If you’re like some, you may think that a truly beautiful smile is out of your reach. But at Smiles by Arnold and Associates, we want you to know that you don’t have to be a celebrity to enjoy an attractive set of teeth. Through cosmetic dentistry treatments like porcelain veneers, our dentists create bright, well-shaped teeth that give patients a great reason to smile!

What are porcelain veneers?
These ultra thin porcelain shells are bonded to the surface of teeth that are chipped, stained, misshapen or otherwise flawed to create an aesthetic result. Remarkably durable, veneers can last 15-20 years or more with proper care, and the procedure requires only a conservative amount of tooth preparation.

The porcelain veneer process
If you’re interested in revitalizing your smile with porcelain veneers, one of our dentists will meet with you in a personal consultation at our Valparaiso or Chesterton dental practice. Your dentist will want to discuss your individual situation and any dental problems you may be experiencing, along with your Northwest Indiana cosmetic dentistry goals. If you like, bring pictures of smiles you admire to this appointment as a handy reference. Patients who would like a whiter smile should consider a teeth whitening session so the veneers can be tinted to  match the new, brighter shade.

In just a few simple appointments, your porcelain veneers will be custom-fabricated and placed on your teeth. All you have to do to maintain the veneers is keep brushing and flossing regularly, as well as continue to attend periodic cleanings and checkups at our office.

We invite you to make an appointment for a consultation at Smiles by Arnold and Associates with Dr. Arnold, Dr. Shideler, Dr. Wargo, or Dr. Gibson. Let us show you how we’ve created confidence-building smiles for countless Northwest Indiana cosmetic dentistry patients. We love making dreams become a reality with exceptional dental care!

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Even one missing tooth can wreak havoc on your oral health. The remaining teeth move toward the space, which can shift your bite. Bone deterioration begins as soon as the tooth is lost and gets worse the longer the opening remains. Without a full set of teeth, your confidence may wane, and your diet may become restricted. No matter how many teeth are missing, dental implants in conjunction with modern bridges and dentures can restore a smile to its full potential. Dr. Arnold, Dr. Shideler, or Dr. Wargo can evaluate your mouth’s condition and suggest the right treatment for your situation.

Dental Implants
Designed to mimic your natural tooth, a dental implant contains a small titanium post that serves as the root and a custom prosthetic that becomes the crown. With dental implants, we can replace just one tooth or utilize the implant as the base for bridges, dentures, or partials. After the implant is placed, one of our dentists will design the lifelike restoration that will attach to the post or posts.

Implant therapy is a two-part process. First, an oral surgeon will surgically position the titanium posts into your jaw bone, placing one post for each missing tooth. During a process called osseointegration, the bone adheres to the implants, creating a solid foundation for the custom restorations. Once your mouth heals, Dr. Arnold, Dr. Shideler, or Dr. Wargo will affix the prosthetic to the post, giving you back a solid, attractive smile.

Implant-Retained Dentures
Some patients can’t tolerate implant surgery or don’t have enough bone tissue to support a full set of implants. In this case, we can provide implant-retained dentures. First, you’ll have about three or four posts implanted into your jawbone. We can retrofit your current denture for dental implants, or we can create a custom design. The denture will fit snugly into place, eliminating the risk of slippage and the need for messy adhesives.

If you’re interested in this long-lasting, ultra-secure tooth replacement solution, call our Valparaiso or Chesterton office for a consultation with one of our dentists. They’ll be happy to discuss your options and provide a treatment plan that will have you smiling again.

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Orthodontic treatment  is a wonderful service provided by many dental professionals. Straightening the teeth is a fantastic way to conservatively improve one’s smile and make chewing more efficient. Traditional braces have been very effective for a long time, but Invisalign usage has also become a very attractive option for many people.

Many patients – especially adults – don’t want to have metal brackets and wires in their mouths to move their teeth. They are often concerned about esthetics during the treatment process. Another common concern is the potential for abrasions or ulcerations on the inside of the mouth from the braces.

Invisalign minimizes these concerns with the use of clear “aligners” that are custom-fit to the teeth, are very esthetic, and aren’t as likely to rub the inside of the mouth. These aligners are similar to rigid bleaching trays, and they gradually move the teeth to more desirable positions. Each aligner is worn for two weeks and moves the teeth slightly until the final positions are attained.

Because patients remove the aligners before eating or drinking, there are no food restrictions or problems with brushing or flossing. Patients are usually seen only once every six weeks to check on the progress and to receive their next sets of aligners so they generally spend less time at the dental office.

Invisalign treatment generally costs between $5000 and $7000, but not everyone is a good candidate. Some people are still better served by traditional orthodontic techniques. You should consult with a certified Invisalign dentist or orthodontist to find out whether or not it will work for you.

The entire treatment plan is designed with 3-D computer imaging from the initial teeth positioning all the way until the desired final positions. This same 3-D imaging allows patients to preview the final positioning of teeth before even beginning treatment.

For information on this or any other dental topic, you may visit: www.SmilesByArnold.com.  Dr. Arnold may be reached via e-mail at: drarnold@smilesbyarnold.com.

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I am in Baltimore for a fantastic dental seminar.  We are learning how to communicate more effectively with patients and the public utilizing social media.  It has been very interesting and tremendously helpful. 

My only concern is that Baltimore expecting more than 24 inches of snow!  It looks like I might be spending a little extra time here….

Hopefully, I get home on time because my training schedule calls for a 90 minute bike ride and a 60 min swim workout on Sunday. 

www.SmilesByArnold.com

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Do you struggle with dull or yellow teeth? Do you hesitate to smile because you’re self-conscious about the not-so-white set of teeth it would reveal? Over the years, teeth can easily become stained by foods, drinks, or even aging. Smokers run an especially high risk of teeth discoloration. With Zoom! Whitening, we can wipe the slate clean and leave your teeth sparkling white in a single, one-hour visit.

At a Zoom! Whitening appointment, we’ll cover your lips and gums for protection, and then apply the Zoom! Whitening professional-strength bleaching gel to your teeth. This gel is specially formulated to minimize tooth sensitivity, which can sometimes result from bleaching procedures. A no-heat lamp activates the gel, and after three 15-minute sessions, you’ll enjoy teeth up to 8 shades whiter!

If you’d like an at-home alternative, or are looking to maintain in-office results, we can provide whitening trays and professional bleaching gel for home use. Just follow our dentist’s instructions for proper application, and within two weeks your smile will be noticeably whiter.

Call our Chesterton or Valparaiso office to schedule a Zoom! Whitening appointment or to find out how you can obtain our custom at-home whitening system. Dr. Arnold, Dr. Shideler, and Dr. Wargo have restored many patients’ confidence and beautiful smiles with our safe and effective teeth whitening services. You could be next.

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Anyone who snores knows that it can be a strain on relationships. But has your spouse ever noticed you stop breathing periodically during the night? Do you feel drowsy during the day, like you never get enough sleep? These symptoms may indicate a serious but treatable condition called sleep apnea.

Those who suffer from this breathing disorder pause in their breathing for periods of 10 seconds or longer during sleep. Airflow stops when oral tissues in the back of the throat collapse. When oxygen levels fall too far, the brain signals the body to act, and the body will awaken enough to restart breathing. These episodes occur many times during the night, and most people with sleep apnea aren’t aware of them.

Signs that you might have sleep apnea include snoring and persistent fatigue. But those aren’t the only issues sleep apnea patients endure. A good night’s sleep might be more important to your body than you realize. Left untreated, sleep apnea contributes to problems like high blood pressure, heart attacks, and even an increased risk of strokes.
As experienced general and restorative dentists, Dr. Arnold, Dr. Shideler, and Dr. Wargo are well-informed and up-to-date on the latest sleep apnea treatments. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, one of our dentists can prescribe a nightguard, or oral appliance, for use when you sleep. An oral appliance positions the jaw forward to keep the airway open throughout the night. Even if you don’t have sleep apnea, a nightguard can effectively treat chronic snoring. Our doctors most often uses the SomnoDent MAS (mandibular advancement splint) to treat sleep apnea and snoring.

If you would like to be evaluated for sleep apnea, or if you’ve been diagnosed and are interested in an oral appliance, start by calling one of our convenient locations to schedule an appointment with Dr. Arnold, Dr. Shideler, or Dr. Wargo. Our dentists serve patients from Chesterton, Valparaiso, and the surrounding areas. Reclaim the deep, restorative sleep you need for whole-body health.

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Like millions of Americans, just the idea of a trip to the dentist might leave your palms sweaty and your heart racing. Maybe you’ve had previous bad experiences, or you’re worried about problems the dentist may find. Perhaps it’s been years since your last checkup and you’re afraid everyone at the dentist’s office will judge and lecture you. Dr. Arnold and his staff appreciate your concerns. To alleviate dental fear and embarrassment, we provide oral conscious sedation in a friendly, understanding atmosphere.

Soothing amenities like aromatherapy, massage pads, and paraffin hand treatments are available to all our patients. But for those who still struggle to cope with anxiety, sedation dentistry has proven an excellent and effective tool for restoring and maintaining optimal oral health.

With sedation dentistry, patients can undergo procedures while relaxed and comfortable. Dr. Arnold prescribes a sedative in pill form that you will take an hour before your procedure. By the time your appointment arrives, you won’t feel the anxiety you normally do. Many patients are so relaxed they sleep through the procedure. Even if you don’t fall asleep, it’s likely you won’t remember the experience afterward.

Imagine enjoying a restored, healthy smile. Dr. Arnold can make it happen with oral conscious sedation. To see if you’re a candidate for sedation dentistry, call our Chesterton or Valparaiso office to schedule a consultation. We treat each patient with sensitivity and concern, so don’t let dental phobia keep you from the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve.

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Root Canal Therapy Saves Teeth

Question: “Dr. Arnold, I’m supposed to get a root canal next week.  If that is supposed to take care of my toothache, why do I also need a crown?”

Answer: The most common purpose of root canal therapy is to eliminate pain, and in most cases people experience immediate relief from their pain once local anesthetic is administered.  Additionally, performing root canal therapy makes the restoration of a compromised tooth possible.  The only other option for pain relief is removal of the tooth.

Teeth are covered by enamel, the hardest structure within the human body.  Beneath the enamel layer is the dentin, which is also very hard.  The dentin layer surrounds the pulp chamber, where the nerve and blood vessels reside within each tooth.  Root canal therapy is generally necessary due to the infection of this nerve.

Once the nerve and blood supply has been removed, the tooth often becomes brittle.  That makes the tooth more likely to fracture if it is not restored in a timely manner.  If the tooth is generally intact, and the access opening to perform root canal therapy is small, it can sometimes be closed with a simple filling.

If the tooth structure is severely compromised, and the risk of fracture is significant, the tooth will generally need to be restored with a crown or onlay.  An onlay will cover the portion of the tooth that is most at risk, and a crown will cover the entire tooth.  Your dentist will make the recommendation as to which restoration is most appropriate.

Root canal therapy should generally be a comfortable, effective treatment to alleviate pain and save teeth. With the amazing technology available to dentists and endodontists, (root canal specialists), including “rotary” instruments, digital radiography, and magnification, this treatment is more comfortable and predictable than ever.  With the proper restoration in place following endodontic treatment, the long-term prognosis for the respective tooth should be excellent.

Dr.  Jim Arnold is a practicing dentist in Chesterton and Valparaiso.  He is also a clinical mentor with the Hornbrook Group and serves on the Advisory Board for the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics as the Fellowship Chairman.  You may send questions to his office at:  1830 South 11th Street, Chesterton, IN 46304 or email them to:  drarnold@SmilesByArnold.com.  More information on this or many other dental topics can be found at www.SmilesByArnold.com.

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Lumineers Are Simply Another Brand Name

Question: “Dr. Arnold, I’ve seen a lot of advertisements in magazines for Lumineers lately.  What are they, and do they work well?”

Answer: There are several dental laboratories that have begun to market their products directly to the public at the national level.  Several of these labs are specifically marketing their porcelain veneers under particular trademarked names that they have developed.

In my opinion this trend has several benefits and potential drawbacks.  On the positive side, these marketing campaigns create awareness within the public of some of the things that dentists can do for people.  Marketing dental products and services stimulates many people to call their dentists for long-postponed dental appointments.  Additionally, many more people are asking questions about some of these services that can improve their oral health and/or confidence in their smiles.

On the negative side, some dental marketing is misleading or even downright unethical.  Ads that make outrageous claims or falsely represent a product or service can mislead the public and create unrealistic expectations.  It is important that every dental team have the knowledge and training necessary to accurately and honestly answer questions pertaining to these dental products and services.

Hundreds of dental laboratories around the country fabricate porcelain veneers.
Many types of porcelain are utilized by these various labs.  Some of these labs have trademarked names to attach to their own veneers, and they market them aggressively to the public.  A few of these “brand names” include, DaVinci Veneers, MAC Veneers, Durathin Veneers, and of course, Lumineers.

Lumineers and Durathin veneers are specifically marketed as “no-preparation” or “minimal preparation” veneer systems.  Both types of veneers can be used effectively if case selection is appropriate and if the proper techniques are applied.  Unfortunately, these systems are sometimes perceived as a “one-size-fits-all” panacea for porcelain veneers.

In my experience, only a small percentage of “smile makeovers” are conducive to “no prep” or “minimal prep” veneer cases.  I have observed that most cases require some degree of tooth reshaping in order to achieve optimal esthetics, functionality, and longevity.

The final result is generally determined by a variety of factors including the preoperative condition and position of the teeth, the care, skill, and judgment of the dentist, and the quality of the work performed by the ceramist.

Lumineers, like all of the other porcelain systems can yield a successful result in the right situation.  However, they will not work in every case, so the dental team and ceramist must be prepared to use whatever system is most likely to achieve superior results.

Dr.  Jim Arnold is a practicing dentist in Chesterton and Valparaiso.  He is also a clinical mentor with the Hornbrook Group and serves on the Advisory Board for the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics as the Fellowship Chairman.  You may send questions to his office at:  1830 South 11th Street, Chesterton, IN 46304 or email them to:  drarnold@SmilesByArnold.com.  More information on this or many other dental topics can be found at www.SmilesByArnold.com.

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GBAS Gives Back a Smile…and a Life

 

 

 

 

James H. Arnold, D.D.S.

Valparaiso, IN

www.SmilesByArnold.com

 

INTRODUCTION

My team and I were thrilled to meet Carol when she walked into our office in August 2007.  We had been volunteers for Give Back a SmileÔ (GBAS) for four years, but had not yet had a patient.  We were eager to help someone to change her life, and Carol was the perfect person for us to work with.  She had heard about GBAS on television and prayed that she would qualify for the program.  She was extremely nervous about having dental work done, but was also eager to find out what we could do for her. 

 

PATIENT HISTORY

Carol had been abused by a former boyfriend in 1999.  He had kicked her in the face and chest repeatedly, causing damage to her teeth and breasts.  Several teeth were broken, and she had severe dental pain due to the trauma and resulting malocclusion.  Carol had been a model as a teenager, but she had rarely smiled since the abuse (Fig 1).  Her broken teeth made her self-conscious about even opening her mouth in public, and she was careful not to show her teeth in photographs. 

After eight years of living with little hope of correcting this dental handicap, Carol heard about the Give Back a Smile Program.  She hoped to regain her smile, self-confidence, and faith in people as a result of her experience with us.  She cried with gratitude when I told her that we could help. 

 

CLINICAL FINDINGS

We performed a comprehensive evaluation with a full series of radiographs, digital photographs, diagnostic models, clinical examination of the teeth and periodontium, and patient interview.  In addition to the broken teeth, Carol’s teeth were severely affected by tetracycline staining, heavy attrition, inadequate restorations, extensive decay, and lack of professional dental care.  This lack of dental care, combined with many years of smoking, had led to moderate periodontal disease and the loss of several posterior teeth.  Carol’s Shimbashi measurement (measured from the cemento-enamel junction [CEJ] of the maxillary central incisors to the CEJ of the mandibular central incisors) was only 11 mm, as a result of the heavy wear on her remaining teeth (Figs 2-4).   She exhibited Class I occlusion, so we would generally expect to see a Shimbashi measurement of about 16 to 18 mm. 

INITIAL PERIODONTAL THERAPY

The first priority was to address Carol’s periodontal disease.  Comprehensive oral hygiene instructions were given, root-planing appointments were scheduled immediately, and she began using a chlorhexidine rinse twice daily.  After her teeth were thoroughly cleaned under local anesthesia in two visits, we reevaluated her periodontal health at the follow-up cleaning four weeks later.  She had already improved tremendously—there was a general decrease in pocket depths (from 4 to 5 mm down to 2 to 4 mm), bleeding upon probing was eliminated, the gingival apparatus appeared to be pink and healthy, and her plaque score improved significantly.   Carol was very committed to following through with treatment, and she proved this by her renewed devotion to home care.  We proceeded with additional records to finalize our restorative treatment plan.

ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC RECORDS AND TREATMENT PLANNING

Because her dental needs were so great, we decided to do more than just repair the teeth that were damaged as a result of the abuse.  Carol needed a more comprehensive solution to her dental condition, so we opted to perform full-mouth rehabilitation.  New diagnostic records were taken in preparation for the creation of a diagnostic wax-up. 

 

An NTI appliance was fabricated for her to wear for several nights in an attempt to deprogram (or relax) her very tense masticatory muscles.  This facilitated a more accurate centric relation (CR) measurement with an anterior and two posterior bite registrations.  Facebow and stick-bite records were also made and photographs were taken to aid our ceramist and laboratory (Marv Staggs, Precision Dental Restorations [PDR]; Salem, Oregon) in accurately mounting Carol’s models for an ideal wax-up.  We reviewed and discussed photographs from several smile guides to decide how to design Carol’s new smile.  We determined starting points for the shape, embrasures, line angles, and texture of the teeth. We also discussed the desired shades and incisal translucency to be utilized.  Lengthening her anterior teeth was one of our priorities, so we mocked-up ##6-11 with flowable composite (3M ESPE; St. Paul, MN) to get an idea of how much length we could add.  We increased her maxillary centrals from 6.5 mm to 11 mm, and this seemed to fit well with her lip line and facial profile.  We took photographs and made another polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impression with Aquasil Ultra (Dentsply International; Your, PA) to give the laboratory a good starting point for her incisal edge position. 

Local anesthetic was administered so that we could “sound” the bone to determine whether we could do any gingival recontouring.  We were able to do laser modification of her gingival contours to improve symmetry, and additional PVS impressions were made. 

After discussing options with our ceramist, we decided that our treatment plan would consist of restoring what was left of Carol’s upper and lower arches with crowns and a bridge.  Because her teeth were very short, we decided that bonding her restorations instead of cementing them would yield a better result.  Additionally, strength and maximizing esthetics were very important to our patient and us. 

For these reasons, we believed that Empress (Ivoclar Vivadent; Amherst, NY) crowns for teeth ##4-11 and ##21-29; and a Lava (3M ESPE) bridge for ##12-14 would be the best option.  Carol’s treatment will eventually be completed with the placement of four posterior implants or the fabrication of a lower removable partial denture. 

PREPARATION APPOINTMENT

PDR provided us with an excellent full-mouth mounted wax-up, preparation guides, Sil-Tech (Ivoclar Vivadent) stints, and initial reduction guides.  We evaluated the wax-up with Carol at the preparation appointment and we were both very pleased.  

We used the reduction models as guides to modify several teeth so that we could preoperatively transfer the wax-up to the mouth with Luxatemp (Zenith/DMG; Englewood, NJ).  This allowed us to verify our records, lengths of teeth, desired CEJ-to-CEJ measurements, proper canine and anterior guidance, and occlusion.  We were able to do an initial esthetic evaluation, and the full-mouth Luxatemp mock-up also served as an ideal intraoral preparation guide.

Depth cuts were made into the Luxatemp and tooth structure, which allowed us to maintain even reduction and ideal orientation within the arch form.  We prepared ##6-11 first and made a bite registration (LuxaBite, Zenith/DMG), maintaining the new vertical dimension that had been established with the mock-up. 

Next we prepared #4 and #5, inserted the anterior bite registration, and made an additional bite registration for the upper right.  We repeated this sequence for #12 and #14, continuing to maintain the new vertical dimension by reinserting the anterior and right LuxaBite segments while making a bite registration on the left. 

Once the maxillary preparations were completed, we checked the preparation shades, took photographs, and made a maxillary final impression.  We used the Sil-Tech stint again to make temporaries, which we sectioned into three segments for the upper arch.  The CEJ-to-CEJ measurements and tooth lengths were again verified.

The same methodology was used in preparing ##21-29.  Sequential bite registration records were made for the anterior and both posterior sections.  We recorded both the relationship from the lower to upper preparations and the lower preparations to the upper temporaries systematically, to ensure that the new vertical dimension was maintained and that all models could be easily cross-mounted by the laboratory. 

Once the mandibular impression was made, we temporized ##21-29 with Luxatemp and recorded the bite relationship between the maxillary preparations and the mandibular temporaries. Then we temporarily cemented the maxillary temps and recorded the bite relationship between the upper and lower temps, further ensuring the easy mounting of all models. 

A facebow record and stick bite were both made, and photographs of each were taken.  Photographs and PVS impressions of the temporaries completed the preparation appointment. 

On the laboratory prescription, we specified all of our esthetic and functional goals and provided specific instructions for utilizing the series of bite registrations.  We sent all of the relevant photos to PDR on a disc. 

TEMPORARY STAGE

Our goal was to restore Carol to a vertical dimension that would allow for ideal function, comfort, and maximum esthetics.  Her Shimbashi measurement was increased from 11 to 17 mm, and her occlusion was restored to CR in the temporary stage.  Carol tolerated the procedures very well, and she was very comfortable at her one-, two-, and four-week postoperative appointments.  If she had any problems with the increased vertical dimension, we could easily have adjusted her temporaries to a position of greater comfort while maintaining proper function.

Her self-confidence had already increased tremendously with her temporary restorations, and she had received many compliments on her improved appearance.  She was still learning to smile naturally, but this was becoming easier each day as her inner joy was reflected on the surface.  Carol was looking forward to a new future filled with hope and happiness. 

A little more than three months after our first consultation, we were ready to deliver exquisite porcelain restorations (Figs 5-7). Once we received the case from PDR, we verified that the occlusion and guidance both looked good on the mounted models.  The length, shape, shade, and fit of each restoration looked great, and we received the case exactly as requested.

SEATING THE CASE

When Carol arrived for her seating appointment, she was still very comfortable.  The occlusion with the temporaries looked good, which led us to believe that the condylar position was stable.  After administering local anesthesia, we removed the maxillary temporaries and cleaned up the prepared teeth.  We tried in each restoration individually and then all restorations together. This ensured that they fit well separately and collectively.  We very carefully verified that the maxillary restorations occluded well with the mandibular temporaries.

We utilized two shades of RelyX (3M ESPE) try-in paste, one on each side, to see which would yield a more esthetic result.  After determining that we both preferred the translucent shade, the maxillary restorations were bonded utilizing standard bonding protocol and the “tack-and-wave” technique. 

The maxillary restorations were placed at the same time and were individually “tacked” in with the Bluephase (Ivoclar Vivadent) curing light with tacking tip for one second each.  The regular tip was then used in order to “wave” across the arch for a few seconds on the facial and lingual sides.  The “wave” allowed the cement to harden to the point where the gross excess could be simply removed with an explorer in large pieces.  After carefully flossing, Liquid Strip (Ivoclar Vivadent) was placed around all of the margins (to ensure that the oxygen-inhibition layer cured completely), and final curing was completed. 

Maxillary cleanup was completed while the lower arch was anesthetized.  After the mandibular temporaries were removed, we utilized the same try-in and seating techniques that we used in the maxillary arch.  Occlusion was adjusted slightly, photographs were taken, and postoperative instructions were given. 

Carol cried elatedly when she held up the mirror to observe her beautiful new smile (Fig 8).  The warm hugs that she gave to my dental team and me made all of the work well worthwhile. Being able to help someone like Carol in such a significant way was humbling for all of us; we all felt that we received far more from this experience than we gave (Fig 9). 

POSTOPERATIVE SUCCESS

Carol has continued to maintain her new restorations with diligent home care and regular dental visits.  We are all very proud of her for making the necessary changes in her life and for giving up smoking.  She knows that this is a gift that she needs to make the most of, and she intends to do so. 

Additionally, she has committed herself to helping other women who have been the victims of domestic violence.  She will be the guest speaker at an event that we are planning to benefit the women’s shelters in our area.  Her dream is to one day appear on “Oprah” to tell her story and to inspire other women to take control of their lives and to heal the physical and emotional wounds that have afflicted them. 

My team and I feel blessed to have participated in Carol’s dental and emotional rehabilitation. I believe that it is our responsibility to give back with the gifts and talents we possess; and that the more we have, the more we have to give.  I have tried to surround myself with people who feel the same way, and they showed that same commitment through their generous support of Carol in her life-changing journey with us. 

CAROL’S WORDS

“Dr. Arnold and his team have given me so much; they are truly angels.  To give back a smile is to give back a whole new life.  I want to live that new life to the fullest and to give back to others.  So few people are willing to help others, and often no one wants to get involved. 

Dr. Arnold was very gentle and compassionate, and he created a very relaxing atmosphere for my care. My treatment went very well.  Fixing the outside is also helping me to fix what’s on the inside. 

Unfortunately, people judge you by your appearance, and I’m happy that I no longer have to worry about laughing, smiling, or speaking when I’m with others. 

I feel so good, and I’m trying to “pay it forward”; I want to touch as many lives as possible.  I would like to appear on “Oprah” to draw attention to the dangers of domestic violence, and I would like to create a Web site that will provide support and help for victims of abuse. 

I am so blessed and am forever grateful.” 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Dr. Arnold extends deep appreciation to Marv Staggs, C.D.T., owner of Precision Dental Restorations, not only for creating the beautiful restorations in this case, but also for generously donating all 20 porcelain units to help Carol create a new life for herself.

 

FIGURE LEGENDS

Figure 1: Before surgery, Carol strains to smile for the camera.

Figure 2:  Carol’s heavily worn teeth have significantly decreased her CEJ-to-CEJ measurement.

Figure 3:  The maxillary teeth show heavy wear, large restorations, and recurrent decay.

Figure 4:  The mandibular teeth show heavy wear.

Figure 5:  Carol’s beautiful new restorations restored her collapsed vertical dimension.

Figure 6:  The maxillary restorations restored broken, decayed, and worn-down teeth.

Figure 7:  The mandibular restorations add length and improve overall esthetics and function.

Figure 8:  Carol is learning to smile again. 

Figure 9:  Carol and Dr. Arnold celebrate her new life.

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Grinding Teeth at Night Can Be Harmful

Question: “Dr. Arnold, I have been grinding my teeth at night for years. It seems to get worse when I am under a lot of stress. How big a problem is this, and what should I do about it?”

Answer: Bruxism (grinding ones teeth at night) is a problem for many people. The intensity and duration of grinding generally determines whether or not it damages the teeth.

The most common side effects of nocturnal (night-time) teeth grinding are worn down teeth that are very often sensitive to temperature changes and chewing. The sensitivity is generally caused by the exposure of the inner layers of tooth structure after the enamel is worn through. Grinding the teeth together can also cause premature failure of dental restorations.

Jaw pain, facial muscle soreness, morning headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, and earaches are other common symptoms caused by bruxing. People often become cognizant of this common problem when their spouse is awakened by the loud noise associated with the grinding of teeth.

Psychological factors such as stress, tension, or suppressed anger are usually responsible for bruxing. Poor tooth alignment (malocclusion) can also contribute to bruxism. Many children also brux when their upper and lower teeth don’t fit together comfortably. Fortunately, most kids stop bruxing when their adult teeth start to come in.

Some cases of bruxism are minor and don’t require any treatment. For more severe cases, stress management techniques are encouraged, and night guards are often fabricated to protect the teeth. Depending upon the severity of tooth wear, sometimes crowns or onlays are required to rebuild the affected teeth. In situations where all of the teeth are severely worn, full mouth rehabilitation is sometimes necessary.

Excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine use can exacerbate bruxism. Limiting these factors and decreasing your stress level can improve this habit and alleviate its symptoms. Seeing a dentist regularly to monitor the signs and symptoms associated with teeth grinding can help you to prevent more serious complications.

 

Dr. Arnold is a practicing dentist in Valparaiso and Chesterton.  He also serves as a clinical instructor with the Hornbrook Group, which teaches contemporary dental concepts to dentists from around the world.  For information on this or any other dental topic, you may visit:  www.SmilesByArnold.com.  Dr. Arnold may be reached via e-mail at:  drarnold@smilesbyarnold.com or by mail at 1830 S. 11th St., Chesterton, IN, 46304.

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Baskets turn into dollars for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County

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