Archives for June 2023

Getting Dentures- How Do I Prevent Facial Collapse?

Posted on June 27, 2023 by writeradmin.

I recently found out that I have a calcium deficiency. I am recieving treatment for it. At the same time, I’m also having a significant amount of trouble with my teeth. My dentist said because of my calcium deficiency I am fighting a losing battle and he wants me to just extract my teeth and get dentures. The “upside” he told me is that I won’t be throwing time and money away to try and save unsaveable teeth. However, I have read about dentures and how they cause facial collapse. I’m only in my late 30s. Is there some way for me to prevent facial collapse or is it a done deal?

Evelyn

Dear Evelyn,

Implant Supported Dentures

The only way facial collapse is a done deal is if you get completely removable dentures. While the cheapest option, they have the greatest cost when it comes to quality of life. Even the best fitting dentures will reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. Add facial collpase on top of that and in about ten or so years, you won’t even be able to keep your dentures in anymore. Leaving you with no way to chew food at all.

Having implant overdentures placed prevents all of that. The dental implants signal to your body that there are still teeth in your mouth. As a result, it keeps all the minerals in your jawbone, which are necessary to help retain your teeth or, in this case, implant overdentures.

Before you go through this massive expense, I want you to get a second opinion about your teeth. Your teeth were completely formed before you had your calcium deficiency. I have many doubts that this is causing your current dental issues. In fact, I’ve never heard of a calcium deficiency in adulthood causing anyone to have problems with their teeth. What it can cause are cramps, nerve problems, and osteoporosis.

My suspicion is your dentist is one who doesn’t like investing a lot of work in saving teeth. When they show problems, he gets rid of them. In this case, he’s using your calcium deficiency as an excuse. That’s fine for him but can cause a lifetime of problems for you. Find a dentist who is willing to do everything he or she can to save your teeth and you’ll have a much greater quality of life moving forward.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Am I Too Young for Porcelain Veneers?

Posted on June 22, 2023 by writeradmin.

I am 21 years old and want to get a smile makeover. I had braces years ago, but some of the gaps are back. Plus, I was a bit of what my parents dubbed a tom-boy so I’ve chipped quite a few teeth. Now, I’m graduating from college soon and want to start thinking about a professional look. I want a nice smile. Am I too young to get porcelain veneers? If so, would bonding be a good substitute? As for the dentist, my general dentist doesn’t do porcelain veneers but said he’s willing to learn if it is important to me. I’m not sure I want to wait for him to learn so do I just look for one who already does them?

Phoebe

Dear Phoebe,

a porcelain veneer being placed on teeth

I am glad you wrote. You have some great questions. Let’s jump right in. First, you are not too young for porcelain veneers. The important factor is that all your teeth are fully developed. This generally happens around 18 years of age, so you should be fine. I don’t recommend dental bonding for full smile makeovers. They are not as useful over large surfaces. Instead, their sweet spots are small gaps or chips. You mentioned those, but if you have a lot of them and/or want to change other things about your smile, you are still better off with porcelain veneers. They are more durable, as well as beautiful.

You are wise not to go with your general dentist. It takes years of post-doctoral training, as well some natural artistry to be skilled with doing smile makeovers. It is not something taught in dental school, nor is it a recognized specialty. As a result, it is up to the patient to figure out the best dentist to do their smile makeover.

I am going to suggest that you use a dentist who has reached accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists are proven in both their technical knowledge as well as their artistry. You will get a stunning smile.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Dental Bonding Staining After Two Weeks

Posted on June 9, 2023 by writeradmin.

I had dental bonding placed just two weeks ago. It has already started staining, which surprised me. I did some research and realized it could be my coffee drinking. It was also suggested that I purchase Supersmile Toothpaste. Do you know if this will allow me to continue drinking coffee or if I will have to give it up? My dentist never told me to stay away from anything in particular.

Carol

Dear Carol,

before and after dental bonding

While it is true that dental bonding will pick up stains after a while, a few weeks is way too soon. I have a supicion your dentist is just a bread and butter general dentist and not one who does any significant amount of cosmetic work in his practice.

Dental bonding is made with a blend of composite and inorganic fillers. There are a variety of fillers and sizes. Some examples of this are silica, quartz, and glass. Hybrid composites are strong, but because their particles are larger they cannot be glossed to a high shine. Microfills, because they are very small, can be polished to a luster as shiny as natural tooth enamel but are not as strong. There is a newer nanofill composite which claims to have both strength and polishability. Because it is new, we have to see how that pans out.

Most general dentists, who don’t do a lot of cosmetic work, will just keep hybrid composites on hand because they are looking for durability. But, when you are talking about appearance, you need a combination. A skilled cosmetic dentist will use the hybrid on the inner part of the tooth and then use the microfills on the surface on the teeth which allows them to get the high shine you need to protect your teeth from staining.

My suggestion is that you return to your dentist and share what you’ve learned here. He should be willing to improve the shine. If he is incapable, then you will have to go to an expert cosmetic dentist.

Whenever we are talking about aethetic dentistry of any kind, I recommend you see an AACD accredited dentist. These are the top cosmetic dentists in the country and can give you stunning results.

I don’t know what your dental bonding was for, whether it was to repair a chip, close a tooth gap, or purely to give you a smile makeover. If you were doing a smile makeover, you will get longer lasting, more beautiful results with porcelain veneers.

As for Supersmile toothpaste, it does an excellent job removing surface stains from dental work. However, if yours has lost its shine, it won’t be helpful there. Save the toothpaste for when your bonding is repaired.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.