 1.
Is tooth whitening right for me?
Innovative dental techniques now provides you with exciting,
new options for improving your smile. Teeth bleaching or whitening
lightens the color of teeth whether stained from age, coffee,
tea or tobacco and its brightening effects can last up to
five years after the treatment. Bleaching has a higher than
90% success rate and is tough on stains but mild on your teeth.
Bleaching will not lighten fillings or artificial materials
used in dental repair. Dr. Bodnar may discourage treatment,
if you have sensitive teeth, periodontal disease, or teeth
with worn enamel or if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
2.
What are the tooth whitening options?
Depending on the bleaching treatment selected, some are performed
in Dr. Bodnar’s office using a bleaching system such
as laser bleaching. These methods lighten teeth instantly.
The same results may be obtained more economically through
supervised home bleaching, but take longer to achieve. Some
bleaching systems, which bleach your teeth while you sleep,
work in 10 to 14 days. Others bleach your teeth from two to
four hours a day requiring three to six weeks to complete.
Also it's important to know that certain types of stain respond
better to different types of whitening materials. In such
cases, Dr. Bodnar may recommend one method over the other.
3.
What are the steps to a bright smile?
Dr. Bodnar will first examine your teeth and gums and discuss
the procedure best suited to your personal needs. Any cavities
or gum problems must be taken care of before bleaching can
begin. The in-office method generally takes one to three hours
and results in an immediate noticeable change. For the at-home
method, special molds will be made of your teeth, used to
make custom-fitting flexible trays to hold the bleaching gel
comfortably in your mouth. When you get your bleaching trays,
you will receive instructions about wearing them. These instructions
must be carefully followed. After completing the treatment,
your teeth will be checked by Dr.Bodnar to talk about the
results.
4.
How safe is tooth whitening dentistry?
Research over the last five years has proven bleaching to
be both safe and effective. The American Dental Association's
seal of approval has been given to a wide range of tooth whitening
products. Generally, the only side effect from treatment may
be some sensitivity to hot and cold foods. If this occurs,
sensitivity usually fades away within 48 hours.
5.
Can I replace silver fillings with white tooth fillings?
Many people in the Ft Lauderdale area have had silver fillings
placed into their teeth because they had cavities. These silver
fillings are called amalgams. Amalgam fills the space where
the decay in the tooth has been removed. However, over time,
the amalgam corrodes and leaks which blackens the silver,
and many times the tooth. This is easily seen as soon as a
patient opens his or her mouth and is usually a source of
embarrassment for the patient. Dr. Bodnar can provide you
with composite fillings that are made of a porcelain-like
material that actually bonds to the tooth for a tight seal.
They are strong and stain-resistant, and they are color-matched
to the natural tooth. Composite fillings also lack the sensitivity
that is often associated with silver amalgam fillings. They
are especially suited for smaller cavities and for patients
who may be allergic to metal fillings.
6.
Can I use tooth-whitening dentistry to fix discolored, dark
or stained teeth?
Tooth bleaching involves the placement of a bleaching solution
on the teeth to eliminate stains and discoloration. The solution
is held in place by a custom-made, see-through tray that fits
over the teeth. Bleaching is a safe, effective and relatively
easy means of producing a whiter smile. Two bleaching methods
are available at Dr. Bodnar: Power Bleaching with a Laser,
done at our office, and At-Home-Bleaching, which provides
for home use. The difference between the two is the strength
of the whitening agent and the time it takes to get effective
results. Power bleaching usually takes three to six visits,
while home bleaching may take up to four weeks of regular
use. Sensitive teeth, or those that are chipped, eroded or
weakened by cavities, should be repaired or protected before
they are bleached.
7.
Does cosmetic dentistry fix cracked, worn, discolored or broken
teeth?
For over 100 years, dentists have been using silver-mercury
amalgam fillings to restore decayed or broken teeth. The only
other option was gold and that was too costly for most people.
Now there is a innovative and economical process to restore
teeth using tooth-colored resin fillings. Dr. Bodnar bonds
the putty-like material to the tooth with a high-intensity
light. This light hardens the material and allows it to be
shaped and polished for immediate use. Once completed, the
tooth has a natural appearance and is actually stronger than
before. Resin restorations can range from $155 to $325 per
tooth.
8.
Can I have tooth-colored restorations?
For over 100 years, dentistry has restored teeth mainly with
a material made of mercury and silver. It has done its job
well, although we have had to live with its limitations. Those
weaknesses consist of cracking teeth due to expansion of the
material, and a restoration turning black as the silver in
the material corrodes.
Dr. Bodnar has many ways to provide tooth-colored restorations.
He can use adhesives to bond tooth parts that look and act
like teeth. Dr. Bodnar can provide a bright, healthy smile
with these exciting new techniques in tooth-colored restorations.
9.
Does cosmetic dentistry painlessly repair broken teeth?
Bonding by Dr. Bodnar is typically painless and can yield
dramatic results in a single office visit. Essentially, bonding
hides any natural flaws through the placement of a thin plastic
coating on the front surface of the teeth. After treating
the tooth surface, Dr. Bodnar applies a putty-like bonding
material that is then sculpted, shaped and colored to suit
the your needs. A high-intensity light causes the plastic
to harden after which the new surface is smoothed and polished.
Bonding can lighten stains, close gaps and even alter crooked
or malformed teeth. Dr. Bodnar can even utilize bonding to
change the shape or color of a single tooth or if necessary
to remake your entire smile.
10.
Can my poor self-image, resulting in low self-esteem be fixed?
The appearance of the teeth has a dramatic effect on both
the your attractiveness to others and on your own self-image
and self-esteem. Studies have shown that your appearance will
have a strong effect on your social and career success, by
influencing how others perceive you. While the appearance
of the teeth is one of the most important contributors to
facial beauty, it is also probably the most often neglected
when improvements to appearance are sought. A person with
low self-esteem connected to their facial appearance, can
often be greatly helped by cosmetic dental procedures. Dental
makeovers at Dr. Bodnar have become more common, less invasive,
and more effective in correcting deformities and cosmetic
dental problems. The effect of these procedures can be nothing
short of dramatic both in terms of appearance and also in
terms of correcting, at least partially, personality deficiencies
caused by poor self-image. Ugly teeth are no longer a matter
of fate; they are now a matter of choice.
11.
Can I have a better smile with porcelain veneers?
Dr. Bodnar many times uses porcelain veneers for the same
reasons as bonding; to lighten stains, close gaps and even
alter crooked or malformed teeth. They are considerably more
durable and stain resistant than bonding. The veneer is actually
a thin piece of porcelain similar in size to a fingernail.
Once it is bonded on the tooth it becomes extremely strong.
Dr. Bodnar also blends the veneer in with the remaining tooth
structure so that it is unnoticeable to the naked eye. Once
in place, it looks, feels, and functions just like a regular
tooth. Dr. Bodnar can use porcelain veneers to change the
shape and color of a single tooth or, if necessary, revamp
an entire smile. Porcelain veneers can also be used to correct
teeth that have been worn from clenching and grinding.
12.
Are cosmetic dental crowns available?
Teeth are often restored with fillings of silver or composite
plastics. These materials can often accomplish the aim of
replacing the part of the tooth that has been lost. However,
there comes a time where the damage to the tooth has destroyed
too much structure to hold a filling. The crown is the dental
restoration that can reinforce and re-establish the entire
top of a tooth and can also be part of the attachment of a
fixed bridge for the replacement of teeth. The tooth is strengthened
because it is encased with a casting of metal or ceramic that
will splint the tooth. A crown can improve your appearance
by the use of modern ceramic processes that produce translucency
and color that is natural.
13.
Why have dental crowns?
The crown serves two important functions. First, it returns
the appearance of your teeth and your face. Teeth also support
the muscles in your face, so anything less than a full tooth
may influence the way you appear. Second, a crown will be
the same size and shape as the natural tooth. As a result,
it will keep your jaw and bite aligned; it will also make
sure that other teeth don't shift locations or take on a greater
share of the work of biting and chewing.
14.
Of what are dental crowns made?
At Dr. Bodnar your dental crowns are most often made of porcelain.
Porcelain crowns usually are built on a metal base, which
fits securely over the natural tooth. Dr. Bodnar will choose
porcelain that matches the color of your natural teeth. Porcelain
crowns are so carefully matched in color, they cannot be distinguished
from your natural teeth. Many people choose porcelain crowns
for their cosmetic appearance and the confidence it gives
them. New materials are now available that allow the use of
all-ceramic crowns. They have a beautiful natural appearance
and long-term studies support their success.
15.
How do I care for dental crowns?
Once your crown is in place, make sure the area is brushed
well and that you floss below the gum line. While the crown
protects your remaining tooth from further decay, you must
protect the base of the crown from bacterial growth and gum
disease. Regular brushing and flossing will ensure that your
crown will be in place for years to come.
16.
What if I have a missing tooth?
Losing a tooth by accident or by extraction is not the end
of the matter. When a tooth is missing, the resultant gap
will permit nearby teeth to tilt or drift from their typical
position, and the teeth above the gap will shift downward.
Aside from the obvious cosmetic problem, the changed positions
of these teeth can also lead to severe bite problems causing
jaw pain and headaches. Missing teeth should be replaced to
keep other teeth in their normal position. Dr. Bodnar can
do this with a fixed bridge or a dental implant. Both of these
treatments offer a high-quality functional and cosmetic result.
17.
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is a titanium metal replacement for a root
of a tooth that is surgically implanted in the jawbone. As
the body heals for approximately two to six months after the
surgery, the bone around the implant fuses to the implant
through a process called osseointegration. After the healing
phase is complete, the implants are used to anchor crowns,
bridges, or dentures.
18.
What is the dental implant process like?
Dr. Bodnar begins with a thorough evaluation of your medical
and dental history, and a full clinical examination of your
entire mouth and missing tooth area. The clinical exam should
also include specific X-rays. After assessing you, a comprehensive
treatment plan will be devised. From that point, implants
are surgically placed in the jawbone under local anesthesia.
The length of the healing time is based on the quality and
quantity of bone, as well as the type of implant placed. After
adequate healing is allowed to occur, the implant can be used
to support a crown, bridge, or denture.
19.
How many dental implants should be placed?
This is a question that should be determined during the treatment
plan. A good rule-of-thumb is to place one implant for each
tooth replaced. Other decisive factors for the number of implants
needed for success is the quality and quantity of the your
bone. Placing enough implants to restore teeth is crucially
important to the long-term success of the restoration. Simply
stated, the most costly mistake is to have an implant fail
because not enough implants are placed to support the teeth.
20.
Who should I see about getting dental implants?
When getting dental implants, you should select a dentist
or dental team with in-depth knowledge and prior experience
with all aspects of the treatment. Dr. Bodnar has this expertise.
It is also important to know that implant treatment consists
of two components: a surgical phase and a restorative phase.
Traditionally, a dental surgeon, like an oral surgeon or a
periodontist, performs the surgical component. A general dentist,
or prosthodontist and laboratory technician performs the restorative
component. However, as implant dentistry has become more sophisticated,
Dr. Bodnar conducts the entire procedure.
21.
How long has dental implant technology been available and
what is the success rate?
The technology has been around for decades. In fact, some
patients in the Ft Lauderdale area have had dental implants
for more than 40 years. Hundreds of thousands of dental implants
have been inserted with more than a 90% success rate. All
other metal implants in the body, such as hips and knees,
are the result of the dental implant technology.
22.
Are there different types of dental implants?
Yes, several types are available. The American Dental Association
considers both the endosteal and the subperiosteal implants
to be acceptable. An important factor for selection is to
determine whether your jawbone can adequately support the
implant. Most dental implants placed today are endosteal root
form fixtures, which are similar to a man-made tooth root.
23.
What can be done for a single missing tooth?
In the case of a single missing tooth, a dental implant can
be placed in the jawbone area of the missing tooth. The implant
will serve as a replacement for a tooth root and an individual
crown. The total apparatus is referred to as a single-tooth
implant crown. Once in place, the implant crown will look,
feel, and function like a natural tooth. They are cleaned
and flossed just like natural teeth, and best of all, they
do not require any special tools to clean around them like
bridges. Although dental implants will not decay, they require
flawless oral hygiene |
