Old Fillings Can Leak and Chip Requiring Replacement

If you have old fillings, whether they are silver amalgam or tooth colored resin fillings, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist who can make sure that your old fillings are as sound as they used to be.

Even though the jury is still out when it comes to silver amalgam fillings, some claim that the mercury used in the silver amalgam fillings can make you physically ill, old fillings still need to be replaced. Although silver amalgam fillings can last about 10 years, with resin fillings holding up for about five or six, much can occur if you do not see your dentist to have your old fillings checked for chips, cracks and leakage.

Most people have no idea that cracked; chipped or leaking fillings can cause additional decay. If you have old fillings, new dental caries can form in the tooth, even if it has been filled before.

When you schedule an appointment with your dentist, x-rays will be taken so that your dentist can check the integrity of your old tooth colored and silver amalgam fillings. Your dentist will also conduct further investigations to determine if you have any cracks, chips, or leakages in your old fillings.

If your dentist discovers that your old fillings need to be replaced there are some options for you to consider. Your replacement fillings can be fashioned out of gold, and although it is one of the best replacements, is no longer as stylish because of the color. Other filling replacement materials include tooth colored bonding materials, or fillings made out of tooth colored porcelain. Before you decide on a replacement filling, discuss your filling options with your dentist who will be able to determine what tooth filling material would be best for your particular needs.

If you are a tooth grinder, you may be better off having your dentist replace your fillings with gold restorations as porcelain and bonding materials tend to fracture, chip, and break more easily. Your dentist will also consider how much of the tooth structure has been lost because of decay before deciding on filling replacement.

When it comes to old fillings, they may not give you any pain if you have cracks, chips, leaks, or breaks. Only a dentist can determine if your old fillings need to be replaced. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today.

Make Sure You have the Right Dentist for Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers can drastically improve your smile, but unless you work with a licensed Porcelain Veneers provider, you could be asking for trouble. There really are some common mistakes that dentists often make when fitting people with Porcelain Veneers.

Porcelain Veneers usually involve more than one tooth and can affect your occlusion and the multiple colors of your tooth structure. Porcelain Veneers need to be made to work in conjunction with your soft tissue and can affect the way you talk. Porcelain Veneers are placed where the world can see them, and if they are not where they should be, can cause some serious problems. However, when placed right, Porcelain Veneers can have a huge impact on your self-esteem and confidence.

According to your dentist, some common mistakes are made when placing Porcelain Veneers.

The first mistake is the failure to address the soft tissue symmetry in your smile. A dentist who is adept at soft-tissue symmetry will make sure that it is addressed in order to avoid the esthetic outcome.

One of the biggest mistakes that some dentists make is failing to work with an experienced and professional esthetic ceramist. Creating Porcelain Veneers is truly an art form with Dental Veneers crafted to fit the patients smile in order to improve the esthetics.

Staining under previously placed Porcelain Veneers is a common problem that needs to be addressed if you are having new Porcelain Veneers placed. A good dentist will make sure that there is no staining underneath a previously placed veneer before fitting and placing a new Porcelain Veneer. Black pigmentation is quite typical and can happen when a dentist uses ferric sulfates around the Porcelain Veneers.

One of the most important things to consider if you are thinking about Porcelain Veneers is the dentist. You need to make sure that the dentist you choose for Porcelain Veneers, or any other type of cosmetic restoration procedure has the experience to fit you for PorcelainVeneers.

Because Porcelain Veneers can be tricky, it is important that you choose a dentist who has the proper education, as there are many functional and esthetic considerations that need to be taken into account.

If you have been considering Porcelain Veneers, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine if you are a good candidate for Porcelain Veneers.  

You May Have Gum Disease and Not Even Know it

Even if you practice good oral hygiene, which includes brushing your teeth twice and flossing once each day, seeing your dentist regularly and eating a good diet that is loaded with fruits and vegetables, you may still be susceptible to gum disease. Unfortunately, gum disease affects anyone, even those who have healthy oral health habits.

Web MD explains that gingivitis is the earliest form of gum disease and affects three out of four Americans with twenty percent of the population worldwide developing the more serious periodontal disease.

Although it is often easy to miss the early signs of gum disease, as little as 10 percent of adults who suffer actually are aware that they have it, there are some things to look for when it comes to gum disease. If your gums bleed after you brush or floss, are puffy or red, you may have the early signs of gingivitis. Pain is not usually associated with gingivitis, which could be why so many often overlook the signs.

Gingivitis is most commonly caused by poor oral hygiene or improper oral hygiene techniques. People whom don’t brush every day will have left over food particles that will lead to bacteria build up. This will lead to plaque. Plaque is that thick film that will eventually lead to tartar, which can only be removed by your dentist with a deep cleaning, also known as scaling, and root planing.

Gingivitis can be prevented if you follow solid tooth brushing and flossing techniques. If you are not sure that you are brushing your teeth correctly, schedule an appointment with your dentist who will be able to show you how to brush properly. By following proper tooth brushing and flossing techniques you can reverse the early stages of gum disease.

The most important step when it comes to treating gum disease and gingivitis is to stop ignoring the symptoms. Although a little bit of blood on your toothbrush may seem like nothing it is imperative that you schedule an appointment with your dentist as quickly as possible. During your appointment, your dentist may recommend that you improve your home oral habits, which may include adding an FDA antiseptic mouthwash to your daily routine.

Don’t wait until it is too late. Schedule an appointment with your dentist who can check for gum disease.

The Perfect Smile with Dental Crowns

Dental Crowns have certainly changed over the years, and thanks to modern dentistry, you can have your existing crowns replaced or new crowns placed with dental restorations that look and feel just like your own natural teeth.  

According to the American Dental Association, porcelain jacket crowns were made in the early 1900’s, but unfortunately were not very efficient. During the 1950’s, dental crowns were a real possibility as porcelain was fused to metal. These days, crowns are made out of a high-grade porcelain or porcelain that is bonded to gold. Most dentists recommend higher strength materials for more serious dental problems such as lost teeth, excessive wear, and old filling breakdown.

Dental Crowns are used to replace missing teeth and offer support to broken or misshaped teeth. Dental Crowns look and feel natural and can fix a smile while taking care of chewing problems.

If you are experiencing pain in your back teeth, you may have a hairline crack. Your dentist may decide to place Dental Crowns on the teeth in order to relieve the pain. Crowns on your molars will also allow you to return to full dental function.

Porcelain Crowns and Bridges are used in the front teeth to replace older fillings that might be chipped or stained. Porcelain Crowns are also used where Porcelain Veneers are unsuitable.

Your dentist may also recommend a Dental Crown over Root Canals to prevent breakage.

If the damage to your tooth or teeth is extreme, your dentist may use Porcelain or Porcelain fused to gold Dental Crowns. Your dentist explains that Dental Crowns can last for twenty to thirty years if you practice good oral hygiene.

Dental Crown fitting takes two or more dental appointments. During your first visit, your dentist will remove the tooth decay before shaping the tooth and fitting it with a temporary Dental Crown made from metal or plastic.

During your next visit, your dentist will take out the temporary crown before fitting and adjusting your new permanent Dental Crown. The final step in the process is cementing your new Dental Crown in place.

If you would like more information regarding Dental Crowns, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. A beautiful smile really is just a phone call away. 

Are You Prepared for the Risks when it Comes to Oral Piercing?

Tongue, lip and cheek piercing is quite popular, but if you or someone you know is considering oral piercings your dentist will tell you that there are some dangers that everyone should be aware of.

According to Web MD, oral piercings can cause excessive bleeding, gum disease, infection and disease. In fact, oral piercings can also cause eventual tooth loss.

Infections are a common side effect with oral piercings thanks to the millions of bacteria that already live in your mouth. Once jewelry is introduced and has been handled by less than clean hands, your risk of infections is increased ten-fold.

The Herpes Simplex Virus and Hepatitis B and C can be transmitted after oral piercings. Make sure that if you do decide to have your lip, tongue, or cheek pierced that you do so with a reputable oral piercing establishment and schedule an appointment with your dentist.

People who have undiagnosed heart problems could have serious problems, especially if a bacterium enters the blood stream. Endocarditis is a real issue that causes inflammation of the heart valves and the heart itself.

Nobody likes to drool, but if you have oral piercing, it could become a permanent problem as could nerve damage.

It is normal to experience a numb mouth or tongue after oral piercings, but unfortunately, that loss of taste and sensation could become a permanent issue, especially if your nerves were pierced when you had the procedure.

If the blood vessels are accidentally punctured during your oral piercing, you could have prolonged bleeding that could result in excessive blood loss.

Tongue swelling is normal after an oral piercing, but your dentist has seen cases where the swelling was so severe that it cut off the airways making breathing almost impossible.

Gum disease is seen more frequently in people who have had oral piercings and those who wear long stem jewelry, such as barbells could cause injury to the gums. If this occurs, you are setting yourself up for gum recession and eventual tooth loss.

Jewelry aspiration happens if the stud, ring, or barbell becomes loose. You could accidentally swallow the jewelry. Injury to the lungs or digestive track is a real possibility if you wear mouth jewelry.

Of course, many other problems could occur with oral piercings including daily oral function, tooth damage and an allergic reaction to the metal.

For more information about the dangers of oral piercing, schedule an appointment with your dentist who just may be able to change you, a friend, or a family members mind.

How Smoking Affects Oral Health

Kicking that nasty cigarette or cigar habit will not only do wonders for that nagging cough, but will also help your teeth and gums.

According to Web MD, Smoking and smokeless tobacco products can cause serious damage to your teeth and gums. If you use tobacco, and that includes the popular Hookah Pipe, your teeth will eventually become discolored and you will have bad breath. 

Smoking also causes inflammation on the roof of your mouth where some of your salivary gland openings are located, and tartar and plaque on your teeth and gums. If that isn’t reason enough to kick the habit, smoking, and smokeless tobacco products can lead to increased jawbone loss and an increased risk for oral cancer. Smoking and smokeless tobacco products can also delay healing after dental treatments such as tooth extraction, oral surgery, and periodontal treatment. Smokers and people who use smokeless tobacco products have a lower success rate when it comes to Dental Implants and have more chance of developing periodontal disease than people who do not smoke.

Bad oral hygiene isn’t the only thing that causes gingivitis and periodontal disease. According to recent studies and your dentist in Rancho Mirage, smoking actually interferes with normal gum tissue cell function making smokers and those who use smokeless tobacco products more susceptible to gum disease. Smoking also impairs the flow of blood to your gums, which could affect your ability to heal quickly.

Cigars and pipes lead to just as many oral health issues as cigarettes. In fact, cigar smokers suffer from jawbone loss just as much as cigarette smokers do. Although pipe and cigar smokers do not inhale, all are still at risk when it comes to throat and oral cancer as well as stained teeth and bad breath.

Dr. Randall Szutz explains that smokeless tobacco isn’t any better. Chewing tobacco and snuff contain more than 28 harmful chemicals that will increase your risk of esophageal, throat and oral cancer. Have a single snuff, and you are giving your body more nicotine than 60 cigarettes. Chewing tobacco also irritates your gums making them pull away or recede leading to tooth loss. Once your roots are exposed, you will become more sensitive to temperature changes making eating uncomfortable. If that isn’t reason enough to throw out that can of snuff. 

The Journal of the American Dental Association discovered that people who use smokeless tobacco products were more than four times more likely to develop dental caries as snuff has added sugar in order to enhance its flavor.

If you are having trouble kissing your smokes goodbye, schedule an appointment with your dentist who may be able to help you understand how dangerous smoking is for your body and your teeth and gums.

Dental Sealants Can Prevent Tooth Decay

Thanks to the wonders of modern dental technology and the help of your dentist Dr. Randall Szutz in Rancho Mirage, you can now prevent tooth decay with a special acrylic coating known as Dental Sealants.

Unfortunately, no matter how much you brush and floss, it can sometimes be impossible to get into the nooks and crannies in your back teeth. Pits and fissures prevent your toothbrush from reaching areas that are susceptible to tooth decay, and that is where Dental Sealants come in.

According to Wikipedia, Dental Sealants are not new. In fact, one of the very first attempts occurred when dentistry pioneer, Dr. Willoughby D. Miller applied silver nitrate to teeth in 1905. Researcher T.P Hyatt in 1921 and dentist C.F Bodecker carried out further attempts at Dental Sealants in 1929. Silver nitrate was also used in the 1940’s in order to prevent dental carries on the back molars.

Studies conducted by Dr. M.G. Buonocore in 1955 proved that etching the enamel on patients teeth with phosphoric acid and resin provided a bonding system that would eventually lead to today’s dental bonding procedures.

Your dentist understands that Dental Sealants can help children, teens and adults prevent tooth decay on the biting surfaces of the teeth. Applied to the grooves and fissures on the molars, the tooth-colored acrylic coating is actually painted on to the surface providing a barrier against dental carries.

Dental Sealants actually act as a protective barrier and help prevent acid and plaque from penetrating the enamel on your teeth.

When you schedule an appointment with your dentist for Dental Sealants, Dr. Szutz will determine if you are a good candidate. Children and teens are usually deemed suitable for Dental Sealants, as are adults who have not had previous restorative work done on their back teeth.

Dental Sealants take just a few minutes for each tooth and can last for years without the need for reapplication. Dental sealants hold up well to normal chewing and can help prevent tooth decay.

For more information regarding Dental Sealants, schedule an appointment with your dentist today.

Dental Implants For A New Lease on Life

Dental Implants are nothing new; in fact, Dental Implants have been helping people replace missing teeth for thousands of years.

According to Wikipedia, Archaeologists are responsible for unearthing ancient Mayan skulls from 600 A.D. These skulls were filled with semi-precious stones such as lapis, jade, crystal quartz, and turquoise. Other civilizations hammered seashells into their gums to resemble their lost teeth. Those early Cosmetic Dentists helped modern dentists create Dental Implants based on those early procedures. Just like today, some of those implants actually fused to the bone.

Modern Dental Implants can replace an entire mouthful of teeth or your missing front tooth. Dental Implants are quickly becoming the chosen method when it comes to deciding between dentures and Dental Implants.

Dental Implants provide a solid foundation for natural looking replacement teeth. After your Dental Implant procedure, you can eat and drink like the old days without having to worry about loose dentures or a broken bridge. With Dental Implants, you can smile knowing that your new teeth have given you a reason to flash those pearly whites again.

When you schedule a no obligationconsultation with your Dentist for Dental Implants the two of you will discuss your health history and your dentist will examine your teeth and gums in order to determine your candidacy for Dental Implants. If you have any problems such as gingivitis or periodontal disease, those issues will be addressed before any Dental Implant procedures begin.

If your Dental Implant Surgery is given the green light, your dentist will place tiny posts, usually made from titanium, into your jawbone to replace your missing teeth. Because the posts fuse to the jawbone, a strong foundation is created for your natural looking artificial teeth. Dental Implants take a few months to complete depending on your particular situation, but it is well worth the time. Dental implants not only preserve facial structure, but can also be used to stop bone deterioration that occurs when you are missing a tooth.

Schedule an appointment with your Dentist for Dental Implants. Not only will you have more self-confidence, but you will also be able to talk, laugh, eat, and enjoy life more than you have in years.

Make Your New Year’s Resolution Count

If you indulged in too much red wine or any other food over the holidays, it might be more than your waistline that is suffering from all of your good-hearted excess. According to your Dentist in Rancho Mirage, tooth decay is one of the biggest issues he confronts when seeing patients after the New Year.

Most people are too busy to schedule an appointment with a their dentist before the holidays, and if that sounds like you, it is imperative that you go online or pick up the phone and call your dentist.

That toothache that you had just before Christmas may have been helped with a bit of clove oil, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t have a cavity. Sometimes patients have no idea that tooth decay has invaded their teeth until after a visit with their dentist.

Ignoring a toothache can be downright dangerous, especially if an infection is present. Once an infection advances to the abscess stage, you need to make a beeline to your dentist. Untreated abscesses can travel through your bloodstream into the brain and that could be deadly. Problems with your teeth and gums should never be ignored and that includes bleeding gums.

Gingivitis and the more advanced periodontal disease can result in tooth loss if ignored. Those little pockets that sit between your teeth and gums can become loaded with food particles that form bacteria eventually turning to plaque and tartar. Make an appointment with Dr.Randall Szutz who can access your gum situation by measuring the pockets, or sulcus, in-between your teeth and gums.

Your Dentist in Rancho Mirage is the only one who will be able to determine if your gums are healthy. If Dr. Szutz believes that gingivitis is to blame for your bleeding gums he may recommend a deep cleaning, otherwise known as scaling and planing.

This year add, “Dental checkup,” to your New Year’s resolution list and make an appointment today.

Bonding Could Be the Answer

Your Rancho Mirage Dentist has a wonderful alternative if you have been toying with the idea of veneers, but have been put off by the cost. Dental veneers do look natural, and if you are planning on cosmetically enhancing all of your teeth, Dental Veneers are probably the way to go, but according to Dr. Randall Szutz, bonding could be just the ticket if you only have a couple of teeth that require Cosmetic Dentistry in Rancho Mirage.

Bonding is a wonderful restorative treatment that is used to repair chips, cracks, discolorations, and misarranged teeth. Dental bonding is an alternative to Veneers, is much quicker, and can usually be completed in just one appointment with your Rancho Mirage Dentist.

When you schedule an appointment with your Dentist in Rancho Mirage, Dr. Szutz will examine your teeth for any decay or gum issues including gingivitis and periodontal disease. If you have been given the all clear, your Rancho Mirage Dentist will begin by etching the surface on the teeth that are to be bonded. Once etched your dentist will apply a bonding liquid. Once the liquid has set, the plastic resin will be applied and artistically sculpted by your Rancho Mirage Dentist who will then trim, smooth and polish your teeth giving your new smile a natural appearance.

Whether you are a candidate for dental bonding is really up to your dentist. The composite material used by Dr. Szutz is made up of quartz particle and resin and if you like to suck on hard candy or lemons, indulge in soda on a regular basis, or grind your teeth at night, dental bonding in Rancho Mirage may not be the best solution for your cosmetic dentistry issues.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Szutz and the team from Country Club Dentistry in Rancho Mirage today for Cosmetic Dentistry, which could include bonding or veneers. After all, isn’t it time that you started smiling again? 

Talk To Your Rancho Mirage Dentist about Silver Amalgam Fillings

If you have been thinking about replacing those old silver amalgam fillings, contact your Rancho Mirage Dentist, Dr. Randall Scutz, who can take out your old fillings and replace them with porcelain inlays or tooth colored restorations.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of disadvantages when it comes to silver amalgam fillings. Silver fillings can wear down and even break. Over the years, your dentist will tell you that those silver fillings can actually weaken the structure of your tooth.

Silver fillings can also be dangerous as they contain 50 percent mercury. According to Dr. Oz, your silver fillings could actually be making you sick. Over 100 million Americans have had their teeth filled with silver amalgams. These fillings are made of other metals, and of course silver, but it is the mercury content that actually binds the materials together. Dentists have been using fillings containing mercury for almost 150 years.

It was over thirty years ago that the media brought attention to silver amalgam fillings containing mercury. Some of the health issues that are causing concern are memory loss and mood swings, anxiety, and in some cases, autoimmune disorder. The American Dental Association stands by silver amalgam fillings, but the latest evidence claims that mercury is released when you drink, eat, and even when you brush your teeth.

According to recent surveys, over 50 percent of dentists no longer use silver amalgam fillings, but, how much amalgam is too much? Because there are not enough studies, nobody really knows the answer, but any amount of mercury can be causing you health issues.

Back in the 80’s the ADA claimed that the mercury in your silver amalgam fillings is locked into place, but since that time, your Dentist in Rancho Mirage knows better. Mercury is one of the most damaging substances and can cause nerve damage. Mercury can also suppress your immune system. Patients from Country Club Dentistry have seen a significant improvement in their health after they have had their silver amalgam fillings removed and replaced with tooth colored restorations. Patients who have had their fillings removed and replaced have had their migraines disappear, report more energy, and have better coordination.

Look in your mouth, and if you see silver, gray, or even black colored fillings, you have silver amalgam fillings. Schedule an appointment with your Rancho Mirage Dentist who can safely remove your silver amalgam fillings and replace them with porcelain inlays or tooth colored restorations.

You Can Prevent Tooth Decay

Fighting tooth decay can be a never-ending battle, but not if you talk to your dentist about sealants. According to Colgate, dental sealants can help protect the chewing areas of your teeth against tooth decay in both children and adults.

Your molars and your kids premolar teeth have fissures or grooves that make them susceptible to tooth decay. Because the grooves are quite deep, they can be very difficult to keep clean. Some are narrower than one bristle on your toothbrush. Once plaque begins to accumulate, bacteria will start to attack the enamel on your teeth eventually causing cavities.

Country Club Dentistry and your Rancho Mirage Dentist can apply sealants that will give your teeth and your kids teeth the extra protection needed to prevent cavities. These sealants will give teeth a smooth surface covering the pitted areas preventing tooth decay.

Dental sealants have been used since the 1970s and can last for years. Your dentist can provide you and your children with tooth sealants that can help prevent tooth decay.

After Dr. Randall W. Szutz cleans the surface of your teeth he will make sure that the area is washed and dried. After an acidic solution is placed on the chewing surface, it is rinsed off. This acidic solution causes the surface of the tooth to become rough enabling your Dentist in Rancho Mirage to attach the dental sealant to each tooth. Country Club Dentistry will then dry the sealant until it becomes a hardened plastic like coating.

Your Rancho Mirage Dentist can provide you and your family with dental sealants that are proven effective in the fight against tooth decay. Each sealant application only takes a few minutes and can hold up to normal chewing.

If you would like more information about dental sealants, schedule an appointment with your Rancho Mirage Dentist. Fighting tooth decay has never been easier thanks to Dr.Randal W. Szutz and the professional team from Country Club Dentistry. 

Turn Your Frown Upside Down

A picture really does paint a thousand words, but so does your smile. According to an article in Shape Magazine, 96 percent of those who responded believe that a toothy grin is the most important part of a person’s appearance, and that is where Dr. Randall W. Szutz and Country Club Dentistry in Rancho Mirage come in.

Unfortunately, most people tend to take their smile for granted, but unless you whiten your teeth on a regular basis, your pearly whites could eventually turn your frown upside down.

As you age, your teeth can lose luster and begin to yellow. Common drinks, food and yes, even mouthwash, can wreck havoc on your teeth. Of course, you can avoid your favorite foods all together, but why should you have to give up your favorite glass of red wine with your evening meal?

There are home remedies that you can experiment with, or you can try one of the tooth-whitening products that are available at your local pharmacy. Some manufacturers even sell toothpaste that can help get rid of surface stains, but if you have tried every product on the market and nothing has lightened your teeth, it is time to make an appointment with Country Club Dentistry in Rancho Mirage.

Dr. Szutz and his team of professionals from Country Club Dentistry have helped people just like you brighten their smile with a simple whitening technique that is more affordable than you think.

Country Club Dentistry in Rancho Mirage can help you get rid of yellow, brown, or mottled stains, and best of all, dental whitening from Country Club Dentistry is a safe and effective method that works on people of all ages.

Unlike over the counter tooth polishes and whiteners, which can actually harm your teeth and gums, Country Club Dentistry’s whitening technique can significantly alter the color of your teeth in one or two weeks turning your once yellow smile into a Movie Star grin fit for the red carpet.

The best thing about the whitening technique from Country Club Dentistry is that it is permanent, you may need an occasional touch up, but you will never have to reach for those whitening strips again.

Dr. Szutz will be able to determine if your stained teeth can be brought back to life, or if you require veneers or crowns to take care of your severely stained teeth. Make an appointment today and find out if the Country Club Dentistry whitening technique is for you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, including your smile. Schedule your consultation for the best dentist in Rancho Mirage today.