Just a Few More Benefits of Dental Implants

If you’ve looked into dental implants, you’ve probably discovered there is a wealth of information on what they are and why they’re so different.  In the past few years, dental implants have really become the go-to solution for any issue that requires the replacement of a tooth and there are plenty of good reasons for that. Allow me to reiterate and highlight some of the most universal benefits of dental implants and remind you to visit for a consultation if they sound like good news to you!

• ·         After they’ve fully healed, you can brush, floss, eat and drink just as you would with a natural tooth.


• ·         You don’t need to modify any surrounding teeth for the placement or stability of your implant.


• ·         You can have an implant placed anywhere in your mouth, even in highly visible areas and your implant will be completely indistinguishable from the rest of your smile.


• ·         If you take good care of your smile, you can expect to maintain your dental implant as long as you would a natural healthy tooth; however, if you need a dental implant restoration, the procedure is often simple.

- Dr. Matthew Church, D.D.S

Washington Street Dentistry    

Get to Know Gum Disease

Did you know that the odds of fully recovering from a shark attack are substantially higher than the odds of fully eliminating gum disease after it has advanced?   You’re also a great deal more likely to encounter the danger of gum disease than you ever would a hungry or curious shark.  That’s why I’d like to send you a reminder of what to be aware of when it comes to preventing and spotting gum disease when it surfaces like a shark fin. If you spot any of the following gum disease warning signs, please make a call and schedule an appointment for a periodontal screening.

• Your gums bleed during or after your brushing and flossing.


• Your gums appear red, swollen and tender, frequently feel sore, and/or appear to be receding from your teeth.


• You experience bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth, especially a short time after you’ve brushed or used mouthwash.


• Your teeth feel loose or can be physically moved in the gum bed.


• You’ve notice any changes in your bite alignment, the fit of any restorative or prosthetic dental work.

Remember, gum disease can be present without any obvious warning signs, which is one of many reasons it’s so important to visit for regular checkup exams.

- Dr. Matthew Church, D.D.S

Washington Street Dentistry    

Root Canals Aren’t What They Used To Be

For a long time, ask what one of the worst procedures you could undergo at a dental office and often the answer would be the root canal. Tell someone you’re going to need a root canal and they might respond like you to need to go to court or you’ve just been diagnosed with a serious illness.  This is probably because the reputation of root canals as a painful, invasive and involved procedure has been very resilient, even as dental innovations have made endodontic procedures efficient, straight forward and virtually painless through the use of local anesthetic and sedation dentistry.

If you’re still skeptical, I invite you to visit Washington Street Dentistry to learn what we can do for you when you’re in need of a root canal.  I think you’ll be reassured to find out how you’ll feel no discomfort during your endodontic procedure and how your recovery time will be efficient and totally manageable.

- Dr. Matthew Church, D.D.S

Washington Street Dentistry    

What Can You Do About Snoring and Sleep Apnea

For years, snoring was thought of as little more than a frustrating, even comical issue that was the bane of many a sleep partner’s rest, but now we know it could be the sign of a serious condition known as sleep apnea.  Sleep apnea occurs when tissue in the throat or oral cavity obstructs respiration and prevents adequate flow of oxygen.  The most prominent method for addressing sleep apnea is the use of a CPAP, but many sleep apnea sufferers find the use of this machine to be uncomfortable, inconvenient to downright intolerable.  Fortunately, there is an alternative that is effective and solves many of the complaints that are associated with CPAP machines.

Mild to moderate sleep apnea and nightly snoring can be helped with a simple yet specialized oral appliance which prevents the patient’s airway from becoming blocked.  The sleep apnea oral appliance isn’t that different from a night guard which would be used to prevent night grinding in the case of bruxism.  It’s a great deal more comfortable, flexible and portable than a CPAP machine and mask that fits over the mouth and nose and requires electricity.  The sleep apnea oral appliance can even be used to improve the effects of the CPAP machine.

This is just scratching the surface of what’s possible through sleep apnea dentistry.  If you snore or you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, I invite you to Washington Street Dentistry to learn more about what you can do about your condition.

- Dr. Matthew Church, D.D.S

Washington Street Dentistry    

Same-Day Dentures

Making the transition into full dentures can be trying for some patients.  While even conventional dentures have advanced to be comfortable, secure and well worth showing off, it does take some time to get used to them.  Obviously, the sooner you’re fitted with your new dentures, the sooner you can adjust to them as your new teeth.  This is part of the reason why I offer same-day dentures to my patients.  I want them to feel good about the decision they’ve made in choosing this prosthetic option and preserving their smile—and their health.

Same-day dentures are also known as immediate dentures.  Aptly named, they differ from traditional options because there’s no wait time while gums heal and the dentures are placed.  Instead, I’ll take a complete measurement of your gum and mouth before you’re prepped for dentures. This means your dentures will be ready and fitted in the same visit that your teeth are removed.  Many of my patients prefer this option.  While you will have to return to have your dentures tightened following an initial healing period, you will not be without teeth for weeks at a time.

Same-day dentures give you all the more time to get acquainted with the look and feel of your prosthetic.  Many of my patients have described an easier recovery and return to normally when going from their extraction to denture fitting in the very same day.

Since I know there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all option when it comes to smiles, I offer numerous prosthetic and denture options.  I’m here to work with you and determine which is going to be the most comfortable, sensible and successful choice for you.

- Dr. Matthew Church, D.D.S

Washington Street Dentistry

Zoom! Teeth Whitening and My Welcome Gift to New Patients

Why is teeth whitening a good thing? It depends on who you ask.  If you ask my patients, they’ll tell you they love the way seeing a whiter smile in the mirror makes them feel. They’ll also tell you it makes them feel confident about smiling more—and a smile can have a big impact on your day and the impression you give.  If you ask me, I’d tell you that when my patients feel great about their smile, it shows on their faces and in the health of their teeth and gums.  When my patients treat their smile as an asset worth showing off, they also treat it as an investment worth caring for.  It means better flossing, better brushing, mindful eating and drinking, less smoking, less germs and less oral health problems.  Since we’ve integrated Zoom! Teeth Whitening into our office as a regular service, the results have really been win-win.

Patients who have shown off the results of their teeth whitening have inspired others to visit us here at Washington Street Dentistry. If something makes you feel great, why wouldn’t you recommend it to a friend?  As my way of saying thanks to our new visitors and welcoming more to try Zoom! Whitening and other smile services, I’ll send you home with a free personal teeth whitening kit.  It’s my way of helping you maintain happy and healthy teeth long after you complete your first visit and through what I hope will be more to come.

If you’ve been waiting to whiten your teeth or visit for any reason-- whether it’s for a checkup, cosmetic procedure or otherwise-- there’s no better time to be a new patient.  I welcome the chance to meet you and offer you your very own home teeth whitening kit as my way of saying, welcome, thanks, and keep smiling!

- Dr. Matthew Church, D.D.S

Washington Street Dentistry

On Invisalign

Since I’m asked about this one pretty regularly, I thought I’d take some time to talk about this increasingly popular treatment.  What is it? It’s Invisalign.  Thanks to regular advertisements, you’re probably already aware of what Invisalign is. For those of you that aren’t, Invisalign is comprised of clear, plastic tooth aligners that are used to gradually straighten teeth like braces.  This is done through an incremental process of transitioning into new, slightly modified aligners over the course of treatment.  It’s a similar principal to the fitting and periodic tightening of braces, which eventually straighten and correct smile misalignments—but beyond that, there are more differences that similarities when it comes to comparing Invisalign and braces.  So if you’re in the midst of making a choice between the two, what should you consider?

Traditional orthodontic braces, while trusted and versatile, can be a turn off to some patients because of their appearance, as well as the necessary modifications to your diet and teeth cleaning habits.   Invisalign is advantageous for these patients, in that they’re not easily detectable and are meant to be removed while you eat, brush and floss.

Rather than visiting for tightening, you’ll make periodic changes over to new aligners, through which your teeth are gradually adjusted.  After your Invisalign consultation, and once we determine that it will be a good option for you, you and I will create a projected smile design using specialized software.  Once we plan for how your smile will look after your treatment, your aligners will be created to accommodate your gradual smile improvement.  You should expect to make periodic visits so I can check on your progress and determine the steps and duration of your treatment from there.

Remember, Invisalign provides the best results for patients with mild to moderate orthodontic needs.  Keep in mind that you will still need to wear a retainer after using Invisalign and may benefit from supplementing your treatment by wearing traditional orthodontics for a brief period afterwards.  Of course, this varies on a patient-to-patient, smile-by-smile basis.  The best way to determine if Invisalign is right for your smile and if it can produce the results you’re looking for is to come visit me for an Invisalign consultation.

- Dr. Matthew Church, D.D.S

Washington Street Dentistry