Cosmetic Dentistry Archives - Page 2 of 6 - Eggert Family Dentistry Blog

All I Really Want Is My New Front Teeth- PC’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

PC (name withheld by patient request) has been a long-time patient of Eggert Family Dentistry and was having issues with headaches and some trouble sleeping. She was interested in fixing her “two front teeth.” “My two front teeth are too big! One is longer than the other, the color bothers me and one front tooth is father forward. I had bonding done years ago and it doesn’t look good anymore.”

After many years, PC decided to undergo the records process with Dr. Elizabeth’s encouragement. During the records process, Dr. Elizabeth used models, x-rays, and photos of PC’s teeth, gums, and bite to better understand the options and to help PC understand any risks that may occur with treatment due to underlying functional issues.

What was recommended?

Through the records process and with information from Dr. Elizabeth, it was determined that the position of PC’s front teeth and the existing wear (flattened edges of her front teeth) likely are at least partially due to airway compromises, both at night and during the day. Before restoring her teeth, it was recommended that PC undergo the Seattle Protocol to help determine if we could decrease the damage being done to her teeth and help protect her new restorations for the long-haul. However, it was difficult for PC to coordinate this as she travels out of the country to help her family multiple times each year. She and Dr. Elizabeth also discussed the option of talking with an ENT to improve nasal breathing, but PC declined this as well.

Therefore, PC elected to move forward with tooth restorations to address her esthetic concerns. Yet, PC’s tooth positions due to crowding caused some esthetic hurdles. Dr. Elizabeth talked with PC and recommended orthodontics to improve tooth spacing and gingival levels. PC also declined this so Dr. Elizabeth had to think outside the box, encouraging PC to minimally seek treatment with a periodontist (gum and tissue specialist) to level out her gingival architecture.

What did she want?

PC was the most concerned about her front teeth. She understood that by declining treatment to address her airway and tooth positions, we would be somewhat limited in our options and this was a risk she was willing to take. She really wanted her front teeth to be the same color and same shape. She wanted to minimize the number of restorations, but didn’t want to have to rely on bleaching to maintain the color of the upper front teeth.

What was involved?

After deciding that she would do bleaching to improve the color for her bottom front teeth and that she would do 6 upper front tooth restorations to give the best symmetry and color options, while still limiting the number of restorations, PC started by consulting with the periodontist so she could level her gingival architecture. PC had this minor surgery completed and after 6 weeks of healing, we were ready to plan for her restorations.

At the time that impressions were taken to develop a wax-up or “blue print” for her restorations, PC underwent the in-office Zoom Whitening procedure to brighten her natural teeth. PC was happy with the color and happy with the wax-up and so her teeth were prepared and the restorations were fabricated.

What does she think?

Once the restorations and bleaching were all completed, we asked PC what she thought about the process. She noted there were a lot of things she hadn’t thought about. She hadn’t realized how interconnected all the pieces were. “I thought it would be so simple, just put a little cover over my teeth.” She said she was amazed at how complex it really was and she was really impressed with Dr. Elizabeth’s knowledge, skills, and attention to detail. She is really pleased with how everything turned out. Thanks, PC, for putting your trust in us! We love serving you as our patient.

Root Canal Myths vs. Facts: Debunking Common Misconceptions

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Many patients have a great deal of anxiety around root canals. This is usually because they’ve heard stories over the years about the pain and suffering others have had to undergo before, during, and after their root canal treatments.

Luckily, that’s all they are: stories. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we want to dispel the root canal myths and give you the facts. Without further ado, let’s break down the most common root canal myths so you can put those anxieties to rest and feel good about your upcoming root canal treatment.

6 Common Root Canal Myths

Myth #1: Root Canal Treatment is Painful

Fact: While this may have been true decades ago, we are pleased to report that modern medicine and anesthesia has come a long way since then! As such, a root canal procedure shouldn’t be any more disagreeable than a filling. Furthermore, Dr. Jeff and Dr. Elizabeth are very experienced in pain management and will make sure your procedure is as comfortable as possible.

Myth #2: Root Canal Treatment Causes Illness

Fact: Be careful what you read on the internet or see on the streaming networks! This misinformation is based on a poorly researched study conducted about a century ago that claimed root canals could cause illnesses, and has since been debunked. Currently, there is no scientific evidence linking root canal treatment with the development of disease in other parts of the body.

Myth #3: If My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt, I Don’t Need a Root Canal

Fact: While it’s true that most infected teeth cause toothaches, there are cases in which an infected tooth presents with no pain. That’s why it’s important to make regular appointments with Eggert Family Dentistry—Dr. Jeff and Dr. Elizabeth Eggert are trained to be able to test the tooth and detect when a root canal is needed to save the tooth, even if there is no initial pain.

Myth #4: It’s Better to Pull a Tooth Than Have a Root Canal Treatment

Fact: Saving the natural tooth is always your best option, as no artificial tooth replacement, even implants, will truly be able to look or function as well as a natural tooth. Root canal treatment has a high success rate and once treated, it’s highly likely that your tooth will continue to last a lifetime! Furthermore, root canal procedures only take a couple short appointments, while implants can be a larger time commitment.

Myth #5: Root Canals Remove the Roots of the Tooth

Fact: The root is what anchors your tooth to the jawbone, and so the root is never removed during a root canal treatment. Instead, the infected or inflamed pulp of the tooth is removed so that the root of your tooth can be healthy again.

Myth #6: Root Canals Require Multiple Long Appointments

Fact: At Eggert Family Dentistry, you can expect the entire root canal procedure to take about 90 minutes with a total of two visits. The first visit will be the main root canal procedure, and the second visit will be when we will fit a permanent crown or other restoration to protect the treated tooth and restore your bite.

Need a Root Canal Procedure? Schedule an Appointment

If you believe you have an infected tooth, it’s important that you have it treated as soon as possible to relieve your discomfort and prevent the spread of infection. At Eggert Family Dentistry, our patients enjoy successful, comfortable root canal procedures thanks to the compassionate care of Dr. Jeff and Dr. Elizabeth Eggert. To schedule an appointment, call our office at 651-482-8412, today!

Understanding Tooth Loss: Common Risk Factors and How to Protect Your Smile

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

No one wants to lose their teeth. Unfortunately, many people lose at least one adult tooth in a lifetime for a variety of reasons. But, seeing as it can impact both oral health and quality of life, it is helpful to understand the factors that contribute to tooth loss in order to adopt proactive strategies that help you maintain a healthy smile for years to come.

Let’s explore the common risk factors associated with tooth loss, as well as some practical tips on preventing tooth loss. We’ll also take a look at the various treatment options available at Eggert Family Dentistry to restore and replace missing teeth.

What Is Tooth Loss?

Tooth loss refers to the condition in which a person loses one or more of their natural teeth. Tooth loss can have significant effects on a person’s oral health, as well as their ability to bite, chew, and speak properly. It can also impact one’s self-esteem and overall quality of life. Treating and preventing tooth loss is important not only for maintaining a healthy smile, but also for preserving oral function and overall well-being.

Common Causes and Risk Factors of Tooth Loss

Gum Disease: Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common risk factor for tooth loss. When plaque and tartar build up along the gum line, bacteria can infect the gums, leading to inflammation and loss of the supporting bony structures for the teeth, eventually causing tooth loss if left untreated.
Cavities (Tooth Decay): Untreated tooth decay can result in cavities, which, when left untreated, can progress and reach the inner layers of the tooth. Severe tooth decay can cause tooth infection or abscess, leading to tooth loss.
Teeth Grinding: The habit of grinding or clenching teeth, known as bruxism, can exert excessive pressure on the teeth, leading to enamel wear, fractures, and tooth loss over time.
Injury or Trauma: Accidents, sports injuries, or other forms of trauma to the mouth can cause immediate tooth loss, or damage that may eventually lead to tooth loss if not promptly treated.
Dry Mouth: Saliva plays an important role in neutralizing acids, remineralizing teeth, and washing away bacteria. Not having enough saliva in the mouth increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which can ultimately lead to tooth loss.
Diabetes: Poor blood sugar caused by uncontrolled diabetes weakens the immune system. A weak immune system will find it harder to fight off infections of the gums, accelerating gum disease and potentially leading to tooth loss.
Smoking: Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of gum disease by reducing blood flow to the gums, making smokers more susceptible to tooth loss.

How to Prevent Tooth Loss

Hygiene Habits

Make sure you brush and floss and floss your teeth regularly. That means brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Additionally, make sure you’re maintaining a regular schedule of dental appointments with Eggert Family Dentistry so Dr. Jeff Eggert and Dr. Elizabeth Eggert can monitor your oral health.

Lifestyle Choices

It should come as no surprise that you need to avoid tobacco consumption in all forms if you want to have a healthy mouth. Other lifestyle changes might include wearing a night guard for bruxism, consuming fewer sugary/acidic foods and drinks, and talking to your medical doctor about treatments for diabetes or high blood pressure to make sure your overall health is being taken care of.

Protective Measures for Sports

If you or a loved one engage in any kind of contact sports, mouth guards are a must. A properly fitted mouthguard can protect your teeth from trauma and prevent tooth loss if an accident happens. Additionally, if your sport allows it, wear a helmet! [DO WE HAVE A PREVIOUS MOUTHGUARD BLOG YOU COULD LINK HERE?]

Treating Tooth Loss

Thanks to modern dentistry, tooth loss doesn’t have to be permanent! At Eggert Family Dentistry, we can recreate the look and feel of your natural teeth using implants or dentures.

Implants are anchored in the bone and they help preserve bone mass in the jaw. Once they are established, you can care for them just as you would your normal teeth, with brushing and flossing. The feel of chewing and speaking will all feel completely familiar. Implants are built to last a lifetime, and they almost always do.

Bridges use the neighboring teeth as anchors to fill in a “tooth” where the natural tooth is missing. Bridges can be a good option if the neighboring teeth also need reconstruction or if the bone isn’t healthy enough for an implant.

Dentures or Partial Dentures are another solution and can be less expensive than implants, however, they may need to be replaced multiple times in a lifetime as the shape of the jaw, mouth and adjacent teeth change over time.

Suffering from Tooth Loss?

If you’re experiencing tooth loss, booking an appointment with Eggert Family Dentistry can be the first step towards restoring your smile. With our compassionate care and expertise, Dr. Jeff Eggert or Dr. Elizabeth Eggert will evaluate your oral health and determine the best treatment options for you. Whether it’s dental implants, bridges, dentures, or other restorative solutions, we can tailor a treatment plan to meet your unique needs. Give us a call today at (651) 482-8412!

Replacing Maryland Bridges – Kate’s Story

By Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Kate works in the medical field and came to us as a new patient in 2019. At her new patient exam, Dr. Elizabeth noted that Kate was congenitally missing her upper lateral incisors. The lateral incisor is the small tooth next to the central, front tooth. Missing lateral incisors are most commonly caused by a condition called hypodontia, in which someone is born with missing teeth. This situation is more common than you realize. Kate had her lateral incisors replaced by “Maryland” bridges over 30 years ago and she had some issues with them staying bonded in the past. Maryland bridges aren’t used much anymore, but can be a decent way to replace teeth (temporarily) for patients that are young because over time tooth and gum changes are expected.

Kate had a bridge on her lower right side as well that came out due to the fracture of one of the abutment (anchor) teeth. After this occurred, Kate decided it was time to work on her bite since she wanted implants to replace her lower teeth and once implants are placed, it is more difficult to idealize a bite since the implants can’t be moved with orthodontics like teeth can.

What did Kate want?

Kate wanted to complete her treatment as soon as possible, but she understood that changing her bite would include orthodontic treatment. Kate worked with Dr. Brian DeVoe and had traditional brackets and wires placed. Luckily, Dr. Elizabeth was able to section Kate’s original Maryland bridges so the teeth could still be moved, but Kate would not have to go without teeth in the front during her orthodontic treatment. Kate was hoping to replace her missing teeth with implants so she would not have to use her adjacent teeth as anchors, however, due to the fact that Kate had been missing her lateral incisors her whole life, there wasn’t enough bone for implants without serious bone grafting interventions. Even with surgical interventions, Kate still only would have had a guarded prognosis for implants. Therefore, Kate decided to complete her case with conventional bridges.

What was involved?

Kate spent approximately 18 months in braces. After she completed orthodontics, Kate came to our office for the pre-planning phase for her new conventional bridges. We took impressions for a wax-up so Kate could preview her new restorations. With the wax-up, we were able to complete a mock-up in Kate’s face so she could really see how the new bridges would look. Kate also spent some time bleaching of her natural teeth so she could use a white porcelain for her new bridges. This helped to brighten her smile. One interesting thing occurred while Kate was bleaching. She had purchased bleach online from the Amazon store, but ended up with a severe ulceration of her tissues from that bleach. After reviewing techniques for healing, her tissue did heal and we were able to continue on with her treatment plan.

After Kate approved the mock-up and her gingival tissue healed, she returned to our office for the preparation of her teeth for conventional bridges. We placed temporary bridges for a couple of weeks and then the final bridges were cemented. She finished her treatment by having new orthodontic retainers fabricated.

What does Kate think?

When we asked Kate what she thought about the treatment once completed, she said that she didn’t understand everything that would go into correcting her bite and planning for new restorations. She initially thought it would be a shorter process. She was surprised at all the detail that went into the planning and the treatment. “I am just amazed at the precision and every single thing that was considered. Dr. Elizabeth Eggert’s skill and ability to do what she does truly amazes me.” When asked what she would tell someone thinking of getting this done, she said, “I would tell them to trust the process and to trust Dr. Elizabeth. It may not be the easiest to live through or it may seem long and tedious, but the end results are so worth it!” Thank you for putting your trust in us to complete your care, Kate! We love your new bright smile!

My New Smile – “It was Necessary:” ML’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

ML (name withheld by request of patient) has been a patient of Dr. Elizabeth Eggert for over 10 years. When ML first came as a patient, Dr. Elizabeth had been working to do a complete oral reconstruction for his mother. His mom urged him to seek Dr. Elizabeth’s council as she was concerned for the long-term health of his teeth. When ML came to us, he mentioned that he knew he had a lot of tooth wear. In interviewing ML, he noted he had difficulty sleeping and said it would take up to 45 minutes for him to fall asleep. He also didn’t think he had a stable bite, despite being in orthodontics on and off for 14 years of his childhood and teenage years. He did have 4 teeth extracted for his first orthodontic treatment (2 upper bicuspids and 2 lower bicuspids). You can note from the BEFORE photos that ML had tooth wear and his upper teeth were stuck inside his lower teeth – this is a condition called “crossbite.”

What was recommended?

ML went through the Records Process and it was determined that the wear on his teeth was increasing at an accelerated rate and the current position of his teeth would put them at high risk for continued wear, chipping, cracking, breaking, and potentially even tooth loss. The recommendations were to get ML’s teeth into a more idealized position, keep bone support for the teeth, and restore the teeth where they have worn in order to build back to normal tooth proportions.

Years ago when ML underwent orthodontics for the first time, we didn’t know as much as dental professionals about airway and jaw constriction. It was fairly common for patients like ML to undergo extractions in order to “gain space” and “alleviate crowding.” We know more now as a profession about how this affects sleep, breathing, and tooth wear over time. Instead of extractions to “gain space” it is much more common now to encourage the bones to grow into positions that can support all the teeth. We are much more likely to recommend expansion or expanders. This solution works very well in growing children. As an adult, this was still possible for ML, but would require jaw surgery to make the corrections. Therefore, orthodontics, jaw surgery, and restorations were recommended for ML. Dr. Elizabeth also talked to ML about the alternative treatment of restoring all of his teeth and rebuilding to a different bite, but ML wanted to limit the number of restorations and Dr. Elizabeth told ML that she preferred to see a wider arch for his teeth anyway.

What did ML want?

“My lifetime goal for my teeth is to keep them.” He reported he has never been happy with the appearance of his teeth. He didn’t want “nuclear” white teeth, but he said if he was going to improve his bite, he wanted his teeth to look nicer too. ML started the process with Dr. DeVoe (orthodontist) to change his bite without any surgical correction. Dr. DeVoe did a nice job improving ML’s crossbite and moving the teeth into a position where restorations could be done to rebuild tooth proportions.

However, even after this second round of orthodontics (ML’s first round as an adult), it was still difficult to even out his bite forces without doing a large number of restorations. Also, there was an “elephant in the room:” ML’s tongue. Dr. Elizabeth couldn’t help but notice how much space ML’s tongue wanted. As you can see in the photo above, ML’s tongue wanted lots of room and would spill over his teeth with his teeth apart. It was also always very visible in photos and very active when working on ML.

While doing the consultation after this second round of orthodontics, ML said “Well, there is always still the option of jaw surgery.” While ML had not been set up orthodontically for jaw surgery, Dr. Elizabeth told ML that he was correct, there still was that option, if he was willing to undergo more orthodontics. She also shared with him the story of her mom’s journey with jaw surgery and orthodontics.

What was involved?

ML went back into orthodontics. He had 2 different surgeries with Dr. Andreasen of Momenta Oral Surgery. One to open his upper arch and expand that space and another to move his upper and lower jaw bones forward. This extended his treatment time frame, but after this third round of orthodontics, he was ready for restorations. ML felt his teeth were disappearing, it was time to rebuild them back to visible proportions.

It is easy to see how ML’s oral space improved after his jaw surgeries. His tongue is happy to have so much more room! For color and tooth proportion corrections, Dr. Elizabeth recommended a minimum of 14 restorations (8 upper teeth and 6 lower teeth) along with equilibration to finalize the bite. ML wanted whiter teeth, but it was decided that since he was doing 14 restorations, his back teeth wouldn’t show in his smile so bleaching was not needed before the restorations were done. Therefore, we did a wax-up so ML could see what the final restorations would look like and after he approved the wax-up, we prepared the teeth for restorations and a few weeks later seated his restorations.

What does he think?

When we asked ML what he thought about doing the procedure before we started he stated, “This was necessary; I never saw this as elective, but I wasn’t really looking forward to it. The thought of something happening to my teeth was a little uncomfortable. I don’t think anybody likes doing something to their body that is irreversible.”

However, ML is very happy he completed the procedures and ended up doing the jaw surgeries after all. He is surprised at how much bigger his airway is and that he no longer makes sounds at night when sleeping. He always believed he could not breathe through his nose because of allergies, but that does not seem to be the case after this treatment, it appears that he needed expansion of his oral spaces. (Note there is NO tongue visible in ML’s AFTER photo.) ML says it was a long road and he learned a lot along the way, but it was necessary!

Congratulations on your amazing results ML and thank you for putting your trust in us! We were delighted to help you through this journey!

My Journey to a New Smile – Roxanne’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Roxanne has been a long time, loyal patient with us since even before Dr. Elizabeth Eggert started in 2005. In 2013 she went through the Records Process because she wanted to address jaw pain that had been getting worse since a car accident in 1981. She also was unhappy with her tooth wear. Dr. Elizabeth used models, photos, and x-rays of Roxanne’s teeth along with our thorough muscle and joint evaluation to present Roxanne with the current health of her teeth, gums and the function of her jaw and muscles. The details of the initial records process revealed that Roxanne would benefit from splint therapy in order to help her jaw and tooth pain. Because of the tooth wear on her front teeth, Roxanne was hitting her back teeth very hard, especially when chewing, causing her muscles and joint to become overworked. An anterior deprogrammer was recommended for her splint therapy, then veneers were recommended to change the length of her front teeth in order to eliminate the interferences of her back teeth.

What did Roxanne want?

Roxanne’s main objective was to be pain free and have a fuller, brighter smile. Roxanne underwent splint therapy with an anterior deprogrammer, but it wasn’t quite enough to get her completely pain free. She was “pain better,” but not “pain free.” The stress in Roxanne’s life compounded her pain and it took many years, including work with an orthodontist, a neurologist, an acupuncture specialist, as well as decreased stress in her life to get her to a stable enough position to address her cosmetic concerns.

Roxanne wondered if bleaching alone would give enough improvement to her smile so she started with Zoom whitening. Unfortunately, although Zoom helped whiten her smile, it wasn’t to the extent she was looking for. Plus, whitening alone couldn’t lengthen her front teeth in order to eliminate the interferences in her bite and keep her pain stable.

Therefore, Roxanne was ready to talk about a more comprehensive treatment option for her teeth. Dr. Elizabeth recommended that Roxanne start with Invisalign in order to improve her crowding and gum tissue levels as well as give her tongue and airway more space. Invisalign would be able to broaden her smile so she wouldn’t have to do a full mouth of veneers or crowns to get the look she was hoping for.

What was involved?

Roxanne underwent Invisalign treatment with the goals of improving her crowding, expanding her arch, creating space for porcelain veneers (which would introduce spacing between her teeth), leveling gingival tissue, and providing support for her joints and muscles.

After only 7 months of Invisalign, Roxanne was then ready to plan for her restorations. Before starting the final planning stage, Dr. Elizabeth performed equilibration to refine and finalize even contacts with her bite to keep her potential for future pain symptoms under control. Roxanne wanted her teeth even and white and elected to restore 8 teeth on her upper arch and 6 teeth on her lower arch. Roxanne did a lot of research before doing her veneers and wanted a “Hollywood Style” look. The teeth were prepared for the restorations and in less than 3 weeks, Roxanne had her final results.

What does Roxanne think of her results?

Before the procedures Roxanne was nervous about the time it took and the “permanency of it all,” yet she was very confident in Dr. Elizabeth. In her final interview, Roxanne said “Dr. Elizabeth told me exactly what would happen, what I should expect, and there were no surprises. The timeline was just as discussed.” She also said, “My jaw feels great and my new smile is good. It’s what I was expecting.” She would definitely recommend the treatment to others and says that it is a team effort and you have to do everything that is expected of you for the best results. Roxanne knows that having a better smile is fantastic. “My smile is pretty important. If you look better, you feel better!”

Roxanne was also so kind to write a 5-Star Google Review of our practice and noted “Dr. Elizabeth and I completed a 9 month process of realigning my bite and correcting my dysfunctional jaw. Along with a complete restoration of my upper and lower teeth. The results were everything I had hoped for. I appreciate her knowledge and dedication everyday when I look at my new smile!” Thank you Roxanne! You truly are a treasure for us! We look forward to reading other 5-Star Google Reviews from our patients. Submit yours today!

The Power of a Great Bite – Steve’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Steve came to us in 2020 and talked to us about how his bite never felt right after a new crown had been done at another dental office. Steve said that he even had undergone two rounds of Invisalign trying to make his bite feel normal again. He told us he chose our office because he researched and found that Dr. Elizabeth Eggert had the experience he was looking for in regard to helping people feel better about their bites. He told us, “I am not happy with my bite and I really just want my jaw to feel better.” He was not concerned cosmetically about his teeth, but wanted to be comfortable with his bite and to be able to eat again without feeling like he would break his teeth.

What was involved?

Steve underwent the Records Process and some interesting things were noted from the analysis. Dr. Elizabeth was able to obtain Steve’s pre-Invisalign records and noticed that he started with spaces between many of his front teeth.

Pre-Initial Invisalign

The analysis helped her find that Steve had a strained muscle and jaw position and therefore, it made sense for Steve to start his treatment with splint therapy to help find a consistent bite position for jaw and muscle comfort. The best appliance for Steve was an Anterior Deprogrammer to help his muscles release and decrease pressure and stress on his functional system. After splint therapy, it was clear that Steve’s bite had unevenly high points and his body seemed to crave more space in his mouth because his lower jaw wanted to be forward from where it was. It was almost like he was “locked” into an uncomfortable position. Dr. Elizabeth suspected that because Steve’s first Invisalign treatments closed the spaces between his teeth, that a cascade of muscle imbalances followed for him.

She recommended that Steve undergo Invisalign AGAIN in order to open the spaces back up and then restore his teeth to fill in the gaps.

Invisalign helped gain space back and Steve’s muscles were finally able to relax again, however his teeth still hit somewhat unevenly in the back. Therefore, equilibration was also completed for Steve to even out the bite forces on his teeth now that his muscles were in a calm position. After the 3^rd round of Invisalign and the equilibration, Steve told us “My muscles feel REALLY GOOD!”

Before restoring his anterior teeth with porcelain veneers to fill in the gaps, Steve also wanted the rest of his teeth whiter. Steve completed the Zoom bleaching procedure and brightened up at least 5 shades!

What does Steve think?

Steve is very happy with the final results and said that during the procedure he did not have any worries.

“I think it was a good process and I didn’t have any sensitivity with my teeth.” He told us his muscles and bite feel much more stable and he no longer gets the feeling that he is going to break his teeth. He said “The timeline was good and it went by fast.” His family also likes the results, but Steve says “It really wasn’t about the cosmetic aspect for me, but it was worth it to have the stability in my bite!”

Congratulations Steve – your results are amazing! We are so happy we were able to get your bite back for you. This case was a fun puzzler for Dr. Elizabeth because she was able to figure out how important your “pre-condition” was to a future successful outcome! We appreciate you putting your trust in us!

What Can Composites Do for You? – Liv’s and Gretchen’s Stories

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start? Liv’s Story

Liv came to us for an evaluation with Dr. Elizabeth Eggert prior to beginning Invisalign treatment. Liv was about to start Invisalign with Dr. Wang, but she and her parents wanted to discuss her options for addressing the spacing she had between some teeth.

Liv was born with undersized lateral incisors, sometimes called “peg laterals.” With this condition, there often are spacing issues because the tooth size doesn’t match the arch size. In Liv’s case, this left a space between her two front teeth that she wasn’t fond of. It even kept her from smiling in public!

Pre-planning was done so that after Invisalign treatment, Liv would be left with even spacing, an expanded arch, and a broader smile. Then, Dr. Elizabeth would be able to change the size of her teeth with composite and finish building Liv a beautiful smile.

What was involved?

When Liv completed her Invisalign, she noted she wanted whiter teeth too, so before we completed her restorations, Liv underwent the Zoom Whitening procedure. Her teeth brightened up very nicely.

Dr. Elizabeth then discussed pros and cons with Liv and her parents regarding restoration options. There are two materials available for veneers – composite resin (plastic) or porcelain. Both are conservative options, both will give a nice color match, and both hold up well. Composite can stain over time, but initially isn’t as much of an investment. Because Liv is still young and her body will continue to evolve, it was decided to do two composite veneers now and in a few years’ time, reevaluate the need for porcelain, possibly extending to more teeth in the future. Dr. Elizabeth did a mock-up of the possible restorations and after seeing this mock-up, Liv was really excited and ready to proceed!

What does she think?

Liv is very happy with how everything turned out. She said she was excited to use composite, which will leave things more flexible for her future. She thought it seemed like the best option for her age. She said “It is easy to maintain and it feels very natural and normal. I smile more now and I actually show my teeth. I didn’t used to do that.” This is what now makes her parents very happy!

When asked what she would say to someone considering getting this done, she said that is quick and not a long procedure: “It was very easy for me!”

We are so happy that we could work with Liv and collaborate with her team of doctors to help give her a smile she can be proud of!

How did this start? Gretchen’s Story

Gretchen came to us as a new patient and Dr. Elizabeth noticed she had decay around an existing composite veneer on her right-side lateral incisor as well as decay on her right-side central incisor. While Gretchen certainly would benefit from a more comprehensive treatment plan to address her bite and wear pattern, Gretchen was nervous about replacing her existing composite veneer and was concerned about costs. Therefore, after some encouragement to at least address the decay, Gretchen agreed to move forward with a new composite veneer and filling.

What was involved?

Since Gretchen wanted a more limited approach, no pre-planning was completed and all the treatment was done free-hand by Dr. Elizabeth in one appointment. Gretchen wanted a better color match (her original veneer was much brighter than the current shade of her natural teeth), she didn’t want to feel the gap with her tongue on the back of her current veneer (due to the decay), and she wanted the shape and contour to remain similar to her original veneer.

What does she think?

Gretchen is happy with her results and she said “It doesn’t feel like there is a gap in the back anymore.” She is also happy she can still use her original retainer. This was a concern for her as well. Even in a more limited approach, composite can give beautiful results!

CEREC and The Primescan Up Close – Ann’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

It is always ideal when your dental exam reveals no problems, but sometimes issues do arise. If your tooth has a large cavity, cracks, or is broken, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff will likely recommend a crown to help restore the integrity of your tooth. A crown will reinforce the tooth and help keep it functioning for eating, smiling, and speaking.

Crowns have been around for decades and fortunately the materials and process for making crowns has continued to evolve and improve. Traditionally, getting a crown on your tooth involved two appointments. Currently, technology exists that allows us to make crowns in our dental office in one appointment. This offers a number of advantages, probably the biggest of which is convenience in coming to the office for only one appointment instead of two. Another advantage is the ability to take a digital impression with an intraoral scanner. This eliminates the need to take a traditional impression with putty material that sets up in your mouth. A crown in one day also means there is no need for a temporary crown. Temporaries are durable but do occasionally break or come loose, necessitating a visit to have a new temporary made or recemented. An additional remarkable feature of the “same-day crown” is the ability to replicate the shape and anatomy of an existing tooth or crown, which makes it easy for your new crown to fit well into your bite.

We have been using this technology with the CEREC system for many years and we recently upgraded our intraoral scanner to the Sirona Primescan, which makes taking digital impressions even faster and easier. Not every case can be completed in one visit, but many can, which most people find preferable. A recent patient, Ann, commented, “It is very convenient to get the crown fitted and designed in one visit versus having to come back!”

We want to share some photos with you of Ann’s case so you can see this technology in action. If one of your teeth ends up needing a crown, you can trust that our great team at Eggert Family Dentistry will take wonderful care of you too!

Call us today at 651-482-8412 to inquire about getting your next crown in one day!

Crown Restorations Made in One Visit Using Our CEREC System

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Traditionally, if you went to the dentist for a crown restoration, the process would be spread across two appointments. During the first appointment, the tooth is prepared for the crown. This includes re-shaping the tooth to receive the crown and removing the damaged portion of the tooth. Depending on the amount of damage the tooth sustained, it may also require a core buildup.

After that, an impression of the tooth is taken and sent to a dental lab, where the customized crown is created. You would leave the first appointment with a temporary crown on your tooth.

Usually after two weeks, you would return for your customized crown. Your temporary is removed and the new crown evaluated for a good fit and cemented.

Can a Crown Be Fabricated in One Visit?

At Eggert Family Dentistry, crown restorations can happen in a single visit using the CEREC crown restoration system!

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. The system uses computer-aided design – also called CAD – to create permanent customized dental restorations immediately. While it used to take a dental lab a couple of weeks to create a crown, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff use the latest technology – the CEREC crown restoration system – to create crowns in minutes.

In a single visit, we can create a variety of perfectly fitting restorations, including:

Crowns
Inlays
Onlays

Using the Prime Scan to Capture Perfect 3D Images of Your Teeth

We are happy to now be using the latest scanning unit for our CEREC crowns. The CEREC Prime Scan is a recently developed scanning unit that captures highly detailed images of your mouth.

Many of you had the opportunity to benefit from our previous scanning unit, the Omnicam, and it worked well, but the new CEREC Prime Scan can image even faster and with more detail. With the CEREC Prime Scan, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff use a small handheld camera to scan your mouth for crisp, perfectly captured images of your teeth.

Material Options for Crowns

After taking a scan of your teeth, we’re able to create a crown restoration in minutes. New crowns can be made of compressed porcelain, emax porcelain, or compressed composite resin. During your appointment, you can talk with Dr. Elizbeth and Dr. Jeff to determine what material is the best fit for you.

Schedule an Appointment to Get Your Crown Restoration in One Visit

In the past, people procrastinated getting their recommended crown restorations for a variety of reasons. They were too busy to come in for multiple appointments. They had a bad experience with a temporary crown. Or they thought the process of getting impressions taken was uncomfortable.

With the CEREC crown restoration system, that’s all a thing of the past.

Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff Eggert of Eggert Family Dentistry can complete the dental restoration work you need in a single appointment. Call our office at 651-482-8412 to schedule your appointment.