Dr. Jim Erpenbach’s Blog
Learn about Dentures with an Informative Quiz
Written by Jim Erpenbach DDSYou are probably highly aware of the basics of dentures. Dentures offer a removable means of replacing missing teeth in a way that answers to aesthetics and function. Dentures are either full or partial, depending on your particular case of tooth loss. Once referred to as “false teeth, dentures have come a long way in design,…
Long in the tooth is meant to say that someone is on the older side. There is a dental spin on the history of this phrase. Natural gum recession as we age exposes more of your teeth. The less healthy your gums are, and the more they recede, and the longer in the tooth you will be. Avoiding severe gum disease is a key to keeping your teeth until…
How to Properly Maintain Porcelain Veneers
Written by Jim Erpenbach DDSPorcelain veneers offer many benefits to your teeth from an aesthetic perspective. The material used to fabricate customized veneers is not as porous as natural teeth. What does this mean to you? More stain resistance. Unfortunately, this does not mean porcelain veneers are impervious to stains. You still need to care for them just as you…
Clear and Straight Smiles Every Valentine’s Day with Invisalign
Written by Jim Erpenbach DDSOn holidays like Valentine’s Day, smiling is important. Actually, when is smiling not important? No matter what you do with your days, when you interact with others, smiling makes the difference between good and bad feelings. If you are uncomfortable with your smile because of crooked teeth, but don’t want to take on traditional…
What is the Difference between Direct and Indirect Tooth Restoration
Written by Jim Erpenbach DDSWhen you have a tooth which is broken, decayed, chipped, or cracked, dental treatment is available to bring your smile back to full function. Unhealthy teeth hinder your ability to speak and eat and may even lower your quality of life. Varying types of dental restorations recommended by your Knoxville, TN dentist, Dr. Jim Erpenbach, are contingent…
Do you Have Two Dental Cleanings on your Calendar this Year?
Written by Jim Erpenbach DDSMany Americans put dental care low on their list of priorities. Have you neglected the health of your teeth? Knoxville, TN dentist, Dr. Jim Erpenbach isn’t here to lecture you about putting off your dental checkups. However, he will encourage you to schedule that next appointment, no matter how overdue you are. We will greet you and treat…
Pros and Cons of Newest Tooth Replacement Technology
Written by Jim Erpenbach DDSIn last week’s blog, we spoke about the history of dentures. In more recent history, many traditional denture fans have switched teams by discovering the benefits of dental implant retained dentures. Dental implants improve the functionality of your mouth, maintain jawbone health, and provide long lasting tooth replacement results. Dental…
People have been attempting to replace missing teeth since all the way back in 700 B.C. At least that’s as far as historians have traced dentures so far. The earliest denture design came from the ancient ancestors of modern Italians (known as Etruscans). They made dentures out of actual teeth – both animal and human. Dentures began to…
Bridging Gaps When Teeth Are Missing with the Crown and Bridge Combo
Written by Jim Erpenbach DDSDental bridges are a way to replace one or more missing teeth with an arch that is custom-fit to your particular mouth. Two porcelain crowns are placed on the abutment teeth which are on either side of the space where teeth are missing. An artificial tooth is firmly attached in the center of the bridge. One advantage of dental bridges is that the…
Frequently Asked Questions about Biomimetic Dentistry Answered
Written by Jim Erpenbach DDSDr. Jim Erpenbach is an experienced Knoxville family dentist who has always believed in taking a conservative approach with the smiles of his patients. Extracting teeth without looking twice is not the way to deal with dental distress. While you may end up losing a tooth (or more) if you don’t take care of your smile, there are options to…