Tag Archive for: MA

Cosmetic Dentistry and Your Self Esteem

/in /by

Many people go to the dentist to have some kind of cosmetic dentistry procedure or cosmetic dental surgery done, primarily because they want to get their teeth straightened or whitened or have a similar outcome. They basically want to have a better looking smile and teeth that sparkle more. But later on – long after the cosmetic results are theirs and the physical process of changing the appearance of their mouth is over with – most patients who have undergone successful cosmetic dentistry reveal that they also gain the powerful benefit of improved self esteem.

That’s because generally speaking when we look better – and we know that we look better – we feel better about ourselves. We have a greater sense of personal empowerment and confidence because rather than being shy about our outward appearance we want to celebrate it as one of our best assets. This is especially true when it involves cosmetic dentistry, because people often judge one another – whether it is something we should do or not – based on the first impression they have. And a beautiful smile makes a strong and appealing impression that is almost a contagious force or a magnet to draw people in and make them more comfortable and interested.

Many people are unhappy with their smile. They may have a smile they consider too toothy, or one that is too gummy. Maybe they have some chipped or missing teeth, a gap, stains, or other features that they do not like and consider drawbacks. Some people are born with crooked teeth or so-called buck teeth, other people have had dental health problems that led to decay, and then are those of us who have been in an accident or similar unexpected event and had our teeth, gums, or mouth hurt or damaged.

Cosmetic dentistry has a remedy for all of those problems, and those who undergo successful cosmetic dentistry not only see a new smile in the mirror but they enjoy the pleasure and self esteem that comes from knowing that they look their very best – both to other people and to themselves. So there is really no reason to go through life with lower self esteem or a lack of self confidence and inferior feelings of self worth, if the cause of those unwanted assessments of ourselves is rooted in the look of our teeth. Physical attributes related to dentistry can be changed, and they can be permanently improved. With better looks and more self esteem come more positive emotions, and psychologists and medical doctors alike tell us that a positive and optimistic state of mind is one of the main contributors to better overall health and wellness.

So if you are not happy with your smile for some reason, consult your dentist. He or she can talk to you about various cosmetic dentistry options that range from do-it-yourself treatments like mild tooth whitening to more complex and sophisticated cosmetic procedures involving cosmetic dental surgery. Whatever the goal, he or she can show you alternatives that are sure to make you smile – and love your smile in the same way that those around you will.

Dr. Kelaher

Why Can’t I Just Whiten My Teeth at Home?

/in /by

You may want whiter teeth and are starting to wonder why it is that you cannot whiten your own teeth at home. The answer depends on the unique situation of your teeth, because no two people – and two sets of teeth – are the same. All teeth are slightly different in terms of their density, their size, their chemical composition, and their color. Some people have bright white teeth, others have teeth stained with smoke or coffee, and some people have teeth covered in hard layers of off-color plaque. So once you have a better idea of where your teeth land in that large range of dental demographics, you can get a better answer – and more specific information – regarding home whitening or so-called DIY whitening techniques.

If your teeth are almost pure white already, you might be able to go one shade whiter by just using some whiteners found at the drug store. But if you have teeth that are more faded or stained, chances are that you might get less than stellar results by taking the do-it-yourself self-whitening route. In that case you will see less significant results, and that is when people start asking how it is that they are not able to whiten their teeth at home. But don’t blame yourself, and you probably should not blame the product you bought at the drug store, either, as long as it came from a reputable and legitimate manufacturer. The real problem is most likely traced to the fact that your teeth have more stubborn stains.

In that case home tooth whiteners are just not strong enough to get the job done. That’s a good thing, however, because you do not want to start fooling around with industrial strength peroxides and other whitening agents that could harm you and damage your teeth, unless you have professional training and experience. That’s a job for a licensed dentist who knows how to use those more potent whiteners in an effective and safe way. He or she can get the results you want, without any unwanted risk to your health and dental well being. Dentists have access to not only stronger bleaches and tooth whiteners, but they also have tools that you would not be able to use yourself at home. They can scrape away years of accumulated stains and unwanted plaque. They can brush and polish your teeth to a whiter color, and they can even use high-tech instruments involving water pressure or electronic lasers to get rid of those stains and give your teeth a whiter look.

You might want to test out some take-home DIY type whiteners. Begin with whitening toothpastes, but be careful. Some people use them and then their teeth get really sensitive to hot or cold liquids, and it can take days or weeks for the pain and discomfort to stop. Gels and other bleaches do the same kind of thing, but more intensely – whether you use bite trays or other methods. So to play it safe and avoid uncomfortable after effects, the best thing to do is to leave the whitening process to your dentist. You might even get lucky and find out that with the help of your dentist you can, after all, get brighter and whiter teeth while doing most of the bleaching at home.

Dr. Kelaher

What is Periodontal Disease?

/in /by

Periodontal disease is really nothing more than a technical word for gum disease, because in the language of health care and dentistry the word periodontal means “having to do with the gums.” However, just knowing that the terminology refers to gum disease does not in and of itself solve the riddle or answer the question regarding that gum or periodontal disease actually is, so let’s have a closer look at the topic.

We all know that teeth sometimes suffer from conditions brought about by infection, disease, and decay – and most of us have had to seek treatment from a dentist for such things as toothaches or cavities. These tooth ailments are generally the result of a bacterial infection, where harmful microbes or bacteria set up shop in or around the tooth and then create a diseased situation. As the bacteria goes to work doing damage, it can harm the tooth in a variety of ways that include piercing through and decaying the tooth or boring around under the gums to cause swelling and soreness. Once the infection gets through the hard outer surface of the tooth enamel it can move into the center of the tooth, which is comprised of soft tissue, known as the pulp. Once decay reaches the pulp, it can spread into the root canal and blood stream to wreak havoc in other places.

Periodontal disease happens in essentially the exact same way, except instead of getting to the tooth’s soft tissue last it gets to it first – since the gum is just a protective layer of soft tissue on the outside of the tooth that girdles it, helps sustain it, and holds it nicely in place. The periodontal tissue – not unlike the pulp inside the tooth – is soft tissue, and that makes it more vulnerable to attack. If the gums become infected, the infection will typically feed upon the gums, which only spreads the infection. As the gum disease grows it not only endangers the health of the periodontal region but it eats away at the defenses of the teeth and bones supporting the teeth, and that means that a simple gum problem can accelerate and make problems for your entire dental health. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease has also been linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and premature, low-weight births.

Deep cleanings of the affected areas are a good first step in waging an effective fight against even the worst cases of gum disease. This, along with three-month cleanings can manage periodontal disease in many patients. When deep cleanings alone are not enough, advanced periodontal disease can be effectively treated by surgical procedures that remove diseased tissue or build up lost bone structure.

But keep in mind the best way to avoid periodontal disease is to do the simple things like proper brushing and flossing. If you floss your teeth regularly that not only cleans them but it also stimulates the gums, increasing healthy circulation and blood flow and giving you great protection from periodontal diseases.

Dr. Kelaher

Root Canal Therapy

/in /by

The root canal is the portion of the tooth that forms a canal within the core or center of the tooth. This area extends down into the jaw, where it acts much like the root of a plant or tree to draw up nutrients, minerals, and other things that are vital to a healthy tooth. If the root canal becomes infected, then the dentist will likely perform root canal therapy to clean out the harmful bacteria and restore dental health.

The root canal area becomes compromised when bacteria invades the pulpy middle part of the tooth that is protected by the hard enamel exterior crown of the tooth. This usually happens because of a cavity that gets too deep and pierces the wall of the tooth, allowing the infection that caused the cavity to continue down into the root canal. This is one reason why it is so important that you schedule regular dental checkups to examine for potential cavities. Otherwise, if you go too long between dental appointments, it is possible that a cavity can progress to the point that there is no other option but root canal therapy.

Another avenue that infectious bacteria uses to travel into the root canal is through the gums or bloodstream, so it is equally important to maintain healthy gums and good overall health. By following a recommended program of flossing and brushing, eating a wholesome diet high in natural vitamins and minerals, and drinking plenty of fresh water every day it is possible to avoid most dental health problems.

Because the root canal is also the location of the main nerve running up inside the tooth, procedures involving this sensitive area typically require sedation in order to ensure the comfort and well being of the patient. There are many options available to the patient in terms of pain management or anesthesia, and the dentist will work to make sure that the best possible type of painkiller or sedation is used.

During root canal therapy the dentist will drill or probe into the center of tooth in order to then use various tools to remove any bacteria or infected tissue or fluids. Sometimes dental antibiotics can be applied directly to the area to promote rapid healing and make sure that the infection does not linger or return. In severe cases the root canal infection may be so severe that the main nerve of the tooth or some other vital component is damaged beyond repair. In that kind of situation the dentist can extract the tooth and replace it with a synthetic crown.

After surgical procedures to fix problems in the root canal region the dentist will also usually prescribe a course of pain medications and antibiotics as needed, and then ask the patient to return for a follow up appointment to monitor the healing process. Most people experience mild discomfort after a root canal procedure and have to be careful about what they eat for a day or two, but for the most part modern root canal procedures do not have a long healing time and many people return to work the following day.

Dr. Kelaher

Common Mouth Sores and How to Treat Them

/in /by

There are several common types of sores that occur inside or around the mouth, and while some of them are very serious because they represent oral cancer, most of the kinds of mouth sores that people experience are not serious and will even go away all by themselves without further complications within a short time. These really common but rather annoying types of little white mouth sores are usually called ulcers. But unlike the kinds of ulcers that we associate with people suffering from persistent stomach ulcers, these little white mouth ulcers usually come on suddenly and then gradually disappear.

You may also hear them described by their other name – canker sores. They first erupt as gray or white sores where the inside of the mouth is normally pink – like behind the lips, inside the cheek, or in the gums at the base of the teeth. They are not contagious, and while doctors are not exactly sure why we get them they often happen when people are stressed-out, suffering from allergies, or have undergone a change in diet. Some people find that taking over the counter tablets of the mineral Lysine helps to calm down canker sores, and it is a good idea to avoid acidic or spicy foods if you have a mouth ulcer outbreak. Left untreated, however, they normally vanish by themselves after a week or two.

You can also get a yeast infection in the mouth – or a candida infection – and that can cause an outbreak of sores in the mouth. People who wear false teeth or dentures sometimes get these yeast infections, and if you suspect that you have one then consult your dentist or pharmacist to find out the best way to treat it. One of the most troublesome varieties of mouth cores, however, is fever blisters or sores that are a result of the herpes virus. Because herpes is a virus it cannot be treated with antibiotics, and it is also contagious at certain times – especially when the virus presents itself during an outbreak of sores.

The sores are typically found on the lips or near the lips, and they look sort of like a small blister. Those who have herpes virus should discuss the topic with your doctor to find out how to control the outbreaks, what types of medicines might be available to treat the symptoms, and how to be safe to make sure that they do not spread the herpes virus to anyone else.

Any time that you get an unusual sore place in the mouth or see a lump or discoloration, you should have it checked out by your dentist. Perhaps it is no big deal, and finding out for sure will give you peace of mind. But if you happen to have a serious mouth sore – like those that arise due to mouth cancer – you want to make sure that your doctor finds out right away so that he or she can begin taking steps to investigate, find out exactly what the sore is, and begin any treatment that might be advised to get you back to a level of top oral health.

Dr. Kelaher

Dental Pockets – What they are and what they mean

/in /by

As the name implies, a dental pocket is an opening – shaped like a tiny little pocket – inside the mouth that opens up in the space between the gums and the teeth where the gum should normally be close and tight against the tooth. Of course this is not a normally healthy condition, and for that reason dental pockets generally are seen as an indication of gum disease, which is also technically known as periodontal disease. The first stage of significant gum problems is called gingivitis, and during this phase the gums become sore, inflamed, and bleed easily. If you notice that when you brush or floss it causes excessive bleeding or hurts a lot, you may want to have your dentist check to see if you have a potential gingivitis condition developing.

If this initial kind of gum infection goes untreated, it normally evolves into the more serious stage of periodontitis – and this is when the disease has spread into the base of the teeth and is infecting the pink gum tissue. As the tissue gets more and more infected with harmful bacteria, it loses its strength and starts to recede or pull away from the tooth. Powerful bacteria can break down both the gums and the tooth enamel, and as the bacteria works it hollows out a space between the gums and the teeth which forms the so-called dental pocket.

Having a pocket there is risky, because the base or root portion of the tooth is no longer nurtured and protected by a healthy gum. That means that infections can grow and if left unchecked they can attack the root of the tooth – which is where the tooth derives its structural support and nutritional sustenance.

When you have a dental checkup, the hygienist or dentist will use small probing instruments to check for pockets in the gums, and they will also measure these to keep tabs on whether they are getting too large. Most healthy patients will have small recessions that are less than three millimeters wide. If the space expands to greater than three millimeters, is it getting into the danger zone and the dentist will treat the gums to kill any infection that might be present. The dentist also uses images taken of your teeth from X-rays to look for unwanted gaps and dental pockets, which is why it is important to maintain routine dental visits.

If your gums are in seriously ill condition, then the dentist may need to root out the disease before it threatens to destroy your tooth. This is sometimes done by cleaning and scraping away plaque while also removing any infected gum tissue. The area is treated with antibiotics and then the gums are able to get healthy again. In the most severe cases a dentist will perform periodontal surgery to get deep down into the base or root of the tooth behind the infected gums. The same process of cleaning out bacteria and treating the infected area follows, and after you have sufficient time to heal the dentist will do a follow-up checkup to make sure the gums are healing nicely.

Dr. Kelaher

Best Preventive Dental Care

/in /by

Dental care, like any other kind of health care, is usually most effective when it involves a proactive approach to prevention. Stopping problems before they have a chance to start is simpler and less complicated. But rather than taking a purely defensive approach to dental care and focusing on halting potential troubles before they expand into something worse, most dentists recommend a more positive and proactive strategy. As the coaches of sports teams often say, the best defense is a good offense – and by taking the offensive in regard to dental care it is possible to ensure optimum health and well being.

A positive approach will, for example, take a holistic or whole look at dental health and pay attention to the ways that our overall mental and physical health are interconnected and interdependent. If there is disease in one part of the body, for instance, it can lead to dental problems – or it may have been originally caused by dental problems. One often cited illustration of this kind of relationship between various functions of the body and their influence on one another is the link between healthy teeth and a healthy heart. While most of us don’t stop to consider that kind of relationship – since brushing and flossing seem to have little to do with cardiac health – dental professionals inform us that there is a very real and significant connection between the two.

Sometimes, for instance, infections in the gums work their way into the soft pulp of the tooth and down into the root canal, where they can quickly spread through the bloodstream. Since the heart is the central component or engine of the circulatory system – and blood travels in and out of the heart as it is pumped through the veins and arteries – it is easy to see how an infection in the bloodstream can quickly arrive in the heart. So a pesky cavity or swollen gums may seem relatively minor and unrelated to our overall medical health. But if that kind of dental condition causes an infection to erupt that soon finds its way into the heart, it can become a life-threatening situation.

As is the case with any health care approach, it is a good idea to cultivate healthy habits. Eating well, getting plenty of exercise, and taking steps to reduce stress so that we have a positive outlook on life and get a good night’s sleep are all things that can contribute to overall health. Brushing and flossing and making regular trips to the dentist – at least twice a year for routine checkups – are also fundamental to our oral or dental hygiene. Do these kinds of things as a regular practice or regimen, and soon they become part of a healthy lifestyle that just comes naturally to us.

In other words, preventative dental health is all about nurturing a healthy way of living, and that is best done with the wise counsel and attentive oversight of a qualified and trained dentist. That’s why it is also a good idea to try to find a dentist you like and then keep them as long as possible. The longer the relationship with a dentist lasts, the more they will become familiar with you and your overall health issues – and that will ensure that you get the best possible advice, treatment, and preventative dental care.

Dr. Kelaher

One Visit Crowns, Inlays and Onlays

/in /by

One thing that all of us share in common these days is our lack of free time to take off from work and other obligations in order to do things like keep our dental appointments. But fortunately dental technology has kept pace with the times, and now many forward-thinking dentists and leading edge dental offices have the capability of one-visit crown or inlay procedures. These kinds of processes used to take several steps that had to be scheduled out over multiple visits, and that cost more time, money, and hassle.

Typically a crown, inlay, or onlay will be recommended by your dentist when she or he believes that a cavity filling or similar repair to a damaged tooth is not going to be sufficient. When a tooth is chipped or cracked, for example, the portion of strong healthy tooth left over may be too small to ensure a tight fit of a filler material. Or if a cavity is too large and extends across enough of the tooth – or perhaps an old filling that is really big is getting replaced – then the dentist may suggest capping the whole area with a crown. That can help to ensure that the repair lasts longer, does not work loose and fall out, and that once the remedy is completed the repair looks attractive in a cosmetic sense.

Whatever the reason for doing this kind of dental procedure is – and regardless of how it started and what the desired outcome may be – it is always a rather complicated and involved process. There are several critical steps involved, and that is why conventional methods of doing this kind of inlay or crown can take several days or weeks spread across a few visits to the dentist. The new one-day procedures, however, combine state of the art technology like computer measurements and imaging with medical robotics to eliminate most of those unwanted delays.

In order to ensure that the new onlay or crown is a perfect fit, it has to be sculpted exactly to the dimensions of the part of the tooth it will replace. The first step is extremely accurate measuring. Because high-tech imaging can reproduce this area precisely, that cuts down on time before the crown is made and also eliminates much of the extra grinding and polishing after crowns are installed. Next the actual crown has to be built using synthetic materials or substances like porcelain or gold, but many advanced dental practices have robotic machines to do this while you wait. By making hundreds of precision cuts, the machine – which is computer run – can carve a crown within an hour or two.

Last but not least you get back in the dentist’s chair and the new crown or inlay is cemented into place, polished for a great fit, and then checked for stability. You can leave the office the same day with a completely new crown after just one visit. Of course you will probably want to schedule this kind of half-day dental visit ahead of time, so it is a good idea to make those plans during your routine visits when the dentist first discovers that you have a need for crowns and discusses your options with you.

Dr. Kelaher

Straighten Your Teeth With “Invisible” Braces

/in /by

Everybody wants beautiful, straight teeth, but no one looks forward to the discomfort, inconvenience and “metal mouth look” that comes with traditional braces. Thanks to the advancement of dental technology, many patients who have crooked teeth, over or under bites, crowding and gaps between their teeth can now have those problems repaired without any telltale signs or the inconveniences of traditional braces.

In the past, teeth could only be moved by the use of wires, which when placed on the teeth, over time would loosen the ligament which surrounds the teeth, allowing them to move. Often, this process would cause irritation and inflammation of the gums and because the patient’s mouth was filled with wires and bands, eating and cleaning their teeth afterward was an arduous process.

Employing a totally different technology, the new Invisalign “invisible” braces uses a series of clear aligners that slowly move teeth over time. The aligners are changed every two to three weeks and each aligner must be worn for a minimum of twenty hours a day. But unlike traditional braces, the aligners can be removed for eating and brushing. And for most people, the best part about the Invisalign system is that the aligners are barely visible unlike their metal counterparts.

My name is Dr. Kelaher and when I have a dental patient who requires braces and they express interest in the “invisible” version, I begin by assessing whether Invisalign braces are appropriate for their dental needs. In most cases, they are. However, if tooth extraction is required or a lot of tooth movement is necessary, traditional braces will have to be used in order to get the desired results. And, because of the patient participation that is required, invisible braces are typically not a good option for younger patients, but are most suitable for patients that are in their older teen years or are adults.

Another important consideration in using the Invisalign system is that good oral hygiene is absolutely imperative because if teeth are not brushed after eating and the aligners are placed back in the patient’s mouth, plaque is pressed against the teeth, creating a high risk for cavity formation.

When invisible braces are a good option for a patient, I begin by determining the results that need to be accomplished and mapping out a treatment plan. Then a series of impressions of the patient’s teeth are taken and these impressions are used in the Invisalign laboratory to create a 3D digital model of the patient’s teeth. Using specially designed software that simulates the desired movement of the teeth over time, a series of clear aligners are created and sent to me.

The patient begins to wear the first set of aligners for at least twenty hours per day and is given a new aligner every two or three weeks. The number of aligners that are needed to complete the process depends on each individual patient and the issues that need to be corrected. The overall process is comfortable with mild discomfort sometimes occurring when a new aligner is first placed in the patient’s mouth because of the pressure it initially exerts on the teeth. And unlike the metal version, there are no wires or brackets that can come off or break. The entire treatment usually spans a six month to eighteen month period.

The good news for the patient is that now, straightening teeth can be an almost “invisible” process.

Dr. Kelaher

Full Mouth Rehabilitation

/in /by

It Can Be the Solution to Everything From Migraine Headaches to Missing, Cracked and Chipped Teeth.

When you have migraine headaches, pain in your face, neck, and shoulders or numbness in your fingers and arms…making an appointment with your dentist probably isn’t the first thing you think about. But it should be considered… because a misalignment of your jaw can result in each and every one of these problems. And if in conjunction to those symptoms, you have missing, worn, broken, chipped or cracked teeth, a full-mouth rehabilitation (also called full-mouth restoration or rejuvenation) could be the solution for every one of those difficulties.

Think of it as being similar to restoring a house whose foundation needs some stabilizing and whose walls and floors need replacing or refurbishing. A full-mouth rehabilitation procedure does the same thing for your mouth… working on each individual problem and using different products to create an overall solution that is healthier and more aesthetically pleasing.

It is no longer necessary to deal with migraines or neck pains that are caused from misaligned jaws or imperfections in your bite position. Dentistry now has a variety of technologies that can move your jaw back into its natural position, which as a result will eliminate a plethora of uncomfortable or even painful symptoms.

My name is Dr. Kelaher, and as a dentist, I begin a full-mouth restoration by first diagnosing any bite or jaw misalignment problems that may exist along with assessing the condition of your gums and if they are healthy enough to support repaired or reconstructed teeth. From that point, I look at each tooth in your mouth (or a space where a tooth is missing), assess the reasons for any uneven wear or tooth deterioration, decay or loss, and then begin a treatment plan for repairing existing damage or replacing teeth that are no longer there.

Because of advanced dental technologies, teeth that could not be saved several years ago and would simply have been pulled can now be saved. Depending on your existing teeth and gum structure, procedures can vary from periodontal procedures to strengthen your gums to bridges, partial dentures or dental implants to fillings, crowns and veneers.

As a result of a full-mouth restoration, you will not only no longer deal with headaches and pains that may have hampered your daily activities, you will also have a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile.

Even though a full-mouth reconstruction can be relatively complex, it doesn’t have to be a long process or a complicated procedure from the patient’s perspective. Depending on the procedures that are required for your particular mouth, a full-mouth restoration can actually be completed in as few as two or three visits. However, in more complicated cases where periodontal issues are involved, it could take twelve months or longer.

No matter how many different approaches may be needed for your particular rehabilitation, the surfaces of your corrected teeth will all match perfectly, leaving you with a beautiful smile. And with no more migraine headaches or neck pains to deal with…you’ll definitely have something to smile about!

Dr. Kelaher

Highland Dental Group
100 Highland Avenue, Suite 103
Salem, MA 01970

Phone: (978) 740-5135

Office Hours

  • Monday 7:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Thursday 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed

Quick Links

Highland Dental Group
Copyright © 2023 Dentist Salem, MA | Lynn – Peabody | Highland Dental Group. Website Design by Compete Now.