Joshua Grooms DDS

Dr. Joshua Grooms would like to take some time this week to discuss toothbrushes.  His patients are always asking "Which toothbrush do you recommend?".  Every dentist may have a different opinion on exactly which brush you should be using.  Dr. Grooms, more importantly than telling you a certain name brand to go buy, wants to let you know what things to look for when picking out your next brush. 1.  SOFT BRISTLES - soft or even extra-soft bristles are so important.  Some patients go for the medium or even hard bristles thinking it will help remove the plaque and grime from their teeth better.  The truth is that plaque is relatively easy to remove with a soft bristle brush if the proper technique and time is taken to do so.  Hard bristles increase the risk of gum recession or even wearing down the enamel over time (toothbrush abrasion). Toothbrush Abrasion 2.  DON'T BRUSH TOO AGGRESSIVELY - if you are a "scrubber" or have signs of br...

So this week Dr. Grooms discussed crown restorations.  He wanted to share these images with you of an actual case he performed this week. The tooth started out with a large silver filling and broken tooth structure. The tooth was then reduced in all dimensions to support an all ceramic crown restoration Finally using Cerec technology a porcelain crown was milled in office and cemented same day!!!

My dentist says I need a Crown....What does that mean??????? Everyday in my practice I have to make the decision whether or not it is time for a tooth to receive a crown instead of just a large filling.  I have, on more than one occasion, ran into hesitant patients, who don't want to invest in a crown.  Let me explain what exactly what a crown is and answer some common questions. 1.  Can I just have a cap instead?  - You may hear the word "cap" used by your friends/family or even by your dentist.  What is the difference?  Absolutely nothing.  "Cap" is used to try to describe what a crown is.  When we place a crown on a tooth, it completely covers the coronal portion (top part) of the tooth, therefore we say think of it like a baseball cap covering your head. 2.  Why can't I just put a large filling in, it's much cheaper? -Fillings are a great way to restore a tooth when the amount of tooth structure lost is small.  After a large...

ROOT CANAL THERAPY I know the last thing people want to hear when the come to the dentist is that they need a root canal.  I believe part of this is because of a huge negative connotation that has been created in our society with root canals and pain.  Another part is that most people have no clue what is happening during a root canal procedure.  Let me help calm you fears and let you know what it is we are doing to help relieve or prevent future pain.   1.  When do I need a root canal? - Root canals are needed when the pulp (the nerve and blood vessels) in the tooth are inflamed and dying or dead and necrotic.   During the inflammation stage pain to cold and sometimes hot is very common.  This is typically what gets patients in the door.  The pain can be sever and linger after every drink, food item, or breath of cold air hits the tooth.  If you are having this symptom you should be seen right away for further evaluation. ...

Joshua Grooms, DDS, treats patients as an associate of ABC Family Dentistry in Greeneville, Tennessee. A skilled dental professional, Joshua Grooms, DDS , provides comprehensive care using the latest innovations in dentistry, including CEREC. Standing for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, CEREC is a dental technology that employs computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to provide dental restorations, including inlays, onlays, and crowns, in one appointment. Before creating a restorative tooth, the dentist uses the handheld CEREC Omnicam or Bluecam to acquire an image of the area to be restored. The image is then sent through advanced computer software that analyzes the image to calculate exact specifications for the restorative tooth. Once the specifications have been calculated, CEREC creates a digital model of the prepared tooth, which the dentist uses to create a restoration while the patient waits chairside. CEREC’s CAM programming...

As a member of ABC Family Dentistry in Greeneville, Tennessee, Joshua Grooms, DDS, helps patients to achieve long-term oral health through diagnostic, preventative, and treatment care. Joshua Grooms, DDS, and his colleagues use digital X-rays, which support the diagnostic process with increasingly accurate imaging. Dental X-rays function as a key element of a complete dental care experience. They allow a dentist to visualize the spaces inside and between teeth, as well as the bony ridges and root systems that support the teeth themselves. Dentists use these images to check for decay in areas that are not perceptible to the naked eye, while also assessing for any abscesses or masses that might compromise the stability of the teeth. When used as part of the diagnostic process, dental X-rays provide practitioners with a baseline from which to assess a patient's oral health. They can support the visualization of decay or impacted teeth before they present a problem, thus indicating...

As a practitioner with ABC Family Dentistry in Greenville, Tennessee, Joshua Grooms, DDS, helps patients care for both natural and replacement teeth. Joshua Grooms, DDS, draws on extensive experience treating patients with dentures, having built early-career experience as an associate with prominent dental offices such as Aspen Dental. Although dentures are artificial teeth and thus immune to decay, broken or dirty dentures can negatively impact the overall health of the mouth. Dentures that do not receive regular cleaning collect bacteria and tartar, which can then spread to the underlying tissues and cause irritation or infection. The same may occur in patients who have dentures and neglect to rinse and massage the gums or in those with partial dentures who do not brush and floss their remaining natural teeth. Denture wearers need to be similarly aware of any changes in the way their appliances fit. The structure of bones and gums can subtly shift with time, whether due to natura...