There are many questions that people have about their dental care and the procedures used when caring for teeth. Covered here are some common questions and the answers given by real dentists.
How long do veneers and crowns last? How long veneers or crowns last depends on many different factors such as care at home, how well you keep follow up visits to your dentist (regular cleaning and checkup), as well as the quality of the crown or veneer.
Can an extraction be done instead of a root canal treatment for lower molar? It is true that the alternative to having a root canal is an extraction, but there are consequences to having a tooth extracted.
First, you would notice a decrease in your ability to chew food. If you do nothing to fill the empty space left by the extracted tooth, other teeth will have a tendency to drift in an attempt to fill in the empty space.
This drifting may cause spacing in the lower teeth and may result in the upper tooth over erupting into the space below it. It is possible this could cause a change in your occlusion (relationship of upper and lower teeth), which could ultimately cause problems with your TMJ (temperomandibular joint). This drifting may also interfere with the ability to easily restore the area if you decide years later to have the tooth replaced.
If you do opt to have the tooth extracted, you should seriously consider the options for replacing the missing tooth. These options include a fixed bridge, a removable partial denture, or an implant.
These replacements obviously will cost some money; therefore, you may want to discuss all these options with your dentist to determine which option may be best for you. You may discover that having the root canal may the best option and may cost you even less in the long term.
Do wisdom teeth have to come out? It is best that you visit your dentist to determine if an extraction is really needed.
Will there be gaps between teeth after removal of wisdom teeth? It is unlikely that teeth drift backwards producing gaps in the front teeth after removal of wisdom teeth.
Commonly, there may be slight crowding/misalignment of the front teeth as one ages, independent of the presence of wisdom teeth. This is due to the narrowing of the jaw resulting in less arch space at the lower jaw.
Is gum disease related to pre-mature labor or low birth weight babies in pregnant women?
Research suggests that the bacteria that cause inflammation in the gums can actually get into the bloodstream and target the fetus, potentially leading to premature labor and low birth weight babies. This response may be even more common in diabetic women.
Should the toothpaste for a pregnant woman contain fluoride? Yes
Will braces help to close these gaps in teeth? Yes, braces will help close up the gaps in your front teeth.
However, there is still a chance of relapse as in the gaps opening after completion of the treatment. To prevent this, you need to put on retainers to help retain your teeth after your braces are taken out.
Generally, it takes about 2 years or more for the treatment using braces. However, it depends on the severity of the misalignment and hence the duration of treatment differs among individuals. It's advisable that you consult an orthodontist (specialist) to discuss about your treatment, cost and duration.
How are braces removed? Is it a long process?
It is a quick process. The wires and brackets are first removed followed by the molar bands. It is not painful but you would need some time getting used to the new smooth surfaces of your teeth.
What are the differences between ceramic braces and metal braces? Ceramic brackets (with metal slots) do not stain. It is the modules that are transparent or opaque white that stain.
You could choose colored modules to overcome this. Ceramic brackets are more bulky and more expensive than the metal ones. However the treatment time is almost the same with both types of brackets.
Author Resource:-
Ronald Pedactor is a former dental assistant and has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health. He worked for a Baton Rouge cosmetic dentist before becoming a guest dental lecturer for the past 13 years.
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