Crowns and Bridges

Crowns and Bridges are restorations done to teeth that need something more than a filling to hold things together.  That 'in a nutshell' is the answer.  A crown covers the tooth like a hat around your head holding your hair against your head on the top and sides.  A crown costs more than a filling because of the added laboratory costs associated with fabrication.  But, hopefully a crown last longer than a typical filling as well.  Typically crowns are reserved for when teeth no longer are going to be a stable platform for daily function with large fillings.  Sometimes patients want crowns for aesthetic reasons so that their teeth won't ever discolor.  Bridges, by definition, are 2 or more crowns tied together.  The most common bridge is a 3-unit bridge.  That type of bridge replaces 1 missing tooth by being attached to the tooth in front and in back of the space.  A bridge accomplishes re-establishment of function in that space, holding the teeth from shifting, and helps with esthetics and phonetics.  If you think you may need a crown or a bridge, or have other concerns about your dental health, please call us or check out our website for more information at the link below.

-Dr. Cooper

859-309-6052

Cooper Family Dentistry

Cooper Family Dentistry is a dental office located in the Lansdowne Shopping Center on Tates Creek Rd. in Lexington, KY dedicated to helping you and your family achieve the best oral care.

Tooth Pain

Tooth Pain varies from mild irritation only when stimulated by cold or sweets, to crippling due to an dental abscess.  I have found some people can sense the smallest of cavities coming on while others won't every feel pain with a tooth even when the tooth is to the point of being broken off at the gumline.  Sometimes people will have pain in their teeth when the weather is changing associated with sinuses.  Wisdom teeth erupting can cause quite a bit of discomfort.  After all this information I will sum it up to say the sooner you treat it, the better and easier the outcome.  If you think you have a cavity, or just need a regular checkup please call our office or visit our website below for more information.

-Dr. Cooper

859-266-2570

Cooper Family Dentistry

Cooper Family Dentistry is a dental office located in the Lansdowne Shopping Center on Tates Creek Rd. in Lexington, KY dedicated to helping you and your family achieve the best oral care.

Regular Checkups

New patients are a toss-up.  Sometimes they are quite regular with getting cleanings.  Sometimes they haven't been in years due to a bad experience or maybe getting out of the routine.  It is important to get regular checkups because cavities, gingivitis, and bone loss all develop over time, but sometimes faster than other times.  We see patients either on 3, 4, or 6 month intervals and is dependent on a number of factors.  Those factors could be dry mouth(which leads to cavities), gum loss, bone loss, ability to care for their teeth, and other factors.  Whether young or old, rich or poor, lots of teeth or few teeth, it's important to stay regular.  If you need a checkup and cleaning give us a call or visit our website for more information.

-Dr. Cooper

859-266-2570

Cooper Family Dentistry

Cooper Family Dentistry is a dental office located in the Lansdowne Shopping Center on Tates Creek Rd. in Lexington, KY dedicated to helping you and your family achieve the best oral care.

Veneers

Veneers are essentially facings on teeth.  Veneers are thin porcelain that is made to fit a tooth perfectly and give the patient a 'new look' or a 'new smile'.  Sometimes veneers are done to fix teeth that are chipped.  Because of the area of the teeth that is chipped the patient may not be a good candidate for a simple composite white filling.  The other reason patients as for veneers is because of the desire to have white teeth or straight teeth, but not spend the time to get braces.  This is a simple rundown of veneers.  I could go into more information, but i will spare readers the nuances.  If you have questions about veneers or any other questions about your overall dental health, please call our office or visit our website at the link below to find out more information.

-Dr. Cooper

859-266-2570

Cooper Family Dentistry

Cooper Family Dentistry is a dental office located in the Lansdowne Shopping Center on Tates Creek Rd. in Lexington, KY dedicated to helping you and your family achieve the best oral care.

Dry Mouth

Sometimes i have patients who are concerned about dry mouth.  Dry mouth is a symptom of a lack from saliva production.  It is most commonly associated with taking some medications.  After talking to your physician, you might be able to switch to another medication if you think the current medication you are taking is causing your dry mouth.  Lack of salivary flow also can be generally associated with aging.  Regardless of the cause of dry mouth it can be devastating to the teeth because it allows for rampant cavity production.  The best defense against that is good oral care at home and a regular visit with your dentist.  If you need a regular checkup, give us a call or check out our website for more information. 

-Dr. Cooper

859-266-2570

Cooper Family Dentistry

Cooper Family Dentistry is a dental office located in the Lansdowne Shopping Center on Tates Creek Rd. in Lexington, KY dedicated to helping you and your family achieve the best oral care.

Canker Sores (Apthous Ulcers)

Once in a while i get a question about Canker Sores, otherwise known as apthous ulcers.  Some are simple, where others are complex.  Both types hurt and can make talking and chewing uncomfortable.  The root cause of canker sores is unknown, but i believe it's likely viral in nature much like fever blisters are.  Fever blisters occur on the lip's border whereas canker sores always occur on mucosal tissue in a person's mouth.  Canker sores appear on non-bound tissue such has floor of mouth, cheek, and vestibule.  There isn't a solution that works all the time.  Mostly, it's a waiting game for the canker sore(s) to run their course.  I've even tried using a laser to create a cover over the sore, but it doesn't work every time.  It's believed that they appear after stress, eating acidic foods, or having a deficiency in B12, iron, or folic acid.  If you have more questions about canker sores or your overall dental health please visit our website at the link below or give us a call to schedule an appointment.

-Dr. Cooper

859-266-2570

Cooper Family Dentistry

Cooper Family Dentistry is a dental office located in the Lansdowne Shopping Center on Tates Creek Rd. in Lexington, KY dedicated to helping you and your family achieve the best oral care.

Teeth Grinding and Biteguard Therapy

I have many patients who grind their teeth, so i get asked routinely about options to fix this problem.  For some, it's as easy as making a biteguard that one sleeps in to prevent further trouble from occurring.  For others it might involve muscle relaxers, or finding the root cause of their worries.  Sometimes it can be a tooth or sinus issue.  I typically ask a series of questions when patients come in and work with them to find the appropriate solution.  Broken teeth are often a sign that you may grind your teeth.  If you grind or clench your teeth, or just need a regular checkup, give us a call or visit our website for more information.

-Dr. Cooper

859-266-2570

Cooper Family Dentistry

Cooper Family Dentistry is a dental office located in the Lansdowne Shopping Center on Tates Creek Rd. in Lexington, KY dedicated to helping you and your family achieve the best oral care.