Cosmetic Dentistry Directory Blog
Cosmetic Dentistry Directory
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
How Long Does It Take to Place Dental Implants?
With a success rate close to 98% and unparalleled durability, dental implants have become the best tooth replacement option available today. However, they do require more of an investment on the part of the patient – not just financially, but in terms of time. The reason why dental implants are so strong and long-lasting is because they are directly bonded to your jawbone during a fusion process called osseointegration.
Osseointegration can take anywhere from three to six months to complete. During this time, you will need to let your gums heal and allow the implant to anchor itself in place. Once this artificial tooth root has finished fusing itself to your jawbone, your implant dentist will be able to install your replacement tooth – a custom-crafted dental crown.
Bone fusion is important for a dental implant’s stability, but it is also a key way that implants can prevent future dental health problems. Whenever you lose an adult tooth, the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth will begin to dissolve. This can cause further tooth loss and even lead to changes in your facial structure over time. A well-placed dental implant stops the bone loss and protects the rest of your teeth, making it well worth the extra effort for many patients.
If you are interested in replacing missing teeth with dental implants, please contact an experienced cosmetic dentist in your area today to schedule an initial consultation.
posted by Anonymous at 3:44 PM
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The Advantages of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers come with a number of significant benefits that have contributed to their rise in popularity over the past few years. These thin, translucent porcelain shells can be used by cosmetic dentists to mask a wide range of dental problems, giving patients a seamless and beautiful smile.
Porcelain veneers are sometimes termed “instant orthodontics” because of their capacity to dramatically change the look of your smile without the need for time-consuming braces treatments. Porcelain veneers can:
- Be tinted to match the color of surrounding teeth
- Be custom-sculpted to fit your unique smile
- Splint and strengthen fractured, chipped, or weakened teeth
- Close gaps between teeth
- Re-shape teeth that are too short or too small
- Protect teeth against decay (when properly cared for)
- Cover permanent stains that cannot be removed with teeth whitening
If you are interested in taking advantage of porcelain veneers, contact an experienced cosmetic dentist in your area today to set up an initial consultation. You may be closer than you think to a beautiful smile.
posted by Anonymous at 3:22 PM
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
How Can a Dentist Help My Headaches?
If you suffer from painful and chronic headaches that your primary physician hasn’t been able to resolve, it’s possible that you are one of millions of Americans suffering from a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD / TMJ). This painful disorder happens when your jaw’s delicate ball-and-socket joint becomes misaligned. Even a minor displacement can lead to a wide range of symptoms, since your temporomandibular joint is so closely linked with the tendons, nerves, and muscles of your neck and back.
Headaches caused by TMD often feel similar to migraines, which is why so much misdiagnosis occurs, but they are in fact tension headaches – brought on by acute muscle stress in your face, neck, and back. Any tension occurring in one of your muscles inevitably radiates to your other muscles, which is why these headaches can progressively worsen over time. For many people, TMD headaches interrupt their daily life in difficult ways.
Neuromuscular dentists are trained in diagnosing and effectively treating TMD. Using state-of-the-art technology, your neuromuscular dentist can relax your muscles and determine the ideal and correct position of your jaw. Once this position has been identified, he or she can then move forward with a treatment plan. TMD treatment generally involves the use of an orthotic device that fits over your teeth in order to stabilize your bite.
For more information about TMD, contact an experienced neuromuscular dentist in your area today to schedule a consultation.
posted by Anonymous at 10:22 AM
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Am I Too Old for Dental Implants?
Dental implants are overwhelmingly considered the best tooth replacement method available. Dentures and dental bridges simply cannot contend with the strength, convenience, longevity, and seamless appearance of well-placed dental implants.
Despite this, many older patients have apparently resigned themselves to the use of dentures or bridges, thinking their age prevents them from taking advantage of implants. This is simply false. Age is not a factor in dental implant candidacy. Anyone who is healthy enough for routine dentistry can potentially be a candidate for dental implants. The oldest known dental patient with implants is 88 years old.
Being a candidate for dental implants depends on a handful of basic requirements that have nothing to do with age. You must:
- Be in good health
- Have enough bone for the implant to fuse to
- Have healthy, disease-free gum tissue
- Be committed to responsible oral hygiene
Besides being functional and durable replacement teeth, dental implants can also help you prevent many of the long-term oral health problems caused by missing teeth.
If you are interested in dental implants and want to determine whether you’re a candidate, contact an experienced cosmetic dentist in your area today to schedule a consultation.
posted by Anonymous at 7:48 AM
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Does Tooth Whitening Affect Porcelain Veneers?
If you are looking to combine a teeth whitening treatment with porcelain veneers, most cosmetic dentists recommend having your tooth whitening procedure performed before your veneers are applied. In this way, you can lighten your teeth to the shade of white you desire, and then have your porcelain veneers custom-tinted to match the color of your whitened teeth. This will result in a seamless and beautiful smile.
The trouble with having teeth whitening after porcelain veneers are applied is that your veneers are going to stay the same color regardless of the bleaching process. All too often, this ends in your natural teeth being a different shade of white than your veneers, which can be distinctly noticeable when you smile.
Another issue that commonly arises is that of tooth sensitivity. In order to place porcelain veneers, cosmetic dentists must sometimes remove a thin layer of enamel to allow for the best possible fit. With less enamel protecting your teeth, the hydrogen peroxide used in teeth whitening gels can cause a significant level of sensitivity and discomfort. However, peroxide will not damage the porcelain veneer itself. In fact, peroxide is often used to clean veneers that have been contaminated by dental bonding materials, or by the chemicals that dentists use to take impressions of your teeth.
If you have more questions about porcelain veneers and teeth whitening, contact an experienced cosmetic dentist in your area today using the Cosmetic Dentistry Directory.
posted by Anonymous at 8:50 AM