Dentistry today does not just include treatments for tooth and gum problems or diseases. The trend in dentistry has expanded to include a wide range of treatments and procedures with the purpose of improving your appearance. The purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to give you the most appealing smile possible so that you can be happy with your look and have an improved self-esteem. Here are some trends in cosmetic dentistry explained.
Bonding
Mild to severely damaged teeth can be treated with dental bonding. A tooth-colored material is applied to the fractured or chipped surface of your tooth and then bonded with a special light. The restoration provides a renewed look to your tooth so that others can’t even tell it was ever damaged.
Teeth whitening
A bright white smile gives of a great impression of oral health and beauty. Stains from age, foods, drinks, and habits like smoking all play a role in making your smile dull and unattractive. Cosmetic dentists offer teeth whitening procedures that can turn your smile around in just an hour.
Veneers
Another way to easily improve your smile is dental veneers. These thin shells usually made of porcelain are permanently adhered to the fronts of your teeth, giving you a bright and flawless smile for many years to come.
Contouring
Instead of having lengthy orthodontic treatment to correct crooked teeth or uneven spacing, contouring is an option to improve your look. Also called tooth reshaping, this procedure is additionally used to correct irregularly shaped teeth and alter issues like overly pointy teeth. During contouring, small amounts of tooth enamel are removed in order to change the tooth’s shape, length, or surface.
Implants and dentures
To replace missing teeth, dental implants are dentures are both options depending on the patient and the specific situation. Many people prefer implants because they are a permanent and secure solution.
Cosmetic dentist in Ottawa
If you’ve been wearing dentures for some time, you might have experienced issues like poor fit, shifting, or clicking when talking or eating. Such problems can lead to discomfort, mouth sores, or food buildup under the dentures, contributing to bad breath.
If these issues sound familiar, there may be a solution for you. A new option is the combination of traditional dentures with dental implants, creating what’s known as hybrid dentures. This approach uses dental implants inserted directly into the jawbone to anchor the dentures, providing the stability and comfort previously only offered by natural teeth.
Advantages of Hybrid Dentures
- Improved Stability: Hybrid dentures are much more stable than traditional ones, allowing for better chewing capabilities and the ability to enjoy foods you might have had to avoid, like crisp vegetables or tough meats. This opens up a wider variety of foods, helping to maintain a balanced diet and avoid digestive issues.
- Smaller Dentures: With the increased stability from the implants, the dentures themselves can be smaller and more comfortable. Traditional dentures often cover the roof of the mouth, which can affect taste and feel, but implant-supported dentures allow for an open roof, enhancing your ability to enjoy food and providing a more natural feel for your tongue.
- Bone Preservation: Dental implants also help stimulate the jawbone, similar to natural tooth roots. This prevents bone shrinkage, which is common after tooth loss, and helps maintain the shape of your face and the fit of your dentures.
If you’re a denture wearer and want a more secure and comfortable experience, consider discussing with your dentist how hybrid dentures could improve your dental health and quality of life.
Are dental issues holding you back? Take control of your oral health by booking an appointment with our experienced team at our Ottawa dental office.
Do you have a single tooth that has darkened due to trauma? The first step in determining if a damaged tooth can be lightened is to visit your dentist for a thorough examination.
Your dentist will need to identify what is causing the dark staining. To do this, your dentist may perform x-rays or other tests to learn if the pulp of the tooth is “vital” or alive. If the tooth is deemed to be alive, external bleaching may yield the whitening results you are seeking. Your dentist can create a single-tooth bleaching tray to whiten the traumatized tooth effectively. This type of tray keeps the bleach away from other teeth, producing the best color match for your overall smile.
However, if it is determined that the nerves have died and it is no longer a living tooth, your dentist may need to perform a root canal. Darkening of a dead tooth can happen immediately or may develop over time after a root canal procedure has been performed. For this type of tooth trauma, your dentist or endodontist may recommend bleaching the tooth from the inside.
Stains from a non-vital tooth come from the inside, rather than outside, of the tooth. Therefore, your dentist needs to put the bleach inside the tooth. This type of teeth whitening is a routine procedure that involves making a small opening in the tooth through which to bleach the tooth. Once this procedure is complete, you can assess with your dentist whether the desired results have been achieved. If the whitening is not enough, the tooth can then be bleached externally as well. If the results are still not acceptable, you may want to consider a tooth-colored veneer or crown.
If you have a darkened tooth marring your smile, consult your dentist to determine the best teeth whitening treatment to return your smile to its bright, white best.
Take the first step towards optimal oral hygiene. Reserve your dental appointment at our Ottawa dental office now and experience personalized care.
Invisalign Teen is a revolutionary way to straighten your adolescent’s teeth without the hassle of traditional metal braces. Invisalign utilizes a system of clear, removable aligner trays that are custom fit to your teen. The aligners are worn over the teeth and changed for a new set every two weeks. Over time, your teen’s teeth move into place, resulting in a beautiful, straight smile. If you are considering Invisalign Teen, make sure you learn the facts.
- With proper use, Invisalign is capable of treating mild to more extreme orthodontic problems. This includes underbite, overbite, gaps, and excessive crowding.
- Because they are removable, Invisalign allows your teen the flexibility to play sports without worrying about damaging the appliance. Musicians are also able to play their instruments without wires and brackets getting in the way.
- Your teen can continue to enjoy favorite foods with Invisalign, unlike traditional braces that come with a long list of foods that should be avoided.
- Invisalign aligners are easily removed for cleaning and tooth brushing and flossing.
- The normal treatment time is approximately the same or less as with metal braces, but will depend largely on the condition of your teen’s teeth.
- For optimal results in the least amount of time, it is recommended that your teen wears the Invisalign aligners 20-22 hours per day. Invisalign Teen has a built-in indicator that alerts your orthodontist if the aligners are being worn the minimum about of time required.
- Your teen will enjoy less time at the orthodontist’s office with Invisalign. Traditional braces require routine adjustment and also often have broken brackets and wires that need repair. With Invisalign, your teen only needs an office visit every 4-6 weeks.
- Most adolescents who need orthodontics are candidates for treatment with Invisalign. Your teen should be evaluated by an orthodontist who is a qualified Invisalign provider.
Contact your orthodontist to find out if treatment with Invisalign Teen is offered so your child can start enjoying the benefits of a perfect new smile.
We treat patients from Ottawa and the surrounding area
A tooth that has been damaged by decay or trauma may need endodontic treatment, also called root canal therapy, in order to save the tooth. Although it may sound like a scary procedure, advances in dentistry have made it a much less painful or upsetting process than it used to be. This treatment is worth it to restore your smile as naturally as possible.
How do you know you might need endodontics? You may experience pain in the tooth, sensitivity to hot or cold foods or beverages, or swelling in the area. Severe cases may have a discharge of pus near the tooth. However, not all cases of a badly damaged tooth result in noticeable symptoms. That’s one reason it’s important to maintain regular checkups with your dentist, who will pick up on problems with a tooth that you may not realize is damaged. Examination and testing such as X-rays can help diagnose a tooth that is in dire need of repair.
When possible, dentists strive to save your real tooth. Sometimes the best way to do that is through root canal therapy, which involves removing the damaged tooth pulp from the interior of the tooth. Using local anesthesia to make you comfortable, the dentist or endodontist uses special tools to enter the root canal, remove the pulp, and clean the area thoroughly. Once the tooth is ready, a crown is usually placed on top of the existing tooth to protect it from future damage and to complete the process. Sometimes antibiotics are prescribed if an infection was present to help ensure that you are in the best of health.
Endodontic treatment is often compared by patients to simply getting a regular tooth filling. The procedure is usually completed in one office visit and it won’t be long before you are back to your normal routine, with a fully restored natural tooth in your smile.
Our dental office is located in Ottawa
Root canal therapy is a painless procedure performed when decay has caused enough damage to a tooth that it is either dying or has already died. During the procedure, your dentist or endodontist removes the diseased or damaged pulp from the tooth and refills the tooth cavity. To ensure a successful and pleasant treatment, here are some basic do’s and don’ts to follow:
Do’s:
- Do take any medication your dentist has prescribed for you before the root canal therapy.
- Do expect mild discomfort for 2-3 days following the procedure. Apply an ice pack and sleep with your head elevated to minimize swelling.
- Do continue brushing your teeth normally, even the root canal treated tooth.
- Do eat a soft diet for several days and avoid chewing on the treated tooth until a permanent restoration is placed.
- Do contact your dental professional immediately if you have any complications or questions during your recovery, and make sure to keep any follow-up appointments.
Don’ts:
- Don’t anticipate pain; stay calm and relaxed during the procedure.
- Don’t skip taking prescribed pain medications, even if you are not experiencing extreme pain.
- Don’t bite on hard foods or disturb the affected tooth during the course of treatment.
- Don’t drink excessively hot or cold beverages until the treatment is completed.
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol within 24 hours of the root canal therapy.
- Don’t delay getting the treated tooth capped with a crown or other restoration to avoid fracture or additional damage, causing failure of your root canal therapy.
Root canal therapy has a 95% success rate. By following these simple guidelines, you can help ensure a positive result from your root canal therapy and enjoy many more years of a healthy smile.
