Q&A: Why do silver fillings fall out?

The average amalgam or silver filling lasts about 10 years according to research studies.  Although I have seen amalgam (silver) fillings lasts up to 25 years in practice.  The amalgam filling material is not bonded to the tooth.  The amalgam filling is closely adapted to the walls of the remaining tooth structure but leaves microscopic gaps.  As the amalgam filling corrodes around the edges, decay may develop in these areas.

In addition to the amalgam filling corroding, it may also expand as it ages causing further breakdown of your tooth with cracks. Some cracks can be minor but others can destroy the tooth and result in tooth loss.

It is your dentist’s responsibility to check your teeth and let you know when any restorations need replacement.

Are You A Candidate for a Smile Makeover?

Happiness is the best facelift. –Joni Mitchell

Your smile is so important.  Smiling and laughing are keys to more than just looking more attractive – though people who smile often are perceived as more attractive than people who do not smile as often.  The act of smiling and laughing is actually proven to reduce stress and release tension.  So smiling is important for your entire well-being.

However, some of us do not smile as often as we would like, because we’re concerned about our smiles.  If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you may be a candidate for a Smile Makeover.

• Do you not smile as often as you would like because you don’t feel confident about your teeth?
• Do you feel your smile holds you back in your professional or personal life?
• Do you feel your teeth are too long, too short, too wide, or too narrow?
• Do you feel your teeth aren’t white enough?
• Do you have noticeable gaps between your teeth?
• Are any of your teeth chipped or broken?
• Do you have difficulty flossing due to crowded teeth?
• Do you feel your gums show too much when you smile?

If any of these questions apply to you, a Smile Makeover could drastically improve your self-esteem, confidence, health and appearance.

Invisalign FAQ - And a Holiday Discount!

Here are a few questions we get from patients about Invisalign.  If I don’t answer your question here, please leave it in the form of a comment and I’ll respond!

Is it possible for me to picture how my teeth would look after cosmetic dental treatment?  Yes. Our office offers the latest technology in computer imaging, so we can give you a good idea of what your teeth will look like after cosmetic dental improvements.

Does Invisalign really work?  Yes.  Invisalign is clinically proven to straighten teeth without metal or wires.  There are plenty of before and after case studies and satisfied clients as well.

What do the aligners look like and what are they made of?  The aligners are made of medical-grade clear plastic and custom shaped to fit your mouth perfectly.  They are difficult to notice when worn.

How much does Invisalign cost?  The cost of Invisalign varies according to the extensiveness, but can cost anywhere from $3500 to $5500.  Currently Crabapple is running a special for $1000 OFF Invisalign Treatment + Free Whitening, if you and a friend become fans of our Facebook page.

Will insurance cover Invisalign?  If you have Orthodontic coverage, Invisalign should be covered just like traditional braces, but coverage varies from policy to policy.

How does Invisalign work?  Whereas traditional metal brackets and wires pull our teeth in the desired direction, Invisalign gently presses directly on to the teeth, moving them in the direction of the aligners.  For this reason, it is very important to keep your aligners in between 20-22 hours per day.

Will my teeth stay straight after treatment?  Yes.  We offer several different types of retainers, so we can chose the type that works best for you.

Let's Talk About Invisalign.

     I haven’t seen patients this excited about dentistry in a long time. 

     -Dr. Doug Bowman Freemont, OH

Invisalign is a relatively new form of straightening smiles, yet it’s been around long enough to achieve real technological progress.  Within the past year Invisalign Assist technology has made vast improvements in order to benefit a wider range of patients and teeth issues.  Just a few of the advancements include:

1. Ability to achieve anterior teeth extrusions and canine rotations and perform lingual root torque when up-righting retroclined upper incisors.  In other words, patients who may have previously needed braces can achieve the same or better results with Invisalign.

2. A way for doctors to accurately track smile-straightening progress to ensure the desired outcome.

3. Feature enhancements that make routine appointments go faster, smoother, and easier for patients.

      I had several patients who I initially told that Invisalign wouldn’t do for their cases and       that they needed braces.  But it turned out Invisalign could work for them very, very        well.

     Dr. David Hamer, Charlottesville, VA

This is good news, for several reasons.  First, a straighter smile is a healthier smile.  For example, straighter teeth tend to have tighter gums, which reduce the risk of periodontal disease.

Second, Invisalign is often preferred to braces as a method of smile beautification, because patients find it easier to floss, brush, chew, and speak with Invisalign than braces.  Not to mention the appeal of the clear, inconspicuous tray versus the clunky metal brackets.

All this means more patients are seeing more results, through more user-friendly means.