Acid Reflux

It’s the time of year for feasting, and for that, the teeth better be in good working order. We’re proud to have provided many people with dental restorations at the office of Dr. Martin Urban, but artificial teeth have to be protected from acidic erosion, just like natural ones. Tooth decay is one potential source of harm, but there is another party-goers should beware of: acid reflux.

Sometimes, the sphincter that separates the stomach from the esophagus accidentally opens, allowing acid to escape upwards. When this happens more than twice a week, it is called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The burning sensation of acid in the esophagus is misleadingly called heartburn. Stomach acid is highly corrosive, and when it enters the mouth, it wears away enamel. Natural teeth being eroded by acid reflux will turn a chalky color and become more sensitive, with the inward-facing sides of the upper teeth being the worst affected. Plastic dentures can also be eroded, requiring them to be replaced.

Acid reflux can often be prevented by changes in lifestyle such as the cessation of smoking. Patients are also advised to avoid eating before bed or while reclining and to limit their intake of alcohol, red meat, spice, onions and garlic, chocolate, and citric acid. Saliva helps to combat acid, so patients might want to ask their doctors about switching away from medications that cause dry mouth.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is primarily used to treat receding gums, especially where tooth has been exposed. When plaque and bacteria build up at the gum line, the gums start to pull away from the teeth and stretch, forming little pockets around the buildup. Even when these little pockets are cleaned out, they remain at the gum line and cause the gums to recede. Dr. Martin Urban, DDS can help you correct this by repairing deficient gums with a gum graft. 

A gum graft procedure consists of harvesting healthy tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth and transferring it to the site that needs reinforcement. This gives the deficient gum a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the graft.  Gum grafting can be performed when receding gums become unsightly, or to cover teeth that have been exposed by receding gums and become much more sensitive.  If you think you could benefit from a gum graft, please contact us.

To learn more about gum grafting and all the other treatments provided at the dental practice of Dr. Martin Urban, DDS, visit www.martinurbandds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, DDS in Boston, MA, call 508-425-9640. 

Dental Bridges

If you are missing a tooth, you should strongly consider having it replaced. Besides the aesthetic disadvantage of missing a tooth, it could also cause changes to the position of other teeth in your mouth and may also affect your ability to chew effectively. If you have areas of missing teeth and are considering replacing them, Dr. Martin Urban, DDS may recommend a dental bridge.

The process of creating a bridge begins by reshaping the anchor teeth (abutments) to which the bridge will be attached. After the anchor teeth are prepared, an impression of the teeth is taken and sent to a dental lab. The lab is able to use the impression to create a model of the teeth as they appear in the patient's mouth. Then a bridge is custom-made to properly fit and feel as close to natural teeth as possible. The bridge consists of crowns that cover the anchor teeth and a pontic (or pontics), which look like and act as the "replacement tooth or teeth."

If you have questions or concerns regarding implant dentistry or periodontal therapy, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.martinurbandds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, DDS in Boston, MA, call 508-425-9640. 

Mini Dental Implants

 Mini implants are similar to regular implants but are smaller, often less than 2mm in diameter. If you are missing one or more teeth or experiencing discomfort with your dentures than mini implants can serve as long-term support. Dr. Martin Urban, DDS can provide support and guidance for dental implant patients and help educate them on the options available for improving their comfort and confidence.

The main use for mini implants is to install a full upper or lower denture. A series of mini implants (4-6) are placed along the gum line and they serve as the base of the denture. Rather than placing a single implant for a single tooth, an entire lower or upper set of teeth are directly attached to the gumline. The direct placement of mini implants through the gum with no incision allows for a minimally invasive procedure. The mini implants can usually be inserted right through the gum into the bone. This eliminates the need for a recovery period, and the restoration can usually be placed right away or only a short time after. Most patients experience immediate results and can often eat their first meal within a few hours.

If you have questions or concerns regarding implant dentistry or periodontal therapy, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.martinurbandds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, DDS in Boston, MA, call 508-425-9640. 

Implant Oral Care

Caring for a dental implant is just as important as caring for a natural tooth. To ensure the long life of an implant, it’s important that you take the necessary steps that Dr. Martin Urban, DDS suggests to prevent implant failure. Lifestyle habits such as smoking should be stopped immediately, and your oral care routine will need to be amped up to make a healthy recovery and maintain a healthy smile.

During the post-operative process, it’s important to keep the implant clean at all times. Dr. Martin Urban, DDS will provide you with personalized instructions that are needed for your implant. To ensure a safe implant process, the teeth should be thoroughly brushed and flossed to prevent inflammation of the tissues surrounding the implant. You should pay extra attention to the area around the implant but always brush gently to prevent sensitivity. Dr. Martin Urban, DDS may suggest scheduling a check-up every three months after the implant process to assess that everything is going smoothly.

If you have questions or concerns regarding implant dentistry or periodontal therapy, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.martinurbandds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, DDS in Boston, MA, call 508-425-9640. 

Aggressive Periodontitis and Tooth Loss

Healthy gums are firm and pale pink in color. If yours are anything but the sort, it’s time to visit Dr. Martin Urban, DDS for periodontal therapy. We’ve discussed how gingivitis is a mild, reversible form of periodontal disease, but when a periodontal disease becomes aggressive, the soft tissue and bone that supports the teeth can loosen and potentially lead to tooth loss.  

All forms of periodontal disease begin with plaque that is left behind on teeth. If plaque isn’t adequately brushed and flossed away, the harmful bacteria will eat away at the enamel and soft tissue and cause the tooth to weaken. Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that can be prevented with proper oral care habits and routine dental cleanings. To restore periodontal health, Dr. Martin Urban, DDS may suggest scaling and root planing treatment to clean underneath the gums and remove harmful bacteria.

If you have questions or concerns regarding implant dentistry or periodontal therapy, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.martinurbandds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, DDS in Boston, MA, call 508-425-9640. 

Periodontal Maintenance

In its most advanced stages, gum disease can lead to gum recession, and even tooth loss.  Dr. Martin Urban, DDS wants to make sure it never gets to that point for you and your family!  When plaque builds up on a tooth, the gum starts to pull away from the tooth and form a pocket around the buildup, which only leads to more gum recession.  A deep periodontal cleaning, also called a scaling and root planing procedure, is used to treat this buildup and prevent the later stages of gum disease.

Scaling and root planning are two parts of a deep cleaning procedure your dentist can perform to help reverse the progress of gum disease.  The procedure beings with scaling, which is the process of the dentist removing plaque from the surface of the teeth, all the way down to the gums. Root planing is the term for any minor contouring to smooth the surface of a tooth near the root.  When plaque has been removed and the tooth root has been smoothed, the gums that have pulled away will have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to as they heal.

To learn more about deep periodontal cleaning and all the other treatments provided at the dental practice of Dr. Martin Urban, DDS, visit www.martinurbandds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, DDS in Boston, MA, call 508-425-9640.