Dec 21, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
Dental veneers are a wonderful option to enhance and improve the look of a marred smile. The most popular type of veneers utilize thin shells of porcelain that are placed over the front of your teeth to mask imperfections such as stains, chips, or misalignment.
Before you decide if dental veneers are the right option for you, there are several questions you should pose to your cosmetic dentist:
- Am I a good candidate for dental veneers?
- What kind of training do you have in placing veneers?
- How much experience do you have placing veneers and can you provide examples of your previous work?
- Are you able to create a mock-up of what my veneers will look like?
- How will the color of my veneers be selected?
- What is the length of time from the start of treatment until my veneers are placed?
- How much will my natural teeth need to be altered before placing my veneers?
- Can you explain the process of placing the veneers?
- What kind of aftercare will my veneers require?
- Are there any kinds of foods or beverages I will need to avoid once my veneers are placed?
- How long can veneers be expected to last?
- What will happen if I need to have my veneers removed sometime in the future?
A qualified cosmetic dentist should be able to answer these questions to your satisfaction, so you do not experience any unwelcome surprises throughout the process of placing your dental veneers. If you are unhappy with your smile and think dental veneers may be the solution to your problem, contact a cosmetic dental professional to find out more about how placing veneers can give you a more perfect smile.
Schedule your appointment at our Conyers dental office
Dec 14, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
There are many reasons to pursue an at-home teeth whitening treatment. A variety of over-the-counter products, as well as trays you can take home from your dentist are available for your convenience and portability needs. Dentists agree that at-home whitening products can yield excellent results when repeated regularly.
Your dentist can provide you with custom-fitted trays to take home that are designed to be used over extended periods of time. These trays are either pre-loaded with a whitening gel, or they come with gel stored in syringes that you add yourself at home. Custom-fitted trays ensure that the whitening gel stays in full contact with your teeth and helps prevent saliva from entering the tray, diluting the whitening agent.
Whitening strips are a popular at-home teeth whitening method that utilizes thin, flexible strips coated with a whitening gel. They are designed to mold to the shape of your teeth and are convenient and easy to use. Some patients choose to wear them when shopping or working, since they are so unobtrusive.
Whitening strips can slip or slide during use, especially once saliva gets beneath the strips. That same saliva dilutes the whitening gel and can make the strips less effective. They are also less effective on crooked or gapped teeth.
Brush-on whiteners are available dispensed from pens with foam tip or brush applicators. They are intended to be used daily following meals. Some dental professionals, however, see little visible results using these types of whiteners.
Whitening toothpastes may contain chemical bleaching agents and high concentrations of abrasives. Used regularly, whitening toothpastes can offer support for other, more effective systems of teeth whitening. Be careful using these toothpastes over dental crowns or veneers, and do not use them at all over full or partial dentures, as they can scratch and dull the surface, leading to more stains.
Whitening floss can assist in removing stains from the small, narrow spaces between your teeth, but is ineffective on the surfaces of your teeth.Your dentist will be able to answer any questions you may have about teeth whitening at home.
If you need a dentist in Conyers, contact us today
Dec 7, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
Second only to the common cold, tooth decay is one of the most prevalent conditions in this country. Starting your children on the path to lifelong oral health means teaching them the importance of taking good care of their teeth.
The following tips can help you protect the health and beauty of your child’s smile:
- Schedule a first dental visit. Many dentist recommend bringing your child in on or around the first birthday, and definitely by age three. Primary, or baby, teeth allow your child to speak clearly and chew naturally. As well, baby teeth serve as placeholders for permanent teeth, so you need to take your child to the dentist for regular checkups.
- Give up the bottle. Young children can develop early tooth decay, also called baby bottle mouth, when parents let them go to sleep with milk or juice bottles. The best plan is to wean your child of the bottle by age one, but if that isn’t possible, make sure you only fill the bottle with water before bedtime.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps young children develop strong teeth, so it’s important to start brushing with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste once most of the baby teeth have erupted.
- Encourage healthy eating. A balanced diet promotes overall health, including your teeth and gums. Limit intake of carbohydrates, sugary treats, and acidic foods, which can weaken enamel and increase the chances for cavities. Instead, offer snacks like crunchy vegetables, cheese, and yogurt, which are good for your teeth.
Schedule your appointment at our Conyers dental office
Nov 28, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
The role of cosmetic dentistry is mainly to improve a patient’s appearance through innovative techniques that can transform the smile. However, cosmetic dentists can also provide solutions to improve overall health. Good health and good looks go hand-in-hand sometimes when it comes to cosmetic dentistry.
Most patients turn to cosmetic dentists with the goal of correcting an embarrassing smile. Sometimes an accident or trauma has resulted in a defective smile that can be repaired with cosmetic dental procedures. Or, issues from birth and how a person’s mouth has naturally developed may warrant correction. Other patients have medical conditions that have contributed to less than perfect oral health or smile appearance. Additionally, bad habits like smoking or chewing on hard objects has led to unsightly teeth. Whatever the reason, cosmetic dentistry can help.
There are a wide variety of treatment options available today, with more and more being offered all the time as technology advances. Here are some popular choices:
- Veneers are extremely thin porcelain or resin shells that are bonded to the fronts of teeth to hide flaws. They are long-lasting and instantly improve smiles, also having the effect of improving self-esteem.
- Teeth whitening removes stains and discolorations to brighten smiles multiple shades in as little as just one hour.
- Bonding involves painlessly applying tooth-colored composite resin to repair damaged teeth, such as chips, fractures or gaps. It can usually be performed in a single office visit.
- Dental implants are surgically inserted titanium rods that go directly into the jaw to replace missing teeth, with a crown placed on top to complete the restoration. They provide a secure, permanent, and natural-looking smile repair. Implants also improve health by stimulating bones to avoid bone loss that often accompanies missing teeth.
- Contouring removes small amounts of tooth enamel to eliminate minor flaws on the tooth surface. This helps get rid of places where plaque may accumulate, which improves overall oral health as well.
Qualified cosmetic dentists can guide patients through just one simple procedure or a list of procedures that can benefit patients in many ways.
Schedule your appointment at our Conyers dental office
Nov 21, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
As you age, your teeth do too! White enamel on the surface of your teeth can become stained with everyday foods and drinks. Even some mouthwashes and medications can leave your teeth stained or looking dingy. The best way to whiten and brighten your teeth is with a visit to your dental professional; it’s fast, it’s safe and it’s long-lasting. In-between appointments, however, you can help keep your teeth whiter with some simple at-home tips.
To keep your teeth looking their best, visit your grocery store or drug store and choose an at-home whitening product. Kits are available that can remove surface stains as well as deeper discoloration, changing your natural tooth color to be whiter and brighter. Some kits utilize trays that hold whitening gels, and some instruct you to apply the gel directly to your teeth. These types of whitening agents act quickly, generally over one or two applications, and can help you make your in-office treatment last between appointments.
Some kits contain whitening strips that sit on top of your teeth and help remove stains. These strips are very thin, and can be worn for several minutes a day for a period of time. Whitening strips are effective, but the results are neither as fast-acting nor as evident as gel-based whitening kits.
Whitening toothpaste is extremely popular and simple. While trays and strips can change your tooth color, whitening toothpastes can only remove simple surface stains.
Additional at-home methods include rinsing with hydrogen peroxide or brushing with a paste made with baking soda. Including apples, strawberries, citrus fruits, celery or carrots to your diet has been proven to brighten your smile. Hard cheeses and other dairy products decrease gum disease because of their lactic acid content, and they contain vitamin D and calcium, important building blocks for your teeth and bones.
Visit your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups, and follow these simple at-home tips for keeping your smile brighter and whiter between professional whitening treatments.
If you live in the Conyers, contact us today
Nov 14, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
There are times when a tooth is so damaged from decay, trauma, or cracking that a filling isn’t the best choice. In these cases, a dental crown may be recommended for long-term tooth health. If a tooth is missing completely, your dentist may suggest a dental bridge to fill the gap between two bordering teeth.
Dental crowns, or “caps,” completely cover and protect your damaged tooth. It is bonded in place, giving you a stable, strong, and attractive alternative for your original tooth. Because it is customized for you using impressions your dentist makes of your teeth, it is a perfect match in size, shape, and position to your natural tooth.
Dental crowns can be the perfect solution to a severely damaged tooth. You won’t need to worry about pain, tooth stability, or your appearance when you choose a dental crown. Depending on what material is used, your crown can look as natural as your own tooth.
Dental bridges are designed to span a gap caused by a missing tooth. Having a gap in your smile can affect you in more ways than just cosmetics. Chewing and talking can become problematic as teeth adjacent to the gap begin to shift, leaving the potential for gum disease or jaw issues.
Dental bridges literally bridge the gap between two teeth. They are cemented onto the pair of teeth that border the empty space vacated by one or more missing teeth. The bordering teeth act as anchors for the bridge, and are trimmed down to hold a dental crown. Between the two crowns is a replacement tooth, customized for you by your dentist. Once the bridge is in place, you will regain the ability to smile freely while the bridge maintains the shape of your face and lips. You will speak more clearly and be able to eat a greater variety of foods. A dental crown also protects your healthy teeth from issues related to bite alignment.
Dental crowns and dental bridges are excellent choices for overall dental health, and can last a lifetime. To prevent damage to your dental work, avoid chewing things like ice or hard candy. It is also important to maintain regular dental checkups.
We look forward to seeing you in our Conyers dental office
