Dental Health

In today’s post, we will veer a bit off the beaten path, so to speak, and examine an important dental specialty; forensic dentistry. The official term for the use of dentistry in criminal cases and post-mortem identification is forensic odontology. These specialists are rarely recognized but play a crucial role in crime and disaster investigations.

Dental X-rays, dentures, and bite marks are all used to provide clues about the victim’s identity and/or the manner of death. A person’s teeth are as unique as fingerprints and can often survive forces such as fire, explosions, submersion in water, and natural decay without being destroyed.

Identifying One Victim

Identifying a victim through dental records is aided immensely when authorities have narrowed down a group of suspected victims to just a few people (or, ideally, just one) and can consult the dentists who had treated them. When the identity is entirely unknown, a forensic dentist searches other databases such as those kept by the armed forces and prisons.3

“Dental identifications are so much quicker and so much less expensive than DNA.” -Dr. Mark Bernstein, dentist and forensic dental consultant¹

Identifying Hundreds of Victims

While identifying one victim of a homicide or accident can be relatively simple, natural disasters, plane crashes, and other large-scale tragedies are exponentially more complicated.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Burkes, chief forensic dental consultant for the 9/11 attacks, over 140 dentists worked to identify the fragments of remains that were recovered from the scene of the terrorist attacks. The identification effort was an exceptionally painstaking and complicated process. First, the dentists were assigned to one of four teams. The Go Team gathered evidence from the scene, the Antemortem Team analyzed existing dental records of presumed victims, the Postmortem Team X-rayed the recovered dental evidence, and the Comparison Team compared the X-rays of the remains of unknown corpses to the files of missing people thought to have been at the scene.²

“Dentistry fulfills one of its most important social, moral, and professional obligations by applying its unique knowledge and expertise to the task of identifying countless persons who are tragic victims of fires, catastrophes, disasters, and homicides.”³

¹Ashley Hayes, “How authorities identify a burned body,” CNN, February 13, 2013, http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/13/health/burned-body-id/, accessed February 20, 2017
²James Berry, Clayton Luz, Arlene Furlong, Craig Palmer, “Forensic Dentistry: Identifying the Victims of 9/11” Dental Practice Management, December 1, 2001,http://www.oralhealthgroup.com/features/forensic-dentistry-identifying-the-victims-of-9-11/, accessed February 20, 2017
³Dr. Vincent Funaro, “Charts, Radiographs, Study Models: A Forensic Trilogy, January 1, 2006, Dentistry Today, http://www.dentistrytoday.com/forensic-dentistry/1159-, accessed February 20, 2017

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, FL 33534
Call: 813-519-0128

FishHawk – Lithia

5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B
Lithia, FL 33547
Call: 813-519-0128

If you have money in your Gibsonton flexible spending account you may want to schedule some cosmetic dentistry before the deadline. Remember, you lose any funds left over after the plan year ends. Why not improve your smile with tax-free dollars?

Even a small change can make a big difference in the appearance of your teeth. You might consider getting a veneer for a chipped tooth or replacing a broken crown. Maybe you want to straighten your teeth with braces or replace amalgam fillings with ones that blend with your natural teeth. Tooth whitening is quick and easy and benefits even the most attractive smiles.

Perhaps aesthetic dentistry is not your first priority. Maybe you have a more pressing dental need such as a cavity that is bothering you or swollen gums. Don’t let these problems get worse and possibly more expensive to treat.

Call 813-519-0128 to book a consultation at Your Time Dental Urgent Care in Gibsonton. We are located at 13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B.

Richard Kernagis is one of the most sought-after Gibsonton dentists and stays at the forefront of cosmetic dentistry techniques and technology. A radiant smile is possible for anyone in the Tampa area, regardless of issues such as tetracycline stains, periodontal disease, or missing teeth.

If you are planning to use flex account funds for Tampa dentistry, make sure you check your employer’s guidelines for eligible cosmetic or restorative dental procedures.

With a smile makeover at Your Time Dental Urgent Care, what will your “after” photo look like?

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B Gibsonton, FL 33534 Call: 813-519-0128

FishHawk – Lithia

5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B Lithia, FL 33547 Call: 813-519-0128

Looking for the best dentist in Gibsonton? You can click around on the computer or watch for postcard ads in your mailbox. Even then, the outcome is shaky at best. Finding the best dentist in Gibsonton truly hinges on what you are looking for. Are you looking for consistent, professional evaluation? Are you looking for an honest, straightforward diagnosis and treatment proposal? Are you looking for economical dental care without a background agenda?

Don’t let the myriad of dentists throughout Florida overwhelm you. Today Dr. Richard Kernagis offers 3 reliable steps for finding a dentist who will expertly serve your family’s dental needs in comfort and style.

Step 1
Pick up the phone: 813-519-0128. Contact our comfortable staff at Your Time Dental Urgent Care for your best appointment of the year, a dental checkup with Dr. Richard Kernagis. Our office offers competitive pricing to go with professional, educated experience. The needs of our patients run the gamut. From root canals to tooth extractions, from weekend dental care to dental implants. Providing quality services can make your sedation dentistry experience quick and uncomplicated.

Step 2
Make the appointment. Researching general and cosmetic dental practices start with a consultation. An evaluation of what your teeth need, what your smile could use and what your budget can afford are all key pieces of the puzzle. Located here at 13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B in Gibsonton, Florida, we are equipped and proud to handle emergency same-day dental care, emergency dental care, urgent dental care, and everything in between.

Step 3
Meet the good doctor. Dr. Kernagis has a friendly and comfortable chairside manner, explains concisely and fully the procedures and possibilities, and performs superb dental work day in and day out. Expect to see the metamorphosis you want. Expect to meet with a professional. Expect outstanding, talented service.

Finding a dentist that will bring a smile to your face and put you at ease is just a click away at https://www.yourtimedentalurgentcare.com.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, FL 33534
Call: 813-519-0128

FishHawk – Lithia

5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B
Lithia, FL 33547
Call: 813-519-0128

A dental crown is a strong, natural-looking permanent tooth restoration that covers the top of the damaged tooth. Dentists use dental crowns to solve a number of dental dilemmas.

Crowns can remedy the following issues:

• A cracked tooth with decay
• An ill-fitting existing crown
• A decayed tooth that has lost a considerable amount of tooth structure
• A tooth that has had a root canal
• A tooth that is too small or misshapen
• A tooth that causes bite misalignment

Before your dentist can attach the crown to your tooth, we must prepare the tooth. Dentists often give you a local anesthetic so you won’t feel pain during the prepping.

Your dentist will remove decay, if any, and shape the tooth to receive the crown. Then a mold is taken of the prepped tooth and surrounding teeth.

A temporary crown is then placed on the tooth to protect it until you return to receive the permanent restoration. The patient needs to be cautious while wearing the temporary crown. Vigorous brushing or flossing can displace the crown or damage the exposed soft tissue. The patient should also refrain from eating extremely hard foods like nuts or sticky candy.

The mold of your teeth is sent to a dental lab where your crown is created. Dental crowns are offered in three varieties: tooth-colored crowns made of resin or porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and solid metal crowns.

Each type has its pros and cons. Your dentist will choose the right crown material for your particular tooth.

What if you need a permanent dental restoration for both the top and root of your tooth? A tooth implant is your answer.

For more information about complete dental restorations and other cosmetic dental solutions, call Your Time Dental Urgent Care at 813-519-0128 today.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B Gibsonton, FL 33534 Call: 813-519-0128

FishHawk – Lithia

5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B Lithia, FL 33547 Call: 813-519-0128

Welcome to the dental practice of Dr. Richard Kernagis, DMD.

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we provide comprehensive full-service dentistry for patients in Gibsonton and surrounding communities. Our comfortable team of skilled hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative staff help Dr. Kernagis exceed our patients’ expectations. At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we understand the value of a healthy and beautiful smile.

We are devoted to providing each patient with personalized care in our cutting-edge dental practice.

Your Time Dental Urgent Care is located at 13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B in Gibsonton. For more specifics about our team, see https://www.yourtimedentalurgentcare.com.

If you were blessed with a pleasing smile, we can help you keep it that way with professional deep cleanings and thorough examinations. We set the standard for preventative family dentistry.

If you were not blessed with a beautiful smile, let’s talk about how we can improve it. Modern cosmetic dentistry provides a remedy for virtually every aesthetic dilemma.

If it has been a while since you received a professional dental cleaning, call 813-519-0128 today to schedule a cleaning with one of our proficient hygienists. Your teeth will feel amazingly clean, silky, and smooth after the chalky plaque and calculus is removed.

Whether you need an examination or a complex full mouth reconstruction, at Your Time Dental Urgent Care we’ll get you smiling again!

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B Gibsonton, FL 33534 Call: 813-519-0128

FishHawk – Lithia

5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B Lithia, FL 33547 Call: 813-519-0128

If your crooked, stained teeth keep you from smiling and you feel like there is nothing you can do about it, please give me a call!

My name is Dr. Kernagis and my comfortable staff and I have been giving the people of Gibsonton something to smile about since 2001.

If you are disappointed with the smile Mother Nature gave you, let me create the brilliant smile of your dreams. New procedures and innovative materials make it possible to completely revamp and restyle your mouth.

If your teeth are uneven, Your Time Dental Urgent Care has several options to repair that. We can re-contour your teeth by removing a small portion of your enamel to change the length or shape of your tooth. If more is required to improve your smile we can offer veneers or bonding.

A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is permanently attached to the front of a tooth, correcting cosmetic imperfections. They can last longer than dental bonding and preserve more natural tooth structure than crowns.

Many individuals have teeth that have become discolored by drinking colas, tea, or coffee. If you have darkened teeth and dream of having pearly white teeth then check out the many teeth whitening options.

Stop hiding behind a timid smile. Take charge and let Your Time Dental Urgent Care create a new celebrity-caliber smile.

Ask us about emergency same-day dental care, urgent dental care, and emergency dental care.

We make patients feel comfortable

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, FL 33534
Call: 813-519-0128

FishHawk – Lithia

5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B
Lithia, FL 33547
Call: 813-519-0128

Superficial cuts in the skin subside without a trace, infections are eradicated with antibiotics, broken bones mend, and inflamed tissues recede. Our teeth, unfortunately, can’t regenerate. Decay can be halted in its progress, but scientists are still years away from actual enamel regeneration. That’s why the team at Your Time Dental Urgent Care strongly emphasizes preventative dentistry.

Few People Avoid Cavities

The healthiest mouths have all teeth intact and free of current or former cavities. But how many smiles can boast such an admirable record? Very few.

The stark reality is that most individuals get one or more cavities over the course of their lifetime.

In fact, most individuals in Florida probably don’t even know someone who has never had a cavity. Tooth decay is second only to the common cold as the most frequent health dilemma in childhood. When we reach middle age, many of us have even had a root canal or two.

Depending on the size of the cavity, after cleaning and preparing the tooth, your dentist can fill it, place a crown, or complete a root canal (usually followed by a crown).

Restorations Have Come a Long Way

Modern restorations have many advantages over those in years past. There are stronger and more natural-looking materials. Many of our patients at Your Time Dental Urgent Care who have not had a filling for a while, are not aware that white fillings are available. You can even replace old amalgam fillings with white fillings and give your mouth a makeover!

As we said before, when a tooth is compromised by injury or decay, it is never exactly the way it was before. But now, with modern fillings and crowns, it can regain strength and beauty.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, FL 33534
Call: 813-519-0128

FishHawk – Lithia

5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B
Lithia, FL 33547
Call: 813-519-0128

I’m Richard Kernagis DMD of Your Time Dental Urgent Care in Gibsonton. My patients often ask me if chewing xylitol gum is an effective substitute for tooth brushing and regular dental exams.

Before I answer that question, let me tell you a little bit about xylitol:

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that was first discovered in birch tree bark but is also found in many fruits and vegetables. Unlike most other sweeteners (natural or synthetic), xylitol is actually beneficial for your teeth.

Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that xylitol prevents the growth of the bacteria that initiates cavities. It also lessens plaque and strengthens tooth enamel.

Xylitol has other benefits, as well. Because it is low on the glycemic index, many of my patients with diabetes enjoy it as a healthy alternative to sugar. For my patients that cope with frequent dry mouth, I recommend xylitol gum or mints to stimulate saliva production while protecting against cavities.

Now, back to the golden question. Is xylitol gum just as effective as brushing your teeth and seeing your family dentist regularly? Absolutely not! If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, chewing xylitol gum for five or ten minutes is probably a good idea. However, you should still brush your teeth thoroughly (with a soft brush) after meals and get twice-yearly exams and dental cleanings.

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, our goal is to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life by preventing dental issues before they start. If you postpone dental visits until you feel pain, you risk losing teeth and most certainly will require more extensive treatment than if the dilemma was caught earlier.

Is it time for a dental exam? Call us at 813-519-0128 to book an appointment. Our comfortable team is waiting to take care of all your dental needs.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, FL 33534
Call: 813-519-0128

FishHawk – Lithia

5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B
Lithia, FL 33547
Call: 813-519-0128

Most Gibsonton people who are considering cosmetic dentistry are aware of the cosmetic dental procedures that are frequently advertised in the Tampa area.

There are porcelain veneers: a custom made wafer-thin covering permanently attached to the front of a tooth to make it stain-free and perfectly shaped. Veneers can repair small chips and crack in teeth that are free of decay. Many Your Time Dental Urgent Care patients get minimally invasive veneers on their top six teeth for a dramatic improvement.

Orthodontia has received a lot of attention in Florida in the past twenty years with the introduction of invisible and short-term braces. And braces are not only for ‘tweens and teenagers. At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we have seen more adults straighten their teeth to achieve stunning smiles with discrete orthodontic treatment.

Porcelain crowns have been around for generations but continue to restore decayed or damaged teeth while providing beauty, strength, and natural function. Porcelain crowns are also used with innovative dental implants to restore missing teeth.

A cosmetic dental procedure that is lesser-known in the Gibsonton area is crown lengthening. If you feel that your teeth appear too short or that your smile exposes more gum than you would like (a ‘gummy smile’), you may be interested in crown lengthening.

Crown lengthening surgery is a safe and effective procedure that exposes more of the visible part of the tooth while minimizing the vertical length of exposed gum tissue.

When a gummy smile is corrected, our Gibsonton crown lengthening patients are often surprised at how it positively affects their whole face. They love their new smile which reveals pleasing, symmetrical portions of their upper teeth that have been hidden under gum tissue their whole life.

Sometimes, crown lengthening is used when a tooth is fractured at the gumline. The surgery makes tooth structure accessible for the required restoration.

Digital imaging helps Tampa dental professionals perform crown lengthening with exactness. A highly-detailed, 3-D image of tooth and bone structure allows the cosmetic dentist to contour a gumline to the patient’s exact specifications.

If you would like to find out if crown lengthening is right for you, schedule a consultation by calling Your Time Dental Urgent Care at 813-519-0128. We are located at 13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B in Gibsonton. We look forward to showing you photos of crown lengthening patients who are enjoying their new look.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, FL 33534
Call: 813-519-0128

FishHawk – Lithia

5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B
Lithia, FL 33547
Call: 813-519-0128