Archive for June, 2010

” The Art of Esthetics and Ceramics Master Course”

Neil Miller CDT, Master Dental Technician with Hamburg Expressions, in Lexington, Ky, completed “The Art of Esthetics and Ceramics Master Course” presented by Oliver Brix, MDT. Upon returning from the course Neil said,”I think I have gained a wealth of information as to how to manage the materials I am already using in a new way that will result in a higher calibur of esthetics when producing porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, etc… This will ultimately take my lab to the next level. The best way to be the best is to learn from the best!”

We are welcoming our newest team member…Angela!

It saddens my heart to have to say goodbye to my dear friend and my right hand, my dental assistant for around six years…the original Angelia. But we wish her the best as she starts a new and exciting life overseas with her husband.

We were fortunate to find our new Angela right next door to the office. She was instructing at the dental assisting school. Angela has already brought several creative ideas to the practice. She is very attentive and comforting to all of our patients. She is always smiling:)

“As a new addition to the Hamburg Expressions team, I feel privileged to work alongside Dr. Miller and her husband Neil.  I share their passion for cosmetic dentistry, and enjoy working closely with patients to achieve their smile goals!  Although I grew up in Connecticut, I’m proud to call Kentucky home. I’ve been here for twelve years and can’t imagine living anywhere else!  Outside of work, I stay busy with my two beautiful daughters, Jade and Brooke.”       -Angela

When a child is between the ages of 6 and 18 years old it can be very challenging to fix or restore a broken or damaged front tooth.  Porcelain veneers are the most ideal treatment for any broken, permanent, front tooth but investing that much into a tooth that is still changing and erupting fully can result in the need to replace the porcelain veneer sooner than later. At about the age of 18 years of age our upper incisors are very close to full eruption and ready for a long lasting porcelain crown or veneer. Prior to age 18,if a front tooth is badly broken, composite bonding or fillings can be done to mimic the original tooth form. It is always a challenge to match composite resin materials for a single, front, damaged tooth to the exact form, shade and value of an adjacent, natural tooth. Seek out the services of a great cosmetic dentist who proudly displays many before and after smile makeovers on their website. This week I was fortunate enough to offer my cosmetic dentistry services to a twelve year old boy. He damaged his front, permanent tooth in a basketball accident at school. He went to his local dentist and was patched together. This patch lasted about 2 years before the boy could tell his self esteem was being lowered because of the unnatural looking front tooth. We want our children to be happy and confident as they are developing their personalities in their teens. A seamless composite filling can prevent unhealthy habits of holding back or hiding their smile. I love giving people a reason to smile and the hope that their front tooth can and will look like their original before the devastating trauma occurred. It takes proper materials, skills, artistry and passion to be able to offer naturally appearing composite bonding and that is what you will find in me at Hamburg Expressions!

For badly damaged teeth, dental crowns are an effective option for treatment.  Dental crowns are metal, ceramic, or porcelain coverings shaped like teeth.  They are used to restore strength and virtually eliminate discomfort.  Dental crowns can also be used as an anchor for dental bridges or used to cap a dental implant post.

3 TYPES OF DENTAL CROWNS

As stated above, Dental Crowns can be made of either ceramic, porcelain fused to metal, or metal.   The type of crown you use will depend on your unique case and what your goals are, and the recommendation of your dentist.

METAL TYPES

Metal crowns have a metallic color and makes them a poor choice for extremely visible teeth, but they are ideal options for back teeth that are damaged or repairing decayed teeth.  Since they are metal, they are very durable and can be placed with less removal of the underlying tooth then the porcelain or ceramic crown option.   Metal crowns can consist of several materials, which include gold alloy, palladium, nickel alloy, or chromium alloy.

CERAMIC CROWN TYPES

Porcelain, resins, or dental ceramic materials are some options ceramic crowns can be made of.   Due to the material, they re-create a natural-looking image and are use mostly on front teeth.  The ceramic material is translucent, like the enamel on your teeth, and it can be detailed so it fits well to the rest of your smile.   They are not as durable as metal crowns and don’t work well on your back teeth because they won’t be able to sustain a lot of pressure from biting and chewing.

PORCELAIN TYPE

This is the balance between both crown worlds.  The porcelain crowns are fused to metal and make them stronger than all ceramic versions and more aesthetically pleasing than crowns made of metal. The porcelain option on metal gives the crown an opaque appearance which gives the tooth a less natural appearance than the ceramic option.  Also, as time progresses, a thin metal band may appear below the gum line.

Porcelain Veneers can be an expensive option in Cosmetic Dentistry.  Each tooth can cost anywhere in between $1200 to $3500 per tooth.  But Veneers are not into their 7th generation and they are stronger, brighter and more realistic looking than ever.  Old methodologies of the past required the Dentist to shave down the tooth in order to put on a cap.  Veneers can be shaved down paper thin and bonded onto your tooth.  From time to time, only the smallest amount of tooth is needed to be shaved down before a veneer is placed.   The newest versions are now a lot more see-through.  They allows light to shine through which makes them look more natural and realistic.

The process for veneer placement is pretty similar in most dental offices. It starts by taking a photo of your mouth and creating a model of how the veneers would look. Next, we create a trial smile. The trial smile is a mold of the teeth that you can wear for a short while; this allows you to make sure you like what you see. Finally, if you approve, the veneer is placed.  The process can take anywhere between a couple of days or weeks.

The advantage of having veneers is that they do not wear down as teeth do and they are resistant to staining, but once you have them in, you have them in for life.  A thin protective layer on your real tooth is removed, so the veneer acts as the layer after placement. If you have veneers placed in your 20s, expect to replace them 2 to 3 times in your life time.  Over time, they grow in dullness and you will need to replace them.  Replacement is a fairly simple process involving drilling of the old veneer and replacing it with a newer one.  If you are ever town between two shades of veneer, always choose the brighter one. Veneer’s standard of whiteness keeps getting brighter and brighter.