Pregnancy + Dentistry

Once a woman finds out that she's pregnant all these health facts and concerns are bombarded at her to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Often times her oral health gets pushed aside or ignored. Remember ladies: your oral health effects not just you but your baby during your pregnancy!! 

If you are trying to get pregnant...

Make a dental appointment! (Sounds crazy but hear us out!) By seeing your dentist for a routine exam he or she can detect any serious dental problems or infections that should be taken care of before you become pregnant. Untreated tooth and/or gum problems can lead to an increased risk of giving birth to a preterm, low-birth-weight baby!

Congratulations! You're Expecting! 

A lot of changes are going to be happening physically and emotionally for you. Here's what you can expect to happen to your gums: 

More occurrences of gingivitis!! The hormonal changes that your body undergoes during pregnancy do effect your gums. Some women find that they are experiencing inflamed, bleeding and sore gums associated with gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis will lead to a more serious condition call periodontitis and result in tooth loss. 

• Good oral habits to keep in mind when pregnant...
• Start (or continue) to brush, floss, & use an antiseptic mouthwash regularly.
• Keep up with all routine dental check-ups. 
• If you need to have a dental procedure, get a clearance from your gynecologist. 
• When you feel a pregnancy craving coming on try to opt for the healthier snacks. If you can't and you just have to have something with chocolate, floss and brush your teeth immediately after. 
• If you are suffering from the dreaded morning sickness and are vomiting pretty regularly, minimize enamel erosion from your stomach acid by frequently rinsing your mouth with water.

Keep up with these oral habits and the ones recommended by your dentist and you should have healthy teeth not just during your pregnancy but for the rest of your life!

Have a baby or young child already and have some questions about pediatric dentistry? Check out our previous blog post on kids & the dentist.

If you would like to make an appointment with our office please give us a call!

215.567.4949

For information on other dental issues or procedures take a peek at our website! 

pjmouradiandmd.com

CEREC: The Busy Person's Answer to Dental Crowns.

A (brief!) History of Dental Crowns. 

It's common knowledge that dentistry, as a practice, has been around for thousands of years (did you hear about the 6,500 year old human jawbone that had a tooth with a beeswax "filling"?) All throughout history humans have been inventing and re-inventing different ways to treat dental problems, making procedures more efficient and comfortable for both the patient and the dentist! 

Among those great dental discoveries and achievements has been the crown (i.e., cap). A dental crown is a "tooth shaped" cap that is placed over a tooth in order to restore its functions, durability, and appearance. The first dental crowns were primarily made from gold and then were gradually made with porcelain. Today there are 2 ways that crowns are made: Lab designed and CEREC designed. Keep reading to find out the difference between the two.

The Crown

Scenario: You go to your dentist and (to make a long story short...) you need a crown placed on one of your upper right molars. You agree to get the work done and your dentist begins. 

LAB DESIGNED CROWNS

THE PREPARATION

First your dentist will numb you. Then drill and shape your tooth. 

THE IMPRESSION 

After he or she has a satisfactory shape an impression is taken. 

THE WAIT 

After the impression, your dentist fits you with a temporary crown and the impression is sent off to a lab where it takes up to 2 weeks for your crown to be made. 

THE DELIVERY

When your dental office calls to say they (finally) have your crown, you come in, the dentist numbs you (again!) then removes the temporary (if it hasn't fallen out already) and your new beautiful crown is cemented in. Voila! New and improved tooth! 

CEREC CROWNS

CEREC CAD-CAM computer and Milling Unit

THE PREPARATION 

Similar to lab designed crowns, your dentist will have to prep and shape your tooth. 

THE IMAGE

After preparation, your dentist sprays the area with a special powder and uses the CEREC CAD-CAM to take a picture of your tooth. 

THE DESIGN

After the image is taken your dentist will design your tooth with you right there in the dental chair! 

THE DELIVERY 

After the tooth is designed, milled in the in-office milling machine, glazed, and fired in the oven, your dentist will cement your new crown to your tooth. 

ONE APPOINTMENT, NO UNCOMFORTABLE TEMPORARIES, SAME-DAY CROWNS! 

Our office takes great pride in being equipped with a CEREC machine. If you think (or have been told that you need a crown) give our office a call and schedule an appointment! 

215.567.4949

Also, check our our website for this and other dental services we provide!

pjmouradiandmd.com 

[photo credit: http://work.chron.com/dental-lab-technician-paid-5889.html, http://www.1800dentist.com/dental-crown/, http://www.mypriorlakedentist.com/cerec.html]