Exceptional Dentistry LV Blog - Tony Tomaro

As you age, you may notice changes in your oral health. Your teeth may begin to lose their white color and appear gray or yellow. They may appear worn down or altered in shape because of years of use. As your enamel begins to lose its luster, your teeth may also start to appear duller.

But regardless of your age, the most important defense against the wear and tear that aging has on your teeth is brushing and flossing regularly. This is the best way to keep your teeth strong and your gums healthy. Regular dental visits are also equally important to remove built up plaque and tartar on your teeth and gums. This will help you stay free from periodontal disease and will help keep your mouth looking dazzling and healthy in your later years.

Also, if you maintain routine dental checkups, you are also more likely to be notified about any dental problems while they are still small and manageable. If left untreated, simple oral problems can advance and become serious issues that may call for extensive and costly treatment.

By practicing good prevention techniques, you can keep your natural teeth well into your elderly years.
Serving patients in Las Vegas and surrounding areas, Exceptional Dentistry can help you achieve an incredible smile, no matter how old you are. Please contact our Nevada cosmetic dental practice to set up your initial appointment today.

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD/TMJ) is a neuromuscular disorder that occurs when your jawbone and skull are out of alignment. This condition creates discomfort in your jaw muscles and can lead to headaches, neck and shoulder pain and popping or clicking in your jaw.

One way to treat TMJ is to find your jaw's most relaxed position. When your jaw can fully relax, this can help relieve muscle tension and ease your symptoms.

Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS) is a machine that relaxes your jaw muscles with low-frequency stimulation. By causing your muscles to contract and relax in a pumping manner, the TENS machine helps improve mobility, relieve stiffness and alleviate pain.

This non-invasive treatment works through the application of electrode patches to the areas of discomfort. Then the low-amplitude current will run from the machine through these patches to the area that is causing you pain. The stimulation also produces a heat that further helps relieve your symptoms.

This neuromuscular machine is a non-invasive technique used to relax hyperactive muscles with low-amplitude, low frequency, intermittent stimulation. This stimulation causes your muscles to contract and relax in a pumping manner, similar to a massage.

The TENS also monitors your jaw functions in different positions, such as resting, chewing and opening. These results can be used to determine a treatment plan for your TMJ.

If you are suffering from TMJ and you live in the Las Vegas, Nevada area, Exceptional Dentistry can help alleviate your pain. Nevada cosmetic dentists Dr. Laurie Bloch and Dr. Tony Tomaro can recommend the treatment that is right for you, so that you can go on living your life comfortably. Please contact our Nevada cosmetic dentistry practice today to schedule a consultation.

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.