Allergies are a common affliction in our lives. An allergic reaction occurs when a specific substance, called an allergen comes in contact with our skin, our lungs having breathed in the allergen or when we ingest the offending substance while eating. Many allergic reactions can be mild resulting in a minor skin rash or a case of a runny nose and watery eyes and allergic reactions can be severe life threatening experiences. It is not clear why some people can be allergic to some materials and other people not but it is believed that genetics plays a role as well…

What does a fractured, chipped or knocked-out tooth cost? First of all it can hurt! Then there is the monetary cost of a bonded filling, veneer, or crown or in the case of a newly missing tooth a fixed bridge or implant. The bone around the traumatized tooth can also be broken. There is the cost of missing school or work to have this accident repaired. Fortunately many of these accidents and costs can be prevented or lessoned with the use of sports mouth guards. An athletic mouth guard is a flexible appliance that is worn during athletic and recreational…

When it has been determined that a tooth needs restoration either because of decay, the tooth is fractured or chipped or because of esthetic concerns there are different dental materials which can be used to address the problem. In this article I will briefly describe amalgams, commonly known as “silver fillings.” Silver filings are actually any alloy, or mixture of different metals. Amalgam fillings are a combination of silver, mercury, tin, copper and sometimes other metallic elements. Amalgam fillings provide a strong restoration, or filling, They can withstand the significant forces created when chewing. They are useful when the tooth…