Periodontal (gum) disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for US adults. Some studies indicate that this prevalent oral health condition effects as much as 80% of the adult population over the age of 35. Unfortunately, many cases of gum disease go undiagnosed and untreated for years. This can lead to negative effects such as bleeding gums, receding gum line, teeth that shift out of alignment, and chronic bad breath. At Generations Dental Care, we partner with patients to prevent these adverse oral health effects, ensuring healthy gums and teeth. When we aren’t able to stop gum disease before it begins, we provide a wide variety of periodontal therapies to put the smiles back on our patients’ faces. If you’d like to find out more about periodontal disease and the treatments available for our patients, please call our friendly team to schedule an appointment today.
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Generations Dental Care Blog
Healthy Gums and Happy Smiles
August 14, 2017
Dental Implants in Concord: Best Tooth Replacement Option
September 7, 2016
Only the Best
That’s what you’ll receive from Dr. Christopher Binder and his associate dentists at Generations Dental Care. Experts in a wide variety of preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental services, these dentists love placing dental implants for qualified patients in the Concord area.
Concord, NH root canal therapy saves teeth
August 6, 2015
An aching tooth, a swollen jaw, red gums–they may be signs of an ailing tooth in need of root canal therapy. Expertly performed by Dr. Tevyah J. Dines, endodontist at Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, “root canals” are comfortable, simple procedures that alleviate pain and preserve tooth structure.
The American Association of Endodontists says that saving a tooth is better than extraction because a natural tooth allows for:
- good biting and chewing
- maintenance of proper spacing between teeth
- normal facial appearance and speech
- a denser and wider jaw bone to anchor all teeth
Children’s Dentistry in Concord, NH
May 25, 2015
Is there anything more adorable than your children’s smiling faces? Probably not. But wouldn’t those smiles look that much better if you knew they were healthy and happy, too? At Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, we want your children to enjoy a lifetime of excellent dental and oral health. Our children’s dentistry helps you help them establish habits that keep smiles strong and bright for years to come.
Our dentists and their team of dental hygienists and assistants may be educated and trained in children’s dentistry, but your children’s first true dentist is you. As soon as you see that first little baby tooth erupt through their gums, it’s time to start a simple hygiene routine. Simply take a soft cloth moistened with warm water and wipe their baby teeth and gums after feeding. As they grow and more teeth appear, you can begin to use a small, soft toothbrush and a dab of toothpaste.
Children’s Dentistry in Our Office
Sometime between your children’s first and third birthdays, the dentists at Generations Dental Care recommend that you begin bringing them to our office for dental checkups every six months. Children’s teeth and mouths are susceptible to the same problems as adults’—decay and cavities, gum disease, teeth grinding and even TMJ disorder and sleep apnea. With regularly scheduled checkups, we can find and treat these conditions. And at each checkup, we’ll offer suggestions on how you and your children can improve their oral hygiene routine at home.
Fluoride and Dental Sealants
Because adequate brushing and flossing can be difficult for children—and because their molars tend to be deeply grooved and pitted—our dentists might recommend a fluoride treatment or dental sealants for an added layer of protection. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens enamel, and sealants go on as a liquid and harden to a clear plastic that shields the chewing surfaces of teeth from bacteria.
Call Our Office Today
To maintain your children’s healthy and happy smiles, rely on the dentists at Generations Dental Care. We serve patients in Concord, NH, as well as from Penacook, Bow, Canterbury, Chichester, Pembroke, Manchester, Hooksett, Boscawen, Epsom, Hopkinton and Loudon.
Teeth Whitening from Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH
May 10, 2015
Ah, summer. Time for sunshine, swimming and smiles. By the way—is your smile ready for summer or could your pearly whites use a boost? If you’d like to have a smile that’s as bright as a summer day, then head over to Generations Dental Care for teeth whitening. We’ve whitened the smiles of many people in and around Concord, NH, and we can do the same for you.
As people age, their teeth can become stained and discolored. There are a number of reasons, not the least of which is the inevitable aging process itself. Other contributing factors include:
- Smoking and chewing tobacco
- Chips and cracks that can hide stain-causing food particles and debris
- Bruxism, or teeth grinding, which can darken the biting edges of teeth
- Traumatic injury to a tooth
- Certain oral antibiotics, such as tetracycline
- A genetic predisposition to teeth that are more yellow, gray or brown in color
Whatever the reason, you don’t have to put up with teeth that are off color. You can have a whiter and brighter smile with teeth whitening from Generations Dental Care.
Teeth Whitening Options in Concord, NH
For the fastest results, we offer either Kör Deep Bleaching or Zoom! Teeth Whitening in-office systems. No matter which you select, you’ll have whiter teeth in just one appointment. Either the Kör Deep Bleaching or Zoom! Teeth Whitening gel will be applied to your teeth. Both gels use your teeth’s innate ability to absorb oxygen, thus allowing the gel to penetrate deeply to remove stains and discolorations.
On the other hand, if you’re not in a big hurry or if you’d simply prefer to whiten on your own schedule in the privacy of your own home, then we have Kör and Zoom! take-home whitening kits, too. We’ll give you custom-fitted whitening trays and professional grade gel. Fill the trays and wear them as your dentist instructs, and you’ll see great results in about two weeks.
Call Our Office Today
Ready for your best summer smile? Then call the office of Generations Dental Care and schedule an appointment for teeth whitening. We serve patients in Concord, NH, as well as from Penacook, Bow, Canterbury, Chichester, Pembroke, Manchester, Hooksett, Boscawen, Epsom, Hopkinton and Loudon.
Root Canal Therapy from Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH
April 30, 2015
Each one of your teeth is an amazing structure. Attractive, functional and quite tough. But did you know that tough exterior hides a soft interior? Literally. At the core of each tooth is soft pulp, containing nerve and lymph tissue, as well as blood vessels. If that tough exterior should happen to be broken, then the soft pulp is highly susceptible to infection. If this happens, then a root canal is necessary. The dentists at Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, offer root canal therapy to restore your tooth’s good health.
Perhaps the most obvious and common sign that a tooth is infected is pain. The pain can be moderate to severe and usually does not dissipate. Other indicators include:
- Swelling and redness of the gums and other soft tissue around the infected tooth
- A tooth that is suddenly discolored
- Facial swelling
- Bad breath
- Signs of infection on an x-ray
The Ins and Outs of Root Canal
When patients come to Generations Dental Care for root canal therapy, the first thing our dentists do is make sure they’re composed and comfortable. For those who need a little help relaxing, our office offers oral conscious sedation. Once settled, we’ll get to work removing the infection and repairing your tooth.
To remove the infection, one of our dentists accesses the pulp chamber and removes that tissue along with the infection and its debris. The chamber and the attached root canals are disinfected and filled with a biocompatible material. The chamber is then sealed and the tooth is prepared for a crown that will protect the tooth from further damage and restore its strength and function.
After you’ve healed and your dentist is certain the infection has been eliminated, you’ll return to Generations Dental Care to have your permanent crown placed.
Call Our Office Today
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, then you may need root canal therapy. Schedule an appointment with Generations Dental Care. We serve patients in Concord, NH, as well as from Penacook, Bow, Canterbury, Chichester, Pembroke, Manchester, Hooksett, Boscawen, Epsom, Hopkinton and Loudon.
Have More to Smile About with Invisalign from Generations Dental Care
April 29, 2015
There’s so much to smile about during the day. A smile for the barista who gives you your coffee in the morning. A smile for the colleague who compliments your work. A smile for the kids when you pick them up from school. A smile, well, just because. However, if you tend to cover your mouth when you smile because you’re embarrassed by your crooked teeth, then having a lot to smile about may not matter as much. What if you could straighten your teeth in about a year and be able to smile openly throughout the process? With Invisalign®, you can. Invisalign clear braces from Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, will give you another reason to smile.
Whereas traditional braces use metal brackets and wires to move teeth into position, Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners. Made of smooth, BPA-free plastic, these braces are hardly noticeable by you or anyone else. You won’t be bothered by the abrasions and gum soreness that metal braces can cause, and the people you meet might not even realize that you’re wearing Invisalign clear plastic aligners.
Furthermore, Invisalign aligners are removable. So, even though your dentist at Generations Dental Care will want you to wear your aligners for the better part of the day every day, you’ll be able to take them out for meals, brushing and flossing your teeth and for that occasionally special affair.
Invisalign Treatment
Based on a 3-D model of your mouth, your Generations Dental Care dentist will develop a treatment plan that the Invisalign lab will use to produce your aligners. You’ll wear each set—one for your upper arch and one for the lower—for about two weeks and then progress to the next set. As you move through your sets, your teeth will begin to move, too. When treatment is complete, your own smile will be one more thing to smile about.
Call Our Office Today
If you’re ready to smile about straight teeth with Invisalign, call Generations Dental Care. We serve patients in Concord, NH, as well as from Penacook, Bow, Canterbury, Chichester, Pembroke, Manchester, Hooksett, Boscawen, Epsom, Hopkinton and Loudon.
For Minor Smile Repairs, Choose Composite Bonding from Generations Dental Care
March 25, 2015
Are you completely satisfied with your smile, or is there perhaps one little flaw that you’d fix if you could do so easily? Well, you can. Composite bonding, also called cosmetic bonding, is designed to repair those minor imperfections. In the time span of usually a single appointment, one of the dentists at Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, can correct that annoying flaw with composite bonding.
So what is the flaw that you want to eliminate from your smile? Whether it’s a chipped or slightly cracked tooth, misaligned or misshaped teeth, or teeth that have gaps in between them, chances are composite bonding is the solution.
The Composite Bonding Process
With composite bonding, the dentist uses a compound of composite resin materials to conceal the imperfection of a tooth or to reshape a tooth. As a compound, the dentists at Generations Dental Care can perfectly match the existing color of your teeth. In fact, if you’ve ever considered teeth whitening, then you might want to have that procedure completed before composite bonding, because bonding material can stain, but it does not respond to bleaching.
Depending on the extent of treatment, you may or may not need anesthesia for cosmetic bonding. Once you’re comfortable, the dentist will isolate the damaged tooth and apply a mildly acidic solution to the surface in order to make it more receptive to the bonding material. Then, the composite resin will be applied in stages, sculpted and dried with a curing light. This is repeated until the desired shape is achieved. Finally, the tooth is polished so the finish blends seamlessly with your other teeth.
Call Our Office Today
If there’s something you’d like to fix in your smile, then call Generations Dental Care and schedule an appointment for composite bonding. We serve patients in Concord, NH, as well as from Penacook, Bow, Canterbury, Chichester, Pembroke, Manchester, Hooksett, Boscawen, Epsom, Hopkinton and Loudon.
Relieve Painful Symptoms with TMJ Therapy in Concord, NH
March 10, 2015
We know what you’re thinking… thank goodness for my temporomandibular joints. Where would I be without them? No, you’re not thinking that? Well then, perhaps now you’re wonder what are and where are my temporomandibular joints. These joints are positioned on either side of your face just in front of your ears. They allow you to open your mouth so you can speak, eat, yawn and laugh. Unfortunately but like other bodily joints, your temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, can malfunction. Fortunately, however, there is TMJ therapy from Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, to help relieve what can often be painful symptoms.
When your TMJs malfunction, the condition is called TMJ disorder or dysfunction. Although symptoms can vary from patient to patient, the most common is pain in the jaw joint. Other symptoms include:
- A clicking or popping sound when you open or close your mouth
- The feeling of an earache in the absence of infection
- Sensitive teeth
- Swelling on the side of your face
- Headaches or pain around the ears, neck and shoulders
- Changes in you bite or the alignment of your teeth
- Stiffness or a locked feeling in your jaw
TMJ Therapy from Generations Dental Care
The most frequent cause of TMJ disorder is stress, which leads to teeth clenching and grinding, especially at night. If you are diagnosed with TMJ disorder, then Generations Dental Care can prescribe a custom-designed nightguard to reduce teeth clenching and grinding. This helps to alleviate muscle tension and pain. Most TMJ therapy patients have relief from their symptoms almost immediately, with the best results occurring after a few weeks of continued use.
Call Our Office Today
If you are experiencing any of the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder listed above, then schedule an appointment at Generations Dental Care. Our TMJ therapy in Concord, NH, will provide relief. We also serve patients from Penacook, Bow, Canterbury, Chichester, Pembroke, Manchester, Hooksett, Boscawen, Epsom, Hopkinton and Loudon.
Replace Missing Teeth with Dental Implants from Generations Dental Care
February 25, 2015
Even if you’ve been “managing” with one or more missing teeth for some time, you should consider tooth replacement. Just one missing tooth can lead to a number of concerns, including shifting teeth and consequently an improper bite; difficulty chewing and speaking; and of course the appearance of your smile. While there are a number of tooth replacement options, perhaps the best is a dental implant. With dental implants from Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, you can complete your smile and avoid long-term problems.
Other tooth replacement options, such as bridgework or dentures, only replace the crown of your missing teeth. Dental implants, on the other hand, replace the crown and the root. By replacing the root as well, a dental implant offers greater stability. Furthermore, the “root” of the implant stimulates the jaw bone, thereby averting bone deterioration and the associated facial sagging. And in fact, dental implants can be used to tightly secure bridgework and dentures, so they don’t slip.
Dental Implants in Concord, NH
The first step in your procedure requires the dentist to perform a minor surgery to implant a titanium post in the bone beneath the open socket of your missing tooth. This post serves as the “root” of your new tooth. Over a few months of healing, the post and surrounding bone tissue fuse together to create a solid foundation. Most patients wear a temporary crown while they heal. In the meantime, your permanent crown will be fabricated in a dental lab. Once healed, you’ll return to Generations Dental Care for your custom-designed crown to be cemented into place.
Call Our Office Today
If you’re ready to replace your missing teeth with the most lifelike tooth replacement, then call Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, and ask about dental implants. We also serve patients in Penacook, Bow, Canterbury, Chichester, Pembroke, Manchester, Hooksett, Boscawen, Epsom, Hopkinton and Loudon.