Dr. Ken Cirka

Dental X-Rays: What Are They Looking for?

If you have visited the dentist in the past, chances are you have had dental x-rays taken. These x-rays give the dental professionals a lot of information about your teeth, gums, and jaw bone that they may not have seen with their eyes. Dental x-rays are very useful and safe. Nowadays digital x-rays are replacing traditional film x-rays and we know they emit about 80% less radiation than the traditional film X-rays. This amount of radiation emitted by digital x-rays is extremely low and harmless. It is important for patients to know that the amount of radiation from a series … Read more…

Porcelain Dental Veneers: How to Get an Award Winning Smile

Porcelain dental veneers are an incredible tool in cosmetic dentistry. These ultra-thin, ultra-strong pieces of porcelain are shaped to fit over the top of your own teeth permanently and create a beautiful, natural looking smile that will change your life. Porcelain veneers work well when teeth are chipped, irregularly shaped, or discolored. Veneers can also work great with patients that have gaps in between their teeth. One of the most incredible parts of having veneers done is that they only take two visits. On the first visit the dentist will roughen the surface of your tooth, removing approximately one millimeter … Read more…

Headaches and Sinus Pain: Can a tooth be the culprit?

Our teeth and sinus cavity have a connection that can affect patients in many ways. Pressure in the sinus can be awful and cause pain in your eyes, ears, head, and even in your teeth. The sinus cavity is the area of the skull where air passes through before moving to the lungs. It is here that the air first gets warm and wet. Our body usually can fight bacteria in this air that passes through by producing mucous. Sometimes the bacteria are too strong and when this occurs the bacteria cause infections by growing aggressively. There are several different … Read more…

Why Is My Mouth So Dry?!

Patients often come into the office complaining of dry mouth. Sometimes having a dry mouth can be so bad that it wakes patients up from their sleep and can be a constant struggle throughout the day. Dry mouth is not only very uncomfortable; it can lead to serious health problems for you. How do I know if I have Dry Mouth? What are the Symptoms? A dry, almost sticky feel in your mouth Cracked lips Trouble tasting Trouble speaking Trouble chewing and /or swallowing Burning feeling in the mouth and throat A dry feeling in the throat Cracked lips An … Read more…

Dental Implants: A Permanent Smile Solution

Dental implants are an incredibly strong, stable, and long-lasting solution to replace missing teeth. The implants are “man-made” roots composed of primarily titanium, a biocompatible metal that fuses to your jaw bone. The implants do not become loose like dentures can. Implants can be used to replace a single tooth or many missing teeth. Depending on your situation the implant specialist and the dentist will work together to find the best solution for you. The health of the gums and bone are important considerations when determining if you are a candidate for dental implants. If the bone is not strong … Read more…

HELP! I have a DENTAL EMERGENCY, What Do I Do?

Different scenarios call for different action in a dental emergency. It is important to see your dentist ASAP; however, we know that this is not always possible. Here are some tips to help you in the event you or a loved one is in a dental emergency and unable to get right into a dental office. TOOTHACHE Rinse your mouth vigorously with warm water Use floss to remove any food particles stuck between the teeth. If there happens to be swelling present then apply cold pressure on the outside of the cheek Do no place aspirin on the aching teeth … Read more…

3 Quick Tips to Improve Your Dental Health

Invest in a Good Electric Toothbrush A good electric toothbrush will immediately improve your dental health. While at the store you will likely be able to tell which electric toothbrushes are superior. Look for brands “Sonicare” and “Oral-B” when in the dental aisle. They will cost more but they will do a much better job and last you longer. Your dentist may even have already slipped you a coupon for $10 off one of these at a recent check-up. The key to these is that they are guaranteed to improve your brushing and oral health. And they will do this … Read more…

4 Ways to Close Gaps Between Teeth

Often patients come to the office asking to have the spaces in between their teeth closed. Many relate that they do not want to go through metal braces while others specifically ask for them. In dentistry it is helpful that we have many options for patients with different needs. At your free consultation with Dr. Cirka and Dr. Meier they will detail your options and help you figure out the best one to choose. Below are 4 ways that we are able to close the gaps in your teeth: Bonding Bonding is a process in which we use a composite … Read more…

DIY Whitening- Risks You Need to Know Right Now

Do-It-Yourself, “DIY”, is all the craze nowadays. Most folks are trying things they never would have dreamed about in efforts to save money. There are a multitude of different remedies at home in order to whiten their teeth that have been shared both via word of mouth and on the internet. While some of these may be effective, many can be dangerous. These methods range from homespun mouthwashes, to make-your-own toothpastes, to ordering different concoctions online, and more. We have heard just about it all. While some of the home remedies may offer a quick result, there can be lasting … Read more…

The Most Common Disease Among Children- How Are We fighting it?

Dental caries (cavities) is the most common disease in children 6-11 years old and adolescents 12-19 years old. This disease is largely preventable, yet it remains more common than asthma among adolescents. Tooth decay has significant consequences. Children with severe dental problems can have trouble eating and sleeping, paying attention to parents and concentrating in school. To combat this major public health epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has implemented fluoridation of community water supplies. This has been ongoing for more than 60 years now and research has proved that fluoridation of the community water is not … Read more…