How are Gap Teeth Treated?

People commonly seek treatment for gaps between their upper front teeth. Often, the gap is closed with orthodontics during childhood, sparing the patient from having to whistle while they speak. But sometimes gaps, or diastema, can recur or there may be situations in which orthodontic work is not ideal. We at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach want our patients to know we can help them with cosmetic and bite problems, but the treatment strategy will depend on the gap’s cause.

Orthodontic work is done in late childhood after most of the patient’s adult teeth have erupted, but before their skull bones completely solidify. That means it is easier to guide teeth into different positions if the patient incurred a gap by sucking their thumb or pushing their teeth with their togue. It may not be too late for adults to get orthodontics, but they will need to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist if they are involuntarily thrusting their tongue forward when they swallow. Children who suck their thumbs can also sometimes benefit from psychological counseling to find healthier ways to self-soothe.

Occasionally, a gap might be caused by a person having a high labial frenulum. This means that the vertical strip of flesh connecting the inside of their upper lip to their upper jaw is interfering with the teeth coming together. If that’s the case, the frenulum might be surgically reduced when orthodontic work is nearly finished. It’s also possible for the teeth to shift positions somewhat after orthodontic work, particularly if other teeth have been removed. This is why it’s important to wear a retainer, and why our office will work with patients to replace missing teeth as quickly as possible.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Incipient Lesions

Do you ever notice that there are white spots on your teeth? Usually, they quickly disappear, but when they linger, they are a sign of a developing dental infection. We at All Coast Dental highly value prevention, so we want our patients to understand how white spot lesions work and why it’s so important to take them seriously.

White spot lesions are called “incipient lesions” because a glazed, white appearance is enamel’s initial response to being demineralized. When enamel is exposed to the acid produced by oral bacteria, there will be a period after it starts losing minerals but before it loses enough mass to form a cavity. This is when the white spot appears. It only takes about thirty days for a white spot to become a cavity, but after an infection is halted, the white spot may linger as a chalky-looking scar.

Incipient lesions can be halted through better brushing, but they usually appear in places such as around orthodontic brackets where the patient has trouble reaching. That’s why orthodontic patients need to master the use of Christmas tree toothbrushes and why people generally should keep a close eye on the bottoms and sides of their teeth, where tartar forms. We can determine whether a white spot still has an active infection, and if the scar lingers, we can discuss cosmetic solutions such as bonding.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

White Spots on Teeth

When people notice spots of their teeth turning unnaturally white, they may think they have a cosmetic problem to talk to the dentist about. But at All CoastDental in Pacific Beach, we want our patients to know that what they actually have is an incipient infection, and they need to take it seriously.

As tooth enamel is chemically eroded, it takes on a glazed appearance. This can be seen in people suffering from chronic acid reflux, which erodes enamel on the back teeth. It also happens when bacteria secrete acid as a by-product of metabolizing the sugar they find stuck to teeth. Whitening is the first stage of a dental infection, but if it isn’t stopped, it will continue until a cavity forms.

White spot lesions only take about thirty days to form. They mostly do so in places which are hard to brush, such as near the gum line or around orthodontic brackets. At All Coast Dental, we provide Clear Correct Aligners, which patients can remove in order to brush their teeth normally. If a dental infection does begin, we can help stop it and cover up the damage, if necessary.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Vertical Dimension Loss

The doctors of All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach are experienced providers of dentures to patients who need a second chance at oral health. Regardless of whether they need a full set of dentures or just partials, one of the most important aspects of fabricating dentures is to account for vertical dimension loss. Also known as bite collapse, this consequence of tooth loss and bone degradation affects the function, comfort, and aesthetics of the jaw bone.

Tooth enamel can be worn away, and when the back teeth are missing, the front teeth may be pushed out to an angle as they are subjected to chewing forces they cannot withstand. In either case, the bite will be shortened. This will make the face appear more wrinkled and cause the mouth look disproportionately small. It also frequently causes pain in the jaw, head, neck, and shoulders.

Temporary dentures are often a part of the treatment process. Besides providing the patient with the ability to chew while their mouths heal from extractions, they also give us with a chance to ensure that prosthetic teeth are sized correctly. Properly fitted dentures can restore the shape of the patients’ face in addition to providing a dazzling smile.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.