Archives for July 2019

Porcelain Veneers or Composite for Discolored Front Teeth?

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A cosmetic dentist can use porcelain veneers or composite veneers to correct discoloration on front teeth. But which should you ask for? And what results can you expect?

Porcelain veneers

  • Material – Porcelain is more durable than tooth enamel, and it’s stain resistant. It can be manipulated to mimic natural teeth.
  • Preparation – Skilled cosmetic dentists conservatively prepare each tooth to preserve as much tooth enamel as possible while ensuring the veneers look natural on the front and sides of your teeth and at the gumline.
  • Appearance – Advanced cosmetic dentists work with master ceramists to craft veneers that perfectly match the color and characteristics of the surrounding teeth.
  • Longevity – If you take excellent care of them, your porcelain veneers might last up to 20 years.

Composite

  • Material – Glass or quartz, along with plastic resin, make dental composite. Composite is available in a variety of shades and translucencies, and cosmetic dentists blend them to provide natural-looking results.
  • Preparation – It’s more conservative than the preparation for porcelain veneers. Your cosmetic dentist will etch your discolored teeth to prepare them for composite and to ensure the bonding won’t make your teeth look too thick.
  • Appearance – A dentist who is a true artist can blend composite to match the color and translucency of your natural teeth. It will be polished to match the gloss of your teeth, too.
  • Longevity – In three to five years, the surface of bonding wears. Your dentist will need to resurface it.

Which Should You Choose?

Whenever possible, an artistic cosmetic dentist will preserve as much of your healthy tooth structure as possible. Most often, he or she will select composite veneers for a conservative, highly aesthetic result.

When multiple teeth are discolored

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Porcelain veneers might be recommended to correct multiple teeth

If multiple teeth are discolored—or if your entire smile zone needs cosmetic work—porcelain veneers might be recommended. The condition and position of your teeth can also influence which cosmetic treatment your dentist will recommend.

Some dentists might suggest cosmetic work on the teeth adjacent to the discolored ones. But that often indicates they lack the artistry needed to match the color. It’s best to get a second opinion.

Schedule a consultation with an accredited cosmetic dentist

Look for an accredited cosmetic dentist in your area and schedule a consultation. The dentist will listen to your smile goals, examine your teeth, and explain your options. You’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether porcelain or composite veneers are right for you.

This post is sponsored by Steven Brooksher, DDS, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA.

Tooth Cracked Below the Gumline? How to Know If You Need a Second Opinion

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Trauma or injury to a tooth can lead to an extraction—or not. But don’t let anxiety about the appointment overwhelm you. Your dentist likely offers sedation to help you have a relaxing, painless experience. If not, find a dentist who offers it.

A recommendation to extract—or save—your tooth, can depend on the extent of the damage and a dentist’s skill and experience. How do you know whether to agree to extraction or get a second opinion?

Save or Extract?

Save

If the crack in a tooth extends into the pulp, your dentist can save it with root canal treatment.

Extract

If a vertical crack extends below the gumline, your dentist will likely need to extract it.

 

Why Is Extraction Needed?

  • A deep vertical crack below the gumline is likely to spread in the space between the tooth roots.
  • Eventually, the tooth will split.
  • Performing a root canal is often useless.

Consult with a specialist (endodontist) if your dentist is recommending root canal treatment.

Is Doing Nothing an Option If It Doesn’t Hurt?

Photo of woman sitting back in a dental chair with her eyes closed; for information on Baton Rouge sedation dentistry during tooth extraction.

Sedation dentistry helps you relax during procedures

You might think that if you don’t feel pain—or if you’re managing the pain with ibuprofen—nothing needs to be done to the tooth. Why do you need to take action?

  • Extensive damage to the tooth allows bacteria inside.
  • Bacteria spreads and creates an infection that, if left untreated, will affect the gum tissue and jawbone.
  • Eventually, the infection will spread to other parts of your body with the potential of becoming life-threatening.
  • Before you receive any treatment, you can receive sedation dentistry to help you relax.

In fact, your dentist will likely offer sedation. Your dentist or specialist will numb the area around your tooth to prevent you from feeling the injection. The extraction will be painless.

What About Your Smile?

Depending on the location of the missing tooth, it will detract from your smile. You can receive a dental implant to replace the missing tooth. It’s the most effective and natural-looking way to replace a missing tooth.

Before your dentist places an implant in your jawbone, you can receive nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation for a relaxing, pain-free experience. You’ll wear a temporary dental crown during a three-to-four-month healing period. Afterward, your dentist will attach a permanent crown to the implant. Your crown will match your surrounding teeth.

Regardless of what dental treatment you need, sedation will help you receive it and protect your oral health. If your tooth has cracked or split, call your dentist right away.

Steven Brooksher, DDS of Dentistry by Brooksher in Baton Rouge, LA sponsors this post.

How Long Does It Take to See Results with Invisalign?

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Invisalign® starts an exciting journey to straight teeth. Aligned teeth make a memorable first impression and help you smile with confidence. No doubt, you’re anxious to see results. How long will it take before you notice them?

When Will You See Changes?

Although it depends on the position of your teeth and the complexity of your case, most patients in Invisalign or ClearCorrect® (Dr. Brooksher’s preferred invisible aligners) treatment notice changes in about three months. Each patient’s teeth are moved strategically and with precision, so don’t compare your results with others. Halfway through the treatment, the results are clearly noticeable.  And you’ll feel your bite changing as your back teeth are moved to the correct position.

Digital Transformation

Three verticle photos of a woman progressivly putting Invisalign trays on her teeth.

For progressive results, wear Invisalign 20-22 hours

Your dentist will show you an animated 3-D preview of your teeth as they are moved. The preview includes a timeline to predict when you will see specific changes.

Your Compliance

Although Invisalign and other types of invisible aligners can align your teeth up to 50 percent faster than traditional braces, they don’t work unless you’re wearing them. You need to wear the aligners 20-22 hours each day to keep the progress moving forward. If you frequently remove your aligners to snack or if you forget to wear them, your treatment time will be prolonged.

Maintaining the Results

Clear aligners work—regardless of the length of your treatment plan. Closely follow your dentist’s instructions throughout orthodontic treatment to get maximum results as quickly as possible for your case.

At the end of your treatment, your dentist will tell you how long and how often you need to wear a retainer. Without a retainer, your teeth will gradually shift back into their original position. If your teeth shift and you wait too long to see your dentist, you will need to wear a series of trays again to realign your teeth.

Schedule a Consultation

You don’t have to commit right away. Providers of Invisalign or other clear braces offer consultations. During the consultation, you’ll receive more information on the results you can expect and an estimate of the length of your treatment plan. After your dentist takes 3-D images of your teeth, you’ll see a digital version of how and when your tooth movement will progress.

This post is sponsored by Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge, LA. Dr. Brooksher previously used Invisalign, but he prefers ClearCorrect. Read our Invisalign page to see why he made the switch.