Jun18

Are Dental Implants Really Like Natural Teeth?

Categories: Dental Implants, Restorative dentistry

Do dental implants really function like natural teeth? That question comes up at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, as patients weigh their tooth replacement options.

Dental implants may sound too good to be true, but they really do look and function like natural teeth.

We’ll use this space to describe exactly what dental implants are. First of all, a clarification: a dental implant is not, strictly speaking, a replacement tooth. An implant is really a titanium post that we insert into the jaw; the post is a support for the artificial tooth.

Implants are typically made of titanium, which is fully compatible with human bone. This is one of the great things about them: they completely fuse with the bone and become a part of the body. Cases of rejection are rare.

The implant acts as a substitute for the tooth root that was lost along with the natural tooth. One implant can support one artificial tooth, and several can support a bridge or full dental arch.

The process, on average, takes about six months, start-to-finish. Once it’s fully healed most patients can’t tell the difference between the implant and a natural tooth. They’ve got full biting and chewing power, and teeth that look as real as they function.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we offer single tooth dental implants and implant-supported bridges and dentures. Patients throughout Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI are enjoying their benefits. They also come to our practice for clear braces from Invisalign, complete cosmetic dentistry, and much more. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

Jun11

When It’s Better Not To Brush

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry

enamel erosion Grand Rapids

This message from Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park is about tooth enamel. Though thin and partially translucent, tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body and has the critical job of protecting teeth from constant use and from the assault of chemicals in food and drink.

Enamel also safeguards tooth nerves from hot and cold food and beverages. That’s why enamel loss often causes tooth sensitivity.

Cuts heal. Bruises fade. Broken bones mend. The body’s ability to heal itself is truly extraordinary. But tooth enamel is different. When it’s gone, it’s gone. We encourage our patients to shield their tooth enamel for a lifetime of dental health.

This may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes it is better NOT to brush immediately after eating. Specifically, after eating acidic items. The acid weakens the enamel which can be further weakened by brushing. Waiting 60 minutes will allow the acid to dilute. Rinsing immediately after eating acidic foods is also helpful, because it washes away some food particles and speeds up the dilution of the acid.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park the dental health of each patient is important to us. Find out why people from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI come to us for clear braces from Invisalign, complete cosmetic dentistry, and much more. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 6920
Jun4

Test Your Cosmetic Dentistry IQ

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry

Porcelain veneers Grand Rapids

Are you up on the latest cosmetic dentistry procedures offered at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park? Take our quiz and find out!

1. This popular treatment uses a dental composite that resembles enamel. This composite is applied to the surface of the teeth, sculpted, and then hardened and polished.

A. Veneers
B. Flossing
C. Defanging
D. Bonding

The correct answer is D, bonding.

2. This procedure is very common and its main purpose it to lighten the color of one’s teeth.

A. Teeth Bleaching
B. Teeth Whitening
C. Inlays and Onlays
D. Buffing the Ol’ Pearly Whites

The correct answer is B, teeth whitening, though it is also called teeth bleaching.

3. These thin, porcelain coverings are custom-made for each tooth and are usually used to close gaps or cover discolored teeth.

A. Wax lips
B. Bleaching trays
C. Veneers
D. Tooth socks

The correct answer is C, veneers (although tooth socks do sound cozy!

4. Which dentist serving the Comstock Park area performs state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry procedures to give you a celebrity-caliber smile?

A. Dr. Eric Hull
B. Dr. Bertha Bicuspid
C. Dr. Leo Spaceman
D. Dr. Whitey Toothson

The correct answer is A, Dr. Hull.

We hope you aced our quiz! Cosmetic dentistry from Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park can transform your smile. We’ve improved the smiles of people from xxx, who come to our practice for Invisalign clear braces, complete general dentistry, and much more. Call to schedule an appointment today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 5040
Jun4

Straight Teeth, No Metal

Categories: Invisalign, Orthodontic Treatment

General Dentist in Comstock Park, MIWould you like a more perfect smile, one with straight white teeth? Of course you would! With Invisalign clear braces from Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, you can straighten your teeth without having to put up with metal wires and brackets.

Clear braces have transformed the way we straighten teeth. Technically known as aligners, they look like an athlete’s mouthguard.  A series of aligners are worn that increase pressure on your teeth to gradually bring them into proper alignment.

The benefits to choosing Invisalign clear braces include:

  • Minimally invasive. Unlike conventional braces, they have no metal and are very comfortable.
  • Removeable. Clear braces are removed at mealtimes and to brush and floss your teeth. For best results, they should be worn 22 hours a day, including overnight.
  • Virtually undetectable. They are clear and subtle – so subtle, that people just a few feet away from you may not realize you’re wearing them.
  • They work! Most important, Invisalign clear braces can bring your teeth into proper alignment.

Clear braces from Invisalign are available at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park. We have used them to improve the smiles of patients from all over Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI, who also come to us  for family and cosmetic dentistry. Give us a call to schedule an appointment today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

May28

Debunking Dental Myths

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry

Kentwood cosmetic dental and tooth implants

In this post from Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we focus on three common myths about dental health.

  • All Sugar Is Equally Bad For Teeth. We all know that sugar increases our risk of tooth decay, but some types are worse than others. Sugar-based foods that sit on the teeth are more dangerous than those that are swallowed immediately. For example, sipping a soda or sucking on a mint can be worse than eating a candy bar all at once.
  • Don’t Worry About Baby Teeth; They Will Just Fall Out. Baby teeth serve several important purposes. They allow kids to eat and speak properly. They retain proper spacing for permanent teeth.
  • Pulling A Tooth Is Just As Good As A Root Canal. We will let the American Associate of Endodontists explain this one: “Saving your natural teeth, if possible, is the very best option … Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulp and is usually less expensive than extraction and placement of a bridge or an implant. Endodontic treatment also has a very high success rate.”

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we offer complete general and cosmetic dentistry services. People throughout Ada, Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI also come to our practice for dental implants, Invisalign clear braces, and much more. Call to schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 6498
May21

Five Facts About Enamel Erosion

Categories: Dental health, Family Dentistry

enamel erosion treatment Comstock Park

Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park would like to discuss your tooth enamel and how you can best protect it.

Our teeth work hard and are constantly under assault. It’s no wonder that nature encases them with an armor of enamel—the hardest substance in the body. Sadly, enamel erosion is extremely common, though largely preventable.

Enamel’s chief enemies are acidic foods and beverages. Other factors that can weaken enamel or wear it away are certain medications, teeth grinding, acid reflux, gastrointestinal ailments, chewing ice or other hard substances, and eating disorders.

Here are five quick facts about enamel erosion:

  1. Enamel is unlike many other tissues in the body; once it is gone, it can’t be regenerated.
  2. According to the NIH, 41% of youth already have enamel erosion.
  3. Too-forceful brushing can damage enamel.
  4. Diet sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks are just as dangerous as sugared sodas.
  5. Dry mouth can weaken enamel because it results in less saliva which helps keep enamel healthy and strong.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, your dental health is always our top priority. We’ve improved the smiles of people from Ada, Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI with  family and cosmetic dentistry and   Invisalign clear braces. Call to schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 7500
May14

Reinvent Yourself With A Smile Makeover

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry

Kentwood smile makeover

A cosmetic dentistry smile makeover from Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park can boost your self-confidence. Maybe you’ve got an upcoming job interview or a new relationship. A brand-new smile can make all the difference!

A smile makeover may include any of cosmetic dentistry procedures, from teeth whitening to composite bonding or porcelain veneers. They can have a huge impact on your smile!

A beautiful smile is the sum of its parts. With your input, we do a smile analysis to evaluate your smile. Our goal is to bring the teeth, skeletal structures, and muscles into harmony. It’s a complicated endeavor, requiring an understanding of how all of these components relate to one another.

Any single cosmetic dentistry technique will go a long way toward transforming your smile. Two or more can leave you with the smile of your dreams!

To find out what cosmetic dentistry can do for your smile, please call Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park. Other services include clear braces from Invisalign, family and implant dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 6892
May7

Fixing Chipped Teeth With Bonding

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental health, Family Dentistry

Comstock Park fix chipped tooth

Your teeth are covered in enamel, a strong outer layer that protects them, but that doesn’t mean they’re indestructible. A little roughhousing at home, an accident on the playing field, or biting something like hard candy or ice, and you’ve got a chipped tooth. If that happens, call us at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park.

Small chips can usually be fixed with a process called bonding. A composite resin material is applied to the tooth and shaped to match the original form. When the shape is right, we harden the composite resin with an ultraviolet light.

Sounds easy enough – and in fact, it’s a fairly straight-forward process. In most cases we don’t need to numb the area. The composite resin can be matched to the color of your existing teeth. Once we’re done, you may even forget it’s there.

There may be a jagged edge on the tooth that irritates your tongue and cheek. In that case you can cover it with a piece of sugarless gum, or even wax paraffin. That will provide enough protection until you can get into our office.  In the meantime, you may get hungry. If you need to eat but find it uncomfortable, choose softer foods that don’t need much chewing (soup and scrambled eggs are good choices) and avoid biting down.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we have used bonding to repair many chipped teeth. People from Ada, Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI come to our office for family, cosmetic, and implant dentistry, Invisalign clear braces, and much more! Call us to schedule your next checkup today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 7308
Apr23

Relax. Your Teeth Will Thank You.

Categories: Dental health, Family Dentistry

Kentwood cosmetic dental and tooth implants

Most of us have been warned about the harmful effects of stress. Our doctors remind us to protect ourselves from the dangers of unmanaged stress by eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep. The team at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park reminds you that stress can do a number on your teeth, too.

The obvious hazards are teeth grinding, jaw clenching, smoking, and the overconsumption of sugary foods. But did you know that stress can also exacerbate plaque production, trigger canker sores/cold sores and increase the risk of gingivitis? Another problem is that when people are under excessive stress, they often neglect basic oral hygiene.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we offer complete dental care with our family dentistry. People from Ada, Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI also come to us for Invisalign clear braces and other cosmetic dentistry. Call for an appointment today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 6496
Apr16

Your Smile Says Keep Trying!

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry

gentle dentist Comstock Park

This message from Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park is for anyone who is finding it difficult to improve their dental health. We urge you to keep working at it and assure you that we’re here to help!

KEEP TRYING TO FLOSS

Many people are good about brushing their teeth, but sometimes skip flossing. This is a bad idea. Flossing is the only way to clean food debris and plaque from between teeth.

Failure to floss can lead to cavities, and even gum disease. Our recommendation? Brush twice a day, and floss before going to bed at night.

KEEP TRYING TO QUIT TOBACCO

Smoking is as bad for your teeth and gums as it is for other parts of your body. If you’ve tried to quit but just can’t, you’re far from alone.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, former smokers now outnumber active smokers. Everyone who has kicked the habit was once right where you are. Keep trying!

KEEP GETTING CHECKUPS

Regular cleanings and checkups are a critical part of maintaining good dental health. Along with brushing and flossing, they are your first line of defense against tooth decay. On average, we recommend a checkup every six months. Some patients can spread them out a little more, and others may need more frequent visits.

Remember, the link between your dental health and overall health is well-established. Patients come to Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI for general and cosmetic dentistry, clear braces from Invisalign, and much more. Schedule your next checkup today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 7475