What does cosmetic dentistry fix?
For over 100 years, dentists have been using silver-mercury amalgam fillings to restore decayed or broken teeth. The only other alternative was gold, and that was too expensive for most folks.
Now there is a new and economical way to restore teeth using tooth-colored resin fillings known as composite or resin. The resin is made up of glass particles in a plastic matrix. Dr. Kneib bonds the putty-like material to the tooth with a high-intensity light or laser. This hardens the material and allows it to be shaped and polished for immediate use.
Once completed, the tooth has a natural appearance and is actually stronger than before due to the strength of the adhesive agent used to bond the resin to the tooth. Resin restorations not only look better, but they are stronger and last longer than the old silver-amalgam fillings. Resin restorations can range from $150 to $350 per tooth.
What are tooth-colored restorations?
Dentistry has restored teeth primarily with a material made of mercury and silver. It has done its job well, although we have had to live with its weaknesses. Those weaknesses consist of cracking teeth due to expansion of the material and restorations turning black as the silver in the material corrodes.
Now we have many ways to provide tooth-colored restorations at Kneib Dentistry. We can use adhesives to bond tooth parts that look and act like teeth. We can provide a bright, healthy, and strong smile with these exciting new techniques in adhesion dentistry.
What are cosmetic dental crowns?
Teeth are often restored with fillings of silver or composite plastics. These materials can often accomplish the aim of replacing the part of the tooth that has been lost for a strong and good-looking result.
However, there comes a point when the damage to the tooth has removed too much structure to hold a filling. The restoration must be done by a technique that will attach to the remaining tooth, stand up under heavier use, and meet more elaborate cosmetic requirements.
The crown is the dental restoration that can strengthen and restore the entire top of a tooth. The crown can also be part of the attachment of a fixed bridge for the replacement of teeth. The tooth is strengthened because it is covered from the outside with a casting of metal or ceramic that will wrap up and splint the tooth.
The chewing of the tooth can be improved because it can be reshaped to more efficiently match the opposing teeth. A crown can improve cosmetics by the use of modern ceramic processes that produce translucency and color that is more natural than has ever been possible.
A high-quality porcelain crown that we fully recommend is Ivoclar Vivident's e.Max crown. The benefits of the product include high strength, high durability, and esthetic appeal all in one. For more information ask about it when you come to visit us.
The crown serves two important functions. First, it restores the appearance of your teeth and your face. If your tooth is severely decayed or cracked, the dentist will need to restore it prior to preparing a cap. Teeth also support the muscles in our faces, so anything less than a full tooth may affect the way you look.
Second, a crown will be the same size and shape as the natural tooth. As a result, it will keep your jaw and bite aligned. It will also make sure that other teeth don't shift locations or take on a greater share of the work of biting and chewing.
What are dental crowns made of?
At Kneib Dentistry, our dental crowns are most often made of gold or porcelain. Crowns also can be made of stainless steel, but those crowns are often temporary and not designed for long-term wear.
Porcelain crowns are usually built on a metal base, which fits snugly over the natural tooth. We will choose a porcelain shade that matches the color of your natural teeth.
Porcelain crowns usually are so carefully matched in color that they cannot be distinguished from your natural teeth. Many people choose porcelain crowns for their cosmetic appearance and the confidence it gives them.
New materials are now available that allow the use of "all-ceramic" crowns in some cases. They have a beautiful, life-like appearance. Short-term studies support their success, with long-term trials still ongoing.
Crowns also can be made of all gold. Some people prefer not to use gold because it stands out from the other teeth in appearance. At the same time, if the crown is on a back molar, some people feel the cosmetic issue is not a big one. At Kneib Dentistry, we will discuss the types of materials available if we recommend a crown.
How do you maintain your dental crowns?
Once your crown is in place, make sure the area is well-brushed and that you floss below the gum line. While the crown protects your remaining tooth from further decay, you must protect the base of the crown from bacterial growth and gum disease.
Regularly brushing and flossing will ensure that your crown will be in place for years to come!
A missing tooth? Dental care implants could be your answer.
Losing a tooth by accident or by extraction is not the end of the matter. When a tooth is missing, the resulting gap will allow nearby teeth to tilt or drift from their normal position, and the teeth above the gap will move downward.
Aside from the obvious cosmetic problem, the changed positions of these teeth can lead to severe bite problems causing jaw pain and headaches.
Missing teeth should be replaced to keep other teeth in their normal position. This can be done by Dr. Kneib with a fixed bridge or a dental implant. Both of these treatments offer a good functional and cosmetic result.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a titanium metal replacement for a root of a tooth that is surgically implanted in the jawbone.
As the body heals for approximately two to six months after the surgery, the bone around the implant fuses to the implant through a process called osseointegration.
After the healing phase is complete, the implants are used to anchor crowns, bridges, or dentures.
What is the dental implant process like?
At Kneib Dentistry we begin with a thorough evaluation of the patient's medical and dental history, and a full clinical examination of the entire mouth and missing tooth area. The clinical exam should also include specific X-rays.
After assessing the patient, a comprehensive treatment plan can be devised. From that point, implants are surgically placed in the jawbone under local anesthesia.
The length of the healing time is based on the quality and quantity of bone, as well as the type of implant placed. After adequate healing is allowed to occur, the implant can be used to support a crown, bridge, or denture.
How many dental implants should be placed?
This is a question that should be determined during the treatment plan. A good rule-of-thumb is to place one implant for each tooth replaced.
Other decisive factors for the number of implants needed for success is the quality and quantity of the patient's bone. Equally as important are the existing anatomy of the bone and the financial resources of the patient. (At Kneib Dentistry we try not to let money get in the way of good dentistry.)
Placing enough implants to restore teeth is vitally important to the long-term success of the restoration. Simply stated, the most costly mistake is to have an implant fail because not enough implants are placed to support the teeth. If the number of implants is limited due to financial constraints of the patient, then the implant treatment should be avoided or the type of restoration must be altered.
Should you replace missing teeth with dental implants?
"Well, you know Doc, it's just a back tooth. No one will see it so I'll just get rid of it. It's not going to make a difference." Unfortunately, we hear this type of comment at Kneib Dentistry more often than you would think.
The plain truth is that it will make a difference. The loss of just a single tooth can set a course that can destroy an entire mouth. Teeth will drift and tip into a space that is created by missing teeth. Just like two gears of a car that are not properly aligned, pretty soon you've got a whole lot of problems.
One of the options we often discuss at Kneib Dentistry would be a dental implant. This is the replacement of a tooth with a false root that is surgically placed. Dr. Kneib then carefully constructs a dental crown to replace the missing tooth, to prevent teeth from shifting and thereby causing further tooth loss.
Who should you see about getting dental implants?
When getting dental implants, you should select a dentist or dental team with in-depth knowledge and prior experience with all aspects of the treatment. At Kneib Dentistry we have this expertise.
It is also important to know that implant treatment consists of two components: a surgical phase and a restorative phase.
Traditionally, a dental surgeon, like an oral surgeon or a periodontist, performs the surgical component. A general dentist, or prosthodontist and laboratory technician performs the restorative component. However, as implant dentistry has become more sophisticated, sometimes a dentist who specializes in restorative dentistry conducts the entire procedure.
Does dental implant technology work?
The technology has been around for decades. In fact, some patients in the Erie area have had dental implants for more than 40 years.
Hundreds of thousands of dental implants have been inserted with more than a 90% success rate. All other metal implants in the body (including hips and knees) are the result of the dental implant technology.
Are there different types of dental implants?
Yes, several types are available. The American Dental Association considers both the endosteal and the subperiosteal implants to be acceptable.
An important factor for selection is to determine whether your jawbone can adequately support the implant. Most dental implants placed today are endosteal root form fixtures (similar to a man-made tooth root).
What can be done for a single missing tooth?
In the case of a single missing tooth, a dental implant can be placed in the jawbone area of the missing tooth. The implant will serve as a replacement for a tooth root and an individual crown. The total apparatus is referred to as a single-tooth implant crown.
Once in place, the implant crown will look, feel, and function like a natural tooth. They are cleaned and flossed just like natural teeth, and best of all, they do not require any special tools to clean around them like bridges. Although dental implants will not decay, they require impeccable oral hygiene.
