Apr17

Restore Or Replace: New Life For Your Damaged Tooth

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Emergency, Restorative Dentistry

Gibsonton after hours dental Gibsonton

Hello friends of Your Time Dental Urgent Care! As the saying goes, there is more than one way to skin a cat (although I don’t know anyone who would want to). Likewise, there is more than one way to fix a tooth.

Your Urgent Care Dentist Offers a Variety of Tooth Restoration Options

If you are the lucky owner of a set of perfectly healthy teeth, you may never need any of these procedures. However, if you are like most Florida residents, you will probably need to restore a tooth eventually. Today’s post looks at six restoration procedures that are used routinely to repair damaged teeth:

A Porcelain Veneer

These wafer-thin covers can hide a chip or crack or fix the alignment of a tooth that is slightly crooked.

A Filling, Inlay, or Onlay

This procedure has been used to restore teeth for over a century although the materials and techniques have advanced. One fairly new option is white-filling replacement for metal fillings. A traditional filling is shaped and molded after it is applied to the tooth. Because inlays and onlays are fabricated in a dental lab, they are typically called indirect fillings. Inlays are applied to just the center of the biting surface of a tooth (not to a cusp or point) and are usually smaller than onlays. An onlay restores one or more cusps of a tooth.

Some urgent care dentists have CEREC technology. This allows them to fabricate restorations in their office in one appointment.

Dental Bonding

Bonding, officially called direct composite veneers, is used to fix chips, cracks, stains, and make teeth longer. It is also sometimes used to fill cavities. A skilled cosmetic dentist applies a pliable composite resin and molds it to the exact shape required. The resin is then hardened with a special curing light.

A Dental Crown

A crown replaces the entire visible portion of the tooth, restoring appearance, stability, and function. Crowns are used for teeth that have had a root canal, teeth with acute decay, the replacement tooth in a dental bridge, and the visible portion of a dental implant. Crowns can be made of all metal (such as gold), porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-ceramic, or all resin.

As mentioned previously, a CEREC CAD/CAM milling machine allows dentists to create a crown in-office.

Dental Implants

Many dentists consider a tooth implant to be the ultimate restoration because it restores the entire tooth–both root and crown. Most dental implant recipients report that the implant is indistinguishable from a natural tooth. Another advantage is the fact that an implant can prevent bone recession which is common at an extraction site. Dental implants are used in a variety of applications such as anchoring dentures and dental bridges.

Your Gibsonton urgent care dentist offers a variety of tooth restoration options.

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 7140
Apr10

You Should Worry if Any of These 3 Things Happen in Your Mouth

Categories: Dental Emergency, General Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry

what do I do if I suddenly feel a loose tooth? Tampa

1. You drink a cold beverage and—yowza—it produces a shooting pain!

When a cavity has eroded enamel it eventually taps the layer under the enamel. This is called the dentin. The dentin contains tiny tubules. A cold (or acidic) liquid that flows into the tubules can get close enough to the nerve to make you wake up and pay attention.

Call your urgent care dentist. You may have a serious cavity.

2. You bite down forcefully and—yikes—extreme pain!

This could be a sign of an infection or abscess in the pulp of the tooth. It could also be caused by a microscopic crack in the tooth. Either way, you need to have it taken care of.

Call your urgent care dentist, you may need a root canal.

3. Suddenly—uh oh—a tooth is loose!

Unless you are five years old and still have your baby teeth, it’s not normal to suddenly feel that a tooth is loose. It could be the result of an injury to the tooth. The jolt could have stretched some of the small ligaments that hold the tooth in place. What if you don’t remember hurting a tooth? You could be grinding your teeth at night while you sleep. Teeth grinding is dangerous for teeth and it can trigger headaches as well.

It could also be gingivitis. Periodontal disease is caused by a bacterial infection that can destroy both gum tissue and the ligaments that hold the teeth in place.

Call your urgent care dentist to make an appointment to get it checked out.

Don’t ignore these dental problems

Many dread seeking relief from a dentist because they fear the treatment will hurt worse than the pain they are experiencing. Waiting too long to care for your teeth can cause serious health problems—and not just in your mouth. We understand how stressful it is to have a toothache, loose tooth, or another pressing dental dilemma.

Ask us about sedation dentistry

If you have dental anxiety, Your Time Dental Urgent Care offers several solutions including sedation dentistry. We can also use anti-anxiety agents to quiet your fears and make your dental visit as safe and peaceful as possible.

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8268
Apr3

The Dangers Of Oral Infections

Categories: Dental Emergency, Dental Health, General Dentistry

oral infection exam Tampa

“It’s just sore, it will go away.”
“I’m too busy right now, I’ll go to a dentist later.”
“A little sensitivity is no big deal.”

There has been a lot of talk about viral infections lately. In this article, we focus on oral infections.

Your teeth become sensitive to cold liquids. A tooth develops a dull ache. A sore on the gums doesn’t heal up. An injured tooth darkens. A pain commences in your lower sinus area.

This is definitely not one of the conditions where the “ignore it and it will go away” mentality is wise.

The danger of ignoring oral infections

If the pain is the result of an infection, there are risky consequences of postponing treatment. Oral infections can destroy teeth, gums and jawbone and even lead to life-threatening sepsis.

In centuries past, tooth decay-related infection was a leading cause of death.

An oral infection doesn’t always result in pain. Bad breath, fever, swelling in the gums, glands or jaw, or a strange taste in the mouth can indicate the presence of an infection.

If an infection is caught and treated early, there may be no additional problems. However, usually the infection is the result of a dental dilemma that needs to be treated. If the infection is caused by tooth decay, the decay will have to be removed and the tooth filled. If the decay has penetrated to the pulp of the tooth, a root canal may be required.

The infection may be caused by a pocket of undrained pus called an abscess. Pus is a by-product of the immune system’s efforts to fight infection and consists of dead white blood cells.

Mouth sores have various causes including an infection or virus. White patches in the mouth can indicate thrush (an oral yeast infection). All of these conditions can be taken care of – but you need to see your dentist.

See your urgent care dentist if you suspect you have an oral infection. Our office is open when others are closed.

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 6899
Mar27

Dental Health – Stay Out Of The Dental Danger Zone

Categories: Dental Emergency, Dental Health, General Dentistry

Dental Health Tampa

You would never consider running a red light on a busy Gibsonton street or crossing over a lane of orange construction cones on the freeway, but you might be doing some everyday things that are dicey for your oral health.

I want to share with you some common habits that could be detrimental to the health of your teeth.

Crunching ice between your teeth might be refreshing, but it can be dangerous to the soft tissue inside your mouth. Once this tissue gets irritated, you’re more likely to get toothaches and have increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods.

Participating in your favorite sport without needed mouth protection is a risk that no one should take. If there is a chance that a mouth injury could transpire (and there is with most sports) then get to the nearest sporting goods store and pick up a mouth guard or, better yet, ask me about a custom mouthguard.

Using your teeth to open anything is a bad idea. Every time your teeth come in contact with foreign objects there is potential for chipping and cracking.

Now that you know how to avoid these risks, what can you do if you’ve already damaged your teeth from these activities or similar ones? Make an appointment with our experienced, friendly staff and we’ll correct the problem.

We Treat Dental Emergencies

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we treat dental emergencies. As an urgent care dental clinic, we will give you something to relieve the pain. And then we will correct your dental emergency. Toothache, a cracked or chipped tooth, even a knocked-out tooth. We hope you never experience a knocked-out tooth! But we are here for you if you do.

We also provide a wide range of general dental services. These include, veneers, crowns, or teeth whitening.

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 4455
Mar20

Keeping Teen Smiles Healthy

Categories: Dental Emergency, Dental Health, General Dentistry

adolescent dental health Gibsonton

If you are the parent of an adolescent, you may already have some concerns about your child’s well-being. As young men and women progress toward complete independence, some make questionable choices when it comes to health.

We encourage Gibsonton parents to be vigilant about twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings for their teens.

Adolescent Oral Health Risks

You may know Gibsonton teens that skip meals and others that eat ramen noodles for lunch and dinner. Some youth spend more hours on TikTok or Instagram than sleeping.

Braces can hinder proper brushing. Eating disorders such as bulimia can quickly erode enamel and impair a smile.

Dental issues manifesting in the adolescent years can affect teeth for life. Let’s explore some important dental issues for adolescents.

Sports Injuries

Athletics benefit teenagers in a number of ways but, unfortunately, also pose a threat to teeth. Make sure your teen wears a protective custom mouthguard when participating in any activity where a mouth injury can occur.

If your teen participates in sports, it’s good to know where your nearest urgent care dental practice is.

Wisdom Teeth

The third molars usually erupt between late adolescence and the mid-twenties. Common wisdom teeth troubles include bite misalignment, tooth decay, gum disease, and damage to the nearby teeth. It is vital to monitor wisdom teeth and follow the counsel of your dentist.

Eating Disorders

Parents who notice their teen abnormally preoccupied with body image and weight loss should be on the lookout for bulimia and anorexia. These serious disorders should not be ignored. Parents are advised to seek treatment immediately if they discover that their teen is binging and purging or intentionally restricting food.

Oral Health and Orthodontia

Braces can make proper brushing problematic. Toothbrushes and flossing devices that squirt water can help teenagers with braces clean their teeth and gums.

Sugar-Heavy Diet

If you visit any Florida high school during lunch hour, you will see that sugar-laden soda, juice, and energy drinks are becoming a beverage staple. (Perhaps we adults are setting a bad example.) While juice is definitely the healthiest choice of the three, heavy juice consumption can impair enamel just as effectively as a can of Coke. Water is the best drink for teeth as well as calcium-rich milk, which leads us to our next section.

Inadequate Calcium Intake

Some teenagers who drank milk daily as kids curtail their consumption when they start eating meals away from home. This is unfortunate because calcium is just as essential for teenagers as it is for younger children. For strong teeth and bones, encourage your teen to enjoy low-fat dairy products daily.

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8255
Mar13

How to Whiten Your Teeth Safely

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Emergency, General Dentistry

professional teeth whitening Gibsonton

White teeth make anyone look younger, happier and more attractive. At Your Time Dental Urgent Care in Gibsonton, FL, it seems like there are more teeth whitening selections than ever before.

Whitening Toothpaste

The lowest-priced product you’ll find in Gibsonton is whitening toothpaste. It helps remove surface stains while gently polishing and providing mild stain removal. Because it doesn’t contain bleach, teeth will only be lightened up to one shade.

Lightening Strips and Gels

Whitening strips and gels are also popular. They’re usually peroxide-based. You apply them for two weeks, twice a day. They may be able to bleach your teeth a shade or two. The results can last up to three or four months.

Whitening Rinses

Whitening rinses are one of the newer practices for whitening teeth. Because of the small amount of contact time these rinses have on teeth, they often have a minimal effect.

But are these whitening systems safe?

Below are a few tips on how you can whiten safely so your smile is not only brilliant but also healthy.

  1. Get a dental check-up. Let your dentist know if you experience sensitivity when you whiten your teeth. At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we are happy to help you prevent potential issues. (That’s our job!)
  2. Follow whitening product instructions. They’re not just suggestions. They’re given to help you achieve healthy teeth while avoiding damage.
  3. Do not use brightening products longer than directed. This can result in tooth and gum sensitivity.
  4. Aim for a natural white. If you whiten too much, your teeth may become translucent or even start to have a bluish tint. Try to match the whites in your eyes. Then you won’t overdo it.
  5. To keep your teeth white, forego tea, cola, and coffee. And don’t smoke! (Stained teeth will be the least of your worries.)

The safest way to whiten your teeth?

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we offer an in-office whitening treatment that is safe and effective. Our patients can’t believe how great their teeth look when they remove the stains and restore the brightness.

Your smile is worth professional expertise.

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8254
Mar6

How Is An Urgent Dental Care Office Different Than A Regular Dentist?

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Emergency, Restorative Dentistry

how do I know if I have a dental emergency? Gibsonton

How is an urgent care dentist different than a regular dentist?

Both dentists perform general dental procedures. But an urgent care practice does more.

5 ways urgent care dental practices are different:

  1. They are open after normal business hours and on the weekends
  2. They deliver same-day treatment and pain relief
  3. They treat walk-in patients without an appointment
  4. They have special equipment (like CEREC) to create restorations in one visit
  5. They have professionals trained to treat pressing dental emergencies

So what is an acute dental problem?

Let’s discuss tooth problems that shouldn’t wait.

7 Urgent Dental Problems

  1. A deep mouth or gum laceration
  2. A knocked-out tooth
  3. A broken tooth
  4. An abscess in your gum or tooth
  5. A severe toothache or extreme mouth pain
  6. A tooth that suddenly feels loose
  7. A large crack in a tooth

What can wait until Monday?

  1. A lost porcelain crown
  2. A small break in a tooth
  3. A mild toothache

What if I’m not sure if my serious dental problem needs to be seen promptly?

Call our dental office at the number listed below. We will advise you on the best course of action.

What can happen if I don’t get immediate care for a dental issue?

  1. You could need more expensive treatment down the road
  2. If you have an infection, it could spread to other parts of your body
  3. If you have an abscess in a tooth root and don’t get a root canal, you may have to sacrifice the tooth

If there isn’t an urgent office open, should I go to the ER?

Most emergency departments don’t have a dentist on staff. An ER physician can provide antibiotics and painkillers. Medical doctors can stitch mouth lacerations. But they don’t fill cavities, perform root canals, or extract teeth.

Moreover, an ER charges WAY more than an urgent care dental practice. Even if you have health insurance, an ER copay could be significantly higher.

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8237
Feb28

Can You Save a Dead Tooth?

Categories: Dental Emergency, Dental Health, General Dentistry

do I need a root canal Gibsonton

Teeth are alive

Since our teeth don’t “grow” and the enamel is not comprised of living cells, sometimes we forget that teeth are alive. We are reminded that they have active nerves when we have a toothache or sudden sensitivity to hot or cold food.

Like other organs, teeth need a blood supply to stay alive and healthy.

What lies below the enamel?

Veins, arteries, lymph vessels, and nerves live below the enamel and dentin in the pulp of the tooth. When the blood flow is cut off, the tooth eventually dies. What can cause blood flow issues? Injury, trauma, infection, large fillings, and multiple restorations can impact a tooth’s blood supply.

Can you save a dead tooth?

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we complete root canal therapy to save a dead tooth if necessary.

During a root canal procedure (or endodontic treatment) the soft tissue in the root of the tooth is removed. Once the roots are cleaned out and widened, they are filled with a special rubber material.

What happens after a root canal?

The root canal is only the first step in the complete tooth restoration. The final steps are the core build-up and the beautiful and functional crown.

Root canals ordinarily last many years, but not always. Inadequate oral hygiene, decay, periodontal disease, an undetected crack, abscess, or degradation of root canal sealing materials can all cause a root canal to fail.

How do you know if you have a dead or dying tooth?

It is important to meet with Drs. Richard Kernagis of Your Time Dental Urgent Care immediately if you experience tenderness or pain, hot or cold sensitivity, tooth discoloration, tooth injury, gum swelling, gum pain, or lymph node tenderness or drainage.

Keep in mind, however, that sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms. That is why it is important to visit your dentist regularly for a thorough dental examination and dental cleaning.

You can count on Your Time Dental Urgent Care for quality care when you need it.

We make patients feel comfortable

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 6853
Feb21

What is Considered a Dental Emergency?

Categories: Dental Emergency, Dental Health, General Dentistry

urgent dental clinic Gibsonton

When you have an unexpected medical problem in Gibsonton, you have two choices for care. You can go to the E.R. or an urgent care clinic.

The emergency department is for accidents and sudden, severe illnesses. Conditions that are serious, but not life-threatening, can be treated at an urgent care facility.

What about dental emergencies?

Is there a dental practice counterpart for each type of medical facility? In other words, is there a dental emergency room in Gibsonton? How about a dental urgent care clinic?

There is a type of dental practice uniquely equipped to take care of emergency and urgent dental needs.

It’s aptly named an urgent care dental practice.

Urgent care dentists treat emergencies AND serious dental issues

Urgent dental care practices serve both purposes.

When you have an unexpected dental issue, you don’t have to ascertain if it’s urgent or an emergency. Call our office and we’ll advise you on the best course of action. We are open when other dental practices are closed.

What types of conditions are treated at Your Time Dental Urgent Care?

A loose tooth

  • If you discover that one of your teeth is suddenly loose, there is something serious going on. You don’t need to call an ambulance–but you do need to see a dentist as soon as possible.

Knocked-out tooth

  • If a permanent tooth is knocked out, your dentist may be able to re-implant it. It needs to be done quickly. (Baby teeth should not be re-implanted because it might damage the permanent tooth coming in.)

Hold the tooth by the crown. Don’t touch the root. If the tooth fell on the ground and is dirty, rinse it cautiously with water. Make sure you are wary not to brush off any tissue. If you can, reinsert the tooth into its socket.

It’s vital to keep the tooth from drying out. If you can’t get to our office ASAP, put it in a cup of milk to keep it moist.

If the tooth cannot be saved, you may need the tooth pulled. Permanent dental implants can replace missing teeth. We provide dental implant services.

Oral infections

  • An infection can trigger or aggravate a loose tooth. Both gingivitis (gum disease) or tooth decay can lead to an infection. If you have unexplained mouth pain, it could be an infection.

Swollen jaw

  • If your jaw starts swelling, and you don’t know why then call us without delay. It could indicate a dangerous infection.

Tooth abscess

  • An abscess is a pocket of pus. (There’s no way to sugarcoat it. It’s gross!) Some infections result in an abscess. It can be located inside a tooth or gums. Though it’s less common, it can occur in the jawbone near the tooth root. An abscess can create intense pain. If ignored, this can destroy the bone and eventually cause a lot of pain.

Tooth pain

  • All of the troubles discussed here can cause tooth pain. If you come to Your Time Dental Urgent Care with severe tooth pain, we will give you medication to relieve the pain. You won’t have to wait until your medical doctor can call in a prescription.

When should I go to the emergency department at a hospital?

  • If you have a laceration in your mouth that’s bleeding heavily, go to the E.R. or urgent care clinic.
  • If you suspect that you’ve broken your jaw, that’s another issue for an emergency room physician.

After the medical emergency is treated, come to Your Time Dental Urgent Care if there is a related dental problem.

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we treat dental emergencies. In addition, we are a full-service general and cosmetic dental practice.

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8241
Feb14

Urgent Care Dentists Replace Broken Dental Crowns

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Emergency, Restorative Dentistry

cost of dental crowns Tampa

If your dental crown breaks, do you need to replace it?

Your Time Dental Urgent Care says Yes. Here’s why:

  1. The tooth is compromised and could sustain additional damage
  2. The tooth is vulnerable to decay
  3. It could damage the opposing tooth
  4. It could cause problems with your bite

Gibsonton endodontists, cosmetic dentists, and urgent care dentists use dental crowns (sometimes called caps) in many restorative treatments.

Dental crowns serve many purposes:

  1. A crown adds strength to a tooth that has a large filling or has been injured
  2. A crown can repair bite misalignments in some situations.
  3. A crown is usually necessary after a root canal
  4. Attaching the crown to the abutment is the final step for
  5. Crowns used to improve the look of teeth: yellow teeth, stained teeth, too-small teeth, and teeth that are misshapen

What are dental crowns made of?

Dental crowns are created from a variety of materials that vary in appearance and strength:

  • All ceramic (porcelain-based)
  • Porcelain fused to metal
  • Gold alloys
  • Base metal alloys

Your dentist can help you establish which type is right for you. Factors to consider are the location of the crown in the mouth, your budget, and any allergies to metal. When many Gibsonton dentists provide a crown restoration, they use a process that requires two office visits. On the first visit, the dentist will prepare the tooth and take an impression for the dental lab. Then, they will provide a temporary crown for the patient to use until the permanent crown is ready.

Some dentists have CEREC technology that allows them to fabricate and place crowns in one visit.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Dental crowns can last for many years but are not designed to last indefinitely. Even with proper care, dental patients should not expect crowns to be trouble-free for decades. A 2009 study found that more than 90% of dental crowns do not require treatment within five years of placement. The study also found that 50% to 80% last from 15 to 20 years. (Source)

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care in Gibsonton, we replace broken dental crowns and treat other urgent dental issues.

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8242