Tag Archives: Dentist

Porcelain Veneers: The Quick Fix-All Solution?

Posted on August 1, 2012 by simplysmiles

You’ve probably heard of porcelain dental veneers as the latest miracle cosmetic treatment for your teeth. The question is, do veneers really correct every dental problem and transform your smile in one fell swoop?

Veneers, the Cosmetic Miracle?

In short, it is true that a set of porcelain veneers can instantly improve any number of cosmetic flaws in just one or two office visits. While certain severe imperfections could require more extensive work, veneers can improve the appearance of problems such as:

  • Discoloration beyond traditional whitening
  • Chipped or cracked teeth
  • Misshapen or unevenly spaced teeth
  • Teeth that are too long or too short
  • Asymmetrical or worn teeth
  • Slight crookedness
  • Gapped teeth

Oral Health is no Quick Fix

While veneers can work wonders cosmetically, there is no shortcut to good oral health. You can’t place a veneer to cover up unsightly cavities, decay, or infected teeth. No matter what type of cosmetic treatments may be available, the most important part of your dental care is preventative oral hygiene.

Brushing after every meal and flossing at least once a day will go a long way to improving the appearance of your teeth. Keeping up with your biannual dental cleanings and exams can also make your teeth healthier and whiter. Following these simple steps will prevent a lot of the unsightly problems that patients try to fix with cosmetic procedures. Remember, oral health always comes first; cosmetic treatment is second.

The Dental Veneer Placement Process

Once you and your dentist have determined that your mouth is healthy and veneers are the best option, an impression will be taken of your mouth and teeth and sent to a dental lab. This mold will be used to custom-fabricate veneers that are similar to your natural teeth in size and shape. The porcelain will also be color-matched to your own teeth to ensure a natural appearance.

When the custom veneers are ready to go, a layer of enamel on the front of your teeth will be filed by the thickness of a fingernail to make room. This will ensure a natural fit. Then the veneers are simply cemented into place for a beautiful smile.

With proper care, the ultra-strong pressed porcelain will last up to twenty years! You will be able to use the veneers to chew and bite as you normally would, although chewing ice and hard candy is not recommended for veneers or natural teeth. Just pay the same attention to your veneers as you do the rest of your teeth, with proper oral hygiene, and your smile will be dazzling for many years to come.

Contact our office to ask about our cosmetic dental treatments, or find out more:

Simply Smiles Sarasota is your Florida source for the latest dentistry services. Set up your free dental consultation with Dr. Gekht today by calling 941-921-4654.

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Why do Root Canals Get a Bad Rap?

Posted on July 16, 2012 by simplysmiles

Root canal therapy, or endodontic therapy, is one of the greatest advancements in dental history for saving teeth. For thousands of years, an infected tooth had to be removed completely. While endodontics were in development from the late 1700′s, the procedure we use today wasn’t developed until the mid-1800′s. The advancement has saved hundreds of thousands of teeth, so why is the procedure so feared by patients?

The Dreaded Root Canal

Root canal therapy gets a bad reputation among patients and in the media mostly due to the infection that exists in the tooth in the first place. Root canals are made necessary when the inner pulp of the tooth, made up of blood vessels and nerve tissue, becomes infected. If left untreated for long, this will cause infection in the surrounding gum tissue and bone as well as abscesses that are incredibly painful. Many patients put off treatment for so long that any contact, even merely touching the affected tooth, will be terribly painful for the patient. Thus, root canal treatment has become a dreaded procedure. However, if you visit your dentist when you first notice a mild toothache, the entire process will be much easier.

Root Canal Therapy Procedure

Even severe tooth infections can be treated almost painlessly once the tooth has been completely numbed by a local anesthesia. Before anesthetizing however, your dentist will identify the problem by examining, tapping, and touching the tooth. A bite test and x-ray will also help to diagnose the problem. A patient with a severe untreated tooth infection might find this process unpleasant. Once a tooth infection has been identified however, the tooth can be numbed and treated painlessly.

The root canal itself is a passageway that contains the pulp of the tooth and continues all the way to the root. Your dentist will remove the infected pulp and clean the root canals thoroughly. Afterward, the root canals will be filled and sealed off to prevent future infections. A crown will then be placed over the mended tooth, both to protect it and so it can still function normally.

After the Root Canal

Any tooth pain caused by the infection should be immediately solved by root canal therapy. Some patients will still feel some soreness and tenderness in the surrounding tissues as they continue to heal from the infection. You will still be able to use your new and improved tooth for all of its normal functions, such as chewing and speaking. Proper oral hygiene must be maintained for this and all of your teeth to prevent infections in the future.

Read more about root canal therapy, or contact us to learn about other dental services provided by Simply Smiles Sarasota. Emergency services are always available evenings and weekends.

Simply Smiles Sarasota is your Florida source for the latest dentistry services. Set up your free dental consultation with Dr. Gekht today by calling 941-921-4654.

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