Custom and Natural-Looking Dental Crowns

Decayed or damaged teeth need restoration and protection; otherwise, they can lead to infection and complete loss of the tooth. Here at Southern Cross Family Dentistry in Colorado Springs, CO, we are able to create completely custom dental crowns to keep our patients’ natural teeth for as long as possible.

Our custom dental crowns are caps that go over the whole tooth. They are colored to match the shade of the rest of your teeth; so when you smile, no one will be able to tell the difference. Crowns strengthen weak teeth and restore health to the tooth. With a dental crown, we can avoid pulling the tooth out completely.

To have a dental crown made, we will first remove any decay from the tooth and reshape it for the crown. Impressions are taken of the area and sent to a dental laboratory so the custom crown can be created. The creation process will take a few weeks; so during this time, you will wear a temporary crown. When the permanent crown is ready, we cement it into place. Crowns need to be taken care of just like regular teeth, but with good care, they can last for over fifteen years.

If you are interested in a natural-looking custom crown, schedule an appointment with Southern Cross Family Dentistry. To schedule in our Colorado Springs, CO office, call us at (719) 471-1717 or visit our website, www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com. 

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a malignant growth that affects any part of the oral cavity, including the lips, upper or lower jaw, tongue, gums, cheeks, and throat. Anyone can get oral cancer, but the risk is higher if you are male, over age 40, use tobacco or alcohol or have a history of head or neck cancer. Understanding the causative factors of cancer will contribute to the prevention of the disease. Your health is important to us and you should schedule regular dental checkups with our doctors at Southern Cross Dental to detect oral cancer early when it is the easiest to treat.

The most common symptom of oral cancer is a sore in the mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal. Another common sign of oral cancer is developing pain in the mouth that does not go away. Our doctors at Southern Cross Dental can examine the mouth and throat as part of a routine checkup if you are concerned about developing oral cancer. During regular checkups, abnormal tissue changes and oral cancer can be detected at its earliest stage when there is a greater chance for a cure.

If you have questions about oral cancer, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Tooth Care for Seniors

As we age, our bodies grow weaker, and the same applies to our teeth. Fortunately, our doctors at Southern Cross Dental can assist you in keeping them healthy. Your teeth are some of the strongest units in your body. However, they can still be worn down. No matter what your age, your permanent teeth can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups.

Even if you brush and floss regularly, you may face certain issues in your senior years when it comes to your oral health. This is because seniors are more prone to oral health conditions such as darkened teeth, gum disease, sensitive and tooth decay. In reference to our bodies growing weaker, the same applies to our hands. Certain medical conditions, such as arthritis in the hands and fingers, may make brushing or flossing teeth difficult or impossible to perform.

To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Bruxism Basics

Do you ever wake up from a night’s sleep with sore teeth and jaws? You could be grinding your teeth. The medical term for occasional teeth grinding is called bruxism and although this condition does not usually cause harm, when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and other oral health complications can arise. At Southern Cross Dental, we can develop an individualized treatment plan to help alleviate this condition.

Stress, anxiety, smoking, heavy alcohol, caffeine, depression and sleep disorders are all possible causes of teeth grinding. Treatment for teeth grinding depends on the cause. In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in fracturing, loosening or loss of teeth. Patients may benefit from a mouth guard to stabilize the jaw and prevent tooth damage that is caused by grinding.

To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

The Root Canal Procedure

If you have a tooth that is causing you pain due to severe decay or injury, the good news is that our doctors at Southern Cross Dental can save it. The bad news is that a root canal may need to be performed if the nerve of the tooth becomes infected or the pulp becomes damaged. Root Canals have a bad reputation for being scary and painful. However, the discomfort experienced in the period leading up to seeking dental care is more painful than the procedure itself.

If you’ve been told you need a root canal, we’d like to make you a little calmer by explaining how the procedure works. First, the area around the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic to start the procedure. Then Dr. Pallavi Chellur will drill down into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. She will then be able to remove infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection has been removed, the empty space is filled with a sealant called gutta percha. The tooth that has undergone a root canal is then fitted with a crown. This will improve the appearance of the tooth, and will also make it much more likely that the root canal is successful.

To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.