Tag: NJ best dentist

Which is the best dentist for my teeth a cosmetic dentist or orthodontist?

So I have spaces between 5 of my top teeth. not all 5 in a row but the spaces are random. I want to close them up and I am wondering which is the best dentist for my teeth. a cosmetic dentist or a orthodontist? Thanks! Sydnee.

Sydnee – An orthodontist will provide you with braces to close the spaces between your teeth. A cosmetic dentist provides alternatives to lengthy treatment with braces, including dental bonding and porcelain veneers.

The treatment recommended for you depends on the size of the spaces between your teeth. Smaller spaces can be closed with dental bonding. Porcelain veneers are a beautiful way to conceal larger gaps. Make an appointment with an accredited cosmetic dentist to discuss your options.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley. Dr. Hurley was voted a NJ top dentist six years in a row.

Why didn’t my dentist offer a Maryland Bridge as an option?

Why didn’t my dentist tell me about the Maryland Bridge? I discovered this myself while searching on the Internet.

Ken in Grand Forks, MN

Dear Ken,

In most cases a Maryland Bridge won’t work for a missing tooth. Further, some dentists really don’t know how to do them, and there can be technical problems, because they are not as strong or reliable compared to a conventional dental bridge.

In my opinion, the dentist should provide you with all of the options for a missing tooth: either a conventional dental bridge or a dental implant is the way to go. And in some cases, a removable partial denture may be another option. In some unique situations, an Encore Bridge or Maryland Bridge would be an option.

Learn more about procedures used for missing teeth here.

What can I do about my bad breath?

I brush two to three times daily, and my breath in my mouth still smells. Can you tell me what to do about this? What could be causing this?

Tom in Indianapolis

Dear Tom,

Even though you brush often, there are many reasons you are experiencing a bad smell in your mouth.

Bad breath is usually caused by bacteria that are in your mouth. Brushing your teeth is a good first step. Make sure that you also floss your teeth daily. If your bad breath persists, then you may want to get a tongue cleaner.

There are also powerful bad breath fighting products you can by over the counter that will help. Try BreathRx, or you can try one of the special rinses or bad breath toothpaste.

Try searching the Internet on how to fight mouth odor problems too. Many dentist offer advice on how to treat mouth odor problems.

Learn about other dental health issues on my website.

What is the best method for fixing my crooked tooth?

Dr. Hurley,

I’ve been searching for a good dentist to straighten my crooked tooth. My tooth next to my right front tooth is crooked and pushed back. I know there are a couple options, braces or possibly Invisalign, but I’m not sure which I would be a good candidate for. Are there any other options? Should I just have the tooth pulled?

Leslie from Sedona, AZ

Leslie,

Most of the time Invisalign will work for adults who have crooked teeth, but another option is to have porcelain veneers placed on your teeth. If you want to straighten your tooth right away, then porcelain veneers is the best and quickest approach.

Some dentists my offer extracting that tooth as an option, but I don’t advise you to do this. This will cause you to have an uneven number of front teeth, which will not improve your smile. Your front teeth include a combination of different shapes, and you have some options to making them look straight. But one thing you want to make sure of is that your smile remains symmetrical by keeping all six teeth.

Learn more about the methods for straightening teeth, and see patient photos of these procedures on my website.

Can my son get a fever from a tooth infection?

My son’s dentist told me that infections in mouths can’t cause fevers. Is this correct? Can you please tell me if this is or is not true? This dentist did not want to take the time to explain why or why not.

Sincerely, Becky from Tulsa

Dear Becky,

It seems that there is a bit of miscommunication here. Infections in the mouth most certainly can cause fevers. For that matter, infections anywhere in the body will cause the body to go into defense mode, which can potentially cause a fever. My advice is to have regular check-ups and cleanings to prevent from having infections.

Perhaps your son’s dentist was trying to convey that dental infections may not cause significant fevers. Although, most of the time they don’t.

Often times, an infection is will remain just within a tooth, and the body will contain the infection, to keep it under control so that there is no obvious infection. As a result, fevers don’t normally occur due to a tooth or gum infection. Mind you, I’m not completely ruling out the possibility.

Tooth infections can sometimes cause a person to feel run down though. I’ve observed this with many patients. Also, when a child’s teeth begin cutting, a fever can sometimes occur. Dentists who really care about their patients will take the time to explain these things.

This blog sponsored by New Jersey dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley