09 Sep
Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Cleanings, Dental Crown, Dental Veneers, Tooth Whitening

Boiling Springs Family Dentistry Offers Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

What is a cosmetic dentist?

A cosmetic dentist is one who improves the appearance of a smile. There are a number of ways to do this, ranging from simple bleaching to minor surgery. Many cosmetic dentistry techniques can certainly be performed at a local dentist office. The amount of time, discomfort, and expense involved depends upon the procedure.

Cosmetic surgery can be broken down into two types. The first type improves upon the natural appearance of the smile by changing the color or shape of the teeth. The second type improves the overall appearance of the smile by improving tooth and bite health. This may or may not affect the color or shape of the teeth.

Examples of the first type of cosmetic dentistry include:

  • whitening
  • bonding
  • veneers
  • crowns

Whitening

Teeth whitening is the simplest and least expensive of all the cosmetic procedures. It offers no oral health benefits. Whitening can be done at home, but a professional visit offers more rapid and uniform results. The whitening application has to be repeated in order to maintain a whiter smile. The frequency of this procedure depends on the patient’s tooth care habits and lifestyle.

Bonding

Dental bonding involves the application of a resin to teeth to fill gaps, cracks, and pits and give the smile a more uniform appearance. Bonding has the added benefit of preventing wear of teeth and exposing their roots. Bonding resin generally has to be reapplied every several years.

Veneers

Dental veneers are custom made plastic or porcelain shells that can change a tooth’s shape or color. This type of cosmetic dentistry generally requires a couple of visits. Depending on the material used and the habits of the patient, veneers can last anywhere from one to several decades.

Crowns

Dental crowns are used for everything from altering the color or shape of a tooth to protecting a broken one to connecting dental work. Materials used in making crowns range from porcelain to metal. Crown work generally takes several visits and is among the most expensive of cosmetic dental procedures.

Cosmetic surgery that improves bite health includes:

  • braces
  • bridges
  • implants

Using wiring and brackets, braces are used to reposition and realign teeth. They may remain on teeth anywhere from several months to several years. Bridges are artificial teeth. They are affixed to prepared teeth and are worn with a crown or crowns. Only a dentist can remove a bridge. Implants are also artificial teeth, but they can be affixed to dentures and removed. Both of these procedures are not inexpensive and require more than one visit to the dentist. But if bridges and implants are cared for properly, they can last a long time.

Other cosmetic dentistry procedures include correcting uneven gum lines and abnormally sized teeth, and fixing indentations to the jawbone. Because of all the options afforded with cosmetic surgery, contact our Boiling Springs NC cosmetic dentist today to discuss options available to you and for your dental needs.

07 Jul
Boiling Springs Dentist, Boiling Springs General Dentist, Cosmetic Dentistry

Our Boiling Springs Dentist Explains the Cons of Online Tooth Alignment Services

In today’s day and age, you can order almost anything online, from makeup samples and razors to eyeglasses and dog treats. And while retailers haven’t yet discovered a way to ship a dental cleaning right to your door, it is possible to straighten your teeth remotely with brands like SmileDirectClub. But is the convenience and low cost of online aligners worth the risks? Our Boiling Springs dentist weighs in below.

What is SmileDirectClub?

SmileDirectClub was introduced in 2014 as an alternative to traditional orthodontic treatment options. Essentially, it is a mail-order system that ships clear aligners directly to patients each month, allowing them to straighten their teeth without in-person visits with a dentist or orthodontist. The brand’s dentists conduct progress checks remotely, by examining “selfie” photos. These “shortcuts” make the entire process cost much less, merely a fraction of traditional straightening methods like braces or Invisalign.

Disadvantages of Online Tooth Aligners

Despite the benefits, many dental and orthodontic professionals are warning against mail-order orthodontic systems as more and more patients come in with poor results from spending months in the aligners. Below are some things to know before you fill out the application for one of these services.

  • Communication is infrequent and impersonal. Remote tele-dentistry assigns you a dentist or orthodontist who checks on your progress every 90 days through your customer account. You are placing your trust entirely in the company to vet your dentist for their skill and experience.
  • Lack of hands-on approach means details can be overlooked. The reason these services can be priced so cheaply is because the dentist is doing less work. But that is really not a good thing when it comes to your teeth. Details like your teeth’s surface texture, your bite pressure, and even your breath can indicate to your dentist that something is wrong—it is much more complex than simply looking at a photo.
  • Errors can occur in the initial impression. If you can’t come to a “Smile Direct Shop” and get a 3D scan in person, you will have to take an impression of your teeth on your own. At a dentist’s office, only a licensed, experienced professional performs this task, resulting in more accurate impressions. If you make a mistake with your impressions, your aligners will not accurately straighten your teeth.
  • They don’t have your records. Smile Direct doesn’t know your dental history, while your dentist knows your medical history and takes that into account while planning your treatment.

Bottom Line: For the Best Results, Visit Our Boiling Springs Dentist Today!

Most dentists agree that online alignment services such as SmileDirectClub are simply not worth the risk. Although getting Invisalign or braces at a local dentist office may cost more and take longer, they are that way because you are receiving accurate, thorough, personalized care. Your dentist can take your entire dental history into account; take accurate impressions; track your progress, and alter the course of your treatment if deemed necessary. There are a lot of smart ways to save money in this day and age, but in our opinion, mail-order dental work is not one of them! To schedule an appointment with our Boiling Springs NC dentist, contact our office today.

10 May
Boiling Springs General Dentist, Cosmetic Dentistry, Local Cosmetic Dentist, Teeth Whitening, Tooth Whitening

Cosmetic Dentist Shares Information About Teeth Whitening

One question that you may have for your cosmetic dentist in Boiling Springs NC is whether or not teeth whitening is safe for you and your family members. You may be wondering if the components that the dentist uses for teeth whitening solutions are harmful. It is normal for a person to be concerned about a procedure that involves chemicals. However, you can rest assured that you will be able to undergo the whitening process and still have your health intact.

Why You May Want Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a very common procedure in the dental world. Millions of people have their teeth whitened, including celebrities. The procedure has a multitude of benefits to it such as the ability to boost self-confidence and encourage smiles of joy. The reason for teeth whitening varies, but one of the most common reasons is to eliminate tea, coffee and nicotine stains. The chemicals that the dentist uses for a teeth whitening procedure vary depending on the patient’s desire. The practitioner covers the options during the consultation.

Examples of Teeth Whitening Solutions
Your dentist can offer you at least two types of solutions. The at-home treatment is the less expensive solution. This solution includes a tray that the lab makes for you. You wear the tray over your teeth for a certain amount of time each night, and the peroxide mixture bleaches the teeth. The in-office treatment is a longer lasting procedure, but it also costs way more money than the other procedure costs. The dentist is likely to use a chemical that contains varies elements for the in-office procedure. The bleaching products that the dentist uses for either method most likely has the ADA seal of approval, which means that they are safe for you to use. Many of these concoctions contain only 10 percent carbon peroxide. Perhaps the harshest reaction you may have to the bleaching agents is tooth sensitivity or mouth irritation.

Feel free to schedule an appointment with our dentist and have a consultation about the teeth whitening procedures that interest you. Our office has been serving local residents for many years. We would love to help to meet your needs. Call today or fill out online form to get an appointment to see our Boiling Springs family dentist.