Losing a Permanent Tooth

While losing a permanent tooth is a painful disaster, there is a possibility that an intact tooth can be saved. Doing so will require swift action by a knowledgeable patient, which is why we at Lehigh Valley Smiles are providing this guide.

The American Dental Association recommends liquids for cleaning lost teeth and containers for transporting them. First aid kits at sporting events and other places where dental disasters are likely to occur should be stocked with these. But in their absence, patients should rinse the lost tooth off with milk or saltwater and then place it back in the socket. (If they have access to gauze, they should bite on that to keep the tooth in place.) If the tooth cannot be reinserted or the patient is unsure which way it should face, it should be kept in the patient’s cheek. The next best thing is to keep it in a container with saltwater or milk, but the most important thing is to keep it clean and moist.

Teeth have the best chance of being saved if seen by a dentist within an hour of being knocked out. However, a lost tooth is not a life-threatening injury and should not take precedence over more serious wounds. Only permanent, natural teeth can be saved; prematurely lost baby teeth will be replaced with spacers to make room for the permanent teeth, and lost implants must be replaced.

Scott Seier, DDS, operates Advantage Dentistry at 2887, Elmwood Ave, Kenmore, NY, 14217. To set up an appointment, call 716-877-2275, or visit AdvantageDentistry.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Night Guards

Advantage Dentistry offers custom night guards to help patients overcome the negative effects of bruxism. Bruxism is regular teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw. Stress can intensify teeth grinding, but it is most often caused by an abnormal bite or crooked teeth.

Some teeth grinders consciously grind their teeth and clench their jaw.  Some only do so while asleep, and may not even realize it. Waking up with a dull headache or experiencing pain and stiffness in your jaw are signs you may be grinding your teeth overnight, and shouldn’t be ignored.  Patients who continually grind their teeth often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases tooth loss can occur, and partial or complete dentures may be needed.

Night guards look similar to mouth guards worn by athletes but serve a different purpose. A dentist uses an impression of your teeth to ensure a custom fit, and the night guard is manufactured in a dental lab. Wearing a custom night guard protects the surface of the teeth, and also properly aligns the jaw to improve breathing and sleep. If you think you a custom night guard could help you, please contact us.

Scott Seier, DDS, operates Advantage Dentistry at 2887, Elmwood Ave, Kenmore, NY, 14217. To set up an appointment, call 716-877-2275, or visit AdvantageDentistry.com and fill out a contact form.

ZOOM! Whitening

At Advantage Dentistry we receive inquiries from patients just like you about how they can whiten their teeth.  We offer ZOOM! Whitening to patients looking to treat stained teeth or whiten their natural teeth.  When surface stains penetrate the tooth enamel, they can darken the color of the dentin, the hard tissue layer of your tooth under the enamel. Once the dentin is darkened, it can make the whole tooth appear yellow. Successful whitening systems go below the tooth enamel to reach the dentin.

ZOOM! Whitening combines whitening gel with an activator light to penetrate the enamel and break up stains at the dentin layer. Once the gel is applied to your teeth, the light activates and accelerates the whitening process.  When the chemical reaction lightens the color of the dentin, the whole tooth is free to become whiter. A dentist can tell you based on the level of staining on your teeth what results you can expect from ZOOM!  Patients have left the office after an hour treatment with a smile up to ten shades whiter!

If you are interested in a professional whitening system that delivers dramatic results, contact us to find out more about ZOOM! Whitening. Scott Seier, DDS, operates Advantage Dentistry at 2887, Elmwood Ave, Kenmore, NY, 14217. To set up an appointment, call 716-877-2275, or visit AdvantageDentistry.com and fill out a contact form.

The Dangers of DIY Orthodontics

Last February, the American Association of Orthodontists released a survey which found that 13% of their members have treated someone who attempted to use homemade corrective devices on themselves. This was a follow-up to a public service announcement last year warning people of the dangers of this, and we at Advantage Dentistry want our patients to understand why DIY orthodontics are a bad idea, as well.

Orthodontics is basically the practice of shifting living bones through each other. This is not a process which should be rushed, as the jaw bones need to rebuild themselves after the teeth have moved position. If the teeth are pushed too quickly in an attempt to reduce costs or treatment time, it is likely the jaw will be so compromised that the teeth will fall out or shift back.

Many of the devices non-professionals suggest using as wires are also simply not safe to put inside the body. Fibrous ties can rot, and without brackets, they can slide into the gum pockets. Likewise, rubber bands placed directly on teeth instead of on brackets will choke off the teeth’s blood vessels.

We strive to keep prices low for our patients. Please see us if you are bothered by misaligned teeth instead of trying something on yourself which will end up costing you much more.

Scott Seier, DDS, operates Advantage Dentistry at 2887, Elmwood Ave, Kenmore, NY, 14217. To set up an appointment, call 716-877-2275, or visit AdvantageDentistry.com and fill out a contact form.