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While Americans are living longer and more fulfilling lives, as we age we do face many common dental conditions.

If you're considering veneers, it's important that you understand what veneers are and the benefits they provide. Porcelain veneers are thin shells that are affixed to teeth that are significantly discolored, chipped, pitted, malformed, spaced or crooked. Unlike a dental crown, a veneer only covers the most visible portion of the affected tooth and is designed to look like your natural tooth.

Since our first trip to the dentist as children we have grown accustomed to hearing this advice with every visit. However, equally as routine for most people is the subsequent agreement to do so, which is not often followed up on. In fact, according to the American Dental Association, 50% of Americans do not floss daily while approximately 18% never floss at all.

Are you experiencing pain in your face or jaw? Do you experience episodes of jaw locking? Does your jaw make clicking or popping sounds? These symptoms can be caused by TMD or temporomandibular disorder.

At the office of Thomas Clifton DDS, our first priority is our patient’s dental health and we understand that at a time when benefits are being reduced and insurance rates are on the rise that it can be difficult for patients to obtain the care they need.

In spite of extraordinary dental care advancements in the past few decades, tooth decay continues to be a very serious problem for American children. Lack of dental care or infrequent visits to the dentist, are major causes of tooth decay. If you have been unable to bring your kids to your Durham family dentist as often as you should due to lack of dental coverage, you may be relieved to hear that starting on January 1st, 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is expanding to require more comprehensive dental benefits for individuals under the age of 18.