I don’t recommend the boil and bite guard. Because the guard is soft and will not be perfectly fitting, they can cause a person to clench and grind even more. A night guard that is well-fitting and is made out of hard plastic material is the best choice. This type of guard makes the experience of clenching or grinding less pleasurable. These hard-plastic guards can withstand pressure and will not wobble, which could result in causing more clenching and grinding.
Monthly Archives: January 2008
I have a filling that is discolored, should I redo it?
Definitely, I would suggest having the filling redone. Sometimes leakage can occur around the colored fillings which can cause cavities.
Is having a permanent a bridge done painful?
Having a bridge done should not be painful. Afterward your appointment, there may be some soreness around the gum where the work was done. There can be some pain if the bite is not correct. So if the day after your appointment you bite down and there is a lot of pain, call your dentist right away and go in for an adjustment on your bite.
How will I know if I need a bridge?
You can use a bridge if there is one missing tooth and there are two teeth on either side. If the two teeth on either side are healthy and are cavity-free with no crowns; there is a possibility of using implants instead of a bridge.
Are some people more prone to cavities than others? Or is it all just due to diet and improper dental care?
There is a genetic factor that can play a role in someone getting cavities. This is often due to a certain type of bacteria that causes cavities and can be more prevalent in some people than in others. However, poor diet and dental care also cause cavities. So, if a person has less of the bacteria present, but a very, very bad diet and poor dental care, they can still get cavities. Often, it is all three factors combined that causes cavities, but the type of bacteria in the month plays a very important role in getting cavities as well.
How can you fix buck teeth?
Usually, buck teeth are fixed with orthodontic treatments, which is often the best option. Otherwise, if the buck teeth are not too exaggerated, crowns and veneers can be made to make the teeth sit back a little bit, close the gap and shorten the teeth.
What causes buck teeth?
There are the three main reasons for buck teeth:
- It could be genetic; where the teeth have just grown in the wrong direction.
- If the patient is a tongue thruster, which means that either at night or during the day the tongue is pushing against the back of the front teeth.
- If thumb sucking has been going on for a long time could cause buck teeth.
What is a crown?
A crown is used when a tooth is shaved down on all sides and is completely covered by a substance that is made of gold or porcelain. The crown is made of either gold or porcelain and covers the tooth.
My dentist says I need a root canal, what is a root canal?
A root canal is when a cavity has hit a nerve, the nerve is infected or somehow the nerve has been damaged due to trauma. Some of the symptoms to the tooth can be extreme sensitivity to hot and cold and, more importantly, having pain when not eating, chewing or drinking anything. Other symptoms include pulsating pain or an infection at the top or the bottom of the root due to a dead nerve. A root canal is a procedure that the nerve is taken out, cleaned up and sterilized. Then a root canal filling, such as gutta percha which is a plastic compound or by a compatible material like calcium hydroxide, is placed to fill in and seal the root so no infection can get in.
What is a bridge? Is it removable or permanent?
A bridge is when two teeth, one on either side of a missing tooth, are prepared and crowns are attached to either side of the missing tooth. This piece or bridge is cemented and it is not removable. They usually feel like real teeth. The only real complaint is that since there is a missing tooth and the bridge is placed over it, food can get under it. So, more and very consistent oral hygiene is needed. But, many people have bridges for many years and are quite happy with them.