Onlays vs. Crowns... What is Right for You?

A porcelain onlay is similar to a crown in that it is designed to restore a tooth that is broken down so much that a filling is not enough to fix it. If too much of the tooth is missing, the tooth could fracture. A porcelain onlay covers most or all of the chewing surface of the tooth and strengthens it so that it won't fracture.

A crown covers the entire chewing surface of the tooth and wraps around the entire tooth, all the way to the gum line. The porcelain onlay is more conservative. It covers only those parts of the tooth that are weak and it will not go down to the gumline.

At Dr. Porter’s office, we strive to go for the most conservative option for the situation. If you need an onlay, that is what we will complete for you. If there is too much of the tooth broken down, we will opt for the crown option. Either way, you will leave here with the best thing for your mouth.

Cheers to great ceramic restorations! 704-544-5330 or Wanda@DentistryinCharlotte.com

The Most Detailed Charlotte Dentist is Waiting For You!

Charlotte has so many dentists to choose from. They come in all practice sizes, genders, and attitudes. Our office stands out for many reasons and we would like to help you understand our philosophy and standard of patient care. First of all, we are patient focused. We truly want to go at your pace and help you achieve what it is that is bothering you or giving you the most pain. We will recommend any treatment that we see as needed and then let you tell us what you’d like to start with and go from there. We offer payment plans that will fit all budgets and we will make sure to go over everything during a free consultation after your initial exam. We also have all the most up to date technology to detect cavities, make you routine cleanings as gentle as possible, and use the best labs that help us to provide crowns, bridges, implants, and other restorations that can last for years! Some other offices provide cheaper crowns to patients that will not last but a few years and then require replacing or even tooth extraction. We never want to give our patients a product that is made in a foreign lab and where the materials used are questionable. Our materials are made in the USA and contain only the highest grade of materials that will last many, many years. We also are a small office that really likes to get to know our patients. We are not a “clinic” like some other offices, nor do we treat our patients like a cattle call and have 10 patients in our waiting room waiting to be seen by the doctor for a few minutes. We usually schedule our patients one at a time and keep to that schedule. Most people don’t even get to sit down and read a magazine while they wait! During your routine cleanings, we offer a free spa service for anyone that asks and it’s so relaxing! Paraffin wax, neck pillows, and blankets…what could be better? And also, if you are really sensitive during a cleaning, we offer local anesthetic for your comfort.
Our location at the Arboretum places our dental office close to all parts of Charlotte and you will feel comfortable in our office. Dr. Porter is gentle and caring, as are all his staff. We truly want you to join our family and let us help you achieve you best dental health. Contact our office at 704-544-5330 or Wanda@DentistryinCharlotte.com to schedule a free consultation or get in for your exam, cleaning and x-rays. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Dr. Porter wants to know: Could you be a teeth whitening 'addict'?

In an age—and culture—where looks matter as much as anything in life, and at a time when a set of beautiful white teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, more and more folks want to look and feel great. But can there be too much of a good thing when it comes to teeth whitening? Lately, many dentists everywhere have been reporting more and more patients complaining about irritation and bleeding gums, translucent teeth and excessive teeth sensitivity, especially to cold food and drink items. This may be because many people become obsessed with making their teeth as white as possible.

At the office of Dr. Edwin Porter, we offer professional teeth whitening, at-home whitening system and whitening toothpaste. If you're considering using a tooth whitening product containing bleaches, however, the American Dental Association recommends that you visit Dr. Porter first. Lastly, our friends at WebMD have written a helpful article on teeth whitening addiction, and we encourage you to give it a read if you suspect you may have a teeth whitening addiction.

Give us a call and have a great weekend!

10 Facebook tips for parents

At the office of Dr. Edwin Porter, we recognize thousands of parents sign up for Facebook accounts and ‘friend’ their kids, often as a way to keep tabs on their online activities. A few months ago, parenting author Vicki Courtney wrote a helpful post on the things parents should and shouldn’t do while surfing through their kids' Facebook profiles. Dr. Porter and our staff thought you might benefit from reading this interesting piece.

Here is the list of the "Top Ten Facebook No-Nos" for Parents, designed specifically for those moms and dads who aren’t sure whether they’ve crossed the line in monitoring their kids’ presence online.

We hope you find this article informational. Occasionally, we enjoy posting articles outside the dental spectrum. Look out for more interesting stuff next week!

What are patients saying about Dr. Porter and team?

Last week, we asked you, our fantastic patients, what you most liked about our office. Well, we received some pretty great reviews, and thought we’d share a few with you today. Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our practice! Dr. Porter and team love getting patient testimonials!

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for months, we’d love to hear your feedback. Or, you can tell us by giving us a call!

"Dr. Porter is a great dentist. We've recommended family and friends to him." ~ Nancy C.

"He and his staff are all very professional and very courteous. They really make an effort to make you feel comfortable, which is a huge plus when you have to see the dentist." ~ David D.

"The entire experience! Wonderful, from beginning to End, Wonderful!" ~ Kelly F.

"You can really tell that he cares about his patients by the way he provides the most up to date technology & service available. Thank you Dr. Edwin Porter & Staff." ~ Cathy S.