Over time Silver Mercury fillings will break down, start leaking and often fall apart. When they fall apart they usually reveal tooth decay and other stuff. When fillings this size fall apart there isn’t much tooth left, which often require a crown or cap to cover the whole entire tooth. Fortunately, today there are options to restore these teeth without having to cover the whole entire tooth, just the necessary areas. These teeth are great areas to use a restoration called an “Onlay”, which replaces only a portion of the tooth. An Onlay, can be created out of Gold, Ceramic, and Composite materials. Here’s a couple of Onlays completed with Composite material.
This is the Before Image: Note the broken filling on the tooth on the right!
We completed the restoration on the right tooth about 2 months ago and were treating the middle tooth today.
An Image of both restorations completed. A Nice Result.
Mary is our Patient of the Day! Mary just completed over 1 year of comprehensive treatment that included several implants and a new smile. We are grateful for patients like Mary!
Many looking for a new smile are concerned about having crowns placed because there is an assumption that crowns are not cosmetic but veneers are. This video reviews the pros and cons..
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1. Dental Implant
Dental Implants are replacements for your tooth roots. A Titanium post is placed in the bone and a crown is attached to the new root to replace the missing teeth.
For more information, read a Simple Explanation of Dental Implants
2. A Bridge
A fixed bridge uses the adjacent teeth around the space to support a false tooth to replace the missing teeth.
3. Removable partial denture-metal framework
This is an appliance that is removable, has a metal framework with plastic teeth added to the framework and this uses the other teeth and gums for support.
4. Removable partial denture-plastic framework
This appliance is removable also, but the whole appliance is made of plastic and primarily uses the gums for support.
5. Dentures
This is replacement of all the teeth on either the top or bottom, or both.
6. Live without it or them.
It’s not the best choice but millions of people live with missing teeth.
It’s always best to try to hang onto a tooth as long as possible, but sometimes it’s not possible, thankfully you have options to replace the missing teeth.
Recently, we conducted an email interview with Dr. David Trylovich, a Periodontist in Las Vegas,NV(His Website: http://www.lvperio.com) on the topic of Gummy Smiles. Most people have never heard of what a Gummy Smile is so we decided to interview the expert!
What is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile is when you smile and gum tissue is visible above the teeth. The more gum tissue you show the gummier your smile. It is normal to show about 1-2 mm of gum tissue above the teeth. There are several things that can result in a gummy smile, they include: a long upper jaw, hyperactive lip muscles, short upper lip, or excess gum tissue covering the teeth. We will only be discussing the excess gum tissue covering the teeth. Your dentist or periodontist can tell you what is the cause of your gummy smile.
How do I know I have a Gummy Smile?
If you show more than 2-3 mm of gum tissue above the teeth then you have a gummy smile. However, the most important thing to evaluate is the shape and length of your teeth. The average front tooth length is 10 millimeters or just less than 1/2 inch. If you have a gummy smile due to excess gum tissue covering your teeth then you likely have front teeth that are short and square shaped. If so, you are an excellent candidate for a gum lift procedure which will correct your gummy smile and improve the appearance of your teeth.
Are Gummy Smiles Common?
Yes, 14% of people have a gummy smile.
What can be done for a Gummy Smile?
If you have excess gum tissue as the cause of your gummy smile then a quick fix is all you need. You can eliminate your gummy smile and improve your smile in one simple appointment. A minor surgical procedure can give you a beautiful smile. Most people require no additional treatment to their teeth other than the simple removal of excess gum tissue. However, some may require cosmetic bonding, veneers, or crowns to give them the ideal smile.
Won’t bleaching or Veneers fix my smile all by themselves?
Bleaching or veneers will improve the appearance of your teeth but will you will still have short teeth and show excess gum tissue when you smile. Your periodontist will discuss with your dentist what is necessary to give you the best looking smile.
Is a Gummy Smile bad?
No, usually a gummy smile is just a cosmetic concern. If you have a gummy smile, you probably think you were just born with short teeth. Actually, you likely just have excess gum tissue covering the white part (enamel) of your teeth.
What is involved in treating a gummy smile?
A simple two hour surgical procedure will usually eliminate your gummy smile. You will have some minor soreness for a few days after the procedure and will be on a pasta or fish consistency diet for the first week. Most clients return to work on the day following their surgery.
Where can I see before and after photos of gummy smiles?
You can check out the Before and After Gallery at http://www.lvperio.com.
How much does it cost to be evaluated for a gummy smile?
We do complimentary examinations for gummy smiles so it cost you nothing to find out if you have a gummy smile and if so what can be done to fix it.
A brief video tour of our office and who we are…
A question came through Twitter over the weekend. What determines the color of peoples teeth?
There are 3 components of teeth, Enamel, Dentin, and the Nerve.
Enamel is the hardest substance in our bodies and when well mineralized as it usually is, it is fairly white. But can also have varying levels of translucency which display the underlying dentin.
Dentin is much softer and contains both organic and inorganic materials. It is typically yellowish in color, but can vary from brown to grey also.
The Nerve contains nerve tissue and vascular tissue that provides nourishment and sensation to the teeth.
Genetics play an important roll in the color of your teeth. Skin color, gingiva color, mineral content of the enamel, and color of the dentin. Medications have been known to alter the color of the dentin, specifically Tetrycycline used during development of the adult teeth will turn the dentin various shades of grey and brown, which darken the teeth. Illness has also shown to alter the appearance the dentin. Both medication and illness usually affect the color during the development of the teeth.
As teeth age they tend to turn yellow. Years of wear and tear can cause the enamel to turn more translucent and the dentin to darken. Kids teeth can often appear yellow in color, typically baby teeth only have 1mm of enamel covering the dentin. If for some reason a portion of the enamel has eroded away as we discussed in Acid Erosion in Children’s Teeth, the enamel will then be thinner and will display more of the yellow dentin.
There are a few other reasons that teeth will darken and those include vitality of the nerve, some teeth will turn dark when the nerve dies. Another reason is a old restorations silver-mercury fillings will turn teeth black and composite restorations tend to yellow over time.
The image above shows a few teeth of various colors in the same dentition. Tooth roots are made up of dentin, and will provide clues to what the color of the dentin is. You will notice that the front left tooth on the screen is darker then the front right one. This is because the dentin of the tooth is darker, probably because of loss of vitality of the nerve. If we were to cut off the enamel of both these teeth and evaluate it, we would notice that it is the same color. The color difference shown here is because of the dentin color change. The surface stains shown on the lower teeth can easily be removed during a hygiene visit.
The primary roll of vital tooth bleaching is to whiten the dentin, there is evidence that the current peroxide based whitening agents will whiten the dentin. 2-4 weeks is usually sufficient for most people but some teeth like the dark tooth shown above may require months of whitening. At home whitening systems provided by your dentist, provide the best results while providing the ability to control the results. In-Office whitening systems are also effective, but often require multiple visits over a period of 3-6 weeks and provide no superior results over the at home systems. Over the counter systems are effective just less effective then the other systems.
Keep your questions coming, on twitter use @sandquistdds and we’ll try to answer them.
Porcelain veneers are a very thin layer of beautiful ceramic that is bonded over teeth to change the shape, color and contour. Typically veneers require a minimal tooth preparation, usually less that 1mm of tooth needs to be removed to place a porcelain veneer. Sometimes there is virtually no preparation required. When a majority of the preparation remains in enamel, the veneers have the best bond possible, therefore increased longevity.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers 
• Very lifelike
• Preservation of tooth structure
• Can permanently change color
• Close spaces
• Make small alignment changes
• Rejuvenate worn or chipped teeth
Disadvantages of Porcelain Veneers
• Usually have to remove tooth structure
• Probably will not last forever, but should get 15-20 years
• It is possible to have breakage
• Since they are bonded on it is possible to de-bond off
Porcelain Veneers are not for everybody, but for those that are concerned about worn or chipped teeth, permanent color changes, spaces between the teeth and other issues, veneers may be the answer for you!
Recently, our practice has added a CO2 soft tissue laser to our practice. This is very exciting news because of what it means to patient care.
The CO2 laser is:
• Non-Invasive Surgery
• Minimal Pain
• Better Treatment
• Optimal Results
• Less Anesthesia
• Complete Sterilization
The above photos demonstrate the use of the CO2 laser in removing a irritation fibroma, the image on the right hand side is 4 days after removal of the Fibroma.
What are the Advantages of Lasers?
This technology assures a more patient friendly treatment with considerably less post-operative pain, discomfort, and swelling. In many cases, sutures are not required. All laser procedures assure a totally sterile environment of the surgical site, which in turn decreases potential for post-operative infections.
Are Lasers Safe?
The latest generation of dental lasers is absolutely safe for all patients. This technology enables us to use it also on patients with pre-existing conditions such as Pregnancy, Pace-Makers, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Parkinson’s, Hemophilia, and many more.
On your next visit Ask about the Laser Use in conjunction with:
• Smile Design
• Implants
• Periodontal Pocket Therapy
• Veneers and Crowns
BECAUSE YOUR SMILE IS IMPORTANT TO US. We now offer Care Credit. A convenient, interest free program for 3, 6, or 12 months. Also, an extended low monthly payment program for your entire family specifically designed to pay for your dental care. Applying for CareCredit is quick and easy. Simply choose the option you prefer. You can go on line @ http://www.carecredit.com or use the automated phone application by calling 800-365-8295. Have a healthy and beautiful smile today!
Creating Smiles
for You!
