Archive for September, 2009

Are bleeding gums when brushing my teeth a sign of disease?

Thursday, September 17th, 2009
Q.
For some reason, my gums have started to bleed when I brush my teeth. What could be wrong?

A.
Bleeding gums can be  a sign of periodontal disease so you should be evaluated by a dentist.

dr george kirtley

Dr George Kirtley

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

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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

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should i get invisalign or invisalign teen at 13?

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
Q.
I am thirteen and wanting to get invisalign. My teeth are not all that crooked so I should be okay to go ahead. I am just wondering whether I should opt for invisalign or invisalgin teen? Or will my dentist decide?

A.

Your dentist will decide which course of treatment is best depending on the chronological age of your teeth and whether or not all your permanent teeth have erupted yet. Either way Invisalign treatment is a great choice. 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

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should i use tooth whitening kits from the shops?

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
Q.
I know you can get tooth whitening kits from the shops, but are these can’t be as good as getting it done by a professional, can it?

A.

The most predictable, safest way to whiten your teeth is in a dental office under the supervision of a dentist.  In the dental office everything is custom made to fit properly and provide the optimal, safest environment for whitening.  Anything else is a compromise.  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

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my gums are covering my wisdom teeth

Monday, September 14th, 2009
Q.
The 2 back teeth (located before the wisdom teeth) in my mouth have been completely covered by gum tissue. All 4 of my wisdom teeth have been removed. What is the name of the condition, what causes it, and how can it be fixed? Can it lead to a cavity?

A.

most likely your teeth were never able to fully erupt because of this overlying gum tissue.  This condition is important to correct.  Partial coverage of the gum tissue over the tooth can predispose the tooth to decay.  Additionally, because of the gum tissue covering the tooth, it has been prevented from fully erupting into the mouth.  This prevents its proper use in chewing.  It can be corrected through removal of the gum tissue either by excision or through laser treatment.  Obviously it would be important to have this evaluated by your dentist or an oral surgeon.

dr george kirtley

Dr George Kirtley

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

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8 veneers or 1 veneers for a dark front tooth?

Monday, September 14th, 2009
Q.
hello i was wondering if i have a dark front tooth what should i do to get it fixed i want it to be white like all my teeth all my other teeth are fine but my dentist said i need 8 veneers cant i just have 1 veneer?

A.

It is difficult to answer this question without examining your teeth and smile.   You need to realize that you are asking your dentist to do the hardest treatment in dentistry. Let me ask you, do you want to improve the appearance of this one tooth or the appearance of your smile?  Without seeing your teeth the answer could be different depending on what you would like to achieve.  If you want to improve just the appearance of this one tooth than simply put, yes, you can treat the one tooth. However, is this the best treatment and will it have the best outcome?  What you need to understand is that this may be a simple answer but not a simple solution. To achieve an exact match and create a single restoration that blends perfectly with your other natural teeth is not a simple task.  It is due to this challenge that we often recommend treating more teeth to create the illusion of all the teeth blending naturally in the smile.  Treating more teeth may be more predictable than treating one and you may find an improvement in your smile not just one tooth.  I would recommend you discuss this with your dentist and express what you want to achieve and allow him to explain why more teeth are being recommended. Perhaps together you can reach a compromise of treating your two front teeth.                                                
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

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Are lumineers more expensive that lab veneers ?

Thursday, September 10th, 2009
Q.
Are lumineers more expensive that lab veneers and are they better i read on some sites lumineers do not need to drill teeth and other sites that lumineers still need for your teeth to be drilled what is the truth? thanks in advane

A.

Luminneers are the same cost as Traditional veneers and both are manufactured in a dental laboratory.    Lumineers like traditional veneers are made of ultra-thin porcelain.  Lumineers are marketed by the manufacturer claiming there is no reduction of the underlying tooth structure.  However, the truth is that it is rare for Luminneers not to require any tooth reduction at either the start of the procedure or during the cementation process.   Without some minor adjustment the Lumineers may not fit right.  Lumineers are not better than Traditional veneers. There are limited situations where Lumineers work best.  More importantly it depends on the situation as to what is the best choice to provide a natural, beautiful, well fitting long lasting result.  This is a decision that should be made between you and the doctor performing the procedure.  What is most important is making the best choice utilizing the proper material for your situation and meeting your expectation.

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

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hello dr Kirtley i have really crooked teeth and want

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
Q.
hello dr Kirtley i have really crooked teeth and want straight white teeth one dentist has recommended invisalign and teeth whitening with Zoom but i think veneers would be better to give me a hollywood smile. what do you think would be best veneers or invisalign and teeth whitening? also how much to veneers typically cost?

A.
Invisalign along with teeth whitening is a conservative approach to imporving your smile, provided that you like the shape of your existing teeth.  Your shade can be improved upon by teeth whitening, however any existing fillings or crowns visible in your smile may have to be replaced to match the lighter shade.  With porcelain veneers, the shape, position and color of your teeth can be altered to create a ‘hollywood smile’ often times in only two visits. The cost of a porcelain veneer ranges from $1000USD to $1800USD

dr george kirtley

Dr George Kirtley

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

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