Cornerstone Dental Blog

If you’re considering improving the appearance of your teeth and gums with a smile makeover, you’re likely eager to get started on your transformation. You may even be wondering how long you can expect your treatment to take. Here’s a closer look at some popular cosmetic dentistry procedures and how soon you will be able to enjoy them!

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects approximately 30 million people in the United States. It can lead to a variety of negative symptoms, including loud snoring, fatigue, and difficulty focusing. What many people don’t know is that obstructive sleep apnea can increase your risk of developing serious health issues, like type 2 diabetes. Continue reading to learn about the connection between the two conditions and why you should seek treatment.

When you have a cavity, your dentist will likely recommend a filling to restore the tooth and prevent further damage. Traditionally, fillings were made of silver-colored amalgam, a mix of metals including mercury, tin, and silver. While durable, amalgam fillings are far from invisible and come with drawbacks. Today, more and more patients are choosing tooth-colored fillings (also known as composite fillings), which blend in seamlessly with natural teeth. If you’re debating between the two, here are 5 compelling reasons to choose tooth-colored fillings over amalgam.

In science fiction movies, lasers are often portrayed as devastating weapons, and these depictions certainly provide us with interesting lightshows. Thankfully, lasers in real life are often used to safely and comfortably address a host of health issues in an incredibly sanitary manner. Here’s a quick look at how your dentist can use a specialized laser to treat gum disease.

Gum disease is a widespread oral health issue that affects millions of adults. If you have received a diagnosis or you suspect that you might have gum disease, it is important to be proactive and well-informed. Open communication with your dentist can help you understand your treatment options and improve your smile’s health, so you should not hesitate to ask relevant questions. What specifically should you bring up? Here are a few ideas to help you have a productive and informative conversation:

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, and catching it early is crucial to prevent more serious dental problems like periodontitis or tooth loss. But how do you know if you have gingivitis, and can you really test yourself for it at home? Thanks to advances in oral health technology and a growing awareness of preventive care, at-home tools for identifying early signs of gingivitis are becoming more accessible. While they don’t replace a professional dental evaluation, they can give you a useful snapshot of your gum health and help you know when it’s time to see your dentist.

Dentures remain a popular way to rebuild your smile after tooth loss because of their incredible versatility. Whether you’ve lost some or all of your natural teeth, your dentist can improve your mouth’s appearance and functionality with a lifelike restoration made to your unique specifications.

Plus, dentures can last anywhere from 5 to 10+ years, depending on how well they’re cared for. However, if they no longer fit correctly or have been damaged, your provider might need to reline them sooner than that. If they have recommended this service, continue reading to learn more about it!

Dentures are marvelous prosthetic appliances that have allowed millions of patients to enjoy complete smiles after extensive tooth loss. While these devices are beautifully lifelike and should be remarkably comfortable after you get used to wearing them, they can cause sores to form on your gums if they do not fit right. Here’s a brief guide to what causes this and how you can address the problem at home or your dentist’s office.

You may think that because they’re not your real teeth, breaking a denture is not cause to run out to the dentist immediately. However, dentures are essential to everyday functions like eating, speaking, and smiling. Read on to see why it is recommended that you see a dentist promptly if this happens to you.

Whether it’s a sudden toothache, a chipped tooth, or a knocked-out molar, dental emergencies can happen at any time. When they do, it’s easy to panic, not just due to shock or pain, but because of the cost. After all, if you’re having a difficult time with your finances, a sudden dental visit might suddenly seem far more serious.

But can dental insurance save you from anxiety in this uncertain time? Continue reading to learn what to expect when it comes to insurance coverage for dental emergencies.