Category Archives: Uncategorized

CEREC Crowns on Front Teeth

I need to get a dental crown on a front tooth, but my dentist doesn’t want to provide it. He insists I won’t like it. Yet, he offers CEREC crowns. It doesn’t make sense to me. Why does he have the machine? Should I go to a different dentist to have it done?

Alan

Dear Alan,

Close up of front teeth

My guess is your dentist uses the CEREC crowns on teeth other than the front two teeth. There is a reason for this. When a CEREC crown is made, it is milled out of a single block of porcelain. This does fine on other teeth. However, if you look closely at the teeth above you’ll notice the teeth aren’t uniform from top to bottom. There are differences in opacity. When you get a traditional porcelain crown, which your dentist is suggesting, it is formed from several different blocks of porcelain in order to mimic those differences.

So, you have a few choices. You can go to a dentist who cares less about how the results will turn out and more about bringing in the fee from a patient in order to get the same-day crowns. Or you can listen to your dentist and allow him to do the traditional crowns.

It is your teeth and your smile. So, if having the best result isn’t as important to you as the convenience of one appointment, which is totally fine, then I would switch to another dentist to get the crown you want. You could also tell your dentist you understand it won’t look as good, but you still want CEREC and would prefer he get the fee than another dentist. Then, he may go ahead with it.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

CEREC Crowns help with dental anxiety

If you are a person who suffers from dental anxiety, and haven’t visited a dentist in quite some time, you may not be aware of CEREC crowns, and how these restorations are are changing dentistry and lives.

CEREC crowns are made in the office

It used to be that a crown could only be done by going into the office for multiple visits. The doctor would removed the decay and/or damage, take impressions, and fit you for a temporary crown in the first visit. Your impressions would then be sent to a dental lab, where your restoration would be created, over a two-week timeframe. While some crowns remain this way, CEREC crowns are different.

Years ago, the only option when you needed to have a crown done was to go into the office for two visits. On the first visit, the doctor would remove the decay or damage on the tooth, build it up if need be, take impressions, and fit you with a temporary. Then, your impressions would get shipped off to a dental lab which would then craft your restoration over a period of two weeks. Some crowns are still this way, but CEREC crowns are different. These crowns are made in the office using CAD/CAM technology and a milling machine, allowing your crown to be created and placed all in one visit, easing the anxiety of a dental patient who may be troubled by the idea of multiple visits to the dental office.

Impressions are taken digitally

Often, people with dental anxiety have strong gag reflexes, or aversions to the impression process. The use of the CAD/CAM technology, allows the impressions to be taken digitally, similar to having a photo taken.

Can be combined with sedation dentistry

Nitrous oxide is a helpful way for patients with mild dental anxiety to feel more relaxed and comfortable. It takes effect quickly, and wears off almost immediately after treatment. For those patients with a more intense dental anxiety, conscious sedation will place you in a deeply relaxed state.

This blog is sponsored by Gilbert CEREC crowns dentist, Dr. Matthew Roper.

 

 

Need affordable dentist to correct veneer work

I have battled with the appearance of my teeth for my entire life. I have chips in both of my front teeth and another tooth, also in the front of my mouth, is badly twisted. I am sure I should have had braces when I was a child, but I was one of seven children, so that wasn’t in the cards. I researched to find an affordable dentist for veneers, but am not at all satisfied with the results. They are unnatural looking, almost to the point that it looks like fake teeth have been glued on top of my natural ones, not to mention the twisted tooth is still severely-twisted looking. I really need an affordable dentist, skilled enough to to correct these issues. Is this possible?

Thanks,
Bobbi

Dear Bobbi,

Cosmetic work is not something you should look for in an affordable dentist. Sure, the costs vary from office to office, as do the rates, but if you focus on cost alone, your results will be sub-par, which is what you are experiencing now. Cosmetic dentistry is a practice which requires an amount of skill which is not possessed by all dentists. Therefore, you should focus your search on looking for a quality cosmetic dentist, then look at costs.

It is important to look at examples of a dentist’s work. Many share their work in smile galleries on their office sites. These allow you to browse at your own leisure, and will give you a good idea of what to expect. Also be sure to read reviews of cosmetic dentists from patients who have had the same treatment you hope to have. Just because a dentist does beautiful crown work, doesn’t mean he or she has the same quality veneer experience.

You should also keep in mind that veneer work is not necessarily something an insurance company will cover. However, financing through a company such as Care Credit, may be an option to help with the costs of a cosmetic dentist. Focusing on the quality of the cosmetic dental work will yield beautiful results for many years. Focusing on the cost may cause you to have veneer work done again, just as you are now.

This article was brought to you by the office of Gilbert affordable dentist, Dr. Matthew Roper.

Should I replace silver fillings even if they are fine?

We just moved to a new town and I had my first checkup with a new dentist. I have some older silver fillings in my mouth and this new dentist was talking to me about replacing all of them with white fillings. They have never bothered me, but now I’ve been researching and wondering if I should do it. What do you think?

Allie, Charlottesville

Dear Allie,

There are situations when dentists recommend replacing silver or mercury fillings.

When should you replace silver or mercury fillings?

If the fillings start to leak, bacteria can get under them and lead to tooth decay. Sometimes those fillings will corrode. Sometimes they deteriorate or crack and have to be replaced. If your fillings are falling into one of these categories and there is something wrong with them, it may be worth considering.  Especially if your filling is leaking, that needs to be replaced.

It’s not cheap to replace your silver fillings with white fillings, though. If you are interested in replacing your old fillings because you like the look of it, that’s your choice to spend the money on them. If there is nothing wrong with your current fillings, though, it just comes down to what you prefer.

Most dentists, especially seeing a patient for the first time, will mention silver fillings, and the option to fill them with white amalgam. It let’s the patient know that option is available. That doesn’t necessarily mean it is necessary.

If your dentist spoke to you about your fillings because there is a problem, you could speak to the dentist about having just that one tooth fixed, or if you want to pay for all of them to be white, that’s your choice. There’s no rush to fix all of them.

This post is sponsored by Vista Dorada Dental in Gilbert, AZ.

 

How Do I Help My Sister After Sedation?

My sister is having a procedure which involves sedation at the dentist’s office. Her dentist told her she won’t be able to be alone that day. She’s asked me to stay with her.  I have a couple of questions.

  1. Will I have to be there for the procedure? I don’t do well with blood.
  2. What do I need to do for her during the day? I don’t want to mess up.

Lacey Q. – California

Lacey,

It sounds like you’re a caring sister who likes to be prepared. Let me put your mind at ease. You can wait in the waiting room during the procedure. So, you likely won’t have to witness anything bloody.

Mostly during the day , you’re there to make sure she doesn’t do anything to hurt herself.  Sedation dentistry is fantastic, but she’ll be woozy and unsteady on her feet. You’ll need to keep her comfortable and resting.

I can’t tell you any post-operative procedures because you didn’t mention what she’s having done. However, the dentist’s office will give you both verbal and written instructions for you to pass on to her when she’s in better shape.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Matt Roper.

Sensitivity after a filling

Several months ago I had a filling placed. It was fine at the time, but then a few weeks later the tooth became sensitive to cold. Do I need to replace the filling?

Anthony S.-Bache, OK

Anthony,

When a tooth feels fine immediately after a new filling is placed, but then becomes sensitive later, that usually means that there are bacteria from the original decay that had penetrated into the pulp of the tooth. Generally, you wait it out and hope your normal body defenses kick in and deal with it.

The key as to whether you need to do anything will depend on if the sensitivity is getting better or not. If the sensitivity is improving, then you probably don’t need to do anything. If, however, the sensitivity is getting worse, then it is possible you will need to get a root canal treatment. If so, you’ll also need a dental crown.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert dentist Dr. Brandon Schmidt.

Flouride stains on teeth

My little boy has spots on his teeth. They are brown in color and are from fluoride. He has had his teeth bleached by a local dentist to try and get rid of them. But it did not work. The brown stains are still there. Now the dentist is recommending porcelain veneers. Can you tell me how much more expensive veneers are than dental bonding?

– Laura from Florida

Laura,

Unfortunately, I think it’s time to find a new dentist. Brown fluoride stains will not be remedied by teeth whitening or bleaching, which you are now aware of.

Dental bonding is a possibility. But it all depends on how bad the staining is. It is imperative that you research an expert cosmetic dentist. Tooth bonding takes artistic talent and not every dentist can do it well.

Porcelain veneers tend to be a more expensive treatment but will give the best results. Pricing varies from dentist to dentist, so you will have to discuss cost comparison with the dentist you choose. Again, I would urge you to have a consultation with a cosmetic dentist that has trained with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. An AACD dentist should be able to provide you with the best recommendation and cost based on your specific circumstance.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.