Options for Complex Restorations

Our experienced dentists at the Miami Beach and North Miami Beach offices of Doctors Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk have provided replacement teeth to a lot of people over the years. In that time, we’ve seen new options for complex restorations develop, allowing us to better serve each patient’s specific needs. To help our patients understand which kind of restoration will benefit them, we wanted to talk a bit about bridges.

Traditional bridges are linked series of artificial crowns, with a middle crown suspended between two crowns that are affixed to natural teeth. The natural teeth would have to be reshaped to accommodate their new caps, which made this kind of bridge an attractive option for people who needed multiple crown replacements. It also allowed people to retain their natural tooth roots, keeping the jaw bones healthy and decreasing the risk of tooth migration. But dentists may also have felt it necessary to reshape or extract teeth that were healthy in order to make room for the bridge, which is no longer a common practice.

Modern partial dentures can be manufactured to fit a patient’s mouth much more closely than in the past. They can be made with gaps for natural teeth, eliminating the need to extract them. The adjoining natural teeth have to be reshaped slightly, but not to the same extent as with fixed bridges. This makes partial dentures a good option for people whose decayed or broken teeth are not all in a row. If the patient has sufficient jaw tissue, it may also be possible to support the partial denture with implants. The denture would still be removable, making it easy to clean.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.

 

Dental Avulsions

With the fall sports season in full swing, we at the Miami Beach and North Miami Beach dental offices of Doctors Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk wanted to remind our patients of fundamental dental safety protocols. A dental avulsion, the loss of an entire tooth, is an emergency, but when a patient acts quickly enough, they may be able to save the tooth.

A tooth should only be held by its crown, never its root. Ideally, it should be rinsed with a saline solution and then reinserted into the empty socket (while facing the right way). If this is too difficult, it may be held in the cheek. The American Dental Association approves of tooth saving containers which can hopefully be found in a nearby first aid kit, but if not, the tooth may also be transported in a cup filled with milk or saltwater.

Teeth that are cracked at the root may not be salvageable, and a successfully reinserted tooth will need a root canal. We also won’t reinsert baby teeth that have been lost prematurely, as this may damage the permanent tooth that is forming inside the jaw. A patient should prioritize facial lacerations over a dental avulsion. But when a tooth is saved, a patient will be spared the risk of jawbone deterioration and from either having to get an implant or wear a partial denture, so it’s worth trying.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.

 

Denture Stomatitis

Patients who get dentures at the Miami Beach and North Miami Beach offices of Doctors Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk may expect that their new teeth will be beautiful and long-lasting. The science of prosthodontics is constantly improving, and people with dentures today have a much higher quality of life than just a few years ago. But getting dentures also requires people to make some changes in their oral hygiene, which is why today’s blog post is dedicated to the dangers of denture stomatitis.

Normally, our immune systems regulate the growth of the Candida species of fungus, which are a kind of yeast. Saliva contains antimicrobial enzymes and cleanses the mouth of particles fungus could feed on. But when a person’s dentures are poorly fitted or not cleaned often enough, Candida can easily grow on them or the area they cover. People are especially prone to developing fungus growths on the roof of their mouth where the upper denture’s prosthetic palate adheres to, or at the corners of their mouth if their lips are chapping.

Stomatitis manifests as redness and swelling, but it may have to develop for a while before patients will feel pain. Some medications, including the use of inhalers, put people at greater risk of developing it. However, it can usually be mitigated by regular brushing of both the denture and the mouth. Patients should brush their gums each morning before putting their denture in and should brush their entire denture, not just the part that looks like teeth.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.

 

Periodontal Sectioning

Ever heard of the common saying “as fun as pulling teeth?” That’s why Drs. Lelchuk, Ressler, and Hirschl provide Periodontal Sectioning services for our clients in the Miami area. It is a quicker and easier extraction process. The tooth is broken into multiple pieces then removed from your mouth. It creates a minimally painful and shorter recovery time. Learn more at our offices in North Miami Beach and Miami Beach.

 

Three situations require sectioning: wisdom teeth, multi-faceted or unique teeth, and pediatric extraction. Each of these procedures provides a better experience for both the patient and your Miami dentist. Wisdom teeth extraction is the most common sectioning procedure. They are the last set of molars to come in and are also the biggest. This naturally makes it harder to remove. Sectioning them is the only way. Uniquely rooted teeth are much sturdier than others. Their roots are deeper or more intricate. Sectioning addresses these problems. Lastly, a child is much more apprehensive of a tooth removal than an adult. Sectioning requires a lot less force. It also leaves a much smaller wound. This greatly reduces the recovery time and risk of infection. These benefits are great for everyone, especially children.

 

The procedure starts with a local or general anesthetic being applied. This minimizes your pain and discomfort. Once the area is numb, your Miami dentist begins the procedure. The pulp is cut and the tooth sectioned into pieces. Throughout the procedure, water flushes out any debris or tooth fragments.

 

Follow your provided post-operative instructions afterward. Doing so keeps any stitches from loosening. Eat softer foods at first. Avoid hot foods for as long as necessary. Do not engage in any physical activity. Contact your dentist with any questions.

 

Drs. Lelchuk, Ressler, and Hirschl are located in both North Miami Beach and Miami Beach. You can schedule an appointment through our website or by calling. To reach the Intracoastal Mall office, call 305-949-2630. For the Mount Sinai Medical Center, contact 305-532-1444.

Flossing with Braces

Flossing is another task made difficult by braces. As if having braces wasn’t hard enough already! The truth is that flossing with braces doesn’t have to be challenging. There are a handful of techniques and applicators that make it easier. Drs. Lelchuk, Hirschl, and Ressler recommend these to all our orthodontic patients. Learn more by contacting our offices in North Miami Beach and Miami Beach.

 

Daily flossing is essential when you have braces. Your braces create a variety of spaces for bacteria to develop. Food is constantly getting wedged and trapped. This attracts even more bacteria in certain areas. Only floss can fully clean these areas.

 

Flossing is just as important as brushing twice daily. To get under the wires, you’ll need a floss threader. This is a necessary dental appliance. It loops your floss through it and then under the wire. You can then floss normally. Make sure to do this for all of your teeth. Debris and bacteria can grow anywhere.

 

Another option is floss picks. These look like a small two-pronged tool with floss between them. Floss picks are small enough to also move under the wires. Lastly, consider investing in a Waterpik. These spray a steady stream of water at your teeth. The pressure removes all the trapped food. Most even come with special tools for orthodontic cleanings.

 

Overlooking flossing in your daily dental routine is a critical mistake. Your mouth can’t be completely clean without it. If you have braces and are struggling with dental maintenance, contact us today. Drs. Lelchuk, Ressler, and Hirschl are available by appointment. You can visit our website to learn more. To reach the Intracoastal Mall (North Miami Beach) office, call 305-949-2630. For the Mount Sinai Medical Center (Miami Beach), call 305-532-1444.

Tooth Sensitivity to Cold

During the hot summer months, many people discover they have become more sensitive to cold foods. Biting into an ice cream bar or sipping a chilled coffee causes a sharp pain to shoot through their teeth. One of our goals at the Miami Beach dental offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk is to ensure that our patients feel comfortable and confident in all things tooth-related. Sensitivity is common, but it isn’t something people should have to endure.

Each natural tooth contains a nerve in its pulp. Pulp is surrounded by dentin, which is a yellow-gray colored material made up of miniature tubules that easily conduct heat. The outer layer of the crown is made up of enamel, a mineral substance that provides insulation but cannot regrow after being lost. The outer layer of the tooth root is made up of a sticky substance called cementum, which is much thinner than enamel. When enamel is eroded or gum tissue has receded from around the tooth root, dental pulp can lose heat rapidly.

Usually, enamel erosion and gum recession is due to acid. In most cases, the acid comes directly from drinks such as soda or citrus juice or is produced by oral bacteria as a by-product of consuming sugar. People may also experience tooth sensitivity if they frequently suffer from acid reflux. Oral hygiene upkeep is essential to combatting bacteria and extra-fluoridated toothpaste can help restore the minerals that make up enamel. We can also help patients by providing them with sealants, which will give their teeth extra protection. A deep cleaning will remove infectious material in the gum pockets, preventing gum tissue from receding.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.

 

Alzheimer's Disease and Gum Disease Research

Good oral hygiene is essential for a lifetime of good health. That’s what we’ve been telling our patients for years at the Miami offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk. Recently, new evidence has emerged of a connection between gum disease and another dangerous ailment: Alzheimer’s disease. It seems that preventing one may be the best way to prevent the other.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the bacteria species that causes tooth decay. As a defense against white blood cells, it secretes cell-killing toxins called gingipains. Scientists studying the brain and spinal fluid of people with Alzheimer’s disease found that their tissue samples included unusually large amounts of gingipains, and that the number was larger the more severe the Alzheimer’s symptoms had been. They also found that gingipains trigger the formation of neural plaque in animal test subjects.

This past May, another study was published that establishes that P. gingivaliscan move from the mouth to the brain in living people. Scientists believe that there are other factors that contribute to a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but that gum disease now appears to be a major one. We can help people suffering from periodontitis by providing them with deep cleanings and using specialized tools to measure gum disease’s progression. We also use powerful localized antibiotics to defeat P. gingivalis and its relatives.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.