FAQs on porcelain veneers from your Putnam dentist

July 11, 2016

Putnam Dental VeneersAre you looking for a permanent, durable improvement for your smile? Porcelain veneers from Putnam dentists, Drs. Walter and Carolyn McGinn, beautifully remake smiles which have defects such as cracks, chips, odd shape and size and deep stains related to smoking, diet and age. Read these frequently asked questions to learn more about this popular aesthetic improvement, and think about whether dental veneers in Putnam could help your smile.

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Five Simple Tips To Improve Your Oral Health

February 25, 2016

dentist putnamAs your dentist in Putnam, we’ve got a real interest in keeping your smile healthy. Did you know there are a few simple steps you can take to improve the health of your teeth and gums? Keep reading to learn the top five tips for good oral health, and start making some positive changes for your smile today!

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Fill your smile gaps with dental implants

January 29, 2016

dental implants putnamStress, anxiety and embarrassment — these are just a few of the feelings our patients who are missing teeth report. It’s the stress of not being able to eat like you used to, the anxiety of speaking without all your teeth and the embarrassment of smiling with a big gap. We hate to hear when people experience these side effects of missing teeth, but we also feel so proud to be able to offer a wonderful solution with dental implants in Putnam. Keep reading to learn how you can benefit from the whole tooth replacement from your dentist in Putnam in 2016!

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Dentist in Putnam on Oral, Overall Health Link

December 23, 2015

dentist putnamYou know your mind and body are connected — just think of the way your stomach feels before a big speech. Well, we’ve got news for you: your oral health is just as closely tied to your overall health. Your dental wellbeing can affect or be affected by a number of things, and that’s a fact Drs. Carolyn and Walter McGinn know well. Keep reading to learn how you can promote a strong smile by staying healthy in 2016!

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Gum Disease: Learn the Causes, Treatment & Prevention

October 30, 2015

gum disease treatmentGums. They’re the kind of thing you don’t think about when they’re healthy — but as soon as they start to cause problems, you quickly realize just how important they are. Unfortunately, sometimes that’s already too late. Did you know that nearly half of Americans suffer from some form of gum disease? And that the infection can have serious repercussions on the rest of the body? Keep reading to learn more about the condition — from its causes and prevention to the gum disease treatment. Dr. Carolyn and Walter McGinn, your Quiet Corner dentists, are in.

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Teeth Whitening Putnam Residents Prefer

September 8, 2015

beautiful smile thanks to teeth whitening putnam, ct residents preferFor teeth whitening Putnam, CT residents trust, Drs. Carolyn and Walter McGinn offer pateints who wish to brighten their smiles two simple, convenient at-home teeth whitening options: crest white strips and custom, at-home whitening trays. While these whitening options are available in over the counter versions, working with the Drs. McGinn, patients are fully educated and able to choose the whitening option that works for them. To find out more, we recommend scheduling a teeth whitening consultation. Our dentistry team will examine your teeth, and determine the cause and severity of your dental discoloration. Then, our dentists make recommendations for optimal results. Call your Putnam, CT dentists to find out more today.
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A Back-To-School Checkup Can Work Wonders For Your Kids’ Oral Health

August 5, 2015

back-to-school checkups are great for kids and parents.Now that summertime has almost come to a close, you know what that means: it’s time to start prepping for the upcoming school year. Ah, yes. The infamous start of school for everyone. Before you know it, there will be plenty of sports practices, school projects, and countless other school-related activities that you’ll have to be involved with. Before your schedule becomes a mess, we’d advise you to schedule your child’s back-to-school checkup very soon. There’s no better way to keep them extra prepared for the school year than with a regular checkup at our Putnam, CT office. Drs. Walter and Carolyn McGinn form a dental team that you can count on to keep your children’s smiles feeling and looking beautiful throughout the school year. Choose the children’s dentist that Putnam residents have come to know over the years: Dr. Walter McGinn and Dr. Carolyn McGinn.
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What Are The Pros and Cons of Porcelain Veneers?

July 29, 2015

Porcelain veneersThe appearance of your teeth is vitally important for a confident smile. Most people who don’t have the nicest of smiles tend to cover their teeth when they talk or flat-out refuse to smile. Your teeth are a terrible thing to waste, especially when you consider how often others see them. Anytime you open your mouth to speak, eat, yawn, sneeze or burp (sorry, but it’s true), your teeth are on display. Anything less than a beautiful smile can leave your self-confidence reeling. If you thought celebrities were the only ones who could attain beautiful smiles through the use of porcelain veneers, think again! Though porcelain veneers can freshen up your smile in a major way, there are some cons associated with this procedure. Our Putnam, CT office wants you to know the advantages and disadvantages of porcelain veneers so you can be armed with the appropriate information before choosing your treatment. For dental veneers, Putnam residents put their trust in our team to deliver quality results.
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Dental Crowns and Bridges in Putnam CT

June 22, 2015

Crowns & Bridges Putnam CTIf you’re missing 1 to 3 teeth, dental crown and bridge therapy can restore your bite. Let the experienced restorative dentists, Dr.s Carolyn and Walter McGinn in Putnam, CT, return your smile to perfection. Crown and bridge therapy can be performed in as few as two visits, and our skilled staff will perform the procedure in a comfortable environment where you’ll feel at ease from start to finish. If you are living with missing teeth or need to have one or more teeth extracted, let us help you understand your restorative options, and give you a reason to smile. Call to schedule an appointment today.

Tooth Replacement is Essential

While many people will live with a missing tooth for years, there are numerous health risks associated with missing teeth. Your oral health can be noticeably effected quickly. Gaps between teeth allow dental drift. This means that the surrounding teeth shift to fill the space left by missing teeth. This movement can be painful, but it can also create gaps between teeth and lead to crowding or overlapping. If you spent countless hours and dollars on orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth, this can all be undone if missing teeth are left un-replaced.

Bone and tissue loss may not affect your dental esthetic, but it can be detrimental to your oral health long term. Your jawbone density and gum tissue are shaped by the roots of your teeth. Stimulation from the roots keeps the jawbone healthy and gum tissue full. When there is an empty space, the gum tissue recedes, and you are more likely to experience jawbone deterioration. Left untreated, this corrosion can change the shape of your face as the skin sinks inwards without the gum tissue to shape it. Loss of jawbone density has been linked to TMJ, further tooth loss, and difficulty chewing. Additionally, the change in your bite can lead to impeded speech.

How a Crown Works

A crown is a prosthetic tooth that can be bonded to tooth fragments from broken or decayed teeth to help retain the root and any natural tooth that remains. Crowns are made to fit your bite, and will help retain the shape of your mouth. Crowns make it possible to restore your smile without extracting the remaining tooth. Our practice always strives to preserve natural teeth whenever possible, and crowns allow us to keep teeth that would otherwise be lost.

When a Bridge is Needed

If you do need a full extraction or have lost a tooth due to trauma, a crown can still help you restore your smile. Without a root to anchor it, a bridge is necessary. A dental bridge or fixed bridge works much the way it sounds. The way that a bridge connects one road to another, a dental bridge connects a replacement tooth to the two teeth on either side. The root system of these teeth will support the bridge and the tooth between.

There are many different types of bridges, and the type that will work best for you will be determined by the dentists during your examination. Most bridges work by placing crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap, and connecting these crowns to replacement teeth. In some cases, it is possible to retain the surrounding teeth by connecting the replacement tooth using metallic or ceramic connections. These are most frequently used to create a more natural looking bridge for front teeth.

Pros of Crown and Bridge

Unlike partial dentures, crown and bridge therapy is permanent. Your replacement tooth or teeth become a natural part of your smile. You do not have to remove them for cleaning. They can be cleaned as part of your regular hygiene routine. The types of foods you are able to chew will not be limited as they are even with partial dentures. Chomp an apple, chew a steak, or bite into taffy without fear. Unlike other semi-permanent tooth replacement, crown and bridge therapy is minimally invasive, and those who have illnesses like diabetes that can slow the healing process, are able to receive a crown and bridge with much less risk.

Schedule an Appointment

If you are missing 1 to 3 teeth, don’t wait to have them replaced. The Dr.s McGinn are here to help you find the right restorative dental treatment, and get your smile back in line. Call our Putnam, CT office to schedule an appointment today. We welcome patients from northeaster Connecticut’s quiet corner including Putnam, Woodstock, Thompson, Pomfret, Brooklyn, Killingly, Eastford, Plainfield, Webster, Dudley, Douglas, Burrillville, Gloucester, and Foster.

Dental Implants Rebuild Smiles in Putnam, CT

May 14, 2015

ThinkstockPhotos-177232118, dental implantsSummer is just around the corner. Time for family picnics, long hikes, an evening of catch and many other enjoyable activities with family and friends. Naturally, there will be plenty of smiles to go around and you certainly want yours to be one of them. However, if you’re missing teeth, then you might be reluctant to share your smile. Have you considered dental implants? With dental implants, Dr. Carolyn McGinn or Dr. Walter McGinn in Putnam, CT, can replace your missing teeth in the most natural way possible.

People lose teeth for a number of different reasons:

  • Severe decay that demands tooth extraction
  • Periodontal disease
  • A serious injury to the tooth
  • Abnormal wear and tear
  • Root canal failure
  • Congenital defects

Regardless of the reason, replacing even one missing tooth—to say nothing of more than one—is critical for oral and general health concerns. Missing teeth can cause adjacent teeth to shift out of position, which might lead to bite problems. Eating a nutritious diet of fresh fruits and vegetables can be difficult. Furthermore, there may be bone deterioration around the area of missing teeth, which can cause facial sagging and a look of premature aging.

Putnam, CT, Dental Implants

If Dr. McGinn or Dr. McGinn determines that you are a candidate for dental implants (and most people are), then you are likely only two appointments away from a restored smile. At the first visit, we’ll surgically implant a small titanium post in your jaw. Basically, this post becomes the root of your new tooth. With time, the post and surrounding bone tissue work together—your jawbone anchors the post, and the post helps generate healthy, new bone growth. After a few months of healing, you’ll return to our office for your second appointment when a porcelain crown will be attached to the post. When completed, your new restoration will look and function similarly to a natural tooth.

Call Our Office Today

Be ready for summer smiles. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about dental implants from Drs. McGinn. We conveniently serve patients in Putnam, CT, as well as the surrounding communities of Woodstock, Thompson, Pomfret, Brooklyn, Killingly, Eastford, Plainfield, Webster, Dudley, Douglas, Burrillville, Gloucester, and Foster.

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