Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns can be color matched to your adjacent teeth. However, more wearing to the opposing teeth occurs with this crown type compared with metal or resin crowns. The crown’s porcelain portion can also chip or break off. Next to all-ceramic crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns look most like normal teeth. However, sometimes the metal underlying the crown’s porcelain can show through as a dark line, especially at the gum line and even more so if your gums recede. These crowns can be a good choice for front or back teeth. Another simalar options is an all-resin dental crown as they are less expensive than other crown types. However, they wear down over time and are more prone to fractures than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.

Although periodontal disease has many large oral and over all risk factors, prevention of periodontal disease is quite easy. Just by having good at home dental care habits like regular brushing and flossing, using a mouthwash that fights plaque and by making and keeping your regular dental check ups with your dentist goes a long way in preventing periodontal disease.

Metal Crowns: Metal used in crowns include gold alloy, other alloys or a base-metal alloy such as nickel or chromium. Compared with other crown types, less tooth structure needs to be removed with metal crowns, and tooth wear to opposing teeth is kept to a minimum. Metal crowns withstand biting and chewing forces well and probably last the longest in terms of wear down. Also, metal crowns rarely chip or break. The metallic color is the main drawback. Metal crowns may be a good choice for out-of-sight molars.

Periodontal disease is a common condition that ranges from simple gum inflammation to a serious disease causing major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth, and loss of teeth. Periodontal disease has also been linked with heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, as well as oral, esophageal, head and neck, pancreatic and lung cancers. Previous studies have suggested that chronic inflammation could provide the link. Risk factors for periodontal disease include genetic predisposition, smoking and hormonal changes in girls and women, which can make gums more sensitive so that it is easier for gingivitis to develop. People with reduced ability to fight infection due to diseases such as diabetes or treatment for cancer are also prone. Medications that limit the flow of saliva can also leave the mouth vulnerable to infections.

One of the most affordable crowns would be the stainless steel crown. Stainless steel crowns are prefabricated crowns that are used on permanent teeth primarily as a temporary measure. The crown protects the tooth or filling while a permanent crown is made from another material.

For children, a stainless steel crown is commonly used to fit over a primary tooth that’s been prepared to fit it. The crown covers the entire tooth and protects it from further decay. When the primary tooth comes out to make room for the permanent tooth, the crown comes out naturally with it. In general, stainless steel crowns are used for children’s teeth because they do not require multiple dental visits to put in place and so are more cost- effective than custom-made crowns and prophylactic dental care needed to protect a tooth without a crown.

I am having to get a crown and my dental insurance states they cover for full metal and porcelain fused to metal crowns.   My dentist said he would do either and a course the full metal crown are more  affordable for me.  The tooth that I need a crown on is one of my back molars.   I am really do not care about it being metal since no one really going to see it anyway.  But beyond just what they look like is there other differences that I should know of before making my choice.

Reply: Porcelain-Fused to Metal Crown: This type of crown provides a stronger bond than regular porcelain because it is connected to a metal structure. It’s also extremely durable.

All-Metal Crown: These types of restorations are made using gold or “white” (silver-colored) dental alloy. They are known for their great strength and exceptional durability.

No one type of crown makes the best choice for all circumstances.  Look wise people are moving away from all metal crowns towards porcelain/porcelain fused to metal crowns.

Postmenopausal women with periodontal disease are more likely to develop breast cancer, according to research published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Those with a history of smoking are particularly affected.  After a mean follow-up time of 6.7 years, 2,124 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. The researchers found that among all women, the risk of breast cancer was 14% higher in those who had periodontal disease.

Filling become loose and fall out for a few reasons. Chewing causes a great deal of pressure and over time can loosen a filling. The bonding of a filling may also become lose due to newly developed tooth decay in the area surrounding the filling.

By caring for the teeth and dental fillings properly, you can help to ensure that our fillings last for ten years or more. Below are some helpful tips in extending the lifespan of a dental filling:

* Brush the teeth two for two minutes at a time
* Floss daily
* Schedule regular dental exams and cleanings
* Avoid placing excessive pressure on the teeth by abstaining from hard, sticky foods
* Avoid habits such as nail biting, teeth grinding, and clenching

A few years from now millions of people around the world might be walking around with an unusual kind of glass in their mouth, and using it every time they eat.   Engineers at Oregon State University have made some promising findings about the ability of “bioactive” glass to help reduce the ability of bacteria to attack composite tooth fillings – and perhaps even provide some of the minerals needed to replace those lost to tooth decay.

Filling do at times fall out, however it is rarely an emergency when they do. If one of your filling should come out make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to fix it but don’t feel like you need to get in at the same day if that is not possible.

*  If you can reach the sensitive area, apply a little clove oil with a cotton swab. It works well to dull tooth pain. You can buy clove oil in pharmacies and also in the spice aisle of many supermarkets.

*   If you have lost the filling, you can use over-the-counter dental cement to cover the tooth surface. This will help to protect and seal the area until you are able see your dentist.

Remember just because losing a filling may not be an dental emergency, dose not mean you should put off getting it fixed as soon as possible.  Waiting too long to have your dentist fix your filling dose put that too at risk of braking as well as being open to decay.

My fiancés filling fell out yesterday.  I tried calling his dentist for a dental appointment but the dentist he goes to now is only open during my fiancés work hours.  My fiancés will not ask for a day off from work to get his tooth fixed.

He says he can not afford to ask for days off when he just got the job two months ago.  I understand but I do not think it is a good to not have fixed right away.  How long can he wait on fixing his filling any advise on getting him to go?

Reply: He really should not wait too long.  The tooth is not only has an increase risk of braking but it is open to new decay if there is not already decay there.  I would maybe look into seeing about going to a different dentist if need be, in order to see one when he is not having to take of work.  However if that is not an option he should see if he can either come in a little late or leave a little early in order to book a dental appoint where he is not losing too much time off of work.

If you are wanting to save money on your dental care needs, the first step in doing that is at home. Brushing and flossing every day can save a considerable amount of money. Taking good care of your teeth can prevent costly dental procedures. In addition an affordable dental insurance policy will give you peace of mind. If something happens and you need major dental work, you have an affordable plan to fit your needs.

Brush your teeth twice a day with a tooth paste that contains fluoride. Preferably, brush after each meal and before bedtime to help reduce the bacteria from staying on your teeth for a certain length of time.

You may wish to consider these helpful tips as well:

– Floss your teeth daily to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

– Check with your dentist regarding the use of a supplemental fluoride which strengthens your teeth and helps prevents tooth decay.

– Consider dental sealants which is a plastic like substance placed on the top of molars to protect the teeth from decay.

– Use mouth wash with fluoride. Many of them kill 50% or more of the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

– Chewing gum with the ingredient Xylitol © may also kill some of the bacteria which causes tooth decay.