Veneers are a great way to restore your confidence in your smile; however, they require an investment of both time and money. Veneers are great for correcting minor imperfections, including cracked, crooked, or chipped teeth, and once you've seen how veneers can transform your smile, you're going to want to take care of them, so they last for as long as possible. While veneers are incredibly durable, making them last for years to come requires effort. Here are our favorite tips on maintaining their beauty and function for years to come. How Oral Hygiene Habits Affect Veneers With proper care, porcelain veneers can keep your transformed smile perfect for up to twenty years. While they're durable, veneers collect plaque and tartar …
Invisalign Will Not Fix These Dental Problems
Although Invisalign for teeth is a great option for straightening, they may not be the right choice for correcting every kind of dental misalignment. Certain teeth alignment problems—like protrusion, teeth that are too spaced out, or narrow jaws—may require traditional braces to correct. Here’s a look at a few dental health issues that Invisalign clear aligners cannot typically fix. Protrusion Protrusion occurs when your front teeth stick out too much. You may have heard this condition referred to as “buck teeth.” This happens when your upper jaw sits in a position that is too far forward, your lower jaw sits in a position that is too far back, your teeth grew in angled, or a combination of these conditions. Protrusion is sometimes …
What is Cerec Dentistry?
Our Beaufort dental team believes everyone can have a healthy, happy smile. However, even with regular brushing and flossing, this can’t always be achieved naturally. For example, some people are more prone to tooth decay than others, and stained teeth can be caused by genetics. Whether it’s for functional or cosmetic reasons, sooner or later your teeth may need some restorative work to stay healthy and look great. When you do, the CEREC system is your best option. Learn everything you need to know about CEREC and why this advanced restoration technology is the safest, most effective way to restore your teeth. What is CEREC? CEREC stands for “Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics” and is a …
Our Beaufort SC Dentist Office 8 Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures
While traditional dentistry focuses on oral hygiene and preventing, diagnosing and treating oral disease, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of the teeth, mouth and smile. In other words restorative, general and/or family dental practices address dental problems that require necessary treatment, whereas cosmetic dentistry provides elective – or desired – treatments or services. Cosmetic treatments may also provide restorative benefits. For example, dental fillings are a common procedure used to treat decayed teeth. Previously, most dental fillings were composed primarily of gold, amalgam and other materials that left visible dark spots on the teeth. Todays dental fillings may be considered cosmetic to a certain …
Natural Teeth Whiteners: Fact vs. Myth
When it comes to teeth whitening, you may see many different methods featured online and in magazines—from oil pulling to charcoal, and even turmeric. It's no surprise that DIY whitening is top of mind, either. When the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry asked people what they’d most like to improve their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth. Healthy smiles come in many shades, though it's tempting to think ingredients in our own kitchens could hold the key to a brighter smile. Still, just because a method is natural doesn’t mean it’s healthy. In fact, DIY whitening can do more harm than good to your teeth. Here’s how: Fruits Myth: The approach maintains you can make your teeth whiter and brighter using household …
5 Things to Know About Teeth Whitening
Brushing and flossing are everyday ways to keep your teeth bright, white and healthy. Still, if you might feel like your smile is lacking some sparkle or is more yellow than it used to be, you’re not alone. When the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry asked people what they’d most like to improve about their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists also found that nearly 90% of patients requested tooth whitening. Thinking about teeth whitening? Get the facts first. Here are five of the most commonly asked questions about the process. Why Did My Teeth Change Color? Over time, your teeth can go from white to not-so-bright for a number of reasons: Food and Drink Coffee, tea and red …
Dental Grills: What You Should Know
Grills, also called “grillz” or “fronts,” are decorative covers often made of gold, silver or jewel-encrusted precious metals that snap over one or more of their teeth. They generally are removable but some grill wearers have had their teeth altered with gold crowns to permanently resemble a grill. And some have tried to attach their grill with glue—something that is not meant for internal use and can damage the teeth and tissues! At present there are no studies that show that grills are harmful to the mouth—but there are no studies that show that their long-term wear is safe, either. Some grills are made from non-precious (base) metals that may cause irritation or metal-allergic reactions. If you wear a grill, you should be especially …
Dental Filling Choices
When it comes to having a cavity filled, it’s important to know that you have the right to decide, after consultation with your dentist, what treatments and materials are used for your dental care. Your dentist considers materials to use on an individualized basis, taking into account the size and location of your cavity. Cosmetic considerations, how long the filling could last, insurance coverage and out of pocket costs are some other factors you might want to consider. The ADA encourages you to talk with your dentist so that together you may choose the material that’s right for you. Here are some common dental filling options: Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, are a mixture of glass or quartz filler that provide good …
What is a Composite Filling?
Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small- to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing. They can be used on either front or back teeth. They are a good choice for people who prefer that their fillings look more natural. Composites cost more than amalgam and occasionally are not covered by some insurance plans. Also, no dental filling lasts forever. Some studies show that composite fillings can be less durable and need to be replaced more often than amalgam fillings. It generally takes longer to place a composite filling than it does for a metal filling. That’s because composite fillings require the tooth be kept clean …
What is Cosmetic Dental Bonding?
Cosmetic Dental Bonding is the application of a tooth-colored composite resin (plastic) to repair a decayed, chipped, fractured or discolored tooth. Unlike veneers, which are manufactured in a laboratory and require a customized mold to achieve a proper fit, bonding can be done in a single visit. The procedure is called bonding because the material bonds to the tooth. What it's Used for? Dental Bonding is among the easiest and least expensive of cosmetic dentistry procedures. The composite resin used in bonding can be shaped and polished to match the surrounding teeth. Most often, bonding is used for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of a discolored or chipped tooth. It also can be used to close spaces between teeth, to make …