DR Martin Spiller

Information may not be reliable

This is a companion page for the discussion of TMD. It details the relationship between the way the teeth meet and the way the joint is configured. It is geared for dental students, hygienists and dental assistants and helps to clarify an otherwise bewildering subject. Read about my patient, Popeye.

Start here! Nice Teeth--Why do some people have such nice teeth? Read about the five factors that determine whether or not you will have trouble with your teeth! Click on the icon to the right to see a diagram of how teeth are built.

How dentists set their fees, and how dental insurance works. What if you don't have dental insurance? Don't write to me and ask what I charge! Read this instead to really understand how dentists set fees and how dental insurance works!

Our office and office policies
Please read this page if you want to become a patient or make an appointment at my office.

Get Continuing Education Credits
CE Credits for several courses offered on this website are issued by an ADA CERP recognized provider. Dentists and allied dental professionals (assistants, hygienists, lab techs etc.) may apply for continuing education credits to fulfill their CE requirements for re-licensure by following the directions provided on this page.

Lumineers represent a new, revolutionary way to have the smile you always wanted without shots and with minimal changes to your natural teeth.
In most cases, a simple impression is taken and sent to the laboratory. Within two weeks, the new veneers are cemented to your existing teeth to create a new smile with straight, white teeth. No matter how seriously deformed or discolored your own teeth were beforehand, you can have the perfect smile.

Should I have all my teeth pulled out and get dentures?? (Read this if you still have any solid teeth!--Top icon)

What you need to know about false teeth (This page is essential reading for both denture wearers and those with natural teeth.) (Middle icon on left)

Different types of dentures (There's more than one way to slick your gums!

Denture relines and rebases (They need a reline every two years)

MDI Mini Implants (If you can't wear your lower denture, click the lower icon on the left. How Mini Implants can change the life of a denture wearer.)

Does your upper denture make you gag? Now there's something you can do about it.

Why can't Granny wear her lower denture? Bone resorption of the lower jaw

Bone resorption and bone grafting A look at the image to the left might stimulate an interest in keeping your natural teeth Bone grafting and socket preservation A way you can keep your skull from looking like this.

Implants--The future of dentistry
What are implants? How are they done? Why would you want them?
How much do they cost?

"Why do I have soft teeth?"
Tooth Decay (Dental caries); it's causes and how it is repaired.
Do drugs such as Ecstasy and narcotics cause decay? What about the effects of other drugs such as tetracycline, Dilantin, hormone therapy, and blood pressure medication on the teeth and gums? Does Xylitol prevent tooth decay?

What causes teeth to wear down?
Attrition, Erosion, Abrasion, and Abfraction There are five habits which can cause teeth to wear. Eight pages, geared for dental professionals. Find out how to recognize the signs of each habit. This is an important part of dentistry and can really help you to help your patients.

What is the least expensive way to repair a broken or decayed tooth (types of fillings)? This page also discusses the tooth pain you may experience after a filling is done.

Dry Mouth Syndrome (Xerostomia)
Chronically dry mouth causes tremendous suffering for millions of people. Click on this icon to find out what causes it and what you can do about it.

What it is, how it's treated, and what you can do about it. You will be surprised at how many types there are

What is bonding? Click the image to the left to see an introduction to direct and indirect bonding and an explanation of veneers.
Lumineers are the newest addition to the concept of dental bonding. Now you can have the smile you always wanted without shots.

How is Gum Disease treated?
Click this icon for a full discussion as well as for information on many of the prescription products you may have read about in health magazines.

Five minutes once a day. (How to clean your teeth properly)

Oral image section (in white)
Normal Oral anatomy with sections on the tongue, throat, tonsils and Burning Mouth Syndrome

Oral Cancer--the different kinds, what it looks like, and who is likely to get it.

Lumps, bumps growths and discolorations If it's not normal, oral cancer or commonly associated with disease states, maybe you'll see a picture of it here.

AIDS: A frank discussion of the what it is, its epidemiology (who is likely to get it and how it spreads), its diagnosis and its oral manifestations. Here you will see images of oral disease processes that are associated with AIDS.

Detailed tooth anatomy
Two pages which show the detailed anatomy of a tooth and its supporting structures. Written and illustrated for students studying to become dental professionals.
People who want a good, simple overview of dental anatomy should click on the icon to the right instead.

CHILDREN'S DENTISTRY--Every question you want to ask about children's teeth including when they are supposed to erupt, why baby teeth should be repaired (when they are only going to fall out anyway), and why the dentist wants to do that procedure to your child.

What to do if you or your child accidentally knocks a tooth out of the mouth---Also, detailed procedures for dentists

A course in dental ceramics
This is a five page course in dental ceramics written so anyone can understand it. It covers all aspects of ceramics, from its beginnings in the potter's studio, progresses through the invention of the porcelain jacket crown and finishes with advanced ceramic cores. CE Credits for this course are issued by an ADA CERP recognized provider. See course for details.

A Course in Dental composites and cements
This is a technical course in how dental cements and composites are formulated. Written so that anyone can understand it, this is essential reading for general dentists who are mystified by the jungle of different composites competing for your attention. CE Credits for this course are issued by an ADA CERP recognized provider. See course for details.

A course in Dental Alloys
A five page course written so anyone can understand it. It deals with the microscopic structure and content of dental alloys. You will learn why gold is soft, alloys are hard and wrought wire is springy.
CE Credits for this course are issued by an ADA CERP recognized provider. See course for details.

Mercury in dental amalgams--Are your fillings killing you?

What are crowns and why do people need them? Click the image to the left for a discussion of preparation and fabrication of custom crowns, as well as the types and uses for prefabricated crowns. Discussion of metal allergy in dentistry.

bridges: What if you want to replace one or two teeth, but don't want a removable appliance and can't afford implants?

Click on the images to the left to see how teeth can be "straightened" using a mix of judicious extractions, crowns, bridges and implants rather than an extended period in braces (orthodontics).

Includes a discussion of neural anatomy and Referred pain Trigeminal Neuralgia, Tic douloureux and Neuritis and Neuralgia

What is a Root Canal,and why would anyone want one? Click the image to the left to find out. (5 pages of information)
Can bad teeth cause arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, autoimmune problems or other systemic diseases?

What is a post and core? Click the image on the left to find out.

Extractions---Click on this icon to see how the dentist decides when to pull a tooth as opposed to saving it? All about wisdom teeth and Complications including dry socket, osteonecrosis and BRONJ

ORTHODONTICS (Braces) Straightening crooked teeth. Click on the icon to the left.

What is the least expensive way to replace missing teeth? Click on this icon to find out about removable partial dentures.

Dental X-RAYS. The different types and why we need them. How dangerous is the radiation? Click on this icon to understand dental x-rays.

A course in dental radiology
Designed for radiology technicians, dentists, hygienists and assistants, this course tells the secrets of getting less distortion in your images as well as all other aspects of x-ray technology. Here you will learn how CAT scans and Cone Beams create their images. CE Credits for this course are issued by an ADA CERP recognized provider. See course for details.

Dental headaches (section in yellow)
What is TMJ and TMD? (Dental headaches, jaw pain, neck stiffness & sensitive teeth).

The butterfly deprogrammer. This link is meant for dentists who want to learn a simple, inexpensive technique for treating TMD

Snore Guards and the principles of treatment of snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Click on this icon to learn about why you may be sleeping so poorly.

A seven page course on Local Anesthetics. All about the history, chemistry, toxicity and longevity of the various common local anesthetics used in dentistry and medicine. Also complications arising from getting the shot.
Can local anesthetics cause false positive drug tests?
Click this link to see a list of all drugs that can cause false positive drug tests
Find out why you can't seem to get numb at the dentist's office

Fluoride Is it safe? How does it work? What does it do? Click on this icon to find out.

Cracked teeth: When it hurts to bite, but there's no cavity or abscess.

Dentists You are always welcome to email me using the email button above. I have written a separate page for you here.

Please make your questions short and precise. Avoid rambling, multiple questionnaires.

Remember that I cannot diagnose something I cannot see. I probably won't be able to tell you what that sore in your mouth is. See a dentist.
referrals to a dentist near you This is a new page, and will grow as more dentists come on board.
Please do not inquire about fees. (See this page instead.).
I DO appreciate your help in correcting typos and broken links.

No dental insurance? What is dental insurance and how does it work?
Are your fillings

Are dentures better than real teeth? Should you have all your teeth pulled and get false teeth?
Bad breath? What is causing your bad breath, and how can you treat it?
Cure your dry mouth for

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DISCLAIMER: Statements made on this web site are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be substituted for the advice of a medical professional. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the American Dental Association or any federal regulation agency and are not intended to diagnose, or treat any disease or medical condition. This is a personal website written by an individual dental professional whose intention is to enlighten the public with generally accepted, mainstream medical/dental information. I do not claim to represent the opinions of all dental or medical professionals. No website is a substitute for a visit to a living, breathing dentist or physician who can deal with you personally.