Oftentimes, dental pathology, like medical problems, can go unnoticed as they don't "alert" a person until things have gotten very bad. In medicine, chronic high blood pressure can result in a stroke. In dentistry, a small asymptomatic cavity can grow to result in very painful pulpitis (the dreaded toothache) and the need for a root canal or worse. It is... read more »

Ideally, keeping healthy teeth and gums is the goal. Not having consistent and healthy oral health habits can result in cavities, also known as tooth decay, though there are many contributing factors. Cavities are damaged areas on the hard surface of your teeth that can lead to pain and more serious oral health issues if not treated. Tooth decay (cavities)... read more »

The teeth in the back of your mouth are often called upon to do a significant amount of chewing and grinding. Deep textures, pits and fissures in the tooth enamel along the occlusal biting surfaces make these teeth more effective for the task at hand. These areas can sometimes trap food particles and plaque, causing tooth decay.  When basic fillings might... read more »

When a restoration or filling is adapted to a prepared cavity to remove bacteria and decayed tooth, it is intended to repair that area of tooth for a long time. Restorations or fillings can fail due to recurring decay (a dental cavity that develops at the margin of a filling), coming debonded from the tooth (in the case of a... read more »

There are two different classifications of bruxism (BRUK-SIZ-UM) awake and sleep. They both have to do with the grinding, gnashing or clenching of teeth, the main difference is quite obvious, being whether you are awake or asleep. When someone grinds their teeth while they are asleep it is considered a sleep-related movement disorder. Many people who suffer from this often... read more »

Cosmetic dentistry is one of Dr. Spear's many passions. To have a patient come in with complaints about their smile of any kind and transforming the patient's smile and confidence is such a rewarding task for doctor and patient. A person's smile can light up a room. The biggest transformation is in how the person sees themselves and this radiates... read more »

Dental fractures and large chips in tooth enamel can be the result of a variety of oral traumas. The location, size, and severity of the damage to the tooth enamel will determine the treatment plan that our dentist, Dr. Brent A. Spear will recommend. Other factors may include the current condition of the tooth as well as any previous dental work... read more »