May 21, 2012

You are here: Home / Archives for Cosmetic Dentistry

Closing Gaps In Between Teeth

March 6, 2012 By

Many people have natural gaps or spaces in between their teeth and some want to know what can be done to fix these spaces. The cheapest and easiest solution is to have composites placed.

Composites

Your dentist will roughen the surface of the tooth and then add putty composite to the tooth which matches your existing shade. The composite is then light cured and then contoured to your tooth. The results are immediate and permanent.

Braces

The next option would be to place  braces. This option can take years and also cost a pretty penny( 4,000 to $7,000), not mentioning the hassle of havingto put up with metal all over your teeth.

Crowns

Option number three includes having crowns made to cover your existing teeth. This process has immediate results as well and is permanent. At the first appointment, the dentist will shape your tooth for the crown, take an impression which will be sent to the lab so they can make your crown, and last of all a temporary crown will be made while you wait a few weeks for the permanent crown to be made.  A crown will cost around $900 per tooth.

Snap on Smile

And last but not least is the snap on smile. The snap on smile is a removable appliance that is snapped on over your teeth. It is made to be worn for cosmetic purposes only and is not to be worn overnight. The snap on smile is easy to wear and can be made at your local dentist office in a few weeks. You would need to make an appointment at your dentist office and they will take an impression and send it to a lab to make. The snap on smile will cost around $1500.

 

Filed Under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Crowns Tagged With: , , ,

What You Should Know About Zoom Whitening

October 19, 2011 By

zoom whiteningMany people often question me about whitening and the best options out there for quick and easy whitening. One of  the best products that I have seen, as far as the quick and easy whitening is concerned, is the Zoom whitening product.  Zoom whitening can only be purchased through your dental office and must be used in office. This product has to be applied by a dental professional because it can do a lot of damage to your gums if not applied correctly.

The first step of the whitening is to take impressions of your teeth in order to make you a whitening tray to take home so you can keep up with the whitening once a year.Depending on your diet, the effects of the Zoom whitening should last 2 years. If you are a major coffee or tea drinker or if you smoke or dip, the results may not last 2 years.

The second step requires a mouth prop that you will bite down on that spreads your cheeks out away from your teeth so that they will not touch the whitening gel and allow access for the Zoom light on your teeth. She will then apply a rubber dam on your gums so that they will not be burned by the whitening gel. The rubber dam material is runny when first applied but hardens with the use of a blue light. After that, the assistant will place cotton rolls on the insides of your lips and a mask around the outside of your mouth to prevent the light from burning your skin.

The goggles will then be placed on your eyes and the assistant will place the whitening gel on your teeth and then attach the Zoom light to the mouth prop. The Zoom light will beep after 15 minutes and the assistant will repeat the use of the gel and the light 2 more times. At the end of the 3rd round, the assistant will remove the mouth prop, cotton rolls, and rubber dam and check your final shade. You will be sent home with relief gel just in case your teeth get sensitive after the whitening and they will also give you your whitening trays and extra gel to continue bleaching over the next 2 weeks if you prefer to. The product continues to whiten the teeth over the next 76 hours so you will have even whiter teeth after you leave the office.

Overall, this is a great product and I have seen tremendous results with it. Some people have had a lot of sensitivity afterwards so make sure you use the relief gel and take a couple IBprophen to help with the pain. If you have had tetracycline as a child the stains more than likely will not be removed and the teeth will not get much lighter. Check with your dentist to see if you would be a good candidate for the whitening.

Filed Under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental News, Teeth Whitening

Whitening Your Teeth

June 18, 2009 By

Teeth whitening is a highly sought after procedure here at our office. There are so many different ways that have been invented to whiten teeth.

A few being:

  • Whitening strips
  • Whitening Toothpaste and Mouthwashzoom teeth whitening

These first two products can be purchased at the local store but from experience they don’t usually work very well . Now if you have had your teeth professionally whitened and then use these products they will definitely help you maintain and keep white teeth.

  • Zoom whitening ( Whitening gel and the use of a special light that accomplishes immediate whitening within an hour.)
  • Custom tray whitening with whitening gel( usually takes 2 weeks to get to the brightest white for your teeth)

    • These other two products can only be purchased online from dental labs like prowhitedental.com which can be a lot cheaper than the second option which would be the local dentist office.

    Filed Under: Teeth Whitening