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Cosmetic and
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dentistry

Archives for December 2018

Thinking about Leaving Your TMJ Untreated? 5 Risks that Will Make Your Jaw Drop

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The temporomandibular joint is like a sliding hinge that connects your lower jaw to your temporal bone (on the side of your head). Joint disorder or dysfunction is commonly referred to as TMJ.

Why Some People Choose Not to Treat TMJ

Some people who think they have TMJ ignore the signs and symptoms. They don’t necessarily think the issue will go away, but they might choose to handle it on their own without seeking medical or dental advice. Why? The reasons vary, but some of them are below.

  • Too busy – Like many medical or dental appointments, you might feel that your schedule is too busy. What if you need follow-up appointments? What if you’re prescribed therapy? A busy schedule can cause you to delay or avoid seeking professional advice.
  • The cost – The cost of a co-pay, coinsurance, or out-of-pocket expenses can cause you to delay or avoid treatment.
  • DIY works for you – A common way to relieve most types of pain and discomfort is with over-the-counter pain reliever, so you might choose to take ibuprofen when symptoms become intense and skip a dental visit altogether.
  • Afraid of the dentist – If you have dental anxiety, it can keep you out of the office. Period. Your fear of the dentist might be greater than fear of what can happen if your TMJ signs and symptoms are left untreated.

What Are the Risks?

Diagram of the temporomandibular joint with the mandibular condyle resting in the articular fossa of the skull and the disk and the ligament between are attached to the muscle; for information on dentists in Philadelphia treating TMJ disorder.
Temporomandibular joint moves whenever your jaw does

Experts agree that TMJ symptoms should be treated conservatively. At-home care often provides relief and can include resting the joint, applying heat and cold packs to your jaw, and doing gentle jaw exercises.

But if you ignore the signs and symptoms and decide to do nothing, what are the risks? Five of them are reviewed below.

  1. Chronic pain – Untreated TMJ can get worse. As your jaw joint becomes increasingly stressed, headaches, earaches, jaw pain, and neck pain will also increase. Your quality of life can eventually become affected by chronic pain.
  2. Tinnitus – Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) can result from TMJ dysfunction. Tinnitus can be stressful and disturb your sleep.
  3. Dizziness – A poorly aligned jaw can put pressure on the sensors in your inner ear that are responsible for balance and make you feel dizzy.
  4. Sleep disturbances – The pain and discomfort from TMJ can disturb your sleep. Insufficient sleep can result in anxiety, depression, lack of concentration, impaired memory, and a variety of medical conditions.
  5. Misaligned bite – Joint dysfunction can cause your bite (the way your upper and lower teeth fit together) to be misaligned. A misaligned bite can create painful and costly orthodontic issues that, if left untreated, will last a lifetime.

What Should You Do?

Schedule an appointment with a dentist who has advanced, post-graduate training in occlusion, bite, and TMJ therapy. If you have dental anxiety, let the receptionist know it when you schedule your appointment. Accommodations will be made to ensure you are comfortable.

An examination will be needed to determine if your symptoms are related to TMJ disorder. You’ll learn about conservative treatment options that will give you relief.

This post is sponsored by Philadelphia, PA dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

3 Facts about Smoking and Dental Implants

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Dental implants can be used to replace individual missing teeth, anchor a dental bridge, or support dentures. But what if you smoke? Does it increase the risk of implant failure, or does it have no effect at all?

How Does Smoking Affect Dental Implants and Oral Health?

Smoking affects your oral health in several ways that directly affect the success of dental implants.

1. Narrows Blood Vessels

Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict. Whether your nicotine intake comes from smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or vaping, one result is the same—narrow blood vessels that limit the amount of oxygen carried to your oral tissues. And the slower the blood flow and oxygen, the longer and more complicated the healing process will be after dental implant surgery.

2. Reduces Blood Flow

A diagram of a dental implant
Dental implants fuse with the bone

Osseointegration is the process during which your jawbone and dental implants fuse together and form an incredibly strong bond. But healing depends on blood flow. If the bone and dental implants don’t fully integrate, the implants can fail and need to be removed and replaced.

3. Masks Gum Disease

Smoking narrows blood vessels. Narrow vessels are slower to bleed than healthy ones. But bleeding gums are an early sign of gum disease. If this warning sign of gum disease is masked, it will become more difficult to detect. An undetected infection around a dental implant will likely lead to implant failure.

What Does a Recent Study Show?

The results of one study were published in a 2017 article published in the Journal of International Oral Health. The report reveals the following:

  • Studies show that smokers have a higher risk of gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer.
  • Smoking is associated with bone loss, poor bone quality, decreased bone height, and peri-implantitis—an infectious gum disease that contributes to bone loss.
  • Bone resorption caused by long-term and frequent smoking increases the risk of dental implant failure.

What Can You Do?

Tell your oral surgeon – If you smoke or use products that contain nicotine, consider and carefully weigh the risks. Tell your oral surgeon that you smoke. It is vital to your oral health and the success of your dental implants that your surgeon knows about this risk.

Heed the advice – You may be advised to stop smoking for a specific period of time before implant surgery and throughout the healing process. If that’s the case, heed the advice. Dental implants are the most expensive form of tooth replacement. Protect your investment.

Get help – If you’re struggling with trying to break the habit, get help. Speak with your medical doctor and ask for advice or treatment that will help you stop smoking before you receive dental implants.

Schedule Consultations

When you’re ready to move forward with replacing your missing teeth, schedule consultations with a least two skilled implant dentists. Compare several factors to help you choose the right provider:

  • Explanation of your treatment options
  • Each dentist’s level of training and experience
  • Your interaction with the dentist and staff and the office environment
  • Cost

This post is sponsored by Dr. Michael Weiss, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Philadelphia, PA.

Chipped a Tooth? 5 Surprising Facts about Dental Bonding

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Chipped teeth are common. But many people don’t do anything about it because they think the process of correcting the issue will be time-consuming and costly. Think again. Dental bonding is a fast, highly effective way to restore a chipped tooth.

What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is tooth-colored dental composite that is blended based on the color of your natural teeth. Bonding is applied to your tooth, shaped, hardened, and polished.

Applied While You’re Sitting in the Dental Chair

A cosmetic dentist has everything in his or her office that is needed to restore a chipped tooth with dental bonding. This includes:

  • A variety of composites needed to match your tooth shade
  • High-quality bonding agent
  • A variety of dental tools to correctly apply the composite

Usually Only Requires One Appointment

Dental bonding is a quick process. After your tooth is cleaned, it will be roughened and etched to ensure the bonding adheres to it. The composite will be applied to your teeth, shaped, hardened and polished. Often, the process can be completed in 30 to 60 minutes per tooth.

Looks Completely Natural

A skilled cosmetic dentist will match the dental composite to the color of your natural teeth. People won’t be able to tell that your tooth was ever chipped.

Can Last for Years

If you take good care of it, quality dental bonding can last five to ten years. Unlike porcelain restorations, dental bonding can pick up stains. If you smoke or regularly drink coffee or other dark beverages, the bonding can stain. Visit your cosmetic dentist to maintain and polish your bonding.

Although it can last for five to ten years, it doesn’t last as long as porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. But bonding also requires less removal of your natural tooth structure than those treatments.

Less Expensive Than Other Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

Bonding is the least expensive way for a cosmetic dentist to restore your chipped tooth. A porcelain veneer is a longer-lasting solution, but it is significantly more expensive. Although a porcelain crown can restore a chipped tooth, it requires aggressive preparation of your natural tooth. It would not be recommended unless the tooth has significant damage.

The before-and-after photos below show how an artistic cosmetic dentist can ise dental bonding to seamlessly conceal imperfections in teeth.

  • BEFORE
  • AFTER

Find a Cosmetic Dentist

Although a general or family dentist will be willing to fix your tooth. An experienced cosmetic dentist can seamlessly restore it. Search online for an accredited cosmetic dentist in your area. If you can’t find one, look for a dentist with post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry. Many dentists’ websites feature a smile gallery where you can find photos of actual photos. Examine them closely, and look for photos of patients who have received dental bonding.

This post is sponsored by Philadelphia accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

4 Ways Porcelain Veneers Can Help You Look Younger

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In a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 54% of participants agreed that as they age, a beautiful smile can withstand time and contribute toward a more youthful appearance. If you’re interested in rejuvenating your smile, consider four ways porcelain veneers can help.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Photo of a single porcelain veneers being held by the tip of dental forceps.
Porcelain veneers can rejuvenate your smile

Thin wafers of porcelain are custom made and bonded to the fronts of the teeth that show when you smile. Your natural teeth will be conservatively prepared to ensure the veneers fit well and look natural.

How Can They Help?

Porcelain veneers can rejuvenate your smile and make it look younger in several ways.

Alignment and Spacing

If your teeth are misaligned, orthodontic treatment might not be necessary. In a few weeks, misalignment, gaps, and spaces between teeth can be corrected with porcelain veneers. Teeth that are well aligned can give you a more youthful smile.

Color         

Usually, teeth whitening treatment breaks down deeply embedded stains. Porcelain veneers can be used for complex whitening cases, including:

  • Fluorosis stains
  • Tetracycline stains
  • Genetically discolored teeth
  • Changes in tooth color due to medical conditions or prescription medications.

Size

A variety of factors can influence the size of your teeth. If the size of your teeth is properly proportioned, your smile can have a more youthful appearance. Veneers can help in the following situations:

  • Worn teeth
  • Trauma
  • Genetically small teeth

Shape

Well-shaped teeth contribute to an attractive smile. If your teeth are too pointy, round, or square for your preference, porcelain veneers can reshape them in a way that looks natural and complements your facial features.

Protect Your Investment in Porcelain Veneers

If you take good care of them, porcelain veneers can last 15 to 20 years or more. Ensure your maintenance and dental cleanings and exams are only performed by a dentist and hygienist who have been specifically trained to care for porcelain veneers. If the wrong dental tools are used, your veneers can be damaged.

This post is sponsored by Philadelphia, PA cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.