Have you ever wondered if your smile could be brighter? Have you considered teeth whitening, but just aren’t sure if it’s appropriate for you? People are born with different shades of teeth, but over time, other factors can affect the color of the enamel. The color of your teeth may have changed due to the following:
- Pigment-rich food and beverages such as cola, wine, juice, berries, candy, and ketchup are just several examples of foods that may darken your teeth.
- Cigarette smoking and chewing tobacco are known to cause yellowing of teeth.
- Certain medications can result in tooth darkening. These offenders include some antibiotics, high blood pressures medicines, antipsychotic drugs and certain antihistamines.
- Chemotherapy or radiation treatments can cause teeth to change colors.
- Enamel wears away as you age, and teeth acquire a build-up of tartar and stains that darken your teeth.
- Excessive fluoride use either from your water, fluoride supplements, toothpaste or rinses can cause teeth to yellow.
- Trauma caused by a fall or blow to the mouth can damage nerves and cause teeth to permanently brown or blacken.
- Poor oral hygiene or avoiding regular dental care can cause teeth to turn unwelcome colors.
While some of these causes may make whitening more difficult, talk to a qualified dentist in Ottawa about the best option for meeting your whitening goals. The general rule of thumb is for your teeth to closely match the shade of the whites of your eyes. Teeth that are too white will look unnatural, so if you choose professional whitening, you should consult with your dental professional about how to achieve the most natural result. In cooperation with your dentist, making the decision to undergo professional teeth whitening could mean you will soon be facing the world with a brighter, whiter smile.
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Root canal treatment is often a last resort for people who are experiencing tooth pain and want to save their damaged tooth. Although the procedure isn’t nearly as scary or painful as in years past, most patients view the aspect of this treatment with disdain. Recovery from a root canal is often no worse than recovering from a dental filling, but there are some issues that affect your ability to recover from root canal treatment.
Tooth condition
The severity of your tooth’s condition plays a big role in your treatment. If your infection or decay is not too advanced, it may mean an easier recovery than a patient with acute problems requiring extensive root canal treatment. Your dentist will determine the severity of your case and be able to prepare you for what to expect.
Dentist qualifications
Although all dentists are trained to perform root canal treatment, not all of them choose to offer this service as part of their practice. Your dentist may refer you to an endodontist, who is a dentist specializing in root canal treatment. These types of dentists are trained in all aspects of root canals and can handle even the most severe cases. Often, endodontists are so experienced and knowledgeable that they can even help shorten your recovery period after treatment.
After care
No matter which dentist performs your treatment, you should receive detailed instructions about how to care for yourself afterwards. You will be given guidelines about what to eat and what to avoid, how to handle pain, activity restrictions, and other details. There may also be mouth exercises suggested to follow to aid in your recovery. Make sure you keep any follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing.
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Missing teeth make you unhappy because it’s more difficult to eat and speak without them, as well as leaving gaps in your smile. Luckily dental implants have come to the rescue in modern dentistry. These titanium posts are surgically inserted into your jawbone, where they fuse with the bone to become a permanent part of your body. An artificial tooth is later placed on top of this stable support to complete the restoration.
If your dentist says that you have healthy gums, strong bones, and good enough overall health to undergo the procedure, then dental implants may be a great choice for restoring your smile. If you’re considering this treatment, here are some benefits you can expect to receive:
- Natural appearance
- Durable enough to last a lifetime
- Very high success rate
- Improved speech
- Restored ability to eat naturally
- Improved self-esteem
- Security without concern for slipping
- Choice of materials for the crown such as porcelain or ceramic
- Ability to maintain good dental hygiene with normal brushing and flossing
The chances that you’ll be extremely happy with your dental implant is very good. Most patients rave about the results and their restored function and appearance. It’s easy to keep your implants for a lifetime with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. If you have a hole in your smile, ask your dentist if you are a good candidate to enjoy all of the benefits of dental implants.
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Failure to take good care of your teeth can result in tooth loss, and so can issues like trauma or aging. No matter why you lose a tooth or multiple teeth, you’ll want a secure, comfortable and attractive replacement. Dental implants come to the rescue with all of these benefits and more.
A dental implant involves placing a titanium rod into your jaw to provide a sturdy new root, and then topping it off with an artificial tooth. You’ll end up with a fully functional tooth that works, looks, and feels just like a natural tooth.
There are a number of advantages that dental implants bring:
- prevents movement of neighboring teeth
- does not negatively impact adjacent teeth
- looks aesthetically appealing
- does not slip or move in any way
- provides comfortable fit
- lasts a lifetime with proper care
- requires no special maintenance
Dental implants are inserted surgically while you are under local anesthesia, so you won’t feel anything during the procedure. There may be minor swelling or minimal pain that can be managed by over-the-counter remedies, and those side effects should dissipate within a couple of days. Risks are low and the long-term results are very good. The implant fuses with your body and you won’t even know it’s there once it has healed.
Ongoing care for your dental implant simply involves regular brushing and flossing, and dental checkups to ensure continued good oral health. You should be able to expect your fully restored smile to look and feel great for years to come.
We treat patients from Ottawa and the surrounding area
Over time, daily life can take a toll on your smile. Decay, breakage, disease, and missing teeth can negatively affect your mouth. Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing damage and renewing the integrity of your smile. With today’s advanced technology and high-quality materials, you can enjoy strong, attractive restorations. Don’t put off necessary dental work any longer.
Common restorative procedures include:
Composite fillings
To repair teeth damaged brought on by decay, your dentist will likely choose an all-white filling. Tooth-colored fillings produce solids restorations that blend in with your natural teeth and allow for less removal of healthy tooth structure.
Dental Crowns
When you have a larger area of decay than a regular filling can fix, your dentist may suggest a dental crown. Also called a cap, a dental crown covers the area above the gum line, re-establishing the strength and appearance of the injured tooth. Usually, it takes two visits to receive your custom crown. During the first appointment, your dentist will remove the decay, take impressions for the crown, and fit you with a temporary. You will return for permanent placement a few weeks later.
Dental Implants
If you have lost teeth, your oral health and self-esteem may suffer. Dental implants can replace one or more missing teeth, giving you back a complete smile. Dental implants include a metal post that functions as an artificial tooth root and a prosthetic crown that is cemented on top to complete the restoration.
Porcelain Veneers
Often considered a cosmetic choice, porcelain veneers can also cover chipped or broken teeth. Made from fine dental porcelain, veneers are permanently attached to front teeth, creating a flawless image. Your dentist will select the right veneers to fit your features, personality, and budget.
We treat patients from Ottawa and the surrounding area
Having a beautiful smile is possible with dental veneers. Broken, stained, chipped, gapped, and crooked teeth can all be hidden with this restoration. There are two primary types of materials that are used to create veneers. These are composite resin and porcelain.
Porcelain is the most popular material used for veneers. These are usually made at a separate lab from the dental office, created by lab technicians based upon a model of the patient’s mouth. When the veneers are complete, they are sent to the dental office so the dentist can bond them to the patient’s teeth to complete the process. One reason that porcelain is especially popular is that the material resists stains and looks like natural teeth.
The other most common option for creating veneers is composite resin. These are typically made by the dentist in the office, so there is no delay in getting the veneers made at a lab. A benefit of composite veneers is that they require minimal tooth surface and are thinner than veneers made of porcelain.
No matter which type of material you choose for your dental veneers, you’ll need to have a consultation with your dentist to make sure you are a good candidate. Patients who grind their teeth are not suitable for veneers because they can be broken with this type of pressure. Also, patients who are unable break habits like chewing hard items like ice, pencils, or fingernails may not be suitable for veneers.
If you are a good candidate for dental veneers, remember that they are a permanent restoration. This means that you will need to have your veneers replaced if they ever wear out, because once your teeth have had veneers you’ll need to continue wearing them. If you take good care of your veneers by practicing proper oral hygiene, your veneers should last a long time before replacement might be necessary. In the meantime, you’ll be able to enjoy your appealing smile.
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