Dental Crowns—Yesterday and Today

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry

dentist-shining-smile

Dental crowns have been around for a couple of thousand years. Archeology suggests that the Etruscans experimented with crowns on teeth using ivory and bone as early as 700 B.C. By 200 A.D., gold crowns were used to make artificial teeth. Ancient Egyptians fashioned tooth replacements out of seashells and then hammered them into their gums.

Porcelain crowns were first used in the 1800s. With the refining of metal casting methods in the 1900s, crown dentistry advanced significantly.

Dental crowns cover the entire visible portion of the tooth and are cemented in place. Crowns are used to strengthen teeth that have been worn down or weakened by decay or injury. Crowns are also used to brighten and improve the appearance of one’s smile.

There are three common types of crowns are:

  1. All-porcelain (ceramic)
  2. Porcelain-fused-to-metal
  3. Gold

The material used is determined by several factors, depending on your unique situation. You will want to discuss this with Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull which option would be best for you.

If you suspect you need a crown, want to replace an old crown, or want to learn about other cosmetic dentistry procedures, call Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull  at 616-827-7019.  We have been serving patients in the Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI area since 1974. We can recommend the best tooth restoration or cosmetic dentistry option for you.

 

 

Stick Out Your Tongue In Rockford, MI!

Categories: Oral Health

 

mother and daughterAs health professionals, we know that Rockford, MI dentists diagnose and treat conditions of the teeth and gums, but we sometimes overlook the importance of the tongue.

Have you ever considered all the amazing things your tongue can do? It helps us talk, perceive the texture and flavor of food, chew, and swallow. This strong and nimble gymnast is in near-constant motion during our waking hours. It is a wonder that we don’t accidentally bite it more often as we smile, chew, drink, breathe, swallow, cough, and laugh.

Your tongue can also reveal problems with your health, including digestive problems, infections, and diseases of the blood.

When Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull perform oral exams, the tongue is always checked for signs of oral cancer and other serious diseases.

Here are some tongue abnormalities and possible causes:

  • Swollen tongue: reaction to food/drink/medication, strep infection, leukemia, hypothyroidism
  • White tongue: dehydration, yeast infection, irritation to tobacco, enteritis, gastritis, colitis, anemia or other nutritional deficiency
  • Canker sores: may be triggered by stress or reaction to food, toothpaste, or mouthwash.

If you have persistent canker sores, you may want to try eliminating products that contain sodium lauryl (or laurel) sulfate (SLS). SLS is a cheap foaming agent that is found in many personal care products. It can be difficult to find SLS-free dental products in Belmont, Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI. The following brands have previously offered SLS-free versions but check labels carefully every time you buy a new tube.

If you can’t find an SLS-free toothpaste at your local grocery store, we would suggest trying health food stores, specialty drug stores, or trusted online sites.

Many of our Rockford, MI patients have asked about tongue-scraping. We recommend thorough dental hygiene including cleaning the tongue. To schedule a consultation to discuss any dental health issues, please call our office at 616-784-2377.

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull DDS
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
We can whiten, brighten, and straighten your smile!

How Periodontal Disease Affects Your Health

Categories: Gum Disease

inflamed gums Comstock Park

Swollen and painful gums are symptoms of periodontal disease, an inflammatory gum disease. Swelling occurs from an auto-immune response of the body reacting to an infection. Infections are noticeable through pain, redness, and warmth. If the infection is left untreated, it can affect the bone near the teeth. The body’s immune system wants to rid the bone of the harmful material the bacteria is creating. Over time, bone loss will develop. It is important to seek gum disease treatment. The earlier gum disease is treated, the better.

Inflammation in the gums also is associated with atherosclerosis, the occurrence of fatty deposits inside of the body’s arteries. Inflammation coincides with an increase of the blood protein CRP (C-reactive protein), produced by the liver. The more inflammation there is, the more the liver produces CRP. The more CRP present, the more likely cardiovascular disease is present, along with related troubles. CRP production is also related to arthritis, auto-immune disorders, and intestinal issues.

Scientists are currently looking into the relationship between periodontal inflammation and CRP level and the effects outside of the oral cavity. Links have already been discovered between periodontal disease and pancreatic cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

If inflammation is left untreated, gums can develop pockets that provide the perfect breeding ground for infection. The longer the infection persists, the more likely bone loss will occur, eventually causing tooth loss.

It is indispensable to practice preventive dental care daily at home and have regular visits to the dentist. Dental appointments should include an exam, cleaning, and full mouth x-rays, along with the essential knowledge and instruction on how to properly care for teeth and gums at home. It is also very important to see your dentist straightaway if a tooth suddenly becomes sensitive or you observe any other changes.

Thanks for visiting our blog. For more details about inflammation or periodontal disease, please call our office at 616-784-2377.

Hey, Comstock Park, Smile Like You Mean It!

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry

Hey Comstock Park Smile Like You Mean It!

Hello Comstock Park friends! Have you ever noticed someone who refuses to flash a genuine smile? Even in a family picture, they stay tight-lipped. Even if they’re laughing at the funniest joke ever, they cover their mouths. Maybe this person is you and maybe you desire a smile makeover.

Don’t be embarrassed! Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry provides the most advanced cosmetic dentistry care for our Belmont, Cedar Springs, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI area patients. There are many reasons a dental patient could be shy about their smile, such as injury, tooth discoloration, poor spacing, or missing teeth. But chances are there is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that can help.

Wouldn’t it be outstanding to have the confident smile you’ve always wanted?

Many patients start with teeth whitening. Other procedures include dental implants, veneers, crowns, Invisalign, enamel shaping, bonding, and more!

 Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull are passionate about helping patients have  healthy teeth and sensational smiles. If you would like to know more about cosmetic dental smile makeovers, give us a call at 616-784-2377 and our very friendly and thorough staff can schedule a complimentary consultation.

Treatment For Stress-Induced Jaw Pain In Comstock Park

Categories: TMD/TMJ treatment

 

stress-induced jaw pain in Comstock ParkEveryday problems cause some Comstock Park people to respond by clenching their jaw or grinding their teeth. For example, daily commuting in Belmont, Cedar Springs, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI can take a physical toll. All the traffic, noise, and perpetual road construction causes some people to grind their teeth as they navigate the sea of cars on packed highways.

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can cause a painful condition called TMD or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. TMD is often mistakenly called ‘TMJ’: the acronym for Temporomandibular Joint.

Your jaw is able to open and close thanks to many jaw muscles and the intricate temporomandibular joints. These joints allow for fluid mobility as you chew, speak, and yawn.

Damage to these essential joints can lead to extreme pain in the jaw, head, face and neck. Pain may be experienced on one or both sides of the jaw.

TMD is an often misdiagnosed condition because facial pain can result from a variety of issues, not just damage to the temporomandibular joints. Sinus infections, tooth decay, and facial injuries can cause jaw pain. A correct diagnosis is the first step in treating TMD.

At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry we have been diagnosing and treating TMD since 1974, working with other specialists when needed. If you are experiencing clicking, popping, or discomfort in your jaw, call Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry today for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull are dedicated to providing high-quality dentistry to the residents of Belmont, Cedar Springs, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI.

Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry not only treat TMD, but we redesign smiles with unprecedented cosmetic dental smile makeovers. Furthermore, we offer general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and porcelain veneers.

Your smile is contagious! Make sure it is healthy and beautiful. Call Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry today at 616-784-2377 to schedule a consultation or examination.

 

Things to Consider When Looking for a Cosmetic Dentist

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry

dentistry-gorgeous-smilesWould you go to a motorcycle mechanic to get your car fixed? The answer is probably not. When you have a tooth that is in the front of your mouth that needs dental work, it is very important to get the right dentist who has a lot of experience with prominent cosmetic dental cases. Here are some examples of what can go wrong if you don’t choose an experienced cosmetic dentist.

Shading: It’s important to select the right color of porcelain veneer or dental crown to make sure that it matches the rest of the teeth. Ultimately, it is the dentist’s responsibility to get it right. This is why it is important to pick an office with abundant experience in cosmetic dentistry.

Staining: There are times when simple teeth bleaching will not take away the stains in your teeth. This can sometimes require more extensive work with a combination of teeth whitening and dental veneers.

Laboratory: It’s important to choose an office that does not try to cut costs with lower laboratory fees. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull work very closely with a laboratory that produces high quality porcelain to give you a natural appearance.

Whatever the concern you may have with your mouth, there is usually a universal consensus—it should look great and natural when it is finished. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull are passionate about helping our patients enjoy healthy mouths and beautiful smiles. If you would like to know more about improving your smile in the Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker or Rockford, MI area, give us a call at 616-784-2377.

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
616-784-2377

Meet Dr. Bruce Stewart

We can whiten, brighten, and straighten your smile!

 

Don’t hide your smile – let us help you show it off, Comstock Park!

mother and daughter

Don’t hide your smile – let Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull help you show it off! A beautiful smile can make all the difference in the world when it comes to your perceived attractiveness, your attitude, your confidence and even the overall youthfulness of your face. And while enamel (the translucent outer layer of your teeth) is the hardest substance in the human body, teeth are still relatively fragile, especially with all the stresses and strains we put them through. Once the enamel is decayed or cracked, it may be only a matter of time before extensive dental care is needed.

We want you to know that even if you don’t have a vibrant smile now, you can easily have one more simply and in less time than you think, thanks to such technological marvels as porcelain veneers, crowns, dental implants and dentures.

In the contemporary dental practice, today’s cosmetic dental procedures are much more sophisticated and are performed with gentle skill. In fact, it used to take several visits over an extended period of time to perform many of the above procedures. Now, some can be performed in as little as one hour, thanks to new, computer-aided technology.

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull are passionate about helping our patients enjoy healthy mouths and beautiful smiles. If you would like to know more about improving your smile in the Rockford, MI area, give us a call at 616-784-2377.

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
616-784-2377
https://www.greatmismiles.com/meet-dr-bruce-stewart

We can whiten, brighten, and straighten your smile!

 

How Dental Implants Are Changing Dentures In Comstock Park

Categories: Dental Implants

How Dental Implants are Changing Dentures in Comstock Park

If you are one of the many Comstock Park denture wearers, you know that they are not the ideal solution for missing teeth.

The problems with dentures include slipping, gum irritation, trouble eating and talking, bone loss, and inability to taste food due to a covered palate. Clearly, dentures do not feel and function like natural teeth.

Good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups can help you avoid the need for dentures later in your life, but other factors can make dental replacements an inevitability.

The good news? Modern dental implant technology offers a better tooth restoration solution. If you currently wear traditional dentures and are not happy with them, implant anchored dentures may dramatically change your life. Your chewing ability will drastically improve.

Before you consider having another denture reline, ask your Comstock Park dentist about the possibility of dental implants.

Attention Comstock Park denture wearers: there is life after dentures with tooth implants!

Come see us at Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry at 769 York Creek Dr NW in Comstock Park, 49321 for more information about dental implants.

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan 49321
616-784-2377
https://www.greatmismiles.com/meet-dr-bruce-stewart

 

6 Ways Dental Crowns Restore Comstock Park Smiles

cost of dental crowns Comstock Park

Dental crowns have been around a long time, but they continue to play an important role in Grand Rapids cosmetic dentistry. A dental crown, often called a cap, covers the visible part of the tooth.

Dental crowns are used for several problems common among Grand Rapids cosmetic dentistry patients:

  • An old crown that is damaged or ill-fitting
  • A broken tooth
  • A tooth with extreme decay
  • A tooth that has had a root canal
  • A tooth that is too small or misshapen
  • A tooth that prevents a proper bite

A dental crown serves both structural and aesthetic purposes. It protects a natural tooth from additional decay and damage while permitting normal function. In addition, a dental crown often prevents the need for an extraction and the bone loss that can occur with a missing tooth.

Patients who get a dental crown should not assume that the tooth is now invincible. Crowns need daily cleaning and flossing just like natural teeth. The remaining tooth structure just around the gumline could still become decayed and the soft tissue around the crown is susceptible to gum disease. Chewing hard foods or using your teeth as a tool can cause a crown to crack or break. (Use scissors to open a stubborn plastic package – don’t bite and pull!) Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull can advise you on caring for your new crown so that it will last as long as possible. Some of our Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI patients have crowns that are still looking beautiful after ten years.

If you would like to hear more about options to restore your smile, call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation today.

Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry

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How to Avoid a Cracked Tooth in Comstock Park

Categories: General Dentistry

cracked toothNo one wants the pain and inconvenience of a cracked tooth so today we are going to focus on ways to prevent this problem.

To avoid a cracked tooth, you should steer clear of chewing on hard.  This includes ice, hard candy, and popcorn.

Also, protect against any impact to the mouth that could be experienced during sporting events. If you are a member of a local basketball, hockey, football or lacrosse league, schedule an appointment for a custom made mouth guard.

Tooth grinding is never a good thing, and it can even lead to a cracked tooth or temporomandibular conditions. Talk to your dentist, about stress reduction techniques to keep your jaw nice and relaxed and see if you would benefit from a custom night time appliance (bitesplint).

Keeping  your regular check-ups with Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull could predispose you to a cracked tooth such as an uneven chewing surface or brittle teeth. Call our office at 616-827-7311 to schedule a preventative dental consultation and examination at Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry.

If you have a cracked tooth, you’ll want to pursue the correct course of treatment and, if needed, explore some cosmetic dentistry procedures to fix any visible damage such as veneers, a porcelain crown, or a dental implant.

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan 49321
616-784-2377