Today's Restorative Dentistry
There's a bright new trend in cosmetic dental offices these days: more people are scheduling appointments because they want to, not because they have to.
In the past 15 years we've seen the development of materials and procedures we could only dream about before. And if you know someone who hasn't been to the dentist in a while, tell them they'll be pleasantly surprised by what they find.
Pain control
Dental medicine has come a long way from the days when whiskey was the anesthetic of choice. Today's dentistry is virtually painless. Technology, stress control techniques, and some very sophisticated approaches to anesthesia have all contributed to painless treatment - from cleaning to cavity preparation to root canal treatment.
Cosmetic dentistry
A new discipline has grown up around restorative dentistry procedures. But, does it show in a smile?
- Tooth whitening is a simple, inexpensive way to lighten stains and discolorations on teeth without altering the natural structure.
- Dental bonding has come of age with the refinement of bonding resins. There's no limit to the cosmetic "magic' we can work on a smile - close gaps, reshape teeth, lengthen here, brighten there.
- Tooth-colored filling materials are getting prettier - and stronger - every day
- Dental Implants - Though people are keeping their teeth longer and longer, part of the older population still has to deal with missing teeth. For those denture wearers who've always hoped for something better, dental implants can be a kind of dental rebirth.
The future of dentistry looms exciting, too. Cosmetic laser dentistry, fiber optics, computer-aided design - all are finding applications in dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry - it's a whole new ball game.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
Schedule a Checkup with Your Cosmetic Dentist
Maybe the reason we find an eight-year-old's gapped teeth smile so adorable is...we know it's not permanent. Soon the grown-up teeth will be poking through, clean and new. All part of the mouth's natural evolution.
It's not often that nature gives us a second chance, but when it comes to teeth it does just that. For many children it can be a wake-up call to start taking dental hygiene seriously. As the old saying goes, "God gives you two sets of teeth, but you have to buy the third."
It may be time though to change that outdated piece of wisdom to: "Teeth are like friends...ignore them and their needs and they'll go away. Be kind to them and they'll stick with you forever."
That's why regular hygiene appointments and a gum disease examination are so important. Barring injury, there's simply no reason why most of us should be missing teeth as we grow older. Call it a "10,000 smile checkup," insuring all your parts are in good working order.
Once your cosmetic dentist knows that your teeth are healthy and the gums are sound, he or she can do a little restorative dentistry to evolve your smile to an even higher level. Things like dental bonding to close the gaps…or invisible dental crowns or veneers for front teeth…even teeth bleaching for a truly dazzling and beautiful smile.
Give your cosmetic dentistry professional a call. He or she can help you see to it that your mouth does the job it was intended to for a lifetime. And look drop-dead sensational at the same time!
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.