My Blog
Posts for: August, 2019

Roughly 75% of American adults are missing at least one tooth, mostly from disease, trauma or extraction for other dental reasons. A few missing teeth, though, never erupted in the first place.
It’s a rare occurrence, but sometimes people are born without certain teeth, usually back molars or premolars that may not be as visible. Occasionally, though, it’s the more visible upper lateral incisors positioned on either side of the central incisors (the two front teeth on either side of the midline of the face).
Missing incisors can lead to poor bites and create difficulties for speech development and nutrition. But these highly visible (or in this case, “invisible”) teeth can also detract from an otherwise attractive smile.
There are ways, however to correct a smile with missing lateral incisors. Here are 3 of those ways.
Canine substitution. We can fill the vacancy created by the missing incisors by orthodontically moving the canines (the “eyeteeth,” normally next to them) into the space. Braces can close the gap in a conservative way, while possibly correcting any existing bite problems. Because canines are larger than incisors, its often necessary to re-contour them and restore them with a crown, veneer or bonding material to look more natural.
Fixed bridge. A second way to fill the space is with a dental bridge. A bridge consists of a series of crowns fused together in a row. The middle crowns replace the missing teeth; the end crowns cap the natural teeth on either end of the gap, which establishes support for the bridge. Another variation is a cantilever bridge in which only one natural tooth is capped for support. With either type, though, the capped teeth will be permanently reduced in size to accommodate the crowns.
Dental implants. This popular restoration is also a favorite for correcting missing incisors. Implants provide a life-like and durable replacement for missing teeth, while not requiring any alterations to existing teeth as with a bridge. But they are more expensive than the other options, and they require adequate space between the adjacent teeth for insertion, as well as healthy bone for proper placement and anchorage. This is also an option that must wait until the jaw has fully matured in early adulthood.
If you would like more information on treating congenitally missing teeth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “When Permanent Teeth Don't Grow: Treatment Options for Congenitally Missing Lateral Incisors.”

Some moviegoers have been known to crunch popcorn, bite their fingers or grab their neighbor’s hands during the intense scenes of a thriller. But for one fan, the on-screen action in the new superhero film Black Panther led to a different reaction.
Sophia Robb, an 18-year-old Californian, had to make an emergency visit to the orthodontic office because she snapped the steel wire on her retainer while watching a battle scene featuring her Hollywood crush, Michael B. Jordan. Her jaw-clenching mishap went viral and even prompted an unexpected reply from the actor himself!
Meanwhile, Sophia got her retainer fixed pronto—which was exactly the right thing to do. The retention phase is a very important part of orthodontic treatment: If you don’t wear a retainer, the beautiful new smile you’re enjoying could become crooked again. That’s because if the teeth are not held in their new positions, they will naturally begin to drift back into their former locations—and you may have to start treatment all over again…
While it’s much more common to lose a removable retainer than to damage one, it is possible for even sturdy retainers to wear out or break. This includes traditional plastic-and-wire types (also called Hawley retainers), clear plastic retainers that are molded to fit your teeth (sometimes called Essix retainers), and bonded retainers: the kind that consists of a wire that’s permanently attached to the back side of your teeth. So whichever kind you use, do what Sophia did if you feel that anything is amiss—have it looked at right away!
When Black Panther co-star Michael B. Jordan heard about the retainer mishap, he sent a message to the teen: “Since I feel partly responsible for breaking your retainers let me know if I can replace them.” His young fan was grateful for the offer—but even more thrilled to have a celebrity twitter follower.
If you have questions about orthodontic retainers, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “The Importance of Orthodontic Retainers” and “Bonded Retainers.”
Has Mother Nature given you a smile that you can't quite love? Have you chipped a tooth or accumulated stubborn stains from your morning coffee? Don't worry. You can rejuvenate your smile with the help of porcelain veneers from Dr. Daniel Morrison, your cosmetic dentist here at Gillette Dental. Dr. Morrison excels at smile makeovers of all kinds, and beautiful veneers are one of his favorite treatments—read on to learn why!
What's a flaw or two?
The answer is nothing—unless that defect is right in the front of your mouth. Stains, chips, cracks, gaps, crowding, and more may not be unhealthy, but they sure can impact your self-esteem.
This is why your Gillette cosmetic dentist offers a wide array of treatments to restore beauty and vitality to damaged smiles. Porcelain veneers, thin tooth-shaped laminates made from high-grade ceramic, both strengthen and beautify. Once installed over the front side of your teeth, you'll know your smile will sparkle and last indefinitely!
The veneer treatment
It begins with a complete oral evaluation, including X-rays, oral impressions, and photos. When arriving to our Gillette office, come prepared to tell Dr. Morrison the changes you wish to see—if porcelain veneers can accomplish your goals, expect two to three appointments to complete the process.
Most veneer treatments involve the removal of a thin portion of enamel from the front of each tooth. This resurfacing allows the veneers to fit properly and look natural. After the reduction procedure, you'll wear temporary veneers while the dental lab creates their permanent counterparts.
When you return to the office for veneer placement, your dentist will remove your temporaries and bond the new veneers in place. Amazingly, he can adjust the shade and thickness of the cement to achieve a strong bond and a highly realistic appearance.
Caring for veneers
Twice daily brushing and once a day flossing are must-haves. Also, avoid dark foods and beverages. While these won't stain your veneers, according to Dear Doctor, they will continue to darken your natural teeth, creating a noticeable difference in color. Finally, if you grind or clench your teeth, ask about a bite guard to cushion your new veneers.
With proper care, your veneers could last for up to ten years!
For more information
Contact Gillette Dental for your cosmetic dentistry consultation. Dr. Morrison will be happy to explain the veneer process and show you how to improve the appearance of your smile. Call today for an appointment: (307) 682-3353.

If you think “vaping” electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes for short) is healthier for your teeth and gums than smoking cigarettes, you might be disappointed with the latest research. A number of studies seem to indicate e-cigarettes could be just as damaging to your mouth as traditional cigarettes.
An e-cigarette is a device containing a chamber for liquids and a means to heat the liquid into a vapor. The user then inhales or “vapes” the vapor, which contains nicotine and flavorings. The heat also pressurizes the vapor causing it to expel as an aerosol into the mouth.
Researchers have found the ingredients and aerosol effect could lead to potential health problems. An Ohio State University researcher found that vaping disrupted the normal balance of microorganisms in the mouth known as the oral microbiome. This imbalance could make it easier for disease-causing bacteria to proliferate, particularly those most responsible for periodontal (gum) disease.
Another study coming out of the University of Rochester and Stony Brook University in New York detected cell damage in gum tissue caused by e-cigarette vapor similar to that caused by regular cigarette smoke. Some of this damage seemed to result from the flavoring agents used in the e-cigarette liquid, as well as nicotine.
Another study from Quebec, Canada appears to concur with the New York study. These researchers found the damage caused by e-cigarette vapor might substantially increase the rate of cell death in oral tissues by as much as 50% over a short period of time. This kind of damage can lead to higher risks of dental diseases like gum disease or tooth decay.
While we don’t know the long-term effect of using e-cigarettes on both oral and general health, these studies are alarming: They seem to show vaping may cause some of the same problems as smoking. With the jury still out, the prudent thing to do is limit or avoid vaping altogether to protect your mouth from these unhealthy outcomes.
If you would like more information on the possible oral health effects of e-cigarettes, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.