Get a Beautiful Smile Makeover from a Cosmetic Dentist in Green Brook Township

If you are in need of several teeth improvements, you should visit a cosmetic dentist in Green Brook Township for a beautiful smile makeover. You shouldn't remain unhappy with your smile when you can choose from several dental treatments in order to custom-design the smile you have always wanted. If you are concerned about pricing or options, don’t be. We are happy to work with you to develop a smile makeover plan that fits your needs and your budget. Continue reading to learn more about how convenient it is to get a smile makeover from a cosmetic dentist in Green Brook Township.

We Can Develop a Time Frame Just for You

Depending on how extensive you want your smile makeover to be or how minimally invasive, we can work with you to develop a timeframe that fits your needs for appointments and recovery period. If you only choose one or two treatments or procedures, you can complete your smile makeover in as little as one appointment.

We Can Ensure Your Experience Is Comfortable

Our cosmetic dentist in Green Brook Township office knows how to give you the comfortable procedure you desire. We are skilled in providing you with the quality numbing techniques you need to go through the entire procedure without feeling a thing. You won't have to worry about being in discomfort while receiving your smile makeover. We can also offer appliances that will help you keep your mouth open if a long procedure is necessary, so your jaw muscles do not get fatigued.

What a Smile Makeover Is

A smile makeover is a combination of more than one cosmetic dentistry improvement that will result in a custom-created, more beautiful smile. Some examples of treatments you can combine to make your own smile makeover are teeth whitening, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, dental crowns, or even dental bridges and implants for tooth replacements.

What a Smile Makeover Can Correct

If you have crooked, gapped, discolored, chipped, crowded, or worn-looking teeth, you can benefit from a beautiful smile makeover from a cosmetic dentist in Green Brook Township. We are experienced in dealing with all kinds of smiles with all types of imperfections, so we know exactly how to perfect your teeth, no matter what the problem is.

Most People Are Great Candidates for a Smile Makeover

At our cosmetic dentist in Green Brook Township office, most individuals are great candidates for a smile makeover. If you have generally healthy teeth and gums, you can receive virtually any dental cosmetic improvement procedure you want. For some procedures, it is necessary that the patient does not have extensive dental health problems, like untreated cavities or gum disease, as these will affect your results. Visit us for your consultation, so we can determine what smile makeover options you are a good candidate for.

If you have any reservations about your teeth and gums, visit a cosmetic dentist in Green Brook Township today. Before you know it, you can receive the smile makeover you deserve that will give you more confidence and a brighter smile.

The Benefits of Dental Sealants and Who Should Get Them

Dental sealants, which are also known as 'fissure sealants' are simply a protective plastic coating applied in liquid form to the back teeth, which are the most susceptible to decay. While shallow grooves and fissures do not need sealing, the small ones do, because they cannot be adequately cleaned with a toothbrush, the bristles of which are too large to reach into these areas. The sealant bonds into the tiniest grooves in the molars then dries and forms a hard protective shield over the enamel of each tooth.  This keeps food out of these grooves, thus preventing the buildup of bacteria which avoids decay. The smooth surface formed by the sealant is also easily cleaned.

Once a tooth has developed a cavity; it is considerably more difficult and more expensive to repair the damage. Dental sealants are considered both a safe and painless way to protect your teeth from developing decay and cavities and is a minimal intervention approach to dental care.

Who Should Get Dental Sealants?
Children and teenagers are usually good candidates for sealants because fissure decay often begins early in life. Having a sealant applied to your child's teeth just as soon as their permanent set comes in, protects them during some very cavity prone years.  However, adults who do not have fillings or decay can benefit from sealants as well. This is especially true in the case of people who are at a higher risk for caries. This includes people who have

• Early signs or a history of dental caries
• Deficient or too thin enamel on their teeth
• Deep pits and/or fissures on their molars
• A diet high in refined sugar or carbohydrates
• Poor oral hygiene and plaque control
• Orthodontics appliances

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Dental sealants are not used on people who are at a much lower risk for tooth decay, including individuals who have exceptional oral hygiene and a balanced diet, teeth with shallow pits and grooves that can be well cleaned with a toothbrush, or previously restored pits and fissures.

How Are Dental Sealants Applied?
It only takes a few minutes for us to apply a sealant to each tooth, which is a simple and painless process. The teeth that are to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned and dried. An acid solution is then applied to the surface of each tooth to create a rough surface which helps the sealant bond to the tooth. After rinsing and re-drying the tooth, the sealant is painted onto each tooth, and an ultraviolet light used to 'cure' and harden the sealant.

How Long Do Sealants Last?
Dental sealants do wear down in time but, depending on the material used, can last from anywhere from five to ten years. However, they do have to be regularly checked  (at least on an annual basis) for any signs of chipping or wear. If either has occurred, we will probably add or replace some of the sealant in order to ensure that your teeth are still being protected from decay.

If you subscribe to the idea that, as Benjamin Franklin once said... "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", then do make an appointment with us and protect your teeth for many years to come.

Family Dentist  >  Dental Office

The Facts About Dental Fillings

You, or your child, may need dental fillings in order to protect your tooth and to keep it safe after damage or an infection.  Fortunately, there are several options available for people needing a filling and they now come in tooth-colored materials that make it difficult to tell that dental work had ever been completed. At Cute Smiles 4 Kids of San Antonio, we are experts at providing the care your family needs while keeping smiles beautiful.

Most often, a filling is used when treating a cavity.  If you, or your child, has a cavity the infected or decayed area will need to be removed.  This will leave a small hole or at least dent that needs to be filled in.  If it is left open and exposed, it will become an excellent resting place for bacteria, leading to future oral health problems.

Dental fillings are also used to restore teeth that have become worn down or damaged from an accident.  Chipped or broken teeth can also be treated with a filling.  This is most often seen when people grind their teeth.

The Process
If the dentist decides that a dental filling is necessary, they will numb the area before doing any work.  This is typically done with local anesthesia so that the patient doesn't feel any pain but is still awake during the procedure. A dental tool will then remove the damaged area of the tooth.  Once the damaged or decayed area has been completely removed it will be cleaned to make sure that there are no lingering bacteria.

If you have a standard metal filling, it will then be placed into the clean area and smoothed out to blend in with the tooth as much as possible.  If you have a tooth-colored filling, it will need to be placed in layers.  After each layer, a special light is used to harden the material before the next layer is placed. This process helps to create a natural appearance that patients desire.

Types of Fillings
There are several types of dental fillings to choose from, and the decision must be made based on personal preference, goals, cost, and lifestyle.

Gold fillings. These are extremely durable and can sustain hard chewing without needing to be replaced for ten to fifteen years.  They are easier to look at than silver fillings but also more expensive.

Silver fillings.  These will also last for ten to fifteen years but will not blend in with your tooth, and additional area may need to be removed from the tooth in order to make space for it.

Composites.  A composite or tooth-colored filling will blend in with your tooth and be bonded to it for additional strength.  They do take longer to place, extending a dental visit by at least twenty minutes.  Additionally, they only last for around five years vs. ten to fifteen.

As a patient, it is important to review your options with the dentist prior to deciding which type of dental filling is right for you.

Family Dentist  >  Dental Office

Wisdom Teeth Extraction and Oral Surgery

It is common for people to need wisdom teeth extraction at some point in time.  The back molars are the last teeth to come in and more often than not, they need to be removed either by having them pulled or through oral surgery.  There are several reasons for this including not having enough room in your mouth or the tooth becoming impacted.

A general dentist will conduct an examination to determine if your tooth can be pulled.  If it has already broken through the surface and is growing in straight, this is a viable option.  The procedure is typically done with local anesthesia with minimal recovery time.

Typically, they don't grow in straight and break through the surface like they should.  In this case the general dentist will refer a patient to an oral surgeon for a wisdom teeth extraction.  This procedure is more complicated and needs to be done by a specialist.  Having it performed by a general dentist could lead to unnecessary pain and swelling.

How the Process Works
In your initial consultation for wisdom teeth extraction, the oral surgeon will examine your teeth and gums to determine how impacted the tooth is and the best way to proceed.  The day of the surgery you will be given anesthesia to help with the pain.  The exact amount should be determined after discussing your pain tolerance and any potential anxiety with your surgeon.

The surgeon starts by cutting open your gum and lifting up the flap.  Underneath there may be bone that has to be cut away and removed in order to reach the tooth.  The tooth is attached to ligaments and bone, both of which need to be cut away in order to pull out the tooth.  If it is severely impacted or won't loosen up with wiggling, it will need to be broken into several pieces and removed one section at a time.

Once the tooth is completely removed the surgeon and their staff will clean the entire area prior to laying the gum down and using stitches.  If they are necessary, dissolvable ones will typically be used so that they don't need to be removed at a later date.  Gauze is placed initially to help stop the bleeding until the body forms a natural blood clot.

After the bleeding has stopped and the anesthesia is worn away a patient is released to go home and recover.  Someone else needs to drive as the effects of anesthesia can linger.  It may take several weeks to fully recover from the procedure and during that time patients should eat soft foods that don't require chewing.  Things like applesauce, Jello, yogurt, ice cream, and popsicles are ideal.  Warm soup is also a good way to get nutrients but be careful not to drink it when it is too hot as your teeth and gums may be sensitive during this time frame.  You may also need to come back in for a follow up appointment to make sure that everything is healing properly.

Dental Office  >  Family Dentist

We Provide Emergency Care for These Common Oral Health Problems

You may need emergency care if your tooth starts to hurt in the middle of the night, it becomes damaged during softball, or your face starts to swell.  You never know when an emergency will strike, and if it does, there is no time to wait a week for an appointment to open up.  That's why we offer the extended hours and last minute appointments our patients need to feel better quickly.
There are certain things you can do to avoid many dental emergencies.  This includes practicing good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing throughout the day and getting your teeth cleaned twice a year.  This will help your teeth to be in good condition so that they are stronger.  Additionally, you can wear a mouth guard while playing sports in order to protect your tooth from a flying ball or elbow jab.  By doing so, you may prevent some common injuries and the need for a quick trip to the dentist.

There are, however, many times where patients that do have healthy teeth still have a need for emergency care.  Here are some common reasons why you may need a fast appointment along with the signs to watch for.

    Swelling in your face.  If your notice that your jaw or face becomes swollen, schedule an immediate dental appointment. This could be caused by a dental abscess; a dangerous condition to leave alone.  An abscess is a severe infection and can make you sick.  In order to treat it, we have to drain the fluid so that the healing process can begin.

    Massive pain.  If your teeth are in severe pain, you may have a bad cavity or an infection.  By examining your teeth, we can determine what the problem is and how best to treat it.  This may require a root canal and if so we can complete the procedure while keeping you entirely comfortable.
    Bleeding that won't stop.  The mouth is a sensitive area and if you start to bleed, give us a call.  We can look for the source of the bleeding and provide treatment.  Make sure to avoid aspirin since this can make it difficult for the blood to clot.

    Swollen and painful gums.  If your gums start to hurt, swell and bleed you may have gum disease or a condition called pericoronitis.  We can treat it by removing bacteria from under your gums or cutting away the extra gum tissue that is creating your pericoronitis.  This will help you to start feeling better and eliminate the symptoms.

    Broken tooth.  If you break or chip your tooth, come see us right away so that we can restore it.  We may use a crown or veneer to do so.  Come in as soon as possible so that your tooth won't hurt or become infected.

    Missing crown.  If you have a crown that falls off, we can replace it right away so that your tooth isn't exposed to air, food, or any bacteria.

We provide emergency care and welcome your calls regardless of when the emergency strikes.

Family Dentist  >  Dental Office

Visiting Our Childrens Dentistry Office Help Save Young Teeth

In our childrens dentistry office, we know that the foundation for a lifetime of healthy permanent teeth is laid during the first years of life. It is exceedingly important to instill good oral hygiene habits very early on. This routine should involve regular visits to a kid's dentist. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that every child should first visit their dentist within six months from the time they have their first tooth.

Unfortunately, the AAPD also says 50% of all children have never visited a dentist. Which is probably why an estimated 20 percent of all children in the US, under the age of 6, suffer from some level of early childhood caries. And there is good reason for this...  The enamel on the surface of primary teeth is not as densely mineralized as the enamel on the surface of permanent teeth, which makes them more susceptible to cavities.

As a childrens dentistry office, we are an important weapon in the fight against childhood caries.  We specialize in the oral health care of children from birth through adolescence. Over and above the usual four years of dental school, we have additional training, and therefore, have the qualifications and the know how to take care of children's teeth and gums through the various stages of childhood.

Saving Primary and Young Permanent Teeth
In our childrens dentistry office, we will offer you good advice on how to get your child started on an excellent oral hygiene routine, and what should be done to avoid dental caries. However, in the event a cavity has already developed, we do our best not to remove any teeth because 'baby' teeth are guides for the permanent teeth that will replace them.  Additionally, because the jaw has not fully developed, removing young permanent teeth can cause a malocclusion, or a misalignment of the upper and lower teeth, and is therefore also not the best option. However, a lot can be done to save primary teeth.

As your child's dentist we will first ensure that the decay is limited to the tooth itself, in which case filling the tooth is a relatively simple matter. However, if the cavity is a very deep one,  it is entirely possible that the bacteria has reached the pulp of the tooth, which is the softest part of the tooth that lies at its root, and supplies the tooth with blood and nutrients.  If left untreated, infected pulp could very well damage the permanent tooth lying below. Luckily, there are several treatment options based on the state of the tooth. These include a partial or complete removal of all the pulp tissue, or in the case where the decay has not yet infected the  pulp, we will seal off, or 'cap' the exposure and restore the tooth.

Prevention is Better Than Cure.
While there are a number of proven and safe methods of treating young teeth, dental caries is a very preventable problem. It is a great deal easier and far less expensive, to avoid dental disease by taking some very simple steps. Regular tooth brushing and flossing, restrictions on sugary foods and snacks, etc. can all help. However, regular visits to our childrens dentistry office are very important because, early oral examinations play a crucial part in the detection of the beginning stages of tooth decay & other oral health problems.

Family Dentist  >  Dental Office

Visit Our Cosmetic Dentist Office For These Procedures

Our cosmetic dentist office can transform your smile from dull to brilliant. No matter what your particular needs are, we know how to help. Some of the most common treatments we employ are listed below to provide you with insight regarding our viable methods.

Fillings: If you need a filling to remedy a cavity, we can provide you with a tooth-colored filling that will look natural against the color of your tooth. Our fillings are durable and will protect your vulnerable teeth from more damage for years to come.

Bonding: In our cosmetic dentist office, our dental bonding is made of a similar material as our composite resin fillings, but it is used to fill in chips and cracks in your teeth to improve esthetic value. If you have a minor imperfection that you would like covered, dental bonding is an attractive and long-lasting solution that requires minimal chair time. Our bonding solution is also tooth-colored, so it blends in with your natural tooth color.

Crowns: We use crowns to cover damaged teeth that are too impaired to be fixed by a filling or bonding. They cover your entire tooth for the most protection against decay and further damage. We can offer you attractive, natural-looking crowns that match your other teeth. While natural looking, they are so durable that can withstand immense pressure and are stain resistant.

Teeth Whitening: To brighten a dull smile, our cosmetic dentist office can give you a thorough teeth whitening strategy that can be implemented as needed to achieve the white shade you desire. A whitening can transform your smile in a simple, but effective way.

Dental Veneers: Our veneers are very thin, tooth-colored shells that can be applied to the fronts of your teeth as attractive coverage for crooked or discolored teeth. Veneers are long-lasting and are a minimally invasive way to cover up dental flaws and to restore teeth that have been damaged in an accident.

Dental Bridges: A dental bridge is a semi-permanent replacement for missing teeth. If you have one missing tooth or several missing teeth, our dental bridge provides fabricated teeth that match your other ones. The bridge will fit into the gap created by your former teeth. The false teeth will be secured in place by two crown anchors attached to your strong existing teeth.

Dental Implant: A dental implant will be your most attractive and permanent replacement option. Our cosmetic dentist office will secure a titanium rod into the root opening that was left by your former tooth. This rod will be attached to the replacement tooth to hold it in place. With time, the titanium rod will graft with your jawbone to create the most permanent solution to a missing tooth.
For all your esthetic dentistry needs, our cosmetic dentist office can help. We can provide you with comprehensive care so that no imperfection is left unrefined. You will be pleased with the timely, durable, and attractive solutions we can provide for your dental needs.

Dental Implants  >  Dental Veneers