Fleetwood Dental

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

2011-06-22T08:07:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2011-06-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

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.

The Price of Lumineers

2011-05-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Fix Your Smile with Tooth Bonding

2011-05-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

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!

What to Drink for Healthy Teeth

2011-05-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

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!

Five Tips for a Healthy Mouth

2011-05-11T12:05:00.000-07:00

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.

Break Your Bad Dental Habits

2011-05-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Why You Should Never Skip the Dentist

2011-05-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

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.

Post-Teeth Whitening Care

2011-04-21T14:21:00.000-07:00

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.

A Fab Smile is the Ultimate Accessory

2011-04-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Achieve Smile Perfection with Lumineers

2011-04-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Denture Cleaning

2011-04-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Dental Bonding: A fast, inexpensive cosmetic fix

2011-04-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Halitosis: Beat Bad Breath

2011-03-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Halitosis: Know the Source

2011-03-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

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.

What To Do After a Whitening Procedure

2011-02-28T17:37:00.001-08:00

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

2011-02-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-28T17:34:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-28T17:32:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-28T17:31:00.002-08:00

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

2011-02-28T17:31:00.001-08:00

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!

Do You Need a Root Canal?

2010-11-30T12:23:00.000-08:00

For many people who worry about dental treatment, the mere mention of the words "root canal" can provoke reactions of fear and distress. However the procedure sounds a lot worse than it is, and while it is a slightly involved process, it is one that dentists are well versed in and necessary if you want a healthy and happy smile.

Dentists opt for a root canal treatment of your tooth after the nerve from the soft pulp centre of your tooth becomes diseased. If the dentist does nothing, this tooth can then rot from the inside out, destroying the tooth beyond repair, and sometimes impacting neighboring teeth. You may be unaware that there is a problem as, while sometimes you experience acute pain when it is infected, other times the nerve can die without pain being present. If the nerve has died then the dentist needs to remove the nerve and the inside parts of you tooth, clean it out and fill the space with a safe filler.

While pain is not always present, pain can indicate you do need to have your tooth looked at. If you notice a tooth is particularly sensitive to hot or cold temperatures when eating or if you feel any pain when biting or chewing it's a good idea to get it looked at. Any swelling, acute pain, throbbing or discovering the tooth has become discolored, are further important issues to investigate.

It can be tempting to try to ignore a possible root canal treatment, in the hope that it will all just go away. In fact many people do ignore a short burst of acute pain, when this may have signaled internal teeth issues only a dentist can diagnose.

Root Canals: Fact vs Myth

2010-11-24T12:19:00.000-08:00

There are several root canal myths to be dispelled in society as follows;

• A root canal is painful. This common myth has its roots from ancient days where the procedure was done using non-advanced methods unlike today. This has been highlighted by the American Association of Endodontists. The administration of general anesthesia will numb the area and the procedure will be painless.

• Another common myth is that all root canals must be done in several appointments. This is not the case because the procedure can be completed in one or two appointments. However, there are several factors that will dictate the number of appointments including;

a) Need for referral
b) Tough root canal
c) Extent of infection

Let your dentist recommend the number of appointments after having considered your case.

• Another common myth is that a root canal treatment can cause illness such as arthritis, heart and kidney disease. Research has shown this NOT to be the case. This myth has sprouted from research done almost 100 years ago by Dr. Weston Price. In his research of 1910 to 1930, Dr. Price claimed that illness can emanate from the procedure due to infections. His claims have been refuted by modern research because there is no medical evidence to prove the same.

• Another common myth is that a tooth has to hurt to qualify for root canal. Dentists can discover teeth that are dead and recommend the treatment however painless. Therefore, screening to check the status of the tooth by the doctor is advised. Tests that are employed to check dead teeth include;

Tooth Bonding = A Perfect Smile

2010-11-18T12:16:00.000-08:00

Do you have rounded teeth and you would prefer them squared, or perhaps you have had an area of a tooth chipped and would like the chip fixed? Well if this is the case then you should know about dental bonding. Dental bonding can fix many problems with your teeth but one of the main purposes of the procedure is to fix or improve the shape of teeth that may be naturally rounded, chipped, or have succumb to some level of decay. If you have a chipped tooth or any of the other conditions previously mentioned then dental bonding may be the solution that you have been looking for to restore your confidence in your smile.

If you have ever felt that your teeth are less than perfect because of imperfections then dental bonding may be the answer for you. Dental Bonding can correct the appearance of many flaws in teeth. Naturally rounded teeth, chipped teeth, decayed teeth, and minor gaps can all be corrected or improved drastically with the addition of cosmetic dental bonding. Besides doing a great deal to restore confidence in the person who receives the bonding, the work is quite simple and painless and really not as drastic a procedure as you might be thinking. Really there are so many benefits and so few drawbacks to bonding that it has become a very popular procedure.

Dental bonding is essentially a material that covers the front of the tooth and a bonding material that can be used to shape and fill missing areas in your teeth. Once the materials are in place a light is used to make the materials rock hard before they are polished to the perfect shine. What remains is an incredibly natural looking area of "tooth" where there was nothing before. On a personal level I can relate information about a good friend who had some dental bonding done on his front teeth. My friend's front teeth were rather rounded on the inside and did not have a very "squared off" look when seen from the front. After he received dental bonding the area took on a natural square look that created the appearance of a normal tooth. The procedure did a great deal to improve my friend's self confidence and I am sure that it can do the same for you.

Is Tooth Bonding for You?

2010-11-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

What is Tooth Bonding?

Tooth bonding is a composite resin filling placed in the back teeth as well as the front teeth. Composites are the solution for restoring decayed teeth, making cosmetic improvements and even changing the color of your teeth or the reshaping of teeth. Tooth bonding will lighten any stains you may have, close up minor gaps and can be used to correct crooked teeth.

Basically, bonding will cover any natural flaws applying a thin coating of a plastic material on the front surface of your teeth. After this, your cosmetic dentist will apply a tooth bonding material and sculpt, color and shape it to provide a pleasing result. A high-intensity light then hardens the plastic, and the surface is finely polished.

Tooth bonding, also known as composite or dental bonding, is an excellent way to fix cosmetic and structural imperfections in the teeth. Tooth bonding can repair cracked, chipped, and discolored teeth as well as replace silver amalgam fillings. Cosmetic tooth bonding can also repair misaligned teeth, providing a straighter, more uniform smile.

Tooth Bonding Technique

Composite tooth bonding is a cosmetic dentistry technique that can work wonders for your smile. Using materials that match the shade, translucency and texture of your teeth, tooth gaps can be closed, spots, chips, and discolorations can be eliminated, and your self-confidence can be enhanced through the improved appearance of your smile. It''s also great for an instant repair of a broken front tooth.

The Tooth Bonding Procedure

To begin the teeth bonding procedure, the dentist selects a composite resin (dental bonding material) that matches the natural shade of your teeth. The dentist then roughens the existing tooth so the resin can adhere properly. Next, the composite resin is carefully applied to the tooth, shaped, and smoothed to achieve the desired look. It is then quickly hardened via a high intensity light. Lastly, the bonded tooth is buffed and polished so it has the same appearance as the surrounding teeth.

Pros and Cons of Lumineers

2010-11-06T12:07:00.000-07:00

The field of dentistry has made a number of advances. Today, the customer has a number of options to not only improve and restore normal functions of teeth, but also to improve his or her appearance. Lumineers represent one such advancement. These are commonly used to correct various dental flaws such as chipped teeth, minor misalignments, and teeth discoloration. Lumineers are an easily affordable solution for correcting all these conditions.

Lumineers offer a number of advantages. For this reason, dentists usually recommend them over porcelain veneers. If you are given the choice to select between Lumineers and porcelain veneers, your choice should always be the former. They are not only advantageous, but also less costly when compared to the latter.

One of the major advantages of using Lumineers over conventional veneers is that the surgical procedure is much simpler. It is also less painful. This is because the teeth need not be ground down to install the Lumineers. On the other hand, a layer of enamel has to be removed before placing conventional porcelain veneers.

Lumineers also cost less than conventional veneers. They usually cost 25% less than conventional veneers. A further margin arises because of the simplicity of the surgical procedure necessary to install Lumineers. However, costs will differ from dentist to dentist. Normally, Lumineers cost $1000-$2000 per tooth. The cost will depend on the condition of your teeth, fabrication costs and the dentist's fee. You may also have to pay for other overhead costs such as screening and diagnostic procedures.

One of the major disadvantages of Lumineers is that there may be a slight mismatch with the surrounding teeth. They may not blend perfectly with the neighboring teeth. This is because the teeth are not ground down and the Lumineers are installed directly or them. For this reason, they may appear a little bigger. However, experienced dental surgeons can cover this up. Mismatches occur only rarely.

How Much Do Lumineers Cost?

2010-11-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

Lumineers are a very popular and attractive option, but they do come at a cost. Below, we examine the basic costs of lumineers, and also factors of your lumineers that could affect your total cost of lumineers.

First off, though you may have an inkling of what lumineers are, do you know exactly what they are? Lumineers are a higher model of porcelain veneers. Whereas porcelain veneers are pieces of porcelain surgically affixed to the front of your teeth to optimize your smile, lumineers are made of a stronger and thinner porcelain to make the procedure easier and appearance more attractive and realistic. With porcelain veneers, a patient would have to have the porcelain ground down prior to cementing the veneer to the front of their teeth- lumineers just require the cement.

The cost? The average range of lumineers to improve the color of your teeth is between $700-$1100 per tooth. The cost of lumineers is based on a number of factors inherent in lumineers. For one, the realistic and dazzling look of lumineers is noticeably better than veneers. Two, they use much more advanced porcelain materials that makes the lumineer thinner, stronger, and easier to work with. Three, the procedure is easier and more attractive to you. All things considered, most people find it is the better way to go.

What might affect the cost of lumineers above and beyond this stated cost range? Be forewarned that there could easily be more fees affixed to the cost of your procedure to have lumineers administered based on your individual teeth needs and the procedures of the office. Choose your lumineer specialist carefully- if you receive lumineers from a dentist that is not well trained, your lumineers could possibly stain or crack which will lead to more fees on top of the original expense of getting lumineers.

Speed Up Recovery From a Root Canal

2010-10-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

At times, root canal recovery phase can be quite discomforting. This being said, here are some simple measures which can be initiated to speed up the recovery process.

* The patient must strictly, adhere to all the post treatment instructions given by the dentist. Any kind of deviation from the instructions could land the patient and the dentist both, in a highly discomfiting yet, avoidable situation.

* The dentist should try and perform the treatment, as thoroughly and in as aseptic an environment as possible, so as to minimize the possibility of any root canal problems.

* Sometimes, people tend to be in a hurry and hence, request the dentist to complete the root canal procedure in one sitting. However, the dentist should try and diagnose the case correctly, before doing the procedure in single sitting. Ideally, one sitting root canals are only recommended for long standing cases of necrosed pulps etc. Teeth that have an active infection should not be done in one sitting, as complete drainage of the pus takes time.

Thus, as explained above there are many different factors that influence the recovery period. However, provided the treatment is done properly and the post treatment instructions are followed religiously, one needn't worry too much about the recovery period.

Dentist Teeth Whitening May be More Effective

2010-10-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

What people should think about having dentist teeth whitening done? It is safe to assume that most people have not been eating white foods and drinking water all of their life, therefore they most likely have stains on their teeth. Until most people see someone who has had a whitening process done at the dentist, they don't realize their teeth may be stained and blah looking. If you think your smile is not its best, you may want to look into having whiter teeth.

When a person reaches adulthood most have already experienced one or more of the following teeth dulling problems:

Coffees, teas, sodas or other dark liquids
Cigarettes, pipes, cigars or other types of tobacco products
Medications or illness

The consequences of these actions are stained teeth and possible oral health problems.
Tarter appears as a result of these oral problems which in turn cause tooth discoloration problems. While brushing your teeth daily will help with their health, it will not change their color. Finding a dentist you are at ease with to help you remove these stains is your best option.

You may scoff at the idea of being at ease with a dentist. This is not a contradiction of terms though. Being able to relax with a care provider should be paramount in your choices in any field, medical or dental. The internet is a valuable tool in this process as is talking to people that you are close with who have been to professionals you are considering. Take a trip to the dentists' office and check out how clean it is and what safety regulations they have.

When you have found a dental professional that you feel you can trust they will guide you through the different services for whitening that they offer. There experience in each area will be an important thing for you to inquire about. Finding out the average number of patients, perhaps weekly or monthly, that have whitening done will be a good determination if this is the right place for you.

Dentisit Approved Teeth Whitening

2010-10-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

In office whitening, sometimes called laser whitening, and a procedure that utilizes trays and prescription strength gel that you apply at home. There are distinct advantages to both.

Professional light assisted teeth whitening is deliver optimum results in a short amount of time done by dentists. While this is the most expensive avenue for chemical bleaching, it is the quickest, most noticeable, and least messy way to approach the cosmetic enhancement.

On the day of your appointment, you will undergo a type of pumice scrub on your teeth to remove any plaque and gauze will be placed around all other surfaces of the mouth that pose risk of coming in contact with your teeth. A barrier is also placed along the gum line to protect it from the whitening solution. The teeth are then coated with the solution which is either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, and the light will be applied to activate the bleaching agent. Once it has been activated it can usually be left on for up to an hour.

You will be instructed to avoid foods and beverages that could induce staining, such as coffee, tobacco, mustard, red wine, etc., for twenty-four hours.The most prevalent benefit of this in-office procedure it that it is quick, efficient, and it is the most effective of any whitening methods. The downside is that it is the most expensive.

The second professionally supervised method of teeth whitening is to have a set of trays made. This is a two-step procedure that begins with making a mold of your teeth while in the dentist's office. The mold is then used to make custom fit trays that snuggly fit the contours of each individual tooth; there is usually a several day to a few week wait while the trays are being made.

Once you have the trays in your possessions, they are your forever. You can buy professional strength whitening agents at any dentist office to use with your trays on your own time and in your own home. The initial process will take daily applications over the course of a few weeks, and the results will be gradual.

Keep Your Invisalign Clean

2010-10-05T11:53:00.000-07:00

If spending a significant amount of cash on teeth straightening aligners from Invisalign, you'll want to keep them in good and working order. Maintaining them by cleaning them is one of the ways you'll have to look after your braces - you don't' want dirty and smelly aligners after all! So here's a few ways you can keep your smile fresh, clean and bright!

(1) Use the exclusive Invisalign cleaning system - crystals which when added to water produce a soaking solution, which gets rid of dental plaque upon your aligners. Although, it does the job, it is very pricey, costing about one dollar or just under one pound per day, and after the expense of the aligners you may not want to fork out for the solution.

(2) Cheaper options include dental fixture cleaning solutions. Dental fixture tablets will clean the Invisalign aligners completely, however, they may cause scratches or blurring, making the aligners more visible. This may not necessarily happen, but just in case test the dental fixture solution on an old pair of aligners before you use them. It cannot cause anything but aesthetic damage, so your Invisalign braces will always work. To use, it is recommended that you soak them in dental fixture fluid twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, for at least an hour.

(3) Another alternative is soaking them in a small amount of baking soda (1tbsp to ½ cup of water) for an hour per day, twice per day. Bicarbonate of soda is a great cleaner and will always get you're aligners squeaky clean.

After cleaning your aligners, brush off any excess chemicals with a toothbrush and rinse thoroughly. Never place your Invisalign braces around hot temperatures, such as hot water as these could cause damage to them. Lastly, if you do use the more cost effective methods and start to notice a difference in appearance, swap over immediately to the Invisalign cleaning system, which is designed not to cause any damage to your braces.

Get Your Invisalign Here!

2010-10-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

Everyone in this world loves to look smart and better than others. For this purpose, people do not even bother to spend money. There is no doubt that your presentation is actually the base of your personality. In every part of life, you have to present yourself in the best way. For best presentation, you cannot give a room to natural problems even if they are preborn. Some people have teeth that are not arranged in perfect order and they have to use braces to fix them at perfect place. These braces sometimes add a negative look to their personality. This problem has forced the dental surgeons to adopt a technique that will work perfectly for the treatment of teeth but also do not disturb your look. The result is in front of us. We have got Invisalign that is a treatment for the teeth to mold them in prefect orientation.

Invisalign is very common in the developed countries like America, England, France and so on. However, United States of America is offering best Invisalign. Among different states of this country, California is one of the best states for getting this treatment. In San Diego Invisalign is performed by experienced consultants and surgeons. If you want to get rid of the pain that you have to suffer form the application of braces then Invisalign is the best alternative for you. It is of course more efficient type of treatment. In this type of treatment, patient can also get rid of the hesitation that he feels due to braces as Invisalign is an invisible type of braces with same function and enhanced effectiveness.

Another positive trait of Invisalign is that you can carry on brushing your teeth in the common manner as if you do not have any layer on your teeth. This enable you to eat whatever you want without the tension that you have got braces on your teeth that will be damaged by some kind of food. In Invisalign, advanced imaging software is used. This software makes the surgeons capable of recognizing the area that requires treatment and also prescribes the type of treatment. Special kinds of solutions are applied to stick these invisible braces on the teeth. There are no maintenance issues with Invisalign. You do not need to take a regular care of them. Once, Invisalign is applied then you will not have to worry about the alignment of your teeth as Invisalign will do it in a perfect manner.

How to Pay for Invisalign

2010-09-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

If you are considering an expensive treatment like Invisalign, talk to your dentist or orthodontist New York about possible payment options they may accept. Most dentist are happy to discuss alternatives with you.

Paying over time:
There is nominal down payment and the balance paid over the length of the treatment. (No interest is charged as long as the payments are on time.)

Dental Insurance:
If you have dental insurance, bring your insurance card. We will be able to give you an estimate of your costs at the first visit. We will call the insurance company on your behalf and find out if you have any orthodontic benefits and what they may be. All the claims will be submitted for you and we will do everything we can to get you your full reimbursement.

Cash, Checks & Credit Cards:
You may make payment using cash, check or credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express) at your appointment or by mail.

Automatic Bank Draft:
We encourage monthly payments by Automatic Bank Draft (automatic withdrawals from your checking account each month.) Save time and hassle! No checks to write, no envelops to stuff, save on stamps and no interest charges due to forgotten payments.
Invisalign is a wonderful alternative to conventional braces. It is certainly more attractive and easier to wear for most people, but, like braces it comes with a price tag that can be hard for many people to budget. Here are a few options to explore with your New York Dentist:

Automatic Credit Card Payments:
You can have a monthly payment automtically deducted from your credit card. Ask your dentist if this is an option.

Payment in full at time of bonding:
You may be able to get a discount for payment in full at the time of service.

Fee Plan (CareCredit):
Ask your dentist if you qualify for CareCredit - this is a payment plan system that works like a credit card with monthly payments to cover the cost of your New York Invisalign dental treatment.

Tips for Tooth Brushing

2010-09-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

When I was in college I decided to give my local dental hygene program an opportunity to work on my teeth. At the time I assumed that it would be an opportunity for a free on hour . Boy - was I wrong. After reviewing the state of my teeth in horror for what seemed like hours, I was told that I had "pockets" of 4 and 5. This meant nothing to me at the time, but they emphasized that they needed patients with these qualities and they said it in a way that made me think it wasn't a good thing.

When they asked me if I flossed, I said sure and promtply gave them a demonstration showing how I managed floss both sides of my mouth with a single jab. They were clearly mistified by my awesome preventative abilities, or so I thought.

I spent every tuesday thereafter falling asleep in the dental hygene chair for weeks on end. That experiece taught me never to negect my teeth again and now I make sure to use all the right flossing and brushing to avoid more dental embarassments. Here are some things I learned:

Type of Toothbrush: I found that the toothbrush that works the best at the gumline is Sonicare - it is expensive but it reduces dental bills. However, if ou are patient and have good technique, you can use any brand of toothbrush you like. Try to buy one that is soft and has lots of bristles. Change your toothbrush often, no less than every three months. Toothbrushes are cheap compared to cavities. Make sure to change out the brushes regularly.

Type of Toothpaste: You should choose a toothpaste that will motivate you to brush. Avoid frequent use of whitening toothpaste. Any toothpaste that has fluoride is preferred. Fluoride can protect and rebuild your tooth structure. .

Flossing: I thought I was flossing correctly for years - but it turns out I didnt have the right technique. As your dental hygenist to demonstrate the correct technique the next time you are at the dentist Pennsylvania. You may be suprized at what you learn.

Dental Maintenance: Most dentists will ask you to go in for a cleaning every 6 months. This is also the most that your insurance will pay for, but you can always go more regularly if you have gingivitis.

Although I only brush twice a day (the shame!) it is recommended that you actually brush five times a day. Brush when you wake up, after breakfast, after work, after dinner, and before bedtime. There are folks at my office who bring their toothbrushes to work and I bet they have very low stress visits to their dentist as a result.

So, there you have it - my tips for beautiful, clean teeth, no gingivitis and great breath. Figure out what you can commit to for dental care Pennsylvania and stick to it!

The right age for getting your children orthodontic care in Pennsylvania

2010-09-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

Although most orthodontic problems are best treated in late childhood, some conditions are best dealt with at an earlier age.

By age 7, most children have a mix of baby (primary) and adult (permanent) teeth. Some common orthodontic problems seen in children can be traced to genetics, that is they may be inherited from their parents. Children may experience dental crowding, too much space between teeth, protruding teeth, and extra or missing teeth and sometimes jaw growth problems.

Other malocclusions (literally, “bad bite”) are acquired. In other words, they develop over time. They can be caused by thumb or finger-sucking, mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, the early or late loss of baby teeth, accidents or poor nutrition. Trauma and other medical conditions such as birth defects may contribute to orthodontic problems as well. Sometimes an inherited malocclusion is complicated by an acquired problem. Whatever the cause, the orthodontist is usually able to treat most conditions successfully.

Orthodontists are trained to spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. The advantage for patients of early detection of orthodontic problems is that some problems may be easier to correct if they are found and treated early. Waiting until all the permanent teeth have come in, or until facial growth is nearly complete, may make correction of some problems more difficult. For these reasons, the AAO recommends that all children get a check-up with an orthodontist no later than age 7. While your child’s teeth may appear straight to you, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect. Of course, the check-up may reveal that your child’s bite is fine, and that is comforting news.

Even if a problem is detected, chances are we will take a “wait-and-see” approach, checking your child from time to time as the permanent teeth come in and the jaws and face continue to grow. For each patient who needs treatment, there is an ideal time for it to begin in order to achieve the best result. Starting earlier doesn't necessarily mean finishing sooner. The orthodontist has the expertise to determine when the treatment time is right. The orthodontist’s goal is to provide each patient with the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time.

©2006 American Association of Orthodontists

Why to get Invisalign

2010-09-18T20:07:00.000-07:00

Why Straighten Teeth?

Straight teeth help an individual to effectively bite, chew and speak. Straight teeth contribute to healthy teeth and gums. Properly aligned teeth and jaws may alleviate or prevent physical health problems.

It contributes to self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image - important qualities at every age. A pleasing appearance is a vital component of self-confidence. A person's self-esteem often improves as orthodontic treatment brings teeth, lips and face into proportion. In this way, orthodontic treatment can benefit social and career success, as well as improve a person’s general attitude toward life.

You may be surprised to learn that straight teeth are less prone to decay, gum disease and injury. Straight teeth collect less plaque, a colorless, sticky film composed of bacteria, food and saliva. Decay results when the bacteria in plaque feed on carbohydrates (sugar and starch) we eat or drink to produce acids that can cause cavities. Plaque can also increase the risk for periodontal (gum) disease. When teeth are properly aligned, and less plaque collects, these risks decline. And when teeth are properly aligned it is easier to keep teeth clean. As for injuries to teeth, protruding upper teeth are more likely to be broken in an accident. When repositioned and aligned with other teeth, these teeth are most probably going to be at a decreased risk for fracture.

Untreated orthodontic problems may become worse. They may lead to tooth decay, gum disease , destruction of the bone that holds teeth in place, and chewing and digestive difficulties. Orthodontic problems can cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces , inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints, sometimes leading to chronic headaches or pain in the face or neck. Treatment by an orthodontist to correct a problem early may be less costly than the restorative dental care required to treat more serious problems that can develop in later years.

©2006 American Association of Orthodontists

Dental Implants

2010-09-17T22:34:00.000-07:00

Over 15 years ago I lost one of my teeth due to an unexplained decay of one of my roots. My dentist explained that sometimes the body attacks itself and that is why my root had decayed and had subsequently resulted in the necessity of removing my molar. So, after much drilling and poking and prodding and pressure as if my mouth were a construction site, my tooth was removing. I was told at that time that I should either get a bridge or a dental implant Pennsylvania. I thought that might be a good idea and that I should probaby do it, but then I heard the price tag. Needless to say, cheapskate that I am, I still have a gaping hole in my mouth and have learned to live without my tooth.

Being a cheapskate I finally got my implant 15 years later. I learned a great deal about the difference between a bridge and an implant and I can tell you that the difference is worth it. A bridge is less expensive, but you ruin 2 good teath on either side of your missing tooth and that seems counterproductive. And the pain that I had anticipated turned out to be minimal. I expected to be on vicodine for days, but, with minimal anti-inflamatories I recovered a few days later. In retrospect, I wish I had gotten the dental implant after the tooth was drilled when my insurance was willing to cover it.

So, the moral of the story is that if you have a missing tooth - get a dental impant. It looks and feels like a real tooth once the crown is put on and it leaves all your teath intact.

Invisible Braces

2010-09-17T22:17:00.000-07:00

Like many of today's parents, I grew up in the 80's. The 80's was a good time for poor taste - shoulder pads, spandex, hair bands, acid washed jeans and...metal braces. Every teenager dreaded them, food got stuck in them at the oddest moments and kissing was acqward to say the least. So, I feel a little irritated when I hear that today's teenagers have another option - Invisalign - a system using clear plastic trays to straighten teeth. I mean, braces are a necessary right of passage, right?

So, today's teenagers have a far more attractive option. Here's what one reviewer from Realself.com has to say about invisalign:

“All the Invisalign Info You'll Ever Need”

Spent: $5,380 in Kenosha, WI
After having slightly crooked teeth for most of my life, I decided I was ready at age 25 to confront my inner demons and fix my self-esteem crushing mouth for good. As a pre-teen, my folks didn't have the money for braces so I did without. My most notable dental flaw is my left upper canine tooth is crooked and sticks out, and over the years I've compensated for this by adjusting my smile accordingly in an attempt to hide it. I've noticed my forced/half smile in pictures, and decided to finally do something about it.

I knew some colleagues at work who were using Invisalign and they seemed relatively happy with their progress, so I took the plunge and made an appointment with a Premier Invisalign Provider in my area. The orthodontist was very thorough and quite personable initially, and I felt comfortable in their office. Then they mentioned the price of my treatment: $5,000. My associates had said that their treatment had only cost $4,000 so I wasn't sure if I was getting a fair quote. I was referred to another provider by a co-worker and their price was roughly the same, but I was creeped out by the orthodontist and just got a bad vibe from the whole experience. A few months later and after much deliberation, I went back to my initial Invisalign orthodontist and gave them the go-ahead to order the molds and start the process.

Part of my treatment plan was to have a tooth extracted to make room for the crooked upper canine to shift into place. Apparently when all four of my wisdom teeth surfaced (non-impacted, luckily), they shifted everything forward which only exacerbated the degree of my smile's crookedness.

Onto the process: The molds weren't that cumbersome to take, especially compared to some horror stories I've heard. It took a few weeks for the aligners to be sent from the Invisalign headquarters in California. Once they arrived, we had an appointment and went over the ClinCheck, a 3D animated program that shows the progression of tooth movement over time, from tray to tray. I started the trays on Tuesday, 10/6/09 after eating a delicious Cuban dinner in honor of my brother’s birthday. Those first few hours were the most orally painful of my life. The first tray is certainly the worst, but gradually you get used to them.

First, there is pain and pressure. You take the trays out and your teeth feel somewhat loose in their sockets; this is perfectly normal since they are in the shifting process. A good tip is to take an Advil PM about an hour before bedtime and then put them in right before you go to sleep. This gives the trays ample time while you are sleeping to do their magic so it’s not as difficult to remove them in the morning when you brush your teeth.

During the Invisalign process, patients are supposed to visit their orthodontist’s office roughly every 4 weeks to check their progress and make any adjustments. After the first tray or so, my orthodontist had me come back to have attachments put on my teeth. They are small, tooth-colored nubs that fit into what can best be described as pockets on the aligners themselves. It makes them fit tighter and harder to remove, and I believe it helps with tooth rotation. The process of putting on the attachments is less than desirable. They first prep your teeth with a bonding agent and then apply the attachments using a UV/heat gun. After they have set, they use a drill to remove any excess material from the teeth. The drill is scary and loud; if it deviates in the slightest, you smell enamel burning (scary!).

After the attachments were applied, I was told to have a soft diet (soups and pastas) for the next day or so. Despite my adherence to this policy, some of the attachments wore off. My orthodontist seemed slightly concerned by this, but went on with treatment, stating that if they were to try to reapply the attachments they would only be more likely to come off because they would be applied on the attachment polymer rather than pure, porous enamel.

The next step in my orthodontist’s bag of tricks was “elastics” – their fancy way of saying rubber bands. These elastics are strung between my upper and lower arches, making the fact that I am wearing braces QUITE noticeable. I didn’t know this would be part of my treatment program, and honestly if I had I doubt I would have proceeded. The elastics hook on to small tabs that the orthodontist cuts into the aligners. The purpose of the elastics is to put more pressure on the teeth to move, and also to ensure that my bite lines up properly now and later on when treatment is completed.

Of course, nothing is ever easy. In addition to the attachments popping off (making my aligners less than snug), I had trouble with the elastics staying on the makeshift hooks. This is a recipe for disaster! I had rubber bands snapping in my mouth constantly, popping off of one hook or another; it’s painful and annoying. I remember one lower tray in particular that was quite loose to begin with, and the torque from the elastic actually made the tray pop off of my teeth entirely whenever I would open my mouth (yawning, speaking, etc.) which was quite embarrassing. I made an emergency orthodontist appointment that day and went in after-hours for them to pinch the aligner with some pliers to make them grip my teeth better. It was a temporary fix until I put in my next, tighter aligner.

As I write this now, I’m on the last week of my 10th aligner out of 16. I’ve seen some encouraging progress in the shifting of my teeth; my mother even noticed and said that they look a lot straighter. I’m about halfway there and am excited for the final result. Once I’ve completed treatment, I am supposed to wear a retainer at night for the first year, and then one night a week for the rest of my life (or as long as I want straight teeth).

My suggestion for people considering Invisalign is to discuss in detail EVERYTHING in your treatment program. My "invisible braces" are anything but invisible with these God-awful rubber bands in sight. I have developed a lisp that hasn't gone away (even after 5 months). I honestly feel like a teenager - and not in a good way - but if you don't have the elastics as part of your program or if it's only for a limited time, this shouldn't be an issue.

Beyond the obvious obstacles I've had with Invisalign thus far, I feel it's a great way to improve your smile in an unobtrusive way. I wear my aligners religiously and if I am ever EXTREMELY self-conscious about the elastics, I just unhook them from the top arch and let the band fall to rest on my lower gums (making them unnoticeable). When I am free from the embarassing situation, I hook them back on and I'm on my way. The movement I've seen of the crooked canine tooth is very impressive - I would gladly pay $5K merely for the results I've had thus far.

Words can't describe how excited I am for the ultimate end result, when I can finally smile with full confidence! I, of course, will update this review once I'm finished with the program. Best wishes and good luck to all! :)

How to Get a Smile Makeover

2010-08-27T23:19:00.000-07:00

Many people want that perfect smile that they see on television and in magazines. Today it has become easier than ever to get that brilliant smile with a smile makeover in Maryknoll.

Although there are various options to pick from to begin your smile makeover, porcelain veneers are the most common procedure chosen. The procedure begins by shaving away a small amount of tooth structure. Next thin coverings of porcelain are placed over the tooth. This beautiful porcelain shell is bonded with your tooth so that it holds tightly and firmly to forge the alignment, shape, and color you’ve always wanted.

Another option for the smile makeover process in Maryknoll is lumineers. Lumineers use thinner porcelain coverings than the veneers. This enables the dentist to use a no-preparation technique, which means that the lumineer porcelain is so thin that none of the patient’s teeth have to be shaven away before the lumineers are placed on. Although some patient’s require no tooth reduction, this process does occasionally need tooth reduction to prepare for the lumineers.

Some patients do not need their teeth shaped or positioned differently so lumineers and veneers are unnecessary. If this is the case, but you are still unhappy with your smile it may be the discoloration in your teeth. Tooth whitening would be the solution for you. There are many different options for teeth whitening from laser whitening to take-home whitening kits that can lighten your smile.

If you are not happy with the placement of your teeth, Invisalign might be the smile makeover solution for you. Invisalign acts like braces to shape and position your teeth into a straight and beautiful smile. Many people choose Invisalign over braces though because they are clear and barely visible when they are placed on your teeth. They can also be combined with a tooth whitening treatment to create a perfectly brilliant smile.

The Costs of Various Teeth Whitening Options

2010-08-27T23:13:00.000-07:00

When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening has become extremely popular among both men and women. Teeth whitening has been improved upon over the years and today there are multiple options that can fit any budget, time frame, and tendency.

There are three major teeth whitening processes that are available: in-office whitening, professionally dispensed take-home whitening kits, and over-the counter whitening.

The first option of teeth whitening is in-office whitening. This process usually works best for patients who have had substantial color changes in their teeth over a short period of time. During this procedure peroxide gel is placed on a patient’s teeth by the dentist or an experienced technician. To protect the gums from this rather high-concentration of peroxide gel a paint-on rubber dam will be applied to the upper and lower gums. This process usually takes about an hour and cost about $650 on average.

The next teeth whitening option is a professionally dispensed kit you can take home and apply yourself. Like the in-office whitening, this kit uses peroxide gel but in lower concentrations so it is safe to use at home. The gel is positioned on the teeth using a custom-made bleaching tray for about an hour or sometimes longer. Your dentist will help make this individualized tray to fit your mouth. This take-home kit can cost anywhere from $100 to $400 and is really beneficial for long-term teeth whitening.

The last option is teeth whitening care is over the counter whitening, which can cost $20 to $100. This can sometimes be the easiest option since you just go to the store to buy it. It usually contains a lower concentration of bleaching gel than the professionally distributed take-home kits for teeth whitening. The gel can either be applied by whitening strips, paint-on applicators, or one-size-fits-all trays.

Dental Care Necessities for Babies

2010-08-25T00:26:00.000-07:00

A child’s baby teeth deserve as much care as their permanent teeth. Although these primary teeth do eventually fall out your child should still be seeing a dentist in Irvington every six months. Sometimes a child or baby’s teeth are hard to clean so the debris tends to accumulate and remain on their teeth. If this accumulation is left unchecked bacteria can start to grow, which will lead to tooth decay. Making sure your child’s baby teeth are clean is important since they are fundamental to child’s overall development and health.

Baby’s teeth usually begin to come in between six months of age and 24 months. Sometimes a tooth can even erupt in the first month. It is important to remember that the tooth should be cleaned as soon as it comes in. To clean your baby’s tooth gently a soft washcloth or gauze can be used. Just like with older children and adults this should be done after ever meal or bottle. Once multiple teeth arrive a small-bristled toothbrush can be used to clean their teeth. Pediatric dentists recommend that this toothbrush be ran under warm water before use.

When it comes to using toothpaste only a pea-sized amount should be used. It can be dangerous for your child if they swallow too much toothpaste. Once they get older and have the coordination to use a toothbrush on their own they should be prompted to brush their own teeth so they can establish a habit of it. Also, toothbrushes should be replaced every two to three months. By the time your baby is one-year-old they should see a family dentist or pediatric dentist in Irvington. By seeing a dentist you can acquire a professional cleaning plan and institute long-term dental hygiene.

The Importance of Child Dental Care

2010-08-25T00:09:00.000-07:00

Many people think that their child’s dental care is not of high importance because they do not yet have their permanent adult teeth. The problem is that even though children and infants only have their baby teeth still, they are not unaffected by oral health problems.

Many babies develop teeth in their first month of life called neonatal teeth. Even if it is just one tooth it does require regular dental hygiene. By the time a baby is six months old they will at least have one baby tooth that has appeared, which requires cleaning. During the next six months, from 6 months to 24 months, a child will begin their teething stage. When this happens a child is usually irritable, biting on objects, drooling, and ear pulling. To ease their pain techniques such as massaging the gums can help, as well as giving them a chilled teething ring, or even getting a teething ointment recommendation from your general dentist.

As your child grows older different foods can affect the health of their teeth. Too many sugars from foods such as candy, juice, cookies, or cakes can result in tooth decay. Also starches found in potato chips and pretzels can lead to tooth decay. These types of foods plus the added difficultly of cleaning a child’s teeth add to the debris that remains in their mouth. This debris causes bacteria to grow resulting in tooth decay. Even though baby teeth eventually fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth, healthy teeth are extremely important to a child’s complete health. Also, if the decay of a child’s baby teeth goes unchecked by their pediatric dentist is may start to infect the permanent as well.

Crown Lengthening Procedure

2010-08-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

The procedure of crown lengthening is used to make a tooth appear longer by removing either gum tissue, bone, or both. Before the procedure even takes place you will need to have a consultation with your general dentist. This will allow your dentist to review medical history and x-rays, as well as set a date for surgery.

Do not let the word surgery scare you from this procedure either. Crown lengthening is a fairly common procedure that can be done with local anesthesia. Once a patient is numbed, a small incision will be made around the teeth that need crown lengthening. Next the extra gum tissue will be carefully pulled back from the tooth so that the supporting bone is exposed. This will allow access to the root of the teeth.

The gums position is then molded to form a better position on the tooth and perfectly shaped to make sure both sides are even and look the same. Once the gum has been peeled back and the dentist is sure enough of the tooth structure is revealed the area will be rinsed with sterile salt water and the flaps will be stitched back together.

After the crown lengthening procedure is performed teeth will look longer because the gums are now sitting at a lower level. Usually this procedure can be done in one visit, but will vary in time depending how many teeth need the surgery. To keep the swelling down after surgery ice can be applied to your face and in 7 to 10 day the sutures can be removed.

Benefits of Crown Lengthening

2010-08-13T20:59:00.000-07:00

Crown lengthening is a procedure that involves the removal of gum tissue, bone, or both to make a tooth appear longer. This procedure can be used for aesthetic needs but is also used for tooth restoration.

When a tooth needs to be restored, usually a filling or a crown is used. Sometimes there is not enough tooth structure above the gum line to create a solid foundation for a filling or a crown. This can happen when a tooth is fractured at the gum line. There is also a lack of support from the tooth if there is extensive decay, which reduces the remaining healthy tooth area. To be able to continue with the tooth restoration by using a filling or a crown a dentist must first expose more of the tooth by removing tissue or bone. A patient will benefit by this crown lengthening procedure because now more of the tooth is unveiled allowing to help as an anchor for the future restorative work.

Crown lengthening can also be used to make a smile more aesthetically pleasing. This procedure can be used to correct “gummy smile”. A smile can be referred to as a “gummy smile” when an unusually large amount of gum tissue shows around the upper part of the teeth making teeth look shorter. This type of smile can make some people embarrassed and be afraid to smile. By getting the crown lengthening procedure patients with a “gummy smile” can get their gum line repositioned which will not only improve their smile but also improves the contours of their face.

Whether you need crown lengthening in preparation for restorative work, or for esthetics reason the great advantage of this procedure is that it can be performed in one visit. After a simple anesthetic the excess gum tissue will be removed to expose more of the tooth.

Post-Care for a Tooth Extraction

2010-07-25T23:40:00.000-07:00

A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth, or more specifically from its socket in the bone. There are many different reasons for needing a tooth removal but the post-operative care is basically the same. Directly after the appointment you will not want to get up right away. The reason for this is because a blood clot needs to have formed. If you get up too soon after the procedure and walk around this will provoke bleeding so it is important to sit still for a few minutes directly after the procedure is performed to make sure a blood cot has formed. Keeping pressure on the site by biting down on a piece of gauze will help stop the bleeding.

After leaving the dentist office you will want to make sure you keep calm and do not perform any strenuous activity for the next couple of hours. More activity can be resumed the following day, but you will still want to be cautious and not do anything too physically straining for the next few days. Some persistent bleeding is normal, but if the site continues to bleed even after about 45-minutes of direct pressure on the abrasion your dentist should be called.

There will be some pain after the procedure as well. If it is a simple tooth extraction an over-the-counter pain medication can be taken such as ibuprofen, Advil, or Tylenol. If the extraction was more difficult your dentist may prescribe a more serious pain medication. Usually the pain dissipates after a couple of days. If your face becomes swollen, ice packs can be beneficial in reducing the swelling. Try to also stick to eating cool and soft foods as to not irritate the site. Stick to these tips and you should have minimal recovery time and be able to get back to your normal activities without any complications.

Reasons to Get Tooth Extraction

2010-07-25T23:35:00.000-07:00

Tooth extraction, which is the removal of the tooth from the mouth, can be useful in many situations. Whenever a patient hears they need to get a tooth removed many of them become fearful of this procedure, but in many cases it is necessary for the health of your mouth.

One reason a patient might need a tooth extracted is if they have extra teeth that can crowd and misalign teeth as well as block other teeth from coming in. Some people when getting braces on need this procedure done to produce more room for the teeth that are being moved and straightened. Another reason dental services may be necessary is when a tooth becomes infected. This can sometimes happen to people who are taking cancer drugs which weaken the immune system enabling teeth to become infected.

There is also the very common wisdom teeth removal. Wisdom teeth are usually extracted during the late teen years or early 20s. Many times wisdom teeth do not even come in because they are either impacted, blocked by other teeth, or there is not enough room in the mouth for them to descend. If they become decayed or cause a patient pain immediate removal is necessary. Remember to find a qualified dentist before selecting a dental practice to perform any of these procedures.

Repair Tooth Discoloration

2010-07-25T23:31:00.000-07:00

Having perfectly white teeth is the ideal look most people want for their smile, but over time teeth begin to lose this bright white color. Discoloration can be caused by many different forces over time. Some discoloration is harmless and can be caused by drinking too much coffee or eating too much blueberry pie. Sometimes discoloration can be harmful to your health because it is a sign of tooth decay. Regular visits to a dental practice can reduce your risk of finding out too late that an odd colored tooth is actual the start of tooth decay.

Some people believe that brushing their teeth more will result in whiter teeth, but this is untrue. Brushing is a very important part of keeping your teeth clean and healthy but this will not remove stubborn stains. Also, brushing the teeth too aggressively can cause more damage by eroding the white enamel covering the teeth and revealing the darker dentin beneath this top layer. As we get older our teeth become discolored because the dentin naturally yellows over time. How can we prevent stains from occurring and get the beautiful white teeth we’ve always wanted?

For more surface stains caused by drinks and foods like coffee dentists recommend that you continue healthy habits like brushing you teeth after every meal. It is also important to get regular cleanings by a general dentist. If you really want a beautifully luminous and white smile the best solution is dental whitening Pennsylvania. By going to a professional cosmetic dentist you can reform your mouth into a brilliant white smile by getting laser whitening or teeth bleaching. These tools will help get rid of the any discoloring your teeth may have acquired over the years, even if you do take great care of them.

Dental Implants Vs Dentures

2010-07-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

The two most commonly used solutions when replacing missing teeth is dental implants and dentures. There are many ways one could possibly encounter tooth loss, including; tooth decay, gum disease, trauma of the mouth, root canal failure, and excess wear and tear. With all these problems that cause tooth loss there are numerous possible corrections to make your smile brilliant again but they vary in how much they cost, their comfort, and durability.

It is common for people with missing teeth to wear upper and lower dentures. Some may even have partial dentures. The problem with dentures is that they never really feel like they belong in your mouth. When gum tissue shrinks they can start to shift and not fit appropriately in your mouth which will cause discomfort. This constant irritation can lead to sores and pain. Dentures do not feel like natural teeth so they may also cause a diminishing effect in your speech and eating habits. However, there is one solution to their uncomfortable fit and that is a dental adhesive you can get from a general dentist. Upper dentures may not need this adhesive since the upper roof of a mouth has better suction to keep the denture in place, but the lower dentures are more difficult to keep in place and probably will benefit from this adhesive.

While the benefit of dentures is that they are less expensive, dental implants are a better solution for missing teeth. Dental implants are extremely durable and long-lasting which is imperative today with increasing length of our life span. Not only are they more pleasing cosmetically because they have a natural look, but they are also very functional feeling more native to your mouth than dentures. Dental implants give a comfortable bite that is just as powerful as real teeth so you don’t have to worry about not being able to eat the same foods as usual.

While both dental implants and dentures provide a replacement for lost teeth, implants are more beneficial for long-term comfort and wear. When looking into getting a solid replacement for your missing teeth make sure to research well for an experienced cosmetic dentist.

Benefits of Dental Implants

2010-07-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

Dental implants are natural-looking replacements used to counter tooth loss. There are numerous reasons why a patient might have tooth loss. Teeth can be lost due to gum disease, tooth decay, some type of trauma to the mouth, root canal failure, and excess wear and tear. There are many different solutions and restorative options for tooth loss, but dental implants are usually the most effective.

The reason they are more effective than any other solutions is because dental implants are dependable and durable. This cosmetic dentistry procedure lasts a long time, especially when compared with dentures and bridges. Many times dentures and bridges can be unpredictable becoming unfastened and temperamental as time goes on and must be replaced. Dental veneers Scarsdale provides a durable solution that looks natural and is functional.

The other great benefit of dental implants is they can work together with various restorative procedures to provide more support and effectiveness. Implants can be used in conjunction with dental crowns and dental bridges to replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. This helps strengthen the other procedure and gives it more longevity. Find a qualified cosmetic dentist in Scarsdale today and find out how truly beneficial dental implants will be for your smile.

Go Beyond Taking Care of Your Teeth

2010-07-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

Most people today know how to properly take care of their teeth to prevent decay or gum disease. Whether they learned this at school, from a parent, or a general dentist taking care of their teeth was probably learned as a young child and has become a life-long habit.

We all know that brushing our teeth twice a day, flossing, and getting regular check-ups at the dentist’s office helps prevent cavities. Sometimes doing all this still is not enough to get that perfect smile you want. This will definitely keep your mouth healthy but sometimes teeth will still begin to yellow as time goes on.

Some methods of getting whiter teeth include getting a powerful mouthwash. There are plenty of mouthwash brands out there that also provide the power of whitening your teeth and protect your enamel. Different types of home teeth whitening kits can also be purchased to help increase the white color of your smile. These include whitening strips that you lay across your teeth for a certain period of time, or whitening trays that can be molded to fit your mouth and are also held for a certain period of time.

Even when practicing all of these healthy habits professional dental services may still be required to get that perfectly luminous smile. There are different methods an experienced dentist can use to keep your teeth looking beautiful and healthy. Many dentist offer laser teeth whitening and teeth bleaching if your teeth begin to yellow or just are not at the brilliant color of white you want. There are also other methods that dentist can use that will make your mouth look cosmetically pleasing as well as keep it healthy. These include dental veneers, teeth bonding, teeth crowns, and much more. Look into getting a quality dentist today to get the luminous smile you have always wanted.

Rules to Follow After Dental Whitening

2010-06-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

Pricing of Dental Inlays or Onlays

2010-06-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

Dental inlays and onlays restore damaged or decaying teeth with the use of such materials as gold, porcelain, or composite resin. Looking for an experienced cosmetic dentist in Irvington can be difficult enough, but then you have to think about the price of this procedure and how you will be able to pay. The cost of inlays and onlays slightly varies from each dental practice. The cost of this procedure ranges from $650 to $1200 per tooth.

Luckily, if you have insurance your plan will likely cover some of all of the costs related to the inlay and onlay procedures. The reason your insurance plan will pay for this cost is because an inlay and onlay treatment helps to get your teeth healthy again. Whether you have a cracked, fractured, or decaying tooth this procedure will help restore your mouth to full health and give you a natural looking smile.

The cost of this procedure does vary depending on the type of material you choose to use. The materials offered are usually gold, porcelain, or composite resin. Also, prices can increase depending on the amount of damage of the tooth or if you have multiple teeth damaged. Lastly, pricing can differ depending on the location in which the dentist practices and their level of experience. Make sure to research a quality cosmetic dentist in Irvington before making your final selection. The inlay and onlay procedure demands the expertise of a skilled dentist to produce the ideal results of a brilliant and healthy smile.

What Are Dental Inlays and Onlays?

2010-06-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

Dental inlays and onlays repair a damaged tooth’s biting surface. Rear teeth that have a mild to moderate amount of decay can be repaired by this type of restoration. If a patient has a tooth that has decay or damage on the surface then inlays and onlays can treat this. Also, if a tooth is fractured or cracked a dental inlay or onlay can be used to repair this as long as the impairment is not too severe. If the damage to the tooth is critical a dental crown will be used instead.

Most inlays and onlays are made from composite resin, gold, or porcelain. Since some of the material they are made from can be tooth-colored, they are frequently used to replace metal fillings. Many patients want a more natural looking smile so choose to get dental inlays or onlays to achieve this look. Also, metal filling can expand and contract in response to the temperature, which can cause teeth to weaken or even fracture. Onlays and inlays will not do this. Inlay and onlay placement normally takes two appointments to complete the procedure. Both procedures are basically the same except that inlays treat damage in the cusps of a tooth, whereas onlays treat decay that extend to one or more of the cusps.

Dental inlays and onlays are extremely durable and tend to last much longer than metal fillings. Also, due to the fact that they are created specifically for each individual patient they can more securely bond to the injured tooth which helps inhibit bacteria from entering and developing cavities. Since they are tooth-colored they are nearly invisible so you can smile without worrying about anyone else noticing your cosmetic dental surgery. Find a quality cosmetic dentist in Irvington today to gain the many benefits of an inlay or onlay procedure.

Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry

2010-06-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

Many patients become concerned about cosmetic dentistry when is comes to the price of different procedures. Many patients are interested in a smile makeover but do not have the funds immediately available. Even if a patient cannot afford to pay for the cosmetic treatment up front with cash there are numerous financing plans that are available.

The prices of cosmetic dentistry vary depending mostly on the amount of the work needed to be performed and the technologies used by the dentist. First, a patient should find a quality dentist in New York and make an appointment for a consultation. This way you can get an accurate estimate on how extensive your treatment may be and learn how much dentists charge in that area. If you do not make an appointment for a consultation dentists will only be able to give you an estimate of prices and not an exact cost. When you go in for an examination a dentist can better determine the amount of work that needs to be done for your individual case.

Once you have found the right dental services in Pennsylvania financing becomes a huge concern. Most dentists will accept cash, credit cards, checks, and even offer different cosmetic dentistry financing options. If you do need more time to pay and cannot pay for the whole treatment up front, credit cards and financing options are the best solutions. These options allow you to spread the payment out over a few months to a few years. Some dentists offer cosmetic dentistry financing options from local companies as well to help you pay for your treatments.

Getting a smile makeover can give you the boost of confidence you need. It is a process that can improve your over-all appearance making you feel better about yourself. Try cosmetic dentistry in Pennsylvania and make the price easier to afford by using personalized payment plans.

Benefits of Teeth Bonding

2010-06-17T21:59:00.000-07:00

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. Qualified dentists start off 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 dentist will coarsen the tooth that needs to be fixed 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.

Braces Vs. Invisalign

2010-06-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

Did you attend school where kids wearing braces were referred to as metal-mouth? Most people growing up did go to school where the ugly metallic braces were given mean names like this. Yet after the joy of braces coming off they did get the reward of having straight and nice teeth. Being a pre-teen or teen though can make the psychological and social effects hard to manage. Even adults who wear metal braces can have a difficult time, especially when not being taken seriously at you place of business. Invisalign can fix your cosmetic dental problems.

Invisalign and traditional braces bear the same results of straight teeth, but there are many differences through the process. When you get metal braces they are permanently glued to your teeth for a certain amount of time, while with Invisalign the aligners can be taken off. This can be beneficial if you have any special event coming up. You will get a new set of aligners about every two weeks to wear so that your teeth can slowly move to produce the perfectly straight looking teeth you want. Your cosmetic dentist or orthodontist will lay out a strict treatment plan for you to follow usually lasting about 1 year.

While braces have rough edges that can irritate your cheeks and gums, Invisalign braces have smooth, comfortable edges that blend with your mouth. Since the Invisalign retainer can be removed cleaning your teeth and gums is extremely easy. You just follow the same cleaning process you have always had. Many times with Invisalign you will also get to see a computer simulation of your teeth being aligned, which is a great motivational factor for many patients. It can also be extremely educational and explain the process better. Thoroughly research before choosing a cosmetic dentist or orthodontist that is right for you and ask them for more information and medical advice.

How Expensive Are Dental Veneers?

2010-05-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

One of the big things that need to consider with any dental procedure in Mt. Vernon is what the total investment is going to be. And the question that everyone is asking is how much do porcelain veneers cost. Being that we are in a society that is very visual-based and looks are important, regardless of the cost, many people are willing to pay for improved self esteem.

Let's take a look at the cost of porcelain veneers and figure out how much the procedure costs. The first thing we need to do is to understand that there are different things that will affect the price of your veneer procedure.

The very first consideration is to know how many cosmetic dental veneers you will be getting. The pricing for veneers is by the each. The cost of porcelain veneer is depends on how many veneers are being applied, so discussing with your dentist how many you need to get is the starting point for how much your porcelain veneers will cost.

The type of veneer is also another consideration. There are three types, there is the composite veneer, the porcelain veneer, and lumineers. In general the composite veneer is the least expensive, and the porcelain veneer and lumineers can vary depending on your location. Composite and porcelain veneers are applied using the same procedures, while lumineers use different technology and are usually cheaper.

Cosmetic Dental Veneers: Are They Permanent?

2010-05-14T16:22:00.000-07:00

Cosmetic dental veneers are permanent, so you should make sure that they are the right procedure for you. People love veneers because they are both resistant to stains and extremely durable at the same time. Generally, you will not have to undergo any type of modifications for several years and can be performed in about three office visits at your dentist. Porcelain veneers typically will last for many years, and the technique has shown remarkable longevity when properly performed.

The first visits generally consist of the initial consultation; the next two visits will consist of preparing your teeth and cementing the veneers; and the final follow-up visit is optional. At the initial consultation visit, the cosmetic dentist will exam your teeth, take x-ray, and propose the treatment plan. At the "prep" visit, the dentist will prepare each tooth, create a tooth impression, and write the order (prescription) so the dental technician can make the veneer exactly to the designed specifications. Finally, at the "cementation" visit, your dentist will try in the veneers and the bond the veneer to the tooth. After that, for about a week or two, you will go through a period of adjustment as you get used to your "new" teeth that have been changed in size and shape. Brush and floss daily. After one or two weeks, you'll return for a follow-up appointment.

Porcelain veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns in many situations. They provide a much more conservative approach to changing the color, size, or shape of the tooth. Porcelain veneers can hide undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline, by an injury, or as a result of a root-canal procedure, and are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth. Patients with spaces between their front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn may consider porcelain veneers.

Improving Your Smile with Veneers

2010-05-14T16:21:00.000-07:00

Now, more than ever, people are wanting to improve their smile and their teeth. One way of doing this is by visiting a dentist in Mt. Vernon and learning about cosmetic dental veneers. Every day, more and more dentists are realizing just how cosmetic dental veneers are increasing being demanded by patients. This article will explain just what are the dental cosmetic veneers how and how they can work to improve your smile.

Cosmetic Dental Veneers are custom made for your teeth specifically. They come in different thicknesses, anywhere from a half of millimeter to one millimeter. What is great about cosmetic dental veneers is that they come in a variety of materials such as acrylic, resin, or porcelain; the costs will depend on the type of material you wish to have for your veneers.

Cosmetic dental veneers are thin facings like the shell of the enamel. They are placed directly over the front and the top of the tooth. These veneers are see-through, so they blend easily with the existing tooth, creating a look of healthy, real teeth. Many people benefit from cosmetic dental veneers such as those with cracked, crowded, worn, chipped, crooked, or stained teeth. These work particularly well for any person with gum line erosion or gaps in their teeth. Essentially, your teeth should be overall healthy and in good shape and you must still maintain the proper dental hygiene.

Damaged Dental Crowns

2010-05-03T21:04:00.000-07:00

Mt. Vernon Dental crowns are supposed to last you approximately ten years. But it’s no guarantee—food impaction and other forces can damage and impair your dental crown’s ability to function properly.

What Is A Dental Crown?

A Mt. Vernon dental crown is a cap placed over your tooth in order to prevent further fracture or decay, strengthen a weakened tooth, and provide the means for a tooth to function properly.

Depending on your dentist and cosmetic goals, your dental crown could be made of:

· Porcelain: The most aesthetically pleasing dental crown, but is not nearly as durable, thus confining its placement to lesser used areas of the mouth

· Porcelain-fused-to-metal: Stronger and more durable than pure porcelain

· Gold: The most durable but least desired due to cosmetic concerns

How My Dental Crown Can Be Damaged?

Your Mt. Vernon dental crown lifespan can be seriously compromised if you indulge in the wrong habits. Providing the appropriate post-treatment care and being conscious of the fact that your artificial tooth will always be weaker than your real ones can go miles.

This includes:

· Not chewing on inedible objects like ice, pen caps and fingernails
· Brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush
· Use a non-abrasive toothpaste
· Stop grinding and clenching your teeth. If this habit is sub-conscious, wear a mouth guard while you sleep
· Return to your dentist for frequent cleanings

Beware Of Plaque Buildup

Your dental crown will be custom designed to fit your tooth. However, the area around your dental crown where the gum meets the tooth can easily gather plaque. Use floss or specially shaped brushes to remove all plaque from this area, or you risk ruining your dental crown and gum disease.

Your Options for Dental Crowns

2010-05-03T20:57:00.000-07:00

There are three kinds of commonly used Mt. Vernon 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

Mt. Vernon 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

Mt. Vernon 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 Crowns

2010-05-03T20:53:00.000-07:00

Has extensive wear and tear damaged your tooth to the point that its functionality is compromised? Than you need to consider a dental crown. A dental crown is essentially a cap placed over your tooth to:

•Prevent further damage
•Serve as a shell for a cracked tooth
•Replace a crown
•Allow a damaged tooth to regain functionality

Do I Need A Mt. Vernon Dental Crown?

While options such as Mt. Vernon porcelain veneers are another route you can take to prevent further tooth decay or repair a damaged tooth, if excessive damage has compromised your oral health, dental crowns are your only course of action. This is because unlike other smile restoration procedures, dental crowns provide a more fortified foundation for your teeth. Instances when this is required are:

•You're the victim of periodontal disease, which would automatically disqualify you for porcelain veneers
•Grinding or clenching your teeth
•Major decay has eroded the foundation of your teeth
•Significant shape change is required to meet your goals

What's The Procedure Like?

If you experience dental anxiety, many dental offices now practice sedation dentistry to alleviate any stress you may experience. However, compared to other smile restoration options, the Mt. Vernon dental crown procedure is rather simple and non-invasive:

Don't Be Afraid of the Dentist!

2010-04-18T17:25:00.000-07:00

Shiny. Glowing. Resplendent. For either professional or private reasons most people would give anything to have such teeth. Expressions such as teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, or laser bleaching have already started to get into the daily vocabulary and become routine activities. Consequently, a dentist appointment, which used to make most people shiver, can now turn into a craved cosmetic dentistry Harrison appointment meant to turn teeth into small pieces of jewelry.

When basic methods of teeth whitening, such as the frequent use of whitening toothpaste, which is the easiest and cheapest way of removing surface stains, do not work, cosmetic dentistry is the next step. And it may or may not require an appointment with a dentist.

Cosmetic dentistry Harrison is not limited to teeth whitening producers, as it can also be used for adjusting cracked or uneven teeth, to replace damaged teeth or correct any other imperfection. However, a lot of persons don’t need anything more than over the counter products as they have healthy, unrestored teeth that can be whitened at home with quality products bought from pharmacies or online shops. For those who need to visit a doctor before having their teeth bleached, it’s wise to know they have nothing to be afraid of. The demand for cosmetic dentistry procedures for teeth whitening has increased a lot in recent years and has made people feel comfortable in the dentist’s office.

The best part when considering cosmetic dentistry for teeth whitening is that one can choose from several techniques. “In-office” and “at home” teeth whitening procedures rely on bleaching changing natural teeth color from five to seven shades brighter.

Among the “In-office” teeth whitening procedures, the laser bleaching one is the most expensive and the brighter the teeth one wants, the longer one has to sit in the dentist’s chair. However, if sitting in the dentist’s chair used to be an ordeal, nowadays more and more people willingly ask for a cosmetic dentistry treatment Harrison, ready to spend as much time as necessary in what used to be a scary place – the dentist’s cabinet.

Another “In-office” teeth whitening procedure is the professional cleaning of one’s teeth by a dentist who uses abrasion and polishing to remove stains mostly caused by certain kinds of foods and beverages and by tobacco. In addition, one can also choose to get tooth veneers either as a cosmetic dentistry procedure for teeth whitening or as a cosmetic dentistry procedure for fixing damaged teeth. Tooth veneers are a plastic or porcelain coating fixed by the dentist on the surface of a tooth, looking and feeling natural. And they are also an economical choice for “In-office” teeth whitening.

Cosmetic Denstistry is the New In

2010-04-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

“Smile!” A simple pep talk can make us feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. Stains, spots, uneven teeth, gaps, cavities or cracks can seem a nightmare in a society that requires more and more smiles. Well, smile! Cosmetic Dentistry Harrison is here to help. Teeth whitening, porcelain dental veneers, laser bleaching, braces and bridges… they are all solutions to your problems.

Research in cosmetic dentistry allows us today to have the “perfect smile”. Teeth whitening is probably the easiest way. Peroxide based materials are usually used in order to achieve bright, attractive smiles. How does cosmetic dentistry work in this case? Well, dentists have been trying to answer this dilemma for the past 10 years and they have come up with two possible solutions to the problem: in-office teeth whitening and at-home treatment. What is this all about anyway?

Let’s see...the in-office teeth whitening Harrison method resides in your dentist making molds of the teeth, forward them to a laboratory and in a period of just one week get your made-to-order mouthpiece back. After that, you would just have to stay for a couple of endless hours with your new plastic teeth whitening molds cemented in peroxide on your discomforted gums. And this wouldn’t be all, of course... After a week of annoying appointments with your dentist, you would have to pay to cover all charges. Well, some would call that a crisis! But do not worry! Your dentist can come up with other cosmetic dentistry procedures to get your teeth whiter. One of them would be an in-office brief process called 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.

Until a few years ago, home teeth whitening wasn’t a real option for the majority of people as cosmetic dentistry prices were too high. Nowadays, money isn’t an issue anymore. There are two practical opportunities available on the cosmetic dentistry Harrison market to satisfy everyone’s needs.

A Great Smile Today is Worth A Lot!

2010-04-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

It is said that the smile is the beauty of a face and the mirror of the mind. This treatment is quite expensive and includes teeth whitening, tooth veneering, tooth implants, dental crowns, reshaping dental bonding, dentures, root canal etc.

Cosmetic dentistry Harrison will tell you that it has much more to offer than just to enhancing and beautifying the smile. Firstly, this is dentistry and is concerned with improving the health of the teeth. Reading Cosmetic dentistry articles becomes mandatory before deciding on the treatment. The fast and junk food, cold and hard drinks, chocolates, coffee, and cigarettes that has become a part of our daily diet, contains harmful chemicals and causes immense damage to the enamel which is the protective covering of the teeth. This therefore affects the health and quality of the teeth and gum. Although cosmetic dentistry is performed by professional dentists, it is not completely a zero risk procedure.

You will find many useful cosmetic dentistry Harrison on teeth whitening and other procedures. In this treatment, one’s teeth are bleached in a cosmetic manner to remove or lighten the stains on the enamel. The advantage of teeth whitening is that it enhances self-confidence, makes one look more attractive and appealing, provides a winning smile, and reduces insecurity. It also has disadvantages. Teeth whitening methods are not recommended for pregnant and lactating women, children below sixteen, and for people with sensitive teeth and gums. Moreover, dental bleaching does not yield permanent results and are not always as effective as people expect them to be.

Laser teeth whitening procedure Harrison, also known as laser bleaching, is a new procedure. Many websites have loads of cosmetic dentistry on laser bleaching. A translucent bleaching peroxide gel is applied on the teeth and laser argon light is used to activate the crystals in the gel. In turn the gel penetrates through the enamel making the teeth brighter. But if the gel is swallowed or if it seeps into the gum it might be dangerous.

Highly Trained Dentists

2010-04-06T18:08:00.000-07:00

LVI-trained dentists Rye are some of the best in the world. LVI stands for the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies and is the world's premier post-graduate dental teaching center. At LVI, dentists receive highly specialized training in the areas of cosmetic dentistry and neuromuscular dentistry. LVI was founded in 1995 and helps train dentists to provide the most advanced patient care possible. LVI has trained some of the best, most successful dentists in the world. A visit to an LVI-trained dentist is not a typical dental visit. LVI dentists devote a considerable amount of time to their patients, listening to them describe why they're there and what results they are looking for from their highly trained dentist. LVI dentists consider it an honor to be your dentist.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) is the largest international dental organization dedicated cosmetic dentistry. The AACD was founded in 1984 and has more than 7600 members in the United States and worldwide. Sixty countries boast dentists with AACD membership. Members of the Academy include cosmetic and reconstructive dentists, researchers, students, hygienists, dental lab technicians, educators, and corporations. AACD members seek out continuing education through lectures, workshops, and publications in order to stay current with the latest advancements in cosmetic dental techniques and technology.

Keep in mind that the most affordable dentist Rye advertising the lowest prices is not necessarily the right dentist for you. Find a cosmetic dentist in Rye who has the skill and experience to transform your smile into the beautiful one you've dreamed about and one who will enhance your confidence through his artistry and expertise.

How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist

2010-04-06T18:06:00.000-07:00

As with any healthcare professional, when you choose a cosmetic dentist Rye, there are many points to consider. Should you experience complications during any of your cosmetic dentistry procedures, an experienced dentist will be much more adept at handling those situations. A highly trained dentist who has performed countless cosmetic dentistry procedures Rye will have had time to perfect his/her technique and results. Your dentist's confidence and expertise will make you a more relaxed and trusting patient. There is also an artistic touch to the science of cosmetic dentistry, especially with treatments such as dental veneers and dental bonding. Your dentist's own artistic touch and personal flair will produce attractive and natural-looking results for you.

The following are some suggestions to help you in your search for a trained, experienced cosmetic dentist in Rye.

· Find an LVI-trained dentist as these are some of the most highly specialized dentists in the entire world.

· Carefully look for a dentist that has received accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). This is an indication that he/she has received very specialized training in the field of cosmetic dentistry.

· Find a dentist who has made cosmetic dentistry a prominent feature of his practice. Keep in mind that dentists who advertise, "general dentistry" may not be cosmetic dentists.

· After finding a pool of prospective dentists from which to choose, learn about his/her qualification and prior experience by requesting this information. If the dentist has a website, please visit the website to learn more about the areas of specialization.

· Ask if the dentist has patient testimonials on hand and ask to see before and after photos of actual patients.

How to Find a Good Dentist

2010-04-06T18:04:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest problems most people find when they move is not being able to find themselves a decent Ardsley dentist that accepts their insurance. While there may be many, many different dental offices finding the right Ardsley dentist for you can be a difficult task. This is especially true if you happen to have a phobia of dentists in general. In this article we will go through some of the possible steps you may need to take in order to find a fantastic dentist for you.

Your first step should be is consulting your insurance company to see if they have any suggestions for a good Ardsdale dentist. Many insurance companies now-a-day keep a book insist on getting reviews on every single dentist in order to offer a valid opinion to their customers. If your insurance company does not supply you with a list of dentists, you will have to take matters into your own hands and go online in order to search for a great dentist.

The next step should be researching dentist online. As soon as you type 'dentist’ into any search engine, there should be a long list of websites that come up promoting all sorts of different dentists and offering their location, address and phone number. This will give you a good idea of the number of dentists. If you are one of the many people that have a phobia of dentists, you will need to make sure that you are consulting a dentist that offers pain-free treatments and is very reassuring with their patients.

Home vs Dentist Teeth Whitening

2010-03-10T15:07:00.000-08:00

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 mount vernon 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 Pennsylvania. 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 Mount Vernon. 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.

Whitening Toothpaste, Strips, and Gels

2010-03-10T15:04:00.000-08:00

Whitening Toothpastes Mount Vernon: 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 Pennsylvania:

•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 Mount Vernon, which can cost nearly $800.

Teeth Whitening, An Intorduction

2010-03-10T15:01:00.000-08:00

Teeth whitening Mount Vernon is ideal for patients who have healthy, unrestored teeth (no fillings) and healthy gums who would like a brighter smile. Patients with yellow tones to their teeth respond best. But this cosmetic procedure is not recommended for everyone.

Teeth whitening Mount Vernon is not recommended or will be less successful in the following circumstances:

•Age and pregnancy issues. Bleaching is not recommended in children under the age of 16. This is because the pulp chamber, or nerve of the tooth, is enlarged until this age. Teeth whitening under this condition could irritate the pulp or cause it to become sensitive. Teeth whitening is also not recommended in pregnant or lactating women.

•Sensitive teeth and allergies to products. Individuals with sensitive teeth and gums, receding gums and/or defective restorations should consult with their dentist prior to using a tooth whitening system. Anyone allergic to peroxide (the whitening agent) should not use a bleaching product.

•Gum disease, worn enamel, cavities, and exposed roots. Individuals with gum disease or teeth with worn enamel are generally discouraged from undergoing a tooth whitening procedure. Cavities need to be treated before undergoing any whitening procedure. This is because the whitening solutions penetrate into any existing decay and the inner areas of the tooth, which can cause sensitivity. Also, whitening procedures will not work on exposed tooth roots because roots do not have an enamel layer.

•Fillings, crowns and other restorations. Tooth-colored fillings and resin composite materials used in dental restorations (crowns, veneers, bonding, bridges) do not whiten. Therefore, using a whitening agent Mount Vernon on teeth that do and do not contain restorations will results in uneven whitening-in this case, making the teeth without restorations appear lighter than those with restorations. Any whitening procedure should be done prior to the placement of composite fillings, bonding, veneers, crowns, dentures, or porcelain restorations in order to best match the degree of whitening to your new tooth color. A minimum of 2 weeks following a whitening procedure should be allowed before crowns, bondings, or veneers are completed.

What's the Cost of a Smile?

2010-03-01T20:19:00.000-08:00

Cosmetic changes to your smile can be a little as $125 for bonding to repair a chip, to $10,000 for porcelain veneers, to $35,000 and up for full mouth rehabilitation. Clearly, this is an investment - not something to be done on a whim.

Many people who know they can benefit from cosmetic dentistry put it off because they are concerned about the cost. A fair concern, but one that is easily addressed.

First, consider that your insurance may be able to cover some of the cost of your treatment plan. While dental benefits are notoriously small (typically no more than $2,000 per year), and don't usually cover elective procedures, it is possible that some of your work will be covered. Ask your dentist's office team to help you maximize your benefits.

After that option has been exhausted, your dentist will likely offer several payment options. Cash is always welcome, but so are credit cards. Some offices allow you to pay for the treatment in thirds, billing your credit card once a month.

If your treatment plan is larger, say over $5,000, you may wish to finance the fee. You can look into a personal loan with your own bank, or a home equity loan, but most dental offices use a third party billing service.

The office manager will help you figure out several payment plans that will fit your budget, allowing you to extend the payments for a year (often with no interest if paid in full within 12 months!) or longer.

Once you complete a credit application, the office manager will contact the financing company to see if you are approved. Once approved, you sign an agreement, and you're home free! Your new smile can now begin!

Many patients wonder if it's worth it to finance a new smile. It all depends on what is most important to you. If your existing smile has been holding you back in life, it's definitely worth it. Signs that your smile has had a negative impact on your life include:

Lack of career advancement - you may not display the confidence you need to get noticed at work, or to close those important deals.

Few friends - It's hard to be friends with someone who has a poor self image. Often the lack of a smile will keep you from approaching new people or joining a group.

No romance - Think about what first attracts you to a romantic partner. Are they friendly, approachable, and attractive? A smile conveys all those things. If you don't feel great about flashing a grin, it's going to be a lot harder to get their attention.

Life is for living - so let the world know how happy you are by smiling wide! And know that this is an investment in more than just teeth. It's an investment in you.

Benefits of Laser Dental Treatment

2010-03-01T20:16:00.000-08:00

If you’re one of the thousands of people who avoid the dentist because of the pain involved, sedation dentistry isn’t your only option. Laser dental treatments are an innovative procedure that use light energy to sterilize the affected area and close off the blood vessels before your dentist begins the work. This means you can undergo your treatment without any local anesthesia, and your dental visit can be much shorter than usual.

Lasers have been used as part of dental treatments since the 1960s, but have become increasingly more effective in recent years with technological advancements that can help with many types of oral surgery, root canals, crown lengthening and even bone shaping. Some of the key benefits of laser dental treatments include:

Faster healing process
Decreased risk of infection
Fewer follow up dental appointments
Faster dental procedure
Decreased sensitivity in the treatment site
No noise involved – a more pleasant alternative to drilling
Limited or no need for anesthesia

Laser dentistry is also more precise, and some dentists believe it is more effective than conventional treatments. Because the dentist has more control over the device, they can hone in on only the damaged tissue and prevent additional damage to the surrounding tissues as they work.

Are You a Good Candidate for Laser Dentistry?
Laser dental treatments are ideal for individuals who become very anxious or nervous in the dentist’s chair, and because it speeds up the healing process, it may also reduce the need to return to the dentist for additional appointments. They can also be used for teeth whitening, treating cold sores, and getting rid of a gummy smile.

Some of the most common procedures used for laser dentistry include:

Cavity detection
Dental fillings and tooth preparation
Tooth sensitivity treatments – the lasers can be used to seal tubules that are causing hot or cold tooth sensitivity
Crown lengthening and gum reshaping

Gummy smile correction – reshaping the gum tissue so that only a part of the tooth is exposed

Removal of soft tissue folds – a painless way to get rid of excess tissue that may have developed over the teeth and gums

Correction of restricted or tight frenulum – some people have limited tongue movement, and the laser can help to loosen the muscle and increase range of motion for better movement. This can also be an effective treatment for people with a speech impediment

Cold sores – can speed up the healing time associated with cold sores and help to reduce pain around the affected issues

Benign tumors – any tumors that have formed in the sides of the cheeks, lips and gums can be removed without incisions using laser dentistry procedures

Teeth whitening – lasers can help with the bleaching process and improve the appearance of the soft tissues around the teeth

Sleep apnea – people who are suffering from tissue overgrowth in the throat and have sleep apnea can benefit from a laser treatment that reshapes the throat and makes it easier for the patient to breathe

Treatment for Gum Disease

2010-03-01T20:11:00.000-08:00

Cosmetic Dentistry Trends

2010-02-14T21:08:00.000-08:00

Its no secret that the vast majority of people are more than a little hesitant when it comes to seeing their dentist. For this reason, most of us tend to let our regular checkups slip, oftentimes for several years. If you fall into the category of those who fear dental work, there is a good chance you can find a dentist who offers sedation dentistry. This way you can work on your oral hygiene in the best possible way, and thus put your best smile out there for the world to see.

Aside from seeing a dentist for regular checkups and actual dental issues, you can also improve the look and feel of your smile by paying a visit to a cosmetic dentist as well as your regular dentist. The difference between the two is that one handles all of your dental needs, while the other handles the things you want to improve; but dont actually cause a problem. Unless you are one who hides their smile because you wish it looked better. That is one heck of an issue!

Cosmetic dentistry wasnt always widely practiced. Your cosmetic dentist has likely incorporated new technologies just in the past several years; thats how much the industry changes with time. The advances that your cosmetic dentist gets to take advantage of result in natural-looking teeth for you; even if what you have is a mouthful of veneers.

Depending on your specific clinical situation, your dentist will act conservatively to improve your smile. There is no need to fear sitting that dentist chair for a full mouth makeover these days. There are so many things you can take advantage of that will maintain the natural structure of your teeth and improve your look.

Probably the most widely used cosmetic dentistry service is that of teeth whitening. Through the things that we eat and drink; such as coffee, tea and red wine, we set up an environment that allows staining to take place. Over time, things like smoking and coffee drinking turn your teeth yellow. This can be a little or a lot. Either way, if you want a brighter smile with whiter teeth, all you have to do is take advantage of the technology of teeth whitening. In just a few minutes, you will be well on your way to the smile you want to show off.

Veneers are also widely used to correct and repair cracks that occur over time. While it can sometimes be a little tricky to match up the color of enamel, especially if you have had excessive tooth whitening, the advanced technology today makes a color match much more possible.

The bottom line is that there is no need to go through your life with the habit of hiding your smile. If you are one who covers your mouth when you smile or laugh, make the jump into cosmetic dentistry and free yourself to show off the beauty that shines through.

A Stress-Free and Winning Smile

2010-02-14T21:05:00.000-08:00

When it comes to teeth, and everything connected with keeping the mouth clean and in good working order, the services of a dentist is perhaps the best thing that anyone can do for themselves. For those who want a sparkling smile, the cosmetic industry is there to fulfill all wishes in this department.

Many people will end up with bad teeth merely because they failed to follow several different rules. Flossing and cleaning daily may be the only thing that they do, but if it is not done properly, then they are sure to find problems developing over time. By having regular check ups, with a qualified person, they will be given advice on how to take care of the teeth and gums to preserve what they already have. For many years, people would only clean their teeth when they had to, but these days of soaring costs mean that people are far more likely to take time to make sure that they are looked after. This has resulted in many more people keeping their teeth well into old age and sometimes will not need false teeth at all.

Of course, the innovations in this industry mean that the professional has many more tools at his disposal than in the past. At one time they used to be paid by how many extractions that they could accumulate. Naturally, this meant that some unscrupulous professionals would yank out teeth regardless of the health state of them.

These days however, there is a constant battle going on to save even the most diseased of teeth. Sometimes when this is impossible, through disease or accidents, then there are other methods to ensuring a good smile. Surgically implanting posts into the jaw for teeth to be screwed onto is just one of the great new ideas that many have benefited from over the years. Veneers too have made it possible to replace what was a very bad smile with one that allows the patient to look great. These thin shards of porcelain sit on top of existing teeth to give a look of wonderfully even, white teeth that many famous people have taken advantage of.

Even misshapen or crooked teeth will be able to be corrected with veneers or braces and the professional will be able to fix the teeth in one way or another. However, probably the one biggest cause of teeth decay or irregularities is problems with the gums. With gum disease, the gums get spongy or are 'eaten' away which will eventually loosen the teeth, and this makes it extremely difficult for them to be saved. Sometimes the professional will have no option but to extract the teeth to get to the root of the problem, the gums.

However, when it comes to saving teeth, the watchword must be sort out the problem fast rather than wait. People have lost teeth merely because they are too scared or nervous about visiting a professional clinic to deal with any problems that are bothering them. It is much better to face any misgivings to do something about the problem before it is too late.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

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Enhancements in modern dentistry materials and methods are allowing for new ways to create more satisfying, natural looking smiles. Dental research is continually developing more aesthetically enhanced materials, such as ceramic and plastic materials that imitate the appearance of natural teeth. If your smile is blemished by metal fillings, dentists now offer an increasingly common general dentistry solution through the use white tooth fillings.

More dental patients ask their dentists about white fillings because they want their teeth to look natural when they talk and smile. White fillings, or composite fillings, are made from a tooth coloured material that return the natural appearance of a decaying or previously metal filled tooth cavity. Because white fillings blend perfectly with your tooth enamel, your dentist will often recommend them if the infected tooth needs to be restored are near the front of your mouth and also for back teeth as black fillings are gradually faded out.

A white dental filling typically requires only one dental visit, during which the tooth or teeth are prepared and restored with white fillings. An advantage of white tooth fillings, as compared with other dental restorations, is that they need less of the healthy part of a tooth to be removed to hold the filling in position. This is due to the fillings composite materials being capable of bonding to the teeth adhesively.

The dentist carefully applies an adhesive followed by a number of thin layers of the natural tooth coloured material. Once the filling is in place, it is chemically hardened, or cured, for less than a minute with a special light. White fillings are ideal for patients who are sensitive to metals and are concerned about the mercury content of an amalgam filling, or who simply want to preserve their natural beautiful smile.

Dental Veneers

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Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

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Imagine a whiter, more brilliant smile! Porcelain veneers are conservative cosmetic dentistry that makes a dramatic difference in the appearance of your teeth. If you have chipped teeth, crooked teeth, gaps in teeth or dull or stained teeth, veneers may be the perfect solution for you. After prepping your teeth, your dentist skillfully bonds and shapes thin strips of porcelain to the front surfaces of your teeth, creating a straight, brilliant smile that enhances your appearance and your self esteem.

Tooth whitening is a revolutionary new procedure that gives you brighter, whiter teeth in a single office visit. Tooth whitening involves the application of a proprietary gel that, when exposed to a specialized light source, breaks down the stains on your teeth, leaving you with a beautiful smile. Most teeth whitening treatments take no more than an hour.

Lumineers are similar to veneers, but require less preparation of the tooth. These contact lens-thin "smile shapers" are bonded to the front surface of your teeth painlessly giving you a beautiful, bright and straight smile. There are no shots and no drilling involved!

Sometimes gum disease, injury, decay or simply wear results in the loss of a tooth. A large gap in your smile can create significant problems for your dental health if it isnt corrected. Over time your bite pressure may shift to other parts of your mouth to compensate for an inability to chew efficiently in the area of the missing tooth.

Neighboring teeth may begin to move about, moving into the gap and resulting in discomfort, pain and more problems down the road. Porcelain bridges "bridge the gap" in your smile. Your dentist creates a lifelike, functional bridge to correct your smile, restore your bite and alleviate your discomfort.

A porcelain bridge is created out of metal, alloys or porcelain and utilizes the teeth on both sides of the gap as its supportive structure. After some preparation of the two neighboring teeth, crowns are created for them. A prosthetic tooth, or pontic, is fused between the crowns to fill the gap. A bridge is a semi-permanent dental restoration, meaning it can only be removed by a dentist, so you can rest assured that your porcelain bridge will be a lasting restoration to your oral health.

You can erase years of wear and tear with porcelain crowns. Sometimes called "caps," porcelain crowns are customized for you, covering broken, cracked or discolored teeth. Crowns are a durable, strong, long lasting method of enhancing both the look and functionality of your smile. After some preparation of the tooth or teeth that will receive the crown(s), Your cosmetic dentist positions a custom milled, lifelike porcelain crown over your damaged tooth, restoring and rejuvenating your oral health.

When the decay has been taken out of the tooth, it is replaced with "filling" material. In the past, amalgam (silver) fillings were placed into the cleaned out portion of the tooth. With advancements in dentistry, you can now have tooth-colored fillings instead of silver fillings. You may even elect to remove your old silver fillings in favor of new, undetectable tooth-colored fillings.

Bonding is a tooth-colored material applied and adhered to the surface of the tooth without reducing the structure of the tooth in most cases. Then, your cosmetic dentist sculpts the material to create a natural-looking tooth. Bonding corrects chipped and broken teeth, discolored teeth and in some cases can correct gaps. It is less expensive than veneers but doesnt last as long and can stain. A benefit of bonding is that generally, the natural structure of the tooth can be maintained.

Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry

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We are increasingly surrounded by images of beauty, health and vitality and the quest for perfection is a well trodden path. As the world of cosmetics advances around us so too do our options for treatments in modern cosmetic dentistry.

In the field of the cosmetic dentist, the ability to reproduce, refine and enhance an individuals smile can create one of the single greatest improvements to a persons overall sense of beauty and self confidence.

Being equipped with a radiant smile has the ability to let you shine from the inside out and it is commonly perceived that those people who show-off an infectious smile receive a greater sense of positivity and encouragement from those around them. Whether at work or in a social context, it is important that we comfortable, happy and confident in our appearance if we are to feel and give our best.

If you are inhibited in your ability to smile freely by a set of misaligned teeth that leave you feeling self-conscious and unattractive, or you simply feel that you would like to enhance the colour and luminosity of your existing teeth, cosmetic dentists possess the ability to equip you with that winning smile.

Problems with damaged or oversized teeth and gums can also be a cause of embarrassment for many people and the options available for those people are readily available through your family cosmetic dentist who can offer you the treatments you need in the comfort and security of a professional and specialised environment.

Cosmetic dentistry understands the importance of a beautiful smile in providing you with confidence you want from your appearance. With advancements in dental treatments allowing procedures and treatments to take place with ease and discretion through methods such as invisible orthodontic techniques substituting older, less attractive options, the chance to achieve that dazzling smile is now at your fingertips.