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Regular exams are an important part of maintaining your oral health. During your regular exam, we will:

A bridge is a simple method to replace one or more missing teeth using the existing teeth for support. Dr. Rios may recommend a bridge to help prevent other teeth from shifting, provide support for facial structures, and help maintain a balanced bite.

A bridge differs from an implant that that other teeth are used for support instead of existing bone. When the jaw bone in the area of the missing teeth is adequate and healthy, an implant is an excellent choice. However, if there is not enough bone, a bridge may be the best option.

During your bridge procedure, the supporting teeth are carefully prepared after the teeth are numbed for your comfort. An impression is taken as well as a bite record, both of which are used to create your bridge. A temporary bridge is placed so you can adjust to the restoration before your permanent bridge is cemented in about two weeks later.

At Baymeadows Park Dental, we use the latest technology and best materials available to create bridges of highest precision, aesthetics, durability, and comfort. We provide full zirconia bridges, as well as E-max and porcelain fused to metal (PFM) bridges when indicated.

When it comes to your bridge treatment at Baymeadows Park Dental, we will take the time to carefully explain all your treatment option to replace your missing tooth. During your consultation at our Jacksonville dental office, Dr. Rios will go over the different types of bridges available and the differences of each so you are well informed of your choices prior to making a decision.

Dentures are natural-looking replacement teeth that are removable. There are two types of dentures: full and partial. Full dentures are given to patients when all of the natural teeth have been removed. Partial dentures are attached to a metal frame that is connected to your natural teeth and are used to fill in where permanent teeth have been removed. Just like natural teeth, dentures need to be properly cared for. Use a gentle cleanser to brush your dentures, always keep them moist when they’re not in use, and be sure to keep your tongue and gums clean as well.

Traditional dental restoratives, or fillings, are most often made of silver amalgam. The strength and durability of this traditional dental material makes it useful for situations where restored teeth must withstand extreme forces that result from chewing, often in the back of the mouth.

Newer dental fillings include ceramic and plastic compounds that mimic the appearance of natural teeth. These compounds, often called composite resins, are usually used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important, but they can also be used on the back teeth depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay.

There are two different kinds of fillings: direct and indirect. Direct fillings are fillings placed into a prepared cavity in a single visit. They include silver amalgam, glass ionomers, resin ionomers, and composite (resin) fillings. Indirect fillings generally require two or more visits. They include inlays, onlays, and veneers. They are used when a tooth has too much damage to support a filling but not enough to necessitate a crown.

If you are missing teeth, it is crucial to replace them. Without all your teeth, chewing and eating can destabilize your bite and cause you discomfort. When teeth are missing, your mouth can shift and even cause your face to look older. Implants are a great way to replace your missing teeth, and if properly maintained, can last a lifetime!

An implant is a new tooth made of metal and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth. It’s composed of two main parts: one part is the titanium implant body that takes the place of the missing root, and the second part is the tooth-colored crown that is cemented on top of the implant. With implant treatment, you can smile confidently knowing no one will ever suspect you have a replacement tooth.

In addition to tooth replacement, implants may be used to anchor dentures, especially lower dentures that tend to shift when you talk or chew. For patients with removable partial dentures, implants can replace missing teeth so you have a more natural-looking smile.

If you often wake up with jaw pain, earaches, or headaches, or if you find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth, you may have a common condition called “bruxism.” Many people do not even know that they grind their teeth, as it often occurs when one is sleeping. If not corrected, bruxism can lead to broken teeth, cracked teeth, or even tooth loss.

There is an easy, non-invasive treatment for bruxism: nightguards. Nightguards are an easy way to prevent the wear and damage that teeth-grinding causes over time. Custom-made by your dentist from soft material to fit your teeth, a nightguard is inserted over your top or bottom arch and prevents contact with the opposing teeth.

Sometimes brushing is not enough, especially when it comes to those hard-to-reach spots in your mouth. It is difficult for your toothbrush to get in-between the small cracks and grooves on your teeth. If left alone, those tiny areas can develop tooth decay. Sealants give your teeth extra protection against decay and help prevent cavities.

Dental sealants are plastic resins that bond and harden in the deep grooves on your tooth’s surface. When a tooth is sealed, the tiny grooves become smooth and are less likely to harbor plaque. With sealants, brushing your teeth becomes easier and more effective against tooth decay.

Sealants are typically applied to children’s teeth as a preventive measure against tooth decay after the permanent teeth have erupted. However, adults can also receive sealants on healthy teeth. It is more common to seal “permanent” teeth rather than “baby” teeth, but every patient has unique needs, and your dentist will recommend sealants on a case-by-case basis.

Sealants last from three to five years, but it is fairly common to see adults with sealants still intact from their childhood. A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact, so if your sealants come off, let your dentist know, and schedule an appointment for your teeth to be re-sealed.

A wisdom tooth is a third molar that typically begins to erupt in the late teens or early twenties. In some patients, there in not enough room in the jaw for these teeth to erupt properly, causing them to be impacted to some degree, which can cause gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain.

During your exam at our Jacksonville dental office, Dr. Rios will use a panoramic X-ray to determine if a wisdom tooth may not have enough room for proper eruption or if it is developing at an angle that will not allow proper eruption. We recommend that patients remove wisdom teeth that may be problematic prior to their 25th birthday. Healing is usually faster and un-eventful, and the procedure is less complicated as the roots are often not yet fully developed.

To remove a wisdom tooth, Dr. Rios first needs to numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. He can use additional medication to sedate you safely during the extraction if you are feeling nervous about the procedure. Since the impacted tooth may still be under the gums and imbedded in your jawbone, Dr. Rios will need to remove a portion of the covering bone to extract the tooth. To minimize the amount of bone that is removed with the tooth, he will often “section” the wisdom tooth so that each piece can be removed through a small opening in the bone.