- How do I know if I need to make
an appointment ?
- Why
do I need x-rays and are they safe?
- Why do I need an examination
when all I want is to have my teeth cleaned ?
- Who is a candidate for dental
implants ?
- How can I improve my smile ?
- What are Lumineers ?
- Why are my dentures loose
and how can I tighten them?
- Are amalgam
(silver/mercury) fillings safe?
- Why doesn't insurance
pay for my treatment?
-
What
procedures are appropriate for Cerec 3-D?
Obviously pain in the teeth or mouth is a pretty good
reason to make an appointment. But often there can be conditions that
don't start out with pain. A small cavity rarely results in pain or other
symptoms. If detected early is easily treated. If it is allowed to
progress until pain develops, either a root canal or extraction may be required.
Likewise, developing periodontal disease rarely results pain or discomfort.
But if left untreated, it can result in tooth loss. Also, there is
mounting scientific evidence that links periodontal disease with heart problems.
One of the most significant conditions that rarely result in pain, until it's too
late, is oral cancer. It's a good idea to have a dental at least check-up
twice a year so that any developing problems can be treated early. To schedule
your appointment, call us at (321) 259-9429.
It is common for people to have a fear of x-rays.
When x-rays were first developed, there was a lack of precise control in the
amount or direction of the radiation. Sci-Fi movies made x-rays mutant
producing. Of course x-rays really can't turn a person into the "Colossal
50 Foot Woman". Nor will they make you glow in the dark. With today's
modern x-ray equipment, a full series of traditional film x-rays result in less
radiation exposure than a few hours in the sun. Dr. Brown utilized digital
x-ray equipment from Schick Technologies that require about a third the amount
of x-ray exposure than traditional film x-rays. Additionally, each year,
the Florida Department of Health sends an inspector to check each x-ray machine
and certify it as being within published exposure and scatter limits. All
this results in x-rays that are quite safe. So why are they needed?
With x-ray pictures, the dentist can see if there are problems in areas that cannot be seen visually.
Decay that starts between the teeth cannot be seen visually until it is quite
large. Bone loss, bone lesions and other conditions cannot be seen
with a visual examination alone. Only with x-ray radiographs can these problems
be detected.
The State of Florida requires that a dentist perform an
examination at least every two years or less before he may prescribe services
from a dental hygienist (F.S.
466.023 (2)(c)). It is also the dentist's ethical obligation to insure that
the patient is fully informed of their oral condition. Without a complete
examination, the dentist and the patient will not know if there are any
conditions that require treatment.
Whether you are missing one tooth, several teeth or all of
your teeth, you may be a candidate for dental implants. Generally
speaking, if you are healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you are healthy
enough to have a successful dental implant. To be able to place a dental
implant, you need to have adequate width and depth of bone. Only with a
dental radiograph (x-ray) can we determine if adequate depth of bone exists.
A visual examination can help determine the width of bone. Dental implants
come in a variety of widths and lengths so that the right one for your
particular bone can be selected. Sometimes, there is not enough bone for
the placement of dental implants. In these cases, we work with a variety
of specialists to graft bone in order to create a site that will be ideal for a
dental implant. To find out if you are a candidate for dental implants,
call us to schedule your appointment. (321) 259-9429.
First impressions are the most powerful and lasting.
A great smile is essential to making that great first impression. There
are certain characteristics of a great smile:
straight teeth,
evenly spaced
teeth with no gaps, white teeth
(not
stained), top teeth show
when you smile (but not too much of your gums),
gum line is even, and edges of the top
teeth follow the curvature of the lower lip. When
we look to improve a smile, we look at all of these aspects and determine what
needs to be modified in order to accomplish the desired goal. We will
usually start with ZOOM Advanced Power teeth whitening. A brighter, whiter
smile makes a big difference. We then evaluate to see if re-contouring of the teeth or
gums is needed. Finally, Lumineers or Lava crowns can make the final expression
of that great smile. Whether you need only ZOOM Advanced Power teeth whitening
or Lumineers, you'll wish you had done it sooner.
To schedule your appointment, call us at (321) 259-9429.
Lumineers by Cerinate are the state-of-the-art porcelain
laminate veneers. They are made from extremely thin (about the thickness
of a contact lens) yet very strong porcelain. The Cerinate laboratory
crafts the Lumineers to the specifications we prescribe. The shape, shade
and translucency are designed to match and enhance your smile. The results
are amazing. And best of all, there is usually no need for shots or
removal of sensitive tooth structure. Dr. Brown is one of a few Lumineer
trained dentists. Find out more about Lumineers, visit the
Cerinate website or the Cosmetic section of our
website. To discover if Lumineers can enhance your smile, call us for
a consultation appointment at (321) 259-9429.
When teeth are removed, the bone begins to shrink called
resorption).
As the denture presses against the bone, this shrinking is further accelerated. This majority of the bone resorption occurs
within the first year after teeth are removed. However, the
resorption can continue throughout the rest of your life. When dentures
are placed at the same time as the teeth are taken out, there are gaps between the
gum, where the teeth were, and the denture. As time and healing progress,
the bone shrinkage continues and these gaps become larger. Denture paste
will help to secure the denture during this time. But eventually, the bone
shrinkage gets large enough that even denture paste no longer secures the
denture. In many cases, a reline or rebase can restore the denture to a
proper fit. Sometimes, a new denture is necessary. In other
individuals, even a new denture does not remain secure. This is more
common on the lower, but can occur with either the upper or lower denture.
In this case, the best option to secure a denture is with dental implants.
There has been much controversy over the safety of
amalgam fillings. These fillings have been used in dentistry for over 75
years. They consist of several metal particles (such as silver and copper)
combined with the liquid metal - mercury. When these components are
combined, they form a solid metal containing all of the individual metals
(called an "amalgam"). In the early 1990s, the safety of dental
amalgams came under fire. The theory was that since mercury vapor is toxic
to humans, the mercury in dental amalgam fillings would also be toxic.
Those against the use of dental amalgam claimed that when someone bit against the amalgam,
mercury vapor was released and then ingested by the body where it could do harm. This mercury
scare drove many people to the dentist to have these amalgam fillings removed.
Several universities and government agencies conducted or sponsored scientific studies to
determine the safety of dental amalgam. The results of over 10 years of
research concluded that dental amalgam fillings posed no health risk to humans. There is no need to have your amalgam fillings removed due to
health concerns. One benefit to come from the mercury scare days was that dental material research
and development companies were driven to produce and perfect new restorative
materials. The result is today's bonded composite filling materials.
This has been a benefit to many individuals and the dental profession. A
properly bonded composite filling has several advantages: reduced leakage of the
filling, better adaptation to the tooth, and enhanced cosmetics (tooth colored
materials). Dr. Brown places only bonded composite fillings in teeth
requiring restoration.
Dental insurance has not kept up with the changing economy
and technology. Most dental insurance companies limit their annual
payments to $1,000.00. Costs for
everything have risen in the past 25 years, yet this annual limit is the same
maximum limit that they provided over 25 years ago. Unfortunately, this
limitation will usually pay for twice yearly examinations, cleanings and one or
two small fillings. If you require any further care, or desire a brighter smile,
you should not count on your insurance company to help defray the costs.
Many people want to try to spread their treatment over several years to maximize
their insurance payments. Unfortunately, in most cases, the delay in
treatment only results in conditions becoming worse and treatment more
expensive. Until employers are willing to increase their insurance
premiums and put pressure on dental insurance companies to provide adequate and
meaningful coverage, you will need to pay for treatment yourself. We offer
payment plans through CareCredit that can help make your treatment more affordable.
Visit CareCredit's website or call us
at (321) 259-9429 to discuss how we can help make quality dental care
affordable.
What procedures
are appropriate for Cerec 3-D?
Cerec 3-D is a state of the art CAD-CAM dental restoration manufacturing
system that can make dental restorations in a single visit. Currently,
inlays, onlays and single bicuspid and molar (back teeth) crown are appropriate for the Cerec
3-D. Even single crowns supported by a dental implant can be appropriate for Cerec
3-D. Some anterior (front teeth) crowns may be appropriate for Cerec 3-D, but the majority
will still require laboratory fabrication. Fixed bridges and splinted
crowns also require laboratory fabrication. The high quality ceramic
blocks that are used to mill your final restoration are available in a wide
variety of shades, but the shades are uniform throughout. With many
anterior (front) teeth, there are different shades within the same tooth. This
requires the artistry of a skilled laboratory technician to reproduce.
Fixed bridges and multiple teeth splinted together are currently too large for
the Cerec milling machine and must be sent to the laboratory for fabrication.
Whether we use Cerec 3-D or the dental laboratory, we are committed to providing
only the highest quality dental treatment.
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