Archives for March 2024

How Can I Get Rid of My Jagged Teeth Edges After Braces?

Posted on March 31, 2024 by AllSmiles.

In June, I should be finished with braces. I had jagged teeth edges before braces, and now that all my teeth are even, the edges are more noticeable. I want to smooth out the edges as soon as possible after my braces are off. Is this something my orthodontist can do, or should I ask my family dentist? I do not want to mention it to either of them yet, so I wrote your office for independent advice. Thank you. Marcus

Marcus,

Thank you for sending your inquiry to our office. We recommend that you schedule an appointment with an advanced cosmetic dentist to smooth your jagged tooth edges. The procedure is called enameloplasty.

What Is Enameloplasty?

Enameloplasty is a dental procedure that removes small amounts of tooth enamel to reshape a tooth. The process is also called cosmetic contouring or tooth contouring. Enameloplasty can smooth your jagged tooth edges.

When Is Enameloplasty Used?

Emanemloplasty conceals minor imperfections in teeth. It is less expensive than treatment with dental bonding or porcelain veneers. But it can be used along with those cosmetic dentistry treatments. In some cases, after braces, composite bonding might be used to fill in and shape your teeth.

Enameloplasty improves these flaws:

Chips
Fractures
Jagged edges
Length
Misalignment
Pointy teeth
Slight overlap

When tooth length is affected

If enameloplasty will change your tooth length, smoothing the edges can be challenging. It can also change your bite. Experienced cosmetic dentists know how to smooth tooth edges without disrupting your bite.

In the example below, a dentist shaped a patient’s tooth edges. And composite bonding finished the side of the teeth.

Choosing a Doctor to Smooth Jagged Edges

Which doctor should you choose to soften a jagged tooth—your orthodontist or family dentist? If your teeth only need minor shaping with dental bonding, your family dentist or orthodontist should be able to complete it. But if more is involved, we recommend an advanced cosmetic dentist.

Accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post

Will Porcelain Veneers Help Fluorosis Stains in My Teen’s Teeth?

Posted on March 26, 2024 by AllSmiles.

Will porcelain veneers help fluorosis stains on my teen daughter’s teeth? I talked to my daughter’s pediatric dentist about the fluorosis stains on your teeth. Her upper and lower front six teeth are yellow and blotchy. My daughter is 14 and wearing braces, and the pediatric dentist is asking us to wait until her braces are off to begin treatment. I asked the dentist what she could do about the stains, but she seemed unsure. My daughter is so self-conscious about her smile. I don’t want her to feel insecure at school and social events. What are our options after braces? Thank you. Tammi

Tammi,

Depending on the extent of the stains in your teeth, several cosmetic dentistry options are available. However, a cosmetic dentist—not a pediatric dentist—can beautifully restore your daughter’s smile.

What Causes Fluorosis Stains in Teeth?

Fluorosis stains occur when a child has consumed too much fluoride while permanent teeth are still developing. Community water with too much fluoride or taking fluoride supplements can lead to fluorosis stains.

How Are Fluorosis Stains Treated?

Porcelain veneer

A skilled cosmetic dentist can conceal fluorosis stains with dental bonding, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, or a combination of treatments.

Mild fluorosis – Chariside dental bonding can cover the affected brown or white spots on teeth. A dentist may use teeth whitening along with the bonding.
Moderate fluorosis — If your daughter has extensive fluorosis stains on her teeth, a skilled cosmetic dentist may recommend porcelain veneers.
Severe fluorosis – Porcelain veneers are the treatment of choice for severe stains.

Should You Treat Fluorosis Stains with Braces?

Braces put pressure on teeth as they move. And braces can add to tooth discoloration. Wait until your daughter completes orthodontic treatment before beginning cosmetic dentistry. Consult with a cosmetic dentist.

Although there is no minimum age for porcelain veneers, if a child’s teeth, jawbone, and face are not fully developed, you will eventually need to replace the veneers. Meanwhile, a cosmetic dentist may recommend a less expensive alternative like dental bonding to improve your daughter’s teeth until you and she are ready for porcelain veneers.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

An Untreated Tooth Infection Can Be Fatal

Posted on March 12, 2024 by AllSmiles.

Are you tempted to treat a tooth infection at home because it’s cheaper, more convenient, or helps you avoid the dentist? Published research on untreated tooth infections that led to fatalities can help you understand how going to a dentist for root canal treatment can be life-saving.

The Journal of Endodontics published results from a study that showed 66 people died from tooth infections from 2000-2008. Additionally, the Sacramento Bee and Fox News reported the case of Californian Vadim Kondratyuk Anatoliyevich, a 26-year-old husband and father of two girls. Vidim was a long-haul truck driver who developed a tooth infection. In January 2017, while driving to New York on a long-haul job, Vadim’s tooth infection worsened, so he stopped in Oklahoma to see a dentist who prescribed antibiotics. As Vadim continued his travel to New York, the toothache got better, then worse, and the side of his face began to swell.

Vadim made his delivery in New York but could not drive home due to the severity of his tooth infection. Vadim’s brother flew to New York to drive him back to California. However, Vadim had difficulty breathing and became pale, so his brother took him to a Utah hospital, where he was placed on oxygen and flown to a Salt Lake City facility.

A diagram of root canal treatment steps including removing the infection, filling the canals, and crowning the tooth

Root canal treatment gets rid of a tooth infection

The infection had spread to Vadim’s blood and lungs. Despite stronger antibiotics and dialysis, the doctors in Salt Lake City could not save him. Vadim’s wife was able to fly to the hospital in Utah to say goodbye before he died.

At-home care is not enough to treat a tooth infection. Antibiotics are insufficient because an infected tooth is dead and does not have blood circulation to transport medication. If you have a toothache, address it by seeing a dentist for root canal treatment—the only way to remove infection from a tooth. By seeing a dentist immediately for root canal treatment, you can avoid a tooth infection that spreads and becomes life-threatening.

Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post.