|
|
 |
There are problems with amalgam fillings that dental patients need to be made aware of. Some of these problems are medical in nature, while others are cosmetic in nature. While amalgam fillings did at one time help save many teeth, they have outlived their usefulness. Today’s world of cosmetic dentistry now allows for better materials to be used that produce stronger teeth, a more natural smile, and a better overall health for the long-term dental health of the patient.
But what, exactly, is meant by the term amalgam filling?
Amalgam means that it is a combination of different metals. In the case of amalgams, fillings are composed of 35 percent silver, 15 percent tin (or sometimes tin mixed with copper), traces of zinc, and 50 percent mercury.
Amalgams have been used for decades as restorative solutions to cavities and cracks in teeth. Many health organizations still claim that the mercury used in these fillings is safe because it is atomically bonded to other metals. There are those who disagree, however. They claim that mercury is a toxic heavy metal and should not be trusted in the mouth, period.
Amalgams also expand with heat and cold. This causes them to stress the surrounding tooth mass. If the filling expands enough, it can actually crack the tooth from the inside out.
Corrosion is another problem that people with silver-mercury fillings face. Silver fillings corrode over time and start leaking. When this happens, bacteria get under the filling and decay starts to develop all over again.
Amalgams will also often fracture when a person ages. This breaks their protective seal, and decay ensues again.
Other problems with amalgams include cosmetic detriment to the person’s smile.
Honestly, silver-mercury fillings have never looked that good. They show up as dark spots on a tooth. In the back of the mouth on large molars, this is not a big deal. Few people look in the back of your mouth like that, and if they do, you probably don’t want them to like what they see.
However, the people that you smile at with your front teeth will notice your amalgams. If you have silver-mercury fillings in any of your front teeth, you are probably already self-conscious about this.
They also create unsightly dark gray stains on teeth and gums.
Thankfully, white fillings have now emerged on the scene that allow us to replace amalgams with better, healthier, and more aesthetic alternatives. New tooth-colored materials such as composite dental resin and porcelain allow us to avoid all these medical and cosmetic problems and produce reliable, durable, and natural-looking results. Labels: cosmetic dental resin, cosmetic teeth whitening, white fillings
What is tooth whitening?
Tooth whitening is an excellent way to restore the natural whiteness of stained teeth. Teeth whitening is safe and will produce results that can last anywhere from six months to over a year, depending on how willing you are to make appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes.
How Are Teeth Whitened?
The outer layer of your teeth is called the enamel. It is actually semi-translucent, or clear. Beneath the enamel is the dentin layer, which is most commonly yellow, although sometimes it can be gray, brown, or black.
When the dentin darkens, it shows through the enamel as discoloration. We have to use a peroxide solution that will penetrate the pores of the enamel down to the dentin. This will lighten the dentin and create whiter looking teeth.
How long does the entire procedure take?
The way we do cosmetic teeth whitening, it takes two appointments spaced between three and four weeks. During your first visit, we clean your teeth and apply the initial application of tooth bleaching gel. We harden this with a special high intensity light and take impressions of your teeth. Using these impressions, we make teeth whitening trays that you can take home with you.
For the next two weeks to one month, for 30 minutes or so each night, you will apply a special take-home version of our teeth whitening gel (made with a different kind of peroxide) and apply it for 30 minutes to 1 hour at a time.
When you return, we apply a final coating of gel and seal it with the high intensity light.
How much does tooth whitening cost?
This depends on the condition of your teeth. Some cosmetic dentists in Houston are more expensive than we are because they do tooth bleaching in a single office visit using a laser. We do not use the laser because it creates hypersensitivity in the teeth, and because the high intensity light achieves the same results as does the laser.
How long will my teeth stay whitened?
If you take really good care of them, they can stay white for as long as three years. On the average, however, we are looking at a little over a year with a person who eats a normal diet and does not drink a lot of coffee.
However, if you drink a lot of coffee and smoke cigarettes, you are re-staining your teeth and will need this treatment again in 4 to 6 months. It is therefore all up to you how you want this to work and how long you want this to last.
Are there occasions when tooth whitening might not work?
If you have porcelain onlays or cosmetic dental veneers, cosmetic tooth bleaching will not work on them because it is effective only on natural teeth. The same goes for dentures and crowns.
What is the most important consideration when it comes to whitening teeth?
You need to maintain a sense of realism. If your teeth are very badly stained, it may take several treatments to achieve a whiter smile. Also, remember that anything you eat, drink, or smoke after the treatment will have some kind of effect on the results. Dental hygiene is a must if you are going to retain a healthy, attractive smile. Labels: cosmetic teeth whitening
One of the things we make it a point to do when removing braces from our patients is to make sure their teeth are white and attractive after all corrective devices have been taken out of their mouths. Not only do we remove brackets and wires, but we also give patients tooth whitening trays to make sure they enjoy a cosmetic outcome to the corrective orthodontic treatment they have experienced. There are 2 different methods that we use for removing braces. The choice of method depends on how the treatment of the patient concludes.
If the patient is seeking an adjustment, and their teeth are exactly where they are intended to be, we take out the wires, make alginate impressions of both dental arches, and put the wires back in. We then pour the impressions and send them to the lab to make bonded retainers. We schedule an appointment for removing braces appointment in 3 weeks. When the patient returns, we bond the permanent retainers to their teeth. We then take new impressions of both arches, and schedule another appointment in 1-2 weeks.
When the patient returns, we give them the bleaching trays and the backup removable retainers. These retainers are made from the models we created using the PVS impressions, and are manufactured from .040 ortho splint material and are trimmed 2mm from the gingival margin. They work exceptionally well as back-up retainers and whitening trays. Patients need these trays, along with take home whitening material, because after we finish removing braces there is always some tooth discoloration where the braces have been. Typically, 2 weeks of cosmetic teeth whitening at home removes this discoloration.
Sometimes, however, a patient comes in when their teeth are almost in perfect alignment. Before removing braces in these instances, we have to make the necessary adjustments first. Normally, we give the patient approximately 1 month for these adjustments to take effect. The patient the patient returns, and after we have completed removing their braces, we take out any cement or pieces of bracket that remain attached to their teeth. We then polish their teeth and deliberately leave the majority of the bonding material in place. This glue acts like a reservoir for custom bleaching when we pour the models. We take impressions, pour the models with a material called stat stone that sets in 5 minutes, and we make the removable bleaching/retainer trays while the patient is in the offices.
While the retainers are being made, the rest of the glue is polished off of the teeth. The patient leaves the office with their removable retainers, whitening trays, and material. A follow up is scheduled in 2-3 weeks for the patient to have their bonded retainers placed. The PVS impressions are then sent to the lab for the fabrication of the bonded retainers. When the patient returns, the bonded retainers are placed. After this, the removable retainers can now be trimmed on the lingual from canine to canine to fit over the bonded retainers. Labels: braces, cosmetic dental braces, cosmetic teeth whitening, removing braces, taking braces out
There are many cosmetic teeth procedures that we can perform for you here at the Houston Medical Center Dental Group. Some are simple, requiring only one or two office visits. Some are more complex, requiring reconstructive dental work to repair or replace damaged or broken teeth.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
One of our newer, more advanced cosmetic teeth procedures is cosmetic dental bonding. This procedure has basically replaced silver-mercury fillings. A special bio-friendly resin that looks like tooth enamel is used in dental bonding. It fills cavities much better than older amalgams, smoothes out cracks, and whitens tooth surfaces. Because it lasts longer as well, there is little risk that it will fall out.
Cosmetic Dental Bleaching
Another one of our more popular cosmetic teeth procedure is cosmetic dental bleaching. This is done with a bleaching gel. During your initial office visit, the dentist whitens your teeth. You then use another bleaching agent every night, at home, for two weeks. During your second and final office visit, another treatment of bleach is applied.
Cosmetic Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are made of porcelain. They are very hard and very difficult to break. Their color looks like that of natural tooth enamel. Porcelain is resistant to staining, so once veneers are applied, they will retain their color for years.
Veneers are one of the most versatile cosmetic teeth procedures. They can be used to treat a number of conditions. They can cover small chips and pits in tooth surfaces. They can whiten badly discolored teeth which bleach will not work on. They have even been used to correct minor tooth alignment problems.
Cosmetic Dental Porcelain Crowns
Prior to the development of more sophisticated cosmetic teeth procedures, dentists had few choices in treating severely decayed or fractured teeth. When a cavity destroyed more than 40 percent of a tooth, or when a tooth was cracked down to the dentin, the tooth had to be pulled. Prior to the development of dental implants, people no real tooth replacement options beyond traditional bridges or partial dentures. .
Porcelain crowns have introduced a whole new realm of options. While the life of a tooth cannot always be saved, crowns now make it possible to salvage physical structure and function of the tooth. Severely infected or damaged teeth can be cleaned with a standard root canal. Then, they can be capped with a porcelain crown that looks identical to surrounding teeth. Porcelain crowns are much more resilient than natural teeth, so they can restore both aesthetics to the smile and allow you to eat virtually anything.
Cosmetic Dental Implants
For people who have lost teeth, implant dentistry offers the best tooth replacement options. Made from a bio-friendly alloy known as Tivolloy, dental implants screw into the jawbone and act like artificial tooth roots. When the jaw has accepted this implant, the dentist then caps the base with a porcelain crown, effectively creating a whole new tooth where none has existed for years. Labels: cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic dentists Houston, cosmetic teeth whitening, cosmetic tooth procedures, cosmetic tooth whitening, dental imlplants, dental implant, teeth replacements
Cosmetic dentists are committed to two things: the preservation of the beauty of the human smile and the health of the patient. These experts in dental care must first obtain a medical degree in general dentistry prior to becoming specialists in cosmetic dentistry. Because of this, they can perform all the services traditionally administered by family dentists as well as treat complex issues with advanced cosmetic dental procedures.
Cosmetic dentists are often multi-specialists. They often pursue continuing education throughout their careers. Common areas of study include such cosmetic dental work as Comprehensive Aesthetic Reconstruction, Practical Occlusion in the Progressive Practice, Neuromuscular Dentistry, and Advanced Posterior. Still other practitioners, having mastered a number of special procedures, choose to zero on in a specific discipline, such as LANAP or dental implants.
Because these procedures are often very complex treatments that must be individualized to the patient and done in multiple stages, it is necessary for the cosmetic dentist to use only the very best supplies and the latest technology. Such tools as the PerioLase® MVP-7 allow specialists to treat periodontal disease with a laser instead of a knife. An intraoral camera allows dentists to closely examine teeth and gums without the discomfort of a mirror being twisted in all directions within the mouth. A high resolution monitor can provide live video feed in full color of each individual tooth and surrounding gum tissue, making diagnosis more precise and a treatment plan easier to devise.
Dental supplies used by cosmetic dentists are also much more advanced than those used in traditional general dentistry. Instead of filling teeth with metal fillings that do not belong inside a human tooth, cosmetic dentists will use a composite dental bonding agent to fill cavities, repair small fractures in teeth, fill pits in the enamel, and smooth the outer surfaces of teeth. Cosmetic dental braces made from plastic are virtually invisible. They are much more comfortable than metal braces and virtually undetectable as well. Porcelain crowns mimic both the structure and translucent color of natural teeth in a much more aesthetic fashion than gold crowns used in past decades.
Finally, you simply will not find better bedside manner in the world of dentistry than you will in the office of a Medical Center Dentistry Center practitioner. These professionals are just as committed to preserving the emotions of their patients as they are to their medical needs. They want them to feel just as good about the process as they do about the outcome, as they work to minimize pain, maximize outcome, and exceed expectations for each individual patient that walks through their door.For more information, read the following articles on our website:Cosmetic DentistryTechnology in Cosmetic DentistryGingivectomy and Gingivoplasty (Gum Removal)Cosmetic Dental implantsCosmetic Teeth ProceduresCosmetic Dental ProceduresCosmetic Dental CareCosmetic Dental TreatmentsCosmetic Dental WorkLabels: cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic dentists Houston, cosmetic teeth whitening
Thanks to new advances in dental technology, a wide range of cosmetic teeth procedures are now available to the general population. Some of these are very simple procedures that can be performed in one or two office visits. Others are more complex and require the use of very sophisticated instruments and very special dental training.
One of the more basic and common cosmetic teeth procedures is tooth whitening. It takes only two office visits spaced two weeks apart to perform. During the visit, the dentist bleaches the teeth with a special gel. Each night at home, the patient also applies special bleach for about 20 minutes, and may also be instructed by the dentist to use Sensodyne toothpaste. When the procedure is complete, the dentist will seal the bleach with a special light that hardens it and helps coat and protect the teeth.
When tooth enamel is too deeply stained for standard teeth whitening to correct, another very popular cosmetic tooth procedure is the application of dental veneers. Veneers are made from porcelain and are extremely hard and stain resistant. Not only can they make teeth look whiter, but they can also be used to correct very minor tooth alignment problems.
Dental bonding is yet another cosmetic procedure that not only improves the color of teeth, but also helps repair teeth surfaces. When teeth become cracked or develop pits, the composite resin used in dental bonding can restore a smooth surface. Also, this procedure has become the preferred method of filling cavities over that past few years. Amalgam fillings do not match the color of teeth, and they also can cause problems when they expand and contract in reaction to changes in temperature. Cosmetic dental bonding resin is mixed to complement the existing color of teeth (or improve it) and integrates with tooth enamel much more safely and efficiently.
The more advanced cosmetic teeth procedures—dental crowns and dental implants—involve replacing a significant portion of tooth surface or creating an entirely new tooth altogether. Porcelain crowns are made to match the size of the original tooth so they can repair major fractures or missing pieces in its surface. If a tooth has to be extracted, or has already been lost, cosmetic dental implants are used as a superior, and more permanent alternative to dentures. A titanium implant in the jaw bone creates a new tooth root, and a porcelain crown is placed over it to create a new chewing surface.
Houston Cosmetic Dentists
Cosmetic Dentists
Cosmetic Dental Work
Cosmetic Dental Treatments
Cosmetic Dental CareCosmetic teeth procedures like the ones discussed in this essay can only be performed effectively by trained professionals who have studied advanced cosmetic dentistry techniques in addition to their general dentistry training. If you need any improvement whatsoever in the color and quality of your teeth, our team can help restore a better quality of life and a more confident face to the world the minute you pick up the phone and schedule an appointment. Labels: cosmetic dental bonding, cosmetic dental braces, cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental veneers, cosmetic teeth whitening
As each year rolls around, cosmetic dental treatments become more advanced, and more available to the average person. What was once a highly specialized science available only in Elite circles is now becoming the new mainstream for dentistry itself. Cosmetic dentistry treats the whole person, not just the teeth, with the beauty of a reconstructed smile that boosts confidence and improves the quality of life. Cosmetic dental treatment options also offer a greater peace of mind than traditional, more primitive forms of dentistry. Many of the newer procedures today are virtually painless—even comfortable in their own way—for the typical person to experience.
Everyone knows about the aesthetic value of cosmetic dental treatments. What many people do not know, however, is that these treatments offer equivalent medical value to the patient as well. The forces that shape the way a tooth works also shape the way it works, and how long it lasts. A good example of this is tooth enamel. This outer, protective layer of the tooth is the part you see in the mirror every morning. In its ideal condition, it should be a pearly white with a slightly translucent surface. However, after many years of eating processed food, drinking coffee, and smoking cigarettes, the teeth turn yellow or even brown from the stains they pick up. Left untreated, the stained enamel loses its strength and resiliency. The tooth is then more vulnerable to decay or cracking as a result.
A simple, painless cosmetic dental treatment like teeth whitening can reverse this. By bleaching the teeth and removing these stains, it can restore the enamel of your teeth to optimum condition. This restores strength and longevity to the life of your teeth and proactively helps prevent more serious problems like gum disease from developing.
Other cosmetic dental treatments can be used to repair teeth that have already been damaged. A tooth with a cavity, for example, can be repaired with cosmetic dental bonding. This procedure uses a composite resin that look like tooth enamel. It is much friendlier than are metal fillings to the surfaces of teeth and the human mouth in general. Teeth that have pits and hair line cracks can be restored with porcelain veneers, and broken teeth can be capped with porcelain crowns that create an entirely new chewing surface that is both hard and virtually indistinguishable from natural tooth enamel.
There is even a cosmetic dental treatment for people who have lost some, or even all, of their teeth—dental implants. Unlike crude and embarrassing dentures, dental implants are actually attached to the bone of the jaw. These implants look and work just like natural teeth, even to the point that many patients at times forget they have implants.
The Cosmetic Dentistry Center in the Houston Medical District has an entire repertoire of treatment options and payment plans available for the patient who needs top-quality dental care. Serving all Houston neighborhoods including River Oaks, Memorial, West University, Upper Kirby, and Rice Village, The Medical Center Dental Group is here to answer your questions and exceed your expectations.
For more information read our articles on the following topics:
Cosmetic Dental Implants
Cosmetic Dental Braces. Cosmetic
Cosmetic Dental Veneers.
Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
LANAP
If you are overdue for a checkup or need dental care of any kind, call us now toll free at 1-888-790-0309 to schedule an appointment.Labels: cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic dental procedures, cosmetic teeth whitening
here are Many Cosmetic Teeth Procedures Your Dentist Can Perform to Restore Your Smile. This is because dentistry can be a science as much as it is an art. The essence of cosmetic dentistry, after all, is the restoration of a beautiful smile. Many cases are simple, and easy to treat with basic procedures. Others, however, are much more complex, and present such a challenge that only the most advanced cosmetic teeth procedures can address. Fortunately for patients these days, science has become as diversified and specialized as art. Cosmetic dentists in our society now have access to a wide variety of technology that will allow them to repair virtually any problem they encounter with any number of sophisticated cosmetic teeth procedures.
Tooth Whitening is one of the more basic forms of cosmetic teeth procedures that involves whitening the teeth with special bleach that is made permanent and sealed by a high intensity light. It is normally the first course of action a cosmetic dentist recommends for moderate or moderately heavy tooth discoloration. Very severe cases of discoloration, however, often need more aggressive cosmetic teeth procedures are needed.
Dental Veneers
If stains are too severe for bleaching to remove, it is sometimes better to overlay the tooth with a hard, non-permeable substance cosmetically attractive and impervious to further discoloration. Porcelain just such a substance, and features a remarkable appearance that is very similar to the natural translucence of tooth enamel. Once applied; dental veneers will last for years, and never stain or discolor themselves.
Dental Bonding
Perhaps the simplest and most painless cosmetic tooth procedures that dentists perform are cosmetic dental bonding. This procedure is performed with a composite that is either customized to the color of exiting teeth, or whitened to improve their appearance.
Dental Crowns
If severe tooth decay goes untreated for too long, it can destroy more than 50 percent of a tooth to the point that it cannot be salvaged. This is especially true if decay breaks into the nerve chamber and begins killing the root itself. Cosmetic dentists avoid the patchwork procedures silver amalgam fillings that have since become outdated and proven insufficient. Instead, they remove the diseased portion of the tooth and cap it with a dental crown. Unlike a veneer is the crown is made to cover the cover the entire tooth, acting like a cap over its exterior surface.
Dental Implants
In those unfortunate cases where a tooth cannot be saved, and it has to be extracted, there is still a cosmetic that can save the smile procedures. This solution is the dental implant. A dental implant is made from a titanium root structure attached to the jawbone, capped by a porcelain crown that looks just like a natural tooth. Implants work so well that people who get them often forget they had them to begin with.Labels: cosmetic dental bonding, cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic teeth whitening, cosmetic tooth procedures
What is cosmetic teeth whitening?
It is a quick, painless, and inexpensive procedure that takes only two office visits to restore a brighter, more natural looking and healthy smile. Over the years, it has become more and more sophisticated, and has earned a reputation for producing lasting results. Cosmetic teeth whitening is something that almost every person can benefit from at some point in his or her life.
How is cosmetic teeth whitening performed?
The treatment involves the use of special bleaching gels and high-density light. In the past, a laser was used, but this created too much heat and often caused patients to experience undo sensitivity around their teeth. The Cosmetic Dentistry Center discontinued the use of the laser for this reason some time ago. The new high-density light works just as well, and causes no discomfort. Also, to further minimize sensitivity, we stagger two appointments two weeks apart on the calendar, and we have the patient perform nightly at home bleaching with special trays and gels we prepare before they leave the office on their first visit.
How long do the appointments last?
Both sessions last only for approximately 1-2 hours. By the end of the first session, the patient already begins to see an improvement in the whiteness of his or her teeth. The dentist then sends the patient home with the teeth whitening kit (a tray that fits over the teeth, and some teeth bleaching gel.) Patients remark that these kits are very easy and painless to apply.
The Cosmetic Dentistry Center strongly recommends that all teeth whitening patients avoid any substances, such as cigarettes, coffee, or wine that can stain the teeth. If the patient follows these and all other instructions, more visible results are clearly seen after two weeks of home treatments.
The final appointment consists of a second in-office bleaching is performed, followed by a special coating that seals the teeth. Although dentists discourage people from going back to old habits that initially stained their teeth to begin with, they are aware that some people do. This extra sealant coats the teeth and makes the results of the teeth whitening procedure last much longer.
How often should I have cosmetic teeth whitening performed?
That depends on your habits and how you treat your teeth. It may also depend on whether or not you are taking any prescription medication that is known to stain teeth. If so, you may need to come back in 6 months if the teeth are consistently exposed to staining agents. However, if you are not on medication and avoid unhealthy products, foods, and chemicals, you can expect your bright new smile to last a long, long time.
To get started on the road to a whole new look, start by calling our office today at 713.795.5905 to schedule a time for a cosmetic teeth whitening procedure.Labels: cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic teeth whitening, teeth bleaching, tooth whitening bleach, tooth whitening kits
|
