Monday, July 16, 2018

Pediatric Dental Sealants

Children are more prone to cavities than an adult which is why dental sealant is beneficial to them at a young age. Although thorough brushing and flossing will remove food particles from tooth enamel, the toothbrush can’t reach in between the crevices. A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating that is painted on the surfaces of premolars and molars to prevent tooth decay. Our doctors at Southern Cross Dental can perform this procedure in one short visit.


Dental sealants are usually placed on the chewing surfaces of teeth because these are the areas that have deep grooves where food gets caught. Sealants protect the acidity and sugars in these foods from attacking the gums and enamel. Though it is less common, adults may receive dental sealants too as long as they do not have any pre-existing fillings or sealants.


If you have further questions regarding pediatric dental services, 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.

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Tooth Extraction Procedure

If a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental will first try to fix it with a filling, crown or other dental treatment. However, when there’s too much damage for the tooth to be repaired, the tooth may need to be removed from its socket in the bone. Though tooth extraction is typically a last resort when all other options fail, we offer this service to eliminate oral discomfort.


There are two different categories of extractions – simple and surgical. A simple extraction is performed on a tooth that can be seen in the mouth. In a simple extraction, the dentist at Southern Cross Dental loosens the tooth with an instrument called an elevator. Then, the dentist uses forceps to remove the tooth. A surgical extraction is a more complex procedure. It is used if a tooth may have broken off at the gum line or has not come into the mouth yet, such as wisdom teeth. During a surgical extraction, the doctor will make a small incision into your gum. Sometimes it’s necessary to remove some of the bone around the tooth or to cut the tooth in half in order to extract it.


If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth extraction, 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, July 5, 2018

Fixed Bridges

People who need new caps for their teeth are in good hands at Southern Cross Dental. We provide fixed bridges as well as individual crowns. Since bridges are one of many restorative options out there, we wanted to explain why they’re sometimes the best option.


Bridges are multiple crowns linked together. Although some are supported by implants, they are often attached to existing teeth. The natural teeth are reshaped (after the patient has been numbed and sedated) into cylinders, and the outer crowns of the bridge are cemented over them. Dentists usually avoid reshaping crowns unless necessary, but it is commonly done with crowns that are badly eroded or ground down.


While implants replace natural tooth roots, bridges allow them to remain in place. This allows the jaw bone to maintain some stability, eliminates the risk of the patient having an allergic reaction to the metal, and provides the bridge with a healthier, more resilient base. Because a bridge is irremovable, it is brushed like natural teeth, but it cannot be flossed. When properly maintained, bridges can last for over ten years.


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 Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.