The Benefits of Crowns

When you have damaged teeth, you may need to consider dental crowns in Phoenix, AZ. Dr. John Graneto and the staff at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces and help repair your teeth in a warm and professional environment.

What Are Crowns?

Dental crowns are manufactured dental restorations that cover or cap an entire tooth surface. This restoration is typically made of metal, ceramic, or all-porcelain.

What are the Benefits of Crowns?

Crowns can be used for a variety of reasons including:

-Restoring decayed teeth

-Preventing the splitting and cracking of teeth

-Protecting cracked or weakened teeth

-Enhancing misshapen, discolored, or short teeth

When you come to Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ, we match the crowns to blend in naturally with your surrounding teeth. By getting a crown, you will prevent further tooth decay and protect the remaining healthy part of the tooth. A crown increases the lifespan of the remaining natural teeth and improves their appearance.

How Do I Care For My Crowns?

After we place the dental crown, there are some oral care techniques you can implement to maintain optimal health. Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, and floss before bedtime. It is also best to avoid eating sticky or hard foods such as caramel, nuts, and pretzels because they may become stuck.

Next, it is important to eat a well-balanced diet that includes large quantities of fresh vegetables and fruit. Strive for six to seven servings of fruits and vegetables per day. A good diet plan will provide you with the minerals and vitamins needed to support your teeth and prevent future cavities.

Caring for crowns is critical to maintaining optimal oral health. Even if you brush and floss daily, it is important to visit your dentist in Phoenix, AZ at least once a year to ensure the crowns remain protected and intact.

We have three locations to get crowns in Phoenix, AZ. Call the 2533 N. 75th Ave office at (623) 223-1001. Call the 2046 N. 24th St. office at (480) 666-15984. Call the 524 E. Baseline Rd. office at (480) 405-4714. Dr. Graneto and his staff look forward to seeing you at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces.

What to Expect During Your First Tooth Extraction

If your child is in need of a tooth extraction in Phoenix, AZ, Dr. John Graneto and the team at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces can provide the care and gentle hands they need.

 

Who Needs a Tooth Extraction?

Though it’s preferred that children’s teeth come out on their own, there are times when an extraction is necessary. These include situations such as if:

-A tooth is seriously decayed or damaged

-Some or a few of the teeth do not come out prior to adult teeth coming in, causing overcrowding

-Orthodontic treatment is needed and baby teeth are interfering with it

-Wisdom teeth are impacted

 

Tooth Extraction Process

Tooth extraction in Phoenix, AZ involves the following steps:

-Extraction begins with an X-ray to determine the condition of the roots and bones.

-The area around the tooth will be numbed so that your child doesn’t feel the extraction.

-If necessary, other forms of anesthesia or sedation are given. Nitrous oxide, referred to as “laughing gas,” can be given to help calm them. If that anxiety is severe, sedation is available. Dr. Graneto will discuss any available options that he feels will help.

-In most cases, the tooth can be removed with the use of only forceps. If a tooth is impacted, an incision may be required to help remove gum tissue.

-Once the tooth is out, gauze will be placed at the extraction site to help the blood clot. If an incision is made and the doctor deems it necessary, such as with wisdom tooth extractions, stitches may be required.

In most cases, your child will be ready to go shortly after the extraction. If nitrous oxide or sedation were used, there will be a little recovery time.

 

Aftercare Tips

-Keep the gauze in as long as instructed, replacing it as it gets too wet.

-Avoid rinsing for at least the first 24 hours.

-Stick with soft foods for a few days and avoid chewing near the extraction site.

-Drink water regularly to help clean the mouth and stay hydrated.

-Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be given for pain.

-Use ice packs to help reduce swelling.

-If pain is intense, there is excessive swelling, or the extraction site looks infected, call Dr. Graneto immediately.

The team at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces will discuss any additional aftercare instructions with you.

 

Dr. Graneto provides tooth extraction services at three convenient Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces locations in Phoenix, AZ. You can make an appointment at the N. 75th Avenue location by texting (623) 232-0749, N. 24th Street by texting (480) 666-5984, or Baseline Road by texting (480) 405-4714.

The Importance of Dental Hygiene

From regular brushing and flossing to dental exams and teeth cleaning, Dr. John Graneto of Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ emphasizes dental hygiene as a powerful tool to maintain a child and adult's overall health and well-being.

 

Why Dental Hygiene is Critical

One of the most important goals of good oral hygiene is to stop plaque from building up on your teeth. Excessive plaque buildup is a leading cause of gum infection and tooth decay. However, good oral hygiene has other benefits for your health. Here are some examples of what good and bad oral hygiene can do to your body.

 

Your Overall Health

Your mouth is actually a door to the inside of your body. If you have a bad door, it can let in unwanted visitors. For example, people who have a greater risk of periodontal disease or have periodontal disease due to poor oral hygiene are at a higher risk of developing diabetes or heart disease, according to research conducted by Harvard. Research also shows bad hygiene puts people at risk for other medical complications such as:

 

-Cancer

-Sepsis

-Bacterial pneumonia

-Infective endocarditis

-Pregnancy complications and low birth weight

 

Tooth Loss Prevention

Bad oral hygiene and tooth loss are a big problem for adults and children. Severe tooth decay from excessive plaque buildup leads to rapid tooth loss and it's often a direct result of poor dental hygiene in Phoenix, AZ. Visit Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces to learn more about the relationship between oral hygiene and tooth loss.

 

Brighter/Whiter Smile

Your smile will shine bright by maintaining a good oral hygiene regimen. If you want to smile with confidence, you'll need to take care of your teeth. Here are some tips for keeping your teeth and gums healthy:

-Avoid sugary snacks

-Avoid tobacco products

-Brush and floss at least twice a day

-Schedule preventative treatment annually at a minimum

-Rinse mouth with water after meals/chew gum with no sugar

 

Learn more about children and adult dental hygiene in Phoenix, AZ by contacting Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces at 623-232-0749 (75th Ave. location), 480-666-5984 (24th Street location) or 480-405-4714 (Baseline Road location). Dr. Graneto and the team are ready to answer your questions.

What is the Panorex?

Come to Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces, where Dr. John Graneto and his staff in Phoenix, AZ, will use Panorex to get the best detail possible about what is happening with your teeth.

Panorex is a special kind of x-ray that uses a panoramic camera to give us an incredibly detailed view of all the teeth. This special x-ray gives our staff the information we need to plan effective treatment for you, whether that is orthodontics or oral surgery.

What is the Panorex?

A panorex is an X-ray that shows the entire upper or lower jaw in one view. This type of x-ray is usually taken when a patient has braces, especially if they have their permanent teeth straightened. These are also used for people who have lost all or most of their permanent teeth.

When you visit our office in Phoenix, AZ, for a Panorex, there is no radiation exposure to speak of. The film used is only activated with light energy, so there is no danger involved in taking these X-rays. So don't worry when your child or teenager gets an exam using this tool.

The panorex x-ray shows the entire jaw, giving us a better idea of what the teeth are doing and the room that is needed for the placement of dental appliances or implants. This type of x-ray is good for determining how much room you have in your dental arch to place braces, implants, or possibly even expand the width. It also shows possible problems such as impacted wisdom teeth or cysts.

We have three locations to get the Panorex in Phoenix, AZ. Call the 2533 N. 75th Ave office at (623) 223-1001. Call the 2046 N. 24th St. office at (480) 666-15984. Call the 524 E. Baseline Rd. office at (480) 405-4714. For more information, contact Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces at any of the above telephone numbers. We look forward to seeing you.