New Front Page

► IN THIS ISSUE

Six Simple Questions About Your Teeth, Answered!

It’s easy to forget how to properly care for your teeth and mouth. This post offers a refresher, with some surprising news about mouthwash and dental floss…

“Grounds” for Attention: Don’t Ignore This Condition!

What can cause jaw pain, damage to your teeth and other uncomfortable symptoms? You may have heard the word “bruxism” – learn what it is, and how to stop it.

Six Simple Questions About Your Teeth, Answered!

It’s easy to forget how to properly care for your teeth and mouth. This post offers a refresher, with some surprising news about mouthwash and dental floss…

“Grounds” for Attention: Don’t Ignore This Condition!

What can cause jaw pain, damage to your teeth and other uncomfortable symptoms? You may have heard the word “bruxism” – learn what it is, and how to stop it.

Extra! Dental News from Around The Web!

Presenting our roundup of cool articles in the world of dental health. Check them out regularly! They could mean snappier smiles for you and your family!

Dentists and Orthodontists: What’s The Diff?

Dentists often recommend that patients see an orthodontist for treatment. What’s the difference between an orthodontists and a dentist? Whom should you see first?

Extra! Dental News from Around The Web!

Presenting our roundup of cool articles in the world of dental health. Check them out regularly! They could mean snappier smiles for you and your family!

Dentists and Orthodontists: What’s The Diff?

Dentists often recommend that patients see an orthodontist for treatment. What’s the difference between an orthodontists and a dentist? Whom should you see first?

The Plaque On The Wall (Of Your Teeth) — The Where, What and Why

You’ve probably know that plaque build-up on your teeth isn’t healthy but have you ever wondered what plaque is and why it’s there? Find out here!

Stanley Cup Musings … How Can Hockey Players Save Their Teeth?

While serious injuries are not unique to ice hockey, there’s one type of damage that is – losing your teeth. As we close out the hockey season, discover the latest trends in treating and preventing dental injuries behind the glass.

The Plaque On The Wall (Of Your Teeth) — The Where, What and Why

You’ve probably know that plaque build-up on your teeth isn’t healthy but have you ever wondered what plaque is and why it’s there? Find out here!

Stanley Cup Musings … How Can Hockey Players Save Their Teeth?

► our little video

► More Good Stuff

More Dental Comedy – Ha Ha!

We’ve added to our collection! Here are some great clips, classic and new, that have something to do with the world of dentistry. Hold onto your teeth, here we go!

Showing Off At The Dentist | Jason Hewlett | DRYBAR

The whole thing about Jason is this facial expression (if you can call it that) Watch him describe his personal experience with his kids teeth, his own teeth and the shock and awe he inspired at the dentist.

The Dr. Dan Show | A to Z Entertainment

Believe it or not, we found this dentist offering himself out as a comedian, and guess what — his act actually has some teeth! Check it out…

To Hell With Flossing | Norm McDonald | Late Night with Conan O’brien

As you may know, Norm was a cast member of SNL and also an offbeat comedian. We’ll miss you, Norm.

Matt LeBlanc Did His Own Dental Work Before “Friends” | Conan

Being broke often drives people to take extreme measures. Hear how, as a young, poor actor, Matt LeBlanc, took his need for cosmetic dental treatment into his own hands. Don’t do this at home!

Dental Mental | Classic Mr. Bean

Remember the old Rowan Atkinson show, Mr. Bean? Let’s join him as he makes an absolutely disastrous visit to the dentist.

Peter’s Trip To The Dentist | Peter Kay

Watch this hysterical bit from British comedian, Peter Kay, about his own dental experience. Funny stuff!

Jenny Slate’s Pot Smoking Led Her To “Hot” Dentist | Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Jenny’s pitch-perfect story about her encounter with a “hot” dentist is very entertaining. Let’s watch…

The Dentist | The Carol Burnett Show

Last but not least, this sketch is perhaps one of the funniest dental routines in TV history! Watch Tim Conway (the dentist) and Harvey Korman (the patient) go at it…

Well, that’s another installment of Best Dental Comedy. Remember, a trip to the dentist doesn’t have to be side-splitting – if you visit regularly. Make an appointment today!

“What Is Smile Rejuvenation And Did I Hear ‘Look Younger’?”

If you’re looking to get rid of those wrinkles, sags or jowls around your mouth, don’t call the plastic surgeon just yet – see your dentist first – here’s why…

Before You Hit That Snooze Button, Consider This…

It’s a scenario we all recognize: the alarm blaring way too soon after a late night. “Just ten minutes more,” you tell yourself and hit the snooze button. You might even repeat the cycle another time or two. But there is a price you pay.

Dig! 5 Cosmetic Dental Problems Veneers Can Solve!

Beyond being a symbol of general health and vitality, your smile is the best advertisement for you! That’s why proper dental care is so important. But sometimes, you’re looking for something more — a smile that sizzles.

If you have ever seen a Hollywood star with an amazing smile, you may have thought how you would love to have teeth like that. The smiles of many celebrities are famous thanks to their dazzling white teeth. There’s a good chance many of these celebrities have a hidden secret — they’ve enhanced their smile with veneers.

Dental veneers cover up your tooth without affecting the form and function of the tooth itself. You can use veneers to address structural and cosmetic concerns and improve the color of your teeth. Let’s look at ways dental implants can improve your smile.

1. Dental Veneers Can Whiten Your Smile

If you want a white, brighter smile, you may have considered teeth whitening. But if you’re dealing with tooth discoloration that doesn’t respond to professional teeth whitening or other cosmetic dentistry procedures, dental veneers may be the right treatment for you.

A veneer is a thin layer of tooth-colored material, often porcelain, used to cover the front surface of teeth. The thin veneers are bonded to the fronts of your teeth to create a beautiful and natural-looking smile. Veneers can whiten your smile and correct uneven coloration. If you have permanent staining or discoloration that cannot be removed through professional teeth cleaning or whitening treatments, dental veneers may help.

Dental porcelain does not stain as easily as natural tooth enamel — so with proper oral hygiene and professional care, dental veneers will enhance your smile for years to come .

2. Dental Veneers Can Close Gaps Between Teeth

Dental veneers can close gaps in your teeth that trap food and destroy the symmetry of your smile. Veneers are custom-made, so they can be used to address a wide range of issues. They can even improve the appearance of crooked teeth in less time than traditional braces. Veneers are also a good solution for patients who want to close tooth gaps but don’t want to wear braces.

3. Veneers Can Correct Chipped or Broken Teeth

Have you broken or chipped a tooth? That can be embarrassing, especially if the damage is visible when you smile. A dental veneer can help restore the original look and shape of your tooth. Veneers are also used to strengthen teeth with severe enamel erosion. Veneers can enhance the appearance of damaged teeth but can also improve their strength and durability.

4. Dental Veneers Can Reshape Your Teeth

Veneers can subtly reshape a damaged tooth. For example, a veneer can restore a tooth’s original length if it’s shortened due to injury or decay. It can also reshape teeth worn down from nail-biting and teeth-grinding. Veneers provide a much more conservative option because they require less removal of tooth enamel than a crown or bridge. (On average, dentists remove about 0.5 millimeters of tooth enamel to place veneers, but the amount can vary.)

5. With Veneers, You’ll Smile More Often

There’s nothing more beautiful than a white, healthy smile. You’ll find yourself smiling more often with veneers on your teeth.

Veneers can last 10 years if you care for them properly and avoid chewing on hard items like ice or pens, which can damage them. Veneers last longer than other types of cosmetic dental treatment. However, they can still chip or break like natural teeth. Therefore, it’s important to continue practicing good oral hygiene after getting dental veneers.

The Bottom Line

Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or composite materials. Porcelain veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth and are less likely to stain than composite veneers. Plus, composite veneers are not as long-lasting as porcelain and may require more maintenance.

An initial consultation with us will determine if dental veneers are right for you. At this visit, we can evaluate the condition of your teeth to determine which cosmetic procedure is best. Come see us, and find out if veneers are the right choice for adding sizzle to your smile!

References:

“Dental Veneers: Pros And Cons | Colgate®.” colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/veneers/dental-veneers-pros-and-cons.
“Dental Veneers: Porcelain Veneer Uses, Procedure, and More.” webmd.com/oral-health/guide/veneers.
Pascotto R, Pini N, Aguiar FHB, Lima DANL, Lovadino JR, Terada RSS. Advances in dental veneers: materials, applications, and techniques. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry. Published online February 2012:9. doi:10.2147/cciden.s7837.
Alothman Y, Bamasoud MS. The Success of Dental Veneers According To Preparation Design and Material Type. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2018;6(12):2402-2408. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.353.

Stanley Cup Musings … How Can Hockey Players Save Their Teeth?

In a sport like hockey, exciting, fast-paced action can quickly lead to injuries.

Getting banged up and bruised is not something unique to this sport, but there is one type of damage that is more common in hockey than most any other – losing your teeth.

The image of a gap-toothed, ice-skating goon is classic, solidifying hockey’s status as one of the toughest sports in the world. Watch this brief HBO report to see what we mean.

Yet, all this oral punishment comes at a price. After decades of players “toughing it out”, a new generation of players is striving to pay more attention to their dental health with state-of-the-art dental protection.

Tooth reinsertion in hockey players

With 82 games per season in the NHL, it isn’t hard to see why players stand to earn a gap or two in their uppers and lowers. One solution, in some circumstances, is immediate tooth re-insertion.

According to American Academy of Implant Dentistry president Joseph Orrico, if a tooth should be knocked out during a game, it can be placed in a cold container of milk for preservation, and a dental professional can then surgically reinsert it, provided the procedure can be done within thirty minutes or so of the accident. That is why NHL teams usually have a dentist standing by during games in order to provide the quickest possible treatment.

As noted by Orrico, “there’s a short window of opportunity in which the remaining living tissue on the root surface can be kept alive. Milk has a neutral pH balance and is fortified with vitamins to make it an excellent medium for helping preserve teeth.”

This technique is only applicable if the tooth, including the root, is completely knocked out. In cases where the tooth is broken above the gum line, the Academy suggests a root canal, accompanied by a crown, to ensure the tooth structure is maintained.

Dental implants of the removable kind

Fractures below the gum line tend to result in an extraction of tooth fragments and the insertion of dental implants. Age plays a role in this decision, as gradual bone loss can be a more important factor depending on how old a patient is.

Orrico says that now, the use of implants, which are artificial titanium tooth roots, could be a major benefit to young hockey players trying to protect their mouths.

Check out this news report from Spectrum/TimeWarner Cable News

As opposed to an unsecured prosthetic (dentures) Orrico believes that an implant-secured prosthesis is the way to go, due to its ability to preserve the health of the jawbone over time.

The prosthesis used by hockey players are actually removable, and can be taken out or put in before and after games, giving players flexibility, and reducing the chances of damage to the implant itself.

A change of habits

For the NFL, all the dental technology in the world can’t alter player attitudes overnight. However, a concentrated effort, starting at the youth level of play, can help future generations be smarter about protecting their dental health.

As noted in an article from the New York Times, mouth guards are now required to play in any level of amateur hockey. By the time young players go pro, their teeth will be looking better than those of the hard-nosed generations who came before them.

The NHL has a dentist’s association, which meets annually at the All-Star Game to discuss topics such as creating safer mouth guards and face masks, something that would have seemed unlikely just thirty years ago.

Despite notable advancements, the mindset of “toughing it out” at the cost of one’s teeth is still alive and well. While other physical ailments will result in taking the night off, hockey players often do not sit one out over a lost tooth. Some players even view losing teeth as a rite of passage, displaying them on their desks, or marking notches to keep count.

It comes as no surprise that players such as Brent Burns, one of the best defensemen in the game today, doesn’t even bring his removable implants with him on road trips. This is unfortunate because the use of implants can actually protect the positioning and stability of the player’s real teeth. Failure to wear the them can have negative long-term effects, including the collapse of gum tissue, causing remaining teeth to become unstable.

For anyone missing some teeth, it is strongly advised to speak with our office about using implants or other prosthetic method, if just for the sake of healthier teeth and gums.

Written by Bryan Armetta
Edited by Clifford Yurman

More Dental Comedy – Ha Ha!

We’ve added to our collection! Here are some great clips, classic and new, that have something to do with the world of dentistry. Hold onto your teeth, here we go!