Menu Dr. Duane Delaune's Blog Phone
Phone: 504-885-8869 Main Site Pen Icon Reviews: GoogleFacebook Dr. Duane Delaune's Blog
phone: 504-885-8869
  • Welcome to the Blog of Dr. Duane Delaune

Archives for May 2014

Not enough space for implants?

Posted on May 27, 2014 by smiles4u.

When I was young, a minor accident knocked one of my teeth out. It wasn’t in an obvious place that could be seen, so I didn’t worry about fixing it. I just recently went to the dentist after not being to one for many years, and I had to have the tooth next to it pulled. Now, I’d like to replace the two missing teeth with implants, but my dentist says I need to do a bridge because there is not enough room for two implants. I don’t understand how there is not enough room and also, the teeth on each side that he would need to crown are healthy, so why would he shave down good teeth?

Sam in Illinois

Sam,

When you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth will shift.  Since it has been so many years since you lost the tooth, it’s given your other teeth plenty of time to move around, making the space smaller and leaving less room for two implants.

While a bridge may be an option – it’s not the only option.  Most dentists would likely want to find an alternative solution that doesn’t require shaving down healthy teeth, but if your dentist isn’t giving you any other options, it may be time to look for another opinion.

Mini implants might be an option in your case because they need less space. A dentist might be able to place two mini implants or even a single mini or traditional implant that will support two replacement teeth.

Bottom line, there are many options out there… take the time to do a little shopping around to find a dentist who will offer the best solution for you.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Filed Under: Dental Implants Tagged With: best dentist in New Orleans, Dental Implants, Metairie dental implants, mini-implants, missing teeth, New Orleans dental implants, New Orleans teeth implants

Do I need to have my fillings replaced?

Posted on May 21, 2014 by smiles4u.

I recently saw my dentist and he told me I need to have my silver fillings removed and replaced with white fillings. Unless there is something wrong with them, do they need to be replaced? I can’t afford $3600 right now.

– Lisa from Illinois

Lisa,
Over time, fillings will deteriorate and become leaky. Amalgam fillings can even crack or become corroded. Today, may patients are opting for mercury-free composite fillings because of their many advantages over silver or amalgam.

With that said, your dentist shouldn’t be telling you to replace your existing fillings unless there is something wrong with them (i.e. if they are leaking, bacteria can seep into the tooth in the crack between the filling and the tooth causing tooth decay under the filling, which can be serious.)

Sometimes patients want to have all their old silver amalgam fillings taken out and replaced with white fillings; however that is a personal choice to do so. Your dentist shouldn’t try to talk you into something like that.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Filed Under: Mercury-Free Dentist Tagged With: best dentist in New Orleans, leaky fillings, New Orleans mercury-free dentist, replacing silver fillings, white fillings

Can my 16-year-old get porcelain veneers?

Posted on May 12, 2014 by smiles4u.

My daughter’s front teeth are somewhat discolored, crooked, and one is larger than the other. She is only 16, but she has been begging me to let her get porcelain veneers. Is she too young?
— Anne in Michigan

Anne,
There is no set minimum age for veneers; however there are some risks when placing veneers on younger patients if they have not yet reached maximum jaw maturity. If place too early, the veneers may need to be redone a few years later if she experiences a growth spurt.  The bones and gums continue to develop as we age, and that can cause the porcelain edge of veneers placed too early to become exposed. Your 16-year-old may be a good candidate for veneers – it really depends on the condition of teeth, how crooked they are, and if they are fully developed. If you and your daughter fully understand that the veneers will likely need replaced once or twice later down the road, the decision is really more of a personal choice.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Filed Under: Porcelain Veneers Tagged With: Metairie porcelain veneers, minimum age for porcelain veneers, New Orleans cosmetic dentist, New Orleans porcelain veneers, porcelain veneers, teenagers and porcelain veneers

Bite does not align with my implant bridge

Posted on May 2, 2014 by smiles4u.

I recently had four teeth on my bottom right replaced with a new implant bridge, with two implants. When I bite down on the right side, my top and bottom teeth line up, but they don’t on the left. Is this normal?     — Sharon in PA

Sharon,
This is not normal. All your teeth should come together at the same time, and if this isn’t fixed, it could lead to TMJ disorder.

This brings to light a good point about the quality and standards of implant dentistry among dentists today. Implant dentistry is not a recognized specialty, so any dentist can claim to be an implant dentist – even if they have no extra training.

You should have another dentist look at this – one who understands and practices quality implant dentistry and has credentials from either the International Congress of Oral Implantologists or the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

It could be possible that the implants were restored incorrectly or more likely that the implants were placed in the wrong position. Sometimes, when surgery is done by one dentist and the implants are placed by another, there can be a lack of communication and the implants are placed in a position that makes it difficult or impossible to restore them correctly. A restorative dentist skilled in implant dentistry should make some type of surgical guide that fits in your mouth and that fixes the exact position and angle where the implant should be placed.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Filed Under: Dental Implants Tagged With: best dentist in New Orleans, bite out of alignment, choosing the best dentist, implant dentistry standards, Metairie dental implants, New Orleans dental implants

Search

Recent Posts

  • Would Teeth Stains from Silver Fillings Show Through White Ones?
  • Is It Safe to Get a Tooth Filling at 7 Months Pregnant?
  • How Long Does Teeth Sensitivity Last After Getting Veneers?
  • Another Lumineer Popped Off My Tooth. It’s the Third Time.

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011

Topics

  • Affordable Dental Implants
  • all-on-4 dental implants
  • Best Dentist
  • Botox
  • Cosmetic Dentist
  • Dental Bonding
  • Dental Implants
  • Dentures
  • Emergency Dentistry
  • Gum Disease
  • Invisalign
  • Lumineers
  • Mercury-Free Dentist
  • Porcelain Veneers
  • Smile Makeover
  • Snap-On Denture
  • Teeth Whitening
  • TMJ Dentist
  • TMJ Specialist
  • Tooth Contouring
  • Uncategorized
  • Zoom Whitening
Dr. Duane Delaune's Blog
Duane P. Delaune, D.D.S.
3801 N. Causeway Blvd. Suite 305
Metairie, LA 70002 USA
Phone: (504) 885-8869
See on the Map

©2008-2023 Delaune Dental • All rights reserved
Website Design and SEO by Infinity Dental Web