How To Care For Dentures
In the last century, dental technologies have improved drastically, making dental care more readily available than ever before. Among these advances in the dental industry are dentures. It’s estimated 36 million Americans don’t have any teeth, while 120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth. Of these 156 million citizens who are missing a tooth or teeth, about 15 percent have dentures made each year. As these ...
Read MoreHappy Visits
YOUR CHILD’S FIRST DENTAL VISIT SHOULD BE A HAPPY VISIT It is generally recommended that a child be seen by a dentist by the age of 1 or within 6 months after his or her first tooth comes in. What Happens at the First Dental Visit? The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. This visit gives your child an opportunity to meet the dentist in a non-threatening and ...
Read MoreNonsurgical Periodontal Therapy
Periodontal disease is treated in two ways: nonsurgical and surgical. Surgical procedures are necessary when the disease has further advanced to need a periodontal specialist skills. If a periodontist is needed, our Idaho Falls dentist can give you a referral. Below are common causes of periodontal disease, in addition to nonsurgical periodontal therapies available. If you would like more information on this topic, be sure to give our Idaho Falls ...
Read MoreCommon Needs For Veneers
Thanks to modern technological advances, dentists and patients today have several choices when it comes to selecting materials to fill cavities. Among the choices for cavity filling materials are natural tooth-colored materials such as resin-based composite fillings, and more traditional dental fillings such as those made of metal amalgam. The advent of new materials for fillings has been beneficial, especially in terms of aesthetics, but does not eliminate the appropriateness ...
Read MoreThe Need For Dental Sealants
What are dental sealants? Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are usually placed on the chewing (occlusal) surface of the permanent back teeth — the molars and premolars — to help protect them from decay. Why are dental sealants placed on teeth? The chewing surfaces of the molar and premolar teeth have grooves — “fissures” — that make them vulnerable to decay. These fissures can be deep, are difficult to clean, and can ...
Read MoreSpace Maintainers For Children
Children may need space maintainers if they lose a tooth early or have a baby (primary) tooth extracted due to dental decay. If either is the case, it is important to know the benefits of using a space maintainer and how it can help support your child’s dental health. A space maintainer is an appliance that is custom-made by Dr Machen in acrylic or metal material. It can be either ...
Read MorePartial & Complete Dentures
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available — complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. Complete dentures can be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional denture, made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal, is ...
Read MoreHow to Choose a Local Dentist
By: Karli Willden Local dentists are plentiful in nearly every city across the United States. With so many seemingly good options to choose from, it may be hard to come to a final decision as to which dentist might be best for you and your family. Having a good dentist can make all the difference in your overall experience. Below are a few good indications a local Idaho Falls dentistry is ...
Read MoreBasic Facts About Radiographs (X-Rays)
X-rays Dental Radiographs are commonly called x-rays. Dr. Machen uses radiographs for many reasons: to find hidden dental structures, malignant or benign masses, bone loss, and cavities. Usually x-rays are taken every 6mo-1 year at the Dr’s discretion. The dosage of X-ray radiation received by a dental patient is typically small (around 0.150 mSv for a full mouth series, according to the American Dental Association website). Dr. Machen uses the most up-to-date digital ...
Read MoreRelax With Sedation Dentistry
What is Sedation Dentistry? Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It’s sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry,” although that’s not entirely accurate. Patients are usually awake with the exception of those who are under general anesthesia. What are the Levels of Sedation Used? Minimal sedation — you are awake but relaxed. Moderate sedation (formerly called “conscious sedation”) — you may slur your words when speaking and not remember much ...
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