What is an Inlay and Why is it Used?

An inlay is a filling that is at least in part fabricated out of the mouth and then placed in the tooth with either cement or bonding. An ordinary filling must be placed in a tooth in one session, usually in a shorter amount of time. Sometimes it is harder to achieve an ideal result when placing a large filling than it is with an inlay restoration. Most often it is fabricated on a model of the mouth and can be carefully crafted away from the patient and carefully inspected before placement. Also, it is inspected for fit in the mouth prior to placement and if it doesn't fit the dentist has the option of remaking it. Inlays can be fabricated using a variety of materials, including gold,composite and porcelain. Fillings can be done using gold foil,composite materials,amalgam material,or various dental cements.
Inlays made out of gold are probably the type of filling that is kindest to the teeth, but they are expensive to the patient and may or may not out last a composite or amalgam restoration. Since gold is soft and gold inlays are cemented in with dental cements which are relatively soft, gold fillings may be gentler in force transmission to the underlying tooth structure. If a tooth requiring a restoration is missing extensive tooth structure a dentist can fabricate a different type of inlay called an onlay. Onlays not only replace part of tooth that was destroyed by decay, but also cover the cusps of teeth, so that weakened tooth structure is better protected.

How Do You Know If I Have a Cavity?

Dentists have several ways of detecting decay. They can see some decay when viewing radiographs. Some decay can be seen during the visual inspection of the mouth and looks brown or black. Sometimes it is tacky when touched with a dental explorer. Trans illumination is another useful technique that involves shinning a bright light on a tooth. If the tooth appears grey inside it almost certainly is decayed. None of these techniques when used alone is fool proof, but when used together by a competent dentist, most cavities are detectable.

I haven't been flossing, does it do any good to start flossing one week prior to my cleaning?

Actually, It does help. In less than a week, gums can respond to improved hygiene and can appear more healthy than they would if you hadn't been flossing. When the dentist examines your teeth, he may be less tempted to recommend gum treatments in addition to your regularly scheduled cleaning. Why not show up at your dentist displaying your best oral hygiene

What is Split Recall?

When a patient goes regularly to both a periodontist and a general dentist, he or she often alternates cleanings every 3 months between the two offices. This allows the periodontist, the periodontist's hygienest, the general dentist and his hygienest to all regulary examine the patients mouth and teeth. Four sets of eyes are often better than two. Different types of dentist may possibly be better at finding early manifestations of dental disease. The Periodontist is trainned to look and examine for Periodontal disease. They examine the mouth for other conditions as well, but their focus often is more on periodontal conditions. I my opinion, the general dentist may find conditions involving early decay more easily since his focus is more on detecting hard tissue lesions. Of course, this doesn't mean that Periodontists are not good at detecting hard tissue lesions, but four sets of eyes can't be worse than two.

Whats best material for a dentist to use to fill teeth?

One could argue that gold is the best material to fill teeth. It's relatively soft,durable and is kind to the tooth it restores and to its opposing tooth. It could be said that" Gold fillings wear out, they don't wear out teeth. Also,gold filling are definitely less likely to cause cracks in teeth. There are some disadvantages to using gold. Gold fillings probably require more skill on the dentists' part then other options(amalgam, composite, glass ionomers, and compomers) It is not an inexpensive material to use and its cosmetics are not for everyone. In my opinion there currently is not a better material for filling cavities known to man and that is why gold is truly the'gold standard' for filling teeth!

Are You a Cosmetic Dentist?

Although I am a 'cosmetic' dentist, I like to think of myself as a comprehensive dentist, performing various procedures and referring when appropriate to specialists. Some of the types of dentistry offered in my practice are Preventive, Restorative, Cosmetic, and Endodontic. I also perform some oral surgery and do Invisalign braces. I enjoy performing a variety of procedures and I find it helps keep my work interesting.

Why is Winter the Flu Season?

Apparently the Flu Virus likes cold dry weather. According to a New York Times article, published today, there is no Flu in the tropics. Dr Peter Palese(a flu researcher and chairman of Microbiology at Mount Sinai Medical School has studied how the cold an humidity effects the transmission of the Flu in guinea pigs and finds that optimum Flu transmission ocurrs at relatively low humidity levels and 41 degrees. He recommends getting a flu shot and not staying inside all winter!

Does Pregancy cause bone loss?

Pregnancy appears to make some pregnant women more prone to periodontal problems. Some, but not all pregnant women develop gingivitis or periodontal disease associated with their pregnancy. To my knowledge, the exact mechanism is not known, but dentists agree that pregnant woman should have cleanings during the pregnancy and need to maintain good oral hygiene at home. In my opinion, some, but not all pregnant woman are more plaque sensitive and experience more inflammation than prior to their pregnancy. Also, pregnant woman can experience 'pregnancy tumours' adjacent to certain teeth. These are giant cell granulomas that look scary, but most will resolve themselves after the baby is delivered and a woman's hormones return to more normal levels.