Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Archives for April 2018

What is wrong with crooked teeth?

Crooked teeth may affect your appearance or confidence but their major impact is on your oral and overall health. Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Straight teeth allow your gums to fit more snugly around them. It allows for proper oral hygiene by providing easier access to the areas around the gums. Otherwise, there is more room for bacteria to sneak in causing deep pockets in the gums that lead to irreversible bone loss, known as gum disease.
  2. Uneven teeth make chewing and biting more difficult. Teeth function best when they join together in a harmonious way. But when they lack their counterparts, eating is compromised. It will lead to uneven wear of some teeth and cavities in other, which can result in tooth loss.
  3. Protruding upper teeth are more likely to chip or break in the event of an accident.
  4. Crowded teeth create nooks and crannies, that are difficult to reach, for toothbrush bristles and floss. Without proper brushing, plaque builds up and weakens the teeth, damaging the enamel and causing cavities.
  5. Few realize that dental disease can seriously affect their health. Studies have proven that oral infections may lead to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

There are many reasons why a beautiful smile is good for you. For a straight smile or if you would like more information about the bite you have, please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Do I need a veneer or a crown?

Veneers are custom-made, thin coverings applied onto the front surface of the tooth to treat discoloured, chipped or broken teeth on the other hand, crowns are thicker ceramic “caps” that encase an entire tooth for more severely decayed or damaged teeth. Both can last for many years if proper oral hygiene is maintained and  can look fantastically natural, making it a popular choice for many people. Visually they are hard to discern but they have distinct features.

Veneers can be sculptured directly on to the tooth using resin with little tooth reduction and only require one visit. Crowns on the other hand may take up to 2-3 visits as we need to assess the damage, file down the enamel of your tooth to create room for the crown. Then an impression of the tooth is made and sent to the dental technician. The dental technician will create the crown. Once fabricated the crown is fitted and cemented to the tooth.

Since veneers are smaller and thinner they require less tooth reduction, but they are less resilient than crowns to chewing forces. That is the reason veneers will be usually be placed on front teeth, while crowns will be more suitable for back teeth where most of the chewing takes place.

If you have need a crown or if you would like more information about the various solutions you have, please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.