Oak Ridge Dental Blog

TMJ disorder is an issue with the joints connecting the lower jaw to the skull. Meanwhile, sleep apnea is when your breathing is repeatedly interrupted while you slumber. On the surface, these may seem like two completely unrelated problems – but they can sometimes be linked more closely than you realize. Here’s what you need to know about the relationship between TMJ disorder and sleep apnea.

In many cases, when the wisdom teeth try to erupt, they run into a serious problem: not enough space in the mouth. Consequently, they can become impacted, meaning they are partially or completely trapped under the gums. If your impacted wisdom teeth aren’t removed, they can have a significantly detrimental effect on your oral health. Here are 5 examples of complications that impacted wisdom teeth can ultimately cause.

At some point, you may realize that your dentures no longer fit properly. Typically, the solution is to have the prosthesis relined by a dental expert. However, some people attempt to make the necessary adjustments to their dentures on their own in an effort to save money. Is this truly a good idea, or should you stick to seeing a professional? Here’s what you need to know if you have been struggling with ill-fitting dentures recently.

Once you get dentures to re-complete your smile, how long can you expect them to last? The answer is different for every patient, although some individuals are able to keep their dentures for around 10 years. If you want to maximize the lifespan of your dental prosthesis, then you need to be able to take proper care of it. Below are 5 tips you can follow to make sure your dentures stay in good shape for as long as possible.

Thanks to the materials that they’re made of, modern dentures tend to be very comfortable when worn. However, it’s never a good idea to wear your prosthesis for too long; as tempting as the idea might be, dentures are not meant to be worn 24/7. Why is periodically taking your dentures out important? And how many hours a day can you keep them in your mouth? Your dentist is here with the answers you’re looking for.

Veneers let you dramatically change your smile for the better by covering cracks, stains, and other imperfections simultaneously. But did you realize that when you commit to getting veneers, your teeth need to be prepared first? Specifically, a small bit of enamel needs to be taken off each tooth receiving a veneer. Your dentist is here to explain why this step is necessary as well as how much enamel needs to be removed.

Do your teeth look unusually short? If so, then chances are that you’re not happy with the impression your smile gives off. It may not be immediately obvious how short teeth can be fixed – but rest assured your cosmetic dentist does have a few solutions that are worth considering. Below, you can learn more about what can cause short teeth and how they can be addressed.

Plenty of celebrities use veneers to enhance their smiles, and you can do the same. From misshapen teeth to minor chips in the enamel, veneers can be used to solve all kinds of cosmetic issues. However, once they are in place, you need to take proper care of them to ensure that they last as long as possible. Fortunately, this is simpler than you might think – especially if you follow these 5 helpful tips from your knowledgeable dentist.

The more you know about sleep apnea, the better equipped you’ll be to deal with it if you ever experience it. However, while plenty of people have heard of this disorder, they often don’t fully realize how widespread it truly is – or how dangerous it can be in terms of your overall health. If you’d like to brush up on your sleep apnea knowledge, here are 6 facts that you might not have known.

People who want to straighten their smiles in a discreet way can often benefit from clear aligners. While these appliances are traditionally provided by dentists and orthodontists, there are some companies that offer aligners sent through the mail. On the surface, this can seem like a very convenient option. But make no mistake – there are a number of risks associated with mail-order aligners. Here are 3 problems you need to be aware of.