Cavities can put a real damper on your oral health. It can leave your teeth in pain an overly sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. It’s responsible for root canals and other dentistry services. All in all, cavities are your enemy. They’re like problem children that you can’t control. Once a cavity has formed itself on your tooth, the damage has been done. Cavities don’t have to be a problem you have to deal with, though. There are ways to avoid dealing with a cavity problem as well as keeping cavities from forming in the first place. Our office in Norman, OK wants you to know that we’re here with you every step of the way when it comes to battling cavities. There are simple steps you can take to prevent them from forming and enjoying awesome oral health. Whether you’ve dealt with a cavity problem in the past or are currently being affected by one, these helpful tips will ensure your mouth stays cavity-free. Dr. Bobby Carmen is the Norman dentist you can count on for helpful tips to keep your smile healthy!
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Follow These Tips to Help Keep Your Mouth Cavity-Free
August 10, 2015
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.
Enjoy The Benefits of Digital Radiography
June 23, 2015
Digital technology in the dental industry has come a long way, even in the last five years. At Dr. Bobby Carmen’s office, we’ve invested in a new way of looking into your mouth with a procedure that is quick, comfortable and precise. Digital radiography has made treatment shorter so you can get in and get out of your appointments fast. Using this state-of-the-art technology, we can clearly identify all external and internal anatomical structures for an accurate diagnosis of your dental issues. Does it sound like something you would be interested in? Our Norman, OK office has the staff and technology to help get you the smile of your dreams.
Digital Radiography vs. Traditional Film X-Rays
Digital radiography is pretty similar to traditional dental X-rays that use film. A dentist inserts a sensor into your mouth to capture images of your teeth, but that’s where the similarities end. With digital radiography, the digital sensor is electronic and connected to a computer. Once an X-ray is taken, the image is then projected on a screen for a dentist to view.
There are great benefits to receiving this state-of-the-art treatment:
- Less radiation – A patient is exposed to much less radiation with digital radiography equipment. 90 percent less radiation, in fact. Conventional dental X-rays are relatively safe, however digital radiography is a better option for those patients who have radiation concerns.
- Shorter dental appointments – Your appointment will fly by. Traditional dental X-rays require excessive wait times while your film develops. Digital radiography does one better; the sensor develops the picture instantaneously and projects it onto a computer screen right before your eyes.
- Higher quality images – The standard size of traditional X-rays can make viewing very difficult. Digital radiography X-rays can be enlarged or magnified for a better visual of the tooth’s structure. Brightness, contrast and color can also be adjusted, allowing cavities to be seen much easier than before. Want a hard copy of your X-ray? Digital images can be printed out for your convenience.
- Transferring Dental Records – Digital images can be e-mailed to a dental specialist for immediate review. Making copies and mailing them is time consuming and costly. As more offices are turning to electronic charts, computers may eliminate the need for mail dental records altogether.
- Environmentally friendly – No chemicals are used to develop film and there’s no wasted space in a darkroom. It’s fast and great for the planet.
Schedule an Appointment
Take advantage of this state-of-the-art technology and stop spending your precious time in our office. Our Norman, OK office happily offers this service to our neighbors in Noble, Goldsby, Newcastle, Moore and beyond.
Dealing With A Bit of a Bad Breath Problem? Clean It Up!
June 20, 2015
Bad breath is just plain…bad. When it hits your nostrils, it may bring out the worst expression. It’s always advisable not to hurt anyone’s feelings if they’re rocking terrible breath. If you wish your breath could smell much better, we have the tools and team to make it good-smelling again. Some people’s breath can be detected from a good ways away. Halitosis, as it’s commonly known, can have negative effects on relationships, both personal and at the office. It can keep people from talking at normal distances and can even keep conversations minimal. Think about when you’re on a date – there’s a reason everyone reaches for a stick of gum or mints. Bad breath shouldn’t be something they or you should have to deal with forever. There are ways you can freshen your breath without ever having to step into our Norman, OK office! Dr. Carmen is ready to freshen up your breath with these friendly tips.
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Meet With The Best Cosmetic Dentist in Norman, OK — Dr. Bobby Carmen
May 27, 2015
Having a beautiful set of teeth is like winning the lottery. You can enjoy your winnings every single day. It would be nice to have a set of beautiful, bright teeth, right? For some patients, this is one of their dreams. Well, you’re in luck! Our cosmetic dentistry services are designed to give you a smile that you can enjoy for years to come. A gorgeous smile gets noticed for all of the right reasons. It doesn’t matter where you are or who you come into contact with, if you have a smile that’s bright and beautiful, it will be noticed. At our office in Norman, OK, we can deliver a smile that will have everyone talking…for all of the right reasons!
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Dental Implants from Dr. Bobby Carmen in Norman, OK
April 29, 2015
If you have one or more missing teeth, then you know that you have several choices when it comes to tooth replacement. There are partial and full dentures, as well as fixed bridges. But perhaps the tooth replacement that provides the most natural and stable solution is a dental implant. Dr. Bobby Carmen is the Norman, OK, implant dentist with the education and training required to place and restore dental implants.
What is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants actually consist of two parts. One is the biocompatible titanium post that is surgically implanted into your jawbone beneath the open socket of a missing tooth. (If you have several missing teeth, Dr. Carmen can strategically position posts along one arch to securely hold a denture in place.) The second part is the porcelain crown that Dr. Carmen adhesively bonds to the abutment adjoining the post. Together, the titanium post and crown closely imitate the relationship between one of your natural tooth’s root and crown.
The Dental Implant Procedure
When you come to Dr. Carmen for dental implants, we’ll first make sure that you are completely comfortable. If necessary, we can provide conscious sedation or call in an anesthesiologist to administer IV sedation. The procedure then begins with minor oral surgery during which Dr. Carmen anchors the post in your jawbone. As you heal over the course of three to six months, the post and bone with fuse together, generating a strong and secure base. After healing, you’ll return to Dr. Carmen’s office for him to attach the abutment and crown. When the dental implant process is completed, you have a new tooth that looks, feels and functions much like a real tooth.
Schedule an Appointment Today
To learn more about how dental implants can restore your smile, call the office of Dr. Bobby Carmen and ask about a consultation. We serve patients in Norman, OK, as well as from Moore, the University of Oklahoma, and central Oklahoma and beyond.
Air Abrasion for Cavity Repair from Dr. Bobby Carmen in Norman, OK
April 15, 2015
You are so conscientious about your dental health. You brush and floss your teeth every day, twice a day. You schedule regular checkups with Dr. Bobby Carmen in Norman, OK, every six months. Usually, you get a clean bill of dental health and are on your way. But today, a digital x-ray reveals a small cavity. Ugh, you think, now I have to deal with the anesthetic and the drill. Not necessarily. With air abrasion, Dr. Carmen can quickly repair that cavity and have you on your way—as usual—with a tooth that’s as good as new.
What is Air Abrasion?
Think of air abrasion like sandblasting. Just as sandblasting uses sand that is powerfully forced by air to clean a surface, air abrasion uses tiny particles of silica, aluminum oxide, or a baking soda mixture to blast away particles of decay. The particles are propelled toward the tooth by compressed air or a gas, and a suction tube draws away the debris. More often than not, a local anesthetic is not necessary when Dr. Carmen uses air abrasion, so you don’t have that numb feeling even after the procedure is finished. Once the decay is completely cleared, Dr. Carmen will be able to fill the cavity with a tooth-colored composite resin material that blends seamlessly with the natural color of your tooth.
Other Advantages of Air Abrasion
Besides reducing the need for anesthesia, air abrasion has other advantages, too. First, air abrasion preserves more of a tooth’s natural structure, making for a stronger tooth when the cavity is filled. Air abrasion does not generate heat, vibration, or pressure and greatly reduces the risk of a tooth cracking or chipping during the procedure.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you would like to know more about air abrasion or any other restorative dental procedure offered by Dr. Bobby Carmen, then call the office today. We serve patients in Norman, OK, as well as from Moore, the University of Oklahoma, and central Oklahoma and beyond.
Smile Pretty! You’ve got Porcelain Veneers from Dr. Bobby Carmen in Norman, OK
March 30, 2015
Concealer is to a make-up artist as (fill in the blank) are to a dentist. The correct answer is porcelain veneers. Just as concealer covers skin imperfections, so too porcelain veneers cover smile imperfections. Dr. Bobby Carmen artfully uses porcelain veneers to correct and improve the smiles of people in and around Norman, OK.
Porcelain veneers, also called dental veneers, can cover a variety of cosmetic dental issues, including:
- Stained or discolored teeth that have not responded to teeth whitening
- Chipped or slightly cracked teeth
- Misaligned or misshaped teeth
- Teeth that have gaps in between them
- Teeth that are unevenly worn because of grinding or unusual wear and tear
The Porcelain Veneer Procedure
Once you have consulted with Dr. Carmen and determined that porcelain veneers are the best cosmetic dental solution for you—and you’ve settled on the color, size and shape of your new teeth—then you’ll likely need only two appointments for your veneers to be in place. At the first appointment, Dr. Carmen will prep the teeth in your smile zone. This includes applying a mildly acidic solution to the enamel that creates a more receptive surface for the bonding agent and porcelain veneers. Then, we’ll take an impression of your teeth that will be sent to our cosmetic dental lab, which will fabricate your custom-designed veneers. In the meantime, you’ll wear temporaries.
When your permanent veneers arrive in a few weeks, you’ll return to our office to have your veneers adhesively bonded to your teeth. If necessary, Dr. Carmen will artfully trim and shape the veneers for a perfect fit. When finished, you’ll have a new smile to show the world.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you would like to learn more about how porcelain veneers can improve your smile, call the office of Dr. Carmen for a consultation. We serve patients in Norman, OK, as well as from Moore, the University of Oklahoma, and central Oklahoma and beyond.
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.
Protect your Kids’ Teeth with Children’s Dentistry in Norman, OK
February 15, 2015
There are so many things parents do to protect their children: buckle them into car seats, vaccinate them from childhood diseases, hold their hands when crossing the street, and the list goes on. One more important measure parents can take is regular visits to the dentist. Children’s dentistry is a vital component of maintaining your children’s oral health, as well as their general health. Dr. Bobby J. Carmen in Norman, OK, provides the gentle care children need in order to help them build a strong foundation for a lifetime of dental care.
Actually, children’s dentistry begins even before your child visits Dr. Carmen, and it begins with you, the parent. The time to start cleaning your child’s teeth is when that first baby tooth appears. Just moisten a soft cloth with warm water and gently wipe baby teeth after each feeding. Then, when your children celebrate their first birthdays, you can bring them to see Dr. Carmen for a consult. We’ll go over their proper dental care with you and check for any dental concerns.
Children’s Dentistry Means Regular Checkups
Beginning around the time your children are three-years-old, you should begin scheduling their regular dental checkups every six months. As we do when you visit Dr. Carmen for a checkup, we’ll clean your children’s teeth and we’ll examine their gums and check their teeth for decay, because children are not immune to gum disease and cavities. If Dr. Carmen finds a cavity, he will likely recommend a tooth-colored filling.
Beyond the Cleaning
Fluoride treatments and dental sealants are particularly important for your children’s dental health. Fluoride strengthens enamel, which is the first line of defense against decay-causing bacteria. And while fluoride is added to drinking water and toothpaste, a fluoride rinse from the dentist provides a necessary boost. Likewise, dental sealants offer an additional boost. Sealants are “painted” on to your children’s deeply grooved molars and harden to form an added layer of protection against decay.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If your child needs to see the dentist, then call Dr. Bobby Carmen today for outstanding children’s dentistry in Norman, OK. We also serve children and adults from Moore, the University of Oklahoma, and central Oklahoma and beyond.