Question 1

How does Dr. Josephs ensure pain-free dental injections?

Accepted Answer

The practice uses the 'Woodpecker super pen', an electronic anesthetic device that delivers anesthesia slowly and precisely, resulting in an absolutely painless injection. This avoids the traditional syringe method.

Question 2

When is a dental crown recommended?

Accepted Answer

A crown is indicated for a tooth that has an old filling, decay, a crack, or an old crown with decay underneath.

Question 3

What is the process for getting a dental crown and how long do they last?

Accepted Answer

The process involves removing all decay, shaping the tooth to a cylinder, and taking a digital impression with a scanner. A laboratory then creates a full porcelain cap that fits over the tooth, protecting it for many years.

Question 4

What are the consequences of a missing tooth and why is replacement important?

Accepted Answer

A missing tooth can lead to a 'domino effect' of negative consequences. It impacts the bone supporting the cheeks, potentially causing a gaunt facial appearance, sucked-in cheeks, and lips rolling in. Adjacent teeth can drift, creating gaps that trap food, leading to decay, periodontal disease, and further tooth loss. The opposing tooth may also super erupt. It is important to replace even a single missing tooth to prevent these issues.

Question 5

Why does Dr. Josephs recommend avoiding traditional permanent dental bridges?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Josephs advises against permanent bridges that require preparing two healthy adjacent teeth to support a three-unit bridge. A significant drawback is the inability to floss underneath, which often leads to decay of the supporting teeth. This can result in a cycle where supporting teeth fail, requiring removal and extension of the bridge, potentially repeating throughout a patient's life.

Question 6

What are the options for closing gaps between teeth without traditional braces?

Accepted Answer

It is definitely possible to close spaces between teeth without braces. Two effective methods are porcelain laminate veneers and Invisalign. Porcelain laminate veneers are thin facings of porcelain permanently attached to the fronts of teeth, which can last over 20 years. Invisalign involves a series of clear, removable appliances worn over several months.

Question 7

How does Dr. Josephs help patients choose the right veneer shade?

Accepted Answer

The initial consultation for porcelain laminate veneers often focuses on color choice. Dr. Josephs involves the patient by asking for their preference, providing a hand mirror, and using different shade tabs against existing teeth to assess desired lightness. For patients with platinum blonde hair, fair skin, and blue eyes, the lightest 010 shade is recommended. For those with an olive or Mediterranean complexion, the 020 shade (second lightest) is often chosen, accounting for 99% of the practice's veneer cases.

Question 8

Does Dr. Josephs offer Lumineers or no-prep veneers, and what is his approach to veneers?

Accepted Answer

The practice does not perform Lumineers or no-prep veneers. Dr. Josephs explains that placing a veneer without any tooth reduction can result in a bulky appearance and a ledge at the gum line, leading to food and plaque trapping and chronically inflamed gums. Additionally, no-prep veneers are often too thin to mask underlying tooth discoloration like darkness, yellowness, or tetracycline stains. Instead, all veneer cases performed by the practice are minimal prep veneers, which involve removing 0.8 millimeters of tooth enamel. This creates sufficient space for porcelain placement, avoiding the issues associated with no-prep options while still preserving significant tooth structure.

Question 9

What is an implant overdenture and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

An implant overdenture is a treatment for patients with no teeth on a jaw (edentulous). It involves placing two implants in the bone of the lower jaw, followed by a three-month healing period. After healing, an impression is taken, and two attachments called locators are added to the implants. The denture is designed to clip tightly to these implants, providing stability and preventing it from moving around, while still being removable for easy cleaning of the implants.

Question 10

Is cosmetic dentistry a recognized specialty, and how should I choose a cosmetic dentist?

Accepted Answer

Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty like orthodontics or periodontics; it is only an emphasis of practice. When considering a smile makeover with porcelain veneers, it is crucial to choose a general dental office that performs a high volume of veneers to ensure expertise and experience.

Question 11

How long does a crown typically last?

Accepted Answer

The process involves removing all decay, shaping the tooth to a cylinder, and taking a digital impression with a scanner. A laboratory then creates a full porcelain cap that fits over the tooth, protecting it for many years.

Question 12

What's your secret for pain-free injections?

Accepted Answer

The practice uses the 'Woodpecker super pen', an electronic anesthetic device that delivers anesthesia slowly and precisely, resulting in an absolutely painless injection. This avoids the traditional syringe method.

Question 13

Is getting a crown painful?

Accepted Answer

The practice uses the 'Woodpecker super pen', an electronic anesthetic device that delivers anesthesia slowly and precisely, resulting in an absolutely painless injection. This avoids the traditional syringe method.

Question 14

What are the non-braces options for closing a gap?

Accepted Answer

It is definitely possible to close spaces between teeth without braces. Two effective methods are porcelain laminate veneers and Invisalign. Porcelain laminate veneers are thin facings of porcelain permanently attached to the fronts of teeth, which can last over 20 years. Invisalign involves a series of clear, removable appliances worn over several months.

Question 15

Can you match veneers to my existing natural teeth?

Accepted Answer

The initial consultation for porcelain laminate veneers often focuses on color choice. Dr. Josephs involves the patient by asking for their preference, providing a hand mirror, and using different shade tabs against existing teeth to assess desired lightness. For patients with platinum blonde hair, fair skin, and blue eyes, the lightest 010 shade is recommended. For those with an olive or Mediterranean complexion, the 020 shade (second lightest) is often chosen, accounting for 99% of the practice's veneer cases.

Question 16

Are Lumineers as durable as traditional veneers?

Accepted Answer

The practice does not perform Lumineers or no-prep veneers. Dr. Josephs explains that placing a veneer without any tooth reduction can result in a bulky appearance and a ledge at the gum line, leading to food and plaque trapping and chronically inflamed gums. Additionally, no-prep veneers are often too thin to mask underlying tooth discoloration like darkness, yellowness, or tetracycline stains. Instead, all veneer cases performed by the practice are minimal prep veneers, which involve removing 0.8 millimeters of tooth enamel. This creates sufficient space for porcelain placement, avoiding the issues associated with no-prep options while still preserving significant tooth structure.

Question 17

What are the biggest cons of no-prep veneers?

Accepted Answer

The practice does not perform Lumineers or no-prep veneers. Dr. Josephs explains that placing a veneer without any tooth reduction can result in a bulky appearance and a ledge at the gum line, leading to food and plaque trapping and chronically inflamed gums. Additionally, no-prep veneers are often too thin to mask underlying tooth discoloration like darkness, yellowness, or tetracycline stains. Instead, all veneer cases performed by the practice are minimal prep veneers, which involve removing 0.8 millimeters of tooth enamel. This creates sufficient space for porcelain placement, avoiding the issues associated with no-prep options while still preserving significant tooth structure.

Question 18

What certifications or training should I look for in a cosmetic dentist?

Accepted Answer

Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty like orthodontics or periodontics; it is only an emphasis of practice. When considering a smile makeover with porcelain veneers, it is crucial to choose a general dental office that performs a high volume of veneers to ensure expertise and experience.

Question 19

What does Dr. Josephs say about consultations?

Accepted Answer

Often, the discussion of what color to go with with porcelain laminated veneers is the first thing that we talk about at a consultation.

Question 20

What does Dr. Josephs say about their techniques?

Accepted Answer

An implant overdenture involves placing two implants in the bone of the lower jaw. After the healing period, an impression of the two implants is taken.

Question 21

What does Dr. Josephs say about safety?

Accepted Answer

The practice uses the 'super pen' for administering anesthesia. The practice does not use the traditional 'three stooges syringe' for dental injections. The 'super pen' used by the practice is specifically the 'Woodpecker super pen', which is an electronic anesthetic device.

Question 22

What does Dr. Josephs say about the technology they use?

Accepted Answer

They take a digital impression with a digital scanner for crowns.

Question 23

What does Dr. Josephs say about their approach?

Accepted Answer

The practice offers pain-free dentistry.

Dr. Mitchell A. Josephs, DDS

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