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.

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.

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.

Dr. Sam, I showed my orthodontist the before-after pictures of your Barbara case study and asked him his thoughts as I have a very similar problem. The way he described your procedure to me was really scary! He said I should know that I will have the equivalent pain of a root canal in every tooth in my mouth for this outcome. He said he would much rather have his jaw surgically lengthened than go through the pain you would inflict. How did Barbara cope with this?

Answer:

Barbara never had any pain because none of her teeth were ground down or drilled. Actually, the non-invasive dentistry utilized to treat Barbara, will help her natural teeth last longer as they now have an additional layer bonded on top of her original teeth. The additional layer is pure biologically compatible porcelain that does not stain and is very durable. The teeth do not decay under the porcelain because they are totally bonded and integrated with her natural tooth structure.

Non-Invasive Face Lift Dentistry Miracle

Your Orthodontist is simply not aware of the latest technology. Nobody in their right mind would “rather have his jaw surgically lengthened” when the alternative is much safer. Additionally, jaw surgeries are very invasive and have big potential risks. Jaw surgeries cannot whiten the teeth or protect the teeth and sometimes cannot lift the bite far enough.

Your Orthodontist probably thought that Barbara had to have her natural teeth drilled down to place the porcelain. He or she was incorrect and again unaware of the possibilities of the latest developments. Sometimes specialists and generalists do not progress with the best new advances. Sam Muslin DDS MAGD has developed dental bonding techniques that must be utilized with the matching type of porcelain for each particular patient. The technique is so strong and durable that a patient can have the best bite, best jaw position and clean healthy white teeth with non-invasive dentistry!

Non-Invasive dentistry can improve the bite, relieve headaches or neck pain and give the patient white natural looking teeth that last. Barbara could even change the porcelain if she wanted whiter teeth in the future.

Dr. Sam, our family dentist talked me into dental bonding to minimize a gap between my front teeth. Now, the gap is still awkward and if you look closely you can see the layer of bonding material on my tooth. I hate it! Can dental bonding be removed?

Answer:

Dental Bonding can easily be replaced. But, now at least you have a better understanding that finding a cosmetic dentist that is highly skilled can produce results that will make you happy rather than “hating it”. Fortunately for you, dental bonding can easily be replaced without damaging your teeth if the dentist works with magnification. It is very important that you go to a “magnification dentist”. With magnification the dentist can remove the bonding without cutting away your natural tooth structure.

You only have one set of teeth so the quality of the care and the minimal amount of tooth lost is very important. The ability of the dentist to match the opacity of your natural tooth structure is critical. It is also very difficult but can be accomplished if the dentist understands his or her bonding material’s characteristics.

Dr. Sam, I’ve had porcelain veneers on my front teeth for 6 months. Last month one of them cracked and had to be replaced. I was a bit shocked that it only lasted for 6 months – but this is not my question. My dentist then replaced the cracked veneer, but the color is different and it seems to be quite a bit thicker than the others. My dentist says this is my imagination and that I should allow some time to get used to it. This sounds wrong to me – what do you think?

Answer:

Without even seeing your teeth the odds greatly favor that you are right. If can be difficult to match the porcelain veneers if the dentist did not write down the shade of the bonding material. Additionally, manufacturers do not keep making the same materials as the word “new” seems to sell products. The dentists can find themselves in a difficult situation, trying to match one tooth to all of the other teeth without the same material available.

The best cosmetic dentists in Los Angeles have a large inventory of different materials and they also have the skills to know which one would be the best. See Josh for a great example of matching only two porcelain veneers to this patient’s natural teeth. It is very difficult to match shade shape and opacity when bonding only two porcelain veneers but it also can done. Josh has had his two porcelain veneers for nearly 8 years and they still match perfectly.

You also mentioned the shape was too thick and you are surely right because the patient has a much better feel inside their mouth and can tell if there are any discrepancies. Considering that one of the porcelain veneers broke in only six months and the dentist could not match the shade nor the shape when trying to replace the veneer, it sounds to me you chose the wrong dentist. Maybe it is time to move up a few levels as you now understand how uncomfortable and irritating bad porcelain veneers can be.

Contact Sam Muslin DDS MAGD, Santa Monica, California at (310) 829-6796

Dr. Sam, a friend suggested that I go to his dentist in Tijuana (Mexico) for my porcelain veneers as it was so much cheaper. Now, three months later, my veneers look yellow. What could cause this?

Answer:

Porcelain veneers will be in your mouth for many years. To search for the cheapest dentist when you will feel it, talk with it, eat with it and smile with it, 24 hours per day seven days per week does not make sense. Why would you look for cheap porcelain veneers when the importance of the quality is so critical? Everyone that sees you knows they were done cheaply. Everyone then associates you with poor quality and fake teeth.

The whole purpose of porcelain veneers is to enhance your image and improve the quality of your presence. Going to a coupon dentist that discounts his or her work only forces the dentist to cut costs and cheapen their technique. There is a huge difference between dental labs and an every bigger difference between the cosmetic skills of the dentists.

Unfortunately, your only choice is to get your yellowing veneers replaced with a higher quality porcelain veneer. Sorry, but it doesn’t sound like “your friend” really understood the consequences of their recommendation. Now you know why you don’t want to go to Mexico for your medical and dental care. The savings are not worth the risks.

I respectfuly sugest that if you need a Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist, call us on (310) 829-6796

Dr. Sam, I have gone to three different dentists to get advice on the best porcelain veneers. Each dentist has a different story. The one suggested Lumineers, the other suggested Composite Veneers, and the other suggested Empress Veneers. I never knew there were so many types! As this is expensive and painful, I would desperately like to make the right choice. Can you guide me?

Answer:

The skill of the dentist treating the patient is by far the most important choice. A dentist that is unskilled will not provide good care with Lumineers, Empress Veneers or Composite Veneers. There is a wide difference between the artistic and technical skills of the cosmetic dentists. More importantly, the three techniques mentioned, all have positives and negatives.

A Very Important Video Clip

Before chooing a dentis, watch this video about a bad porcelain veneer outcome.  Samantha was treated with porcelain veneers and was gracious enough to tell her story about the replacement of her porcelain veneers. Potential porcelain veneer patients have to remember that they will be wearing the porcelain veneers 24 hours a day so there are many characteristics that this patient explains that make a huge difference in how they look, feel and last.

Fake Looking Porcelain Veneers

An average cosmetic dentist will produce fake looking porcelain veneers with any technique so the choices mentioned are not the key issues.

Lumineers, Empress Veneers or Cosmetic Veneers?

One of the techniques mentioned requires a lot of tooth reduction. Most patients should not loose their natural tooth structure unless it is unavoidable. Another of the mentioned techniques turns color too quickly. The veneer does not hold its shade over the years. Another of the techniques has a tendency to be made too bulky, which looks fake. All three of the techniques could look great if the best dentist is chosen but if you pick the best dentist, the dentist should be guiding the patient toward making the right decision. He or she may not pick any of the three you mentioned.

The Best Porcelain Veneer

The best porcelain veneer choice is one that holds it color indefinitely, requires little to no tooth reduction, has a textured surface and natural contours. A great example of the best of the best in porcelain veneers is Melessa. Not a single tooth had to be ground down! Judge for yourself, then call Sam Muslin DDS MAGD for your conultation on (310) 829-6796

Dr. Sam, my teeth seems to be much duller and more discolored than others in my age group. I do not smoke. What could cause this and how can it be fixed?

Answer:

Let’s talk about discolored or dark teeth.

Teeth can be discolored for a variety of reasons.  It could be in our genes to have a darker color to our teeth.  We could have been exposed to tetracycline when we were a child, that would have caused our teeth to be permanently darker.  Our tooth enamel could be weaker due to childhood illness, which made it easier for the teeth to stain. 

The good news is that the color of the teeth can be hidden.  The tooth enamel can be stronger.  The teeth can be less sensitive and cosmetically we can have any shade we would like without having to get our teeth ground down.  The entire process is non-invasive.  Many dental labs offer porcelain veneers that require little to no grinding to your natural teeth as Lumineers and Vivineers.  In my office, at the present time I am working with a local ceramist that brings the work to my office before it is glazed.  This allows me to control the shade and the shapes of the teeth for an individualized and customized look. 

Today, the patients want their work to look natural.  They want to look better but do not want fake white teeth.  They want their porcelain veneers to look great but be undetectable.  Today’s patients have raised the bar of quality.  The bulky, fake denture looking teeth are not longer good enough.  Today’s patients want naturally looking teeth that are healthy and white.  It takes the artistic eye of the dentist to deliver.

Dr. Sam, my dentist told me I have a weak biting surface and should go and see a specialist. What is a “weak biting surface” and how can this be fixed. Who can fix a weak biting surface?

Answer:

The biting surface of our teeth wears down with age in most people. Over decades of wear, our teeth loose enamel just like the tread on our tires. If the enamel is weak, the loss of tooth enamel due to wear is increased. Weak biting surfaces wear down faster than strong biting surfaces. When the bite wears down, the overbite generally increases, the jaw is pushed back and the TMJ becomes problematic. The TMJ can click or pop. We can get headaches or sore jaws or jaw pain that all result from a worn down bite. The patients that have a worn down bite, also generally have shortened faces.

Dr. Sam Muslin has perfected the NON-Invasive bite restoration technique.

The solution is a dentist that specializes in complex dentistry. The very best dentists are able to restore your teeth and the bite by adding back the lost tooth structure without having to grind down your teeth. Caution!! Most dentists and dental specialists will want to grind down your teeth in order to place crowns.

In order to improve your bite, your teeth will have to be damaged in most dental offices. However, Dr. Sam Muslin has perfected the NON-Invasive bite restoration technique. Many of the patients featured in our Before After Dental Gallery had their weak enamel strengthened and replaced without grinding down the patients teeth. He has developed a super bonding technique that lasts for many years and has photos of his patients to prove it. See, Kevin (a woman) and Mathew (a young man) in the photo gallery of the website. Both of these patients had their bite completely restored, all of the lost tooth structure replaced, whiter teeth, a face lift effect due to the bite being lifted and restored, and all of the treatment was completed without any grinding on their natural teeth.

Call Sam Muslin DDS MAGD for your appointment on (310) 829-6796, it will be educational and informative to see the large photos of his patients.

Dr. Sam, I shopped around for the best pricing on Face Lift Dentistry and was surprised to see the range of prices. How do I know which is the best Face Lift Dentistry?

Answer:

To shop for a Face Lift Dentist, you must exert extreme caution. Dr. Sam Muslin has trademarked Face Lift Dentistry and no other dentist has the right to use his trademark. When we scanned the web looking for dentists that were illegally using the trademark, the photos of these dentists were NOT examples of Face Lift Dentistry at all. Their photos were just cosmetic dentistry, not Face Lift Dentistry. There are very few dentists in this country that have valid photographic examples of Face Lift Dentistry that are matched and paired so actual comparisons can be made.

When we scanned the web looking for dentists that were illegally using the trademark, the photos of these dentists were NOT examples of Face Lift Dentistry at all.

Shopping for the lowest price is why so many people have bad bites, fake looking teeth and dental failures. Dr. Sam Muslin found that his fees for Face Lift Dentistry are about the same that other dentists charge for lesser levels of care. His ultra high tech dental office and years of experience give him the competitive edge. The most compassionate part of his care is his speed. Most dentists will keep you in the dental chair much longer and with more visits while they try to deliver their dental care.

Dr. Sam Muslin, a Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist with over 30 years of experience and before and after photos that prove his results. He was awarded the Best Dentist in Los Angeles for 2009! His experience with all types of failing bites, age groups, TMJ problems, cosmetic dentistry issues, bad bite, fake looking porcelain veneers and all of the individual variables that each patient presents, allows him to treat his patients with speed and efficiency. Pain medication is rarely necessary and he has developed non-invasive technology that saves your natural tooth structure.

Go to the best dentist and save a lot of aggrivation.