Cosmetic Procedures and Family Dentistry

Cosmetic Procedures and Family Dentistry

Your family dentist can perform all of the services offered by both a pediatric and an adult dentist, only for your whole family. Some of the most popular options are cosmetic or restorative procedures, correcting such issues as discolored teeth, crooked or misaligned teeth, unsightly metal fillings, crowded or rotated teeth, short or small teeth, or missing teeth or spaces between teeth.

Family members who have had their permanent teeth fully descend are eligible candidates for many cosmetic procedures such as whitening. Have your young person consult with your family dentist before trying any at-home products; immature adult teeth can turn splotchy or the gums can become irritated if at-home whitening products are used incorrectly or for too long. Because tooth discoloration can be a sign of a more serious dental issue, it is important to talk to your family dentist before moving forward with any treatment.

Your family dentist can help you with products such as dental veneers. Don’t suffer with tooth gaps, unsightly stained teeth, or crooked or badly shaped teeth. Veneers are thin layers of tooth-colored material that are placed on top of your teeth and that can correct many mistakes in your natural smile. Veneers can be used to change the color or shape of a single tooth or to spruce up an entire smile.

Talk to your family dentist about replacing your unattractive metal fillings with tooth-colored materials. You don’t have to tolerate a silver smile when you can turn to your family dentist for all-white fillings. Your smile will be far more natural and beautiful than before.

If you are missing a tooth, or are in need of a root canal procedure, talk to your dentist about your choice of crowns and bridges. A crown can save a tooth from total decay, protecting it and giving it a longer life. A bridge can keep you able to bite and chew properly, and can help maintain the shape of your face while preventing other teeth from misaligning.

Your family dentistry practice can help you make all of the decisions you need to make regarding your and your family’s dental health and appearance.

Do you live in Bingham Farms or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.

Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments for Special Occasions

Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments for Special Occasions

Most people have things about their smiles they’d like to fix. Maybe the things are minor or perhaps they are major, but most of them can be addressed with some form of cosmetic dentistry. You may have been unhappy for a while with the smile you see in the mirror, but just haven’t felt the necessary impetus to schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentist.

To get that jump start toward your dental treatment, look ahead in your life. Maybe you have a class reunion coming up, or maybe a friend’s wedding. Perhaps there’s a job interview, first date or anniversary approaching. These special occasions are all excellent reasons to turn to cosmetic dentistry treatments. Here are some of the most common procedures that could be used to transform your smile.

  • Teeth whitening – perhaps the most popular and common cosmetic dentistry procedure, it utilizes light-activated bleaching chemicals that can lighten natural teeth and remove stains and discoloration.
  • Dental veneers – very thin, wafer-shaped shells crafted out of porcelain or another material that are bonded onto the natural surface of the tooth. Sometimes a thin layer of the natural tooth enamel must be removed in order to accommodate the application of the veneer.
  • Dental bonding – composite resin mixed to match the color of your tooth and then molded by hand onto the tooth’s surface to create the illusion of a complete natural tooth.
  • Dental crowns – restorative dental therapy that protects and preserves a natural tooth that has had a root canal treatment.
  • Enameloplasty – the correction of malformations of a natural tooth through hand-shaping. This is also the name for the removal of the tooth’s surface required for most types of dental veneers.

All of these cosmetic treatments will transform your smile for that special occasion. Get the bright, straight, white smile you want people to remember with the help of a little cosmetic dentistry.

Are dental issues holding you back? Take control of your oral health by booking an appointment with our experienced team at our Bingham Farms dental office.

Dental Health and Pregnancy

Dental Health and Pregnancy

Waiting for the birth of a baby is an exciting time for any woman. Your body changes in many ways, including in your mouth. Though picking out names and nursery colors is important, taking proper care of your teeth and gums before, during, and after pregnancy will keep your oral health on track. These tips can help you keep your vibrant smile in top shape.

Before Pregnancy
While you are trying to conceive, schedule an appointment with your dentist. At this visit, the dental team can clean your teeth, examine your mouth, and address any issues before you have a baby on the way. Because x-rays are not recommended during pregnancy, this appointment is a good time to have those taken as well.

During Pregnancy
If you are pregnant make sure to tell your dentist right away. Procedures like cosmetic enhancements and X-rays should be avoided during pregnancy. Checkups are very important when you are pregnant, so don’t skip your visit. As a precaution, you should wait until the second trimester to see your dentist.

While your pregnancy progresses, watch for signs of pregnancy gingivitis, which usually involves tenderness, bleeding, or swollen gums. Talk with your dentist if these symptoms appear. Practicing good oral care and eating right will help minimize any impact on your oral health.

After Pregnancy
When you feel up to it, visit your dentist after delivery for a full evaluation of your oral health. Your dental provider can work out a detailed plan to address any issues from the pregnancy and renew your smile.

Are dental issues holding you back? Take control of your oral health by booking an appointment with our experienced team at our Bingham Farms dental office.

Dealing with Common Dental Ailments

If you have a true dental emergency, make sure to consult your dentist right away. Some situations may arise, however, that after hours, so it’s important to know how to proceed. These tips will help you take good care of yourself or someone you love:

• Bitten lips, cheeks or gums

First, gently rinse the area with cool water. Apply light pressure with gauze or a wash cloth. Control swelling with crushed ice in a Ziploc bag.

• Bleeding gums

Usually caused by gum disease or brushing too hard, treat bleeding gums by rinsing with warm water and creating a regular home care routine that includes brushing twice a day and flossing regularly. See your dentist for a complete exam.

• Canker sores

Rinse the area with warm salt water. Avoid spicy, acidic, or very hot foods when you have an open sore. If the area doesn’t heal in two weeks, contact your dentist.

• Broken or cracked tooth

Carefully rinse the area with water, salt water if possible. Don’t remove any pieces and bring all fragments with you to the dentist’s office.

• Loose baby tooth

Don’t pressure your child to pull the tooth. Encourage your son or daughter to wiggle the tooth side to side as well as back and forth to help free the tooth.

• Teething pains

Place a wash cloth in the freezer and allow your baby to suck on it to relieve pain. Mild over-the-counter analgesics may also help.

• Toothaches

Avoid irritating the tooth. Don’t bite down on the area, and avoid hot or cold substances. Schedule an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible.

Take the first step towards optimal oral hygiene. Reserve your dental appointment at our Bingham Farms dental office now and experience personalized care.

Porcelain and Composite Dental Veneers

Porcelain and Composite Dental Veneers

Having a beautiful smile is possible with dental veneers. Broken, stained, chipped, gapped, and crooked teeth can all be hidden with this restoration. There are two primary types of materials that are used to create veneers. These are composite resin and porcelain.

Porcelain is the most popular material used for veneers. These are usually made at a separate lab from the dental office, created by lab technicians based upon a model of the patient’s mouth. When the veneers are complete, they are sent to the dental office so the dentist can bond them to the patient’s teeth to complete the process. One reason that porcelain is especially popular is that the material resists stains and looks like natural teeth.

The other most common option for creating veneers is composite resin. These are typically made by the dentist in the office, so there is no delay in getting the veneers made at a lab. A benefit of composite veneers is that they require minimal tooth surface and are thinner than veneers made of porcelain.

No matter which type of material you choose for your dental veneers, you’ll need to have a consultation with your dentist to make sure you are a good candidate. Patients who grind their teeth are not suitable for veneers because they can be broken with this type of pressure. Also, patients who are unable break habits like chewing hard items like ice, pencils, or fingernails may not be suitable for veneers.

If you are a good candidate for dental veneers, remember that they are a permanent restoration. This means that you will need to have your veneers replaced if they ever wear out, because once your teeth have had veneers you’ll need to continue wearing them. If you take good care of your veneers by practicing proper oral hygiene, your veneers should last a long time before replacement might be necessary. In the meantime, you’ll be able to enjoy your appealing smile.

Do you live in Bingham Farms or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.

Smile Makeovers: Do Something for You

Smile Makeovers: Do Something for You

Why not do something for yourself that might be able to turn your whole outlook on life around? If you are a person embarrassed by your smile because of how it looks, then consider a smile makeover through your cosmetic dentist.

Cosmetic dentists listen to what you have to say about your smile – your dislikes and your goals – and offer advice on how to help you achieve the new look you desire. Efforts are concentrated on improving the appearance of your smile, which then gives the added bonus of better self-esteem and improved oral condition.

Common reasons patients seek smile makeovers include tooth chips, cracks, gaps, discoloration, misalignment, and more. You and your dentist can work together to decide which procedures or treatments most suit your goals, lifestyle, and wallet.

Here are some smile makeover techniques available through qualified and experienced cosmetic dentists:

  • Bonding is a very simple and cost-effective way to repair chips, gaps, and stains. A composite resin material is applied to the area and then molded and polished to blend with your smile.
  • Teeth whitening is quick and painless, and can produce a major smile improvement. Professional methods at a cosmetic dental office provide the most dramatic results using high concentration bleaching agents and laser lights.
  • Dental veneers are thin porcelain covers securely bonded to the fronts of teeth to hide all kinds of imperfections. They give a brand new smile of your choice.
  • Crowns go on top of a broken or otherwise damaged tooth. Once the original tooth is prepared to a specific size, a crown is placed over it and then securely bonded in place. Crowns are often made of porcelain for a natural appearance and durable lifetime.
  • Dental implants are the newest way to replace missing teeth. A titanium rod is surgically placed into the jaw bone to simulate a new tooth root, and a crown is usually placed on top to provide a fully functional and attractive new tooth.

These are just a few of the treatments that can create the smile of your dreams. Schedule a consultation to see how your smile makeover can be achieved.

Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Bingham Farms dental office to schedule your consultation!