Dr. Michael Irving Farr, D.M.D.

Hi,

It depends. There are a multitude of factors that play a role in how long bondings on front teeth last. First is how large the cavities are that are being restored. How strong the biting forces are plays a big role. The dentist's skill and technique in placement is a huge factor. And most importantly, how well a person maintains the bondings (brushing and flossing) will impact longevity. So it's really hard to give an answer with so many unknowns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Farr

Hi,

Use a professional strength whitening gel (either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) in custom trays. Exceptionally dark teeth may require daily whitening for three to six months. I have successfully whitened tetracycline stained and fluorosis stained teeth with this extended therapy.

Hi,

You should definitely get your teeth cleaned before whitening. That way any external staining, plaque, or calculus can be removed beforehand and allow for the best whitening potential.

The world of TMJ encompasses a wide array of conditions that can cause pain in the joint(s). First, an evaluation of the joint system needs to be performed so that a diagnosis as to the cause of the pain can be determined. Then a plan of action to mitigate the pain can be determined. Most often, decreased chewing, pain meds, rest, and heat and cold compressions will help. Occlusal guard therapy may be recommended if there is excess stress being applied to the joints. But again, an evaluation first needs to be performed in order to determine the appropriate therapy to help.

Hi,

It depends on the circumstance. If the implant was placed into a healed extraction socket (tooth removed previously and bone filled in the socket), then the minimal amount of discomfort, if any at all, would be expected. If the implant was placed at the same time an extraction was done, then there will be some discomfort. If more surgery than that was done (peeling back
gum tissue, bone grafting, etc.) at the time of implant placement, then discomfort surely would be expected after surgery. Anything lasting more than two weeks after implant placement needs to be evaluated by the implant surgeon for complications.
Hope this helps.

Hi,

A cavity is a bacterial infection of the tooth. If left untreated, the cavity will progress and eventually reach the pulp chamber where the nerve lies. If this happens, root canal therapy will absolutely be necessary to save the tooth. Sometimes even if the cavity does not reach the nerve, the insult of the cavity to the tooth may be enough to cause the nerve to degenerate, and a root canal will be necessary any ways. As the cavity eats away at the remaining tooth structure, a crown or other type of stronger restoration may as well be necessary to save the tooth. If left to go too long, the tooth may not be savable and may need to be removed. My advice is to get cavities treated as soon as possible to preserve and save your teeth, and keep treatment cost and time in the dental chair down. If the cavities are not that bad yet, you should be able to avoid root canals. But that's not always 100%.

Most often times we use local anesthesia for fillings. You are awake and completely alert for the procedure, unless you require anxiety sedation to get your dental work done. Using local anesthesia is the norm as it can be uncomfortable and painful to have your teeth drilled on and restored. However, there are some people who can tolerate dental work without anesthesia, but this is not the majority. Local anesthesia is safe to use and its benefits outweigh the risks when it comes to making patients comfortable while getting dental treatment. Make sure your dentist performs a thorough review of your medical history to make sure the appropriate anesthesia is used.

Hi,

At 8 years old, he should have his front adult teeth present. Adult teeth are more yellow in color than the preceding baby teeth. This is because there is more dentin in the adult teeth. Dentin is yellow in color and is what gives teeth their yellow appearance. The enamel is the outer covering of the teeth and while the enamel is white, it is translucent, and the
thickness of the enamel is not much different in adult teeth as compared to baby teeth. So, the adult teeth are more yellow as a result. This is nothing to be concerned about and certainly teeth whitening is not recommended in a child this young. My advice is to wait until he gets a little bit older (say 16 or above) and then consider whitening his teeth. Also be sure to take him twice a year for cleanings and check ups, as external staining can make the teeth appear more yellow and the professional cleaning will remove this and improve the appearance.
Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Nope. Your dentist obviously sees a discrepancy developing in your child now that needs correction. Early interceptive orthodontics is done on kids ages 6-9 years old. You have a very caring dentist who has your child's best interest at heart.

Under ideal conditions, the life of a dental implant can be indefinite. The parts that go on an implant will need repair or replacing over time. However, an implant can fail due to issues like gum disease (peri-implantitis), overload problems, grinding problems (parafunctional habits), change in a person's medical status, or underlying medical problems that result in bone deterioration. A lot of these issues are controlled by the person. It's really tough to say how long the implant itself will last considering all of the possibilities that affect it. Proper diagnosis of a patient's medical history and current health and oral status are paramount in determining longevity.

Most of the time, 2% lidocaine with 1:100k epinephrine is used as anesthesia for routine dental procedures, including root canals. There are other types of anesthetics and most are in the class of medications known as amides, which most people have no problem with. Some are combination of esthers and amides. Most of the time, the anesthesia is administered locally, so you are awake the entire time, just numb in the area to be worked on. Your provider knows which anesthesia he/she likes to use and can review that with you if you are concerned.

Hi,

Gum disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth that adhere to the teeth and grow out of control and the body's immune system can't effectively get rid of it. Signs and symptoms to look for are reddened and swollen gums, gums that bleed easily, build up on the teeth that cannot be wiped or brushed away, and foul odor of the breath. Loose teeth is another sign. The diagnosis of any form of gum disease has to be made by a licensed dental professional, so regular check ups and cleanings are paramount in helping to determine and treat gum disease if it manifests. The earlier you catch it, the better.

Michael I. Farr, DMD, FICOI

Hi,

The longevity of fillings is determined by the size of the cavity, the amount of remaining tooth structure, the structural integrity of the tooth, and the kind of forces that the person puts on the tooth both through normal chewing/biting forces and parafunctional forces (activities done with the teeth that are beyond the normal purposes of masticating and talking).

Depending on your situation, a filling may be the best and most conservative way to restore the tooth if there is ample remaining tooth left and forces applied to the tooth are low to moderate. While veneers and crowns are strong and long lasting restorations, they should be utilized as last resorts when other treatment options have failed or there is insufficient remaining tooth left or the biting or parafunctional forces are too high. Healthy tooth most of the time needs to be removed to do veneers and crowns. And once a dentist cuts away part of a tooth, it is gone forever. Sometimes, though, it is necessary.

I know this doesn't directly answer your question. But in all honesty there are many variables to consider when we restore teeth. It's not just "drill and fill". Keep your treatment as conservative as possible until you have to upgrade.

Michael I. Farr, DMD, FICOI