Our patient Melissa had struggled with her smile for years. She had gone back and forth about pursuing cosmetic treatments for a long time, but she was afraid of making the commitment. Melissa was worried she might not like her final smile, she was afraid that her teeth wouldn’t look “natural” or like “her teeth.”

Our Boca Raton veneers dentists explained to Melissa that porcelain veneers could be customized to fit her smile and her aesthetic. Dental veneers are an exceptional cosmetic option because your dentist can truly craft veneers that fit your personality and style.

The first thing to know is that dental veneers can be used to solve a variety of cosmetic issues. You can use porcelain veneers to straighten the appearance of crooked teeth, correct chipped or damaged enamel, lengthen teeth, or reshape disproportionate smile. If you struggle with one or multiple of these issues, veneers may be the solution for you.

Because veneers are made of porcelain, they can be shaped to fit your specific needs. If you’d like to lengthen or widen the appearance of a tooth, your dentist can shave your veneer to complement the shape of your smile.

In order to ensure a personalized result, your dentist can also shade and color your veneer. Veneers are naturally radiant and multi-dimensional, because they are made of layers of porcelain, which reflect and absorb light like natural enamel. However, the specific shade of your veneer can be customized to blend seamlessly with your other natural teeth. You won’t have to worry about your veneer standing out because it looks unnaturally bright or “techno-color.”

Melissa chose to have three veneers placed, and she’s thrilled with the result. She says her only regret is that it took her so long to decide to pursue treatment! If you’ve been thinking about getting dental veneers, give our Boca Raton veneers dental office a call for more information.

These days it’s more important than ever for adult and teenage patients to have straight, attractive smile they’re proud to show. Very few people are lucky enough to be born with flawless smiles—most of us have to work to achieve the smiles of our dreams! Luckily, Invisalign treatment is an innovative teeth-straightening system that can help you get the smile you want. Many teenage patients love Invisalign because they are able to perfect their smiles without the hassle and discomfort of traditional metal braces.

So how does Invisalign work?

Invisalign is a cosmetic system that uses a series of plastic aligners to gradually move teeth into their ideal positions. Every few weeks our Boca Raton Invisalign dentists will simply give you a new aligner, which moves your teeth along. Adult and teenage patients choose Invisalign again and again because it offers a number of advantages over conventional braces.

Our patients report that, compared to metal braces, Invisalign aligners are:

1.     Easy to keep clean—Because Invisalign aligners are removable, you will take them out to clean your mouth and teeth. It’s easier to brush, floss, and remove plaque without metal brackets and sires impeding your daily dental hygiene routine.

2.     More comfortable—These plastic aligners don’t scratch or irritate oral tissues and the inside of your cheeks.

3.     Much more attractive—One of the worst parts of wearing traditional braces is that they turn your smile into a metallic mess! Invisalign aligners, however, are practically invisible when worn. Teenagers love the fact that they can transform their smiles without drawing attention to their orthodontic work.

Don’t put off getting the smile you love because you’re worried about traditional braces. With Invisalign you really can get a straight smile without the discomfort and metallic appearance of conventional braces. Call our Boca Raton Invisalign office to get more information or to schedule an appointment!

No matter how beautiful and white your smile is, you’re not going to want to smile and join in conversations if your breath doesn’t smell fresh. Don’t let chronic bad breath hold you back; this condition is treatable with diligent, intelligent care. Although it may seem that the best way to freshen breath is by using breath mints and gum, the truth is that conquering bad breath has a lot to do with your regular dental routine.

So what do our Boca Raton general dentists recommend?

Hopefully you’re already brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. Marinating this routine is vital to your dental health. Brushing and flossing clear away bacteria from the surface of your teeth and between your teeth. Plaque and tartar are what cause bad breath—these bacteria laden substances feed on sugars and starches in your mouth. As they feed and grow, the bacteria produce bad odors and tastes.

To keep plaque and tartar to a minimum you should keep brushing and flossing at least twice day. You can additionally us an antimicrobial rinse to kill bacteria in hard to reach places. These at-home measures will help you maintain your teeth day to day. Every six months, you should see a professional dentist for an in-office cleaning. These cleanings are more thorough and effective than at-home brushing and flossing. Many patients notice that their breath improves immediately after a professional cleaning.

Remember that what you eat also affects your breath. As we mentioned, sugars and starches fortify odor-causing bacteria. So try to minimize processed sugars and carbohydrates in your food. When you do eat unhealthy substances, take the time to rinse or brush directly after.

If you’ve tried all of these suggestions and you’re still struggling with bad breath, you may be suffering from periodontal disease, which also causes malodorous breath. Our Boca Raton general dentists can help you combat periodontal problems and regain fresh-smelling breath. Give us a call at (561) 705-0249.

Many of our patients who have suffered from tooth loss—one tooth or multiple teeth—feel like they simply aren’t themselves with an incomplete smile. Finding a tooth replacement solution that works for you is vital to both your self-esteem and dental health. Many patients want to find a tooth replacement solution that will last for years and years—they don’t want to have to worry about getting a new restoration down the line. For many of these patients dental implants provide the perfect solution.

Dental implants are actually small titanium rods that are surgically implanted into the jawbone and then capped with a natural-looking restoration. Thus they are not removable, and they look and feel like natural teeth. In order to keep dental implants healthy patients need to brush and floss at least twice a day and undergo regular professional dental cleanings.

Additionally, following these simple rules can help you maintain the strength and beauty if you implants:

Treat dental grinding and clenching: if you habitually grind or clench or teeth, even in your sleep, you may put unnecessary strain on your dental implants and weaken them over time. If you’re clenching your teeth in your sleep you may experience jaw or tooth pain upon waking—so be sure to address this problem with your dentist if you notice these symptoms.

Don’t chew abrasive foods: patients with dental implants can eat and drink regularly—this is one of the major advantages of dental implants. However, it’s still important to avoid chewing hard candies and ice, as both of these can create micro cracks in your restorations.

Dental implants can last for years with proper care—they are very durable and have the advantage of looking and feeling like natural teeth. Before you undergo dental implant treatment, our Boca Raton dental implant dentists can help you better understand how to extend the life of your dental implant. Give our Boca Raton dental implant dentists a call if you’d like more information—630-994-5174.

Patients today have more options than ever when it comes to whitening teeth and transforming the overall appearance of the smile. Cosmetic teeth whitening treatments are so popular because they are easy, effective, and fast. Our Boca Raton cosmetic dentists are able to whiten enamel several shades, for instance, in just one or two appointments.

Patients often want to know the differences between over the counter whitening treatments and professional bleaching formulations. Both home and professional whitening treatments are actually bleaching products—they utilize hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to bleach dental enamel and stains. Here I provide a brief overview of some of the pros and cons of professional and at-home whitening products, respectively.

Effectiveness

Professional whitening treatments are more effective than at-home products because they utilize a higher concentration of whitening agents. Because they are applied by a professional, these more potent concentrations deliver more predictable and reliable results.

Time

Patients generally see results from professional whitening treatments in only one or two appointments. Self-administered whitening treatments may not work for weeks or months, and they still wont deliver the same level of whitening that professional treatments do. You can use over the counter products, however, at your own pace when it is convenient for you, while professional treatments require a dental appointment.

Cost

Professional whitening treatments are more expensive than at-home treatments, though they are increasingly less expensive. The cost is commensurate with the effectiveness and fast acting results.

Long-Term Results

A dental professional can help you maintain your white smile for a long period of time. After your initial treatment your dentist can provide you with home maintenance kits to keep your smile white at home.

Professional whitening treatments will give you faster, more effective, and more reliable results than over the counter formulations. While at-home products generally cost a little less than professional formulations, and they can be used when it’s convenient for you.  Regardless of how you choose to whiten your enamel, check with a dental professional to make sure that whitening your teeth is appropriate for your oral health. Give our Boca Raton cosmetic dentists a call if you have any questions or you’d like to schedule an appointment— (561)705-0249.

Taking care of your smile involves partnering with a dental health professional to prevent cavities and dental decay. Your dentist also counts on you to take care of your smile every day at home. Brushing at least twice a day will help you prevent plaque build-up and bacterial infections. However, many patients don’t know how to brush the right way—they simply aren’t getting the most out of their daily oral hygiene routine.

Making the most of your daily brushing routine begins with picking the proper tools.

• Make sure that your toothbrush is small enough that it can reach comfortably to the back corners of your mouth.
• Don’t use firm, abrasive bristles—these can wear enamel down prematurely and irritate gum tissue.

Then pay attention to your brushing technique. Taking the time to assess your brushing habits may improve your dental health.

• Brush at least twice a day.
• Brush in small circular motions, making to sure to clean the top, front, and back of each tooth.
• Brush for at least two minutes.
• Remember to thoroughly brush your tongue and surrounding tissues to prevent bacteria buildup as well as bad breath.

The truth is that many adults begin to brush without thinking about their technique, or how they should be cleaning their teeth every day. Brushing becomes so routine that we stop doing it as effectively as we could. Take the time to implement these changes into your brushing routine to maximize you oral health and decrease your likelihood for dental decay.  Combining effective at-home care with regular professional cleanings is the best way to maintain a healthy smile. Give our Boca Raton dentists a call if you have any questions about at-home dental hygiene, professional dental care, or if you’d like to schedule an appointment—(561) 705-0249.

The goal of our Boca Raton general dentist office is to preserve the natural structure and health of each layer of the tooth. Teeth are comprised of different substances and layers that fulfill different tasks. When these components begin to degrade, they can destroy the subsequent layers eventually leading to tooth loss and bone loss.

Oral bacteria can cause erosion of dental material, leading to infection and painful teeth and gums. The outside layer of dental material is called dental enamel. This is the hard, white, outer layer that we often associate with teeth. If bacterium is allowed to sit on dental enamel it can result in holes in the dental enamel, allowing the infection to infiltrate the next layer of dental material called dentin.

Dentin sits below the enamel—it is more porous than dental enamel. Dentin provides nerve pathways into the core of the tooth, and it also protects dental pulp from invading pathogens. Bacteria—once it has infected the dentin—can rapidly move through the dental pulp.

Dental pulp is the inner core of the tooth. The inside of the tooth is full of nerves and blood vessels, which feed the tooth’s growth and development.  Infected pulp is very painful, and compromises the tooth’s integrity. Bacterial infections of the core of the tooth can further infect the jawbone—leading to tooth and bone loss. Once the inner nerves and blood vessels are infected it is likely that the patient will require root canal therapy in order to preserve some of the tooth.

The goal, therefore, is to prevent initial cavities and decay of the dental enamel. Additionally, it is important to maintain regular professional dental appointments so that infections of the enamel and dentin can be treated early, before they lead to serious complications. If you’d like more information about preventative dental care or you’d like to schedule an appointment, give our Boca Raton general dentists a call at (561) 705-0249.

Having an attractive smile, that truly enhances your face, is about more than just having white dental enamel. A stellar smile is balanced and proportionate, and works with rather than detracting from the overall symmetry of the face. In years past, if a patient had teeth that were too short, too long, or misshapen it would be difficult to actually adjust the structure of the smile. Now, however our Boca Raton veneers dentists are able to literally reshape the smile with porcelain veneers.

Porcelain veneers are thin layers of porcelain that your dentist affixes directly to existing teeth. These veneers can be custom shaped and shaded to match a patient’s existing teeth. Porcelain is ideal for dental restorations because it is multi-dimensional, so veneers reflect and absorb light similarly to dental enamel.

Dental veneers go over existing teeth. Consequently they can cover a variety of imperfections completely, including teeth that are not ideally shaped. This means that veneers can be used for naturally misaligned teeth as well as dental enamel that may have been damaged—either shortened or asymmetrical—as the result of  a dental trauma. Veneers completely wrap around teeth, so they give the appearance of resurfaced, white, shiny enamel.

Many patients choose to utilize dental veneers because they’d like to have an expedient option for making their teeth appear in proportion and balanced. Rather than undergoing years of orthodontic treatment and other cosmetic treatments, dental veneers can completely transform the look of patient’s smile in just a few appointments.

If you are unhappy with the current balance or symmetry of your smile, you have options with innovative dental veneers. This versatile cosmetic option has helped patients realize their dream smiles. To get started give our Boca Raton veneers dentists a call at (561) 705-0249 or schedule an appointment here.

I met with a new patient of mine, Seth, recently. Seth had been avoiding the dentist for many years—he was experiencing dental anxiety, and he found it easier to simply avoid going all together. When I met with Seth, he had advanced gum disease; his gums were pulling away from his teeth and forming deep periodontal pockets. Seth explained that he initially thought that he could manage his dental care on his own—he brushed and flossed regularly—but as his condition deteriorated he decided he needed to seek professional treatment.

Unfortunately, Seth’s assumption is a common one. Many patients believe that with diligent flossing and brushing they can avoid dental decay all together and maintain a sparkling smile. However, the truth is that without semi-annual professional dental cleanings you’re more likely to experience cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Professional dental cleanings provide a number of services that you just can’t replicate at home. For instance, although you can clean plaque off or you teeth, you will inevitably miss some plaque in hard to reach places. This plaque hardens into tartar—which is mineralized bacteria on the surface of the tooth. Tartar can only be removed in a professional dental cleaning. Left untreated it will cause dental decay and gum disease.

Additionally, professional cleanings allow you to treat gum disease before it causes serious complications such as tooth and bone loss. The early symptoms of gum disease are generally invisible to regular patients, but a dental professional can diagnose this condition before it is serious. Another vital screening that our Boca Raton general dentists provide is an oral cancer screening.

Don’t try to do everything by yourself! When you partner with a dental professional and combine good daily oral hygiene habits with semi-annual professional cleanings you maximize your ability to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile. Don’t wait as long as Seth did—give our Boca Raton general dentists a call if you have any questions at (561) 705-0249.

Darcy is a regular patient of ours, and for years she has been nothing short of a model patient. She maintains an exceptional daily hygiene routine, and she always makes time for semi-annual professional cleaning. However, when I last saw Darcy she reported that she was starting to dislike the appearance of her smile! Although she was cavity-free, she found that regular brushing and flossing just weren’t getting her smile as white as she wanted it.

Our Boca Raton cosmetic dentists hear this concern often. The truth is that as we age our teeth change both physically and in appearance. Darcy was experiencing something we all go through; due to the natural ageing process her smile was beginning to look duller and darker.

Many patients know that some common foods and drinks can cause enamel staining. Tea, coffee, and wine can all discolor teeth. Also, tobacco products make teeth look dark and dingy.  These common stains can compound over time, and patients may find that it’s harder to return their smiles to their original white states.

Along with environmental staining, structural changes in dental enamel can make teeth look darker with age. Dental enamel is the top layer of the tooth, and when it’s young and healthy it is white and bright. Below the dental enamel, however, is a layer of dentin, which is darker and yellow in color. As we age dental enamel thins and becomes more translucent. Consequently, the dentin begins to show through dental enamel and teeth look discolored as a result.

We may not be able to control these natural processes of tooth staining, however, thanks to cosmetic dentistry we can rejuvenate smiles using professional teeth whitening or dental veneers. Give our Boca Raton cosmetic dentists a call if you want more information or to schedule and appointment— (561) 705-0249.