COSMETIC DENTISTRY ANSWERS
If you are considering cosmetic dental procedures, you will certainly have many questions. While a certified dental professional such as your primary care dentist is best qualified to provide in-depth answers, it helps to have some knowledge going into such a consultation.
Most dentists today are happy to communicate with you and let you know what you can expect from the dental treatments that your child will be receiving. Here are some good questions that you can arm yourself with to make sure that you, your child and your dentist are all on the same page when it comes to the oral hygiene of your child.
Here then are some of the commonly asked questions about cosmetic dental procedures.
What’s the best way to get a more attractive smile?
There are actually four different procedures commonly used, although each one addresses a different issue. Braces are used to straighten crooked, or misaligned teeth; bonding and veneering are methods used to repair and restore chipped, broken and/or worn teeth; and bleaching can give you whiter teeth.
How does bleaching work?
Your dentist will likely use either the Zoom® method, or BriteSmile®. These involve the use of a bleaching agent, which typically contains hydrogen peroxide. Your dentist will prepare a mouth guard to prevent this bleaching agent from coming into contact with soft tissues.
You can also get a kit from your dentist for use at home. He will need to prepare a custom mouthpiece that will hold the bleaching agent.
Which one should I choose?
The main difference is time and money. The office procedure takes only about 90 minutes, but can cost up to $600. The home method takes much more time (up to two weeks), but is significantly less expensive.
I saw a tooth whitening kit at the store. Why not use it?
This is a bad idea. Off-the-shelf kits are not covered by any kind of regulations, and generally do more harm than good.
What’s the difference between bonding and veneering?
Bonding uses colored resins to restore damaged and discolored teeth. It’s like putty that can be colored to match a patient’s natural teeth, then molded and sculpted to the correct shape.
A veneer is more like artificial fingernails. Your dentist will take an “impression” of the teeth in question which is then sent to a lab. The lab then creates your veneer from porcelain. The veneer is then installed at a second appointment.
Bonding is less expensive and takes less time, but is not as durable as porcelain veneer. It stains more easily, and will have to be replaced within about 4 years.
A veneer is highly resistant to staining, breakage and wear, but is considerably more expensive, running as much as $2000 per tooth. Additionally, not all dentists have the skill or training to do this procedure; you’ll likely be referred to a cosmetic dental specialist.
My teeth are crooked, but I don’t want to go around with a mouth full of metal for two years. What are my options?
Fortunately, Invisalign® and Orthoclear® offer great alternatives to traditional metal braces. These consist of clear, plastic trays (similar to bleaching trays) that you wear over your teeth. They are virtually invisible, and easily removed for cleaning. The down side is that not everyone is a suitable candidate. This is a subject you’ll need to discuss with your dentist.
Question: When should I begin brushing or caring for my child’s mouth?
Answer: It’s a good idea to start cleaning your child’s gums as soon as they are born. You can clean their gums with a soft cloth with warm water. This helps flush out bacteria and keep the gums clean and stimulated. This technique can also be beneficial in preparation for teeth that may be coming in.
Question: What can I do to help my child be cavity free?
Answer: Although more and more research is being done on the subject, dentists are learning more about the role that genetics plays in the fight against cavities. But there are of course many things that you can do to improve the likelihood that your child will remain cavity free. Brushing your child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste is huge in the prevention of cavities. Also, moderating your child’s snacking and giving your child longer breaks between eating can help fight cavities.
Question: Is thumb sucking harmful?
Answer: Thumb sucking has long been something that children have done to soothe anxieties and produce a feeling of comfort within them. However thumb sucking that persists beyond the time when your child’s teeth have erupted through the gums may develop into a problem. Teeth can become severely deformed if thumb sucking persists for an extended period of time.
Question: What are the advantages of having sealers applied to my child’s teeth?
Answer: Sealers are a clear plastic material that is generally applied to the chewing surface of teeth, such as the molars, where decay is most likely to occur. Having dental sealers applied to the surface of the teeth in your child can have a significant impact on how decay forms on their teeth.
