Dental Technology

Do you know the status of your occlusion? That’s the technical term used to describe the way your maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth align. If you happen to have a bite that doesn’t connect quite right—or at all—it’s referred to as a malocclusion. You might ask yourself, “Well, I can eat and speak without… (Read More)

Orthodontic treatments have been around for centuries, but luckily the materials and methods used have been updated with the expansion of education and technology. If they hadn’t, you might see metal bands or golden wires wrapped all the way around teeth instead of small brackets held in place by wires—or worse, cords made from animal… (Read More)

Whether you’ve never been thrilled with your smile, or it lacks the luster it once had, dental bonding is a multipurpose cosmetic and restorative dental procedure that can be performed on patients of all ages. Bonding has the capability to fill gaps, correct damage, and refurbish the overall structure and look of your teeth. Coastal… (Read More)

One of the wonderful things about orthodontic treatment is that it can improve both your oral health and smile confidence at just about any age! This might lead you to believe there’s no need for children or adolescents to have to go through what might seem like a complicated intervention, but there are reasons you… (Read More)

The seasons seem to fly by, quickly turning into years. Before you know it, your little one is not so little (they grow up so fast!) and it’s time to consider braces. At Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry, we highly recommend early intervention when it comes to orthodontics.  Contrary to the popular belief that you should… (Read More)

How old is too old for braces? It’s an interesting question—and the answer may surprise you! Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry in Bolivia & Oak Island would like to share some information with readers today regarding patient age as it relates to orthodontic treatment. Spoiler Alert! Patient age alone is not a deal-breaker when it comes… (Read More)

Millions of people of all ages use orthodontics to straighten their teeth each year. Clear aligner therapies like Invisalign® are popular not only because they are invisible and removable, but because they are difficult to break or damage. However, not all teeth can be straightened with clear aligner orthodontics, and even clear or tooth-colored systems… (Read More)

You had braces when you were younger and never experienced any jaw pain or other TMJ symptoms prior. Then, after you completed your orthodontic treatment, you developed a pain in your jaw, maybe accompanied by popping, locking, clenching, and grinding. Maybe you developed these symptoms shortly after having your braces removed, maybe it was a… (Read More)

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an antibiotic topical liquid solution brushed onto teeth to halt the progression of tooth decay. Research has shown the effectiveness of SDF in cavity prevention and arrest, and it has been used safely and successfully worldwide with patients of all age groups. Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry uses silver diamine fluoride… (Read More)

Parents face many decisions, even before their baby makes an appearance—but once that bundle of joy arrives, one important choice is whether to use a pacifier. Babies have a natural reflex to suck their thumbs, fingers, pacifiers, or other objects to help them feel more secure, to soothe them, or to lull them to sleep…. (Read More)