Porcelain Restoration–Is it Right For Me? An Interview with Dr. Brunacini

We love helping our patients achieve the smile of their dreams!  Many dental issues can be corrected through cosmetic dentistry and the first step for any cosmetic procedure is a simple consultation with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos.  They are here to discuss your dental health goals and help you find the right fit for your needs. A question we often get from patients is if they should replace old metal crowns and bridges with porcelain.  There are many advantages to replacing your old crowns, but the reason to replace them isn’t one-size-fits-all. To learn more about porcelain restoration and who could benefit from this procedure, we spoke with Dr. Brunacini.

1. What is porcelain restoration? 

Dr. Brunacini:  Porcelain is the material that is used to give crowns and veneers the esthetic properties–color, luster, and a tactile sense.  Porcelain restoration provides you with the translucency and shine of your natural teeth—you’d never be able to tell there was a need for a crown—and the texture of the polished porcelain is very similar to that of enamel.  It is a restoration that needs to be fabricated in a lab, and requires taking an impression to send to the lab. We are now doing crowns that are metal-free. By doing so, we can create highly esthetic AND very strong restorations with minimal risk of chipping or breaking. It is a great option for patients!

2. Why would I need to replace a metal crown or bridge?

Dr. Brunacini:  There can be numerous reasons for patients to need to replace their metal crowns.  The most obvious one is when a new area of decay develops under an existing crown or bridge.  This is one reason we do regular x-rays; they are very important to discover any changes underneath crowns before they become loose or problematic.  

Also, for some patients, they find it unsightly to have metal show, so replacing a metal crown with a porcelain crown is a good solution for their needs.  For many years, dentists placed crowns with a metal substructure and porcelain overlayed on top of the porcelain. Over time, the porcelain can chip, which may lead to poor esthetics or difficulty cleaning the crown.  The only way to fix this situation is to replace it with a new crown.  

If you have questions or concerns about your metal crowns, schedule a consultation with me or Dr. Karagiorgos.  We are here to help you achieve your dental goals!

3. I’ve heard porcelain crowns can cause more wear and tear on my other teeth.  Is this true?

Dr. Brunacini:  With newer types of porcelain, there is less concern with wearing down opposing teeth.  Of course, it is very important to finely adjust the bite on crowns to be sure they function well with the other teeth. This is why when we fit a porcelain crown, we sculpt and shape the porcelain to fit perfectly with your existing bite.

4. Are there any special care instructions for porcelain crowns and bridges?

Dr. Brunacini:  There really isn’t much “special” care needed. For patients who grind their teeth, a night-guard may be indicated to protect the porcelain from chipping.  However, most patients can simply stay on top of their regular home care, such as brushing twice daily and flossing daily. This should be sufficient enough to maintain porcelain crowns for many years! 

 

Thank you, Dr. Brunacini!

Whether your reason is cosmetic, physical, or a bit of both, our team of caring dental professionals is here to help you find the right path toward a better smile.  If you have more questions about porcelain restoration or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos, call our office at 207.781.5900 today.

Dental Insurance: The Ins and Outs

Our goal is to provide you with high quality patient care in a team building relationship while delivering the best oral health care possible to our patients. Since dental insurance is offered in a variety of packages, we thought you might benefit from answers to questions we frequently hear.

 

What do I receive for services at your office?

  • Our office offers preventative services, such as cleanings and digital x-rays. We also offer more extensive services like fillings, crowns and bridges, implants, and dentures.

 

How do I obtain dental insurance?

  • While dental insurance for some is an employee benefit, for others it may be an individually purchased dental plan.
  • Benefits are determined based on the coverage purchased, by either the employer or employee.
  • Most dental plans follow what is known as the 100%, 80%, 50% model that corresponds to three types of procedures. Please keep in mind that the following are general rules and that each policy could be different.

Type 1 Diagnostic/Preventative – routine dental cleanings, exams, x-rays, oral cancer screenings, sealants, and fluoride treatments. Many dental insurance plans cover close to 100% of costs associated with Type 1 procedures.

Type 2 Basic/Restorative – composite restorations (white fillings), root canals, extractions, periodontal cleanings, and periodontal root debridements (treating periodontal disease). Many dental insurance plans cover close to 80% of costs associated with Type 2 procedures.

Type 3 Major – crowns, crown buildups, bridges, implant crowns, and dentures. Many dental insurance plans cover close to 50% of costs associated with Type 3 procedures.

 

What does my plan cover?

  • It’s important to check your individual dental coverage before having dental services rendered. Many dental insurance companies have exclusions, waiting periods, and annual or bi-annual dental maximums along with varying deductibles and co-pays.

 

Do I have dental insurance benefits left for this year?

  • Ask our front office team to assist you in finding out what your remaining individual benefits are.

 

Will I lose those benefits if I don’t utilize them?

  • Yes and no. With some plans, you will lose your dental benefits if you don’t use them by year end while other plans have a small rollover feature. We can help you find the specifics for your policy.

 

If you still have questions related to dental insurance, please give us a call at 207-781-5900 and our office staff will assist you in any way we can.

Don’t let sensitive teeth get in the way of your summer fun!

Do your sensitive teeth dread the frozen treats of summer? You are not alone. A recent survey of US dental offices found that one in eight people has over-sensitive teeth.

You may feel pain when you brush and floss or when you eat and drink cold items.

Sensitivity usually comes from receding gums or when the enamel of your teeth is worn away. Brushing too hard, teeth grinding, acidic foods and age could also cause this sensitivity.

The good news is that you can take steps to prevent or lessen the pain:

  • Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth that contains potassium and brush with a soft bristled toothbrush
  • Stay away from highly acidic foods
  • Your dentist might offer a special fluoride to help strengthen enamel
  • A gum graft can help reduce a sensitive area by adding tissue where there is recession
  • Bondings or crowns may be needed to cover exposed roots
  • For more serious cases, a root canal may be in order to repair damage

Of course, general good dental hygiene on a daily basis and regular cleanings can also go a long way!

If you have any questions or concerns about sensitive teeth, we are happy to talk to you about the prevention and treatment options that would work best for you.

Now that you know how to lessen the pain of sensitive teeth, here’s a quick recipe for a yummy frozen smoothie…

 

Mixed Berry Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
  • 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

Directions

In a blender combine yogurt, pomegranate juice, berries, banana, honey and lime juice. Cover and blend until nearly smooth.

Nutrition facts

Servings Per Recipe 2, cal. (kcal) 203, Fat, total (g) 2, chol. (mg) 7, sat. fat (g) 1, carb. (g) 39, fiber (g) 3, sugar (g) 24, pro. (g) 10, vit. A (RE) 5, vit. C (mg) 13, sodium (mg) 44, calcium (mg) 11, iron (mg) 6, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

 

Recipe source: http://www.bhg.com/recipe/mixed-berry-smoothie/

Other sources:

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/s/sensitive-teeth.aspx

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tooth-sensitivity

http://news.health.com/2013/03/01/1-in-8-adults-may-have-sensitive-teeth/