Fix Your Smile with Tooth Bonding

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

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

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

What to Drink for Healthy Teeth

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

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

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

Why You Should Never Skip the Dentist

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

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

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

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

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

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

Invisible Braces

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Pricing of Dental Inlays or Onlays

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?

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

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.