Scaling and Planing to Clear Gum Disease

Gum disease can completely ruin the health of your mouth, along with your overall health. At Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, we provide scaling and root planing to our patients with gum disease so they can work towards a clean, healthy mouth.

When hardened plaque (tartar) causes the gums to recede, bacteria can reach deep down by the tooth’s root. In order to clear up the gum disease, the teeth need to be scraped clean. Scaling and planing is the process of cleaning the teeth between the gums, down to the root, and smoothing out rough spots on the root. Rough spots on the root can trap bacteria, making it difficult to fully clear up gum disease.  

A scraping tool is used to remove plaque and tartar. Scaling and planing can take a few appointments as the mouth is usually worked on in sections. After the process is complete, a regular oral heal routine of brushing twice daily and flossing once daily will be recommended to continue on the way to healthy gums. In addition, you will want to get frequent professional cleanings from your dentist.

Gum disease can be detrimental. To schedule your appointment with Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call our office at (716) 877-2275. More information and dental resources can be found on our website, www.advantagedentistry.com. 

Custom Mouth Guards

Sports are a great source of health and fun, but they do increase the risk for injury; in contact sports especially. Injury to the mouth can lead to lacerations, broken teeth, and missing teeth. This is why Advantage Dentistry of Kenmore, NY is offering our patients custom mouth guards.

Protection and comfort of our patients are very important to us. Our custom-fit mouth guard is created to fit each individual in the best way. Store-bought mouth guards are all the same but every mouth is different. The wrong fit results in poor protection. Our custom-fit mouth guards offer the best protection, the best comfort, and allow for easy breathing.

The thin plastic the mouth guards are made from is easy to wear, yet durable. The mouth guard protects injuries to your teeth, your jaw, your lips, tongue, and cheeks. Injuries to these areas can be painful and will likely need medical and dental attention. Not to mention, the injury may put you on the sidelines for a while. It is better to prevent such injuries from happening instead of dealing with pain when it does happen.

If you or someone you know could benefit from a custom mouth guard, schedule an appointment with Advantage Dentistry. Appointments can be made by calling our Kenmore, NY office at (716) 877-2275. More information may be found on our website, www.advantagedentistry.com. 

Teeth Shapes, Sizes and Functions

Have you ever smiled in the mirror and wondered why all of your teeth are different shapes and sizes? The reason for this is because each of them has different types of functions. Each tooth is made up of several parts: pulp, cementum, dentin, and enamel. Our staff at Advantage Dentistry encourages you to read on if you desire to learn more about the different types of teeth you have and the purpose they serve in your mouth.

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have questions about your teeth, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.advantagedentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call 716-877-2275.

Reasons Teeth Become Tender

If you avoid eating cold foods or drinking hot beverages because your teeth are a little sensitive, it may be time to get to the root of this problem. If you have tender teeth, our doctors at Advantage Dentistry may offer dental sealants or fluoride treatments to decrease sensitivity. Sometimes the solution can be as simple as breaking bad habits. If you catch yourself performing any of the following tasks, do your best to stop yourself in your tracks.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will cause you pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.advantagedentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call 716-877-2275.

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Hearing you need your wisdom teeth extracted may get you wondering about why you have those wisdom teeth anyway. With wisdom teeth extraction being as common as it is, many of our patients wonder this. At Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, we are going to answer this question, and more!

Wisdom teeth are so commonly extracted because there simply is not enough room in the mouth for them to grow in properly. They often cause problems with cleanliness, pain, and destruction of other teeth. So why do we have them, anyway?

The answer dates back about 20,000 years ago. Humans back then had tougher diets; eating foods like nuts, roots, and uncooked meat. It is thought that they needed the extra teeth to chew through those tougher foods. However, these days we really no longer need the extra help. Our jaws and facial structures have shrunken over the years, which may be a nod to evolution. This also explains why so many patients need their wisdom teeth to be extracted. A smaller jaw means less room for those far-back teeth.

Wisdom teeth can cause real pain and can lead to infection if not cared for properly. If your wisdom teeth are starting to grow in, come see us for an evaluation. Call (716) 877-2275 to schedule an appointment in our Kenmore, NY office. Visit our Advantage Dentistry website, www.advantagedentistry.com for more information about us.

Periodontal Splinting for Loose Teeth

Loose teeth need to be secured before they become too loose and fall out. There are several things that can cause teeth to loosen, which is why here at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, we offer periodontal splinting to our patients.

Periodontal splinting involves making one unit out of stable teeth and the loose tooth or teeth. The stable teeth provide structure so that the loose teeth are no longer mobile. This procedure is performed using composite resin. The resin is applied to the backs of the teeth where it is not noticeable. The end result is strong, in-place teeth.

Teeth can become loose for many different reasons. A common reason is periodontal disease. When the gum tissue surrounding a tooth recedes, it can cause extra room between the tooth and the gums. If steps are not taken to improve the area and stop teeth from moving, they can become loose enough to fall out.

If you are experiencing loose teeth, come see us for an evaluation. Periodontal splinting may be what saves your smile. To schedule an appointment in our Kenmore, NY office, call Advantage Dentistry at (716) 877-2275. For additional information about periodontal splinting, visit our website, www.advantagedentistry.com. 

Dentures for a Smile That is You

Missing teeth can cause trouble with eating, talking, and it can even affect confidence. Why not look for a solution that so many patients have had success with? Here at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, we offer full and partial dentures for patients who are missing some or all of their teeth.

Dentures have been around for a long time; even George Washington wore them! They are able to complete your smile again and make chewing and talking enjoyable once more. Many patients are surprised at how natural their dentures can look; they bring your true smile back!

For patients who have lost most or all of their teeth, a full set of dentures will be required. We create upper and lower dentures that look natural to you. These dentures are able to be placed immediately or conventionally.

For patients who have just lost a few teeth, we offer partial dentures. These dentures are similar to dental bridges, in that abutments attached to other teeth keep them in place. However, partial dentures are removable, unlike bridges which are permanently bonded into place.

If it is time to replace the missing teeth in your smile, dentures may be the perfect option for you. To set up a consultation with Advantage Dentistry of Kenmore, NY, call our office at (716) 877-2275. More information about our practice and dentures can be found on our website, www.advantagedentistry.com.