Archives for December 2022

Is It Unsafe to Remove Amalgam Fillings?

Posted on December 28, 2022 by writeradmin.

I have six amalgam fillings I want to remove and replace with the white ones. It is not just because of the look of them. I am uncomfortable with having mercury in my mouth. My dentist says it is unsafe to remove them, which has me like, “yeah, that is why I want them out of my mouth to begin with.” Is there any truth to what he is saying or does he just not want to remove them?

Stacey

Dear Stacey,

I can understand your concern. The answer is it depends on who is doing the removal. In order to switch out amalgam fillings for the composite ones, you need a dentist who has the equipment for and understands how to do a sanitary amalgam removal. Your best bet would be to look for a mercury-free dentist or a holistic dentist. Either of them should know what to do. This procedure protects you from inhaling any mercury vapors or swallowing any of the mercury pieces.

I have to say it sounds like your dentist is very old school and is not doing a great job keeping up with all the developments in his field. Some dentists just get comfortable with the way they’ve always done it and are not interested in changing what “works”. If you are fine with that then by all means stay with this dentist. However, it sounds like you are wanting someone with more advanced knowledge of where the industry is currently.

The best dentists do more than just the required professional development courses and are constantly striving to add to their knowledge and skill base. It may be a good time for you to shop around for a new dentist while you research dentists who do a sanitary amalgam removal.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Fixing a Broken Front Tooth

Posted on December 14, 2022 by writeradmin.

I have a ten year old son who broke his front tooth. I wanted a repair right away because we are traveling for the holidays. He can’t deal with the tooth until the end of January. When I asked for a referral somewhere else, he told me the tooth needed time to desensitize anyway and will be ready by the time he is available. Is this legitimate? I don’t want to seek treatment elsewhere if it will be a difficult appointment for him as a result.

Karyn

Dear Karyn,

I am sorry about your son’s fall. It sounds like you’ve got an active boy, which is a great thing. There is no real reason to wait, so I am not sure why he said that except possibly to make sure he did the repair. This is a tricky repair though, so before you schedule your appointment with someone, make sure that you evaluate their ability to do the repair well.

You didn’t mention if you have the piece that was broken off. It is possible that it can be bonded back on. If you don’t have it, that is okay. Dental bonding can repair it but both of these are very advanced procedures. Dental bonding is done freehand and requires an artistic eye and a high level of technical skill.

In your place, I would look for an AACD accredited dentist. These are the top cosmetic dentists in the country and they had to demonstrate artistry with bonding cases in order to pass accreditation.

Do not be surprised if, when he is older and the pulp of his tooth is smaller, he needs a dental crown. In fact, it will almost be guaranteed.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Are there Soft Dentures?

Posted on December 5, 2022 by writeradmin.

Do you know if it is possible to get soft dentures for the upper part? I have complete dentures, but the plate (I think that is what they call it) at the top is hard. Not only is that uncomfortable but sometimes the feeling makes me gag and I can’t even keep them in.

Daisy

Dear Daisy,

I am sorry you are dealing with this. Many patients struggle with dentures. Not just with the upper plates, but with the food that gets under them, with the slipping and sliding, and with the difficulty chewing. There are some soft liners that will help patients that have a bony ridge where the lower denture sits. However, there isn’t a soft plate for a denture.

Implant Overdentures Solve this Problem

While that may sound disappointing, I do have a solution for you. Your best option is to have some dental implants placed and then have your dentures anchored to them. These are called implant overdentures. This eliminates the problem you have with the plate because the plate is unnecessary. You will find that not only do you not have to worry about the plate, but that your quality of life goes up tremendously. You will even be able to eat whatever you want again, including steak!

One of the most important benefits, however, is the protection to your jawbone. When your teeth were removed, your body began resorbing the minerals in your jawbone perceiving that they were no longer necessary to retain your teeth roots. After ten or so years, there will no longer be enough jawbone left to even retain the dentures you currently have. This is known as facial collapse.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.