Dentalnews (en)

Many people have missing side teeth. Most are not really bothered by this: what matters is that the front teeth  –  the window display – are in good condition!

This is a big mistake, since the side teeth are very important, they protect the jaw and the front teeth from excessive strain …

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Missing side teeth can lead to headaches, jaw pain and even back pain due to overloading and overuse.

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Here you can see a cross-section of a jaw with a complete set of teeth, and the  masseter, one of many chewing muscles. The masseter is highlighted in red.
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When this muscle contracts, the lower jaw in pressed against the upper jaw. The teeth touch at the occlusion surface and the lower jaw comes to a stop because of the side teeth.
There is a definite gap between the jaw link head and socket.

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By providing support, the side teeth protect the jaw from excessive chewing pressure. This mechanism is further reinforced as the side teeth touch before the front teeth do. The lower jaw rotates away from the joint, and the side teeth act as a hypomochlion (=angle point) and protect the jaw.

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If the side teeth are missing, or the occlusion surface is decreased because of uneven teeth, then the masseter pushes the lower jaw more towards the base of the cranium, and the joint gap disappears. The jaw is overstrained, which in time can lead to slight pain or even necessitate operations on the jaw.
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It is therefore crucial to replace teeth, not only front teeth for aesthetic purposes, but also side teeth! Replacing side teeth keeps you healthy. Moreover, front teeth tend to be overused if there are not enough side teeth, which makes bone recede and eventually leads to loss of front teeth! –

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A partial denture can be used to replace side teeth, implants are not always necessary – the main thing is that you can chew on the side!

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Source: 2009_Side teeth

Ceramic materials finally win out in dentistry!

Why do so many dentists continue to recommend the use of metals in dentistry? The answer is simple.
Metallic materials can be cemented, a very common procedure in dentists’ offices. Ceramics, on the other hand, have to be glued  – a procedure known as bonding.
Compared to cementing, glueing is a very tedious process, thus many dentists ignore manufacturers’ instructions  and so, for example, only rarely use a coffer dam. Some also try to shorten the glueing procedure e.g. by simply omitting certain glue components.
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Sloppy work has given ceramics a bad name, even though they have been used in dentistry for about 20 years now.
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Veneers, ceramic inlays and ceramic crowns are scientifically acknowledged methods of treatment – but it is important to use them wisely!
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Ask your dentist if he or she regularly works with ceramics, otherwise you might be better off with a gold inlay!
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Source: 2009_ keramik-indiziert (ceramics indicated)

Porcelain veneers and their costs are a hot topic on the web!

• What is so special about porcelain veneers?
• How much do veneers cost?
• What are veneers and how are they different from lumineers?
• Should you get your teeth bleached – whitened – before this?

A veneer is an ultra-thin, translucent ceramic plate for the teeth – similar to a contact lens. Veneers, or their thinner variant lumineers, are glued onto the surface of the teeth – especially the front teeth – using a special paste.

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Veneers can be used to correct minor dental displacements, gaps, undesired colors or discolorations. Veneers provide the visible surface of the teeth with an improved look, and the color can be individually adapted using this procedure.

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This all begins with a planning phase – known as a wax-up, followed by bleaching for really extreme discolorations. During preparation either none of the enamel or only a very thin layer (0,3-1,0mm) is removed.
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After preparation, an imprint is taken, and temporary plastic veneers are applied. After one week, the temporary veneers are removed and the porcelain veneers which have been prepared by a dental technician are inserted.

The costs of veneers / lumineers range between 600€ – 1500€ /a piece.

In modern dentistry, it is possible to correct teeth using minimally invasive techniques.
It is hardly ever necessary to grind crowns – but such aesthetically demanding work require a very highly coordinated team.

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Here you can see a short film on this topic!

Modern bleaching methods (tooth brightning) do not harm your teeth if made by a professional dentist!

Modern bleaching uses methods that are less abrasive to dental enamel than, for example, freshly squeezed citrus juices, but it can still be dangerous!
Bleaching itself is not dangerous, only if it is not performed properly!

Office bleaching involves the use of lamps or lasers.
Patients are told that light activates bleaching gel. This is wrong!
Lamps just dry out your teeth. While this does make them look whiter right after bleaching, after a few days your teeth will again absorb moisture, which will once again make them look darker.

This “drying out effect” only holds for a short while, but your teeth can be damaged.

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Modern office bleaching does not require “light activation”, the lamps are just a marketing gag!

A responsible dentist will check the status of your fillings, maybe even clean your teeth, and then you will go on your way with a bright smile!
Baking soda does not work well for bleaching, and it may even damage your gums.
Baking soda irritates the mucuous membrane and the gums, resulting in painful inflammations.
You can have a gleaming white Hollywood smile if you want. You just have to get it done professionally. Then you can prevent your enamel from getting damaged.

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Here you can watch a film on this topic!

Yesterday you read about bad teeth, and why some people have fillings in their upper jaw, especially in the spaces between their teeth – shown by the blue lines in the picture.

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There is a reason for this: the fact that the upper teeth have wide contact surfaces (the blue lines). The lower teeth have smaller contact surfaces (the blue dots). A toothbrush can usually get through the lower teeth – but not the upper teeth.
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This is why cavities tend to develop between the upper teeth, and if the fillings reach the dental nerve, you end up needing a root canal. Usually followed by a crown. Use an oral irrigator and/or dental floss, and clean your front teeth, as well as all other teeth, from the back!