The Whole Tooth Dental Podcast

It isn't uncommon to get braces or Invisalign, and when treatment is done, black triangles appear. NOW, there is a way to close the spaces and give a beautiful and natural look in a SINGLE visit!  Bioclear!     Seattle Bioclear Method

Teeth whitening is a common way to improve the color of teeth. Nothing lasts forever, so repeating treatment is necessary to maintain or further improve results.  What time frame?  How soon can one "start over"? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Sometimes teeth are discolored after orthodontic brackets (braces) are removed.  Why?  What can be done? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Will overdentures help with TMJ issues? Dr Lance Timmerman DMD explains

The question asked was, " Why would non-vital tooth hurt a lot during tooth extraction?" If there is no nerve, why would there be pain? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

The biggest deterrent to dental implants is the amount of time needed to wait after implant placement and final restoration.  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

To get a "perfect" smile makeover, there are many steps involved. How is it different than just getting a crown? Does experience matter?   Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

While waiting for a lab to create final restorations, it is common to have a prototype created to be worn temporarily.  Since the desire is to remove the prototype within weeks, the goal is to have the prototype stay put, but be easily removed.  How?    Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Often people want treatment, but fear permanent damage will result.  Some systems are advertised as "reversible" as in, "if you don't like the result, one can remove the restoration and everything will be as it WAS."  Is this true? Sort of.   Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

A crown put on a tooth after root canal therapy is done to protect the tooth.  Can that cause pain, or would pain indicate an issue with the root canal therapy?  The situation isn't clear, and Dr Lance Timmerman explains....

Dental crowns are used when teeth are broken.  Are there limits to "how broken" a tooth can be before a crown is not an option? If a tooth is short, can it still be crowned?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Sometimes teeth don't develop as expected, and sometimes the missing teeth are in the front.  Seeking a perfect smile can include dental implants to fill the spaces.  Can it be done if the case is from congenitally missing laterals?  If we aren't REPLACING teeth, are dental implants an option? Dr Lance Timmerman explains....

Sometimes dental treatment can be confusing to the patient, but makes sense when analysed.  Why would a bracket be put on a tooth but then NO wire is attached?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Breaking up treatment into smaller parts can be beneficial physically and economically, but there are pros AND cons.  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

While being frugal is what will help avoid living beyond means, some savings end up not being savings at all.  The words CAN and SHOULD come to mind.  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

How color stable is a zirconia restoration?  Is it easy to alter?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

A well fitting denture doesn't happen on accident.  There are several steps that are key to the success of a denture, one of them being the "border molding" step.  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Often when losing teeth, dentures are a step in the progression of care.  How long is too long to wear dentures?  Will wearing dentures for 15 years exclude dental implants from being an option?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

When dental implants are placed, there is often a "temporary phase".  There are many methods, is a Maryland Bridge an option?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Patients often ask to "fix their overbite" yet don't really HAVE one.  One "exists" but it is "within normal limits".  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Often we restore teeth next to each other in different ways.  Sometimes it is a difference in material, sometimes it is a difference in restoration.  Can they match perfectly? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Sometimes teeth go south after treatment.  Sometimes right away, and sometimes much later.  Can this treatment be done THROUGH the crown or bridge?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

After root canal therapy, teeth can become dark. A dental crown helps prevent tooth fracture AND restores color. What material is best, PFM? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Sometimes getting dental work to match color is a challenge, and often more than one appointment is needed to get things "just right". Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

For a smile makeover, must I veneer upper AND lower teeth, or can I just treat the uppers?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional braces, but can it do EVERYTHING that traditional brackets can do, including expansion of arches?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Does having gum disease mean that dental implants are not an option? Dr Lance Timmerman explains

Aren't all dental bridges the same?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains

Everyone wants to save money, so DIY projects are very popular.  Many people want straight teeth.  Is DIY orthodontics a good way to save money AND get straight teeth?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.   For more information, consider:  The NY Times blog or this article from the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Some dentists say patients aren't candidates for services when they really are GREAT candidates. Why? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Metal is a common material in dentistry and has served us well for many years.  We now have alternatives.

How do I get a bridge if teeth have been missing for a long time and other teeth now fit into that space? Dr Lance Timmerman explains

It would seem logical to "resurface" a restoration, but is it possible or a good idea? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

It isn't common, but peri-implantitis (infection around a dental implant) can happen.  Sometimes these failed implants are next to natural teeth, so does that mean the teeth must be removed as well? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

When getting a new smile, temporary veneers are often created.  These sometimes crack or break, is that cause for concern?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Often people notice their teeth overlap and assume that they must fix it.  Should they?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains....

Many people want a new smile, but don't know which material is better. Is durability a factor? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Sometimes, especially when working on a front tooth, symmetry is off.  The soft tissues (gums) are usually the issue, and fixing things can be a challenge.  Dr Lance Timmerman explains

Does "never been whitened before" matter?  Some products are better than others, so what do you do?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains

Rules and guidelines change all the time so staying current can be a challenge.  An example is the advice on antibiotics before dental treatment.  It used to be suggested for nearly ANY issue to take them.  Now, not so much.  Dr Lance Timmerman explains...

Sometimes we find that our decision isn't what we thought it would be and would like "plan B" instead.  Can that be done with orthodontics, switch from one method to another?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains

If dental implants are already placed, can Invisalign be used?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains

If a tooth has been weakened from previous dental work, can it be used to support a dental bridge?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains

Why do some teeth, the crowns on implants, appear shorter than the others but were normal when they were first placed.  If the implants were placed during the teenage years, that is likely the main issue.  Dr Lance Timmerman explains....

If a dental implant falls out soon after it was placed, what do you do?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains

Veneers fit VERY precisely (intimately, if you will).  Since they are very SMALL, it can be hard to tell if they were put on correctly until all is done and sometimes when taking x-rays.  If it was bonded in permanently and put on crooked, what do you do?  How do you fix that?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains....

It is common that dental work needs to be redone, whether due to breakage or decay or any other reason.  It is the future economy of dentistry.  But what if the NEW crown is thicker than the others?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.

Zirconia dental restorations are very strong, so why would a dentist layer porcelain on top? Does this weaken the restoration?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains....

Do all dental fillings need a base or liner underneath?  Dr Lance Timmerman explains

While it may sound simple to just have someone else take over or finish orthodontic treatment, it is a bit more complicated than that.  Dr Lance Timmerman explains.