Dr. David M. Mastro, DDS

Yes, general dentists can place bone grafts.

Diane

Practice Administrator

Generally what people are asking when they are seeking alternatives to braces, they are thinking about metal braces and metal brackets, which many patients think are unsightly. When we speak to patients about alternatives, it includes two different directions. The first is going with clear tray aligners such as Invisalign. These are worn 24/7 and move the teeth through amazing technology that is a less obvious orthodontic method. The second option is what Dr. Mastro refers to as instant orthodontics using porcelain crowns to straighten teeth. It is a one-step procedure and provides immediate aesthetic and functional results. Both options require a consult with your dentist to determine which is the best option.

Diane

The answer is no. Cavities are caused by a decay process over time that can be a result of improper or lack of brushing, cleaning the teeth. However, it takes weeks or months to result in a cavity.

Diane

Practice Administrator

That isn’t as easy a question as it might seem. Generally speaking, all restorative much be completed before braces, however, an implant isn’t going to move and may actually interfere with the goal of the braces. My recommendation would be to consult with your general dentist or orthodontist for direction on what is best for you.

No, crowns don’t cause gum disease. Poor fitting crowns can make good oral care harder as food can get trapped. Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. The typical causes of gum disease are generally poor oral hygiene including lack of brushing or ineffective brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, to build up on the teeth and become hard. As the disease advances, gums are sore, bleeding, and eventually lead to tooth loss.

Diane

There are a number of issues that can cause a tooth to loosen and need to be addressed quickly by a professional. We have seen teeth tighten back up when certain conditions have been met, but we can’t stress enough that any time there is a loose tooth, time is of the essence and please seek immediate professional support.

Diane

That depends on the dental office, however, the ADA (American Dental Association) recommended that patients maintain their oral health and routine cleanings to prevent other health issues. Dental offices use appropriate personal protective equipment and have high sanitation standards as part of their normal patient care. At our practice, Dr. Mastro installed an air purifying system prior to COVID–19 to further protect our patients and staff. Our hygienists are working again after being off for 2 weeks.

Sincerely,

Diane
Practice Administrator

That’s a great question and an important one when it comes to front teeth. In our practice, Dr. Mastro chooses porcelain over zirconia because most patients want the “prettiest” option and unfortunately, zirconia is less aesthetic, less attractive. Dentists use it for its strength, but it is not an attractive option for anterior cosmetic work. Dr. Mastro recommends zirconia only for back teeth or needing it for a long span bridge.

Sincerely,

Diane

Typically not and this is why: A crown is a “full coverage” structure meaning that it will fit over the entire surface of the tooth covering all sides without any openings. A veneer is a “partial coverage” structure that will have the back of the tooth exposed. There is generally more tooth structure removed when preparing the tooth for a crown than for a veneer. Once a tooth has had a crown, you will want to keep that tooth fully protected with a crown rather than a partial covering such as a veneer.

Dr. David Mastro

Invisalign or any of the many clear tray correction options can provide amazing results over time. It is important to know that any type of teeth movement system that moves teeth into a more aesthetic position or alignment, will ultimately need a retainer to maintain the teeth in the final position. The bottom line is that teeth like to move and move easily so the final placement will only last as long as you wear your final retainer.

The good news is that it is the same procedure with one big difference. The front teeth generally have a single canal whereas back teeth have multiple canals. What that means for the patient is that the work flow for the procedure goes quickly, so the patient is generally in the dental chair for less time.



Dr. David Mastro