The Need for Orthodontic Straightening

Tooth straightening procedures are performed for a number of reasons. Many people are born with teeth that are not perfectly straight, or teeth can become crooked with age leading to bite problems. Crooked teeth can also become a long term problem if left untreated; they can place strain on the jaws and jaw muscles leading to other problems such as headaches. In some cases crooked teeth look simply unsightly, and if the front teeth are crooked they can be easily damaged.

How Can Orthodontic Procedures Help?

Orthodontic procedures will be able to straighten crooked teeth and move them into the best position in the mouth. Having straight teeth also makes cleaning easier, which in turn can help eliminate decay to the teeth and gums. A dentist may be able to carry out the necessary orthodontic treatments after a full evaluation, or they may refer the patient to an orthodontist. Having a full examination is vital to assess which dental procedure will be the most suitable for the patient.

Surgery Involved In Teeth Straightening

In many cases surgery will not be needed with the straightening process. However, if there is not enough space in the mouth for the permanent teeth to align then some surgery may be involved. This could include removing some permanent teeth, and with more serious bite problems may mean jaw surgery. A short stay in hospital may be necessary for this type of dental surgery. A dentist will look at all alternatives but surgery may be the only option for people with very serious bite (malocclusion) conditions.

Teeth Straightening Devices

There are a number of non surgical dental devices used to commonly straighten teeth. Many people, at some point in their life, will have known people that have worn braces for a period of time. However, braces are no longer the obtrusive or unsightly devices that they once were. The dental braces market has come a long way in recent years, and braces are now designed to be as unobtrusive as possible and provide a faster straightening period. A dentist or orthodontist will be able to give information on the types of braces available. If the procedure is a cosmetic treatment for adults then there will usually be various prices depending on the different types of braces.

Common Braces

Braces do vary from the more traditional fixed braces to new, more modern systems that has no visible wires. Most adults will choose braces which are not visible and are removable for cleaning of the teeth. In most adult cases the brace will need to be adjusted at regular intervals as the teeth straighten.

Other Teeth Straightening Options

Porcelain veneers are a very popular method of giving the appearance of straight teeth without the need for braces. Veneers may be suitable for people that do not have any major orthodontic problems but would like to improve the color, shape and alignment of their teeth. The advantage of porcelain veneers is that the procedure can usually be accomplished in just a few visits. There will be some removal of the natural tooth structure to allow the veneer to sit on top of the tooth. Dentists will be able to advise if porcelain veneers are a suitable option.

For many people, having crooked teeth can result in severe bite problems and even speech impediments. For others, having crooked teeth is embarrassing and can lead to a loss in confidence. Teeth straightening procedures are a simple way to correct crooked teeth and improve an individual’s appearance. A dentist or orthodontist will be able to recommend the best way forward and the options available for anyone who is considering teeth straightening treatments.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000

Start With A Healthy Oral Hygiene Program

While good oral hygiene that includes regular brushing, flossing and visits for professional cleanings is important to keep teeth cleaner and whiter, it’s not usually enough for many of us. Daily assaults from red wine, tea, coffee and a number of other beverages and foods can leave our teeth stained and unattractive.

These kinds of stains aren’t always easy to remove by brushing alone, which leads people to choose tooth whitening. Those who are smokers will struggle even more to remove stains by brushing alone.

Risks of Tooth Whitening

Unfortunately, it’s not so simple to just get professional or at-home tooth whitening done and be problem-free. There are things that can go wrong and you need to do your research before choosing tooth whitening for a brighter smile. As tooth whitening continues to become more popular, the drive for new products can mean that we don’t find out about all the risks right away either.

Choosing the Best System

There are many kinds of tooth whitening procedures that can be used at the dentist or in the privacy of your own home. First and foremost, if you do choose professional whitening, make sure you go with a qualified dentist. Today, some of the people offering whitening are merely technicians and do not have the specialized training to understand dentistry or deal with some of the problems that can arise. 

Gum and Tooth Sensitivity

One of the shared problems no matter what system you choose – at-home or in-office – is that gums can become extremely sensitive from the chemicals that are used in tooth whitening products. If you tend to naturally have sensitive teeth already, you should be particularly cautious about the products you use to whiten your teeth. For this reason, a professional whitening procedure performed under a qualified dentist may be the best choice for you.

Those who have healthy teeth and don’t tend to experience tooth sensitivity to hot and cold drinks may fare well with an at-home kit. These are typically much cheaper than dentist whitening procedures, so they are often favored for this reason. You can also use a toothpaste that is specially formulated for sensitive teeth; it can be helpful while you undergo whitening and if you don’t already have sensitive teeth, it can help to prevent future issues from the whitening kit.

Some of the whitening kits used at home can also harm tooth enamel, so it is important to use one that is approved by your dentist and ideally carries a seal of approval from your national dental organization.

Burns to Gums

While uncommon, there is the potential for gum damage from both at-home or in-office whitening procedures. The newer laser whitening has also resulted in reports of gum problems. This, however, can be minimized by choosing a dentist who has significant experience in the field of cosmetic dentistry.

Whitening Restorative Substances

If you have fillings, you should know that tooth whitening typically won’t whiten these substances. Talk to your dentist about your best options for whitening if you have porcelain or other materials used for fillings or any other kind of restorative work in your mouth.

Making the Right Choice

Approach tooth whiteners with care and caution along with advice from a qualified dentist. This way, you can find the right one for you while minimizing risks and getting the beautiful white teeth that give the first impression you want.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000

Natural Looking restoration

When a tooth has a cavity or you need to replace a worn filling, a natural-looking white restoration can be a beautiful choice.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEzvei5nwbY

Advantages

White fillings have several advantages over silver filings.

• They are bonded to your tooth, making it stronger than if we used a silver filling
• We do not have to remove as much tooth structure as with silver filling
• The bonding agent can insulate your tooth from extremes of hot and cold
• Some white restorations can be done in just one visit

Procedure

After we remove the decay, we build layers of the resin directly onto your tooth. We use a special light to bond the resin to the tooth for strength.

A larger cavity may need an indirect restoration. We remove the decay or the old, worn restoration. The new restoration will be created in the lab to precisely fit your tooth.

Once crafted, we bond the restoration to your tooth for strength.  It takes two or more visits to get this kind of restoration.

White fillings can be a great choice to give your healthy teeth and a beautiful, natural-looking smile.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000

Implant overdentures can be a fantastic way to replace missing teeth when all or most are gone. Here are a few important reasons why they can be such a good option for so many people.

Implant overdentures allow patients who are missing all or most of their teeth to restore them using  a removable device or denture that can snap into place. Over time, dentures have been traditionally used to replace all of a patient’s existing teeth when their dental health was substandard. The use of implants with dentures allows a much more stable final result.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lFS7oc1lcg

The standard of care is now for a whole lower denture to have two implants to hold it in place. So for a patient who has none of their teeth, ideally they would have a full upper denture, then a full lower denture, with two implants in place. The more implants that can be placed, the more stable the dentures will finally be.

Eat Corn on the Cob Again

Implant overdentures have really given life to patients who would not be able to wear lower dentures. A common response from patients who now have implants holding their dentures in place is that they can finally eat corn on the cob again.

If a patient needs all of his teeth removed, an immediate denture can be made, so that when they are removed they have a temporary denture in place immediately. Hopefully, at that time, implants can be placed as well.

These implants will take a few months to heal. Once they have healed into place, a new set of dentures can be made that are attached to the implants, giving much greater stability.

Less Predictable Results with Mini Implants

Many types of dental implants can sometimes be used when there is not enough bone for conventional implants. The longevity of the mini implants we sometimes use is not fully known yet, but the results are looking better and better. By using mini implants, they will allow a patient to have implants without bone grafting. But the result can be a little less predictable.

Implant overdentures are one of the most inexpensive methods to restore teeth, compared to hybrid fixed restorations, for example. But they are nonetheless durable, and easy to clean and take care of.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be an embarrassing problem. It can be caused by the foods you eat, dry mouth, tobacco products, or a medical disorder. Maintaining proper oral health can help reduce or eliminate bad breath.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7bmlNFy8ug

Bad Breath Causes

Bad breath (halitosis) can be caused by a variety of things including diet, medication, poor oral hygiene, and diseases or conditions such as diabetes, GERD, lactose intolerance, gum disease, and more. Treatment for bad breath depends on the cause.

There are many things that can cause bad breath, including the following:

Diet

•  When a person does not brush or floss their teeth thoroughly, food particles may remain in the mouth. These particles may rot and cause foul odors. In addition, food particles over time can promote the growth of bacteria, which can also cause foul odors. The bacteria can also lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
• Foods with strong odors also affect the air a person exhales. Foods commonly known to contribute to bad breath include onions and garlic, exotic spices (such as curry), some cheeses, fish, and acidic beverages such as coffee. Foods are absorbed into the bloodstream and then transferred to the lungs, causing noticeable odors when exhaled. These foods may also cause gastrointestinal upset and belching, which can contribute to bad breath. In addition, certain supplements such as fish oil capsules can contribute to bad breath.
• Low carbohydrate diets may also cause what is known as ‘ketone breath.’ So-called ‘low carb’ diets cause the body to burn fat as its energy source. The end-product of making this energy are ketones, which cause a fruity acetone-like odor on the breath when exhaled.

Dry Mouth

Bad breath can also be caused by decreased flow of saliva, which is a vital part of the digestive process and removes odor-causing particles in the mouth. Also called xerostomia, dry mouth may be caused by medications, breathing through the mouth, or salivary gland problems.

Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:

1. Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your teeth after you eat (keep a toothbrush at work or school to brush after lunch). Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too. Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. Use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between your teeth once a day. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning.
2. See your dentist regularly -- at least twice a year. He or she will conduct an oral examination and professional teeth cleaning and will be able detect and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth odor.
3. Stop smoking/chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
4. Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist. Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
5. Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think the foods that you eat may be causing your bad breath, record what you eat. Bring the log to your dentist to review. Similarly, make a list of the medications you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000

A new way to straighten teeth

Braces used to be the only way to straighten teeth affected by malocclusion (a bad bite). But now, we have a system called “Invisalign” that allows us to straighten your teeth without using the brackets and wires of traditional braces.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2T1-d4gFcg

The patented Invisalign system uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually reposition the teeth. We’ve chosen to offer the Invisalign system because the aligners are more visually appealing than braces. They are also removable, which makes it easier to clean your teeth after eating. The aligner are smooth and comfortable, and they don’t irritate your gums, cheek , or tongue. The Invisalign system also eliminates any allergic reactions  that you may experience with metal.

 Creating and using Invisalign

We first take impressions of your teeth, bite registrations, photographs, and x-rays. We send these materials, accompanied by a treatment plan, to the laboratory. The lab than creates the aligners – a set of precisely customized, clear molds. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks, and you will remove them only to eat, drink, brush and floss.

About every two weeks, you will replace the aligner with the next one in the series. Your teeth will move, a little at a time, until they are straightened to the desired position. About every six weeks, you will visit us to that we can ensure that your treatment is progressing appropriately.

It typically take nine to 15 months to complete orthodontic  treatment with Invisalign, during which time 18 to 30 aligners are used. The time it takes to complete treatment will vary according to your specific  circumstances.

After a thoutough exam and review of your health history and lifestyle, we will be able to determine if Invisalign is right for you.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bCXywmrDfs

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr. Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000.

Unfortunately, the routine removal of temporary restorations does not parallel the decisions that must be made when a patient presents with a defective crown and bridge that need to be removed and replaced with a new restoration. The same techniques used for the removal of temporary restorations can lead to disastrous results. While there are many designs of crown removers that use a bumping force created by a weight sliding on a bar or an air-driven motor to knock the crown or bridge off the tooth, these devices are radical and can cause considerable damage. A crown bumper, even if it is well controlled, can cause fracture of the crown of the tooth, root fracture, pulpal injury, or injury of the periodontal ligament.

For this reason, the rationale and technique for safe and atraumatic removal of defective crowns and bridges using a dentated bur and a professional crown remover.

When cutting through the existing crown, it is important that:
- The initial cut is made to visualize the metal of the crown, the cement line, and dentin of the crown preparations when cutting through the metal
- When sectioning the crown, the tooth not be cut into creating a notch; this can create a hazard to the tooth when the flat end of the crown splitter is placed into the notch as a purchase point to pry the crown apart.
- The crown be sectioned completely through the most gingival portion of the crown margin, so that when the crown is pried apart, there is no intact metal holding it together.

Once the decision is made to remove rather than repair a defective crown or bridge, it is removed from the abutment tooth or teeth in an atraumatic manner. Using the methodology presented in this article, the task was found to be safely and easily accomplished.
It is always recomended however to consult with your local dental office and set up an individual plan for your specific needs.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000.

Porcelain Dental Crowns can be divided into three categories based upon the materials used.
Crowns can be:
1. all ceramic / porcelain,
2. zirconium framed
3. porcelain fused to metal.

Porcelain fused to Metal - Porcelain fused to metal crowns are very common and used as standard because they have been around for awhile and the product is known. This type of crown has porcelain baked on to high noble alloy shell.

All Porcelain Crowns - The ceramic/porcelain crown have no metal and depending upon the type of crown can be either cemented or bonded to the tooth. The most esthetic ceramic crown has greater depth of color and is opalescent. Here are the following types of all porcelain crowns:

• Procera
Procera is a milled ceramic on the inside with a more traditional porcelain baked onto the outside. One advantage of Procera is its exceptional strength. Another advantage of Procera is that it doesn’t have to be bonded to the tooth but can be cemented with ordinary crown and bridge cement, a technique familiar to all dentists.

• Empress
Empress is a type of all ceramic crown that is similar to a durable glass. To achieve a perfect fit, the Empress material is cast to the underlying tooth structure rather than baked, as other types porcelain crowns are. To achieve an appearance that is an exact match with your existing teeth, the outside surface of Empress crowns is baked. As such, the fit of an Empress crown is precise, while the outside surface contour, finish, and color are extremely durable.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000.

How are Dental Root Canals Performed?
Depending on the number of teeth and severity affected, root canals usually require one to two visits not including any follow-up visits. Your dentist will numb the area around the affected tooth, or may offer you the option of mild sedation. A rubber dental dam is placed and the tooth is then drilled to the pulp area either through the top or the back of the tooth. The actual root canals are measured after some of the pulp has been removed. This is done so that the dentist can clean the entire canal, and so that enough of the filling material will be used to completely fill the canal. The actual measuring is done with either x-rays or electronic imaging devices.

All of the diseased pulp in the tooth is removed, and the canal is cleaned out thoroughly with an antiseptic solution. This solution will clean all of the canals within the tooth. The canals are then filled with gutta percha, a flexible plastic material. A temporary filling is then put on top of that. A crown or permanent filling will be done after there has been no sign of infection. Crowns are most common since the root canal procedure weakens the tooth. The crown is usually placed as soon as possible, within a month or less.

Expect two to three days of soreness after the procedure, or longer if the infection in the root canal was severe.

Types of Root Canals

There are generally two types of root canal procedures. The first (and hopefully only) root canal on a tooth, and the second root canal on the same tooth. Both procedures are the same, other than that if this is the second root canal done on the same tooth it requires more time and expense. This is because your dentist must remove all of the previous filling in the canal and pulp area in order to start again.

Pros and Cons of Dental Root Canals

Advantage: Pain is always associated with root canals, but should actually be little to no pain during the procedure. The procedure is not for cosmetics, but rather your health. The infect will only get worse with time if left untreated. The root canal procedure is successful over 92 percent of the time. The biggest advantage is that the tooth will not need to be extracted in the future.

Disadvantage: Not often, but sometimes infected tissue is pushed through the ends of the root, which will infect the gum. This is easily treated, but is also painful until the infection is cleared up. Canals are irregularly shaped, and if the canal is not accurately measured or branches of the canal were not discovered, it cannot be completely cleaned or filled requiring the procedure to be done again when this area becomes infected.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000.