Teeth Whitening Techniques That Can Change Your Life

aesthetic-dentoWhat do you notice when you grin in the mirror? Do you like the reflection that you see or do you notice a yellow and dingy color on your teeth that make you seem older than you really are? It could be time to see your dentist and learn about teeth whitening techniques that can change your life.

White teeth can make you look healthier and younger than you actually are, but discolored teeth can do the exact opposite. They can make you look aged and not as good as you should. Teeth stains can occur because of a variety of reasons like drinking water that has a lot of fluoride in it or drinking tea, coffee, or red wine. Anyone can suffer from the effects of having a yellowish smile. Even if you brush your teeth regularly and floss often, your teeth can turn yellow.

There are many new teeth whitening techniques out there that can help you turn yellow teeth into bright white ones that will attract attention. Imagine having teeth as white as when you were a little child.

How can teeth whitening work for you?

Think about the way that you whiten laundry by adding a little bleach to make your clothing whiter. Teeth whitening works the same way by using non-invasive bleach to get rid of stains and it brightens the color of your teeth enamel to a beautiful, sparkling white color.

You can use special toothpastes that have whitening agents in them. When you use these types of toothpastes for a while, they can help your teeth to stay looking bright. If toothpaste does not give you the results that you want, try over-the-counter kits that will whiten your teeth or whitening strips. If you have serious discoloring issues, you may want to visit your dentist. There are professional procedures available that can really whiten your teeth.

Do You Think Teeth Whitening Is For You?

The American Dental Association suggests that you get a dental examination with our dentist to see if teeth whitening is for you. Let our dentist evaluate your teeth and overall dental health by looking at hard and soft tissues, checking out the condition of restorations, and in some cases reading x-rays to determine irregularities.

Not everyone will be suited to teeth whiteners. Many people that have grayish teeth may not get good results from teeth whitening. People that have yellow teeth can usually see amazing benefits from using bleach. If you cannot find the right teeth-whitening techniques for your needs, you may want to look at porcelain veneers or even bonding.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Chairside bleaching is another name for professional teeth whitening. It usually takes one visit to the dentist to get it. ZOOM and DASH are popular product choices for this type of dental procedure. The same company manufactures both products but DASH does not need a UV light to work. This ends up leading to less UV light exposure and a decrease in sensitivity after this procedure. Many patients are deciding to use DASH.

When you visit your dentist, a gel may be put on your gums or shield made from rubber to protect your soft tissues from any type of bleach chemical burn. The bleaching agent can be put on the teeth and a light will be used if you are using ZOOM. It usually takes about three sessions taking up to fifteen minutes each to get the best results. This will depend on the sensitivity of the patient.

In some cases, teeth-whitening procedures start in the office and are finished at home. During your starter visit to the dentist office, teeth impressions can be made. You can have custom trays that are made for the bleaching process. On your second visit, the trays will be fitted for use. You may also get an oxidizing agent to use for about thirty minutes twice a day from home. You can use this technique for two weeks. If a higher concentrate of this agent is used, the amount of time the tray should be left on will be less and the process should only be done a couple more times.

Joyful, Whiter Smile

You want to brush your teeth twice daily and floss once to see best results. Visit your dentist often to keep your smile looking joyful. You can have your ideal smile that is white and keeps you looking younger.

All About Dental Veneers

dental-veneersThose who suffer from uneven, chipped, or stained teeth find that porcelain veneers are the ideal solution. Usually, an imperfect smile causes one to feel self-conscious, thus leading to low confidence and low self-esteem. In situations like these, the individual may end up covering their mouth when they smile, or perhaps won’t even smile at all. Porcelain veneers are a great way to achieve a beautiful smile and regain one’s confidence.

Porcelain material is very durable and it holds comparable properties to natural tooth enamel. For example, porcelain and enamel are alike in color, texture, and translucence. Though, porcelain unlike natural teeth does not decay or stain. Any stains or damage to the teeth can be fixed by placing a thin layer of porcelain. This certainly creates a great smile.

How to Apply Porcelain Veneers

Prior to the application of porcelain veneers, the teeth surface must first be roughened so that the veneers will attach better to the teeth. Afterward, a teeth mold is made to ensure that the veneers will fit perfectly. Once the porcelain veneers are constructed, the patient goes back to the dentist to ensure that the veneers are the proper shade and that they are a perfect fit. This is the time when necessary shaping and trimming are done. The teeth of the patient are cleaned thoroughly then the porcelain veneers are attached to the teeth permanently.

Those who have stained teeth may want to think about teeth whitening treatment before proceeding with a porcelain veneer procedure. There is a chance that dark stains and discolorations may appear through the porcelain, and as soon as the veneers are applied, it will be useless to go through a whitening treatment.

To complete the entire porcelain veneer procedure, two dental visits are necessary. For a pain-free experience, a local anesthetic is usually used.

What to Expect After Application of Your Dental Veneers

Porcelain veneers are durable and permanent so they should last when they are cared for properly. These veneers should feel natural enabling you to do the same functions that you are used to with your natural teeth. Extra care is necessary by avoiding ice cubes and hard candies as veneers can be chipped when chewing on or biting into hard substances. In addition, stay clear from grinding or clenching your teeth because this can cause deterioration.

Comprehensive Dental Examinations

comprehensive-dental-examinationsPatients want a dentist who is as thorough as possible in providing dental care. Dr. Stephen Muecke, along with his associates and hygienist pride themselves in following the ADA guidelines in caring for both new and existing patients. Each individual is provided with the most comprehensive dental exams available. The exam is performed using a stringent examination procedure combined with radiography.

ADA recommendations include a comprehensive dental exams for patients new to the practice. In addition, established patients should have the comprehensive exam every three years. According to the ADA the comprehensive oral exam included an extensive evaluation and recording of all intraoral, extraoral and soft tissues.

Between the comprehensive exams, established patients should have periodic oral exams that help to determine changes in health or dental status since the last exam. The comprehensive exam forms the foundation for the routine or periodic oral exam and includes much more than a simple cleaning.

Dental Exams from an Atlanta-based Dentist

Oral health provides several clues to overall health. Medical conditions are often discovered in a comprehensive dental exam before appearing elsewhere in the patient’s body. Examples include:

  • Diabetes, especially undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes
  • Leukemia or other systemic disorders
  • Blood pressure problems (Patients with high blood pressure are referred to their physician)
  • Cardiovascular problems (Gum and bone disease increase the risk of heart attack)
  • Oral Cancer (Each patient receives an oral cancer exam)
  • Immune system abnormalities
  • Sinus problems by ruling out dental problems as the source of pain.

Using the comprehensive the dental team and patient devise a strategy for comfort and long-term health.

Dental X-Rays

X-rays, properly known as Dental Radiographs can serve many purposes, including the location of hidden dental structures, benign or malignant masses, areas of bone loss and cavities.

The radiographic image is formed using a controlled amount of x-ray radiation to penetrate the mouth at different levels which all depends on the anatomical densities before striking the film or a sensor. Less radiation is able to penetrate to the film through the teeth giving them a lighter appearance. Dental cavities, infections and other changes in bone density or the periodontal ligament will appear darker as they allow x-ray greater penetration. Fillings, crowns and other dental restorations may have a light or dark appearance, depending on the density of the material used to create the restoration.

According to the ADA website, the dosage of X-ray radiation the patient receives is typically small (0.150 mSv is all that is required for a full mouth series), and no more than a patient would receive in a few days exposure to background radiation exposure or while making a cross-country flight in an airplane but it is concentrated and aimed at a smaller area of the body. Use of a lead apron, lead shield or a lead thyroid collar can further reduce any incidental exposure to the body. Using digital technology instead of film can reduce the exposure significantly. Atlanta-Smiles uses digital technology to improve safety for the family or patients as well as the staff.

Once the image is formed by exposure to x-rays, it must be developed. Traditionally film was developed using chemicals in a darkroom to prevent destroying the image with normal light. The process was time-consuming and a simple mistake in the process, an incorrect exposure or other mistake could make retakes necessary. This exposed the patient to additional radiation from the x-rays. Digital x-rays use an electronic sensor to replace traditional film address many of these issues and are seeing widespread use in dentistry with the development of technology. They reduce the radiation needed and reduce the time for processing, often allowing an instantaneous view on the computer. Historically, digital sensors were costly and had poor resolution. Newer sensors are helping to overcome problems of the past while improving the ability to perform dental exams.

Dental Restorations in North Georgia, Big Canoe, Marble Hill

A smile is one of the first things that people will notice about you, so what are people seeing when they first meet you? If you do not have the prettiest teeth right now, you may not feel comfortable smiling at other people. There are so many modern dental restorations available right now that your dentist can help you get the smile of your dreams.

Dental restorations are improving each year. New technology is opening up many new options for repairing and even replacing teeth.
Learning about Dental Restorations

Dental restorations are products that repair or restore dental function and integrity. These restorations can help to improve broken teeth. They can replace teeth that are missing or fill in gaps. Dental restorations may be used to help with a bite issue or help make chewing function better. Many old-fashioned dental treatments can be switched out with newer and better dental restorations that are more attractive.

Thanks to modern technology, you can enjoy having a healthy mouth again. Your smile can look better than it ever has.

Cosmetic Dentistry for North Georgia, Big Canoe, Marble Hill, Ball Ground, Jasper, Dawsonville, Canton, Ellijay.

If you have a dental need, you can find a dental restoration to fix it. Dental fillings can repair teeth that are decayed. Crowns and caps can help replace past filling and help with sensitive teeth that are chipped. Dental restorations can help the appearance of discolored teeth or teeth that are not formed correctly.

When it comes to missing teeth, you can choose from dental implants, fixed bridges, or denture. These products will help you to chew correctly.

Root canal therapy is a great choice for a damaged tooth. It can help fix dental pulp disorders that affect nerves, blood vessels, and tissue that is inside of the tooth. Root canal therapy can save a tooth that is abscessed or infected. It can help you save your tooth instead of having to have it removed.

Services

Our services include cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, veneers, teeth whitening and dental bridges.

Consultations and Diagnostics

Your consultation appointment is the foundation for creating your individual plan for oral health. Our philosophy is to provide optimal services for patients in the manner in which they choose.

Bridges

We are now able to construct beautiful porcelain over metal as well as full porcelain and resin-based bridges to produce the best results for each particular situation.

Cleanings/Check Ups

Whether a six month checkup or full periodontal therapy, our hygienists will always strive to provide the very best treatment while maintaining your absolute comfort.

Invisalign Teen

With Invisalign Teen®, you can straighten your teeth without metal wires and brackets getting in the way. You’re free to enjoy the things that make these the best times of your life.