F is for another set of frequently asked questions (faq’s) that might come to mind about dental care:
FAQ 7: How long will aesthetic dental treatment last?
Longevity varies from person to person depending on oral habits like clenching and grinding, how clean you keep your teeth and gums, and the PH of your saliva. We do our best to deliver high-quality treatment that will last many years.
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FAQ 8: How can I close the gaps between my teeth?
Gaps can be closed with bonding or veneers in some cases or require orthodontic treatment in others. This will depend on the individual proportions of the patient.
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FAQ 9: Why does the gum around my crowns look purple?
This can occur for several reasons: the crown may not fit well, it may be too far under the gum, or it may have a metal base that blocks light. Teeth are like little fiber optic units. When light hits them, it illuminates the teeth and the surrounding gum tissue to give it that healthy pink glow. Metal blocks the light, causing the tissue to look dark. Non-metallic crowns are best for a natural appearance. At imes they may also contain metals like nickel or palladium which may irritate gum tissue. A significan number of people are sensitive to these metals.
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FAQ 10: My Oral Surgeon says I need a bone graft? What does that mean?
This procedure is done when there has been significant bone loss because it helps the body to regenerate lost bone. The source of the grafting material can either be from the patient’s own body or from a natural substance such as algae.
Over time your own newly formed bone will replace much of the grafted material, however follow up work such as an implant will have to be done within a matter of months or the body will start to re-absorb the new bone.
Carey O’Rielly DDS has been a practicing dentist for 35 years. He went to USC Dental School and Duke University for his undergraduate degree. He grew up in Laguna Beach and now lives in La Costa with his wife Victoria, who runs his office.
He began his career by owning and operating a network of six offices in the San Francisco Bay Area. Presently he owns a private holistic practice in North County San Diego’s Encinitas.
Dr. O started looking for solutions to his health challenges that resulted from the stress and environmental toxicity that built up over a ten year period running his dental network. He has dedicated himself to learning about oral systemic problems and how dentistry can affect your health. He has applied what he has learned over the last twenty years to ensure he, his staff and his patients are protected from the chemicals and toxic materials found in most dental offices. He has produced an environmentally friendly office that is also peaceful and calm.
He is an expert on dental materials having looked at hundreds of biocompatibility lab tests over the years. He has identified the most bio-friendly materials to use in his practice and which dental materials can be used to replace metal fillings and crowns, including BPA free and fluoride free ‘white’ fillings. He also uses metal-free Zirconia or ceramic implants and PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) grafting materials which come from the patient’s own blood.
Dr. O’Rielly teaches C.E. courses on the systemic effects of gum disease. He is an expert in using phase contrast microscopy for analyzing dental infections, where he shows patients what kind of microbes, i.e. bacteria, amoeba, and yeasts like candida are populating the mouth and affecting the body as a whole.
He has an educational blog and is writing a book on dental health called ‘Hidden Dental Infections: Healing Root Canals and Infected Teeth with the Erbium Laser’ where he discusses dental nutrition, toxic dental materials and the effects of old root canals on inflammation and overall health.
