https://www.kunasmiles.com/our-approach daily 0.75 2023-05-31 https://www.kunasmiles.com/office daily 0.75 2023-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1664215781923-HUKEOFCDX0ASBRH0DZE1/office_07%2Bcopy.jpg Our Office https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1ef259e1-223e-4bfe-b6a9-83e6e25d1fec/office_09+copy.png Our Office https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1664215657723-0UG42ZH6KZ0ASGV8GSRA/office_13%2Bcopy.jpg Our Office https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/a347cabd-a3bc-48f2-9457-63b8c2973715/office_05+copy.png Our Office https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/e542dbc9-626a-4fa3-bb20-df60c3dcc455/office_04+copy.png Our Office https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/8a7aebb1-5df2-47c2-a659-13c44277dc18/office_08+copy.png Our Office https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1664215685058-CX6DV3E1HVPJNZXYBX6O/office_12%2Bcopy.jpg Our Office https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/2cc0e03f-f24f-4c72-98a6-735a506ec4d0/office_11+copy.png Our Office https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/486934eb-b6ff-41e9-a984-e512f1481281/office_10+copy.png Our Office https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/3dc67046-ab1a-46c4-b5db-5b6ed2e549e8/office_06+copy.png Our Office https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/a447832a-3bfb-48d8-83ca-244ec17377cd/office_03+copy.png Our Office https://www.kunasmiles.com/preventative-care daily 0.75 2021-08-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629771457422-NS77S2LJ5MYNAW6A0KVO/AdobeStock_202841932.jpeg Preventative Care - Exams Why get an exam? At Kuna Smiles, we believe that patients can stay on the path to excellent oral health and wellness through regular prevention techniques and appropriate patient education. The first part of putting you on this oral wellness path is through a comprehensive dental exam. These exams are given so we can plan your future care and make recommendations for what you need right now. The more information your dentist has about you and your needs, the better they can treat you and help you. How often should I get an exam? The American Dental Association recommends a comprehensive dental exam for all patients every three years starting at age two. (The frequency of these comprehensive exams may increase if we find that you are at higher risk for certain conditions or diseases based on our initial comprehensive dental exam findings.) The most important reason for these in-depth exams are the diseases and conditions that can be prevented or diagnosed during these exams. Importance of regular exams Your oral health affects your total-body health and vice versa. Poor oral health has been linked to diabetes, systemic disorders, high blood pressure, oral cancer, gum and bone disease, deteriorating cardiovascular health and sinus problems. Through a proper evaluation of your teeth, gums, jaw, and surrounding tissues your dentist can reduce your likelihood for conditions that can endanger your overall health. It is important to note that everything we do during the comprehensive exam appointment is something you’ve been educated about and have agreed to do. We want you to be part of the process, and understand what is needed and why. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629771508570-VCIW6PLVZYFHRGKHFRGE/AdobeStock_181225534.jpeg Preventative Care - Fluoride What is fluoride? Fluoride is a mineral found in natural water sources - even in lakes and rivers. It is useful to prevent cavities in humans by topical application on the teeth. It works anytime you brush with fluoridated toothpaste, rinse with fluoridated mouthwash, or drink fluoridated tap water. A common misconception is that fluoride is harmful to humans. While anything can be harmful in high quantities, fluoride has been extensively studied and researched to understand its use. For example, the fluoride in your tap water is at such a low level that even dogs, who are deathly sensitive to fluoride, can drink tap water without any problems. Despite this low level, fluoridated tap water is still very effective when it washes over your teeth on a regular basis. How does it work? Your enamel is made of hydroxyapatite, which contains calcium ions. When acid lower than pH 5.5 washes over your tooth, it strips away all of the calcium, causing your tooth to dissolve. Bacteria use acid to form cavities, which is more likely to happen when acidic foods and drinks have already weakened your enamel. When fluoride comes into contact with your tooth, it replaces the calcium found within the enamel. This changes hydroxyapatite to fluorapatite, which doesn’t dissolve as easily when exposed to acid. Unfortunately, our mouths become acidic every time we eat or drink something which can strip away some of the fluoride ions, so it’s important to “recharge” the tooth with fluoride-containing toothpaste twice per day. Why use fluoride? The more often we can apply fluoride to the enamel, the stronger it’ll be! Additionally, the higher concentration of fluoride we can put on the tooth the better it’ll work. For these reasons, we advise everyone to brush with fluoride toothpaste each day and get a fluoride “boost” at each dental check up by having your hygienist paint fluoride varnish on your teeth. Sometimes, when a person has had several cavities at one time, we also recommend a higher strength toothpaste. By using a toothpaste with more fluoride, we can slow or prevent the progress of cavities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629771665056-O1A0RH3VR2FO9140XIK7/AdobeStock_196478967.jpeg Preventative Care - Digital X-Rays What is an x-ray? Dental x-rays are a type of low-dose radiation imaging that creates pictures of the inside of your mouth and face. The images show the parts of teeth and bones in different shades of black and white. This is because different tissues absorb different amounts of radiation. Calcium in teeth and bones absorb x-rays the most, so bones look white. Muscles and other soft tissues absorb less and look gray. Air absorbs the least, so it looks black. Why get x-rays? X-rays in dentistry are very helpful to find infections, cavities, missing teeth, nerves, and other diseases such as cysts or tumors. Without x-rays, the dentist cannot give complete or accurate treatment recommendations for cavities, infections, or other diseases that might be hiding inside the bone. When taken at appropriate time intervals, x-ray imaging can also be a very helpful preventative tool. With them we can advise where to floss or brush more, when fillings or crowns need to be replaced, when bone is receding, if root canals are still healthy, and more. How much radiation is in a dental x-ray? With the help of digital imaging, we can use extremely low doses of radiation to get a useful x-ray. In fact, a dental x-ray uses the same amount of radiation that a person is naturally exposed to in 1 day on Earth (0.005 mSv). Yes, you read that correctly! You’re exposed to radiation every day, but the amount you receive depends on what you eat, drink, and your location. For comparison, eating a banana exposes a person to about 0.0001 mSv of radiation, and a flight from NYC to LA exposes a person to about 0.02 mSv. Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends an annual maximum of 50 mSv for healthcare workers. At that level, it would take 10,000 dental x-rays to reach an annual radiation limit! What to expect? At Kuna Smiles, we believe that regular check ups will reduce your dental treatment needs over your lifetime. Part of doing so requires us to get updated x-rays at appropriate times. We follow the American Dental Association’s guidelines that most patients need updated x-rays once per year. Depending on your dental needs, we may recommend a frequency less or more than once per year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629773494370-NY6AJ73620U44H0ARLII/AdobeStock_243113364.jpeg Preventative Care - Sealants One of the most common places to get a cavity is in a groove or pit on your tooth. This occurs because bacteria can hide in them and slowly cause a cavity. In adults, grooves are typically stained and it can be years before a cavity develops. In children, however, these cavities can grow quickly due to diet and lack of high-quality toothbrushing. For this reason, we often recommend sealants on newly erupted permanent teeth in children. What is a sealant? A sealant is a protective material that blocks bacteria from getting into the grooves and pits of your tooth. They’re made of a specially formulated resin that penetrates deep into the groove of your tooth so that it prevents bacteria from hiding in these spots. Why should you get sealants? Oftentimes, the grooves and pits on your back teeth are too deep and too narrow for toothbrush bristles to clean. This means decay-causing bacteria can thrive down there and cause cavities. We typically recommend that permanent back teeth get sealants to drastically reduce the chance of cavities. Sealants on permanent molars reduce the risk of cavities by 80%, according to the Journal of the American Dental Association. What to expect? We can do sealants on multiple teeth at one time, and the best part is that you don’t need to be numbed for any of it! You can expect to have the doctor, hygienist, or assistant thoroughly clean the grooves of your teeth. Afterward, they will make sure the tooth is dry. We will place some “blue shampoo” on the tooth to prepare it for the sealant, which gets rinsed off and dried. Then the sealant will be painted into the grooves and pits of the tooth. Sealants can become worn, chipped, or even fall out over years of use and abuse. If this happens we recommend getting it replaced. Please speak to one of our wonderful team members regarding the Kuna Smiles sealant guarantee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629773446970-GG9IWUKK9RSH0U8TOG19/AdobeStock_247629214.jpeg Preventative Care - Cleanings Dental cleanings are important for many reasons, most importantly of which is to keep your gums and bone healthy. Your gum tissue (aka Gingiva) and the underlying bone, are essential for your oral health. They supply blood, nutrients and protection for your teeth. Without them, teeth are more susceptible to decay, infection and tooth loss. Why do you need your teeth cleaned? Visiting your dentist is about more than preventing cavities. It is imperative to keep healthy gums and bone, too! As you’re reading this, bacteria are congregating on your teeth and gums. If not brushed off twice daily, these bacteria will build up to form plaque and calculus. Plaque causes inflammation, sensitivity and bleeding of the gums called gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can turn into gum disease (aka Periodontitis) which causes bone loss around teeth. It is important to prevent bone loss because without it, your teeth will have no way to stay in your mouth. Once there has been too much loss of bone, teeth may get loose and need to be extracted. How often should you get a cleaning? As we all know, everybody is different, and there is no exception to this in health care. Each person has a unique immune system and response to bacteria in the mouth. Depending on your body’s reaction to bacteria, and your at-home daily hygiene practices, you may need to visit your dentist as often as 4 times per year. Most people need preventative plaque removal every 6 months, but about 1 out of 3 people require a deeper cleaning on a more regular basis. For those that require a deeper cleaning, they may need to visit the office every 3-4 months to prevent gum disease. You and your hygienist will develop a schedule that will keep you looking and feeling your best. https://www.kunasmiles.com/cosmetic-care daily 0.75 2021-08-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629771900088-8NSE9FRS3EUHAFXG4H1E/AdobeStock_294625901.jpeg Cosmetic Care - Teeth Whitening Just like we all have different hair and skin color, people also have different colors of teeth. Some teeth are more yellow, grey, orange or brown than others, while others get that with time. Your natural tooth color can also be affected by many factors such as: Using tobacco products Drinking coffee, tea, soda, or red wine Eating pigmented foods such as pasta, cherries, blueberries, curry, etc Buildup of plaque and tartar deposits Irregular formation of tooth structure Trauma to a tooth causing brown or black discoloration There are many reasons for whitening your teeth, including: The boost to your confidence and self-esteem that comes from a great smile A younger appearance A special event such as a wedding, job interview or class reunion To make a positive first impression on others To simply reverse years of everyday staining and yellowing Kuna Smiles offers more than one way to whiten your teeth so that you can find the results you're looking for. Be sure to ask us about your whitening options when you see us next. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629771934957-NPH0PW6YGH35F01RZ1YG/AdobeStock_421285770.jpeg Cosmetic Care - Veneers Your smile is one of the first things someone notices about you! If you have chipped, discolored or rotated teeth you may not like how your smile looks. That is where dental veneers can help enhance your smile. Veneers are thin porcelain or composite resin coverings that are bonded to the front surface of a tooth used to correct tooth imperfections, such as stained or chipped teeth. Dental veneers are a good option for addressing a variety of physical and esthetic concerns with your teeth. Porcelain veneers are an excellent choice for enhancing your smile because the color and translucency of porcelain is a great match for the natural appearance of tooth enamel. Porcelain is also stain resistant, so your smile will stay bright for years to come. Much like with crowns or bridges, veneers are a two-visit process. This allows a trained lab technician to carefully sculpt your veneers to perfectly match the smile you’re looking to achieve. Resin veneers are an alternative to porcelain, and can also enhance your smile. These are typically done in one visit. Although resin veneers can achieve amazing results, they typically aren’t as strong or stain resistant as porcelain veneers and may need to be refreshed or replaced after multiple years of wear and tear. Either way, you can achieve a beautiful, natural-looking smile that you will love to show off. https://www.kunasmiles.com/pediatric-care daily 0.75 2021-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629772005961-UME7KU0MSW3R9P0YCN3I/AdobeStock_263826445.jpeg Pediatric Dental Care - Starting Early The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends for kids to see their dentist after their first tooth erupts or around his/her first birthday. That may seem too early to some parents, but there are many important benefits for getting your child to the dentist at that age. Prepares Your Child Your child experiences new things every single day in their first years of life and learns to adapt to them. Seeing a dentist early should be one of those new experiences that they come to enjoy. By seeing us twice per year, we can help prevent tooth decay, infections, early loss of teeth, and developmental issues. Besides that, your child will also become accustomed to seeing us and will be more likely to seek proper preventative dental care as an adult. Prepares You There are many things to worry about as a parent, so let us help you keep your child happy and healthy. At these first dental appointments, we will help guide you with great preventative practices to better prevent cavities, infections, and complications for your child. Our team can also provide educational information and resources about diet and snacking, brushing, fluoride, sealants, thumb/finger/pacifier habits, and more. Prepares Your Dentist Just like you do, we also want what’s best for your child. For that reason, we ask that you can provide their full health history. We’ll also ask about their dietary habits at home, how they handle brushing, and if they use a pacifier or suck on their thumb. All of these things and more will help us better plan for their dental health and well-being. Our hope is to see your family for all of their dental needs and can make your child’s dental experience wonderful from the beginning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629772079150-K7ZEN4O9OF4WHUELMVYA/AdobeStock_318853771.jpeg Pediatric Dental Care - Importance of Early Care According to the AAPD, dental cavities affect 1 in 5 kids under 5 years old. Seeing a dentist to get a cavity filled is actually the most common reason for kids to miss school! When your child sees us, we’ll discuss with you any and all treatment that may need to be done. This may include fillings, stainless steel crowns, extractions, space maintainers, or sealants. We do these as needed to serve two purposes, to keep teeth healthy and allow your child’s mouth and face to develop normally. https://www.kunasmiles.com/emergency-care daily 0.75 2021-08-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629772172844-E62OT5QYC243LGYYHRMO/AdobeStock_249706037.jpeg Emergency Care - Infections & Root Canals What is a root canal? Root canal treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal, prevent reinfection of the tooth and save the natural tooth. When getting a root canal, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed. Why do I need a root canal? Inside your tooth, beneath the white enamel and a hard layer called dentin, is a soft tissue called pulp. This tissue contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, which help grow the root of your tooth during its development and provide sensation to your tooth. The pulp can become inflamed or infected by invasion of bacteria or by trauma. If bacteria create a cavity deep enough into your tooth, they will infect the pulp causing severe pain to cold liquids and/or to chewing. Alternatively, if you have traumatized your tooth the pulp can spontaneously die and decay, causing an infection in the bone around the tooth. Either way, this is not good for your overall health and should be treated by removing the culprit of the infection - the pulp. What to expect? Modern root canal treatment is nothing like those old sayings! It’s very similar to a routine filling and can usually be completed in one or two appointments, depending on the condition of your tooth and your personal circumstances. Getting a root canal is relatively painless and extremely effective. When you have a root canal, the doctor first numbs the area, then makes an opening in the top of your tooth. The pulp is then removed from inside your tooth and the empty canal is prepared for a special filling and dental sealer. What happens after a root canal? After the root canal is completed, you’ll have a permanent restoration placed to fill the opening in the top of the tooth. For back teeth it is best to have a crown placed over this tooth to prevent any chance of fractures or reinfection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629772117530-7GQ6CSK1ILNZFRNLWBV1/AdobeStock_123893908.jpeg Emergency Care - Broken, Chipped, Cracked, or Loose Tooth & Crowns Accidents happen! If you’ve experienced a broken or chipped tooth, give us a call as soon as you can. Typically, the larger the break the more urgent it is to get to your dentist. If the tooth is severely sensitive or painful, you may have exposed the nerve of the tooth. Give us a call at 208-922-2000 to speak with us. When you see us for a broken or chipped tooth/crown, we’ll make sure to carefully examine the tooth and everything around it to ensure no further damage was done. Our goal is to get you out of any pain you may be experiencing, and restore your tooth to its original glory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629772201648-D15L1EBX75N3MVBWYA3S/AdobeStock_164856537.jpeg Emergency Care - Other Emergencies Severe pain, Infections & Root Canals Do you have pain when biting or chewing? How about pain or sensitivity to cold drinks or foods? Or maybe you’ve noticed a large hole in your tooth? Call us at 208-922-2000 to see us as soon as possible! Infected teeth can be severely painful and bring even the strongest people to their knees. We want to alleviate that pain for you. When you see us, we’ll ask for a full health history and a detailed description of what’s happened with your painful tooth. The doctor will carefully examine that area to ensure they know exactly what treatment is necessary, which may include a root canal. If this is the case, our team will work with you to make your appointment is as easy as possible. Knocked Out A Tooth If you’ve knocked out a tooth or have loosened a tooth that shouldn’t be loose, give us a call at 208-922-2000 as soon as possible! If your tooth has completely come out of the gums and bone, place it in a small container with milk, water or saline (water w/ scoop of salt) and bring it to a dentist within the hour if possible. If you’re unable to make it to a dental office within an hour, be seen by a dentist as soon as possible. Depending on the situation, teeth can be put back in place and left to heal over the course of 4-12 weeks. In many instances these teeth will need a root canal but can be saved, avoiding the need for a bridge or implant. Other Emergencies? Are you experiencing pain in your mouth, head or neck? There are many causes for aches and pains, but one thing is for certain - we don’t want them! Call us at 208-922-2000 today to be seen for any dental pains or emergencies you might have. https://www.kunasmiles.com/faqs daily 0.75 2022-12-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607628784608-5D22G9GPLHDSAB2IXC2G/Large+JPG-Aro+Ha_0638.jpg FAQs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847743861-GWVMBPD7Z7WQRQL9IZZ8/Large+JPG-Aro+Ha_0380.jpg FAQs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607638148090-Y6OFDI575CM3NQV732RJ/Large+JPG-Aro+Ha_0387.jpg FAQs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg FAQs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694644871-IC85FNH781UNZSZEGHDR/Aro+Ha_0428.jpg FAQs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg FAQs https://www.kunasmiles.com/new-patient-forms daily 0.75 2023-09-19 https://www.kunasmiles.com/restorative-care-1 daily 0.75 2021-11-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629771802143-8FMEGA8EABEATVT8JD5C/AdobeStock_58606182.jpeg Restorative Care - Dentures & Implants More than 36 million Americans do not have any teeth, and out of those people, about 90% of them wear some sort of denture. This tooth loss can happen due to decay and gum disease, or as a result of injury, cancer, or abnormal wear. What is an implant? Implants are a great way to replace one or more missing teeth. The implant itself is a very special titanium screw that is carefully and methodically placed in your bone. These can be used for many different applications, from replacing a single missing tooth to having a whole arch supported by multiple implants. Titanium has not only been used in dentistry but also in medicine a long track record of success. It is used to rebuild joints, repair broken bones, and Why do an implant? When a tooth is missing, especially a back tooth, it puts the remaining teeth at risk by compromising the health of the gums and bone through accelerated shifting and increased biting forces. If multiple teeth are missing, these same things will happen but at an even faster rate. We want all the best for our patients so we recommend replacing teeth to retain chewing function, facial structure, and esthetics. What to expect? Once completed, a single tooth implant will look like a natural tooth to the untrained eye. The implant will function like a normal tooth as well, allowing you to floss and brush it as normal. Expect the implant process to take some time. What is a denture? Dentures are custom prosthetics that replace some or all of the teeth. Oftentimes, they are removable (taken out at night) but can also be fixed to implants (can only be removed by the doctor). They’re made to mimic the look of your gums and teeth so that other people cannot tell your teeth aren’t real! Why get dentures? Improved ability to eat and speak, Without teeth, your gums take the brunt of your chewing and biting. This can be painful and uncomfortable. Your teeth also help form the sounds of words as you speak. Replacing your teeth with dentures can clarify the words you speak. Improve facial features A denture or a set of dentures will almost instantly give you a Hollywood smile. They can increase a person’s self-confidence due to a set of straight white teeth. You’re already missing teeth Dentures are best suited to people who have lost some or all of their teeth. They can also be a great alternative to getting implants for those individuals with particular health risks preventing them from getting dental implants. Types of Dentures: Complete Dentures Also called “full dentures.” When all your teeth are removed or lost, full dentures will give back to you a complete smile. They’re held in place by suction on your gums. The upper and lower sections get inserted separately every morning. At night, users take them out and allow them to soak in a water solution to keep them clean and moist. Complete dentures can be made whether your teeth have been gone for many years or if you’ve recently had teeth extracted. Immediate Dentures These are fitted and given to you the same day your teeth are extracted. Immediate dentures are complete dentures that protect the gums as they heal. This set of dentures isn’t meant to fit perfectly in the long-term as the gums and bone heal in the first 6-12 months after extractions. After having teeth removed, the gums shrink and change in that healing process, which is why we recommend immediate dentures get relined to gain a suction cup-like fit. Partial Dentures If you’re only removing some of your teeth or have lost just a few teeth, partial dentures are a great option. Since they’re only filling the spaces of missing teeth, they rely on the natural teeth around them for support. In turn, your natural teeth can get stronger by having the gaps around them filled. Partial dentures consist of artificial teeth usually attached to a metal frame, which grasps onto the natural teeth. They’re removable but should be worn all day to keep your teeth in place. The metal frame is the strongest option, but in certain situations it's better to use an acrylic frame that blends in better with the teeth and gums. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629771771206-ALNBO973Y9QKTUV6RW0Z/AdobeStock_179289298.jpeg Restorative Care - Crowns What is a crown? A crown (aka cap) is a custom made piece of ceramic and/or metal that fits over your tooth. Zirconia is a ceramic, is the most common material that crowns are made of, and is actually stronger than your natural tooth. The doctor will get a custom shade selected to match your teeth so that your new crown blends in perfectly with your existing dentition. Why do a crown? Teeth can become weakened over time due to cavities, fillings, fractures, root canals, or premature wear. A tooth weakened by any of these reasons has a higher risk of breaking to the point that it must be removed. To prevent the potential loss of a tooth, the dentist may recommend a crown to protect the tooth long-term. Ceramic crowns have a long track record of success. In fact, there are roughly 2 million crowns done each month in America, and routinely last more than 10 years - sometimes up to a lifetime! What to expect? It’s typically two appointments to get your new crown. At the first appointment, the doctor will prepare the tooth by removing any fillings or cavities, and then carefully reshape the tooth to fit a crown. From there the doctor will send a digital 3D model to the lab for them to custom fabricate the crown. While we’re waiting 1-2 weeks to get the crown from the lab, you will have a temporary crown placed on the tooth. This allows you to live life normally until the real thing is ready. At the second appointment, we’ll remove the temporary crown, clean the tooth of any debris, and test fit the real crown. Once we know the real crown fits perfectly and looks good to you, we permanently stick it to the tooth using a special type of glue (called cement) or we bond it to the tooth. Once your crown is in place, it takes ~24 hours for the cement/bond to fully cure. During this time we ask you not to get too aggressive with your crown. After the first 24 hours have passed, you can eat and drink whatever you like. Keep in mind though, the gentler you are on your crown and the cleaner you keep it, the longer it will last. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629771735226-ZMGVN8ZLDXIV4AKD4W38/AdobeStock_254372904.jpeg Restorative Care - Fillings What is a filling? A filling is a treatment for a tooth damaged by a cavity that restores it back to its normal function and shape while also preventing further decay. It's one of the most common procedures that takes place in the dental office, so there's no need to worry, especially if you are maintaining a good brushing and flossing routine! What is a cavity and why do I need a filling? A dental cavity is a hole left behind after bacteria destroy a part of a tooth. Indeed, the cavity still contains the bacteria that created the hole. If the cavity is not treated, this will result in worsening of the disease and possibly lead to infection (spread of the infection will lead to eventual damage of the tooth and possible bloodstream infection). Consequently, the tooth decay needs to be removed and the tooth restored with a filling. Because a cavity can continually progress until infection occurs, the dentist needs to remove the decay as soon as possible to prevent progression of the decay. Once the decay is removed, there is still a hole in the tooth that will cause problems. A filling is placed in that hole to restore the tooth to its natural shape and function. What to expect? First, the dentist uses a local anesthetic to numb the area near the decayed tooth or teeth to be treated. The dentist then uses a tiny drill to remove the decay from the affected tooth. After removing the decay, the dentist prepares the tooth for placing a filling. At Kuna Smiles, we only use composite resin filling material to restore teeth. To bond composite to a tooth it involves a specific acid etch, a desensitizer, and a bonding material to get a strong “stick” to the tooth. The filling isn’t finished until it has been adjusted to fit your bite and it has been polished smooth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629771848350-QUMKQCHKMBZDKK06EPYC/AdobeStock_231719161.jpeg Restorative Care - Dental Bridges & Other Alternatives What is a bridge? A dental bridge is a permanent, non-removable option that can replace a missing tooth or teeth. They’re made of ceramics, metals or a combination of the two, much like a crown and are designed and produced in a similar fashion. The bridge is a string of crowns all attached together that is cemented to teeth on either side of a gap. With proper care and maintenance, a bridge can provide improved lifestyle and chewing abilities. Why a bridge? A missing tooth is a serious matter because teeth are made to work together to help you chew, speak and smile. When you lose a tooth, the nearby teeth will shift, increasing the risk for tooth decay and gum disease. A missing tooth may also allow a tooth in your opposing jaw to shift into that space, meaning your teeth will no longer be even or in a straight line. This can affect your bite and place more stress on your teeth and jaw joints, possibly causing pain and damage. By having a dental bridge made to fill in the gaps, you can prevent the shifting, tipping and loss of more teeth in your mouth. Besides that, you’ll also enjoy having a full, beautiful smile that doesn’t hinder you from eating your favorite foods. What to expect? Much like with a dental crown, a bridge is a two step process. At your first appointment, the doctor will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap so that a bridge can fit over them. When you leave your first appointment you’ll be wearing a temporary bridge. This temporary is an important space saver that holds the teeth perfectly in place to fit the new, permanent bridge. At your second visit, the doctor will swap the temporary for the permanent bridge. They will make sure the new one fits like it should and that you’re pleased with the outcome. As long as those things are met, the doctor will permanently cement the bridge onto your teeth. Regular care and maintenance will be required to avoid tooth decay and gum disease around the bridge. The team at Kuna Smiles will help you in every possible way to keep your new bridge looking and feeling great. https://www.kunasmiles.com/team daily 0.75 2023-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/912051a9-0e2d-47d3-bf2a-e3b4533f0ee5/dr.+olson.jpg Meet The Team Dr. Jason Olson, DMD An Idaho native, Dr. Jason Olson, DMD was born and raised in Pocatello. Following high school, he served a 2-year mission to Vancouver Canada. Dr. Olson and his wife Holly were married in 2012 and have since had 3 beautiful daughters. He loves weekend dates with Holly, daddy-daughter dates, spending time outside fishing and duck hunting, and playing, coaching, or watching sports. Dr. Olson received his bachelor’s degree in biomedical science from Idaho State University, and he continued his dental education at The University of New England College of Dental Medicine in Portland, Maine. Dr. Olson is remarkably attentive to detail, enjoys working with his hands, and loves serving others. He is eager to continue his knowledge and skills in many areas of dentistry for decades to come. Dr. Olson’s goal is to remain current in the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure the highest quality oral healthcare to better serve the Treasure Valley, and to improve the life of each patient he serves. https://www.kunasmiles.com/kuna-klub-sign-up daily 0.75 2023-10-14 https://www.kunasmiles.com/home daily 1.0 2024-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629770932821-7DQ9FUCRWUMQWVIIBQFM/AdobeStock_215057324.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629771007600-K1Y8MHT57TZ61IVEZL4A/AdobeStock_132555773.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629771045223-HVJXT0RTTF50U28XEKHQ/AdobeStock_318682970.jpeg Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.kunasmiles.com/contact-copy2 daily 0.75 2023-07-18 https://www.kunasmiles.com/why-choose-us daily 0.75 2023-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60dde18ca5642f29a57e82c2/1629771105256-9VJGJ8T1K2J6ZIDBZU2N/AdobeStock_264661649.jpeg Why Choose Us? - Don’t have insurance? 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