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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Fleetwood Dental’s Guide to Common Dental Problems: Part 2

Getting extensive dental work like a root canal isn’t anyone’s idea of a walk in the park, which is why it is important to pay attention to common dental problems so you can prevent them. A few weeks ago, we posted the first part of our guide to common dental problems. Here is part 2!

Tooth Infection: Tooth infection occurs when the nerve-containing pulp inside the tooth is damaged or becomes infected due to injury or decay. The root canal (which connects the top pulp chamber to the tip of the root) can become infected as well. If you have a cracked tooth or a deep cavity you should be weary of tooth infection.
See your best dentist if you feel pain in or around a tooth. You may need to get a root canal, during which the pulp will be removed, the pulp chamber and the root canal will be cleaned and the tooth will be filled. Your dentist also may seal the tooth with a porcelain or golf crown.

Enamel Erosion: This occurs when soda and citrus drinks wear down the surface of the teeth, resulting in discoloration and rounding. If you are constantly sipping soda (even diet soda!), lemonade, sports drinks or wine, you are at risk for enamel erosion. Overbrushing can also have similar effects on the enamel close to the gum lines.

To prevent further enamel erosion, drink less soda and more water! If you must have your daily Diet Coke, sip it through a straw or have with a full meal and be sure to chew sugarless gum, sip water or brush your teeth afterward. Teeth can also be restored with bonding materials.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Fleetwood Dental’s Guide to Common Dental Problems: Part I

Dental health isn’t just important for your pearly whites—it can affect your overall health, which is why is it imperative to know how to treat common dental problems. Read the first part of our guide to solving common issues plaguing your mouth.

Tooth Decay: Otherwise known as dental cavities or caries, this occurs when plaque—a film of bacteria that forms after eating starches or sugars—remains on teeth for too long. Although anyone can get a cavity, children and older people are most cavity-prone.

So how do you prevent tooth decay? Stop plaque in its tracks by brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily. For children, plastic coatings called sealants can be applied to the chewing surfaces on their back teeth as soon as their molars come in. As for older people, using a mouth rinse containing fluoride and receiving regular fluoride treatments should help.

Gum Disease: Also known as gingivitis (the early stage) and periodontitis (the advanced stage), gum disease is a bacterial infection caused by plaque attacking the gums, bone and ligaments that keep your teeth where they are. According to estimations by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), half of all adults show some signs of gingivitis. Stress, poor oral hygiene, pregnancy and systemic diseases like diabetes can contribute.

Make sure to see a dentist regularly and notify your dentist if your gums bleed or feel tender. Regular brushing and flossing can reverse gingivitis and a dentist can perform a deep cleaning around the teeth and below the gum lines to combat periodontitis.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Price of Lumineers

Are you considering lumineers? A higher model of porcelain veneers, they are popular but come at a price! Check out our guide for the basic cost of lumineers and factors that can affect your total cost.

Porcelain veneers are pieces of porcelain surgically affixed to the front of your teeth, while lumineers are made of thinner, stronger porcelain. Lumineers merely require cement, while porcelain veneers require that the patient have the porcelain ground before cementing the veneer to the front of their teeth.

On average, the range of lumineers to improve the color of your teeth is $700-$1,100 per tooth. So why are they so pricey? First off, it is much more realistic-looking than porcelain veneers. Second, the lumineer is stronger, thinner and easier to work with due to advanced materials. Third, the procedure of getting lumineers is much easier. Can you see why many people opt for lumineers over veneers?

With that said, the cost of lumineers is based on the individual needs of your teeth and the specific office procedures. Take your time choosing the lumineer specialist or you’ll risk having your lumineers stain or crack. And then you’ll be paying for additional procedures.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Fix Your Smile with Tooth Bonding

Is there something quirky—like a chipped tooth or rounded teeth—about your smile that bothers you? Do something about it with dental bonding. Dental bonding can help fix many different tooth-related issues, including fix or improve the natural shape of your teeth. If your teeth are showing signs of tooth decay, are naturally rounded or if you chipped one of your teeth years ago and never fixed it, ask your dentist about dental bonding.

So how does dental bonding work? Essentially, it is a material that covers the front of the tooth. The bonding material can be used to shape and fill missing areas in your teeth. Once they are put in place, a light is applied to make the material harden. Lastly, they are polished! Dental bonding can restore your confidence in your smile so that you will willingly show off your pearly whites every chance you get!

So what are you waiting for? Ask your dentist about dental bonding and get the tooth quirk that has been bothering you fixed once and for all. Dental bonding can repair chipped, cracked and discolored teeth and also replace silver amalgam fillings for a straighter, uniform smile!

Friday, May 13, 2011

What to Drink for Healthy Teeth

Your dentist tells you to what not to drink (we’re looking at you: soda and red wine!) to keep your teeth as white as possible, but drinking a certain beverage can help make your pearly whites even whiter. Can you guess what it is? Tea! According to new research published in the journal General Dentistry, tea is no worse for your teeth than regular old H20. So if you don’t want to risk yellowing your teeth but get bored of water, brew some tea (and in the summer months sip some iced tea).

Regular sodas can contain as much as 17 teaspoons of sugar (per 20-ounce container) and even through fruit juice seems like a healthier option, many can be erosive to teeth because the refined sugars and certain acids contained in fruit juice can eat away at your enamel.

So take a cue from the British and drink some tea today! Not only is it ok to drink tea if you’ve recently had your teeth whitened, but it is loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants. Bonus points for drinking tea without any added sweetener!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Five Tips for a Healthy Mouth

You can’t get professional teeth whitening or cosmetic dentistry at home, but these five easy tips will keep your mouth healthier (and your dentist happier).

1. Do you think you might have bad breath? Check by swiping a cotton ball over the back of your tongue, where bacteria hangs out, then smell it. It should smell slightly sweet but if not, brush your teeth and the back of your tongue. You dentist can help if brushing isn’t enough to banish bad breath.

2. Suffering from painful canker cores? These painful (yet benign) sores often crop up when you’re stressed. If topical pain reliever doesn’t do the trick, your dentist may be able to use a soft-tissue laser to zap the sore.

3. Do you brush far enough back? When brushing, make sure to tackle the cavity-prone areas in the back of the mouth by brushing with your mouth only slightly open (your cheeks will block that area if you open too wide).

4. How many times a week do you floss? Your dentist has told you and we’ll say it again: brushing isn’t enough, make sure to floss!

5. When was the last time you did a self-exam? Check your mouth for red or red-and-white patches, pigmented lesions, sores with uneven borers and flaking on the tongue every few months.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Break Your Bad Dental Habits

You know you’re supposed to brush and floss daily, but did you know that you may have some bad dental habits? Read ahead to find out if you are committing any of the following dental sins:

• Drinking too much soda. Even if you are gulping down diet soda, all carbonated soda contains phosphoric acid, which can cause teeth erosion over time. If you have to have your daily Diet Coke (no judgment!), try sipping with a straw to limit contact with your teeth and try to brush afterward.

• Using the wrong type of toothpaste. Oftentimes, toothpastes labeled “tarter control” may be too abrasive. If your toothpaste feels gritty, it may be eroding enamel and causing receding gums. Do look out for fluoride on the list of ingredients.

• Eating things that stain—like coffee, tea, soda, soy sauce, red wine, marinara sauce, etc.—can undo teeth whitening procedures and leave you with yellowish, dull-looking teeth. And who wants that? If you spend money for a teeth whitening procedure from a qualified cosmetic dentist, make sure to avoid foods that stain.

• Using your teeth to open up packages can lead to breaks and cracks and damage to dental bonding. Also try to refrain from chewing hard candies and ice cubes.

• Ignoring problems like bleeding gums and chronic halitosis (aka bad breath). Brush and floss daily to prevent bleeding gums; drink water and remove excess bacteria with a tongue scraper to combat bad breath.

• Brushing too hard can wear down protective enamel and cause receding gums. Make gentle, circular scrubbing motions for two minutes using a soft brush. Consider using an electric brush, which may help remove more plaque than manual brushes.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Why You Should Never Skip the Dentist

Even though everyone knows you have to visit the dentist twice a year, some people still put it off. In addition to preventing periodontal disease (aka gum disease) and making sure your pearly whites are in tip-top shape, there are other health benefits from visiting the dentist. The following health conditions may not be directly related to your teeth, but they can be identified and prevented by a dentist:

• Oral cancer. Smokers and people who consume more than one alcoholic beverage daily are at a higher risk. When you have your teeth cleaned, the hygienist does a visual and manual inspection and can spot anything that looks suspicious.

• Heart disease. According to a new study conducted at Berkeley, women who get dental care may lower their risk of heart disease by one-third. Need we say more?

• Diabetes. Doctors say there is a cause and effect link between diabetes and oral health. If you are diabetic or gave a family history of diabetes, your dentist may recommend upping your cleanings to three or even four times per year.

• Nutritional deficiencies. Dentists may be able to see if you’re lacking certain vitamins and nutrients by looking at your tongue and gums. A pale tongue, for example, might suggest an iron deficiency.

When money is concerned, it is also less expensive to have regular cleanings than to shell out for major procedures like root canals in the long run.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Post-Teeth Whitening Care

Teeth whitening can make a huge difference in the brilliance of your smile. Once you have found a qualified cosmetic dentist in Pennsylvania to perform this procedure you may want to know what to do after to keep the new sparkling white color of your teeth. All dentists will give you rules to follow after the whitening treatment. If you don’t want to stain your teeth all over again you should try to strictly follow the regulations laid out for you by the dentist.

To guarantee the longevity of the whitening treatment there will be certain foods and drinks you need to avoid. Usually your dentist will give you a list of what not to drink, including: coffee, soda, tea, and any other colored drink. These liquids can stain your teeth post-procedure because for the next three days your teeth will able to absorb any color, until they harden. For the next three days you should stick to drinking clear liquids, which means you cannot have the juice of raspberries, cherries, tomatoes, grapes, peaches, cranberries, blackberries, or red wine.

Another good tip to follow is to not drink anything very hot or very cold. These extreme temperatures cause teeth to expand and contract, which will permit stains to easily penetrate after the teeth whitening procedure. Also, use a straw when drinking acceptable liquids, thus reducing the amount of liquid that passes the front of your teeth. This will prevent the enamel from breaking down.

Foods to avoid after the teeth whitening process are any dark-colored foods, and most sauces. These include balsamic vinegar, beets, soy sauce, some Spanish and Indian foods, and dark chocolate. Just remember that if it has a darker color or you know think there might be dye in the food try to avoid it to prevent recurring stains. Follow these guidelines and you will retain your beautifully whiter smile.

Monday, April 11, 2011

A Fab Smile is the Ultimate Accessory

Chances are the first thing people notice about you isn't your outfit, shoes or purse-- it's your smile. If we gave as much thought to our smile as we do to the rest of our appearance, the dentist office would quickly become the hottest place in town!

With options like teeth whitening, porcelain dental veneers, laser bleaching, braces and bridges, a knowledgeable cosmetic dentist is more invaluable than a personal shopper or personal trainer.

In today's competitive market, appearance could mean the difference in landing a job, receiving a promotion or meeting a mate. It seems everyone is striving for perfection, whether it's the perfect body, perfect job or perfect home. Cosmetic dentistry allows us today to have the “perfect smile”.

Teeth whitening is probably the easiest way. Peroxide based materials are used to achieve bright, attractive smiles. The in-office teeth whitening Harrison method requires making molds of the teeth, forwarding them to a laboratory and in a period of just one week, you get your made-to-order mouthpiece back. After that, you would wear the plastic teeth whitening molds cemented in peroxide over your teeth.

Another in-office process is Laser Bleaching (known as well as Power Bleaching or Argon Bleaching). This teeth whitening high-tech method consists of a one-time application of a concentrated peroxide gel which will be let to dry for an hour. Afterwards, the dried peroxide mixture would be heated with a laser beam (generally argon) to complete the cosmetic dentistry process.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Achieve Smile Perfection with Lumineers

If you’re looking to brighten your teeth, fix imperfections or both, LUMINEERS may be the perfect option for achieving your ideal smile.

Traditional veneers are thick and require your original teeth to be ground down, but LUMINEERS don’t require any tooth reduction. Ultra-thin (approximately 0.2mm) and translucent, they are a natural looking, removable, yet durable option. They are proven to last over 20 years.

If you are self-conscious about gaps, chips, crooked or misshapen teeth, you may be able to bypass braces and go straight to smile perfection. Consult a cosmetic dentist to determine if this will work for you. Unlike braces, LUMINEERS are often applied in only two dental office visits. LUMINEERS will reshape your smile, making it straight and white without the pain and waiting of orthodontia.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Denture Cleaning

Plaque will form on your dentures just like it does on natural teeth and gums. It’s important to thoroughly scrub your dentures with a toothbrush or denture brush, then place them in an antiseptic soak.

Bacteria like to congregate between a denture and gum tissue. After a meal, dentures should be removed, cleaned, adhesive replaced and gum tissue brushed to thwart the growth of odoriferous bacteria.

Dentures are made from plastic, which is porous on a microscopic level. An ultrasonic cleaning unit will penetrate and clean the porous surface much better than a manual toothbrush. After cleaning, dentures should be chemically disinfected. A chemical approach is the single most effective method for cleaning. By regularly following these procedures, you’ll be able to improve your breath by cutting down halitosis-causing bacteria.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Dental Bonding: A fast, inexpensive cosmetic fix

Dental bonding provides a fantastic solution to fixing cosmetic and structural imperfections in teeth. It can repair chipped or cracked teeth, discolored teeth, replace silver fillings, and can also mend misaligned teeth. If you want or need to repair imperfections in your smile this is the perfect solution.

Teeth bonding can usually be completed in one visit. Dentists start by selecting a composite resin that matches the shade of your teeth. A composite resin is the dental bonding material used. After the resin shade is chosen, the tooth will be coarsened so the resin can stay on correctly. The composite resin will then be placed onto the tooth where it will be shaped and smoothed to achieve the desired results. Using a high intensity light the dentist will harden the composite resin so that it is ready to be buffed and polished.

This procedure offers a long-lasting result that will match your surrounding teeth perfectly. Usually it can be done in one visit but should not take more than two to be performed. Cosmetic bonding is a quick treatment, extremely affordable, and relatively painless. You will notice a difference in your smile right away and be completely pleased with the results. Find a qualified cosmetic dentist in Banksville today to get the brilliant smile you want and deserve.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Halitosis: Beat Bad Breath

The most common cause of halitosis is waste products (volatile sulfur compounds) produced by anaerobic oral bacteria. The following are ways to make your mouth a less hospitable environment.

1) Minimize the amount of food available to these bacteria. Bacteria like protein. If you consume a diet of mostly meat, you’re at risk. In contrast, a vegetarian-friendly diet will reduce the amount of food bacteria favor.

2) Minimize the total number of these bacteria that exist. By brushing and flossing regularly, you’ll flush out VSC’s. Flossing is often overlooked, but an imperative step to good breath. Bacteria like to hide between teeth and along the gumline. Flossing is the only way to reach them. Also, be sure and clean your tongue thoroughly, either by brushing or tongue scraping.

3) Use products that help to neutralize volatile sulfur compounds. Look for a toothpaste with zinc and chlorine dioxide which possess neutralizing agents. Mouthwashes and toothpastes containing antibacterial agents will also improve your tongue brushing efforts to kill odor-causing bacteria.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Halitosis: Know the Source

The most common cause of halitosis (aka bad breath) is the bacteria living in a person's mouth. Bacteria is alive, just like humans. And like humans, bacteria consume food and excrete waste. Occasionally, this waste is foul smelling, due to its composition of sulfur compounds. Ever been to Florida and been outside when sprinklers were on? Have you ever smelled a rotten egg? If you've done either of these, you're familiar with the smell of sulfur. Florida water and rotten eggs share a commonality: sulfur compounds.

Dentists refer to the sulfur compounds associated with oral bacteria as volatile sulfur compounds (VSC’s). These little monsters are the culprits at the root of offensive breath. The mouth provides a perfect breeding ground for them. VSC’s are anaerobic (don’t need oxygen), and are right at home on the tongue and along the gumline.

Monday, February 28, 2011

What To Do After a Whitening Procedure

Teeth whitening can make a huge difference in the brilliance of your smile. Once you have found a qualified cosmetic dentist to perform this procedure you may want to know what to do after to keep the new sparkling white color of your teeth. All dentists will give you rules to follow after the whitening treatment. If you don’t want to stain your teeth all over again you should try to strictly follow the regulations laid out for you by the dentist.

To guarantee the longevity of the whitening treatment there will be certain foods and drinks you need to avoid. Usually your dentist will give you a list of what not to drink, including: coffee, soda, tea, and any other colored drink. These liquids can stain your teeth post-procedure because for the next three days your teeth will able to absorb any color, until they harden. For the next three days you should stick to drinking clear liquids, which means you cannot have the juice of raspberries, cherries, tomatoes, grapes, peaches, cranberries, blackberries, or red wine.

Another good tip to follow is to not drink anything very hot or very cold. These extreme temperatures cause teeth to expand and contract, which will permit stains to easily penetrate after the teeth whitening procedure. Also, use a straw when drinking acceptable liquids, thus reducing the amount of liquid that passes the front of your teeth. This will prevent the enamel from breaking down.

Foods to avoid after the teeth whitening process are any dark-colored foods, and most sauces. These include balsamic vinegar, beets, soy sauce, some Spanish and Indian foods, and dark chocolate. Just remember that if it has a darker color or you know think there might be dye in the food try to avoid it to prevent recurring stains. Follow these guidelines and you will retain your beautifully whiter smile.

All About Dental Crowns

There are three kinds of commonly used dental crowns:

•Porcelain
•Porcelain-fused-to-metal
•Gold

Depending on your cosmetic goals, financial restrictions, and oral health needs, you can discuss with your dentist the most appropriate route for you.

Porcelain

Porcelain dental crowns (also known as all-ceramic) are the most aesthetically pleasing and natural looking dental crown, as it is completely metal-free. However, there are drawbacks, such as it is not as strong or durable as its counterparts and thus should not be used in heavily used areas of the mouth.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are the most commonly used dental crowns today. They are more durable than pure porcelain and remain a very natural looking option. However, as time peels back your gum line, more of the metal collar will show.

Gold

While not as popular as porcelain dental crowns, gold crowns are still used today under specific circumstances. For instance, if a patient grinds or clenches their teeth, gold crowns are the best route as they are more durable than porcelain options. Additionally, they provide more longevity than their porcelain counterparts.

Dental Whitening Vs. In Home Whitening

The main differences are:
•Strength of bleaching agent. For starters, over-the-counter home use products and dentist-supervised at-home products usually contain a lower strength-bleaching agent (from 10% carbamide peroxide-which is equivalent to about 3 percent hydrogen peroxide ? up to 22% carbamide peroxide). In-office, professionally applied tooth whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 15 to 43 percent.

•Mouthpiece trays. With dentist-supervised at-home bleaching products, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth and make a mouthpiece tray that is customized to exactly fit your teeth. This customization allows for maximum contact between the whitening gel, which is applied to the mouthpiece tray, and the teeth. A custom-made tray also minimizing the gel's contact with gum tissue. Over-the-counter whitening products do contain a mouthpiece tray, but the "one-size-fits-all" approach means that the fit will not be exact. Ill-fitting trays can irritate the gum and soft tissue by allowing more bleaching gel to seep onto these tissues. With in-office procedures, the bleaching agent is applied directly to the teeth.

•Additional protective measures teeth whitening. In the office setting, your dentist will apply either a gel to the gum tissue or use a rubber shield (which slides over the teeth) prior to treatment to protect your gums and oral cavity from the effects of the bleaching. Over-the-counter products don't provide these extra protective measures.

•Speed of the bleaching process. Dentist-supervised at-home bleaching and over-the-counter bleaching products typically need to be applied every day for 1 or 2 hours or every overnight for up to 4 weeks. In-office bleaching provides the quickest and most effective way to whiten teeth. With in-office bleaching, the whitening product is applied directly to the teeth. These products can be used in combination with heat, a special light, and/or a laser. The light and/or heat accelerate the whitening process. Results are seen in only 1, 30- to 60-minute treatment. To achieve dramatic results, however, several appointments are usually needed. With laser-enhanced bleaching, however, dramatic results can be seen after the first treatment.

All About Teeth Whitening

Whitening Toothpastes: All toothpastes help remove surface stains through the action of mild abrasives. Some whitening toothpastes contain gentle polishing or chemical agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Whitening toothpastes can help remove surface stains only and do not contain bleach; over-the-counter and professional whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide (a bleaching substance) that helps remove stains on the tooth surface as well as stains deep in the tooth. None of the home use whitening toothpastes can come even close to producing the bleaching effect you get from your dentist's office. Whitening toothpastes can lighten your tooth's color by about one shade. In contrast, light-activated whitening conducted in your dentist's office can make your teeth three to eight shades lighter.

Whitening Strips and Whitening Gels:

•Whitening gels are clear, peroxide-based gels applied with a small brush directly to the surface of your teeth. Instructions generally call for twice a day application for 14 days. Initial results are seen in a few days and final results are sustained for about 4 months. The retail cost for this product is about $15 for a 14-day treatment.

•Whitening strips are very thin, virtually invisible strips that are coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel. The strips are applied twice daily for 30 minutes for 14 days. Initial results are seen in a few days and final results are sustained for about 4 months. The retail cost for this product ranges from $10 to $55 for a 14-day treatment.

Both of these products contain peroxide in a concentration that is much lower than the peroxide-based products that are used in your dentist's office. Although some teeth lightening will be achieved, the degree of whitening is much lower than results achieved with in-office or dentist-supervised whitening systems. Additionally, use of over-the-counter products do not benefit from the close supervision of your dentist ? to determine what whitening process may be best for you, to check on the progress of the teeth whitening process and look for signs of gum irritation. On the positive, the over-the-counter gels and strips are considerably less expense (ranging from $10 to about $55) than the top-of-the line in-office whitening procedures, which can cost nearly $800.

Gum Disease? All About Its Treatment

Bad breath and bleeding gums are often associated with periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease. Periodontal disease occurs when the pockets around the gum tissue begins to widen and gums begin to recede. As the pockets get deeper, the risk of bacterial infection increases and the gums continue to wear down over time. The good news is that periodontal disease can be treated with several dentistry procedures. If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, here’s what you need to know about your treatment options:

Dental Treatments for Periodontal Disease

Periodontists may sue a combination of minimally-invasive procedures and surgery to treat gum disease, and your treatment plan will depend on the amount of time that has passed since your last root planning and cleaning procedure, and the extent of the damage. Some of the most commonly used dental procedures for gum disease include:

Pocket Reduction Procedures

Gum Regenerative Procedures

When you are pursuing treatment for gum disease, the first step involves measuring the depth of the pockets around your teeth. The dentist or hygienist will use a special measuring tool to determine how deep the pockets are, and what level of tartar deposits are embedded between the teeth and gums. In order to bring your teeth and gums back to a healthy state, the dentist will need to scrape away the tartar deposits and massage the gums back in place so that they can reattach to the tartar-free bone.

Over time, the gums will begin to tighten around the teeth and reduce the risk of bacteria getting into the bone. Reduced pockets and daily oral hygiene can help prevent serious health problems associated with gum disease, and also ensure you have a healthier smile.

Laser Dental Treatments for Gum Disease
Many cosmetic dentists and periodontists now use laser technologies to perform scaling and root planning procedures. Some research shows that lasers can improve results and reduce the risk of extensive tissue damage to the gums during the scaling and root planning process. When the right wavelength of laser energy is used on the patient during periodontal therapy, there may be less swelling, discomfort and bleeding. In most cases, the insurance company will cover the costs of the treatment for laser dental treatments in the same way as a non-laser treatment.

Cosmetic Procedures for Treating Periodontal Disease

In addition to the corrective and regenerative procedures available for treating gum disease, a periodontist may recommend a set of cosmetic procedures to enhance your smile and improve the functioning of the teeth and gums. Common cosmetic procedures for those who are being treated for gum disease include:

Ridge Augmentation
Soft Tissue Grafting
Crown Lengthening

If you have lost a tooth because of excessively receding gums or periodontal disease, you may also be referred to a cosmetic dentist for dental implants. Dental implants help to restore your smile and can replace one or more teeth without affecting the bordering teeth. You can choose from endosteal implants (in the bone) or subperiosteal (on the bone) depending on the health of your gums and the quality of the existing teeth.

Learn more about the latest dental treatments in our information guide, or consult with a cosmetic dentist in your area to find out if you are a good candidate for treatments for gum disease.

Cosmetic Veneers

Cosmetic dentistry can be a life changing experience that is capable of giving you that confidence to smile again. Aesthetic porcelain veneers can be used that are bonded directly to your own teeth to transform your smile. Cosmetic veneers can remake an uneven and crooked smile into a glamorous one that is completely natural looking. Veneers can also be used to lengthen teeth that are too short or shorten teeth that are too long, re-proportion your smile and permanently whiten your teeth.

In preparation for your porcelain veneers, your dentist will need to speak with you about the goals you would like to achieve in your new smile. The dentist will need to gather dental records, including radiographs, photographs and study models to help design your new smile. Smile design is an essential component in an aesthetic dental treatment plan. Smile design is a concept that combines art and science to enhance, remodel, or create a beautiful smile.

The latest information and technology are used in designing a smile, where the face, lips, gum tissue and teeth are visualized in their entirely to create the best smile for each patient. This may involve taking digital photos and measurements to analyze tooth width and length, teeth positioning in regards to the lip and to each other, tooth color, gum height, space reduction and the symmetry of the smile.

Smile design involves visualizing the possibilities and then producing the desired results. It can be as simple as whitening the teeth, reshaping the gum tissue, or bonding small spaces or chipped teeth, or it can be creating the ultimate smile makeover using all porcelain veneers.

Veneers are very strong, thin, porcelain shells that are permanently bonded to your natural teeth. After shaping the teeth and taking accurate dental impressions, temporary veneers may be placed, allowing you to get a preview of your new smile. Your dentist will communicate closely with skilled dental lab technicians to ensure a natural appearing color and translucency in the porcelain veneers. The patient then returns to the dental office to have the polished porcelain veneers fitted and strongly bonded to your teeth. After clean up, polishing and final photographs, a look in the mirror reflects your new, beautiful smile.

Specialized veneers, such as Lumineers, provide gorgeous smiles with no shots and little or no drilling. Best used in patients that desire chiefly permanent whitening, closing small gaps or correcting slightly crooked teeth, Lumineers can be made as thin as a contact lens and offer the translucency seen in real teeth.

If you are missing teeth, this does not exclude you from a new smile. Dental implants and porcelain bridges can be used to replace missing teeth and be used in conjunction with porcelain veneers to complete your smile makeover.

Cosmetic veneers and tooth whitening materials continue to improve so that dental professional can achieve the cosmetic dentistry that will enhance your lovely smile until it's downright gorgeous!