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.

Your Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment Plan

By AustinDentalSpa on February 27, 2012

Posted in cosmetic dentistry

Perhaps, you are excited about cosmetic dentistry. You’ve probably witnessed firsthand the wonderful results in the smiles of friends or family members. But where do you start? The answer is that your cosmetic dentistry plan begins with a consultation. After all, there is no way to identify your candidacy for cosmetic dentistry treatment until you have a consultation. Typically, the consultation includes a professional exam and possibly a dental cleaning.  Your oral exam will include a full mouth x-ray, periodontal charting, panoramic radio graphing and all that is necessary to identify your needs and candidacy for treatment. After your oral exam, your cosmetic dentist will convey to you the proposed treatment plan, alternatives to the treatment plan, an estimate of the cost and any risks that may be involved in treatment. He or she will also let you know if you have any oral conditions that must be treated to qualify for cosmetic dentistry procedures. For example, if you are a tooth grinder and desire dental veneers, you may qualify for veneer treatment but will be required to wear a mouth guard at night to prevent breakage of your porcelain veneers.

There’s nothing to lose and much to gain by going for a cosmetic dentistry consultation. You’ll be improving your oral health by having a professional dental cleaning. You’ll be enhancing your smile and appearance with cosmetic dentistry treatments that are beautiful and long lasting.  Whether you are interested in tooth whitening, dental veneers or dental implants, a cosmetic dentistry consultation will certainly assist in helping you to make a well-educated decision about your smile!

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

Cosmetic Dentistry and Enhanced Technology

By AustinDentalSpa on February 25, 2012

Posted in cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry and enhanced technology go hand in hand. There are a select number of dentists that are cosmetic dentists who have invested in enhanced technology to provide excellence in dentistry. There are superior qualities in materials used for restorative and cosmetic dentistry needs, such as, porcelain and composite resin materials that provide for glistening natural looking teeth. The longevity in tooth restorations has also improved with bonding techniques that were not available in decades past, such as, composite resin tooth colored dental fillings that last seven to ten years when adhered through a special activation light.  So, let’s take a closer look at some of the more common treatments that may be performed with significant advantages.

• Tooth whitening has vastly improved with in house offerings that provide for stronger bleaching qualities and the aid of laser to whiten teeth up to eight shades lighter.
• There are very thin, more durable porcelain sheets available for dental veneers when compared to the past decade.
• Cad-Cam one day dental crown technology allows for dental crowns to be performed in one day with stronger materials and a better fit, look and feel.   Cad-Cam technology has also opened the door for enhanced dental implants that can be immediately placed.
• Digital imaging and computerized simulation technology have offered greater precision in cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Indeed, there are many ways that people can benefit by selecting a dental practice that utilizes that some of the most advanced technology. Technology that provides a better look, feel and fit certainly offers a more seamless approach to dentistry and daily living.  While advanced technology is not offered in all dental practices, it can be found at select dental spas, such as, Austin Dental Spa.  In addition, the dentist using the technology must participate in additional training and perform the procedure many times to become highly experienced in using the technology.

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

Cosmetic Dentistry Is Fashionable

By AustinDentalSpa on February 23, 2012

Posted in cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is like smiling- it’s fashionable. Smiles are contagious. Smiles transfer enthusiasm. Smiles are always in the public’s eye. Smiles are part of the first impression you make on others. Smiles are youthful. Smiles are enlightening. And cosmetic dentistry can bring out many smiles!    For many people, cosmetic dentistry is a must that they can’t live without. Cosmetic dentistry results affect their personal life, social life and career. Cosmetic dentistry may be just as important as new clothing or a day at a spa.  For many people, cosmetic dentistry is a fashionable accessory that cannot be out of their life. After all, a bright white well aligned smile is highly desirable.

At Austin Dental Spa, we will craft a customized cosmetic dentistry plan that can fit into your lifestyle and your checkbook.  So, let’s take a glance at the cosmetic dentistry procedures that you may want to put on your shopping list this season, including:

Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening is a household term that many people go to their dentist for every six months or less often with at home touch ups.

Porcelain Veneers

These tiny sheets of glistening porcelain are permanently bonded to your teeth to close gaps, repair chipped or worn teeth, make crowded teeth appear straight, and/or lengthen and whiten teeth.

Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic bonding is much like tooth colored translucent enamel that is gently applied to a cracked or chipped tooth before being hardened with a special light so that it adheres to the natural tooth.

Dental Implants

With dental implants that are permanently anchored into your missing tooth area, you can smile, eat and speak with confidence while not being at risk for the side effects associated with dentures or missing teeth.

Tooth Colored Fillings

Instead of dark, metal dental fillings, you can have composite resin natural tooth colored fillings for a more youthful beautiful appearance.

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

Diabetes and Gum Disease

By AustinDentalSpa on February 22, 2012

Posted in gum disease

The link between diabetes and gum disease is staggering. In the United States, 26 million people have diabetes, 95% of these people have gingivitis (precursor to gum disease) or gum disease and 76 million more are pre-diabetic.  These statistics have created the demand for dentists to “brush up” on the latest in gum disease therapies. To date, there are only a select number of dentists that offer advanced treatment for gum disease. For example, Dr. Mark Sweeney offers bio film treatment to control unhealthy bacterium in the mouth that is linked to gum disease.

In addition, dentists are in a good position to pre-screen for diabetes by identifying risk factors, such as, family history, obesity risk factors, medical condition risk factors, such as, hypertension and ethnicity risk factors, such as, African Americans, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, Latinos and Hispanics.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if the population of people with diabetes continues to grow at a steady rate, one out of every three people will have diabetes, not to mention the number who will then also have gum disease, the leading cause for tooth loss. In addition, dental treatment should not be avoided according to research which demonstrated people who have not been treated for gum disease are two times more likely to develop diabetes.

People with diabetes also require special care when going for dental procedures because wound healing may be affected if proper precautions are not taken.  Diabetic patients may also be more likely to develop hypoglycemia, particularly if they require insulin.  For these reasons, patients should inform their dentists about any medical condition that have so that the dentist can take proper precautions to reduce the risks during dental treatment.  Furthermore, regular dental treatment prevents and reduces infection and inflammation, which may reduce the risk of diabetes. So, regular dental treatment is very important for your oral and physical health.

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

Austin Cosmetic Dentist Now Offering Innovative Ultrasonic Dental Filling

By admin on February 21, 2012

Posted in Restorative Dentistry

New SonicFill Dental Filling Technology Available at Austin Cosmetic Dentistry Practice

Dr. Mark Sweeney and his Austin cosmetic dentistry practice have announced they will be offering the latest tooth filling technology from Kerr®, Sybron Dental Specialties, called the SonicFill. A bulk fill composite, Dr. Sweeney says the new filling material is ultrasonically vibrated into the tooth and can offer immense benefits to patients including minimal to no post-op sensitivity during dental fillings in Austin.

An innovative ultrasonic dental filling from Kerr® dental products, a subsidiary company of Sybron Dental Specialties, Inc., known as SonicFill is now available at Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney’s practice. Utilizing ultrasonic vibrations to apply bulk dental composite filling to posterior restorations, Dr. Sweeney has announced he will be offering the SonicFill to patients at his practice, the Austin Dental Spa (ADS), in the hopes of further enhancing the comfort and effectiveness of his general dentistry procedures. He says he is excited about the new technology as it offers patients significant benefits for filling cavities and other restorative dentistry needs.

Through a unique modifier within the composite material that reacts to sonic energy, the SonicFill device lowers the viscosity of the dental filling, allowing for precise and efficient placement without bubbles or gaps. As the energy is removed, the composite returns to an easy-to-handle malleable state for sculpting and carving. Dr. Sweeney says because there is no shrinkage of the material as it hardens, patients experience no post-op sensitivity. He also says the SonicFill composite requires no additional capping layer or incremental layering, ensuring durability, superior adaptation, and a quicker procedure time.

“Sonic Fill is one of many exciting new breakthroughs in current dental technology. The ability to “bulk fill”, meaning all filling material is placed at once, rather than layering in several layers in past technology, means quicker fillings and less time in the chair for patients. It also means less sensitivity due to the almost 0% shrinkage, as opposed to 3-4% shrinkage of the past materials, which was a major source of post-operative sensitivity after fillings over the past 20 years. These fillings are hardly detectable once placed.”

Dr. Sweeney says he hopes the new dental filling procedure allows patients a more comfortable and positive dental experience. He also adds that consistent pursuit of the latest, most effective technology is essential to his practice’s ability to provide the highest level of patient care.

“We at ADS are committed to providing the latest and best technology to our patients. We strive to provide World-Class dentistry and the utmost in customer service in a comfortable and caring environment. Sonic Fill is just one of many new and exciting technologies to arrive on the dental market, and we are quick to incorporate any procedures that make patient care more comfortable and efficiently delivered.”

About Mark Sweeney, DDS

Dr. Mark Sweeney graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas Health Science Center Dental School. As a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Endodontic Society, and several other professional organizations, he has dedicated several hundred hours of continued education and advanced study in dental techniques such as teeth whitening and porcelain veneers in Austin. Dr. Sweeney is also a founding member of the Texas Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Located at 3305 Northland, Suite 515 in Austin, TX, Dr. Sweeney’s practice, Austin Dental Spa, can be reached at (512) 380-1300. He can also be contacted online via the website austindentalspa.com or facebook.com/austindentalspa.

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Brrr! Sensitive Teeth

By AustinDentalSpa on February 19, 2012

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's

Sensitive teeth are more common that you might think.  Thousands of people suffer from sensitive teeth. At first glance, it might feel like sensitive teeth is a natural part of winter time when your big brother or sister took your blanket away during a cold night.  Whether occurring all of the time or inconsistently when drinking hot or cold drinks, sensitive teeth can be disconcerting to say the least.   There are a number of reasons why people have sensitive teeth and the root cause is important to determine if you are interested in relieving yourself from sensitive teeth, including:

• Gum recession due to the natural aging process, improper tooth brushing, or gum disease.
• Acidic beverages, such as soda pop, that causes enamel loss and dentin exposure.
• Tooth grinding.
• Brushing with a very abrasive toothpaste and brushing more than three times a day.
• Chipped or fractured teeth may expose the dentin, making the tooth susceptible to sensitivity.
• Teeth whitening.
• Dental procedures, such as, dental fillings, crowns, dental braces, and bridges.

The good news is that there are ways to reduce your tooth sensitivity. If you suffer from enamel loss, you can use a softer tooth brush and be certain to use a straw if you cannot resist soda pop drinks.  Cosmetic dental bonding or dental veneers may serve you well for tooth chips and fractured teeth. For tooth grinding, you will benefit from wearing a mouth guard at night. Sensitivity from dental procedures and ongoing sensitivity from enamel loss may be treated with desensitizers found at your dentist’s office and over-the-counter at the pharmacy.   In the end, there is a host of remedies for sensitive teeth.

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

Have a Little Licorice, Keep Tooth Decay and Gum Disease Away?

By AustinDentalSpa on February 17, 2012

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's, gum disease

Licorice has been a household treat for many generations in the U.S. What may not be widely known in America is that licorice root has been used in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments for many years. Recently, scientists led by Stefan Gafner published the results of their study in the ACS’ Journal of Natural Products demonstrating that substances in licorice may play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of tooth decay and gum disease.

It is the dried root in licorice (not found in U.S. licorice) that contains powerful active ingredients which may prevent and treat oral conditions.  Two ingredients, licoricidin and licorisoflavan A, killed two of the major bacteria responsible for dental cavities and two of the bacteria that contribute to gum disease. Licoricidin also killed a third gum disease bacterium. The scientific researchers indicate that these substances may be able to treat or even prevent oral infections.

Licorice root can be purchased in the U.S. However, Licorice root is associated with potential side effects.  So, people should check with their physician before taking licorice root. In terms of the impact of study results, more work will be required to see if the active ingredients in licorice root can be isolated to prevent and treat gum disease and tooth decay.

In the meantime, regular dental check-ups, a proper oral hygiene regimen, and professional tooth cleanings are the best means to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

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

New Dentures with Enhanced Cosmetic Dentistry on the Horizon

By AustinDentalSpa on February 16, 2012

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's

When it comes to dentures, cosmetic dentistry is the first thought that many have come to mind. People are concerned about the appearance of dentures and rightfully so. In addition, functionality and durability are equally important. Now, what if there were dentures that were not only stronger, but had enhanced optical qualities? Soon, such dentures might just be available, offering a wonderful option for people who cannot have dental implants.

Glass chemist Prof. Dr. Christian Russel of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany) recently published the results of research demonstrating that he and colleagues succeeded in developing a new type of glass ceramic with a nanocrystalline structure that is said to be more durable and more natural looking when compared to today’s dentures.   More naturally looking is highly desirable because tooth enamel is glistening translucent and it has been difficult to fully bring out this quality in today’s dentures until Dr. Russel’s discovery.  It will be years potentially before these dentures will be available to the public. By the same token, the science does demonstrate that there may be other applications, including: dental bridges and onlays.

Dental implants are the current alternative to today’s dentures.  Dental implants provide an advantage over dentures due to enhanced functionality features and a more natural looking appearance. Because dental implants are permanently inserted there is no need to worry about difficulty speaking, slipping out your mouth or any other side effects that may be associated with today’s dentures. Conversely, a dental crown is placed over the dental implant anchor for a natural pleasing look, feel and fit.  Dental implants are the most advanced solution available for missing teeth today.

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

The Smile Makeover for Valentine’s Day

By AustinDentalSpa on February 14, 2012

Posted in cosmetic dentistry, Dentistry FAQ's

Smile makeovers are a great way to spoil you and your loved one for Valentine’s Day.  Smiles make the world go round. Smiles that are beautiful are engaging for the ones you love. So, let’s take a peek at some of the most popular Smile Makeover procedures for Valentine’s Day.

Professional Tooth Cleaning: Valentine’s is a great time of year to have your teeth cleaned professionally. For a healthy oral cavity and refreshing breath, you may want to consider a professional dental cleaning for this Valentine’s Day.

Tooth Whitening: Tooth whitening is a must for many lovers that are preparing for Valentine’s Day celebrations. There’s the over-the-counter and take home approach, but most prefer the in-office approach to achieve benefit of up to eight shades lighter in an hour’s time.

Full Mouth Reconstruction: While full mouth reconstruction may sound intimidating, it’s really about bringing your oral cavity up-to-date with the latest materials for your old tooth restorations. Valentine’s is a great time to take the silver dental fillings out of your mouth and replace them with composite tooth colored dental fillings. It might also be time to update a dental crown or bridge.  You may even want to fill in a missing tooth with a dental implant or repair a cracked tooth with cosmetic dental bonding.

Dental Veneers:  Dental veneers are also quite popular in the preparation of Valentine’s Day. These tiny porcelain sheets cover your natural tooth (teeth) to reveal a beautifully well aligned glistening smile.

Indeed, Valentine’s is a great time for a Smile Makeover. You can share in a beautiful time with your new smile and experience many other benefits.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.r days and nights with beautiful smiles for years to come.