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Cosmetic Dentist - Antioch
5357 Mt. View Road
Antioch, TN 37013
(615) 731-8960

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Posts for: August, 2009

By drglasmeier@nashvillefirstimpressions.net
August 30, 2009
Category: Uncategorized

What are the Options for Tooth Replacement?

 

 

If tooth loss is unavoidable, there are various options for replacement that can effectively restore your smile. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that can be surgically anchored to the jaw to hold a replacement tooth or a bridge in place. Implants are permanent and stable, and they look and feel just like natural teeth. Dental implants may also be used in addition to a denture for better stabilization.

Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and adjoining tissues.

Partial dentures are an option if you have some natural teeth remaining, as they fill in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevent other teeth from shifting position. Full dentures are appropriate if you have lost most or all of your teeth. "Immediate" dentures are inserted immediately following removal of the natural teeth, while "conventional" dentures are placed in the mouth about eight to 12 weeks after tooth removal.

A dental bridge is a false tooth that is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. The two crowns holding it in place are attached onto your teeth on each side of the false tooth and the bridge is not removable because it is secured into place.

 

Dr.G


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By drglasmeier@nashvillefirstimpressions.net
August 30, 2009
Category: Uncategorized

How is gum disease(periodontitis) treated?

 

 

Treatment Overview

Early treatment of gum disease is very important. The goals of treatment are to prevent gum disease from permanently damaging tissues, control infection, and prevent tooth loss. For treatment to be effective, you will need to:

  • Keep your teeth clean by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.
  • See your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.
  • Avoid all tobacco use. Tobacco decreases your ability to fight infection, interferes with healing, and makes you more likely to have serious gum disease that results in tooth loss.

Treatment for early-stage gum disease

If you have early-stage gum disease (gingivitis), you may be able to reverse the damage to your gums:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime.
  • Floss your teeth once a day.
  • Use an antiseptic mouthwash, such as Listerine, or an antiplaque mouthwash.

Your dentist will want to see you for regular checkups and cleanings. Professional cleaning can remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing missed. Once you have had gum disease, you may need to see your dentist every 3 or 4 months for follow-up.

Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help fight the infection. They can be applied directly on the gums, swallowed as pills or capsules, or swished around in your teeth as mouthwash. Your dentist may also recommend an antibacterial toothpaste that reduces plaque and gingivitis when used regularly.

Treatment for advanced gum disease

Early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) that is not treated promptly or that does not respond to treatment can progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis requires prompt treatment to get rid of the infection and stop damage to the teeth and gums, followed by long-term care to maintain the health of your mouth.

  • Your dentist or dental hygienist will remove the plaque and tartar both above and below your gum line. This procedure, called root planing and scaling, makes it harder for plaque to stick to the teeth.
  • Your dentist may give you antibiotics to kill bacteria and stop the infection. They may be applied directly on the gums, swallowed as pills or capsules, or inserted into the pockets in your gums.
  • You may need surgery if these treatments don't control the infection or if you already have severe damage to your gums or teeth. Surgery options may include:
    • Gingivectomy, which removes and reshapes loose, diseased gum tissue to get rid of the pockets between the teeth and gums where plaque can accumulate.
    • A flap procedure, which cleans the roots of a tooth and repairs bone damage.
    • Extraction, to remove loose or severely damaged teeth.
  • After surgery, you may need to take antibiotics or other medicines to aid healing and prevent infection.

After treatment, you will need to keep your mouth disease-free by preventing plaque buildup. You will need to brush carefully and thoroughly after all meals and snacks and floss daily. Your dentist will probably prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash.

 

Your dentist will schedule follow-up appointments every 3 to 4 months for cleaning and to make sure that the disease has not returned.


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By drglasmeier@nashvillefirstimpressions.net
August 30, 2009
Category: Uncategorized

Last week my 17 yr. old son went to the dentist and was informed that he has enamel erosion which caused him to have 6 new cavities. The dentist said that the loss of enamel was most likely caused by his braces, which he had removed last year, and that the erosion will continue to spread and get worse. Is enamel erosion common after removal of braces? What should we do?

P.S. Thanks for serving our country!!

 

Good question and the answer is yes and no. It is very common to see teenageers come out of braces and have cavities that have developed in the process. To describe it as "enamel erosion" is a little ambiguous however. Typically there are 2 common areas to see cavities when a patient has their braces removed:

 

1. Lip/cheek side surface of the teeth where the brackets were bonded on the teeth.

2. Also occur between the teeth where you normally floss but very difficult when in braces.

 

Back to your question...erosion and cavities are two different things. I would ask the dentist to clarify what has happened. Erosion can lead to cavities but they are 2 separate situations. There is a chance he will need fillings where the erosion/cavity occurred. I would have him focus on their hygiene and also consider getting on a Fluoride prescription until everything stabilizes. The other question I would ask the dentist would be were any of these present during the past couple recall/cleaning appointments as cavities don't typically occur that quickly unless it had been a while since his last checkup. Hope this helps!

 

Dr.G

 


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By drglasmeier@nashvillefirstimpressions.net
August 27, 2009
Category: Uncategorized

What are the different things that can cause sensitive teeth?

 

The common and most obvious ones are cavities and infections which is directly due to the cavity(tooth decay) getting close to the nerve. Fractures in the tooth, or the filling or both can also cause sensitivity in regards to cold, sweets, and biting.

 

The one that I see even more than these are sensitive teeth due to root exposure. 4 out of every 5 patients have at least one area where they have root exposure and cold or sweets will create what I call a "zinger". Patient will often report an area on a tooth and state that it is sensitive when they touch the surface with their fingernail or toothbrush bristles.

 

So what causes root exposure? Several things but the most common are periodontal(gum) disease, receding gums, aggressive toothbrushing, and heavy grinding of the teeth. All of these can cause root surfaces to become exposed and cause a great deal of sensitivity. While it typically is a "tolerable" discomfort, it can be very frustrating and self limiting.

 

What are the the treatments for sensitivity due to root exposure? It can range as simple as a fluoride topical application to a root surface filling to a gum surgery to help cover up the root surface. The newest type of treatment that I use on a daily basis is called "Laser Desensitizing". Using a special laser, I can "zap" the root surface with laser energy and totally eliminate the cold and sweet sensitivity in a matter of minutes. The advantages of this treatment is that you get instant results(i.e. instant pain relief) and is virtually pain free. Patients have great results from laser desensitization and it is becoming the most cost efficient/conservative treatment available?

 

Ask your dentist about sensitive teeth and what the causes are and what the recommended treatment is!

 

Dr.G


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By drglasmeier@nashvillefirstimpressions.net
August 25, 2009
Category: Uncategorized

Question:

 

Hello.I have cerebral palsy.I have a few metal crowns.over time my bite has become off and I ground at night.I didn't take care off this right away like I should have and now my teeth are severely worn.Do you think if I got posts and metal crowns they would last in my mouth?the few crowns I have seem to have done well over time.would the new zirconia crowns be as durable as the metal? Thank you for your time and consideration. Kurt

Answer:

 

Hi Kurt,

 

This unfortunately is a very loaded question that I cannot give you a good answer for the following reasons:

1. Posts do not make teeth stronger...they more less help hold in the foundations that the crowns sit on so they are more for retention, not strength.

2. There are crowns with different properties for different situations, so it is hard to say what is best for you as there many things that need to be evaluated such as:
1. Cavities present?
2. What kind of bite do you have?
3. Condition of existing crowns?
4. How heavy you grind?

These are several questions that would need to be answered before telling you what kind of crowns you need. Having said that, zirconia crowns are showing promise in strength and certainly have esthetic advantages over metal crowns but they are not indicated in all situations. I would recommend getting evaluated to further determine this.

 

Good luck!
Dr.Glasmeier


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Dental - Antioch, First Impressions Family Dentistry , Antioch TN, 37013 (615) 731-8960