The CDC (Center for Disease Control) again declared a health alert about gingivitis (infected and/or bleeding gums.) "Gingivitis is responsible for 20% of heart attacks, strokes and diabetes", a staggering number. Now, it has been found to be a significant cause of pancreatic cancer". This is why some people live 6 to 7 years longer if they have healthy gums. | | | | | | | Questions and Answers: | | | | | | | | Dave: Hello Dr Weisberg, I'm in the LA area and have a couple of questions about the laser's versatility. 1. Is the laser so complete that it can be used to prep a tooth for a crown? 2. Can it be used on my molars that have old amalgam fillings? 3. I understand the laser equipment is costly. Does that mean each procedure done with the laser instead of the drill will cost me more than if done with the drill? I thank you greatly for any answers you can give | | | | Dr. Weisberg: Hello Dave, I've heard of a dentist using a laser to prep a tooth for a crown. Since the WaterLase is end cutting only, the crown walls would be very difficult to reduce to the exact depth and shape for strength and appearance. After the amalgam is carefully removed, the Waterlase is used to sterilize and super-etch the tooth. It also removes decayed and stained tooth matter before placing the restorative material. It should cost much more but I charge the same as I would if I used a drill (which, thankfully I try not to as much as possible). | | | Dave:Thank you for your reply Dr. Weisberg,
After I emailed you the questions about removing amalgam and prepping for a
crown with the Waterlase, I delved into a little research. (Being a GAD
sufferer to begin with, I hated hearing over and over on the news how it
could only be used on teeth without amalgam and only on superficial decay)
Anyway. I did come up with these two pieces of information regarding both of
my quests, "Laser-Assisted Amalgam Removal With No Local Anesthetic" located
at
http://www.biolase.com/clinicalarticles/ArtScottAmalgamRemoval_low-res.pdf
Also, "Crown and Veneer Preparation Using the Er,Cr: YSGG Waterlase Hard and
Soft Tissue Laser" located at
http://www.biolase.com/clinicalarticles/ColonnaCrwn%20PrepsCERP.pdf
Maybe I can take these 2 articles around with me to Waterlase dentists and
see if they feel experimental. ha-ha
Do you think that the content of these articles are widely know but dentist
just prefer the ease of routine?
Thanks
Dave | | | | | | | Ginki: I had a root canal that did not go well. It was done on August 20, 2002.
Afterwards a 2 unit bridge was done. I don't believe the bridge was put on
permanently because I complained a lot and the dentist thought it best to
not seal it permanently. That bridge area has been causing me problems ever
since. I just recently got over a very serious sinus infection and I keep
thinking that it originated at the source of that bridge and root canal. My
whole mouth is full of nothing but dental work. I have headaches all the
time and my eye twitches on the side of the bridge. I have not been
satisfied with the work that was done because it is a continual source of
discomfort. Where is your office located? I live in Burlington, NJ.
Do you think you could help me in this matter? | | | Dr. Weisberg: Dear Ginki, My office is in Los Angeles, California. If you go to a dentist with Digital
X-rays I will be able to confer with them. It sounds like you have multiple
situations that need to be treated until you are comfortable. This all
starts with a thorough examination and history. Look for a dentist who uses
diagnostic and hard tissue lasers along with digital radiography and you
will be in a quality-concerned dentist's office. You may need several
specialists also. They will look at the whole you and help you towards the
health you seek. | | | | | | | | Question: I've been hearing 'real life' horror stories from a neighbor re: toxic substances used for temporary root canals & crown fillings with a correlation to heart problems. Is there any basis to this and if so, are the materials you use completely non-toxic? Also, is it fact that the way the root pulp is removed makes a difference re: infection, bacteria & healing of gums? My final inquiry is regarding sequestrum (sp?), ie, floating bone in the gums from oral surgery. What are the hazards & treatment of this condition, should it be removed? Why & how often does this happen? And can it still be in the gum even though it doesn't show on x-rays? How could your treatment be beneficial regarding the above and is your work guaranteed? Please list fees. Thank you. p.s. Does the atomized water used in the procedures affect surrounding teeth? How long have you been using laser procedures? | | | | Dr Weisberg: I'm not familiar with toxic substances or temporary root canals. Every material I use is FDA approved for use by a licensed dentist and routinely used in American Dental Schools. Our term is biocompatible. I spell sequestrum the same. It is a piece of bone that has lost its blood supply and is being worked out of the body it was a part of. If it is infected, it is usually surrounded by a spongy granulomatous material that won't heal without debridement. In my practice, it doesn't happen often. I often see them on digital X-rays. I only treat what I know I will benefit the patient's health. Life has no guarantees. I do have a policy that stands behind the lasting ability of my dentistry. Call for a copy to be mailed to you. My fees are listed in my office for my patients. Lists are not given out. I provide complementary consultations. The WaterLase only removes what you point it at. It doesn't go through metal, bounce off or cut laterally. I proudly give in office demonstrations. I started using lasers in January of 2001. | | | | | | | | Question: Hi, My son was born with a 'form fruce,' which I describe as an effect of a cleft palate which healed 99% in utero. There were no holes or anomalies in his jaw, mouth or nose. Only his nose is slightly crooked with a small scar underneath. Nevertheless, he seems to be missing an upper adult tooth between the very front tooth and the cainine. The baby tooth won't come out because there is no adult tooth coming in to push it out. So, he has somewhat of a gap on one side, The next tooth next to that seems to be coming in slowly. What is the best way to correct this? Would you simply cap it? That would seem to be quite a large cap. Or should the baby tooth be pulled and replaced with some sort of permanent prosthetic? Also, I assume I should wait until he loses all the rest of his baby teeth and everything stops moving around before we do anything. Any information you can provide would be appreciated. Thank you, | | | | Dr. Weisberg: Hi, this is the tooth that is most often congenitally missing.It is called a lateral incisor. There are many treatments. The canine and all the teeth on that side can be orthodontically moved forward. It can be bonded bigger and used to keep the space until it comes out. It always comes out because the root is so small. If space has already been closed, then it should be orthodonticallly enlarged to match the other side.and kept open until it is replaced with an implant, 2 tooth bridge off the canine or a 3 tooth bridge connected to the canine and central incisor.I have replaced many of these teeth and some with severe clefts. Your son is very lucky to have healed in utero. This is a hereditary factor and sometimes shows up as "peg" shaped lateral incisors on one side. These have full sized roots and are permanent teeth. A complete diagnosis and treatment plan should be determined with any specialists and a knowledgeable general dentist who is experienced in restoring these problems. | | | | | | | | Question: I am interested in having this procedure done (veneers). however, my insurance does not cover. my teeth have gaps & have signs of cracks. do you have a payment plan? also what are your rates? I live in bakersfield, ca about 2 hrs from magic mountain, how many visits will it take for this procedure? | | | | Dr. Weisberg: Grace, There are other ways to improve smiles and hide gaps and cracks. A dentist who uses a laser has more options open to solve these difficult problems. Signs of cracks are not necessarily actual cracks or breaks. Most teeth show cracks. You should be able to see what your teeth will look like before you have anything done. Dr Weisberg | | | | | | | | Question: Dear Dr. Weisberg, I have been told that I have extensive bone loss and that grafting will be necessary in order to restore my teeth and gums. However, I have a major concern regarding going forward with restorative work. I am 53 years old and originally had periodontal surgery on my lower quadrants about 15 years ago. I had a very severe reaction and since that time I have been very reluctant to have more surgery. Last year I went to Toronto to have periodontal packing (www.drsusanhuxtable.com/packing.htm) done to deep clean and to remove infection. To make a long story short, both of the aforementioned procedures resulted in the gum lines receding thus leaving no papilla. I am willing to do what it takes to have a healthy mouth, but not if it affects my appearance for the worse. I would very much appreciate your feedback. Sincerely, Stephen Kimber | | | | Dr. Weisberg: Stephen, Grafting is not restorative work.Restoration is reshaping teeth to fill in spaces left by gingival height loss.I've never heard of Dr. Huxtable's gum packing technique, sounds like chemosurgery. Eugenol alone is very toxic to tissue cells. Its obtundant properties in dentistry come form nano-quantities released overtime. I will inquire into its use.Grafting is usually done to fill a defect. Soft tissue grafting is done by Periodontist's and if for appearance, bone grafting is used to fill boney defects. If you smoke don't waste your time.I'm very conservative, but sometimes surgery is necessary. Never before oral health and its control is achieved. Graft materials are greatly improved but self bone is always the best. Modern Periodontists are fine surgeons and I've witnessed excellant results. Dr. Weisberg | | | | | | | Question: Hello, I have been experiencing a migraine for the last 3 days. Does your food habit have anything to do it? I also have been experiencing a soreness in my jaw? | | | | Dr. Weisberg: Stephanie, You need to see a qualified dentist who can diagnose your separate or related problems. Yes, heavy chewing will cause temporary jaw soreness and can cause temporal pain that may relate to your migraine. | | | | | | | Question: I have a crown on front top and has fallen out twice maybe need implant, and may need porcelain veneers. | | | | Dr. Weisberg: A competent dentist should determine the prognosis of another crown and determine if the root must be lost. Then you discuss implant, bridge or removable replacement. Veneers are one of many ways to improve the appearance of the teeth. | | | | | | | | Question: HELP my teeth feel TERRIBLE! | | | | Hi! I had an affection about 1 1/2 years ago that lead me to deep scalling. My teeth have never been the same since. I call them skelleton teeth. On the bottom I had a little boss loss so theres a little space between my 3 bottom teeth. I am learning to live with the looks but one of them was a little turned in and my tongue finds it I wake up at night grinding my teeth or my mouth is sore because I find myself sucking the holes my tongue finds. I have been to the dentist and he tells me everything LOOKS great! I only wish they felt great. Is there any way that the gum will grow back over the teeth or is there anyway to fill the space? The one tooth appears to be loose to me but my dentist tells me its fine!....its amazing that I have sucked it out yet. I have a retainer like thing I wear during the day that has two teeth on it....5 years ago I lost 2 teeth to an infection :(! and I recently just invested in a night guard (doesnt look like the one on your web page though) because I have been waking up with massive headaches because of the sucking or grinding. My denist assures me I have healthy gums and teeth and that I will probably die with the teeth I have left as long as I keep taking care of them....If they continue to feel this way ...I DONT WANT THEM....I keep either the retainer or night guard in so I cant suck or grind....It would be nice to have nothing in my mouth like I used to be able to do?!? Any help?! Do you offer free consoltations? or how much are they?!? PLEASE PLEASE let me know! Thank you so much for your time! | | | Dr. Weisberg: CARRIE, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR DENTIST IS NOT LISTENING TO YOUR CONCERNS. I WILL GIVE YOU A 2ND OPINION. IF YOU HAVE GOTTEN CONTROL OF YOUR INFECTION, THE DEFECTS CAN BE CORRECTED. CALL TONI FOR A CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT. | | | | | | | Top  |
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