Category: Blog

Tooth-bonding is a procedure that is used to bond the application of the tooth-colored resin material using adhesives. These tooth-bonding procedures are used using highly-intense curing lights. The procedure bonds the restorative piece to the tooth. Bonding is usually used for aesthetic purposes such as to fix various problems like chipped teeth or discoloration. These tools can also be used to help close gaps between teeth or to change the shape or color of the teeth as well. These same devices could protect the portion of the tooth that may become exposed when gums recede.

Bondings can be considered to help fix many issues including repairing tooth decay, repair chip/cracked teeth, improve the appearance of discolored teeth, close spaces between teeth, to make teeth look longer, change the shape of your teeth, as an alternative to amalgram fillings, or to protect unexposed parts of the root of the tooth that is exposed when the gum begins to recede.

Dental bonding takes little-to-no preparation, and the use of anesthetic is not necessary to do this procedure unless the bonding is filling a decayed tooth. Your dentists’ goal will be to match the closest color and shade of the rest of your teeth. There are two types of bonding and one is direct composite bonding which is a process where the dentist use tooth-colored composites that they have in their offices to fill cavities, repair chips/cracks in teeth, close gaps in the teeth, or to build up worn-edges around the teeth. These composite materials may also be directly and sculpted to the surfaces of the teeth that will prominently when you smile for minimally invasive procedures. These are also known as having “bonding” procedures done. The other type of bonding is an adhesive bond which is commonly used for things like esthetic crowns, porcelain veneers, bridges, and inlays/overlays. After your dentist has chosen a color that matches your teeth. The dentist will have to rough up the surface of the teeth before using gentle phosphoric acid solution and after the roughing agent is removed there will be a bonding agent applied and it will be hardened on there after the bonding is done. This is done with an ultraviolet light that hardens as the light is shone on it.

The pros of dental bonding are not expensive compared to other procedures in the dental industries and can be done in a short office visit unless many teeth are involved. Compared to veneers and crowns this requires little to no removal of tooth enamel and most procedures require no anesthesia.

The cons of the dental bonding procedures can include that the dental bonding materials used are not as strong as your original teeth in many cases and so chewing on things like pen caps or fingernails or even ice cubes can cause problems if the material is chipped. These may not even last a few years before the bondings need repaired which can mean more appointments, but these procedures are not as invasive as the crowns, veneers, and/or fillings.

Bondings can only fix some problems though and some dentists see it as a small cosmetic procedure, but not things that can fix major problems. Sometimes bondings can cause lower pressure in biting power and cause problems with people being able to chew food well.

A consultation with your dentist can determine if the problem can be solved with the bonding procedure, or if the procedure needs to be something a little more invasive than bonding. The dentist will also discuss other risk like the tooth chipping or cracking or having other issues and possibly needing bonding a gain in the future to see if this is the right move for you. The teeth will be required to be taken extra care of to ensure you are not choosing to chew on things like fingernails or ice cubes. You can expect to pay $100 to $400 per tooth for the procedure to be done.

Whether you want to get dentures or already have them there is a lot that you should know about having them to take the optimal care of your oral health and your expensive dentures.

Dentures are simply fake teeth and gums that are put in the mouth if your natural teeth have been lost or removed your own natural teeth. Dentures can cover part or all of where your natural teeth would have originally been. These will be designed to custom-fit your mouth.

Dentures have in the past been made out of porcelain or plastic and today are generally made of hard resin. These materials are softer than your original teeth would have been, so they will chip or crack much quicker than the natural teeth. The teeth are held to the natural gum line by the fake gums that are custom-fit to the curvature of your mouth. They are made of a flexible polymer fiber that fits snugly to the natural gum line.

Dentures not only help improve the aesthetic look of your mouth, but can also help improve a smile for someone who has multiple missing teeth. Dentures make it easy to eat and chew harder foods as well. It ensures that you can consume more than liquids and ensures that you are getting proper nourishment. Having fitting dentures helps eliminate and remove a lot of problems that would otherwise exist with the fit of the dentures.

Partial dentures are often used to replace a few lost teeth instead of surrounding the other healthy teeth when the remaining teeth are not healthy enough to hold or support dental bridges or other tooth replacement implants that consist of two or more teeth. These dentures are fitted to the gum line where they will have to rest to ensure that they stay in place while the person eats and drinks throughout a day. These are not permanently fastened like a bridge or implant, however, and you are able to be removed to clean the dentures and put back into the mouth.

Full dentures also known as complete dentures are dentures that replace all the natural teeth in your mouth. They are fitted to the top or bottom gum line respectively, and are held in place throughout the day by oral adhesives. Just like the partial dentures they remove easily.

Immediate dentures are the dentures that are either full or partial dentures that differ from permanent dentures as they are only meant to be used just while the gums are healing from where one’s natural teeth are removed. This is until the gums heal and the permanent dentures are able to be put in. This is usually a few days to a couple weeks depending on how long it takes your gum line and natural tissue to heal.

The overdentures are used in cases where traditional dentures are too uncomfortable or if there are a few natural teeth that are still left. Overdentures are fitted to the roots of the remaining teeth to put teeth in between the natural ones that are left over. Some people find these kinds of dentures more comfortable fitting than natural ones.

Implant-supported dentures are as the name implies these dentures are anchored by dental implants. A dental implant is a permanent fixture that is attached to the jawbone and can be used to replace any number of teeth that you may have lost. They are comprised of the implant itself which is a metal post and a custom crown which look like natural tooth.

Implant-supported dentures have a few different ways they can attach but should be cared for like any traditional dentures. It’s more common to have fewer problems on the lower jaw than the upper jaw with implants like this but many people have plenty of both and have no problems. The upper jaw implants are also likely to be less secure than the bottom ones as well.

When you have dentures to clean them you should be cleaning them every day just like regular teeth. To clean dentures take them out of the mouth and rinse them under water to help remove any food particles that may be lodged on the teeth. Use a soft denture-specific toothbrush and some mild soap or dental cleaner to brush the teeth and do not use regular toothpaste o electronic toothbrushes as they are too abrasive and will break the tooth down quickly.

Also clean your gums while the teeth are out with a very soft toothbrush head and some fluoridated toothpaste if needed. If your toothbrush is too harsh use your finger wrapped in a washcloth to run it along your gum line to help get any food that is lodged in there out.

Always remove dentures before sleeping to avoid damaging them and it also gives your gums time to relax. Submerge the dentures in warm water while you sleep to let them soak, but ensure that teeth are not left lying around as they get overly dry and can become mis-shaped and will no longer fit in your mouth the way they were meant to.

In the end, always remember that dentures are nothing to be ashamed of. Accidents or trauma can happen to someone at any age as well as infections can also happen as well. Dentures are not just for seniors despite the stereotypes that circulate these days. There is no shame in wearing dentures! If you need such tools do not hesitate to enquire. They exist to help you chew better, feel more confident, and love how you look so you can smile again!

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about us visit us here or call us 909-465-1016. The Ramona Dentistry Team “Where Family Comes First”

Dental veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of custom tooth color designs that are put over the surface of the tooth to help improve the appearance of the color of one’s teeth. The shells are then bonded to the teeth to help improve the size, shape, or color (overall appearance) of the teeth.

Dental veneers are made of either porcelain or sometimes resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than the resin composite materials so generally wind up being more popular materials of choice. It’s best to discuss the material you choose with your dentist.

Dental veneers are used to fix many problems people may have with their teeth. Those problems include things like discoloration of the teeth, as a result of root canal treatment, stains from drugs like tetracycline, excessive fluoride or exposure to other types of chemicals, or large resin fillings from previous fillings that tooth may have had.

Veneers are also used to treat things like teeth that are worn down, teeth that are chipped/broken, misaligned/uneven/irregular teeth, or teeth with gaps between them that leave them looking unsightly.

Veneers will require three trips to the dentist. The first trip will be when the dentist meets with you to determine what you are trying to accomplish and what you want the veneers to do for you. They will also take x-rays and scans of the teeth so they can determine how to fit the veneers to your teeth.

That way they understand your needs better. The second appointment will require about ½ of millimeter of enamel to be removed from the teeth that the veneers will go on. The dentist will provide a numbing agent before taking off the enamel so you feel no pain. About 2-4 weeks later your veneers will be created and it will be time to go back for the final appointment. If your teeth are particularly unsightly then they will be able to put temporary veneers in to help improve your look in the meantime.

The final appointment will require the bonding of the veneers to be permanently cemented to the teeth. The excess cement will be removed, and the veneers will be trimmed to fit the teeth appropriately. A few weeks later a follow-up appointment will occur to ensure that the veneers have stayed in place properly.

Once veneers are on the teeth some benefits you may notice are that they improve the tooth’s natural appearance and the porcelain veneers will be much stronger and the aesthetic will be pleasing. The gum tissue will tolerate the porcelain or resin will. These materials will also resist stain from using your teeth every day well so they last longer.

Veneers do have some downsides as well including that once they are put onto the teeth they are irreversible and you cannot put the enamel back on the tooth once its removed. The process is largely irreversible. Veneers are rather costly and sometimes insurance may not cover them if they are put on for purely aesthetic reasons. If the veneers do not exactly match the other teeth you have you may have them look rather unsightly. Also, veneers may dislodge and fall off. To avoid this issue habits like chewing your nails or on other hard objects should be broken, and you should avoid putting excessive pressure on your teeth in the future after the veneers are placed. If you grind your teeth or clench your jaws a lot you may be a poor candidate for veneers.

Veneers will generally last 7 to 15 years, dependent on the way they are treated over the long term. Generally, every 15 years or so the veneers will need replaced, if not more often. Veneers do not require special care as just following general good health practices are enough to keep the veneers healthy. It is recommended, however, that even with the stain-resistance the veneers have it is recommended to avoid consuming large amounts of staining liquids like teas, red wines, or coffee.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about us visit us here or call us 909-465-1016. The Ramona Dentistry Team “Where Family Comes First”