There have been lots of changes over time in the materials used to restore teeth. Many of the materials I use today were not in existence when I started to practice. The most significant changes have been to materials that are tooth-colored.

There are very few patients who ask for gold or silver fillings any more. And, while some of these newer materials are tooth colored, there are factors which need to be considered in determining what material is appropriate for each individual situation. The longest lasting restorations I have ever seen are gold done by dentists who really knew the art of working with gold.

As I said last week – The… (Read More)

Dentistry is full of old, new, and emerging technology. For example, the different ways to use dental implants over the last 30 years has been a major game changer in the field of dentistry. Likewise, CAD/CAM technology (computer-aided design and manufacturing of dental restorations) has seen steady growth over the same 30 years. Here is a little background on the some of the reasons this technology is here to stay.

Let me start by saying that the best dentistry is NO dentistry. Prevention of decay and other destructive things that happen to teeth is the best line of defense. Having said that, the fact of the matter is, there are many people who need things… (Read More)

I remember seeing a commercial for a cholesterol medication in which the person playing the doctor says, “I wish my patients could see what I see.” I think there are two ways to look at that statement.

The commercial showed an image of animated artery walls clogging with particles of plaque clinging to one another, making the opening of the artery smaller and smaller. This is a visual that is easy to understand.

The second, and more subtle way to take this statement, is the doctor wishing that patients could see what happens to people over time, with and without compliance to taking medication or changing their diet. If patients could only understand and use… (Read More)

If you’ve recently invested in dental implants, you’ve made a wise decision. You can enjoy many summer foods you might have avoided, thanks to your new teeth. Dental implants are unlike any other tooth replacement method because they have the support of your jawbone to regain 70% of your natural biting force. Although you can eat just about anything, your implant dentist recommends a few precautions to protect your investment.
(more…)

There are many people who suffer with pain involving some area of the head. Toothaches can cause pain, but these are mostly avoidable with proper diet, home care and regular visits to your dentist. Teeth can also play an indirect role in facial/head pain.

Orofacial pain includes a number of clinical problems involving the chewing (masticatory) muscles and/or temporomandibular joints (TMJs). Problems can include TMJ discomfort involving muscle spasms in the head, neck, shoulders and/or jaw, migraines or other types of tension headaches, pain with the teeth, face or jaw; and can even play a role in anxiety and/or depression.

You swallow approximately 2,000 times per day, which causes the upper and lower teeth to… (Read More)