Dental crowns differ from veneers in that a veneer only covers the front of a tooth, while a crown covers the entire tooth, thus offering more protection.

In the past, most dental crowns were made of metal materials. These metal materials often discolored the gum area around the crown and were quite obvious in a person’s mouth.

Advantages of Dental Crowns:
• Dental crowns are made to match the color of your teeth
• They are very natural looking
• Comfortable and safe

Uses of Dental Crowns:
• Offer support to a tooth with a large filling
• Protect a weak tooth from further damage and breaking
• Restore a broken or cracked tooth
• Cover a badly discolored or misshapen tooth
• Cover a dental implant

Types of Dental Crowns:
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal
• All-porcelain

Porcelain-fused-to-metal are very strong and durable crowns. All-porcelain crowns are thinner and suitable for areas of the mouth that are not used as frequently in biting and chewing.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Dental Crown?
Getting a crown usually requires two appointments. During the first appointment, the dentist will make impressions, or molds, of the tooth that is to be covered by the crown.

The tooth is fitted with a temporary crown between visits while the new crown is being constructed. Any decay is removed from the affected tooth. It is then accurately shaped to fit the new crown.

During the second appointment, the tooth is cleaned and fitted with the new crown.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Dental crowns can last anywhere from five to fifteen years. With the right kind of care, they can last indefinitely. Proper care involves regular checkups and exams as well as keeping the crown clean and free of plaque by practicing good oral hygiene habits.

Kavita,
 
You certainly speak for us all about how generous Scott was with his time, knowledge and energy. It is always so refreshing to see both humility and excellence in an individual and he certainly is a fine example of that combination. We are lucky to have had him speak at a DSCCD meeting and I hope that we have another occasion to host him.
 
It is very gratifying for both Raj and myself to see DSCCD grow into a place where quality minded professionals get together and learn- not just about dentistry but about life in general as well. That was the vision and mission. You add grace and class to the study club and hopefully will be a big part of our future growth and development.
 
And yes, we could’nt do it without Lydia. She’s the best.
 
Thank you for your feedback,
 
Have an awesome weekend!
Sunita

Dr. Sunita Merriman was recently voted as one of NJ’s Top Dentists in 2010!

“Candy is phenomenal and yes, I have referred friends and coworkers to your office. The staff up front is always great as well.”
Jason Keefer

“Candy did a nice job.”
Joel Muse

“You”re our family dentist; it’s always been great every time we go.”
Brett Kirkland

“The hygienist, Christine, was very courteous and took time to explain everything to James and his mom.”
James Kousteis

“Professional, efficient and excellent care as usual!”
Tracy Coster

“I haven’t been to the dentist in over 10 years and when I decided to go back I tried another dentist and he didn’t make me feel comfortable at all. I came back to Dr. Finlay and he immediately made me feel comfortable. Him and his staff are always pleasant, friendly and very knowledgeable. I have been back for quite a few visits and have never once had a problem with the staff. They always explain to me what they are doing, why they are doing it and what I can do to maintain good dental health. The front staff is also friendly and knowledgeable. It is really nice to arrive for your appointment and not have to wait. I have to wait. I have even arrived early before and didn’t have to wait.”
Sheila Lewis

•    Crown Lengthening: Dental lasers can reshape the gum tissue to help expose damaged areas of the teeth from decay or trauma so that the teeth can be adequately repaired.
•    Periodontal Plastic Tissue Recontouring: Dental Lasers can be utilized to sculpt soft tissue contours to provide a balanced visual architecture of the gums and soft tissues around the teeth creating a more balance esthetic smile.
•    Frenectomy: Dental Lasers can be utilized to resect excessive and limited muscle attachments for adults and children that may “tongue tied” or have an unusually low attachment that is effecting the health of the gums.
•    Management of Apthous Ulcers and Herpetic lesions

Dr. Scott Finlay is a cosmetic and restorative dentist that practices in the greater Annapolis area in Arnold, Maryland.  Dr. Finlay has completed training and is certified by the International Center for Laser Education.   He is a credentialed cosmetic dentist and a lecturer in the field of cosmetic and restorative dentistry.  More information about lasers in dentistry can be found at www.AnnapolisSmiles.com .

October 2010

Selecting a dentist that is right for you is a personal decision. You should do your homework, use the Internet and research your options. Some people may even want to contact the appropriate licensing boards and check credentials. To further aid in your decision making, What’s Up Annapolis Magazine has taken the search a step further by soliciting the opinions of the people who may just be the best judges of all: fellow dentists. These professionals frequently refer their patients to other dentists for specific kinds of care. They want their patients to be well taken care of; they are discriminating.

Last May, What’s Up Magazine contact 300 dentists in Anne Arundel County and asked them this question:  “If you or a loved one were in the need of dental service, who would you refer them to?”  Each ballot was recorded with special security measures to insure the accuracy and validity of the survey.  The candidates and top vote recipients where published in the October 2010 is of What’s Up Annapolis (www.whatsupmag.com).

Dr. Scott Finlay has been selected as a Top Dentist since the inception of this survey in 2006.  Once again, in 2010, he was the top vote recipient in the categories of General Dentist and Cosmetic and Restorative Dentist.  His practice is located in the Greater Annapolis Area in Arnold.  In formation about his practice can be found at www.AnnapolisSmiles.com.

Dental insurance and understanding the benefits that are available can be a very frustrating experience. What is covered and what is not covered is often dictated by how contracts are written. Understanding these agreements can be confusing. What is an annual maximum and how is it calculated? What are “usual, customary and reasonable” (UCR) fees and why doesn’t it relate to current costs? How can I make sure that I get the benefits that I deserve? We deal with insurance claims daily for many of our patients to help them maximize the resources that they are entitled to, as a service to help them afford the dentistry that they need and want. Although we cannot possibly be an expert on every dental plan, you be can be assured that we are your best advocate in helping you get the best coverage possible within the limits of your plan.

Insurance companies work with the employer and structure the coverage. Dental insurance for traditional indemnity plans, are agreements between the employer and the insurance company and have nothing to do with the actual dental providers: your dental practice. Obviously, benefits provided by insurance companies are related to the costs of the plan to the employer.  Many companies may have more than one plan within the organization and your coverage may fall under different guidelines depending on seniority or even the position you hold.  It is always best to discuss your particular coverage with your insurance carrier or your benefits administrator.  In a response to control costs, we are seeing that many companies have increased deductibles, reduced allowable fees and extended waiting periods for replacement and major services (crowns etc.), which unfortunately means more out of pocket expense.

The key is to get the correct insurance information to us in a timely fashion to help you prepare for your investment in your dental health.  We can facilitate your understanding of your estimated out of pocket costs by pre-authorizing any non-emergency type procedures.  In this way you have a good idea of the costs before treatment is rendered.  We are happy to assist you in the submission and reimbursement process. There are also payment plans available to allow you to spread your out of pocket costs over a longer period of time.  This allows many patients to get the dentistry they need in a more affordable fashion, without allowing the deterrent of fees to compound your dental problems.   It is important to remember however that benefits can change and anniversary dates can affect the available resources.  Although we make every effort to help you understand and maximize the specifics of your plan, in the end, it is the your responsibility to meet the financial obligations of dental treatment. Remember that if you have questions, call us.  We are here to help.

Cindy Filanowski is the office coordinator for Scott Finlay DDS & Associates, in Annapolis, Maryland.  The dental office is a comprehensive restorative practice and a recognized leader in dental esthetics.  The mission of the practice is to provide dental solutions to patients to enhance and maintain their best possible smiles.  More information can be found at www.AnnapolisSmiles.com or by dialing 410.757.6681.

Dry mouth is otherwise known as xerostomia or a persistent lack of saliva. We need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and to help us taste and digest food. Saliva is very important because it protects our mouth from bacterial growth and protects against infection. When someone experiences dry mouth it can be very uncomfortable and embarrassing, especially when speaking. A few symptoms that one may experience are frequent thirst, a dry and sticky feeling in the mouth, overall soreness in the mouth, cracking of the lips and corners of the mouth, bad breath, difficulty chewing and swallowing food, and difficulty speaking.

Possible causes of xerostomia include smoking, age, anxiety, dehydration, cancer therapy, mouth breathing and certain medications such as those used to treat colds, allergies, depression and anxiety.  Xerostomia can also be a symptom of an underlying disease such as diabetes or Sjorgen’s Syndrome.  Dry mouth can lead to an increase in cavities and gum disease and can also cause halitosis or bad breath.

Xerostomia might not be treatable for everyone but one should focus on good oral hygiene, drink more fluids, chew sugarless xylitol-containing gum to increase saliva flow, quit smoking, use a fluoride toothpaste and or fluoride rinse, and always visit your dentist for routine dental exams.  Products such as Biotene help to boost saliva’s natural properties and offer oral comfort.  Using a humidifier to help keep the air full of moisture at night may also help.  If medication is the problem, speak to your doctor about altering the dosage or changing your prescription.

Mandy Ramey RDH is a dental hygienist who practices with Scott Finlay DDS & Associates, in Annapolis, Maryland.  The dental office is a comprehensive restorative practice and a recognized leader in dental esthetics.  The mission of the practice is to provide dental solutions to patients to enhance and maintain their best possible smiles.  More information can be found at www.AnnapolisSmiles.com or by dialing 410.757.6681.

1. Increases salivary flow. Chewing promotes the flow of saliva. Saliva has enzymes that digest carbohydrates, it has antibodies that fight decay causing bacteria, contains buffers that neutralize the acids that eat at your teeth and it contains minerals that help rebuild parts of your teeth that have been attacked by decay acid. Clinical studies have shown that chewing gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.
2. Mechanically cleans the surfaces of your teeth as you chew. Chewing gum does not replace brushing and flossing. It is recommended to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning once a day in between your teeth with floss or other interdental cleaners.
3. Helps you quit smoking cigarettes. Try nicotine gum. Nicotine gum puts some nicotine into your system to help stop the impulse to smoke. It gives you something else to do besides puff a cigarette.
4. Helps you loose weight. Studies have shown that people who chew gum between meals tend to snack less. By chewing gum you can burn 11 calories an hour which can add up over time. Sugarless gum is the best choice.
5. Loosen up a tight jaw. If your jaw is tight and you clench your teeth it will give your mouth something else to do by working out the muscles.
6. Stress reliever. Keeps you cool under pressure, calms your nerves and it helps keep you awake instead of caffeine.
7. Beneficial additives. Delivers added nutrients such as Vitamin C to supplement your diet, fluoride to strengthen teeth and Xylitol to kill bacteria.
8. Increases blood flow to the brain. Extra circulation can help boost your memory and make you feel more alert.
9. Helps you stop biting your nails. It will distract your mouth away from your fingers.
10. Reduces the symptoms of acid reflux disease. The saliva flow can lead to an antacid effect in the stomach

Chewing gum can be offensive in some social situations if you are a noisy gum chewer. Chew gum quietly so the people around you don’t have to listen to you chew and remember to dispose of your chewed gum properly.

Candy Wiggans RDH is a dental hygienist who practices with Scott Finlay DDS & Associates, in Annapolis, Maryland. The dental office is a comprehensive restorative practice and a recognized leader in dental esthetics. The mission of the practice is to provide dental solutions to patients to enhance and maintain their best possible smiles. More information can be found at www.AnnapolisSmiles.com or by dialing 410.757.6681.

Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is a naturally occuring compond that can cure the need for that sweet tooth.  Xylitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol and is also a natural metabolic by product of the liver, which explains why it is safe for human consumption. Our bodies produce 15 grams of Xylitol every day. It was discovered in the late 1800’s but wasn’t until sugar shortages in World War II that it was manufactured in a crystalline form for dietary consumption.  Until recently, it was only found to be an ingredient in gum.

How does Xylitol work?  When sugar is consumed, it is reduced in the mouth and creates a lower caries–promoting pH.  Xylitol, however, does not create this effect and instead is accumulated in S. Mutans (the bacteria primarily responsible for caries), which inhibits their growth.  The result is, that consuming Xylitol stops the cavity causing bacteria from growing and significantly reduces the risk of cavity formation.  There have also be some promising benefits discovered beyond the mouth.  Xylitol can also reduce the amount of insulin required in diabetic patients.  There have also been noted antibacterial benefits associated with the body’s natural cleansing process.    Studies have also shown us that caries causing bacteria are often transmitted from mother to child.  Because of this Xylitol has been encouraged in the use of expectant and young mothers to decrease their caries-producing bacteria.

Too much of a good thing can also have an impact.  The recommended intake of Xylitol is approximately 6-10 grams per day.  Too much can result in gastrointestinal upset.  A common source of Xylitol is chewing gum.   Patients with tempormandibular dysfunction may also not benefit from the parafunctional activity of chewing gum.   Interestingly, although safe for human consumption, Xylitol is not tolerated by dogs and can be lethal.

For more information about the benefits of Xylitol and whether you would benefit from introducing it into your diet, ask your dentist or hygienist.  Dr. Scott Finlay is a restorative, family dentist in the Annapolis area.  His practice focuses on the comprehensive and advanced esthetic rehabilitation of his patients.  www.annapolissmiles.com