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Heavy Is the Head Who Wears the Dental Crown | Kenilworth Dentist

We all have the desire to have a gorgeous smile. Unfortunately, most of us weren’t born with one; we need some help from our dental staff. The good news is that there are many options available to improve our smile. If they’re dingy, we can get a good cleaning and whitening treatment. If we’re missing teeth, we can get replacements like dentures or implants. When it comes to tooth decay, a simple option for teeth is a dental crown. Not familiar? Here is a quick rundown of the basics. If you find this is the option for you, it’s time to make a dental appointment for a consultation to get that smile you’ve been dreaming of.

Crowns are a cosmetic restoration used to improve your tooth’s shape or to strengthen a tooth. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or have portions destroyed by tooth decay.

Crowns are “caps” cemented onto an existing tooth which fully cover the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth’s new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.

Crowns are often preferable to silver amalgam fillings. Unlike fillings which apply metal directly into your mouth, a crown is fabricated away from your mouth. Your crown is created in a lab from your unique tooth impression which allows a dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is then sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally once the crown is placed.

For more information regarding bad dental habits, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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What Do You Know About Amalgam Fillings? | Kenilworth Dentist

When we develop a cavity, it is important to get it treated before it gets worse. So, we make a trip to see the dentist, and they make us good as new with a filling. For many of us, there is no other choice – we want the dental fillings that are natural-looking. But there are also the traditional silver fillings of the past. Have you ever thought about what makes up those fillings? Let’s take a closer look…

For a more traditional look, dental amalgam is a common material used to fill cavities. They are the kinds of fillings known as silver fillings. Silver fillings have been used for years to replace holes made by cavities or other tooth related injuries. Unfortunately, over the years, concerns have been raised about the use of amalgam because it contains mercury.

Mercury is a neurotoxin that, at high levels, may cause neurological issues, autoimmune disease, chronic illnesses, and mental disorders.  Amalgams are 50% mercury laced with a combination of silver, tin, and copper. At a high level of exposure, OSHA is claiming that they are unhealthy.  Because of these concerning factors, amalgam fillings have made a huge impact on the dental world. As of recently, the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination surveyed 31,000 adults and found that the number of dental fillings correlated to the incidence of cancer, mental conditions, thyroid conditions, neurological issues, and diseases of the eye. While statistics show for themselves, research still must be done in the search for a sure reason to take amalgams off of the market. At the same time, they are also responsible for saving millions of teeth around the world.

For more information regarding teeth whitening, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.