Learn How to Take Care of Your Dental Veneers and Make Them Last for Years

If you have dental veneers, it is important to take care of them so that they can stay in good condition.  They are supposed to last for five to ten years. Whether or not they do, depends on whether or not they were installed correctly in the first place and how well you take care of them on a regular basis. 

There are some simple steps you can take in order to keep your veneers in good condition.  This starts by making sure that you are practicing good oral hygiene.  Make sure to brush your teeth using a soft toothbrush and do so throughout the day.  You also need to floss daily and use an antiseptic mouthwash in order to kill any lingering bacteria.  Get your teeth cleaned at the dentist office twice a year in order to kill any lingering bacteria and get cavities treated.  This is an important step because veneers are placed onto the surface of your natural teeth so if the tooth becomes infected it will impact your veneers. 

You should also watch what you put into your mouth.  Don’t bite your nails, chew on pencils, chew ice or hard candy since these can cause your veneers to either fall off or chip.  You can eat all of your favorite foods but avoid things that are known to be too hard for your teeth.  Use caution when deciding what you want to eat so that you don’t bite down on anything that could harm your dental veneers. 

When visiting our dental office ask us to look to see if there are any signs of you grinding your teeth.  If there are, then you need to wear a night guard when you sleep.  This will prevent your upper and lower teeth from touching which will stop the grinding and any clenching that you may be doing.  This is important because grinding can cause your dental veneers to become chipped or even fall off.  It can also give you a headache as well, so a mouth guard can help you to feel better in general. 

It is very easy to care for your veneers.  Just practice good oral hygiene and treat them like you would the rest of your teeth.  This will keep them in good condition.  As an added benefit, you don’t have to worry as much about your teeth becoming stained.  Veneers are stain resistant so if you are used to your teeth becoming yellow fairly easily; this will help.  They key to remember is that you need to whiten the rest of your teeth before your veneers are placed.  Since they don’t stain easily, they also don’t whiten like normal teeth.  By whitening the rest of your teeth first, the veneers will be created in the perfect shade of white and your entire smile will look amazing. 

To learn more about the process or how to keep them in good condition, give us a call. 

Learn About the Stages in Orthodontics You Will Go Through While Your Teeth are Being Straightened

While performing orthodontics treatments, we can straighten our patient's teeth and turn their smile into something healthy and beautiful.  Before getting started, we will examine your teeth to make sure that they are healthy.  It is important to remove any infection and treat any cavities so that your teeth and gums are in good shape prior to wearing braces.  It is far easier to treat the infection before starting the process than after.

Once your teeth are in good health, we will discuss your options for straightening them and the various things that you don’t like about your smile. By listening to your needs and concerns, we can make recommendations that are tailored to your specific needs and health.  Whether you straighten your teeth with braces, aligners or cosmetic dentistry, we can help you to improve your appearance and oral health at the same time. 

When using orthodontics to straighten teeth, there are several stages that you must go through before the braces can come off.  The first stage is to make sure that there is enough room for all of your adult teeth.  Many people have a pallet that is simply too small for all of their teeth and some need to be pulled or removed as a result. We offer an alternative solution where a metal expander is placed on the roof of your mouth and secured to your teeth. Every day for several weeks, you turn the device, and it slowly expands and pushes your teeth outwards.  As a result, more room is made for your teeth. Many children will wear an expander prior to getting braces as it can solve their overcrowding issues. 

Once there is room for your teeth, they can be moved into place using metal braces or clear aligners.  If metal braces are used, a bracket will be placed on each of your teeth, and a wire threaded between them.  The wires are held in place using rubber bands and over the course of the treatment; the wires will be adjusted in order to move teeth into position.  Typically, teeth are targeted so that they are not all moving at the same time.  This makes the process more comfortable, and a similar technique is used with aligners except that the aligners can be switched out at home. 

As your teeth are moving into place, your bite will also be adjusted.  It is important to have a bite that is perfectly aligned so that the upper teeth can fit securely over the lower teeth.  When we adjust your bite, we will make sure that your teeth are fitting front to back, side to side, and top to bottom.  By aligning your bite, your jaw won’t hurt as much; headaches can be reduced, and it becomes easier to eat.  This can be done by using rubber bands, headgear, and other orthodontics treatments. 

To learn more and to get a recommendation for how to straighten your teeth, give us call. 

Orthodontics Solutions Involve More than Just Wearing Braces

Braces are the most commonly known procedure in orthodontics. They are extremely effective at moving teeth into position, correcting a misaligned bite, and creating a straight and beautiful smile.  Braces can be worn by both adults and children, making them ideal for people in all stages of life.  There are, however, times where alternative treatments are needed. 

Many children have difficulty with overcrowding.  This occurs when baby teeth fall out too early and, as a result, the remaining teeth shift or move out of place.  When the adult teeth try to come in, the space that should have been reserved for them has been lost.  In this situation, braces are not an appropriate solution because the child is getting their adult teeth in, but they haven’t all come in yet.  We can help by making more room in their mouth so that the adult teeth have a place to go. 

Orthodontics involves moving your teeth, jaw, and pallet.  In this scenario, we may want to use a combination of spacers and an expander to move the existing teeth and to expand the pallet so that the adult teeth can come in properly.  Wearing an expander is a common solution because it is a metal device that is placed onto the roof of the mouth and by turning a key, will slowly start to stretch and expand the roof of the mouth.  This is done over several weeks until the pallet has been expanded enough to make room for incoming teeth.  It remains in place for some time in order for the mouth to conform to its new position.  When the adult teeth come in, they will have a spot to grow into that is in line with the other teeth instead of behind them. By performing this procedure early, many children don’t need to wear braces at all. 

Children and adults that do get braces may also need additional procedures to move their teeth and jaw into the right position.  Remember that braces can make teeth straight but on their own cannot expand the pallet or align a jaw.  In the case of an overbite, for example, headgear is often worn at night in order to move the top and lower teeth into alignment.  Simultaneously, rubber bands are often used to align the bite.  In this case, the orthodontist tells a patient which upper tooth to start the rubber band on and which lower tooth it should be ended on.  By wearing the bands, the jaw is held in a certain position and slowly moved into place.  Both of these additional steps are typically only needed for a portion of the treatment time.

There is much more involved with orthodontics and multiple ways to straighten teeth.  There is no one size fits all solution so in order to find out what will work best for you, schedule an examination so that we can make a recommendation and discuss various treatment options. 

Dental Veneers Can Restore Teeth That Are Damaged While Playing Fall Sports

Fall is here and with it comes sports and oral injuries, many of which can be corrected with dental veneers.  It is so common for athletes to have their teeth knocked out or broken that the American Dental Association has advocated athletes wearing mouth guards in order to prevent these injuries.  In fact, over 200,000 high school and college football injuries are prevented every year due to mouth guards.  This gives a glimpse into how many athletes end up in the dentist chair with a cracked tooth. 

Fortunately, we can repair our patient’s teeth to their full functionality using a variety of cosmetic dentistry techniques.  This is important because in the past when someone injured a tooth there was a high likelihood that the tooth would need to be pulled or that it would become infected.  Now, this is very rarely necessary thanks to modern dental techniques.

One of the most common ways for restoring a damaged tooth is to use dental veneers.  A veneer is a thin shell that is placed on top of the existing tooth and can be used to fix one that has been cracked or chipped.  As an athlete, it doesn’t take much to chip a tooth. A recreational softball game is a lot of fun in the spring and summer, but it easy to get distracted and have a flying ball accidentally collide with your face.  These are the types of accidents that are extremely common, no matter how careful you are.  If this happens to you, call us right away to schedule an appointment so that your life isn’t interrupted due to a damaged tooth. 

How the process works.

After an injury, we will examine your teeth and let you know what steps we recommend for repairing it. If dental veneers are the best option, we will take a mold of your mouth so that a permanent veneer can be created in a lab.  The veneer will match the size, shape, and color of your other teeth so that it blends in perfectly.  In the meantime, we will prepare the tooth by removing a portion of the enamel from the surface.  This is done so that when the veneer is placed, it will lay flat with the gums and not stick out in any way.  It can take a few weeks for the dental lab to create your veneer so during this time frame a temporary one will be worn.  The temporary is attached using glue that is meant to come off, so you have to be careful with what you eat, how hard you brush your teeth and your activity level.  As an athlete, you may need to take it easy for a couple of weeks but we can advise you further after discussing what sports you are involved in.  

Once the permanent veneer is ready, you will come back to our office so that we can remove the temporary at bond the permanent one to your existing tooth.  The result is a beautiful looking, natural tooth that is also durable.  This allows you to get back to the game without worrying about your teeth. 

A Cosmetic Dentist Explains the Difference Between Crowns and Dental Veneers

If your tooth needs to be restored, dental veneers are a common option for doing so.  There are multiple ways to restore a tooth, with dental crowns and veneers being extremely popular.  Both options can be used restoratively and to improve the appearance of a tooth by covering dark stains, holes, chips, and cracks.  There are many similarities in the process but also several key differences.

Here is what you need to know.

Primary Uses.  Dental crowns are typically used when a large portion of the tooth has been removed, or the tooth has become cracked to the point that it is no longer stable.  Veneers, on the other hand, are frequently used to cover dark stains, make teeth even in length, close gaps, and correct a tooth that has been chipped.

Appearance.  Crowns are made from one of three main types of materials: all-metal, porcelain-on-metal, and all-porcelain.  Metal crowns are the most stable while the all-porcelain crowns look the most natural and are better for front teeth.  Dental veneers are made either all-porcelain or all-ceramic so that they look completely natural.  A cosmetic dentist can make recommendations for how to have the most natural and beautiful looking teeth.

Structure.   Dental crowns fit completely around the tooth like a cap.  This is why they can provide additional strength.  Veneers are a thin shell that fits on the front of the tooth, so they are better for cosmetic purposes, but don’t protect like a crown does.

Preparing the tooth.   In both scenarios, the tooth needs to be prepared which involves removing a portion of it in order to make room for the crown or veneer.  With dental crowns, more of the tooth has to be removed since the crown surrounds it on all sides.  A veneer requires only a minimal amount of enamel to be removed.

Temporaries.  Patients need to wear a temporary crown or veneer in between the time that the tooth is prepared, and the permanent one is ready.  This is used to protect the tooth and help it to hold its shape.

Permanent ones are created in a lab.  The dental lab will use a mold or impression of your teeth to create a crown or veneer that is perfectly sized and shaped.  With a crown, this will be created in the material that you have selected ahead of time.  The color will also be matched to your surrounding teeth.

Bonding.  In both cases, the new device will be bonded with the tooth using glue and a light beam.  This will secure the crown or veneer in place so that a person can eat and speak without fear of it becoming loose.

Maintenance.  Once the tooth has healed, it can be maintained just like natural teeth.  Brushing and flossing are necessary along with teeth cleanings twice a year.  This will keep your teeth in good condition. 

If you are looking for a solution for restoring a tooth or improving the appearance of your smile, a cosmetic dentist can help.  

Learn more about crowns and dental veneers by calling Vista Dental Care and Specialty Center today.

Orthodontics Are for Adults, Too!

Orthodontics Are for Adults, Too!

As an adult, orthodontics can help you to look and feel better.  Many people assume that braces are only for kids and once you reach adulthood they are no longer necessary.  The truth is that braces can be helpful at any age. 

When teeth are crooked, they can create a variety of health issues that extend far beyond physical appearance.  For example, a misaligned bite occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not fit together like they are supposed to. This can create jaw pain, promote teeth grinding, make it difficult to eat and negatively impact speech patterns.  Oftentimes, people with TMJ suffer symptoms due to a misaligned bite that, once corrected by braces, goes away.

Additionally, crooked teeth are more susceptible to becoming infected due to how easy it is for food and bacteria to become trapped in between them. Severely crooked teeth are very difficult to clean which can lead to cavities.  By simply straightening them with orthodontics, teeth can become healthier.

The Importance of a Beautiful Smile

Straightening teeth is an important step in creating a beautiful smile.  Recently, studies have shown how important a beautiful smile is.  Match.com polled 5,000 men and women and found that a smile is the number one thing that makes a person attractive.  Oral-B did more in-depth research and found that when someone had a beautiful smile they were thought to be 20 percent more attractive than those without.  The reason these studies matter is that the University of California conducted research into how being considered attractive can impact a person’s life.  The results were very enlightening.  People that were “attractive” made 12 percent more money than their peers.  They were also viewed as being a better team player and more helpful overall.  To put it all together – people with beautiful smiles are more attractive and attractive people are more successful.  This may sound like a reach, but the data is clear.

As an adult, you may not be concerned with your outward appearance but apparently the rest of society is, and there are clear benefits for taking care of yourself.  If this doesn't feel particularly relevant, there are health benefits associated with orthodontics that can make wearing braces worth it. 

Fortunately, there are multiple ways to straighten teeth, now.  Traditional metal braces are still the most effective for aligning a jaw and closing an open bite.  Rubber bands are typically required to help teeth move into place, and the braces provide the anchor those bands need.  Those that don’t want to wear metal braces can try Invisalign®.  This is a clear way to straighten teeth that is perfect for people that have busy schedules or don’t want people to notice that they are having their teeth straightened. If teeth are not responding to traditional orthodontics, oral surgery is also an option for correcting a tooth or two. To learn which option is best for you, schedule a consultation.

Orthodontics Do More Than Straighten Teeth

Many patients think the only reason to visit an orthodontist is to get braces. This is the most popular aspect of orthodontics because it straightens people’s teeth and creates beautiful smiles.  However the reality is that it is used to accomplish far more than beautiful straight teeth.  Those who are suffering from a variety of oral health issues can benefit from working with an experienced orthodontist. 

It is fairly common for people to have challenges with their bite.  A misaligned bite is when the upper and lower teeth do not fit together properly.  This can lead to pain in the jaw and teeth and can make it difficult to eat properly.  An orthodontist has a variety of procedures that they can use to correct this problem and prevent bite issues. 

Another reason patients may need orthodontics is when their teeth come in improperly.  For example, when baby teeth fall out too soon the rest of the teeth can move out of place, and adult teeth can come in behind where they should, which is commonly referred to as overcrowding. Sometimes a spacer is the best way to treat this problem rather than traditional braces. 

As an expert in all forms of orthodontics, Vista Dental Care and Specialty Center can make recommendations about which procedure will help to correct your bite or your smile.  We offer traditional metal braces that can be used to straighten your teeth and adjust your bite at the same time.  This is a benefit to many patients as it involves one form of treatment for correcting multiple issues.  We also offer a variety of removable appliances that can be used to correct dental issues. 

Braces have improved significantly and if you decide to wear them it is important to know that they are more comfortable than they used to be.  A customized treatment plan will be created based on your needs and lifestyle so that they are as effective as possible. Invisalign may be the best option for adult patients who want to straighten their teeth without wearing metal braces. Invisalign is an excellent option for those who want to straighten their teeth without anyone noticing they are having a dental procedure performed.  With Invisalign a patient wears clear aligners that look like a clear retainer.  They fit completely around a person’s teeth and move them slowly into place without the need for constant adjustments.  This is one of the many ways that orthodontics has improved and provides people with more options than ever. 

Wearing braces or Invisalign may be unnecessary if you only have one or two teeth that need to be corrected.   Cosmetic dentistry may be the best solution if this is the case.  Dental veneers and dental implants can both be used to straighten teeth and improve their appearance without the need for ongoing treatment.  Vista Dental Care and Specialty Center offers both orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry and can customize treatment plans based on the individual patient’s needs.