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The foundations for good oral health are laid down during childhood. And one of those critical foundations is the practice of paying regular visits to the dentist.
One common misconception that many parents hold on to is the belief that children naturally fear dentists. On the contrary, kids fear the unknown — and when this fear is developed, your child might not get the potential pediatric dental care available to them. At Laurich Dentistry we deliver gentle compassionate dental care that helps each patient achieve and maintain exceptional oral health and a beautiful smile, while building long-term relationships with those we treat.
For our young patients, we make a special effort to make each visit a pleasant and non-frightening experience. Each treatment is described using simple terms. All of these contribute to making a young child feel at ease upon arrival at our office.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child should have paid his first visit to the dental clinic by his first birthday. It is important for your child’s newly erupted teeth to get proper dental care. At the same time, this is the perfect opportunity for a young child to learn the basics of good oral hygiene.
Generally, toddlers should visit their dentists every six months, unless there are major problems. Here at Laurich Dentistry, we base the schedule of visits on how your child’s teeth look.
The first dental checkup is usually short and informal and here at Laurich Dentistry it is referred to as a happy visit. Rather than focusing on examining your child’s teeth, this visit’s focus is on guiding your child as he meets our dentists and other members of the team. This is an opportunity for your child to become familiar with the dental clinic environment. Succeeding visits may include inspection of your child’s teeth, looking for early signs of dental and oral problems, and dental cleanups. We also talk to your child about the importance of developing good oral hygiene and answer questions you or your child might have.
Young children and even teens are prone to succumbing to dental issues like tooth decay due to their poor oral hygiene habits. Fortunately, most of these issues can be prevented through proper and regular brushing and flossing and regular visits to the dentist.
As soon as a child’s first tooth erupts, parents should brush their kid’s teeth, ideally with a soft-bristled brush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Avoid using a fluoride toothpaste for children younger than two unless under the dentist’s advice.
At this stage, treatments at the dental clinic may include cleanings and checkups, fluoride treatments, and application of tooth sealants.
Get in touch with our Dentists in Farmington Hills & Livonia and get your child started on the path to good oral health here at Laurich Dentistry.
Your temporomandibular joints or TMJ connect your lower jawbone to your skull. These joints help make sure that you are able to speak, chew, swallow and yawn comfortably. Therefore, it can significantly affect the quality of your life if you start feeling pain in and around these joints.
Persistent pains in and around your TMJ are usually due to Temporomandibular Disorder or TMD. The most common symptoms of this disorder, apart from aches around the TMJ, are:
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, we encourage you to schedule an appointment to see us right away. Our dentists in Farmington Hills and Livonia can help establish the presence of TMD and create an appropriate treatment program for your unique case.
At Laurich Dentistry, we deliver gentle, compassionate dental care that helps each patient achieve and maintain exceptional oral health and a beautiful smile. We also build long-term relationships with those we treat.
But while you’re waiting for your appointment with us, we have here a collection of helpful tips that you can implement in order to either prevent TMD from occurring or to help you manage the discomforts that the disorder is creating for you.
In the past, when a tooth becomes abscessed and the soft tissue inside its root-canal dies, your only option was to have the affected tooth extracted. Today, through advances in dental technology, it is now possible to save that affected tooth through a treatment known as root canal. Many dental patients are fearful of this procedure because they do not want to experience any pain in the dental chair. At Laurich Dentistry we are compassionate and gentle. We have decades of combined experience performing this procedure, followed by a temporary or new dental crown.
A root canal infection happens when the pulp or the soft tissue inside the root canal dies and becomes inflamed. Sometimes, an abscessed tooth does not exhibit any symptoms. However, it is common for people with a root canal infection to experience symptoms like pain while chewing, swollen gums, prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, dark discoloration or the tooth, and others.
If your tooth is infected, there are two main options that we can recommend: have the tooth extracted or save the affected tooth through root canal treatment.
There are instances wherein a tooth cannot be saved and needs to be extracted. If the tooth has a large cavity which affects its structure and makes it too weak for repair, we will recommend an extraction. If the affected tooth is severely fractured or if it has a crack that goes below the gum line, your best option would be to have it extracted. In order to determine whether the tooth can still be saved and if you are an ideal candidate for root canal treatment, we will need to examine your tooth.
During this examination, we will determine what the best course of action to take would be, whether that is tooth extraction or root canal treatment. If you need to have the affected tooth extracted, we can recommend different tooth replacement options for you to choose from.
Root canal treatment offers a few advantages over tooth extraction. For one, you will be able to save your tooth. The removal of the infected pulp will not affect the function of the affected tooth. The main purpose of the pulp is only to provide hot or cold sensations. When the main structure of the tooth is saved, you can chew and bite as you normally would, without fear of pain. Plus, you can protect nearby teeth from excessive wear and strain. You can also protect your jawbone from injury. And when the infected tissue is removed, you can eliminate the risks to your overall health.
The treatment can be performed between one and three visits. We will first administer a local anesthesia onto the area we will work on. And contrary to the common belief that root canal is a painful procedure, it is not. In fact, most patients say that it is no more painful than a dental filling. This will be followed by a pulpectomy where an opening on the infected tooth is made. After that, the diseased pulp is removed and the tooth is cleaned thoroughly. Finally, the opening that was initially made will be filled with a material known as gutta-percha before the opening is sealed off with a special kind of cement.
At Laurich Dentistry, our goal is to provide you exceptional oral health and a beautiful smile. If you are suffering from a root canal infection, we will help you determine the best course of action to take.
Book an appointment with us to determine if you are an ideal candidate for root canal treatment. Or call us to learn more about our dental services in Farmington Hills and Livonia.
There it is. That feeling in your stomach when you know there’s a dental appointment coming up on your calendar. You get those butterflies that can end up feeling more like elephants by the time you reach the dentist’s office. You don’t need butterflies or elephants making your dental visit unpleasant — you need comfortable, stress-free care from your dentist in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills and Livonia courtesy of the knowledgeable team at Laurich Dentistry.
When you have a fear of the dentist, it can make you feel like you’re the only person in the world who can’t sit in the dental chair without feeling anxious or uncomfortable. There’s actually a significant amount of people who share your anxiety and fear. According to a 2018 survey by DentaVox of 18,000 people worldwide, a total of 61% of people said they struggle with dental fear. In this group, 4% of the people said that their fear is so strong that they’ve never been to the dentist. Everything from pain to having to keep your mouth open for an extended period of time are what the respondents said add to their dental anxiety.
Every one of our team members at Laurich Dentistry is deeply committed to providing the most positive, stress-free experience possible for our family of clients. We want you to know that we care about more than just your smile. We care about your overall health too. A visit with us should never cause your body harmful stress or excessive worry. It’s time you talked to us about nitrous oxide — a method of sedation that’s safe and effective for patients of all ages.
You might have heard of nitrous oxide referred to as “laughing gas.” It’s a safe, odorless gas that is mixed with oxygen and breathed in through a mask comfortably fitted over your nose. Nitrogen oxide works very well and fast, reaching the brain and bloodstream quickly. It will help you experience a soothing:
Nitrous oxide is an excellent pain reliever, going to work within minutes of administration. It’s also extremely effective and safe. One of the biggest benefits our clients love about nitrous oxide is that there’s very little recovery time. It’s one of the few sedation methods where you can recover quickly and you’re generally able to drive yourself home following an appointment. Learn more about sedation dentistry, offered by our many locations near you.
More than 3,000,000 people are smiling brighter thanks to the Invisalign system. See how just a few of their lives have changed with Invisalign.
I’m so glad I made the investment to go with aligners rather than metal braces. I’ve heard stories of people having food stuck in their metal braces, and I didn’t want to go through that. It’s so easy – all I have to do is remove my aligners when I eat.
I wanted my teeth straighter, but I didn’t want to be in pain. My aligners are so comfortable, compared to the metal braces I had when I was a kid, that sometimes I forget I have them on.
I always wanted to have straight teeth, but never thought my smile would look this great. Plus, no one even knew when I was wearing them. I couldn’t be happier!
At first, I was skeptical about whether or not to use plastic aligners to straighten my teeth, but I am very glad I decided to make the investment. In just about nine months my teeth were straightened using the clear, comfortable, and easy-to-remove aligners.
Everybody comments on my new smile, even when I’m wearing the aligners. Plus, I can remove them at any time, so they don’t affect my lifestyle.
Ione, Age 58, Administrative Assistant
The reason I went with Invisalign is because I’m not a kid anymore. I didn’t want to look like a kid with braces on, and have the hassle of keeping them clean. There is a lot of work to keeping your teeth in good health when you have traditional braces.
Daniel, Age 38, Chauffeur
I definitely smile a lot more. Even though I’m still in treatment, it has given me more confidence. It’s given me something to look forward to. I feel good about myself. I feel good that I have taken the steps to get these braces.
Breanna, Age 20, Waitress & Student
What I like best about Invisalign is the fact that I can take them out and floss and brush my teeth and put them back in. So it’s not like I’m working around all this metal in my mouth, trying to get the toothbrush and floss in there.
Gina, Age 31, Analyst Relations
I would not have gone the regular braces route because I am in a customer-facing position. I’m in the hi-tech industry, with a lot of people around me that are young and hip and moving and shaking. To be in management, in a hi-tech company with a mouthful of braces in front of customers and prospects and other executive partners, it just wasn’t an option.
William, Age 31, Investment Broker
At my age, to have the big metal train tracks in your mouth, I just figured, in person with people, I just wouldn’t feel as comfortable as I would with something that was truly invisible. I really believe in the product. I’m kind of a walking, talking billboard for it.
Vivian, Age 53, Nurse
I am absolutely, positively thrilled. The fact that I was done with it in less than a year, and really had no inconveniences whatsoever, makes me wonder why I even hesitated.
Consider Invisalign treatment to get the beautiful straight teeth you’ve always wanted — without braces. A complimentary consultation at Laurich Dentistry can determine if Invisalign clear aligners are right for you.
Invisalign treatment uses a series of virtually invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that allow you to smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign clear aligners are made with 3D computer imaging technology and has been proven effective. More than 70% of orthodontists in the US and Canada are certified to administer Invisalign treatment—including Drs. Dennis and Matt Laurich.
Not only are the aligners virtually invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also more comfortable than traditional braces, with no metal or wires, which also usually means you spend less time at our Livonia or Farmington Hills, MI dental office getting adjustments. Invisalign treatment also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.
You wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move — little by little, week by week — until they have straightened to their final positions. You’ll visit our Livonia or Farmington Hills dental offices about once every six weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages nine to 15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.
The most important aspect of all orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign, is wearing a retainer. Eighty percent of orthodontic treatment will relapse if a retainer is not worn. If you want to keep your straight teeth, you need to wear your retainer!
Getting Invisalign at Laurich Dentistry is not only a commitment to getting a straight smile; you’ll leave our office with a healthy smile as well. Drs. Dennis and Matt Laurich will monitor the health of your teeth and gums at each visit to make sure you don’t get any cavities or show signs of gum disease.
At an Invisalign consultation or during your routine hygiene visit, Dr. Laurich can perform a tooth-alignment assessment to determine your success with Invisalign. We also collaborate with local orthodontists, providing you with a true multi-disciplinary treatment experience.
Schedule an appointment at our Livonia or Farmington Hills, MI to learn more about Invisalign at Laurich Dentistry!
For more information on Invisalign, you can visit the Invisalign website.
The Invisalign system is the virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth and achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Invisalign uses advanced 3D computer imaging technology to depict your complete treatment plan, from the initial position of your teeth to the final desired position. Then, a series of clear aligners are custom-made for your teeth — and your teeth only — to move them little by little. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks before being replaced by the next in the series until the final position of your teeth is achieved. Your Invisalign treatment time will be determined by your doctor based on your specific needs.
Invisalign aligners are clear, making Invisalign a seamless fit with your lifestyle and day-to-day interactions with others. Invisalign aligners are also removable. Unlike braces, you have the flexibility to eat and drink what you want during treatment simply by removing the aligners when you eat. You can also remove the aligners to brush and floss as you normally would for fresh breath and good oral hygiene. Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign treatment does not use metal brackets or wires that could cause irritation to your mouth. In addition, you’ll spend less time in the doctor’s chair and scheduling appointments, and more time out doing the things you love. Lastly, Invisalign’s technology allows you to view your virtual results and treatment plan before you start your treatment, so that you can preview how your straight teeth will look once your treatment is complete.
More than 3,000,000 patients worldwide have been treated with Invisalign. The number of Invisalign smiles grows daily. At your next appointment, we can help answer any questions you might have, and get you started on the smile you’ve always wanted.
It’s true. No matter what you’ve believed in the past, a confident, radiant smile can be within reach. And if you think about it, improving your smile is an important investment, because you’re doing it for yourself.
There are many factors that determine the cost of your Invisalign treatment: how extensive the issues are that you want to be corrected, how long your treatment plan will last, and the specific treatment details prescribed by the doctor.
If your dental plan covers orthodontic treatment, you may also qualify for Invisalign. Talk to your insurance provider to determine the extent of coverage for your treatment.
To schedule a consultation to determine if Invisalign is right for you, contact us today.
Bummed out about having braces? Invisalign Teen aligners give you a whole new way to wear braces for a “clearly” amazing smile!
I have enough to worry about…
…now I need braces too?
The team has a game this Friday night, homecoming is in a month, and what about my yearbook pictures?! Don’t stress; during your Invisalign Teen treatment, you won’t need to turn down any dates, wear a paper bag over your head, or hide out in your room for two years! Invisalign Teen aligners are a perfect fit for your lifestyle because aligners are:
You’ve probably heard from friends that with braces you won’t be able to eat anything. With Invisalign Teen aligners, you can eat whatever you want!
Unlike traditional metal braces, your Invisalign Teen aligners are removable, which means you can go ahead and eat all the things you love without worrying about breaking a bracket or losing a rubber band. Cheers!
Invisalign aligners are really comfortable and very durable. They fit in with any of your extracurricular activities. So whether you’re swimming the 50-meter race, throwing the football out on the field, or playing the clarinet with the school band, you don’t have to worry about your braces getting in the way!
In a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2012, it was revealed that half of American adults suffer from periodontal or gum disease.
Gum disease is an infection of the gums and is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. Unlike other dental problems, gum disease is virtually pain-free. This means that most patients who succumb to the disease are completely unaware of their existing condition.
Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque. Plaque is a sticky form of bacteria that appears on the teeth. When plaque is not removed through proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, it will continue to build up and create toxins that can damage the gums. Gum disease forms below the gum line, creating small pockets that separate the gums from the teeth.
Periodontal disease has two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. At this stage, the gums become red and swollen and can bleed easily. The good news is that at this stage, the disease can be treated through proper and regular brushing and flossing.
When gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress into periodontitis. Here, the gums and bones that support the teeth can become damaged. Infected gums can cause the teeth to become loose or fall out.
Apart from people who do not practice good oral hygiene, there are some groups that are at high risk of contracting gum disease. These include:
While gum disease can be virtually pain-free, there are a few symptoms that you can watch out for. These include:
Practicing good oral hygiene, along with regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations, are critical not only in preventing gum disease, but also in ensuring good oral and overall health. Make it a habit to brush and floss your teeth regularly. Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Visit your dentist regularly.
Treatment for gum disease depends on the severity of each individual case.
Among the treatments we offer here at Laurich Dentistry for gum disease are:
If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms of gum disease, book an appointment with us at our Farmington Hills and Livonia Clinic.
At Laurich Dentistry, we deliver gentle, compassionate dental care that helps each patient achieve and maintain exceptional oral health and a beautiful smile while building long-term relationships with those we treat.
2715 Packard St, Suite B
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
New Patients: (734) 415-4030
Current Patients: (734) 975-6700
8588 N Canton Center Rd
Canton, MI 48187
New Patients: (734) 415-9663
Current Patients: (734) 453-0940
30620 West 12 Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
New Patients: (248) 587-8414
Current Patients: (248) 579-0487
18618 Middlebelt Rd, Suite 105
Livonia, MI 48152
New Patients: (248) 587-8638
Current Patients: (248) 579-0618