Baton Rouge Dentist

What Are the Best Brands of Dental Implant Abutments and Crowns?

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I’m scheduling consultations with three dentists in the area because I want to replace four missing teeth with dental implants. Which dental implant abutment brands and crowns should I ask for? I want my implants and crowns to last and look good. They cost too much for anything less. Thank you! Kingsley from NJ

Kingsley,

We understand your concerns about getting quality dental implants. However, finding a dentist with expertise and artistic vision is essential to getting healthy, beautiful results. Dictating which materials and techniques the dentist uses can hinder the desired outcome.

Imagine asking an artist to create a series of paintings for your home or office. Would you tell the artist which materials to use? Doing so would stifle the artist’s creativity and hinder the overall aesthetic appeal of the artwork. Instead, choosing a skilled artist who will use the necessary tools and materials for your requirements is best.

Similarly, when pursuing cosmetic dental procedures, it’s essential to trust the expertise of your chosen dentist. After conducting thorough research and selecting a qualified professional, allow them to assess your oral health and understand your aesthetic goals. Trust your dentist to choose the most suitable brands and materials for your needs, ensuring a healthy and personalized smile.

Periodontists, specialists in dental implants, possess the in-depth knowledge and experience necessary to select high-quality implants best suited to your oral anatomy and treatment plan.

Why Requesting Specific Brands of Dental Materials Isn’t Enough

Even if you could meticulously research and select specific materials, you would need to consider the dentist’s skills and experience with those materials to achieve the desired clinical and aesthetic outcomes effectively.

Understanding Gumline Darkness with Dental Crowns

Dental implant parts, including the screw, connector, and crown, and one complete implantIt’s a common misconception that specific dental crowns, such as those made from porcelain fused to gold or white metals, will eliminate the appearance of a dark line at the gumline. All metals used in dental crowns, regardless of color, can exhibit a visible line at the gumline where the crown meets the natural tooth structure. While the color of this line may vary (black instead of gray), it will still be discernible.

Advanced bonding techniques with pure ceramic crowns can eliminate this dark line. However, other methods, such as cutting the metal back at the margin, can minimize its visibility but not eliminate it.

Zirconium oxide is a highly versatile material for dental crowns due to its exceptional strength and opaque white color. While not transparent, it allows a skilled dental technician to skillfully layer translucent ceramic with it to create highly lifelike and aesthetically pleasing restorations.

Prioritize a dentist’s expertise and artistic vision to increase the likelihood of achieving a beautiful, functional, and long-lasting smile. Look for dentist with extensive post-graduate training in implantology and cosmetic dentistry.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry has MDI and Zimmer dental implant training.  Read how Dr. Perry strives to provide some of the best dental care in Baton Rouge.

 

How Long Does Tooth Whitening Last?

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Hi there,

I got a free teeth whitening kit with custom trays as a promotion from my new dentist. At first, I was so pleased with the results after just a few weeks. My teeth looked so much brighter! However, it didn’t last very long — they’ve gone back to their usual shade. I’m due to go back in for a check-up anyway. Did my dentist give me a poor quality kit on purpose, so I’d come back in for a real whitening? Or is it just a coincidence?

Alice, from Versailles, Kentucky

 

Hi Alice,

The whitening kit you received was likely a professional-grade whitening kit. How long your teeth whitening lasts is based on several factors, such as:

  • Whether you drink coffee, tea, or red wine
  • Whether you eat dark-colored foods like tomato sauce, soy sauce, or curry
  • Whether you are a smoker

If you enjoy any of the above to excess, your teeth will stain more quickly. Enjoying them in moderation, along with healthy oral habits, will extend how long your teeth whitening lasts.

To prevent staining your teeth, try the following tips:

  • Avoid eating acidic foods — they will wear down your enamel faster
  • Brush your teeth after meals or at least 2-3 times a day
  • Avoid sipping on acidic beverages such as coffee or tea, or sugary beverages like cola or sports drinks. Drink them quickly, or use a straw to minimize contact. If you can, brush your teeth immediately after.
  • Cut back or quit smoking.

You can also use your whitening kit for a few days to get your teeth back to the shade you like, and talk to your dentist about your options at your next visit.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge teeth whitening provider, Dr. Ryan P. Perry.

Can black charcoal really whiten my teeth?

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I am interested to know if charcoal is a good way to whiten my teeth. I have had the whitening trays that are used at home, but it’s been a while and I don’t have much of the bleach gel left. It is too expensive to go in to my dentist to get a professional whitening so I was looking other options and came across charcoal. I can’t figure out how something so black can make my teeth white.
Isaiah, Austin, TX

Dear Isaiah,

White teethThe claim that charcoal can whiten teeth can be a little confusing because most of us are only familiar with the charcoal you may have used to cook your hamburgers last weekend. The charcoal that is being touted as a good tooth whitener is activated charcoal.

Let’s make sure we cover the bases about whitening your teeth with it.

Using Charcoal

Using charcoal medicinally dates back to the time of the early Egyptians and has been used for almost two decades as a way to counteract poisons and to detox. Charcoal binds to the poisons in the stomach and intestines, making it more difficult to absorb into the system. Using it to whiten teeth doesn’t go back that far. The thinking is that the charcoal will bind to the stains in the teeth and make them whiter.

Activated charcoal can be purchased over the counter or online. As with many things in life, just because you can use it doesn’t mean you should. Charcoal is a natural product and has its place, but on the teeth is really not the best place. It may make them a little whiter, but at a cost.

Charcoal is very abrasive. Our toothbrushes are a little abrasive. Our toothpastes are a little abrasive. We use them three times a day, ideally, because it does help remove stains and debris from our teeth and keep our mouths healthy. Because charcoal is so abrasive, it can actually scratch the enamel on your teeth and damage that coating that protects your teeth. Once that enamel is scratched, it doesn’t repair itself. The protection is compromised and can lead to tooth decay, sensitivity, and more stains. The damage caused for the little bit of whitening isn’t worth it.

While there aren’t too many risks otherwise using charcoal, it is always best to consult your dentist before beginning. Charcoal can interact poorly with certain drugs and may cause gastrointestinal problems if taken in excess. It can also make your tongue black, kind of like the inside of your barbecue.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Ryan Perry at Baton Rouge Family Dentist in Baton Rouge, LA.

 

Will teeth stains from braces ever come off?

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I am horrified. I paid a lot of money to get braces for my son because he had such crazy, crooked teeth. They stuck out in the front. We felt that braces were our best option for him. He had the braces on for two years and just got them off the end of last month. His teeth were straight and the alignment was great, but his teeth have stains around where the brackets were. Apparently he didn’t brush well. He’s happy to not have his teeth stick out, but what good are straight teeth if they have stains. He doesn’t want to smile still. Will those stains come off? What can we do?

Stacie, San Diego

Dear Stacie,

Your son is not the first to not take care of his teeth with his braces on. It is common to see staining on kids’ teeth when the brackets come off. There is hope! It depends on what type of stain your son’s teeth have, but here are some options.

  • Teeth polishing. First, if the stains are just on the surface, sometimes just a good polishing from the dentist will be enough to take care of the stains. This can sometimes help with cement residue from the brackets, as well.
  • Teeth whitening. Next, if the stains are deeper in the teeth, whitening may help. This can be done in the dental office or through at-home bleaching trays. teeth whitening tray
  • Bonding. Finally, if the stains were caused by decay where the braces were, dental bonding may help. Fortunately, bonding can be done after tooth polishing or dental whitening if they don’t work to match the coloration of the teeth.

To get started, it may be best to visit a cosmetic dentist to understand what caused the stains so you can create a path to a white smile your son will want to show off.

This blog is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Ryan P. Perry.