bkfw0669-wvf8qwjzw2t6xdn0

Difference between Using Porcelain, Gold, or Amalgam When Getting a Filling?

Tue, 23 Jan 2018 19:00:58 GMT

It’s easy enough to understand why you need to have dental fillings to treat oral cavities. The fillings keep germs and bacteria from getting in and making the tooth decay worse. It can also restore some of the functions of your teeth. Besides, your teeth will look so much better with fillings than without them.

Children & Adult Dentistry, located in Fort Myers, Florida offers several dental filling options, including porcelain, gold, and amalgam fillings. So what are the differences between them?

Porcelain

Also called ceramic fillings, porcelain fillings can last at least several years. In addition, they’re much more resistant to staining than ordinary composite resin. It’s also possible to match the color and luster of the porcelain filling to your natural tooth color so that they are virtually indistinguishable.

Because of these advantages, porcelain fillings are generally more expensive and they can cost as much as gold fillings. However, there are some disadvantages to consider. It’s a bit brittle, so it can break. In some cases, a large amount of porcelain must be placed inside your tooth so it won’t break, and that may require reducing your teeth’s structure to make room for the bulk of the porcelain.

Gold

Gold does not look anything like natural teeth. But some people like it that way because it stands out . There’s a reason why people like to wear gold necklaces, bracelets, and wristwatches, and they may like gold in their teeth too.

But aside from that, one of the reasons why some people prefer gold fillings is that it doesn’t corrode. It is also very durable and can withstand the forces involved in chewing better than other filling materials. These fillings can last at least 15 years, or much longer.

Aside from the fact that it doesn’t look natural, gold has another main drawback: it’s very expensive. In fact, it can cost anywhere from 6 to 15 times the cost of amalgam fillings. There’s also the problem with galvanic shock if you have gold and amalgam fillings right next to each other.

Amalgam

Amalgam is a mixture of 50% mercury, and 50% a mixture of materials namely silver, tin, copper, and zinc. Most of the time, it’s used for fillings in the back teeth. It will last at least a decade, although it usually lasts much longer. It’s perhaps your most economical option.

Amalgam fillings are very strong so they can withstand chewing and require a single visit to the dental office. During the filling process, they’re also less sensitive to moisture than your standard composite resin.

So why is it very affordable? Well, a lot of people just don’t like the idea of mercury in their teeth! It also doesn’t match the color of your teeth, which is why its use is often reserved for the back teeth. It can tarnish and corrode over time too.

Whether you choose porcelain, gold, or amalgam, make sure that it fits your needs and preferences so that you feel better when you do get dental fillings.

The Best Solutions for Missing Teeth

Tue, 19 Dec 2017 19:04:22 GMT

No one wants missing teeth. When a tooth falls out (or is removed), the other teeth will move to fill the gap, making it difficult to clean. This leads to even more problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and bone loss. When you have lost a tooth or two, it can also make eating difficult and painful. And if that’s not bad enough, missing teeth can also make your face look wrinkly and hollow. Fortunately, there are several solutions for missing teeth.

Dental Implants

A dental implant looks and feels like your natural teeth. This replacement tooth is anchored by a titanium post which will serve as the tooth root and then covered by a dental crown. Dental implants can either be a single tooth replacement or a dental bridge supported by implants (for multiple teeth replacements).

A dental implant is the most lifelike teeth replacement available. There’s no bone loss and it will restore your teeth’s full chewing power. Moreover, if you care for your dental implants well, they can last a lifetime. The only downside is that this option is very expensive.

Traditional Bridgework

Conventional dentistry has long perceived dental bridges as the solution for missing teeth. But traditionally fixed bridges are anchored on other teeth, and this is where its main disadvantage lies. The placement of a tooth-supported bridge can damage an otherwise healthy tooth. There are, however, resin-bonded bridges like the Maryland Bridge which does not involve grinding down of teeth. It is often used to restore front teeth. Nevertheless, this solution is not as durable as a dental implant and will require more maintenance and care.

Dentures

Removable partial dentures do not require the grinding of healthy tooth structure however they’re not very comfortable nor reliable. They also adversely affect eating and speech. Although dentures are less expensive than the other options we’ve listed here they don’t look as natural or function as well as implants and bridges. It’s also worth mentioning that with a removable partial denture, the bone underneath will deteriorate over time, affecting one’s facial appearance and smile.

A dental implant is without a doubt the best, permanent solution for restoring missing teeth because it looks and feels like your natural teeth. In addition, an implant will keep your jaw bone in its proper state so there is no change to your facial appearance.

If you would like to know more about the different solutions for missing teeth, please do not hesitate to call our office.

Oral Cancer: What Should I Look for?

Mon, 13 Nov 2017 19:07:37 GMT

An estimated 40,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with oral cancer in 2014. The American Cancer Society also states that men are twice as likely to develop this type of cancer than women, and those who are over the age of 50 face the greatest risk.

Oral cancer, which encompasses all cancers affecting the floor of the mouth, lips, tongue, cheeks, soft and hard palate, sinuses, and pharynx, can be life-threatening if not treated early.

Early diagnosis is key to the successful treatment of oral cancer. Here are the signs and symptoms you need to watch out for:

Lumps or thick patches in the throat and mouth.
Mouth sores that do not go away.
Swellings in the mouth and throat.
The feeling of an object stuck in your throat.
White and red lesions on your lips and mouth.
Tenderness or pain anywhere in your mouth.
Numbness, pain or tenderness in the mouth.
Difficulty moving your tongue or chewing.
Problems with speaking, swallowing or chewing.
A lingering sore throat.
Chronic hoarseness in your voice.
Loose teeth without any apparent cause.
Rough spots or crusts in the gums, lips, and other areas in your mouth.
Ear pain.
Dramatic weight loss without a known cause.
Sores in the face, mouth or neck that do not heal in two weeks.
Unexplained bleeding in the mouth.

Based on the data from the National Institute of Dental Craniofacial Research, more than half of oral cancer patients in the U.S. survive after 5 years. The earlier it is caught and treated, the better the chances of successful treatment.

How Does Oral Cancer Develop?

The exact cause of oral cancer has not been established. However, there are factors that can increase one’s risk for this disease.

Tobacco use is considered a major risk factor for oral cancer. According to the Mouth Cancer Foundation, 90% of patients with this type of cancer have consumed tobacco at some point in their life.

Heavy consumption of alcohol is also another contributing factor, and especially so when combined with tobacco.

Other risk factors include age (over 40), poor diet (deficient in veggies and fruits) as well as having contracted HPV16 (an STD).

We regularly perform oral cancer examinations as part of our routine checkups. We will visually check your face, lips, tongue, and mouth for signs of problems, as well as palpate the jaw and neck area. If cancer is suspected, our dentist will recommend a biopsy so the disease can be treated as soon as possible.

What is The Difference Between Children And Adult Dentistry?

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 19:13:41 GMT

Many people think that there are no differences between children and adult dentistry. We offer both services in our dental practice here in Fort Myers and I’d like to take this opportunity to explain the key differences between the two, as their needs do differ greatly.

Pediatric Dentistry

Dentists who have dealt with young children know their needs are different from those of adults. Kids ask a lot of questions and are often not too shy about showing their anxiety or fear. Because of this, they need a specialized approach. Dentists need to be able to make them feel at ease with the office and staff and also be able to establish a connection with them, by making the procedure fun. Here are some of the most common dental services that kids need:

Early Dental Assessment
Preventive Dentistry
Teeth Cleaning
Teeth Alignment
Teeth Extraction

General Dentistry

Adults who require dental services often go to a general dentist. The services offered in general dentistry include:

Teeth Cleaning
Diagnosis of oral diseases/issues
Root Canals
Fillings
Dental Crowns
Bridges
Veneers
Preventive Education

Both pediatric and general dentists have education and experience in diagnosing, treating and managing oral healthcare issues. A general dentist is someone who has completed an undergraduate degree and four years of dental school. He or she possesses a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.

A pediatric dentist has completed all of the above, and also completed at least 2 years of full-time residency focusing on pediatric dentistry and surgery. A pediatric dentist has been trained in the following areas:

Management of mouth, jaw, face, and head developmental and growth issues in children
Treatment of kids with special needs and or medically compromised
Preventive care
Treatment of children under sedation or anesthesia

Essentially, while a general dentist can treat patients of all ages, he or she does not have the same specialized training that a pediatric dentist has.

Children and Adult Dentistry

Dentists are aware that kids have special needs which make them different from adults. Kids may be more anxious or afraid of going to the dentist and so they require a different treatment approach, such as using sedative medication or applying psychology.

Moreover, children have oral care needs that are not common in adults, since their jaws, teeth and mouth structures are still growing.

If you’re a family with kids and adults, seeing a family dentist is the best option. You can schedule all your dental appointments in a single visit, and our dentist will be able to determine the best dental care that is appropriate for each member of your family.

Top Five Ways to Make Oral Hygiene Fun For Kids

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 19:21:00 GMT

Oral care should begin as early as possible. As parents, it’s our job to teach our kids how to properly take care of their teeth, gums, and mouth so that they’ll have strong and healthy teeth when they grow older.

But of course, it’s easier said than done. Kids, after all, have very short attention spans.

Here are a few tips that we’d like to share with you on how you can make oral hygiene fun for your child.

1. Brush your teeth together.

Brushing your teeth together (and flossing too!) is not only a fun bonding moment with your child but it also teaches them the right way to brush and clean their teeth. You can even sing a fun song together while you’re at it.

2. Give your child a special toothbrush.

Do you want your child to be interested (and excited) about brushing their teeth? Then give him or her a fun-looking toothbrush! It will pique the child’s interest and will make him or she look forward to brushing. Moreover, you can also get your child a flavored toothpaste in their favorite flavor.

3. Give them a reward.

Make oral hygiene exciting by giving your child a reward. You can, for example, reward them with a gold star every time they brush and floss their teeth. And don’t forget to create a calendar poster and place it someplace visible so your child can stick each gold star on the poster.

4. Show them oral care books and videos.

These materials are easily found online and in bookshops. Books and videos will encourage your child to start and maintain good oral hygiene habits.

5. Use a colorful timer.

We always recommend that kids brush their teeth for a minimum of two minutes, two times a day. To make sure that your child follows this rule, you can get him or her a fun-looking timer and allow them to set it themselves.

It can be quite challenging to teach toddlers and young kids oral care but it’s something we need to do to ensure that our children grow up with healthy teeth, gums, and mouth. Try these tips to make it fun for your little one and don’t forget to take your child to the dentist every 6 months to keep their smile healthy.

What is CPAP Therapy And What Are Alternative Treatments?

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 19:26:00 GMT

Continuous positive airway pressure therapy, better known as CPAP, is the gold standard of treatment for people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of the therapy is to help a person breathe easily while he or she sleeps. The CPAP machine works by increasing the air pressure in the throat so that the airway doesn’t collapse as the person breathes.

CPAP therapy has been proven effective in treating OSA and snoring. Continuous use of the CPAP machine can lower daytime sleepiness and may even help lower blood pressure for those who have moderate to severe sleep apnea.

Risks of CPAP Therapy

Although CPAP therapy is considered an effective treatment for sleep apnea, it also comes with some risks. These include:

Dry nose
Sore throat
Excessive dreaming
Nightmares
Eye and facial skin irritation
Nasal congestion
Abdominal bloating
And rarely, nose bleeding

Some CPAP machine users have also complained of mild discomfort when they wake up in the morning, especially in the first few weeks of therapy.

CPAP Alternatives

For patients who cannot or are unable to tolerate this form of therapy, there are other FDA-approved alternatives that you can consider:

1. Oral Appliances

Oral appliance therapy is recommended for those suffering from mild to moderate OSA. It helps keep the soft tissues and tongue from collapsing in the back of the throat by supporting the jaw in a forward position so that the airway will stay open as the person sleeps. The most common dental appliances used today are Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and Tongue Retaining Mouthpieces.

2. Positional Therapy

Positional therapy, which uses devices like Night Shift, works by prompting a change in sleep position to achieve optimal breathing. It’s often used in combination with oral appliance therapy or CPAP to improve outcomes.

3. In-Office Procedures

Procedures like the Pillar Procedure and Symnoplasty are also gaining popularity among sleep apnea sufferers. The Pillar Procedure works by decreasing the flutter in the soft palate. With this treatment, the doctor will place small woven inserts into the soft palate. Symnoplasty, on the other hand, is a slightly invasive surgical technology that utilizes radio-frequency current to lower the volume of the soft tissues at the back of the throat.

4. Surgery

Surgical procedures to treat severe sleep apnea include uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and bariatric surgery. These options are only considered if other forms of treatment have failed. Surgery should only be a last resort, as it comes with more risks compared to all the other options listed here.

Obstructive sleep apnea not only affects your sleep but can also impact your overall health. Sleep is necessary for the repair of cells, tissues and the different organs in the body. Untreated sleep apnea leads to heart disease, arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke and elevated blood pressure. If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from this sleep disorder, you should see a medical professional so you can be evaluated and treated. Dental devices are usually the first line of treatment for sleep apnea and we would be happy to discuss your options with you.

Bone Grafting

Sun, 27 Aug 2017 19:30:04 GMT

Bone grafting is the most effective way to preserve your jaw bone and keep your jawline after you have lost a tooth or teeth.

Why Choose Porcelain Veneers?

Sun, 27 Aug 2017 19:28:20 GMT

Have you ever wished you had a perfect smile? An attractive and confident smile is always an advantage but for people with flawed teeth, smiling can be embarrassing and stressful. Luckily, there’s a solution for people who want better-looking teeth: Porcelain Veneers.

Porcelain veneers are made of ultra-thin porcelain technology that ensures the veneers are natural-looking and durable, while preserving the natural structure of your teeth. Veneers can be used to fix various cosmetic dental issues including: