October 23, 2009 – 9:21 am
You often hear or see the phrase “smile makeover” in magazines, infomercials, and the radio in relation to cosmetic dentistry but are seldom explained what it means. What exactly is a smile makeover?
A smile makeover is categorized as one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures. Some of the most common problems treated in a smile makeover are tooth color, alignment and spacing, missing teeth, and damaged or cracked teeth. Esthetically, a smile makeover can involve procedures that deal with tooth alignment, tooth proportions, and smile line.
We all know that tooth color can be whitened by bleach, but what are the procedures involved in other treatments? Porcelain veneers are often used to fix alignment, spacing, and damaged or cracked teeth. Veneers involve shaving teeth down and bonding very thin porcelain laminates to them, which can last up to twenty years.
Dental implants are used to replace a missing tooth without affecting your adjacent teeth. With a dental implant, an implant is placed into the prepared bone. When the bone is healed around the implant, a post is placed in the implant and a prosthetic crown is then placed over the post and cemented.
October 22, 2009 – 8:31 am
Many people are interested in cosmetic dentistry by can’t afford the full cost of treatment upfront. That’s why many cosmetic dentists offer convenient patient financing options. Whether a payment plan is arranged with the dentist’s office directly or through an outside credit lender like CareCredit®, patients have more options than ever before.
Financing allows patients to get the care they need and want without being limited by what they can afford in a single payment. Cosmetic dentistry can transform a patient’s smile, their oral health, and their outlook on life. Patients should ask their cosmetic dentist about the financing options he or she offers at their office. Low interest rates and reasonable repayment plans make financing a practical and reasonable choice.
October 21, 2009 – 10:10 am
Everyone has a loveable old grandmother, great uncle, or third cousin once removed that they love dearly but can’t help but be a little put off by their smile. Aging can be unkind to teeth and the old wives tale of “if you don’t brush your teeth, they will fall out of your head” actually holds some truth. Fortunately, there is help available for Grandma NuNu, Uncle Lester, and Cousin Clark so they can get back the beautiful smile they once had. Missing or rotting teeth can be fixed. Esthetic dentistry encompasses every treatment that you could possibly imagine to give your loved ones the smile they need and deserve.
Cosmetic dentists are able to fix mixing teeth with implants that look completely natural. For greater gaps of missing teeth, a dental bridge can be joined permanently to adjacent teeth or implants. If greater restorative dentistry is needed, cosmetic veneers and tooth whitening can help perfect a smile. So tell your loved ones that dental bridgework, implants, and cosmetic dentistry can help them get their old smile back. Help them find a cosmetic dentist near them and watch them from “ew” to “new.”
October 20, 2009 – 9:28 am
With all the advertisements we encounter every day, it is hard to go an entire day without hearing or seeing something that has to do with cosmetic dentistry. However, the information about what makes up cosmetic dentistry is often left out. People hear about it all the time, but what exactly is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is not a term that covers just one procedure. It encompasses a plethora of dental treatments that not only improve the aesthetics of teeth, but can also contribute to a healthier mouth. Some of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures include inlays and onlays, composite bonding, and teeth whitening. Some of the more complicated cosmetic dental procedures are dental implants, dental veneers, and even full-mouth reconstruction.
Procedures such as composite bonding and teeth whitening can be done in-office in as little as one session. More complicated treatments, such as dental veneers, have to be completed in multiple visits due to the length of work and the collaboration between a dental office and dental laboratories.
October 19, 2009 – 9:09 am
Are you one of the people who have made the mistake of not wearing your retainer after having your metal braces removed? If so, you’re not alone. Metal braces can be highly effective, but can also be expensive, unattractive, and uncomfortable. If some of your teeth have shifted since your braces were removed, you may be a good candidate for Invisalign® treatment.
Invisalign® treatment consists of a series of clear, removable plastic aligners or trays that can discreetly and comfortably realign your teeth. They are custom fitted to your mouth, virtually unnoticeable, and easy to wear. Based on the plan devised by your dentist, you will change aligners roughly every 1-3 weeks until your teeth have been shifted into the proper place.
Many cosmetic dentists offer Invisalign®. Talk to your dentist to see if you are a good candidate for the treatment.
October 16, 2009 – 5:23 pm
First impressions last forever. In the cutthroat business world every detail needs to be perfected to present an image of professionalism. Face-to-face time with clients requires that you look the part in order to instill trust in your clients and business partners. A bright, straight smile puts the minds of those you interact with at ease. A crooked or discolored smile can draw negative attention to yourself and your company. This perception can cause enough discomfort that clients may question conducting business with you.
It is important to ensure that you have an appealing smile. Searching for the “best cosmetic dentist” is a great first step. Your search will likely return results for both local dentists and prestigious dentists nationwide. Whether you need cosmetic veneers, dental bridge work, cosmetic bonding, or tooth colored fillings, esthetic dentistry is the answer.
Beginning your search online allows you to find and learn about all available options, from simple laser teeth whitening to complete reconstructive dentistry. This will allow you to make the best decision possible. An investment in your mouth is an investment in your company. The return on this investment will be the one of the best business decision you ever make.
October 15, 2009 – 9:44 am
I have found that many people in need of direct dental restorations or dental fillings want to know more about the fillings that are tooth-colored and natural looking. Dental fillings are used to treat cavities after the decayed portion of a tooth is removed or to repair cracked or broken teeth. People often wonder why anything but a natural-colored filling, or composite, would be used in modern dentistry since it is not noticeable. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to this type of filling.
Tooth-colored, composite resin fillings are the most common natural-colored fillings and are aesthetically pleasing. The shade and color is matched to your natural tooth color, making them virtually unnoticeable. They are more versatile. Since tooth-colored composites bond to the tooth structure, they can be used to repair chipped or broken teeth as well. The bonding can even add support to the tooth. Less tooth structure is removed when using a composite filling, which preserves more of the natural tooth.
There are drawbacks to having a tooth-colored composite as well. Composite fillings last only an average of five years as opposed to the ten or fifteen for silver or gold fillings. When getting a composite filling, your chair time will be longer than with any other filling. Composite fillings are also known to chip more and be more expensive than some of the other options.
Talk with your dentist about what type of direct dental restoration would be best for you.
October 14, 2009 – 12:42 pm
LVI Smile® cosmetic dentists have received advanced training on the full spectrum of cosmetic dentistry procedures available. Every LVI Smile® cosmetic dentist can customize a treatment plan to meet both your health needs and cosmetic goals. Advanced technology and modern medicine have made cosmetic dentistry easy and more effective than ever before. Some treatments such as in-office teeth whitening or cosmetic bonding can be completed in as little as one appointment.
LVIsmile.com is a great place to locate an LVI Smile® dentist near you. You can rest assured that your LVI Smile® cosmetic dentist has received the best training available and can provide you with outstanding care.
Talk to your LVI Smile® dentist about the cosmetic dentistry treatments he or she offers in their office. From tooth-colored (porcelain) fillings to crowns to implants, there are a wide range of procedures that can both restore your oral health and rejuvenate the look of your smile.
Your LVI Smile® dentist’s aesthetic dentistry training and expertise can give you the stunning, bright, healthy smile that you’ve always dreamed of.
October 12, 2009 – 11:07 am
While many over-the-counter teeth whitening (also referred to as tooth whitening) treatments are available, the most effective ones are those provided by a dental professional.
There are multiple reasons over-the-counter treatments do not work quite as well as treatments provided by a dentist. Professional bleaching gels contain a higher concentration of the bleaching agent used for teeth whitening. They can also be custom formulated by your dentist to ensure they are neither too weak nor too strong for your teeth. This allows you to get the best results with the least amount of tooth sensitivity.
There are two main options for professional teeth whitening. One is an in-office treatment and one is a take-home treatment. The in-office treatment can be completed in as little as one appointment. It involves your dentist applying a thin coating of bleaching gel to your teeth and using a special light to activate the gel. The results are instantaneous and can last for years. The other option involves your dentist making custom-fitted trays for you to use over the course of several days or weeks. These trays are made from molds taken of your actual teeth and gums and allow the bleaching gel to work more effectively. The trays are useful because they enable you to “touch-up” your bleaching from time to time if you begin to notice any new tooth staining.
Both professional options are effective and can be provided by most dentists, especially dentists who offer cosmetic dentistry treatment.
October 9, 2009 – 8:15 am
With advances in modern dental medicine and continuously improving dental technology, more and more treatment options are available for patients considering cosmetic dentistry.
From tooth-colored fillings to bridges and implants, patients seeking better dental health and cosmetic smile improvements can choose from a variety of treatments to best meet their needs and their budgets.
Implants and bridges can be used to fill in gaps and missing teeth. Crowns can be used to fix cracked or broken teeth while still allowing a patient to keep much of their natural tooth structure, as well as help with crooked or jagged teeth. Dental bonding can help repair chips or small cracks, and tooth-colored porcelain cosmetic fillings can be custom matched to a person’s natural tooth coloring.
The popularity of teeth whitening and veneers has increased dramatically over the last decade. Both are used for creating a whiter, brighter smile. Teeth whitening involves bleaching stains from a person’s teeth, while veneers involve permanently placing a thin facing of porcelain over the teeth to improve their color, shape, and overall appearance.
Patients interested in cosmetic dentistry treatment should speak with their dentists about the treatment options available. Together, a treatment plan can be devised that best meets the patient’s needs and goals.
