Thrasher's Corner Family Dental: FAQ

GENERAL FAQ| COSMETIC DENTISTRY FAQ | CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH FAQ

Cosmetic Dentistry FAQ

Everyone seems to be concerned with the appearance of their teeth these days. You've probably seen infomercials about teeth whitening treatments, but do they really work? Are you becoming self-conscious of your teeth and want to find a way to improve your smile? Learn about the differences between silver fillings versus porcelain crowns. Are you damaging your teeth by brushing them too hard? There are better ways to brighten your teeth.

Why are my teeth becoming discolored?

Can I brush away my teeth?

Will the over the counter whitening toothpastes really lighten my teeth?

What can be done to improve the appearance of my teeth?

What are my options for fillings?

Which filling material is better; silver or tooth colored?

Why does my crown have a black or dark line along my gum?

What can I do to replace my missing permanent tooth?

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Why are my teeth becoming discolored?
Some of the most common causes of tooth discoloration are; natural aging, staining food or drink (such as coffee, tea, cola, tobacco, etc.), trauma, dead nerve (pulp), old leaking fillings, and decay. Other causes of tooth discoloration are decalcification due to the chronic presence of plaque, excessive fluoride consumption (fluorisis) and tetracycline taken while the tooth is forming.

Everyone's teeth darken with age due to pitting and permanent staining from years of coffee, tea or tobacco use. Also, calcification of the pulp can occur over time in response to repeated trauma (decay, grinding of your teeth, clenching of your teeth, accidental impact). Calcification can cause your teeth to appear a darker yellow or gray.

Can I brush away my teeth?
Yes, by scrubbing too vigorously or by using a hard or medium bristled toothbrush. To avoid this, always use soft, nylon brushes and brush in circular motion thinking of one tooth at a time -- not 2 or 3 teeth at a time. This will slow down your brushing and give you a chance to lighten your grip on your toothbrush. You should also angle the brush to about 45 degree angle to the gums. Change your brush every 3-4 months. Mechanical toothbrushes such as Oral B Triumph or Sonic Care are excellent in removing plaque while not allowing you to damage the teeth.

Will the over the counter whitening toothpastes really lighten my teeth?
You may get a slight amount of lightening but it is not as effective or as long lasting as doing 2 weeks of home bleaching with bleaching gel and custom made bleaching trays. We can help you achieve your best results.

What can be done to improve the appearance of my teeth?
Whitening your smile:
Home bleaching is the least invasive and simplest way to lighten your teeth. It takes about 2 weeks to complete the treatment which is done by you at home. The active ingredient is either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. You can bleach twice a day. Bleaching will lighten enamel (not fillings or crowns) approximately 2 to 4 shades. The result is for the most part, permanent with minimal to zero side effects. Occassionally, teeth can darken slightly over time which can be treated with a "touch up" bleaching. It's best to start the bleaching process after your teeth have been professionally cleaned and examined to assure that all external stain, plaque, and tartar have been removed so that you can have maximum results. Also, you will want to have any sensitive root surfaces and decayed areas taken care of prior to bleaching in order to prevent increased sensitivity.

Closing gaps, repair a fractured tooth or cover a darkened tooth:
Bonding and porcelain veneers are very useful in not only lightening your teeth but repairing broken teeth, closing spaces between your teeth, correcting rotated teeth without orthodontically moving them. bonding is done in one visit and uses a type of tooth colored plastic (composite) which is bonded to your tooth. Porcelain veneers are thin laminates custom fabricated by a dental lab to be bonded to place on the front surface of your tooth. Both are permanent restorations though the porcelain veneers are less prone to chipping and staining. Porcelain crowns can also be done to cover teeth with large fillings which would require more extensive coverage for protection from breaking and cracking.

What are my options for fillings?
Silver fillings (amalgam) are a safe and cost effective material for filling your back teeth. It has been used since the 1800's and has a long track record of dependability and longevity. Dental amalgam is made up of silver, tin, copper and mercury. The mercury component is the component that has been the center of recent controversy. The mercury in the amalgam alloy is bound down to the metal ixture and is not free to escape into your system. To some, it's downfall, is it's appearance.

Plastic tooth colored fillings (Composites) are beautiful restorations that can be placed in most areas that require small fillings. Placement of this material is more technique sensitive than silver fillings but in most instances it can be successfully placed with the use of a rubber dam. This material can be directly bonded to the tooth rather than relying on making undercuts to hold the material in place. The preparation of the tooth can be more conservative than with the traditional silver restorations.

Gold restorations are probably the most durable and long lasting restorations but due to their appearance and expense they are often passed over for more cosmetic choices. There will always be a place for these types of restorations on certain back teeth where there isn't enough room to place a porcelain crown or in certain instances where a person is a heavy grinder (bruxer).

Which filling material is better; silver or tooth colored?
Silver fillings (amalgams) have been used successfully and safely since the early 1800's. It is one of the few inexpensive materials that can withstand the wear and tear of your mouth. There has been some controversy about one of the ingredients (mercury) in silver fillings. When combined with the other ingredients, silver, zinc, tin, and copper, it becomes bound down in a non-toxic form. There have not been any scientific studies that have shown silver fillings to be a great health hazard.

Plastic tooth colored fillings (composites) have not been around as long so they don't have the same long term track record as amalgams but they seem to be holding up quite well if placed in the right instances. The ideal indication for composite fillings is in instances where the area to be filled is relatively small and the need for cosmetics is great. The composite fillings are slightly more expensive than amalgams but are very beautiful. In selecting the type of filling material you wish to have placed, considered whether it's in an area that will show, and whether or not the cost difference between the two is a factor for you.

Why does my crown have a black or dark line along my gum?
Often times this is due to the shadow created by the metal at the margin of a porcelain crown. The metal is often used for strength and reinforcement for the overlying porcelain. There is a way around this problem. Your dentist can instruct the lab to fabricate an all porcelain crown or a metal and porcelain crown to create a more natural cosmetic appearance. At our office, it is very rare for us to make crowns with metal margins.

What can I do to replace my missing permanent tooth?
There are several options available to you for replacing a permanent tooth. The following is a list of the most common treatments:
- a fixed bridge (a permanent restoration that is cemented in place)
- An implant with a crown (a permanent restoration that uses a titanium screw that is placed into your jaw bone). They are the closest thing to a natural tooth. Implan crowns are often very life like and beautiful!
- A removable partial denture (a permanent removable appliance best used in cases where there are teeth missing on both sides of your mouth and there is a question about loosing some teeth in the future due to gum disease)

It is always best to have a thorough exam and x-rays taken in order to customize a treatment plan that is best for your situation. There are always options for any treatment and we feel it is extremely important to inform you of your options and to discuss with you an questions or concerns you may have before beginning any treatment.