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News and Articles
What's New in Cosmetic Dentistry and Our Sandy Springs Practice
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Stay in Touch with Start Smiling
All the news that makes you smile! Communication is vital to any business and especially so in Dentistry. Today’s Dental technology and materials are rapidly changing for the better and we want you to know about it. We have produced many newsletters in the 22 years we have been in practice and we still feel it is the best way to keep our patients informed about what’s new in dentistry and what’s new in our office. Please let us know if you would like to receive a complimentary copy of our next newsletter, Start Smiling (we produce about three a year). We will also put highlights of past and current issues of Start Smiling on this page. If at anytime you have any questions please call or email us. Communicating works both ways - we love hearing from you!
Click On the Picture to See What is New in Our Office
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Stay Up to Date on Dental Health Issues With These Articles
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Cosmetic Contouring
Reshape Your Smile!
(In Just a Few Minutes)
Perhaps some teeth are a little too long; uneven, chipped or just not quite the most flattering shape for your face-Cosmetic Contouring may be just what the doctor recommends! In the hands of an experienced cosmetic dentist, a little reshaping and twenty minutes later- you will be amazed at what can be done for your smile.
Chipped or fractured areas are smoothed out and sharp angles or edges are rounded or squared to improve the way your smile looks.
Beautiful Results!
Contouring can create better alignment and also create a more feminine or masculine appearance. It is sometimes done to prevent chipped areas from getting worse. Contouring is generally done with no discomfort to the patient and with no anesthetic. Often it is done in conjunction with whitening as a very conservative and inexpensive approach to a beautiful smile. The average cost for contouring usually runs between 70 to 300 dollars.
Cosmetic contouring is one of the oldest of all the esthetic procedures, dating back to the Mayans. In our society, cosmetic contouring is increasingly popular and is also one of the most economical esthetic procedures. In a two year study performed on 60 beauty contestants, cosmetic contouring was strongly indicated in 40 percent of cases and almost all the rest of the contestants could have been helped through contouring as a compromise to more extensive treatment.
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- Four Ways to Enhance Your Smile
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Y ou never get a second chance to make a first impression. Studies show that your smile is the first thing that most people notice and remember about you. A bright, beautiful smile conveys success, sensuality, power and happiness. And your smile can make the difference in getting the perfect job, promotion or "special someone." While nature may not have given you a perfect smile, it's now possible to nurture it with cosmetic dentistry.
You will be amazed at how easy it is to change your smile using the following four steps. In fact, with today's cosmetic dentistry and a little practice you too can have a perfect, movie star smile!
Four Quick Steps for You – One Giant Step for Your Smile!
SMILE PRESENTATION Models, movie stars and a certain ex-president use this trick to full advantage.
SMILE WHITENING Unbelievably whiter teeth in about an hour with Zoom.
SMILE CONTOURING Achieving harmony and proportion, in most cases instantly and inexpensively, with a skilled cosmetic dentist.
SMILE MAKEOVER Reshaping of your teeth and smile by an artistically trained cosmetic dentist, usually in only one or two appointments.
Smile Presentation:
How your Smile Presents to Other People
Take a quick look in the mirror and notice how you smile. Most people seem to smile with lips slightly opened and teeth together or slightly apart. While it is important to smile in any fashion, there is a way to smile that seems to present a positive, self-confident message to those who see you. |
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Models and movie stars learn and use this technique and Bill Clinton (politics aside!), is an absolute master of this type of smile presentation. The technique is an open mouth posture, showing upper front teeth and only a slight smile. It gives Bill Clinton a younger, friendlier image and this has greatly helped in his quest to make others like him.
There are many types of smiles: beautiful, sexy, poutie, mysterious, etc. Clinton has copied the “sexy smile” you routinely see in virtually every fashion magazine. The smiles of models trying to look sexy always have their mouth slightly opened with their teeth showing. The more their mouths are opened, the sexier the mages.
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Clinton has done this for years and it is undeniable that his smile has greatly enhanced his popularity. Many studies prove this!
It is easy for you to learn and just takes a little practice. First – open your mouth slightly and practice keeping your teeth apart, just about the width of your tongue. It may seem awkward and a little uncomfortable but keep trying.
Now, just raise the corners of your upper lip to display a little more of you upper front teeth. This is not a full smile; it is only a very subtle “slight smile.” Congratulations, that’s it! That is what Bill Clinton, models and movie stars have done masterfully for years to help give them a positive image.
Professionally speaking, I guarantee that if you show your teeth you will look happier, younger and project a more positive image. Smile Presentation will take practice, but the more you do it – well, who knows what will happen. You could become a model, movie star or president and you definitely will be smiling like one!
Smile Whitening
It is a fact - dark or discolored teeth are unattractive and make you look older. Coffee, tea, colas, smoking and many foods take their toll on the white teeth of our youth and this is why dark, yellowed teeth are associated with aging.
Unlike many products claim to whiten teeth, there are two methods that consistently achieve immediate and lasting professional results.
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The first method is Brite*Smile or Zoom. These patented teeth whitening systems uses a special light and solution that takes just about an hour in our office. With the included follow up booster kit, your teeth will remain many shades whiter and younger looking, for many years to come. Professional whitening can also be done at home in about two weeks. We take impressions of your teeth and make custom fitted trays of your upper and lower arches. Depending on your type of staining, we will determine what type of solution works best for you. Then for about two weeks at home - for about an hour a day - you wear the trays with the solution in them. A booster of one hour, once a month will ensure they stay white and younger looking.
Cosmetic Contouring:
Harmony and Balance with Just a Few Touches of Dental Magic
For many patients, contouring is all that is necessary to make their smile all it can be. Uneven, chipped and broken teeth can be magically corrected by the sure touch of a skilled cosmetic dentist. Front teeth longer than the rest of your teeth, uneven teeth and teeth that have too square or too rounded of an edge can be contoured to achieve a more harmonious balance with the face.
Contouring is quick, painless and anesthetic is not necessary. It is an inexpensive way to correct problems that many people thought they just "had to live with." A smile consultation is all it takes for us to tell you what we can do for your smile through the magic of cosmetic contouring.
Smile Makeover:
Reshaping Your Teeth, Enhancing Lips and Smile
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Bonding
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Genetics, injuries, medications and aging can all take a toll on your smile. Some people are born with their dad's teeth in their mom's face with a disproportionate – too long, too short or uneven - result. Others may have had Tetracycline staining or injuries that leave teeth deformed and unsightly. Aging also shortens teeth through a wearing down process that can make you look much older. Whatever the reason, today's cosmetic dentistry can fix virtually any problem and is frequently referred to as "ten day orthodontia" for its ability to straighten and beautify smiles. To the right are just a few examples of what a Smile Makeover can do for your smile.
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All Ceramic Crowns

Procery All-Ceramic Crowns on Front Teeth
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Depending on the chosen technique, this can usually be done in either one or two visits to the dentist.
Another added bonus of a Smile Makeover is a Smile Lift. As a result of the natural aging process, the upper lip thins somewhat, loses support, and then lies farther down on the teeth, hiding the shortened teeth even more. Veneers and porcelain crowns can be strategically built and placed to effect facial muscles and tone, creating a more youthful and vibrant appearance.
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Porcelain Veneers
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Would you like to see how you would look with longer, shapelier and younger looking teeth? During a smile consultation, we can temporarily construct materials that when placed over your teeth will show you what your smile can look like. All it takes if for you to decide that you are ready to have a perfect smile and we are ready to give you the perfect Smile Makeover.
When people ask me what I do, I like to tell them I am in the business of helping people make a great first impression. When they learn I am dentist, instead of the usual negative response, they are genuinely interested in learning more about how I do this. I truly believe that cosmetic dentistry has the power to change people’s lives by giving them a beautiful smile they will want to share. When you feel good about your smile – you smile more. And I believe that creates magic in your business, family and personal relationships.
Call today to see how we can make the magic of a more youthful, beautiful smile happen in your life.

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- Four Pillars of Timeless Beauty
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What is beauty? Poets, writers and artists have tried to describe it, anthropologists and philosophers have tried to understand it and now scientists are finally discovering just what determines our perception of beauty. Their research is also revealing something else – beauty equals power. While we know intellectually and personally that beauty is only skin deep, recent studies reveal that success, fame and wealth are based, in part, on four pillars of timeless beauty. These beauty tenets are true throughout all of nature, according to beauty researcher Dr. Nancy Etcoff in her book, Survival of the Prettiest.
The Four Pillars of Timeless Beauty are:
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- Clarity- unblemished skin
- Symmetry- perfect balance of facial features
- Harmony- all facial features are in exact proportion to each other
- Vivid Color- a vibrant healthy glow
The Four Pillars of Beauty and Your Smile
There is a reason you frequently see the adjective “winning” describing someone’s smile. In most cases, it is because these four elements have come together and beauty is perceived.
Clarity
Clear, unblemished teeth that are similar in shade and color and with even and smooth edges
Tooth blemishes such as uneven color or shades, chipped or broken teeth and old, black mercury fillings can be replaced with tooth colored ceramic restorations. Chipped and broken teeth can be repaired with cosmetic contouring and/or bonding and veneers.
Symmetry
Right and left sides of teeth are symmetrical
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In nature almost everything is made symmetrical; your right side is a mirror image of your left. Reality is often not so kind, and missing or broken teeth often distort this symmetry. With today’s cosmetic dentistry and the use of crowns and bridgework symmetry can often be restored to the smile Harmony. Tooth size corresponds to the shape of your face and height/width ratio matches.
There is an ideal proportion of the size of each tooth to each other in relationship to the face.
When these proportions are met, your smile fits your face and achieves harmonious beauty. Bonding and veneers can often restore these proportions in those cases where the teeth and face do not match due to genetics, medications or injuries.
Vivid Color
Teeth are a bright color that shines and are reflective – giving a healthy glow.
Look at most children’s smiles and you will see this. Years of colas, coffee, tea, smoking and just the natural aging process can take its toll causing a darker, dull and frequently yellow smile. Zoom or Bright Smile in office whitening can restore your smile back to vivid color in about an hour.
Smiling uses many different facial muscles that add a vivid, healthy glow to the entire face, and the better you feel about your smile – the more you smile. So, if nature has not provided you with a winning smile, it is easy to let the cosmetic dentist nurture it for you! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in our culture today, perfect teeth and smiles incorporating the four pillars of beauty are valued and equal power. Fortunately, with today’s cosmetic dentistry, you too can achieve a perfect, beautiful smile.
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- Porcelain Crowns
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What are all porcelain crowns?
All porcelain crowns are shells of ceramic, which are either bonded or cemented to your natural teeth. Currently the brands we use in our office are Empress and Procera. They are an ideal choice for improving the appearance of your teeth and give you a bright and natural smile since they have no metal under the porcelain. They have become increasingly popular over the past 10 years, and thousands have been placed to strengthen broken down teeth, mask discoloration, brighten teeth, and to improve a smile.
How are they different from other crowns?
Traditional crowns have a shell of ceramic that is fused to a high noble metal (usually gold). The result is generally a “flat” look with a gray tone underneath the porcelain. Often after the traditional crowns are placed, the metal edge around the gum line becomes visible, resulting in a dark appearance of the tooth and gums. The all porcelain crowns have no metal so that you get a more translucent, natural look and no metal edges. They can also match the color of your natural teeth more effectively than traditional crowns. The life expectancy for both types of crowns is generally five to twenty years depending on the health of the tooth, and the patient’s home care. Patients with periodontal disease or whose teeth are severely broken down are not ideal candidates for all porcelain crowns and may need crowns with additional metal support. Some teeth that have had root canal treatment may also need traditional crowns.
Smile Planning:
It’s critical that you take an active role in the smile design and spend time in the decision making and planning of your smile. While all porcelain crowns are a wonderful way to enhance your smile, it is important to have realistic expectations. If several teeth are involved, we may want to have a consultation in order for you to feel comfortable with the final appearance. The consultation includes an evaluation of the present conditions, a visual examination and sometimes x-rays and models. We then take before photographs and use wax on the models to give you an idea of what the final restorations will look like.
Preparation of teeth:
This appointment will take from one to three hours depending on how many teeth are involved. Dr. Sayeg will remove any old restorations and shape the remaining teeth to fit under the crowns.
Several impressions will be taken of the teeth, which will be sent to a professional dental laboratory with a prescription and a detailed plan for how the permanent crowns are to look. The laboratory will then fabricate the crowns within a three-week period. Dr. Sayeg will make temporary crowns to protect the teeth during the interim, but since the teeth have been reduced, they will look a little different until your permanent crowns are delivered. Until your next appointment, you will need to avoid extreme temperatures and any hard or chewy foods.
Delivering the crowns:
This appointment will take about one to two hours depending on how many teeth are involved. First, we remove the temporaries and place the crowns in with a try-in paste to get a sense of the shade or color. We view the esthetic results, and pay particular attention to the color, shape, and length. Using a full-face mirror, we will have you look at your teeth from different positions, under different lighting, while sitting and standing. If you are not pleased with the result it may be necessary for the lab to make adjustments on the crowns or change the color. This can usually be done in a few days. If you are pleased with the results we will then seat the crowns with permanent cement or bonding agent and polish the crowns.
What can I expect after the crowns are delivered?
For a week or two you may go through a period of adjustment as you get used to your new teeth that are now a different size and shape. It is also not uncommon to have some slight sensitivity to hot and cold for a short period of time after the crowns are delivered. If several crowns have been placed, Dr. Sayeg may want to see you three to seven days after the delivery of your crowns to check on the appearance, function, and the health of the surrounding gums. It will then be important to continue your routine home care of brushing and flossing daily, as plaque and food can cause decay around the gum line and under your crowns. You will also need to continue with your routine preventative visits two to three times a year.
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- Porcelain Veneers
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What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic, which are bonded to the front of teeth. This virtually painless procedure requires little or no anesthetic, and can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of your front teeth. Veneers have become increasingly popular over the past 15 years, and hundreds of thousands have been placed to mask discolorations, brighten teeth, and to give smiles shapelier appearances. They are highly resistant to permanent staining from coffee, tea, or even cigarette smoking, and can achieve a tenacious bond to the tooth, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing naturalness that is unsurpassed by other restorative options.
Why would you want a porcelain veneer?
Porcelain veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns in many situations. They can provide a conservative approach to changing a tooth’s color, size shape, or close small spaces, while still maintaining the natural structure of the tooth. They are also a longer lasting restoration than bonding and give the teeth a more natural, translucent appearance. If you have slightly crowded or slightly tilted front teeth, they can be corrected with porcelain veneers if the back teeth bite correctly. However, they are not a substitute for braces, and patients with very crooked or crowded teeth should consider braces first.
Am I a candidate for porcelain veneers?
Patients with healthy gums and enough healthy tooth structure are excellent candidates for porcelain veneers. They would not be an option for patients with periodontal disease or whose teeth are severely broken down. If you clench or grind your teeth, porcelain veneers can fracture on their edges and you would need to wear an appliance at night to guard them while you sleep.
Smile Planning:
It is critical that you take an active role in the smile design and spend time in the decision-making and planning of your smile. Dr. Sayeg will first go over pictures of other smiles to get an idea of what you want your new smile to look like. We will then do a visual examination and take impressions, pictures and possibly x-rays of your teeth. We will use the impressions to make models of your teeth, and then use wax to show you how the veneers will look when finished.
Preparing the veneers:
After you have planned your smile, you will have a one to three hour appointment at which we prepare the teeth. Dr. Sayeg will remove a thin layer of the outer tooth, and take impressions for the lab to use to make the permanent veneers. Accompanied with a prescription and a detailed plan, the impressions are sent to the laboratory for the fabrication of the veneers, which takes about one to two weeks. During this time, Dr. Sayeg will make temporary veneers to be worn to prevent sensitivity and protect the tooth. In some cases where very little tooth was removed, it may not be necessary to place temporaries. Until your delivery appointment, you may have some sensitivity to extreme temperatures and will need to avoid hard or chewy foods.
Delivering the veneers:
After the lab has completed your veneers, you will return for about a two-hour appointment. First we will put the veneers in with try in paste to get a sense of the shade and shape. We will have you look at your veneers with a full -face mirror to evaluate their look and feel. At this point, the color of the veneers can still be adjusted with the shade of the bonding material to be used. Once the final decision on the shade is made, the tooth is cleaned and then bonded to the tooth. We will then contour the veneers to match the surrounding teeth and have the proper bite.
How long will they last?
Veneers are very long lasting and have a 93 percent success rate over 10 years. Many patients have veneers that are over 20 years old. With proper care, veneers will last for many years and have as good or greater life expectancy as crowns. Porcelain veneers achieve virtually invisible edges next to the gums, and remain almost undetectable, even if the gum line changes.
How about maintenance?
For about a week or two, you will go through a period of adjustment as you get used to your new teeth that are a new shape and size. We will have you return about a week after the delivery to check the appearance, function and gingival health. You will then need to follow normal hygiene procedures by bushing and flossing daily and returning for biannual dental visits.
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- Tooth Whitening
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Whitening
Ok, let’s face it, we’re not kids anymore. When we look in the mirror out teeth aren’t pearly while like they used to be. We know they’re getting more dingy looking, but we learn to live with it.
Then one day, one of our children (or grandchildren) says, "Why are your teeth so dark?" After all, kids will be honest when others won’t. Does this mean other people notice this too? Are they thinking the same thing, only they’re too polite to say anything?
"Enough already!" Why are my teeth getting darker and what can I do about it?"
Generally our teeth get darker over the years for two distinctly different reasons. The first is something you at least have some control over, environmental staining, and the second is just a reflection of wear and the aging process on the teeth.
Environmental Discoloration
Almost everything that goes into your mouth touches your teeth. Most substances don’t do much, but some really stain natural teeth. Worst offenders are coffee, tea, colas, cigarettes, cigars, red wine, curry, soy sauce, berries, cherries, and chewing tobacco. Little by little, day in and day out, these stains have a commutative effect of darkening your teeth.
Wait a minute! You get your teeth cleaned regularly. Hasn’t your dental hygienist been doing her job?
Your dental hygienist has been removing the surface stains along with the plaque and tartar. A great deal of the stains permeates deeper into the teeth, and she has no way of polishing that out.
The good news is that these things that stain your teeth are mostly under your control. All you have to do is avoid them all – have incredible self control and give up all the joys of life as you know them or move into a monastery.
What! Am I out of my mind? Keep reading I’ll tell you how you can get and keep your teeth whiter without doing either.
Age Related Discoloration
The second reason your teeth discolor is age related, and guess, what? You probably don’t have much control over that (unless of course, you know the whereabouts of the Fountain of Youth).
With everyday wear and tear on your teeth that occurs from eating and brushing the enamel (the thin, whitish, transparent part on the outside of the tooth) becomes thinner. It is the enamel that gives your teeth the white color you so dearly love. However, when there is less of it your teeth will look less white.
Then, when the enamel gets thinner the underlying part of the tooth, called the dentin, shows through easier. In youth the dentin is a light yellow color. Unfortunately, as one ages the dentin changes, becomes denser and hence turns more yellowish-brown in color.
So in essence, here’s what happens:
Young teeth – thick enamel (white) covering light yellow dentin, very little staining has occurred. Result: Teeth appear white.
Adult teeth – enamel a little thinner (less white covering), dentin color becomes a little darker and starts showing through, some internal and external staining has occurred. Result: teeth appear a little darker and/or more yellow.
Older adult – enamel much thinner, underlying dentin much darker (sometimes orangish-brown), commutative effect of much more internal staining. Result: dingy, dark yellowish-brown teeth.
Now you’re completely disillusioned! Your teeth will continue to get darker and uglier over time. Can anything be done to stop it, or better yet, reverse the discoloration?
Good News! The Solution is Teeth Whitening
For the majority of adults, tooth whitening is your answer. It’s quick, affordable, and dramatically whitens almost anyone’s natural teeth. Over the years it has been used safely and successfully by millions of people in the convenience of their own home.
How does it get your teeth whiter?
The appropriate product and method – whether you want to do it all night or during the day will be discussed. In most cases, 10–14 days are all it takes. The first step is to determine if whitening can work for you. A shade is taken of your teeth. An exam is done to determine if you have any dental problems such as cavities, broken fillings or periodontal disease. Then an impression is taken of your teeth from which an accurate model is made. This is very important and one of the things that makes it safer, more comfortable and achieves better results than an over-the–counter bleaching products. From the model a thin, soft tray is made that will fit over your teeth.
When you receive the whitening system your teeth are polished and the dentist shows you how to put the bleaching gel into the tray and how to place it in your mouth.
What is this bleaching gel and how does it work?
Essentially, it is a gel containing a mild carbamide peroxide solution that releases hydrogen peroxide. It diffuses into the teeth, lightening the actual tooth color and oxidizing the stains and pigments that have gone into the deeper part of your teeth.
What is so exciting about home bleaching is that you should see immediate whitening after the first use. After the 7-14 days your teeth should be whiter and brighter. Most people see their teeth get one to three shades lighter!
Think about it! In only 7-14 days your teeth look 5-15 years younger. That’s all there is to it and it’s as easy as one, two, three.
However, since you will most likely not be moving into that monastery or avoiding all of the pleasures of life that stain your teeth you may find that they will darken a little again in 12 to 24 months. So the best advice, every 12 months, after your regular dental cleaning, “touch up” your teeth with one or two applications of bleaching gel. That will keep them white and looking their best.
A Bright Smile is Like Icing on the Cake!
You have to admit it, when you see someone with a nice, bright smile, it is captivating. On the other hand, when you see someone with a discolored, dingy smile it does the opposite. Your smile is like a powerful magnet, it can attract others or repel them away. Bleaching is one of the quickest ways to brighten your smile and take years off the appearance of your face. If you spend any time or money trying to look your best you should consider bleaching. It can be the icing on the cake!
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- Dental Implants
- Anxiety-Free (Sedation) Dentistry
- Children
- Dental Crown
- Porcelain Crowns
All porcelain crowns are shells of ceramic, which are either bonded or cemented to your natural teeth. Currently the brands we use in our office are Empress and Procera. They are an ideal choice for improving the appearance of your teeth and give you a bright and natural smile since they have no metal under the porcelain. They have become increasingly popular over the past 10 years, and thousands have been placed to strengthen broken down teeth, mask discoloration, brighten teeth, and to improve a smile.
How are they different from other crowns?
Traditional crowns have a shell of ceramic that is fused to a high noble metal (usually gold). The result is generally a “flat” look with a gray tone underneath the porcelain. Often after the traditional crowns are placed, the metal edge around the gum line becomes visible, resulting in a dark appearance of the tooth and gums. The all porcelain crowns have no metal so that you get a more translucent, natural look and no metal edges. They can also match the color of your natural teeth more effectively than traditional crowns. The life expectancy for both types of crowns is generally five to twenty years depending on the health of the tooth, and the patient’s home care. Patients with periodontal disease or whose teeth are severely broken down are not ideal candidates for all porcelain crowns and may need crowns with additional metal support. Some teeth that have had root canal treatment may also need traditional crowns.
Smile Planning:
It’s critical that you take an active role in the smile design and spend time in the decision making and planning of your smile. While all porcelain crowns are a wonderful way to enhance your smile, it is important to have realistic expectations. If several teeth are involved, we may want to have a consultation in order for you to feel comfortable with the final appearance. The consultation includes an evaluation of the present conditions, a visual examination and sometimes x-rays and models. We then take before photographs and use wax on the models to give you an idea of what the final restorations will look like.
Preparation of teeth:
This appointment will take from one to three hours depending on how many teeth are involved. Dr. Sayeg will remove any old restorations and shape the remaining teeth to fit under the crowns.
Several impressions will be taken of the teeth, which will be sent to a professional dental laboratory with a prescription and a detailed plan for how the permanent crowns are to look. The laboratory will then fabricate the crowns within a three-week period. Dr. Sayeg will make temporary crowns to protect the teeth during the interim, but since the teeth have been reduced, they will look a little different until your permanent crowns are delivered. Until your next appointment, you will need to avoid extreme temperatures and any hard or chewy foods.
Delivering the crowns:
This appointment will take about one to two hours depending on how many teeth are involved. First, we remove the temporaries and place the crowns in with a try-in paste to get a sense of the shade or color. We view the esthetic results, and pay particular attention to the color, shape, and length. Using a full-face mirror, we will have you look at your teeth from different positions, under different lighting, while sitting and standing. If you are not pleased with the result it may be necessary for the lab to make adjustments on the crowns or change the color. This can usually be done in a few days. If you are pleased with the results we will then seat the crowns with permanent cement or bonding agent and polish the crowns.
What can I expect after the crowns are delivered?
For a week or two you may go through a period of adjustment as you get used to your new teeth that are now a different size and shape. It is also not uncommon to have some slight sensitivity to hot and cold for a short period of time after the crowns are delivered. If several crowns have been placed, Dr. Sayeg may want to see you three to seven days after the delivery of your crowns to check on the appearance, function, and the health of the surrounding gums. It will then be important to continue your routine home care of brushing and flossing daily, as plaque and food can cause decay around the gum line and under your crowns. You will also need to continue with your routine preventative visits two to three times a year.
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- Dental Emergencies
- Saving a Knocked Out Tooth
Approximately one to three million permanent teeth is accidentally knocked out each year. Both adults and children are at risk.
With proper emergency action, a tooth that has been entirely knocked out of its socket often can be successfully replanted and last for years. Because of this, it is important to be prepared and know what to do if this happens to you or someone with you. The key is to act quickly, yet calmly, and follow these simple steps.
1.Pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface) not the root.
The tooth should be handled carefully - touch only the crown - to minimize injury to the root.
2.Clean tooth with water.
If dirty, gently rinse the tooth with water, remembering not to handle the root surface.
*Do not use soap or chemicals.
*Do not scrub the tooth.
*Do not dry the tooth.
*Do not wrap it in a tissue or cloth.
3.Reposition tooth in socket immediately, if possible.
The sooner the tooth is replaced, the greater the likelihood it will survive. To reinsert, carefully push the tooth into the socket with fingers, or position above the socket and close mouth slowly. Hold the tooth in place with fingers or by gently biting down on it.
4.Keep tooth moist at all times.
The tooth must not be left outside the mouth to dry. If it cannot be replaced on the socket, put it in one of the following:
*Emergency tooth preservation kit
*Milk
*Mouth (next to cheek)
*If none of these is practical, use water (with pinch of salt if possible).
5.See a dentist as soon as possible.
Bring the tooth to your dentist as soon as possible - ideally within 30 minutes. However, it is possible to save the tooth even if it has been outside the mouth for an hour or more.
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