It’s an easy fix to many smile problems – one that doesn’t require a surgical procedure, repeated trips to our office, or lots of complicated planning. In most cases, insurance covers at least part of the procedure. To see if you need a crown, call Briarwood Valley Dentistry at 269-482-3171. 

In the meantime, see some of the ways we use crowns to improve your smile:

• Fixing Cavities – While a simple filling can repair small cavities, it’s best to use a crown for larger ones.
• Mending Cracks and Breaks – Cracked and broken teeth look bad and make it difficult to chew food. Even worse, they make it possible for bacteria to get inside a tooth and cause a painful infection. A crown restores your tooth’s healthy appearance and function and cuts off the entry point for bacteria. 
• Protecting Tooth After a Root Canal – If you’ve had a root canal procedure, a crown strengthens and protects your tooth afterward.
• Repairing a Missing Tooth – When attached to a dental implant, a crown can fill a gap left by a missing tooth. Implant-supported restorations feel and function more like natural teeth than other teeth replacements. 
• Covering Cosmetic Imperfections – Sometimes a crown is a better choice than a veneer or bonding to hide a cosmetic problem like a misshapen or discolored tooth. 

Ready to get your smile in great shape with a crown or other restoration? Call 269-482-3171 now for an appointment in our Kalamazoo, MI office. We’ll help you find the solution that works best for you! 

The post 5 Ways a Dental Crown Can Keep You Smiling appeared first on Dr. Lorraine Hanna.

We’re sharing a video by the American Dental Association that talks about how stress affects your oral health. If you wake up in the morning with a sore jaw, sensitive teeth, or experience headaches during the day, those are signs you grind your teeth or have a TMJ disorder. 

That’s where we come in! With our TMJ treatment, we’ll give you a custom-fit oral appliance that protects your teeth from the damage of grinding and eliminate the pain it causes.

Times are stressful, and we want to do what we can to protect your oral health. Call Briarwood Valley Dentistry today at 269-482-3171 for an appointment in Kalamazoo, MI. You can also online.

The post Why Your Teeth Grinding May Be Signs of Stress appeared first on Dr. Lorraine Hanna.

This first installment of our blog focuses on some of the ways that our practice stands apart from the rest. If you have any questions, or if you need to make an appointment, just call us at 269-482-3171 and we’ll be glad to help.

Dr. Hanna Offers Over Three Decades of Experience

Since 1991, Dr. Lorraine Hanna has treated her patients to the best dental care she can. Over that time, she has helped thousands of patients enjoy beautiful smiles and the boost in confidence that comes from knowing your smile looks great. She stays up-to-date on the latest treatments through continuing education and her commitment to providing outstanding care. Plus, Dr. Hanna has earned Fellowships in the Academy of General Dentistry and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. Just as many others have done, you can count on her to help you smile more radiantly.

You’ll Relax With a Choice of Sedation Options

Dental anxiety is very real for many of our patients. To help make nervous patients feel relaxed, we offer two forms of sedation. If you are uneasy about your dental visit, talk to us about our sedation options. You can choose from either inhaled sedation using laughing gas or oral conscious sedation in pill form. Either one works great at eliminating anxiety, although oral sedation is somewhat stronger than inhaled sedation. Our team will help you decide on the one best for your needs.

Our Team Is Dedicated to Outstanding Care

Dr. Hanna has surrounded herself with a core team of dental professionals who are committed to delivering the best care possible. Our team provides compassionate and gentle care day in and day out to every person who trusts us with their smile. You can rely on us to listen intently to your needs, fully answer all your questions, and explain your treatment every step of the way. We’ll make sure you have a pleasant dental experience at each visit.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this edition of our new Briarwood Valley Dentistry blog. If you need to make an appointment for a checkup or anything else, just give us a call at 269-482-3171. You can also request an appointment online.

The post Take a Moment to Read Our Briarwood Valley Dentistry Blog appeared first on Dr. Lorraine Hanna.