Are You A Candidate For Dental Veneers?
October 13, 2008
Dental or porcelain veneers are commonly used in cosmetic dentistry to improve a person’s smile and overall appearance of the teeth. Veneers are wafer thin layers made of tooth-like substance used to cover chipped, broken, excessively stained or discolored teeth. Porcelain veneers are also known as dental porcelain laminates and in most cases they prove to be very helpful in restoring a person’s smile. They are preferred over other choices because of their close resemblance with our natural teeth and also because this material resists staining and lasts for a long time. However, in some cases porcelain veneers might not be the best choice. Keep reading on to find out if you are a candidate for dental veneers.
Sometimes the dentist is required to break down some of the tooth structure to properly bond these thin shells of porcelain to the teeth. As such it is not possible to go back to the original structure and shape of teeth when this happens. Although veneers are supposed to be a long-lasting solution, if not properly cared for they might become chipped or faded. In cases where the teeth have been severely broken or injured, veneers do not prove to be effective. Orthodontic braces might be required to straighten the teeth if they are crooked or the person has improper bites.
Veneers are most commonly used to treat discolored teeth due to too much smoking or drinking tea or coffee. They are also used to fill wide gaps between teeth due to which some people feel embarrassed and become conscious of their smile. Another reason could be slightly chipped or short teeth, the length of which can be improved by using these dental veneers. All these treatments come under cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers in such cases are merely used for a smile makeover. However, for complex problems like broken or decayed teeth more advanced procedures like implants or crowns may be suggested.
Although porcelain veneers are strong and durable if properly bonded, they do require extra care. In addition to proper brushing and flossing, chewing and biting should also be controlled. Veneers can wear out because of severe biting or clenching of teeth. Furthermore, they can only be used to cover the front teeth. If the problem is related to your back teeth veneers might not be a good choice. For some people porcelain veneers can be an expensive option. Other choices like composite veneers are also available out there which are cheaper but not as reliable and long-lasting as porcelain veneers.
Dental veneers are used commonly in cosmetic dentistry for a complete smile makeover. However, in some cases they may not prove be the best choice available to a patient. Veneers can be used for problems like damaged or decayed teeth, severely stained or discolored teeth, gaps between teeth, or slightly crooked teeth. Cosmetic procedures are meant to improve the overall aesthetics of the mouth and provide very little functional advantage and therefore they cannot be employed for complex problems such as improper bites, missing teeth or severely damaged teeth.
Are Amalgam Fillings Dangerous For The Health?
October 9, 2008
Amalgam or silver fillings are often employed by the dentists to fill cavities in the mouth. Some people are of the opinion that since dental amalgam fillings contain at least 50% mercury, they are dangerous for the health. They argue that mercury being highly toxic is hazardous to the health of a person. Furthermore, these fillings are not recommended to pregnant and lactating women due to danger of unexpected complications and deformities in the infant.
These doubts can be true if there is free mercury found in the silver fillings. However, we now know that this is not the case. Mercury in silver reacts with other metals and a completely new alloy is formed which gives rise to these dental fillings and hence they are not dangerous for the health. The FDA has also approved the use of mercury in dental fillings and there is really nothing to worry about in this regard. However, if you come across an advertisement on the internet or anywhere else for that purpose going against amalgam fillings, you can be falsely led to believe the worst. So, it’s important to gain some knowledge about the workings of dental fillings and why silver or amalgam fillings are prescribed by most dentists.
Dental fillings are prepared by mixing silver with mercury, copper, zinc and tin to form an alloy. This is a traditional method of filling cavities and is quite inexpensive. However, with the advancement in technology newer and more useful methods are now also available to dentists to give people a natural-looking and beautiful smile. Since these cosmetic procedures are somewhat costly, many people still like to opt for traditional amalgam fillings.
The doubts about silver fillings arise from the fact that while brushing or chewing free mercury is released from these fillings which can be hazardous to the health. This free mercury finds its place in the blood where it can cause many problems. However, scientifically it has been established that even though mercury does release itself from the fillings, the level in the blood is still not high enough to cause complications. People who are against mercury fillings say that this toxic substance can cause stomach problems, joint pains, sinus trouble, breathing problem and fatigue. Many other complications have also been listed to keep people away from amalgam fillings at all costs.
It has been established that the tests conducted by those dentists give false results. They use mercury detectors to convince patients that there is enough mercury in their mouth to cause complications. However, it’s not possible to measure the exact amount of mercury in the mouth. The only way is to conduct blood or urine tests to see how much mercury the body has absorbed. Even then it cannot be concluded that mercury which is present in the blood came from amalgam fillings.
It can be safely assumed that all the hype created by these dentists that advocate amalgam fillings to be dangerous is merely meant to flourish their own business. People would believe their stories and come to them to have their previous fillings removed and to get new ones made up of different materials. Although some people would like to opt for this option to improve their smile, there is absolutely no reason and sound proof to be afraid of amalgam fillings.
Tooth Implants Are Better Than Bridges And Crowns
September 22, 2008
Whenever we come across an oral condition which needs to be addressed, there is normally more than one option to choose from. Although the dentist is able to make the right decision regarding the right treatment, sometimes we are given the freedom to choose the treatment ourselves. Tooth implants are relatively new and not many people go for this treatment because of the complexities involved. Since these are artificial tooth roots which are used to replace the entire tooth, including the root, extraction of the original root is often required which is a painful procedure.
Despite these complications, tooth implants are considered a better option than bridgework, crowns or partial dentures. Although crowns are used to complete the procedure of implants, they are not used alone when the decay or damage to the tooth is too severe. With the advancement in medical technology and the introduction of new and more sophisticated tools and machines, tooth implants have become a very common practice for a dentist. The biggest advantage of implants over other treatments is that they are permanent solutions and may last for a lifetime if properly applied.
If we study the literature, we find that dental implants have a very high success rate - up to 92%. Complications only occur if the dentist is inexperienced or has not been able to rightly diagnose your problem. Otherwise, the procedure is meant to be totally safe and reliable. A tooth implant is very secure and durable. This procedure is often used in cosmetic dentistry for a complete smile makeover in addition to veneers, bonding and fillings.
Another reason for the superiority of dental implants over other procedures is the material used in the making of artificial tooth roots. Normally titanium is employed to manufacture artificial roots which is a very light weight and durable metal. In addition to this, other effective metals are also added to pure titanium to make it stronger and longer lasting. Most people do not develop any adverse reactions, allergies or infections to the implanted tooth made of titanium. This is another reason which makes dental
implants more suitable than other treatments.
Bridgework requires the support of neighboring teeth in order to be fully applied. Furthermore, bridges are not helpful in sustaining braces or other dental appliances for a long time when there is a need to correct the alignment of crooked teeth. Dental implants, on the other hand, have been found to be very useful in this regard. If you do not want to wear removable dentures, tooth implants will prove to be the most effective and long lasting treatment for your missing teeth.
However, to complete the procedure of dental implants, bridgework, bonding and crowns are often required. For this you may need the services of more than one dentist including an oral surgeon and a periodontist. Because of this reason, implants are more expensive than other ordinary dental or cosmetic procedures. But if we consider their long-term benefits, we find that this investment is very cost-effective. A tooth implant is by far the most beneficial treatment for the replacement of missing, broken or decayed teeth and it has been found to be better than all other alternatives
available in dentistry.
What is Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry?
September 15, 2008
Restorative dentistry involves the use of crowns and bridges to restore a person’s smile by replacing broken, crooked or decayed teeth. Cosmetic dentistry, on the other hand, deals with improving the aesthetics of the mouth by using certain dental procedures such as bonding, fillings and implants. Although both these types involve the use of restorative methods to improve the appearance of the teeth, they are considered two separate branches of dentistry. While crowns and bridges are often required for the treatment of common teeth problems and oral diseases, cosmetic procedures are merely employed for the improvement of the smile.
Restorative methods are required to complement fillings, bonding and implants. Because of this reason, restorative and cosmetic procedures are used in relation to one another. But many a times only crowns or bridges may prove to be sufficient to complete the job of restoring natural teeth. Crowns are usually used to repair a single decayed or broken tooth. There are many types of crowns depending on their material and the function they perform. Crowns are also used as an alternative to fillings because amalgam fillings are now considered dangerous for health.
Crowns and bridges are commonly employed to prevent deterioration of gum disease or other oral conditions. As such these treatments serve to strengthen a tooth and put a stop to further decay. A dental crown may be prescribed by a dentist to improve the appearance of a repaired or restored tooth. Normally porcelain crowns are used for the front teeth because this material is very close in resemblance to the natural tooth color. But this type of a crown is usually used for improving the appearance of the teeth and therefore porcelain veneers can prove to be a better option in such a case.
This brings us back to cosmetic dentistry. Veneers are very commonly used by cosmetic dentists to repair chipped, stained and decayed teeth. This procedure is totally painless and less expensive as compared to other cosmetic and restorative procedures. Porcelain veneers are used in a complete smile makeover to give a natural look to the teeth and also to prevent further decay and damage. People who have severely discolored teeth due to overuse of tobacco products, tea and coffee should opt for porcelain or other types of dental veneers.
A dental bridge, which is a restorative method, is used to restore a person’s ability to properly chew and to fill the gaps between teeth. There are many types of bridges currently in use by the dentists. Traditional bridges are made up of porcelain or other ceramic materials. Some bridges also require the use of metal structures to hold them in place. Bonding is used to complete bridgework and to support the newly implanted teeth.
Although many of the above mentioned dental treatments are similar in terms of functionality, they are entirely different from one another in terms of materials used and the overall procedure. They are also different in the context of price. Cosmetic procedures usually require the services of more than one dentist and therefore they are more expensive than traditional dental procedures. However, your dentist will be able to tell what type of procedure is required to completely cure your particular oral condition.
How You Can Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist
September 8, 2008
We often feel stressed before an appointment with a dentist. The thought of going through a routine check-up or a dental procedure makes us nervous and uncomfortable. Many people suffer from dental phobia or fear of the dentist. Because of this condition they refuse to go through any dental procedure that involves the use of needles or drills. This is also termed as dental anxiety and it’s a very common problem among adults as well as children. However, now there are methods available that can help you overcome your fear of the dentist. These methods come under a branch of dentistry known as sedation or sleep dentistry.
In sedation dentistry the patient is put to a sleep-like state so that he or she cannot feel the pain. Although the name is “sleep dentistry”, the patient, in most cases, is fully awake and conscious throughout the procedure. However, he or she cannot feel the pain or move reflexively because of the sedative being given. There are basically five types of sedation methods used to create this sleep-like state. They all come under pain-free dentistry and allow a smooth and painless procedure to be carried out by the dentist.
These methods include inhalation sedation, intravenous sedation, intramuscular sedation, oral sedation and deeper sedation. The first four of these methods come under conscious sedation dentistry because the patient remains conscious during the procedure. The last one requires the use of general anesthesia to put the patient into a deep sleep such that he or she is not aware of what is going on. However, this type of sedation is normally not employed for dental procedures as they are not that much painful. But sometimes when the dental phobia is difficult to control, this method might be prescribed by the dentist.
To overcome the dental phobia, you can opt for oral or inhalation sedation dentistry. Both these types are harmless and do not require the use of heavy drugs. In oral sedation method, the patient is given an oral sedative before the treatment. This drug helps to put the patient into a relaxed state of mind such that when the actual treatment starts, he or she is not able to feel any sensation or pain. Inhalation sedation works in a similar manner. This method involves the use of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, which is inhaled before the treatment. Most patients with dental anxiety are given this type of sedative as it does not have any side effects and is very easy to use.
Intravenous sedation is used as an alternative to oral sedation when the procedure involves the use of needles or other surgical instruments. Usually people are terrified of the dental equipment and to have power over the reflexive or uncontrollable movements of the patients, dentists usually use intravenous sedation. Although it is a common notion that this type of sedation is very close to deeper sedation in which the patient has no recollection of what happened later on, in intravenous sedation the patient is fully awake and it is also a safe method.
Another type of method used to overcome dental phobia is known as intramuscular sedation method. This method does not involve the use of oral sedatives or intravenous drugs. It merely involves injecting a mild sedative drug into the patient’s muscle. This procedure is normally used for children as it brings about the sleep-like state very quickly.