Beverly Hills Dentistry

Laser treatments for the gums kill any bacteria that are in the gum tissue by using a specific energy wave length.  This laser treatment takes a few minutes to do and leaves the area sterile for about 60 days.

While translucent teeth can be whitened; often the results are not that dramatic.  In some cases bleaching increases the translucency.

Either treatment can be done if there is enough tooth structure and the dental bite is OK.  With new dental bonding agents, veneers will adhere to the teeth very well.

Chlorine does not affect the color of veneers or dental bonding agents. 

Composite resin fillings can be done on the bottom teeth.  However, over time the bonding or the filling can fracture and come out easier than a veneer.  If that happens, you would need to have to have it replaced, but it can be done.

A bridge can be done if there is a missing tooth and there are two teeth on either side.  However, if the two teeth on either side of the missing tooth are healthy and cavity-free with no crowns; there is a possibility of using an implant instead of a bridge.

Bridges are not removable.  To attach a bridge, the two teeth on either side of a missing tooth are prepared and crowns are attached to them.  The bridge is then cemented into place.  They usually feel like real teeth.

One complaint about bridges is that since there is a missing tooth and the bridge is placed over it, food can get under it.  So, additional oral hygiene is needed.  But, if they are well made many people have bridges for several years and are quite happy.

A dental flipper can be used to replace a missing tooth or even two to three missing teeth.  A flipper uses an acrylic piece that sits on the palate, or the roof of the mouth, and the tooth or teeth are attached to it.  A flipper is a removable appliance, but they are not very long lasting and they can break easily.  A partial denture is made with metal; while flippers are made of acrylic.

Silver fillings need to be replaced because they can emit mercury vapors.  Research in both Europe and the United States have shown the negative effects of silver fillings.

Gold fillings are much more durable and safe.  One drawback can be the aesthetic and cosmetic aspect of the fillings.  Also, if you have a combination of metal and porcelain fillers in your mouth, there could be a compatibility problem.

If they are small silver fillings can be replaced by composite fillings, which are tooth colored plastic fillings.  For larger fillings crowns or a laser inlay can be used, which are made out of tooth colored porcelain.  Gold fillings also can be replaced with porcelain material, which is a very long-lasting tooth-colored material.