Invisalign treatment with Dr. Vincent: How, exactly, does it work? [Video]

We've discussed Invisalign treatment in the past, and thought we'd share with you a helpful video that walks you through the process of Invisalign a bit "clearer."

The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at the Dental Team of Sumter. Dr. Thad Vincent is a Certified Invisalign Provider, offering Invisalign for teens and adults.

Here's how it works: You wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move — little by little, week by week — until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Vincent has prescribed. You'll visit Dr. Vincent about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

If you've been wanting to straighten your teeth but are unsure about going through traditional orthodontic treatment, please give us a call to learn if Invisalign is the right option for you!

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!!

Ask Dr. Vincent: What's the deal with flossing?

Flossing is an important part of oral hygiene that removes the bacteria and food particles that your toothbrush cannot reach. These bacteria can lead to gum disease and tooth decay if not removed. Gum disease affects 80% of Americans. There are many different products to choose from and finding the right floss to use may seem overwhelming.

For those with normal spacing between the teeth and few fillings, waxed or unwaxed floss is the best choice. Reach floss would be a good example. Those with tight spacing, crowding, or many fillings, a wider tape floss would be recommended. Two examples of the tape floss are Crest Glide and Colgate Total floss. Waterpiks are an excellent choice for those with braces, bridges, or patients who have gum disease. There are different tips that can increase access to spaces allowing the water to flush away the bacteria.

The most important thing to remember is to remove the bacteria with the product that works best for you. Your dental hygienist can help aid in making the right choice for you.

Drs. Vincent and Lee, Sumter's CEREC providers

Our team at the Dental Team of Sumter are pleased to offer our patients CEREC restoration services. CEREC, a technology for restoring damaged teeth, can be completed in a single visit to our office and makes your teeth stronger and more beautiful, all while keeping your teeth looking healthy and natural.

You're probably wondering: Ok, so how does CEREC work?

Well, to start out, Drs. Vincent or Lee will meet with you to discuss the details of the procedure. During the procedure, our doctors will apply a thin layer of reflective powder onto your tooth and will use a special camera to take a photo of your tooth. Using Computer Aided Design (CAD), the photo serves as an optimal impression. The restoration will then be designed by the computer on this impression. Then CEREC will use a diamond bur and disk to create your restoration piece out of a high-tech ceramic. Finally, the ceramic restoration is bonded to your tooth using state-of-the-art adhesive dentistry.

Drs. Vincent and Lee are Sumter's local CEREC dentists. Give us a call at 803-494-8466 to schedule an appointment for CEREC treatment and have a great rest of the weekend!

Ask Drs. Vincent and Lee: What are cavities and how do I avoid them?

Sumter dentists Drs. Vincent and Lee know one word no patient of ours wants to hear is "cavity." But what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity anyway? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by Drs. Vincent and Lee, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities at home:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit the Dental Team of Sumter every six months for a check-up (or as recommended by our office)

We hope this helps! Give us a call for more information about cavities or your oral health! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Are you afraid of the dentist? Dr. Vincent discusses...

To say we treat fearful dental patients everyday is an understatement. Until entering a private practice full time, I had no idea how many people feared going to the dentist. We love to see patients who are scared to come into our office for treatment, because we know that we can create a pleasant atmosphere for them and change their perception of dental care.

Many people fear injections, the sound of the dental handpiece (aka drill), seeing the dental explorer (aka hook) or just entering a dental office. Most of these fears arise from past experiences in a dental office or even from TV, movies, or stories from other people. The good news, dentistry can now be performed virtually pain free! We have invested in technology that helps us eliminate the fears and uncomfortable feeling people experience.

We have purchased electric handpieces that reduce handpiece noise by 50%. We also have an electronic injection machine that allows us to anesthetize teeth without feeling anything! In some cases we can prescribe medications to eliminate any anxieties the dental appointment may cause.

Recently, I treated a very nice lady who had very traumatic experiences at the dentist when she was younger. This caused her to avoid going to the dentist for two decades! After a long morning appointment where we had to treat many teeth, she began to cry. Nervously I asked if her if anything had been painful. She did not answer before standing up and giving me a big hug! She said she never new that we could treat patients painlessly!

At The Dental Team of Sumter, we care about all of our patients a great deal and treat them kindly and gently. One of our goals here at the Dental Team is to treat every person that walks through the door the way we would want to be treated: PAINLESSLY!