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Grinding Down of Teeth Before Porcelain Veneers

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Monday, June 14th, 2010

Question:

How much of my teeth should be ground down prior to porcelain veneers?

Answer:

In the most ideal situation, no tooth structure is removed.  The porcelain veneer is bonding to the patient’s tooth enamel.  All of the tooth structure is saved and in fact, the porcelain veneer actually protects the patients natural tooth structure for many years.  Imagine aging 30 years and visualizing how your teeth could look.  Over 30 years, teeth wear down, the enamel turns yellow, and the tooth structure gets thinner and chips.  All of this tooth wear is eliminated with porcelain veneers protecting the patient teeth.  The porcelain veneer takes the 30 year of wear and abuse.  

Sometimes it is indicated to remove some of the patients tooth structure if the teeth are crooked.  Porcelain veneers can provide instant braces in just 2 weeks.  The patient can have straight white teeth in just two weeks but some minor amounts of tooth structure are removed.

Categories : Porcelain Veneers
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Life Expectancy of Porcelain Veneers

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Monday, June 7th, 2010

Question:

Dr Sam, what is the life expectancy of porcelain venners? My doctor claims that unless I get the best quality I may have to replace them after 5 or 10 years.

Answer:

The two most important factors that determine how long porcelain veneers last are the bonding technique used by the dentist and the skill level of the dentist.  There are many different dental bonding kits by each manufacturer and there are many different manufacturers and there are many combinations of materials in the kits.  Additionally there are over 7 generations of dental bonding materials kits that have been developed that add even more confusion as dentists try to keep up with the new products.

Unfortunately, most of the new products were designed to save the dentist time and sacrificed bonding strength.  The newest products are actually weaker than the first generation bonding materials.  The dentist finds that his or her porcelain veneers do not last because they don’t know that the material they are using is weak.

The technique used by the dentist has to be meticulously perfect.  Dental bonding is either perfect or it fails.  In my dental office, we see more and more patients that just had porcelain veneers placed that keep falling off.  These patient are frustrated and angry.  Their dentist may not have good enough technique skills and/or may be using inferior dental bonding materials.  After successfully bonding porcelain veneers for over 25 years, my oldest porcelain veneer case lasted 26 years before the patient passed away.  Not one porcelain veneer broke off or chipped during the 25 years.  My best advice is to pick the experienced dentist, because they are worth it.

Categories : Blog, Porcelain Veneers
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Chipped Front Teeth

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Monday, May 31st, 2010

Question:

All my front teeth are significantly chipped. I consulted with my cosmetic dentist and she said the only option was to extract the teeth and replace them with a bridge. This scares me! Quite frankly, I’d rather live with chipped teeth than have them extracted. I know that you’d have to see me to give your professional opinion – but I am curious to know if there is at least a sliver of hope for another option?

Answer: 

Something is wrong with this picture – is there perhaps something that you are not telling me?  Are the teeth abscessed or have they lost a lot of bone surrounding the teeth? 

There is not another reason that I can think of that would justify extracting teeth that are only chipped. 

I would not extract them at this time and would go to another dentist for a second opinion.  If both dentists have the same opinion after looking at your x-rays and doing an examination, then chances are that extractions my be the best choice.  It is just hard to believe with the information that you have provided.

Categories : Best Cosmetic Dentistry
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How Long Should Porcelain Veneers Last?

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Sunday, May 30th, 2010

Question:

Dr. Sam, how long should porcelain veneers last? I’ve had mine for 4 months and now the one has cracked. My dentist said this is normal and is prepared to replace it free of charge but said he would have to make it thicker to prevent the problem from happening again. I read Sama’s bad porcelain veneers story on your website and I am worried about my teeth becoming too bulky. Are there thin veneers that are stronger than others?

Answer:

Porcelain veneers can last for over 25 years without at chip or a crack.  Your dentist is willing to replace it and that is an honorable gesture.  I am not convinced that making it thicker will make it last longer because a well bonded porcelain veneer is very strong.

It would be better if the dentist could try it again with minimal grinding of your natural tooth.  Perhaps this time, more attention to detail could keep the porcelain veneer from cracking rather than grinding down good tooth structure unnecessarily.

Categories : Porcelain Veneers
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What Can I Do About Chipped Front Teeth?

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Question:

Dr Sam, after many years I decided to have something done about my chipped front teeth. The solution offered was to place 4 porcelain veneers on my front teeth. This looked great – but after two weeks I woke up one morning and found the one veneer fell off. Then a few days alter I discovered a hairline crack in another veneer. I went back to my dentist who then told me that my teeth grinding is too severe and that he should rather place crowns over my teeth. Do you think this is the right solution?

Answer:

It would be a shame to have your four front teeth ground down for crowns just because your front teeth were chipped. The dentist should have known that you grind your teeth before he or she recommended porcelain veneers. If the dentist knew in advance, then the design of the porcelain veneers could be such that they do not break.

Additionally, there is a huge difference in the dental bonding skills between dentists. They all may have good intentions, but some dentists are better skilled than others and it makes a big difference in how long your porcelain veneers will last.

Categories : Dental Bonding, Porcelain Veneers
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What is Face Lift Dentistry?

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Question:

Dr. Sam, could you explain in layman’s terms what Face Lift Dentistry ® is?

Answer:

Face Lift Dentistry ®  is much more than just a cosmetic dental procedure. It’s about the highest level of dental health that has a profound and positive impact on the health of the entire body.

It prolongs life with the elimination of decay and disease that is very common in the mouth that freely flows down the throat and penetrates into the blood stream every single day. With the reduction in mouth infections the health of the entire body is improved. With decreased levels of disease and infections, the patient adds years to their life span and quality of life is improved.

These patients have achieved such a superior level of home care, that they actually enjoy doing it. Dentistry that is a perfect fit, allows these patients to clean their mouths and be totally free of infection. Gums are pink and tight, no swelling, no bleeding and their breath is clean and fresh. The benefits of the total approach to dental health care are enormous long term.

Face Lift Dentistry ® also reduces daily stress within the skeletal muscular system. The grinding of the teeth and a bad bite contribute to TMJ pain, headaches, neck and jaw muscle pain. This level of stress reduces the body’s ability to function efficiently and reduces mental capacity as the entire body is in constant compromise as it has to adapt to a higher stress level. Treating the bite and creating harmony with the jaw joint or TMJ or jaw joint, reduces mental and physical stress within the body systems. It is well documented in the literature that stress reduction improves the quality and quantity of years during the patient’s lifetime.

Face Lift Dentistry ® also improves self-esteem and professional appearance. How a person presents themselves impacts the quality of their relationships. The movie industry creates ugly looking teeth for the villains while the hero looks very good.

Studies have show that children with bad looking teeth and bad bites have more behavioral problems. Self-esteem is greatly enhanced and Face Lift Dentistry ® benefits the entire face including the eyes. The patients viewed in Dr. Muslin’s Face Lift Dentistry website all show the “proud and happy” look because they know they are looking better for the rest of their lives

Categories : Blog, Facelift Dentistry
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Dental Face Lift – Jaw Re-Aligningment

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Question:

Dr. Sam, Would Jaw Re-Aligning the jaw with Face Lift Dentistry lead to future Problems?

Answer:

Most people do not ever have proper jaw alignment at anytime during their lifetime and after years of aging, the bad bite problems get worse. Jaw pain is generally the result of bad jaw alignment and emotional stress. Patients are more likely to have problems in the future, if they do not get their jaw alignment idealized with Face Lift Dentistry.

My treatment protocol for Face Lift Dentistry involves testing the jaw position before treatment begins. The patient is in total control of the testing and they report the results.

The results of jaw “re-alignment” with Face Lift Dentistry have been highly successful in relieving jaw problems as headaches. Neck pain has been reduced, muscle tension has been relieved and headaches have decreased in frequency and intensity after treatment. These patients have benefited from being treated with Face Lift Dentistry and have lived better and healthier lives.

The reason a jaw would need “re-aligning” is to improve the alignment. The patient is more likely to develop jaw problems as headaches if they do not improve the jaw position.

Categories : Bite Reconstruction, Facelift Dentistry
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Can Rotten Teeth be Saved?

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Question:

Dr. Sam, I am 63 and my teeth are so bad that it seems I have no option but to have them extracted and live with dentures. I hate the idea! Both my parents had dentures which always seemed to have a life of their own as the wobbled around in their mouths. Can rotten teeth be saved?

Answer:

Rotten teeth can be saved depending on the degree of rotten! In many cases, patient can only see the tops of their teeth and they appear rotten but the roots are quite solid. Solid roots or long roots can support new teeth very well and a complete bite and a great smile can be reconstructed if the roots are good.

Can Rotten Teeth Be Saved?

Dr. Sam Muslin Specializes in Mouth Reconstruction and Extreme and Complex Dental Care

Sometimes, some of the teeth have to be extracted and some of the teeth can be saved. The creative and engineering skills of the dentist can completely rebuild the bite with a mouth reconstruction that can be surprisingly successful and look totally natural. Some people can have a combination of dental implants and natural teeth that work very well producing a solid bite that lasts for many years. The technology is very good and highly predictable.

Lastly, if all of the teeth have to be extracted and dentures need to be worn, again the technology of dental implants have improved dramatically. The dentures can be build over the dental implants with snaps so the dentures are more stable. The patient can remove them and clean them and has fairly good chewing power. In other instances, many dental implants can be placed and the patient can have all new, completely fixed or permanent crowns cemented or screwed to the dental implants. It is just like having a whole new set of teeth again. The results are natural looking and natural feeling teeth.

In short, it doesn’t matter if your teeth can be saved because there are solutions for almost any situation of tooth loss that works far better than just a set of dentures worn by your parents. The don’t have to wobble anymore.

Categories : Best Cosmetic Dentistry, Extreme Makeover
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About Osteointegrated Implants and Fibrointegrated Implants

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Sunday, March 28th, 2010

Question:

Dr. Sam, what is the difference between osteointegrated implants and fibrointegrated implants? I get so confused when my dentist throw all these terms at me! How do I know what I need? I am about to have 2 teeth extracted (one on each side, lower jaw) and I think I’d prefer permanent implants to a bridge – but I’d hate to make the wrong choice.

Answer:

Your implant dentist must make this choice for you and advise you as to the best dental implant for your particular amount of bone, health and bite. You want an osteointegrated implant if it is at all possible and it depends on if you have enough quality bone to support the implant. If the dentist you have chosen cannot make up his or her mind, get a second opinion.

You said you are only missing two teeth so the osteointegrated variety of dental implant works best because the jaw bone is tight to the implant. There are many different types, shapes, surface coatings and surface textures, widths and lengths of osteointegrated implants. All of these technical decisions should be made by the dentist.

The dentist should make an assessment of the type of bone, amount of jaw bone, the width of bone and the brand, type and length of implant to place. The dentist needs to know if their is enough space between the upper and lower jaws and the number of implants that should be used to replace your missing teeth. Sometimes, one implant is best and other times three implants are best.

Additionally, you may be able to have your teeth extracted, the implants place and the jaw bone grafted in just one dental appointment. The technology is that good! In just a few months, your new crowns can be cemented or secured with a screw to the dental implant. There is no hot or cold sensitivity to a dental implant and they do not decay.

There is a huge difference in the ability, knowledge and techniques of dentists that are placing dental implants. Dental implants can fail and when they do, it can be difficult. Find the one of the best dentist available because long lasting success is far less expensive than a low priced dental implant that fails. For more information and to view pictures of Implant Case Studies, visit our Hight-Tech Dental Implant section.

Categories : Blog, Dental Implants
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Can TMJ Jaw Pain Be Cured?

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments (2)
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Question:

Dr. Sam, can TMJ jaw pain be cured? My dentist said that at best it can be managed, never cured. This really makes me depressed!

Answer:

There is no reason to be depressed. Your dentist said “that at best it can be managed” and that can mean complete relief of pain and discomfort for very long periods of time. Many past TMJ patients are now quite comfortable and have moved on with their lives because they are functioning normally.

TMJ jaw pain can be a continuing problem because there is permanent damage to the jaw joint but keep in mind, that as you grow older, permanent damage to all of your body parts, from your skin, to your organs and teeth is actually a normal product of aging. Don’t get depressed over it, learn to enjoy the life that your were given.

The TMJ is the only joint in the body with a physiological component. All other body joints are mechanically functional but the TMJ is effected by our moods, anxiety, depression and events. We clench and grind more when we are stressed. This puts more pressure and potential damage to the TMJ.

Some of my best TMJ tips are as follows:

  • Don’t unnecessarily stress the TMJ or jaw joint.
  • Don’t chew gum, eat big thick sandwitches that cause the TMJ to open wide, don’t choose foods that require a lot of chewing as steaks or nuts.
  • If the TMJ is painful, try taking it easy on the jaw joint as you would with any injury. Give it a rest, follow the instructions from your dentist and you may find that the pain disappears.
Categories : TMJ
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News and Awards

Dr. Sam Muslin received the 2009 "Best Cosmetic Dentist in Los Angeles" award from LAs Best, featured in the Los Angeles TImes.