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Richard N. Benjamin, D.D.S.
Christy M. Benjamin, D.M.D.

907 Lincoln Ave. Prospect Park, PA 19076(610) 583-5052
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Posts for tag: dental injury

J-Lo's Unlucky Break: Chipping a Tooth on Stage

By Richard N. Benjamin, D.D.S., P.C.
December 10, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   dental injury  
J-LosUnluckyBreakChippingaToothonStage

Whether she’s singing, dancing or acting, Jennifer Lopez is a performer who is known for giving it all she’s got. But during one show, Lopez recently admitted, she gave a bit more then she had planned.

“I chipped my tooth on stage,” she told interviewers from Entertainment Tonight, “and had to finish the show….I went back thinking ‘Can I finish the show like this?’”

With that unlucky break, J-Lo joins a growing list of superstar singers—including Taylor Swift and Michael Buble—who have something in common: All have chipped their teeth on microphones while giving a performance.

But it’s not just celebs who have accidental dental trouble. Chips are among the most common dental injuries—and the front teeth, due to their position, are particularly susceptible. Unfortunately, they are also the most visible. But there are also a number of good ways to repair chipped, cracked or broken teeth short of replacing them.

For minor to moderate chips, cosmetic bonding might be recommended. In this method, special high-tech resins, in shades that match your natural teeth, are applied to the tooth’s surface. Layers of resin, cured with a special light, will often restore the tooth to good appearance. Best of all, the whole process can often be done in just one visit to the dental office, and the results can last for several years.

For a more permanent repair—or if the damage is more extensive—dental veneers may be another option. Veneers are wafer-thin shells that cover the entire front surface of one or more teeth. Strong, durable and natural-looking, they can be used to repair moderate chips, cracks or irregularities. They can also help you get a “red-carpet” smile: brilliant white teeth with perfectly even spacing. That’s why veneers are so popular among Hollywood celebs—even those who haven’t chipped their teeth!

Fortunately, even if the tooth is extensively damaged, it’s usually possible to restore it with a crown (cap), a bridge—or a dental implant, today’s gold standard for whole-tooth replacement. But in many cases, a less complex type of restoration will do the trick.

Which tooth restoration method did J-Lo choose? She didn’t say—but luckily for her adoring fans, after the microphone mishap she went right back up on stage and finished the show.

If you have a chipped tooth but you need to make the show go on, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Artistic Repair of Chipped Teeth With Composite Resin” and “Porcelain Veneers.”

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2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth

By Richard N. Benjamin, D.D.S., P.C.
August 12, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   dental injury   chipped tooth  
26MillionFansLikeJustinBiebersChippedTooth

Is a chipped tooth big news? It is if you’re Justin Bieber. When the pop singer recently posted a picture from the dental office to his instagram account, it got over 2.6 million “likes.” The snapshot shows him reclining in the chair, making peace signs with his hands as he opens wide; meanwhile, his dentist is busy working on his smile. The caption reads: “I chipped my tooth.”

Bieber may have a few more social media followers than the average person, but his dental problem is not unique. Sports injuries, mishaps at home, playground accidents and auto collisions are among the more common causes of dental trauma.

Some dental problems need to be treated as soon as possible, while others can wait a few days. Do you know which is which? Here are some basic guidelines:

A tooth that’s knocked out needs attention right away. First, try and locate the missing tooth and gently clean it with water — but avoid holding the tooth’s roots. Next, grasp the crown of the tooth and place it back in the socket facing the correct way. If that isn’t possible, place it between the cheek and gum, in a plastic bag with the patient’s saliva or a special tooth preservative, or in a glass of cold milk. Then rush to the dental office or emergency room right away. For the best chance of saving the tooth, it should be treated within five minutes.

If a tooth is loosened or displaced (pushed sideways, deeper into or out of its socket), it’s best to seek dental treatment within 6 hours. A complete examination will be needed to find out exactly what’s wrong and how best to treat it. Loosened or displaced teeth may be splinted to give them stability while they heal. In some situations, a root canal may be necessary to save the tooth.

Broken or fractured (cracked) teeth should receive treatment within 12 hours. If the injury extends into the tooth’s inner pulp tissue, root canal treatment will be needed. Depending on the severity of the injury, the tooth may need a crown (cap) to restore its function and appearance. If pieces of the tooth have been recovered, bring them with you to the office.

Chipped teeth are among the most common dental injuries, and can generally be restored successfully. Minor chips or rough edges can be polished off with a dental instrument. Teeth with slightly larger chips can often be restored via cosmetic bonding with tooth-colored resins. When more of the tooth structure is missing, the best solution may be porcelain veneers or crowns. These procedures can generally be accomplished at a scheduled office visit. However, if the tooth is painful, sensitive to heat or cold or producing other symptoms, don’t wait for an appointment — seek help right away.

Justin Bieber earned lots of “likes” by sharing a picture from the dental office. But maybe the take-home from his post is this: If you have a dental injury, be sure to get treatment when it’s needed. The ability to restore a damaged smile is one of the best things about modern dentistry.

If you have questions about dental injury, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Repairing Chipped Teeth” and “Porcelain Crowns & Veneers.”

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Treating a Child's Tooth Injury May Require Special Consideration

By Richard N. Benjamin, D.D.S., P.C.
August 02, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: pediatric dentistry   dental injury  
TreatingaChildsToothInjuryMayRequireSpecialConsideration

Often as children grow older, their participation in sports or similar activities increases. While generally encouraged, this greater activity does increase injury risk, especially to the mouth.

In fact, the late childhood to early adulthood demographic is the most prone portion of the population to incur dental injuries. To complicate matters, their dental development is often incomplete, posing a number of treatment obstacles for an injured tooth.

For example, the primary means for preserving an injured adult tooth is a root canal treatment: damaged or diseased tissue within the pulp, the tooth’s innermost layer, is removed and the empty chamber and root canals filled and sealed to prevent infection. But while a fully matured tooth can function without the nerves and blood vessels of the pulp, a developing tooth needs these tissues for continued tooth formation. Otherwise, tooth development can stall and cause problems later on.

The most common solution for younger teeth is to remove any damaged tooth structure without disturbing the pulp if at all possible followed by a filling. That’s contingent, though, on whether we find the pulp unexposed or undamaged—if it is, we’ll try to remove only damaged or diseased pulp tissue and leave as much healthy tissue intact as possible. To aid with healing and tissue re-growth, we may also place medicinal stimulators between the pulp and the filling.

Jaw development may also pose a challenge if the injured tooth is too far gone and must be removed. Our best choice is to replace it with a dental implant; but if we install the implant while the jaw is still growing, it may eventually appear out of place with the rest of the teeth. It’s best to postpone an implant until full jaw maturity in early adulthood.

In the meantime we could provide a temporary solution like a removable partial denture or a modified bonded bridge that won’t permanently alter nearby teeth. These methods can adequately restore the function and appearance of missing teeth until the jaw is mature enough for an implant.

While injuries with young permanent teeth do pose extra challenges, we have effective ways to address them. With the right approach, the outcome can be just as successful as with a mature tooth.

If you would like more information on dental care in the formative years, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Saving New Permanent Teeth after Injury.”

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(Don't) Break It Like Beckham

By Richard N. Benjamin, D.D.S., P.C.
October 30, 2017
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   dental injury  
DontBreakItLikeBeckham

During his former career as a professional footballer (that's a soccer star to U.S. sports fans) David Beckham was known for his skill at “bending” a soccer ball. His ability to make the ball curve in mid-flight — to avoid a defender or score a goal — led scores of kids to try to “bend it like Beckham.” But just recently, while enjoying a vacation in Canada with his family, “Becks” tried snowboarding for the first time — and in the process, broke one of his front teeth.

Some fans worried that the missing tooth could be a “red card” for Beckham's current modeling career… but fortunately, he headed straight to the dental office as soon as he arrived back in England. Exactly what kind of treatment is needed for a broken tooth? It all depends where the break is and how badly the tooth is damaged.

For a minor crack or chip, cosmetic bonding may offer a quick and effective solution. In this procedure, a composite resin, in a color custom-made to match the tooth, is applied in liquid form and cured (hardened) with a special light. Several layers of bonding material can be applied to re-construct a larger area of missing tooth, and chips that have been saved can sometimes be reattached as well.

When more tooth structure is missing, dental veneers may be the preferred restorative option. Veneers are wafer-thin shells that are bonded to the front surface of the teeth. They can not only correct small chips or cracks, but can also improve the color, spacing, and shape of your teeth.

But if the damage exposes the soft inner pulp of the tooth, root canal treatment will be needed to save the tooth. In this procedure, the inflamed or infected pulp tissue is removed and the tooth sealed against re-infection; if a root canal is not done when needed, the tooth will have an increased risk for extraction in the future. Following a root canal, a tooth is often restored with a crown (cap), which can look good and function well for many years.

Sometimes, a tooth may be knocked completely out of its socket; or, a severely damaged tooth may need to be extracted (removed). In either situation, the best option for restoration is a dental implant. Here, a tiny screw-like device made of titanium metal is inserted into the jaw bone in a minor surgical procedure. Over time, it fuses with the living bone to form a solid anchorage. A lifelike crown is attached, which provides aesthetic appeal and full function for the replacement tooth.

So how's Beckham holding up? According to sources, “David is a trooper and didn't make a fuss. He took it all in his stride." Maybe next time he hits the slopes, he'll heed the advice of dental experts and wear a custom-made mouthguard…

If you have questions about restoring damaged teeth, please contact our office to schedule a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Trauma and Nerve Damage to Teeth” and “Children's Dental Concerns and Injuries.”

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  • 2019
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        • Dakota Johnson and Her Missing Tooth Gap Sparks Online Debate
      • November (3)
        • Eating the Right Carbs Helps Keep Your Gums Healthy
        • Fluoridated Drinking Water Helps Curb Tooth Decay Safely
        • Orthodontics: More Than Straightening a Crooked Smile
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        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • 3 Reasons to See a Pediatric Dentist
        • Don't Panic Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding but Do Keep an Eye on It
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        • Despite Some Online Sources, Root Canals Don't Cause Disease
        • Crazy Little Thing Called... Hyperdontia?
        • Your Dentist Might Hold the Key to Solving Your Sleep Apnea Problem
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        • Sedation can Make Dental Treatment Easier for High Anxiety Patients
        • 4 Serious Health Conditions That Gum Disease Might Make Worse
        • Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
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        • To Extract or not Extract? The Big Decision About Your Child's Wisdom Teeth
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        • This Rare Tongue Condition Often Looks Worse than it Actually is
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        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
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        • Keep an Eye on Your Family's Fluoride Intake
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
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        • Stress and Nighttime Teeth Grinding
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        • Antibiotic Resistance Requires Action - and a Change of Attitude
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Harms Your Health
        • Catch Root Resorption Early for Best Chances of Saving Your Tooth
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        • Viggo Mortensen's Red-Carpet Smile
        • 4 Tips to Prevent Childhood Tooth Decay
        • Not Jazzed About Wearing Braces? Consider Clear Aligners Instead
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        • Topical Fluoride is a Safe Way to Protect Your Child's Teeth from Decay
        • Why Alfonso Ribeiro Is Grateful for Root Canal Treatment
        • Lingual Braces Offer a Less Visible Alternative to Traditional Braces
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
        • Practice Daily Oral Hygiene to Prevent Calcified Plaque Formation
        • J-Lo's Unlucky Break: Chipping a Tooth on Stage
      • November (3)
        • You may need a Periodontist to Fully Treat Your Gum Disease
        • Advanced Equipment and Safe Practices Ensure X-Ray Safety for Children
        • Removing Teeth Could Improve an Orthodontic Outcome
      • October (4)
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • Eat the Right Kind of Carbs to Protect Yourself from Gum Disease
        • 4 Signs Your Child May Have a Poor Bite
        • Root Canal Treatment Alleviates Pain and Saves Your Tooth
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        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
        • How to Treat the Problem of Teeth that Never Developed
        • A Retainer Helps You Keep Your New Smile After Braces
      • August (3)
        • Have Your Loose Tooth Examined as Soon as Possible
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
        • Treating a Child's Tooth Injury May Require Special Consideration
      • July (3)
        • Anchorage Devices Provide More Accuracy, Less Treatment Time for Braces
        • We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
      • June (3)
        • Be Sure to have These 3 Essentials Covered Beforehand for Veneer Success
        • Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
        • Stop Wearing Your Dentures While You Sleep!
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        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
        • Keep Watch for Bite Problems with your Child's Teeth
        • What You Should Know About Veneers for Teenagers
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        • Bone Loss at the Roots can Put Your Tooth in Danger of Loss
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
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        • 3 Things Your Dentist Recommends You do if You Have Shingles
        • Why the Bottled Variety Might not be Your Best Choice for Clean Drinking Water
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        • Regular Screenings Could Help With Early Oral Cancer Detection
        • Teething Troubles Make Tennis Superstar Not-So-Serena
      • January (3)
        • Early Action Needed to Save Your Tooth from Root Resorption
        • Partial Dentures: an Affordable Alternative to More Expensive Restorations
        • Why You Should Still Floss with an Implant-Supported Bridge
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • Support Your Child's Dental Development with Preventive Care
      • November (2)
        • How to Lessen the Effects of Chronic Dry Mouth
        • Weather the 'Storm' of Teething with These Comfort Tips
      • October (3)
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
        • Is Laser Treatment a Good Option for Controlling Gum Disease?
        • Why Dental Care is Even More Important When You're Pregnant
      • September (2)
        • The Secret to Preventing Gum Disease - Control Bacterial Plaque
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
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        • Teeth Grinding in Older Children and Adolescents a Cause for Concern
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
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        • The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • Include Limitations on Sugar in Your Tooth Decay Prevention Strategy
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        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
        • Dealing with the Reality of Increased Disease Risk with Braces
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        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • A Bonded Retainer Could be a Preferred Choice over a Removable One
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        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
        • Take Steps to Save an Incoming Tooth's Place to Avoid a Poor Bite
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        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Conscious Sedation can Help Ease Your Child's Dental Visit Anxiety
      • February (2)
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • Try Conservative Measures to Treating TMD Before More Aggressive Options
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        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • 'Tooth in One Day' Procedures Require Special Attention for Success
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
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      • December (1)
        • 3 Questions You Should Ask Before Undergoing Adult Orthodontics
      • November (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • 4 Reasons you may want Your Dentist to Whiten Your Teeth
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        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Don't let Gum Disease - the 'Other Dental Disease' - Rob you of Your Smile
      • September (3)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
        • A Royal Fix
      • August (2)
        • Local Anesthesia Eliminates Pain Completely During Dental Work
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • July (2)
        • Clear Aligners Reduce Risk for Developing Gum Disease Better than Braces
        • A Toothless Tiger?
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        • Be Sure Your Child has Access to Dental-Friendly Snacks at School
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
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        • A Retainer Helps you Keep Your New Smile after the Braces Come Off
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
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        • Moving Just a Few Teeth can have Big Results
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
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        • Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • Good Oral Hygiene Just as Important for Implants as for Natural Teeth
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        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
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        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
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        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • Implant-based Overdentures may be a Better Long-Term Fit Option
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
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        • 3 Ways to Reduce the Bacteria in Your Mouth that Cause Tooth Decay
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
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Dr. Richard Benjamin and Dr. Christy Benjamin

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907 Lincoln Ave.
Prospect Park, PA 19076
(610) 583-5052

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