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Tooth Stains and Smoking: Another Great Reason to Quit

Tooth Stains and Smoking: Another Great Reason to Quit

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by drrapisarda
Dr. Robert Rapisarda has helped so many patients around the Barre area get the smiles of their dreams. One of the ways of enhancing the appearance of smiles that has proven especially effective is teeth whitening, which lifts stains and brightens tarnished smiles.

Many different substances can lead to stained teeth, from beverages like coffee to foods like beets. One particular cause of tooth stains that we want to look at right now is cigarettes and cigars. Smoking is an awful habit, and there are plenty of reasons why.

Smoking Is Already Bad for You for So Many Reasons

We already know how bad smoking is for your general health. The damage done to your lungs can be considerable, increasing the risk of developing lung cancer and other respiratory issues later in life. In addition, smoking increases your risk of hypertension and heart attack.

In some sense, the dental stains and tooth discoloration caused by smoking are the least of your worries.

How bad can dental stains from smoking get?

They can be very bad.

If a person has smoked for years and years, the gradual change to the color of their teeth mounts up. Sometimes the teeth can be significantly browned or yellowed, making the patient’s smile seem especially tarnished.

Other Dental Problems Linked to Smoking

As we mentioned, the tooth stains may be the least of your worries. In addition to causing tooth discoloration, smoking is also linked to bad breath, increased risk of gum disease, and increased risk of developing oral cancers.

The bad breath that a smoker experiences can be particularly bad, even with regular brushing and flossing. The smell can permeate the lips and the area around the mouth, and it can also get stuck in a smoker’s clothes.

Gum disease is the bacterial infection of gum tissue. When a person smokes, it makes them more susceptible to gum disease. If left untreated, the gum disease can lead to gum recession, loose teeth and tooth loss, and many more severe dental health issues.

With regard to oral cancer, smoking is not just linked to lung cancer, but is can also lead to cancer of the throat, the jaw, the salivary glands, and the tongue.

Treatment Options for Dental Stains

The ideal option for treating dental stains depends a lot on the extent of the discoloration.

If the stains are mild, professional teeth whitening may be the best option to consider. This will involve the use of bleaching agents to brighten the enamel of the teeth.

For more severe dental stains, teeth whitening may not be enough. In these cases, the use of porcelain veneers, dental bonding, or even a dental crown may be more ideal.

Treatment Options for Other Damage Due to Smoking

If you suffer from gum disease or some form of tooth decay or damage due to smoking, there are a number of restorative procedures to consider to improve your dental health and wellness, including gum grafting and the use of various restorations.

When you stop by for a visit, we will be more than happy to go over all of your options for advanced dental care in full detail.

Schedule a Consultation for Cosmetic Dentistry

For more information about your many different options for advanced dental care, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. Dr. Rapisarda and his entire team will be sure to provide you with all the information you need to achieve all of your dental care goals.

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Treat Gaps and Poor Spacing with Porcelain Veneers

Treat Gaps and Poor Spacing with Porcelain Veneers

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by Robert Rapisarda

So much can be accomplished with porcelain veneers. Versatile and perfectly matched to your natural teeth, porcelain veneers enhance smiles and look great when in place. Dr. Robert Rapisarda has routinely used porcelain veneers at his practice here in Barre to treat chips, cracks, and stains on the teeth of patients. What many don’t realize is that porcelain veneers can also be used to treat tooth gaps and issues with spacing.

Problems Associated with Tooth Gaps and Poor Spacing

Little spaces and gaps in your smile can have a negative impact on your overall appearance. If the gaps are visible among your most prominent teeth, this can be especially problematic, and you may find your smile lacking the beauty you’d hoped it had. A number of people are self-conscious about their smiles precisely because of tooth gaps.

Porcelain Veneers Are Called Instant Orthodontics for a Reason

One of the nicknames for porcelain veneers is instant orthodontics. It’s called that for good reason. In just two visits, a person can have the appearance of orthodontic care without the months of brackets, wires, and discomfort.

When a person gets porcelain veneers placed, the veneers blend in seamlessly with the rest of their smile, making the smile look totally natural in the process. It will appear that the patient has undergone orthodontic treatment, but in fact, it will have only been treated with porcelain veneers.

The Benefits of Porcelain Veneers for Spacing Problems

The biggest benefits of having porcelain veneers placed to address gaps is that the process is accomplished very quickly and the results are quite wonderful. No one is able to tell that a patient has had any dental work performed. In addition, the porcelain veneers mask other imperfections on a person’s smile, making the patient’s treated teeth look perfect, pristine, and absolutely brilliant.

Cases When Traditional Orthodontics May Be More Ideal

While porcelain veneers are ideal for many problems with gaps and spacing, the solution is purely cosmetic in nature. If a patient has a serious issue with gaps and spacing, this may be a pressing dental health concern. Malocclusion can cause bruxism (teeth grinding) to occur, resulting in tooth damage and a TMJ disorder as well.

In cases where the health of a patient is affected by the gaps between their teeth, the ideal solution for care is traditional orthodontic treatment.

Helping You Make the Best Choices

We obviously can’t treat patients in a one-size-fits-all manner since their needs vary a great deal. During the consultation process, we will carefully assess the health and aesthetics of your smile and determine the best way to enhance both through the latest in advanced dental care. What’s important to us is that patients understand all of their treatment options and are able to make well-informed choices about them.

Discuss Your Options with Dr. Rapisarda

Would you like to learn more about porcelain veneers and how they can enhance your smile? If so, it’s important that you contact our dental care practice today to schedule a consultation. During your discussion with Dr. Rapisarda, you will be able to learn more about your many options for smile makeover enhancements.

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How Do Cavities Form?

How Do Cavities Form?

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by drrapisarda
By the time you’re an adult, it is highly likely that you have had a run-in with cavities at least once – according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 92 percent of adults have experienced dental caries, also known as cavities, in their permanent teeth at one time or another.

With those statistics, it should come as no surprise that dentists like Boston general dentist Robert Rapisarda encounter cavities among their patients every day. Cavities can be treated with fillings, which are recommended for smaller fillings, or dental crowns, for patients that have experienced severe tooth decay. But where do those cavities come from? That’s a great question – the more you know about cavities, the better prepared you will be to seek out effective treatment or, with the right preventative measures, avoid them all together.

How Do Cavities Form?

The outer layer of every tooth is a hard translucent material called enamel. This enamel protects the nerves and soft dentin layer beneath its surface. But it is not invincible. Bacteria and acids can eat away at the enamel over time, decaying your teeth and forming holes in the enamel that dentists refer to as cavities.

A cavity doesn’t happen overnight – tooth decay is a process that happens gradually and in steps. When decay starts to take hold of a tooth, the first visible sign is a white or discolored spot where the tooth’s outer enamel has begun to wear away. If your cavity is caught during this early stage, you may be able to reverse the decay process and avoid more invasive treatment options.

If a problem spot is not treated early, however, acids from food, bacteria, and tartar buildup will continue to eat away at your enamel until a larger hole or cavity is formed in your enamel. This leaves the underlying dentin exposed and prone to further decay and infection.

How Are Cavities Treated?

If your dentist discovers a cavity, you may have several possible treatment options depending on the state, severity, and position of the cavity itself. If your tooth is still in the white spot stage, for example, you may be able to solve the problem through proactive measures such as brushing your teeth with a special enamel-building toothpaste or tooth strengthening mouthwash.

Once a cavity has formed, your dentist will likely recommend drilling away the decayed part of the tooth and replacing it with a filling. Fillings can be made of many different materials – at the office of Dr. Rapisarda, we offer tooth-colored fillings made of composite resin that can be matched perfectly to your existing teeth for a completely natural look and feel.

Cavities that have progressed to the point where they are larger and more severe may require more support than a filling alone can give. In these cases, your dentist will likely recommend dental crowns to fit over the rest of your affected tooth.

Learn More about Cavities and How to Treat Them

If you suspect that you may have a cavity forming, don’t wait to seek treatment – the sooner you address the problem, the simpler treatment will be. Our cosmetic dentistry office is dedicated to offering state-of-the-art treatments for all major dental issues. Contact us to schedule an appointment and learn more about your cavity treatment options today.

How Do Cavities Form? Read More »

One-Hour Tooth Whitening with Rembrandt®

One-Hour Tooth Whitening with Rembrandt®

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by drrapisarda

Planning a wedding, arranging a family photo shoot, or preparing for a speech can make life hectic. You may not notice that your teeth look yellow or stained until the final few days prior to your event. If you’re short on time, but long for a brighter smile, call Boston dentist, Dr. Robert Rapisarda. With Rembrandt® teeth whitening, Dr. Rapisarda can brighten your teeth dramatically, up to ten shades, in just an hour.

What Is Rembrandt®?

In 1989, Rembrandt® was the first manufacturer to provide teeth whitening toothpaste. Since then, the company has provided consumers with mouthwash, canker sore toothpaste, and whitening strips. Today, Rembrandt® partners with cosmetic dentists to provide patients with a light-activated whitening system that utilizes Virtuoso Lightening® Gel and the Sapphire® Light. An additional benefit is, this one-visit, one-hour treatment does not require special after-care treatments at home.

What Stains will One-Hour Whitening Address?

Dental stains are categorized as intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic stains exist within or beneath tooth enamel. One example is fluorosis, the white, horizontal lines that form on teeth during their development. Fluorosis occurs, most often, when children swallow fluoridated toothpaste. As a result, their permanent teeth feature the tell-tale, permanent white lines. Intrinsic stains may also form if your mother took tetracycline antibiotics in her second or third trimester, when she was pregnant with you, or if you used these medications before age eight. Injury to teeth may result in tooth discoloration, as will the rare condition, dentinogenesis imperfecta.

Extrinsic stains occur from substances that come in contact with the surface tooth enamel. Discolorations from drinking tea, coffee and wine; stains caused by darkly pigmented foods, such as tomatoes and blueberries; and tobacco’s nicotine stains are considered extrinsic. Rembrandt® can lighten or erase extrinsic stains, but not intrinsic stains.

How Long Do Rembrandt® Whitening Results Last?

The longevity of your whitening results will depend, in part, on how to care for your teeth. If you follow these tips, your whitening could last years. However, should you need another session, Rembrandt® is gentle enough that you can re-treat as needed.

Tips for Maintaining a Bright Smile

  • Brush your teeth for two minutes when you wake, before eating or drinking.
  • Brush your teeth for two minutes, then floss, 30 minutes or longer after eating dinner.
  • Use mouthwash before and after brushing.
  • Use a tongue scraper to remove plaque from the surface of your tongue.
  • Avoid highly acidic and darkly pigmented foods and beverages.
  • Rinse your mouth with water after meals and snacks.
  • Drink colas and juices through a straw.
  • Visit Dr. Rapisarda twice a year, or as recommended, for cleanings and checkups.
  • Re-treat as necessary.

What if Rembrandt® Isn’t Right for Me?

To address intrinsic tooth stains, a topical whitening system, even one as powerful as Rembrandt®, will not work. If you suffer from fluorosis or other intrinsic dental stains, talk with Dr. Rapisarda about cosmetic dentistryoptions that will solve your problem. He may recommend porcelain veneers, bonding, or all-white dental crowns to permanently whiten your teeth.

Schedule Your Consultation

To learn more about Rembrandt® Whitening or to schedule your cosmetic dental consultation, give us a call today. Dr. Rapisarda has an excellent reputation for providing general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry.

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The Ideal Candidates for Porcelain Veneers Treatment

The Ideal Candidates for Porcelain Veneers Treatment

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by Robert Rapisarda
Getting a smile that looks its very best has been made a whole lot easier thanks to modern cosmetic dentistry. By meeting with a cosmetic dentist, you can have stains, chips, cracks, and major flaws easily addressed simply through the use of new techniques and technologies.

One of the most popular options to consider for various aesthetic flaws is porcelain veneers. Let’s take a moment to consider candidacy for porcelain veneers and what that entails.

About Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic that are specially designed to mask flaws on the teeth. They are placed directly onto the front part of a patient’s tooth. When in place, the porcelain veneers blend in seamlessly with the patient’s smile.

The secret is their composition. Porcelain veneers are semi-translucent, which means that light partially passes through them just as they would your normal teeth. Whether you are under natural light or artificial light, few will realize that you have porcelain veneers in place.

General Candidates for Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are ideal for different kinds of aesthetic flaws that affect your smile. It’s important that patients be in otherwise good dental health and not suffer from any dental health issues that affect the overall structure or integrity of the tooth or teeth. Patients need to have realistic expectations about the treatment process.

As you will note below, porcelain veneers are a versatile solution for many different dental problems.

Porcelain Veneers for Patients with Tooth Discoloration

If you have teeth that are stained or discolored in any way, porcelain veneers are an excellent option to consider. Veneers are generally more ideal than teeth whitening if the stains originate from the inside of the tooth or are especially deep set.

Porcelain Veneers for Patients with Tooth Damage

Minor tooth damage such as chips and cracks can easily be treated thanks to porcelain veneers. Veneers offer greater aesthetic benefits than tooth bonding, though more serious chips and cracks would be better treated with a dental crown or another type of restoration.

Porcelain Veneers for Patients with Aesthetic Orthodontic Flaws

Porcelain veneers have earned the nickname “instant orthodontics” with good reason. A number of cosmetic flaws related to spacing and alignment can be treated thanks to porcelain veneers. This means gaps, asymmetries, unevenness, and so on. Braces may not be necessary thanks to instant orthodontics.

Total Smile Makeovers Using Porcelain Veneers

Given how versatile porcelain veneers are, they are actually ideal for patients who suffer from many different kinds of aesthetic flaws of their smile. Sometimes an entire smile makeover can be achieved simply through the use of porcelain veneers. During the consultation process, Dr. Rapisarda will be sure to carefully customize your smile makeover to meet your needs.

Learn More About Porcelain Dental Veneers

If you would like more information about porcelain veneers and your many other options available for advanced dental care, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice in Barre, MA today. Dr. Robert Rapisarda and his entire team look forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve the very best with regard to your dental health and wellness.

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Porcelain Veneers Replacement and Lifespan

Porcelain Veneers Replacement and Lifespan

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by drrapisarda
A common misconception about dental work is that restorations can be expected to last a lifetime. Unfortunately, even when patients take excellent care of their teeth, most dental materials will require eventual replacement. This is equally true of elective cosmetic procedures such as porcelain veneers. Despite porcelain’s durability, it can only last so long before incurring damage or losing its aesthetic benefits.

Still, the lifespan of your veneers is largely dependent upon your dental care. By understanding what to expect of your veneers and what causes them to need replacement, you can make them last as long as possible. Take note of the below information on the lifespan and replacement of porcelain veneers, as provided by our Boston cosmetic dentistry office.

Causes for Replacement

Porcelain veneers may need to be replaced due to a variety of reasons. In some cases, damage can be sudden and unexpected, while other causes are far more gradual. By learning the most common reasons for replacement, you can properly minimize the risks to your restorations:

  • Large chips or cracks: Excessive pressure can cause porcelain to chip or crack. This may occur due to physical injury from accidents or contact sports, but can also occur from any instance of biting down on a hard foreign object. In some cases, habitual teeth grinding at night results in noticeable chips.
  • General wear: Porcelain does not erode in the way that enamel and composite restorations do, but it can incur many small chips from regular biting and eating habits. Over time, this can lead to a significant change in size and appearance.
  • Tooth decay: If a cavity forms within a tooth covered by the veneer, the veneer will have to be removed in order for treatment to commence. Since veneers are removed by grinding them down like regular tooth tissue, a new one will have to be installed afterward.
  • Discoloration: Porcelain is resistant to most instances of staining, but it is possible for some discoloration to form over the years, especially if patients neglect hygiene habits. Alternatively, the overall shade of a smile is prone to change as well, making veneers a contrasting color rather than a complementary one.

The Lifespan of Your Veneers

On average, porcelain restorations are said to last up to 15 years. However, this is a ballpark figure that may be an overestimate for some and an underestimate for others. If a veneer becomes unexpectedly damaged or the tooth forms decay, it will need to be replaced no matter how much time has transpired. On the other hand, patients who take excellent care of their veneers can go decades without seeing any significant changes to them. As long as a veneer continues to serve its cosmetic purpose and the underlying tooth is healthy, there is no need to replace it.

The Replacement Process

If a veneer does require replacement, the procedure will proceed as follows:

  • The remainder of the old veneer will be removed in a similar process to the original removal of enamel. However, no additional enamel will need to be removed.
  • An impression will be taken of the tooth in preparation for the new veneer. The digital impression will be sent to our in-office CEREC® milling machine. This allows us to craft patients’ veneers and dental crowns within an hour, as opposed to the days or weeks patients must wait for veneers to come from an outside lab.
  • Once ready, it will be tested for a good fit. If any final changes need to be made, they will be completed on the spot.
  • The veneer will be permanently cemented in place, and you can immediately benefit from your restored smile.

Schedule an Appointment

If you believe you may need new porcelain veneers, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rapisarda. Additionally, remember that routine exams are an integral part of dental health, and will help track the status of your restorations. Contact us for more information or to schedule your next appointment.

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Causes of Cracked or Damaged Crowns

Causes of Cracked or Damaged Crowns

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by drrapisarda
Dental crowns should last between 10 and 15 years, on average. However, that life expectancy can be cut short by a number of factors, including lifestyle and oral hygiene habits that lead to cracked or damaged crowns.

If you suspect a crown has cracked or been damaged, you should contact a dentist. Dr. Robert Rapisarda, serving the Boston area, can examine your teeth to see if you have cracked crowns and recommend appropriate cosmetic dentistry measures to fix any problems. For your convenience, his practice also offers CEREC® dental crowns that can be designed and created in just one visit.

Common Causes of Damage

Your crown is strong, like your natural teeth, but it can be damaged. The most common causes of damage to a crown include:

  • An Improper Bite. Your jaw creates tremendous pressure when you chew. If there is a discrepancy in your bite (how your teeth come together) then this pressure can damage a crown.
  • Biting and Chewing Hard Objects. Bad habits such as chewing ice, biting your fingernails, and opening packages with your teeth cause extreme pressures that can damage a crown.
  • Bruxism, Grinding, and Clenching Teeth. Patients who grind and clench their teeth can put tremendous pressure on crowns, causing them to break. If you suffer from bruxism, talk to your dentist about using a mouthguard when you sleep to protect both your teeth and crown.
  • Accidental trauma. Your crown can be damaged, just like your teeth, during a fall or a hard knock.
  • Decay. Although a crown does not decay, it may need to be replaced if the tooth underneath becomes infected. It is also important to keep gums around a crown healthy. If the gum around a crown recedes, it may allow decay to develop inside the crown, perhaps leading to a root canal treatment.

Problems with Crowns

Problems that can develop with a crown:

  • Discomfort or Sensitivity. A newly crowned tooth may be sensitive for a while after the procedure. However, sensitivity that happens when you bite down may mean the crown is too high. Your dentist can easily fix this.
  • Chipped Crown. All-porcelain crowns can sometimes chip. If the chip is small, composite resin can be used to repair the crown. If chipping is extensive, then the crown may have to be replaced.
  • Loose Crown. Sometimes the cement that holds a crown in place washes out. This can allow bacteria to seep into the tooth and cause decay. Contact your dentist if your crown feels loose.
  • Crown Falls Off. This may be caused by an improper fit, problems with the cement, or poor support for the crown if little remains of the original tooth. If a crown falls off, call your dentist for specific instructions.

If you suspect a dental crown has been damaged, it should be evaluated by a dentist. Minor damage may not require much repair, but in some cases a crown will need to be replaced. Only a dentist can determine what needs to be done. If you need advice, please call for an appointment.

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Benefits of Waterlase

Understanding the Benefits of Waterlase

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by drrapisarda

Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry Restorative Dentistry

Boston Waterlase BenefitsMany dental patients can recall at least one bad experience at the dentist office. Perhaps the drill hit too close to a nerve during a routine teeth cleaning, or the sound of the drill made the experience more unpleasant.

As a result, many patients have been traumatized by the experience with the drill. When they think of a dental drill, they likely associate it with pressure, vibration, and heat, all of which cause an undeniable degree of anxiety over the perceived amount of pain and discomfort involved.

However, Boston dental patients can undergo treatment with the Waterlase, allowing them to rest easy during dental visits. Waterlase treats both the hard and soft tissues (the teeth and gums) without generating any pressure, vibrations, or heat. It allows cosmetic dentistry patients to undergo treatment with fewer shots, no numbness, a reduced need for anesthesia, limited use of the dental drill, and perhaps most importantly, little to no pain. Waterlase also reduces pain and swelling after dental procedures and eliminates the need for pain medication.

With the use of Waterlase, a dentist is able to remove decay on tooth enamel, leaving the area surrounding the affected bone or tissue unaffected, which helps to conserve more of the original tooth structure.

  • Reduction of trauma: When a high-speed dental drill is used to restore decayed or damaged teeth, it may cause fractures and hairline cracks in teeth that can lead to dental problems in the future. With the use of Waterlase, the damage can be reduced and trauma to the teeth is minimized.
  • Reduced swelling and bleeding: With the conservative cutting action that Waterlase uses, many of the procedures that are completed on soft gum tissue are done with no bleeding and a reduced amount of swelling after completion of the procedure.
  • Reduced need for anesthesia: When Waterlase is used for your dental procedures, anesthesia or shots may not be necessary.
  • Reduced number of dental visits: The Waterlase is much more efficient than the drill and many other dental tools, which allows dentists to perform more dental procedures during a single visit. Dentists can quickly remove decay before the placement of dental crowns, and contour the gums during the laser gum reshaping procedure.
  • Increased versatility: Waterlase can be used for a number of different dental procedures. It can be used for both soft tissue and hard tissue procedures including cavity prep, decay removal, smile design, root canals, and even surgical procedures on the gums and bones.

It is important to learn all you can about the technology to determine if it is right for your specific needs.

Learn More about Waterlase Procedures

If you believe you could benefit from the Waterlase technique, contact Dr. Robert Rapisarda today for more information. His staff will help schedule your appointment and provide you with additional information about this innovative technology. If you are ready for more pleasant dental visits, Waterlase can improve your experience. Call today and achieve superior oral health with pain-free procedures.

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Top Treatments for Your Cavities

Top Treatments for Your Cavities

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by drrapisarda
Dealing with cavities can bring anxiety and discomfort, especially for those who are already averse to seeing the dentist. However, your experience can be greatly improved with the right dentist who employs use of the latest technology and treatment.

For many years, the standard treatment for cavities involved drilling holes into teeth and filling them with amalgam metal (or “silver” fillings). Now, the use of a drill is becoming obsolete, as is the conspicuous use of metal fillings. Here are a few ways that cavity detection and treatment can help you make the most of a dental visit.

Cavity Detection

One of the best ways to combat tooth decay is to catch it in its earliest stages. When cavities are just beginning to form, a patient may be totally unaware of their presence. It is therefore vital to have regular dental cleanings that occasionally utilize X-ray images to view any internal decay.

  • Digitial X-ray detection: Some patients have expressed concern over the use of X-rays for the small amounts of radiation they emit. Anyone who’s worn the lead vest during while X-rays are taken may admit the thought has crossed their minds. However, the advent of digital X-rays has greatly reduced radiation exposure by as much as 90 percent. A tiny camera is positioned directly in the patient’s mouth, which uploads digital pictures to the dentist’s laptop. Not only is radiation focused and limited, but the dentist can also position the camera more easily and gain better insight into potential problems.
  • DIAGNOdent® laser detection: When X-ray detection doesn’t provide clear images of the center of a tooth, laser detection may be another viable option. DIAGNOdent® sends a painless laser through the tooth, emitting a signal when it detects any perceptible decay. Because this method does not use any X-rays, it carries no risks when used in conjunction with traditional detection methods.

WaterLase®

The dental drill has long been a staple of cavity treatment, and is perhaps the most daunting part of the process. New technological innovations are beginning to replace the drill with more efficient, effective, and comfortable methods of penetrating hard enamel. WaterLase® allows dentists to carve out area of decay precisely, using a combination of laser and water pulse technology. Some advantages of the WaterLase® tool includes:

  • Less damage to teeth: Traditional drills use pressure and friction to bore into a tooth, creating tiny cracks and heat damage to the surrounding area. The water and air pulse of WaterLase® cuts through teeth at a high-frequency, leaving no heat or sustained pressure.
  • Precise cutting: The WaterLase® laser cuts consistently and precisely, leaving no guesswork for the operating dentist. Decay is removed without further loss of healthy tooth tissue.
  • Less pain: Without the vibration and pressure of a conventional drill, pain is drastically reduced during the procedure.

Porcelain and Resin Dental Fillings

When it comes time to fill a cavity, there are multiple benefits behind tooth-colored fillings. First and foremost, porcelain and resin (also called “composite”) fillings are virtually unnoticeable, leaving your teeth with a natural appearance.

These fillings also bond to a tooth’s tissues, strengthening the tooth and requiring less drilling for proper adherence. Additionally, porcelain and resin are used for dental crowns, bridges, and bonding, allowing any area of a damaged tooth to be replaced while preserving your smile.  To learn more about the benefits of tooth-colored fillings, call our office for an initial, informative consultation.

Contact Our Office Today

Detecting and treating cavities does not need to be a cumbersome ordeal. With procedures that best preserve your health and comfort, cavity treatment can be a virtually painless process. Cosmetic dentist Robert Rapisarda welcomes your questions and looks forward to helping you address all your dental needs. Contact us to schedule an appointment; we’d love to hear from you!

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Preventing and Treating Tooth Enamel Erosion

Preventing and Treating Tooth Enamel Erosion

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by drrapisarda
Our teeth go through a lot of wear and tear over the years. Even though enamel is the hardest tissue in the body, it can still get worn down over time. Many factors contribute to this wear and tear; but luckily, most of them are preventable with a little foresight. As a matter of good hygiene and dental health, Boston cosmetic dentist Robert Rapisarda urges patients to understand the causes and dangers of tooth erosion.

The Cause of Tooth Erosion

The primary factors behind erosion can be found in the foods we eat. The single largest contributor to enamel loss is acid – acidic foods are found everywhere, and many of them come in contact with our teeth on a daily basis.

An Apple-a-Day?

Fruit is a great source of vitamins and nutrients, which can make some doctors happy, but it’s not always the best for our teeth. In fact, an apple has a low pH level, making it a likely candidate for acidic erosion. The same is true for other fruits, such as grapefruit or strawberries. This is not to say you should not abstain from these otherwise healthy foods. However, these facts should underscore the need to take care of your teeth and counteract erosion before it leads to tooth decay. After consuming highly acidic foods, rinse the mouth with water to reduce the level of acidity.

Other Sources

Additional causes of tooth erosion include acid reflux, teeth grinding, brushing too hard, vomiting, dry mouth, and even supplements like vitamin C pills. If your teeth are beginning to get eroded, there are a few telling signs you can recognize.

Signs of Tooth Erosion

The first sign of erosion that someone is likely to notice is increased tooth sensitivity, especially when eating food that is particularly hot, cold, or sweet. This sensitivity will rarely go away on its own, and will likely worsen as the erosion continues. When a tooth is sensitive, that means the softer dentin underneath are exposed – a bad sign if you want your teeth strong and healthy.

A tooth suffering from erosion may also feel rough or rigid, as a result of the enamel being damaged. Cracks and chips are also more likely, adding to a rigid surface. As the tooth’s white exterior becomes worn away, it may also appear more yellow.

Of course, the best way to spot erosion is by visiting a dentist. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Rapisarda to check on the health of your teeth and learn how you can counteract erosion.

Treatment

The optimal dental treatment is to avert tooth enamel erosion before it even starts. Preventative measures include:

  • Cutting down on acidic food and drinks
  • Brushing diligently, but not aggressively
  • Using a soft-bristled toothbrush
  • Using a fluoride toothpaste or mouth wash
  • Using a straw for acidic drinks
  • Limit any causes of acid reflux or vomiting

Still, there is only so much you can do within the confines of your lifestyle. To better protect your teeth from erosion and even counter its effects, Dr. Rapisarda offers ways to strengthen and restore your teeth.

Tooth bonding is a way of resurfacing a patient’s teeth with plastic or resin, offsetting the effects of enamel loss. This is a valuable option for teeth that have been chipped or yellowed over time.

Dental crowns are an effective solution to major tooth erosion. By placing a porcelain cap over an eroded tooth, crowns can return health and beauty to a patient’s smile while protecting against further damage.

Contact Us!

No matter how protective you are of your teeth, regular dental visits will help ensure they are not permanently damaged by eroded enamel. Dr. Rapisarda utilizes the latest technology while keeping patients’ comfort at the forefront of his practice. Schedule an appointment today to see how we can help your smile last indefinitely.

Preventing and Treating Tooth Enamel Erosion Read More »

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Robert A. Rapisarda, DMD

48 Allen Dr.
Barre, MA 01005

978.355.4656

Office Hours

Monday 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wednesday 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday CLOSED
Two Fridays a month 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

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