the crown onto the prepared tooth. The majority of the time there is a delay between the first and second phase, as most dentists send the impressions to a dental laboratory where the crown is then fabricated. This can take as many as four weeks. The crown is then sent back to your dentist to be Many people are amazed to cemented. A temporary crown find out what is really going is in place until the finished on with their teeth. One of the crown can be cemented. things they are most surprised about is that they need crowns The advantages of crowns or “caps.” are that they are strong, last a rather long period of time, A crown is essentially a replace- and actually help to strengthen ment for lost tooth structure. the remaining tooth structure, There are many reasons that as well as to replace the tooth your dentist may recommend mass that is missing. a crown, such as if your tooth has broken, if you have a large If you want more information, filling that is failing, if you have visit our web site @ www. Crown Preparation a large cavity that will leave midmichigansmile.com. much of the tooth gone after Have you ever taken your car the cavity is removed, or if you in to a mechanic for some- have a tooth that needs a root thing you thought was going canal. The underlying necessity to be a minor fix, just to find for a crown is that too much of out there is a laundry list of the tooth is gone or damaged to problems under the hood? And fix with just a regular filling. Any questions, as the mechanic is telling you visit our Website at what is wrong with the car The procedure for getting a www.midmichigansmile.com and what needs to be done to crown basically has two phases. it, you feel like he is speaking The first being the preparation. a different language? Having This phase includes prepar- Benjamin Bailey been in that situation a time ing the tooth structure for the D.D.S. or two, I started to realize crown to fit over it. After this is that my patients probably feel completed, an impression of the General Dentist somewhat the same when they prepared tooth is taken, and a 308 Dartmouth Dr. come to see me, only I am the crown is fabricated. The second Midland, MI 48640 mechanic. phase is essentially cementing 631-6075 both to protect their teeth and get them used to wearing mouthguards during sporting activities. Mouthguards should be treated equally as important as any other piece of sport- ing equipment. The question that follows is, how do I pick an appropriate one? The best option would be to get a profession- ally-made mouthguard from your local mouthguards are only needed in contact dentist due to the fact that these are going sports like hockey or football. However, to have the best fit, appropriate design, dento-alveolar injuries (injuries to teeth and and will be made of the most effective supporting structures) happen more com- impact- absorbing material. The next monly in non-contact sports such as basket- best option would be the “boil and bite” ball, baseball, bicycling, and soccer. With ($10-$25). They still have an adequate the use of mouthguards in contact sports, fit and still provide good protection. the prevalence of oral trauma has been The last option, and the least expensive, reduced from 50% to nearly 1%. In lim- would be the pre-molded mouthguard ited-contact sports, however, the prevalence purely for the fact that they do not fit very of such injuries ranges between 14% and well and tend to fall out of an athletes’ 34%, showing the necessity of mouthguard mouth. For these reasons, they do not Mouthguards use for limited-contact or even non-contact provide very reliable protection. Just remember, any mouthguard is better than In every season, thousands of people of sports. An average dento-alveolar injury no mouthguard. all ages participate in organized sports. can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a As the weather gets nicer and the days few thousand dollars. With this in mind, a Accepting new patients. grow longer, it seems more people find store- bought mouthguard is approximately We would love to have you themselves playing in a softball league or $10-$25, and a custom-made mouthguard join our dental family! taking part in a pick-up game of soccer. from your dentist may cost up to a few Any questions, Most people think of the essentials in hundred dollars, but the overall savings in visit our Website at preventing injury is very much worth it. playing the sport before they get started. www.doctorbbailey.com Softball, for instance, requires a glove, Since children are the most likely to par- a bat, and cleats. However, many people ticipate in organized sports, it makes sense forget a piece of equipment that can both that they are also the most likely to suffer Benjamin Bailey protect them and save them thousands of from a dento-alveolar injury while par- D.D.S. dollars at the same time . a mouth- ticipating in a sport. In fact, the age group General Dentist guard. most likely to suffer from such an injury Mouthguards may be both the most is between the ages of 7-11 years old. It is 308 Dartmouth Dr. forgotten piece of sporting equipment and very important to provide athletes of this Midland, MI 48640 the most important. Most people think age group with an appropriate mouthguard, 631-6075 4. Lead by example. If your chil- dren see you brushing and flossing regularly, they, of course, will be more likely to do it themselves. 5. Implement flossing techniques early, and consider using “easy floss- ers.” These will make flossing much easier for children, and they do a fairly decent job at cleaning between the teeth, certainly much better than dentition is closely related to the health nothing at all. of a child’s “baby teeth.” Also, as with any other learned habit, the sooner Remember, attitudes and habits good oral health habits are taught, the established at an early age are critical more likely they will remain through- in maintaining good oral health for out life! I would go so far as to say life. It is important for not only those that teaching a child appropriate health on the dental team but teachers, care techniques is as important as caretakers, and parents to take part in potty training... And less messy! This, helping children improve their oral of course, starts with educating not health habits to keep a healthy smile only children, but parents, teachers, for life! and caretakers as well, since proper oral care is commonly something that Resource: ADA presents NCDHM children require help with. Program Planning Guide National Children’s So, here are a few basics when it Dental Health Month comes to taking care of teeth: Each February the American Dental 1. Everyone should brush two times a Association encourages dental day for two minutes. professionals, teachers, parents, 2. It is important to oversee your Any questions, and others to take part in National children as they brush to be sure they Children’s Dental Health Month are doing a thorough enough job. visit our Website at (NCDHM). The main goal of 3. Make brushing fun! There are many www.doctorbbailey.com NCDHM is to increase awareness of types of mouthwashes that can be used the importance of good oral health before brushing that will color the Benjamin Bailey for children. plaque on the tooth surface so that the child can see where all the plaque, or D.D.S. Often the significance of instilling what I like to call “sugar bugs,” are General Dentist good oral health habits in children and this makes cleaning the teeth a lot 308 Dartmouth Dr. at a young age is overlooked. The more enjoyable when they can see the Midland, MI 48640 healthy development of the adult results. 631-6075 the fear and keep you more comfortable during dental procedures. Chances are, if you are very afraid of the dentist, then it has been quite a long time since you have last gone. Keep in mind that it is impor- tant to see a dentist regularly, especially if you are an anxious patient. Regular care can help diminish the chance of major dental procedures. I have found that many fears can be dental treatment. overcome by a little extra “TLC” on the A number of studies show that a “previ- part of the dentist and baby steps out of ous painful or traumatic experience during the “dental comfort zone” on the part of dental care” is the main cause of dental the patient. If this isn’t helping, there are fear. In the above mentioned survey, 67% plenty of other avenues to help patients of respondents stated a previous experience cope with and confront their fears. It as the cause of their current fear. The is important to understand that if you second most popular response was a “fear do suffer from dental fear, you aren’t of needles,” followed by “parents who were alone. Also realize that dentists (even afraid of the dentist,” and “fear of doctors though we are the ones holding the drills in general.” and needles) are there to help you cope. Regardless of the rationale for the fearful Hopefully, eventually, the dentist will be Coping With Dental Fear response when coming to get dental care, able to free you from your fears.