Children’s Dentistry in Topeka, KS

March 25, 2015

Filed under: General Dentistry,Uncategorized — Tags: children's dentist, children's dentist Topeka, children's dentistry, Dr. Michael Michel, Dr. Michel, Dr. Michel Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, Topeka — docmichael @ 5:53 pm

Oh those precious little ones with their precious little smiles. How quickly they grow. But while they are little, it’s important to care for their dental health, so children have a solid foundation upon which to build a lifetime of good oral health care. At Michel Dental in Topeka, KS, we want to help you instill the value of dental health, which is why children’s dentistry is an integral part of our preventive dentistry practice.

Truth be told, children’s dentistry begins long before you bring your children to see Dr. Michael Michel for their first checkups, and it begins at home with you. As soon as you see that first baby tooth break through those pink gums, it’s time to start cleaning their teeth. Just take a soft cloth that’s been dampened with warm water and wipe their teeth after feeding. As more teeth appear, you can begin to use a small, soft toothbrush with a dab of toothpaste.

Children’s Dentistry at Michel Dental

Around the time that your children are three years old, Dr. Michel will want to start seeing them in the office for dental checkups every six months. At these exams, we’ll clean their teeth and remove any plaque buildup, assess the health of their gums—yes, children can have gum disease—and we’ll take digital x-rays when necessary. Of course, if we find anything of concern, such as a cavity, we’ll want to treat with expediency in order to prevent a little problem from becoming a big one.

Fluoride treatments and dental sealants are another important component of children’s dentistry. Fluoride is a mineral that has been shown to strengthen teeth’s enamel. Dr. Michel may want to apply a topical fluoride treatment to boost the enamel’s ability to fight dental caries and tooth decay. Dental sealants are a clear or white plastic coating that Dr. Michel “paints” on to your children’s deeply grooved molars, creating a physical barrier between decay-causing bacteria and teeth.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If it’s time for your children to see the dentist, then call the office of Dr. Michel. We serve adults and children in Topeka, KS, as well as from the surrounding areas of Emporia, Lawrence and Manhattan.

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For a White Smile, Choose Tooth-colored Fillings from Michel Dental

March 10, 2015

Filed under: Restorative Dentistry,Uncategorized — Tags: Dr. Michael Michel, Dr. Michel, Dr. Michel Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, tooth-colored fillings, Topeka, Topeka dentistry — docmichael @ 5:49 pm

You do your best to care for your teeth at home by brushing at least twice every day and flossing at least once a day. At Michel Dental in Topeka, KS, we certainly do our best to care for your teeth, too, when you come to our office for your regular dental checkups. Yet, despite our best efforts and yours, you now find yourself with a cavity. Don’t worry—it happens to a lot of people. Fortunately, Dr. Michael Michel can now repair that cavity with a tooth-colored filling, so you don’t have to contend with a dark spot in your otherwise white smile.

For many years, cavities were filled with an amalgam of metals. Although this material is strong and durable, it is not very “visually appealing.” And for some people, the metal in amalgam fillings causes tooth sensitivity.

The Advantages of Tooth-colored Fillings

In addition to having a more pleasing appearance in your smile and in your mouth, tooth-colored fillings offer other advantages, too. Made of composite resin or dental porcelain, tooth-colored fillings have become much stronger and more durable as manufacturers have improved the components of these filling compounds. In fact, these fillings are strong enough to hold up against the pressure of chewing and biting that your molars must withstand.

Furthermore, tooth-colored fillings made of composite materials necessitate less tooth preparation—that is, less drilling—and may not weaken the affected tooth as much as amalgam fillings, which often require more extensive tooth preparation. Dr. Michel subscribes to conservative dentistry, meaning that the more natural tooth structure you keep, the healthier your teeth will likely be in the future.

Finally, the strong bond between your tooth and the composite resin material actually supports the remaining tooth structure, thereby deterring breakage and insulating it against temperature changes.

Call Our Office Today

If you would like to have your amalgam fillings replaced with tooth-colored fillings made of composite materials, then schedule an appointment with Dr. Michel. We serve patients from Topeka, KS, as well as from Emporia, Lawrence and Manhattan and surrounding areas.

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