Toggle navigation
Dentist Novi, MI
Novi, MI Dentist Briar Pointe Dentistry 47210 W 10 Mile Rd Novi, MI 48374 (248) 347-0030 Dentist in Novi, MI Call For Pricing Options
  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Patient Education

My Blog

Posts for: May, 2014

Keep an Eye on Your Child's Primary Tooth Loss

By Briar Pointe Dentistry
May 27, 2014
Category: Oral Health
Tags: pediatric dentistry  
KeepanEyeonYourChildsPrimaryToothLoss

When children begin losing their primary (“baby”) teeth, it’s a rite of passage — a sign that childhood is transitioning to future adulthood. And while it’s a normal part of dental development, it does bear watching for abnormalities.

Primary teeth are like deciduous tree leaves in that it’s their nature to shed and give way for new growth. They serve a purpose not only in providing children a means to bite and chew food, but also as guides for the permanent teeth that will soon erupt in their place.

As it reaches the end of its development within the jaw, the permanent tooth will begin to exert pressure on the primary tooth. This stimulates a process known as resorption where the primary’s roots begin to dissolve. This weakens its attachment to the jaw and the tooth becomes loose to the touch. At the end of this process, it doesn’t take much coaxing for the tooth to finally come out of its socket, with occasional minor bleeding and tenderness around the site. You will notice if you look at the bottom of the lost tooth that the roots have completely dissolved, leaving only a small indention.

This natural process, however, can run into complications. In their roles as permanent teeth guides, there’s a natural sequence for the loss of primary teeth; the permanent teeth develop along this sequence, which helps them erupt in the proper position. If a primary tooth is lost early and out of sequence (notably because of decay), the premature space can cause misalignment of the permanent teeth as they erupt.

That’s why it’s important for your child to have regular dental checkups, beginning sometime around their first birthday. This allows us to monitor primary tooth loss to make sure its progressing normally, as well as treat any condition such as tooth decay that could lead to premature loss. Regular checkups along with good oral hygiene practices will help ensure that the transition from primary to permanent teeth goes just as nature intended.

If you would like more information on the process of losing primary teeth in children, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Losing a Baby Tooth.”


0 Comment(s) Permalink

Christie Brinkley's All-American Smile

By Briar Pointe Dentistry
May 12, 2014
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   dental implants  
ChristieBrinkleysAll-AmericanSmile

Model Christie Brinkley's smile has been a symbol of America's optimism since the seventies. Particularly well known for being the cover model for three consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit editions, Brinkley still has a fresh-faced American girl-next-door beauty that starts with her cheerful smile, which transmits the message that all is well.

Brinkley's modeling career began when she was “discovered” in Paris in the seventies, at the age of 18. As she explained in an interview with Dear Doctor magazine, it was like a fairy tale. She had gone to study art in Paris, where a fashion designer spotted her walking down the street. “He told me later he immediately thought, ‘That's the girl!’” she said.

Brinkley attributes her famous smile to a combination of good genetics (she inherited her mother's “beautiful straight teeth”), combined with the intelligence to practice good oral hygiene and have regular dental appointments. She never needed to have work done to prepare her for the modeling life; but as a teenager, she said, she wished she could wear braces because she thought the “coolest kids had them.”

Although dental restorations were not needed to enhance her beautiful natural smile, she did have two dental implants after she fractured two rear molars in a bad helicopter crash while back-country skiing, and she says she is thankful for dental implant technology because it looks and feels so natural.

Brinkley said that her smile led directly to her assignment as spokesperson for a brand of oral rinse and mouthwash products. She is also concerned about the environment. Her company Christie, Inc. is designing environmentally friendly products.

Her advice to everyone is to smile more. “I think a smile makes EVERYONE beautiful! It's the greatest gift we give each other... It's an expression of friendship, love and peace!”

If you have questions about your smile, contact us today to schedule an appointment. Or you can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Christie Brinkley's Supermodel Smile.”


0 Comment(s) Permalink

The Importance of Saving Impacted Canine Teeth

By Briar Pointe Dentistry
May 02, 2014
Category: Oral Health
Tags: orthodontics   impacted teeth  
TheImportanceofSavingImpactedCanineTeeth

Your upper canine teeth are pretty easy to identify — they’re usually longer and more pointed than other front teeth, and are normally positioned just under the eyes (hence their other name, eyeteeth). Besides helping us chew and bite our food, upper canines are part of a normal smile — when they don’t appear in the mouth (erupt) properly, the person’s smile may appear unnatural or “off.”

Unfortunately, upper canines can become impacted, meaning the teeth have grown and developed in positions that prevent them from erupting. Because impacted teeth can develop abscesses and cysts, or damage the roots of neighboring teeth, it’s necessary to treat them.

The first step is a thorough orthodontic evaluation to assess not only the teeth in question, but also how they could affect the position of other teeth in the future. Next, we must locate the exact position of the impacted canines through some form of radiographic examination, either x-rays or 3-D imaging using a cone beam CT scanner (CBCT). This evaluation will determine our treatment options for these teeth.

If the teeth are in a reasonable position, the best option is to expose the impacted tooth and prepare it for movement into proper position. To expose the tooth, a surgeon creates a small, surgical opening or flap in the gum tissue closest to the crown of the tooth. Once gaining access, the surgeon then bonds a small bracket to the crown and attaches a small gold chain to it. The chain can then be looped over orthodontic hardware attached to adjacent teeth, which will pull the impacted tooth over time into the proper position. Although this may sound complicated, coaxing the impacted canine in this manner into a proper eruption is actually quite routine and predictable.

If at all possible, saving impacted upper canine teeth should be the primary treatment goal — extracting them could have an adverse effect on biting and chewing, as well as disrupting your appearance. If they must be removed, however, tooth replacement such as dental implants can help restore any lost form or function.

If you would like more information on impacted teeth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Exposing Impacted Canines.”


0 Comment(s) Permalink


June (1) April (2)
Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • 4 Things that can Cause Gum Recession and What to do About Them
        • We may Need to Build up the Bone in Your Jaw before Implants
      • January (3)
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
        • 3 Reasons Why Your New Dentist Needs Your Treatment Records
        • Stay Hydrated in Winter for Better Year-Round Oral Hygiene
  • 2018
      • December (4)
        • Orthodontists Anticipate Future Facial Growth When Treating Poor Bites
        • Which Orthodontics Option is Right for You?
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
        • Less-Invasive Pulp Capping Could Save Your Tooth
      • November (3)
        • TMD and Fibromyalgia Could Share Links in Chronic Pain
        • Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
      • October (3)
        • There's a Good Reason for Adults to Consider Orthodontics - Better Oral Health
        • New Dental Advances Promise Better Outcomes for Treating Decay
        • What You Should Know About Antibiotic Therapy Before Implant Surgery
      • September (3)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • A Bonded Retainer Might Work for You after Orthodontic Treatment
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Gets Started with Daily Oral Hygiene
      • August (4)
        • Periodontal Surgery Allows us to Access Deep Surfaces for Plaque Removal
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • How to Reduce Tooth White Spots While Wearing Braces
        • Help 'De-Stress' Your Child's Dental Visits with these Tips
      • July (3)
        • Ready for Summer Camp? Be Sure to Pack a Toothbrush
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
        • Lip or Palate Clefts can be Effectively Repaired
      • June (3)
        • Stop Wearing Your Dentures While You Sleep!
        • Finding the Right Solution for Your Gummy Smile
        • Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love
      • May (3)
        • Clean Your Implants Just Like you Clean Your Natural Teeth
        • Replace Teeth for Better Speech
        • Implant-Supported Dentures Could Contribute to Better Bone Health
      • April (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • Your Teen Could get a Straighter Smile with Clear Aligners Rather than Braces
      • March (2)
        • 3 Tips for Helping Your Kids Develop Great Tooth-Friendly Habits
        • Keep an Eye on Your Teeth and Gum Health During Cancer Treatment
      • February (3)
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
        • Dentures Require Planning and Attention to Detail to Look Natural
        • Why it's Worth the Effort to Save a Problem Baby Tooth
      • January (2)
        • New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
  • 2017
      • December (3)
        • Composite Resin Could Transform Your Tooth's Appearance in Just one Visit
        • Signs of Periodontal Disease
        • 4 Tips for Avoiding Dental Disease While Wearing Braces
      • November (2)
        • Severe Face Pain can be Managed to Reduce Discomfort
        • A Royal Fix
      • October (3)
        • Mild Pain Relievers may be all you need for Discomfort after Dental Work
        • Best Dietary Practices for Healthy Teeth and Gums
        • What is Cfast Cosmetic Orthodontics?
      • September (2)
        • Why You Shouldn't Worry About the Mercury in Your Silver Fillings
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
      • August (3)
        • Don't Delay Treatment of Gum Disease
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
        • Dental Crowns Strengthen Damaged Teeth
      • July (3)
        • Your Child's Impacted Front Teeth can be Saved - but Don't Wait too Long
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
        • Good Bone Health Essential for Obtaining 'Teeth in One Day' Implants
      • June (3)
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • Don’t Let Tooth Loss Haunt You
        • Take Care of Your Dental Appliance to Extend its Longevity
      • May (2)
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
        • Lasers Could One Day be Commonplace for Treating Gum Disease
      • April (4)
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • Encourage Your College-Bound Child to Practice Good Oral Health Habits
        • What Is Dental Bonding?
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
      • March (2)
        • A Healthy Diet is Your Best Source for Vitamins and Minerals
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
      • February (2)
        • Watch Out for Re-Infection After a Root Canal Treatment
        • Renew Your Smile With Porcelain Veneers
      • January (3)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Disease Detection - Saliva's New Role
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
  • 2016
      • December (3)
        • Ensure the Best Outcome with the Right Care for a Teen's Missing Tooth
        • Discover the Benefits of Six Month Smiles
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
      • November (4)
        • What Are 6-Month Smiles?
        • Reduce Your Oral Cancer Risk with Better Diet and Lifestyle Choices
        • What Are Dental Crowns?
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
      • October (3)
        • Even Though not in the "Smile Zone" You Should Replace that Back Tooth
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • Don't let Gum Disease - the 'Other Dental Disease' - Rob you of Your Smile
      • September (2)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Lasers Adding New Precision and Efficiency to Root Canal Treatments
      • August (3)
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
        • The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
        • Keep Watch for Bite Problems with your Child's Teeth
      • July (2)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Clear Aligners Reduce Risk for Developing Gum Disease Better than Braces
      • June (3)
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • Getting the Full Picture of Your Decay Risk Leads to Better Prevention Strategies
        • Why Consider Being Sedated?
      • May (2)
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • Prudent Use of X-Rays in Children Provides the most Benefit at the Lowest Risk
      • April (3)
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • Put an End to Uncomfortable and Embarrassing Cracked Mouth Corners
        • Would Porcelain Veneers be a Good Choice for Me?
      • March (3)
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
        • Support Your Child's Teeth Development with Proper Hygiene and Dental Care
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
      • February (3)
        • 4 Things you Should do if Your Child Complains of a Toothache
        • How a Root Canal Eliminates Pain
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
      • January (2)
        • The Tale of the Toothworm
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
  • 2015
      • December (4)
        • How a Crown can Strengthen Damaged Teeth
        • 5 Tips to Keeping a Healthy Mouth During Your College Years
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • The Dangers of DIY Braces
      • November (2)
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • Taking Care of Oral Health Crucial to Quality of Life for HIV Positive Patients
      • October (3)
        • How to Care for Invisible Braces
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • Advances in Porcelain Veneers Improve Both Strength and Appearance
      • September (2)
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Be Wary When Considering Botox Treatment for TMD
      • August (3)
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • Your Veneers Have 'Staying Power' - if Cared for Properly
        • I Have a Dental Emergency, Now What?
      • July (2)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Baby Your Teeth and Gums During Pregnancy
      • June (3)
        • Lamar Odom Rebounds From Dental Anxiety
        • Stains from Within a Tooth Require Professional Whitening
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
      • May (3)
        • Consider These Tips to Reduce Your Dental Visit Anxiety
        • What Are Dental Implants Made Of?
        • How The Biggest Loser Star Jillian Michaels Keeps Her Winning Smile
      • April (3)
        • Five FAQs About Snoring and Sleep Apnea
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
        • What You Need to Know About Dental Implants
      • March (2)
        • White Spots on Your Teeth After Braces May Be An Early Sign of Enamel Loss
        • What Made American Idol Finalist Elliott Yamin Smile?
      • February (2)
        • Issues to Consider Before Dental Implants
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
      • January (2)
        • 3 Ways to Stop or Reduce Painful Tooth Sensitivity
        • What Florence Henderson Learned From Her Impacted Teeth
  • 2014
      • December (3)
        • The Importance of Baby Teeth
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • What Athletes Have to Tell Us About Oral Health
      • November (2)
        • Giuliana and Bill Rancic Talk Tooth Decay
        • The Parent-Dentist Partnership: Establishing Better Oral Health for Your Child
      • October (2)
        • Changes: David Bowie's Dental Transformation
        • Setting the Record Straight on Root Canal Treatments
      • September (2)
        • Iron Chef Cat Cora Shares a Secret of Her Bright Smile: Tooth Whitening
        • Develop a Long-Term Strategy to Prevent Tooth Decay
      • August (3)
        • TV's Nate Berkus Discusses Dental Sealants, Fluoride Treatments and Flossing
        • A Fixed Bridge Remains an Effective Option for Tooth Replacement
        • TV Designer Nate Berkus Is Thankful for Childhood Preventive Dental Treatments
      • July (1)
        • Alternatives to Root Canal Treatment Can Save an Injured Immature Tooth
      • June (1)
        • Nancy O'Dell Helps Put New Moms At Ease About Infant Oral Health
      • May (3)
        • Keep an Eye on Your Child's Primary Tooth Loss
        • Christie Brinkley's All-American Smile
        • The Importance of Saving Impacted Canine Teeth
      • April (2)
        • How to Impress Supermodel Bar Refaeli
        • Oral Irrigation for Cleaning Between the Teeth
      • March (2)
        • Cheryl Cole's See-Through "Braces"
        • Top Five Ways to Preserve Your Teeth for Life
      • February (1)
        • Matthew Lewis Adult Orthodontics
      • January (3)
        • Relax with sedation dentistry from Dr. Neil Blavin
        • What's the Right Age for Dental Implants?
        • Dental Sealants: One of the Childhood Secrets TV Designer Nate Berkus Credits for His Beautiful Smile
  • 2013
      • December (3)
        • A Crowning Achievement: Natural-Looking Teeth
        • Cat Cora's 6 Ways to Keep Kids Off Junk Food
        • Enjoy the Benefits of Dental Veneers in Novi From Dr. Neil Blavin
      • November (2)
        • Replacing Missing Back Teeth Deserves a High Priority
        • Lea Michele's Wise Dental Decision
      • October (4)
        • Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer
        • Vegetarian Awareness Month, Your Teeth and Tips from Novi Dentist
        • Bill Rancic's Smile Helps Close the Deal
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • cosmetic dentistry (10)
  • braces (7)
  • celebrity smiles (62)
  • Vegetarian Awareness Month (1)
  • Oral Health (19)
  • oral cancer (3)
  • wisdom teeth (6)
  • missing teeth (1)
  • Dental Veneers (1)
  • Novi (1)
  • nutrition (4)
  • crown (1)
  • pediatric dentistry (11)
  • sealants (2)
  • dental implants (17)
  • Sedation Dentistry (3)
  • orthodontics (12)
  • oral hygiene (18)
  • clear aligners (3)
  • impacted teeth (2)
  • pediatric care (2)
  • pregnancy (2)
  • dental injury (4)
  • root canal (4)
  • fluoride (1)
  • bridgework (1)
  • dental hygiene (1)
  • tooth decay (6)
  • teeth whitening (3)
  • chipped teeth (2)
  • baby teeth (2)
  • impacted wisdom teeth (1)
  • sensitive teeth (1)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • sleep apnea (1)
  • snoring (1)
  • dental anxiety (2)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • gum disease (5)
  • Dental Emergencies (1)
  • veneers (4)
  • tmj disorders (2)
  • tmd (1)
  • porcelain veneers (2)
  • Invisible Braces (1)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • orthodontic treatment (6)
  • Crowns (4)
  • bad breath (1)
  • toothache (1)
  • cracked mouth (1)
  • x-rays (1)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • mouthguards (2)
  • laser dentistry (1)
  • periodontal (gum) disease (1)
  • dental crowns (2)
  • restorative dentistry (1)
  • C-Fast Orthodontic Treatment (1)
  • Six Month Smiles (1)
  • missing tooth (1)
  • saliva (1)
  • root canal treatment (1)
  • retainers (1)
  • dental bonding (1)
  • periodontal disease (2)
  • oral appliance (1)
  • Dentures (4)
  • chipped tooth (2)
  • thumb sucking (1)
  • fillings (1)
  • Cfast (1)
  • Cosmetic Orthodontics (1)
  • medication (1)
  • bonding (1)
  • trigeminal neuralgia (1)
  • facial pain (1)
  • dental emergency (1)
  • cancer treatment (1)
  • teeth grinding (1)
  • gummy smile (1)
  • cleft lip (1)
  • cleft palate (1)
  • periodontal surgery (1)
  • retainer (1)
  • pulp capping (1)
  • bone grafting (2)
  • tooth pain (1)
  • Cfast Braces (1)
  • Six-month Smiles (1)
  • Invisalign (1)
  • dental records (1)
  • gum recession (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Dental Procedures (83)
  • Oral Health (82)
  • Dental Care (2)
  • Orthodontics (1)

our blog Google Plus

Our Location

Novi, MI Dentist
Briar Pointe Dentistry
47210 W 10 Mile Rd
Novi, MI 48374
(248) 347-0030
Dentist in Novi, MI Call For Pricing Options

Map & Directions

Office Hours
Monday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday:9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday:9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday:9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map