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The Top 2 Reasons Dental Crowns Are a Lot Like Tires

March 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Dental Crowns Are a Lot Like Replacing Flat Tires

I occasionally get a patient who wants to do one crown at
a time. There’s two reasons why this is not a good idea:
1. Your teeth and jaws function together like a finely
tuned machine. If you had four worn tires, you wouldn’t
replace them one at time. It would affect the way
your car rides and handles.
2. You wouldn’t replace your carpet one section at a time
because the shade doesn’t match from one batch of
carpet to another. Likewise, if you want your crown
shades to match, they need to be done at the same time.
My opinion is the best crowns, in my thirty-five years’
experience, are made by skilled lab technicians whose
workmanship is superior to crowns made in an office.
And the fees usually are similar regardless of where
they’re made.
Filed Under: Dentistry Tagged With: ,

Want to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthier?

March 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

A Tongue Scraper Removes Plaque

Try Adding This Little Known Step to Your Daily Dental Routine

Everyone pretty much knows by now brushing and flossing after every meal and getting a professional cleaning at least every six months has a huge impact on dental health.

But there’s another facet to personal daily dental hygiene that has a big impact on dental health: scraping your tongue. Perhaps we don’t hear that much about it because tongue scrapers are not well promoted.

One inexpensive tongue scraper can practically last a lifetime. Studies suggest that by removing the soft plaque from the tongue, you’re removing most of the bacteria and other debris that are the primary source of bad breath, hard plaque (tartar) and mineral leaching acids (tooth decay).

The latest research associates the bacteria in our mouths with heart disease and other ailments. The bottom line – for dramatically better oral hygiene and health just add cleaning your tongue to your routine.

 

Filed Under: General Dental, Teeth and Gums

Mindful Eating: Even Google’s Into It

March 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Mindfully Eating a Sinfully Delicious Cake

With the beginning of each year comes a renewed interest in diets and
whether old or new, there’s plenty out there to choose from.
But a new way of dieting that doesn’t involve changing your food
choices is gaining popularity. It’s called “mindful eating” or
“hyperconscious eating” and books about this have garnered
attention from the NY Times to Oprah Magazine.
Dr. Lilian Cheung, a Harvard nutritionist studying hyperconscious
eating asked team members at Harvard
Pilgrim Health Care to spend quality time with a
chocolate covered almond. The idea is that mindful
eating is not about giving up food, it’s about
experiencing it more intensely.
“I think the fundamental problem is that we go
unconscious when we eat,” says Dr. Jan Chozen
Bays, a pediatrician and Zen teacher in Oregon and
the author of “Mindful Eating: A Guide to
Rediscovering a Healthy and Joyful Relationship
with Food.” “Mindfulness is an ability we all possess
and can cultivate,” says Bays. She describes
mindfulness as “deliberately paying attention” or
“awareness without judgment or criticism.”
The new trend has seeped into the corporate
culture, with Google headquarters leading the way
with a “mindful lunch hour.” In some circles, the
eating is done in silence rather than talking,
laughing, watching tv, tweeting, etc. That might not
go over well at my Italian family gatherings but it’s
worth a try at home.
Filed Under: General Health

Are You Eroding Your Tooth Enamel?

February 28, 2012 By 1 Comment

Tips to Prevent Sodas From Eroding Your Tooth Enamel

As kids, a common science
experiment is to pour Coke on
rusty nails and watch it dissolve
the rust. Just like with rust, Coke
and other acid drinks can eat
away your tooth enamel.
Enamel is the outer surface of
your teeth that protects against
decay and keeps your teeth
strong for the daily needs of
chewing. It also acts as an
insulator from sensitivity to hot
and cold. If you’ve ever bitten
into ice cream and experienced
discomfort from the cold, you’ll
know why it’s important to
preserve tooth enamel.
Some common beverages erode
enamel, but short of giving them
up, you can minimize their effect
by:
- Brushing or at least rinsing off
your teeth right after ingesting
acidic foods or carbonated
drinks.
- Add milk to coffee and tea to
help neutralize the acid, which
preserves tooth enamel.
- Drink soda through a straw and
rinse with water afterward or
chew sugar-free gum to help
neutralize the acids


Filed Under: Dentistry, Teeth and Gums Tagged With: , , , , ,

Orthopedic Cosmetic Dentistry: Do You Have These Symptoms of Imbalance?

February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Natural Chewing Function Relies On Precision Balance

  • Headaches or migraines.
  • Neck aches.
  • Facial pain with increased pressure in your head and sinuses.
  • You wake up with headaches or develop them by midday.
  • You have pain behind your eyes for no apparent reason.
  • You have sounds in your ears, but your doctor can’t find anything wrong.
  • You notice your smile is getting crooked as teeth wear down unevenly.
  • You’ve had an increase in root canals, especially on one side of your mouth.
  • You have neck and low back pain that creates inactivity.
  • Your bite isn’t the same since getting cosmetic dental work.
Correct the Problem and The Symptoms Go Away. That’s Done By Balancing  Your Head, Neck and Jaw Before Doing Dental Work.
That’s What Orthopedic Cosmetic Dentistry℠ Is All About. It Also Ensures Your Cosmetic Enhancements Don’t Create Imbalance.

In a perfectly constructed mouth, the teeth and jaw fit together to perform the function of chewing.  The slightest adjustment to a tooth can throw this precise functioning off-balance. Even the replacement of a filling can make your bite feel different if it’s not balanced correctly. If not adjusted right away, it can lead to problems ranging from indigestion to causing your jaw joints to move out of place.

If just a simple filling requires such precision, imagine the skill required in placing veneers or implants while ensuring they not only look great but are completely natural in their feel and fit.

Like a perfectly calibrated bridge constructed to withstand all of the elements of weather and carry immense weight, your teeth and jaw are designed to a precision measured in millimeters. The ability to work with the precision of an engineer and the talent of a master artisan ensures your dental outcome is both healthy and beautiful.

Filed Under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Orthopedic Dentistry Tagged With: , , , , ,

Anti-Aging Dentistry Defined

February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Alignment and Balance Are the Keys to Successful Cosmetic Dental Work

 

Dr Pete and Martha and Friends Yvonne & Ken Are Grateful for Good Health at Midlife. That Includes Healthy Teeth and Gums.

If you’re over the age of forty and have considered cosmetic dental work, you’ll want to know some of the principles behind Anti-Aging Dentistry, also known as Midlife Dentistry. This is a protocol I developed after thirty plus years of experience and training on the best ways to ensure that cosmetic dental work lasts, does not interfere with natural chewing function, or create a structural imbalance leading to pain.

Your head, neck and jaw need to be in balance in order for cosmetic dental work to rest on a sound structure. This will save you from redoing procedures.

As you age your teeth wear down, often causing an uneven bite. This can lead to unexplained pain in the head and neck area. If not addressed, you may seek medical treatment for pain caused by this dental condition.

Your teeth and gums are part of an interrelated structure that includes your head, neck and jaw. Anti-aging dentistry or Midlife Dentistry, is a comprehensive program that ensures your chewing function feels natural when your work is complete. If your primary concern is appearance, then you may not get the work done correctly the first time.

I’ve had patients come to me to correct cosmetic dental work that was done over a misaligned head, neck or jaw. This often leads to unexplained headaches due to a basic malfunction that was only made worse by veneers or crowns.

Some signs you may be ready for Midlife Dentistry include:

  1. Thinning of your lips.
  2. Wrinkles or sagging around your mouth and jaw.
  3. A wearing down of your teeth causing your chin to get closer to your nose.
  4. You avoid chewing on one side of your mouth.
  5. You have missing or cracked teeth.
  6. You don’t smile for pictures anymore.
  7. You noticed facial pain with increased pressure in your head and sinuses.
  8. You put your hand over your mouth when you smile.
  9. You notice your smile is getting crooked as teeth wear down unevenly.
  10. You’ve had an increase in root canals, especially on one side of your mouth.
  11. You have neck and low back pain that creates inactivity.

To summarize, if and your dentist recognize that the primary role of dentistry is chewing, then all of the work you get, from simple fillings to implants and crowns will be designed to function naturally. When this happens, your cosmetic work is more apt to be done in alignment with your structure. This leads to work that doesn’t have to be redone.

 

Filed Under: Anti Aging Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants, General Dental, General Health, Orthopedic Dentistry Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Restless Jaw Syndrome?

October 10, 2011 By 4 Comments

Restless-Jaw-SyndromeYou’ve probably heard of “restless leg syndrome,” — symptoms usually affecting women. The legs feel extremely uncomfortable while sitting or lying down.

Well .. if you grind your teeth at night, your jaw muscles are experiencing similar symptoms — jaw muscles that are tense and irritable, much like the leg muscles in restless legs.

Whether legs or jaws, a hot calcium/magnesium drink can work wonders. It relaxes the muscles and thus encourages sleep. Sip it before bedtime and feel those nervous, tense muscles calm down.

Filed Under: Dentistry Tagged With: , ,

Emergency Dentistry is a Pain – Don’t Wait ‘Till It Hurts

September 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

emergency-dental-painLike death and taxes, there’s no avoiding neglected dental conditions. An untreated cavity will eventually get larger and possibly become that emergency visit in the middle of your vacation or work day. If left untreated long enough, it will require a root canal and crown — all costlier in terms of time and money than the simpler treatments when the condition is just starting to get bad.

A tooth that’s had a root canal needs a crown. Some put this off but in fact the tooth is frail and cannot withstand the burden of chewing without the crown. If it cracks (it’s dried out because the nerve is gone) it will need to be extracted. That means getting a dental implant and crown or some other tooth replacement.

Then there’s replacing missing teeth. When this is neglected, the burden of chewing is shifted to remaining teeth. Just recently, a patient with missing teeth on one side of the mouth cracked a tooth holding a bridge on the opposite side of the mouth, which was overused for chewing.

The moral is: the sooner dental conditions are treated, the less time and money you’ll spend.

Filed Under: Dentistry, General Dental, Teeth Tips Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Dental Crowns Restore Your Smile

August 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

original illustrations by suzanne conway

Like it or not we live in an age where appearance matters. Why then, walk around with a smile you’re not proud of? This article explains how dental crowns can transform your appearance, take years off your look and restore lost confidence. Instead of avoiding unwanted attention from teeth that are missing, chipped or broken down, why not let your smile light up a room?

Dental crowns are no longer just for celebrities. My patients who get crowns cross all socioeconomic groups. Most people I know wouldn’t go through life with a giant wart on their cheekbone. With modern technology it’s too easy to get it removed. Why then, would someone walk around with worn or broken down teeth?

Decades ago getting dental crowns was called it etting your teeth “capped.” Men and women whose careers thrived on their looks invested in dental crowns to increase their bankability as actors. Today, that economic advantage has spread to all professionals.

Let’s face it: a nice smile on any face is pleasant to look at. I don’t know of a single woman or man who likes to get up in the morning, look in the mirror and say, “hey, I’m likin’ those worn down decayed looking teeth!”

Dental crowns, along with dental implants, are the most asked for service in my practice. Beyond the appearance factor, crowns allow you to restore natural chewing function. When you allow decayed teeth to remain for extended periods, or walk around with root canals that aren’t crowned, you compromise your chewing function. You also put stress on muscles and this often leads to head, neck and jaw discomfort. The body is a finely balanced mechanism and the teeth are integral elements in maintaining that delicate balance.

The best dental crowns, in my thirty-five years’ experience, are those made by technicians who have mastered their art. I send my crowns to be made in a lab because I find the workmanship to be superior to anything that can be made in an office. Although in-office dental crowns offer you a faster turnaround, this benefit is outweighed by the fact that they’re not being made by a skilled lab technician who crafts natural-looking and perfect-fitting crowns every day. To say a dental assistant or even a dentist can produce the same quality is like comparing fast food to a slow cooked gourmet meal. We all know there’s a difference. In the case of dental crowns, the fees usually are the same regardless of where they’re made. So, given the option myself, I’d wait and get the crowns made by experts since I’m paying the same anyway.

Filed Under: Dentistry Tagged With: , , ,

News: St Louis Ranks Among Lowest in Nation for Dental Health

June 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

MSN Health News reported in the first quarter of 2011 that St Louis is the most dentally challenged city in the country. Other sources don’t rank St Louis quite that poorly, but a little research corroborated what could be a legitimate reason to educate our residents more on the importance of dental care and its relationship to overall health.

Missouri ranks third for consumption of cola and all that sugar and artificial coloring can wreak havoc on your teeth. When you combine the soda consumption with the fact that Missouri ranks #46 for dental visits (meaning among the lowest in the nation), you can understand how the overall dental condition of Missouri-ans is poor.

The best first step in any dental improvement program is to increase checkups. The regular cleanings alone will improve gum health and the regular dental exams can detect problems before they become expensive or painful to address.

Filed Under: General Dental, General Health, St. Louis Tagged With:
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