Preparing for Your Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure

Preparing for Your Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure

There are many types of cosmetic dental procedures, from teeth whitening to porcelain veneers. While some procedures like veneers require little to no advance preparation, some procedures require more forethought. Make the most of your visit by making the right preparations.

All cosmetic dental procedures should begin with a discussion with your dentist. Your dentist is skilled and experienced. Your dentist best knows your teeth and your dental needs and can give you the advice you need. Some common cosmetic dental procedures and how to prepare for them are explained below.

Teeth whitening: Cleaning your teeth before a tooth whitening treatment will help you achieve better results. If you clean the plaque and tartar off of the tooth surface, the whitening will affect the entire surface of the tooth. Be sure to look at a shade guide before your procedure to establish your existing tooth color and to choose your goal shade. Teeth whitening is not recommended for expectant or nursing mothers, as the effects of the whitening chemicals on unborn children or infants has not been explored.

Oral surgery: Many cosmetic dentistry procedures involve some type of oral surgery. To prepare for your surgery, follow all of the instructions of your surgeon. Make transportation arrangements, as you may not be able to drive. Get your medication in advance, so you will be prepared to take your pain medication or antibiotics immediately following your procedure instead of having to wait and possibly endure pain. Follow all of your pre-op instructions, including any diet restrictions. Plan your recovery diet beforehand, so you will have a variety of healthy, appropriate foods available to you.

Braces: Before braces are applied to your teeth, you will need a full check-up to look for decay or problems with your gums. After application or adjustment, your mouth may be sore. Treat this with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. Because braces may chafe initially against your teeth and gums, have some specialized wax available to place over the bracket to help shield your mouth until your tongue and cheeks adjust.

If you need a dentist in Conyers contact us today

The Basics of Teeth Whitening

The Basics of Teeth Whitening

If you envy the stunning smiles of famous starlets and models, you can enhance your own appearance with teeth whitening. Your dentist can remove stains and reveal a brilliant, white smile with professional teeth whitening,. After teeth whitening, patients often restore their smile’s radiance, feel more confident, and look years younger. To decide if teeth whitening would work for you, review these questions and answers.

Who is a candidate for teeth whitening?
Though your dentist can determine whether you should consider teeth bleaching, anyone with surface stains from aging, lifestyle choices, or certain foods and beverages can erase discolorations with professional teeth whitening.

What options are available for whitening my teeth?
Many dentist offer both in-office and at-home teeth whitening. The in-office procedure produces immediate results and usually takes about an hour. Take-home whitening kits involve custom bleaching trays and generate sparkling smiles over a two to three week time frame.

Is teeth whitening safe?
If you choose professional teeth whitening, you can safely and effectively transform your appearance. Drugstore kits don’t contain the same level of bleaching agent and they aren’t monitored like professional products, so you may not achieve the desired outcome.

Will teeth whitening last?
With proper care that includes brushing, flossing, and routine checkups, you can enjoy a beautiful smile for years to come.

Do whitening toothpastes work?
For removal of mild surface stains, these products are somewhat effective, but they don’t actually contain bleach. Whitening toothpastes work on the principal of abrasion, so their rough ingredients rub off stains, providing only temporary brightness.

Our dental office is located in Conyers

Smile Makeover Quick Fixes

Smile Makeover Quick Fixes

Not everyone has the advantage of a perfect smile. A smile makeover can help you transform your look into what you’d like it to be, and it doesn’t have to take a long time. You can walk away from just one appointment with a better smile. Here are some of the fast treatments using non-invasive techniques that are available.

Whitening teeth
If you’re considering making over your smile, one of the quickest and simplest places to start is teeth whitening. In as little as one hour in a professional setting, you can transform your look by brightening your smile more effectively than trying it at home. Whitening products sold for home use are not as strong as professional methods, so it takes a longer period of consistent use to brighten your teeth only a shade or two. Professional whitening uses stronger concentrations of bleaching agents and a special light to hasten the process, and achieves dramatic results.

Removing white spots
Unsightly white spots that you might see on your teeth are signs of demineralization under your tooth enamel. A smile makeover can include using resin infiltration, which is a non-invasive procedure that can effectively treat white spots. You can say goodbye to the spots in as little as thirty minutes of treatment time. Teeth whitening is not advised, as it can make white spots even more noticeable.

Reshaping teeth
Minor flaws like chipped, cracked, or misshapen teeth can be corrected with contouring. Small areas of your teeth can be shaved or tooth-colored resin can be applied to alter the length or shape of teeth. Tooth contouring can take as little as a half hour, and is great for those with healthy teeth that just need slight alterations for appearance purposes.

Repairing chips or gaps
Dental bonding is a simple procedure that hides gaps, chips, stains, or spacing problems. Tooth-colored resin is sculpted onto the tooth to provide a more appealing smile in only about an hour.

Schedule your appointment at our Conyers dental office

Crooked Teeth Call for a Smile Makeover

Crooked Teeth Call for a Smile Makeover

A set of crooked teeth can make you self-conscious in interacting with others and may cause you to hide your smile instead of showing your emotions with confidence. There are many reasons that you might have misshapen or misaligned teeth. Decay, cavities, poor development or nutrition, hereditary factors, or bad habits like teeth grinding or tongue thrusting can all play a role. If you have a crooked smile for any reason, a smile makeover may be the perfect answer.

A dentist can provide many options for correcting misaligned teeth, and the best methods depend on the degree of your issues. Every patient is different and can benefit from varying techniques.

The most well-known way to correct crooked teeth is probably orthodontics. Traditional metal braces have been around for many years and are a proven way to straighten teeth and realign jaws. Braces involve attaching metal brackets and wires to the teeth with glue, and tightening them at regular intervals over a period of time that can last up to a couple of years or more. Because many patients dislike the look and hassles of metal braces, Invisalign has been developed to straighten teeth without such an obvious impact to your appearance while undergoing treatment. These invisible, removable, plastic aligners provide a popular way to straighten smiles.

Another choice for improving your smile is dental veneers. These very thin shells made of porcelain or ceramic can be bonded to the fronts of your teeth to hide flaws underneath. Veneers create a natural look that is in the shade you desire, and quickly transform your smile into the one you’ve always wanted.

Minor changes to crooked teeth can be made with simple reshaping of teeth. Gentle abrasion and polishing of the teeth can make them appear straighter and more attractive. Reshaping may be combined with bonding, which involves applying resin to the tooth and sculpting it to the desired look. These are both very quick and painless ways to improve your smile.

If you live in the Conyers area contact us today

Porcelain and Composite Dental Veneers

Porcelain and Composite Dental Veneers

Having a beautiful smile is possible with dental veneers. Broken, stained, chipped, gapped, and crooked teeth can all be hidden with this restoration. There are two primary types of materials that are used to create veneers. These are composite resin and porcelain.

Porcelain is the most popular material used for veneers. These are usually made at a separate lab from the dental office, created by lab technicians based upon a model of the patient’s mouth. When the veneers are complete, they are sent to the dental office so the dentist can bond them to the patient’s teeth to complete the process. One reason that porcelain is especially popular is that the material resists stains and looks like natural teeth.

The other most common option for creating veneers is composite resin. These are typically made by the dentist in the office, so there is no delay in getting the veneers made at a lab. A benefit of composite veneers is that they require minimal tooth surface and are thinner than veneers made of porcelain.

No matter which type of material you choose for your dental veneers, you’ll need to have a consultation with your dentist to make sure you are a good candidate. Patients who grind their teeth are not suitable for veneers because they can be broken with this type of pressure. Also, patients who are unable break habits like chewing hard items like ice, pencils, or fingernails may not be suitable for veneers.

If you are a good candidate for dental veneers, remember that they are a permanent restoration. This means that you will need to have your veneers replaced if they ever wear out, because once your teeth have had veneers you’ll need to continue wearing them. If you take good care of your veneers by practicing proper oral hygiene, your veneers should last a long time before replacement might be necessary. In the meantime, you’ll be able to enjoy your appealing smile.

Schedule your appointment at our Conyers dental office

Porcelain and Composite Dental Veneers

Porcelain and Composite Dental Veneers

Having a beautiful smile is possible with dental veneers. Broken, stained, chipped, gapped, and crooked teeth can all be hidden with this restoration. There are two primary types of materials that are used to create veneers. These are composite resin and porcelain.

Porcelain is the most popular material used for veneers. These are usually made at a separate lab from the dental office, created by lab technicians based upon a model of the patient’s mouth. When the veneers are complete, they are sent to the dental office so the dentist can bond them to the patient’s teeth to complete the process. One reason that porcelain is especially popular is that the material resists stains and looks like natural teeth.

The other most common option for creating veneers is composite resin. These are typically made by the dentist in the office, so there is no delay in getting the veneers made at a lab. A benefit of composite veneers is that they require minimal tooth surface and are thinner than veneers made of porcelain.

No matter which type of material you choose for your dental veneers, you’ll need to have a consultation with your dentist to make sure you are a good candidate. Patients who grind their teeth are not suitable for veneers because they can be broken with this type of pressure. Also, patients who are unable break habits like chewing hard items like ice, pencils, or fingernails may not be suitable for veneers.

If you are a good candidate for dental veneers, remember that they are a permanent restoration. This means that you will need to have your veneers replaced if they ever wear out, because once your teeth have had veneers you’ll need to continue wearing them. If you take good care of your veneers by practicing proper oral hygiene, your veneers should last a long time before replacement might be necessary. In the meantime, you’ll be able to enjoy your appealing smile.

If you live in the Conyers area contact us today