Crowns Gone Wild !

April 1, 2012 alexnguyen

This patient received a total of 22 crowns to mask out her tetracycline stained teeth. The case result was compromised on multiple levels. The most severe problem in this case is the inflammation of the gum around each tooth.

The margins of the crowns were placed too deep inside the gum pockets. This problem is known as "violation of the biologic width." In such situations the gum is unable to remain healthy. Severe inflammation occurs in the initial stages, and the inflammation will eventually cause bone loss in the same area. You can see a line of redness around the neck of the teeth. Light pressure in these areas is enough for the gum to bleed profusely.

Furthermore, the diagnostic X-rays reveal root canals were done for all the front upper and lower teeth. According to the patient, the root canals were done in conjunction with the crown treatments... for no apparent reason.

This truly is a case of "Crowns Gone Wild!"

To change a tetracycline stained smile, we do not need to crown every single tooth. We also don't need a root canal for every crown we place. Likewise, the gum should not be chronically inflamed.

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Alex Nguyen, DDS is a Saratoga Dentist who practices General Dentistry, Cosmetic, and Implant Dentistry. For over 20 years the practice has been serving the residents of Santa Clara County and San Francisco Bay Area.

Anterior Teeth Restorations - It's Not Just About Color Match

March 17, 2012 alexnguyen

Restoring anterior teeth is all about recreating what nature has intended for your teeth to look like. We have to match the adjacent teeth as well as the opposing teeth in multiple dimensions: Shape, Contour, Length, Surface Texture, Color, and even the Gum Position. Here is a case where the patient's specific request was to recreate the original two front teeth.

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Images of actual patients of Alex Nguyen, DDS are Copyrighted and Digitally Embedded to track Unauthorized Use.

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How Long Do Veneers and Crowns Last?

March 3, 2012 alexnguyen

This is one of the most common question I hear during a veneer and crown consultation. The most simple answer I can give you is: "It depends."

If a crown or a veneer functions in a perfectly healthy dentition, then the restoration will last a long time. If the restoration functions in an unstable bite and/or in an unhealthy bone/gum environment, then it will not last as long.

The best thing to do is to not be fixated on a certain number of years as a life span for your restoration. Rather, find out the existing status of the overall health of your dentition, then treat the dentition comprehensively in order to assure the longevity of not only your restorations but also of your natural teeth.

It is a red flag if your consultation involves zero discussion about the status of your bite and focuses only the cosmetic of the case.

Accurate diagnosis, proper treatment planning, and precise delivery will result in optimum lifespan of your restoration.

Here is a case of two veneers on two front teeth which I delivered on Feb 8th, 2001. Eleven years in the patient's mouth, and this picture still shows no sign of wear on the porcelain. The gum tissue is perfectly healthy around the neck of the tooth, and the veneers look beautiful in the patient's smile. The photo was taken on March 1st, 2012.

Images of actual patients of Alex Nguyen, DDS are Copyrighted and Digitally Embedded to track Unauthorized Use.

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All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth ...

December 9, 2011 alexnguyen

This patient had two crowns put on his front teeth. One of the two crowns popped out shortly after, so he came to me to see what I can do for him. Restorations on the two front teeth are some of the most difficult treatments. Not only do they have to look like real teeth, they also have to fit within the functional parameters of the patient's bite.

I restored this case by eliminating interferences in his bite to stabilize it first. Then I restored the two front teeth with two new crowns which were done with complexity in color combination, contour, texture, and functional guidance.

The "after" photos were taken two days after delivery. The gum will continue to adapt well around the teeth, and the restorations will continue to disappear into his dentition as if they were his own natural teeth.

Images of actual patients of Alex Nguyen, DDS are Copyrighted and Digitally Embedded to track Unauthorized Use.

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Cosmetic dentistry for men

November 12, 2011 alexnguyen

Cosmetic dentistry is not only for women. A significant amount of my work involves enhancing the smiles of my male patients. Here is a case I finished 9 months ago. I just had the chance to see the patient again today for a follow-up visit and photos. I did this case with a combination of bite adjustments, teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and resin bonding. Some of the detailed characteristics of the teeth were done specifically to the patient's request.

Images of actual patients of Alex Nguyen, DDS are Copyrighted and Digitally Embedded to track Unauthorized Use.

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