Archives for November 2023

How Can I Safely Straighten My Teeth During Pregnancy?

Posted on November 30, 2023 by AllSmiles.

How can I safely straighten my teeth during pregnancy? I planned on getting porcelain veneers next February because I want straight teeth. Now, I am pregnant and don’t want to introduce any dental chemicals into my body until the baby is delivered. And as I am typing this, I’ll probably have the same concerns while I’m breastfeeding for a year. What chemicals should I be concerned about with porcelain veneers? – Fatu from CT

Fatu,

While in dental school, dentists are taught the following regarding dental treatment during pregnancy.

First trimester – Avoid introducing chemicals that might harm the baby
Second trimester – Scheduling routine dental work is okay
Third trimester – Whenever possible, avoid stress on the mother by limiting care to dental emergencies

Are Porcelain Veneers Safe During Pregnancy?

Porcelain veneer

Only local anesthetic—one of the safest medications—is used if you choose porcelain veneers for teeth alignment. Lidocaine is a commonly used local anesthetic that is proven to be safe during pregnancy.

Your concerns are understandable. If you want straighter teeth but don’t want porcelain veneers throughout your pregnancy and during breastfeeding, there is an alternative.

Invisalign During Pregnancy

A typical Invisalign case can be completed in a year or less. Although porcelain veneers are a faster way to align your teeth, if you wait until the baby is delivered and breastfeeding is complete, you’ll have 19 months to complete Invisalign treatment. Invisalign is more affordable than porcelain veneers. Your dentist might need to bond small composite tabs to your teeth to help the aligners grip and move them. You will also wear BPA-free, medical-grade aligners to straighten your teeth.

Maintain regular hygiene appointments to keep your gums and teeth healthy during pregnancy. Before you receive Invisalign or any other dental treatment, your dentist will review your medical and dental histories to ensure you’re a candidate. You’ll undoubtedly weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether to proceed with dental treatment.

Metairie, Louisiana, cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

Why Did My Dental Bonding Stain Within Three Weeks?

Posted on November 14, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I got Zoom whitening three months ago and waited before getting dental bonding on my four upper front teeth. Three weeks ago, I got dental bonding that looked like a perfect match, but now the bonding is stained and darker than my teeth. I drink coffee daily, but the bonding should stain that quickly, should it? I called my dentist’s office and left a message. She returned my call after hours and recommended reducing my coffee intake to keep the bonding white. Bonding doesn’t stain within three weeks. Will I need to get the bonding redone? What is the bonding staining already? Is it cheap? Thank you. Taelyn from San Diego

Taelyn,

We understand your concerns about your dental bonding. Although bonding is not stain-resistant, it should not stain within weeks. We suspect that your dentist doesn’t have extensive training in bonding techniques and how to help new bonding deflect stains.

Does Dental Bonding Stain Within a Few Weeks?

Quality dental bonding does not stain within a few weeks. However, most general or family dentists have an inventory of general-purpose bonding, a high-strength material that is not aesthetically appropriate for high luster on front teeth.

Composite bonding is a blend of plastic resin with quart, silica, and glass. Various composites exist—some are durable but have limited shine. Others have high luster but lack durability. Then, newer nanofill composites combine strength and luster.

How Can You Get Bonding to Match Your Whitened Teeth?

Expert cosmetic dentists have an inventory of various composites to match your newly whitened teeth. Also, composites vary in shade, luster, and translucencies. Skilled cosmetic dentists blend composite bonding to match the graduation of color and gloss in your tooth enamel.

When a dentist chooses a material that lacks luster when polished, the bonding can stain more easily. You can ask your dentist to polish your bonding or use another material to achieve more luster while resisting stains. If your dentist cannot improve your bonding and match it with your Zoom-whitened teeth, consider seeing a skilled cosmetic dentist for the work.

Metairie, Louisiana, cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

An example from Dr. Delaune of how a cosmetic dentist can produce beautiful results with dental bonding.

Will I Need Braces for Inner Cheek Biting?

Posted on November 8, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I keep biting the inside of my right cheek when I chew. It happens if I eat something that requires much chewing, like chicken or an apple. It doesn’t happen with softer foods, though. Is this a dental issue that requires braces, which I cannot afford, or could it be a medical issue? I can’t imagine why it would be medical, but I don’t know. The problem began over a year ago, but it’s become more frequent. Thanks. Viviana from Tampa, FL

Viviana,

A cheek-biting habit may be related to dental concerns. A dentist can determine whether your teeth alignment is causing you to bite your inner cheek when you chew.

What Causes Inner Cheek Biting?

Factors that can cause inner cheek biting include anxiety, depression, distractions, compulsive behavior, or bite misalignment. Although occasional accidental cheek biting is not a concern, you should get professional help to identify the cause of a chronic habit.

Anxiety or depression – Cheek biting can become an emotional reaction to stress, anxiety, or depression.
Compulsive behavior – Body-focused repetitive behavior is related to conscious or subconscious habits, such as cheek biting, hair pulling, or skin picking.
Distractions – Reading, driving, watching TV, or talking while eating can distract you from chewing well, causing you to bite your inner cheek.
Teeth misalignment – Teeth misalignment from orthodontic concerns or restorative dental work can affect your bite or how your upper and lower teeth meet. Cheek biting can be a sign of a non-harmonious bite.

What Can a Dentist Do for a Cheek-Biting Habit?

Teeth misalignment can cause inner-cheek biting and TMJ issues

A dentist can examine your teeth and bite to determine whether they affect your check-biting habit or if you need to consult your medical doctor. If so, the dentist may recommend a mouth guard, orthodontics, or tooth restoration to correct your bite. If your bite is off, you may also experience TMJ-related symptoms, including jaw pain or stiffness, earaches, headaches, or neck pain. Schedule an exam with a dentist with advanced occlusion and bite training for an accurate diagnosis.

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.