Choosing between Braces and Lumineers

Patients today often have several choices when it comes to straightening the teeth. Not too long ago, traditional metal braces were the only option for correcting crooked teeth and spacing issues. Today, patients can choose between a wide variety of orthodontic and cosmetic treatments. If you are considering perfecting your smile, you should know as much as you can about your options, including the commonly chosen braces and Lumineers.

Braces vs. Lumineers

Braces are a reliable orthodontic appliance than can address numerable flaws, such as crooked teeth, spacing issues, and incorrect bites. Patients do not always appreciate the look of this bulky metal appliance, but variations, like Incognito and ceramic braces, are also available and less noticeable. If you are looking to permanently correct the flaws in you smile, braces are likely the best choice for you.

Lumineers can achieve similar looking results as brace s, but in a very different way. They are a type of veneer that are bonded to the teeth, but thin enough to be removed if needed. Lumineers can effectively mask crooked teeth and spacing issues. Treatment from our Los Angeles Lumineers specialist may be the best option if you are looking for a cosmetic and removable solution to certain faults in the smile.

Does Getting Dental Implants Require Surgery?

Dental implants are widely regarded as the best option for replacing knocked-out or extracted teeth. Not only do they prevent the teeth from shifting out of place leading to orthodontic issues, but they also reverse jaw bone loss, restoring facial structure.

Dental implants procedure

Placing a dental implant is a lengthy process. It begins with a simple surgical process. Our dental implants dentist in Beverly Hills will create a hole in the jaw bone where a tooth once was. A titanium post will be placed, and left to heal and fuse with the jaw bone. This process usually takes a minimum of seven months. The titanium post will be topped with a temporary crown during this time, to complete the look of the smile. Once the area is finished healing, patients will return to their dentist for an abutment and permanent crown. 

Some patients do not have the oral health to undergo surgery. For example, the jaw bone may not be dense enough to support an implant, or other health issues, such as gum disease, may need to be treated first. These patients will benefit most from dentures or dental bridges, which do not require surgery.

Dental Veneer Options

Our teeth come up against many forces on a day-to-day basis, which can result in damage. Issues that affect our dental and oral health should be addressed right away. But if the flaws in your smile are simply cosmetic, it may be disproportionately costly to have each fixed individually. Dental veneers provide the perfect solution to this problem.

Dental veneers are thin porcelain shells that are bonded over the teeth in order to mask unsightly flaws. Some flaws they can cover include:

•             Chips

•             Cracks

•             Stains and discolorations

•             Small and misshapen teeth

•             Crooked teeth

•             Gaps and crowding

Patients of our dentist in OC have several options when it comes to their dental veneers. First, they can decide if they want coverings on all of their visible teeth, or only certain ones. They can also make decisions regarding the size, shape, and color of their veneers.  If only placing them on a few certain damaged teeth, they can choose to do a teeth whitening treatment, so all of their teeth can be a nice and bright shade of white.

Having the perfect smile may not be as far away as you think. Call our office and schedule a consultation appointment with our dental veneers dentist in Orange County today.

Are Porcelain Veneers the Right Option for Me?

Many flaws can develop on and in the teeth, but not all will threaten your dental health. A small chip in a tooth, for example, will not make the smile look good, but is not a serious health concern. In cases such as this, patients have the choice of fixing each of their flaws individually with treatments and procedures, or simply cover them with dental veneers.

Dental veneers are thin strips of porcelain that are bonded to the front of the visible teeth to mask unsightly faults. Porcelain in usually used, as it is very similar to dental enamel in both strength and look. Patients can choose to place veneers on all of their visible teeth, or only the ones with flaws they want to cover.

Types of flaws dental veneers can be used for include:

•    Stains and discolorations
•    Chips and cracks
•    Small and misshapen teeth
•    Crooked teeth
•    Gaps and other spacing issues

Potential patients of our expert in porcelain veneers in San Francisco should be aware that this cosmetic option does require some preparation to the teeth. Some enamel must be removed for the veneers to be placed, in order for the teeth to not look too big or misshapen. This means that veneers are a permanent addition to the smile, a fact that should be taken into account when determining whether this option is right for you.

Contact our San Francisco cosmetic dentists for more information.

What are the Options for Treating a Decayed Tooth?

Decayed teeth need treatment as soon as possible. Without treatment, the decay will continue, and could reach the inner parts of the tooth, necessitating root canal treatment, or an extraction if the decay is severe enough.

Common options for treating decayed teeth include:

•    Dental Fillings
Fillings are one of the most common treatments for cavities. Once the decayed tissue is removed, a dental material is used to fill the cavity and restore the tooth.

•    Inlays and Onlays
These restorations are similar to dental fillings, but can cover a larger part of the tooth, including the cusps, or biting surfaces. They are typically made of dental porcelain for an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

•    Dental Crowns
A severely decayed tooth might not be able to be restored with a filling, onlay, or inlay. A dental crown may be a better option. Crowns cover the affected tooth completely and restore the look, strength, and health of the tooth.

If the decay has affected the pulp, you will likely need a root canal to treat the tooth and a crown to restore it. Prevention is best: brush, floss and visit us regularly for cleanings and checkups. Call our LA endodontist today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

Is Invisalign Express the Right Option for Me?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that is the first choice for many new patients. There are many great benefits that Invisalign provides, such as their removable and see-through aligners. But one benefit that is often looked over is the different types of treatment plans they provide to cater to different types of patients and their orthodontic needs. For example, Invisalign Teen is made specifically for younger patients and their lifestyle.

Invisalign Express is another type of treatment plan. Express is made for those with minor orthodontic corrections needed. Our cosmetic dentists in Orange County may consider you a candidate for Invisalign Express if your smile needs:

•             Less than two millimeters of spacing correction per arch

•             Minimal rotation of the cuspids, bicuspids, and incisors per arch

•             Less than 2 millimeters of midline correction per arch

•             Less than 1.5 millimeters of dental expansion per arch

More moderate or severe cases of these issues may require Invisalign Full treatment, or more likely, a more traditional version of orthodontics, such as metal braces.

Due to the fact that the movements needed are minor, Invisalign Express takes only a fraction of the time Full treatment does. Where Invisalign Full requires twenty to thirty aligners over the course of twelve to fifteen months, Express typically involves ten aligners over the course of six months. Talk to our Invisalign Express dentist in Orange County for more information.

Types of Veneers

Dental veneers are made to cover cosmetic flaws on the teeth. They offer a fast, simple solution for many different issues ranging from stains and discolorations to worn enamel and cracks. They can even be used by our expert in porcelain veneers in Beverly Hills for instant orthodontics. Several types of veneers are available, including:

1. Composite veneers
These veneers are made using composite resin and applied in a single appointment. The process can be lengthy, but you will walk out with your new smile. Composite veneers are an affordable solution to addressing minor flaws, but they can stain more easily than other types of veneers.

2. Porcelain veneers
As their name suggests, porcelain veneers are made of porcelain. They are custom-made for your teeth, created in a dental lab, and placed in two to three visits. The porcelain has a translucent finish that makes them look just like natural teeth, and they can be used to correct mild or severe cosmetic problems.

3. No-prep veneers
No-prep veneers require less preparation than conventional porcelain veneers, but offer a similarly natural appearance. They are typically used for minor cosmetic flaws.

Call us today to learn more or to schedule a consultation with our team.