Many patients think that missing teeth that aren’t visible when they smile don’t need to be replaced, but tooth replacement is about much more than just the way your smile appears. There are a number of oral health concerns that can arise when patients neglect to replace even a single missing tooth. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the many ways that foregoing tooth replacement can adversely affect your oral health.
(more…)
If you’ve invested in dental implant retained restorations, your new smile should stay whole, healthy, and properly functioning for two or more decades. Unfortunately, some patients are not so lucky. When the dental implant tooth replacement process is completed correctly or implants aren’t cared for properly, the result can be a loosened or failing implant. Keep reading to learn more about the causes of loosening dental implant posts and how to talk to your dentistry team about dental implants.
(more…)
Most parents know they shouldn’t send their kids to school with sugary, acidic sodas, but there are secret sugars hiding in some of the drinks parents consider good for kids. Sodas are highly acidic and contain large amounts of natural and processed sugars. This one two punch can increase risk of decay for kids. Reducing soda intake or removing it completely from your child’s diet is a great first step, but there are actually other drinks that can negatively impact your child’s oral health. There are three keys to keeping your child’s smile healthy. Drink sugary and acidic beverages in moderation, keep teeth healthy with great at home care, and visit a trusted Boiling Springs dentist for biannual dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings.
(more…)
Tooth brushing is one of the most important ways patients prevent unnecessary decay or damage. Brushing technique has a huge impact on the effectiveness of daily oral hygiene, and our dentist and hygiene team will be happy to demonstrate proper brushing techniques during any dental checkup, but one of the questions we hear most often from patients is, “What type of toothbrush should I be using?” Many times patients want to know whether or not they should invest in a mechanical toothbrush rather than the traditional manual brush. We tell patients that any toothbrush used properly will remove plaque and tartar buildup, but we can make some specific suggestions based on your unique oral health condition. At Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, our team is here to help dental patients from Boiling Springs and other surrounding communities make the best oral health and hygiene choices in our office and at home. Contact us to schedule your dental checkup to find out more.
(more…)
Choosing a dental office for Carlisle family dentistry is not a decision that should be made in haste. You need to choose a family dentist who offers complete dental services to care for your family as their oral needs change over the years. With a caring and experienced dentist welcoming your family into their office, every member of your family will build a positive relationship with the dentist to make their oral health a priority throughout life. While there are many excellent choices for a Carlisle PA family dentist, not everyone will be the perfect fit for your family. To choose the best dentist for your family’s exact needs and comfort, there are a few key factors you need to keep in mind when making your selection.
(more…)
While bleeding gums may not seem like a really big deal, when left untreated, bleeding gums can progress to a much more serious complication. Bleeding gums are the first sign of gum disease, known as gingivitis, which is easily treatable. However, when left untreated, gingivitis will progress to the later stages of gum disease. Once periodontal disease has progressed past the point of gingivitis, you will need Carlisle gum disease therapy with Dr. Thomas Neslund. Dr. Neslund provides Carlisle periodontal therapy to stop the damaging results of the infection to restore your oral health.
(more…)
While no 2 dental patients are alike, everyone needs a dentist he or she can trust, being confident that the doctor’s education, compassionate attitude and creative skills will lead them toward better oral health and self-confidence. Discover these things with Carlisle, PA dentist, Dr. Thomas Neslund.
(more…)
Replacing a missing tooth or missing teeth is more than a matter of appearances—although that is certainly an important consideration. Dr. Thomas Neslund and the team at Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Carlisle, PA, want you to be comfortable with and proud of your smile. But in addition to that there are oral and general health concerns that make tooth replacement all the more important. Did you know, for example, that having one just missing tooth can lead to the development of gum disease or symptoms of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder? And because missing teeth may making chewing difficult, some people actually are malnourished as a result. For these and other reasons, Dr. Neslund wants you to know about your tooth replacement choices at our office. One is certain to accommodate your lifestyle and your budget.
(more…)
If you’ve been experiencing severe, constant tooth ache or hot and cold sensitivity, you may need root canal therapy to ease your pain. The caring staff at Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry are here to help whatever your dental care needs. At our welcoming, comfortable Carlisle, PA office, Dr. Thomas Neslund provides experienced root canal treatment to ease you pain, and restore you smile. If you think you may need a root canal or you’re interested in finding a great dental practice for all of your health care needs, call us to schedule an appointment today. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.
Endodontic therapy commonly referred to as root canal therapy is necessary to remove decay and restore damage to your tooth’s roots. Gum infection or severe tooth decay can reach break down the protective enamel layer of your root very quickly. In the center, the canal, there is a soft layer of pulp and sensitive nerves that help relay tooth pain. Many patients don’t know they need root canal therapy until the decay has reached their nerve causing severe pain. Damage to these nerves can actually kill your tooth, so the sooner you receive root canal therapy, the better.
The pain commonly associated with root canals is actually caused by damage to the nerve. The treatment itself should significantly reduce pain by removing decay and restoring your root. Regular checkups and x-rays can help your dentist discover root canal damage before it becomes painful. If you are experiencing painful or swollen gums, constant or severe tooth ache, or extreme hot and cold sensitivity, you may need a root canal. Visit us as soon as possible, so we can put a smile back on your face.
Endodontics is a dental specialty. The word itself is derived from two Latin words: endo – inside and odont – tooth. This specialty focuses on understanding and caring for the inner workings of the tooth including the pulp layer and the root canal. Dr. Neslund has years of training and experience in endodontics, and can provide you with excellent root canal therapy not matter how severe the damage. Our goal at Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is to retain and restore your natural teeth, and root canal therapy can be an effective way to avoid tooth extraction if the root is damaged.
Most patients who need root canal therapy will need to schedule two or more visits. During your first visit, Dr. Neslund will determine the severity of the damage to your root, and work with you to develop a treatment plan. To stop the spread of infection before your root canal therapy can be performed, Dr. Neslund may prescribe antibiotics. A course of antibiotic treatment will also ready your body for the procedure.
The day of the treatment, Dr. Neslund will x-ray your tooth and the surrounding jawbone to get the shape and size of the canal, and look for any signs of deterioration to the surrounding teeth or your jawbone. The procedure itself removes bacteria, infection, and affected dental pulp and nerves. If there is a good deal of infection, your doctor may want to treat the infection before restoring the tooth canal. Whenever Dr. Neslund determines your tooth is ready for restoration, he will place gutta-percha, a plastic and rubber compound, inside your tooth to fill the space left by removing pulp and strengthen the tooth. Then, the exterior hole used to access and clean the canal is closed with composite filling. Depending on the extent of the damage, additionally tooth restoration may be necessary to return your tooth to restore your smile.
Don’t live with toothache or sensitivity. Root canals may have a bad reputation, but they significantly diminish nerve pain in your root canal and restore your bite health. If you need dental care of any kind, Dr. Neslund and that staff at our Carlisle, PA office are here to help. Call to schedule an appointment or find out more about the outstanding oral health care at Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. Our friendly practice welcomes customers from Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, Boiling Springs, Shippensburg, and the surrounding communities.
Is your smile less than you desire because of a number of imperfections? When you see yourself in a photograph, do your eyes focus on the flaws in your smile rather than the happy person behind the smile? Or, even worse, do you tend to smile with your lips closed? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then perhaps you should consider porcelain veneers. With porcelain veneers, Dr. Thomas Neslund at Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Carlisle, PA, can repair your smile, boost your confidence and improve your outlook.
Porcelain veneers are micro-thin sheaths of dental porcelain that are adhesively bonded to the facial side of the teeth in your smile zone. As such, they can conceal many smile flaws including chips, cracks and teeth that severely discolored, as well as teeth that are misaligned, misshaped or have gaps in between them. Not only do porcelain veneers serve a cosmetic purpose, but they can also protect damaged teeth from additional harm.
When you come to Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to discuss porcelain veneers, Dr. Neslund will first want to make sure you have healthy teeth and gums. Also, if you are not satisfied with the color of your teeth, you may want to consider teeth whitening so your natural teeth will match the whiteness of your new veneers.
Once you and Dr. Neslund have settled on the size, shape and color of porcelain veneers that will best complement you, then he will prepare your teeth for veneers by removing a minimal amount of enamel. This way, the veneers adhere more securely and they lay flush with your other teeth. We’ll take an impression of your prepared teeth so our dental lab can fabricate veneers that will fit perfectly. While your permanent veneers are made, you’ll wear temporaries. Then, when your custom porcelain veneers are ready, Dr. Neslund will cement them into place and you’ll have a flawless smile to show the world.
If you’d like porcelain veneers, schedule an appointment with Dr. Neslund at Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Carlisle, PA. We also serve patients from Boiling Springs, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, and surrounding Pennsylvania communities.
