A set of crooked teeth can make you self-conscious in interacting with others and may cause you to hide your smile instead of showing your emotions with confidence. There are many reasons that you might have misshapen or misaligned teeth. Decay, cavities, poor development or nutrition, hereditary factors, or bad habits like teeth grinding or tongue thrusting can all play a role. If you have a crooked smile for any reason, a smile makeover may be the perfect answer.
A dentist can provide many options for correcting misaligned teeth, and the best methods depend on the degree of your issues. Every patient is different and can benefit from varying techniques.
The most well-known way to correct crooked teeth is probably orthodontics. Traditional metal braces have been around for many years and are a proven way to straighten teeth and realign jaws. Braces involve attaching metal brackets and wires to the teeth with glue, and tightening them at regular intervals over a period of time that can last up to a couple of years or more. Because many patients dislike the look and hassles of metal braces, Invisalign has been developed to straighten teeth without such an obvious impact to your appearance while undergoing treatment. These invisible, removable, plastic aligners provide a popular way to straighten smiles.
Another choice for improving your smile is dental veneers. These very thin shells made of porcelain or ceramic can be bonded to the fronts of your teeth to hide flaws underneath. Veneers create a natural look that is in the shade you desire, and quickly transform your smile into the one you’ve always wanted.
Minor changes to crooked teeth can be made with simple reshaping of teeth. Gentle abrasion and polishing of the teeth can make them appear straighter and more attractive. Reshaping may be combined with bonding, which involves applying resin to the tooth and sculpting it to the desired look. These are both very quick and painless ways to improve your smile.
If you live in the Ottawa area contact us today
Straight, white smiles are in high demand, and choosing who is going to perform your smile makeover is not a decision to be taken lightly. The American Dental Association does not include cosmetic dentistry as one of the eight specialties, meaning there are no legal restrictions against any dentist calling themselves a “cosmetic dentist.” Therefore, it is vital to the success of your treatment to do research and find the best cosmetic dentist to perform your smile makeover. When searching for a qualified cosmetic dentist, consider the following:
- Ask your potential dentist about their cosmetic studies. Beyond dental school, a trained cosmetic dentist should have taken postgraduate courses and training in the particular types of procedures you are seeking.
- Find out what organizations they belong to that focus solely on cosmetic dentistry. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry is the most notable, and offers an accreditation program that includes extensive continuing education and rigorous testing to ensure outstanding skills. Dentists who complete this accreditation are considered to be the very best in their field.
- Ask to see “before and after” photos of patients they have treated for smile makeovers. It is important you like the style and quality of the work shown in the photos before moving forward with your chosen cosmetic dentist.
- Inquire about testimonials and reviews from patients who have been treated for cosmetic problems similar to yours. An internet search can also yield information and reviews from previous patients about the cosmetic dentist you are considering.
- Find out how long the cosmetic dentist has been practicing and which cosmetic dental procedures they most commonly perform.
- Ask about the technology in their office. Current dental technology is one way to determine the level of advanced care in a cosmetic dentistry practice.
- Is the dentist and office staff friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable?
Be sure you feel comfortable and confident with your choice of a cosmetic dentist before proceeding with a smile makeover. Making the best choice can mean enjoying years of a beautiful, bright smile.
Our dental office is located in Ottawa
But am I too old to deal with the hassle of teeth straightening? You may be surprised to learn how little your routine will change with Invisalign. From your morning schedule, to meals, work-outs, and bedtime you can go about your day in much the same way as before you chose to beautify your smile with this state of the art treatment.
Always rushed in the morning? Simply pop out the Invisalign aligners, brush and floss normally, and pop them right back in place. To clean the aligners, you can either use the cleaning kit provided or brush and rinse with warm water. The process is easy and quick, allowing you to get out the door to your meeting or carpool in a flash.
Big lunch with clients or a special luncheon? No problem. With Invisalign, you remove the aligners during meals. No worries about spinach stuck in metal brackets and wires, or restrictions on the types of food you can eat. Enjoy your lunch with confidence.
But I love to play basketball at lunch, and soccer with my kids? If contact sports are a big part of your life, Invisalign won’t get in your way. You can leave the aligners in without concern that you might cut your mouth, or remove them if you normally wear a mouth guard when playing. Score another point for Invisalign!
I’m so tired by bedtime that I just want to fall into bed, won’t they take forever to clean? With Invisalign, no need to worry about the tedious cleaning and flossing between brackets and wires as with traditional braces. Since the aligners are removed for oral hygiene tasks, you can simply brush and floss your teeth normally, and then brush and rinse your aligners. It’s so quick that your pillow won’t have time to miss you.
As you can see, with Invisalign, your daily routine will experience minimal changes, but your smile will achieve maximum results!
If you need a dentist in Ottawa contact us today
Restoring a missing tooth is not as unnatural as you might think with the help of dental implants. These restorations have transformed the ability of dentists to make your smile complete and fully functional without the worries of cumbersome dentures or bridges.
Dental implants involve surgically placing a titanium rod into the jaw bone, which will then fuse with the bone to become a part of your body. A trusted, experienced dentist or oral surgeon is the best professional for this procedure. The implant provides a stable and secure base for a replacement tooth which is later placed on top of the rod.
Most people with missing teeth are candidates for dental implants, although your dentist will perform an examination to make sure. Healthy gums and ample strong bones are required for a successful dental implant treatment.
There are two main types of dental implants. Subperiosteal is designed for patients with a shallow jaw bone that does not allow for rebuilding, so these implants are placed under the gums. Endosteal is for patients with a thick jaw bone, which is ideal for the implant being placed into the jaw bone using plates, screws and cylinders for support. Your dentist will advise which type of implants are best for you.
Once the implant surgery is performed, the area will be allowed to heal for up to a couple of months so that the artificial tooth or crown placed on top will be able to successfully complete the procedure. Once the entire treatment is finished, you’ll have a fully functional, comfortable and secure new tooth and root.
No special maintenance is required with dental implants. Normal brushing and flossing is recommended, as well as regular dental checkups to guarantee good oral health. Implants are made to last a lifetime with proper oral care. With this advanced treatment that dentistry offers today, you can expect a worry-free restoration that gives you back your smile.
Our dental office is located in Ottawa
For people who don’t feel confident about showing their teeth when smiling, dental veneers provide a great way to restore self-esteem and quickly create beautiful smiles. No longer only for the rich and famous, the secret of transforming smiles with veneers is out for everyone to enjoy the benefits.
Veneers are thin shells that go over the front surfaces of your teeth to hide imperfections. They are customized just for you so that they look very natural and appealing. Veneers cover problems like stained, chipped, crooked, or misshapen teeth. The most common materials that veneers are made from are composite or porcelain. Here are the details about each of these types of veneers.
Composite
- Has an opaque finish, but it’s difficult to match the color of your existing tooth enamel color
- Lifespan is usually two years or less
- Susceptible to staining because of its porous characteristics
- Requires careful and consistent maintenance to keep them looking good as long as possible
- Typically lower in cost than other types of veneers
Porcelain
- Has an opaque finish that appears natural and coordinates well with the color and texture of existing teeth
- Lifespan is usually from five to ten years
- Does not stain
- Requires good dental hygiene for the best results
Whichever type of dental veneers you might select, chances are good that you will be glad you chose to restore your smile in this way. People won’t even realize that underneath the veneers you have crooked, discolored, uneven, or chipped teeth. Your secret will be safe, thanks to the technology of dental veneers.
If you need a dentist in Ottawa contact us today
Life isn’t getting any slower, in fact, it seems that it’s always speeding up! This is never truer than it is for families, especially those with two or more children. Parents can feel like the local taxi service, running one child to band and another to piano and yet another to a doctor’s appointment. Finally, there’s a solution to one of the trickier issues: visiting the dentist.
In the past, parents would go to one dentist and the children would go to another. Those same children would later age out of their pediatric dentist and have to form a new relationship with a dentist who doesn’t know them at all! For young people just beginning to take responsibility for their own dental care, this can be the beginning of spotty or not-at-all visits to the dentist for checkups and cleanings. This can be the beginning of poor oral hygiene that leads to scores of adult problems.
A family dentist wants you to skip all that running around and to have your kids avoid the step of finding a new dentist. A family dentist wants to see your entire family, from the youngest baby cutting teeth to the oldest retiree looking at options for aging teeth. This type of relationship is so important. The family dentist will know the patient’s history going years and years back, and can make the best and most informed decisions based on this information.
Your family dentist will also make your family appointments in blocks. Can you imagine having each member of your family – including you – getting your checkups, cleanings and dental care done in the same day, sometimes at the very same time? This is a possibility with the convenience of a trusted family dentist.
If you’re looking to save time and to have the best possible dental care you can get for you and your family, seek out a skilled family dentist today. You won’t regret it!
We look forward to seeing you in our Ottawa dental office
