Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Porcelain Veneers

The doctors and staff of Southern Cross Dental are often asked about the latest cosmetic fixes for teeth.  There are treatments available for whitening or masking chipped teeth, but veneers are the best way to completely makeover your smile.  Our porcelain veneers are made from a thin ceramic shell and fit over your existing teeth.  Patients with cosmetic issues like staining, cracked or chipped teeth, and even crooked teeth and small gaps can achieve a gorgeous smile with veneers.


Fitting a patient with a new set of veneers is usually completed in two visits.  You and your dentist will discuss the shape and look you desire for your new smile, and your dentist may need to prepare the teeth by buffing or shaping any areas that could cause a problem with fit.  Accurate impressions of the mouth are then taken, and sent to a dental laboratory where your new custom veneers are fabricated.  On your final visit, the teeth are cleaned to ensure a great bond for the veneers.  The shells are then bonded to the surface of your teeth for you to wear home and wear forever!


To learn more about porcelain veneers and all 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.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

How Sugar Decays Teeth

Sugar in food and beverages play a large role in the development of cavities. Our doctors at Southern Cross Dental previously mentioned how sugar provides no nutrients for teeth and we’d like to elaborate on that. When plaque is left behind on teeth, bacteria within the plaque use the sugar as energy and release acid that attacks enamel. Tooth decay doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process.


Sugar may have many names – glucose, sucrose, and fructose – but it’s all the same. Certain harmful bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugars that we eat to create acids that destroy tooth enamel. Though this process is constantly being reversed through remineralization, cavities can still develop. Limiting your sugar intake is the best thing you can do for tooth enamel to avoid tooth sensitivity and protect against decay.  


If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, 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.

Friday, September 15, 2017

Drink More Water

Most of us realize the role that water plays in our overall health, but how much of a role does it play in dental health? Sugary beverages such as soda pop, sports drinks, and energy drinks may taste good, but with every sip, they are damaging your tooth’s enamel. Our doctors at Southern Cross Dental want to encourage patients to limit their intake of sugar and reap the benefits of H20 instead.


Water contains nature’s natural cavity fighter – fluoride – which protects teeth from decay. This means that water strengthens the teeth with every sip, while sugary beverages provide no nutritional benefits what-so-ever. Water washes away cavity-causing bacteria that foods and beverages leave behind. But remember you can’t get by on drinking water alone. You should always brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to maintain the health of your smile.


If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, 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.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Loose Permanent Teeth

Loose permanent teeth are major problems which require the attention of dentists who are skilled in several areas. At Southern Cross Dental, we’re prepared to be part of a patient’s care team for the consequences of dental trauma severe enough to compromise a tooth’s support structure.


There is an important distinction to be made between teeth which have come loose as a result of mechanical damage and those that have become loose due to a gum infection. At its most extreme, periodontal disease doesn’t just dissolve the gingival ligaments holding the teeth in place; it also dissolves the tissue of the jaw bone. This makes teeth likelier to come loose or fall out, and when the molars are compromised, people sometimes attempt to chew with their front teeth. Doing this often results in an open bite or causes the front teeth to come loose, as well.


During treatment for loose teeth, patients often wear dental splints. The splint may be permanent, or it may only be needed for a few weeks. However, the periodontal infection must be brought under control prior to attempting to restore any teeth that have been lost.


Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit SouthernCrossFamilyDentistry.com and fill out a contact sheet.