Can cracked, worn, discolored or broken teeth be
fixed with cosmetic dentistry?
For over 100 years, dentists have been using silver-mercury amalgam fillings to restore decayed or broken teeth.
The only other alternative was gold and that was always too expensive for most people.
Now there is a new and more conservative way to restore teeth using tooth-colored resin fillings. The resin is
made up of glass particles in a plastic matrix. At Mission Trails Dentistry we bond the putty-like material to
the tooth with a high-intensity light. This hardens the material and allows it to be shaped and polished for immediate
use.
Once completed, the tooth has a natural appearance and will actually regain about 90% of its original strength
due to the strength of the adhesive agent used to bond the resin to the tooth. Resin restorations not only look
better, but they are stronger and last longer than the old silver-amalgam fillings.
Please call our office with any questions you may have about the benefits of resin restorations.
What is a Crown?
Teeth are often restored with fillings of silver or composite plastics. These materials can often accomplish the
aim of replacing the part of the tooth that has been lost in a strong and good-looking manner.
However, there comes a point where the damage to the tooth has removed too much structure to hold a filling. The
restoration must be done by a technique that will attach to the remaining tooth, stand up under heavier use and
meet more elaborate cosmetic requirements.
The crown is the dental restoration that can strengthen and restore the entire top of a tooth. The crown can also
be part of the attachment of a fixed bridge for the replacement of teeth. The tooth is strengthened because it
is covered from the outside with a casting of metal or ceramic that will wrap up and splint the tooth.
The chewing of the tooth can be improved because it can be reshaped to match more efficiently with the opposing
teeth. A crown can improve cosmetics by the use of modern ceramic processes that produce translucency and color
that is more natural than has ever been possible.
What do I do if I get my tooth knocked loose?
If the tooth is loose, even extremely so, but is still attached in any way, leave it in place; do not remove it.
If it is out of its socket completely and unattached, but still in the victim's mouth, it is best to have the person
hold it there, if possible, until the Dentist can attempt re-implantation.
If it is out of the mouth, do not let it dry out. Handle it as little as possible, by the crown of the tooth and
not the root. Do not attempt to disinfect the tooth, or scrub it, or remove any tissue attached to it. Call our
office at 619.582.9700 immediately.
If it is recovered from the ground or other soiled area, rinse it off in lukewarm water. Preserve it in milk until
we can examine it. If milk is not available, lukewarm water will suffice.
Time out of the socket is critical in the long-term success of re-implantation. After 30 minutes, the success potential
begins to decline. However, re-implantation by our dentists is still possible after several hours, so the attempt
can still be made even if the tooth has been out for a long period.
What is Root Canal Therapy and why would
I need it?
Many people flinch when their dentists tell them they need root canal therapy. While dentists are sympathetic to
fears of pain we also want you to know that root canal therapy has three purposes:
1. Stop the tooth ache.
2. Prevent bacteria and pain from spreading into the jaw.
3. Maintain the original tooth instead of replacing it with a denture, bridge of implant.
The root canal is actually a channel that runs from the root of the tooth, which connects to the bone, up to the
top surface of the tooth. The canal contains blood vessels, nerves, and the complex cells that make up the living
tissue inside the tooth. This lifeline inside the tooth is called the pulp.
When a tooth is decayed or cracked, bacteria can get to the pulp. The acid from the bacteria irritates the pulp
and it becomes inflamed; it's the same process you watch when other parts of your body become infected. When the
pulp tissue becomes inflamed, it's harder for blood to flow to the tissue, and the resulting pressure creates pain
inside your tooth.
How are Dental health and Diet related?
Diets low in certain nutrients reduce resistance to oral and dental infections, that is, periodontal disease (gum
disease) and decay. At Mission Trails Dentistry we feel a healthy immune system is essential to controlling periodontal
disease.
Counseling in the Four Basic Food groups will improve dental health and general health. The consumption of sugar,
especially in sticky forms or in a baby bottle while sleeping, contributes to the rapid development of dental decay.
The trace nutrient fluoride, may not be adequately supplied by bottle or municipal water supplies throughout the
San Diego area. Supplementation with oral tablets and topical application will reduce the incidence of dental decay
by more than 60%.
Together, a balanced diet, daily use of fluoride, effective brushing, flossing and sensible eating habits can reduce
the risk of, or even prevent, infectious dental disease.
Please don't hesitate to call us at 619.582.9700 if you need more information on diet or fluoride supplementation
and its relationship to dental health.
What is Gum Disease and how is it treated?
The American Dental Association says that over 75-80% of all adults have or will have some form of gum disease.
Gum disease, or more correctly called "periodontal disease", is a bacterial infection in the gums and
supporting structures of the teeth. It can be divided into several categories.
The first stage is called "gingivitis" and is characterized by gum tissue that is red, puffy, and bleeds
easily when touched with a toothbrush, floss or dental instrument.
The second, third, and fourth stages are initial, moderate, and advanced "periodontal disease", respectively.
These stages are different from gingivitis because the infection has destroyed the bone supporting the teeth, causing
eventual tooth loss.
At Mission Trails Dentistry the treatment is more involved at these stages, usually consisting of a special cleaning
with anesthesia and possibly Laser gum treatment to reduce or eliminate the need for gum surgery.
Why is gum disease considered silent and deadly?
Periodontal disease or gum disease can go on for years without pain and without detection unless specific examination
procedures are performed.
Visual oral examination by itself (even by a dentist) will not reliably detect periodontal disease until it has
reached an advanced stage. Early detection and adequate diagnosis require measurement of pockets (the crevice between
the tooth and gum) with a periodontal probe.
At Mission Trails Dentistry effective prevention and treatment is available, but the damage caused as the disease
progresses is irreversible. Early detection by our dentists and treatment is critical to prevent tooth loss and
disfigurement. Although the procedure is simple, painless and requires only a few minutes, millions of American
adults have never had it done.
Signs of periodontal disease include bleeding gums, redness of gum tissue, swelling of gums around the teeth, breath
odor, receding gums, mobility of teeth.
When should my child start orthodontic treatment?
At Mission Trails Dentistry we use a simple guidelines and feel that children should be examined at the time the
permanent teeth are beginning to come in. However, every child is different, and the best starting time for orthodontic
treatment depends on the type of problem and how severe it is.
So the answer really is: "It depends..."
If your child requires treatment, early intervention can make a real difference. We see the best results with treatments
that would be impossible once your child's face and jaw have completely developed. Also, when started early, completion
of treatment at a later age is much easier.
During an initial examination, your dentist will evaluate your child's facial growth, spacing between teeth, crowding,
extra or missing teeth. And they will look for habits like tongue-thrusting and thumb-sucking that may hinder normal
growth and development.
These problems can change tooth alignment as well as alter facial appearance.
If your child doesn't require any early treatment, most dentists will schedule periodic follow-up exams while the
permanent teeth are coming in and the face and jaws continue to grow.
Orthodontic treatment can bring your child's teeth, lips and face into harmony. And we all know that a pleasing
appearance and beautiful smile give children -- and adults -- a big advantage in life.
Where are cavities most likely to start and
how do I prevent they?
Fluoride has been a great benefit to patients of all ages in helping prevent dental decay. Regular brushing and
flossing lowers the chance of developing "cavities."
At Mission Trails Dentistry we know that the most decay-prone areas of teeth are the grooves and depressions on
the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which require further preventive care.
To prevent decay, a plastic-like coating called a sealant should be painted on the chewing surfaces of all the
back teeth. Studies have shown that sealants can reduce tooth decay by as much as 90% to 100%.
The American Dental Association recommends that sealants be placed as soon as the first adult back teeth come in
at age 6 or 7. Sealants should continue to be used as each adult back tooth comes into the mouth. All back teeth
that need to be sealed are present by age 13. Sealant application is simple, fast, and painless.
Should I whiten my teeth?
Advanced dental techniques now available at Mission Trails Dentistry can provide you with exciting, new options
for enhancing your smile. Revolutionary methods are now available for whitening teeth to make smiles sparkle!
Teeth whitening lightens the color of teeth whether darkened from age, coffee, tea or tobacco. Its brightening
effects can last up to five years after the treatment depending on your personal habits, such as smoking or drinking
coffee or tea.
Whitening teeth has a higher than 90% success rate at Mission Trails Dentistry. Whitening is tough on stains but
gentle on your teeth! Results vary depending on several factors such as teeth stained from smoking; from taking
certain medications such as tetracycline during tooth development; or from fluorosis, a condition occurring in
the presence of too much fluoride.
Whitening will not lighten fillings or artificial materials used in dental repair as for crowns, porcelain veneers,
etc. Our dentists may discourage treatment if you have sensitive teeth, periodontal disease, teeth with worn enamel
or if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
Is tooth whitening safe?
Research over the last five years has proven whitening to be both safe and effective. The American Dental Association's
seal of approval has been given to a wide range of tooth whitening products.
Generally, the only side effect from treatment may be some sensitivity to hot and cold foods. If this occurs, sensitivity
normally disappears within 48 hours.
What are Dental implants?
A dental implant is a titanium metal replacement for a root of a tooth that is surgically implanted in the jawbone.
As the body heals for approximately two to six months after the surgery, the bone around the implant fuses to the
implant through a process called osseointegration.
After the healing phase is complete, the implants are used to anchor crowns, bridges, or dentures. |
