Tulsa Dentist Mark Massaro DDS

While most people are aware of the need to keep their teeth healthy and prevent decay, many are not as diligent about caring for their gums. Regular visits to the dentist not only help diagnose decay in its early stages, but can find any problems that might be developing with your gums, including gingivitis and severe periodontal disease.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Many of the symptoms of gum disease are difficult to see on your own. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should discuss them with your dentist.

• Bleeding while brushing or flossing
• A shiny, swollen or purplish look to the gums
• Tenderness in the gums

When you visit your dentist, he will use special tools to measure the “pockets” around your teeth—the spaces where the gums meet the teeth. If these pockets are too deep, it can be an indication that the gums are pulling away from the tooth roots. This is a symptom of more advanced gum disease, and should be treated promptly.

Treating Periodontal Disease

If periodontal disease is diagnosed in the early stage, treatment can be simple. Your dentist might recommend a special toothpaste or mouthwash designed to help your gums heal and to remove the bacteria causing the gums to become infected. 

More advanced periodontal disease might require more extensive treatment. Scaling and planing is a deep cleaning technique that removes plaque, tartar and bacteria from below the gum line. For more advanced cases of periodontal disease, surgery might be necessary.

The best way to avoid advanced periodontal disease is through proper care and prevention. Regular brushing and flossing will help stimulate the gums as well as removing the bacteria and plaque that can build up between the tooth roots and the gums. Visiting your dentist on a regular schedule ensures early diagnosis of gingivitis to keep it from developing into a more serious issue.

If it is time to schedule a regular dental appointment to have your gums evaluated, or if you have experienced any symptoms of periodontal disease, please call our Tulsa office at 918-743-9924 to make an appointment today.

Although it may seem cliché, pregnancy is a magical time in a woman’s life. It is an opportunity focus on health and wellness, both for yourself and for your new baby. It is also an opportunity to establish healthy habits that can be beneficial even after the baby is born.

Dr. Mark E. Massaro, your dentist serving Tulsa OK, understands the impact of pregnancy on your dental health, and is excited to guide you through this new period in your life.

Many of the oral hygiene habits that are important to your health throughout your lifetime can become doubly important during your pregnancy. Routine care such as brushing and flossing after meals becomes more critical during pregnancy when women tend to eat more frequent meals. Removing food particles and neutralizing acids in the mouth can prevent gum disease and cavities. These conditions are sources of infection within the body that can weaken the immune system.

Even more specifically, controlling periodontal disease should be a top priority during the months prior to, during, and after pregnancy. As the body adjusts to pregnancy, bleeding gums and gingival inflammation are common indicators of a heightened immune response. Although these symptoms are commonly seen during pregnancy, they should not be ignored. Following your dentist’s instructions regarding proper homecare can significantly reduce the symptoms.

As society becomes more aware of the intricate connection between a healthy mouth and a healthy body, the link between your pregnancy and your dental health also becomes more evident. Unfortunate occurrences such as pre-term childbirth and low-birth weight babies have been attributed to uncontrolled periodontal disease.

Routine dental care should not be ignored or postponed during these precious months.     These appointments are essential for identifying potential complications, eliminating unnecessary discomfort, and ongoing advice. Speak to your physician and your dentist about the most appropriate dental care. Procedures such as cleanings and fillings are generally safe for both mother and baby. Elective procedures like teeth whitening and routine x-rays are typically recommended after the baby is born.

To learn more about keeping your dental health in peak condition throughout your pregnancy, call the office of Dr. Massaro at 918.743.9924 and schedule your dental visit today.

If you are unhappy with the way your smile looks, there might be several things a cosmetic dentist can do to give you the perfect look. Fortunately, in most cases some or all of these procedures can be performed together. When several procedures are performed to improve the look of your smile, this is referred to as a smile makeover. If you are considering cosmetic dentistry in Tulsa, here is some information to help you make that decision.

Deciding on a Smile Makeover

If you have several relatively minor problems with your teeth’s appearance, you might be a good candidate for a smile makeover. Your decision should start with a consultation with your cosmetic dentist to determine the best procedures to reach your goals.

Some issues that can be treated in a smile makeover include:

• Stains or discoloration
• Chips, cracks, or breaks
• Slight misalignment
• Small gaps between the teeth
• Asymmetrically shaped teeth

These issues can be treated with relatively non-invasive cosmetic dentistry techniques that can be combined into a smile makeover. Instead of visiting the dentist multiple times, once for each procedure, your smile makeover can often be completed in one or two visits.

Procedures Often Included in a Smile Makeover

Most smile makeovers consist of a few different procedures. No smile makeover is alike, since the combination of procedures is chosen based on individual needs and goals. However, the procedures most commonly included in a smile makeover include:

• Teeth whitening
• Dental veneers
• Inlays and onlays
• Composite fillings

Teeth whitening can make a dramatic difference in the look of your teeth. For severe staining that does not respond to whitening, dental veneers can provide an excellent solution. Veneers can also be used to treat chipped, cracked, or pitted teeth, or to help teeth look more symmetrical. Inlays and onlays are also a helpful procedure for asymmetrical or misshapen teeth. With composite fillings, the dark, discolored look of traditional amalgam is replaced with natural-looking, non-metal fillings.

To find out what combination of procedures might be best for your smile makeover, please contact the dental office of Dr. Mark Massaro today for a consultation.

When replacing a permanent tooth that has been lost or extracted, patients have many options. Of all of the choices, though, dental implants offer Tulsa patients a host of advantages over the alternatives. Dental implants are more stable, durable, functional and aesthetically pleasing than other methods like bridges and dentures.

Many aspects of the unique structural design of dental implants contribute to the devices’ success. Implants, which are titanium screw-like structures that are inserted into the jaw bone, replicate the root of a biological tooth. A small post sits atop the implant, and that post anchors the synthetic replacement crown that fills in for the missing tooth.

Because implants are made of titanium, they are able to fuse with the bone. That titanium is compatible with the body’s biochemistry, facilitating the osseointegration process. The implant’s structure not only makes the appliance stable and unlikely to shift or move out of place, it also helps to shore up the jawbone.

In the absence of a missing tooth’s root, the jawbone will atrophy over time because no structure is present to hold it in place. This erosion can put other nearby teeth at risk for being lost, as well. However, because the implant serves as an anchor, dental implants prevent this outcome.

The implant’s structure provides the patient with other functional benefits. For example, because the replacement tooth is stable, patients rarely need to switch to a soft diet. Nearly all chewing functionality is preserved with implants. Similarly, patients do not need to add any steps to their oral hygiene routines. Implants can be brushed and flossed just like the other teeth.

Dental implants also do the best job of mimicking the appearance of a biological tooth. Dentures can be obvious and an artificial crown held in place as part of a fixed permanent bridge can stand out from the rest of the smile.

Dental implants outperform their peers in terms of form and function, so schedule a consultation with Dr. Mark E. Massaro if you need to replace a missing tooth.

Everyone, at some point in their lives, will acquire stains on their teeth. Some might have worse stains or more frequent staining than others, based on their personal habits, but discoloration of the teeth is nearly impossible to avoid. Fortunately, teeth whitening at our Tulsa office will keep your teeth looking great. Teeth whitening isn’t a permanent fix, but it can last quite some time if you take care of your teeth.

How Teeth Whitening Works

Teeth whitening is one of the easiest and most popular procedures in cosmetic dentistry. In a single visit to your dentist, you can have your teeth treated and lightened significantly. The visit only takes about an hour and, with proper maintenance, the results of the whitening procedure can last for years.

For most discoloration, an in-office treatment will provide excellent results. With Zoom! teeth whitening, a strong whitening agent is applied to the teeth. It is then activated with a special light and left on for about twenty minutes. In a typical session, the whitening agent is reapplied two or three times for the best possible results. For more stubborn staining, your dentist might recommend a take home treatment. You’ll be given whitening trays and a whitening agent. Place the prescribed whitening agent in the trays and wear the trays according to your dentist’s instructions.

How to Keep Your Teeth Looking White

Teeth whitening is not permanent, but it will keep your teeth looking brighter for a long time. In most cases, after the initial whitening treatment, intermittent maintenance treatments are sufficient to keep your teeth looking their best for years. Of course, your teeth can still be stained even after they are treated, so you’ll want to avoid staining agents such as tobacco, wine, coffee or tea. Follow your dentist’s recommendations to ensure your whitening treatment will last as long as possible.

For more information on teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, and maintenance of your whitening treatment, please contact the office of Dr. Mark E. Massaro at 918-743-9924.

Today, with the mind-bending advancements in cosmetic dentistry, there are numerous options available to improve your smile. Teeth whitening in particular has become a much sought after cosmetic solution to brighten and renew your smile. Although there are various teeth whitening options, from whitening strips to bleach trays, it is hard to ignore the advantages of Zoom Whitening in Tulsa.

In-office whitening systems such as Zoom whitening can provide the bright white smile that you desire in under an hour. Most patients can expect to see results averaging 8 shades lighter. For many patients, the initial tooth shade can lighten by as many as 11 shades.  The results are noticeable right away and long lasting compared to many take home and over the counter solutions. Although no whitening method is permanent, compared to other whitening systems, Zoom! results in less shade rebound and less sensitivity.

In office teeth whitening is also the safest whitening choice. You can trust your dental team to identify any potential complications that may arise from whitening. For most patients, whitening is safe and effective, but there are some instances in which a patient may not be a candidate for whitening. By choosing an in office treatment, you will not be forced to guess if whitening is right for you.

Zoom whitening has been proven to be safe and effective. By utilizing a light activated gel (hydrogen peroxide), oxygen is allowed to enter the enamel and safely bleach out discolorations. Zoom Whitening will not be effective for dental restorations like bonding material or porcelain, but you can be assured that it will not damage your previous dental work.

As with any form of cosmetic dentistry, you can expect the best results when you are under the supervision of professionals. Teeth whitening is no exception. Choose in-office Zoom whitening to achieve the fastest and safest white smile. You can eliminate your concerns and walk away with the smile that you deserve.

Call the office of Dr. Mark E. Massaro at 918-743-9924 for your appointment today and enjoy your new smile right away.

As dental techniques have evolved, the goal of a picture-perfect smile is in reach of virtually any patient who wants one. In fact, many patients are turning to cosmetic dentistry to fix even minor flaws.

Cosmetic dentistry is a versatile specialty that can address a variety of patients’ concerns about their smiles. Whether the problem involves teeth that are stained, crooked or missing, cosmetic dentistry offers a solution.

Dental veneers are a particularly useful technique in cosmetic dentistry. The thin porcelain shells, which are placed over the natural teeth, can cover chips or cracks in teeth or fill in diastemas, or several veneers can help to bring a slightly crooked stretch of teeth into the proper alignment.

In placing veneers, the cosmetic dentist must first take off a thin layer of enamel from the teeth to make room for the veneers. After the enamel has been removed, the dentist takes impressions of the teeth, and those impressions are sent to a dental laboratory, where the veneers are created. The dentist can continue to make adjustments to the veneers as needed before they are permanently bonded to the teeth.

Cosmetic dentists may also turn to dental implants to enhance a patient’s smile. Implants can replace missing teeth to fill in unsightly spaces in the smile. Implant technology has advanced, and the devices now have a remarkably natural look.

Sometimes drastic changes are not needed to improve a smile’s appearance. Mere whitening can suffice. Laser whitening systems, such as ZOOM! Whitening, can leave the teeth up to 10 shades whiter in just an hour. Whitening can also be used for a final flourish on a smile makeover that involved a number of additional procedures.

Additional restorative procedures and devices, such as crowns, inlays and overlays may also be used to help a cosmetic dentist achieve the patient’s smile goals. If you feel that your smile isn’t achieving its full potential, visit Dr. Mark E. Massaro, your dentist serving Tulsa OK, to get started on your path to a more attractive grin.

Like preventive medical care, preventive dental care is the best way to keep from developing severe problems. Without preventive dental care, you are much more likely to experience severe decay, advanced gum disease, and even oral cancer. Preventive dental care helps detect these problems early, to ensure that they can be treated quickly and efficiently.

What Constitutes Preventive Dental Care

Preventive dental care includes not only regular visits to the dentist, but also your regular everyday care, such as brushing and flossing.  Being careful of what you eat and drink is also an important component of preventive care, since some foods and beverages can stain the teeth and/or increase the risk of cavities and decay.

At-home brushing and flossing are the most important parts of preventive care. Brushing and flossing regularly prevents food and particles from building up on your teeth and eventually causing decay. Flossing and brushing also stimulate the gums, helping them remain healthy so that gingivitis or more serious forms of gum disease do not develop.

Regular dental visits are also important for preventive dental care. The dentist will most likely wish to see you about every six months, and will take X-rays on a varying schedule. The dentist uses special tools that can detect decay invisible to the naked eye, and X-rays can help not only to detect decay but also to determine if there are any issues with the surrounding bone in the jaws.

Why Preventive Care is Necessary

It is always better to prevent a situation from occurring than to manage the consequences after the fact. Preventive dental care helps reduce buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth, thus preventing decay. It also helps to maintain the overall health of your mouth. Visiting your dentist helps you stay on top of overall oral health, making sure your gums and other tissues are healthy and detecting any problems well before they become serious issues.

If you are in need of a dental exam in Tulsa, please contact our office to schedule an appointment. We’ll do everything we can to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy for many years to come.

Many patients with missing teeth are turning to dental implants in Tulsa as their first choice for tooth replacement.

Implants are small titanium screws with a post on top. A crown, or artificial tooth cap, is then placed atop that post, producing a tooth replacement that’s practically identical to the nearby natural teeth. Implants work by fusing with the bone in a process known as osseointegration. The titanium metal used to make the implant is remarkably durable, giving the implant a long life as long as it is cared for properly.

Because they offer several advantages over other alternatives, dental implants are quickly becoming the industry standard for tooth replacement. Most importantly, implants replace the missing tooth’s root. This helps to stabilize the jaw bone and prevent it from receding. With other methods, such as a bridge, no such structure is in place, and additional bone loss puts surrounding teeth at risk, as well.

When replacing a single tooth, a dental implant has no effect on surrounding teeth, unlike a fixed permanent bridge, which requires neighboring teeth to be shaved down so crowns can be placed to anchor the bridge.

Implants also do the best job of fitting in with the smile’s natural appearance, and they stay in place. Implants allow patients to maintain a regular diet and continue to enjoy all of their favorite foods!

Implants can even be used to replace an entire arch of missing teeth. Just a few strategically placed implants can anchor an arch of artificial teeth, allowing patients to avoid dentures that persistently slide out of place.  As a bonus, implants can prevent the bone resorption that often occurs in denture wearers, eliminating the facial shape changes that accompany that resorption.

If you need to replace a tooth that has been lost due to decay, disease or trauma, schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark E. Massaro to see if dental implants might be an option for you.

Have you ever admired someone’s beautiful smile? If you have ever wished for a beautiful smile, but didn’t know how to achieve it, dental veneers could be the answer to the smile of your dreams.

Malpositioned and discolored teeth can be restored with porcelain veneers. Chipped or shortened teeth can easily be rejuvenated through the use of veneers. Even foods, drinks, and natural aging can impact the appearance of your smile. Veneers are also an effective alternative to traditional orthodontics, when your desire is to improve the appearance of the front teeth.

Veneers can help to restore your smile as well as your confidence. When you feel that your smile no longer reflects your true personality, you may tend to shy away from intimate social settings or cover your mouth when speaking. These non-verbal cues often indicate self-consciousness and a lack of confidence.

Dental veneers make it easy to create beautiful esthetics in an extremely conservative method. Through the use of innovative technology, your dentist can use strong, tooth-colored ceramic materials to restore your smile to its natural strength and beauty.

For the procedure, your dentist will adjust the front surface of your teeth and a thin layer of porcelain is bonded securely to your teeth. The veneers are chemically bonded to your teeth, so your dentist can save as much healthy tooth structure as possible, while providing you with a restoration that strengthens your tooth in the process.

Your bright, healthy smile will be stronger, more durable, and longer-lasting than other restorative options such as bonding or composite patching. Dental veneers are a permanent solution, and the enamel-like material looks and feels more like real teeth.

Consider cosmetic dentistry as an accepted, effective, and conservative option to restore your smile while protecting and preserving your own tooth’s structural integrity. Like an artist, your dentist can design veneers that offer perfectly natural esthetics, comfort, and durability to create a smile that you can take pride in.

To experience your new smile with veneers in Tulsa, Dr. Mark E. Massaro will be glad to discuss your options, answer your questions, and address your concerns.