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.

Meet Dr. Spiller (an autobiography) 

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

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.

Dentures

• 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  (They need a reline every two years)

• Cleaning your dentures  (Avoid denture breath)

• 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.)
   

 "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?

Meth Mouth
What is Meth mouth?   What actually causes it?
Can it be treated?

What causes teeth to wear down?
There are five habits which can cause teeth to wear.  This is an 8 page course, geared for dental professionals, which discusses these five habits and how to recognize the signs of each one.   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.

Bad breath   

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.

BLEACHING - Does it really work?

Gum Disease (Periodontal disease)
Why do my gums bleed, and my teeth feel loose? 

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.

Abnormalities in the oral cavity due to disease processes

Graphic images 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.

Avulsed teeth

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

Dental Materials section (in white)

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

Dental composites and cements:

  Click here to learn what those white fillings are made of.  You'll be surprised to discover just how many different kinds there are. Explains the technical aspects of dental bonding!  

A course in Dental Alloys 

A five page course (you may read it for free) that 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.

A course in dental ceramics

This is a five page course in dental ceramics (you may read it for free) that 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.

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?

Instant Orthodontics

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).

Understanding pain 

 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.

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.

What is the most expensive way to replace missing teeth? Click on this image to learn about implants.

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.

Dental headaches (section in yellow)

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

Occlusion

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. 

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?  

Dentists click here to learn about the Gow-Gates block

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

Click here to read my Dear "Doctor Dumb Ass" letter from an anti-fluorodationist along with my reply

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