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

• Dr. Ellis on Facebook
• Dr. Ellis' Website
• Dr. Ellis on Google+

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

• Dr. Ellis on Facebook
• Dr. Ellis Website
• Dr. Ellis on Google+

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

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

• Dr. Ellis on Facebook
• Dr. Ellis Website
• Dr. Ellis on Google+

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

• Dr. Ellis on Facebook
• Dr. Ellis Website
• Dr. Ellis on Google+

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

I have always hated my teeth

I hear this a lot. And, it is sad because usually what is needed to fix the problem is not all that much. We will call this patient, Mrs. Skip.

Mrs. Skip had always made sure that here kid’s teeth were taken care of. Today, it was her turn.  She wanted something nice looking but didn’t want to get killed on the bill.
We decided that cosmetic bonding was the way to go.

Here is the BEFORE photo. 

 

Here is the AFTER photo. 

• Gaps closed.
• Centrals shortened.
• Laterals more prominent.

One very happy patient.


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

• Dr. Ellis on Facebook
• Dr. Ellis Website
• Dr. Ellis on Google+

SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/03/have-always-hated-teeth/ 

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

• Dr. Ellis on Facebook
• Dr. Ellis Website
• Dr. Ellis on Google+

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

• Dr. Ellis on Facebook
• Dr. Ellis Website
• Dr. Ellis on Google+

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

Intravenous (IV) Sedation vs. Conscious Sedation

Today, there are many dentists offering “Sedation Dentistry”. But, what are they offering?

Sedation has many levels. A person taking the drug Prozac is considered to be, mildly, sedated. This same person however, can still fully function, going to work, driving a car, etc. Certainly, this level of sedation would not be considered acceptable for a dental phobic.

What most dentists are offering is something called “conscious” sedation. From the Utah Dental Association guidelines …

Conscious sedation means a minimally depressed level of consciousness that retains the patient's ability to independently and continuously maintain an airway and respond appropriately to physical stimulation and verbal command …

So conscious sedation, by law, is a minimal level of sedation where the patient must retain the ability to have a conversation with the dentist. In conscious sedation, you are NOT “un” conscious.

 

Intravenous (IV) Sedation however, is much different. Within less than 5 minutes of the drugs being administered, the patient is completely unconscious, asleep, out, in dreamland, etc.

It is not until the procedure is over, and the reversal drugs have been administered, that the patient is begins to wake up and can remember nothing of what has transpired.

For some people a mild form of sedation, to take the edge off, is great. But for those patients looking to be completely asleep for their dental appointment, I.V. sedation is the way to go.


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

• Dr. Ellis on Facebook
• Dr. Ellis Website
• Dr. Ellis on Google+

SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/02/iv-sedation-vs-conscious-sedation/

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

• Dr. Ellis on Facebook
• Dr. Ellis Website
• Dr. Ellis on Google+

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

Is having more or less Saliva important?

In two words, OH, YA!

Saliva is critical to the health of your teeth and gums. Without it, there would be serious ramifications.

Saliva is produced from 3 major glands in your mouth -- Parotid gland, Submandibular gland, and Sublingual gland.

And, it plays two major roles in the body:

1. Saliva helps to lubricate food before it goes down your throat so that harder foods will not damage your insides on the way to the stomach.
2. Saliva helps to wash harmful sugars and bacteria off of you teeth.

One of the most damaging things to your teeth is a dry mouth. Dry teeth will soon be dead teeth. A dry mouth can be caused by a number of things. The largest cause of dry mouth that I see is from medications. Specifically heart regulating and mood altering medications have the greatest effect but it can be any medication.

Dry mouth can also be brought on by age. Just as your eyes aren't as moist as they used to be, so to may your mouth begin to dry out over time.

If you feel like your mouth is drier than it used to be, please contact your dentist right away. There are things you can do to help.


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

• Dr. Ellis on Facebook
• Dr. Ellis Website
• Dr. Ellis on Google+

SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/01/having-more-less-saliva-important/