Monthly Archives: December 2016

Crowns and Bridges: For My Mouth? | Palm Harbor Dentist

461777879There are times in life where we will all lose or damage an existing tooth. In order to restore our flawed smile, we will require the use of a dental implant. Then you hear about crowns and bridges, and you’re confused. Which is which and what is the difference?

Dental crowns and bridges are dental prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants. Unlike dentures, which can be taken out, crowns and bridges can only be removed by a dentist. Which procedure is right for you requires a dental examination and treatment plan.

First the bridge. Like a bridge we would encounter driving along, dental bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth, making the gap no longer existent. They are cemented to existing teeth or implants that surround an empty space, serving as anchors for the bridge. Porcelain is the most common material choice because it can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.

Bridges are dental restorations that span the gap left by missing teeth and is connected to the teeth adjacent to the space left behind. Typically, bridges consist of filler teeth, which are anchored or attached, then bonded to a crown or the surrounding teeth. The procedure for bridges is easy and rarely takes no longer than two visits, and rarely require surgery. This is a huge advantage to those that have dental anxiety. But dental bridges are cheap, especially when compared to the initial costs of other procedures, such as dentures and implants.

Dental crowns serve a different purpose; they cover a damaged tooth. They do not go hand-in-hand with bridges, as crowns used for lots of reasons, repairing the tooth’s appearance or shape, and to fix alignment issues.  As with bridges, crowns can be made of porcelain but as you can see, there are many dental issues that can be repaired with a dental crown:

  • To attach a bridge
  • Replace a filling when not enough tooth remains
  • Protecting weak teeth
  • Fractured tooth
  • Cover a dental implant
  • Cover a discolored tooth
  • Cover a tooth that has had a root canal

Crowns and bridges are fairly easy to take care of once applied. Practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist on a regular basis. Also, steer clear of chewing hard foods such as ice or hard candies. Follow these simple rules and your crowns and bridges could last a lifetime!

If you’re interested in dental crowns or bridges, contact Dr. Larry Lieberman, DDS at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs and surrounding areas.

The Four Types of Wrinkles | Palm Harbor Dentist

470700001Whether we like it or not, nothing slows down time. We grow up and we get old. One of the symptoms of that is the appearance of wrinkles. Yes, there’s nothing we can do about it. Age is going to happen, but there’s plenty that you can do to help to stave off the effects of father time for a few more years.

But did you know there are more than one type of wrinkle? According to the researchers at the University Hospital of Liege, Belgium, there are four distinct types of wrinkles that everyone has to face eventually. These are:

Atrophic Crinkling Rhytids are the result of the loss of elasticity in the skin, usually parallel to one another. They can show up almost anywhere on the face, as well as the body, but may ‘disappear’ when you move your body. Because these wrinkles are the result of a loss of collagen, help stave them off by applying sunscreen whenever you go out of the house. Also, you can use moisturizers to make your skin look more plump and minimize the appearance of these kinds of wrinkles.

Permanent Elastic Creases are crease lines that may become permanent over time, especially if you’re always exposed to the sun. Although they show up often on the cheeks, these crease lines may also appear on the upper lips and the base of the neck. Minimizing your exposure to the sun and stopping unhealthy habits such as smoking both do wonders in preventing this kind of wrinkling. Also, if you do have to expose yourself to the sun, be sure to use a sunscreen.

Dynamic Expression lines are wrinkles that are the direct result of facial muscle movement. These are also better known as frown or smile lines and crow’s feet. Botox is a type of injectable wrinkle treatment that these types of wrinkles are known to respond quite well to. Botox injections are available at the dermatologist’s and the dentist’s clinic.

As gravity and time takes its toll on the human skin, it begins to fold and sag and that’s when Gravitational Fold lines and wrinkles typically occur. It’s been theorized by researchers that having a plumper face can help minimize gravitational folds compared to that of a lean face. Face lifts and other types of cosmetic surgery are the only options as far as this type of wrinkles goes.

While cosmetic treatment is almost always the best choice, it’s not exactly the cheapest. You can save yourself a lot of cash by making sure that you don’t stay out of the sun too long and too often, using sunscreen every time you step out of the house. Also, avoiding habits such as smoking and using cosmetic products, such as moisturizers, can help you in your fight against the effects of father time.

If you’re interested in Botox injections, contact Dr. Larry Lieberman, DDS at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs and surrounding areas.