September 20, 2010

Am I a candidate for porcelain veneers?

Fort Worth cosmetic dentistryPorcelain veneers, the thin layers of porcelain that help to reshape a patient’s natural teeth, offer a fast and effective way to improve the smile’s appearance. Veneers can be used to address any variety of conditions, such as recessed or protruding teeth, or gaps between teeth.

Nearly any dental patient can use veneers to improve minor smile defects, such as a chipped tooth or a few crooked teeth. If you’re attempting to fix such a problem, then veneers may be a good choice for you. Of course you would need to do your part, too, by maintaining good oral hygiene before, during and after the veneer placement. If your teeth have dark stains, you may need to undergo whitening treatment before getting your veneers, so that those stains do not show through the porcelain layer.

While veneers are often effective, certain cases cannot be resolved by this technique alone. If your smile is affected by excessive crowding or multiple problems, you and your cosmetic dentist will need to work together to consider what other procedures will be needed—such as orthodontic treatment—to make sure that your new veneers achieve the desired effect.

If you’re considering porcelain veneers, consult with a cosmetic dentist to determine how the process will take place. A Fort Worth cosmetic dentistry practice can help you achieve a more beautiful smile.

September 10, 2010

Are Dental Implants Right for Everyone?

Many people who have lost teeth are choosing to have dental implants rather than traditional bridges or dentures. Implants are affixed directly to the jawbone, and feel and look just like your natural teeth. However, in some cases dental implants are not recommended.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

In general, anyone who is in overall good health and wishes to replace missing teeth is a good candidate for dental implants. Before making the final decision, you should consult with your dentist. The dentist will ask you questions about your health history and other issues. Based on this information, he or she will give you a recommendation about whether dental implants are right for you.

Some considerations your cosmetic dentist will take into account include:

  • Chronic illness, including diabetes
  • The health of your gums
  • The amount of supporting bone in your jaw

Even if you are a good candidate for dental implants, the procedure is unlikely to be successful if you are not willing to take meticulous care of your mouth during the healing period in order to maintain the implants and ensure the overall health of your remaining teeth, as well as your gums.

When Implants Are Not the Best Choice

After an evaluation or consultation, you might discover that you are not a good candidate for dental implants. Some issues that might make dental implants less likely to succeed include:

  • If you are a smoker
  • Existing gum disease
  • Existing conditions that slow or compromise healing
  • Degradation of the jawbone, often due to long-term denture use

In these cases, a better choice might be traditional dentures or a bridge used to replace your missing teeth. In the case of necessary lifestyle changes, such as smoking, you might be able to have the dentist reassess your eligibility after smoking cessation. A cosmetic dentist with experience in dental implants in Fort Worth can help you determine if you are a good candidate.

September 3, 2010

Can You Just Wear Invisalign at Night?

orthodontics in fort worthInvisalign is an innovative and highly effective orthodontic treatment favored by many adults. Because it uses plastic aligners to move the teeth instead of traditional metal braces and rubber bands, Invisalign provides orthodontic correction without the inconvenience and unattractiveness of braces.

Invisalign aligners are also removable, adding convenience. While undergoing Invisalign treatment, you can remove the aligners to brush your teeth and to eat. Unfortunately, this convenience also leads some people to believe that they can remove the aligners at other times, as well.

How Long Must Invisalign Aligners Be Worn Each Day?

A common question among those using Invisalign is exactly how much time the aligners must remain on the teeth on a daily basis. Can they just be worn at night? Or just part of the day?

Invisalign aligners are designed to work at their best if they are kept on the teeth for at least 22 hours every day. If they are only worn at night, this will provide 8 hours of wearing time on average, which is not enough to produce the desired results. In fact, if you only wear the Invisalign aligners at night, it is likely that your teeth will move back to their original position, resulting in discomfort and often necessitating new aligners, which adds to the expense of the treatment.

Getting the Most Out of Invisalign

In order to achieve the desired results from an Invisalign treatment, you should always follow the directions provided by your dentist. This includes specific instructions on how long to wear the aligners each day, when to switch to the next aligner in the series, and how to go about cleaning and otherwise caring for your teeth during treatment. These instructions will probably also include a suggested schedule for future visits to ensure that your teeth are moving into the right position and that the treatment is working the way it is designed to.

To find out more about how Invisalign works and how it can help you achieve a beautiful smile, please contact a dentist specializing in Invisalign in the Fort Worth area.