Eugene H. Bass. D.M.D., P.C.
FAQs
FAQs
Information from the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) oral health fact sheets or the AGD's consumer website
www.KnowYourTeeth.com
.
What is cosmetic dentistry and how can it improve my smile?
Your dentist can perform a variety of cosmetic procedures to improve your smile – from subtle changes to major repairs. There are many techniques and options to treat teeth that are discolored chipped, misshapen, or missing. Your dentist can reshape your teeth; close spaces restore worn teeth, or alter the length of your teeth. Common procedures include teeth whitening, bonding, caps, crowns, veneers and reshaping and contouring.
Your dentist can perform a variety of cosmetic procedures to improve your smile – from subtle changes to major repairs. There are many techniques and options to treat teeth that are discolored chipped, misshapen, or missing. Your dentist can reshape your teeth; close spaces restore worn teeth, or alter the length of your teeth. Common procedures include teeth whitening, bonding, caps, crowns, veneers and reshaping and contouring.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a common and popular chemical process used to lighten teeth. Some people get their teeth whitened to make stains disappear, while others just want a brighter smile. Discoloration, which occurs in the enamel, can be caused by medication, coffee, tea, and cigarettes. Discoloration also can be due to your genetic makeup or simply from aging. Teeth whitening can be performed by your dentist in the office or, under dental supervision, at home.
Teeth whitening is a common and popular chemical process used to lighten teeth. Some people get their teeth whitened to make stains disappear, while others just want a brighter smile. Discoloration, which occurs in the enamel, can be caused by medication, coffee, tea, and cigarettes. Discoloration also can be due to your genetic makeup or simply from aging. Teeth whitening can be performed by your dentist in the office or, under dental supervision, at home.
What is bonding?
Bonding is the use of tooth-colored material to fill in gaps or change the color of teeth. Bonding last several years and often requires only a single office visit. Bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration. When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resin may be the choice. Bonding also is used to fill small cavities to close spaces between teeth, or to cover the entire outside surface of a tooth.
Bonding is the use of tooth-colored material to fill in gaps or change the color of teeth. Bonding last several years and often requires only a single office visit. Bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration. When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resin may be the choice. Bonding also is used to fill small cavities to close spaces between teeth, or to cover the entire outside surface of a tooth.
What are veneers?
Veneers are placed over the front teeth to change the color or shape of your teeth. Veneers are used on teeth with uneven surfaces; on teeth that are chipped discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced, or crooked; or on teeth that already have large filling placed. Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic that are cemented over the front of your teeth. Veneers are used to treat some of the same problems that bonding is used to treat. Veneers also are an alternative to crowns.
Veneers are placed over the front teeth to change the color or shape of your teeth. Veneers are used on teeth with uneven surfaces; on teeth that are chipped discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced, or crooked; or on teeth that already have large filling placed. Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic that are cemented over the front of your teeth. Veneers are used to treat some of the same problems that bonding is used to treat. Veneers also are an alternative to crowns.
The Replacements
When people lose or break their teeth, the teeth may be replaced with implants. What's involved, an are the benefits? Read on to learn more.
What are implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically anchored to jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. One of the major benefits of implants is that they do not rely on neighboring teeth for support and they are permanent and stable. Implants are a good solution to tooth loss because they look, and feel like natural teeth.
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically anchored to jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. One of the major benefits of implants is that they do not rely on neighboring teeth for support and they are permanent and stable. Implants are a good solution to tooth loss because they look, and feel like natural teeth.
What are implants made of?
Implants material is made from different types of metallic and bone-like ceramic materials that are compatible with body tissues. Most implants are made of titanium, which bonds well with bone and is biocompatible, making it an ideal material for implants.
Implants material is made from different types of metallic and bone-like ceramic materials that are compatible with body tissues. Most implants are made of titanium, which bonds well with bone and is biocompatible, making it an ideal material for implants.
How are implants placed?
First, a general dentist, oral surgeon, or other specialist will perform surgery to place the implant's anchor in the jaw. The surgery can last several hours and it may take as long as six months for the jaw bone to grow around the anchor to hold it firmly in place. Once the implant is stable and the gums have healed, the dentist or specialist makes the artificial teeth and fits them to the post portion of the anchor. Your dentist will work with you to create an implant that fits well and is comfortable and attractive.
First, a general dentist, oral surgeon, or other specialist will perform surgery to place the implant's anchor in the jaw. The surgery can last several hours and it may take as long as six months for the jaw bone to grow around the anchor to hold it firmly in place. Once the implant is stable and the gums have healed, the dentist or specialist makes the artificial teeth and fits them to the post portion of the anchor. Your dentist will work with you to create an implant that fits well and is comfortable and attractive.
Who places the implants?
Depending upon their training, general dentist, oral surgeons, or other specialist can place implants.
Depending upon their training, general dentist, oral surgeons, or other specialist can place implants.
Who should get implants?
Implants are not an option for everyone because implants require surgery, patients must be in good, health, have healthy gums, and have adequate bone structure to support the implants. While lack of adequate bone support is a limitation, additional procedures may be available to create a good implant site. People who are unable to wear dentures also may be good candidates. The success rate for implants decreases dramatically among those who suffer from chronic problems, such as clenching or bruxism, or systemic diseases, such as diabetes. Additionally, people who smoke or drink alcohol may not be good candidates. For more information, talk to your dentist.
Implants are not an option for everyone because implants require surgery, patients must be in good, health, have healthy gums, and have adequate bone structure to support the implants. While lack of adequate bone support is a limitation, additional procedures may be available to create a good implant site. People who are unable to wear dentures also may be good candidates. The success rate for implants decreases dramatically among those who suffer from chronic problems, such as clenching or bruxism, or systemic diseases, such as diabetes. Additionally, people who smoke or drink alcohol may not be good candidates. For more information, talk to your dentist.
What is the difference between Implants and dentures?
While implants are permanently fixed in the mouth, dentures are removable. A conventional removable full denture depend upon support from the bone and soft tissues rather than being solidly fixed in place; as a result, dentures may not offer as much stability as implants.
While implants are permanently fixed in the mouth, dentures are removable. A conventional removable full denture depend upon support from the bone and soft tissues rather than being solidly fixed in place; as a result, dentures may not offer as much stability as implants.
How do I care for implants?
Poor oral hygiene is main reason why some implants fail. It is important to floss and brush around implants at least twice a day. Your dentist will give specific instructions on how to care for your new implants. Additional dental cleaning (up to four times per year) may be necessary to ensure that you retain healthy gums.
Poor oral hygiene is main reason why some implants fail. It is important to floss and brush around implants at least twice a day. Your dentist will give specific instructions on how to care for your new implants. Additional dental cleaning (up to four times per year) may be necessary to ensure that you retain healthy gums.
How will I adjust to implants?
Most people adjust to implants immediately; however, some people feel slight discomfort and notice difference in chewing or speech for a short time. Patients will soon see a difference in their confidence level and enjoy their new smile.
Most people adjust to implants immediately; however, some people feel slight discomfort and notice difference in chewing or speech for a short time. Patients will soon see a difference in their confidence level and enjoy their new smile.
Bruxism
Is work or school stressing you out? You may be taking it out on your teeth through a conditions call bruxism. Bruxism is characterized by grinding of the teeth and is typically accompanied by the clenching of the jaw. Researchers classify bruxism as a habitual behaviors as well as a sleep disorder. Untreated bruxism can lead to other health problems, damage to the teeth and gums, and even temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
What causes bruxism?
Bruxism can have numerous causes, such as bite problems, stress, medical conditions, or certain medications.
Bruxism can have numerous causes, such as bite problems, stress, medical conditions, or certain medications.
What are signs of bruxism?
Most people with bruxism are not aware of the condition and only approximately 5 percent develop symptoms (such as jaw pain and headaches) that require treatment. IN many cases, a sleep partner or parent will notice the bruxism before the person experiencing the problem is even aware of it. The noise resulting in bruxism can be quite loud.
Bruxism can result in abnormal wear patterns on the top surface of the teeth, usually sensitive teeth, notching of the teeth at the gum line, as well as severe damage to the teeth, including fractures. Bruxism also is a signification cause of tooth loss, gum recession, and loosening of the teeth.
Most people with bruxism are not aware of the condition and only approximately 5 percent develop symptoms (such as jaw pain and headaches) that require treatment. IN many cases, a sleep partner or parent will notice the bruxism before the person experiencing the problem is even aware of it. The noise resulting in bruxism can be quite loud.
Bruxism can result in abnormal wear patterns on the top surface of the teeth, usually sensitive teeth, notching of the teeth at the gum line, as well as severe damage to the teeth, including fractures. Bruxism also is a signification cause of tooth loss, gum recession, and loosening of the teeth.
What are the symptoms of bruxism?
The symptoms of bruxism vary and can include anxiety, stress, and tension; depression,; earache, eating disorder; headache; insomnia; and sore or painful jaw. If left untreated, bruxism eventually shortens and blunts the teeth being ground and can lead to facial muscle pain and TMD. In severe chronic cases, it can lead to arthritis of the temporomandibular joints.
The symptoms of bruxism vary and can include anxiety, stress, and tension; depression,; earache, eating disorder; headache; insomnia; and sore or painful jaw. If left untreated, bruxism eventually shortens and blunts the teeth being ground and can lead to facial muscle pain and TMD. In severe chronic cases, it can lead to arthritis of the temporomandibular joints.
How is Bruxism diagnosed?
The patient often becomes aware of the condition during a routine dental examination. Your dentist will be able to recognize the signs of bruxism during a dental exam and may even suggest further analysis of your bruxism, such as recommending an overnight stay at sleep laboratory.
The patient often becomes aware of the condition during a routine dental examination. Your dentist will be able to recognize the signs of bruxism during a dental exam and may even suggest further analysis of your bruxism, such as recommending an overnight stay at sleep laboratory.
How will I adjust to implants?
Most people adjust to implants immediately; however, some people feel slight discomfort and notice difference in chewing or speech for a short time. Patients will soon see a difference in their confidence level and enjoy their new smile.
Most people adjust to implants immediately; however, some people feel slight discomfort and notice difference in chewing or speech for a short time. Patients will soon see a difference in their confidence level and enjoy their new smile.
How is bruxism treated?
There is not always a definitive cure for bruxism, but the signs and symptoms can be reduced or eliminated through dental treatment. Treatments can include mouth guards, bite adjustments, biofeedback devices, and repair of damage teeth.
There is not always a definitive cure for bruxism, but the signs and symptoms can be reduced or eliminated through dental treatment. Treatments can include mouth guards, bite adjustments, biofeedback devices, and repair of damage teeth.
Do you have questions about bruxism?
Talk to your dentist.
Talk to your dentist.
