Reasons for Tooth Extractions

You can trust the professionalism and compassion of Dr. Eric Meyer’s dental team to see you safely through a tooth extraction. But having a tooth removed is a serious undertaking and we think it’s best for our patients to understand in what circumstances we would recommend it.

Modern dentistry provides all sorts of safe, aesthetically pleasing ways of fixing teeth that have been chipped, broken, infected, or eroded. But there still isn’t a good way to repair a tooth that has been cracked down the root. In these cases, we would discuss replacing the tooth with an implant or bridge. There are also cases of pulp infection in which it might be necessary to remove a tooth, although this would usually only be done after an unsuccessful root canal.

Most extractions are recommended for children and teenagers whose teeth are becoming overcrowded. Modern peoples’ jaws usually are not large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, causing them to get stuck while erupting. It is also common for people to have a set of premolars removed before undergoing orthodontic treatment in order to allow the remaining teeth to be moved into a symmetrical arch. Baby teeth may also be removed if they do not fall out after the adult tooth has come in behind them.

Eric M. Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit Fullerton Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Research into Filling Failure

People who need dental fillings are in good hands at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton office. For more than twenty-five years, we’ve been repairing peoples’ teeth so that they can chew, speak, and smile again comfortably. But we’re always trying to improve, which is why we wanted to pass along new information about dental filling failure.

A filling will usually last for ten years before the bonding holding it in place cracks and needs to be replaced. The new study looked for common factors among people whose fillings did not even last for five years. It turned out that one of the most reliable predictors was smoking. Alcohol use was a common factor among people whose fillings did not even last for two years.

The researchers also found that risk of premature filling failure was higher for people who had a family history of it and that there are certain genes that may make people predisposed to it. It is especially important for these people to maintain regular appointments so the stability of their fillings can be checked. White resin fillings do not have a higher rate of failure than amalgam fillings, so replacing older fillings can also make a patient’s smile more beautiful.

Eric M. Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit Fullerton Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Pain Around Fillings

At Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office, bonding and white fillings have saved countless people’s teeth. When patients suffer from caries, our skilled dentists remove the decayed material and seal over the gap so that bacteria can’t recolonize it. This may cause sensitivity, but discomfort shouldn’t last for more than about two days. If it does, or discomfort returns, the patient should schedule an appointment right away.

A poorly-made filling may be “high,” which means it is misshapen in a way that causes it to prevent the patient from biting down. It also may not be large enough to fill the gap created by the drilling away of decayed material, which would allow bacteria back in. This typically happens if the filling or sealant was made from a material that shrinks. We don’t expect that to happen at our office, but even the best fillings and bonding will break after about ten years. If an old filling is becoming painful, it could be because the seal is cracking. When this happens, the filling must be replaced. Of course, it is important to replace a filling sooner if it has already come loose, or else more drilling and a larger restoration may be required.

Eric M. Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit FullertonDental.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Bonding in Fullerton, CA

Dental bonding is one of the easiest and most affordable dental procedures used for repairing teeth and enhancing the aesthetics of your smile. By bonding a tooth-colored resin to the patient’s teeth, Dr. Eric Meyer can correct smiles with unevenly-shaped, chipped or discolored teeth, prevent further enamel erosion and even fill cavities seamlessly and without the need for amalgam. If you’re looking to improve the health and look of your smile in Fullerton, CA, come to our office!

Unlike other cosmetic dental procedures, bonding can usually be accomplished in a single visit to our office and doesn’t require enamel to be removed as veneers do. Bonding usually only requires light abrasion and an application of adhesive gel, which helps the resin adhere to the teeth. If being used as an alternative to amalgam fillings, tooth decay will also be removed in preparation for the filling. 

Once your teeth are prepared, Dr. Meyer will select the right color resin for your smile and apply the putty-like substance to your tooth or teeth. The resin is then molded and smoothed until it is in the desired shape and then hardened with an LED light. After it has been hardened, the dentist will trim and shape it even further, polishing the resin until it shines like a natural tooth. Altogether, the procedure usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour for each tooth.

If you’re unhappy with your smile but unwilling to go as far as veneers, bonding can be used to improve your teeth effectively, quickly and affordably. To schedule an appointment, call 714.879.7943. For more information, please visit www.fullertondental.com.    

Bonding for your teeth

Dental bonding is one of the easiest and most affordable cosmetic and restorative procedures. Called bonding because tooth-colored resin is bonded to your teeth, this process is used to repair chipped, unevenly shaped or discolored teeth. It can even be used as an alternative to amalgam fillings in situations where only a small filling is required.

Bonding is achieved by applying incredibly strong resin to the tooth that you would like restored. Then the resin is shaped and polished until it matches your surrounding teeth. Not only can this procedure be accomplished in only one visit, but this process also allows you to keep most of your tooth’s original enamel, making bonding preferable to veneers or crowns in many cases. Once the right color resin has been chosen for your smile, your teeth will be slightly abraded to roughen the surface. Then a conditioning liquid will be applied to help the bonding material adhere.

The putty-like resin is then applied to the tooth and molded and smoothed until it is in the proper shape. It is hardened with an ultraviolet light or laser. After the bonding material has hardened, Dr. Eric Meyer will trim and shape it even more and then polish it until it shines like a tooth. Altogether, the procedure usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour for one tooth.

If you’re unhappy with your teeth but unwilling to go as far as veneers, bonding can be used to improve your smile quickly and effectively. To schedule an appointment with our office in Fullerton, CA, call 714-879-7943. For more information on our services, visit www.FullertonDental.com.