37020 Garfield Rd Suite T-4
Clinton Township, MI 48036
(586) 263-4060
Posts for: June, 2010
If you're like most people you answered "no". Most people feel they do not clench or grind their teeth and yet often times we as dental professionals see evidence to the contrary. Saying you don't grind your teeth is like saying you don't have dreams. You are asleep when those things occur, and are unaware that they are happening. There are some signs you can look for, do your teeth appear to be flat or short and stubby,
or do you have notches at the gum line?
Take a close look if you have either of these conditions in your mouth you are probably clenching or grinding your teeth without even knowing it. There are things that you can do to protect your teeth and your jaw joints from the enormous pressure you are putting on them but you need to ask your dentist which is right for you. Putting off asking increases the amount of irreversible damage that is done so don't wait if you even think it's possible that you are a secret grinder. In fact if you are not sure the next time you are in the office ask! The teeth you save will be your own.
Imagine a beautiful way to "test drive" a new smile without touching/grinding any teeth, no injections and no adhesives that is completely reversable all in two short 20 minute appointments?
Snap-On Smile™ is a patent method for those situations where your not sure of doing anything irreversable and totally non-invasive to wear a smile change you'd like to live with for a while. It is a dental devise in which is fabricated to fit over your existing teeth to change shapes, color, appearance and facial support to help you in any cosmetic decision you make about your current condition. And if your honest, you may be one of nearly 50% of us are not completely happy with our smiles. This effects everything from your self confidence to relationships to just about everything that you value in your life. So we have made this very easy, no shots, not drilling on your teeth and time that you need to see the difference this may make in your life.
Why wait, call us to discuss this amazing option! 586-263-4060
What type of dental crown ("tooth cap") should you have made?
Dental crowns also known as "dental caps" or "tooth caps" can be made from metal, gold or other metal alloys, ceramic materials such as porcelain, or a combination of both. All metal dental crowns. / "Gold" dental crowns.
Some dental crowns are made entirely of metal. The classic metal dental crown is one made of gold, or more precisely a gold alloy. Over the decades a variety of different metal alloys have been used in making dental crowns. Some of these metals are silver in color rather than yellow like gold.
Having a gold dental crown made can be an excellent choice. Here are some reasons why:
A) Because of its physical properties, dentists find gold to be a very workable metal. This characteristic helps a dentist to be able to achieve a very precise fit with the crown.
B) Since they are metal through and through, gold crowns withstand biting and chewing forces well. They will not chip. It would be uncharacteristic for a gold crown to break. Of all of the types of dental crowns, gold crowns probably have the greatest potential for lasting the longest.
C) Although they are very strong, the wear rate of a gold crown is about the same as tooth enamel. This means that a gold dental crown won't create excessive wear on the teeth it opposes (the teeth it bites against). Metal crowns are usually placed on those teeth that are not overly visible when a person smiles (i.e., molars). If you are considering a gold crown take our advice on this point, before you give your dentist the go ahead on making the crown check with your spouse first. They're the one who will be looking at your smile and your new dental crown the most.
Full-porcelain dental crowns.
Some dental crowns are fabricated in a manner where their full thickness is porcelain. These crowns can possess a translucency that makes them the most cosmetically pleasing of all of the different types of dental crowns. Although they can be very life like in appearance, the overall strength of all-porcelain dental crowns is less than other types of crowns. While porcelain crowns were not as strong in the past their strength has improved significantly over the last few years. It has been one of the best ways to improve your smile and have life like teeth.
Some of the advantages of full porcelain crowns:
1. Cosmetic appearance ( very closely resemblance of your own teeth)
2. With metal crowns you can see a dark edge underneath the tooth's gum line however with porcelain crowns you can't because there is not metal.
3. With porcelain crowns you can have translucency and the teeth would look very natural where as with metal crowns there would not be that translucency.
So if you had a choice between crowns that are fused to metal and crowns that are all porcelain wouldn't you choose the one resembles your own teeth more closely. FULL PORCELAIN CROWNS IS THE WAY!!
Having a dry mouth can not only be a nuisance it can lead to dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Many people believe that a dry mouth is just a sign of aging but it really has more to do with the medications prescribed to many older people
If you find your mouth to be excessively dry start by sipping water more frequently through out the day you may just not be taking in enough fluids. If that doesn't do the trick try chewing sugarless gum or using sugarless lozenges. Avoid acidic or sugary foods and mouth rinses that contain alcohol, if you smoke now is the time to quit as smoking makes the mouth drier. Taking over the counter antihistamines or decongestants can also cause and increase in dryness. Be sure to brush with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss and use a fluoride mouth rinse to help prevent decay and keep the gums healthy. Try adding a room humidifier at night as it can be of great help. There are over the counter saliva substitutes that can also be used. If you think one of your medications may be the culprit let your doctor know, he/she may be able to adjust the dose or even switch you to a different medication. If that is not possible keep these tips in mind to help make living with a dry mouth bearable.