Wellesley Dental Group Blog

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness, and swelling of your gums. Without treatment, it can progress and become a serious threat to a person’s oral and overall health. While it is often considered a consequence of poor oral hygiene, there are many factors that can contribute to its development. Research even indicates that it can be transferred from person to person! Are you surprised to learn that? Continue reading this blog post to glean more information about the spread of gingivitis and how you can protect both yourself and your loved ones.

Did you know that around 60% of adults aged 65 and over have some form of gum disease? Indeed, this condition is one of the most common health problems among older adults. And it is nothing to take lightly because it can increase the risk of numerous health complications, including heart problems and dementia. Why are seniors more vulnerable to gum disease, and is there anything you can do to protect your smile as you age? This blog post shares some important information.

Talk to almost any dentist, and they will not hesitate to say that dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. Are you thinking about getting this treatment? Your first step toward rebuilding your smile should be a consultation, during which you will have the opportunity to ask questions. What should you ask? This blog post contains some ideas to get the conversation started.

During your dental implant consultation, your care team will examine your mouth thoroughly. They might tell you that you need a sinus lift before you can move forward with tooth replacement. Though that may sound a bit alarming, it is a routine preparatory procedure that is sometimes necessary for successful implant treatment. But what exactly is a sinus lift, and why might you need one? This blog post explains.

Around the world, dental implants are regarded as the best form of tooth replacement. Their sterling reputation stems from the fact that they mimic the structure of natural teeth, meaning that they can deliver benefits that are not available from other treatments. However, one caveat to dental implants is that the treatment process can be complex. Before moving forward with it, you might need a bone graft. This blog post explains why.

Your teeth are a precious asset, so you may be understandably concerned if your dentist tells you that you need one or more extractions. However, you can trust that your care provider would never recommend this procedure lightly — they likely have a very good reason! What are some of the most common reasons for tooth extractions? This blog post lists five.

Dental implants have a well-earned reputation as the best form of tooth replacement. They are functional, strong, and reliable! But their benefits go even further than that. They have the potential to increase your confidence and support your mental health. How can they accomplish that? This blog post lists five ways.

Under ideal circumstances, human teeth emerge vertically from the gumline. When all of them are well-aligned, they create a functional bite and contribute to good oral and overall health. Unfortunately, though, that does not always happen. Some teeth grow at the wrong angle! That is particularly common with wisdom teeth, which are the third molars at the very back of the mouth. Why do they sometimes grow sideways, and what could that mean for your oral health? This blog post explains.

If you previously wore braces, you were probably delighted when you finally finished treatment and you got to enjoy your beautiful new smile. Now, though, perhaps you have noticed that your teeth are starting to become crooked again. That can happen due to tooth loss, injuries, inconsistent retainer usage, and other factors. If you dislike the prospect of undergoing a second round of braces treatment, you might wonder if you are a candidate for Invisalign clear aligners. The answer is probably yes! This blog post shares what you should know about getting Invisalign after braces.

When you first got started with Invisalign treatment, your dental team likely emphasized that you should wear your aligners as much as possible. In fact, 20 – 22 hours of daily usage is recommended (the closer to 22 hours, the better). That might seem like a challenging task. After all, 22 hours is equal to more than 90% of your time every day! However, you can be confident that meeting the recommended wear time is a realistic goal.

Continue reading this blog post to learn why the 22-hour rule is so important. You will also find tips for helping you keep up with your treatment.