Dental crowns and veneers are both beautiful restorations that can completely remake your smile. Which one is right for you, though?
Find Out What Your Tooth Needs
The main thing you need to figure out is which restoration will best meet your tooth’s needs.
Crowns are restorations that completely cover a tooth. Crowns are designed to strengthen teeth that have a large cavity or crack in them. You could get a dental cap on any tooth in your mouth.
On the other hand, veneers only replace a thin layer of enamel on the very front of an upper front tooth. Veneers are cosmetic in nature and don’t improve the integrity of a tooth, so they’re only used on the ones you see when you smile.
If you have a decayed or cracked front tooth, then odds are good you’ll have to cap it. As long as your tooth doesn’t need much in the way of structural support, then you can probably just get a conservative veneer.
Keep in mind that you can’t get a veneer on a back tooth. If you’d like to enhance the look of a molar, then a sturdy tooth-colored crown is your best bet.
Determine What You Can Be Responsible For
Veneers and crowns are both permanent in the sense that once you get one, your tooth can never again be without. But veneers aren’t usually covered by insurance, so you have to be ready to pay out-of-pocket if you lose or damage your restoration.
Choose the treatment that meets your tooth’s needs and do your best to take care of it, so that you’ll have a smile that looks great for years.
Ask a cosmetic dentist near you for help deciding between a veneer and a crown.
Posted on behalf of:
Group Health Dental
230 W 41st St
New York, NY 10036
(212) 398-9690
You’re a little worried to notice that your child’s new teeth have strange bumps on the edges. The front teeth (incisors) in particular have these odd markings, which are visible immediately after the tooth erupts.
What are they? Are they normal? Can a dentist make the teeth look any better?
Do You Know What Mamelons Are?
Your child’s adult teeth form deep within the jawbone. Tooth bud development involves the fusion of separate lobes. By the time the tooth is matured and ready to start growing out of the gums, all the separate pieces will be morphed into one tooth.
These developmental lobes can leave behind a distinctive outline of their growth pattern. The marks left behind are most visible on the edges of front teeth and are called “mamelons.” They are perfectly normal in all children. They’re also thought to help the tooth erupt more easily into the mouth.
What Happens to Mamelons
These developmental bumps usually wear away over time with the gentle but gradual use from eating and chewing. That’s why you probably don’t have these grooves left on your own teeth – they wore away without you noticing.
Can You Do Anything About Mamelons?
As long as your child’s teeth are coming in straight and healthy, the only thing you need to worry about is keeping them that way.
Because mamelons are a natural artifact of tooth development, they are not harmful.
Wait until your child’s teeth have fully developed and let him or her decide how they feel about any residual marks on their teeth. Mamelons that don’t naturally wear away can be smoothed out by a dentist.
If your child doesn’t like the look of mamelons that won’t go away, schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentist for a quick fix.
Posted on behalf of:
Les Belles NYC Dentistry
420 Lexington Ave #228
New York, NY 10170
212-804-8884
For some people, a crooked smile is a unique part of their character. But you’re not so confident in your own smile. You’d like to make some changes.
Where do you get started?
Your local cosmetic dentist may recommend some of the following options…
Dental Bonding
Bonding is a procedure where your dentist molds a tooth-colored putty to fill in a small or chipped tooth, and then cures it with a powerful light. This process is very flexible, cost-effective, and fast, making it a great way to change the shape of teeth in a single appointment.
Dental Veneers
Taking things a level up from dental bonding, veneers cover up the entire front of a tooth to give it a new overall look. Crooked, gapped, or chipped teeth can be completely masked with the help of veneers to create a more uniform appearance.
Orthodontics
Are your teeth only slightly crooked? Accelerated braces, Invisalign, or some other problem-focused orthodontic treatment could be your solution. If your case is more extreme, you may need full traditional braces or even jaw surgery to even out your smile.
Gum Recontouring
Perhaps your smile looks crooked because your gums are the problem, not your teeth.
In this case, a qualified periodontist or dentist can gently trim away the excess gum tissue. This is usually done with a laser. The resulting gum line perfectly contours your teeth and exposes a whiter smile. Botox is another method for adjusting the position of gums, cheeks, and lips.
You may actually get a more even smile by combining two or more of the suggested options listed here. Talk with your dentist to find out which methods are right for you.
Posted on behalf of:
Grateful Dental
2000 Powers Ferry Rd SE #1
Marietta, GA 30067
(678) 593-2979
How many of you think that Tom Cruise, David Beckham or Cheryl Cole are beautiful people with their good looks and beautiful smiles?
Most if not all of you am I right? But did you know that they did not always have perfect smiles?
Fortunately, the wonders of cosmetic dentistry have helped them enhance their smiles to the perfect smiles we know today. Read the rest of this entry »
Do you have the habit of hiding your smile behind closed lips in photos? Do you cover your mouth with your hand when you laugh?
Here are five tips that can help you feel better about how your teeth look and feel. Read the rest of this entry »
The cosmetic dental trend is picking up speed among “average” folks who have always wanted to do something to enhance the way their smile looks.
Have you ever thought that a smile makeover was beyond your reach? You’ll be glad to know that having beautiful teeth is more attainable (and affordable) than ever before.
Cosmetic Dental Treatments for Every Budget
As dental technologies and materials improve, it only gets easier to afford cosmetic dental procedures. The treatments last longer and add more value to teeth which, in turn, encourage you to invest more in maintaining your smile for life.
When you’ve got a smile accentuated by gorgeous veneers, you’ll be motivated to look after your oral health. Holding onto your natural teeth for life is preferable to paying for extractions and denture maintenance down the road!
Cosmetic Enhancements Complement Traditional Care
You’d be surprised at how many restorative dental procedures come with inherent aesthetic appeal. A simple crown or filling may be necessary to fix a tooth, but it serves another purpose in brightening and evening out your smile.
It’s the new standard of care to ensure that your teeth are not just functional, but look great, too.
Dentists Want You to Love Your Smile!
Most modern practices emphasize the artistic value of their services and want you to love the results. Ask about options such as discounts on teeth whitening or combining various treatments to help you get the best overall results.
Today, cosmetic dentistry is affordable, widely available, and the perfect way to enhance your smile.
Why not take advantage of all the options out there? Contact a cosmetic dentist near you to learn more.
Posted on behalf of:
Montevallo Family Dentistry
711 Wadsworth St
Montevallo, AL 35115
(205) 665-2224
A beautiful smile is the accessory that looks good on everybody. All kids deserve to feel proud of their teeth, but unfortunately, not every teen feels that way.
Your teenage son or daughter may have significant confidence issues if they’re unhappy with the color or shape of their smile.
He or she is now bugging you about getting dental veneers.
But is your teen ready?
What You Should Know About Veneers
Dental veneers are like porcelain seashells that are shaped to fit neatly around upper front teeth. They are cosmetic dental restorations that hide stain, chips, and gaps. Veneers are permanent and valuable, so the decision for a teen to get them is not to be taken lightly.
Why Veneers Aren’t Always Good for Teens
Kids are still growing, even when they’re teenagers. The shape of their face can change enough to create new spacing between teeth that veneers once covered up. To hide such gaps, your teen would need to have completely new veneers placed.
Is your teen still in a rough-and-tumble phase? Veneers can be damaged in any accident, but some teens might be prone to even more injuries than adults. If your child is into contact sports, roughhousing, or is even a bit more involved with extracurricular activities than most, then he or she may not be ready to take care of an investment like veneers.
Alternatives to Dental Veneers
If you realize that you’d rather wait a couple more years before getting your teen a set of veneers (perhaps as a college graduation present) that’s fine – there are other options:
Find out whether your teen qualifies for dental veneers by scheduling a consultation with your family or cosmetic dentist.
Posted on behalf of:
Wayne G. Suway, DDS, MAGD
1820 The Exchange SE #600
Atlanta, GA 30339
(770) 953-1752
Crown lengthening is a procedure done to make your tooth look longer. It usually involves surgically removing some of the gum and bone tissue around a tooth to expose more of it.
Why might you need crown lengthening?
Cosmetic Smile Enhancement with Crown Lengthening (Gum Recontouring)
There are many people who hate having a “gummy” smile. They wish their teeth were a little longer so that they didn’t have to keep hiding them in photos.
Do you feel the same way?
Crown lengthening can remove just enough gum tissue to balance out your smile and make all of you teeth look to be an even length. You can have the procedure done to just one tooth or to several at once.
You can even combine crown lengthening with another cosmetic procedure for the best effect. For example, your dentist may trim down your gums to an extent and then place a veneer to perfect your smile’s appearance.
Crown Lengthening for Dental Crown Placement
Sometimes, a tooth in need of a dental crown doesn’t have enough base to retain the cap. This could happen when a tooth fractures close to the gum line or has a large cavity.
Crown lengthening will essentially reduce the level of gums and bone surrounding the tooth root. The new dental crown can then fit over the tooth with more of a foundation for support.
Crown Lengthening and Your Smile
A crown lengthening procedure could either be a necessary step in repairing your tooth or an elective treatment to improve the look of your smile. It’s also used in some gum disease treatment plans to make your mouth easier to clean.
To find out whether it’s the right procedure for you, contact your local dentist and ask about crown lengthening.
Posted on behalf of:
Muccioli Dental
6300 Hospital Pkwy # 275
Johns Creek, GA 30097
(678) 389-9955
Your smile looks great with its sparkling-white veneers, crowns, or dental bonding.
But can those white restorations ever discolor with time? If so, can you bleach them back to their original brilliance?
Stained Fillings, Crowns, and Veneers
Many white dental restorations are made from porcelain. Fortunately, this material by itself does not stain easily because it doesn’t have pores for pigment to settle into.
But the edges or margins of veneers and porcelain fillings can accumulate stain. Once that happens, your restorations will stand out and no longer blend in with the rest of your tooth.
Dental fillings made from white composite resin are also susceptible to the same discoloration with time.
Prevent Stain on Your Dental Work
Materials like porcelain that are usually non-porous can pick up surface stain when damaged. If you scratch up a porcelain restoration by using a hard toothbrush or gritty toothpaste, then it may discolor.
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush gently around your teeth. Try to select a less-abrasive toothpaste, as well.
Limit the amount of staining foods and drinks you expose your teeth to. Choose plain water over soda, tea, and coffee as much as possible. Rinse well with water after meals, especially those containing berries, curry, or tomato sauce.
Once stain settles in on or around a white dental restoration, there isn’t much you can do to remove it. Bleaching your teeth may help bring the color of your natural teeth back to their former brightness but it won’t lighten any synthetic materials.
If you have a stained cosmetic dental restoration, ask your dentist about replacing it. Book a six month cleaning to polish away surface stains and to get tips on preventing additional discoloration.
Posted on behalf of:
ConfiDenT
11550 Webb Bridge Way, Suite 1
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 772-0994
Looking for a good way to give your smile a boost? Check out six of the most common cosmetic treatments that can totally transform the appearance of your teeth.
Teeth Bleaching
Tooth whitening is a good way to enhance enamel without altering its shape. Whitening is not permanent, but it’s easy to maintain the results at home.
Bleaching is good for teeth that have yellowed with age and picked up stain from food, drinks, or tobacco. If you plan to have any other cosmetic procedures done, get your teeth whitened first so that the other restorations can be matched to your new color.
Dental Veneers
For front teeth with chips or stains that refuse to come out, you may opt for veneers.
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that fit over the front of your visible “smile” teeth. They can completely change their look in just a couple of appointments.
Invisible Braces
Have you ever wanted to straighten your teeth without braces? Thanks to invisible orthodontics like Invisalign, that’s now a possibility. You can wear a clear custom aligner to gently guide your teeth into their proper position. The trays are removable so that you can eat whatever you want.
Dental Bonding
Cosmetic bonding is a classic procedure for covering small chips and rough spots quickly and economically. It’s not going out of style any time soon!
Dental Implants
An implant serves a dual function and cosmetic purpose. By replacing a missing tooth, can implant can help you chew and fill in an unsightly gap in your smile.
Gum Contouring
Sick of your gummy smile? A little gum reshaping can make your teeth look longer and more even.
Which procedure is right for your smile? Contact your local cosmetic dentist to find out.
Posted on behalf of:
Crabapple Dental
12670 Crabapple Rd #110
Alpharetta, GA 30004
(678) 319-0123
A fairly common occurrence in the mouth is the existence of extra bone development along the outside or inside of the jawline near the teeth, or in the roof of…
Lingual frenectomy and lingual frenuloplasty are both dental procedures used to correct a condition called ankyloglossia. Ankylogloassia, more commonly known as ‘tied tongue’, is an abnormality of the lingual frenulum….
Sedation dentistry is a wonderful option for many people who would not or cannot tolerate dentistry in a traditional dental setting. Many people have a fear of visiting the dentist,…