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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Archives for June 2019

4 Ways to Rescue Your Teeth from Over-Bleaching

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When you look in the mirror and see how dramatically teeth whitening treatments have brightened your smile, the results can be exhilarating. For some people, the thrill of seeing their teeth get amazingly white becomes habit forming.

Photo of teeth whitening trays in a case, for information on DIY teeth whitening from Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Teeth whitening should be carefully monitored

If you received teeth whitening from your dentist, you were probably advised to use it for about two weeks and to wait before starting another session to allow the color to stabilize. But what if you continue bleaching your teeth for weeks, even months? Or what if you are whitening your teeth over and over again without a dentist’s supervision? Although you may not notice how much whiter your teeth are getting, they can become sensitive and brittle.

What Can You Do to Protect Your Teeth?

  1. Take a break. Stop whitening your teeth and give them time to recover. After you stop whitening treatment, the shade of your teeth will continue to brighten over the next few days. Give your teeth and gums time to recover. Irritated nerves can become less sensitive if they are not in contact with the bleaching gel. And irritated gum tissue can heal.
  2. Switch your toothpaste. Daily use toothpaste for sensitive teeth. It penetrates the tiny holes in your teeth and blocks the nerves to decrease sensitivity.
  3. Tell your dentist. You might be embarrassed to tell your dentist about your teeth whitening habit. But your dentist can examine your teeth and let you know if there is any external or internal damage to your teeth. He or she can provide treatment to protect your teeth from further damage. Prescription fluoride treatment or toothpaste might be recommended to strengthen your teeth.
  4. You should avoid whitening your teeth without your dentist’s approval. It’s possible to resume teeth whitening too soon. Just because your teeth feel better doesn’t mean it’s safe to use bleaching gel on them. Your dentist will let you know when, how, and how frequently you should use the gel.

 

Accredited cosmetic dentist Michael Szarek, DMD of Lowell, MA sponsors this blog.

What Can You Expect with Dental Implants If You Have Diabetes?

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Dental implants provide a long-lasting solution for missing teeth. They look and feel natural. And they function better than other forms of tooth replacement. But are they an option if you have diabetes?

Why the Concern About Dental Implants and Diabetes?

Diabetes

Uncontrolled diabetes can affect your body’s ability to heal. High blood glucose levels can cause other medical complications, including:

  • Reduce the body’s immune response
  • Increase the risk of infection, including periodontal (gum) disease
  • Delay healing

How are these factors related to dental implants?

Dental implants

Before you receive dental implants, your gums need to be healthy. Additionally, implants are surgically placed in your jawbone. Sometimes bone grafting is required before you receive them. Proper healing is vital for dental implants to be successful.

Surgery – A dentist who is trained in implantology or an oral surgeon can replace your missing teeth with dental implant fixtures—artificial tooth roots. A root form serves as an anchor for a dental crown, or cap. Two or more implant fixtures can be used to support a denture. It takes three to four months for implants and your jawbone to fuse together and heal. The result is a solid foundation for your replacement teeth.

Bone grafting – If you have begun to experience jawbone shrinkage in the areas where teeth are missing, bone grafting might be needed to ensure your implants have enough support. The grafts will need to heal for about three months before you receive dental implants.

But will diabetes prevent you from receiving implants?

What Does Research Show?

In a study published in the May 2019 issue of the Journal of Oral Implantology, researchers reviewed 118 published studies on dental implants for patients with diabetes. The findings show that diabetes does not affect the implant success rate. But it can increase the risk of marginal bone loss (resorption of bone around the dental implant). Still, with proper planning and care, most patients with diabetes have a successful outcome.

Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you’re thinking about getting dental implants, let your dentist know that you have diabetes. He or she will review your medical and dental history to ensure you’re a candidate for this form of tooth replacement. If you are, your dentist or oral surgeon will ensure your implant surgery is well planned for and performed at the optimal time to promote healing. Your dentist will carefully monitor your implants throughout the healing process.

Diagram of dental implant phases, including 1) implant insertion in bone, 2) healing process, 3) abutment attachment, 4) crown attachment.

Dental implant phases

How Can You Help?

Some of the things you can do to help control your diabetes and contribute to the success of your dental implants include:

  • Follow your doctor’s instructions for monitoring and testing your blood glucose level.
  • Take your medication as prescribed, but tell your doctor about any uncomfortable or unusual side effects.
  • Ensure you get adequate nutrition and regular exercise.
  • Keep your regularly scheduled appointments for dental cleanings and exams.

If you have diabetes, dental implants can still be an option for making your smile healthier and more attractive—for a lifetime.

Finding the Right Dentist

Your smile and your oral health are worth taking time to find the right dentist for your case. Search online to find dentists who have extensive post-graduate training in implantology and who have successfully completed many implant cases. Consider scheduling consultations with at least two dentists to discuss your concerns and to learn what each dentist does to help patients with diabetes have a successful outcome with dental implants.

 

This post is sponsored by Michael Szarek, DMD of Lowell, MA.