Cosmetic Dentistry 411

Individuals who are missing one or more teeth no longer have to struggle with removable dentures and/or bridges. With the continued advances in dental implants, permanent tooth replacement is more accessible than ever. In the past, only surgical specialists were able to perform this treatment; however, general practitioners who undergo the appropriate training can now offer this dental procedure to their patients. This has allowed several dentists to help many patients achieve a more attractive smile with the use of dental implants.

Those who have used removal dental fixtures in the past are now able to do away with the daily hassles. A dental implant is a sterile, titanium cylinder that permanently replaces the natural tooth root and holds a substitute tooth in place. Patients who receive dental implants and porcelain crowns may brush, floss, eat, and smile with greater confidence. While temporary dentures and bridges provided some functionality, they oftentimes cause further damage to the surrounding teeth and gums. Now, with the implants holding the replacement tooth/teeth in place, there is no additional irritation to the rest of the dental structure.

If you are currently using removable dentures and/or bridges, you may wish to visit a qualified dentist. Those in the Morristown area of New Jersey interested in dental implants often turn to Dr. Robert Rosenthal. You can visit his website for further information regarding this restorative procedure.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

(credit: DrAharonov.com)

It takes an artist to recreate the subtle details that create beauty. When it comes to creating an attractive facial appearance for women or for men, it’s all about the little touché. That’s why plastic surgeons and cosmetic dentists are getting ever more detailed in their work. Once upon a time, it was sufficient enough to simply remove fat using liposuction; today, plastic surgeons are actually shaping and sculpting bodies and smoothing the overlying skin. Likewise, cosmetic dentists have gone beyond straightening teeth and ensuring cleanliness. They’ve moved onto tooth whitening and now, “dimpleplasty.”

Dimpleplasty is exactly what it sounds like—a cosmetic surgery procedure that adds a dimple (or two) to your smile. It’s a logical advancement in aesthetic surgery. With so much attention being lavished on the teeth for the sake of a stunning smile, it only makes sense to take a holistic approach and consider the entire face. The addition of a dimple is a subtle improvement, but it can make a big difference. Perhaps that’s what makes it so apt of a procedure. It is simple, quick, and non-invasive. The surgeon makes a tiny incision in the skin from the outside, which creates a small depression. A temporary suture is then put in place to hold the underside of the skin to a deeper layer. Once the suture dissolves, scar tissue holds the skin in place naturally, creating a permanent, artificial dimple. The procedure is very low risk and has minimal downtime—about a week of bruising is all.

Dimpleplasty is a relatively new procedure, but it’s expected to become a regular complement to tooth whitening. For example, Drs. Scott Meester and Mel Olafsen, two San Diego cosmetic dentists, offer a number of procedures alongside their most popular treatment: tooth whitening. As part of their “full smile makeover,” patients may receive non-surgical gum therapy, porcelain veneers, enamel reshaping and other procedures that contribute to a perfect smile. As dimpleplasty surgery gains popularity, you can expect to see this procedure offered alongside such smile-centric makeover packages.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Athletes are no strangers to heavy injury, especially when it comes to hockey players – losing their teeth is one of the most common problems that they experience.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith can attest to this type of injury. Recently, in a game against the San Jose Sharks at the United Center, the puck hit his mouth and he lost a total of seven teeth. “I felt a chunk of some tooth,” Keith said, as reported by ESPN. “Teeth were falling out as I skated off. I coughed one up.” Needless to say, this hockey player would benefit from some, or a lot of, dental work.

Chicago cosmetic dentist Dr. Benjamin Fiss is one such professional who is skilled in improving a person’s smile with dental implants. No longer are dentures the only route to replacing missing teeth; dental implants resemble real teeth and are placed in the gums, typically with a titanium screw as the permanent root. Whether an individual needs to replace just one tooth, or a full set, dental implants provide security and will contribute to natural-looking results. Dental implants can restore both function and cosmetics. Crowns may be necessary when the tooth still exists, but is largely ruined. As for Keith’s situation, crowns would not be conducive to his condition.

As for brightening one’s smile, porcelain veneers or teeth whitening can do the trick, depending on the individual’s problem. Dr. Fiss will select the appropriate treatment plan for each patient should he or she qualify for a cosmetic dental procedure. To learn more about Dr. Fiss and his specialties, visit his website for additional information.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Many individuals who experience chronic headaches and migraines often go many years without properly diagnosing the cause. It is not until a visit to the dentist that most discover that their ailments are due to an improper bite. Either from improper jaw development, unbalanced muscle function, unbalanced dental treatment, or tooth loss/wear, persistent pain is present if not corrected. Now, with the advanced technology in the neuromuscular dentistry field, those who suffer from these undesirable aches can undergo treatment that will help to eliminate problems with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ or TMD) and fibromyalgia.

It is important for patients to visit a dentist who is trained and experienced in this type of dental treatment in order to ensure optimal results. Neuromuscular dentistry professionals have the ability to properly diagnose patients who are experiencing head and neck pains, as well as postural issues that stem from an improper bite. At the Columbus, Ohio practice of Mark Levy, D.D.S., he performs various tests to determine how to manipulate the bite; these tests include computerized jaw tracking, electromyography, sonography, and Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS). A relaxed bite is recorded.

The first step to treat TMJ is the use of anatomical orthotics to align the teeth and correct the bite, allowing the muscle to readjust in a more natural manner. Phase two involves more long term orthotics or orthodontics (braces) to fully improve the jaw’s position and reduce strain on the muscular structure that causes headaches and migraines.

In addition to treating patients with TMJ, Dr. Levy often meets with those who suffer from sleep apnea and/or snoring. Those in the Columbus, Ohio area may browse his website to schedule an appointment.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

When people refer to the pearly white grins of the rich and famous as “million dollar smiles,” they’re only being a little facetious. After all, those perfectly aligned, brilliantly white and impeccably shaped teeth may very well have cost a lot to get that way.

The stars of the big and small screens, many leading high-octane lifestyles fueled by coffee, cigarettes and alcohol, can’t be expected to have naturally gorgeous smiles. They pay top dollar to the finest cosmetic dentists for professional tooth whitening; and considering a dazzling smile can make or break their career, the investment is typically well worth it.

But what about the rest of us regular folks? We rise early, sip lattes, and indulge in an occasional cigarette or cocktail, as well. Unfortunately, over the years, our teeth pay the price. But unlike the stars, many may not get away with deducting professional tooth whitening as a business expense.

So the demand for affordable tooth whitening for the average consumer sent the industry scrambling for solutions. The first attempt came in the form of over-the-counter tooth whitening pastes, gels, and strips. To this day, these products promise movie star whiteness but deliver B-film results at their very best. The true breakthrough for accessible tooth whitening doesn’t come from a box – it comes from technology.

The breakthrough technology is called Laser “Zoom” Bleaching and combines a topical bleaching gel along with a special light treatment that activates the whitening agent. This is the element that is missing in at-home whitening kits and provides a far more uniform and dramatic tooth whitening. San Diego’s Dr. Scott Meester and Dr. Mel Olafsen use Zoom whitening to get patients’ teeth up to 10 shades whiter in as little as an hour.

A properly trained and equipped San Diego cosmetic dentist can perform these procedures as quickly and easily as a routine checkup or cleaning. From fillings to fluoride, the field of dentistry is always evolving to better serve the masses.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites