Dr. Gregori Michael Kurtzman, D.D.S.

The crown has a metal base under the porcelain and you can see the metal at that spot. Tooth under is still protected there and crown replacement not necessary

As with teeth the best toothbrush to use with implants is a soft soft toothbrush as those bristles are able to get between the implant (or tooth) and gum to better clean away the plaque. I would recommend an electric toothbrush over hand toothbrushes as these are kore efficient in the limited time most people brush. best to get one that has a round head as these are able to reach more areas better then those with long rectangular heads Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FIADFE, DICOI, DADIA, DIDIA General practitioner, International dental author and lecturer Leisure World Plaza Professional Building 3801 International Drive, Suite 102 Silver Spring, MD 20906 301-598-3500 drimplants@aol.com

Should be worn 24 hours a day and only taken out to eat if you want effective treatment.

As with teeth homecare is important to keep that down. if its built up and you can see it on implants needs to be cleaned by the dental office so you can then maintain it. tartar control toothpastes and using an electric toothbrush will help prevent its building up once the dental office cleans it  Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FIADFE, DICOI, DADIA, DIDIA General practitioner, International dental author and lecturer Leisure World Plaza Professional Building 3801 International Drive, Suite 102 Silver Spring, MD 20906 301-598-3500 drimplants@aol.com

When bone is not stimulated from within by teeth or implants during biting it shrinks (resorbs) so depending on the patient under a partial denture the bone will shrink over time. Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FIADFE, DICOI, DADIA, DIDIA General practitioner, International dental author and lecturer Leisure World Plaza Professional Building 3801 International Drive, Suite 102 Silver Spring, MD 20906 301-598-3500 drimplants@aol.com

Cement is fully set by the time you leave the dentists office so can start flossing and water piking when you get home Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FIADFE, DICOI, DADIA, DIDIA General practitioner, International dental author and lecturer Leisure World Plaza Professional Building 3801 International Drive, Suite 102 Silver Spring, MD 20906 301-598-3500 drimplants@aol.com

Am assuming you are referring to a fixed denture retained by implants. Yes, they are safe but do require some regular homecare to maintain them.

Key to everything is how well you care for it with proper homecare and seeing the dental office on recommended recall cleanings.

Yes typically root canals are done under local anesthesia Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FIADFE, DICOI, DADIA, DIDIA General practitioner, International dental author and lecturer Leisure World Plaza Professional Building 3801 International Drive, Suite 102 Silver Spring, MD 20906 301-598-3500 drimplants@aol.com

Soak the denture in water with a denture cleanser tablet like Efferdent added. Also cleaning the denture with a hard denture brush (available at any store) with toothpaste will help eliminate stains and keep the denture looking fresh Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FIADFE, DICOI, DADIA, DIDIA General practitioner, International dental author and lecturer Leisure World Plaza Professional Building 3801 International Drive, Suite 102 Silver Spring, MD 20906 301-598-3500 drimplants@aol.com

Short implants are available for clinical situations where the height of available bone will not allow a standard length implant to be placed. These are available in 6mm length which means your need a minimum of 8mm of bone height to place those and when using them especially in the molar areas a wider implant is needed to manage chewing loading after the implant is restored with a crown. In the upper posterior longer implants can be used with sinus elevation at the time of implant placement but if less then 6mm of bone height is present there then sinus lift needs to be done and allowed to heal for a few months before an implant can be placed. Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FIADFE, DICOI, DADIA, DIDIA General practitioner, International dental author and lecturer Leisure World Plaza Professional Building 3801 International Drive, Suite 102 Silver Spring, MD 20906 301-598-3500 drimplants@aol.com

I can understand your frustration. The question is what motivates his reluctance to replace the missing tooth? Fear of pain associated with treatment? Financial issues? One issue to consider with missing front teeth is this does affect how people perceive us at work and in social situations as we tend to not smile attempting to cover up the missing tooth which makes us come across as less friendly. Perhaps offer to go to a dentist and get an evaluation as to what options are available to replace the tooth and discuss the financial costs with each option then select what fits the budget and desires.  

Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FADI, DICOI, DADIA, DIDIA 

Use of warm salt water rinses will help. Don't swish them, just hold the warm salt water in your mouth in that area for 30-60 seconds. Repeat 2x and do it a few times a day, that will soothe the irritated gum tissue and make it feel better faster.

Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FADI, DICOI, DADIA, DIDIA 

Brushing in the am and before bed is adequate. Key is how long should you brush each time? Brushing for at least 2 minutes does the best job in removing plaque and remaining food.

Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FADI, DICOI, DADIA, DIDIA 

Potentially. Depends where the cramping occurs on the jaw, how often it happens, and what sets it off. Does it feel muscular? Or in the joint itself (right in front of the ear)? Muscle cramps can be related to low magnesium and trying a supplement may help stop the cramping. Best to take it for at least a week before seeing if it's working. 

Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FADI, DICOI, DADIA, DIDIA 

You should follow up with your general dentist within a week or two so they can start restoring the tooth and decrease the potential for it breaking.

An iron deficiency has no effect on the teeth.

Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FADI, DICOI, DADIA

There are essentially 3 options to replace a single missing tooth:

1. A removable partial denture - which will need to cover the roof of the mouth if the missing too is on top or wrap around if in the lower to have stability and retention. Patients tend not to wear these for a single missing tooth due to their bulk.

2. A dental implant - this replaces the missing tooth and, when restored, the patient has essentially what was there before the trauma that knocked the tooth out. They have a single crown not attached to the adjacent teeth that can be flossed around and replicates a natural tooth.

3. A fixed bridge - This requires the tooth on the right and left of the missing tooth to be prepared and a fixed bridge is made that is cemented to the teeth and not removable by the patient. The result looks like individual teeth, but due to the connection between the units of the bridge, one cannot floss between them.

With trauma leading to loss of a tooth, the adjacent teeth should be evaluated to check if any damage has occurred to those teeth. This could be a crack in the root or trauma to the nerve in the tooth which may require root canal treatment. This can be evaluated with an X-ray and increasing sensitivity to these teeth to pressure to chewing and temperature (hot or cold). It is not unusual to have some sensitivity following the trauma, but this should decrease over a few weeks following the trauma. If it's increasing or persists after contact with food or beverages that are hot or cold, that is indicative of issues that should be evaluated.

Hope this helps,

Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FADI, DICOI, DADIA

Bleeding when brushing is a key sign of gum disease also referred to as Periodontal disease. Bleeding is always a sign of an issue and not healthy. If you brushed your hair and saw blood on the hairbrush would you consider that good or bad? Well, bleeding in the mouth is also not a good sign. Too often, we accept bleeding when we brush as acceptable, and this allows the disease to progress, leading to loss of the bone around the teeth, the teeth getting loose, and possible loss of the teeth. Key is seeing a dentist 2x a year to help identify these problems early and to remove plaque and tartar in areas that the patient is unable to reach with the toothbrush or floss and identify decay early when it can be treated easier and less expensively.


Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FADI, DICOI, DADIA

A dental abscess is caused by an infection in the tooth that spreads at the tip of the roots. This needs to be treated ASAP so that the infection does not spread. Depending on the condition of the tooth that is affected the tooth will either need a root canal or be extracted. Dental infections can be very serious and when ignored can become life threatening. When a tooth begins to abscess the first signs are sensitivity on or around the tooth and possible swelling or a pimple at the tooth on the gum that drains leading to a bad taste.


Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FADI, DICOI, DADIA