Month: April 2018

4 Benefits of Invisalign for Teens

Posted on by cara

invisalign teenThere’s no doubt or use in debating the effect of braces for serious orthodontic concerns. In fact, according to Humana, more than 4 million Americans currently wear braces. That total almost doubled between 1982 and 2009, and it keeps growing. But not everyone who needs orthodontic improvements wants braces. In many cases today, the cons of wearing braces often outweigh the pros. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to just keep dreaming of that perfect smile thanks to Invisalign, the almost invisible way to straighten teeth. But what are some major benefits of Invisalign for teens?

Transparency

Most adolescents at one point or another are caught between wanting to be the center of attention and wishing they could fade into the shadows. While traditional metal braces are a rite of passage for many, they also often make an already insecure or visually focused teen retreat… at least until the procedure is completed. However, Invisalign can help your teenager come out of their shell and rejoin the human race. The clear aligners are almost completely invisible and allow teens to engage in social activities without the potential negative stigma of metal mouth. And that’s priceless.

 More Food Freedom

One problem with traditional braces is the food limitations. Crunchy snacks, popcorn, gooey sweets, and even certain fruits and vegetables are completely off limits unless you want to end up with broken wires and extended procedure time. However, that’s not such an issue with Invisalign. The clear aligners are removable which make strict dietary limitations during orthodontic treatment a thing of the past. So your teens can still enjoy their favorite treats, sweets, and snacks to a point. As always, moderation is key to avoid other potential health and dental issues down the road. But certain foods don’t have to be off-limits for years anymore simply due to a dental procedure.

Easy Care

Braces usually come with an extensive list of dos and don’ts that confound and confuse the patient before they leave the orthodontist. And cleaning… well, that’s another chore altogether. But that’s not a problem with Invisalign. In fact, if your kids have decent dental hygiene habits, they’re already armed with the knowledge and abilities needed to maintain and care for their aligners. Invisalign aligners need to be removed for mealtimes and snacks. The teeth and aligners simply need to be brushed afterward before the aligners are replaced, and then again before bed. As long as the aligners are cared for correctly and consistently, decay shouldn’t be a concern.

Invisalign Is Compatible with Extra-Curricular Activities

Braces can get damaged easily, so some orthodontists limit specific activities such as sports and band. Sports and musical equipment can easily jar the mouth and pop out wires or dislodge brackets. But that’s not the case with Invisalign. The aligners still need to remain in the mouth during practice and games or performances, and the patient may require practice or a learning curve to get used to the feeling and responsiveness while wearing the device. However, a little patience is all it usually takes for your teens to get right back on track with their favorite activities. Contact your Johns Creek Dentist to see if Invisalign is right for your kid.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Invisalign

Posted on by cara

invisalignAccording to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), over one-third of American adults dislike their smiles for some reason. Almost 50% of adults remove social media photo tags, and close to 25% blame their smile for a disappointing or lackluster social life. And on top of that, nearly 80% of American adults connect a crooked or unattractive smile with being professionally unsuccessful. While that’s simply projection and opinion, the truth is someone’s opinion is often the only thing standing between remaining stagnant or advancing in life. Cosmetic dentistry offers an array of solutions to improve confidence and increase chances for success. Porcelain veneers and Invisalign are among the most popular and effective solutions to improve your smile. But how do they differ and which option is best for your needs?

 What’s So Special About Porcelain Veneers?

Anyone can have the appearance of perfect teeth thanks to porcelain veneers. This procedure is the not-so-secret celebrity solution for Red Carpet-ready smiles. Whether you have gaps, misalignment, chips, cracks, bite issues, or bad stains, porcelain veneers can quickly give you the smile of your dreams. These wafer-thin porcelain shells are custom made to each patient’s specific needs and desires. A couple appointments are usually enough to get the smile of your dreams with porcelain veneers. The dentist will discuss the patient’s needs and virtually prepare the shells during the first appointment. And the follow-up appointment will be scheduled to approve and affix them. The veneers are lab created between appointments. Porcelain veneers are somewhat invasive as the dentist must remove a small amount of enamel from the affected teeth to affix the shells. Therefore, they’re an irreversible procedure. Veneers tend to be more stain resistant than natural enamel, but heavily pigmented food and beverages can discolor the materials over time. However, if they’re taken care of properly porcelain veneers can last up to a couple decades without any issues or replacement concerns.

What’s So Special About Invisalign?

Like veneers, Invisalign is an aesthetic solution to multiple dental concerns. But Invisalign does far more than simply mask or cover the problem. Like braces, the clear aligners help straighten teeth over time and correct moderate to serious issues such as gaps, bite issues, overcrowding, and misaligned teeth. But unlike braces and veneers for that matter, Invisalign aligners are clear. Custom designed for the needs of each individual patient, the aligners are worn at least 22 hours each day and only removed for meals and snacks. And like traditional braces, Invisalign can take several months or years to correct the orthodontic issues. Unlike veneers, an Invisalign patient can opt out of the procedure if they suddenly change their mind. But if they use the aligners correctly, their patience will be rewarded with a beautiful new smile.

What’s the Best Solution?

The best solution is completely subjective and should be based on each patient’s specific needs and desires. If your dental issues are primarily visual issues such as gaps, stains, cracks, or chips and you want to improve your smile quickly, porcelain veneers may be the best choice. But if your teeth can be straightened, you have time to devote to that cause, and you’d like to save some money in the process, Invisalign can be the clear solution. A call to your Fort Lauderdale cosmetic dentist can help you make the final decision and get the smile you deserve.

Love Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers

Posted on by cara

cosmetic dentistryIt’s no secret Americans are known for their smiles. But it’s also surprising just how many Americans hate smiling. According to a recent study, almost 30% of people refuse to smile in pictures due to their smile, and over 80% of people openly admit to not liking their smiles in photos. Cosmetic dentistry provides multiple options for obtaining the smile of your dreams, and porcelain veneers are among the most popular solutions. A simple call to your Moorestown dentist can get the ball rolling on having the smile of your dreams. But why should you consider porcelain veneers?

Porcelain Veneers Correct Multiple Issues at Once

Realizing you need serious dental work can be a nerve-wracking experience. The potential expense of correcting multiple issues is often enough of a reason to avoid the dentist altogether. But that’s not necessary thanks to porcelain veneers. Whether you have annoying or unattractive gaps, chips or cracks, or even severely stained teeth from years of coffee, wine, and even smoking, porcelain veneers can close, cover and correct those concerns.

Porcelain Veneers Are a Quick and Minimally Invasive Solution

After deciding porcelain veneers are the right solution, your dentist can usually improve your smile in just two visits. The first appointment will involve running x-rays and taking various photographs and impressions of your teeth. Computer generations may be provided to show what you’ll look like with your new smile. Another appointment will be arranged to fit in with your schedule. During the second appointment, numbing spray and local injections will be administered to numb each tooth receiving treatment. Your dentist will file minimal amounts of enamel from the front and bottom of the teeth to ensure proper and seamless of the new veneers. Then temporary veneers will be placed on the necessary teeth. Depending on the number of teeth needing veneers, this appointment may take one to three hours. You’ll be expected to wear the temporaries for two weeks before returning for one more permanent fitting of your final porcelain veneers.  

Porcelain Veneers Are Easy to Maintain

Porcelain veneers aren’t maintenance-free. But as long as you have good dental hygiene habits in place, taking care of your veneers should be a piece of cake. As always, brush your teeth twice a day and floss once to keep stains and decay at bay. Wear oral protection or a mouthguard when playing sports or in extreme activities. Avoid grinding your teeth or talk to your dentist about controlling the habit. And see your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups.

Porcelain Veneers Are Stain Resistant and Durable

Porcelain veneers are created from a special material that resists decay and stains better than natural enamel. However, staining is still quite possible in extreme cases. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), specific tannins in foods and drinks such as tea, coffee, and red wine can still stain dental-grade porcelain. Chomping on ice or other hard items may also occasionally cause a porcelain veneer to chip. But when cared for correctly, veneers can withstand normal life strains and average a 15-year lifespan without many, if any, concerns. When you’re ready to get the smile of your dreams, contact your Moorestown dentist to see if porcelain veneers are for you.

4 Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea

Posted on by cara

sleep apneaSleep apnea affects up to 22 million Americans in one of its three main forms: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, or complex sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is when the tongue closes the airway. In central sleep apnea, the airway is free, but the brain refuses to signal the muscles to allow breathing. And complex sleep apnea combines both situations. In all forms of apnea, the brain attempts to at least partially trigger breathing after a minimal break. Up to 25% of children, including infants, suffer from pediatric sleep apnea as well. If ignored too long, sleep apnea can lead to serious complications including diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Of course, the right treatment can reverse all concerns. But what are some warning signs of sleep apnea?

Dry Mouth in the Morning

 Xerostomia is the medical term for the sensation of dry mouth. This can be caused or due to a number of issues including medications, vitamin deficiencies, and serious health issues. But more often, dry mouth is due to sleeping with your mouth open. While there may be various reasons for that sleep apnea is among the most common. When you have trouble getting enough air during sleeping hours, the mouth opens in response. So waking up parched may be a sign of sleep apnea.

Painful or Stiff Teeth and Jaw

Bruxism is the term for grinding your teeth and it’s usually brought on by stress. Teeth grinding can occur at any time, but it’s most prevalent during sleeping hours. It also becomes habitual quickly. When teeth grinding is combined with other apnea signs, the condition is likely due to the apnea. If you have stress, strain, stiffness or pain in the teeth and jaw and it’s not for an obvious reason, chances are you grind your teeth. Fortunately, your Red Bank dentist has some simple and effective solutions for bruxism. But taking away that sign isn’t a cure for sleep apnea.

You’re Always Tired or Continuously Yawning

The human body needs REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep to refresh and renew. But breathing fluctuations cause the body to be forced into a lighter stage of sleeping so it can remind the muscles to work correctly. When this happens regularly, the result is often grogginess and irritability. However, changes in appetite and difficulty concentrating may also occur. Your alarm clock may show “proof” you got your full eight hours of beauty rest, but if you’re yawning and tired most of the day, chances are you haven’t gotten close to that amount.

You’re a Loud or Noisy Sleeper

Snoring is often the most obvious sign of sleep apnea, but not all snoring is equal. However, if your snoring is loud, jagged, and seems to have a “sawing” edge, it may be apnea-related. This snoring may become loud enough to wake you up or it may cause relationship issues as it continually wakes up your partner. Even if you don’t snore, loud or regular gasping during sleeping hours may occur as your body remembers to breathe. These common warning signs of sleep apnea should be taken seriously, but a simple and effective cure could be as close as your Red Bank dentist. Give us a call when you’re ready to sleep easier.

 

 

Over 40? It’s Never Too Late for Lumineers

Posted on by cara

lumineersPoor dental hygiene and care not only leads to premature aging, but it can also lead to several potentially serious health issues. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), just a few generations ago, middle age was associated with serious tooth loss for most Americans. Fluoride, better dental hygiene, and more dental care options helped slow and even reverse that trend in many states. But still today by the time women, specifically, reach the age of 40 or 50 serious changes in their teeth occur. Top teeth become shorter while the bottoms lengthen. Gums begin to recede, and bone density weakens, leaving the jawline to shift and often concave inward. But it’s never too late to get the smile you deserve. In fact, your Manhattan cosmetic dentist can give you a brand new smile in just two visits thanks to Lumineers. 

 Lumineers Correct Multiple Dental Concerns

It’s no secret dental work can be quite expensive and nerve-wracking, especially if you need to correct multiple issues individually. Cosmetic dentistry is specifically meant to provide aesthetic solutions to improve your smile and overall dental health. Gaps, chips, cracks, and deep stains are some main reasons people opt to visit a cosmetic dentist. And there are plenty of options to correct each issue. However, if you have several at once, Lumineers can easily cover and correct them all simultaneously.

 Lumineers Are Non-Invasive and Reversible

 Traditional porcelain veneers are somewhat invasive because the dentist needs to remove a small amount of enamel from each affected tooth. This ensures the porcelain shells affix properly to the teeth. As such, local anesthesia and numbing agents are often required as well. That’s not an issue with Lumineers. While porcelain veneers are around the width of a contact lens, Lumineers are around half that width. The thinner shells are easier to affix and require no anesthesia or medication. That translates to no potential medication side effects and no unexpected, unnecessary, or painful recovery issues. And because no enamel needs to be removed during the treatment, Lumineers can be reversed or removed if the patient changes their mind down the road or opts for another dental solution.

Lumineers Are Efficient and Convenient

Lumineers are digitally created and constructed, so the patient can see exactly how they’ll look once the treatment is completed. Made of Cerinate porcelain, Lumineers are only about 0.2 millimeters thick, so there are no concerns regarding discomfort or a bulky appearance. And just like traditional veneers, Lumineers allow you to get a beautiful new smile in just two visits.

Lumineers Are Durable

Don’t let the thin construction of Lumineers fool you. They’re far tougher than they may look. The special dental-grade porcelain and chemical composition help to resist leakage and cracking better than traditional porcelain veneers. And as for durability, with proper care and maintenance, your Lumineers may easily last around 20 years which is actually longer than the average lifespan expectations of traditional veneers. Give your Manhattan cosmetic dentist a call when you’re ready to see if Lumineers are right for you.

 

Wedding Ready: Top 3 Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures Before the Big Day

Posted on by cara

cosmetic dentistry

Every marriage-bound couple dreams of a flawless wedding day, but getting there can be quite the adventure. There is no right or wrong way to plan your perfect day, but the average wedding in America costs around $28,000. That includes food, entertainment, and all the incidentals to capture your dream day in the hearts of everyone in attendance for hopefully the rest of your lives. Whether you’re the bride or groom, all eyes will be on you at one point or another… and for years to come thanks to the wedding photos. However, all the planning, hopes, and dreams for that one special day can be crushed in an instant the second the photographer tells you to say cheese. Your Manhattan cosmetic dentist can help ensure your smile is as ready for the big day as you with one of the following procedures.

 Professional Teeth Whitening

 Anyone can pick up a home whitening kit just about anywhere nowadays. But while those shiny boxes make huge promises, few actually deliver on those. Home kits are designed as one-size-fits-all solutions, but since everyone’s different how can that work? In fact, since boxed home kits only deliver one to two shade differences on average, you may feel the need to repeat the process over the course of several months just to notice any real difference at all. That, however, can lead to other problems such as weakened enamel, sensitivity, and mouth sores. Professional teeth whitening, however, is custom designed to fit the needs and desires of each patient. Just a one-hour appointment with your Manhattan cosmetic dentist can lighten, whiten, and brighten your teeth up to 8 shades. And the results last for far longer than over-the-counter options.

 Invisalign

 The average engagement lasts 14 months before the nuptials take place. That’s plenty of time to get your teeth picture perfect. While traditional braces may be off-limits for multiple reasons, Invisalign may fit the bill. Invisalign is the clear solution to several moderate orthodontic correction needs, including gaps, misaligned teeth, and bite issues. In many cases, Invisalign takes less time to complete the corrections than traditional braces. And unlike the metallic option, Invisalign is practically invisible and offers far more freedom. So even if you’re still in mid-treatment by the time of your wedding day, go ahead and eat those gooey treats or wedding cake. And smile freely without worrying about your dental progress being the highlight of the day.

 Porcelain Veneers

 If you’re in a hurry and can invest in a quick smile makeover, porcelain veneers can make you ready for your close up in just a couple dental visits. Porcelain veneers are the celebrity secret for perfect smiles, and they can easily be yours as well. The wafer-thin porcelain shells are custom-designed and fitted to ensure a natural, seamless appearance that will leave your guests wondering if you were born with perfect teeth. Porcelain veneers are an irreversible procedure as some enamel needs to be removed to affix the shells. But they’re a quick solution, generally requiring just a couple visits. And when taken care of correctly, they can last well over a decade without any major issues. Call your Manhattan cosmetic dentist when you’re ready to get the perfect smile for your big day.