Learn More About Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are a thin layer of material which are placed over the outer surface of a tooth to either improve the esthetic quality of the tooth itself or to help protect the tooth's surface from damage. The veneers, which are adhered to the surface of the tooth using high-quality dental cement, are shaped and sculpted to form a perfect replica of the tooth, which creates the illusion of a faultless tooth. With the advancement in technology and the improvement of the quality of veneers, veneers will last decades and are strong enough to withstand the normal rigors placed on a regular tooth. While there are cases of them having to be replaced earlier, typically with proper care, dental veneers are a long term solution to many tooth problems.

Dental veneers come in two forms. The first is a composite dental veneer and the second is made of dental porcelain. The differences between the two are not profound, and it is often a matter of preference as to which method we select for your mouth. Dental porcelain veneers are always sent out to the laboratory for fabrication by a skilled dental technician. Like with all things, many of our patients have questions about dental veneers and here are some of the more commonly asked questions...

Do you know how long dental veneers will last? 

This is very much a relative question. Typically dental veneers will last anywhere from seven to thirty years. This is such a broad spectrum because it depends on a number of factors. First dental veneers are like anything else, the better you take care of them the longer they will last. Second dental veneers themselves are inanimate, but they are part of your mouth which is anything but. As your mouth changes you may need different veneers but they will typically last at least a decade.

How does having dental veneers affect my oral health routines?

Dental veneers are no different from having regular, naturally occurring, enamel teeth. They require the same kind of care, and since your other teeth are normal teeth anyway we encourage you to follow a regular routine of brushing twice a day, flossing, and rinsing. We do recommend a change in consumption habits if you have teeth that stain easily, however. This is because products like coke, tea, and coffee tend to stain teeth relatively easily and could alter the color of your natural teeth and remember that porcelain veneers do not stain. This means that if your other teeth stain, you will have a mismatched set.

Do dental veneers cause cavities? 
There is no evidence to show that dental veneers affect decay in any way. Veneers should be taken care of like regular teeth, to reduce the risk of one of your other teeth decaying.
If you have questions about dental veneers and how they can improve the appearance of your teeth, call and schedule a dental exam.  We can use this solution to close gaps in between your teeth, change their shape and size, and even make them appear straighter.

Cosmetic Dentist  >  General Dentistry

When You Visit Our General Dentistry Office, Here is What We Do

In our general dentistry practice, we have been advocating regular family visits for years. Recently as more people have become educated about the importance of visiting the dentist at least once every six months, there has been a significant increase in the families that are coming in for regular checkups. Most of you already know the routine. First we will clean your teeth, provide a fluoride treatment, and polish them for maximum whiteness. During the cleaning, we will remove any excess plaque that could generate bacteria which ultimately could result in a cavity developing. Plaque can also cause additional problems around the gum line, so we will remove that as well. Then we will perform a full inspection of the teeth during which time we will look for cavities, and soft spots in the enamel that are threatening to become cavities, infections, or other problems that may need our attention. If needed the staff at the dentist office will take x-rays as well.

Family dentist visits are important because they help us to eliminate plaque, tartar and other triggers that could lead to gum disease. For many people, there is a lack of understanding as to how closely the mouth is tied to the rest of your health and wellbeing. The mouth is the very first step in the digestive process, which means anything you swallow will end up in your digestive system and ultimately could find its way into other areas of the body. Bacteria or infections can be introduced to the body through the mouth. Heart health has also been linked to oral health, in particular, gum disease. When you take the time to visit the family dentist at least two times per year, we can make sure that your oral health is at optimal levels.

Here are a few things about a dental visit you probably did not know...

Oral cancer is a very real and active threat. As we are poking around in your mouth, prodding at soft spots, and talking about the family we are also doing a complete oral cancer screening. While general doctors do screen for this deadly disease, there is no one who is as familiar with your mouth and oral health as the dentist, which is why we make sure to check you for cancer ever six months. People who smoke or chew tobacco are at an increased risk, so you can expect your examination to last a little longer when visiting our general dentistry office.

Believe it or not we are also checking your breath, and it is not for chicken tacos. Your bad breath is often an indicator of an underlying problem, like an infection, which we need to treat. By paying attention to your breath, we can identify potential areas that we need to be aware of. In fact, one of the easiest way for us to tell that you have potential dental problems is for us to smell your breath because infections will produce a distinct odor.  In our general dentistry office, this is one tip we provide patients as an indicator that they need to schedule an exam in the first place.
As you are leaving, we will perform one last function. When we hand you a toothbrush, it is to remind you that it is time to replace your brush at home which is only good for about three to six months.

Dentist  >  Family Dentist