Dr. Brodsky, Saint Petersburg/Seminole Dentist

Questions:

Why not have a beautiful smile?
Stained Crooked/Worn/Malformed Teeth
Black and Unsightly Silver Fillings
Discolored Teeth
Gum Disease
Diet and Dental Health
Halitosis (bad breath)
Dry Mouth in Seniors
Poorly Fitting Dentures
Patient Safety
Dental Pain

Why not have a beautiful smile?

The appearance of the teeth has a dramatic effect on both the person's attractiveness to others and on their own self-image and self-esteem. Studies have shown that a person's appearance will have a strong effect on their social and career success, by influencing how others perceive them. While the appearance of the teeth is one of the most important contributors to facial beauty, it is also probably the most often neglected when improvements to appearance are sought. A person with low self-esteem connected to their facial appearance, can often be greatly helped by cosmetic dental procedures.

Dental make-overs have become more common, less invasive, and more effective in correcting deformities and cosmetic dental problems. The effect of these procedures can be nothing short of dramatic both in terms of appearance and also in terms of correcting, at least partially, personality deficiencies caused by poor self-image. Ugly teeth are no longer a matter of fate; they are now becoming a matter of choice.

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Stained, broken, worn, crooked, malformed teeth
Solutions: Bonding

Bonding is typically painless and can yield dramatic results in a single office visit. Essentially, bonding hides any natural flaws through the placement of a thin plastic coating on the front surface of the teeth. After treating the tooth surface, a puttylike bonding material is applied that is then sculpted, shaped and colored to suit the patient's needs. A high-intensity light causes the plastic to harden after which the new surface is smoothed and polished.

Bonding can lighten stains, close gaps and even alter crooked or malformed teeth. It can be utilized to change the shape or color of a single tooth or if necessary to revamp the entire smile.

Please call our office for a free cosmetic consultation.

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Black and unsightly silver fillings
Solution: "Invisible" composite fillings

Many people have had silver fillings placed into their teeth because they had "cavities". These silver fillings are called amalgams. Amalgam fills the space where the decay in the tooth has been removed. However over times, the amalgam corrodes and leaks which blackens the silver, and many times the tooth. This is easily seen as soon as a patient opens his or her mouth and is usually a source of embarrassment for the patient.

Composite fillings are made of a porcelain-like material that actually bonds to the tooth for a tight seal. They are strong and stain-resistant, and they are color-matched to the natural tooth, making them "invisible". Composite fillings also lack the sensitivity that is often associated with silver amalgam fillings. They are especially suited for smaller cavities and for patients who may be allergic to metal fillings.

Please don't hesitate to call our office with any questions you may have about the benefits of replacing silver amalgam fillings with invisible composite fillings.

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Discolored Teeth
Solution: Bleaching

We all lead with our smile. Your smile brightens up each person you meet. Are you happy with your smile?

One question I ask my patients is: "What would you do to your mouth if you had a magic wand?" Nine out of ten tell me they would like whiter or brighter teeth .

Is there a solution?

The answer is yes. Many times the process is relatively simple. Bleaching teeth, through treatment in the office and/or by home bleaching techniques, has worked wonders for many patients.

So, if you could use help in brighten your smile, please don't hesitate to call our office. I am always dedicated to achieving a healthy smile.

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Gum Disease
Solution: Detecting Early Symptoms

The American Dental Association says that over 75-80% of all adults have or will have some form of gum disease.

Gum disease, or more correctly called "periodontal disease", is a bacterial infection in the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It can be divided into several categories.

The first stage is called "gingivitis" and is characterized by gum tissue that is red, puffy, and bleeds easily when touched with a toothbrush, floss or dental instrument.

The second, third, and fourth stages are initial, moderate, and advanced "periodontal disease", respectively. These stages are different from gingivitis because the infection has destroyed the bone supporting the teeth, causing eventual tooth loss.

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Diet and Dental Health
Solution: Education

A diet low in certain nutrients reduces resistance to oral and dental infections, that is, periodontal disease (gum disease) and decay. A healthy immune system is essential to controlling periodontal disease.

Counseling in the Four Basic Food groups will improve dental health and general health. The consumption of sugar, especially in sticky forms or in a baby bottle while sleeping, contributes to the rapid development of dental decay.

The trace nutrient fluoride may not be adequately supplied by bottle or municipal water supplies. Supplementation with oral tablets and topical application will reduce the incidence of dental decay by more than 60%.

Together, a balanced diet, daily use of fluoride, effective brushing, and sensible eating habits can reduce the risk of, or even prevent, infectious dental disease.

Please don't hesitate to call our office if you need more information on diet or fluoride supplementation and its relationship to dental health.

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Halitosis (Bad Breath)

Lots of patients share concern about bad breath . As a social embarrassment, it's surely near the top of the list. Since mouthwashes won't eliminate the problem, let's look at some possible reasons for the condition.

Certain foods, such as onions, garlic, and spices will cause temporary bad breath. Some medical and systemic problems, such as sinusitis, can also contribute.

But most causes are local in nature. Bacteria, plain and simple, are the culprit. Bacteria do their work in the mouth, lungs, sinuses, and stomach. In the oral cavity, bacteria cause gum disease .

This infection is so prevalent today; it's the first dental problem we suspect when it comes to halitosis. With a thorough hygiene program, there is a chance to control gum problems and this particularly awkward side effect.

Less-than-pristine dentures or bridgework are also a source of odor. Decay can be another culprit along with "dry mouth" syndrome (a lot of older people are prone to reduced saliva flow). For more information regarding bad breath, please call our office.

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Dry Mouth In Seniors
Solution: Topical fluoride rinses

More seniors today have retained their own teeth, avoiding the trauma of removable dentures. Many are on medications creating dryness of the mouth as a side effect. Without the natural benefit of saliva to decrease bacterial action, we see an increase of cavities on the root surfaces of these patients.

Anyone on a medication causing a dry mouth should be encouraged to see their dentist for regular dental cleanings and topical fluoride rinses.

For more information regarding dental problems of the elderly, please call our office.

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Poorly Fitting Dentures
Solution: Patients should have their dentures checked at least once a year.

Many denture wearers breathe a sigh of relief when they get their first pair of dentures, because they think their dental problems are over. What they soon realize, however, is that they have just traded some old problems for new ones.

Even the best dry mouth can't compete with natural teeth in ability to chew food efficiently and comfortably. As the years go by, the supporting ridges that remain after teeth have been removed gradually change and get smaller.

For most patients, the dentures need to be "relined" or "refitted" every 2-4 years so that the denture will conform to the changing ridge. A large change in weight can also alter the shape of the mouth, causing changes in the fit.

If you have questions about your dentures, please call our office.

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Patient Safety
Solution: Modern Patient Protection

A recent survey of dental patients showed that patient protection was #1 on their list of concerns about dental care. Some patients have even quit going to the dentist because of their fears.

Fortunately, trips to the dentist have never been safer. We sterilize all of our instruments for your safety and well being.

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Dental Pain
Solution: Don't Rely on Pain

Many people don't see a dentist on a regular basis. They go only when they feel they have a problem. We call this "crisis treatment" as opposed to "preventive treatment". While these patients may feel they are saving money, it usually ends up costing much more in both dollars and time. The reason for this is that most dental problems don't have any symptoms until they reach the advanced stages.

An example is tooth decay. We hear all the time, "I don't have any problems." Tooth decay doesn't hurt! Until, that is, it gets close to the nerve of the tooth. Then a root canal and crown are usually necessary, instead of the small filling, which could have been placed several years ago when the cavity was small. We can usually detect a cavity 3-4 years before it may develop any symptoms. It is not uncommon to see a patient with a tremendous cavity and they have never felt a thing!

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