Facts & Difference Between Colored Dental Fillings & Silver Fillings

Latest Dental News: Dental amalgam is safe, but needs warning on product label

A silver glint in your smile reveals a great deal about your dental history. When you have a cavity, cosmetic dentists use fillings to support and protect the tooth from further decay. For many years, silver amalgam fillings have been the filling of choice. Recently, however, more and more patients have been choosing composite resin or tooth-colored fillings because of their attractiveness and durability.

Silver vs. Tooth-Colored

Silver amalgam contains approximately 35% silver, traces of tin and zinc, and approximately 50% mercury. Mercury is thought to be toxic to humans, and, in the past, has caused some concern in the dental field. This concern has sparked a controversy over the safety of the metal fillings used in the last two decades.

The American Dental Association (ADA) has deemed the much-relied-upon alloy as harmless; however, the ADA warns that those with allergies or a weakened immune system should avoid it.

However, many dentists remain unconvinced of mercury’s safety, arguing that mercury vapor gradually escapes from the filling endangering the patient.

According to dentists, mercury poisoning has been linked to a number of other health problems, including:

· Reduced excretion of porphyrins, which promote oxygen transport in the blood
· A buildup of mercury in various glands in the body
· Sleep disturbances
· Gastrointestinal problems
· Memory problems
· A possible contributory factor to Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and Alzheimer's Disease

Silver amalgam fillings have also been known to expand over time, which can sometimes cause teeth to crack causing discomfort and a need for further dental work.

Resin (tooth-colored) fillings involve none of these health risks. They do not expand or damage the tooth. Instead, they are bonded to the tooth, providing strength and support. The resin is composed of a material similar to that used in dental bonding, another procedure that supports tooth structure.

Resin fillings also require less removal of the original tooth to make room for the filling and are considered a less radical alteration to the natural tooth.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Rather than making teeth look healthy and pristine, silver fillings can checker them with a patchwork of repairs. Often, a grayish color can leak from the filling to the surrounding tooth, worsening the appearance. This is especially noticeable if the cavity affects one of the front teeth. “Resin fillings are becoming the norm,” says Dr. Kevin B. Sands, a Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, “They are better for you and much better-looking.”

With composite resin fillings, people will not even know that you have fillings. The resin mimics the color and translucency of your teeth. The resulting smile is as white and brilliant as it is strong.

Resin fillings cost a bit more, about $150 to $200 per filling, but often the extra expense is covered by insurance. When it comes to dental health, the least expensive option can become more expensive in the long run. Resin fillings last up to ten years before needing replacement.

If you currently have silver amalgam fillings, replacing them with resin composite fillings is a relatively simple procedure.

Source: Tooth-Colored Fillings

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Solve Teeth Problems With Latest & Advanced Porcelain Veneers

Latest Dental News: Piled up plaque may turn out to be harmful for heart

People who have visible dental issues can lack self-confidence and become withdrawn. Large gaps or crowded teeth, as well as chipped, broken, misshaped, crooked and even discolored teeth can make a person want to avoid smiling in social situations.

The solution to cosmetic dental issues does not always have to include traditional orthodontics, such as metal braces, head gear or retainers. Today more and more people are turning to cosmetic dentists for porcelain veneers to mask problems and create a beautiful smile. Best of all, this dental technique is generally quick, easy, pain-free and safe.

How do veneers hide dental problems?

Porcelain veneers, also called dental veneers, are thin “shells” of ceramic that are permanently bonded to the front of a patient’s existing teeth. The shells are custom made to be just the right size, shape and color to complement each patient’s own unique smile and facial structure. An experienced, knowledgeable cosmetic dentist should take visual aesthetics into consideration when designing the patient’s new smile.

What is the process?

During an initial consultation, a cosmetic dentist will examine the patient’s smile to identify the problem areas and learn what type of smile the patient would ultimately like to have. The dentist will then decide if the patient is a candidate for porcelain veneers.

If both the patient and dentist decide that porcelain veneers are a viable option, a “preparation” appointment will be made. During this dental appointment, the dentist will prep the teeth that will receive the veneers by removing a very minute amount of tooth enamel…about the same thickness of the new veneer that will be placed on the tooth. An impression or dental mold will then be made of the teeth and that mold sent to a laboratory so perfectly sized veneers can be crafted.

The dentist may apply temporary veneers on the prepped teeth for the patient to wear during the veneer production waiting period, which is approximately two weeks.

When the permanent veneers have arrived, the patient will return to the dental office so the veneers can be fitted, trimmed and permanently bonded to the teeth using a special light. Once the dentist has determined that the veneers are a perfect fit, the new teeth will be polished and the patient will be able to immediately enjoy an outstanding smile.

What are the benefits of porcelain veneers?

• The entire process is quick – forget about years of orthodontic treatment
• Little to no anesthesia is required, so the process is virtually pain-free
• The veneers are very durable as long as patients do not excessively grind or clench or bite down on hard items
• Patients have instantly white, stain-resistant teeth
• The new teeth look and feel natural
• Veneers can be applied to one tooth or an entire row of teeth

Source: Mask your Problem Teeth with Beautiful Porcelain Veneers

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Latest Dental News: Jaw Problems & Headaches

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a condition in which your bite becomes misaligned causing serious and often very painful problems of the head and face area. Many times you will see the acronyms TMJ and TMD used interchangeably, but you should note that TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint itself, while TMD stands for the painful disorder that results from a problem with the TMJ.

There are many symptoms associated with this very common and painful disorder:

• Limited jaw movement
• Clicking and popping noises of the jaw
• Locking of the jaw
• Stiff or tight jaw muscles
• Facial pain
• Ringing in the ears
• Pressure in the ears
• Neck, shoulder and back pain
• Numbness and tingling in the fingers
• Difficulty swallowing
• Insomnia

People who suffer with TMD often present this set of symptoms to their general doctor, however and accurate diagnosis of TMD is often missed because physicians often do not have the specialized training this difficult diagnosis requires. A neuromuscular dentist, on the other hand, does have the specialized training to not only diagnose this difficult disorder, but also to treat it. Neuromuscular dentistry is the dental specialty that treats the cause of the painful headaches that accompany a misaligned jaw. A good neuromuscular dentist will work to place your jaw in its optimal position, thereby virtually eliminating all of your symptoms.

Migraine Like Headaches

One of the most painful symptoms of TMD is a headache that sufferers compare to a migraine. TMD causes these powerful headaches because the trigeminal nerve is one of the most complex nerve systems in the body. This nerve is responsible for the function of the TMJ and accounts for approximately forty percent of the brain’s processing. The trigeminal nerve got its name because it has three branches, all affecting various parts of the face, head, arms and shoulders. Because of the vastness of this nerve’s processing, TMD sufferers may also have numbness and tingling in the hands and fingers.

The headaches associated with TMD may be dull and constant or sharp and searing. If you have suffered with headaches for years, even decades, your solution may be found at your neuromuscular dentist’s office.

TMD Treatments

Fortunately for TMD sufferers, there are many treatment options available. Your dentist, after a thorough evaluation, will decide on a treatment plan based on your unique symptoms. Treatment options may include any of the following:

• Occlusal splints (also known as mouth guards or mouth pieces). These are typically worn at night, but in more severe cases daytime wear may also be necessary.
• Pain medication and/or anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed
• Moist heat will help to relax your jaws sore muscles by promoting blood flow to the area
• Jaw exercises and/or physical therapy will relax your muscles and increase joint flexibility
• Behavioral changes such as not chewing gum, not biting your nails and avoiding crunchy foods will almost always be recommended.
• In the most extreme cases, surgery may be necessary.

If you live in the Braintree, Massachusetts area and would like to learn more about TMD related headaches, please visit the Aesthetic Dentist.

Source: Jaw Disorder Results in Painful Headaches

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Causes & Facts About Dentophobia, Dental Anxiety

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Dentists have been traditionally feared by many because of their nasty reputation. Reputation rather than anything else is actually responsible why many people fear a trip to the dentist. If you get seriously tensed up at just the thought of visiting a dentist, you are most likely to be suffering from Dental Anxiety or Dentophobia which is the fear of receiving dental care or the dentist himself. People affected with dental anxiety might get filled with a deep sense of insecurity and fear when they visit a dentist.

Quite a majority of the people, around 75% suffer from varying degrees of dental anxiety. Around 20% of these will only visit a dentist if they just have to as in case of extreme pain or emergencies. It is however natural to feel a little anxious before a dentist appointment.

This article discusses the causes of dental anxiety.

1. Embarrassment: Many people are embarrassed at the condition of their mouth and are worried about how the dentist will react after seeing their teeth. They think they have the worst set of teeth in the world. Be assured that dentists see such cases on a daily basis. It’s their job to help you overcome such conditions.

2. Prior Experiences: These can be the most powerful reason for the fear of dentists. A person with a bad past experience might strongly oppose the idea of ever visiting a dentist again. Although bad experience is a valid reason for fearing something, it might be worthwhile to have a check on why you had a bad experience. If your visit has been quite a few years back, be informed that dentistry is a constantly developing field and old methods have been replaced by painless advanced methods.

You might have had a really bad experience while undergoing a procedure and you hate your dentist after that. What you don’t realize that there were 10 other people the same day that got treated by the same dentist with out any problem. You just happened to have a bad day. Just as if you were driving and had a crash, you wouldn't quit driving because you know you just had a bad day and it doesn't happen all the time.

3. Immediate surroundings: If you fear the dentist, it is very likely that you passed this on to your children as well. This is because children learn by what they see. If they see you fearing the dentist, obviously they would too. Not just parents, children can imbibe such a fear from any one close to them such as relatives, friends.

4. Others experience: We often tend to relate to emotions of others. If your best friend had a terrible encounter with a particular dentist and cried in front of you for the same, you will be definitely affected by such an incident. Or simply if someone close to had a painful ordeal while undergoing a RCT and told you and your dentist informed you in your next appointment that you should get an RCT done, its highly likely you would want to run away from your dentist.

5. Dentist’s fault: Some dentists remain insensitive towards the patients and this can immensely affect a patients opinion especially kids. Dentists ought to know that not the treatment itself is part of their profession but also caring and making the patient comfortable. Mocking at the patient or making insensitive comments directed at the patients is also responsible for people developing hate for the dentist.

6. The Instruments: Some people are driven nuts just at the site of "The drill". Although, it does appear intimidating the drill is not actually painful. In many cases, you are given an anesthetic which makes you insensitive to any possible pain. Besides this, there is an advanced alternative to the drill which is known as laser dentistry. A few dentists trained in laser dentistry offer this.

The best advice to people suffering from dental anxiety is to visit a dentist who expertises in treating such patients.

Dentistry is not about giving pain to you but preventing any pain to you.

Source: The 6 Main Causes of Dental Anxiety (Dentophobia)

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