Several different options are available to change the shape of teeth, make teeth look longer, close spaces between teeth or repair chipped or cracked teeth. Among the options are bonding, crowns, veneers, and recontouring.

Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied to the tooth surface and hardened with a special light, which ultimately “bonds” the material to the tooth.

Dental crowns are tooth-shaped “caps” that are placed over teeth.  The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.

Veneers (also sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials that are designed to cover the front surface of teeth. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth.

Recontouring or reshaping of the teeth (also called odontoplasty, enameloplasty, stripping, or slenderizing) is a procedure in which small amounts of tooth enamel are removed to change a tooth’s length, shape or surface.

Each of these options differ with regard to cost, durability, “chair time” necessary to complete the procedure, stain resistant qualities, and best cosmetic approach to resolving a specific problem. Come in today to see if one is right for you!

The number of whitening products has exponentially expanded in recent years. From toothpaste to gels to strips and lasers, those looking for a way to perk up those pearly whites have many decisions to make.

A tooth has several different layers that can become discolored for various reasons. Things we eat and drink change the color of our teeth because the outermost layer of our teeth (enamel) contains pores that can “hold” these stains. Some products, such as tea, coffee, wine, and cigarettes, stain teeth more than others. The innermost part of our teeth, called dentin, yellows naturally over time. Certain medications or excessive use of fluoride can also cause the dentin layer to yellow. Because whitening toothpastes can only affect the outer enamel layer, they do not affect yellowing of the inner dentin layer.  In fact, sometimes whitening toothpaste can make inner-layer discoloring more noticeable.

Whitening toothpastes may contain strong abrasives or chemicals that can remove some stains on the outermost layers of a tooth. While these whitening toothpastes may be somewhat effective in removing stains from the outermost layer of your teeth, they can destroy tooth enamel in the process, particularly if used for extended periods of time. No toothpaste or treatment has been proven effective for discoloration on the inner layers of your teeth.

Daily brushing (with non-whitening toothpaste) and flossing minimize discoloration, as can professional cleaning at your dentist’s office. Dentists also recommend rinsing your mouth with water after having wine, coffee, or other potentially staining foods. If you decide you want to further whiten your teeth, dentists may recommend a number of different treatments.

Here’s some advice. First, when purchasing a toothpaste for you or your child, select one that contains fluoride. Fluoride-containing toothpastes have been shown to prevent cavities. However, one word of caution: check the manufacturer’s label; some toothpastes are not recommended in children under age 6. This is because young children swallow toothpaste and swallowing too much fluoride can lead to tooth discolouration in permanent teeth.

Next, when considering other properties of toothpaste — such as whitening toothpastes, tartar-control, gum care, desensitizing, etc. — the best advice for selecting among these products may be to simply ask your dental hygienist or dentist what the greatest concerns are for your mouth at this time. After consulting with your dentist or hygienist about your oral health’s greatest needs, look for products within that category (for example, within the tartar control brands or within the desensitizing toothpaste brands) that are readily available.

Finally, some degree of personal preference comes into play. Choose the toothpaste that tastes and feels best. Gel or paste, wintergreen or spearmint all work alike. If you find that certain ingredients are irritating to your teeth, cheeks or lips, or if your teeth have become more sensitive, or if your mouth is irritated after brushing, try changing toothpastes. If the problem continues, see your dentist.

It’s possible, even for those people who are the most fearful, to reduce their fear and to learn to have dental treatment in a way that feels calm and safe. The basic idea is really very simple. In order to counteract past bad experiences you need to have new positive experiences which lead to the development of improved feelings and attitudes. The more bad experiences you have had or the longer they have gone on, the more good experiences you need before you will have different reactions to the same situation. Dental health professionals know that your mouth is a very personal place and trust is a big part of allowing us to partner in your care.

First let’s look at what “x-rays” are and why they’re used. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like light, except they just have a much shorter wave-length. X-rays are a form of “ionizing” radiation which basically means they can penetrate body tissues which is what generally prompts concern. However it is just this property which makes them important diagnostic tools. They can penetrate soft tissues like skin and gums much more readily than hard tissues like bone and teeth causing different degrees of shadows. The shadows can be captured on film or digital receivers and are called radiographs (x-ray pictures). Because today’s x-ray machines and image capturing techniques are so sensitive, the amount of radiation needed for diagnosis is negligible, almost next to nothing compared to what you get from every day background radiation.

First a little science: A millisievert (mSv), named after Dr. Rolf Sievert, famous for studying the biological effects of radiation, is the unit of measurement that allows for comparison of doses from different x-ray sources. We use this measurement to help determine what we call the effective dose (E), a way of calculating the safety factor of each x-ray exposure. Since we know our annual background exposure to natural x-radiation (all around us) is from 2 to 4.5 mSv, and more if you like to take airplane rides, we can then make a comparison to dental x-ray examinations.

Dental radiographs are completely safe; the average single digital periapical film (peri-around, apical-root end of a tooth) is equal to 1 microsievert (µSv) i.e. one thousandth of an mSv. For four bitewing radiographs, traditionally used to image the back teeth for decay (the little tabs you bite on are called bite-wings), the exposure is 4 µSv. The x-ray machines take images of only the necessary structures, so there is no scatter of the x-rays to other tissues. Your dentist may even take the precaution of making you wear a lead apron to shield the rest of your body.

A dental sealant is a thin plastic coating (clear or white) that’s bonded into the pits and grooves of a tooth. (Dentists formally refer to them as “pit and fissure” sealants.)They’re most frequently placed on the chewing surface of teeth (where most of a tooth’s grooves lie). But they can also extend onto their cheek or tongue sides too (either as a continuous or separate piece) depending on what additional pits and fissures are found there.

There’s nothing new about the use of sealants. Dentists have been placing them since the late 1960’s.

Loss

• A dentist would probably consider any sealant that remained intact for 3 to 5 years to be a success. One review of dental literature (Feigal, 1998) estimated a sealant loss rate (including partial loss) on the order of 5 to 10% per year.
• Any sealant that requires replacement or repair sooner than 3 to 5 years should not necessarily be considered a failure. Any length of time that one remains in place is a time period during which its tooth is protected.

Sealants can however last much longer. 10 years might be considered the upper limit, although it’s somewhat common that a dentist will see evidence of those placed during childhood still intact on an adult patient’s teeth.

Wear

Sealant wear doesn’t necessarily equate with a loss of protection. Even when it occurs remnants of the plastic usually remain in the depths of the tooth’s grooves, thus still providing its preventative function.