Amalgam Filling Removal Safely Case 3 Replacing Mercury Fillings

This lovely lady from Browns Bay sought me out to safely remove all her old mercury amalgam fillings & replace them with either composite resin fillings or emax porcelain overlays. For these three teeth placing white fillings was clinically the best option.

3 Reasons for replacing old mercury amalgam/black fillings with white fillings instead of porcelain overlays or dental crowns

1. The old silver amalgam fillings are small and no structural cracks have formed in the tooth
2. The patient has requested just fillings to be placed - this is often due to cost as a filling option costs less than a dental crown option
3. There are long term problems with the overall health of the mouth and a more costly dental crown/overlay is not indicated eg maybe the patient has gum infection which may lead to easrly tooth loss or maybe the patient has active tooth decay that ideally should be brought under control first.

We opted to replace these three mercury amalgam fillings with colour matched white composite resin fillings. We placed a dental dam over the teeth. Dental or Rubber/Nitrile Dam placement has 4 advantages

1. Whilst always using powerful suction, when I section out the old mercury amalgam all the amalgam waste is removed and no waste enters the mouth
2. Whilst using rubber dental dam a smaller suction pipe or saliva ejector removes any mercury vapor and saliva from the mouth
3. Most people find rubber dam very comfortable and prefer treatment with this rather than without. Sometimes there is a bit of fiddling around to put the rubber dam on, but once in place the whole procedure takes less time.
4. Placing white composite resin fillings and porcelain dental crowns and overlays is all about perfect bonding technique. The great thing about adhesive dentistry or bonding white restorations to teeth is that the bond strengths are very strong. When biomemetic principles are followed the bond between your tooth and the new white filling or dental crown/overlay can mimic the strength of your original tooth. 
   
   Using dental rubber dam allows the tooth/teeth to be isolated from the moisture of your mouth ie your saliva. Using dental dam increases the predictability of the bonding process making for long lasting beautiful and strong tooth coloured restorations 

There was a lot of tooth decay under the two bigger mercury amalgam fillings. This was gently excavated & the composite resin fillings were bonded in using biomemetic bonding techniques

Everyone was happy with the final result and the treatment was uneventful both during and afterwards

Posted by Andrea Clarke BDS

Milford Dentists is proud to help the good people of the North Shore with all their dental requirements - especially ridding the world of mercury amalgam fillings - from Devonport and Belmont up through Takapuna, Castor Bay,Mairangi Bay & Browns Bay as well as Albany, Northcote, Hillcrest & the Whangaporoa Peninsula.

White Fillings To Mask Dead Black Or Grey Teeth - Case Study 1

4 Reasons Why Teeth Die And Go Black Or Grey

A dead or non vital tooth will often discolour or darken. Here's why.

1. Because the tooth has been hit hard and this percussion injury has killed the blood supply feeding into the tooth
2. Because the tooth has been snapped/fractured by trauma and the exposed nerve becomes infected with bacteria and dies
3. Because of tooth decay - once the tooth decay reaches the nerve the bacteria kill the nerve
4. And occasionally because of high temperatures created trying to fix a decayed badly broken down tooth

Case study - This lovely lady from Takapuna has been coming to Milford Dentists for a longtime. She asked me if I could improve the appearance of her two grey teeth. Both teeth had big big fillings, the nerves had died & both had been root filled (or endodontically treated). 

She did not have the budget for dental crowns so we opted to (inexpensively) mask the visible parts with a veneer build up of white composite filling material. If you imagine painting over something black to make it look white you need a white opaque layer

1. Closest to the tooth I bonded a very thin opaque layer which totally blocked out the grey tooth. But now I had 2 bright white teeth shining at me
2. I now placed a thicker layer of a natural tooth coloured composite resin that had a lovely opacity similar to tooth dentine. This layer looked good but the tooth still looked dull and lifeless
3. Finally I added a more translucent layer of white filling that mimics how enamel looks to make the teeth really shine

Here are the before  white fillings placed on the upper and lower premolar -

Here is the before and after photo

As with most dental repairs, although the results are not permanent and eventually require replacement, composite resin fillings are very durable and can offer what we at Milford Dentists believe is a safe, stable, effective solution for the repair of teeth in a lot of situations. 

Talk to us today to learn more about the benefits of white composite resin fillings.

Posted by Andrea Clarke BDS

Milford Dentists is proud to help the good people of the North Shore with all their dental requirements - From Devonport and Belmont up through Takapuna, Castor Bay,Mairangi Bay & Browns Bay as well as Albany, Northcote, Hillcrest & the Whangaporoa Peninsula.

Why Choose White Or Tooth Coloured Fillings

As children, for many with our first tooth cavities, there was but a single solution available from the dentist or dental nurse. A black filling.  They were commonly known as metal, sometimes as silver or amalgam but no matter what name you gave them, they were unsightly and very obvious. Now there are a range of choices available to you, and at Milford Dentists, since 1999 our exclusive choice for all filling work has been white fillings.

Unlike those silver metal (or amalgam) fillings of the past, white fillings (also known as composite resin fillings or tooth coloured fillings) are virtually invisible, long lasting and can be shaded by our dentists to expertly match the colour of your teeth. A beautiful and silver-less smile is now yours just for the asking!

Roll your mouse over the after image here to see the amalgam fillings prior to their replacement -All restorations here placed using Rubber dam to isolate each tooth and safely remove the mercury amalgam. If on mobile scroll to the bottom to see before and after images - Andrea

Composite fillings have become the preferred choice of dental filling material, are recommended by our staff and considered to be stronger, safer and more durable than traditional amalgam fillings.

Amalgam (or silver) dental fillings were initially developed as a low-cost alternative to gold restorations. Made from a combination of silver shavings, zinc, copper, tin, and mercury, amalgam fillings became the most popular and effective filling material for the repair of teeth affected by decay, cracks or fractures.

Amalgam gained popularity in dentistry despite concern by some over the potential toxicity of mercury, and recent testing has identified that very small amounts of mercury (in vapour form) can be released as the amalgam filling wears. While the FDA considers dental amalgam fillings safe for adults and children ages 6 and above, research continues and it is recommended that should you be allergic to any of the metals in dental amalgam, you should discuss an alternative filling material with your dentist. 

Roll your mouse over the after image here to see the amalgam fillings prior to their replacement -All restorations here placed using Rubber dam to isolate each tooth and safely remove the mercury amalgam. If on mobile scroll to the bottom to see before and after images - Andrea

If you have you been diagnosed with a cavity, our alternative is white fillings. White fillings are made from acrylic and glass particles, contain no toxic substances, they can seal your tooth and stabilize its structure far more effectively than amalgam.

Although primarily used to restore decayed teeth, composites are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing tooth colour or reshaping disfigured teeth.

White or composite fillings from Milford Dentists are made of materials that more effectively bond to your tooth tissue from the inside, strengthening your teeth and providing additional support for many years. Because composite fillings can be created in smaller preparations, less of your tooth structure is lost and less drilling is also required. Once bonded, the composite filling will also not change shape over time and will wear at a similar rate to your own tooth, keeping your dental repair stable and secure.

White fillings as compared to amalgam are also significantly less temperature-sensitive. When eating/drinking hot and cold foods/drinks, amalgam fillings expand and contract which can cause hairline fractures and tooth sensitivity. Tiny cracks in the amalgam material or between the filling and natural tooth structure may result in bacterial re invasion, causing larger issues with decay than were initially encountered.

Although the results are long term,  as with most dental repairs, fillings will eventually require attention, however composite resin fillings are very durable option.

Want to know more about your choices for dental cavities and repair? Talk to us today to learn more about the benefits of composite resin vs traditional amalgam fillings and why we have haven’t placed a dental amalgam filling since 1999.

Posted by Andrea Clarke BDS

Milford Dentists is proud to help the good people of the North Shore with all their dental requirements - From Devonport and Belmont up through Takapuna, Castor Bay,Mairangi Bay & Browns Bay as well as Albany, Northcote, Hillcrest & the Whangaporoa Peninsula.

Tooth Capping - What Is A Dental or Tooth Cap?

Tooth Capping - What Is A Dental or Tooth Cap?Many of you may be unsure as to the difference between teeth capping and dental crowns but really there is no difference. Dental or tooth caps are restorations made of porcelain, composite resin (white filling), gold, or even stainless steel, for the repair of damaged,decayed or unattractive teeth. The materials used are dependent on numerous factors including cost consideration, durability, location within the mouth and more- so contact us to discuss your specific circumstances and to make a best practice crown or cap recommendation for your tooth.

Tooth Caps or Crowns?Although dentists & dental specialists refer to all of these restorations as “crowns”, many clients prefer to use the less technical term “cap.” Whichever term you use, a tooth cap entirely covers and strengthens the damaged tooth, improving it’s appearance, shape or alignment. Tooth capping is also used to provide a natural tooth-like shape and structure on top of a dental implant.

Why Cap Teeth?Our team at Milford Dentists recommend capping of teeth for a range of reasons including:

• The replacement of a large filling when there isn't sufficient tooth remaining
• The protection of weak teeth from fracturing
• The restoration of fractured teeth
• The attachment of bridges
• The "tooth part" above the gum line of dental implants
• The aesthetic or structural cover of discoloured or poorly shaped tooth
• The cover of teeth after root canal treatment to prevent future tooth fracture because the tooth is weakened

Capping Of Teeth or Veneers?Although both dental caps/crowns or veneer placements are popular intermediate to long term restoration solutions, there are important clinical considerations and implications when making the decision.

Capping of teeth differs from veneers as after the removal of old fillings any fractured structure & dental decay, the dental cap completely covers the tooth to strengthen the tooth. In contrast, a dental veneer covers only the front surface (and sometimes the visible edges of the tooth and needs sufficient natural intact tooth structure to support it.

So contact us today we’re here to help and guide patients to ensure that with either procedure, you have a highly successful restoration.
                               
What Does A Tooth Cap Cost?

As at April 2016 At Milford Dentists, we offer a range of dental crowns/caps that are priced from $1579, with costs varying downwards to $527 dependent on construction & materials. 

• All ceramic dental crowns, dental overlays & dental veneers are made from different porcelains
• Porcelain crowns are fused to an inner metal thimble
• Metal crowns are made of gold or semi-precious alloys
• Composite resin crowns are made of white filling
• Zirconium crowns

 Posted by Andrea

Milford Dentists is proud to help the good people of the North Shore with all of your dental needs. From Devonport and Belmont up through Takapuna, Castor Bay, Mairangi Bay & Browns Bay as well as Albany, Northcote, Hillcrest, the Whangaporoa Peninsula and beyond – call us today to learn more:  09 4896575.

Fastbraces Orthodontics cases

Thought I’d share a few of our Fastbraces cases before and after pics. Fastbraces brackets were invented by a clever orthodontist in America – Antony Viazis DDS MS. (See the final pic for where he’s worked). The thing that is different about Fastbraces is the shape of the bracket (triangular) allowing for very light torqueing movement of the teeth roots towards their final position right from the start of treatment. This light force is very similar to a tooth’s natural erupting force and as well as moving the whole tooth into a better position this force also stimulates bone growth creating a healthier shaped gum/tooth join. This an amazing thing to witness as a dentist  - the actual growth of bone …. This makes for quicker treatment times & less discomfort generally & a lower fee J NB - All the after photos were taken immediately after the brackets were removed so the gums look a wee bit angry. This settles down very quickly

Posted by 
Andrea
Fastbraces at Milford Dentists
Contact us for more info if you’re interested 

The inventor of Fastbraces Antony Viazis DDS MS

Halitosis What Is It & What Can I Do About It?

Halitosis, (known more informally as bad breath ), is an unpleasant, chronic oral condition that can be embarrassing and in some cases cause anxiety as it continues to persist even when you’ve taken steps to avoid or reduce it.In response to this problem, when you step into stores, you’ll find shelves stocked to capacity with a range ofgum, mints, mouthwashes and other products designed to fight bad breath. However, many of these only offer a temporary solution and don’t address the causes of Halitosis.

There’s a full and comprehensive explanation of halitosis provided by Wikipedia here.

Halitosis Causes – What Are They?

For many, halitosis remains an unpleasant part of every day, as either a sufferer or living and working with others who have chronic bad breath. The causes of Halitosis are varied, but primarily the symptoms are a proliferation of anaerobic (non-oxygen breathing ) bacteria, thriving in biofilm (a sticky film created to protect and ensure their survival) which grows on surfaces within your mouth.

When the biofilm is left unchecked, it becomes dental plaque, which causes other dental and oral related problems. 

Other causes of halitosis can include

• breakdown of food particles in your mouth
• dryness of the mouth (xerostomia)
• smoking or tobacco products
• tooth decay

Learn more about the causes of bad breath here

Halitosis Cures or Remedies - How To Get Rid of Bad Breath?Although particular health conditions, habits, and foods are among the leading causes of halitosis, as a sufferer of bad breath, you can often improve or eliminate the symptoms with consistent attention to proper dental hygiene. 

Regular oral dental health routines recommended below not only combat halitosis or bad breath but also contribute to the long-term maintenance of a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums.

• Scheduling of regular dental checkups to identify and remove plaque or tartar.
• Brushing your teeth and using a tongue scraper twice daily. Eliminate odor-causing bacteria, as soon as possible after you eat.
• Rinsing or gargling with water or mouthwash daily. Supplement your routine with a mouthwash that limits the unhealthy bacteria and instead helps the communities of beneficial bacteria to thrive.
• Flossing your teeth or using an interdental cleaner at least once a day.  If using floss daily, make sure it’s between each tooth and along the gum line – where biofilms spread most often.
• Drinking plenty of water daily.Prevent a dry mouth, often a cause of bad breath.

But if regardless of how much teeth cleaning and rinsing with mouthwash, you continue to the suffer from Halitosis or other persistent bad breath problems, and this is something you are concerned about, don’t hesitate to contact us 

The New Zealand Fresh Breath Clinic

In 2013, Andrea Clarke set up the first Breath analysis clinic in New Zealand to treat those with bad breath or Halitosis problems.  The New Zealand Fresh Breath Clinic is hosted at Milford Dentists.

At Milford Dentists, our dental team can work with you to help identify the underlying causes of chronic bad breath and develop a treatment plan. At the New Zealand Fresh Breath Clinic, we feel your frustration and are here to help. Whether you want to rid yourself of Halitosis or are curious to see if you are suffering from bad breath, we are happy to accept all patients.

Posted by Andrea and Karen

Milford Dentists is proud to help the good people of the North Shore with all of your dental needs. From Devonport and Belmont up through Takapuna, Castor Bay, Mairangi Bay & Browns Bay as well as Albany, Northcote, Hillcrest, the Whangaporoa Peninsula and beyond – call us today to learn more:  09 4896575.

Children & Kids Cavities - Learn To How To Protect Your Toddlers Teeth

Tooth decay and cavities affect not only adults but also our children – and from a very early age. So to keep your kids smile happy and healthy, make sure you keep their teeth properly cleaned and flossed and include regular dental visits to reduce the likelihood of later treatments and unexpected costs. 

You may think your children will always have strong, healthy teeth but recent reports are showing tooth decay occurring at an earlier age than ever before, and the importance of teaching your children how they can have good oral health habits to last them a lifetime.

The incidence of tooth decay is occurring at an earlier age for children and even toddlers with international (and local) reports revealing children developing cavities in their primary teeth from ages 2 and up, according to USA’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the New Zealand Dental Association.

The National Institute’s research is a concern for parents because 42 percent of children ages 2 to 11 develop a cavity in their primary (AKA milk or baby) teeth, in addition to New Zealand surveys which have identified that more than 40% of 2-4-year-olds are not being seen by a dental professional and 44% of 5-year-olds have at least one decayed, missing or filled tooth.

Although dental decay remains the most prevalent chronic, and irreversible, disease in New Zealand with free dental care available for children up to 18 years, many parents don't see oral health as a priority and only take their children to a dentist in an emergency.

What Are The Causes of Tooth Decay in Toddlers?

In toddlers, tooth decay begins in the mouth as bacteria begin to eat away the primary teeth. A common cause of toddler tooth decay occurs when your child goes to bed with a bottle (AKA baby bottle tooth decay). When milk or juice from the bottle sits in your child’s mouth overnight it provides an ideal environment for breeding bacteria.

Unhealthy eating habits such as children sucking on sweets for prolonged periods or eating a lot of sugary foods can also contribute to tooth decay along with poor oral hygiene.

How Can I Prevent Tooth Decay in My Toddler?

Here in New Zealand, children have free dental care available, and it is recommended that parents make sure checks start from 9 months old (or before their first birthday).

To prevent tooth decay in toddlers, never allow your child go to sleep with a bottle or a sipping cup of milk or juice. If you provide your child a drink before bed or to sleep, use only water. Dental experts recommend that if your children do drink milk or sugary drinks, they should be consumed quickly instead of sipping them slowly (to reduce the exposure time of teeth to decay-causing sugars from the drinks in a bottle or sipping cup).

Be sure to floss daily and brush your child's teeth twice daily (avoiding sugary foods where possible). Highly acid foods, (eg. cola) or fruit juice, literally dissolve the enamel and subsequently make your child's teeth more susceptible to cavities.

Brush your toddler's teeth at least twice daily after eating sweets (or other foods) with a with a soft-bristled brush, but make sure fluoride toothpaste is only used when your child is capable of spitting it out without swallowing it.

To brush baby teeth correctly, either you or your child should hold the brush at a 45-degree angle, with gentle strokes covering the entire tooth surface for at least 2 minutes.

Treating Tooth Decay in Toddlers

If your child does develop tooth decay, to prevent the bacteria from spreading, dental work will be required (fillings to correct smaller cavities or a full crown if the damage is extensive). A tooth with decay throughout may require extraction to prevent the bacteria spreading to other teeth. If the decay is severe in primary teeth, pitting or staining in the secondary (adult) teeth can occur.

The habits you start early for your child's baby and adult teeth are important for long-term oral hygiene and health. Although your toddler's teeth will fall out, don’t ignore their care. For a healthy smile throughout their lifetime, make sure your children are protected from cavities at an early age.  Contact us now to discuss your children's dental health and how we can help.

Posted by Karen - Dental Therapist

Dentures And False Teeth Q And A Dental Health Guide

Do you or your loved ones lack some or all of their teeth? Whether it is from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing, missing teeth will result in a more attractive appearance and be of benefit to your health because amongst other things you will be able to chew your food better. 

Earlier dentures (or false teeth) were usually painful, bulky, and fitted poorly; but today’s technology and innovations have enabled remarkable improvement in their construction and fitting. Conventional dentures are crafted from modern lightweight materials that are much more comfortable to wear and also closely resemble your natural teeth. 

Across the many years we have provided dentures to a wide range of clients and understandably recurring questions and queries related to the process of replacing missing teeth continue to be asked. Below you can find a collection of the most commonly asked questions in a short denture guide for our regular blog readers and clients.

1. What are dentures? Dentures replace missing (upper or lower)  teeth and the surrounding tissues. Although removable, dentures are constructed from a range of materials and available in a variety of designs that bond or clasp onto teeth or dental implants. 
2. What are the different types of dentures? Dentures are available in 3 categories – Full (long lasting), partial (long lasting) or immediate (Often short term though sometimes can last a long time).
3. What is a Full denture? These are a full set of dentures, for patients whose teeth (on either or both arches) are missing. Complete Full dentures are fitted from 8-12 weeks after gum tissue has begun healing but ideally after 6 months. Clients may need a period to adapt to changes that can occur to the oral cavity muscles, saliva, bone & tongue with the introduction of Full dentures to the mouth.
4. What is a partial denture? A dental bridge or partial denture is used to correct gaps when one or more natural teeth in the upper or lower jaw are remaining. A partial denture improves your ability to chew and helps maintain the tooth alignment, often using a metal construction to hold in place a replacement tooth (attached to a pink or gum coloured base).
5. What is an immediate denture? A temporary dental solution before the placement of conventional (permanent) dentures or Dental Implants or Dental Bridges, after tooth extraction, immediate dentures can require ongoing adjustments during the healing process.
6. What are dentures made of today?  Although now constructed from a wide range of superior materials including - acrylic, cast metal, and valplast, removable dentures today are fabricated with the same purpose as the earliest prosthetic devices - to replace missing teeth and eliminate potential problems caused by gaps.  
   
   Acrylic is used to make standard full dentures & partial dentures. It is a comparatively low-priced material which can also be quickly and easily added to existing dentures to maintain a patient's appearance. More complex dentures can have a Chrome Cobalt or Titanium support base
7. What are valplast dentures? Valplast® is a flexible, robust nylon based denture reserved for partial dentures due to its unique physical and aesthetic properties that also provide a more secure, natural outcome than acrylic. Valplast® is also an ideal choice for patients who suffer allergic reactions to acrylic and metal dental materials. 

Missing teeth and dentures require many dental considerations unique to you.  We can discuss your personal situation and ideal outcomes to evaluate if dentures, bridges or dental implants are best suited for you. If you are missing teeth – contact our Team or call us today  - (09) 489 6575