so our patients can keep gum disease away.

To begin pocket reduction, your dentist will lift the gums up and away so that the deepest bacteria can be reached and removed. After the bacteria are cleared out from the gums and teeth, your dentist will replace the gum tissue so that it is tight against your teeth. This restores the proper fit of your gums around your teeth so that they do not collect bacteria.

The end result is a natural-looking gum line. It should be loose enough for normal at-home care like flossing but snug enough so that bacteria cannot reach deep down by the tooth’s root.

If you suspect you have gum disease, do not wait to seek treatment. Schedule an appointment at our Renton, WA office by calling (425) 271-7725 or by visiting our Fairwood Dental Center website, www.fairwooddental.com. 

Choosing the Right Toothbrush for You

Walking through the toothbrush aisle, there many different options. So how do you know which toothbrush is right for you? At Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, we want to help our patients pick out the toothbrush that will help them get the best oral care.

Manual vs Electric

Manual and electric toothbrushes have been shown to do about the same job cleaning your teeth. However, electric toothbrushes may be better for patients who have difficulty moving their hands. This is because the electric toothbrush does almost all the work; it just needs to be held in the right spots.

The Bristles and the Head

A toothbrush with a large head can be difficult to fit in all the spaces of your mouth. Choose a toothbrush with a smaller head or one you can easily maneuver around your mouth. Also do not pick a toothbrush with stiff bristles. Stiff bristles wear down enamel and irritate gum tissue.

Singing Toothbrushes

For kids or grown-ups who love a little extra pizazz in their oral care routine, a toothbrush that plays music can make brushing fun. They also have nifty timers that let you know you have brushed for a full two minutes.

For more dental resources, visit our website, www.fairwooddental.com. To schedule an appointment with Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, call our office at (425) 271-7725 or visit our website. 

Proper Flossing

Flossing your teeth every day is very important for plaque removal and for preventing cavities in between teeth. Here at Fairwood Dental Center of Renton, WA, we want to give our patients some guidelines to make sure they are flossing effectively.

The first thing to know is that flossing should be done every day. Food and other debris get stuck in our teeth and cause plaque to build up, which can cause decay and infection. Failing to floss could also lead to gum disease. Gum disease is irritating, painful, and can eventually lead to tooth loss. Flossing can be done before or after brushing.

To get a good grip on the floss, take eighteen inches of it and wrap most of it around both of your middle fingers, leaving about two inches to floss with. Adjust the floss to use a new section of it for every space. Take the floss and rub it back and forth between two teeth until you hit your gums. When you reach the gums, make sure not to snap the floss against them, as this could cut or bruise the gums. Make a swooping motion at the gums and continue to scrub all the way up the teeth and out. Make sure the get in between all of your teeth, do not leave any out.

Flossing daily, brushing twice a day, and regular cleanings by your dentist are all part of a good oral hygiene routine. To schedule with Fairwood Dental Center, call (425) 271-7725, or visit our website, www.fairwooddental.com. 

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Wisdom teeth usually grow in between the ages of seventeen and twenty five. Sometimes they will grow in with no problems at all and other times they will need to be removed. The experienced dentists of Fairwood Dental Center of Renton, WA are skilled in wisdom teeth extractions and have performed the procedure for many patients.

The procedure is completed under a local anesthetic and either nitrous oxide, IV sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the procedure. Your dentist will make an incision in the gums to reveal the tooth. If needed, the some bone may be removed, as well. The tooth will be rocked back and forth until it is loose enough to pull out. If breaking it up into sections makes the removal easier, that may be done so.  The gums will then be stitched together.

Wisdom teeth can grow in with no problems at all, however, even if they cause no problems, they are still sometimes recommended to be taken out. The wisdom teeth are sometimes so far back that they are hard to get fully clean. This can promote gum disease and infection. Often, wisdom teeth will need to be taken out anyway, as they are creating problems in the mouth. They can grow in at an angle, not fully emerge, or damage other teeth.

If you suspect your wisdom teeth are growing in, schedule an appointment with us at our Renton, WA dental practice. To schedule, call us at (425) 271-7725 or visit the Fairwood Dental Center website, www.fairwooddental.com. 

Tips for Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth is an everyday task that many people probably don’t think twice about. But having the proper brushing technique is what makes brushing every day effective. Here at Fairwood Dental Center of Renton, WA we want our patients to get the most out of their oral hygiene routine.

The first step to proper teeth brushing starts with the toothbrush, of course. It is important that the brush is not too big and not too small. There are different sizes for different ages, but the brush head needs to be small enough to be able to reach every tooth. Soft bristles are best for removing plaque.

Brushing should be done twice a day. If you can fit in three times a day, that is ideal. A good way to squeeze in that third time is by bringing a toothbrush to work. Make sure not too over-brush, as this can wear down the enamel on your teeth and irritate gums.

Using a circular or up-and-down motion will be the most effective at brushing the whole surface of the tooth. Be sure to brush the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of all teeth. Don’t forget your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth, as well!

In addition to these teeth brushing tips, be sure to store your toothbrush upright and where it can air-dry well.

For more tips on how to keep good oral hygiene, visit the Fairwood Dental Center website, www.fairwooddental.com. To schedule an appointment, call (425) 271-7725 or visit our website.

Professional Teeth Whitening

At-home teeth whitening kits have become a very popular cosmetic whitening option for patients hoping to improve the aesthetic appearance of their smile. However, as many have noticed, these over-the-counter systems often leave a lot to be desired. That’s why we offer custom, take-home professional teeth whitening to our patients in the Renton, WA area.

When it comes to getting the whiter, brighter smile you’ve always wanted, there is no substitute for professional teeth whitening from Dr. Aishwarya Ramanan and Dr. Arti Bhan-Kachroo. Unlike ineffective, over the counter whitening strips that are messy and tend to slide off teeth, professional custom tray whitening whitens teeth 4-8 shades in just a couple days. The tray whitening system can reverse the effects of discoloration.

Traditional tray systems include a custom-fitted mouth guard that the patient wears for a period of 40-45 minutes for a few days. Your dentist at Fairwood Dental Center will take a mold of your mouth in order to create a custom-fit mouth guard. Once the mouthguard is created, patients will apply a whitening gel and secure the mouthguard in their mouth for about 45 minutes a day. The amount of days the mouth guard is worn depends on how white the patient wants their teeth to be.

For more information about teeth whitening at Fairwood Dental Center, visit www.fairwooddental.com. You can also call (425) 271-7725 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Aishwarya Ramanan or Dr. Arti Bhan-Kachroo. 

Ridge Augmentation

When you are considering dental implants, your dentist at Fairwood Dental Center is going to test to see if you are a legitimate candidate. We use dental implants for patients who have gum disease or problem teeth, currently wear dentures or have bone loss. One issue that comes up quite often is patients not have enough bone in their jaw to support an implant.  A certain amount of bone is required to support the implant and if you do not have the required amount, we will expose the bony defect and fill the area with bone or bone substitute through a procedure called ridge augmentation.

Deformities in the jaw can leave you with inadequate bone in which to place a dental implant. The bone defect can be caused by injury, trauma or periodontal disease. Ridge augmentation procedures can improve appearance and increase your chances for successful implant placement.  In this procedure, the bony ridge of the jaw is literally expanded by mechanical means. Bone graft material can be placed and matured for a few months before placing the implant. We have many options for bone grafting materials including bone from your own body, a cadaver, cow bone or synthetic material.

Ridge Augmentation is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. If you are missing teeth and do not have the bone to support a dental implant, please consider this procedure. You can set up an appointment with Dr. Aishwarya Ramanan or Dr. Arti Bhan-Kachroo by visiting our website, www.fairwooddental.com or by calling (425) 271-7725. 

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is one option, which can repair a cracked or damaged tooth. Crowns can be used when a filling alone will not correct the problem. A crown will look just like your own teeth and also restore function.

Fairwood Dental Center is happy to offer our patients a variety of dental care including crowns. The process of getting a crown starts by repairing the damaged tooth, which involves removing decay. The tooth is then prepared and shaped in order for the crown to fit. An impression is taken and sent to a laboratory for the crown to be made. While you wait for your permanent crown, you will be fitted for a temporary crown.

Dental crowns are usually made of materials including porcelain and ceramic. The color is matched to your other teeth. A crown is usually indistinguishable from your other teeth in appearance. It also functions the same as your natural teeth. Crowns are durable and made to last. With proper care, a crown can last for 15 years or more.

At Fairwood Dental Center, we offer a variety of dental services including cosmetic, preventative and restorative services. Our staff strives to provide you with the best possible dental care in a comfortable environment.

For more information on crowns or any of our other services, please call our office (425) 271-7725 or visit www.fairwooddental.com.

Frenectomy

A frenulum is a small fold or ridge of tissue that either supports or prevents the motion of the tissue to which it is attached. In the mouth, there are two frenulums: the one that connects the upper lip to the gums above your two front teeth and the one that connects the tongue to the base of your mouth. If a frenulum is too short or thick, it can cause speech impediments and gaps between teeth, so corrective action is necessary to resolve the situation. At Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, Dr.  Aishwarya Ramanan and Dr. Arti Bhan-Kachroo perform frenectomies to resolve frenulums that have cause problems in his patients’ mouths.

A frenectomy is a safe and effective surgical procedure that removes the fold of skin if it is disrupting movement, growth or development. Frenectomies can be performed with either a scalpel or a laser, but at Fairwood Dental Center, our team uses a laser, which causes very little bleeding and doesn’t require stiches. The laser is also preferable to the scalpel method because there is less discomfort and healing time after the procedure. If performed on a young child, a conscious anesthesia is used to relax and numb the child, while adults receive just a local anesthesia numb the area while the fold is removed. A typical frenectomy takes less than 15 minutes.

If your frenulum is causing problems for your smile, a frenectomy can solve them. Schedule an appointment at Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA by calling (425) 271-7725. For more information about Dr. Aishwarya Ramanan or Dr. Arti Bhan-Kachroo and their services, please visit www.fairwooddental.com.

Manual Toothbrushes vs Electric Toothbrushes

Walking down the toothbrush aisle, there are so many options to choose from. The biggest difference to choose between is by far manual vs electric. We, at Fairwood Dental Center of Renton, WA, want to aid our patients in making the decision between going electric or manual.

With manual toothbrushes going from a few hundred strokes per minute to electric brushes providing tens-of-thousands of strokes per minute, it may seem like the more strokes, the better. However, it is really the brushing technique that matters the most. Manual brushes have shown to do just as good of a job at brushing as electric brushes.  However, the recent addition of the more expensive sonic brushes has been shown to result in less plaque and gingivitis. This is a debated idea, though, as many feel that those who invest more in healthcare products are usually the best at keeping good hygiene.

There is one solid advantage that electric toothbrushes have over manual toothbrushes. Electric toothbrushes do all of the work. This means that for patients who suffer from arthritis or otherwise have trouble using their hands, an electric toothbrush may do a better job of cleaning their teeth. Electric toothbrushes also have a timer on them as a reminder to brush for a full two minutes.

In conclusion, for most people, manual toothbrushes can do just as good of a job as electric toothbrushes, but it will depend on the person. To schedule your routine cleaning with the skilled dentists of Fairwood Dental Center of Renton, WA, call (425) 271-7725 or visit our website, www.fairwooddental.com.