No matter how well we care for our teeth, natural wear and tear leaves its mark over time. The foods and drinks we consume daily, chewing and grinding teeth, and decreased bone density due to aging all contribute to minor cosmetic flaws like chips, cracks, and stains. When it comes to correcting smile irregularities, patients have numerous cosmetic and restorative dentistry options. Two of the most popular corrective solutions are cosmetic bonding and porcelain veneers. However, many patients are unsure which option is right for their smile, and Dr. Bobby J. Carmen and his Norman, OK dental team help patients fully understand their options, and make a decision that leave them with beautiful smiles for years to come.
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Choosing Cosmetic Bonding or Porcelain Veneers Norman, OK Loves
October 6, 2015
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Tooth Replacement with the Dentist Norman, OK, Trusts
July 27, 2015
If you or someone you care about is missing teeth, then you might be familiar with the difficulties they face almost daily. The activities most people take for granted—eating, talking, smiling, laughing—may be compromised. And beyond the affects that even one missing tooth can have on your oral health, there are the consequences to your general and emotional health to consider, too. Your nutrition may suffer if you are unable to consume a well-balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables. Emotionally, missing teeth can make you self-conscious in both social and professional situations. Therefore, Dr. Bobby Carmen and his team in Norman, OK, offer a variety of tooth replacement options, so you can have the full and beautiful smile you need and deserve.
Dental Implants in Norman
Perhaps the most lifelike tooth replacement choice is a dental implant. This modern dental wonder not only replaces the crown of a tooth—the visible portion—but the root as well. As such, you’ll have stable base upon which Dr. Carmen can attach a natural-looking porcelain tooth restoration. As an implant dentist, Dr. Carmen will perform every step of treatment, including implant placement, at our Norman dental office. He will surgically implant a small titanium post your jawbone. As this heals, the bone and post will fuse, creating as firm a foundation as a live tooth root. Once you’ve healed, you’ll return to our office where Dr. Carmen will affix a custom crown. If you have more than one missing tooth, then implants will be positioned along your arch in order to securely hold implant retained dentures.
Full and Partial Dentures
For full and partial dentures, Norman turns to Dr. Carmen. As you might guess, full dentures replace all of the teeth on an upper or lower arch. Partial dentures, on the other hand, are designed to fit between and among your remaining teeth. Full dentures and partials contain artificial teeth on a pink, gum-colored base, and both look completely natural. With wear, they will feel natural, too. Dr. Carmen takes great care to design dentures that are comfortable and appropriately sized for your unique mouth and facial features.
Call Our Office Today
If you would like to learn more about your tooth replacement options, or if you are ready to schedule a consultation, then please call the office of Dr. Bobby Carmen. Our Norman, OK office happily offers this service to our neighbors in Noble, Goldsby, Newcastle, Moore and beyond.
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Eliminate the Painful Symptoms of TMJ Disorder with help from Dr. Bobby Carmen
February 28, 2015
Have you ever heard of your temporomandibular joints? No? That’s okay, even though they’re located on either side of the face just in front of the ears, most people haven’t heard of them either. However, if you experience persistent headaches or a host of other painful symptoms, then you may want to spend some time learning about those joints. Dr. Bobby J. Carmen in Norman, OK, treats patients with TMJ disorder, or TMD, so they can get back to living a productive and pain-free life.
Your temporomandibular joints allow you to open and close your mouth, so you can chew, talk, smile, laugh and yawn. If these joints malfunction—whether because of a bite problem that is brought on by misaligned teeth, uneven surfaces on the teeth caused by teeth grinding, or a hard blow to the face—then the consequences can be a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Perhaps the most common symptom is pain when chewing. Other symptoms may include:
- Headaches and migraines
- The feeling of an earache without infection
- Swelling on the side of the face
- A clicking or popping sound when you open your mouth
- Sensitive teeth
- A stiff or locked jaw
- Misaligned teeth or other changes in your bite
TMJ Therapy in Norman, OK
If Dr. Carmen does diagnose you with TMD, then the goals are to arrest it, protect teeth from further damage, and correct underlying bite misalignment. To do this, Dr. Carmen may prescribe an oral appliance that you’ll wear at night to reduce stress on your jaw. You’ll also want to avoid eating hard and chewy foods, slouching—good posture can alleviate pain in your head, neck and shoulders—and stressful situations as much as possible, which naturally cause people to clench their teeth.
Call Our Office Today
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, then call Dr. Bobby Carmen today to schedule a consultation to determine if the cause is TMD. Dr. Carmen serves patients in Norman, OK, as well as the surrounding communities of Moore, the University of Oklahoma, and central Oklahoma and beyond.
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Choosing Between Dentures and Dental Implants
September 29, 2014
If you have missing or damaged teeth that need to be replaced, you may be considering a choice between dentures and dental implants. For a long time, dentures were the only option for people looking to replace teeth that had been lost or extracted. Today, you may also choose dental implants. The decision between dentures and dental implants shouldn’t be taken lightly and you should get all the facts before you make your choice. You can make an appointment with Dr. Carmen in Norman, OK,today to get those facts and discuss your options.
Dentures
Full and partial dentures are made of a series of one or more false teeth that are attached to a metal or plastic framework. Simulated gum tissue is added for a more natural look. Dentures are held in place with the use of an adhesive paste or wafers. However, their bond is not always secure; dentures can slip and move around while eating and speaking. Lower dentures tend to move more frequently and can cause gum irritation and sores. Dentures require daily cleaning and will eventually need replacement. Dentures also do not correct the missing tooth roots in your jaw, which may lead to jawbone recession and facial collapse.
Dental Implants
Choosing dental implants can eliminate some of these issues. The process starts with a tiny titanium implant that’s inserted into your jawbone to serve as the replacement tooth root and to preserve the bone structure in your jaw. A dental crown is then attached to the dental implant, serving as your prosthetic tooth. Implants will not slip or move, require far less maintenance than dentures and are the most permanent solution for tooth loss, often lasting a lifetime.
Dentures and Dental Implants in Norman, OK
Be proactive about your oral health and make an appointment with Dr. Carmen today for a free consultation about your choice between dentures and dental implants. Dr. Carmen restores smiles everyday throughout Norman, Del City, the University of Oklahoma, Midwest City, Moore, and Central Oklahoma.
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Restorations in a Single Visit with CEREC Crowns from Dr. Bobby J. Carmen
April 7, 2014
CEREC technology (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) offers an entirely new – and considerably more convenient – way of meeting our patients’ needs, producing flawless dental crowns in less time than ever before. Dr. Bobby J. Carmen and his team in Norman, OK deliver only the latest in dental technology to our patients, ensuring continued oral health and wellness for the future with CEREC one-day crowns.
CEREC One-Day Crowns in Norman, OK
Typically, receiving an essential restoration like a dental crown requires multiple visits to your dentist, putting a strain on your already busy schedule. First, you have to have an impression of your tooth or teeth made, a process that may involve the use of messy, uncomfortable impression materials. Then your measurements are sent off to a separate lab facility where a crown will be made over the course of a few weeks or more. The crown is sent back to your dentist, where you’ll attend another appointment to have the restoration placed. In the meantime, you may wear a temporary crown that requires you to alter your diet to avoid losing or damaging it.
At the office of Dr. Carmen in Norman, OK, we believe that this process is antiquated and inconvenient at best, as well as uncomfortable and often more expensive for the patient. Our practice has opted for a more modern approach to restorative dentistry, choosing instead to utilize the revolutionary technology of CEREC one-day crowns. In the span of about one hour, our CEREC machine produces beautifully customized, lifelike, and durable crowns that can be fabricated and permanently placed in just one visit. Though you may enter our office with a considerable dental problem, we’ll make sure you leave with a complete smile that’s as healthy as it is radiant.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
In addition to fabricating custom crowns in just about an hour, Dr. Carmen’s CEREC machine can quickly and efficiently mill porcelain veneers, inlays, and onlays as well. Contact our office in Norman, OK today to learn more about how CEREC one-day crowns can help you rebuild a beautiful, healthy smile. We happily serve patients from communities in Norman, Central Oklahoma, the University of Oklahoma, Moore, and beyond. We look forward to showing you what a difference our practice’s cutting-edge technology can make in your next dental experience.
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Air Abrasion from Dr. Carmen Is a Comfortable, Conservative Alternative to Drilling
November 18, 2011
For some patients, what’s aggravating about a trip to the dentist isn’t getting a shot or having to hold their mouths open, it’s the drill, whether the whiny sound it makes, the smoky smell it produces, or the vibrations it causes.
That’s why, in many cases, Dr. Carmen’s Norman office uses air abrasion instead of a traditional dental drill. While a traditional dental drill uses a needle to remove decay or prepare a tooth for a filling, air abrasion uses a high-pressure stream of aluminum oxide particles.
What that means for patients is a quieter, more comfortable experience that works for adults and children alike. Dr. Carmen may even be able to complete your appointment without using an anesthetic.
But there’s one more benefit of air abrasion to consider, and that is that air abrasion is a conservative approach. What that means is that air abrasion lets Dr. Carmen preserve more of your natural tooth structure. This benefits your oral health, as the more of your natural tooth structure we’re able to preserve, the longer you can enjoy your natural smile.
Want to Find Out More About Air Abrasion?
If you have questions for us about air abrasion or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Carmen, call our Norman office today. We serve patients from Norman, Moore, the University of Oklahoma, Central Oklahoma, and surrounding areas.
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You Can Make Your Child’s Halloween Cavity-Free with Xylitol Candy
October 21, 2011
Halloween’s just a little over a week away now, and if you have little ones, you know how much they’re looking forward to the big day. You, on the other hand, just wish there was a way you could get them through the night without ruining their teeth.
Well, there is.
With xylitol candy, you can help your child stay cavity-free without dampening their trick-or-treat spirit.
The Benefits of Xylitol
Xylitol comes from the fibers of fruits and vegetables. It’s low in calories, low in carbohydrates, and has been used as for years as a sweetener, especially in sweets for diabetics. But its biggest benefit is in the way it interacts with teeth.
Unlike traditional sugar, which gives bacteria energy to feed on by breaking down, xylitol doesn’t break down. It also promotes a healthy pH level in the mouth and makes it more difficult for bacteria to stick to teeth, meaning that it actually protects smiles from cavities.
But where can you find xylitol candy?
Some online options include xlear.com, zappgum.com, and Amazon, but with a little research you may be able to find just what you’re looking for at your nearest health foods store.
Want to know more about xylitol candy, or how you can help your child have a cavity-free Halloween? Visit xylitol.org or give Dr. Carmen’s Norman office a call today. We serve patients from the University of Oklahoma, Moore, Central Oklahoma, and beyond.
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A Back-To-School Appointment with Dr. Carmen
August 4, 2011
Now that August is here, the first day of school isn’t far behind. So, with that in mind, why not call our Norman office and schedule an appointment for your son or daughter with Dr. Carmen.
With a thorough oral exam and cleaning from our office, Dr. Carmen can help protect young smiles from plaque and bacteria, the primary ingredients of tooth decay and gum disease.
Why Are Regular Visits So Important?
Regular visits, which include back-to-school visits, are important for more than just protecting a smile from cavities.
What a lot of patients don’t know is that their oral health can actually impact their overall health. The impact may not be immediate, but over time, the same bacteria and plaque responsible for gum disease and tooth decay can increase a patient’s risk of developing a wide range of health problems, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, stroke, and even pre-term birth.
That’s why another term for general dentistry is preventive dentistry. Regular cleanings plus daily brushing and flossing helps your entire body stay strong, in addition to protecting your smile from gum disease and tooth decay.
To schedule an appointment for yourself or your child, give us a call today. Our Norman office serves patients from The University of Oklahoma, Moore, Central Oklahoma, and surrounding areas.
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