Composite fillings are an increasingly popular option for tooth restoration. Unlike traditional amalgam fillings, which are made from a combination of metals, composite fillings are made from a resin-based material that matches your teeth' color.
This offers a more aesthetically pleasing solution and helps preserve your smile's natural appearance. Composite fillings are considered safer than amalgams as they contain no mercury.
Thanks to their durability and versatility, composite fillings are commonly used to treat cavities, cracks, and other forms of tooth decay.
Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy way to restore your teeth to their original luster or you’re looking for a long-term solution to your dental problems, composite fillings may be the perfect option for you.
First and foremost, composite fillings are an aesthetic choice that does not require tooth removal. Unlike other restorations, such as crowns or veneers, composite fillings do not have to be attached to your natural teeth, allowing them to remain fully functional.
A composite filling is a tooth-colored resin used to repair and restore decayed, cracked, or chipped teeth. Composite fillings are a popular option among dental patients as they blend in seamlessly with natural teeth, unlike traditional tooth restorations like crowns.
They are often preferred over other tooth restorations, such as fillings made from gold or silver, because they are less likely to cause tooth sensitivity.
Composite fillings are also safer than amalgams, which contain mercury, since they do not contain any metal.
Like all tooth restorations, composite fillings have their own set of benefits. Some of the most notable benefits of composite fillings include the following:
Composite fillings are a highly aesthetic option, as they blend in seamlessly with the surrounding teeth. Because of this, they are a great choice for people who want to keep the look of their natural teeth.
While most tooth restorations are entirely secure and unlikely to cause discomfort, it is possible to experience a temporary sensitivity from composite fillings. This is why dentists may recommend a special desensitizing toothpaste to prevent discomfort.
Composite fillings are a long-term option for tooth restorations. They are less likely to cause tooth decay, so they can be left in your mouth for a long time without requiring further treatment.
Unlike amalgam fillings, composite fillings do not contain any mercury. This makes them a much safer and more environmentally friendly option than amalgams. Moreover, they are easier to remove than amalgams. Unlike amalgams, which need to be drilled out of the tooth, composite fillings can be removed by carefully pricking them.
Composite fillings are also more aesthetic than amalgam fillings, as they can be carefully matched to the color of your teeth. Additionally, they are a more modern choice for tooth restoration. Since composite fillings do not require drilling, they are a much less invasive treatment.
Before placing a composite filling, the dentist will remove the decayed tooth material and clean the affected tooth. Once the tooth has been prepared, the dentist will apply a special bonding agent. This will help secure the composite filling and keep it in contact with the tooth.
The dentist will then shape the composite filling to fit the tooth. Once the dentist has shaped the filling, they will place it in the prepared tooth and then cure it using a special light. This helps the filling set and harden quickly.
Once the composite filling has been prepared and set, the dentist will polish the tooth to ensure that the filling blends in with your natural teeth. The dentist may also apply a sealant to the prepared tooth to prevent future issues.
After the tooth is prepared and the composite filling has been set, you may experience a small amount of tooth sensitivity. This is normal after receiving a filling and should disappear within a few days.
After receiving a composite filling, you should follow some basic aftercare instructions to ensure the restoration lasts as long as possible. First and foremost, you should take care to avoid grinding your teeth. This can put excessive pressure on the tooth and make it more likely to break.
You should also avoid eating hard or very crunchy foods. These foods can increase the pressure on your tooth and make it more likely to break. It would be best if you continued practicing good oral hygiene.
This will help keep your teeth healthy and prevent future issues. Moreover, it will allow you to keep your new tooth restoration in good shape for as long as possible.
One of the most common questions about composite fillings is how long they will last. While there are no concrete statistics, most fillings should last for at least ten years, and many for much longer.
The longevity of your filling will depend on how well you take care of your teeth and your overall oral hygiene. Your tooth restorations will last longer if you practice good oral hygiene daily and receive routine dental cleanings. The longevity of your filling also depends on the filling that you choose.
While resin fillings are the most common, you may also come across materials like gold or silver. Silver fillings usually last longer than resin fillings, but they can also be more costly and challenging to maintain.
Quality and sophistication should not imply less relatability and personalization. At Tabor Dental Associates, we've built a clinic that gives patients the comprehensive, state-of-the-art care they want and deserve, along with the reliable small-town values they expect.
What may be surprising is that we accomplish all of this in a pleasant and relaxed setting. The fact that we offer high-quality dental care and have signed guitars in each patient room shows how much we care.
We have become one of the most esteemed and well-regarded dentists in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and the greater Nashville region by basing our business on professionalism, enthusiasm, expertise, and commitment. Make an appointment now to see how we combine art, science, and trust with every patient.
Tooth sensitivity is a common problem. It also has many different potential causes and effects. Tooth decay, damage to the teeth or gums, an overactive oral microbiome, or other things can cause sensitivity to hot and cold, sweet, and acidic foods.
Keeping your mouth healthy can help you avoid more pain whenever you eat sensitivity-triggering food.
This article will cover why your teeth are sensitive to sugar and other possible reasons for this weird (and painful) sensation in your mouth.
Sugar sensitivity is a type of tooth decay that occurs when the bacteria in your mouth feed off the simple sugars in foods and drinks you consume. Over time, these bacteria produce acids that leach minerals from your teeth.
Sugar sensitivity manifests as tooth sensitivity to heat or cold, sweets, and acidic foods. This tooth decay differs from cavities since cavities are holes in the teeth that can be treated with fillings.
On the other hand, sugar sensitivity results from demineralization, the process by which minerals are drained from your teeth. Once the minerals are drained from the teeth, they become more susceptible to damage and decay.
People with sensitive teeth might also need to avoid lots of foods containing sugar and acids. Also, some over-the-counter toothpaste, mouthwashes, and even regular toothbrushes can be too rough on sensitive teeth. Your dental health provider may suggest you use oral products specifically made to target and improve tooth sensitivity.
Dentists can also replace lost minerals in teeth with dental filling procedures like dental crowns or tooth bonding treatments.
Your teeth are made up of a hard outer layer called enamel. Enamel is mainly calcium, protecting the softer inner layer called dentin from exposure. On the inside of your tooth, you have a pulp that contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.
This part of your tooth is responsible for sensing temperature, hot and cold, and pain. When your tooth is exposed to high sugar levels, it interacts with the bacteria in your mouth and produces acid.
This acid will eat away at the enamel and dentin layers of your tooth and, if left unchecked, can eventually lead to tooth decay. The more you eat foods high in sugar, the more likely you will experience this discomfort.
The enamel on your teeth is what protects them from damage and disease. The dentin underneath is sensitive because it has nerves that detect hot, cold, and painful sensations. When you consume food that is high in sugar, the bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar and produce acid.
This acid dissolves the dentin, making it softer and more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. When the acid is strong enough to dissolve the dentin, it will travel through it and dissolve the enamel on the other side of your tooth.
Therefore, by eating or drinking a food or beverage high in sugar, your teeth will feel more sensitive because of the acid's ability to dissolve dentin.
The crown is the visible part of your tooth, while the root goes beneath the gum line and into the jawbone. Sugar sensitivity is more likely to affect the crown of the tooth because it is more porous than the root.
The crown of your tooth is covered by a hard substance called enamel that protects your teeth from decay. On the other hand, the root is covered by dentin, which is softer and more porous.
Eating something high in sugar can increase the acidity of your saliva, which can cause trigger sensitivity and pain once your tooth root becomes exposed.
The bacteria in your mouth feed off simple sugars in foods and drinks. Over time, these bacteria produce acids that leach minerals from your teeth. The enamel on your teeth is what protects them from damage and disease.
The dentin underneath is sensitive because it has nerves that detect pain. When you consume food that is high in sugar, the bacteria in your mouth will feed on that sugar and produce acid. This acid dissolves the enamel and dentin on your teeth, making them softer and more sensitive to hot, cold, and painful sensations.
When the acid is strong enough, it will travel through your teeth' dentin and dissolve it along with the enamel. Eating food or drinking a beverage high in sugar will make your teeth more sensitive because of the acid's dissolving ability.
If your teeth are sensitive to sugar, there are some things you can do to avoid worsening your condition.
If you have already gotten your teeth professionally cleaned, your dentist may recommend getting a mouth guard to wear while you sleep. If you have teeth sensitive to sugar, try to eat a balanced diet low in sugar and carbohydrates. Consider drinking enough water daily to stay hydrated. Also, try chewing sugar-free gum after meals if your teeth are sensitive to sugar.
There are many treatments that your dentist can offer you to relieve the sensitivity caused by eating sweets, acids, or both.
Dip a clean toothbrush into a mixture of baking soda and water and brush as you would normally. This will help clean your teeth, remove stains, and ease sensitivity.
Many kinds of toothpaste are formulated for sensitive teeth. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants, which can make sensitivity worse.
The best way to fight tooth sensitivity is to avoid it in the first place by brushing and flossing regularly.
Visit your dentist when you notice any changes in the overall health of your teeth. If you’ve already developed some tooth decay, there are treatments that your dentist can offer you to relieve the pain caused by eating sweets, acids, or both.
Quality and sophistication should not imply less relatability and personalization. At Tabor Dental Associates, we've built a clinic that gives patients the comprehensive, state-of-the-art care they want and deserve, along with the reliable small-town values they expect.
What may be surprising is that we accomplish all of this in a pleasant and relaxed setting. The fact that we offer high-quality dental care and have signed guitars in each patient room shows how much we care.
We have become one of the most esteemed and well-regarded dentists in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and the greater Nashville region by basing our business on professionalism, enthusiasm, expertise, and commitment. Make an appointment now to see how we combine art, science, and trust with every patient we see.
Exposed roots from dental restorations like fillings, crowns, or veneers are a telltale sign of compromised oral health. We know that exposed dental roots indicate poor oral hygiene and subpar dental care, but what does it mean for your general health? And how can you reverse the damage from this cosmetic issue?
Exposed roots' impact on oral health may be more profound than you think. Exposed tooth roots are small indicators of underlying issues with your gingival tissue, the soft tissue around your teeth. Although not necessarily dangerous, they suggest that more work should be done to have healthy teeth with restored surfaces and no signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease.
Read on to learn why and how to address the issue.
First, let’s talk about the health of your gingival tissue. Gingiva is the soft, spongy tissue that surrounds each tooth. It is responsible for holding the teeth in place, allowing chewing and speaking. When the gingiva is inflamed or irritated, it becomes red and swollen and can cause pain when eating or brushing teeth.
This is known as gingivitis or the early stages of periodontal disease. Gingivitis can be prevented with regular brushing and flossing, as well as an excellent oral hygiene routine and an antimicrobial rinse.
On the other hand, periodontal disease will require a little more attention. It can be treated with deep cleaning, fluoride treatments, and specialized gum treatments, which are more involved than simple brushing and flossing.
When these oral diseases are left untreated, they can all lead to your tooth root exposure and can even cause tooth loss.
An exposed tooth root is easy to spot but isn’t always easy to identify. The first and most noticeable symptom of tooth root exposure is sensitivity in the tooth and gums.
A tooth root may become exposed for a few reasons. If the gingival tissue around the tooth is inflamed, it may shrink and show the root tissue.
If the tooth is traumatized and is healing, the root may be noticeable because the tissue has shrunk back further. A tooth root will likely be exposed if the tooth is slightly broken off or decayed and needs a root canal. Finally, you may see the root tissue if you have a minor gum disease issue.
If you have any signs or symptoms of an exposed tooth root, you should have your oral health assessed by a dentist as soon as possible. The most common symptom is a tooth that feels loose, matched with bleeding when brushing the teeth.
You may also experience a change in how the tooth feels and look. A tooth with exposed roots may look longer than usual due to the gums pulling further away from the crown. Any exposed tooth root indicates something is wrong in the mouth. An exposed tooth root may be a symptom of other oral health problems like plaque, gingivitis, or periodontal disease.
Suppose you aren’t brushing your teeth correctly and aren’t flossing. In that case, you are increasing your risk for all oral health issues, including gingivitis and periodontal disease, which can all lead to tooth root exposure. Make sure to brush twice daily and gargle with an antibacterial mouthwash for extra protection.
If you have gum disease, the tissue around your teeth becomes inflamed and shrinks back, sometimes exposing the tooth root. Make sure to contact your dentist immediately when something feels off in your mouth.
The root may be slightly exposed if a tooth is somewhat chipped or has been hit with force. Go to the nearest dental clinic when suffering from any tooth trauma to avoid tooth loss due to tooth root exposure.
If you have an exposed tooth root and want to fix the tooth, you have a few options.
When you already have a crown or veneer, the dentist can re-do the work, adding more color to the tooth and covering the root. If you recently had a dental filling procedure, your dentist can check it and take the necessary actions to correct the filling and cover the exposed root.
If you have a tooth broken off, the dentist will likely discuss the possibility of a root canal or dental implant in case the tooth needs to be removed entirely. In case of minor gum disease, your dentist will likely recommend an antimicrobial rinse, more frequent flossing and brushing, and possibly a gum treatment like a special toothpaste or mouthwash.
The first step in treating an exposed tooth root is to clean up your oral health routine. Make sure you brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush, use fluoridated toothpaste, and floss daily. Avoid sugary and starchy foods, which are sticky and easy for bacteria to grow on.
See your dentist for a cleaning and a check-up. Make sure the dentist is aware of any issues you have with your teeth or gums. The dentist can assess your situation and let you know what you can do to heal the gingival tissue and protect the tooth, avoiding tooth root exposure.
If you have an exposed tooth root that is too far gone, the dentist may discuss the possibility of tooth extraction. Extraction is the removal of a tooth and is the last resort to protect the health of the remaining teeth. If you have significant gum disease, the dentist may recommend extraction of the compromised teeth followed by a gum transplant (also called a dental graft).
A gum graft is a procedure in which healthy gum tissue is surgically removed, placed on the teeth, and allowed to grow new tissue. A dentist may do a minimal root canal if you have a non-life-threatening amount of gum disease.
A root canal is a procedure that removes the diseased pulp from the center of the tooth and replaces it with a particular material. The root canal is often done with a crown, which allows for a long-term solution to gum disease.
If you have an exposed tooth root and take the necessary steps to fix it, you will likely be fine. However, it’s important to remember that having even a small amount of exposed tooth root can indicate that you need to take better care of your teeth and gums.
You don’t want to go through this again! To avoid exposing your roots and other oral health issues, brush and floss daily, and follow a regular dental hygiene routine. And don’t forget to talk to your dentist about your overall oral health!
At Smiles That Rock, we’re proud to offer high-quality dental services in a comfortable and welcoming environment. We invite you to call or book an appointment online today.
We can provide our patients with high-quality dental care thanks to our friendly and experienced staff. In addition to dental cleanings, we offer other services such as X-Rays, fillings, extractions, and more. We strive to provide the highest quality of care in every aspect of our practice, so we're committed to providing outstanding customer service.
We are also dedicated to providing exceptional value for each and every one of our patients. To learn more about our services and schedule an appointment, please contact us today!
Sipping your morning coffee, ready to conquer the day. Suddenly, a sharp pain erupts in your tooth, stopping you in your tracks. This unpleasant surprise could be a sign of an exposed tooth nerve. Don't worry, it's a common dental issue, affecting millions of people annually.
This article by Tabor Dental Associates equips you with the knowledge to understand exposed tooth nerves, their causes, treatment options, and how to prevent them. Let's delve into the issue and get to the root of the problem (pun intended)!
Your teeth aren't just hard, white shells. Each tooth has a complex inner structure, including a soft core called the dental pulp. This pulp houses the tooth's nerves and blood vessels. Think of it as the tooth's control center, sending signals to your brain about temperature, pressure, and pain.
The nerves in the dental pulp play a crucial role. They help you sense hot and cold sensations, allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods and beverages without burning your mouth. They also contribute to feeling pressure when you bite down, essential for proper chewing.
Several factors can damage the protective outer layers of your tooth (enamel and dentin), exposing the sensitive nerves within. Here are some of the most common culprits:
If you suspect you have an exposed tooth nerve, here are some telltale signs to watch out for:
Experiencing any of these symptoms? Don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with Tabor Dental Associates. Here's how we'll diagnose an exposed tooth nerve:
The best course of treatment for an exposed tooth nerve depends on the severity of the damage and the condition of the tooth. Here are some of the options we offer at Tabor Dental Associates:
While you wait for your dental appointment, here are some tips for temporary pain relief:
If the damage is caught early, a filling or crown can be placed to seal the exposed dentin and protect the nerve.
In more severe cases, the pulp may become infected. A root canal procedure removes the infected pulp, cleans the canals within the tooth's root, and seals the tooth to prevent further infection.
In some cases, the tooth may be too damaged to save. If the nerve is severely infected or the tooth is fractured beyond repair, extraction might be the only option. While this is a last resort, modern extraction techniques are minimally invasive and prioritize patient comfort.
The good news is that exposed tooth nerves can often be prevented with a proactive approach to oral health. Here are some key strategies:
Ignoring an exposed tooth nerve can lead to serious complications. Here's why seeking timely treatment is crucial:
While you wait for your dental appointment, here are some tips for managing the discomfort of an exposed tooth nerve:
Following your treatment for an exposed tooth nerve, here's what to expect:
The cost of treating an exposed tooth nerve can vary depending on several factors, including:
Don't wait if you're experiencing any of these following symptoms:
At Tabor Dental Associates, we believe everyone deserves a healthy, beautiful smile. We're a team of passionate dental professionals dedicated to providing high-quality, personalized care in a comfortable and friendly environment. We offer a comprehensive range of services to meet your unique needs.
We understand that dental visits can sometimes cause anxiety, which is why we go the extra mile to make your experience positive and stress-free. Our friendly staff will listen to your concerns and answer all your questions thoroughly. We utilize state-of-the-art technology and gentle techniques to ensure your comfort throughout your treatment.
If you're looking for a dentist in Hendersonville, Tabor Dental Associates is the perfect choice. Schedule an appointment today and experience the difference compassionate dentistry can make!
Dental cleanings are one of the most common procedures performed in dentistry. A cleaning, also known as prophylaxis or an oral hygiene appointment, is a procedure that removes plaque and tartar from teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth. Tartar, also called calculus, is hardened plaque that is hard to get rid of with a regular toothbrush.
Cleaning can help you avoid more extensive dental procedures like fillings or even tooth extraction in the future. Cleanings can reduce your risk of gingivitis, periodontal disease, and other oral health conditions that can lead to tooth decay, jawbone recession, and other oral diseases. If you have not seen your dentist recently or want to learn more about dental cleanings, read our expert advice.
Most dentists recommend that you have a dental cleaning every six months. The cleanings remove plaque and tartar that can build up on teeth throughout the year. Plaque and tartar are sources of bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. Having your teeth cleaned helps prevent such oral health problems.
Teeth cleaning visits can also include an exam. An exam will check for broken teeth, existing fillings, tooth decay, and other problems that require treatment. Dental cleaning appointments are an excellent way to maintain good oral health. They are a thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums that removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria.
With each cleaning, you can remove harmful bacteria that cause periodontal and other oral diseases.
Dental cleaning is a step that is necessary for everyone's oral health. It is an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums. A dentist will be able to find potential issues or problems with your teeth that you may not have noticed.
The cleaning can also help prevent infections from occurring. Regular dental cleanings help to reduce the risk of developing cavities, gingivitis, and tooth infections. Dental cleaning services are essential for everyone, including children.
Teeth cleaning visits help you maintain good oral health by removing plaque and tartar. Plaque and tartar are sources of bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. Having your teeth cleaned helps prevent bacteria from building up in your mouth. Teeth cleaning visits can also include an exam.
An exam will check for broken teeth, existing fillings, tooth decay, and other problems that require treatment. A dental cleaning can provide significant oral health benefits. It can help you avoid having to get fillings or even have a tooth pulled in the future.
A dentist will be able to find potential issues or problems with your teeth if you have not had teeth cleaning in a while or have never done one in years. They will also be able to find and remove bacteria that can cause infections. A teeth cleaning will also help reduce the risk of you getting cavities.
A teeth cleaning is a thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums that removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria. You can remove harmful bacteria that cause periodontal and other oral diseases with each tooth cleaning appointment.
It would help if you always asked your dentist what they recommended before the visit, but here is a general idea of what to expect at your next dental visit. You will be asked to sit in a reclined chair, and your dentist will put a protective covering over your legs and stomach area.
The dentist will also put a small piece of cloth soaked in numbing solution in your mouth. There will be a slight taste of alcohol, and it might make you feel like you want to swallow a bit. The dentist will then begin an examination of all the surfaces of your teeth using a small mirror and special tools like brushes, picks, and chisels.
The dentist will check for broken teeth, existing fillings, tooth decay, and other problems that require treatment. Your dentist may also require x-rays of your teeth to better look at potential issues.
The condition of your teeth is an essential part of your overall health. If you do not take care of your teeth properly, they can lead to other health problems. Dental cleaning, including thorough teeth cleaning, can help you avoid serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Your oral health and the condition of your teeth can also affect your self-esteem. Poor oral health can make it difficult to eat some foods without discomfort or embarrassment. A dental cleaning and exam can these unpleasant situations.
Your dentist can also help you maintain good oral health by providing advice on brushing and flossing, using toothpaste and mouthwash, scheduling regular dental cleaning, and taking care of any dental work you have.
Bad oral health can lead to other health problems like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Your oral health and the condition of your teeth can also affect your self-esteem. Poor oral health can make it difficult to eat some foods as usual, and may even affect the aliognment of your jaw ans the way you speak.
Scheduling a regular dental cleaning with your dentist can help keep track of your oral health and reduce your risk of more severe dental issues. Your dentist will also give tips on how to brush and floss properly, and develop a detailed dental routine to keep your dental health in check.
Dental services also include teeth whitening, dental sealants, and orthodontic care.
Once your dentist has completed the cleaning, they will examine all your teeth and surrounding areas. You can remove harmful bacteria that cause periodontal and other oral diseases with each cleaning. Your dentist will also ensure you have enough room for proper tooth movement and growth.
They may recommend a retainer, mouthguard, or another dental device for you to wear. After your teeth are cleaned, your dentist will finish the exam by checking for signs of oral cancer, cavities, loose teeth, gum disease, and infection.
Your dentist will also advise you on maintaining good oral health, such as how often to brush and floss, how to use mouthwash, and how often your should come for dental check-ups.
At Smiles That Rock, we’re proud to offer high-quality dental services in a comfortable and welcoming environment. We invite you to call or book an appointment online today.
We can provide our patients with high-quality dental care thanks to our friendly and experienced staff. In addition to dental cleanings, we also offer other services such as X-Rays, fillings, extractions, and more. We strive to provide the highest quality of care in every aspect of our practice, so we're committed to providing outstanding customer service.
We are also dedicated to providing exceptional value for each and every one of our patients. To learn more about our services and schedule an appointment, please contact us today!
I had a patient come in the office a few weeks ago wanting veneers. This is a normal appointment and procedure at our office. But this patient didn’t want just porcelain veneers. He was very specific in that he wanted veneers where nothing is ground off of his natural teeth. In the dental world, we call these “prepless veneers” which really means no preparation, or grinding down, occurs. A more sophisticated, broader scope way to describe it would be “minimally invasive dentistry” which we will discuss in a subsequent blog. The end product of a prepless veneer is a thin layer of porcelain that can be bonded to the person’s tooth without drilling the tooth down in size.
Simple enough? Let’s examine this further.
We see people all the time who are interested in veneers. Most people request veneers as a service to make their teeth look different, better and more natural. However, my experience has been that most people do not understand what a veneer really is. A veneer is really an architectural term. It just means a covering over something else. In the same way, a dental veneer is a thin piece of handcrafted porcelain, which is a glass, made to go over and bond/fuse to a natural tooth. For the veneer creation process, think of it like a porcelain china doll. They are made from glass, shaped a particular way then painted however the artist wants the doll to look. Porcelain used for veneers is the same in that there is an artist making the veneer and like the dolls, there are multiple ways they can be painted and expressed by the artist. By themselves, they are fragile, but once they are bonded on the teeth, they become ultra-strong, almost like a new layer of enamel on your teeth. At our office, we will sometimes even say that the teeth need to be “re-enameled.” Dental veneers can be made as one solid form or they can be layered, little by little, to give the porcelain more detailed qualities and characteristics- just like the china doll. Veneers can be basic or detailed- like any piece of art. For this blog topic, we will focus on prepless veneers, which must be made ultra-thin and thus must be made by a master technician who really knows what he/she is doing.
Most patients are not candidates for prepless veneers, because the actual prepping, or grinding down, of the tooth allows the dental technician the required room to be able to create the veneer in the first place. Let me explain it like this: it is addition by subtraction. This means in order to make a tooth look normal or ideal, we subtract a small part of the tooth (prepping) so we can add back only what is ideal (the veneer). If you only add, and your teeth are a normal size, then all the sudden the veneers added on top just made your normal sized teeth look like very noticeable oversized, unnatural teeth. Some people call these horse teeth or Bugs bunny teeth- but either way, the new teeth are too big and don’t look right. Another way to think about it is this. Imagine biting down on a quarter with your front teeth. How many of the rest of your teeth will touch when you do this? If you said, none, you are right. So, taking this into consideration, the veneer has to be made so that the rest of the teeth can close properly. This is why in most situations, there has to be some subtraction of tooth structure not just for the veneer appearance to look normal but also so that the bite can function normally as well.
Let’s go back to the patient who came in asking for no preparation veneers. The one thing I haven’t mentioned yet is that his teeth were already smaller than normal. This means the “prepping” had already been done. He walked in to the office with teeth that were small- making him the ideal prepless veneer candidate. Most people do not present with undersized teeth, but if your teeth do look like this, then you may be a candidate for prepless veneers. So how did I accomplish such a great result with this case with ZERO drilling of the teeth? It’s all in the planning. My lab technician and I studied the patient’s bite on jaw simulator to determine what was possible. We then determined we could do this case completely prepless and the artist/lab technician began his work to make the veneers look like beautiful natural, God-given teeth. Again, keep in mind with these before and after photos, I never had to numb the patient.
I never had to grind one bit of his teeth down. Success? Yes. Life changing? Absolutely.
Tabor Dental Associates serve the Hendersonville, Gallatin, Goodlettsville & Nashville areas.
If you’d like to talk to Dr. Jayson Tabor about prepless veneers or to evaluate if you’re a candidate for porcelain veneers – contact us below!
Yesterday I heard something from a patient that will stick with me for a long time, maybe for the rest of my life. Rewind a few weeks. A young man who had spent several years in military service came to our office interested in improving his overall oral health and more specifically that he wanted to address some old stained bonding on his front teeth. This had been bothering him for a long time. He wanted them to look whiter and more natural than the worn out look his front teeth held when we first met. We discussed options and removing the old bonding and replacing them with porcelain dental veneers is what we decided to do.
Once all the preliminary diagnostic work was completed. This man came in yesterday morning for his dental veneer preparation appointment. Everything went routinely and successfully with no complications. We showed him the temporaries he would be wearing for a couple of weeks while the permanent teeth were custom made and characterized to fit on his teeth. When he saw the temporary teeth, he smiled, said he loved them and scheduled his follow up appointment for seating the permanent veneers.
I finished the rest of my patients for the day and, as I typically do, made my post-op calls on my way home from work. This is when I get a chance to call some of the patients from the day and check on them to ensure they are doing ok and to answer any questions they may have regarding the care they received. When I called the young man from earlier in the day, I asked him if he liked the look of his temporaries. He said, “Are the permanent ones going to look like this? Because I LOVE them!” We chatted a little more and I was about to say goodbye when he said, “I don’t think you understand. I haven’t smiled in three years. I haven’t really smiled in 3 years. I’m going to have to learn how to smile.” Hasn’t really smiled in three years, I thought. Wow.
Porcelain veneers are not for everyone. But they are for some people. And given the right circumstance, they can change the way someone feels about themselves. They can take someone who was not smiling and unleash something inside of that person they have never had, or have not had in a very long time.
Smiling seems like such a basic thing and not smiling a real smile for three years is crazy and all I’ve been thinking about today. I’m so glad I am part of this patient’s story and so many other patients’ stories where we provide similar care. And we haven’t even seated his permanent dental veneers yet…
Tabor Dental Associates serve the Hendersonville, Gallatin, Goodlettsville & Nashville areas.
We enjoy taking the time to get to know our patients and provide them a best-in-class Hendersonville dentist experience.
