Inlays
A dental inlay or onlay is bigger than a filling and smaller than a crown. It is bonded or cemented into place. An inlay is similar to a filling, but it lies within the cusps (bumps) on the chewing surface of your tooth. An onlay is larger than ... [... more]
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Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (NUG)
Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG) is a condition affecting the gums that is caused by a bacterial infection. Unlike other forms of periodontal disease, NUG typically develops quickly and causes moderate to severe pain. Stress and heavy ... [... more]
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Cracked Tooth Syndrome
Some teeth have cracks that are too small to show up on X-rays. Sometimes the cracks are under the gum. These small cracks are known as "cracked tooth syndrome." Cracked tooth syndrome is most common in lower back teeth (molars). That's because [... more]
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A Parent's Guide to Tooth Eruption
Check out our animated guide to learn about tooth development, possible problems and keeping your child's teeth and mouth healthy. Illustration created by Simple Steps designer Michael Becker This interactive illustration requires Macromedia ... [... more]
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Fillings: The Basics
Do you need a filling? Or should an old filling be replaced. Find out how your dentist determines the answer and how fillings are done. Your dentist may use several methods to determine if you have tooth decay, including: Decay is not the only ... [... more]
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Lips, Injury
Trauma to the lips, tongue and the inside of the mouth is quite common. The soft flesh of the lips and their exposed location make them vulnerable to injury. With a blow to the face, the lips can be crushed against the teeth, causing bruising or ... [... more]
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You're Never Too Old for Braces
These days, 20% to 25% of orthodontic patients are adults, and more than half of those are women. Anyone who had braces as a teenager probably will recognize at least one of these taunts. Today, advances in orthodontics are making braces less ... [... more]
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Painful Papillae of the Tongue
The small bumps or nodules of tissue on your tongue are called papillae. Your taste buds are scattered among these nodules. Sometimes, these papillae can become painful. Several papillae can hurt, or just one or two at a time. Trauma is the most ... [... more]
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Lip Biting
In most cases biting your lips is harmless, but in some people they are repetitive enough to cause injury. You probably have heard the expression: "I had to bite my lip to keep from saying anything." Lip biting is a common habit. Many people [... more]
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Whiter Teeth: What Works?
You don't have to be born with perfect teeth to have a bright smile. With a process called tooth whitening, or bleaching, it's possible to erase the stains and discoloration that naturally occur over time. Q. I had a root canal and now the tooth ... [... more]
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American Academy of Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
Dysgeusia (pronounced dis-GOOZ-ee-a ) is an abnormal taste or change in taste that won't go away. Dysgeusia (pronounced "dis-GOOZ-ee-a") is an abnormal taste or change in taste that won't go away. It can be described as bad, metallic, salty, [... more]
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Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders
Deciding on the right treatment can be difficult. Here are some of the options. Temporomandibular dysfunction includes a wide range of disorders that often overlap. They include: This variety makes diagnosis and treatment challenging. Most ... [... more]
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