Ben and Gary Show Episodes

This first episode of the Ben and Gary Show was aired as a Facebook Live broadcast and never published. Since, we've gotten better cameras, lighting and editing. Enjoy:

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

 Often a patient comes in and wants cosmetic dentistry. Actually, the American Dental Association does not recognize cosmetic dentistry as a specialty.

We like to think in terms of aesthetic dentistry as the face, the lips, and the contours of the smile must be considered in improving the look of teeth.

It is not enough to change the look of the teeth. It is also a must to consider the function of the teeth. Sometimes restorative measures precede aesthetic improvements.

For us, we want to understand the expectations of patients and work with them collaboratively to make sure everybody is happy with the final results.

We have a process for this. 

• complete diagnostic evaluation
• discussion of options including costs
• preview of the new look with photo mockups or...

Ben And Gary Show Back Stage

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday. We were off too. But we didn't forget you. In this episode, we take you back stage to see how we plan shows.

In this video, we talk about our camera shots, a topic we going to cover with a guest, and the episode we are about to record.

Transitioning From A Pediatric Dental Practice

We were asked when should a young adult transition from a Pediatric practice to an adult practice.

What is pediatric dentist?

Pediatric dentists complete two years of additional training following four years of dental training. They learn

• about developing teeth
• creating a fun environment for children
• working with children
• working with special needs children

We notice that patients who come to us from Pediatric practices love their dentists. The Pediatric Orthodontist that Gary used for his children had an office filled with toys and games. What's not to love!

When to transition?

There is no set time when a young adult should transition from his Pediatric dentist. For some it is after high school. Others wait until after college.

After wisdom teeth have formed is a general rule of thumb for transitioning.

Special timing considerations

There are special considerations for the transition timing. If a child's teeth do not...

Do I Need A Crown After A Root Canal?

Today, we welcome our friend and colleague, Dr. Angela Noguera, Board Certified Endodontist. Angela is President and CEO of DC Endodontic Center here in Washington DC.

Today's question

Why it is important for patients we send to Angela for root canal therapy return to have the tooth fully restored with a crown?

What is root canal treatment?

The purpose of root canal treatment is to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. During a root canal, the nerve and pulp of the tooth are removed and the inside of it is cleaned and sealed.

Most root canals require two or more visits to your endodontist. The first visit alleviates any pain from the tooth. On the second visit, the tooth is cleaned, disinfected, shaped, measured and filled to prevent any further infection.

A rubber dam is used to seal the tooth to prevent contamination until the...

Tongue Piercing

The docs are seeing more patients with tongue piercings. Although they recognize that it is a way people choose to express themselves, there are some short and long term dental risks.

The metal ball of the piercing ornament tends to irritate the gum tissue behind the teeth causing it to recede. This can results in

• sensitive teeth
• loose teeth
• lost teeth

Once gum tissue recedes, it does not restore itself when the piercing is removed. Gum graphs may be needed.

Another problem of piercing is chipped teeth. The metal ball hits the teeth when eating or when the wearer rolls it around in his mouth. A final problem is that the piercing creates a portal for bacteria.

The docs advise that anyone considering tongue piercing should consider the not inconsequential risks. Anyone with a piercing should check with his dentist regularly. 

Dentistry Or Plastic Surgery?

Which Makes You Look Youngest?

Gary, Ben and Dan are joined by special guest, Armando Retana, MD, DDS. Dr. Retana is a plastic surgeon, a maxillofacial surgeon, and an oral surgeon. His practice is Capital Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.

So what makes us look old?

Four things make us look older

• Loss of soft tissue volume in the face
• Shrinkage of the bony supporting structures in the face
• Loss of collagen and elastin
• Gravity

But the supporting structure of teeth counts most. If you have ever seen anyone remove their dentures, you have witnessed how the absence of teeth age the face.

How young can cosmetic dental and plastic procedures make you look? 

This may surprise you but Armando, who is expert in both soft tissue and hard, bony support structures, tells us this.

• With a face lift, you can look ten years younger
• With repair to the supporting bony structures, you can look ten, fifteen, or twenty years younger

There...

Can You Put A Veneer Over A Crown?

Today, Ben is joined by Dan. Gary is off celebrating his birthday! Happy birthday, Gary.

This week we got this interesting question.

Can a veneer be put over a crown?

The short answer is yes for certain situations. For instance, if the crown is part of a larger repair such as a bridge or denture, it may make sense to repair the one crown on the unit.

This repair is called an over crown. The old crown is prepped as if it were a tooth and a veneer is bonded to it. This makes sense as replacing the entire unit would be expensive and time consuming.

However, if the damaged crown is a stand alone crown, replacing it make more sense than patching it. It will last longer.

Quick fix kits

There are many bonding materials and repair kits available to make a patch repair. We do not use them as results are transient and unpredictable.

 A Week In The Life Of Smiles International

We video the Ben and Gary Show on Fridays after the last patient is seen. In today's episode, Dan talks about a satisfying case. Ben talks about a case that he had to sweat.

Dan's case

Dan delivered a new crown to a patient who had diagonally sheared off a part of a front tooth. The patient's tooth broke the prior week after eating a walnut.

This patient had fractures on many teeth in his mouth. It was not the walnut. It was the last straw in the slow progression of fractures on this tooth. 

As there was not enough tooth structure to support a veneer, a crown was the best restoration option. Dan used the broken piece to measure the size of the new crown and took photographs. Then he prepped the tooth for the new crown.

He also fitted him for a mouthguard to prevent the nighttime grinding causing multiple tooth fractures.

Our lab - the secret sauce

Matching a single crown to a natural tooth is one of the most...

Dental Sealants  - Why Do We Need Them

Dental sealants coat the surfaces of molars and bicuspids to protect them from decay. They are most often used in children.

Sealants smooth out the grooves in tooth surfaces to keep them from trapping food and causing decay. They are great for children who may not brush that well.

How Are They Applied?

Teeth must be prepared before sealants can be applied. Teeth surfaces must be dry for the sealant to adhere.

Once sealants are applied, they are light cured, then adjusted to fit the bite exactly. The process is similar to sealing cracks in your driveway. 

Sealants protect the surfaces of teeth but the areas between teeth are still vulnerable to decay. Flossing and regular dental visits are still necessary. So sorry.

Sealants may last for several years. 

Are Sealants Safe?

Sealants do contain EPAs, though many are being reformulated without them. Some fear that sealants may not be safe....