
Jan
Biologic dentistry is focused on how your oral health affects the health of your entire body. Healthy teeth and gums are important for wellness. At Maine Center for Dental Medicine, two ways we help patients enjoy healthier teeth and gums are through amalgam filling removal and therapeutic root canals.
If you’ve received a filling in the last 50 years, you may have an amalgam filling. Once considered the ‘gold standard’ for filling material, amalgam has been used less in recent years due to its high mercury content. Mercury, a known neurotoxin, can have harmful effects on the body.
Some patients decide to have their old fillings replaced due to aesthetics. Amalgam fillings are silver in color and can be obvious in the smile. Other patients express concerns about the mercury content of the amalgam fillings. And, there are patients who need to have it replaced due to damage or degradation.
When you make the decision to have your amalgam fillings removed, it’s important to find an experienced dentist who knows how to do it safely. Dr. Imam and Dr. Khan are biologic dentists who understand the harmful effects of mercury on the body. Many patients in Maine turn to us when they decide to have their old mercury fillings replaced.
When we remove amalgam fillings there are several precautions we take to minimize patient and staff exposure to mercury. They include:
Once the amalgam is safely removed, we will replace it with a metal-free filling such as composite resin. Composite resin is a tooth-colored material that is safe, biocompatible, and blends in seamlessly with the teeth. The composite material is bonded directly into the tooth and does not expand and contract due to temperature changes, which makes it a stable, long-term option.
Say the term “root canal” in front of a patient and many immediately begin to worry. Root canals have developed a reputation as one of the most dreaded dental procedures, when in reality there is nothing to fear. Modern dental techniques have made root canal therapy an effective, pain-free procedure. At the office of Dr. Imam and Dr. Khan, we have the experience and skill it takes to make your root canal a success.
At one point in time, teeth that were badly infected had to be removed to preserve oral health and prevent the spread of infection. Today, in most cases the tooth structure can be saved by undergoing a root canal.
Many ask how we determine which teeth need a root canal versus which teeth need to be extracted. The answer is that we opt for root canal treatment whenever possible to save the tooth. In the end, root canals are less expensive than extractions. During your appointment we can go over the pros and cons of root canals.
The root canal procedure is like filling a cavity. To begin, the dentist will to remove any decay from the tooth, followed by removal of the infected pulp. The inside of the tooth, which includes the pulp chamber and root canals is cleaned out to eliminate infection. Once this process is finished, the tooth is filled and sealed to prevent future infection.
Following the root canal, a dental crown is placed on top of the tooth to protect it from further damage. Because a substantial portion of the tooth structure is removed to eliminate infection, a tooth is often weak and brittle after a root canal.
At Maine Center for Dental medicine, we focus on services that help you have healthier teeth and gums. If you are in the Skowhegan, Maine area call us today at (207) 474-9503 to learn more about our biologic dental services.
A graduate from New York University College of Dentistry, Dr. Mohammed Imam began his practice in Nigeria and moved to the United Kingdom to continue his training in Oral & Maxillofacial Residency.
With over 30 years of expertise Dr. Imam regularly updates himself on modern techniques and methods whilst continuing to invest and perform procedures using the best technology and equipment to ensure his patients receive the best and most bio-compatible oral care possible.
Dr. Imam’s areas of specialty include implant dentistry, TMD and Orofacial pain. He is also SMART certified and a member of the Academy of General Dentistry.
An alumnus of New York University, Dr. Shafiulla Khan brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise gained over his 35 plus years of practicing dentistry. He is well known for his passion to improve his patients’ lives with his service. While being a SMART certified professional, Dr. Khan’s areas of specialty includes Tempro-mandibular Disorders, TMJ therapy and smile make overs. He remains a prestigious member of the International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) amongst many others.