Dental veneers (also known as porcelain veneers or dental laminates) are among the most recent developments in cosmetic dentistry. Veneers are very thin shells made from porcelain or resin-based composite materials. They are placed on the front surface of a tooth in order to improve color and shape of the tooth, as well as make the teeth look healthier and more natural. Dental veneers is a perfect solution for those who have worn tooth enamel, irremovable stains or cracks, crooked teeth, spacing or uneven alignment of the teeth, etc.

This cosmetic procedure is quite popular and demanded nowadays. Porcelain veneers are considered to be stronger and more natural than the veneers made of resin composite materials. Also, porcelain veneers have better resistance to discoloring and staining. It is also important that our gums can tolerate porcelain material quite well. If a good care is taken, they can last up to 10 years, in contrast to composite veneers which usually last 1-2 years. Maintaining dental veneers includes practicing a proper dental care, avoiding grinding and clenching, avoiding applying extra force on the teeth, avoiding drinking too much tea coffee or eating stain-causing foods, etc.

Veneers work in the similar way to false fingernails, and the procedure of veneer bonding is quick and absolutely painless. After an initial consultation with your dental specialist, on your first appointment your dentist will make certain preparations for the procedure using a local anesthetic. The preparations include reshaping and removing very thin layers of dental enamel from the surface of your teeth. Then, dentist will make models of your teeth and send them to the dental lab in order to create and design you veneers. For 1-2 weeks you will be offered to use temporary veneers. When your veneers are ready, on the second visit your dentist will check out the shape and fit of the veneers, and then cement them to your teeth.

In modern cosmetic dentistry, porcelaine veneers are the ultimate way to create a bright beautiful smile which will work almost for everyone. It is a good, effective and relatively unexpensive alternative to other cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening, bonding or dental crowns. In addition, the veneers can serve for protection of the surface of the cracked or damaged teeth. Dental veneers are a safe and reliable dental cosmetic procedure for those, who dream about a new charming smile and new opportunities in the life.

Tags: advantages of dental veneers, dental laminates, dental veneers, porcelain veneers, veneers

Posted: April 8th, 2009 under Cosmetic Dentistry.
Comments: 2

Not everyone enjoys flossing. Besides, many people could not master the art of flossing, so they continue hurting the soft tissues in their mouth when they attempt to floss. For such situations, there are effective and safe alternatives to flossing, including various tooth pick tools. There is a great number of woodsticks, advanced plastic soft tooth picks or brush picks, or even floss picks and special plague removers available online. It is very easy to learn using such dental care tools, and the effects of using these plague removers are almost the same as the effects of using the floss threat.

Some dentists and dental specialists even recommend using such plague removers as triangular tooth picks instead of regular flossing. They are convinced that picks can enter those places and nooks in the mouth, which are left unavailable for toothbrushes and floss. Another reason of such concern is our common laziness. Many people neglect regular flossing, but using tooth picks can be more attractive since usually it requires less time and efforts. At that, using toothpicks is especially effective for those people, who have large spaces between their teeth. However, the people who have periodontal disease have to be very careful while using toothpick tools.

It is interesting that holding a tooth pick with your hand is already considered to be something old-fashioned and ineffective. Holding a toothpick with your hand does not allow you reach all necessary places in your mouth (like the tongue side of your teeth and so on) and limits the space for moving your pick. Nowadays, you can buy a lot of advanced tooth picks with various unique designs and qualities, like special picks with xylitol, the picks with flexible edges, triangular picks or the picks of other shape which are easy to maneuver and use.

Undoubtedly, tooth picks are a great tool for dental care, but there are certain drawbacks connected with using them. In particular, an important disadvantage is inability of tooth picks to clean properly the space behind our last “wisdom” teeth, but flossing can do that. Those places require very careful cleaning because there are a lot of harmful bacteria get collected there, which can cause not only bad odor and plague, but more serious dental problems. That is why, according to the latest reseacrhes, the most effective way is to use all three methods for plague reomval: brushing, flossing and using toothpicks tools.

Tags: are toothpicks effective, Flossing, tooth picks, using tooth picks

Posted: March 15th, 2009 under Dental Care for Every Day.
Comments: 1

There is no need in mentioning the importance of proper diet for good oral and dental health. Having shiny and beautiful teeth is strictly linked to good eating habits, as well as eating a rich and balanced diet. Undoubtedly, for normal development and good health, our teeth need certain nutrients, minerals and vitamins. That is why a lot of people, who are on diet and limit consumption of one or another food, sometimes have such problems as cavities, gum related problems, etc. That’s because natural protection, which helps our teeth in fighting against aggressive influence of dangerous bacteria, gets weakened.

First of all, for keeping your teeth in a good condition it is very important to eat dairy products with some small content of fats. Fats help our body in calcium digestion. Eating some small amounts of low-fat cheese, or cottage cheese mixed with a little of fruit or nuts, not less than two times a week can be very useful for boosting your dental health. Besides, it is recommended to eat some seafood and small amounts of fatty fish on a regular basis. These foods are great sources of the fats, which also assist in calcium digestion.

Besides, it is essential to lower the consumption of foods which contain sugar and starch, especially such foods as sugary snacks or carbonated sugary drinks. When you eat such foods, they contact the existing bacteria in your mouth and favor the development of dental plague. There are also many foods containing dangerous acids, which can damage your teeth enamel. Certainly, you should not give up eating such foods completely, but remember that only regular brushing and flossing your teeth can help you minimize negative effects of these chemical substances on your dental health.

Also, you should remember that even if you use a toothpaste with good amounts of calcium and fluoride, it does not mean that your teeth do not need to receive more of natural fluoride or calcium with the foods you eat. No toothpaste can help you to achieve the same positive effects, which can be achieved by a healthy nutrition, because everything you take with meals stays in your body for much longer time, than your toothpaste. Therefore, brushing your teeth assists you in maintaining proper oral hygiene, and healthy nutrition should be your effective tool to prevent many possible risks and dental problems.

Tags: a healthy diet, dental health, good eating habits, nutrition

Posted: February 17th, 2009 under Dental Care for Every Day.
Comments: none