Hi-Desert Dental Center

In ancient Egypt, the tomb of Hesy-Re, a scribe, describes him as "the greatest of those who deal with teeth, and of physicians." Historians say this is the first reference to someone who apparently was a practitioner of early dentistry.

Depending on the system used, did you know that dental drills spin anywhere from 30,000 rpm (electric) to 300,000 rpm (pneumatic)? While very effective, drills rotating at these speeds generate a lot of heat so they need to be connected to a water supply to cool things down.

Because dentists are trained in detecting oral cancer, they understand the earliest signs of it so treatment can begin as soon as possible when it will be most effective.

Did you know that laser dentistry can be used to treat a wide range of conditions? This includes cavities and cold sores, as well as the removal of mouth lesions and other abnormalities.

It is important to take care of your teeth as you age. Recent studies have found a possible link between poor oral hygiene and an accelerated risk for dementia.

Is it okay to use toothpicks to clean your teeth? Only very occasionally and as long as they are used correctly. When cleaning teeth with toothpicks, be extremely gently and use slow movements no pain should arise.

While cavities can lead to complications, dealing with them isn't all that hard. When caught early enough, all your dentist has to do is clean them out and apply the most appropriate filling. This eliminates the cavities and prevents any further deterioration.

What does "impacted" mean? It means the tooth is so far back in your mouth that it may be trapped by your jawbone or gums so that it can't break through properly. Surgery is typically necessary to correct the condition.

Laser work harnesses the energy of a laser that comes in the form of light. It can be used as a tool for ‘cutting’, which is necessary for surgical purposes or for ‘curing’, such as strengthening the bond between a filling and the tooth.

Oral cancer does not attack only the inside of the mouth, it can also attack the lips. To help prevent it, be sure to use a lip balm with a sufficient SPF rating for your part of the country.

In order to attach a bridge, a prosthodontist must first reduce the size of the supporting teeth so they can accommodate the crowns that will eventually slip over them. These crowns support the pontic, that is, the prosthetic that will fill the gap left behind by the missing tooth.

Did you know that there are two kinds of floss? There's the monofilament floss which is made of rubber and plastic. Then there's also the multifilament floss made of silk and nylon.

What would a stranger's reaction to your teeth be when meeting for the first time? If you think it would be less than favorable, make an appointment and let's get started on upgrading your smile.