Are Tooth Gems Permanent Or Can They Be Removed?
Tooth gems are temporary and removable but often require professional help to prevent damage when taking out. With proper techniques and dental adhesives, tooth gems place securely but not permanently. Still difficulties exist in removing tooth gems without harm so consultation matters. This article delves into tooth gem permanency versus methods for safe removal to protect your smile.
Tooth Gem Adhesion Methods
While dazzling, tooth gems warrant caution before embellishing your smile. Learn first about application and removal considerations:
How Do Tooth Gems Adhere?
Cosmetic dentists use bonding methods to apply tooth gems:
- Dental Adhesive: Composite resin or polymer glue fixes gems to enamel surface. Cures from special light.
- Prefabricated Tabs: Micro-tabs bond underneath gems with adhesive for support.
Adhesive strength keeps gems in place temporarily but allows removal compared to dental crown cement, which permanently bonds caps/veneers. Still technique matters since enamel roughens slightly underneath.
Are Tooth Gems Considered Permanent Dental Appliances?
While peddled for long-term wear, tooth gems lack characteristics of permanent dental additions like crowns or bridges which require cement and replacement teeth:
- Removable: Tooth gems pry off whereas permanent appliances fuse securely to teeth. However, removal risks damage without precautions.
- Temporary: Gems eventually fall off from chewing, recession, other friction over months.
So tooth gems technically classify as semi-permanent or temporary accessories, positioned between dental etchings and implants. Gum recession still occurs over time if left continuously in place.
Tooth Gem Removal Techniques
Since tooth gems don’t permanently alter tooth structure, they prove removable using proper technique:
Safest Removal Methods
The dentist who applies tooth gems best removes them to avoid cracking enamel or gum damage from improper scraping. Other safe removal approaches include:
- Dental Picks: Carefully break the adhesive seal around gems’ perimeter then pry upwards without scraping teeth.
- Flossing Underside: Sometimes floss slices through bottom adhesive layers so gems pop off.
- Dental Drills: Use mini drills to gently grind down remaining adhesive pieces if picking fails.
- Lasers: New laser methods deactivate bonding agent for hassle-free removal.
If tooth gems loosen or fall out on their own, any adhesive left behind buffs away easily. The key remains avoiding scraping tools to pry off firmly bonded gems which risks enamel fractures or microscopic cracks inviting decay. Visit your dentist at the first sight of irritation or complications.
Tooth Gem Removal Challenges
While removable, tooth gems still pose risks if removed incorrectly or left too long:
Key Removal Difficulties
- Tight Adhesion: Bonded for security makes removal tricky for average people. Enamel damage or fracturing likelihood increases with heavy-handed efforts to pry off gems. -DIY Hazards: Attempting tooth gem removal without professional training risks cracks then infection sets in the crevices. The glue itself can also irritate gums if not removed thoroughly.
- Ingrown Gems: Long term wear means bonding material and gems fuse practically inside receding gums, requiring oral surgery to remove gems without ripping gum tissue.
Tooth gem removal challenges means most dentists today refuse gem installations knowing eventual complications. They also hesitate to remove DIY gems placed improperly at home since damage likely exists underneath before they see patients.
Professional Guidance on Tooth Gem Removal
Given tooth gem removal poses many perils to enamel and gums, the American Dental Association issued this guidance about tooth gem installation and removal:
Caution Notice: "Due to health risks associated with long-term wear, the ADA advises people to avoid tooth gems. However, those with tooth gems already applied should schedule removal consultations with their dentist to assess for presence of damage."
With risks acknowledged upfront, some dentists work responsibly with patients seeking tooth gems, advising on:
Tooth Gem Removal Best Practices
- Get a removal consultation shortly after application while bonding remains simpler
- Do NOT remove gems yourself or let them fall out naturally with bonding agent still stuck
- Pay for professional removal - precision tools protect enamel safety
- Buff any adhesive traces left behind smooth
- Await several months until gums heal before any reapplication
Essentially contact your applied your gems right away before adhesion gets extreme. Pay the fee for safe removal too since DIY attempts often precipitate harm. Be forthright about any complications but get gems off within weeks before full integration.
FAQs
Do tooth gems ruin your teeth?
Technically, no. But they do pose infection, fracture and cosmetic risks from shoddy installation or neglected removal eventually.
How long can tooth gems stay on safely?
About 1-3 weeks max before recession and buildup dangers accelerate. Have removal appointments scheduled when first applied.
Can my dentist tell if I have a tooth gem on?
Yes, dentists easily spot gems during exams and x-rays. Most refuse to install them though due to health precautions and liability.
Do tooth gems hurt when removed?
Removing tooth gems shouldn’t cause pain with proper technique. But gums heal for awhile afterwards. Expect sensitivity to cold if enamel fractured.
Can tooth gems be reused once removed?
No. Tooth gems cannot sanitized completely after wear. Reusing risks infection plus bonding performance reduces.
How do I know when tooth gems need removing?
See your dentist immediately if gems become loose, damaged or you notice gum irritation, smell or swelling. Leave removal to professionals.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, tooth gems fail to provide safely permanent smile embellishments give removal challenges. Still minimally intrusive short-term application stays possible with careful installation and removal protocols. Consult a conscientious dentist on next steps but focus oral health first. Sparkly book covers still need sturdy binding underneath!
