Thursday, March 25, 2010

Limit Yourself on Teeth Whitening

Flip open any magazine, turn on the television or head to the movies. You'll see them everywhere. Dazzling smiles. Gleaming white teeth. Perfect dentistry. It could give a person a complex. And some experts say that's exactly what's happening.

"Many people now have teeth that are whiter than the normal color scale we used to use many years ago," said Dr. Kimberly Harms, a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association. "We now have many people whose teeth are whiter than the [official] tooth color scale."

Unnatural
Calling it "bleachorexia," dentists Lincolndale say more and more people are coming in with unrealistic expectations for their teeth, wanting pearly whites that are several shades lighter than what's natural.

"To a degree, what is happening is that whiter teeth are the standard," said Dr. Kevin Frawley, a dentist at Beverly Hills Dentistry in Beverly Hills, Calif.

"People think there is no such thing as too white," he added. "But if someone smiles at you and it looks like their teeth are going to jump out at you in the dark, that's probably too white."

In general, teeth bleaching Lincolndale is considered a safe procedure, but problems can arise when people stop following the directions and start thinking more is better.

"Too much of a good thing is not always good," said Harms.

According to the ADA, overbleaching can cause tooth sensitivity and gum inflammation. It also can cause teeth to look translucent at the edge a potentially permanent change.

"After a certain point, the color starts to become an unnatural translucent, chalky white color," said Frawley, who teaches at a UCLA dental clinic. "And they start to really have a strange look to them, almost like a bluish white."

Over-whitening also makes it hard for dentists to match shades when doing fillings or crowns.

Some whitening toothpastes can wear down the tooth's enamel. Frawley said to be careful with toothpastes that are "gritty" and can cause more serious problems, though dentist-administered products don't generally have that effect.

"I don't know that [over-whitening] is a problem from a health point of view; it's a problem from an aesthetic point of view," Frawley said. "It doesn't look natural, especially on older people."

A big seller
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, teeth whitening is the most-requested cosmetic dental service Lincolndale today. In 2006, the dental industry reported $138.8 million in revenue from teeth-whitening procedures alone.

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening Lincolndale involves the use of peroxide-based materials to whiten teeth. Most dentists use an in-office or at-home whitening system to achieve the desired results. Before tooth whitening, the patient must get all cavities filled, and the gums must be healthy. The in-office systems use 35 percent hydrogen peroxide gels coupled with a high-intensity light to whiten the teeth. The gums need to be protected with some systems, and then gels are placed on the teeth. A laser or plasma arc light source activates the peroxide to oxidize stains on the tooth surface. In about an hour, the teeth become four to six shades lighter.

At-home systems most often use 10 to 20 percent carbamine peroxide gels to oxidize stains. The dentist makes impressions (molds) of the mouth, and then has soft mouth trays made. The patient is fitted with the trays, and then is instructed to place a thin ribbon of the gel into the tray and wear while sleeping.

Most cosmetic dentistry Lincolndale whitening occurs in one to two weeks. In difficult cases, trays may need to be worn for up to six weeks. I have found that a combination of in-office and at-home systems works the best, and routinely achieve between 12 to 15 shades of whitening. The procedure is safe when monitored by a dentist, and does not damage the tooth in any way.

White fillings (resin, bonding) or porcelain crowns (caps) and bridges will not whiten significantly with either method. Some patients will experience minor tooth sensitivity during whitening procedures. The dentist can remedy this by alternating concentrated fluoride with the peroxide in the mouth trays.

Store-bought bleaching systems are not as effective as dentist-managed systems. Unsupervised use of store-bought bleaching systems can cause painful sensitivity to untreated dental cavities. The mouth trays are not custom made, which can cause gum irritation, and the peroxides are not as strong or effective.

Tooth Shaping

Tooth shaping Lincolndale involves removing a small amount (generally 1 to 2 millimeters) of the enamel of the teeth. Tooth shaping can shorten long teeth, round off pointed teeth, and help create a pleasing smile that gently follows the contour of the lower lip. The procedure is quick and painless (the enamel has no nerves), and is usually completed in less than 30 minutes. A small minority of patients gets slight sensitivity after tooth shaping. This can be remedied with prescription strength fluoride or in-office desensitizers. The procedure does not appear to cause any long-term damage to the teeth.

Veneers

People seek cosmetic dentistry Lincolndale for a variety of reasons. Some people simply want to look younger, and cosmetic dentistry is like a dental facelift that can quickly "reverse" the natural aging process of the teeth. The majority of people have had unattractive teeth their whole lives and have always felt self-conscious because of them. They will rarely smile, which can often hide a warm side of their personality.

Modern dentistry Lincolndale offers a wide variety of treatment options for people seeking to enhance their smile. The options range from porcelain veneers to braces. In many cases, a combination of these techniques is required to deliver the best results.

Porcelain Veneers Lincolndale

Porcelain laminate veneers, or simply "veneers," are custom-made porcelain wafers that the dentist places over teeth to enhance their appearance and also to repair damage. Veneers can dramatically change a person's smile and help improve their self-confidence.

In the 1920's and 30's, actors, actresses and other performers would often go to the extreme measure of having their teeth extracted and having dentures (false teeth) made to improve their smile. Fortunately, this radical procedure has given way to veneers, a far more conservative approach. Veneers are what give many Hollywood movie stars that dazzling smile we see on the silver screen.

Veneers can be used to improve a wide variety of cosmetic dental problems. They can whiten stained or discolored teeth; close gaps between teeth, "correct" a crooked smile without the need for braces; repair chips and imperfections, and create a more attractive or youthful looking smile. The procedure usually involves removing only a thin amount of the outermost layer of the tooth, called the enamel. The dentist then takes molds (impressions) of the mouth. Temporary veneers are then placed for the patient to wear while the permanent veneers are being made. The procedure usually takes between 1.5 - 2 hours.

Next, the laboratory carefully crafts the porcelain into veneers. In about two weeks, the veneers are ready for the dentist to fasten to the fronts of the teeth. This process improves the teeth's appearance and strength.

There is no doubt that veneers are an excellent option, but how about the cost? That depends on how many veneers are required to produce the desired results. In most cases, a minimum of six veneers are needed, and are usually placed on the upper six front teeth, from the canine (sometimes known as the eye tooth) on your right side, to the canine on your left side. Prices vary, but an average fee for most cases will run several thousand dollars.

Considering Cosmetic Dentistry?

Factors To Consider
Everyone would like to have a perfect smile, but nature is rarely so accommodating. Even if you're one of the lucky ones who never needed braces, the rough-and-tumble of life, along with habits such as smoking or drinking coffee, invariably result in chips, stains, or an overall dingy appearance.

Until fairly recently, there wasn't a lot the average person could do to improve the appearance of teeth beyond having them cleaned once or twice a year. In the last two decades, however, improvements in dental materials and restorative techniques have made it possible for most of us to have close to model-perfect teeth that resist color changes and are almost as strong as the originals.

If you have been considering ways to brighten your smile or correct imperfections, there's never been a better time to do it. Demand for cosmetic dental procedures Lincolndale is greater than ever, in part because baby boomers with money to spend are looking for ways to feel and look younger

However, there are a few things you should keep in mind while making your decision about cosmetic dentistry new york:

- It can be expensive. For example, the application of porcelain tooth veneers may cost between $400 and $1,500 per tooth.

- Most cosmetic procedures Lincolndale aren't covered by insurance.

- Materials aren't indestructible. Crowns, inlays and veneers are stronger and more durable than they used to be, but they won't last forever. They may crack or chip or the cement may weaken. If you're 70 years old, there's a good chance that the restorations will last longer than you will. Younger people, however, may have to repeat the procedures in 10 to 15 years.

- It's important to be realistic. Dentists who specialize in cosmetic procedures are enhancers. They can manipulate, shape and polish materials in an infinite variety of ways to create smiles that are truly dazzling. What they can't do is change the shape of your mouth, the color of your skin or your overall appearance. In order for tooth restorations to truly look natural, they have to work for you. Cosmetic dentistry can improve your appearance; it won't completely transform it.

One of the benefits of cosmetic dentistry Lincolndale is that the final results are easy to predict. Whether you decide to have a gap filled, a chip repaired or a stain concealed, you're unlikely to have unpleasant surprises later. Dentists have many methods for repairing, restoring or otherwise changing the appearance of the teeth.

Imaging
Thanks to advances in computer technology, it's now possible to view before-and-after images of your teeth before the work even begins. The technique is called computer imaging and it allows your dentist to give you an idea of what your teeth will look like after the procedure you are contemplating.

Before you commit to having a procedure done, a dentist who has this technology can project an image of your teeth on a computer monitor then " correct" the imperfection or modify your teeth as you desire while you watch.

Imaging may not be necessary. If you want a chipped tooth filled or a space between teeth narrowed, you may be able to envision the result without a computer screen. If you are considering something more complex or involving more than one tooth, however, imaging can be helpful.

Many, although not all, cosmetic dentists incorporate computer imaging in their practices.


Affordable Cosmetic Dentistry

There's no doubt about it -- nearly everyone wants a great smile. We look at all the movie stars on TV, people in the media and in advertisements, and say, "I want to have teeth just like that!" But when we talk to our friends and relatives about cosmetic dentistry Lincolndale, some say that we might need to take out a second mortgage to get that "dazzling smile." Yet, by the time we go to our dentist for a checkup, we're reluctant to bring up the subject of cosmetic dentistry all together.

You may be surprised to learn that not all cosmetic dentistry Lincolndale is expensive, although some options are. To begin with, the procedure that costs the most usually involves 6-10 porcelain veneers or crowns to improve a smile. While the results of this procedure can be excellent in the right situation, the cost is several thousand dollars. Some people say, "That sounds great, I'll have it done when I hit the lottery!" The reality is that many patients do not want to spend thousands of dollars for a cosmetic dentistry Lincolndale. So, what can the rest of us do who want to improve our smiles without breaking the bank? The answer involves having your dentist do several less-involved procedures used in combination.

I have found that the combination of tooth whitening and shaping, and replacing old discolored fillings with new white ones can affordably improve a smile. Many people have old white fillings on their front teeth (incisors or canines) that have become stained and now look unattractive. Others have silver fillings on the inside of their front teeth or on their side teeth (premolars) that can make them look darker than their other teeth. Still others have teeth that are uneven or pointed. For a reasonable price, your dentist can improve all of these situations.

Here's the order of what your dentist can do. First, your dentist whitens and shapes your teeth. After the teeth are whiter and attractively shaped, old and discolored fillings can be replaced with new ones that match the whiter color. Prices vary, but in many cases, the cost for this "smile enhancement" will be less than a thousand dollars. So the next time you go to your dentist, don't be afraid to ask about what cosmetic dental options are available -- on a "shoe-string" budget.

Advances in Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental implants and cosmetic dentistry Lincolndale provide two of the most valuable and exciting treatment options for today's dental patients. Dental implants have created opportunities that were unavailable in the past, while cosmetic dentistry Lincolndale has allowed people to enhance their appearance in ways never before possible. People who have not been to the dentist in many years are often amazed at what can be done to improve their dental health and their smile.

Dental implants, discovered by Swedish scientist and orthopedic surgeon Dr. P.I. Brnemark, have led to a vastly improved quality of life for the many people who suffer from the problems associated with missing teeth. Dental implants are titanium rods about a centimeter long that are placed inside the jawbone and serve the same purpose as the roots of teeth. They can replace lost teeth or be used to help keep dentures tightly in place. In some cases, dental implants are the only way to permanently replace missing teeth. This is important because some people cannot tolerate or are averse to wearing removable dentures. Dental implants are the single most important advancement in dentistry in the last 20 years.

Cosmetic dentistry Lincolndale is a relatively new concept and it has broad appeal. The truth is most people want their teeth to be straighter, whiter, and pleasing to the eye when they smile. Fortunately, new technology and procedures have created vast improvements in what a dentist can do. The procedure with the greatest impact is porcelain veneers.

Porcelain veneers are custom-made porcelain wafers that the dentist places over the front of the teeth to enhance their appearance and repair damage. They can be used to improve a wide variety of cosmetic dental problems. They can whiten stained or discolored teeth, close gaps between teeth, "correct" a crooked smile without the need for braces, repair chips and imperfections, and create a more attractive or youthful-looking smile.

The routine use of white fillings has been another recent trend. Today�s white fillings are more lifelike and durable than ever and have become the material of choice for most dentists. One advantage of these fillings is that they blend in with teeth, helping to recreate an aesthetic and natural appearance.