Dr. Hadgis's Blog

Posted By writeradmin on May 5, 2012

I have some stains on my dental crowns. Do you think it could be because I smoke? Is there anything I can do about them?

Jennie from Las Vegas

Jennie,

Smoking does cause staining on your teeth, so it is very possible this is where your stains are originating. There are two ways to combat this. I recommend doing both. First, your dentist can remove the stains on your dental crowns using a porcelain polish with a superfine diamond grit. Then, to help with new surface stains you could use a cosmetic toothpaste such as Supersmile on a daily basis.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Category: Dental Crowns | Comments Off
Tags: stains on dental crowns, Supersmile toothpaste

Posted By writeradmin on May 5, 2012

I have always had problems with my jaw popping and cracking. Recently, it has gotten significantly worse and occasionally feels like I have lock-jaw. My doctor offered the solution of breaking and re-setting my jaw. That seems like a drastic step without having a diagnosis. Are there other options for me?

A frustrated patient in Wyoming.

I can see why you are frustrated. I haven’t examined you, but yes, I would find that a little extreme as a course of action without a solid diagnosis. What you’re describing sounds like a problem with the disc in your jaw-joint related to TMJ disorder. You’ll want to find a TMJ specialist to examine you. Look for a dentist who has had training with the distinguished Las Vegas Institute (LVI). TMJ is complicated and requires  post-graduate training.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Category: TMJ Treatment | Comments Off
Tags: lockjaw, popping and clicking in jaw, TMJ

Posted By writeradmin on March 6, 2012

I just had four dental implants placed, but now my teeth aren’t lining up when I bite down. Is this normal?

Kathy- Tallahassee, FL

Kathy,

No, this is not normal. Your teeth should line up together when you bite. I’d get this looked to right away, because if it isn’t fixed it could lead to TMJ disorder.

There are a couple of possibilities for what went wrong with your dental implants:

1. The more likely scenario is that the surgeon placed the implants in the wrong position.
2. The other possibility is that the implants weren’t restored properly.

Implant dentistry is not a recognized specialty and fairly unregulated. It is important to go to a dentist that has a lot of post graduate implant credentials, such as at LVI. It’s even more helpful if you can find a dentist that is also knowledgeable in neuromuscular dentistry, like Dr. Hadgis is. Although it is challenging to find that combination.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Cosmetic dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Category: Dental Implants | Comments Off
Tags: getting implant teeth to line up, neuromusculary dentistry, tmj disorder

Posted By writeradmin on March 6, 2012

I had some dental bonding done on a front tooth, but I am unhappy with it. Is there a way I can have my dentist take it off and re-do it?

Bethany- Kansas City

Bethany,

Yes, dental bonding is easy to have removed. It just requires a special sandpaper that takes it right down to the tooth. I wouldn’t recommend having the same dentist re-do it. Chances are if you were unhappy the first time, you’ll  be unhappy again. Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty, so there are large varieties of both qualifications and artistic skill when it comes to dentists who do cosmetic procedures. I’d look for someone who is AACD accredited (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry). Any dentist with accredited status with this organization will have the highest level of skill when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. It’s better to pay a little more for someone more qualified and only have to do it once, then to have to re-do it several times.

This blog is sponsored by Grosse Pointe Woods Cometic dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Category: Dental Bonding | Comments Off
Tags: Finding a cosmetic dentist, Removing dental bonding

Posted By writeradmin on February 29, 2012

Hi. I had a tooth extraction after about a year of problems with a root canal. That is a long time for an infection, so I’m wondering how long I need to wait to get my implants placed? Also should i take antibiotics?

Beth Q.- Santa Clarita, CA

Beth,

When your tooth becomes infected, the tissue inside the tooth dies. There is a spot at the apex of the root where the infection can creep into the surrounding bone. Fortunately, your body fights that off very well. Once your tooth is extracted, the source of the infection is removed and your body goes to work quickly eliminating the remaining infection in your bone. An additional benefit of the extracted tooth is there is now a wide drainage hole into the bone that is now the heart of the infection. These factors mean there are rarely problems of residual infection after a basic extraction.

Impacted/infected wisdom teeth are separate cases.  Instead of the infection being inside the tooth, it is actually in the space between the tooth and the gum. On top of that, the removal of a wisdom tooth requires cutting into the surrounding bone and tissue, which gives an additional opportunity for the infection to spread. In these cases it is not uncommon to have complications with infection, and dentists generally prescribe antibiotics during the healing time to prevent problems with infection.

So, the answer to your question depends on which type of extraction you had.

I will offer one other piece of advice, though you didn’t ask. Be careful who you have do your dental implants. There are many horror stories from people who didn’t realize the dental implants are an unregulated part of dentistry. Any dentist can place them, whether they are qualified or not. You want to get someone who has a lot of dental implant qualifications, such as taking courses from LVI. If it is a very visible tooth, you’ll also want to make sure your dentist also is an artistic cosmetic dentist, so you won’t be disappointed with the way your new prosthetic tooth looks.

This blog is brought to Grosse Pointe Woods dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Category: Dental Implants | Comments Off
Tags: Impacted wisdom teeth, Infected wisdom teeth, Infection with tooth extractions, Tooth extractions

Posted By writeradmin on February 7, 2012

I’ve recently gotten 6 porcelain veneers and I’m very excited about my new smile. My dentist recommended supersmile toothpaste, but I’ve been doing some reading that you shouldn’t use baking soda on porcelain veneers. Supersmile has baking soda in it. What should I do?

Vinny- Bayonne, New Jersey

Vinny,

Glad to hear you are taking such good care of your veneers, and that you love the results. You are perfectly safe using Supersmile toothpaste on your veneers. In fact, it is excellent in removing stains on cosmetic dentistry work, yet gentle enough not to damage it. While it is true you shouldn’t use straight baking soda on your porcelain veneers, because of its abrasive quality, you can use certain toothpastes that contain baking soda. I wouldn’t use a strong toothpaste, just because it contains baking soda. you don’t want anything abrasive. What your dentist recommended is perfect.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Cosmetic dentist Dr. Ted Hadgis.

Category: Porcelain Veneers | Comments Off
Tags: Baking soda on porcelain veneers, Caring for porcelain veneers, Supersmile toothpaste

Posted By writeradmin on January 17, 2012

I have a front tooth that is broken off about halfway. I’ve been to two dentists asking how best to fix it. I got two completely different answers, so I’m hoping you’ll be the tie-breaker, without me having to pay a THIRD dentist for an opinion. The first dentist said to use dental bonding to fix the front tooth, the second said bonding isn’t a good idea and I should get a crown placed.

Frank L.- Tennessee

Frank,

Truthfully, you can do either one, though with that much of your tooth missing, I would personally lean toward the crown. Why don’t I just give you the pros and cons of each and you can decide which best fits your desires and situation.

Dental Bonding Verses Dental Crowns:

• Bonding can be done in one appointment, a crown usually takes two appointments.
• While both procedures require a high amount of artistic talent, bonding is one of the most demanding of a dentist’s skills set. Many dentists shy away from bonding because they are not skilled enough in this procedure. You will want to ask to see before and after photographs of previous cases to make sure their work is of the caliber you would want for a front tooth. If they don’t have photos, that may be an indication they are not serious cosmetic dentists and you need to find someone else.
• The porcelain on crowns is more durable and stain resistant than the composite material used for bonding.
• If the bonding is extensive, covering a large area of the tooth, there is a risk of it breaking, because it isn’t as strong as a porcelain crown.
• Bonding is slightly safer than crowns. There is a risk with crowns that the pulp of the tooth will be irritated and you will end up needing a root canal.
• Bonding requires very little removal of tooth structure, whereas your tooth will have to be shaved down considerably for a crown.
• It is fairly easy to have dental bonding upgraded to porcelain veneers or a crown if you’re not happy with it, but once you get a crown, you are pretty much forever committed to having a crown on that tooth.

Whichever procedure you choose, be careful about the qualifications of your cosmetic dentist. Because there is no recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry, any dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist. This is your front tooth and will be a very visible and important part of your smile, so be careful who you choose.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods cosmetic dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Category: Dental Crowns | Comments Off
Tags: broken tooth, cosmetic dentistry, Dental Bonding, Dental Crowns, porcelain crowns

Posted By writeradmin on January 4, 2012

Please help me. I just spent a lot of money having 6 Lumineers put on my daughters front six top teeth. They are horribly done, too bulky, squared instead of tapered (as we requested), and the color doesn’t match her other teeth. Here is what happened: We had a consultation for Lumineers and showed the dentist a picture of the kind of Lumineers smile we wanted. He said he was Lumineers certified and could do that. He also said we’d get to try them in and see them in different lights, and if we weren’t happy he could make some changes. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. When we came in to have them put on, he put them on with some kind of temporary paste. Her mouth was pulled back quite a bit, so it was hard to tell how they really looked. He kept telling my daughter how beautiful they looked, but I thought they looked too bulky and square. I couldn’t tell the color issues until we got home. He actually only let us look at them in one lighting, saying it was the most natural lighting.  I mentioned my feelings, and he said that was because it was a temporary paste and they’ll look even better when they are on permanently. They didn’t, and when my daughter went to school she was teased mercilessly, being called horse teeth. So, I took her in to fix all the gaps in her teeth so she’d feel less self-conscience and instead the situation is worse. I spoke to the dentist about it and he said he’d taper them some, but I think I just want to have them removed and get a refund. Is that possible? I’d like to find a different dentist to do these for her.

Laurie, A frustrated mom- Kansas

Laurie,

I’m sorry for your experience. Unfortunately this type of situation is not uncommon. There is a difference between a dentist who does cosmetic work and a cosmetic dentist. There is no recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry, so anyone can learn the procedures and call themselves a cosmetic dentist. Being Lumineers certified doesn’t guarantee quality veneer work either. To get certified to place Lumineers you just attend their class. There is no test to make sure the dentists know what they’re doing. There is no examination of the quality of their work. If you sit through the class, you’re certified.  What you want to find more than a Lumineers certified dentist, is a truly excellent cosmetic dentist, who can do beautiful porcelain veneers whether he uses the Lumineers brand or not. An excellent cosmetic dentist cares about the artistic quality of his work and will not be satisfied until you are.  One way to find that is to look on the mynewsmile.com website. On that site, a cosmetic dentist recommends quality cosmetic dentists in each state. It isn’t easy to get recommended by him. Dr. Hadgis  is and had to demonstrate is qualifications both in his training, and in submitting samples of his work.

I also think you have a decent chance of getting a refund if you go about it carefully. First, make sure you don’t have them do any more work on this case. This just increases their chair time and costs them more money, as well as you.

Second, let him know how dissatisfied you are. Your best points are: 1. He didn’t follow through with his word of letting you look at it in different lights and making sure you were completely satisfied before permanently bonding them. 2. Your daughter has suffered emotional hardship.

Third, I would enlist the help of a dentist from either out of state or another city. Go and see a qualified cosmetic dentist elsewhere, letting them see the poor craftsmanship of your current dentist’s work, and ask if he’d be willing to help you get a refund. Dentists care about their reputation with their peers, so he’ll be in a better position to criticize the work than you will.

Finally, if you’ve put the charges on your credit card and haven’t paid them yet, let the dentist know you plan on filing a complaint with the credit card company and will be refusing the charges unless you get a refund.

If you follow these steps, you have a decent chance of getting a refund and having quality cosmetic work done on your daughters smile.

Good luck.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods cosmetic dentist Dr. Hadgis.

Category: General, Lumineers | Comments Off
Tags: cosmetic dentistry, getting a refund, Porcelain Veneers, problems with lumineers

Posted By writeradmin on December 23, 2011

I wonder if you can help me. Two of my front teeth have dental bonding on them that are about 15 years old. I know it is time to get them replaced, but my finances aren’t that great right now. I know that you cannot make dental bonding any whiter by bleaching them, but can you whiten them back to their original color?

Daniel M.- New Jersey

Daniel,

No teeth whitening method will make your dental bonding any whiter. In fact, it will only make them look worse because  your natural teeth will get whitened from the bleaching. If your discoloration is from external stains instead of inside the bonding material, it is possible the discoloration could be polished away. Be sure you get an expert cosmetic dentist to do this, otherwise you could end up with a disaster.

If, however, the stains are internal, polishing won’t help. They will have to be replaced. With your finances currently not where you want them for replacement, my recommendation will be to leave it as is and wait until you can afford to get them replaced. Don’t look for a bargain by finding an “affordable” cosmetic dentist. As with the polishing, be sure you get them done by a highly qualified cosmetic dentist. If you want it done right, and with it being your front teeth that is even more important, you need someone with an artistic touch. To find a great cosmetic dentist in your area, you can check on mynewsmile.com. They screen cosmetic dentists from each state checking both their educational qualifications as well as their artistic expertise with their cosmetic work.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods cosmetic dentist Dr. Ted Hadgis.

Category: Dental Bonding | Comments Off
Tags: bleaching dental bonding, expert cosmetic dentists, Teeth Whitening

Posted By writeradmin on November 17, 2011

I need a crown put on a rear molar. My dentist said due to space issues it will need to be a metal crown. I wasn’t too excited about that at first, but realize there isn’t much option. Now that I’ve come to terms with having a metal crown I was wondering which metal. I can have the regular metal or gold. Are there advantages to one?

Jay- Cape Cod

Jay,

The space issue your dentist referred to is probably because it takes more space to use porcelain. They have to be made thicker than metal. If there isn’t much space there already, then metal is the better choice. Seeing as it is on a rear tooth, it won’t detract from your appearance.  If you’re going with metal, I highly recommend a gold crown. They are corrosion resistant, are more malleable (which makes them easier to fit), and will not crack.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Category: Dental Crowns | Comments Off
Tags: gold crowns, metal crowns, porcelain crowns