Smile for Life Blog » teeth http://www.smileforlife.com/blog Just another WordPress weblog Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:52:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 en hourly 1 How long do fillings usually last? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/how-long-do-fillings-usually-last http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/how-long-do-fillings-usually-last#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:19:02 +0000 Dr Lerner & Dr Lemongello http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/how-long-do-fillings-usually-last/
Q.
I just had a filling put in on my upper right teeth toward the back. I would just like to know the life span of fillings. Are they supposed to last quite a bit of time? Does this depend on the type of filling you receive?
A.

If a filling was all that was needed and it was performed in a conscientious manor than it should last many years.  Dr. Lemongello

]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/how-long-do-fillings-usually-last/feed 0 What does gum contouring involve? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-does-gum-contouring-involve http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-does-gum-contouring-involve#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:12:55 +0000 Dr Kailesh Solanki http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-does-gum-contouring-involve/
Q.
My gums cover my front teeth too much in my opinion and I want to get this sorted out. I have been looking into gum controuing, but am worried about how painful the procedure will be. It doesn not sound a very nice procedure and was hoping you could enlighten me?
A.
Hi, many thanks for your email, there are many ways of doing gum contouring, the most traditional way would be to cut the unneccesary gum area with a scapal, then the underlying bone is also removed to maintain the biological width, which is basically the space between the gum and bone. The gum is then tacked back into place with very fine stitches and left to heal. The healing times are usually around 10-16 weeks for full maturation of the gums.

The second way would be to use a soft tissue laser to cut away the gums and a hard tissue laser to take away the bone. The procedure is less surgically based and sometimes does not require stitches. However, some of the more renowed periodontists still favour the more traditional method as it is more predictable.

Both treatments will require some healing time and soreness after, but will only generally last around 2-3 days. As long as you are ready for this then everything should be fine. Also, painkillers will make sure you remain comfortable.

Hope all this information is helpful.

Dr Kailesh Solanki

]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-does-gum-contouring-involve/feed 0 Is there an age limit to teeth whitening? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/is-there-an-age-limit-to-teeth-whitening http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/is-there-an-age-limit-to-teeth-whitening#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:11:47 +0000 Dr Kailesh Solanki http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/is-there-an-age-limit-to-teeth-whitening/
Q.
My 13 year old daughter has said that she wants to get her teeth whitened, but I have told her no. Her teeth are a little discoloured and have always been so. Do you think there is an age limit in which a person should not have their teeth whitened?
A.
Hi many thanks for your email, i would say 13 is slighly too young for tooth whitening. My advice would be to maybe see a hygienist first to try to remove the staining. The youngest person i have ever done whitening for is 16, and i feel this should be the lower limit. Hope this is helpful.

Dr Kailesh Solanki

]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/is-there-an-age-limit-to-teeth-whitening/feed 0 What options are available when a veneer is chipped? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-options-are-available-when-a-veneer-is-chipped http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-options-are-available-when-a-veneer-is-chipped#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:10:39 +0000 Dr Kailesh Solanki http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-options-are-available-when-a-veneer-is-chipped/
Q.
My veneer has chipped and looks quite horrible. I have had for quite some time now, but it only started to feel vulnerable after treatment I had on a tooth next to it last month. Is my only choice to just get another veneer put in?
A.
Hi, many thanks for your email, if your veneer has chipped then the best treatment option would be to have the veneer replaced. i hope this is helpful.

Dr Kailesh Solanki

]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-options-are-available-when-a-veneer-is-chipped/feed 0 What can I do to treat my flurosis? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-can-i-do-to-treat-my-flurosis http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-can-i-do-to-treat-my-flurosis#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:56:39 +0000 Dr Lerner & Dr Lemongello http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-can-i-do-to-treat-my-flurosis/
Q.
My dentist has informed me that I may have a case of flurosis, but that he will need to have a further look on my next appointment. Could you please tell me exactly what this is and how I can prevent it? My dentist did not seem too worried by it.
A.

Fluorosis is a benign condition where too much fluoride has been taken up into the tooth during its development and the enamel of the tooth is affected. There is no way for you to prevent it once the teeth have formed. It usually results in discoloration of the tooth. Other than a cosmetic issue it is not a problem.
Dr. Lemongello

]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-can-i-do-to-treat-my-flurosis/feed 0 What does the gum contouring procedure involve? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-does-the-gum-contouring-procedure-involve http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-does-the-gum-contouring-procedure-involve#comments Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:23:53 +0000 Dr Kailesh Solanki http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-does-the-gum-contouring-procedure-involve/
Q.
Is the gum contouring treatment that is available for gummy smile performed at the dentist or is it classed as some kind of major surgery? What does it involve, if you could please give me a brief description?
A.
hi many thanks for your email, there are three treatments to correct a gummy smile:

1:gum contouring which is cutting away the excess gum and if needed underlying bone to create longer teeth and also reduce the gummy smile.

2: lip repositioning surgery which will lower the upper lip so when you smile will show less gum, more indicated if the size of the teeth are ideal and gum contouring is not needed.

3: botox in the upper lip which is non surgical and can lower the upper lip temporarily to decrease the gummy smile.

hope this is helpful.

Dr Kailesh Solanki

]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-does-the-gum-contouring-procedure-involve/feed 0 Does listerine mouthwash cause tooth sensitivity? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/does-listerine-mouthwash-cause-tooth-sensitivity http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/does-listerine-mouthwash-cause-tooth-sensitivity#comments Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:55:52 +0000 Dr George Kirtley http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/does-listerine-mouthwash-cause-tooth-sensitivity/
Q.
Just under two weeks ago I started using listerine mouthwash to help keep my teeth and gum clean. Seemed fine at first but I have now developed annoying and painful tooth sensivity, which i have not had a problem with before using listerine. Could they be related. Do you know of any patients that have had experience with this?
A.
I have never heard of Listerine creating tooth sensitivity.  It is an alcohol based mouthrinse and can as a result of this cause the mouth to become more dry.  I recommend non-alcohol based mouthrinses in my practice.
]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/does-listerine-mouthwash-cause-tooth-sensitivity/feed 0 What treatment is performed through laser dentistry? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-treatment-is-performed-through-laser-dentistry http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-treatment-is-performed-through-laser-dentistry#comments Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:54:05 +0000 Dr George Kirtley http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-treatment-is-performed-through-laser-dentistry/
Q.
What kind iof treatment is possible through the use of lasers, seen as it is still relatively new in dentistry? Is it completely safe?
A.
There are different types of lasers used in dentistry.  Some are for soft tissue (gum tissue) others are for hard tissure (teeth).  The hard tissue lasers are limited in there capability and research is still ongoing for the next level in this area.  Soft tissue lasers are well documented in their use and are a significant part of my practice.  Use of these lasers is very safe. 
]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-treatment-is-performed-through-laser-dentistry/feed 0 Wisdom teeth are causing me great pain? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/wisdom-teeth-are-causing-me-great-pain http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/wisdom-teeth-are-causing-me-great-pain#comments Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:24:52 +0000 Dr Lerner & Dr Lemongello http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/wisdom-teeth-are-causing-me-great-pain/
Q.
My wisdom teeth have been coming through for around the last year, at intermittent stages but it always comes back and hurts like hell. They have hardly come through though which makes me think there may be a problem. Will they eventually come through or should I get to my dentist?
A.
I would recommend you see your dentist and have this evaluated. It sounds as if it is not going to get any better without treatment.
Dr. Lemongello
]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/wisdom-teeth-are-causing-me-great-pain/feed 0 I have fixed braces and my wisdom teeth are coming through, what do I do? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/i-have-fixed-braces-and-my-wisdom-teeth-are-coming-through-what-do-i-do http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/i-have-fixed-braces-and-my-wisdom-teeth-are-coming-through-what-do-i-do#comments Fri, 25 Feb 2011 06:37:30 +0000 Dr Lerner & Dr Lemongello http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/i-have-fixed-braces-and-my-wisdom-teeth-are-coming-through-what-do-i-do/
Q.
Hi, i’ve had fixed braces on now for about 6 months but i think my wisdom teeth are coming through at the back of my mouth, what do i do? thanks
A.
Perhaps you need to have the wisdom teeth removed.  You may be  able to wait until the braces are finished and have treatment then.  Consult with the orthodontist who is treating you.  Dr. Lemongello
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