Making teeth look like ....... teeth.

Are metal (amalgam fillings) bad?

No. 

And in certain circumstances we still use them. 

But they absolutely do not look like teeth. 

So when it comes time to change them the

transformation can be a thing of beauty.

Here we have an ordinary amalgam. 

It's a very well done filling actually.

But here we have the tooth after the old filling was removed

and the new, white, filling material is placed. 

Patient was very happy. 

This is a lower tooth and she said that she could see it every

time she looked in the mirror and wanted it gone. 

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Do I really need a crown?

So, your dentist tells you that you need a crown.

How do you know if he/she is full of it and when 

they are telling you the truth?

Here's the #1 reason that teeth, in my office, need crowns.

The ratio between tooth and filling.

A filling is like a patch in a pair of pants. 

You rip a little hole and you place a patch. 

You rip 14 holes and you throw the pants away. 

Why?

Because the amount of patch material would be greater then

the amount of original pant material and that just wouldn't work.

It's the same with teeth. 

When that amount of filling material would be greater

 then the original tooth material, you know its time.

This tooth is a perfect example.

It used to have 4 corners. The patient came in because he

broke one of the corners off. 

When the 4 corners were in place the ratios were okay.

But not that there are only 3 corners the ratios are off.

There is now too much filling and not enough tooth to support it.

This tooth now needs a crown.

Hopefully your dentist uses a digital camera and can show

you images like this so that you can see what is going on. 

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Do old metal (amalgam) fillings need to be replaced?

Everything wears out at some point.

After getting a knee replaced the Dr. will typically say,

"that should last you about 15 years."

I got Lasik done and the Dr, told me that I would

have to come back in to get it touched up over time.

The same can be said for metal fillings.

Over time, they will break down and need to be replaced.

Just beware of a few scams out there. 

#1 All of you metal fillings need to be replaced at one time.

#2 The metal is bad for you and will cause a disease so they need to come out.

Neither of these are true. 

If all of your metal was placed at the same time then perhaps a few of them

are going bad together but MANY factors dictate rate of decay. 

Where the filling is on the tooth. 

Where the tooth is in the mouth.

Etc.

Also, it has been proven over and over again that the contents

of metal fillings (in the state they are in in your mouth) do

not cause diseases. 

Here is an example of a filling that was going bad. 

It's pretty plain to see that there is decay around the 

edges of the filling.

We then put a white one in. 

The effects are fairly dramatic. 

The patient was very pleased. 

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White fillings look GOOOOOD!!

Here is a simple before and after case that we did today. 

Nothing major.

Just a simple filling can make a big difference.

(Before)

(After)

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Ogden Dentist: What is Periodontitis?

Today, we are going to talk about Periodontitis. Most people are unfamiliar with that term. And it's not surprising since its rather technical in nature. Thus, we will back up a little but and discuss some simpler terms that will help us better understand the more difficult condition of periodontitis.

When you floss you have noticed that the floss will disappear underneath the gums slightly as you near the base of the teeth. That is a very good thing. There is supposed to be a 1-3 mm pocket that surround each and every tooth in your mouth. At that depth, the pocket is very cleanable with your toothbrush, mouth wash, and floss. Maintaining this pocket at this healthy depth will ensure that your gums will stay healthy. Trouble is that many people do not brush, rinse, or floss as often as they should. Thus food gets packed into this pocket, does not get removed in a timely manner, and begins to be a breading ground for bacteria.

Once the bacteria begin to reproduce, the gums start to show the effects. Swelling, redness and bleeding are all common signs of gingivitis. Most people have gingivitis to one extent or another. And as long as the bacteria gets cleaned from the pockets within a few weeks nothing much should happen. It is when weeks, months, and even in some cases, years go by without a person seeing the dentist that the real problems begin to manifest themselves.

As the bacteria builds and the gingivitis gets severe enough the jaw bone, that resides just under the gum tissue, begins to also have difficulties. The bone will start to feel the effects of the bacteria overload and begin to dissolve from around the tooth. This unhealthy, and deteriorating bone condition is what is known as Periodontitis. This condition becomes ever more dangerous as the bone moves further away from the chewing surface of the tooth and closer to the end of the root. As the tooth loses bone support, it begins to be more mobile. Thus every time you chew, the tooth begins to move ever so slightly in the bone.

If the periodontal condition is not corrected the bone continues to erode and the tooth gets looser and looser. Eventually, it becomes so loose that it must be extracted from the mouth. Teeth with absolutely no cavities, crowns, root canals, etc. can be deemed unsalvageable and will be lost. That is the saddest moment of a patient with severe periodontitis.

A patient who has done their very best to brush as often as they could but has been unable, or unwilling, to add flossing and regular dental visits to their brushing regime. Moral of the story is that brushing is only one variable in a far more complex equation of overall oral health care. Taking care of the teeth is one thing. But taking care of the gums and bone structure is another entirely. Please floss appropriately and see your dentist on a regular basis.

---

Below photos are before and after of a person who had not been to the dentist in 5 years. The crap behind their teeth is calculus build up that helped this patient attain sever periodontitis. The other picture is an after picture of when the teeth were cleaned off.

Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/12/periodontitis-ogden/

I can't afford a crown. What can you do?

This tooth needs a crown. It has a large filling on the one side. The other side is broken. And, there is a cavity on the front. Problem is that the patient cannot afford a crown. So, we gave it a try with just filling material.

Here is the tooth after we got done. It looks very good and is functional. If the patient uses it only for light to moderate chewing it should last for a while.

Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/04/cant-afford-crown-what-can-you-do/

What are Tonsil Stones?

Humans and hamsters have something in common...

We both can pack our cheeks with food! What are you talking about Willis? What I am talking about is Tonsils stones.

Tonsil stones are found in the nooks and crannies of your tonsil glands. These stones are made up from; mucous, dead cells, food partials, and lovely bacteria. Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are formed when this trapped debris hardens, or calcifies. This tends to occur most often in people who suffer from chronic inflammation in their tonsils or repeated bouts of tonsillitis.

While many people have small tonsilloliths that develop in their tonsils, it is quite rare to have a large and solidified tonsil stone.

Pretty cool huh?

Well for me growing up, not so cool… you see I suffered from many symptoms that are now being credited to Tonsil Stones. What are these symptoms you ask? For exact symptoms, we will use our trusted source for all things Webmd.com

Web source: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tonsil-stones-tonsilloliths-treatment-and-prevention

What are the Symptoms of Tonsil Stones?

Many small tonsil stones do not cause any noticeable symptoms. Even when they are large, some tonsil stones are only discovered incidentally on X-rays or CT scans. Some larger tonsilloliths, however, may have multiple symptoms:

• Bad Breath. One of the prime indicators of a tonsil stone are exceedingly bad breath, or halitosis that accompanies a tonsil infection. One study of patients with a form of chronic tonsillitis used a special test to see if volatile sulfur compounds were contained in the subjects' breath. The presence of these foul-smelling compounds provides objective evidence of bad breath. The researchers found that 75% of the people who had abnormally high concentrations of these compounds also had tonsil stones. Other researchers have suggested that tonsil stones be considered in situations when the cause of bad breath is in question.
• Sore Throat. When a tonsil stone and tonsillitis occur together, it can be difficult to determine whether the pain in your throat is caused by your infection or the tonsil stone. The presence of a tonsil stone itself, though, may cause you to feel pain or discomfort in the area where it is lodged.
• White Debris. Some tonsil stones are visible in the back of the throat as a lump of solid white material. This is not always the case. Often they are hidden in the folds of the tonsils. In these instances, they may only be detectable with the help of non-invasive scanning techniques, such as CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging.
• Difficulty swallowing. Depending on the location or size of the tonsil stone, it may be difficult or painful to swallow foods or liquids.
• Ear pain. Tonsil stones can develop anywhere in the tonsil. Because of shared nerve pathways, they may cause a person to feel referred pain in the ear, even though the stone itself is not touching the ear.
• Tonsil swelling. When collected debris hardens and a tonsil stone forms, inflammation from infection (if present) and the tonsil stone itself may cause a tonsil to swell or become larger.

How are Tonsil Stones Treated?

The appropriate treatment for a tonsil stone depends on the size of the tonsillolith, and its potential to cause discomfort or harm. Various options include:

• No treatment. Many tonsil stones, especially ones that have no symptoms, require no special treatment.
• At-home removal. Some people choose to dislodge tonsil stones at home with the use of picks or swabs.
• Salt Water Gargles. Gargling with warm, salty water may help alleviate the discomfort of tonsillitis, which often accompanies tonsil stones.
• Antibiotics. Various antibiotics can be used to treat tonsil stones. While they may be helpful for some people, they cannot correct the basic problem that is causing tonsilloliths. Also, antibiotics can have side effects.
• Surgical Removal. When tonsil stones are exceedingly large and symptomatic, it may be necessary for a surgeon to remove them. In certain instances, a doctor will be able to perform this relatively simple procedure using a local numbing agent. Then the patient will not need general anesthesia.

So, how does one prevent these horrible stones from invading our mouths? The answer is simple... Call Dr. Ellis!


Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/04/tonsil-stones-tonsilloliths/

What Kind of Cosmetic Outcome is possible in Ogden Utah?

• So, what is possible in dentistry?
• Once something has gone so far can you bring it back to what it was?

Here is a wonderful case to look at that. We will call this patient Mrs. Corey to protect her identity. Mrs. Corey is wanting to get her teeth back to the way the used to be.

Here is a BEFORE picture of one of Mrs. Corey's molars.

• Nothing too bad. 
• Old metal filling.
• Some cracks starting in the enamel. 
• And, possible new decay starting in a few spots.

And, here is the AFTER picture.

• A brand new zirconia crown. 
• No more metal look. 
• The risk of fracture is now less.  
• And the patient loves the look.

Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/04/what-kind-cosmetic-outcome-possible-ogden-utah/

Ogden Dentist Cosmetic: Tooth Restoration

Cavities along the gum line are a common thing. A lot of these types of cavities happen along the base of bottom teeth. Reason for this is simply gravity. When you are done eating, or drinking, something the remnants of what didn't get swallowed settle to the floor of the mouth and end up eroding the bottom teeth along the gum line.

BEFORE Tooth Restoration 

AFTER Tooth Restoration 

But, these cavities can be fixed. And with proper oral hygiene, and an understanding of what causes them in the first place, they can be prevented in the future.


Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/04/ogden-dentist-cosmetic-tooth-restoration

When drilling on a tooth, how do you know where the cavity ends?

Long question, but it is one that we get all the time. Here is a step by step view of drilling out a cavity.

This is a tooth prior to being worked on. There are no upon visual inspection. The cavity was located with x-ray.

As we drill into the tooth, we can see 2 things. First, we see the yellowish color of healthy tooth. We know not continue drilling at that location. Second, we see the extreme white of a demineralizing tooth (cavity). We know to keep drilling at that location.

Here, we see that the white color is gone. This lets us know that we have reached the end of the cavity and have completed the drilling sequence of the procedure.

Here is the tooth in its final state. All the cavity is gone and the final filling is placed. And while the tooth is not “as good as new”, nothing ever can be. It is as close as we can come to it.


Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/03/when-drilling-tooth-how-do-you-know-where-cavity-ends/

Cosmetic Makeovers in Ogden, Utah

There are some fairly common malformations of teeth. One of them is called the peg-lateral. It’s when the tooth, just to the side of your front two teeth, is very slender. Sometimes, it can look like a little peg, thus the name.

These teeth can be tough to fix with a veneer or crown because both of those procedures require taking away of tooth structure. And as you can see from the picture, there isn't a lot of tooth structure to spare.

Thus, cosmetic bonding is a very good option for these teeth. Quick, painless, and inexpensive. Peg laterals can be restored to the correct size and functionality .

Nothing is ever as strong as your natural teeth. But, if you only use your teeth for what they were designed for -- EATING. These bonding procedures should hold up very well for a long time.


Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/03/cosmetic-makeovers-ogden-utah/

Ogden Dentist: Black Spot – White Spot

Nobody wants a “Black Spot”. Just ask Jack Sparrow.

And while this black spot is not nearly as dangerous to have, it's still not good. This black spot is the result of cavity that has gone untreated for some time. The hope when we started this was that the cavity hadn't gotten into the nerve.

Here is the BEFORE photo of the tooth with black spot. 

Luckily for patient X the cavity was not as deep as it could have been. We were able to get all of the decay out and simply place a filling. The color match turned out fantastic on this case and no one should ever know that a good portion of the tooth is not his own.

AFTER photo of patient X's tooth.

Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/03/black-spot-white-spot/

What do I do with that cavity!?

Before & After: Cavity on Front Tooth

Many people feel that their particular type of cavity will be extremely difficult to fix, and thus are hesitant to come in. This is usually not the case. If it’s a cavity, no matter the kind, we have probably seen its kind about 1000 times or more. The before picture is of a cavity right on the front of a canine tooth. This cavity was very visible when the person smiled so it was important to get it looking good again.

BEFORE: Front tooth with cavity 

The after picture shows the tooth with the cavity removed and a filling placed in it. The color of the material is chosen very carefully so that it blends in with the natural tooth color and is invisible to the eye. If you have something wrong with your teeth, no matter how bad you may think they are, chances are that we can fix them. And not only fix them but make them look pretty darn good in the process.

AFTER: Cavity removed and Dental filling 

Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/02/what-do-i-do-with-that-cavity/

Does my tooth need a crown?

This is one of the great questions of life. After all, if you can get away with fixing that broken tooth with just a filling than why would you choose to get it crowned?

Well, let’s put into terms that most people can understand. You have a 1992 Toyota. It has probably broken down from time to time, but the breakdowns have all been small… until now. Now the transmission has gone out. Do you spend $3000 to fix it, knowing that in a year the whole thing might die on you? Or, do you just trade in the car and get a newer one?

This logic must be applied to the getting of a crown. Typically, a tooth that needs a crown has gone through smaller things already. But now something bigger has happened. Do you get a really large filling placed knowing that it might only last a year, or do you decide that its time to make the jump and get the crown?

Here you will see a picture of a tooth that is at the point of decision. 

Over the years, it has had several fillings that have increased in size every time. Now, the most recent filling is cracked. What to do?


Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/02/does-tooth-need-crown/

Gum Recession (Before & After)

Two different pictures (before and after) with lots to see.

First of all, we need to discuss gum recession. The tooth on the before picture has simple gum recession. Due to one of several factors (age, gum disease, aggressive brushing, etc.) gums can recede over time. The white enamel of a tooth only goes to the original gum line. As the gums recede, part of the root structure is exposed.

Root structure is a slightly darker color then is the enamel. Root structure is also softer then enamel. Over time the root structure can decay very quickly (as seen on the tooth on the right). Once the decay has happened then, we can place fillings in the tooth as we did in the after picture.

Gum recession can be real problem if left unchecked. Please see your dentist if you think your gums may be receding.

BEFORE

AFTER

Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/02/gum-recession/

Groovy Teeth! (Before & After)

Teeth have several surfaces where cavities can begin to form. Many cavities however, form on the grooves that are located on the biting surfaces of the teeth. These grooves trap food and can be tricky to clean out.

Here is a BEFORE and AFTER picture of a tooth with cavities located in the grooves, and then after the grooves have been cleaned out and a filling placed.

BEFORE: Cavities in the Grooves 

AFTER: Cleaned out Grooves with Dental Filling 

Moral of this story being that ...
              when you brush your teeth make sure that you.

Clean out the grooves really well. This will help you avoid unwanted trips to the dentist.


Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/01/groovy-teeth-before-after/

Getting those Old Metal Fillings Changed Out

Lots of us have them, but few of us will ever want to do anything with them. And, that’s just fine.

Metal fillings were, are, and can still be a very good filling material. However, if you do not like the look of the metal or the tooth is starting to decay around the metal, then perhaps changing it out isn’t a bad idea.

Here is a tooth after we finished removing the old metal filling and replacing it with a new, more tooth like, filling material. Quick, easy, and relatively painless (as dentistry goes).

Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2012/12/getting-those-old-metal-fillings-changed-out/

Cosmetic Dentistry Magic.

A few more before and after pictures for you today.

This 20 something young lady was pretty scared to try

getting some cosmetic bonding done.

After she got her first look in the mirror however she

couldn't stop saying how great she thought they looked.

Before

After

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I hate the metal in my mouth!

Well then get it out.

Her are some before and after pictures of a case we did this morning. 

Before with old metal filling

After with the new white filling

If fillings are done well they should not be seen. 

No one will ever notice that this patient has a fairly large filling in this tooth.

Which is exactly what he wanted.

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Before and After

Here is a fairly simple case from today.

this old metal filling was starting to decay around the edges.

Before

Once the old metal was removed the new white filling was

placed and the patient is ready to eat right away.

After

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