Q: What are veneers? How do they help to whiten teeth and provide an instant “orthodontic” result?
A: Porcelain laminate veneers are probably the most esthetic means of creating a more pleasing and beautiful smile. They require a minimal amount of tooth reduction (approximately half a millimeter – about the thickness of a finger nail), or in some cases, no reduction is required. Veneers are, therefore, a more conservative restoration than a crown. Porcelain veneers allow us to alter tooth position, shape, size and color. They are not the only alternative for all esthetic abnormalities but are truly a remarkable restoration when they are the treatment of choice.
Veneers are a fantastic way to fix front teeth. DoanDental can provide virtually “instant orthodontics” to straighten crooked teeth and close spaces. Teeth can also be whitened, creating a great smile. Porcelain veneers can correct:
- Spaces between the teeth
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Unsightly, stained or washed out fillings
- Permanently stained or discolored teeth
- Misshapen, misaligned, or crooked teeth
- Dark yellow or stained teeth by whitening
Porcelain veneers, often alternatively termed dental veneers or dental porcelain laminates, are wafer-thin shells of porcelain which are bonded onto the front side of teeth to make a cosmetic improvement in their appearance. Porcelain veneers are the most recent application of the art and science of cosmetic dental bonding, which utilizes the capabilities of bonding materials to securely attach a thin sheet of porcelain to a tooth. Although porcelain is inherently brittle, when it is firmly bonded to a sturdy substructure such as a tooth, it becomes very strong and durable.
Q: What is bonding?
A: Bonding is a composite, tooth-colored resin filling that can be placed in the back teeth as well as the front teeth. Composites are a solution for both restoring decayed teeth and making cosmetic improvements, such as: changing the color of teeth or their shape, closing minor gaps and correcting crooked teeth. Bonding covers natural flaws when a thin coating of plastic material is applied on the front surface of the tooth. After this, a bonding material is applied and sculpted to provide a pleasing result. A high-intensity light then hardens the plastic, and the surface is finely polished.
Q: How does bonding compare to porcelain veneers or crowns?
A: Bonding (or composite) is ideal for smaller dental defects and decays. However, when larger restorations are needed, bondings are short-lived. They may change color, lose luster quickly, and break more easily. In these cases, porcelain veneers and/or crowns are a better choice. Patients who choose bonding over porcelain veneers or a crown for financial reasons, often end up having these bondings replaced by porcelain veneers or crowns within a short period of time.
Q: I want to replace my silver/amalgam fillings with white/composite fillings because I do not want material containing mercury in my mouth. Is there any truth to this fear?
A: Dental amalgam (silver filling) is considered a safe, affordable and durable material that has been used to restore the teeth of more than 100 million Americans. It contains a mixture of metals such as silver, copper and tin, in addition to mercury, which chemically binds these components into a hard, stable and safe substance. Dental amalgam has been studied and reviewed extensively, and has established a record of safety and effectiveness.
Issued in late 1997, the FDI World Dental Federation and the World Health Organization consensus statement on dental amalgam stated, "No controlled studies have been published demonstrating systemic adverse effects from amalgam restorations." The document also states that, aside from rare instances of local side effects of allergic reactions, "the small amount of mercury released from amalgam restorations, especially during placement and removal, has not been shown to cause any … adverse health effects."
The ADA (American Dental Association)’s Council on Scientific Affairs’ 1998 report on its review of the recent scientific literature on amalgam states: "The Council concludes that, based on available scientific information, amalgam continues to be a safe and effective restorative material." The Council’s report also states, "There currently appears to be no justification for discontinuing the use of dental amalgam."
In an article published in the February 1999 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association, researchers report finding "no significant association of Alzheimer’s Disease with the number, surface area or history of having dental amalgam restorations" and "no statistically significant differences in brain mercury levels between subjects with Alzheimer’s Disease and control subjects."
The U.S. Public Health Service issued a report in 1993 stating there is no health reason not to use amalgam, except in the extremely rare case of the patient who is allergic to a component of amalgam. This supports the findings of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health Technology Assessment Conference and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, that dental amalgam is a safe and effective restorative material. In addition, in 1991, Consumer Reports noted, "Given their solid track record . . . amalgam fillings are still your best bet."
In 1991, the FDA’s Dental Products Panel found no valid data to demonstrate clinical harm to patients from amalgams or that having them removed would prevent adverse health effects or reverse the course of existing diseases. The FDA's most recent reaffirmation of amalgam's safety was published on December 31, 2002.
This and other information is available at the American Dental Association’s website: www.ada.org.
Q: What are the options for whitening my teeth?
A: The three most common options are:
- Take-home bleaching/whitening
- In-office bleaching/whitening
- Whitening toothpastes
Whitening toothpastes differ from bleaching because they do not permanently alter the color of the teeth. They simply contain polishing agents that remove deeper stains from the teeth than regular toothpaste.
Q: What is take-home teeth bleaching/whitening?
A: Take-home bleaching is performed at home, under the indirect supervision of a dentist. At the first appointment, the dentist takes impressions of the patient’s teeth and then creates a perfectly fitted mouthpiece. This mouthpiece will allow the patient to apply a bleaching solution, a peroxide-based gel, to the teeth while protecting the rest of the mouth from contact with the bleaching chemicals.
The concentration of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide in the bleaching gel is not as strong as that used in in-office bleaching procedures. No strong light source or laser is needed to activate the bleaching agent. In most cases, home bleaching can take from one to three weeks to achieve maximum results. The duration and frequency of the daily treatment varies. Some solutions require overnight use for a shorter period of time; others require twice-daily treatment for a longer period. The professionals at DoanDental can help you decide on the duration and intensity of treatment best suited to your needs
Q: What is in-office bleaching/whitening?
A: In-office bleaching is performed in the office, under the direct supervision of a dentist. The dentist begins by applying a protective material to your gums and lips in order to isolate the teeth. A special bleaching solution – usually containing hydrogen peroxide - is applied to the teeth. A high intensity light is directed at the teeth and activates the bleaching agent, causing the gel to release the oxygen molecules. Treatments take as little as one to two hours. Patient will have results immediately after the visit.
At DoanDental we utilize the scientifically advanced ZOOM! ® Teeth whitening system, as seen on ABC’s Extreme Makeover! More information about the Zoom!™ system is available under Zoom! Professional Whitening System FAQs
Q: I do not want to have x-rays done because I don’t want to be exposed to too much radiation. Is this a realistic concern?
A: A unit called a “rem” is used to measure radiation. A rem is a large unit, so for medical purposes, we normally use mrem (milli-rem = 1/1000 rem).
The National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP) says that the average resident of the U.S. receives about 360 mrem every year from background sources. This comes from outer space, radioactive materials in the earth, and small amounts of radioactive material in most foods we consume. A set of full-mouth, conventional x-rays expose you to only about 15 mrem – or approximately the same amount you would receive during 15 days of exposure to naturally occurring environmental radiation.
At DoanDental we utilize digital x-rays, which further reduce the radiation exposure to our patients. Digital x-rays also provide a better tool for more accurate diagnosis and better patient education and communication.
Q: What are Digital X-rays? What are the advantages over conventional film x-rays?
A: Digital x-rays replace conventional x-ray film with a sensor connected to a computer. The result is that the x-rays will appear on a computer screen, rather than physical film – much like a digital photo compared to a conventional paper photo.
These are a few of the advantages of digital x-rays over conventional film x-rays:
- Reduced radiation exposure to patients.
- Digital x-rays are ready almost instantaneously, saving patients the time of waiting for x-rays to be developed. This is especially helpful for root canal therapy procedures, which require many x-rays to be taken at different times.
- Digital x-rays can be manipulated to enhance contrast, brightness, highlights, etc., assisting in the diagnostic process.
- Patient communication and education are significantly improved. Our staff can explain the procedures required for a particular dental condition using large x-ray images on a computer screen.
Q: Baby teeth will be replaced by adult teeth, therefore I don’t have to worry if my children have many cavities and lose their baby teeth early. Is this correct?
A: All baby teeth are present when a child is at about 24 months old. The baby teeth are gradually replaced by adult teeth starting at 6 years of age. The process is complete when the child reaches approximately 12 years of age. When a baby tooth is lost prematurely due to decay (cavity), other teeth move into the place of the missing tooth and prevent adult teeth from erupting properly. The result is mal-erupted, or impacted, adult teeth that require extensive orthodontic treatment, or sometimes even surgery to correct.
Maintaining healthy baby teeth is essential and simple to do. Good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups usually warrant a healthy dentition.
Q: What is a root canal?
A: Root canal therapy, frequently known as a root canal, is a process of removing the nerve and living tissue from inside a tooth, cleaning the inside of the tooth, then filling this inside space with filling material – usually a rubber-like material called gutta purcha. This procedure is necessary when the nerve tissue of a tooth is infected and/or becomes non-vital due to cavities (decay), trauma, or sometimes an unknown reason. A full coverage crown is normally needed to restore the tooth after a root canal therapy.
Zoom!® Professional Whitening System FAQs
Q: What is Zoom! Teeth Whitening?
A: Zoom! is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin.
Q: What causes tooth discoloration?
A: There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, red wine, etc. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.
Q: Who may benefit from tooth whitening?
A: Almost anyone. However treatment may not be as effective for some as it is for others. The professionals at DoanDental can determine if you are a viable candidate for this procedure with a thorough oral exam, including a shade assessment.
Q: Is whitening safe?
A: Yes. Extensive research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. As with any tooth whitening product, Zoom! Is not recommended for children under the age of 13 or for pregnant or lactating women.
Q: How long will the results last?
A: By following some simple post-whitening instructions, your teeth will always be whiter than they were before. To keep your teeth looking their best, we recommend flossing, brushing twice daily, and occasional touch-ups with Zoom! Take-Home Products.
Q: How does the Zoom! In-office System work?
A: The Zoom! light-activated whitening gel’s active ingredient is Hydrogen Peroxide. As the Hydrogen Peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching colored substances while the structure of the tooth is unchanged.
Q: How is exposure to the Zoom! Light controlled?
A: The procedure requires that all soft tissue in and around the mouth be protected. Our clinician is required to monitor the procedure to insure any exposed skin or tissue is isolated and protected. Protective eyewear is required during the procedure.
Light sensitive individuals, including those undergoing PUVA (Psoralen + UV Radiation) or other photochemotherapy, or patients with melanoma, should not undergo the Zoom! in-office procedure. Also, patients taking any light sensitive drugs or substances (whether over-the-counter, prescription, or homeopathic) should consult their primary care physician prior to the procedure. Anyone who is not eligible for in-office whitening for these reasons may be an excellent candidate for Zoom! Take-Home.
Q: How long does Zoom! Chairside Whitening take?
A: The complete procedure takes just over an hour and includes preparation, whitening and a final five-minute fluoride treatment.
Q: Are there any side effects?
A: Sensitivity during the treatment may occur with some patients. The Zoom! light generates minimal heat, which is the usual source of discomfort. On rare occasions, minor tingling sensations are experienced immediately after the procedure, but always dissipate.
