With Proper Care, Veneers are a Long-Term Option for Stained Teeth

Your otherwise beautiful smile has one noticeable flaw - one or more of your teeth are deeply discolored or stained. More than likely this staining is deep within the teeth, what we refer to as intrinsic staining. There are a number of reasons this can occur - from fillings or use of antibiotics, for example - and our first approach should be to attempt a whitening technique.

However, if that doesn't produce the desired result, porcelain laminate veneers are another option you might consider. Veneers are made of dental porcelain, a bio-compatible material that can be shaped and colored to closely match neighboring teeth. After a minimal amount of tooth reduction (removal of some of the enamel from the tooth surface) to prepare for the laminate, the veneers are then permanently bonded to the tooth surface and cover the discolored natural tooth. Besides changing the appearance of discolored or stained teeth, veneers can also be used to correct other imperfections such as chipped or misshapen teeth.

Patients, however, have a common question: how long will the veneers last? With proper care, veneers can last anywhere from seven years to more than twenty years. It's possible, though, to damage them - for example, you can break them if you bite down on something that goes beyond the porcelain's tolerance range, such as cracking nut shells with your teeth (not a good idea even for natural teeth!). You should also keep in mind that veneers are composed of inert, non-living material and are attached and surrounded by living gum tissue that can change over time. This process may eventually alter your appearance to the point that the veneer may need to be removed and reapplied to improve the look of your smile.

If a veneer is damaged, all is not necessarily lost. It may be possible to re-bond a loosened veneer or repair a chipped area. The worst case is replacement of the veneer altogether. Chances are, though, this will only happen after the veneer has already served you - and your smile - for many years.

If you would like more information on porcelain laminate veneers, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article "Porcelain Veneers."

Did You Know? Lea Michele Had Her Wisdom Teeth Removed!

Not long ago, Glee star Lea Michele had all of her wisdom teeth removed. This is a very common procedure that people in their twenties, like Michele, often undergo to prevent serious dental problems down the road. The actress found that the procedure really was actually not very difficult to tolerate.

"Feeling all better from my surgery!" she tweeted to fans a few days later. "Back to work tomorrow."

Why do wisdom teeth so often cause problems? For one thing, they come in years later than the other 28 permanent teeth - usually between the ages of 17 and 25. By that time, there is often no room in the jaw to accommodate them. As man has evolved, the jaws have actually become smaller in size - often creating a lack of space for the wisdom teeth to erupt into proper position. If wisdom teeth become blocked (impacted) by other molars that are already there, infection and damage to neighboring teeth may result.

Sometimes the wisdom teeth themselves cause the problem by growing in at an odd angle. They push against other teeth, often compromising the adjacent tooth's supporting bone. While you would think pain would occur if any of these problems were present, that does not always alert us to a wisdom-tooth problem. It's usually diagnosed with the help of x-rays.

Wisdom tooth extraction is often performed in the dental office using a local anesthetic (numbing shot) to keep you from experiencing any pain, along with conscious sedation to help you relax. The type of anesthesia that's best for you will be determined before the procedure.

After we gently remove the tooth or teeth, you may need to have the site sutured (stitched) to promote healing. You will rest for a short time before going home, and may need to have someone drive you, depending on what type of anesthesia you were given.

Once you get home, you should apply an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for about five minutes on, five minutes off for as many hours as possible to help reduce any postoperative swelling on the first day. Starting on the second day, the warm moist heat of a washcloth placed on the cheek and hot salt water rinses will make you more comfortable. You may want to eat soft foods and brush your teeth very carefully during the recovery period, which lasts only a few days as Lea Michele discovered. Before you know it, you'll be "feeling all better!"

If you have any questions about wisdom teeth, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article "Wisdom Teeth."

Giuliana and Bill Rancic Talk Tooth Decay

For some kids, having a cavity or two is just part of growing up. Not for Giuliana Rancic. When she was a child, the TV personality didn't have a single cavity - and she still doesn't. But for her husband Bill, co-star of the Style Network reality show Giuliana and Bill, it was a different story. A cavity-prone kid, he was never certain what a visit to the dentist might hold in store. "I can still remember the anticipation," he recently told Dear Doctor magazine. "I always hoped I would get out of the checkups without a cavity!"

Why do some people get more cavities than others? There are a number of factors at work, but to understand it better, let's look at how tooth decay occurs.

How Cavities Form
Cavities - also called dental caries - are small pits or holes in the teeth that are caused by tooth decay. Tooth decay itself is a chronic disease that can flare up when plaque isn't kept under control. A thin, bacteria-laden film, plaque sticks to tooth surfaces both above and below the gum line, and can build up in the absence of effective oral hygiene.

Of course, everyone has bacteria in their mouth, both "good" and "bad" (pathogenic) types. But when the bad guys outnumber the good, trouble can start. When you consume sweets, plaque bacteria process the sugars and release acid as a byproduct. The acid eats into tooth surfaces, causing decay - and cavities that need filling. Left untreated, decay can work its way into the tooth's pulp, resulting in infection and pain. Eventually, treatment might involve a root canal - or, in the worst case, extraction.

What can you do if you seem to be prone to cavities? One effective way to fight tooth decay is by maintaining good oral hygiene. Brush at least twice daily, for at least two minutes each time. Use a soft-bristled brush and a dab of fluoride toothpaste to clean all around your teeth. Most importantly, floss above and below the gum line, every day. And just as important, don't forget to have regular dental checkups every six months.

A Healthy Balance
Another cavity-fighting strategy is eating a balanced diet. Avoid soda, sugary "energy" drinks and sweet treats - but if you choose to consume sugar, have it with meals instead of between meals. This will give your saliva, which has natural cavity-fighting properties, a chance to work.

"It's all about maintaining a healthy balance," Giuliana told Dear Doctor. And Bill agrees: "I love nuts and fruit for a healthy snack," he said, adding that he's meticulous about brushing and flossing. And when the couple smiles, you can see how those healthy habits pay off.

If you would like more information on preventing tooth decay, or any topic of dental interest, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more about this topic in the Dear Doctor magazine articles "Tooth Decay" and "Tooth Decay - How To Assess Your Risk."

How to Handle a Knocked Out Tooth

It can happen in an instant - your child takes a hard hit to the mouth while playing football, basketball or some other contact sport. Suddenly, he or she faces the severest of dental injuries: a knocked out tooth.

There's both good and bad news about this situation. First, the good news: the knocked out tooth can be reinserted into its socket and take root again. The bad news, though, is that the tooth has only the slimmest of chances for long-term survival - and those chances diminish drastically if the reinsertion doesn't take place within the first five minutes of the injury.

Outside of the five-minute window, it's almost inevitable that the tooth root won't reattach properly with the tiny fibers of the periodontal ligament, the sling-like tissue that normally holds the tooth in place to the jawbone. Instead, the root may fuse directly with the bone rather than via the ligament, forming what is called ankylosis. This will ultimately cause the root to melt away, a process known as resorption, and result in loss of the tooth.

Of course, the resorption process will vary with each individual - for some, tooth loss may occur in just a few years, while for others the process could linger for decades. The best estimate would be four to seven years, but only if the tooth receives a root canal treatment to remove any dead tissue from the tooth pulp and seal it from possible infection. Over time the tooth may darken significantly and require whitening treatment. Because the tooth may be fused directly to the jawbone it can't grow normally as its neighbor teeth will and thus may appear uneven in the smile line. From a cosmetic point of view, it may be best at that time to remove the tooth and replace it with an implant or other cosmetic solution.

In many ways the longevity of the tooth post-injury really depends on time - the time it takes to reinsert the knocked out tooth into its socket. The quicker you take action, the better the chances the tooth will survive.

If you would like more information on treating a knocked out tooth, or any topic of dental interest, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article "Knocked Out Tooth: How Long Will a Tooth Last After Replantation?"

To sleep, perchance to dream...

Having Trouble Sleeping? We May be Able to Help!

If you have trouble sleeping on a regular basis or your sleep seems inadequate, you have plenty of company — it's estimated that 50-70 million Americans suffer from some type of chronic sleep disorder. Believe it or not, we may be able to help.

Sleep, that period of unconsciousness that is part of the natural rhythm of daily life, is essential to both physical and mental health. The precise reason why we sleep isn't known for sure, but there are a number of theories: it enables the body to conserve energy; it gives the brain time to reorganize; or it allows the immune system to recharge. Whatever the purpose, you can't live a healthy life without regular quality sleep.

Of the causes for poor sleep, most fall into three categories: insomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, and sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD). The latter describes a number of conditions, the most serious of which is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). A patient with OSA has recurring episodes through the sleep period where the amount of air inhaled while breathing is severely reduced or even ceases. This happens because tissues in the back of the throat around the windpipe collapse. If not treated, more than your sleep will suffer — the condition can aggravate cardiovascular and metabolic problems and lead to possible brain damage.

As your dentist, we can play a major role in helping you uncover and manage OSA or other sleep-related breathing problems. First, it's quite possible we would be the first healthcare professionals to diagnose your OSA during routine dental exams. Some of the most telling signs we may be able to detect are enlarged structures in the mouth such as tonsils, the uvula and the tongue; the more enlarged, the more restricted the airway may be. It's also not uncommon for a patient suffering from OSA to doze off while sitting in our examination chair.

We're also the only healthcare professional with the training and skills to make and fit the appliances used for Oral Appliance Therapy, one of two non-invasive treatments for sleep-related breathing disorders (the other is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, also known as CPAP).

If you would like more information on sleep-related breathing disorders and how we can help, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Sleep Disorders & Dentistry.”

For information on this topic, or any topic of dental interest, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151.

Do you wish you had a better smile?

How to Fix the Top 5 Things Considered Unattractive in a Smile

A great smile can do wonders for your self-confidence and career prospects. Conversely, three quarters of us believe, according to a recent survey, that an unattractive smile can hurt a person's chances for career success. We'd like to share with you the top five things the survey respondents considered unattractive in a smile, along with some cosmetic dental treatments that have proven successful in remedying them.

1. Discolored, yellow, or stained teeth. Teeth whitening is one of the most economical cosmetic dental treatments available. It can be done right here at the dental office, or at home with custom-made whitening trays and prescription-strength bleaching gel. Porcelain veneers, which are extremely thin tooth coverings, offer a more permanent solution.
2. Missing teeth. There are several good options to replace missing teeth but we think dental implants are the best. An implant tooth consists of a small titanium post attached to a completely natural-looking dental crown. The crown is the only part of this tooth-replacement system that is visible in the mouth; the titanium implant sits beneath the gum line.
3. Crooked teeth. The best solution will depend on how far out of alignment the teeth actually are. Sometimes minor alignment problems can be taken care of with porcelain veneers. For more serious alignment issues, orthodontics works best.
4. Decaying teeth and cavities. Dental disease is completely preventable with meticulous oral hygiene, which includes daily brushing and flossing, along with regular professional cleanings here at the dental office. However, if you do wind up with a cavity, we can use mercury-free, tooth-colored filling material so that your restored smile looks great.
5. Gaps and spaces between teeth. Small spaces can often be remedied with porcelain veneers and composite bonding. For larger gaps, orthodontics may be necessary.

Of course, the best treatment plan for you will depend on your individual situation, and the reasons underlying any cosmetic issues you may have. This is something we can only determine after we have examined you. So if you are unhappy with anything about your smile, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. We look forward to working with you to design the smile of your dreams! Learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Beautiful Smiles by Design” and “Celebrity Smiles.”

For information on this topic, or any topic of dental interest, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151.