6745 Sugarloaf Parkway
Suite 200
Duluth, GA 30097

Marion Dentistry

(770) 279-8800

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Archives for January 2022

Can You Over Whiten Teeth

Posted on January 24, 2022 by writeradmin.

My dentist told me that I’ve whitened my teeth so much that it has become impossible to match my teeth to dental work. I need a dental crown on a lateral incisor and he said my teeth are too white to get a good match. Shouldn’t he have warned me about that? He’s the one doing all the whitening.

Melissa

Dear Melissa,

Old Vita Shade Guide

Based on what you have said, my guess is that teeth whitening is the only type of cosmetic dentistry that your dentist actually does. Here is why I think that. When dentists match a tooth to a color for dental work they use a shade guide. For years, there was only one type of shade guide (pictured above).

Then, in the 1990s, teeth whitening became massively popular. One thing people don’t realize about teeth whitening is that not only does it remove stains, but they can also make the teeth whiter than their most natural white color. As teeth whitening gained in popularity, dentists began noticing that patients’ teeth were whiter than the whitest shade on the shade guide.

Updated shade guide

Updated Shade Guide

Fortunately, as this happened more often, the shade guides caught up. They added an extension that matched the new whiter shades of people’s teeth. Dentists who do a lot of cosmetic work, have the updated shade guide (pictured directly above).

While I am aware that you can just tell your dentist about this updated shade guide and get your crown matched that way, I do not think that will be your best option. This tooth will be very visible when you smile. You will want a dentist with cosmetic skills to match this tooth exactly. It requires more than just the initial shade match. Your dentist will have to give the ceramist instructions that add tints and stains around the tooth to help it mimic the variations in a natural tooth. If he doesn’t even have the correct shade guide, then he will not be able to create a good shade map for the ceramist. You will be better off having your dental crown done by a dentist who does a lot more cosmetic work.

This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Dentist Dr. David Marion.

Filed Under: teeth whitening Tagged With: dental crowns, tooth bleaching

Titanium Versus Zirconia Dental Implants

Posted on January 10, 2022 by writeradmin.

I have concerns about metal being used in a body. I already have two metal implants and now found out that I will need another one. My understanding is there are now non-metal implants. But my dentist doesn’t feel these have been around enough yet to warrant using them yet. Is there a reason why I shouldn’t? Should I switch out my older implants for these newer ones?

Carol

Dear Carol,

metal and zirconia dental

I am going to start with your last question first. Unless there is something wrong with the dental implants, I would not switch them out. Here is why. When your dental implants are removed they take some of the jawbone with it. That bone is essential for you to have a successful implant procedure, so before you can put the new implants in, you will have to have a bone grafting procedure in order to build back up that bone. Once that is healed, you can then have another surgery to place them. That is three additional procedures to replace successful dental implants. Each of those three procedures carry the risk of complications and failure. I would leave the succesful implants in place for as long as possible.

It is likely that your dentist’s concerns over the zirconia implants has to do with the lack of data we currently have on their longevity. The reason for that lack of data is they haven’t been around as long. We have tons of data on the titanium implants because they have been in use for decades. The zirconia are likely just as enduring, they just haven’t been around long enough to say that. Zirconia, nicknamed ceramic steel is certainly strong enough.

So, which should you get? Honestly, whichever one you want. However, I don’t want you thinking that the ones you have are dangerous to you. You mentioned concern over having metal in your body. Not only is titanium, the metal your current implants are made of, extraordinarily biocompatible, but our bodies need and use metals every day. One major example is our blood. If it doesn’t have enough iron, you become anemic, which can cause serious health problems.

If you do decide that you want the zirconia implants, my suggestion is that you do it with another dentist. Your current dentist does not seem comfortable wtih them and it is never a good idea to push a medical provider outside of their comfort level. You are better off finding a metal-free dentist who will have done this procedure quite a bit.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. David Marion, who tries to be the best dentist in Duluth, GA.

Filed Under: Dental Implants Tagged With: bone grafting, metal free dental implants, tooth replacement options, zirconia implants

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Our Location

6745 Sugarloaf Parkway
Suite 200
Duluth, GA 30097

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Monday 8:00am - 5:00pm
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(770) 279-8800

Marion DentistryMarion Dentistry
Our Location
6745 Sugarloaf Parkway
Suite 200
Duluth, GA 30097
Phone
(770) 279-8800
Open Hours
Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday - Thursday 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
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