Call Us: (716) 675 9225
287 Center Road
West Seneca, NY
664 Center Road
West Seneca, NY
Sedation Dentistry at our office will change what you think about going to the dentist.

Archives for March 2020

Metal Allergies and Dental Implants

Posted on by .

I have need of a dental implant for a lateral incisor I’m losing. The problem I have is I’m horribly allergic to most metals. I can’t even wear watches or anything with metal that would contact my skin, like buttons. Does this mean I need to get a dental bridge? I don’t like the idea of grinding down tooth structure unnecessarily. Maybe there’s another procedure I don’t know about?

Kaylie

Dear Kaylie,

Metal-free Dental Implants

I have fantastic news for you! You have two very good options that will not require a different procedure. Dental implants are possible for patients with dental allergies.

Option One: Titanium Implants

While titanium is a metal, it is very biocompatible and it is extraordinarily rare to have an allergy to it, even among those with metal allergies. However, if you’re worried, your doctor can arrange to test you specifically for a titanium allergy. If you are not allergic you can go ahead and get the titanium implants.

Option Two: Zirconia Implants

These are metal-free and made from zirconia, which has been nicknamed ceramic steel. It is strong enough to replace a tooth root. Not all dentists are working with the materials yet. If it turns out you’re allergic to titanium, you may want to look for a dentist who has extensive training in dental implants, who also considers themselves either a metal-free dentist or a holistic dentist.

Titanium Versus Zirconia Implants: Which is Better?

It isn’t that one has been definitively shown to be better than another. If that is the case, why aren’t more dentists availing themselves of the metal-free option? The answer is simply that the titanium implants have been around longer. That means we have hard data on their longevity. One day we may have that same longevity on the zirconia implants. We may even discover they’re better than their metal counterparts. Until then, each dentist has to decide for themselves which they’re comfortable using with their patients.

This blog is brought to you by West Seneca Dentist Dr. Warren Krutchick.

Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening, AND Invisalign?

Posted on by .

I’d scheduled an appointment with my dentist for a consultation for porcelain veneers. I thought it would be completely canceled because of the quarantine, but he did it over Zoom. That was actually kind of fun. The reason I’m writing is because of the number of extra procedures he’s requiring when we are able to move forward with this treatment. A cleaning I understand. What I don’t understand is why he also wants me to do teeth whitening and Invisalign. I thought the porcelain veneers would whiten my teeth and the only thing on my smile which is even a little crooked is one tooth. I thought the porcelain veneers would take care of that too. What gives?

Karen

Dear Karen,

single porcelain veneer being held up with a gentle tool

Here is what I would agree with your dentist on.

First, a good cleaning is always a good idea before any major procedure. That will be especially true after the quarantine. Another thing which makes sense is the teeth whitening. You are correct that the porcelain veneers themselves can be made any color and will whiten every tooth you place them on. The reason a cosmetic dentist recommends teeth whitening is so the adjacent teeth you may not have any veneers on will blend in. It also is useful for your bottom arch of teeth to blend with the made-over teeth.

One thing I don’t agree with is the Invisalign. Nothing you’ve mentioned indicates you have a complicated orthodontics case. If it is simply one tooth that is a little crooked, the porcelain veneers will make it look perfectly straight. In your case, Invisalign is a completely unnecessary procedure. It brings up a small warning bell with me. Is it possible your dentist isn’t skilled with porcelain veneers and doesn’t know how to make a tooth look straight? If so, that is a problem.

Smile makeovers aren’t taught in dental school. In order for a dentist to develop expertise in this type of cosmetic dentistry, they have to invest in a significant amount of post-doctoral training. Your dentist may not have done that. What that means is you will get a mediocre smile makeover. You’re probably paying for a stunning smile, so you certainly don’t want to end up with one that is sub-par.

What Type of Cosmetic Dentist Do You Want?

As I mentioned above, you will need an expert cosmetic dentist. There really isn’t a recognized specialty in cosmetic work. This means any dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist regardless of the amount of training they’ve invested in the procedure. That makes it difficult for patients to know who is skilled and artistic and who isn’t.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry realized that. As a result, they started an accreditation program where dentists can show they have what it takes. They’ll have to take stringent exams as well as provide visual evidence of a large number of specific cases they’ve personally done in order to prove they have more than just technical knowledge. They also have artistic skill. Dentists who pass these become accredited. It’s a long and difficult process so only the top 1% of cosmetic dentists end up AACD accredited. If I were paying for a smile makeover, I’d want an accredited dentist.

This blog is brought to you by West Seneca Dentist Dr. Warren Krutchick.