Caring for Your Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

By AustinDentalSpa on April 14, 2012

Posted in cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is usually a refreshing change. Whether you have had tooth whitening, cosmetic dental bonding, dental veneers or dental implants, you’ll likely be enjoying the benefits of your results for quite some time.  There are also certain things you can do to help maintain your beautiful smile!

Following cosmetic dentistry treatment, you’ll be given a list of instructions to follow in order to maximize your benefits. It is important follow these instructions and contact your dentist if you have any questions along the way.    There are also a few common habits that you’ll want to avoid in order to maintain your benefits, including:

Soda, Tea and Coffee Drinking: Soda, tea and coffee drinking tends to stain your teeth. So, you’ll want to minimize intake and use a straw when possible. After all, you’ll want to maintain the benefits of your bright white smile!

Fingernail Biting: Fingernail biting puts undue pressure on your teeth. This is especially true for dental veneers. Using nail polish or nail tips may prevent fingernail biting.

Ice Crunching: Ice crunching may crack or fracture your teeth and dental veneers. It’s best to refrain from ice crunching altogether to preserve the health of your teeth and prevent tooth fractures that may result in more invasive dental work.

Tooth Grinding: Tooth grinding is likely to crack and fracture your teeth and dental veneers. A mouth guard wore at night prevents damage to your teeth from tooth grinding.

High Sugar Diet: A high sugar diet may result in tooth decay and more invasive dental work. Instead, a high protein diet supports your oral health.

Tongue Pressure on Upper Teeth: Tongue pressure on the upper teeth may move teeth over time. This can change the appearance of your teeth and your lower face.

If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Dental Implant vs. Dental Bridge

By AustinDentalSpa on April 12, 2012

Posted in cosmetic dentistry, Restorative Dentistry

If you have a missing tooth, would you prefer three tooth restorations or one? That is one primary question you will want to ask yourself when deciding between a dental implant or a dental bridge. A dental implant involves the use of an anchor that adheres to your jaw bone and a crown to cover the top. A dental bridge involves the reshaping of two teeth and the fitting of an appliance with a false tooth in the empty spot.

Dental implants are a permanent solution when compared a dental bridge that may last ten or more years.  In terms of aesthetics, dental implants offer pleasing aesthetics for a restoration that is very life like. Since the implant is anchored into the jaw bone, implants offer a superior feel and fit. So, when it comes to functionality, dental implants may be the preference. It’s also easier to clean teeth a dental implant when compared to a dental bridge. In fact, it’s very important to maintain oral health when you have dental implants and dental bridges. For example, people with periodontal disease may not qualify for dental implants and dental bridges may be more difficult to clean.

When comparing costs, the cost for a dental bridge ranges from $2000. to $3000. and a single dental implant may cost up to $3000. Also factored into cost must be how you take care of your teeth because longevity in the results can be adversely affected by poor oral health.

In either case, there have been many advancement sin materials and technologies to offer long lasting beautiful tooth restorations. Most importantly, if you have a missing tooth, it is vital to be treated to preserve your oral health and prevent your teeth from shifting.

Dental Crowns vs. Dental Veneers

By AustinDentalSpa on April 10, 2012

Posted in cosmetic dentistry

Dental crowns have long been the only solution for weakened broken teeth until the advent of dental veneers.   Dental veneers offer a life-like beautiful appearance when compared to traditional dental crowns. For beautiful well-aligned smile, you may want to consider dental veneers.

Dental crowns are still a great option for those who do not qualify or wish to have veneers. At the practice of Dr. Mark Sweeney, you will find CAD CAM porcelain crowns, offering a natural appearance when compared to traditional dental crowns. Still, dental veneers may be the right option for you.

Dental veneers are ultra-thin translucent sheets that are bonded onto the front side of your tooth or teeth. Veneers may be used after dental bonding to protect a weakened tooth structure.   Dental veneers can be used for chips, cracks and gaps. Dental veneers can be used to treat severely discolored teeth. Dental veneers are a no pain solution for many abnormalities of your teeth.  So, dental veneers are both a cosmetic and restorative dental solution.

Dental crowns are a restorative solution for your teeth. Dental crowns are caps that are placed over your teeth. CAD CAM porcelain crowns offer a similar translucent appearance and work beautifully for larger chips, cracks and severely decayed broken teeth. CAD CAM porcelain crowns can be custom crafted in one single office visit and do not involve downtime.

When it comes to selecting between dental veneers or CAD CAM porcelain crowns, a lot will depend upon what you qualify for.  The good news at the practice of Dr. Mark Sweeney is that you have both choices.

If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Cosmetic Dentistry can Enhance Your Facial Appearance

By AustinDentalSpa on April 8, 2012

Posted in cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry can be a refreshing change in more ways than one. In fact, the results of certain cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as, dental veneers, may provide a mini lower face lift for a more youthful appearance.  Too, you and your dentist will want to consider your overall facial appearance when selecting the right shade for your teeth because this can play a role in your overall youthful appearance.

Whether you are interested in tooth whitening, dental bonding, dental veneers or dental implants, cosmetic dentists have a full pallet of white shades to select from when deciding the right shade for your new teeth.  So, when visiting your cosmetic dentist for a consultation about cosmetic dentistry, you may want your face and hair to be “full dressed” in a beautiful, youthful appearance for proper matching to your new teeth.

First, your hair color may affect your appearance of youthfulness.  Lighter shades of hair tend to offer a more youthful appearance. If you have dark hair, you may want to consider highlights and lowlights to soften what may otherwise give you a more aged appearance. So, be certain to have your hair treatments complete before you select the shade for your new teeth.

Second, the right foundation and blush should be worn when visiting your cosmetic dentist if you wear foundation and blush daily. Light powders may provide a great base for foundation. Alternatively, you may start with foundation alone. In terms of blush, stay away from applications over wrinkles because blush will accentuate wrinkles.  Still, you may apply a cream blush on the rim of your cheeks moving up towards your temple, while blending slightly downward.  Finally, you may apply a luminescent powder lightly over your face for the finishing touch.

Third, light shadows will soften the appearance of your face and bring out your eyes.  You may also want to dot a lighter color in the center of your eye lid to brighten up your eyes.

Now, you’re ready for your cosmetic dental visit. Selecting the right shades for your face and hair will certainly help ensure your cosmetic dentist selects the right shade for your tooth restorations and cosmetic dentistry.

And remember natural teeth are more youthful when compared to tooth restorations or missing teeth.  Studies have indicated that people who take care of and keep their teeth live on an average of 6 years longer than those who lose their teeth.

If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Smoking and Dentistry

By AustinDentalSpa on April 6, 2012

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's

Smoking and oral health do not go hand- in-hand.  Cigarette smoking poses a risk for tooth loss, periodontal disease, bone structure loss, precancerous oral conditions and cancer of oral cavity. Less serious, but still problematic issues associated with smoking include: excessive plaque and tartar build up, tobacco stained teeth, bad breath, and a reduced success rate of certain dental procedures, such as, dental implants for missing teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry also does not mix with cigarette smoking. Since smoking is a leading cause of periodontal disease, you may not qualify for dental implants or dental veneers unless you quit smoking. Tooth whitening may not work well for tobacco stains. If you are a smoker, the good news is that there are ways to prevent damage to your oral cavity and your life.

If you are a smoker, your  “at home” oral hygiene regimen should include: the use of a  tongue cleaner, dental floss, non- alcohol based mouth wash and tooth brushing twice a day for two minutes in a small circular motion reaching the gum line.   Fresh breath may help prevent you from smoking. Your dentist is also likely to recommend professional dental cleanings more often throughout the year and regular screenings for oral cancer. Early treatment for oral cancer is associated with a higher success rate when compared to mid and late stage oral cancer.   Too, your physician can provide you with a smoking cessation program to help prevent you from smoking.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

The DMPA Injectable Contraceptive May Lead to Poor Oral Health

By AustinDentalSpa on April 4, 2012

Posted in oral health

Poor oral health has been linked to many drugs. More recently, study results published in the Journal of Periodontology suggest that the DMPA (depotmedroxyprogesterone acetate) injectable contraceptive may be associated with poor oral health. This includes women currently taking the prescription and those who are no longer taking the oral contraceptive.

Gingivitis is the precursor to gum disease, signified by red, swollen, and bleeding gums (when brushing). When left untreated, periodontitis is the most severe form of gum disease and can lead to tooth loss. In addition, research has linked gum disease to other diseases, such as, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The study results demonstrated that current and past users of DMPA were more likely to have gingivitis and past users were most likely to have periodontitis. Hormones and oral conditions caused by other drugs, such as dry mouth syndrome, do play a role in overall oral health.

For this reason, it is important for women who take or have taken the DMPA (depotmedroxyprogesterone acetate) injectable contraceptive to seek out the advice of their dentist about oral care to preserve their oral health. Your dentist may be able to recommend ways for you to reduce the risk of poor oral health. For example, he or she may recommend that you have a professional dental cleaning every three months instead of every six months.  If you have dry mouth syndrome, your dentist may recommend oral saliva gels and moisturizers to prevent dry mouth syndrome.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Gum Disease Prevention Taken to New Heights with Science

By AustinDentalSpa on April 2, 2012

Posted in gum disease

Gum disease is traditionally prevented by proper oral hygiene, professional dental cleanings, as well as, root planing and scaling when at risk. One day in the future the prevention of gum disease may be taken to new heights with an additional treatment designed to disrupt the connections between disease causing molecules and normal bacteria. In this way, there may be an opportunity to prevent gum disease and tooth loss associated with gum disease.

Study results outlined in the journal Microbiology recently suggest that a new drug could be developed to target a molecule on the surface of Treponema called CTLP that acts as the open door for bacterium to access to the community of pathogens in the oral cavity. Once combined, TLP in conjunction with other bacterial molecules, can begin to inhibit blood clotting (otherwise leading to continued bleeding gums and causing tissue damage).

Dental plaque is the result of acid production from bacteria and is a major cause of bleeding gums and gum disease. Gingivitis is the precursor to gum disease. Approximately 75% of the population has some form of gum disease.  Gum disease has also been linked to a variety of diseases, including heart attack and stroke. So, a treatment that would prevent gum disease is very appealing to improve quality of life for many.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Teen Cosmetic Dentistry

By AustinDentalSpa on March 30, 2012

Posted in cosmetic dentistry

Many teens today are interested in cosmetic dentistry due to its popularity and the beautiful appearance of a great smile. What many teens may not realize is that oral health is the number one consideration before any cosmetic dentistry procedure may be performed.   A proper daily dental hygiene regimen, including, tooth brushing, flossing and a proper diet, is vital.  In addition, teens are more likely to have other habits that need to be in check before cosmetic dentistry may be recommended to be performed, as follows.

Soda Drinking

Teeth whitening will diminish stains caused by soda drinking. Yet, the degree in which the stain will be diminished depends on how much soda the teen has been drinking. In addition, soda contains a large amount of sugars that erode tooth enamel (the glistening covering of your tooth) which may hamper tooth whitening results and may lead to tooth decay.  Instead, use a straw when drinking soda and limit use.

Smoking

Smoking and chewing tobacco stains teeth, fosters bad breath, and increases the risk of periodontal disease (gum disease) and oral cancer. Tobacco stains are more difficult to whiten. For smoker’s stains, you may require dental bonding or dental veneers because the results of tooth whitening may not be satisfactory. Yet, dental veneers may not be advised until you are an adult because veneers are a permanent solution.

Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders, such as, bulimia and anorexia, play havoc on your teeth. The end result may be tooth enamel loss and the need for tooth restorations, such as, composite dental fillings and Cad Cam porcelain dental crowns.  There is no way to repair enamel loss.

Tooth Grinding

Tooth grinding may surface in teen years, creating the risk for tooth fractures, tooth chips, uneven teeth, and tempromandibular disorder (TMJ). Dental bonding, CAD Cam dental crowns or root canals may be required if tooth grinding if it is not treated with a mouth guard. In fact, dental veneers are not an ideal procedure for a tooth grinder unless he or she is wearing a mouth guard while sleeping at night.

Misaligned Teeth

Misaligned teeth are usually corrected with today’s braces. Today’s brace offer wonderful advantages when compared to traditional braces, including: shorter treatment times and clear braces for less visibility.

If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Remember to Whiten Before Your Dental Procedures!

By AustinDentalSpa on March 17, 2012

Posted in cosmetic dentistry

Who would ever think that you’d have to prepare for your dental procedures? It’s true. If you are like the millions who have your teeth whitened, you’ll want to be prepared with the right tooth color for your dental procedure.   Whether you are in need of a dental filling, dental crown or any other tooth restoration, you’ll want a uniform appearance of your teeth to prevent a spotted appearance. So, you’ll want to get your tooth whitening performed to achieve the right shade of white before going for restorative dental procedures.   If you whiten after your restorative procedure, you will not be likely to achieve the matching precise shade of white for your teeth.  In this case, the only way to achieve a uniform appearance would be to create new tooth restorations.  So, we’ve got a couple of options that we’d like to tell you more about, including:

In Office Tooth Whitening: Your dentist will be prepared to provide you with an in office tooth whitening procedure to ensure that you have the right shade of white for your teeth. In office whitening can whiten your teeth up to eight shades lighter and your dentist will know how to monitor the shading for you. You may also have whitening trays made for you at a prescription level of active ingredients to perform whitening at home. In either case, touch ups may be performed at home to maintain the benefits.

At Home Bleaching:    There are a variety of choices for at home whitening. From toothpastes to whitening strips, these options may lighten your teeth to some degree over time.  So, these options may not be the preference if you are in need of a tooth restoration because restorations should not be postponed.

If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Your Cosmetic Dentistry Budget

By AustinDentalSpa on February 29, 2012

Posted in cosmetic dentistry

If you are like many Americans today, you’ve seen refreshing smiles of friends, family and even people working the check out at your local grocery store. You may not know they have had cosmetic dentistry because the results are “all natural”.   Yet, when you look in the mirror, you realize that your smile is not comparable. So, you view before and after photos of people who have had cosmetic dentistry. Then, you think “How can I fit cosmetic dentistry into my budget?”   Well, you are not alone. Like most people having cosmetic dentistry today, it may first seem impossible to fit cosmetic dentistry into your budget. Alas, there are ways that you can make your dream for cosmetic dentistry become a reality.

The fees for your dental treatment depend upon a variety of factors, including: the degree of dental work required to qualify for cosmetic dentistry, as well as, the material and technology used in the procedure to provide you with the best look, feel, and fit. Regardless, there are ways to finance your cosmetic dentistry procedures over time. In this way, you can receive these treats now with a comfortable fit into your lifestyle and check book.

The good news is that dental practices will work with you to make your cosmetic dentistry treatment affordable. In fact, there are a variety of options available for financing your cosmetic dentistry treatments. There is both in office monthly installment options and patient financing company options. Both may be offered with low interest rates and credit worthiness need not be worried about because there are options available for those who lack credit worthiness.   In the end, it’s wise to consult with a cosmetic dentist about your goals. You might be surprised to see how affordable cosmetic dentistry can be.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.