Exceptional Dentistry LV Blog - Tony Tomaro

Healthy gums fit snugly against your teeth. If your gum line begins to pull away from your teeth, this is called gum recession.

Receding gums expose more of your tooth’s root, leaving it more susceptible to tooth decay and cavities. Pockets or spaces between your teeth and gums can also develop and trap food particles and other bacteria that are difficult to remove with brushing and flossing.

Because more of your tooth root is exposed, the gum-recessed teeth are often more sensitive to hot, cold, sweet and sour sensations. Gum recession can also impact the aesthetics of your smile, making your teeth appear longer than normal since less of your gum covers your teeth.

Receding gums can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Brushing too hard
• Mouth injuries or trauma
• Smoking
• Oral piercings
• Misaligned, gapped or crooked teeth
• Periodontal disease

The severity of your gum recession and its root cause will determine the treatment. For some patients, better brushing habits can restore healthy gums. For more severe recession, patients may be advised to undergo a soft tissue graft (also called a gum graft), which can restore a receded gum line and cover sensitive roots.

If your gums are recessed and you live in the Las Vegas, Nevada area, Exceptional Dentistry is here for you. Dr. Laurie Bloch and Dr. Tony Tomaro can explain your treatment options and help restore your gums to a healthy state. Please contact Exceptional Dentistry of Las Vegas today and we will help you arrange an appointment.

Dental fear is a hidden phobia. People who fear the dentist do not often talk about it; they tend to schedule and cancel appointments instead. Embarrassment often fuels a dental phobic's desire to keep their fear hidden. If this sounds like you, you are not alone. In America, almost 30 percent of dental patients fear the dentist.

For many people, dental phobia develops during childhood, leaving you to carry the dread of the dentist for years and years. Dental phobics often avoid dental care until they experience intolerable pain or until their dental health has deteriorated to the point that they need extensive treatment. This ultimately means more time in the dentist’s chair, more procedures and additional expenses. It is a vicious cycle; but it does not have to be.

Modern dentistry offers safe and effective treatments without the use of needles, to make treatments comfortable for fearful patients. How? Sedation dentistry utilizes sedative drugs to relax your central nervous system so that you can be calmer during dental treatment. You will not be asleep or unconscious, but you will be in a sedated state and will remember little, if anything, about your procedure. Sedation dentistry allows you to undergo one or multiple procedures that you have been delaying because of your dental phobia.

If you have been delaying essential dental treatment, you no longer have to fear the dentist. At Exceptional Dentistry, our Nevada cosmetic dentists Dr. Laurie Bloch and Dr. Tony Tomaro can perform your needed procedures in a comfortable, anxiety-free manner. If you live in the Las Vegas, Nevada area, please contact Exceptional Dentistry of Las Vegas today to schedule your appointment.

Periodontal (or gum disease) is a chronic bacterial infection that begins with swollen and tender gums and can ultimately lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease begins when the plaque that is constantly forming on your teeth becomes inflamed. It will then harden and turn into tartar, which can only be removed during a dental cleaning.

The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. Your gums will become red, swollen and are prone to bleeding, especially during brushing. Your gums may also become tender and irritated, but not always. Often times, there are no painful symptoms. If you are experiencing a change in your gums, it is important to see a dentist so this infection does not become any worse.

If gingivitis is not properly dealt with, it will evolve to periodontitis. At this stage, the areas of plaque and tartar will broaden and end up below your gum line. The bacteria will then irritate your gums and start breaking down your gum tissue and supporting bone.

The result is a separation of your gums and teeth, and the creation of pockets or spaces between them. These pockets will grow deeper and destroy more of your tissue and bone. Eventually, your teeth will become loose and will either fall out or need to be removed.

Periodontal disease can be corrected if caught early enough. If you have not seen a dentist in awhile, Exceptional Dentistry is here to help. Nevada cosmetic dentists Dr. Laurie Bloch and Dr. Tony Tomaro can rid your mouth of periodontal disease and help restore your oral health. If you live in the Las Vegas, Nevada areas, please contact Exceptional Dentistry of Las Vegas to set up a consultation.

You may have noticed two different sets of initials after a dentist’s name: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). The difference between the two just happens to be what the university/college offers. Both a DDS and DMD have undergone the same education and have passed the same dental exams. More dental schools award a DDS degree, although a number of dental universities still use the distinction of DMD.

To become a DDS or DMD, you must have finished at least three years of undergraduate college (most schools require a bachelor’s degree) and you must successfully pass the Dental Admissions Test. Recommendations from past college professors are often required, along with an admissions interview.

Once accepted to dental school, you will complete four more years of training and education. Before you can receive your DDS or DMD distinction, you must pass the:

• National Board Dental Examination Part I
• National Board Dental Examination Part II
• State dental board examination

You must also apply for a state license upon passing the state exam. Many states are now participating in regional board exams instead of giving individual exams.

If you are interested in what cosmetic dental procedures are available and you live in the Las Vegas, Nevada area, Cosmetic dentists Dr. Laurie Bloch and Dr. Tony Tomaro and know what it takes to get you the dazzling smile you deserve. Please contact Exceptional Dentistry of Las Vegas today to schedule an appointment.

When you lose even a single tooth, your oral health will begin to suffer. Your other teeth will begin drifting toward the empty space, misaligning your bite. Because your jawbone will not have the same healthy stimulation in the area where your empty space now stands, your bone could begin to deteriorate and produce a "sunken in" appearance where the gap is located.

A very successful dental solution that preserves facial bone that may be lost by missing teeth is a dental implant. Unlike dentures that rest on your gum line or fixed dental bridges that are anchored to your teeth on either side of the space, dental implants provide permanent solution. This is because a dental implant works as a substitute for the missing tooth root and therefore, helps prevent bone loss. It also enhances your overall oral health by replicating your natural tooth and tooth root structure.

A dental implant is a small, steady titanium peg that is fastened into your upper or lower jaw bone. Your surrounding tissue and bone will naturally grow around it, holding the implant in place. These types of dental restorations are incredibly durable, and, if properly maintained, they can last a lifetime. You should care for your dental implant the same way you do your natural teeth by regularly flossing, brushing and scheduling routine dental exams.

If you have lost a single tooth and are looking for a permanent, effective treatment, implant dentistry may be right for you. If you live in the Las Vegas, Nevada area, Exceptional Dentistry offers a solution. Nevada cosmetic dentists Dr. Laurie Bloch and Dr. Tony Tomaro can help you replace a single missing tooth. Please contact our Nevada cosmetic dentistry practice today to schedule an appointment.

Dental implants are titanium posts that are fused to your jawbone and act as the root of your tooth. This treatment option is ideal for replacing one tooth, or several teeth in different areas of your mouth.

Dentures are false teeth that generally replace multiple teeth side by side on either the upper or lower jawbone. Dentures are cheaper than dental implants, although they may slip out of place or make embarrassing popping or clicking noises when you talk. They are removable, so it is easy to clean your mouth at night without these restorations getting in the way of brushing or flossing.

Dental implants are more expensive, but they are a permanent solution for tooth loss. The dental implant procedure is more involved, but once the implant is placed it acts as a permanent root for your missing tooth. You can have a restoration, such as a dental crown, attached to the implant, or you can use it to better secure dentures.

Dental implants look, feel and function like your real teeth. Although the two surgeries (one procedure to secure the implant, the other to fasten the restoration) are more invasive, dental implants often last a lifetime if you care for them properly.

If you live in the Las Vegas, Nevada area, and you want to learn more about implant dentistry, Exceptional Dentistry can provide additional information. Nevada cosmetic dentists Dr. Laurie Bloch and Dr. Tony Tomaro can help you determine which treatment is best for your one or more missing teeth. Please contact our Nevada cosmetic dentistry practice today to set up an appointment.