Dental Makeover

New Advancements in Cosmetic Dentistry Techniques

You'd be amazed (and probably delighted) by the options modern dentistry makes available for strong, natural-looking tooth restoration. Read on for more information about the exciting new cosmetic dental materials we have available now.

Traditionally, gold has been the "gold standard" of materials, and for good reason. Gold is highly biocompatible and is very long-wearing. A gold tooth, however, is not natural looking.

Today's a porcelain crowns or veneers don't mean choosing between strength and a lifelike appearance. You can opt for both. New all-porcelain crowns and veneers are available that look like natural teeth. They're durable enough to be used even for molars. This super-strong new generation porcelain is so resilient and tough it's being used in the manufacture of some tennis rackets!

Silver fillings (the kind that turn black) are a thing of the past. Instead, a composite resin filling can be used. And it's just as strong and durable as silver, and more closely reflects the color of the original tooth surface.

If you've had some cosmetic dentistry work done in the past, you'll be happy to know you're no longer locked into the choices of even five years ago. Modern dentistry is evolving rapidly, and fresher, more natural smiles, are the result.

Make sure your cosmetic dentist's office is interested in what's new for their patients. Ask them about other exciting new options (dental implants, teeth bleaching, onlays, inlays, etc.) they can offer you for your smile.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

How Do I Care For My Perfect Teeth After Visiting a Cosmetic Dentist?

Have you had esthetic enhancements to your teeth or just naturally have great looking, perfect teeth? Here are some tips to maintain your picture perfect smile.

In order to maintain a healthy smile, you have to know what types of things are damaging to the teeth. Identifying and eliminating bad oral habits is the key to retaining a great smile for many years. Sometimes we are not aware that we are harming the health of our teeth. Do you:

• Grind your teeth?
• Casually bite your fingernails or a pen?
• Crunch ice?
• Have a diet high in sugar (such as soda, chewing gum and candy)?
• Drink coffee, red wine and tea? Smoke or chew tobacco?
• Force your tongue against your upper teeth?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are in danger of causing a detrimental effect on your new smile.

How Detrimental Are the Effects?

No one can predict the exact effects that the habit will have on your newly perfect teeth, however, the longer the duration of the habit, the greater negative effect it will have on the longevity of your smile enhancements.

How Can I Eliminate My Bad Oral Habits and Protect My Perfect Teeth?

The first step to eliminating a bad habit is to identify and acknowledge that you have one. If your habit is crunching ice, you must alter or eliminate it from your day-to-day routine.

Other habits are harder to break like grinding your teeth. Grinding the teeth is generally an involuntary action and usually occurs when asleep. Because the habit is difficult to break, a plastic night guard is the best solution to prevent excessive wear of your teeth.

A night guard is a clear plastic mouthpiece that is custom-fitted to snap over your teeth, much like an athletic mouth guard. The night guard is designed so your teeth grind on the plastic, not your teeth. The night guard will wear out, but your teeth will not.

Do not neglect your teeth, especially if you have had esthetic enhancements. Your enhancements will not last forever, so in order to preserve your perfect teeth, visit your dentist regularly and do your best to eliminate bad oral habits.

By Benjamin O. Watkins, III, DDS

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.