Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Family dental care in Glen Iris

Archives for March 2021

Why do I have a black line at the base of my crown in Glen Iris?

Over time, it is common for black lines to form at the base of a crown or become visible on the gums surrounding your crown. Typically, this is a cosmetic issue and usually causes no pain.

If you do experience pain, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible.

Black lines can appear on crowns for several reasons, whether it’s an individual crown or one placed after root canal treatment:

  • Having a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown. As your gums recede over time, the metal portion at the top of your crown may be exposed.

  • Staining caused by the metal on your PFM crown where the gums meet the metal.

  • Cavity formation between the crown and gums.

Dr. Daniel Kaufman can assess the cause and recommend an appropriate solution, which may include:

  • Replacing an old crown with a fully porcelain crown to eliminate black lines and stains.

  • Treating any cavities promptly to avoid further complications.

All treatments should be supported with good dental hygiene at home and regular check-up and hygiene appointments at the dental practice. If you noticed a black line around your crown, schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Daniel Kaufman.

Wisdom Teeth Removal and Care in Glen Iris

What Are Wisdom Teeth? Do We Need to Remove Them?
Wisdom teeth are the last molars located at the very back of the mouth. While the first molars usually erupt after age 6, wisdom teeth, the third molars, typically emerge during the late teens or early twenties. The wisdom teeth, which begin developing around the age of 6-7 and can be seen on an x-ray early on.

Since wisdom teeth erupt after all other teeth, they often face limited space to emerge, leading to what’s called impaction. This is largely due to evolutionary changes. Anthropologists believe wisdom teeth were necessary for chewing coarse foods that wore down earlier teeth. Today’s softer diet means they are often unnecessary and classified as vestigial organs. Additionally, modern jaw sizes have decreased, sometimes causing wisdom teeth to grow at angles that push against neighboring teeth or gum tissue, sometimes causing pain or infections.

When a wisdom tooth pushes against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue, it results in impaction, which can cause pain, damage, or other dental issues. To prevent complications, impacted wisdom teeth that cause symptoms are typically removed.

Why Early Evaluation Matters

It is crucial to evaluate the development and position of wisdom teeth around age 15-16 to determine if they will cause problems and to plan treatment timing. Early assessments prevent discomfort and avoid future complications. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth might not cause immediate issues but are at higher risk for decay and gum disease. That’s why Dr. Kaufman may recommend removal of impacted wisdom teeth even when symptom-free. This evaluation is included as part of our comprehensive dental exam.

Expertise and Advanced Techniques at Tooronga Family Dentistry

With extensive experience in wisdom teeth removal, Dr. Kaufman offers extractions using local anesthesia, nitrous oxide sedation and general anesthesia. To ensure precision and comfort, we utilize the latest ultrasonic surgical system, which is more efficient and less invasive than traditional drills.

For personalized advice or to discuss wisdom teeth concerns, please contact Dr. Kaufman or call Tooronga Family Dentistry.