Questions
- What is the difference between a crown and a veneer?
- What is the difference between a filling and an inlay / onlay?
- What is neuromuscular dentistry?
- I have never smoked – do I still need oral cancer examinations?
- I am missing a tooth. What is the best way to replace it?
- Why do you not use amalgam (“silver”) fillings?
- What exactly is teeth whitening and will it harm my teeth?
- Why is tooth whitening different in your office vs. the stuff you can buy over the counter?
- What can I do to keep my teeth healthy and make my restorations last a long time?
Answers
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What is the difference between a crown and a veneer? ↑
Crown (“cap”): a full-coverage restoration made of porcelain, gold, or porcelain fused to noble metal. It is indicated to protect teeth that have been compromised by decay, root canal treatment, large restorations, or when the desired esthetic effect cannot be attained by placing a veneer.
Veneer: a thin shell of porcelain bonded to the outer surface of the tooth (enamel) to correct worn enamel; to improve the color of teeth darkened by coffee, tea and cigarettes; to create ideal tooth shape; to esthetically straighten teeth that are too crowded or “gappy”. Veneers are very conservative restorations that are placed over teeth to improve esthetics.
Crowns and veneers are usually placed in just two visits, and because they are both made of porcelain, they will never stain and will retain their whiteness – permanently!
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What is the difference between a filling and an inlay / onlay? ↑
Filling: a restoration that is placed to replace tooth structure lost due to a small cavity or a small fracture. These tooth colored composite restorations are placed in one visit.
Inlay / Onlay: a restoration that is placed when a larger portion of a tooth is missing due to decay or fracture, or a leaking old filling. These restorations are tooth colored. Inlays and onlays are processed by a laboratory under heat and pressure, which makes them very strong and durable, and very resistant to the harsh environment of the mouth and the heavy forces of mastication (chewing).
Both composite fillings and resin inlays / onlays are bonded (chemically and mechanically attached) to the tooth. The bonding process helps strengthen and reinforce the natural tooth structure, bringing back up to 75% of its initial strength, rather than weakening it as older restorations have done in the past.
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What is neuromuscular dentistry? ↑
Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the health of the muscles that move the jaw and the TMJ (the joint that supports the opening and closing of our jaw). Neuromuscular dentistry places the jaw into its optimal position, relieving the symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).
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I have never smoked – do I still need oral cancer examinations? ↑
Absolutely! Oral cancer screening is part of all routine dental examinations. Regular check-ups are essential in early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. There are many instances of non-smokers that have developed cancerous lesions in the oral cavity. These lesions may be very small, asymptomatic, but extremely dangerous, so it is imperative to have regular oral cancer screenings performed by a dentist.
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I am missing a tooth. What is the best way to replace it? ↑
There are three different options in tooth replacement.
Implant: these are titanium screws placed into the jaw to support dental restorations. They become fused with the bone after placement, and a tooth-resembling crown is later placed on top. Dental implants are durable, and often offer a permanent solution to tooth loss.
Bridge: a dental bridge is a false tooth (pontic) that is fused between two crowns (abutments) to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. The crowns that hold the pontic are attached to teeth on both sides of the missing tooth. A bridge is not removable.
Removable partial denture: a removable appliance used to replace one or more missing teeth. It is not fixed in place like a bridge or an implant.
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Why do you not use amalgam (“silver”) fillings? ↑
“Silver” or amalgam fillings contain anywhere between 48 and 55 percent mercury, 33-35 percent silver, and various amount of copper, tin, zinc and traces of other metals. Mercury is a powerful poison. Research shows that mercury is more toxic than lead, cadmium, and even arsenic. Even in small amounts, mercury can damage the brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, thyroid glands, adrenal gland, blood cells, enzymes, and hormones, and suppress the body’s immune system. Mercury has been shown to pass the placental membrane in pregnant woman and cause permanent damage to the brain of the developing baby.
Mercury is continually released from amalgam dental fillings in the form of the mercury vapor and abraded particles. This process is increased as much as 15 fold by chewing, brushing, and exposure to hot liquid. The World Health Organization has recently concluded that the daily intake of mercury from amalgam dental fillings exceeded the combined intake of mercury derived from air, water and food (including fish).
In addition to being highly toxic, amalgam has no adhesive properties, and does NOT help increase the strength of the tooth like the resin bonded restorations do. In fact, it makes teeth more susceptible to breakage and fracture because it can act like a wedge inside the tooth. Amalgam fillings also require removal of more tooth structure than a resin composite filling.
Therefore, for your safety and the longevity of your teeth, amalgam fillings are never used in our practice.
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What exactly is teeth whitening and will it harm my teeth? ↑
Teeth can be whitened in one of two ways, at home or in our office. If you are looking for a way to get the super white, “Hollywood smile”, you may consider doing a combination of both.
In-office teeth whitening: the first thing we do is isolate your gums with a special material to protect them; then, a gel is applied and, depending on the type of material, a light may or may not be used. The process takes about one hour.
At-home teeth whitening: we take impressions of your teeth, and fabricate clear plastic trays. These trays will get filled with tooth whitening material, and then fit directly over the teeth, to be worn in the comfort of your home.
Teeth whitening has been around for several decades, and millions of people have had this treatment (including all members of our team!) without any serious or long lasting problems. Occasionally, transient sensitivity may arise and last 24-48 hours, but it does not last a very long time.
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Why is tooth whitening different in your office vs. the stuff you can buy over the counter? ↑
When it comes to tooth whitening, there are many different choices available. Some are over the counter at your local drug store, some are in the “whitening kiosks” at the mall, and of course, the best, safest, and most effective ones are at the dentists’ office.
Even though various companies claim to be “safe” and “effective”, the best way to achieve the white, beautiful smile is at the dentist’s office. Because the gums are isolated during the whitening process, a stronger material is used, and gum damage is avoided. Whitening teeth in a professionally controlled environment also means that if a problem shall arise, you are able to access help, if necessary. Not to mention, the results you get from whitening products prescribed by the dentist are spectacular!
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What can I do to keep my teeth healthy and make my restorations last a long time? ↑
Regular check-ups: In order to ensure longevity of your teeth and restorations, we recommend periodic cleanings and check-ups. Ideally, having your teeth cleaned every 4 months is advised.
Brushing / Flossing: We recommend brushing AT LEAST twice daily, and flossing once to remove the bacteria and debris lodged between and around your teeth. We also recommend brushing your tongue once daily with a tongue scraper to ensure long-lasting fresh breath.
Diet: A diet that is high in fruits / vegetables is always recommended. If you snack frequently on foods that are high in sugar and carbohydrates, make sure to brush your teeth as soon as you can, or drink some water immediately afterwards. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, bad breath, and possible tooth decay.
