What Can Be Done About A Chipped Tooth?

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Chipped teeth can be easily fixed and made like new thanks to today’s modern dental technology. If you have a chipped tooth and are worried over it, don’t fret. There are many options you have available to get it filled in and looking like brand new.

First Aid Treatment

A chipped tooth can cause pain and discomfort immediately after the damage to the tooth. Don’t worry though, because this is a natural reaction to your teeth’ pain receptors sensing damage. There is nothing to worry about. Eventually, the pain will go away, but in the meantime, you can apply a cold pack to the outside of your cheek to alleviate pain.

Take ibuprofen or aspirin if you need one and you can apply an over the counter numbing cream such as lidocaine, available at a local pharmacy or store to the area to numb the nerves in the tooth until you can get to the dentist’s office.

Dental Filling

One of the most common methods of cosmetically restoring a chipped tooth is dental filling or dental bonding. A dentist will use a polymer resin that will naturally bond with the rest of your undamaged tooth. This is a non-invasive and painless, tried and true method that involves no alteration to your natural teeth.

A dentist will select the correct shade of polymer resin to match your teeth’s current color shade. Like molding clay, while the resin hardens, your dentist will mold and shape it to match the rest of your teeth. Eventually, it will harden and it will look brand new.

Tooth Reattachment

If you still have the chipped part of the tooth, you may be able to arrange to have it re-attached to the teeth with bonding resin. This is an option that is more practical if a large part of your tooth has been chipped.

Tooth reattachment can be an option for more health-minded individuals who would like a more natural technique compared to filling in their chipped or damaged teeth with plastic resins or polymers.

While getting a damaged or chipped tooth repaired at the dentist may seem like a painful process, it won’t be at all. Thanks to modern procedures, the work will be done non-invasive and simply involve the application of resins and polymers to bind to your chipped tooth.

Contact your dentist right away if you need to have a chipped tooth repaired.

 

Should You Have Your Mercury Fillings Removed?

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Should You Have Your Mercury Fillings Removed? 

As time has gone on, more information has become available about the dangers of mercury fillings. Mercury, in general, is a hazardous substance. But in the past, it was commonly used as a dental filling because of its durability and ease-of-use. Almost everyone over a certain age has mercury fillings in their mouths if they ever had a cavity filled. It is now possible to have mercury fillings removed and replaced with amalgam fillings, which are considered to be safer. But there are hazards associated with removing mercury fillings, just as there’re hazards associated with keeping mercury fillings in. So what is the right choice tonight? Should you have your mercury fillings removed?

The Dangers Of Having Mercury Fillings Removed

Mercury is a substance that releases vapors when is disturbed. One situation where papers could be released is when you have mercury fillings removed. The vapors could theoretically cause some health issues which you may not have previously had if you had kept your mercury fillings in place. So one of the main dangers of having mercury fillings removed is that those vapors will be released.

The Safety Of Keeping Mercury Fillings In

The other side of the argument is to keep your mercury fillings as they are. If your mercury fillings are not causing any problems if your health we’re with your dental health, there is a safety that should be considered in keeping mercury fillings in. In other words, there’s really no reason to fix something that isn’t broken.

Talk to Your Dentist

If you are seriously concerned about the dangers of mercury fillings, you should talk to your dentist. Your dentist will have more information about the arguments on both sides of keeping your mercury fillings or having them removed. In addition, your dentist can conduct a thorough visual examination of your feelings see if they are damaged in any way. If there is damage, your dentist makes talk to you about the possibility of having your mercury fillings removed.

Alternately, the choice of whether to have your mercury fillings removed or keep them is to be made by you and your dentist. Always follow the advice of your dentist when it comes to your health. For more information about mercury fillings, please feel free to contact us.

 

Cosmetic Dentistry FAQ

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Am I eligible for cosmetic dentistry?

Most people are eligible for cosmetic dentistry procedures, as long as there is not currently an infection in the mouth. If you are unhappy with cracked, missing, or unhealthy teeth, there is a variety of cosmetic procedures you can choose from to reinvigorate your smile. Schedule a consultation to verify that you are the right candidate for cosmetic dentistry and to determine which procedure is best for you.

Are there any health benefits of cosmetic dentistry procedures?

Contrary to popular belief, cosmetic dentistry has both aesthetic and health benefits for patients. One of the primary benefits is dramatically decreasing the risk of infection in the mouth. Dental implants, bridges, and crowns fill the empty spaces in your mouth that often create breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. Removing unhealthy teeth can also help keep your smile cleaner and additionally limit bacteria.

Older people hanging out

older people hanging out

Will my dental insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?

Although you will ultimately want to check with your insurance provider, many cosmetic procedures have health benefits (as outlined above) that allow them to qualify for insurance coverage.

What are veneers?

Veneers started as a popular Hollywood procedure but is now relatively common among everyday people. Veneers are placed over the front, side, and biting edge of your teeth to hide discoloration, cracks, and chips, in addition to changing the size and shape of your teeth. The procedure is simple, and the veneers should last for over 20 years with proper care. Veneers can be made of porcelain, composite, or similar material, with the costs similar to that of crowns.

How long does teeth whitening last?

The majority of whitening procedures will last between one and two years with proper maintenance and avoidance of teeth-staining foods and drinks. However, you can get touch-ups after your procedure to prolong your sparkling white look.

Will teeth whitening work for everyone?

Unfortunately, individuals with severe discoloration may need more advanced procedures to achieve a bright, white smile. If you have severe discoloration, consider alternative options such as composite bonding and porcelain veneers.