Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are the most conservative esthetic restorations available in dentistry today. A thin layer of the front of the tooth is removed to allow a veneer of porcelain to be bonded to the tooth without making it any thicker. Similar, in a way, to a false fingernail, the veneer covers dark or yellow teeth, fills unsightly gaps, lengthens short or stubby teeth, straightens crooked teeth, and in general creates a more attractive smile. Unlike a false fingernail, veneers are more permanent. The veneers are attached to the teeth using the most advanced methods of bonding principles. The technical advancements in dentistry today make it so there is no reason for anyone to go through life with an unattractive smile.
Neuromuscular Dentistry
Happy muscles work together in harmony and when finished working, rest more comfortably. When muscles rest and are comfortable they can reduce many symptoms including grinding, wearing, and pushing of the teeth. The nerves and muscles that control and guide our jaw during movement can become tense, sore, and spastic. These unhappy muscles can contribute to a significant amount of pain, tension and lower the quality of comfort in and around our mouths. Unhappy muscles can contribute or cause a wide assortment of problems including: painful teeth, gum disease, painful clicking or popping jaw joints (TMD), hearing and ear problems (dizziness, chronic ear infections, ringing), headaches, face, neck and back pain, tingling in the fingers, sleep problems, chipped and warn teeth. Painful muscles inside our heads are sometimes behind the bones and hard to reach and touch.
Sonography
Sonography enables dentists to accurately measure joint sounds. These measurements help diagnose the quality, quantity and location of sound during movement indicating the amount of clicking, popping, grinding, scraping and screeching taking place in the joint. During and after treatment, these sounds can be compared and the improvement in healing monitored. Unhappy muscles can cause joint sounds.
TENS
Traditional dental treatment is built to fit your existing dental conditions and problems. TENSing (Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation) the muscles works out the lactic acid and works in fresh blood, oxygen and nourishment for the muscles. This helps relax the muscles. Relaxed happy muscles and nerves are the foundation for most dental treatment.
Electromyography
Electromyography is technologically monitoring the electrical activity and tension in a muscle. Not unlike a physician taking an EKG of the heart, your dentist can monitor and record the muscles of chewing. One of the most exciting aspects of the EMG is the ability to measure the accurate fit of the teeth when biting. Precise adjustments of crowns, fillings and teeth not only help teeth last longer but reduce disease and improve the comfort of muscles and teeth.
Jaw Tracking
This includes full range of motion, velocity, and rest position before and after relaxation, the most relaxed range, and the best position of the jaw for muscle function. Jaw positioning helps position the teeth so the joints and muscles are most comfortable. Teeth are victims of unhappy muscles. If the muscles are not happy, the teeth can chip, break, wear and can die; toothaches and temperature sensitivities develop; and gum disease increases. Unhappy muscles can wear out your teeth and dental work.
Problem: Dry Mouth In Seniors - Solution: Topical fluoride rinses
More seniors today have retained their own teeth, avoiding the trauma of removable dentures. Many are on medications creating dryness of the mouth as a side effect. Without the natural benefit of saliva to decrease bacterial action, we see an increase of cavities on the root surfaces of these patients. Anyone on a medication causing a dry mouth should be encouraged to see their dentist for regular dental cleanings and topical fluoride rinses.
Problem: Halitosis (Bad Breath) - Solution: Good Oral Hygiene
Lots of patients share concern about bad breath. As a social embarrassment, it's surely near the top of the list. Since mouthwashes won't eliminate the problem, let's look at some possible reasons for the condition. Certain foods, such as onions, garlic, and spices will cause temporary bad breath. Some medical and systemic problems, such as sinusitis, can also contribute. But most causes are local in nature. Bacteria, plain and simple, are the culprit. Bacteria do their work in the mouth, lungs, sinuses, and stomach. In the oral cavity, bacteria cause gum disease. This infection is so prevalent today, it's the first dental problem we suspect when it comes to halitosis. With a thorough hygiene program, there is a chance to control gum problems and this particularly awkward side effect. Less-than-pristine dentures or bridgework are also a source of odor. Decay can be another culprit along with "dry mouth" syndrome (a lot of older people are prone to reduced saliva flow).
Touch-Ups
Yellow or brown stains, white spots, asymmetrical gum contours and uneven edges can disfigure your smile. Simple corrective techniques can bring dramatic results immediately. All of the following procedures can be performed in the office in one or two visits. Jagged tooth edges can be recontoured and polished in one office visit. Asymmetrical soft tissue contours can be corrected in a single office visit with minimal local anesthetic. Yellow or brown stains can be reduced by a simple "whitening" process which you can do at home. Your dentist custom molds a flexible plastic tray to fit your teeth. You place a few drops of prescribed dental whitening solution in the tray and wear it six to eight hours per night for six to eight nights. The procedure has proven to be safe and the results are dramatic. Dark and super white spots can be reduced in one office vsit with an acidic-micro-abrasion scrub. "Touch-up" cosmetic dental procedures are techniques which give you the biggest "bang for your buck." These procedures are proven to be simple, safe, quick, and non-invasive. They are inexpensive, and the results are immediate, dramatic, and long lasting.
Bonding
Cracked, decayed and chipped teeth are common, but thay can flaw your smile. Whether as a result of tooth-grinding, too-vigorous toothbrushing, decay, or just bad luck, many damaged or disfigured teeth can be restored in one office visit. Because the dentist adheres restorative materials directly to the teeth, this technique is called "Direct Adhesion." (You've probably heard it called "Bonding") Direct Adhesion methods maximally preserve the existing natural tooth structures. Properly cared for and not abused, these materials last years. Even then, outright material failure is rare.
Lab-Fabricated Adhesion Dentistry
One of the most significant breakthroughs in dentistry has been the discovery of new adhesion techniques which permit dentists to successfully adhere dissimilar materials to one another. For example, porcelain can now be laminated or "veneered" to tooth enamel, dentin, metals, and previously placed porcelain. Although lab-fabricated adhesion techniques are comparatively new, the restorative results have proven consistently successful. The cosmetic values of these procedures frequently exceed the patient's own expectations. Here are some of the advantages of these techniques: The natural tooth structure is maximally preserved and the surrounding soft tissues remain undisturbed. Individual teeth of dissimilar color and contour can be beautifully matched beyond detection with porcelain veneers. Permanent stains such as those caused by antibiotics (namely Tetracycline), can be covered with porcelain veneers. The porcelain veneer process actually laminates and strengthens the tooth with a layer of adhesive and a layer of porcelain. The strength of these "laminated" restorations is unparalleled. Even fractured and trauma-damaged teeth can now be restored with the porcelain veneer technique. These procedures most frequently do not require the use of local anesthetics. The entire front surface of the tooth is covered with a custom lab-fabricated 0.5 mm veneer of porcelain.
Cosmetic Dentistry Overview
People choose aesthetic dental procedures/surgery for various reasons-to repair a defect such as a malformed bite or crooked teeth, treat an injury, or just improve their overall appearance. Whatever the reason, the ultimate goal is to restore a beautiful smile. For these and many other reasons, aesthetic dentistry has become a vital and important part of the dental profession. Common aesthetic dental procedures can be performed to correct misshaped, discolored, chipped or missing teeth. They also can be used to change the overall shape of teeth-from teeth that are too long or short, have gaps, or simply need to be reshaped. Some of the more common procedures involve: Bonding - A procedure in which tooth-colored material is used to close gaps or change tooth color. Contouring and reshaping - A procedure that straightens crooked, chipped, cracked or overlapping teeth. Veneers - A procedure in which ultra-thin coatings are placed over the front teeth. Veneers can change the color or shape of your teeth. For example, veneers have been used to correct unevenly spaced, crooked, chipped, oddly shaped or discolored teeth. Whitening and bleaching - As the term implies, whitening and bleaching, a rapidly increasing procedure, are used to make teeth whiter. Which techniques should be used to improve your smile? A dental exam will take many factors into consideration, including your overall oral health.
Jaw Correction
Protruding chins, crooked or buck teeth or misaligned teeth are good candidates for maxillofacial surgery. In some people, jaws do not grow at the same rate; one may come in larger than the other, or simply not be aligned properly with other bony structures in the skull. This can cause problems other than appearance issues; an improperly aligned jaw can cause problems with the tongue and lips, and speech and chewing problems as well. Jaw surgery can move jaws into their proper place. Other kinds of maxillofacial surgery can correct problems with upper facial features such as the nose and cheek. In addition to correcting jaw problems surgically, orthodontic appliances such as braces may be needed to restore bite relationship and ensure continued proper alignment of the jaw. In some cases, tiny wires or small rubber bands may be needed to keep the jaws in place and promote faster healing. In other cases, small "fixation" screws or plates may need to be inserted in the jaws to facilitate easy movement of the jaws following surgery.
TMJ
The succulent strawberry (still available today) was considered to be a "natural" solution for preventing tartar and giving fresh breath. In 1855, the Farmers Almanac included this recipe for appropriate toothpaste: 1 oz. myrrh (fine powder) 2 spoonfuls of your best honey, a pinch of green sage. Mix together and use every night on wet teeth. People who grind their teeth can sometimes develop a serious problem with their jaw, which left untreated, can adversely affect the teeth, gums and bone structures of the mouth. One of the most common jaw disorders is related to a problem with the temporomandibular joint, the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull, and allows your upper and lower jaw to open and close and facilitates chewing and speaking. People with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) often have a clicking or popping sound when opening and closing their mouths. Such disorders are often accompanied by frequent headaches, neck aches, and in some cases, tooth sensitivity. Some treatments for TMD include muscle relaxants, aspirin, biofeedback, or wearing a small plastic appliance in the mouth during sleep. Minor cases of TMD involve discomfort or pain in the jaw muscles. More serious conditions involve improperly aligned joints or dislocated jaws. The most extreme form of TMD involves an arthritic condition of the jaw joint. Traumatic injuries also can cause jaw dislocation. In these cases, jaw surgery, may be required to correct the condition. Some jaw surgery can be performed arthroscopically.
Dentures
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. It is made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals.
Types of dentures - Complete dentures replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing position.
Candidates for complete dentures have lost most or all of their teeth. A partial denture is suitable for those who have some natural teeth remaining. A denture improves chewing ability and speech, and provides support for facial muscles. It will greatly enhance the facial appearance and smile.
Complete or full dentures are made when all of your natural teeth are missing. You can have a full denture on your upper or lower jaw, or both.
Complete dentures are called "conventional" or "immediate" according to when they are made and when they are inserted into the mouth. Immediate dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. To make this possible, the dentist takes measurements and makes the models of the patient's jaws during a preliminary visit. An advantage of immediate dentures is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the period of healing in the first six months after the removal of teeth. When gums shrink, immediate dentures may require rebasing or relining to fit properly. A conventional denture can then be made once the tissues have healed. Healing may take at least 6-8 weeks. An overdenture is a removable denture that fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth or implants. The natural teeth must be prepared to provide stability and support for the denture. Partial dentures are often a solution when several teeth are missing. Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, which are connected by metal framework. Removable partial dentures attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments. Precision attachments are generally more esthetic than metal clasps and are nearly invisible. Crowns on your natural teeth may improve the fit of a removable partial denture and they are usually required with attachments. Dentures with precision attachments generally cost more than those with metal clasps.
How are dentures made? - The denture process takes about one month and five appointments: the initial diagnosis is made; an impression and a wax bite are made to determine vertical dimensions and proper jaw position; a "try-in" is placed to assure proper color, shape and fit; and the patient's final denture is placed, following any minor adjustments.
First, an impression of your jaw is made using special materials. In addition, measurements are made to show how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them (bite relationship). The color or shade of your natural teeth will also be determined. The impression, bite and shade are given to the dental laboratory so a denture can be custom-made for your mouth. The dental laboratory makes a mold or model of your jaw, places the teeth in a wax base, and carves the wax to the exact form wanted in the finished denture. Usually a "wax try-in" of the denture will be done at the dentist's office so any adjustments can be done before the denture is completed. The denture is completed at the dental laboratory using the "lost wax" technique. A mold of the wax-up denture is made, the wax is removed and the remaining space is filled with pink plastic in dough form. The mold is then heated to harden the plastic. The denture is then polished and ready for wear.
Getting used to your denture - For the first few weeks, a new denture may feel awkward or bulky. However, your mouth will eventually become accustomed to wearing it. Inserting and removing the denture will require some practice. Your denture should easily fit into place. Never force the partial denture into position by biting down. This could bend or break the clasps. At first, you may be asked to wear your denture all the time. Although this may be temporarily uncomfortable, it is the quickest way to identify those denture parts that may need adjustment. If the denture puts too much pressure on a particular area, that spot will become sore. Your denture can be adjusted to fit more comfortably. After making adjustments, you may need to take the denture out of your mouth before going to bed and replace it in the morning. Start out by eating soft foods that are cut into small pieces. Chew on both sides of the mouth to keep even pressure on the denture. Avoid sticky or hard foods, including gum. You may want to avoid chewing gum while you adjust to the denture.
Care of your denture's - It's best to stand over a folded towel or a sink of water when handling your denture, just in case you accidentally drop it. Brush the denture (preferably with a denture brush) daily to remove food deposits and plaque, and keep it from becoming permanently stained. Avoid using a brush with hard bristles, which can damage the denture. Look for denture cleansers with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. Pay special attention to cleaning teeth that fit under the denture's metal clasps. Plaque that becomes trapped under the clasps will increase the risk of tooth decay. Hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid to clean dentures is also acceptable. Other types of household cleaners and many toothpastes are too abrasive and should not be used for cleaning dentures. A denture could lose its proper shape if it is not kept moist. At night, the denture should be placed in soaking solution or water. However, if the appliance has metal attachments, they could be tarnished if placed in soaking solution. Even with full dentures, you still need to take good care of your mouth. Every morning, brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft-bristled brush before you put in your dentures. This removes plaque and stimulates circulation in the mouth. Selecting a balanced diet for proper nutrition is also important for maintaining a healthy mouth.
Adjustments - Over time, adjusting the denture may be necessary. As you age, your mouth naturally changes, which can affect the fit of the denture. Your bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, resulting in a loose-fitting denture. Loose dentures can cause various problems, including sores or infections. Dentures that do not fit properly can be adjusted. Avoid using a do-it-yourself kit to adjust your dentures, as this can damage the appliance beyond repair. Glues sold over-the-counter often contain harmful chemicals and should not be used on a denture. If your denture no longer fits properly, if it breaks, cracks or chips, or if one of the teeth becomes loose, see your dentist immediately. In many cases, dentists can make necessary adjustments or repairs, often on the same day. Complicated repairs may require that the denture be sent to a special dental laboratory. Over time, dentures will need to be relined, re-based, or re-made due to normal wear. To reline or re-base a denture, the dentist uses the existing denture teeth and refits the denture base or makes a new denture base. Dentures may need to be replaced if they become loose and the teeth show signs of significant wear.
Common concerns - Eating will take a little practice. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent the dentures from tipping. As you become accustomed to chewing, add other foods until you return to your normal diet. Continue to chew food using both sides of the mouth at the same time. Be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells. Some people worry about how dentures will affect their speech. Consider how your speech is affected when you have a number of your natural teeth missing. Pronouncing certain words may require practice. Reading out loud and repeating troublesome words will help. If your dentures "click" while you're talking, speak more slowly. You may find that your dentures occasionally slip when you laugh, cough or smile. Reposition the dentures by gently biting down and swallowing. If a speaking problem persists, consult your dentist.
Denture adhesives - Denture adhesives can provide additional retention for well-fitting dentures. Denture adhesives are not the solution for old, ill-fitting dentures. A poorly fitting denture, which causes constant irritation over a long period, may contribute to the development of sores. These dentures may need a reline or need to be replaced. If your dentures begin to feel loose, or cause pronounced discomfort, consult with your dentist immediately.