If you have several issues with the quality of your smile, you may imagine it will take several cosmetic treatments before you have the look you want. However, porcelain veneers can address multiple flaws with your teeth with one procedure. Porcelain veneers are a slim, semi-translucent shell that can be affixed over several teeth. The veneers are custom-designed to be the size, shape, and overall look that you want for your smile. Before receiving veneers, your dentist can inspect your teeth, to make certain that you are a good candidate for the procedure. Because veneers are permanently placed, you will need to ensure they are properly cared for, so that they retain their attractive appearance. (more…)
Using Orthodontics To Fix Crooked Teeth
Orthodontic treatment can be time-intensive, but it provides dramatic, long-lasting changes to your teeth and bite. Because of its pronounced effect on your appearance, it is understandable to think of orthodontics as a cosmetic dental procedure, but it offers benefits for your oral health, too. Straight teeth can be easier to clean, and enables you to have a more comfortable, better-aligned bite. By realigning your bite, you can reduce your odds of developing problems with your TMJs, the joints that connect your jaw to your skull. (more…)
Delaying Dental Treatment Can Put Your Oral Health At Risk
You are encouraged to visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and dental cleaning. These visits can help defend your teeth against decay, and can put you at ease regarding the state of your overall oral health. What happens if you skip out on regular dental visits? What can happen if you only see your dentist when something is wrong? If you delay a visit to your dentist, tooth decay can advance until it becomes painful, and threatens the health of your tooth. (more…)
Everyday Habits That Can Harm Your Teeth
You may not put much thought into how your everyday habits are affecting your teeth, but certain behaviors can increase your risk for several oral health issues. Your choice of drink at lunch, or your habit of chewing on a pen when you are lost in thought, can harm your teeth. Regularly brushing and flossing your teeth, and scheduling routine checkups and dental cleanings, can help keep your teeth in great shape. However, these efforts can be undermined by diet choices and habits that can put you at risk for a range of problems. (more…)
Finding The Right Cosmetic Treatment For You
If you are concerned about the appearance of your teeth, you may be interested in addressing the problem with a cosmetic treatment from your dentist. However, you may not know what treatment will best address your concerns. If you are unhappy with the color of your teeth, you may be interested in teeth whitening. If your smile is marred by one or two problem teeth, dental bonding may be the best answer. Porcelain veneers can overhaul your smile by granting you the appearance of healthy, whiter teeth. (more…)
A Dental Prosthetic Can Restore An Incomplete Smile
Whether you have lost one, several, or all of your teeth, a prosthetic can help you regain an attractive smile. If you have full or non-consecutive tooth loss, your dentist may recommend dentures to treat your missing teeth. For patients with a single missing tooth, or conjoined absences, you may be better-suited by a dental bridge. Having a complete set of teeth is more than just a cosmetic advantage – sufferers of tooth loss are at risk for developing issues like TMJ dysfunction, and losing additional teeth. (more…)
A Root Canal Can Restore An Infected Tooth
When it comes to your oral health, preventing a problem is preferable to treating one. If you do develop an issue, restorative treatments are available to return your tooth to good health. A root canal is a process where your dentist identifies and removes an infection that has infiltrated the pulp of your tooth. Because your pulp contains living tissue, an infection can be especially uncomfortable, and can jeopardize the overall health of your tooth. A root canal treatment can spare a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted. (more…)
Fully Treating A Damaged Tooth
A physical injury to a tooth can require a range of treatments. A cracked tooth may need treatment for an infection, while also needing a remedy for the physical signs of damage. A tooth may become discolored after trauma. If the tooth is too badly damaged to function on its own, you may require a crown. If you want to restore a tooth after an injury, it is important to see your dentist for treatment. In some cases, proper treatment could require restorative treatments, as well as cosmetic treatments for unsightly damage. (more…)
How Your Diet Can Harm Your Teeth
The choices you make in your diet can have profound effects on your overall health. Along with brushing and flossing, maintaining a smart diet can provide big benefits for the health, and the appearance, of your teeth. Certain foods and drinks can affect the color of your teeth, and substances high in sugar can increase your risk for developing cavities. If you are worried about damaging teeth, you should be wary of foods that seem sticky, or have hard surfaces. (more…)
Why Routine Checkups With Your Dentist Matter
Brushing and flossing regularly are crucially important to keeping your oral health in peak condition, but good habits at home are not enough by themselves. A routine visit with your dentist can provide a more comprehensive cleaning, and essential feedback on the state of your oral health. Your dental hygienist can clean your teeth with tools that can remove stubborn tartar that brushing and flossing alone will not eliminate. Your dentist can also inspect your oral cavity to look for evidence of problems that you might not have noticed. Detecting and diagnosing a problem early can prevent you from requiring more invasive restorative treatments. (more…)