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Cosmetic dentistry can be quite complex and confusing to many. There are usually a number of questions surrounding various treatment options. This article covers the most frequently asked questions about cosmetic dentistry.

A dental crown, which is a cap shaped like a tooth, can improve both the appearance and functioning of a natural tooth. Read this article in order to learn more.

If you need orthodontics to correct your imperfect teeth, you need to know you have options. Learn more about clear braces called Invisalign® before getting your orthodontics.

If you are considering getting professional tooth whitening you need to find out if you are the ideal candidate for this popular cosmetic dentistry option.

If you have teeth there is a good chance that you are an ideal candidate for cosmetic dentistry, unless your teeth are already perfect. After all, everyone wants to have a great smile. However, as we grow from childhood into adulthood, our teeth don't always grow in the way we would like them to. They might also take a daily beating of caffeine and cigarette smoke and over time they begin to look dull and discolored. They might be chipped, worn down, uneven, or crooked. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry is here to save the day. Cosmetic dentistry is a form of dentistry that is dedicated to improving the look of teeth. There are so many ways to do this that cosmetic dentistry can fix practically anything that might be wrong with your teeth. The best part is that nearly anyone will make a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry. So what would prevent you from being an ideal candidate for cosmetic dentistry? There are two main things, the first of which is poor dental health. That's right, the first step in fixing your smile is to make sure your mouth and teeth are healthy. After all, cosmetic dentistry only takes care of the aesthetics and no cosmetic dentist will work with you if you have cavities, periodontal disease, or infections of any kind. Fortunately, your dental health can easily be fixed so that you can move on to cosmetic dentistry. However, the second thing that can hold you back from cosmetic dentistry is a poor level of overall health. If your body isn't at the peak of health, then you may be turned away. This is because you will potentially have to undergo multiple procedures and you might have to have general anesthetic during those procedures. Your body has to be healthy so it can heal and bounce back quickly and easily. The trick is to discuss it with your dentist to determine whether you are an ideal candidate for cosmetic dentistry and to determine the best possible treatment for you. What are your options? Teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, bonding, dental implants, bridges, braces, Invisalign®--you name it! When the cosmetic dentist is finished with your teeth, your smile will dazzle the world.

If you have multiple dental imperfections you are not alone. Most people are not born with perfectly straight, white teeth. For this reason, many people seek a smile makeover that involves a variety of different types of cosmetic dentistry. Some of those procedures would include teeth whitening, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and even dental implants.  A smile makeover doesn't just focus on your teeth. A dentist takes the overall appearance of your face into consideration when making a plan for your smile makeover. For instance, your skin tone and bone structure may play a role in the choices your dentist makes for your teeth. The goal is for your smile to look as natural as possible.  There are other things besides teeth whitening and correction that can be address during a smile makeover. For instance, you can have metal fillings replaced with fillings that are made of porcelain or ceramic and have a more natural tooth like appearance. You can also have your gums reshaped or contoured so they appear more even and less gummy. Surprisingly, you can also improve an unshapely or aging face with certain cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, or smile makeover procedures. Things like orthodontics and oral maxillofacial surgery can make improvements in this area. The overall goal is to create an attractive balanced smile that is natural in appearance.  The majority of the cosmetic dentistry you have done during a smile makeover is permanent. However, the certain things require maintenance down the line including porcelain veneers, dental bonding, teeth whitening, and dental crowns. With good oral hygiene most of your smile makeover will last 10 to 15 years. However, teeth whitening will need to be touched up more frequently to maintain the desired tooth shade. Again, good oral hygiene can reduce the number of touch-ups you require for your teeth whitening.

While many of the dental care concerns people face are common regardless of their age, there are some dental issues that are of more concern for adolescents and teens. Some of these problems not only causes a parent concern for their child's dental health, but also causes the child to become concerned because of social issues that poor dental hygiene can pose.

Tooth Decay

Of course, one of the primary dental concerns that parents have for their adolescents and teens is tooth decay and gum disease. If proper dental hygiene was not taught to children early on, it may be posing a problem now in adult teeth that are coming in. Cavities, which come from tooth decay, are a common issue among teens that fail to properly brush their teeth. Gum disease is also common, and comes from improper brushing and a lack of flossing.

Halitosis

Improper hygiene can also lead to extreme cases of halitosis which can pose many social issues for teens. Halitosis, or bad breath, is a sign that there is a buildup of harmful bacteria. This bacteria will accumulate if proper dental hygiene including brushing, flossing and tongue scraping is not performed regularly. While there is no real risk to having bad breath, the causes of the bad breath can lead to serious dental disease if not taken care of properly.

Misaligned Teeth

Finally, another very common dental concern for adolescents and teens is crooked teeth. As the adult teeth begin to grow in, it may become very apparent that the teeth are not growing in properly straight. This can not only cause a lack of self-confidence in teens and adolescents, but if left untreated, can create bite problems and other dental concerns. In order to prevent this, you need to make sure that you have your child's teeth checked regularly, and consult with an orthodontist if you have any concerns. Contact our Naperville cosmetic dentist, Dr. Machnowski, for further information about helping to maintain your teenager's good oral health.

Dental implants are an excellent option for dental treatment if you have problems associated with missing teeth. Below is a list of some frequently asked questions people have before they receive dental implants.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a "false tooth"--a replacement for missing or damaged teeth. Usually, it consists of two parts: a screw that is placed into the jawbone, and the crown that is then placed onto the screw. These special screws are usually made of titanium, due to its strength and durability. They are used mainly in the replacement of missing teeth, but are also used to treat a wide variety of other issues. You must be in good oral health to be a candidate--your dentist will perform a full oral health exam.

How much do dental implants cost?

They are quite expensive. The exact costs depend on how much work is to be done. Replacing one tooth costs around one to five thousand dollars, while full mouth replacements start at around $20,000 and can go upwards of $100,000. If the work to be performed is very complex, this will add to your costs, as will and treatments that must be completed prior to the procedure, such as treatment for gingivitis.

What are the risks involved?

The biggest risks with dental implants is the risk of rejection. Most cases of rejection occur within the first year after the procedure is complete. You can greatly decrease your risk of rejection by avoiding bad habits such as teeth grinding, smoking, and holding the phone between your ear and your shoulder for extended periods of time. There is also the risk of a bad reaction to anesthesia or increased gum sensitivity after the procedure.

How do I choose the right dentist?

It is very important that you choose a skilled dentist. As with any procedure that permanently alters the foundations of your teeth, if the person performing the procedure is not skilled, irreparable damage can be caused. Placement of dental implants is a painstaking job, and not one to be taken lightly. Look for a dentist with a lot of experience in performing this procedure. Check the Internet and speak with friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations. Call dentist's offices in your area and ask to speak with the dentist personally. Remember, while you should definitely check around for different dentist's rates, do not choose your dentist simply because his or her price is the lowest.

Modern cosmetic dentistry offers a number of smile-perfecting options.  Learn about the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Teeth Whitening

Now patients can enjoy smiles that are up to twelve shades lighter in one pain-free visit to the cosmetic dentist's office.  In-office teeth whitening involves painting a special gel on the teeth, then using a bright light to activate the bleaching agents in that gel.  The total procedure takes one to three hours, and yields dazzling results.  There are a number of popular in-office teeth whitening systems, so be sure to ask your cosmetic dentist which system(s) he or she uses.  Regardless of the teeth whitening system used, patients will enjoy a more youthful, bright, and healthy-looking smile in no time at all.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are custom-colored and shaped to match a patient's natural teeth.  These shells can be permanently fitted to the front of teeth, and help create the appearance of a more even, straight, and well-formed smile.  Veneers can mask any number of smile imperfections, including discoloration, crooked teeth, and teeth that are cracked, chipped, or broken.

Invisalign®

Adult cosmetic dentistry patients who suffer from crooked teeth are often hesitant to undergo orthodontic treatment because of the appearance, hassle, and time involved in orthodontics with traditional metal braces.  With the Invisalign® system, however, patients can straighten their smiles with almost undetectable plastic aligners.  The Invisalign® system consists of a series of clear plastic aligners which are removable for eating and cleaning, but should be worn as much as possible.  The aligners are custom-created for each patient, and are virtually invisible to observers.  Every few weeks, the patient moves to a new aligner and teeth are gradually moved into their correct positions.  Patients whose smiles are crooked due to poorly aligned teeth receive a straight smile in about the same time as those who use traditional braces, without the trouble and stigma.

For thousands of years, people have been using various methods to keep their teeth clean and white. Ancient Romans would actually use urine to cleanse teeth and keep them shining and Egyptians would cleanse their teeth with a pumice and vinegar concoction. Clean white teeth have long been a sign of not only cleanliness, but status as well. In ancient times, having clean white teeth was usually a clear indicator of how wealthy you were. It was also considered a mark of beauty, and remains so today.

Modern Teeth Whitening Systems - Reconnecting with the Past

Fortunately, advances in cosmetic dentistry have allowed us more sophisticated methods of teeth whitening and we are not left relying on primitive methods such as urine to help keep our pearly whites pearly. However, if it were not for these early methods, dentists of today would not have had a basis for determining what works at keeping our teeth white. For some time, acids were used to clean and whiten teeth, however it was quickly determined that the acid actually eroded the tooth enamel and caused a great deal of damage to the tooth. But early dentists realized that the ammonia in urine is what made teeth white, and even today ammonia is one of the most commonly used active ingredients in tooth whitening products. The many teeth whitening procedures in the past have led to the selection of methods we have available today. As modern technology advances, there will probably be even more methods available to us that are easier to use and provide longer lasting results. Tooth whitening is quickly becoming one of the most commonly sought after dental procedures, so it is more than likely going to be a process that will continue to become more advanced as time goes by.

Everyone wants a million dollar smile but many people are not born with perfect teeth. Porcelain veneers were once something only celebrities and the wealthy got to improve their smile. However, each year more and more people are getting porcelain veneers to correct dental problems and improve their appearance.

Why Choose Porcelain Veneers

With porcelain veneers, you can improve the appearance of chips, cracks, gaps, discoloration, broken teeth, crooked teeth, and teeth that are too short or misshapen. When porcelain veneers are used they are perfectly fitted to the problem teeth to cover any of the aforementioned tooth problems. Porcelain veneers are thin, strong shells that are gently bonded to the front of problem teeth.

Do porcelain veneers look natural?

The mass appeal of getting porcelain veneers stems from the fact that they look very much like your own natural teeth. When done properly it is impossible to tell which teeth are covered with the porcelain veneers and which are not. They have a very natural appearance. Porcelain veneers reflect light in the same way as natural tooth enamel. When a person gets porcelain veneers the cosmetic dentist matches the veneer to their natural tooth color so that it blends perfectly. Unlike older tooth replacement and correction materials, porcelain veneers do not become stained or discolored over time and they protect the teeth below them. Many people get more than one porcelain veneer done at once but it is possible to get just one tooth covered with a porcelain veneer. However, if you are unhappy with your teeth in general you can have porcelain veneers done in conjunction with other dental corrective procedures. In fact, porcelain veneers can eliminate the need for many dental procedures like bonding, teeth whitening, and orthodontic straightening.