expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Christopher Baer

Dentist | General Practice

Dr. Christopher Baer is a Dentist practicing in Aurora, Colorado. Dr. Baer specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
Dr. Christopher Baer
  • Lone Tree, Colorado
  • Oregon Health Sciences University
  • Accepting new patients

Can dental bonding fall off?

Yes. It can fall off if done poorly or if there are heavy bite forces contacting the bonding. In cases of trauma or chewing things like pens, fingernails, or ice, the bonding can READ MORE
Yes. It can fall off if done poorly or if there are heavy bite forces contacting the bonding. In cases of trauma or chewing things like pens, fingernails, or ice, the bonding can chip or fall off as well.

Are cavities contagious?

Yes they are caused by a bacteria called Strep Mutans and this can be transmitted like other bacteria. The most common was is via exchange of saliva from one individual to another. READ MORE
Yes they are caused by a bacteria called Strep Mutans and this can be transmitted like other bacteria. The most common was is via exchange of saliva from one individual to another.

What is the strongest crown for teeth?

It really depends on what is wrong with your tooth. The more of your original tooth that remains the more support it can give to the material that is replacing the lost tooth. READ MORE
It really depends on what is wrong with your tooth. The more of your original tooth that remains the more support it can give to the material that is replacing the lost tooth. A veneer can increase the strength of the tooth if prepared correctly. Newer glass ceramics can have a similar impact depending on the remaining tooth it is bonded (glued) to.

Is brushing your teeth 3 times a day bad?

In general no. As long as you use a soft or extra soft toothbrush or an electric toothbrush without a lot of pressure or scrubbing.

The insides of my teeth are turning black. Why?

It is best to see a dental professional to have this evaluated to determine what is causing this and if there is need for concern.

Why are some fillings replaced?

Hard to say without seeing the filling in need of replacement, but if the adhesive that holds the filling in place is failing it can be leaking and this leads to discoloration READ MORE
Hard to say without seeing the filling in need of replacement, but if the adhesive that holds the filling in place is failing it can be leaking and this leads to discoloration or staining around the filling. If this is the case, then it would be proper treatment to replace the restoration (filling). This can happen for a number of reasons, but I would ask your dentist why they feel this has happened.

How long should you wait to drink coffee after teeth whitening?

There is really no correct answer here- when you whiten your teeth you can think of it as the surface of the tooth has been cleaned and anything that would stain say a white t-shirt READ MORE
There is really no correct answer here- when you whiten your teeth you can think of it as the surface of the tooth has been cleaned and anything that would stain say a white t-shirt will start to stain the surface of the tooth. It is generally best to whiten in the evenings as saliva production decreases and this means that saliva will be less likely to dilute or wash out the bleach. So hopefully you can enjoy your coffee in the morning and whiten in the evening. If you find yourself needing a cup of coffee after whitening... just rinse well with water and brush your teeth to help prevent the stain from sticking to your teeth. Hope that helps!

How long does it take to get a tooth pulled?

It really depends on the tooth and what is wrong with the tooth as well as you the patient. For me the goal is not how fast can I remove the tooth - 1. we want to make sure you READ MORE
It really depends on the tooth and what is wrong with the tooth as well as you the patient. For me the goal is not how fast can I remove the tooth - 1. we want to make sure you are comfortable and numb and 2. I want to be a minimally traumatic to the bone and tissue surrounding the tooth- what we call an atraumatic extraction. This helps with healing and can help facilitate future dental treatments such as dental implants

Can braces tighten loose teeth?

That is a great question, but it all depends on the reason for the teeth being loose.. if it is due to gum disease, then it is not likely. If it is due to a bad bite or chewing READ MORE
That is a great question, but it all depends on the reason for the teeth being loose.. if it is due to gum disease, then it is not likely. If it is due to a bad bite or chewing pattern then it is possible. A comprehensive dental evaluation would be best prior to starting braces to help prevent you from tooth loss during braces.

Can you get braces if you need fillings?

It depends on the location of the fillings and the type of braces - it is generally best to have fillings completed prior to braces if there is active decay (cavities). If the READ MORE
It depends on the location of the fillings and the type of braces - it is generally best to have fillings completed prior to braces if there is active decay (cavities). If the fillings to be done are limited to the chewing surfaces then these can generally be done during braces.

What are the disadvantages of a dental bridge?

It really depends on the reason for the bridge and who is providing the treatment, the location of the bridge and your underlying dental risk factors. With your young age, it READ MORE
It really depends on the reason for the bridge and who is providing the treatment, the location of the bridge and your underlying dental risk factors. With your young age, it is important to consider all of the above prior to making a decision for a bridge. The most common disadvantage of a bridge over a say a dental implant is generally the damage that has to be done to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth(teeth). The teeth on either side of the space (where the missing tooth is located) have to be prepared (cut down or drilled on) to provide support for the bridge. It can also be important to consider the location of the bridge - say a front tooth or back tooth. There can be a lot of disadvantages, and a comprehensive assessment of your current dental conditions and risk factors should be done to make sure you are getting the best treatment for your oral health

Is a white filling better than silver?

That would all depend on what you mean by "better" and where the filling would be located. Silver fillings were more common 10 years ago as they had a long clinical history. White READ MORE
That would all depend on what you mean by "better" and where the filling would be located. Silver fillings were more common 10 years ago as they had a long clinical history. White or composite filling materials have evolved to be excellent. It comes down to the person placing the fillings and their attention to detail during the procedure. Silver fillings are quick and easy to place. White fillings are technique sensitive - meaning that great care must be taken to ensure the tooth stays dry during placement of the filling and all of the steps - not always an easy task when the tooth lives in a saliva rich mouth. :) White fillings will fail if moisture contaminates the surface of the tooth during placement, so for this reason they can fail. If done properly they can last as long as silver fillings. The key is finding a dentist and dental team that has a high attention to detail and that they ensure the process is kept dry. If all this is done, then the white fillings will "look better" than a silver filling according to patients because it blends in with the natural tooth color.
I hope that helps.

How long does it take for teeth to shift with braces?

Great question, but hard to say without seeing the amount your teeth would need to shift. During a comprehensive dental exam or consultation this could be determined easily based READ MORE
Great question, but hard to say without seeing the amount your teeth would need to shift. During a comprehensive dental exam or consultation this could be determined easily based on the amount of tooth movement needed. I would highly recommend an exam or consultation to have this evaluated so you would have a good estimate of the treatment time needed.

Should I brush my teeth after a filling?

Yes, but you do not have to rush to brush. :) Just follow your normal brushing routine.

Can wisdom teeth cause your gums to swell?

Yes. I would have this evaluated as soon as you can to help ensure that this is not an area that is infected. Sometimes the area can enlarge as part of the eruption process, READ MORE
Yes. I would have this evaluated as soon as you can to help ensure that this is not an area that is infected. Sometimes the area can enlarge as part of the eruption process, but it is best to have a dentist or oral surgeon evaluate the area.

How long does swelling last after dental implants?

Generally there is not swelling after implant placement. It depends on the process you will be going through for dental implant placement and the location. However, if the surgery READ MORE
Generally there is not swelling after implant placement. It depends on the process you will be going through for dental implant placement and the location. However, if the surgery is performed by a qualified individual there is usually minimal post surgical discomfort and minimal swelling. If additional procedures such as bone grafting or tissue grafting are required then there could be additional swelling and discomfort associated with these additional procedures.

How do you flush out a dry socket?

If you have a dry socket it is best to call the doctor that removed the tooth and have them clean out the area for you and place medicine to help relieve pain (if there is pain) READ MORE
If you have a dry socket it is best to call the doctor that removed the tooth and have them clean out the area for you and place medicine to help relieve pain (if there is pain) and place medicine to help facilitate healing of the socket.

Can gum disease cause your teeth to fall out?

I am glad you are looking out for your father. Gum disease if left untreated can lead to tooth loss. It sounds like a complete, comprehensive dental evaluation would be best READ MORE
I am glad you are looking out for your father. Gum disease if left untreated can lead to tooth loss. It sounds like a complete, comprehensive dental evaluation would be best to determine his current oral health status. Untreated gum disease can also affect medical health as there are currently over 70 diseases linked to gum disease (periodontal disease) - such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease just to name a few. The cleaner you keep your mouth the less likely you are to have bacteria from your mouth get into your blood vessels and cause systemic problems.

What can happen if an oral cyst is left untreated?

I am sorry to hear you have developed more than one cyst. It is impossible to say without seeing you clinically for an evaluation and not knowing what kind of cyst(s) you have. READ MORE
I am sorry to hear you have developed more than one cyst. It is impossible to say without seeing you clinically for an evaluation and not knowing what kind of cyst(s) you have. It would be best for you to have an evaluation and likely to have the cysts treated or biopsied to determine the type of cyst it is and if treatment is required.