Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Pacifiers and Teeth

Southern Cross Dental serves many families with small children, and parents often struggle with weaning their child off a pacifier.  Infants are soothed to a sense of security by pacifiers, and when the time comes it is one of the hardest habits to break.  It can require a great deal of persuasion, but because of the effect they can have on the growth and development of the teeth and mouth children should stop using pacifiers by the age of two. 


Prolonged pacifier use can cause changes in the shape of the roof of the mouth, prevent proper growth of the mouth, and create problems with tooth alignment.  Narrowing of the roof of the mouth and misalignment of the jaws can also occur.  Using a pacifier too long can also lead to a variety of complications including tilting in of the bottom teeth, and slanting in of the top and front teeth. Until the age of two, any alignment problem with the teeth or developing bone is usually corrected within six months after pacifier use has stopped.  We can help and support parents having any trouble weaning their child off a pacifier before that age.


If you have questions about pacifiers and teeth development, 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.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Intraoral Camera

The doctors and staff of Southern Cross Dental are happy to incorporate relevant technology into our practice to serve our patients better.  The intraoral camera is an exciting tool that allows the mouth to be seen from previously impossible angles. This technology has proven very helpful in capturing images needed for procedure approval from insurance companies, but it will also change the typical dental office visit.


The tiny camera’s view is projected onto a monitor, making the same angle of the mouth visible to both doctor and patient at once. These views can help patients who don’t know a premolar from an incisor describe any problem area more accurately.  Providing more details can also help a patient better understand and follow their dentists’ plan of care for their mouth.


The intraoral camera helps both you and your dentist see and understand what is happening to your oral health.  To learn more about the technology we use 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.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

The Purpose of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are used as part of the tooth restoration process from teeth that have been decayed or cracked. Dental crowns, also known as caps, help preserve the functionality of damaged teeth. Dental crowns come in a wide variety of materials and can help improve aesthetics in addition to functionality. Our doctors at Southern Cross Dental can discuss any questions or concerns regarding the dental crown process.


There are several materials that our doctor may suggest, such as porcelain and ceramic.  A crown can help strengthen a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining to hold a filling. Crowns can also be used to attach dental bridges when those are needed. Additionally, a crown can protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that’s already broken. A crown is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped.


If you wish to discuss dental crowns, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.scdsmile.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.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Endodontics: Root Canal

Underneath our tooth enamel is an area of soft tissue called the pulp tissue. Though this part of the tooth contains nerve fibers, veins, and connective tissues, it’s possible to live without it. The reason it may need to be removed is when the pulp becomes infected, whether it be due to a deep cavity, a fracture of the tooth, or dental trauma. Fortunately, our doctors at Southern Cross Dental can perform a root canal to save the tooth.


A root canal is necessary when a tooth is decayed and won’t heal. Instead of extracting the tooth, the dental pulp is removed to restore the tooth back to its natural function. A root canal cleans out the diseased pulp and reshapes the canal. The procedure can be completed in one or two appointments depending on the individual case. We understand that the term, “root canal” sounds frightening, but it’s more painful living with a toothache.


If you have questions or concerns regarding a root canal, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.scdsmile.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.