Dentist Blog - Grand Rapids Dentist | Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic and General Dentistry

Oct2

Is Your Smile In A World Of Hurt?

This post is for Belmont, Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids, Walker and Rockford, MI area residents whose mouths are in a world of hurt. Do you have extensive tooth damage, bone loss, or few or no teeth still intact? Whatever the cause of the condition – chemotherapy, recreational drug use, eating disorder, extreme mouth injury, or simply poor oral hygiene – there is hope.

Full mouth reconstruction can restore your previously healthy, attractive smile or give you the dazzling smile you never had. Patients regain their confidence to smile, eat, and speak normally. Full mouth reconstruction (sometimes called full mouth restoration) is a term which refers to a combination of dental procedures that restore a smile for people with many damaged or missing teeth. Full mouth reconstruction may include any combination of the following treatments: crowns, inlays/onlays, dental bonding, white filling replacement, tooth implants, porcelain veneers, implant-anchored dentures, gum contouring, bone grafts, and tooth whitening.

Dental implants are often the best tooth replacement for Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry patients with missing teeth. A dental implant consists of a titanium post surgically inserted into the jaw bone to replace the root of the missing tooth. The post integrates with the bone to provide a stable foundation for the abutment and beautiful crown. Dental implants are indistinguishable from natural teeth in both form and function.

Crowns (sometimes called caps) are used when there is enough viable tooth structure that a damaged tooth doesn’t need to be extracted. A crown adds strength to a tooth that has a large filling or has been injured. A crown can fix a bite misalignment and is usually required after a root canal. In a dental implant procedure, attaching the crown to the abutment is the final step.

Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry offers a full menu of cosmetic dental services including total mouth reconstruction. Cosmetic dentistry may be more cost-effective than you think. Talk to us about financing or a multi-procedure treatment schedule that allows you to pay as you go. Restoring a healthy smile may be the best investment you ever make.

Drs. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan 49321
616-784-2377
https://www.greatmismiles.com/meet-dr-bruce-stewart

Sep25

Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry In Comstock Park Wants You To Be Healthy And Happy

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull are dedicated to your oral health and care about the condition of your teeth. At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry we recognize that your teeth help you both eat and speak. You use your teeth to tear, scrape, and chew food, as well as to form words with your tongue.

Healthy teeth and gums are a key component of complete physical and mental health. An unhealthy smile can erode confidence, cause embarrassment, and make eating and speaking difficult. The team of dental professionals at Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park, Michigan, wants to help keep your mouth and teeth healthy so that they don’t adversely affect your health in any way.

We humans have two sets of teeth in our lifetime. The first set are your ‘primary teeth’, which many people often call ‘baby teeth’. Baby teeth typically start to come in at about 6 months old. An average healthy mouth for a Comstock Park resident has a total of 20 primary teeth by about age 5.

Your primary teeth will eventually fall out and new teeth known as ‘permanent teeth’ will grow in. Permanent teeth typically begin to come in around age 6 for most Comstock Park residents, but every person is unique and it could be a little earlier or later. By about age 13 an average healthy mouth should have 28 of the total 32 permanent teeth. The last four permanent teeth may or may not come, but typically come in between the ages of 17 and 21 if they do. Because of the late age that these last teeth come in they are commonly called ‘wisdom teeth’.

Many adults in Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI have their wisdom teeth pulled out because these teeth can be problematic to your oral health, such as crowding a mouth. Other adults keep these teeth because they are not causing problems. If you are concerned about the state of your wisdom teeth you can visit Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry and we can help you make this important decision.

Caring for all of your teeth – whether you are young and have 20 primary teeth or are an adult and have 28 to 32 permanent teeth – is necessary for total strength. Let your Comstock Park dentist help keep you healthy and happy.

Sep18

Are You Ready To Smile Again, Comstock Park?

Most people have plenty of things to smile about.

However, there are some Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI residents who avoid smiling at all costs. Are you one of those people who cover their mouth when they laugh? Do you keep your mouth closed when someone takes a picture of you? Have you been hiding your smile for years?

It’s time to take care of those tooth problems and get a new lease on life.

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull DDS at Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park can make it happen!

If you are missing one or more teeth, talk to us about dental implants. A dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement that includes both root and crown. Because it is anchored into the jawbone, it looks and feels like a natural tooth.

Are your teeth yellow or gray? Have your teeth whitened at our Comstock Park dental practice and experience an instant transformation.

If your teeth are crooked, talk to us about Invisalign. You may be able to straighten your teeth in less than a year.

Many of your friends and neighbors have benefited from porcelain veneers. They correct several types of imperfections and can improve a smile in as little as two visits.

We look forward to developing a custom treatment plan to transform your smile. Call today!

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan 49321
616-784-2377
https://www.greatmismiles.com/meet-dr-bruce-stewart

Sep11

The Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry Guide to Dental X-Rays

Don’t know a periapical from a bitewing? Today’s dental blog takes a look at dental

x-rays.

Panoramic
If you have ever stood in a huge camera apparatus and struggled to stay motionless while an automated camera made one slow pass around your head, then you have had a panoramic x-ray taken of your mouth. These pictures help dentists see everything in one image: the complete upper and lower jaw. These are often taken during a patient’s first visit to Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry. They are also very helpful for evaluating jaw injuries, calcification in the carotid artery, tumors and seeing emerging teeth in children.

Bitewing
Bitewing x-rays help Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull see what’s going on between teeth and evaluate the bone levels supporting the teeth – something that is always needed but impossible with a visual exam.

Periapical
These are similar to bitewing x-rays but they can get a clearer picture of the tooth roots and bone. These are often used to help diagnose an abscess in the root of a tooth.

Full-Mouth Series
This is a combination of periapical and bitewing x-rays that gives a comprehensive picture of all the teeth and surrounding bone structure.

If you are pregnant and need a dental x-ray at Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry, it is essential to let Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull know this before x-rays are taken. X-rays are not necessarily dangerous for pregnant women, but they are often postponed until after delivery as a precaution. If you are pregnant but have a dental issue, call our office right away. We can be reached at 616-784-2377.

We hope you have learned a little bit about dental x-rays, one of Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull’s indispensable tools in providing unsurpassed dental care in Comstock Park. Check back often for more specifics about dentistry at Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry.

Sep4

Implants Make Life Better For Denture Wearers

The condition of your teeth has a significant impact on your quality of life. Denture wearers understand this all too well. Tooth decay and gum disease are painful. If the teeth cannot be saved, tooth extraction will be necessary. An extraction is usually followed by bone recession.

While dentures are certainly preferable to having no teeth at all, they certainly come with a host of problems. They can irritate gums and make breathing, eating, tasting food, talking and laughing difficult. Dentures are not a once-and-your-done solution for missing teeth. As the jaw shrinks, they require relines.

But there is hope! Dental implant technology can significantly improve the quality of life for Belmont, Comstock Park, Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI people who have been wearing traditional dentures. To a certain extent, implants halt the downhill progression of declining oral health due to tooth loss.

Dental implants can be used to replace several teeth and/or anchor over dentures allowing your dentist to securely attach an appliance so that it won’t slip or irritate gums. Small titanium posts are implanted into the jawbone and fuse with the surrounding bone, creating a stable base for an over denture.

Did you know that some denture wearers retain only 10 percent of their chewing ability? Implant-supported dentures can stop bone recession and restore near-normal chewing ability. Improved chewing function with implants can result in better nutrition and overall physical health. The psychological benefits are equally valuable. When Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry patients are free of embarrassing denture-slipping, they are happier, more confident, and socialize more often.

Before you spend money on another denture reline, talk to Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull about denture-stabilization implants.

Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry provides unprecedented dentistry including porcelain veneers, implant dentistry, and restorative dentistry. Our courteous team is devoted to improving the lives of our valued patients.

Call 616-784-2377 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull. Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry provides cutting-edge general and cosmetic dentistry including porcelain veneers, implant dentistry, and restorative dentistry. Our understanding team is enthusiastic about oral health and remarkable smiles.

Aug28

Can You Handle A Dental Emergency?

Can You Handle A Dental Emergency?

At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry, we hope you never experience a serious dental emergency. It’s important, however, to know what to do in such a situation. Here is a quiz on dental emergencies.

Your five year-old falls off his bike, hits his face on the sidewalk, and knocks out one of his front teeth. What do you do before driving immediately to Dr. Stewart & Dr. Hull’s office or the ER?
Put the tooth back in the socket.
b. If the tooth is dirty, scrub it with a brush.
c. Put the tooth in milk.

The answer depends on whether it is a permanent tooth or a baby tooth. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, it may be successfully re-implanted if done quickly. Make sure you only hold the tooth by the crown, never touch the root. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with water being cautious not to brush off any tissue attached. It is best to reinsert the tooth into the socket. This may not be possible with younger children. Because it is essential to keep the tooth from drying out on your way to our office or the emergency room, you can put the tooth in a cup of milk. Baby teeth should not be reinserted because it can potentially damage the emerging tooth.

One of your teeth suddenly darkens. What are the possible causes?
The nerve inside the tooth is damaged.
b. It is side effect of a medication you are taking.
c. Gum disease.
d. An infection.

The answer is all of the above.

For any dental emergency or other oral condition, call Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park. We have been providing quality dental care for Belmont, Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI residents since 1974. If you add our address and phone number (616-784-2377) to your phone contacts right now, you won’t have to search for it in the case of an emergency. When trying to save a knocked-out tooth, every minute counts.

Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan 49321
https://www.greatmismiles.com/meet-dr-bruce-stewart

Aug21

Why Is Dry Mouth Dangerous For Comstock Park Dental Patients?

Hello, welcome to the Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry blog. Today we are going to talk about Dry Mouth, an unpleasant condition that can actually endanger the oral health of Comstock Park Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry dentistry patients.

Reduction of saliva flow resulting in a dry mouth is a more common problem among older Comstock Park adults, however, people of all ages in the Rockford, MI area may experience the symptoms of dry mouth at one time or another. These symptoms include a dry, red tongue, difficulty swallowing, and persistent sore throat.

Sometimes dry mouth in Comstock Park dental patients is caused by a disease or infection, but a more frequent cause of dry mouth for patients in Rockford, MI is prescription medications.

Decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and painkillers (all used extensively in Comstock Park) are just some of the drugs that list ‘dry mouth’ as a common side effect.

It is common for allergy-prone Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry dental patients to complain of dry mouth when they start taking antihistamines during the Rockford, MI hay fever season.

Aside from being an uncomfortable nuisance, untreated dry mouth can cause tooth damage for Comstock Park dental patients. Adequate saliva is necessary to keep the mouth lubricated, wash the food from teeth, and neutralize the acidic environment caused by plaque. Extensive tooth decay can occur in the absence of saliva for Rockford, MI dental patients with chronic dry mouth.

If you are unsure of the cause of your dry mouth, or if you are looking for dry mouth treatments, call Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry to schedule an appointment with Drs. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull.

When you visit Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park, please be sure to bring a list of medications you are taking so Drs. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull can give you an accurate diagnosis.

Drs. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park Michigan
616-784-2377

Meet Dr. Bruce Stewart

Aug14

Filtered Comstock Park Water And Oral Health

A simple way for Rockford, MI, residents to choose beverages that won’t harm their teeth is to keep it simple and make water their go-to drink. However, for safety, thrift, and convenience, many dental patients choose to drink bottled water or filter it themselves at home.

Filtered water can be detrimental to oral health if it doesn’t contain fluoride, which is a great tooth decay preventer.

If you choose bottled water and are wondering if any naturally occurring fluoride has been removed, you can check the label. If you prefer to filter your own tap water, look to see if the American Dental Association has given the filter its seal of approval.

Water filters that carry the ADA seal don’t remove fluoride, so you can be sure that the fluoride is still in your water and benefitting your teeth.

We are Drs. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull, experienced Comstock Park dentists serving the Grand Rapids, Walker, and Sparta areas. We are passionate about helping our patients have healthy mouths and beautiful smiles. Contact us today at 616-784-2377 and we can answer any questions you have about dental health, cosmetic dentistry, or smile makeovers.

We have been serving the Comstock Park area since 1974, and we would love to make you another one of our satisfied patients. If you’re wondering about fluoride and tooth decay, or dental veneers and teeth whitening in Comstock Park, we’d be happy to schedule a consultation for you. Call now!

Drs. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park Michigan
616-784-2377
https://www.greatmismiles.com/meet-dr-bruce-stewart

Aug7

We Will Evaluate Your Teeth – You Evaluate Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry

A simple way for Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI, residents to choose beverages that won’t harm their teeth is to keep it simple and make water their go-to drink. However, for safety, thrift, and convenience, many dental patients choose to drink bottled water or filter it themselves at home.
Water filters that carry the ADA seal, don’t remove fluoride so you can be sure that the fluoride is still in your water and benefitting your teeth.
Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull are passionate about helping our patients have healthy mouths and beautiful smiles. Contact us today at 616-784-2377 and we can answer any questions you have about dental health, cosmetic dentistry, or smile makeovers.
We have been serving the Comstock Park area since 1974, and we would love to make you another one of our satisfied patients. If you’re wondering about fluoride and tooth decay, or dental veneers and teeth whitening in Comstock Park, we’d be happy to schedule a consultation for you. Call now!

Drs. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park Michigan
616-784-2377

Meet Dr. Bruce Stewart

Jul31

Smile Makeovers At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry In Comstock Park

Do veneers look like natural teeth?
Our skilled cosmetic dental lab artists create porcelain veneers with the color, reflective properties, and translucency of natural teeth: perfect natural teeth, that is. In addition, porcelain veneers can be made in any size or shape.

Are veneers strong?
Porcelain veneers are fabricated out of extremely durable material. If you have questions about whether a veneer or dental crown is the best choice for you, talk to Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull. They will consider the size and condition of the tooth and its position in the mouth.

For questions about the cost of porcelain veneers, call our office at 616-784-2377

Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW Comstock Park, Michigan 49321
cosmetic dentistry general dentistry
implant dentistry restorative dentistry
https://www.greatmismiles.com/

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