Cosmetic dentistry isn’t always just about good looks. Many of these treatments can improve various oral problems, such as correcting your bite. They are also not necessarily restricted to the teeth. Some people encounter problems with gum pigmentation or uneven gums. Periodontal procedures exist that address these difficulties as well.
Generally, cosmetic dental procedures include whitening, bonding, crowns, veneers, and the reshaping and contouring of teeth. If you have a cosmetic concern, it is a good idea to have heart-to-heart talk with your dentist and ask lots of questions. Among them:
What can I expect the changes will look like?
What should I experience throughout the course of treatment?
What type of maintenance will be required by me or by the dentist?
Television has certainly popularized cosmetic dentistry with such shows as Extreme Makeover and, at times, it can be as complex as a total smile reconstruction. At other times, cosmetic dentistry may be as simple as correcting the appearance of a single tooth. In short, it is what is right for you, what fits your budget, and makes you feel better about your smile!
Many of my patients have seen me use a dental instrument called a Diagnodent in the office. It is one of the latest diagnostic tools in dentistry.
No more poking and prodding. No additional radiation. No waiting until the film develops. A laser now detects cavities. And it may do it more accurately than conventional x-rays in many cases. How does it do it? It measures the amount of enamel and dentin lost and assigns a number using a special scale. The number helps the dentist decide if the tooth needs a filling or should just be checked again in several months. Small amounts of decay can disappear if the tooth hardens the softened enamel, a process called remineralization.
It gives you such accurate readings that if you decide to watch a tooth, six months down the road, you’ll rescan the tooth and check the reading. Sometimes we may find the numbers get smaller.
The device (the Diagnodent) is painless, and very safe. It does not necessarily find more decay. It helps us decide if it’s true decay. If small cavities are detected, patients can take steps that will help to remineralize the tooth and may avoid a filling entirely.
This new laser cavity detection system does not replace all x-ray technology. But it is one more tool we have to help keep your cavities small and your dental bill smaller.
From time to time we may mention a dental product designed to address a particular dental condition. We also realize it isn’t always easy to keep track of all those products. For that reason we have compiled a list of various items we may have discussed in one convenient location. If it is something we feel can help with dental or general health and we can provide you with access, you may find it there. If, on the other hand, there is something we talked about that you can’t find referenced here, please don’t hesitate to email us for more information. We’ll do our best to get back to you in a timely manner. Click HERE to view the ToothWiz Health Store.
Update: November 7, 2023. The ToothWiz Store is currently in the process of being updated. At this time we are featuring just a few core products. Please stand by as we bring our offerings up to date. Thanks for your patience.
theyIll-fitting dentures have about four dentist-related remedies and two patient-related ones.
Let’s look at the latter category first:
When patients experience loose dentures, they typically try an adhesive to stabilize them. The use of adhesives for well-fitting dentures is generally not a problem. Even a perfectly made denture can dislodge under certain circumstances. Sneezing, for example, can cause a denture to come loose. The added security provided by an adhesive gives people confidence that they won’t experience an embarrasing moment.
The second patient-remedy for a poor fit is that many people simply stop wearing them — especially the lower denture.
As one might imagine, its not much of a solution.
On the dentist’s side, here are the most common remedies:
Adjustment: If an irritation is minor, this may be the simplest appropriate solution.
Reline: When a denture is still in good condition, but your mouth has changed — as can occur even with losing or gaining weight — it can often be re-fitted to the current shape of your palate or lower ridge.
Re-make: Sometimes, the best solution is a new set of dentures. Too many adjustments, relines or repairs can so compromise the fit that it opens the door to new problems. Unfortunately, many people hold on to old dentures like an old pair of shoes. They don’t fit well, they will visibly move while speaking and eating — and yet the person becomes so used to this, it can be difficult for the individual to part with their “old friend”.
Implants: A loose lower denture can be secured to either two conventional implants or four mini-implants. You will typically require an evaluation to determine which is right for you. Many patients have considered this procedure to be a “life-changer” for them, transforming a set of dentures that simply could not be worn because of inadequate support, to comfortable, retentive dentures that allow for eating, speaking and good appearance.
Check with your dentist to see which solution is right for you.
My guess is that it is either because you are compelled to do so by law, or (if you live in the U.S.) you believe the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), who claim that seat belts save about 13,000 lives a year, nationwide.
The few seconds it takes you to snap on your seat belt buckle reduces the chance of dying in a car crash by 45%, and of being injured by about half. Nevertheless, seat belts are not likely to play a big role in saving your life, because chances are you won’t find yourself in a serious automobile accident. Let’s face it, fortunately, most people never find themselves in that circumstance.
On the other hand, gum disease (either gingivitis or periodontal disease) affects up to 80 percent of the population.
In other articles, you may have heard that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. The shocking reality is that this is probably the least notable consequence of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is a significant risk factor for stroke, heart disease, certain respiratory problems, low birth-weight infants, and some forms of cancer.
While very few people will die in a car crash, a great deal more will die from a heart attack, stroke, or cancer. Addressing periodontal disease via preventive techniques can significantly reduce your chances of dying from any one of these afflictions.
If this simple logic is not enough to convince you of the need to brush after meals, floss daily and eat a healthy diet, it may help you to know that over the past few decades, there have been hundreds of peer-reviewed medical studies published in journals showing periodontal disease to be a risk factor for heart attacks.
While periodontal disease is certainly not the only factor in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases or cancer, there is definitely a link. The modern thinking regarding the connection has to do with the long-term inflammatory nature of gum disease. In simple terms, periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gums and bone supporting the teeth. As with most any infection in the body, this leads to inflammation.
Often having no symptoms that are detectable by the patient, bacteria from periodontal disease can affect blood vessels on the walls of your heart. If you have gum disease, the bacteria can easily invade the blood stream through one of many open portals. Let’s face it, it is a relatively short trip from the mouth to the heart after all.
Bacteria in the blood may also stimulate liver production of C-reactive proteins and fibrinogen. Both these substances have been linked to heart attacks.
Persons who successfully treated their periodontal disease have also been shown to experience improved cholesterol levels and demonstrated lowered blood pressure. Most readers will recognize these as factors frequently associated with cardiovascular disease.
The bottom line: while we generally don’t hesitate to snap on a seat belt because it may save our lives, not enough of the population understand that oral health basics save more lives than buckling-up! Added benefits? Saving teeth (which leads to better digestion and less need for heartburn medications), fresher breath, and avoiding painful toothaches or complicated dental procedures — which also translates to more dollars in your pocket.
Dr. Richard Walicki is a dentist practicing general and cosmetic dentistry. While we hope you find the information contained herein interesting and useful, this blog is for informational purposes and is not intended to diagnose any oral disease. Dental conditions should be evaluated by your dental health professional or a qualified specialist.
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