Dr. Calcagno Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry | Dentist Rochester MN | Minnesota

Have you ever had a temporary crown? Did it come off while you were waiting for a laboratory to make your crowns? Did you have to have material put in your mouth for an impression?
There is a procedure available that uses a camera to take a picture of your tooth and the crown is designed with the aid of computer designed software. The material used for the crown is entirely porcelain. The most commonly used type of porcelain has been tested to have the same strength as gold! And this is accomplished in one visit !

The picture attached shows a finished, cemented crown.  The patient has a filling that did not touch the adjacent tooth correctly and then had a cavity develop.  The tooth was prepared, a photo taken, and while the crown was being designed and milled, the patient read his book.  In less than two hours he left the office with a crown that was properly shaped and restored to the tooth.  This crown will protect from any additional tooth fracturing. This type of crown the dentist to leave more tooth structure and to bond the crown to the tooth for greater strength.

The name of the process is called “CEREC” which can be used for both front and back teeth.

#fb

I have been helping patients whiten their smile with bleaching systems for over 20 years. In the last two years, I have been offering a new system, called the KoR Whitening System. This process includes bleaching in the office and at home. The results have been absolutely astounding. After the bleaching results have been attained, it is recommended to bleaching once monthly at home to maintain the lighter shade. Patients with very dark teeth and staining have attained changes I have never seen prior to using the KoR bleaching products.#fb

It is estimated that over 40 million adults in the US experience tooth sensitivity.  This is one of the most common complaints that patients report in my practice.

The factors that can contribute to sensitivity are the use of whitening and tartar control toothpaste, the use of a hard bristle tooth brush, consuming acid-containing and beverages such as citrus fruits and soft drinks, and acid reflux.

Why do these factors result in sensitivity?  The tooth is composed of two layers.  One is an outer hard enamel and the other an inner porous layer.  If the enamel is worn or lost, the inner porous layer with tiny tubules containing nerve endings is exposed.   Cold beverages, cold air, and certain foods will cause sensitivity.

The use of a soft bristle brush, sensitive tooth paste, and limiting acid-containing foods and beverages often help to relieve the symptoms.

If the symptoms do persist, you should see your dentist who will diagnose your sensitivity.#fb

As college students returned home for winter break, many came for dental examinations. I have seen a trend for students that have never had any cavities to experience decay. I am always asked the question-”How could this happen? I never had a cavity!” I think that there are two primary reasons. One, routine home care may not be accomplished. Secondly, there often is an increase in the use of some beverage with sugar. The amount of sugar in drinks is rarely known. Here are four examples. Mountain Dew has 11 teaspoons of sugar; that is nearly 3 tablespoons in one 12 ounce drink. Red Bull drink has 6 1/2 teaspoons in one can. Sobe green tea ( sounds healthy!) has almost 8 teaspoons of sugar. Finally, Jolt has 22 teaspoons of sugar !!!! So the combination of drinking beverages to stay awake and not brushing and flossing after these drinks and before bed are a combination for decay in the college population.#fb

This time of year a tooth brush may be given as a stocking stuffer or as a gift. I think that is a great idea for a gift that promotes health and well being. According to the Academy of General Dentists the probability of brushing during the work day increases 65% if a tooth brush is simply kept at work ! I recommend a soft bristle tooth brush. The medium and hard bristle brushes may cause irreparable injury to the gums creating a condition called recession. Once the gums have receded from the tooth surface, the gums will not return. Electric tooth brushes are also an excellent gift. My staff and I have found that the electric tooth brushes with a charging base are more efficient than the battery powered tooth brushes. I hope this may help your holiday shopping !! #fb

This week a patient phoned my office with the complaint of a loose tooth after her daughter inadvertently hit her in the mouth with a toy. When I examined her I found that she had advanced gum disease that had spread to her bone resulting in loss of the supporting bone of her teeth. This 26 year old woman was astounded to learn that she had gum disease, particularly since she was taking care of her teeth. Gum disease is most often painless and the signs of gum disease can be subtle. You may notice some bleeding of the gums or bad breath as the first signs of the beginning stages of gum disease. I encourage you to visit the dentist because we know in the medical community that people who have their own natural teeth will truly live longer.

One of the safest and easiest ways to change your smile is to whiten them !  I had very dark yellow teeth growing up and it always bothered me, particularly since I became a dentist.  I became very intrigued with  lightening products and processes and continue this interest today.  I lightened my teeth over 17 years ago and have been pleased with the color.  Today we offer three lightening products and techniques to customize for each individual’s color and life-style.  People with very dark or gray teeth will have the best color change with a product called “Kor”.  I am excited to offer this process to my patients.  I learned about the “Kor” product at the last American Academy Cosmetic Dentists annual meeting.  The patients that have used this technique had results that I did not think would be possible.   Patients with teeth that are not gray or too dark can benefit from the use of a light in the office or a product that they use at home at their convenience.  We offer a free consultation for any one interested in acquiring more information about these lightening alternatives.   We hope to see you soon !

A young female patient of mine told me that she hated the space between her two front teeth and her crowded lower front teeth.   After discussing options, she elected to proceed with Invisalign, the clear alternative to braces.  She wore clear “aligners” for 12 weeks on her top teeth and for 16 weeks on her bottom teeth.  The result was that her space was completely eliminated between her top front teeth and her lower front teeth were straight!!  She will wear retainers every night to keep her new smile.

This week I will be giving a gentleman a new smile with veneers that do not require any alteration of his teeth.  These veneers are called “Durathins” which are similar to “Lumineer” veneers. These veneers are as thin as contact lenses.  I will be able to change the color, length, and shape of his teeth.  In just two hours he will leave my office with his new smile.   I will post his pictures soon !

Cerec stands for Ceramic Restoration .  Dr.  Calcagno is one of two dentists in Rochester that is able to provide Cerec restorations, a porcelain alternate to conventional crowns that is made in one visit.

This alternative allows the conservative restoration of a tooth that requires more than a filling to restore it to proper shape after tooth structure loss and to protect the tooth from additional fracture.  AND this is accomplished in one visit.  The patient does not have to leave the office with a temporary crown and return weeks later for placement of the final crown.

With CEREC’S CAD-CAM technology,  a 3-D picture is taken of the tooth, the computer generates a proposal for the restoration, Dr Calcagno creates the final restoration, and the Cerec crown is milled with esthetic, strong porcelain in the office.

We provide free consultation for patients who would like to know if their tooth would benefit from a Cerec porcelain restoration.