Crown Lengthening for a Better Smile

If you’re bothered by a “gummy” smile or teeth that you feel are too small, you may want to consider crown lengthening. Also known as a gum lift, this cosmetic dentistry procedure can beautify your smile by exposing more of your teeth.

“Crown lengthening has been used by dentists for years to improve dental health, but it’s recently been gaining popularity as a cosmetic dentistry technique,” says Kimberly Harms, DDS, a dentist in Farmington, Minn., and consumer advisor for the American Dental Association.

 What Is Crown Lengthening? 
 
Crown lengthening is an oral surgery treatment that involves removing excess gum tissue, and possibly some bone, around the upper teeth to make them look longer. It’s a common procedure performed by dentists and periodontists, or gum specialists.

“If the gum line is uneven, crown lengthening can also sculpt the gum line to produce a more symmetrical smile,” says Dr. Harms. Crown lengthening may be done for dental care and medical reasons as well as for the cosmetic effect. If there’s decay or fracture under the gum line, for example, crown lengthening can help expose more of the tooth’s crown in order to support a filling or porcelain crown.

                                                     *scottmhealeydentistry.com

What Does Crown Lengthening Involve? 
 
Crown lengthening involves oral surgery performed under local anesthesia. After the area is numbed, the dentist or periodontist makes small cuts to pull the gums away from the teeth and remove excess gum. In some cases, removing gum tissue is all that is needed to expose more of the crown. But if there is too much soft tissue and bone covering the crown, a tiny bit of bone may need to be taken out, too. After the surgery is completed, the gums are washed with sterile salt water and stitched up.

Pros and Cons of Crown Lengthening
 
Although crown lengthening is a common and safe procedure, it does involve surgery, which always has risks. So it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before going under the knife.

Advantages of crown lengthening: Unlike many cosmetic dentistry treatments, crown lengthening only needs to be done once, with no requirement for touch-ups down the road. In addition to creating a wider, more symmetrical smile, crown lengthening can provide some dental care benefits as well. “It can reduce the risk of tooth decay because more of the tooth is exposed for brushing and flossing,” says Harms. The surgery can usually be completed in 30 minutes to an hour.

Disadvantages of crown lengthening: This cosmetic dentistry treatment can be pricey. Expect to pay $1,000 to $4,000 for crown lengthening. If the procedure is medically warranted, insurance should pick up some of cost, says Harms. As with other types of cosmetic surgery, you may experience swelling and pain afterwards. Recovery can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on how extensive the surgery is. Possible complications include excessive bleeding and infection, but these are rare.

Recovery From a Crown Lengthening Procedure
 
Following surgery, you’ll be given a prescription for a pain reliever and instructed to use ice to reduce any swelling. You’ll want to eat a diet of fairly soft foods and brush your teeth carefully in the area near the stitches, which will come out in 7 to 10 days.
Complete healing of the gums can take up to three months, however. At that point, you may opt to have veneers or another cosmetic dentistry procedure done, such as bonding or tooth whitening.

Is Crown Lengthening Right For You? 
 
If you’ve always been bothered by a smile that shows too much gum, crown lengthening may be worth the cost and the short-term discomfort. But, for people who have wide teeth, crown lengthening could backfire. “You could end up with teeth that look too big,” says Harms. (Some dental practices offer computer imaging, which will show you what the final result will look like.) On the other hand, if you are especially susceptible to tooth decay, crown lengthening can make it easier for you to take proper care of your teeth and perhaps decrease your risk of decay.

If you have excessive or uneven gums, crown lengthening can transform your smile and give you just the right look — and as an added bonus, it may just improve your overall dental health as well.

Article from: everydayhealth.com

Call Omni Dental at (512) 250-5012 to speak with one of our specialists about the latest ways of enhancing your smile and dental health. You can also go to our website: omnidentalgroup.com for more information.

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Finding the Right Dentist

                                                                                       *oralb.com

Finding the right dentist for you and your family involves a combination of factors. But it all comes down to the four C’s: Competence, convenience, compatibility and cost.

First and foremost, you need your dentist to be competent, which means that he or she maintains a high level of professionalism and knows the latest treatments and developments in the dental field. To ensure competent dental care, look for a dentist who is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry. Dentists who are members of the AGD must meet requirements for continuing education and are pledged to uphold the highest standards of ethics and patient care.

A dentist may have a degree that says DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) or DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery). These degrees apply to general dentists and represent the same training programs, but different dental schools use different terms.

Convenience is another important factor in finding a dentist. You’ll be much more likely to keep appointments if you choose a dentist whose office is convenient to your home or workplace. Also, look for a dentist whose office hours fit with your schedule. Do you need evening or weekend appointments? Do you have children who could see a dentist after school? These are the type of questions to consider.

Also, a convenient dentist is one who participates with your dental insurance plan. Most dentists in the United States participate with the large dental plans offered by most employers, but you won’t know until you ask. If you have insurance, your insurance company can provide a list of dentists who participate with your plan.  Take that list and ask your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers for recommendations. 

Next, consider compatibility. For example, some dentists are specialists in treating patients who are fearful of dental procedures, whether it’s filling a cavity or performing a root canal. So if you tend to be a nervous dental patient, ask your friends and colleagues to recommend a dentist that they like because he or she puts patients at ease. And ask a potential dentist whether he or she offers sedation dentistry, which involves treating you with a sedative via a pill, inhaled gas, or intravenous drug therapy prior to a dental procedure to help you relax.

If you have children, you may want to look for a dentist who has extra training in pediatric dentistry, although most general dentists manage a family practice and are expert at treat patients of all ages. Of course, some dentists are more comfortable and better at working with children than others. It may be worth asking other parents to help you find a child-friendly dentist, because positive experiences with dental care in early childhood can help encourage children to develop and follow consistent oral health care routines as they grow up.

Trust your instincts: Is the office clean and neat? Are your records in order when you arrive? Is there a plan in place for after-hours dental emergencies? Find a dentist who makes you feel comfortable about asking questions, and who explains treatments and procedures so you can understand them.
Finally, consider cost. Some people are very loyal to a dentist they like and will stick with him or her regardless of what their insurance does or doesn’t cover. Others give more weight to cost.

Many insurance plans cover 100 percent of the cost of at least one basic dental checkup and professional cleaning per year, and many plans cover two checkups per year. So it’s always worth the effort to find a quality dentist who participates in your insurance plan. If you need a dental procedure that your insurance plan doesn’t cover, contact the American Dental Association to find out about dental clinics operated by dental schools in your area. These school-based clinics are operated by the schools and supervised by licensed dentists. They often offer advanced procedures as well as basic dental care, often at a reduced cost.

If you have no dental insurance, you may be able to set aside money in a Flexible Spending Account through your employer to help cover a dental procedure, such as orthodontia, that you’re planning in advance.

Another option to consider is the Bureau of Primary Health Care, which is part of the Health Resources and Services Administration, funds community health centers that often provide dental care (as well as medical care) at reduced cost. For more details about finding a dentist through this program, contact HRSA by calling  1-888-ASK-HRSA or by visiting ask.hrsa.gov/pc.

Article from: Oral B

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Tooth Reshaping and Dental Contouring

Do you have a minor defect in your pearly whites that you’d like to erase? Seeing your dentist about tooth reshaping, also called dental contouring, could be the answer. 

“Tooth reshaping and dental contouring are cosmetic dentistry procedures that deal with subtle changes to the teeth,” says Kimberly Harms, DDS, consumer advisor and spokesperson for the American Dental Association. "But sometimes little changes can make a big difference.”
Imperfections or problems like slightly overlapping or irregularly shaped teeth, tiny chips in the teeth, or excessively pointy cuspids, can often be fixed with a little tooth reshaping and dental contouring. 

What Is Tooth Reshaping?

Tooth reshaping, also called dental contouring, is a cosmetic dentistry technique that removes small amounts of tooth enamel (the outer covering of the tooth) in order to change the shape, length, or surface of one or more teeth. “Even a few millimeters of reduction in the right places can really improve the appearance of teeth,” says Dr. Harms, who has a private dental practice in Farmington, Minn. The process is often combined with bonding, a cosmetic dentistry treatment that uses tooth-colored composite material to sculpt and shape the teeth. 

                                                                   *dawnmorehead.com

What's Involved in Tooth Reshaping and Dental Contouring?

Tooth reshaping is performed using dental instruments and abrasion techniques. Dental X-rays may be taken before the reshaping and contouring begin to ensure that your teeth are healthy. Your dentist will then mark your teeth with a pen to highlight areas that need sculpting. A sanding instrument is used to artfully eliminate or minimize imperfections on the surface of the teeth, and sandpaper-like strips may be used to contour the sides of the teeth. Finally, the teeth are smoothed and polished. 

Pros and Cons of Tooth Reshaping and Contouring

Although reshaping and contouring are conservative approaches to changing the appearance of your teeth, it’s still important to weigh the pros and cons of these procedures to see if they're right for you.

Advantages of tooth reshaping and dental contouring:

• Cost. This is an inexpensive way to improve the look of your teeth. The procedure generally costs $50 to $300 per tooth, depending on how much work is needed. If the defect occurred due to trauma or an accident, your insurance may pick up some of the cost, says Harms.
• Painless. Because only surface enamel is removed in tooth reshaping and dental contouring, there’s generally no discomfort during the procedure and no anesthesia is required.
• Improves health of teeth. Removing minor overlaps and other imperfections where tartar and plaque can build up lowers your risk of decay and gum disease.
• Possible substitute for braces. In some situations, tooth reshaping and dental contouring can substitute for braces since they make teeth look a little straighter and eliminate minor overlapping.

Disadvantages of tooth reshaping and dental contouring:

• Subtle change. Unlike some cosmetic dentistry treatments, tooth reshaping and dental contouring will not dramatically change the look of your smile or make your teeth look whiter. For a more noticeable smile makeover, you may want to go with veneers. Tooth reshaping and dental contouring only eliminate small imperfections, whereas veneers cover the entire front surface of the teeth, giving them a completely new look.
• Risk of tooth damage. Depending on how much enamel is removed during tooth reshaping and dental contouring, teeth can become sensitive afterwards. And if too much enamel is removed, you can be at risk for tooth breakage.

Are Tooth Reshaping and Dental Contouring Right for You?

Tooth reshaping and dental contouring are best for people who just need tiny adjustments or repairs to improve the look and feel of their teeth. “It’s ideal for someone who has a tooth that is a little crooked, too pointy, or one side sticks out more than the other,” says Harms. However, dental reshaping and contouring are not appropriate for people with decaying teeth, root canals, or unhealthy gums.

Sometimes tooth reshaping and dental contouring are the first steps toward more extensive cosmetic dentistry work. Procedures such as veneers, tooth whitening, and crown lengthening can be performed months or even years after tooth reshaping and contouring.

But if you want to avoid the time and expense of major cosmetic dentistry, tooth reshaping and dental contouring could be just the ticket to a better smile. 

Article from: everydayhealth.com

Call Omni Dental today at (512) 250-5012 to speak with one of our specialists about the latest ways of enhancing your smile and dental health. You can also go to our website: omnidentalgroup.com for more information.

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Nighttime Oral Care Q&A's

What is the biggest dental concern for adults?

Keeping your mouth healthy. Oral health can mean different things for different people. It's important to gain an understanding of your own susceptibility to dental disease. This will help you determine specific concerns and what you'll need to do to address them.

Why is nighttime oral hygiene important?
Nighttime oral hygiene is important because while we're sleeping, we're not swallowing, so the bacteria in our mouths increase throughout the night. The nighttime goal is to avoid giving those bacteria anything to feed off.

What are the appropriate steps for caring for your teeth at night?
Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. The order doesn't matter as long as the food particles and plaque are removed. My preference is for brushing, flossing, and then rinsing with mouthwash because I feel that brushing first makes it easier to floss.

Should you brush right after dinner or wait until you're about to go to bed?
This really depends on the person. We don't all have the same susceptibility to dental disease — this concept is new to the profession. We are now following medical models of disease to target treatment planning for patients and to determine how much additional care they need. People who are at a low risk for cavities and gum disease can certainly wait until bedtime to brush (though the timing isn't as crucial for them). Higher-risk patients would benefit from both an after-dinner and a bedtime brushing.

Why is flossing once a day so important for adults?
Flossing is important because it removes plaque buildup and any food particles that may be caught in between the teeth. It is necessary to remove the plaque while it is still soft. Once the plaque hardens and forms tartar, only a professional cleaning by a hygienist or dentist can remove it. Flossing once a day is the standard recommendation; people who are very susceptible to gum disease or tartar buildup may want to consider flossing twice a day or even after every meal.

Are there any precautions a person can take against teeth grinding while asleep?
Teeth grinding is considered to be an "above the nose" issue, meaning that there is something in the brain wiring that tells a person to grind his or her teeth. Dentists can't stop that from happening, but we can protect the teeth from the effects of grinding. If grinding is an issue for you, the best thing to do is to have a mouthguard made and wear it at night. You will then grind into the mouthguard instead of your teeth, which will minimize the damage to your teeth.

Grinding, however, is not as common as dental professionals recently believed. Many people clench their teeth, but true grinding occurs only among 5 to 10 percent of the population. New studies show that the type of wear on patients' teeth that was previously thought to be produced by nighttime grinding is often the result of chewing — problems with the way a patient chews can damage the teeth in a similar way.

Do you have any recommendations for helping people wake up with better breath?
This is a hard one. There are some new mouthwashes on the market that claim you will wake up with better breath, but I haven't tried them, and I don't think it is really possible. If you keep up your daytime and nighttime oral hygiene routine, your mouth should stay in good shape.

Call Omni Dental today at (512) 250-5012 to speak with one of our specialists about the latest ways of enhancing your smile and dental health. You can also go to our website: omnidentalgroup.com for more information.

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Teeth Whitening: Do It Yourself or Visit the Dentist?

Do you hesitate before flashing your big, bright smile — because it’s not as bright as you’d like? You’re not alone: According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 96 percent of respondents surveyed believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing. But if your discolored teeth are keeping you tight-lipped, you may want to consider teeth-whitening treatments.

According to Elisa Mello, DDS, a cosmetic dentist at NYC Smile Design in New York City, there are various options, both professional teeth whitening and drugstore solutions, to consider. But is one option better than the other?

The teeth-whitening option you choose will depend on your budget, the severity of your teeth discoloration, and how dramatic you want your results to be. Keep in mind — teeth that are yellow will probably lighten more than teeth with a brownish or grayish tinge.

Here’s how to choose the right tooth-whitening treatment for you.

Teeth-Whitening Option No. 1: Laser Bleaching at the Dentist's Office

"With laser bleaching, a barrier is put around the gum tissue and a strong bleach is put on your teeth," Dr. Mello says. "A laser light is used to activate the bleach and make it work."

Because your gums are protected and you are under the supervision of your dentist during this professional teeth-whitening treatment, the bleach is a stronger solution than one you’d use on your own at home.

Laser teeth whitening can be performed in one office visit, generally with three 20-minute bleaching treatments. Dr. Mello calls it instant gratification — "In an hour, you are going to walk out with your teeth a lot brighter." But this is the most expensive of the teeth-whitening options (see price estimates below).

Teeth-Whitening Option No. 2: Professional Bleaching Trays

Another professional teeth-whitening option your dentist may offer is bleaching trays. With this method, your dentist will use an impression of your teeth to design custom bleaching trays that perfectly fit your teeth. At home, you'll use a special bleaching solution in these trays daily for one to two weeks. According to Mello, bleaching trays can be used in addition to dentist office laser bleaching when stains are particularly bad or when you're looking for a dramatic result.

Teeth-Whitening Option No. 3: Over-The-Counter Teeth-Whitening Kits

Today, there are many types of over-the-counter teeth-whitening products available. "You can buy kits to make your own trays, gels, swabs, strips, paints — there are many different ways to actually get the bleach on your teeth," says Mello.

Of the various drugstore teeth-whitening choices, Mello recommends strips to her patients because you're less likely to swallow bleach or damage your gums with these products. While the bleaching solution used in over-the-counter products may be too mild to yield dramatic results or to whiten severely stained teeth, these products may help whiten mildly discolored teeth, especially in younger people since their enamel is stronger and less easily stained.

Making Your Decision

                                                                          *freysmiles.com

When weighing your options and deciding whether to undergo a teeth-whitening treatment, consider the following:

Cost. Professional teeth-whitening treatments generally cost $500 to $1,200, depending on the option you choose. At-home teeth whitening kits cost anywhere from $15 to $50.

Maintenance. Teeth-whitening treatments don't last forever, and most people need to get touch-ups. "In our office, we have that noticed results for in-office bleaching can last up to a year," says Mello. 

She says that you can expect the results of at-home professional whitening trays to last 6 to 12 months and over-the-counter whitening to last 3 to 6 months. She notes that people who smoke and regularly consume food and beverages that can discolor teeth, such as coffee, tea, and blueberries, can expect their results to fade more quickly. 

"If [patients] drink three espressos a day, in six months they will probably want to do a touch-up," says Mello. She says that some people can go one to two years between treatments if they limit their teeth-staining habits and regularly brush their teeth.

Risks to dental health. "The biggest risk [of teeth whitening] is sensitivity to hot and cold afterwards," says Mello. "It's usually short-term; however, it can be quite uncomfortable." The bleaches used in teeth whitening can also damage the gums and other soft tissues inside your mouth, causing mouth sores and discomfort, so you must take care not to let the bleaching material come in contact with these tissues.

Talk with your dentist about your teeth-whitening options. He or she can assess the condition of your teeth and your overall dental health to help you determine the best option for you.

Article from: everydayhealth.com

Call Omni Dental today at (512) 250-5012 to speak with one of our specialists about the latest ways of enhancing your smile and dental health. You can also go to our website: omnidentalgroup.com for more information.

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10 Biggest Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

Does eating frozen yogurt make you say “ouch” — or do you find yourself wincing when you brush or floss? You could have what’s known as tooth sensitivity. 

                                                       *olympiafamilydentistry.com

But you don’t have to put up with the pain. In fact, there are things you can do to lessen tooth sensitivity and improve your oral health says Leslie Seldin, DDS, a dentist in New York City and a spokesman for the American Dental Association. 

Here’s why you could be experiencing this mouth malady — and what steps you should take to ease the ouch:

• You brush with too much gusto. Sometimes tooth sensitivity comes from brushing with too much force or with too hard-bristled a toothbrush. Over time, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed to hot or cold or to acidic or sticky foods, tooth sensitivity and discomfort can be the result. The simplest solution is to switch to a toothbrush with softer bristles and to be gentler when brushing.
• You eat acidic foods. If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods such as tomato sauce, lemon, grapefruit, kiwi, and pickles can cause pain. Use common sense: Stick to foods that won’t cause you pain.
• You’re a tooth-grinder. Grinding your teeth can wear down the enamel, even though it’s the strongest substance in your body. By doing so, you expose the dentin, the middle layer of the tooth, which contains the hollow tubes that lead to your nerves. Talk to your dentist about finding a mouth guard that can stop you from grinding. The best guards are custom made to fit your bite, Dr. Seldin says.
• You choose tooth-whitening toothpaste. Many manufacturers add tooth-whitening chemicals to their toothpaste formulas, and some people are more sensitive to them than others. If your toothpaste could be to blame for tooth sensitivity, consider switching toothpastes.
• You’re a mouthwash junkie. Like whitening toothpaste, some over-the-counter mouthwashes and rinses contain alcohol and other chemicals that can make your teeth more sensitive — especially if your dentin’s exposed. Solution: Try neutral fluoride rinses — or simply skip the rinse and be more diligent about flossing and brushing.
• You’ve got gum disease. Receding gums, which are increasingly common with age (especially if you haven't kept up with your dental health), can cause tooth sensitivity. If gum disease or gingivitis is the problem, your dentist may suggest a procedure to seal your teeth along with treating the gum disease itself.
• You have excessive plaque. The purpose of flossing and brushing is to remove plaque that forms after you eat. An excessive build-up of plaque can cause your enamel to wear away. Again, your teeth can become more sensitive as they lose their enamel protection. The solution is to practice good daily dental care and visit your dentist for cleanings every six months — or more frequently if necessary.
• You’ve had a dental procedure. Teeth often become more sensitive after you’ve been in the dentist’s chair. It’s common to have some sensitivity after a root canal, an extraction, or the placement of a crown. If your sensitivity doesn’t disappear after a short time, another visit to your dentist is in order — it could be an infection.
• Your tooth is cracked. A chipped or cracked tooth can cause pain that goes beyond tooth sensitivity. Your dentist will need to evaluate your tooth and decide the right course of treatment, such as a cap or an extraction.
• There is decay around the edges of fillings. As you get older, fillings can weaken and fracture or leak around the edges. It’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown. See your dentist if you notice this type of tooth sensitivity between visits; in most cases, fillings can be easily replaced.

Tooth sensitivity is treatable. In fact, you might find that using toothpaste specifically made for sensitive teeth helps, Seldin says. However, these formulas don’t work for everyone. “I have a lot of patients with sensitivity that could not be resolved by toothpaste,” he says. 

If your sensitivity is extreme and persists no matter what you do, see your dentist for an evaluation. Among other possible treatments, he or she may be able to apply a fluoride gel to areas of the teeth where you have the most sensitivity, to strengthen your tooth enamel and reduce the sensations you feel. And, of course, only an office visit can determine the most likely cause of your tooth sensitivity and the best solution for your particular situation. 

Article from: everydayhealth.com

Call Omni Dental today at (512) 250-5012 to speak with one of our specialists about the latest ways of enhancing your smile and dental health. You can also go to our website: omnidentalgroup.com for more information.

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