3 Cosmetic Dentistry Techniques to Brighten Your Smile

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Dissatisfaction with your smile can lead to various problems, including low self-confidence and reluctance to smile at people in your day-to-day life. It’s important to feel good about the way your teeth look.

Fortunately, dental science has developed numerous innovative ways to address cosmetic dental problems, like stains on the enamel and misshapen teeth. As yourdentist in Grand Island, NE, we offer cosmetic dentistry techniques that will brighten your smile.

1. Tooth Whitening

While there are many at-home methods for whitening teeth, professionalteeth whitening from the dentist in Grand Island, NE, is a comparatively effective, efficient way to turn your teeth several shades whiter. At-home methods for tooth whitening can be problematic because they can take a long time to work, and sometimes, people whitening their own teeth will over-whiten the enamel.

Your dentist at Gentle Dental Care will use professional equipment to turn your teeth whiter without over-whitening safely. Do you have a big event coming up? Are you feeling self-conscious about the stains on your teeth? Talk to us about teeth whitening.

2. Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are similar to dental bonding, but veneers are a permanent solution. Veneers are made of porcelain and applied to the front of the teeth.

To make room for veneers, your dentist will shave down the tooth enamel on the tooth where the veneer is being applied. Once this has been done, your dental veneer will be a permanent part of your mouth. If something ever happens to your veneer, like it becomes cracked or broken, your dentist will need to replace it.

3. Tooth Contouring

Tooth contouring is a procedure that your dentist will use to change the shape of your teeth. Contouring can be combined with dental bonding to change the volume, length, width, size, and shape of your teeth. If you’re unhappy with this aspect of how your teeth look, talk to your dentist about dental contouring and how it can help you.

Have questions about cosmetic dentistry? Think one of our cosmetic dentistry procedures is right for you? Call Gentle Dental Care today to make an appointment.

Can Adults Straighten Their Teeth? What to Know

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If you’re an adult with misaligned teeth, very likely you’ve resigned yourself to the idea that your teeth will always look this way. But what if you could change your teeth by making them straighter?

You can! Adults have many tools at their disposal to help straighten their teeth and help them achieve their goals for their smile. As your dentist in Grand Island, NE, we can help! Here’s what you need to know about straightening your smile as an adult.

Want straight teeth, but not the braces? Invisalign can help.

There are multiple options for adults who want straight teeth, but for adults who want straight teeth without the appearance of braces, Invisalign is the go-to tool.

Invisalign is made of clear plastic resin that fits over the teeth like a shield. Invisalign clear aligners straighten the teeth by pushing them gently into place. Once the teeth have been pushed into place with one set of aligners, the dentist swaps the aligners for the next set in the progression, until the teeth have been fully aligned.

Clear aligners work similarly to braces, by aligning the teeth in stages, but there are many advantages that clear aligners have over braces. Some examples:

  • Can be removed for eating. There’s no need to worry about food damaging your clear aligners, because you can take them out for meals.
  • Easy to maintain. Invisalign can be removed so the teeth and aligners can be cleaned before the aligners are put back in.
  • Subtle. Unlike braces, which are easy to see, Invisalign clear aligners are very difficult to see.
  • Comfort. Braces can cause small cuts in the mouth, but clear aligners will not.

How can I get started straightening my teeth?

Even as an adult, you can enjoy straight teeth. If you believe that Invisalign is right for you, the first step is to see your dentist to discuss straightening your teeth. Your dentist will be able to tell you if you are a good candidate for Invisalign.

Are you interested in Invisalign in Grand Island, NE? Get started today. Call Gentle Dental Care to find out what you could do to improve your smile.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?

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If you have missing teeth in your smile, partial dentures or dental implants may not be your only option. Dental bridges in Grand Island, NE are an effective way to restore a smile that has missing natural teeth. These prosthetic fixtures connect to existing teeth to close gaps in your smile where you may be missing one or more teeth. Find out the benefits of dental bridges below.

Dental Bridges Restore Chewing Function

Installing a dental bridge restores more than just a gap in your smile; your chewing function can also be mostly restored. Normally, when a tooth is extracted or missing, the surrounding teeth pick up the slack, which can cause undue stress and wear. A dental bridge allows you to continue chewing with the force of your bite evenly distributed across the bridge and the anchoring teeth.

Dental Bridges Offer a Long-Term Restoration Solution

A well-designed dental bridge can easily last for five to seven years, but many patients see much longer years of use when they maintain a good oral hygiene routine. In fact, it is not uncommon for a bridge to last 15 years or more. Therefore, while a dental bridge may not last quite as long as an implant, the option is still a long-term solution for most patients.

Dental Bridges Are More Stable Than a Partial Denture

Partial dentures are often a go-to solution for missing teeth because they are cost-effective. However, partial dentures may not be as stable as a dental bridge. A partial simply seats in the mouth around your natural teeth. And, the fixture can be removed for cleaning. Therefore, there is a possibility that the partial will shift and move while you are chewing or speaking. If you want a more stable option for just a few gaps in your smile, a bridge tends to be a better choice.

Talk to a Grand Island Dentist About Bridges

For the right patient, obtaining a dental bridge from a Grand Island dentist can be a life-changing treatment. If you feel that a dental bridge could be the right option for you, we are happy to do a consultation at Gentle Dental care. Reach out today to request an appointment.

Sources

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10921-dental-bridges