general dentist Williamsburg Archives - Stensland Dental Studio

The Dangers of Tooth Gems

Stensland Dental Studio — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 19:00:53 +0000

Currently, a lot of trends from the 90s are making comebacks. Styles, clothes, and even long-forgotten musical acts are experiencing a brief revival. Unfortunately, this also means another aspect of 90s pop culture has returned: the tooth gem. As more and more of our younger patients start considering a tooth gem, we would like to remind them of the potential dental damage. In today’s blog, we’re discussing the serious risks posed by tooth gems.

What are Tooth Gems?

A tooth gem is a small rhinestone jewel is attached to the surface of a tooth using an adhesive. Some are small stones in the center of the tooth, other times people elect to place a jewel-encrusted cap over their teeth. Finally, some go for the grill: a decorative cover that fits over most of a person’s front teeth, popularized by artists such as Lil Wayne and Jonathan Davis.

The Risks of Tooth Gems

With a gem, a person may develop a discolored area on the surface of the tooth. Over time, jeweled gems and caps may wear away the enamel, increasing the risk of tooth decay and infection. Without proper dental care, such as regular brushing and flossing, dental jewelry offers convenient hiding places for stray food particles and harmful bacteria. Finally, many people apply gems to their teeth using at-home kits. This increases the risk of damaging the tooth and causing complications, such as tooth decay.

The Dangers of Dental Grills

With dental grills, there are even more serious risks. Most grills made crafted using base metals, and as a result, may cause allergic reactions or irritate the gums. If worn longer than recommended, a grill can damage the surface of the teeth, removing enamel and exposing the teeth to bacteria.

Visit Your Williamsburg Dentist

Do you have any further questions about the risks of tooth gems and dental grills? Then talk to Dr. Steve Stensland today. He will gladly address any questions or concerns. If you require dental assistance or would like to learn more about our many services, contact our Williamsburg dental office today at 757-645-4055.

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Reshaping a Malformed or Chipped Tooth

Stensland Dental Studio — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:05:58 +0000

A chipped tooth can come out of nowhere. Waking one morning, you could yawn and stretch and make your way before the mirror when suddenly you notice a small piece of your tooth has gone missing. In cases of bruxism, or teeth grinding, a tooth can suffer structural damage, leading to a chipped tooth or even a broken tooth during the night. In other cases, an unexpected blow to a tooth could cause it to chip. Whatever the cause, the first question that will likely come to mind upon discovering a chipped tooth is how to fix it. That’s where dental bonding and dental contouring come into play.

Dental Bonding

If a significant part of the tooth is missing dental bonding can repair the damage quickly and effectively. To repair a tooth with dental bonding, a composite resin is first applied to the damaged tooth. The resin is then shaped and later hardened with a curing light. Then the tooth is polished, completing the procedure. The resin used for dental bonding is matched to the color of the damaged tooth for outstanding cosmetic results. It is also very durable when hardened, allowing for a long-lasting and functional repair.

Dental bonding can also be used to reshape a malformed tooth. Sometimes, a small change can have dramatic results in a smile. In the case of a misshapen tooth, dental bonding can give the tooth the perfect shape to set the finishing touches on a smile.

Dental Contouring

If the damage to a tooth is miniscule, dental contouring may be a good option for repairing it. Dental contouring scrapes away a small portion of enamel to smooth any chips in the tooth’s surface. This process can also remove imperfections in the shape of a malformed or misshapen tooth, resulting in a flawless smile.

Repairing a Chipped Tooth with Your Dentist

If you chip a tooth, don’t succumb to panic. With dental bonding and dental contouring, your tooth can be repaired quickly with outstanding cosmetic results. Call our Williamsburg dentist office at 757-645-4055 today to schedule an appointment and begin the restoration of your smile.

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