Show #439 Airing Sunday, 6/29/08
We’ll start today’s new show with news about new developments in dentistry that will bring a smile to your face. Here to tell us about the latest tips from dentists around the country is our old favorite, Dr. Steven Marsh.
Question: Dr. Marsh, I understand that you often pick up exciting, cutting edge dental tips fro a national conference?
Answer: Yes, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry met recently in New Orleans. I’ve been attending these meetings for over 10 years, because they offer the best tips and information.
Question: Tell us what's new.
Answer: First is metal-free dentistry. This is in all dentistry, not just cosmetics. The trend is less and less—sometimes absolutely no—metal in dental work. This means no silver fillings, and no metal in veneers, crowns, or bridges.
There are many advantages to metal-free dentistry. First, some patients may have allergies to the metals that were used. You could see the dark lines around the edges of older crowns. Metal restorations, such as bridges, were very heavy whereas the new ceramics are light as a feather. So non-metal dentistry looks and feels more natural.
Question; Do the new ceramics last as long as the metal?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Dentists today have crossed a bridge, and now the trend is toward implants instead of bridges?
Answer: Yes, implants are being used more and more. We used to use lots of bridgework to help correct missing teeth, but, to use a bridge, you have to involve the adjacent teeth. With an implants, you do not.
In this case, you can first see that we did some metal-free restoration first.
However, he was also missing a tooth on the side that we corrected with an implant.
Here is someone who needed to have an implant in front.
Question: We have time for one more.
Answer: There’s been a significant move to minimal tooth preparation. Because of the new ceramic materials used in dentistry, the dentist does not have to take away as much of the tooth in preparation for dental work.
For example, in older crowns, you had to make space for the porcelain and the metal. Now, we only have to remove enough of the tooth to fit the porcelain.
Veneers are now made very thin. In some cases, when the teeth are healthy but you are concerned about shape and color, you almost don’t have to do any tooth reduction at all. (These are called Lumineers, though other brands may have different names).
Here is a woman who had worn down her otherwise healthy teeth. There was little reduction required.
Is it time to improve your “old” smile with “new” dental trends? To learn more, give Dr. Marsh a call at the number that’s next.
