Types of Teeth

It is our hope at Bayberry Dental Care of Tinley Park that our patients will understand that each of their teeth is a specialized bone that encounters particular issues. We thought we’d provide this guide to different types of teeth so that our patients will have a better understanding of their functions and why different treatments are necessary.

Typically, adults grow sixteen teeth per jaw, with each jaw a mirror of the other. The four teeth in front of the jaw are the incisors and they are the ones used for speaking. Incisors are vertical and flat; in babies, they are the first to erupt and become vulnerable to tooth decay. The canines, or cuspids, are the pointy teeth to the sides of the incisors. They are important for maintaining the shape of the jaw, but the upper ones commonly get stuck and need to be guided with orthodontic therapy.

The premolars and molars are the teeth in the sides and back of the mouth with multiple cusps. Adults grow two pairs of premolars and three of molars, the last of which are the wisdom teeth. They are used for chewing. Premolars have a single tooth root, but lower molars have two and upper molars have three.  Our own Dr. Kathleen Falsey is exceptionally experienced performing root canals on these teeth.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171^st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Flossing with Traditional Braces

Because food can become trapped in the brackets and wires that accompany traditional braces, it’s important that your oral care routine is better than ever. Flossing is essential when it comes to preventing periodontal disease, gum inflammation, and bad breath, with or without braces. You may find flossing difficult at first, but Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS of Bayberry Dental Care is happy to teach you how to floss with traditional braces until you get it right.  

• Use waxed floss, because unwaxed floss is more likely to get caught and shred in your braces.


• Use about 18 inches of floss and thread it carefully.


• Take the floss and gently thread it under the main wire of the braces before passing it between two teeth. Then remove the floss and re-thread it under the main wire to pass between the next pair of teeth.


• Be sure not to snap the floss. Simply move the floss up and down carefully against the side of each tooth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Thank You for Your Continuous Reviews!

Here at Bayberry Dental Care, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS, and staff appreciate feedback from our customers because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Kathleen L. for her review, but we would like to thank her for being a dedicated patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

“I highly recommend Dr. Falsey and the entire team at Bayberry. They are professional, friendly, and welcoming. Dr. Falsey and her staff take time to get to know their patients, something you don't have nowadays. Our family has had a few emergencies and they have always responded immediately with concern. I wouldn't think of ever going elsewhere.” –Kathleen L.

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park office, call 708-802-8300.

Veneers for a New Smile!

Crown lengthening is the term for removing excess gum tissue from the teeth and sculpting the gums. Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS gives patients the opportunity to completely makeover their smiles with porcelain veneers.  Veneers are custom made for each tooth from a thin ceramic shell.  They fit over your existing teeth, allowing you to completely change the appearance of your smile.  Veneers are also a great fix for minor cosmetic issues like staining and cracked or chipped teeth.  Even crooked teeth and small gaps can be made into a sparkling smile with veneers!

Patients can have a new smile using veneers in as little as two visits. First, your dentist will discuss the shape and look you want for your new smile.  Once your teeth are prepared for the treatment, an impression of your teeth is taken. This impression is sent to a dental laboratory to make the final product.  Ask us about temporary cosmetic options for you to wear for the two weeks it may take for the custom product to be fabricated. On your final visit, the veneers are bonded to the surface of your teeth for you to wear home and wear forever!

To learn more about cosmetic veneers and all the services we provide, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is the term for removing excess gum tissue from the teeth and sculpting the gum line.  Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS removes gum tissue from patient’s mouths for aesthetics and for function.  At our practice we see many patients unhappy with their smiles, and even patients without any damage to their teeth feel like their gums keep them from enjoying their ideal smile.  When gum tissue is removed for function it is typically for making room to affix a restoration like a crown to a tooth.

Whether a crown lengthening procedure is done for function or aesthetics, it is a simple in-office procedure. Local anesthetic is used while your dentist removes excess gum tissue with either a scalpel or laser tools.  If tissue is being removed for a restoration to fit you may only require tissue to be removed from a couple of teeth.  Some people have more gum tissue than others and it results in a gummy smile, which can be corrected throughout the entire mouth.  The result is a visually pleasing ratio of teeth to gums that creates an even smile!  If you think your smile would benefit from crown lengthening, please contact us.

To learn more about crown lengthening and all the services we provide, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300. 

Sedation Dentistry

Whether you desire to take the edge off of a professional cleaning, or if the thought of visiting the dentist gives you anxiety, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS of Bayberry Dental Care has a sedation option for you. Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. There are different levels of sedation and it’s helpful to schedule a consultation with Dr. Falsey before your appointment to discuss which level is best for you.

Minimal sedation that usually involves nitrous oxide, requires the patient to be awake, but leaves them in a relaxed state, mentally and physically. Moderate sedation, also known as conscious sedation, uses a sedative that causes patients to slur their words, and not remember much of the procedure. Deep sedation involves a patient being on the edge of consciousness, but can still be awake. General anesthesia involves the patient becoming completely unconscious, but is more commonly used during oral surgery procedures.

If you have questions or concerns regarding sedation options, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

If wisdom teeth are impacted and embedded into the bone, this simply means that they don’t have room to emerge normally inside the mouth. Additionally, impacted wisdom teeth may try to emerge, but if they succeed, they will grow at an angle that keeps them from fully erupting. Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS of Bayberry Dental Care will likely suggest extraction for impacted wisdom teeth because keeping them will only result in pain, and/or infection.

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause serious periodontal issues and can make brushing and flossing both painful and difficult. As the condition worsens, impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain in the jaw, as well as frequent headaches, and even cysts. If your wisdom teeth are still intact and you fear that they may be impacted, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS to discuss your treatment options.

If you have questions or concerns regarding wisdom teeth extraction, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.