Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Archives for February 2016

10 Fun things to do with your old toothbrushes.

We all find that we need to replace our worn-out toothbrushes with a new one, but that does not mean they need to go to the bin.  To save the environment from more trash, we have come up with some ideas,  for putting that old toothbrush to good use:

1. Express yourself with some paint and your old toothbrush and create a painting.

2. Scrub oily areas on your face with your toothbrush. The bristles are perfect for removing embedded dirt and oil that clogs pores.

3. Pamper your pets by brushing his or her fur with an old toothbrush.

4. Use the handle to support small plants.

5. Old toothbrushes are great for spot-cleaning just about anything.

6. Use it to scratch an unreachable itch on your back or under your cast.

7. Remove mud and grime from your shoes.

8. Try brushing your dog’s teeth with your old toothbrush.

9. Give your fish the cleanest tank in the neighborhood.

10. Old toothbrushes were made for touch-up dye jobs, when you notice a few gray hairs sprouting from your hairline this morning. It works for dyeing your eyebrows, too!

Amelogenesis imperfecta what is the reason and treatment.

The formation of a tooth is a remarkable process. The exact mechanisms involved in this process are not fully understood but we know that they are regulated by several genes. Amelogenesis imperfecta is a condition created when the formation of enamel, the hard outer material of the tooth, does not happen properly. There have been found 14 different deviations which are grouped under the name of Amelogenesis imperfecta and they are distinguished by their specific enamel changes and by their pattern of inheritance. The reason Amelogenesis imperfecta happens is that there have been changes in the genes that encode for the creation of enamel. These changes can affect only the enamel or they can be a part of a syndrome that affects many parts of the body.

Usually the amelogenesis is uncovered when the first baby teeth erupt and they either start to break or their appearance is odd. To establish that the appearance of the teeth is due to a genetical factor we first need to rule out any environmental or other factors, establish a likely inheritance pattern, ascertain the phenotype and check the correlation with the dates of tooth formation to exclude a chronological developmental disturbance. Only after all these variables have been established we can establish that it is Amelogenesis imperfecta.

The treatment of the condition is based on the principles of prevention before intervention. Because there is a large range of defects associated with this condition there is a need to individually tailor the treatment to the age and needs of the patient.Usually during childhood, while the “baby” teeth are present, we concentrate on providing the child with the ability to develop his speaking, a good aesthetic appearance and help with nourishment. At the age of 6 years of age when the permanent teeth start to erupt, begins the important stage of protecting and supporting the erupting teeth. Treatment provided for young children needs to balance the needs of the child with the benefits and risk of treatment. Usually the long-term care for the teeth affected by Amelogenesis Imperfecta, revolves around either crowns or, more frequently composite restorations. The choice between the different solutions is based on the condition of the teeth.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kaufman or call Tooronga Family Dentistry, phone number 98227006, for further details or make an appointment to examine the condition of the teeth.

What is the right filling material for you?

When your tooth is broken or has decay it needs to be filled or restored to it’s original shape and function. The tooth can be restored with a large variety of materials and it is important to understand the differences between them.

There are five groups of dental filling materials.

  1. Composite filling materials have been developed in the last 40 years and are today much better than amalgam, which was the prevalent material in the past. Composite is a combination of a resin and glass or ceramic filler, the smaller the filler size, the better are the properties. At our practice we use materials which have the smallest particle size – nano materials. The advantages of these fillings are that they reinforce the tooth structure, they bond to the tooth and allow for restoring large parts of it, they do not conduct heat or cold reducing sensitivity and they are the same color of the tooth.
  2. Amalgam, or silver fillings, have been used to restore teeth for more than 150 years. It is a metal mixture, made of silver, copper, tin  and mercury. Once mixed, the metals set and becomes a strong snd durable filling. The major advantage of amalgam is it’s low cost. The disadvantages are that it contains mercury, it does not reinforce the tooth, on the contrary it can weaken thin sections of the tooth, it conducts well heat so it can cause a sensitivity to hot and cold in large fillings and to make an amalgam filling, we need to remove more sound tooth material that for a composite filling.
  3. Ceramic fillings, are made of porcelain in the dental laboratory and have been shown to be resistant, durable and aesthetic. They can be bonded to the tooth and are smooth and durable. We use them extensively in areas where appearance matters most, for example when making veneers for front teeth. Their largest disadvantages are the high cost and long time it takes to fabricate them.
  4. Glass ionomer cements are a mixture of glass particles and acrylic resin. They are not resilient and resistant to wear, which reduces their lifespan to no more than five years. We use them for treating baby teeth that will be replaced. Other areas where we prefer to use them, are exposed root surfaces, since they have little wear and high risk of decay. The advantage of these dental fillings is that they release fluoride, which protects the tooth from further decay.
  5. Gold restorations are made of 14,18 or 24 karat gold and have been used in dentistry for hundreds of years. Gold fillings have many advantages, they are durable, non-corrosive, and can last more than 30 years. The main disadvantages of gold fillings are the high cost and poor aesthetic appearance. We use gold restorations for back teeth where they do not show.

For more information about filling materials or to schedule an appointment with Dr Daniel Kaufman please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.

How to care for sensitive teeth?

We have patients coming in and asking us why eating ice cream or a sip of coffee becomes a painful experience. The answer, many times is tooth sensitivity. The sensitivity to hot, cold and touch typically happens when the underlying dentin layer of the tooth is exposed to the oral cavity. There are several ways the dentin can become sensitive:

It is always important when you start feeling sensitivity to come and see us, since the type of treatment will depend on what is causing it. If there is decay, worn fillings or cracks, it may be a sign that the bacteria have reached the nerve and left alone they can cause a painful infection in the pulp. The solution for teeth with decay or holes is usually to place a filling.

When the cause of sensitivity, is an exposed root surface there are several options available to decrease the sensitivity:

  • Desensitizing toothpaste, which contains ingredients that seal off the exposed dentin.
  • Mouthrinses or gel containing increased concentrations of Fluoride, which strengthen compromised tooth enamel and prevents tooth decay.
  • Applying tooth mousse, which can restore tooth dentin after it has been broken down.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, please call today Tooronga Family Dentistry, phone number 98227006, so we can provide you with some much-needed relief.