Cosmetic Dentistry Blog at My Dentist USA

May 18th, 2012

The Importance of Early Orthodontics

Having crooked teeth isn’t just an aesthetic issue, it can impair good dental hygiene making it easier for germs to work their way in and deteriorate the teeth and cause cavities. The earlier you can get your teeth straightened the better. These days Orthodontics are better and more precise than ever. Gone are the days of huge, bulky metal braces- sure there are still metal braces, but they aren’t nearly as bad as they were just a decade ago. Then there is Invisalign, which does away with metal braces entirely. Invisalign can help almost any dental situation, but there are some for which traditional braces are still needed.

Whether you or your child has a misaligned bite (which can lead to TMJ), crooked teeth or other issues, it is important to get the treatment needed so that you can maintain a healthy, confident smile. Remember: after the braces come off, you’ll need to wear your retainer, unless you want to do the whole Orthodontic treatment all over again in a few years. Your teeth are constantly capable of moving. Even if you have had relatively straight teeth your whole life, it is not uncommon for teeth to gradually begin to crowd- particularly after wisdom teeth come in.

If you or your child needs Orthodontics to straighten out crooked teeth, don’t put it off another day. Contact an Orthodontist in your area today.

Posted in Orthodontics

May 16th, 2012

Oral Hygiene – How and Why

Visiting your dentist for check ups and regularly scheduled cleanings is no doubt important to your oral hygiene, but it alone is not sufficient enough. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, changing your toothbrush every three months, brushing in small, circular motions along the gums and the teeth, making sure to brush the front, back, and inner and outer sides of every tooth, brushing your tongue- these are all very important to your oral hygiene, as well as flossing and using mouthwash regularly. Following these simple instructions will go a long way in preventing tooth decay, periodontal disease, halitosis, and dental staining. It is important to get into a good oral hygiene habit not just for your dental health but for your overall body health as well.

Do yourself a favor, keep it clean!

Posted in Oral Hygiene

May 14th, 2012

See The Smile You Could Be Flashing

One of the best ways of determining both the methods most attractive to you for improving your smile and for finding a doctor whose work you like, is by browsing through our before and after gallery. There you will see hundreds of before and after photos where almost every potential dental case is seen and resolved in almost every potential cosmetic dentistry procedure. You are sure to find a before photo that somewhat represents your current smile and be inspired by the changes achievable. If you do like the results achieved, you can also just follow the quick link to the dentist who performed the work and there you will learn more about that dentist and can also see more examples of his work.

So, what are you waiting for? Go get inspired and check out our Before and After Photo Gallery of Smiles!

Posted in Before and Afters

May 11th, 2012

How to Detect Oral Cancer Early

Everyone knows that dental hygiene is important, but still few people are getting screened for oral cancer. Particularly if you are someone who has or is a tobacco chewer or drinks alcohol heavily, you can’t afford not to be getting tested. Check out this article in our Articles section “Velscope Detects Oral Cancer Earlier,” written by Dr. Arnold to get a better idea of why you should stay on top of your oral cancer detection.

Now, oral cancer screening can be a tricky thing to detect as it begins at a cellular level which is not easily seen by the naked eye, so it’s important to know that you could have oral cancer and not even know until it’s too late in the game. There is a new way of screening for oral cancer called Velscope and it works by using blue light to evaluate the florescence response in the tissue. The screening only costs about $25 and if you are someone considered “at risk” of developing oral cancer, you should be getting screened twice a year.

Stay on top of your oral hygiene! It’s not only good for your smile and your confidence, but it also directly effects the health of your entire body! Ask your dentist today about Velscope screening.

Posted in Oral Cancer

May 9th, 2012

Learn How to Prevent Tooth Decay in Children

Healthy dental care habits should  be instilled when children are young. Tooth decay can develop in small children when the child’s teeth and gums are exposed to any liquids or foods other than water for long periods of time. One of the most common reasons young children develop tooth decay is prolonged exposure to bottles of formula, milk, juice, or other sugary drinks. Sippy Cups can also be a contributing factor to tooth decay in young children when a child is allowed to sleep with a sippy cup or carry it around with them while they play.

There are a few ways to reduce the risk of tooth decay in children:

• Do not put your child to bed with a bottle or food – This can expose your child’s teeth to sugars that will sit on their teeth throughout the night.
• Only give children a bottle during meals – Do not use a bottle or a sippy cup as a pacifier. Limit the time your child can walk around with a sippy cup or bottle.
• Teach your child to use a regular cup – Drinking from a cup is less likely to cause the liquid to collect around the teeth. Regular cups also must be left on a table and can not be taken to bed.
• If your child does have a bottle or sippy cup for long periods of time, fill it with water.

While many parents say baby teeth are only temporary, it is important to teach children healthy dental care habits early on. Following these guidelines will help you prevent unnecessary visits to the dentist.

Posted in Dental Care

May 7th, 2012

Neutral Dental Crowns

Just a few years back, if you had to get a crown, you had only one option and it was a dark, metal crown which when you opened your mouth stood out like a sore thumb. These days, the technological advances in cosmetic dentistry have made many remarkable improvements and as far as crowns are concerned, there has never been a better time to have to get one. Dental Crown options now include natural looking porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns.

Dental Crowns are tooth shaped covers to improve cracked, weak, deteriorating, discolored or slightly misshapen teeth. Dental Crowns are also sometimes used to give strength and security to a tooth which has been filled too many times. Dental Crowns are very beneficial in preventing further deterioration and the Dental Crowns of today can be made to match your other teeth in color so that it blends in seamlessly with the rest of your mouth.

Posted in Dental Crowns

May 4th, 2012

Bonding… Dental Bonding

Posted in Dental Bonding

May 2nd, 2012

Dental Implants – Cosmetic Dentistry USA

Replicating the natural function and appearance of missing teeth can be very difficult to accomplish.  Prior to the recent advancements in cosmetic dentistry, dentures or bridge restorations would be used as replacements, but with very limited results.  Dental implants, however, are long lasting natural-looking replacements for missing teeth that also provide the same function as your natural tooth root. They have also been used to anchor these other types of restorations for greater success and patient satisfaction.

Although you have a number of restorative options for the treatment of missing teeth, none have proven to be as functionally effective and durable as dental implants. In many cases, dental implants may be the best choice for the restoration of all necessary functionality of the teeth and supporting structures as well as providing a natural looking solution.

A dental implant is an excellent way of replacing a single tooth without the disadvantages of a fixed bridge or removable dentures. It is the ideal treatment for a missing tooth because it does not affect your adjacent teeth. That means no grinding or crowning of your natural teeth for bridges, and no clasps for removable partial dentures.

A consultation with a skilled cosmetic dentist is needed to determine if dental implants are right for you. Need help finding a cosmetic dentist in your area? My Dentist USA can help. Click here to begin your search for a licensed cosmetic dentist in your area and be on your way to the smile you deserve.

Posted in Dental Implants

April 29th, 2012

Improving your Smile with Teeth Whitening

Your smile is often the first thing people notice upon the first meeting. Teeth that are yellow can take away from what is otherwise a beautiful smile. Luckily, teeth whitening procedures are simple and very effective. A visit to a dentist in your area can greatly improve the appearance of your teeth.

Teeth can become discolored over time due to the the things we eat and the drinks we consume. Coffee, tea and soda are among some of the most lethal items on the menu that damage the color of our teeth. Smoking is another common teeth yellowing habit. Having stains on your teeth does not necessarily mean you have not taken good care of your teeth, some stains are unavoidable over time.

The level of whiteness achieved through teeth whitening, or teeth bleaching, is dependent on the level of discoloration of your teeth. Overall, many people can expect to see noticeable differences of at least 2-3 shades whiter.  Some people see more dramatic results, closer to 5 or 6 shades whiter. Teeth whitening is a great way to enhance your smile, with noticeable difference, that appears 100% natural.

My Dentist USA can help you find a dentist in your area that will help you create a brighter whiter smile. Click here to begin your search for a dentist near you. Finding a dentist you can count on is only a few clicks away.

Posted in Teeth Whitening

April 27th, 2012

Orthodontic Treatments

For men and women with crooked, misaligned, or overcrowded teeth, teeth with large gaps, people with under bites or over bites, the best source of treatment may be through orthodontics. What is orthodontics? Orthodontics is a way of correcting irregularities in your teeth to create a better aligned smile.

Braces have long been used to help in correcting the alignment of teeth in both kids and adults. Metal braces are still the most powerful tool in moving teeth which need to change a great deal. In recent years, however, the new kid on the block, Invisalign has been making great strides in helping people achieve a better smile through an almost invisible treatment- something many patients find much more ideal. Invisalign may not be the right treatment for everyone and metal braces or other treatments may still need to be considered to give you the best results possible.

Have straight teeth is important not only for aesthetic reasons, but it makes it easier to clean and take care of your teeth. Oral hygiene is especially important as you are receiving orthodontic treatment, particularly where metal braces are concerned. Make sure you understand how to take care of your teeth so that when treatment is complete you have a perfectly aligned, healthy set of teeth!

Click here to find a dentist in your area. Remember not all dentists offer orthodontic treatments so be sure to check that your dentist offers the treatment you may need or at least can recommend an orthodontic specialist who can help you.

Posted in Orthodontics