Archive for September, 2009

Is laser technology going to replace drills and needles in dental treatment?

Friday, September 18th, 2009
Q.
I have read about lasers and other new technology being brought into dentistry. I hate needles and drills so am delighted to hear this. Is this something that is gradually going to replace such methods in the long term? Is it completely safe? My dentist does not seem to be taking on such methods as of yet.

A.

The science of Laser dentistry is developing rapidly. There are many different kinds of lasers in dentistry that are used for different treatments and they can speed recovery and healing tremendously. 

dr george kirtley

Dr George Kirtley

Smiles By George
7465 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis IN 46256
Web: www.smilesbygeorge.com Tel: 317-841-1111

View My Profile Dr Kirtley


Can sucking a dummy affect teeth development? What age should you stop?

Friday, September 18th, 2009
Q.
My daughter, aged two, still sucks dummy. I am now getting her to stop. I just wanted to ask at what age a child should stop sucking a dummy? This can have a negative effect on teeth development, can it not?

A.
Yes, sucking a dummy can alter the arch development and cause the teeth to come in more crooked.  I think that if you can stop her now you will be just in time.

dr george kirtley

Dr George Kirtley

Smiles By George
7465 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis IN 46256
Web: www.smilesbygeorge.com Tel: 317-841-1111

View My Profile Dr Kirtley


What treatment is available to close the gap between my two front teeth?

Friday, September 18th, 2009
Q.
I had braces when I was younger and they worked in that they made my teeth straight. However, this led to a small gap forming between my two front teeth and I hate it. I hate to smile nowadays because I am so self-conscious about it. Is there any dental treatment which can help?

A.

For a small gap between two teeth that are otherwise in alignment there are a few choices of treatment.  The first would be closing the space with composite, or white filling material.  Composite fillings do stain and darken as they age, so this would have to be replaced every 3 to 5 years.  The more permanent treatment would be porcelain veneers, which cover the entire front of the tooth and are made of a material that will not stain or darken. 

dr george kirtley

Dr George Kirtley

Smiles By George
7465 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis IN 46256
Web: www.smilesbygeorge.com Tel: 317-841-1111

View My Profile Dr Kirtley


What treatment is available to close the gap between my two front teeth?

Thursday, September 17th, 2009
Q.
I had braces when I was younger and they worked in that they made my teeth straight. However, this led to a small gap forming between my two front teeth and I hate it. I hate to smile nowadays because I am so self-conscious about it. Is there any dental treatment which can help?

A.

For a small gap between two teeth that are otherwise in alignment there are a few choices of treatment.  The first would be closing the space with composite, or white filling material.  Composite fillings do stain and darken as they age, so this would have to be replaced every 3 to 5 years.  The more permanent treatment would be porcelain veneers, which cover the entire front of the tooth and are made of a material that will not stain or darken. 

dr george kirtley

Dr George Kirtley

Smiles By George
7465 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis IN 46256
Web: www.smilesbygeorge.com Tel: 317-841-1111

View My Profile Dr Kirtley


Is there any point in having wisdom teeth?

Thursday, September 17th, 2009
Q.
What is the point in wisdom teeth? They come through at differing times for people, some in their early teens and some even in their thirties, but is there any point to them? Your teeth are already formed to a good shape (for some people) so why are they needed? Not a problem, but mild curiosity.

A.

As man has evolved so has the size and shape of our jaws. There was a time when wisdom teeth played a role in eating food. Wisdom teeth no longer have an important role but are still present similar to the appendix’s role in our digestive system.

Dr. Lemongello

dr lerner & dr lemongello

Dr Lerner & Dr Lemongello

Lerner & Lemongello
5602 PGA Blvd, Suite 201, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida FL 33418
Web: www.lernerlemongello.com Tel: (561) 627 9000

View My Profile Dr Lerner & Dr Lemongello


Can sucking a dummy affect teeth development? What age should you stop?

Thursday, September 17th, 2009
Q.
My daughter, aged two, still sucks dummy. I am now getting her to stop. I just wanted to ask at what age a child should stop sucking a dummy? This can have a negative effect on teeth development, can it not?

A.
Yes, sucking a dummy can alter the arch development and cause the teeth to come in more crooked.  I think that if you can stop her now you will be just in time.

dr george kirtley

Dr George Kirtley

Smiles By George
7465 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis IN 46256
Web: www.smilesbygeorge.com Tel: 317-841-1111

View My Profile Dr Kirtley


Is laser technology going to replace drills and needles in dental treatment?

Thursday, September 17th, 2009
Q.
I have read about lasers and other new technology being brought into dentistry. I hate needles and drills so am delighted to hear this. Is this something that is gradually going to replace such methods in the long term? Is it completely safe? My dentist does not seem to be taking on such methods as of yet.

A.

The science of Laser dentistry is developing rapidly. There are many different kinds of lasers in dentistry that are used for different treatments and they can speed recovery and healing tremendously. 

dr george kirtley

Dr George Kirtley

Smiles By George
7465 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis IN 46256
Web: www.smilesbygeorge.com Tel: 317-841-1111

View My Profile Dr Kirtley


Is cleaning your tongue as important as caring for teeth and gums?

Thursday, September 17th, 2009
Q.
I know you are supposed to keep your teeth clean and also your gums, but what about your tongue? Do you need to give this just as much attention when cleaning your teeth?

A.

Yes. Our office often recommends tongue hygiene as well. Bacteria can get trapped in the surface fissures of the tongue. Once here the debris can remain there adding to breath malodor, halitosis or bad breath. Tongue hygiene is very simple using one of the many different tongue scraping devices on the market today. Once you use a tongue scrappin device and see all the bacteria debris that can be removed you will never neglect tongue hygiene again!

Dr. Lemongello

dr lerner & dr lemongello

Dr Lerner & Dr Lemongello

Lerner & Lemongello
5602 PGA Blvd, Suite 201, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida FL 33418
Web: www.lernerlemongello.com Tel: (561) 627 9000

View My Profile Dr Lerner & Dr Lemongello


Are snap on smiles as good as veneers?

Thursday, September 17th, 2009
Q.
hello are snap on smiles as good as veneers somebody told me they are painless and dont cost as much as dental veneers but look great. Do you offer snap on smiles?

A.
No, I do not offer snap on smiles. They are less expensive that veneers but of course they are not going to look as beautiful either.  Patients with crooked teeth are not good candidates for this treatment because the snap on smile would be very bulky. Porcelain veneers are a permanent and durable solution. 

dr george kirtley

Dr George Kirtley

Smiles By George
7465 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis IN 46256
Web: www.smilesbygeorge.com Tel: 317-841-1111

View My Profile Dr Kirtley


Crown is too low. Can it be built up?

Thursday, September 17th, 2009
Q.
I had some crowns put in my mouth and am really disappointed. I should of went to a cosmetic dentist. The ones at bottom back fit good but are too low and my mouth has dropped, can these be build up ?

A.
To build up a crown, it would have to be remade completely. 

dr george kirtley

Dr George Kirtley

Smiles By George
7465 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis IN 46256
Web: www.smilesbygeorge.com Tel: 317-841-1111

View My Profile Dr Kirtley


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