Most people recognize dental amalgams as “silver fillings”.  Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury, silver alloy, tin, and copper.  Mercury makes up about 45-50% of the compound.  Mercury is used to bind the metals to provide a strong, hard, durable filling.  After years of research, mercury has been found to be the only element that will bind these metals in such a way that can be easily manipulated into a tooth cavity.  Mercury in dental amalgam is NOT poisonous.  When the mercury is combined with other materials in the amalgam, its chemical nature changes, essentially making it harmless.  The amount released in the mouth under the pressure of chewing and grinding is extremely small and no cause for alarm.  Ongoing scientific studies conducted over the past 100 years continue to prove that amalgam is not harmful.  Dental amalgam has withstood the test of time which is why it is the material of choice.  Dentists use dental amalgams because it’s easier to work with than other alternatives.  Some patients prefer dental amalgam to other alternatives because of its safety, cost-effectiveness, and ability to be placed in the tooth cavity quickly.

You take 1-2 pills of a mild sedative one hour prior to your appointment. You will need to have someone drive you to the office and remain with you until treatment is completed. You will be sedated just enough to be unaware of treatment, with little or no memory of the procedure. Your driver will then take you home and may remain with you for a short time until the sedative wears off.

A bridge is a custom device anchored to neighboring teeth that replaces one or more missing teeth.  When a lost tooth is replaced with bridge work, the teeth on either side of the missing one are prepared as crowns to serve as abutments to hold the prosthetic (replacement) tooth in place.  Crowns and bridges are most commonly prepared from high quality materials such as semiprecious or precious metals, porcelain, or a combination of the two.  Aesthetics, function, and tissue compatibility are considered when selecting the material best suited for you.

A composite resin is a tooth-colored plastic mixture filled with glass (silicon dioxide).  Introduced in the 1960s, dental composites were confined to the front teeth because they were not strong enough to withstand the pressure and wear generated by the back teeth.  Since then, composites have been significantly improved and can be successfully placed in the back teeth as well.  Following preparation, the dentist places the composite in layers, using a specialized light to harden each layer.  When the process is finished, the dentist will shape the composite to fit the tooth.  The dentist then polishes the composite to prevent staining and early wear.  It takes the dentist about 10-20 minutes longer to place a composite than the traditional silver filling.  Placement time depends on the size and location of the cavity.

There comes a point where the damage to the tooth has removed too much structure to hold a filling.  The restoration must be done by a technique that will attach to the remaining tooth, stand up under heavier use and meet more elaborate cosmetic requirements.  The crown is the dental restoration that can strengthen and restore the entire top of a tooth.  The crown can also be part of the attachment of a fixed bridge for the replacement of teeth.  The tooth is strengthened because it is covered from the outside with a casting of metal or ceramic that will wrap up and splint the tooth.  The chewing of the tooth can be improved because it can be reshaped to match more efficiently with the opposing teeth.  A crown can improve cosmetics by the use of modern ceramic processes that produce translucency and color that is more natural than has ever been possible.

Why should I get my teeth cleaned?  Well, by coming in for your regular 6 month appointments, it keeps you in top notch dental health and helps us to catch any small problem before it becomes a big problem.  It is also proven that regular hygiene visits will improve your overall health.

Dentures are removable prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth. Partial dentures are dentures that replace only a few missing teeth and complete dentures replace a complete set of missing teeth. Conventional dentures are made and placed after the remaining teeth are removed and the tissues have healed. Immediate dentures are placed immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. An over-denture fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth or implants.

Xerostamia, or dry mouth syndrome, can come with aging or often as a side effect of many medications.  Half of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience an extreme form of xerostamia with critical effects to their dental health.  We can help provide relief in the form of prescriptions for dry mouth toothpaste, special saliva-producing chewing gum or saliva substitute solutions.

Fluoride Treatments – Research shows fluoride treatments at each hygiene visit can reduce cavity risk by 35%.  We realize that adult fluoride treatments are not covered by the dental plans/insurance so we developed a program to help with that.  Ask for details when you call for your appointment.

Gum disease, or more correctly called “periodontal disease”, is a bacterial infection in the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.  It can be divided into several stages.
The first stage is called “gingivitis” and affects 90% of the population.  It is characterized by red, puffy gum tissue that bleeds easily when touched with a toothbrush, floss or a dental instrument.  If not treated, it will lead to more serious stages.
The second, third, and fourth stages are initial, moderate, and advanced “periodontal disease”, respectively.  These stages are different from gingivitis because the infection has destroyed the bone supporting the teeth, causing eventual tooth loss.  At these stages, the treatment is more involved, usually consisting of a special cleaning with anesthesia and sometimes gum surgery.

When teeth are prevented from erupting into the mouth properly, they are referred to as impacted.  Teeth that have not erupted are not necessarily impacted.  It may be that it is still too early in someone’s dental development, and as time passes it might grow in properly.  A dentist must examine a patient’s mouth and the x-rays to determine if the teeth are impacted or will not grow in properly.  Impacted teeth may cause problems which can result in infection, decay of adjacent teeth, gum disease or formation of a cyst or tumor from the follicle (the tissue which formed the crown of the tooth).  Many dentists recommend removal of impacted wisdom teeth to prevent potential problems.

A dental implant is a titanium metal device surgically placed in the jawbone to replace the root of a tooth.  The American Dental Association considers both the endosteal and the subperiosteal implants to be acceptable.  An important factor for selection is to determine whether your jawbone can adequately support the implant.  Most dental implants placed today are endosteal root form fixtures (similar to a manmade tooth root).

As the body heals for approximately 2 to six months after surgery, the bone around the implant fuses to the implant through a process called osseointegration.  After the healing phase is complete, the implants are used to anchor crowns, bridges, or dentures.

Orthodontic braces are most desirable for people under the age of 18.  At this stage in life, the bone is more malleable, teeth move easier and are more likely to stay in place once the bone ‘remodels” around the newly positioned teeth.  Many adults also wear braces, however, they are most likely to wear them a longer period of time and require a permanent retainer to hold the new positioning.  Braces also require monthly office visits for adjustment.  Braces may reposition teeth but will not affect the shape and color of the teeth.

For some patients an orthotic may be used to spread the jaw to make room for straightening the teeth.

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic material, which are bonded to the front of teeth and are an excellent alternative to crowns in some situations.  They provide a much more conservative approach to changing a tooth’s color, size or shape.  Porcelain veneers can mask undesirable defects such as teeth stained by tetracycline, by an injury, or as a result of a root canal procedure and are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth.  Patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn may consider porcelain veneers.  Generally, veneers will last for many years and the technique has shown remarkable longevity when properly performed.

The root canal is actually a channel that runs from the root of the tooth, which connects to the bone, up to the top surface of the tooth.  The canal contains blood vessels, nerves, and the complex cells that make up the living tissue inside the tooth.  This lifeline inside the tooth is called the pulp.  When a tooth is decayed or cracked, bacteria can get to the pulp.  The acid from the bacteria irritates the pulp and it becomes inflamed; it’s the same process you see when other parts of your body become infected.  When the pulp tissue becomes inflamed, it’s harder for the blood to flow to the tissue and the resulting pressure creates pain inside your mouth.

A root canal procedure limits the infection and keeps it from destroying the tooth.  During the root canal treatment procedure, the dentist removes the inflamed or infected tissue, carefully cleans, disinfects, and shapes the root canal space inside the tooth and then fills and seals the space.  It may take one or more appointments to complete the procedure.  A protective restoration should be placed after the root canal treatment has been completed in order to restore the tooth function and help prevent tooth fracture.

A dental sealant is a thin plastic film painted on the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars.  Scientific studies have proven that properly applied sealants are 100% effective in protecting the tooth surfaces from caries.  Sealant application involves cleaning the surface of the tooth and rinsing the surface to remove all traces of the cleaning agent.  An etching solution or gel is applied to the enamel surface of the tooth, including pits and grooves.  After 15 seconds, the solution is thoroughly rinsed away with water.  After the site is dried, the sealant material is applied and is hardened by using a special curing light.  Sealant treatment is painless and could take anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes to apply, depending on how many teeth need to be sealed.  Sealants must be applied properly for good retention.  Sealants should last five years but can last as long as 10 years.  Children, because they have newly erupted, permanent teeth, receive the greatest benefit from sealants.

Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous disorder with fairly benign symptoms such as loud snoring at night, morning headaches or daytime bouts of sleepiness caused by intermittent periods throughout sleep when you actually stop breathing.

Breathing cessation, or apnea, lasts from seconds to nearly a minute.  During sleep apnea, the upper air passages in the mouth and throat are obstructed.  When breathing resumes, the brain senses a lack of oxygen and wakes you up.  The snoring is loud, sometimes explosive.  In the morning, the build up of carbon dioxide in the blood causes headaches.  The lack of deep sleep can also leave one drowsy and usually grouchy during the day.
One form of treatment that has proven successful is wearing an acrylic appliance during sleep to keep air passages open.  It’s comfortable and easy to use.

Teeth whitening involves the placement of a bleaching solution on the teeth to eliminate stains and discoloration.  The solution is held in place by a custom-made, see-through tray that fits over the teeth.  This process happens at home wearing the trays while you sleep for approximately 7-14 nights depending on the degree of the staining.  This is more effective than over the counter bleaching systems.

“TMD” stands for “temporomandibular disorder” and refers to problems related to pain and improper functioning of:

• Your jaw joints (which are among the most complex joints in the human body);
• Muscles surrounding your jaw joints; and/or
• Associated structures in your head, neck and face (including but not limited to your teeth).

Symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Pain in and around the jaw joint area
• Clicking, popping, grinding in the jaw joint
• Dizziness
• Stiff, sore neck and shoulder muscles
• Ringing in the ear

If you experience any of the above symptoms, give Dr. Schuster a call to set up a consultation.

Wisdom teeth are third molars.  Normally, people have three permanent molars that develop in each quadrant of the mouth; upper, lower, right and left.  The first molars usually grow in at around age 12.  The third molars usually will try to grow in at around age 18 to 20 years.  Since that is considered the age when people become wiser, third molars gained the nickname, “wisdom teeth.”  Actually, they are no different than any other tooth except that they are the last to erupt or grow into the mouth.  They are just as useful as any other tooth, if they grow in properly, have a proper bite relationship, and have healthy gum tissue around them.  Unfortunately, this does not always happen.