What Procedures Does A General Dentist Perform?

As your primary dental care provider, your general dentist’s job is to diagnose, treat, manage, and preserve your overall oral health. This is achieved through a variety of practices and procedures aimed at protecting your natural teeth, gums, and oral tissue from serious buildup, infections, and diseases. Here are a few of the most common procedures Dr. Eddie Orobitg performs to maintain the quality of your smile.

Some of Our Common General Dentistry Procedures

Dr. Orobitg makes sure your teeth look great, function properly, and remain healthy with exams and procedures such as:

• Bonding

  Basically makeup for teeth, bonding is a treatment that applies several layers of tinted plastic resin onto chipped, gapped, decayed, discolored, or fractured teeth. The resin is then hardened, shaped, and polished to resemble a smooth part of your natural tooth.

• Bridges and Implants

  Whereas bridges consist of a replacement tooth anchored between two neighboring crowns, a dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is screwed into the jawbone and coupled with a replacement tooth.

• Caps and Crowns

  Used to cover broken, decayed, misshapen, or stained teeth, caps and crowns are made of acrylic, metal, and porcelain — which more closely resemble natural teeth. When appropriate to your needs, Dr. Orobitg uses CEREC crowns which can be fitted, fashioned and put into place in the same-appointment.

• Cleanings

  Professional teeth cleanings by Dr. Orobitg’s dental hygienists are necessary to remove bacteria and dental plaque.

• Extractions

  To prevent the spread of infection, severely damaged teeth that cannot be saved may be extracted.

• Fillings

  Dental fillings are used to restore teeth and stop decay, such as cavities, from growing.

• Oral Exams and Screenings

  Preventative oral exams are useful in catching early signs of tooth decay and dental disease such as oral cancer.

• Sealants

  Thin, plastic coatings that adhere to the chewing surface of your back molars, sealants protect your teeth by helping to prevent cavities and reduce your risk of tooth decay.

In addition, Dr. Orobitg also performs some periodontal procedures such as dental implants and some endodontic procedures, such as root canals.

General Dental Care Habits

While your general dentist takes care of your more complex dental needs, you can help improve your dental health as a patient by:

• properly brushing and flossing each day
• using a fluoride toothpaste
• including mouthwash in your daily routine
• limiting soda, coffee, and alcohol intake
• only using your teeth to chew tooth-friendly foods
• visiting your general dentist regularly

Your Leesburg General Dentist

Let Eddie Orobitg, D.M.D. take care of all your general dentistry needs. For over 20 years, Dr. Orobitg has treated the Leesburg community with quality dental checkups and procedures, including fillings, crowns, bridges, and root canals. If you are in need of quality dental care, schedule your appointment today by calling (352) 787-5919.

The Different Types of Dentists

A dentist is a medical professional who provides oral health services that aid in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. There are several different types of dentists who each specialize in a specific area of dental care, and another type of dentist, like Dr. Orobitg, who has advanced expertise and experience in a variety of dental procedures.

Types of Dental Professionals

Here are some of dentistry’s various specialties:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

  Dental surgeons who specialize in surgery of the face, mouth, and jaws, oral and maxillofacial surgeons generally remove impacted teeth, perform reconstructive facial surgery, and treat damaged hard and soft tissues of the upper jaw.

• Orthodontists

  Trained to straighten crooked teeth and misaligned bites with the use of braces and other equipment, orthodontists are dentists who specialize in the correction of dental irregularities of the teeth and jaws.

• Pediatric Dentists

  Dealing with the oral health care of children, pediatric dentists monitor a child’s dental development from their first tooth through their teenage years.

• Periodontist

  This field of dentistry is responsible for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum-related diseases as well as dental implants and guided bone regeneration.

• Prosthodontists

  Aided by crowns, bridges, and removable prosthetics such as dentures, prosthodontists perform tooth replacements, repairs, and restorations to fix broken or missing teeth and preserve a healthy smile. Prosthodontists can also receive additional training to specialize in the treatment of snoring and sleep disorders, oral cancer reconstruction, temporomandibular joint disorders, and traumatic mouth injuries.

• Endodontists

  Qualified to perform root canals, endodontists are concerned with conditions such as the health of dental pulp and treatments such as root canals, for diseases that affect the root of a tooth.

Differing Dental Qualifications

You may have noticed initials following the name of your local dentist. Such designations are awarded to general dentists upon graduation from an accredited dental school. Depending on their schooling and degree, a general dentist may be qualified as:

• DDS

  Doctor of Dental Surgery

• DMD

  Doctor of Dental Medicine or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry

While referred to as dentists, general dentists are indeed doctors of dentistry. However, the American Dental Association specifies that dentists awarded the DDS and DMD qualifications receive the same training and education; they are essentially the same degrees.

Your Leesburg DMD

Proudly serving Leesburg residents for over 20 years, Eddie C. Orobitg, DMD, is both a general dentist and highly skilled in performing many endodontic procedures including root canals, periodontic procedures including implants, prosthodontic procedures including same-appointment crowns, various types of bridges, and dentures, and some oral surgery. If you need quality dental care in the Leesburg area, schedule your appointment Dr. Orobitg today by calling 352-787-5919.

What Is the Difference Between Inlay and Onlay Fillings?

Despite how much we try to avoid them, cavities can still pop up and disrupt our dental health. While there are a lot of factors that contribute to tooth decay, the treatment for a cavity depends on how severe your tooth damage actually is. If your tooth damage is too severe for a regular filling, your dentist may suggest an inlay filling. Or, if your tooth is at more serious risk, your dentist may recommend an onlay filling or a crown.

Filling Differences

The main difference between inlay and onlay fillings is the amount of decay that each filling can remedy. Inlay fillings can protect remaining tooth structure when there is too much damage or decay for a regular filling. However, these types of fillings aren’t suitable for decay that has damaged entire cusps of a tooth.

Onlay fillings will cover more of the tooth than inlay fillings, but they cannot cover the entire tooth. Your dentist will recommend an onlay filling if you require a filling that covers the chewing surface, or cusps, of a tooth. Dentists often use onlay fillings as alternatives to crowns, because they can place onlay fillings without having to drill down as much of the existing tooth.

Filling Procedure

Although these types of fillings are a bit different, the procedure to install them is quite similar, because it requires at least two appointments to successfully create and place your inlay or onlay filling. The first appointment determines the severity of your tooth decay. During this appointment, your dentist examines the tooth structure, removes decay, and obtains an impression of your tooth with a dental mold.

If they aren’t able to on site, your dental office sends the mold to a dental laboratory where specialists create a porcelain or gold filling that fits the exact structure of your tooth. In your initial visit, your dentist may also insert a temporary mold to fit your tooth until the official model is ready. During the following appointment, your dentist replaces the temporary filing with the new one and bonds it to your affected tooth.

Filling in the Blanks

Fortunately, both inlay and onlay fillings can successfully protect your decayed teeth for many years. With proper maintenance such as regular brushing, flossing, and regularly visiting your dentist, you can extend the life of your fillings and preserve your smile.

If you want to find the best solution for your cavity, trust the expert opinion of Eddie Orobitg, D.M.D. With over 20 years of Leesburg dental experience, Dr. Orobitg recommends the best options to maintain your dental health and happiness. To get started, schedule your appointment today and call 352-787-5919.

The Importance of Regular Teeth Cleanings

Dentists recommend bi-annual visits for important reasons. Mouth health can be an indicator of your overall health, so it is crucial to get a checkup every six months. In addition to oral conditions, Dr. Orobitg and his staff may identify signs you should be checked further by your physician or healthcare professional for conditions such as diabetes, bone disease or heart disease. But, beyond this, regular teeth cleanings can improve your quality of life in a few other ways as well.

• Protect teeth

  It all starts with the teeth. A toothache, though it might seem like a small thing, can seriously impact your everyday life. You could have severe difficulty eating, sleeping, and focusing at home or work. During a regular teeth cleaning, your dentist can keep your teeth in top shape by scraping off plaque and tartar, preventing cavities and tooth decay.

• Screen for gum disease

  Gum disease can mean a lot more than decaying or losing teeth, as bad as these things are. Studies have demonstrated the link between it and other health conditions like pancreatic cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. Teeth cleanings along with self-care like brushing and flossing can keep gums disease-free.

• Whiten smile and freshen breath

  Coffee, though an essential part of so many of our daily routines, is the enemy of white teeth and clean-smelling breath. Tobacco is even worse. Although brushing teeth and flossing at home regularly will help mitigate the effects of yellowing and pungent food and drink, dental cleanings can give you more confidence in your smile.

• Get dental care feedback

  You might think that your mouth-care routine is practically perfect, but you may still be far off the mark. Whether your flossing technique needs work (or application), your brush strokes are sloppy, or you are neglecting something essential altogether, your dentist will be able to give you honest feedback for improvement.

• Save money

  Check to see if your employer offers coverage for routine dental visits. These visits will keep your mouth healthy and reduce the risk of diseases or complications, which require much more expensive and drastic treatments. Going to the dentist every six months could save you a lot of money and discomfort in the long run.

Leesburg Dental Care

We love that our patients sometimes stop in just to say hello for the warm welcome they receive from our entire Orobitg dental team. Our staff excels at making sure your dental needs are met with care, comfort, and attention to detail. To learn more about the procedures we perform or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 352-787-5919.

How Often Should You See the Dentist?

As an adolescent, you were likely advised to have regular dental check-ups every six months to help prevent cavities on your newly grown permanent teeth. However, as an adult, cavities may be the least of your dental concerns. Disease, injury, lack of care, or general wear and tear can have serious effects on your teeth and gums over the years—leading you to wonder, “How frequently should I visit my dentist near me?”

Regular Dental Visits for Adults

Just as with annual physical exams, routine dental exams allow you and your doctor to maintain your oral health and stay ahead of any changes happening inside your mouth that could lead to disease or discomfort. A comprehensive oral exam should include:

• Dental examination of your teeth
• Esthetic examination of the appearance of your teeth and gums related to your face
• Head and neck examination of the soft tissues of your mouth, throat, and surrounding areas
• Occlusal examination that analyzes your bite
• Periodontal examination of the gums and bones supporting your teeth
• Salivary function examination of the quality and quantity of your saliva
• TMJ examination of your jaw joints
• Various radiographic (X-ray) scans of your teeth, jaw, and bite

Your dentist can also provide you with an oral cancer screening or other preventative measures to detect health concerns such as diabetes or Sjögren’s syndrome.

When to Schedule Your Appointment

While it is still recommended that adults schedule dental appointments every six months to a year, your appointment dates will largely depend on your level of personal oral hygiene. If you have tooth decay, gum disease, or are experiencing pain, then Dr. Orobitg may advise you to visit every month or quarter until your issue is remedied. However, if you floss regularly and have generally healthy teeth, then you may only need to see your dentist once a year.

If while reading this you realize it’s been a while since your last dental visit, you’re likely overdue. After all, catching a dental problem early will not only save you a lot of pain and discomfort, but it will also save you money.

Be Proactive About Your Oral Health

Don’t wait until tooth pain appears to schedule your comprehensive oral exam. Contact Eddie Orobitg, D.M.D. today for all your dental care needs. Treating the Leesburg community for over 20 years, Dr. Orobitg provides quality dental checkups and procedures. To schedule your appointment, call (352) 787-5919.

Not Your Grandpa’s Root Canal

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Root canals have long had a bad reputation, however, advancements in the field of endodontics and anesthetics have streamlined the procedure to be more efficient, painless, and cost effective. In fact, root canal recovery often produces little if any discomfort or significant maintenance.

What Is a Root Canal?

Beneath a layer of enamel and dentin, human teeth house a network of living tissue known as pulp. Pulp is soft tissue that contains the blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue of the tooth. When a tooth’s pulp becomes damaged, infected, or decayed, it must be removed in order to preserve the tooth. The removal process of dead or rotted oral pulp is known as a root canal.

3 Reasons for a Root Canal

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, then a root canal procedure may be necessary to save your natural tooth.

1. Inflammation

   Teeth that ache when chewing and excessively swollen gums are signs of infected and inflamed pulp, which often require a root canal to correct. If left untreated, pulp damage can lead to a painful abscess, disease, and decay in the tooth.

2. Tooth Sensitivity

   Is ice cold water or hot coffee causing you severe tooth pain? Extreme sensitivity to hot or cold foods and liquids can signify the need for a root canal.

3. Tooth Damage 

   Oral trauma from an accident or from biting down on a hard substance can leave nerves exposed and lead to infection. If you’ve broken a tooth, an emergency root canal may be recommended to relieve pain, salvage your tooth from extraction, and prevent the spread of infection to your blood stream.

Experienced Endodontic Care

If you are suffering from tooth pain, contact your local Leesburg dentist, Dr. Eddie C. Orobitg, DMD. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Orobitg is not only a general dentist, but also highly skilled in endodontic procedures like root canals. Whether you need a root canal or a routine dental exam, Dr. Orobitg can diagnose any discomfort and determine the right course of action to quickly resolve your tooth pain. To get information about root canals or schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Eddie Orobitg by calling 352-787-5919.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Nobody likes bad breath. You might be aware that you often have bad breath and be self-conscious about it, or perhaps you don’t realize it at all. This is one of the worst aspects of having bad breath — that you often can’t tell when you have it because you can’t easily smell your own breath. The medical name for bad breath is halitosis, and some people can even have it chronically. Here are some underlying causes of bad breath to help you identify what could be the problem.

7 Reasons Why You May Have Bad Breath

1. Smoking

   A guaranteed way to have bad breath is to regularly smoke, whether it’s cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Not only does the tobacco itself smell bad, it can cause conditions like gum disease which introduces even more foul odors.

2. Eating pungent food

   This one is fairly easy to realize, since it is obvious that strong-smelling food will transfer its odor to your mouth when you eat it. But, other milder foods as well can cause bad breath, since the breakdown of any food particles increases the bacteria in your mouth.

3. Neglecting dental care

   Do you brush your teeth after meals? Floss regularly? How about visit the dentist every six months? If you neglect basic dental care, you should expect to have bad breath. By not brushing daily, you won’t clean up bad-smelling food particles or scrub off bacteria from your teeth and gums — all of which causes bad breath.

4. Taking certain medications

   A side effect of many medications and supplements is bad breath. They can either cause your mouth to get dry or cause your body to have certain reactions and release foul-smelling chemicals.

5. Having a dry mouth

   Your mouth naturally cleans itself and dislodges food particles using saliva. So, having a dry mouth already puts you at a disadvantage. A dry mouth is also the culprit of bad breath in the morning when you wake up. Some people can get a chronic dry mouth from diseases or saliva gland malfunction.

6. Infections

   If you’ve recently had a procedure done in your mouth such as wisdom teeth removal, the wound could become infected and give off foul smells. Also, smaller infections like mouth sores can be responsible for causing bad breath.

7. Diseases

   Upper respiratory sicknesses can cause your breath to smell bad, as well as metabolic disorders like acid reflux or heartburn.

How can you make sure that you don’t have chronic halitosis? The key lies with building up good oral care habits. Once you’ve regularly practiced brushing your teeth, flossing, drinking lots of water, and regularly visiting your dentist, your chronic bad breath should go away. If your halitosis persists, there is likely another underlying problem, such as an infection, disease, or side effect of certain medication. In this case, you will want to speak with your doctor and dentist to identify the issue.

Do you need to find a good dentist? Look no further than Eddie Orobitg, D.M.D. to take care of your dental needs. For over 20 years he has treated the Leesburg community with quality dental care and procedures. Schedule your appointment today by calling 352-787-5919.

Do Some General Dentists Perform Endodontic Procedures?

Some general dentists, like Dr. Orobitg, are also highly skilled in endodontics (from the Greek roots endo- “inside” and odont- “tooth”) which is the study and treatment of the dental pulp inside your teeth beneath the white enamel and a hard layer called dentin. He is trained in diagnosing and treating tooth pain and performing root canal treatments.

While many general dentists handle the necessary work following a root canal such as fit dental crowns and bridges and assess teeth and gums to determine if a patient needs to see a specialist, Dr. Orobitg is also trained to perform:

• Root canal procedures
• Re-treatment of existing root canals when necessary
• Endodontic surgery, or Apicoectomy

In addition, he can treat many traumatic dental injuries and cracked or broken teeth.

What Is a Root Canal?

If you need a root canal, don’t be afraid. Millions of teeth are treated and saved this way each year in order to relieve pain and make teeth healthy again.

Pulp tissue contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue which help grow the root of your tooth during its development. A fully developed tooth can survive without the pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

Modern endodontic treatment is very similar to a routine filling and can usually be completed in one or two appointments, depending on the condition of your tooth and your personal circumstances. Getting a root canal is relatively painless and extremely effective. You’ll be back to smiling, biting, and chewing with ease in no time.

Advantages of Having a Root Canal Include:

• Efficient chewing
• Normal biting force and sensation
• Natural appearance
•  Protection of other teeth from excessive wear or strain

Let Us Help

A healthy smile can do wonders for your day-to day life and overall health. Whether you require general dentistry or endodontics, Eddie C. Orobitg, DMD brings over 20 years of experience to Leesburg residents. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!

5 Often Ignored Signs of Gum Disease

Over 60 million Americans suffer from some level of gum disease, and you may be one of them and not even know it! Luckily, there are some telltale signs that gum disease is beginning to take hold so that you can take action before permanent damage is done.

Here are 5 early signs of gum disease:

• Gums that are red or swollen

  If your gums look red, puffy, or feel tender, that could be a sign of gum disease setting in. The inflammation is caused by bacteria that accumulates around the teeth when it is not correctly removed by bushing, flossing, or regular dental cleanings. Left untreated, this can progress into periodontitis which is more serious and can lead to your gums receding away from your teeth.

• Bleeding while brushing or eating

  If you notice small amounts of blood when you spit after brushing your teeth or when eating certain foods, don’t disregard it as nothing. Bleeding from the gums after brushing is a big indicator of gingivitis – a mild form of gum disease. Luckily, this condition is easily reversed by brushing daily, flossing, and staying up to date on your regular dental cleanings.

• Plaque buildup

  by maintaining a daily routine of brushing and flossing and combining that with regular dental visits, you can prevent the buildup of plaque which contributes to gum disease. If plaque is not adequately removed, it can harden into tartar which can then harbor the bacteria that causes gum disease.

• Tooth sensitivity 

  Though it can simply mean you’re brushing too aggressively, having sensitive teeth is also a symptom of gum disease. As gums recede, the tooth’s root becomes exposed which in turn makes the tooth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.

• Bad breath

  If you’re someone who has never suffered from chronic bad breath but you’ve noticed it has been a little on the foul side lately, it could be a sign of gum disease. This is caused by the disease-causing bacteria moving below the gum-line where toothbrushes and floss have a difficult time reaching. This is one of the many reasons regular dental cleanings are so vital to your overall oral health.

Eddie C. Orobitg, DMD brings over 20 years of experience to residents here in Leesburg. With a compassionate yet professional approach, he strives to help all patients fight and eliminate gum disease. For more information or to schedule your appointment, contact the Orobitg Dentistry at 352-702-4147 today.

How to Reduce Tooth Sensitivity to Temperature

Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods may mean dental enamel has eroded enough to allow exposure of hollow canals leading to dental nerves. It could also mean gum disease (gingivitis) has pulled gums away from tooth roots to expose nerves to temperature changes.

Comprised of microscopic tubules extending into a tooth’s pulp, a tooth’s nerves are irritated when they are exposed to extremely sweet, cold or hot foods. These tubules are normally protected by healthy gums and dental enamel. However, tooth decay and gum disease can expose them and cause severe pain similar to cavity pain.

What Can You Do to Reduce Tooth Sensitivity?

What Kind of Toothbrush Do You Use?

Avoid brushing your teeth with a hard-bristled toothbrush. Stiff bristles and hard brushing will erode enamel and may irritate gums.

Bruxism

Do you grind your teeth during sleep? If so, bruxism (teeth grinding) can cause serious dental erosion as well as chip or crack your teeth. Visit Dr. Orobitg to be fitted with a dental appliance that can prevent upper and lower teeth from grinding against each other.

OTC Whiteners

Over-the-counter teeth whiteners and whitening toothpaste contain harsh ingredients detrimental to your dental enamel health. Dentists provide whitening treatments that whiten teeth without eroding dental enamel.

Alcohol in Mouthwashes

Avoid using mouthwashes or rinses containing alcohol. Although alcohol kills some oral bacteria, it also promotes mouth dryness. A chronically dry mouth contributes to bacterial growth, tooth decay, and gum disease.

See Your Dentist Regularly for Cleanings and Check-Ups

The best way to prevent tooth sensitivity is to visit Dr. Orobitg every six months for a complete cleaning and examination. Preventive dental care will not only keep you from wincing when you drink an ice-cold milkshake or pop something hot in your mouth but will also reduce your risk of cavities, gingivitis, and possible tooth loss.

If you can’t eat comfortably without feeling severe pain caused by teeth sensitivity, schedule an appointment with Dr. Orobitg today for a dental examination to determine what is causing your tooth sensitivity.