Macomb County Dentist Explains the Benefits of a Porcelain Crown

Hi this is Dr. Antolak from at Shelby Township Michigan. 586-247-3500 is our phone number. I have this skull here because I’m showing what natural teeth look like, actually on dead person. I want to compare that and contrast it to what an all porcelain crown would look like to protect your teeth. And to redo the teeth. So what I want to first of all look at is natural teeth and what makes up a natural tooth. Just a little bit of details about that.

Natural teeth are made out of enamel. The outside layer is enamel, okay? And then the inside layer is called dentin. Dentin is a yellow color. And dentin actually gives you the ability to have pain. Dentin does not contain the nerve inside of it. But what happens is that small little tubules of almost like straws. Very, very microscopic straws inside of the dentin. And when you get cold, and you get cold, moderate sensitive or sometimes a toothache, things like that and it will if air is blowing across your teeth and it’s sensitive, these little tubules are full of water. They have water in them, a liquid and so what happens is, as this liquid moves back and forth within these tubules, it can promote pain within the pulp of the tooth. And, therefore, you can feel a sensation for pain. Okay?

Now, also with natural teeth, the reason why they look like they do is, they allow light to shine through the whole thing. As you can see on these. And you all know, that there’s no metal in natural teeth. Natural teeth, the enamel and the dentin, allows light to be transmitted through the tooth. So what we try to do is when we do our cosmetic dentistry. For example, if we try to use an all porcelain crown like this, we can see that it’s all white. Not only is it white, but it will actually transmit light through the crown itself, or through the veneer. So that it gives it a natural coloration and a natural appearance. In relationship to its, maybe a neighboring tooth that’s a natural tooth. So that it will actually allow that to be transmitted into appear very normal and natural. Sometimes, you’ll notice that if people have a dark line when they smile, on their tooth. Or their tooth looks really, really white and kinda dead. That’s because it actually has metal that covers over the tooth preperation, and when there’s metal, it does not allow for light to naturally become transmitted through it. But when light comes in it hits off the tooth and comes right back at your eye and that process of doing that can make it look natural and make it look opaque color because what the laboratories have to do when it’s metal underneath there, they have to put a very thin layer of white.Very opaque of white so that it makes it look natural. But the problem is when it tries to reflect light, it loses some of that natural appearances and it looks kind of dead. It looks too white.

Macomb County Dentist Explains the Benefits of a Porcelain Crown

So if you have a front tooth or something like that that is an issue and you want it to look natural. You’re kind of embarrassed about having to smile hide because you can see that black line above there. Then give us a call at 586-247-3500 and we’ll take care of your smile.

Thank you.

Macomb County Dentist Explains the Benefits of a Porcelain Crown

The Gentle Dentist Logo

Porcelain Veneers to Restore People’s Teeth – Shelby Township Dentist Explains

Hi, my name’s Dr. Antolak at in Shelby Township, Michigan. Our phone number’s 586-247-3500. One of the most unique and awesome things in dentistry within the last 10 years is the advent of porcelain. Being able to use all porcelain to restore people’s teeth and we’ve been able to do porcelain veneers for a while over the last probably 20 years or so. But we never had the strength inherent within the material itself to handle the back teeth what I want to do today is to show you a little difference between a porcelain fused to metal crown is versus an all porcelain crown. First of all this is a bridge that we took off of a patient who awhile back, it’s been sterilized. What I do is, I want to use this as an example to show you there’s metal here that’s based on it and then actually underneath. So there’s porcelain that’s baked over the top of the metal, so this is all one piece here and I’m just going to turn it over and show you, this is all metal here. And that’s how we use to get the strength of that. But, the disadvantage is that when light tries to shine through it. For example, I’m going to use this light here. I’m going to try to shoot light through that. You can see that there is no light that penetrates, obviously, through the metal. The effect of that is that when, in a front tooth especially, you will get a dark line, usually at the gum line around the tooth that has a porcelain fused to metal crown. And the reason why that is, is light is actually not allowed to be transmitted, through the tooth itself. And the light, the darkness of the crown, actually blocks any light from going into the root of the tooth. Now another example of something that we do nowadays is, it’s call an all porcelain crown. And we can see this one here is actually been made of its all porcelain. You can see its all white on the inside and on the outside. And this is just as strong as the porcelain to metal. And what I’m going to do is show you that with light.

You can see that same light that you can see it through it you can see how light transmits sort of through there. What that does it gives you the ability for light to be transmitted through the root, through the tooth and so it makes it look very natural eliminating that dark line that you’ll see on the gums here and also giving it much more of a natural appearance. With the porcelain infused to metal crowns it requires a layer there’s the, that silver metal that’s on there that requires a very thin level of an opaque. Now opaque will actually make that crown, it blocks out the grayness of that and makes it white. But it makes it dead white; it doesn’t allow the natural translucency to show through. And then there’s a portion, part of the portion that you saw on that bridge where the porcelain is baked over on top of it. It has the color, but it doesn’t have the lifelike appearance that an all-porcelain crown would have. So now, in my practice, I very, very rarely use metal under crowns for that exact reason. Also, metal that’s in some of these bridges.  This contains nickel. Nickel is an allergen and unfortunately that can create allergies under gums and create redness around the gum line from this context allergy that develops from its crowns and unfortunately when you smell it in place your body is constantly exposed to that. Another disadvantage that metal has under crown is that different metals in the mouth will actually make an almost like a battery. For example, dental amalgam contains about 50% mercury and a number of other different metals. Well  those are the silver fillings you see in the mouth, well that is a different metal than let’s say is on that bridge that I just showed you. Those metals interact with each other, creating a bad rating, actually creating a micro current in the mouth.

The saliva acts as it can’t do it. It conducts electricity back and forth and its actually you has a charge in your mouth, its low level but some nutritionists and those believe that there can be an issue that you don’t have balance within the electrolytes within your mouth and within your body. So that can affect it. So to eliminate possibilities like that we use out postmen in a number it looks better.  It’s just as strong and also it’s I believe, healthier that we can place things like that in the mouth. So, if this is something that you’re interested in, for example, if, if you have a smile and you don’t like the, the gums around it where it looks dark or if the crown looks really opaque and just looks fake, there’s a solution for you.

Porcelain Veneers to Restore People’s Teeth – Shelby Township Dentist Explains

If you are interested in porcelain veneers to restore your teeth, give us a call at 586-247-3500, or visit our website at Thank you, and have a blessed day.

Porcelain Veneers to Restore People’s Teeth – Shelby Township Dentist Explains

Hi. My name is Dr. Robert Antolak, the owner of here located out in Shelby Township, Michigan. Phone number’s 586-247-3500. I have a question for you.  Do know what people notice first on you, when you first meet them, or when you first see them, or when they first see you. You think it’s your hair? You think it’s your clothes? No, it’s your smile!  People always notice your smile and they notice your teeth too. If you want to make a good first impression for you to work or if your single and looking for that special person or you just want to feel good about yourself then cosmetic dentistry is the thing for you. You know a smile is so important that we know, I know people who come in here, who have  an embarrassing smile and it effects personality.  They do this, they hide their smile. They do this when they try to smile. But, no matter what, they’re gonna always protect that smile from being  shown. In fact, they’ll be out of pictures for the people who are taking the pictures, and not the one in the photos.

So, what do we do about that? Well if you’re tired of not being able to smile we have lots of different options at our office. We do veneers- porcelain veneers, which are thin shells of porcelain that go over the teeth to give you a whole new smile. You can lengthen the teeth, brighten them, straighten them, in just as simple as two short visits.

Also, we do invisible braces which will slowly move the teeth together in a proper way using clear aligners. In doing that people don’t really notice that you have braces on, but yet your teeth are getting straightened out slowly. In fact I’m wearing one right now in my mouth.

We also do porcelain crowns. Porcelain crowns are like veneers, except they go around the whole tooth. And the beauty now is we have some materials now that are very very strong and they look beautiful. So they have the strength, they have the longevity, and when we bind it in place, they are like normal actual teeth. I have veneers, 2 veneers on my 2 front teeth on top that I had done many years ago. It’s amazing because they are just like my own teeth. I could never tell the difference.

Also, bleaching or whitening is probably one of the most common and popular types of procedures done that will whiten your teeth. We can do that in a quick way. Which is just by doing either Zoom, or we actually do the KOR Whitening System also, which is a very effective for giving an outstanding color. Even if you have dark tetracycline stained teeth, dark teeth.  It really brightens them up.  We also have those that you can take home with you. Wear whitening trays during the nighttime or even during the daytime. When you’re  driving from, back and forth from work to home and and that’ll whiten your teeth.

We have many different options here at our office. I like to  use digital photography  to capture your picture before and after. All different photos, I actually take 13 different pictures and shots. That way, we really involve our patients, so that they can see what I see. And then we can become interacted, and we can become part of a team to help you get the smile that you’ve always wanted to.

So, stop frowning… Stop not showing your smile. But come and feel comfortable and relax at the Thank you. Have a blessed day.


About The Author






About The Author



The following is an example what laminate veneers are used for:





  • Teeth are white not stained




  • Porcelain Veneers
  • Porcelain Crowns
  • Orthodontics
  • Bleaching

Can be used to achieve the smile of your dreams.



  • The teeth are white, not yellow or discolored
  • There are no spaces between the teeth.
  • The teeth are straight


  • take a complete set of digital x-rays including panorex
  • take a series of Digital Photographs including a few portrait pictures



  • Teeth whitening
  • bonding
  • Cosmetic Veneers
  • braces
  • Gum recontouring to eliminate a gummy smile





  • Stained
  • chipped
  • crooked
  • missing








Crooked teeth present a number of problems:







  • tooth bleaching
  • whitening
  • cosmetic bonding
  • porcelain veneers we can perfect your smile with cosmetic dentistry


IF you are embarrassed with:

  • missing teeth that have been removed in the past
  • stained fillings that show up when you smile
  • dental decay which looks like holes in the mouth







Ask the Gentle Dentist-Bulimia and its affect on oral and systemic health

And Burning mouth syndrome

Bulimia or Bulimia nervosa is a psychological eating disorder that usually affects women starting in the teen years and continuing into adulthood.  Bulimia is a condition where a person overeats with large quantities of food. They usually feel that they cannot stop eating or control what and how much they eat.  To compensate for their overeating and potential weight gain they will then purge by self induced vomiting.  Over exercising and the use of laxatives is also common to avoid weight gain.  These women usually have an inaccurate view of their bodies and are influenced by the gaunt look that is popular in fashion and culture.

This disorder can exist in a constant cycle from a few times per week to even daily. Common problems that bulimics face is gastric reflux (heart burn), esophagus inflammation, dehydration, constipation and oral trauma from sticking a finger down the throat.

The upper front teeth are severely worn down due to the fact that strong acid from the stomach passes across the teeth surface, eroding the enamel from the teeth.  The wear is caused mostly by tooth brushing after one of these episodes as it microscopically breaks down the fragile matrix in the enamel.  Teeth can appear very thin, uneven and tattered on the edges.  They may even appear dark on the edges where light shines through them.

Treatment for bulimia consists of psychological therapy to help these people get over the habit and to create a better self image of themselves.

If they are in therapy we as dentists want to also stop the effect it has on the teeth.  I have made thin plastic trays like bleaching trays that go over the teeth.  The patient fills them with fluoridate to remineralize the teeth.  Porcelain dental veneers also help to rebuild the areas that have the erosion of enamel.

Bulimics are very quiet and discrete in what they do, but if you notice that the one you love seems to overeat and then dismiss themselves from the meal you might be direct and lovingly confront them.  Tell them that you noticed a change in their behavior and that you have concerns about their health.  The affected individual needs to know they are loved and matter.

A well informed and observant dentist can see the effects from constant purging when examining the teeth.  If you are making an appointment for the teenager you suspect to may be wise to discretely give the dentist a heads up to take notice if there are any changes in the appearance of the upper front teeth.  Many times the message is received more openly if it comes from a dentist or dental hygienist rather than from a family member. I have diagnosed a few young women who had this disorder and the way we handled it was critically important to letting the patient know the damage they are doing to their bodies and teeth and that they matter.  It really takes a lot of time to effectively talk to a practicing bulimic and not have them get defensive, yet get the message across.

If you suspect that your wife or daughter is practicing this, you can give me a call to discuss the situation.  We can be the objective observer and direct their treatment accordingly.  We have a psychologist we work with to help treat the bulimia.  Our phone number is 586-247-3500 or you can email me privately at

Question: I have had a burning tongue for the last 6 months or so and don’t know what to do about it.  I am a 60 year old female and wonder what it caused from.  Could you please provide some information for me to treat this irritating and painful situation

Answer: If you have a perfectly normal looking tongue, but as the day wears on, the burning sometimes seems to progress. You may even experience some tastes that have no apparent cause. If you are having these mysterious and irritating sensations, you may be suffering from burning tongue syndrome, also known as burning mouth.

Causes and Possible Solutions

Although burning tongue is not a common condition, sufferers are generally older women. Only about four or five percent of American adults suffer from it. It’s not known exactly what causes the condition, although there are many factors. In some cases, more than one cause may be at work.

Sometimes the cause is as simple as irritation from various sources. One culprit may be your toothpaste or mouth rinse. To test this, switch toothpastes to a plain fluoride toothpaste, without any tartar-control or tooth-whitening ingredients. Also, stop using any mouth rinses except plain water or salt water. If you wear dentures or other oral appliances, they may be irritating to mouth tissues and contributing to burning mouth. If you suspect this, let us know right away so we can check them out and adjust them as necessary. Another source of irritation is acidic drinks, like soda pop, citrus, and tomato beverages. Try eliminating them from your diet, and see if your symptoms improve.

Certain hormone-related conditions can also be causes. Fluctuating hormone levels during menopause can lead to burning mouth, and the high blood sugar levels that occur with diabetes can also be irritating to oral tissues. Managing these conditions can sometimes help relieve burning mouth symptoms.

Another thing to consider is medications that you may have begun taking at about the time your symptoms began. Some drugs can cause burning tongue as a side effect.  Blood pressure medications,  antidepressants and diuretics can cause dry mouth, which can lead to a burning sensation. Talking with your physician about changing medications may do the trick.

There is some speculation that burning mouth syndrome is caused by damage or irritation to the nerves that control taste and sensation on the tongue and mouth. Some medications for controlling the nervous system, such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or pain medications, can help. Your physician may be able to prescribe these for you after a thorough exam.

Some people have experienced relief by rinsing their mouths with water and capsaicin (sometimes called capsicum). Capsaicin is the ingredient that makes hot peppers hot, and it’s used in pain-relief creams meant for treating nerve and muscle pain. You can try mixing about one part hot sauce with two or three parts water, rinsing your mouth with the mixture, and then spitting it out. Start by doing this every two or three hours for the first day or two, then tapering off to once or twice a day. Rinsing with this mixture will probably cause a burning sensation, and it’s thought that this burning temporarily interferes with the body chemicals that transmit pain messages. If you try this, though, be very careful. Once you get out the hot sauce and start working with it, don’t touch your nose or eyes until you’ve spit the mixture out and washed your hands thoroughly. Also, some people are sensitive to capsaicin, so if the burning is severe, stop using it immediately.

There are some other coping methods that may bring relief. If you drink alcoholic products or smoke, try to stop because these both irritate and dry out oral tissues. Avoid cinnamon and mint products. Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies or ice chips might also help. Vitamin deficiencies can be a contributing factor, so try taking a multivitamin supplement if you’re not doing that already.

If you’re suffering from burning in your mouth, let us know. We’ll want to check your mouth for sores, irritations, or other conditions that might be causing the pain. In some cases, we may want to work with your physician in determining the best course of treatment for you.

Dr. Antolak can be reached at or call the office at (586)247-3500. If you have any questions that you would like answered you can do it also by writing at Ask The Dentist  15055 22 Mile #2, Shelby Twp. Michigan  48315 (Macomb County)

Call Now