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 General
- What does cosmetic dentistry do?
- What are veneers?
- What are the benefits of tooth-colored
fillings?
- What is "gum disease"?
- When does a tooth need a root canal?
- What is a dental implant?
- What factors are evaluated when considering
a restoration to replace a worn out filling?
- What are the drawbacks of delaying
treatment?
- What is a sealant?
Tooth Whitening
- What is tooth whitening?
- What causes tooth discoloration?
- Who may benefit from tooth
whitening?
- Why is the Day White process
unique?
- How does it work?
- Is the process safe?
- How long does it take?
- Are there any side effects?
- How long do the results last?
General
- What does cosmetic dentistry
do?
- Straightens teeth
- Closes spaces between teeth
- Whitens teeth
- Eliminates "gummy smiles"
- Creates teeth of the perfect size and shape
- What are veneers?
Veneers are a hand-crafted, thin shell of porcelain that is bonded
to the outside of the tooth. This creates a perfectly spaced,
shaped and colored tooth. It can correct short teeth, stained
teeth and even close unsightly spaces between teeth.
- What are the benefits
of tooth-colored fillings?
- Tooth colored or "white" fillings are bonded to the
tooth to make the tooth stronger
- They contain no mercury
- They are aesthetically pleasing
- "White" fillings can save precious tooth structure
because the preparations are more conservative than silver/mercury
fillings.
- What is "gum disease"?
Gum disease, otherwise known as Periodontal disease is an infection
of the teeth, gums and bone that surround the teeth. The main
culprit of gum disease id plaque, a sticky collection of bacteria
that causes the gums to be red and puffy. Over time, the plaque
causes the bone to dissolve from around the teeth. This leads
to the teeth becoming loose and eventually requiring the teeth
to be extracted.
- When does a tooth need a root
canal?
A tooth needs a root canal when the nerve of the tooth becomes
infected. A tooth may be infected if it is sensitive to hot, cold,
or chewing, causes pain or swelling, keeps you awake at night,
creates a bad taste in your mouth, or you may have no symptoms
at all. When a root canal is done, your symptoms will dissipate
because the nerve will have been removed from the tooth.
- What is a dental implant?
An implant is an excellent way to replace a missing tooth and
keep a beautiful smile. A titanium post is placed into the jaw
bone to replace the root of a tooth. Bone will then integrate
with the post and the implant will be ready to receive a beautiful
crown. Implants are a wonderful way to effectively and conservatively
replace the missing tooth.
- What factors are evaluated
when considering a restoration to replace a worn out filling?
When we recommend new restorations, we consider both the size
of the filling and the amount of remaining tooth structure. When
a worn out filling is fairly small, it can be replaced with another
resin filling. When a larger, worn out filling needs to be replaced,
and less tooth structure remains, we begin to worry about fractures.
By switching to a crown, we can strengthen the tooth and PREVENT
problems.
- What are the drawbacks of
delaying treatment?
Whether tooth structure has been lost due to breakage or cavities,
if a person delays treatment, it will get worse. If the tooth
breaks more, it is going to be harder to fix and we may have no
choice but to extract it. When a person delays treatment, cavities
just get bigger and bigger. They grow slowly while they are still
in the hard outer enamel layer. However, if a cavity is allowed
to reach the softer inner dentin, it grows much more quickly.
The race is on to fill the cavity before it infects the pulp chamber.
If it gets in to the pulp chamber...a root canal will be necessary
to save the tooth.
- What is a sealant?
Sealants are a clear or white plastic material that is placed
in the the grooves of the biting surfaces that are very difficult
to keep clean. Food collects in these grooves. Every time a person
eats, the bacteria in the grooves form acid. Every time a person
eats. The bacteria in the grooves form acid. Without protective
sealants, these acid attacks can cause enamel to break down and
a person can get a cavity.
Tooth Whitening
- What is tooth whitening?
It's a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel
and dentin. The system uses a mild solution retained in a custom
fitted tray that is worn over your teeth.
- What causes tooth discoloration?
There are many causes. The most common include aging, consumption
of staining substances (coffee, tea, cola, tobacco), trauma, nerve
degeneration, and old restorations. During tooth formation, consumption
of tetracycline or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.
- Who may benefit from
tooth whitening?
Almost anyone. However, there are some cases where the treatment
may not be effective. A dentist will determine candidates for
the process through oral examination and diagnosis. Day White
is ideal for patients who have healthy, unrestored teeth and would
like to have a whiter, brighter smile.
- Why is the Day White process
unique?
New breakthrough technology allows you to whiten your teeth comfortably
and effectively, in only 30 minutes twice a day. For example,
you can whiten while driving to work or watching your favorite
TV show.
- How does it work?
The Day White gel is placed in a thin bleaching tray that fits
over your teeth. As hydrogen peroxide, the active ingredient in
the gel, is broken down, oxygen enter the enamel and dentin and
bleaches the colored substances. Only the tooth color is made
lighter, while the structure of the tooth is unchanged.
- Is the process safe?
YES! Research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth
with hydrogen peroxide under the supervision of a dentist is safe
for teeth and gums. In fact, many dentists consider this whitening
process the safest cosmetic dental procedure available today.
- How long does it take?
Results are often seen after the first application. Ideal results
generally occur when the process is continued for 10 to 14 days.
Faster results may be obtained with more frequent application
and/or longer wear periods.
- Are there any side effects?
Some people experience temporary tooth sensitivity during the
treatment. These symptoms always disappear within 1-3 days after
interruption or completion of the treatment.
- How long do the results
last?
The teeth will always be lighter than they were. However,
some patients may want to "touch-up" their be re-whitening
for one or two days, usually once or twice a year. This is especially
useful if they continue to use staining substances such as caffeine
or tobacco products.
If you have any other questions, please call us at 410-747-1115.
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