Cosmetic Dentist - Salem Oregon | 810 Liberty St NE | Salem, OR 97301 | 503-364-9222
Posts for: July, 2010
A new gel being developed in France may work to help decayed teeth grow back to normal health. Early testing on rats showed decayed teeth being restored to health as fast as four weeks time. The gel contains melanocyte-stimulating hormone which is normally produced in the pituitary gland. This hormone seems to cause tooth cells "turn back on" and start growing again. The researchers say that they may have a viable treatment available in 3 - 5 years that may fix cavities with this gel rather than the drill. Here is a link to the article below.
A small study in Germany shows that the bacteria that causes gum disease seems to collect in high levels all around the tongue piercings. The people they looked at had their piercings in place for 2 to 8 years. It seems the longer it was in place - the higher the levels of bacteria. Smoking made things even worse. They compared these bacteria levels to those who did not have piercings and the levels of bacteria were much higher in the patients with piercings.
If a person must have a tongue piercing - it is recommended to brush and clean the area everyday to lower the bacteria levels as much as possible. Here is a link to the article below........
To help prevent cavities - how often you eat can be just as important as what you eat. The reason is that food affects your teeth long after you have swallowed it. Certain bacteria in your mouth take the carbohydrates that you eat and produce acids. They can produce this acid up to 30 minutes after you have eaten. These acids dissolve minerals in your teeth and can start the process of a cavity.
Sugary foods like cookies and candies have carbohydrates, but less obvious foods like breads, apples and crackers all have carbohydrates. So if you are nibbling on crackers or sipping on a Big Gulp every 30 minutes - it is like bathing your teeth in acid all day long. It is much better for your teeth to have snack foods with your meal rather than multiple times between meals. Or better yet - just eat healthy foods at regular meal times. Here is a link below to an article that talks all about healthy eating strategies to keep your mouth and teeth in great shape!
Digestive problems appear to be linked to more dental problems says a study at Chicago Medical School. The study looked at inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. Even though people with IBD tended to take better of their teeth than the people in the study who did not have IBD - the patients with OBD tended to have more cavities, more sores in their mouths and a drier mouth. The study could not show any cause and effect relationship at this time. More work needs to be done. A link to the article is below.
Study linking IBD and dental problems
Here is a link to a local interview asking questions about veneers and other cosmetic dental procedures.......
Here is a copy of the interview below.........
An Interview With Dr. William D. Payne, DMD , A Qualified Dentist For Moms In Salem
1. Is there a difference in quality among various types of veneers and crowns?
Yes - there can be a huge difference between the look and quality of different veneers and crowns. The natural look is the ultimate blend of science and artistry. The skill of the dentist in doing the work and picking the right materials for each individual case are important. And the time, effort and artistic talents of the lab technician are also a huge factor. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages - and it is up to the skills of the dentist and the lab technician to pick the right materials for the job.
2. What is bonding and how is it different from a veneer?
Cosmetic bonding uses a tooth colored composite material that can alter the shape and color of a tooth. It is commonly used as a white filling material. It is generally less expensive than a porcelain veneer, but it tends not to be as strong or natural looking as a porcelain veneer. It will pick up discoloration over the years and will need to be replaced more often than porcelain veneers.
3. What can be done for excessive gum tissue?
Laser gum treatments can be used to correct minor amounts of excessive gum tissue. Larger amounts of excessive gum tissue need to be treated using orthodontics, gum surgery or jaw surgery or any combination above. It just depends on the case. There are also some cosmetic lip procedures that can be used to hide excessive gum tissue.
4. Is cosmetic dental work expensive?
Cosmetic dental wok can be expensive if it involves a lot of work on a lot of different teeth. It is like having custom jewerly done many times over. Cosmetic dentistry can be relatively inexpensive if you only need minor treatments to make your smile the way you want it. It all depends on what you need and want. How much is the self confidence of a beautiful smile worth?
5. What about my dental insurance? Will it cover this?
Dental insurance will cover some parts of cosmetic dentistry, but there are usually out of pocket costs involved for the patient also.
6. What causes the discoloration of a tooth?
Your teeth can become discolored by stains on the surface or by changes in the tooth material. Dentists divide discoloration into three main categories:
Extrinsic discoloration -- This occurs when the outer layer of the tooth (the enamel) is stained by coffee, wine, cola or other drinks or foods. Smoking also causes extrinsic stains.
Intrinsic discoloration -- This is when the inner structure of the tooth (the dentin) darkens or gets a yellow tint. Causes include excessive exposure to fluoride during early childhood, the maternal use of tetracycline antibiotics during the second half of pregnancy and the use of tetracycline antibiotics in children 8 years old or younger.
Age-related discoloration -- This is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. In addition to stains caused by foods or smoking, the dentin naturally yellows over time. The enamel that covers the teeth gets thinner with age, which allows the dentin to show through. Chips or other injuries to a tooth can also cause discoloration, especially when the pulp has been damaged. In rare cases, children with a condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta are born with gray, amber or purple discolorations.