The Whole Tooth Dental Podcast: Recent Episodes
Dr Lance Timmerman DMD
Dr Lance Timmerman shares in more detail the dental services he offers. Many people scour the web to get a better understanding of dental care and dental services, yet simply reading and looking at photos are not enough. This medium allows people to understand more fully what dental care has to offer.
It isn't uncommon to get braces or Invisalign, and when treatment is done, black triangles appear. NOW, there is a way to close the spaces and give a beautiful and natural look in a SINGLE visit! Bioclear!
Seattle Bioclear Method
Teeth whitening is a common way to improve the color of teeth. Nothing lasts forever, so repeating treatment is necessary to maintain or further improve results. What time frame? How soon can one "start over"? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Sometimes teeth are discolored after orthodontic brackets (braces) are removed. Why? What can be done? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
The question asked was, "
Why would non-vital tooth hurt a lot during tooth extraction?" If there is no nerve, why would there be pain? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
The biggest deterrent to dental implants is the amount of time needed to wait after implant placement and final restoration. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
To get a "perfect" smile makeover, there are many steps involved. How is it different than just getting a crown? Does experience matter?
Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
While waiting for a lab to create final restorations, it is common to have a prototype created to be worn temporarily. Since the desire is to remove the prototype within weeks, the goal is to have the prototype stay put, but be easily removed. How?
Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Often people want treatment, but fear permanent damage will result. Some systems are advertised as "reversible" as in, "if you don't like the result, one can remove the restoration and everything will be as it WAS." Is this true?
Sort of.
Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
A crown put on a tooth after root canal therapy is done to protect the tooth. Can that cause pain, or would pain indicate an issue with the root canal therapy? The situation isn't clear, and Dr Lance Timmerman explains....
Dental crowns are used when teeth are broken. Are there limits to "how broken" a tooth can be before a crown is not an option? If a tooth is short, can it still be crowned? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Sometimes teeth don't develop as expected, and sometimes the missing teeth are in the front. Seeking a perfect smile can include dental implants to fill the spaces. Can it be done if the case is from congenitally missing laterals? If we aren't REPLACING teeth, are dental implants an option? Dr Lance Timmerman explains....
Sometimes dental treatment can be confusing to the patient, but makes sense when analysed. Why would a bracket be put on a tooth but then NO wire is attached? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Breaking up treatment into smaller parts can be beneficial physically and economically, but there are pros AND cons. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
While being frugal is what will help avoid living beyond means, some savings end up not being savings at all. The words CAN and SHOULD come to mind. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
How color stable is a zirconia restoration? Is it easy to alter? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
After investing in porcelain veneers, a good way to protect the investment is by wearing a night guard. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
A well fitting denture doesn't happen on accident. There are several steps that are key to the success of a denture, one of them being the "border molding" step. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Often when losing teeth, dentures are a step in the progression of care. How long is too long to wear dentures? Will wearing dentures for 15 years exclude dental implants from being an option? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
When dental implants are placed, there is often a "temporary phase". There are many methods, is a Maryland Bridge an option? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Patients often ask to "fix their overbite" yet don't really HAVE one. One "exists" but it is "within normal limits". Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Often we restore teeth next to each other in different ways. Sometimes it is a difference in material, sometimes it is a difference in restoration. Can they match perfectly? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Sometimes teeth go south after treatment. Sometimes right away, and sometimes much later. Can this treatment be done THROUGH the crown or bridge? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
After root canal therapy, teeth can become dark. A dental crown helps prevent tooth fracture AND restores color. What material is best, PFM? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Sometimes getting dental work to match color is a challenge, and often more than one appointment is needed to get things "just right". Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
For a smile makeover, must I veneer upper AND lower teeth, or can I just treat the uppers? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional braces, but can it do EVERYTHING that traditional brackets can do, including expansion of arches? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Does having gum disease mean that dental implants are not an option? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
Everyone wants to save money, so DIY projects are very popular. Many people want straight teeth. Is DIY orthodontics a good way to save money AND get straight teeth? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
For more information, consider:
The NY Times blog
or this article from the
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Some dentists say patients aren't candidates for services when they really are GREAT candidates. Why? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Metal is a common material in dentistry and has served us well for many years. We now have alternatives.
How do I get a bridge if teeth have been missing for a long time and other teeth now fit into that space? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
It would seem logical to "resurface" a restoration, but is it possible or a good idea? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
It isn't common, but peri-implantitis (infection around a dental implant) can happen. Sometimes these failed implants are next to natural teeth, so does that mean the teeth must be removed as well? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
When getting a new smile, temporary veneers are often created. These sometimes crack or break, is that cause for concern? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Often people notice their teeth overlap and assume that they must fix it. Should they? Dr Lance Timmerman explains....
Many people want a new smile, but don't know which material is better. Is durability a factor? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Sometimes, especially when working on a front tooth, symmetry is off. The soft tissues (gums) are usually the issue, and fixing things can be a challenge. Dr Lance Timmerman explains
Does "never been whitened before" matter? Some products are better than others, so what do you do? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
Rules and guidelines change all the time so staying current can be a challenge. An example is the advice on antibiotics before dental treatment. It used to be suggested for nearly ANY issue to take them. Now, not so much. Dr Lance Timmerman explains...
Sometimes we find that our decision isn't what we thought it would be and would like "plan B" instead. Can that be done with orthodontics, switch from one method to another? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
If dental implants are already placed, can Invisalign be used? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
If a tooth has been weakened from previous dental work, can it be used to support a dental bridge? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
Why do some teeth, the crowns on implants, appear shorter than the others but were normal when they were first placed. If the implants were placed during the teenage years, that is likely the main issue. Dr Lance Timmerman explains....
If a dental implant falls out soon after it was placed, what do you do? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
Veneers fit VERY precisely (intimately, if you will). Since they are very SMALL, it can be hard to tell if they were put on correctly until all is done and sometimes when taking x-rays. If it was bonded in permanently and put on crooked, what do you do? How do you fix that? Dr Lance Timmerman explains....
It is common that dental work needs to be redone, whether due to breakage or decay or any other reason. It is the future economy of dentistry. But what if the NEW crown is thicker than the others? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Zirconia dental restorations are very strong, so why would a dentist layer porcelain on top? Does this weaken the restoration? Dr Lance Timmerman explains....
While it may sound simple to just have someone else take over or finish orthodontic treatment, it is a bit more complicated than that. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Sometimes teeth/smiles are nearly perfect and just need that "little extra something" to make them GREAT. Sometimes this means contouring the enamel, called enamelplasty. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Some crown edges (or margins if you speak dentite) are below the gumline, some above. Is one right and the other wrong? Why does it matter? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
How complicated ARE dental implants? What are some key factors to consider when doing dental implants? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
If a dentist says a crown is needed, does that mean it is cracked? If a tooth is cracked, does that mean a crown is needed? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
There are many options when replacing teeth, dental implants being one of the most successful ones. How many does a person need when replacing teeth? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Not all dentists are the same, especially when it comes to creating a new smile. A sign that you chose the right dentist (or chose poorly) is if a diagnostic waxup was used. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Despite dentists confusing patients and putting on their signs or stationary "family and cosmetic dentistry", only a minority of dentists are trained to do cosmetics. It isn't a specialty, so how does a consumer/patient find the "right" one? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Also, if you would like to purchase a copy of his book on cosmetic dentistry from Amazon (all funds go to charity), click the link.
http://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Cosmetic-Dentists-United-States/dp/0692322728
Or come in and get one for FREE directly from him (if you ask nicely, he will sign a copy!).
Is the snap on smile process a cheaper or quicker alternative to porcelain veneers? Dr Lance Timmerman DMD explains
Pain and irritation is never OK, so further investigation is always suggested. By a dentist. Veneers are usually uneventful, but sometimes some "fine tuning" is needed. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
If one can save thousands of dollars, why not travel and make a vacation out of it? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Sometimes timing of treatment complicates things. People with crooked teeth sometimes lose one, and have an implant or a bridge created, and later on decide to have orthodontics (braces). Did the previous treatment (the bridge) eliminate braces as an option? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
Nobody wants to get a tooth pulled. When it MUST be done, replacing it needs to be considered. This often means that a bone graft is part of the discussion.
Can it wait to be done later, or must it be done right THEN? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
Nothing in dentistry lasts forever, but some things last longer than others. Including root canal therapy. If previous therapy fails, should it be retreated or extracted? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Many people suffer from TMJ issues, whether minor annoyances to full blown dysfunction. There are many methods (some debateable or controversial) to help, including orthodontics (braces). DOES it help? How? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Sometimes porcelain veneers can be sensitive or hurt. In offices that are properly trained and experienced, this is a rare situation but it CAN happen anywhere. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
It is a common misconception that one can only see a dentist if they have insurance. MOST people do not have insurance and still seek dental care. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Sometimes while wearing a temporary crown, some stain or discoloration occurs. Is this a bad sign? What IS it? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Despite every dentist's best efforts, sensitivity can still happen. Why? What can be done to fix it? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
While dental benefits (some people mistakenly call it insurance) help offset costs associated with treatment, some patients want to use dentists that they CHOOSE on their own, not one that is assigned to them. CAN you? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
The most common frustration with dental implant treatment is the waiting. Time is the biggest cost with implants, as nothing is immediate. The marketed "teeth in a day" is truly "temporary teeth in a day", because there is a mandatory wait period.
Why?
Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
A big challenge in any dental office is shade matching. Teeth are more than a single color and every tooth is different. While labs CAN get a shade match, a perfect replica is a challenge. Not impossible, but not easy. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
The ideal sequence is to perform root canal therapy and THEN place a final restoration (normally a crown). However, life throws us curves, and sometimes a crown is placed and a root canal is needed AFTERWARDS. What do you do with the hole in the crown? Can you just plug it? Dr Lance Timmerman explains....
When using dental benefits (sometimes called insurance) the out of pocket costs become more important than the total. If it costs YOU less, is that the better deal? Seattle dentist Dr Lance Timmerman explains how superior treatment (dental implants) can actually be CHEAPER than a dental bridge alternative.
Some patients have a challenge managing family and health care, so they want to combine both. Can a patient bring their child to their dental appointment? Dr Lance Timmerman talks about how it works in HIS office.
Patients often get confused, and it is understandable when so many dentists can't agree with diagnosing or treating multiple issues. A common one: why is a teeth cleaning so expensive at one office and virtually nothing at another (insurance pays the entire thing)?
Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Mentioned in this episode:
Beat the Heart Attack Gene. Most people think that they are not at risk of a heart attack if they control their cholesterol and blood pressure, but they aren’t aware of other major risk factors. The good news is that with the right information and strategies, heart attacks are preventable—even if heart disease runs in the family.
A porcelain veneer smile makeover can change a life. Is this service limited to certain people, or can ANYONE get one? Dr Lance Timmerman explains....
Root canal therapy gets a bad rap. Most patients only hear about them when something goes wrong (or their friend waited too long to fix it). But what IS a root canal? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
As the population ages and is living longer, they are keeping more of their teeth than in the past, including wisdom teeth. Does that mean people can/should keep them? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
It used to be standard to pull premolars when seeking orthodontic (braces) treatment. Is that still common? Why?
Dr Lance Timmerman in Tukwila explains.
Black triangles between teeth are not pretty and can be annoying if food is stuck on a routine basis. Can that be fixed? Dr Lance Timmerman DMD explains...
Every dental office is different. The equipment, the skill set, the decorations.... and most importantly, the very first visit. What is the first visit with Dr Lance Timmerman DMD in Tukwila, WA like? Is it thorough? Is it quick? Is it combined with a cleaning?
Sometimes it appears that the crooked teeth are on the lower arch only and the upper teeth are fine. Can braces be put on the lower teeth only? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
It is not unusual to have Invisalign trays (aligners) get lost, or sometimes crack/break. What to do? When is the best time to move on to the next aligner? What about the immediately past aligner? Dr Lance Timmerman DMD explains.
Many people call asking for a fee for a dental implant, but this leads to confusion. It normally comes down to understanding the PARTS to a dental implant, as there is a fee for each. What ARE the parts to a dental implant? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Every smile is unique, including items that people want corrected. One common issue is a gummy smile. But not all gummy smiles are the same, and so the correct treatment will vary from case to case. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Teeth, after having root canal therapy treatment, should be crowned. Teeth are prone to fracture, but also will become darker. Even with a crown, the gums can appear dark, so is it possible to bleach the tooth internally? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Are some pastes better than others? Especially when brushing dental restorations? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
After being presented with a sequential treatment plan, it is not unusual for patients to want to do things "their way". While patients have every right to do what they want when they want it, it may not be in their best interests to do so.
Many procedures build upon previous steps, and doing things out of sequence, while "possible", may lead to doing treatment over again. Dr Timmerman explains.
Implants are very versitile and can support a variety of restorations. From single crowns, to bridges or dentures, implants are fantastic. What if a restoration needs to be changed? How do dentists get the screws out? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Sometimes (usually) Invisalign cases need a mid course correction or mid treatment refinement. It happens even MORE frequently if patients don't wear the trays or aligners as instructed. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.....
There are many "flavors" of implants. Can they all be used in the same way? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
In an effort to improve a smile, factors such as ease of treatment, cost, and durability come into play. Are simple solutions, like Easy Veneers or Lifelike Veneers, as good as custom porcelain veneers? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
If there are spaces between teeth, is the only solution orthodontics (braces)? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Porcelain veneers should look like teeth. REAL teeth. But sometimes they stain. How can this be fixed? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
Receding gums can be due to many reasons, so the first step is assessing the cause. Once that is addressed, fixing the result can be started, and usually a small and simple surgical procedure can be done. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Can a person sleep during their treatment? Won't the sound keep you awake? Dr Lance Timmerman explains
Dentures require bone to stay put and not fall out when eating or speaking, but what happens when the tissues shrink? What if people can't even see upper teeth when you smile? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Early in orthodontic treatment, it is not unusual to have brackets break. Sometimes it is dietary, sometimes it is mechanical, but it is almost always temporary. Dr Lance Timmerman explains.
Some patients are picky, some barely care. If a crown is made that the patient doesn't like the look, who pays to remake it? Dr Lance Timmerman explains.