Q. I have some old silver fillings which are beginning to look bad. What can be done to improve them.
A. Silver amalgam fillings, which are composed of 50% mercury and 50% silver alloy ,eventually need to be replaced. It may surprise you to know that the average life span of a silver filling is five to eight years. Your dentist can tell you when they appear to NEED to be replaced due to leakage, breakdown or recurrent decay. If your concern is strictly COSMETIC, there are many new methods available to replace the fillings with beautiful, functional long lasting restorations. Such things as white filling materials, porcelain inlays , crowns and veneers may be used to give you the smile you are seeking. There is currently a great deal of interest in new reinforced hybrid materials. These beautiful resin materials may be reinforced with fibers, similar to fiberglass, and used in very conservative inlays and bridges without having to grind away a whole healthy tooth.

Q. I would like to have my teeth whitened. There are so many products and ads for whiteners that it is hard to decide which is best. what do you recommend?
A. You are correct. There are many products and techniques available. Some work great and some don't work at all. The various over the counter products give the least predictable results. To get a really great result you should probably use one of the products sold through dental offices which utilize custom made trays for home application of a bleaching gel.

Q. I am missing several teeth. A friend told me that she recently had implants to replace her missing teeth and is very happy. What are implants?
A. Dental implants are a wonderful way to replace missing teeth when certain conditions exist. Such things as your overall general health and the length of time you have been missing your teeth must be considered. The replacement of missing teeth using dental implants frequently requires a team approach. After your dentist does a thorough examination and treatment plan the surgical phase of treatment takes place. In most cases a periodontist or an oral surgeon will put the implant(s), the artificial root(s) into the jaw. When healing is complete, usually after 4-6 months, The tooth or bridge segment can be placed on top of the healed implants by a general dentist or a prosthodontist . Some dentists are trained to place the surgical part of the implant as well as the prosthetic or tooth part.

Q. There are so many different toothbrushes on the market today. How do I know which one is the right one for me?
A. This is a good question, which we hear daily. The brand of the toothbrush is not nearly as critical as the type of bristle, the size and shape of the head and how frequently you replace your brush. We recommend a soft bristled brush with a small head. The soft bristles are most important for the health of your gums. A small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums.Daily frequency of brushing and replacement with a new brush are much more important issues than the brand you choose. We recommend replacing your brush at least once a month. We recommend brushing twice a day at a bare minimum.

Q. My son is six years old and starting to get his permanent teeth. I am concerned because the teeth are discolored. Some even have a brownish or greenish hue. What caused this and what can be done about it?
A. From your description, it sounds like a very normal situation and nothing to be concerned about. When the teeth are forming in the jaws, they are surrounded by a soft tissue membrane called Nasmyth's Membrane (named after Alexander Nasmyth, a Scottish dental surgeon in London who died in 1847). As the teeth erupt, remnants of this membrane remain on the surface of the enamel. The fibrous nature of the membrane readily picks up coloration from food. In most cases normal chewing and brushing will remove the remnants with time. If they don't come off, they can be removed by having a professional cleaning. Other causes for staining of teeth include high fevers during infancy, too much fluoride in drinking water and certain medications if taken while the teeth are still forming.