2010 October Archive - Dr. Mitchell A. Josephs' Blog

Archive for October, 2010

Over The Counter Teeth Whitening Strips

Posted on: October 27th, 2010 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: Is there some type of “prescription strength” version of those whitening strips that they sell in the supermarket? I tried several brands and was not that happy with the results. SNL via email, Pensacola, FL.

A: My favorite way of testing dental products is using myself as a test subject. (Whew! Glad I’m not a proctologist.) I feel I am probably saving a few lab rats lives too. I have veneers on my top teeth and am constantly trying new whitening procedures on my lowers to get them as white as I can. I recommend you do an in-office power whitening process, such as Sapphire Light bleaching. Then, for maintenance every month I recommend a new product called Opalescence Tres White Supreme 15%. These clear strips are worn for 15 min. once per for 5 to 10 days. But, and it’s a big “but”, after age 40 all these methods become much less effective. I have already contacted my dental lab to start the process of veneering my lower teeth.

Editor’s Note: Dr. Mitchell Josephs will be giving a free lecture on Implant, Cosmetic and General Dentistry and signing his latest book on the Island of Palm Beach on Friday December 3^rd, 11am to 12. Call 561-832-2917 for registration and info. Seating is limited.

Dr. Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and can be reached at drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com (888-378-6684) or visit www.palmbeachdentist.com

Implant Food Trapping Problem

Posted on: October 20th, 2010 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: I recently had my first bone graft and implant completed and am disappointed that food gets trapped where the crown meets the gums. I must floss after every single meal just to get all the food out. Is this normal? ..Mike via email

A: When I was a kid, my mother told me that the belly button was for the purpose of holding salt incase I wanted to eat celery in bed. A crown over an implant should not be a place to store leftovers. Possible causes to your problem: 1) Open Contacts: gaps between the crown and adjacent teeth. Solution: make a new crown. 2) Implant abutment post too narrow: solution: change out the abutment post to a larger diameter unit along with a new crown which will fill in the triangular voids (called embrasures). 3) The implant itself is too narrow, resulting in a shelf like void around the crown, trapping debris. Have your doctor take a look and sort things out.

Dr. Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and can be reached at drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com (888-378-6684) or visit www.palmbeachdentist.com

Denture Teeth Made to Look Real

Posted on: October 13th, 2010 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Ask the Dentist.

Q: Unfortunately, I must have a full upper denture made as I have lost all my teeth from years of neglect. I am only in my late 40’s and am most worried about the teeth looking fake and “denture-like”. Are there any natural looking dentures?…S.M. in Jupiter

A: Before a denture is turned into its final, hard plastic form, the teeth are first set in wax and tried in the mouth. You and your dentist can than critique the teeth until you give the thumbs up. My old dental school buddy, Norman, was a master at denture teeth set-ups and taught me all his “tricks”: Twist the lateral incisors (the teeth that are adjacent to your two central front teeth) about 10 degrees. Keep them 1 to 2 mm shorter than their neighbors for women. Use porcelain teeth that have surface “flutes” and “Lobes” which add texture and break up reflected light for a more natural and translucent look. And lastly, pick a shade that is darker than Regis Philbin’s teeth.

Editor’s Note: Dr. Josephs will be giving a free lecture on Implant, Cosmetic and General Dentistry and signing his latest book on the Island of Palm Beach on Friday October 15^th from 11am to 12. Call 561-832-2917 for registration and info. Seating is limited.

Dr. Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and can be reached at drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com (888-378-6684) or visit www.palmbeachdentist.com

Snap-It an alternative to the ‘flipper’

Posted on: October 6th, 2010 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Question: I need to have a front tooth pulled and then wait four months before my implant, then four months more for the crown. I was told the only way to have a temporary tooth during this time is to wear a removable denture with one fake tooth. My dentist called it a ‘flipper.’ This sounds very cumbersome; any ideas? – Dr. Vatore in Boynton

Answer: Anything you put in your mouth named after a TV show about a sea mammal can’t be fun.

A ‘flipper’ or transitional partial denture, is very common. They can temporarily affect speech and can be difficult to eat with (much like my parents after two glasses of wine).

A new product called ‘Snap-It’ uses a specially designed custom acrylic set of teeth that clip to the adjacent teeth. The device is made in a lab from a set of impressions of your teeth. Not every patient is a candidate. For free consumer info on Snap-It, contact us.

Dr. Josephs will be giving a free lecture on implant, cosmetic and general dentistry and signing his latest book in Palm Beach on Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to noon. Call (561) 832-2917 to register.

Dr. Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and can be reached at drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com (888-378-6684) or visit www.palmbeachdentist.com

by Dr. Mitchell A. Josephs