Bio
I have been a general dentist for over 10 years, and have built a practice based on new technology and good old fashioned customer service.
Activity
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Sharecare News posted a story about Dentistry:THURSDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.
"You look at it side-to-side with 'meth mouth' or 'coke mouth,' it is startling to see the intensity and extent of damage more or less t...Full Article
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Sharecare News posted a story about Dentistry:
TUESDAY, May 14 (HealthDay News) -- Dentists, as it turns out, may have one more reason than the rest of us to be wary of alligators. The toothy reptiles may one day put those who install implants, bridges and dentures out of their jobs.
Alligators continually make new teeth to replace t...Full Article
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Tina Heil, DMD answered:How common are immediate dentures?Immediate dentures are very common for patients who are having their upper teeth removed. Most of us do not want to go any length of time without upper front teeth! Some patients will also want a lower immediate denture, while others are OK with not having any teeth on the bottom during the healing
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Tina Heil, DMD answered:What is the difference between a crown and a cap?There is no difference, they are the same. Cap is an older term and is still commonly used to refer to crowns. Full Post
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Tina Heil, DMD answered:What are roots of a tooth?
The root of the tooth is the part you do not normally see because it is anchored into the jaw bone. The root holds the tooth in place and also provides a pathway for the nerve and blood vessels to reach up into the crown of the tooth, the part you see in the mouth. If the gums and/or bone levels
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Tina Heil, DMD answered:If there is pus around my tooth, do I have a cavity?
Possibly. Pus is a sign of infection, and could be coming from the tooth or the gum tissue. If there is a large cavity that has allowed the tooth to become infected the pus may be coming from the tooth. It is also possible that the pus is coming from an infection of the gum tissue called a periodontal
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Tina Heil, DMD answered:What are indirect tooth restorations?
An indirect restoration is made to fit a model of the tooth and then cemented in place. Crowns, inlays, and onlays are indirect restorations. A direct restoration is placed directly into the tooth in a single visit - silver or tooth colored fillings are direct restorations.
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Tina Heil, DMD answered:What is tooth enamel?Enamel is the hard outer shell of teeth. It is the hardest substance in the body, but is still subject to fracture and acid erosion. Full Post
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Tina Heil, DMD answered:How do I care for a knocked out tooth?
Time is of the essence when a permanent tooth is knocked out. The best treatment is to immediately place the tooth right back in the socket, hold it there and go straight to the dentist, who will stabilize the tooth with a wire to hold it in place while it heals. It is important to hold the tooth
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Tina Heil, DMD answered:How is a dental crown procedure performed?A crown restoration covers most or all of a decayed or weakened tooth. The first step is to remove any decay or old filling material that is no longer in good condition. The next step is to shape the tooth so that there is at least 1mm of space all the way around for the crown to fit. (The exact space r... Full Post
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Tina Heil, DMD answered:What are immediate dentures?
Immediate dentures are made to be put in the same day the remaining teeth are extracted. The biggest advantage is that the patient does not need to go without teeth while the denture is being made. The disadvantage is that the inside of the immediate denture is an estimate of what the bone might
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Tina Heil, DMD answered:What is a root canal treatment?Every tooth has a space in the middle containing nerves and blood vessels. This space is the root canal. Whenever bacteria gets into the root canal, either because there is a fracture in the tooth or a cavity gets large enough, the space gets infected or abscessed and has to be cleaned and disinfected.... Full Post
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Tina Heil, DMD answered:How can root canals be prevented?The best way to prevent the need for a root canal is preventive dental care. Cavities that are treated early (when they are small) rarely lead to root canals. It is also important to wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth to prevent the need for a root canal due to a fractured tooth. Full Post
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Tina Heil, DMD answered:Do I have to use two doctors for dental implants?No, you do not have to use two doctors. Many general dentists place implants and also do the restorations. In other cases, the implant is placed by a specialist and the general dentist places the restoration. The best choice depends on the skill of each individual and the complexity of the procedure.... Full Post
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Tina Heil, DMD answered:Are implants better than bridges?
Which option is better always depends on your individual situation. However, the major advantages for implants in general is that they are more natural, you can brush and floss them normally, they preserve the bone in the area of the missing tooth, and they do not require any changes to other teeth.
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