Dental Veneers and the Different Types You Can Procure Them In

Dental veneers are the perfect solution for all those who do not want to get dental implants or are missing just a part of their tooth. Some also get these to hide their crooked teeth and instead make the entire set appear perfect.

The benefits you can obtain from these brilliant teeth enhancements are many. However, you need to understand dental veneers better before you even consider them. You need to know what they are made of, and how these different materials can benefit you in their own unique ways.

The first thing you need to know is that dental veneers come in all shapes and sizes, depending on one’s specific requirements. They can perfectly align with your teeth, so much so that when you display them alongside your teeth, most would not be able to tell the difference. These also last for several years or longer, depending on how much effort you put into their upkeep.

Different Materials Used in Dental Veneers

Porcelain Veneers:

It is probably the most common and well-known material used for manufacturing veneers. These are derived from high-quality ceramic since that is one material that comes close to perfectly mimicking how dental enamel looks. Their application may need a few sessions, based on how many teeth have to be covered with these. The top benefits of getting porcelain veneers are:

· They carry a far better aesthetic appeal than all other materials used to make dental veneers

· They can last for a long time provided you put extra care into them

· Veneers made from these can resist the toughest of stains that are otherwise acquired from tea, coffee, wine, or similar staining consumables

Composite Veneers

These veneers are made from resin that bears a striking resemblance to a tooth. Resin is also the very material that is otherwise used extensively for tooth bonding. Unlike porcelain veneers, composite veneers can be positioned above the teeth to perfection in a single session. The only time taken would be how much it would take to manufacture them in a lab. Their top benefits are:

· These are much cheaper than porcelain veneers and yet deliver almost the same results

· These can be applied in a single session itself

· If they ever get damaged, repairing them is more easy than porcelain veneers

Lumineers

These also represent a specific brand of dental veneers, and despite being made from porcelain, are ultra-thin in size. Also, unlike porcelain veneers that require taking off a small portion of enamel to fix the veneer. Lumineers can be directly affixed on the affected tooth without chipping off any part of it. The top advantages of lumineers are:

· These are minimally invasive, so you don’t have to worry about undergoing a surgery for getting these

· The procedure to put these on can also be reversed if you ever choose to do so in the future

· These veneers are so comfortable and natural to wear that you wouldn’t even remember having them on after a while

Palatal Veneers

These are specific veneers that cover the inner surfaces of the upper teeth in the front. These are mostly used to cover those teeth that have worn down due to teeth grinding or due to teeth erosion due to multiple reasons. Their top benefits are:

· These cover the inner surfaces of your teeth, which no other veneers do

· These veneers can withstand extensive grinding and biting due to the kind of material they are made of

You must visit your dentist and discuss all the available dental veneer options before making your decision. After all, your veneers will continue to serve you for several years or even decades, so you must make the right choice in the first go. Your dentist can certainly make it easy for you to pick your choice.

Discuss more about dental veneers with your dentist today to get started.

Tooth Whitening – Take the Natural Path or Seek Professional Procedures

Your smile is what makes you stand out. It also is considered a sign that you are happy, healthy, and confident when you meet others. Your teeth play a major role in that, for as long as they shine like white light, your smile will be adored and appreciated by all. However, if your teeth don’t appear that white anymore, you need to seek appropriate treatment for it.

Several factors can cause your teeth to lose their color, including what you eat or drink, or how old you are. But thanks to advancements in dental sciences, you can reverse it all and get your pearly whites back in no time! You can get tooth whitening done in two ways – by using all-natural products, or by consulting a dentist. The question is, which path would be the right choice for you?

Tooth Whitening through Natural Ways

What makes natural tooth whitening methods highly favored is that they are made using materials that are all-natural, easily available, and non-chemical in nature. Moreover, these products are very affordable and are ultra-easy to use. Your dentist could recommend one for you too if you ask them about it.

Being made of natural ingredients like charcoal, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and even bananas and strawberries, natural tooth whitening products bear rare, minimal side effects. However, they could prove to be ineffective and time-consuming for many, mostly due to the amount of discoloration they are supposed to work on. Even then, these are a lifesaver for those who want to make their teeth stronger and better in the most natural way.

Professional Tooth Whitening Procedures

These procedures are performed by seasoned experts under the supervision of senior dentists. These treatments involve the use of both take-home kits as well as procedures that have to be done at the clinic. These methods involve the use of much stronger whitening agents like carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, which assure faster and more visible results.

It must be noted that the whitening agents used by dentists are strong chemicals and have to be used with utmost precision. Any less amount, and they won’t do the job. Any extra amount could harm your teeth and gums. Having a dentist work on your teeth also allows you to have any other dental problems resolved as well without needing extra visits. Your dentist can customize your treatment plan based on your preferences, and is certain to deliver over and above your expectations.

At the same time, you must know that teeth whitening procedures can cost a lot of money. You may have to undergo multiple sittings depending on how discolored your teeth are and what led to discoloration in the first place. If you have sensitivity issues, you must inform your dentist about the same, which may also affect the approach they would take for the procedure. Your dentist will suggest a few products you must regularly use to keep your teeth shining white forever.

Which Method is Best for You

Like everything else, both methods have their share of pros and cons. Working with a dentist is certain to deliver exceptional results, but it can hurt your pocket a lot. Natural methods work for most too, but they take a long time and aren’t certain to deliver results for everyone. You can always take the middle road and work with your dentist while also making use of natural products. Your dentist will also be more than happy to make certain recommendations that will allow you to get the desired results without harming your teeth or budget.

Discuss this in detail with your dentist today and get started on the path to teeth whitening and impressing everyone around with your unmatched smile.

Oral Health and Insurance Coverage – Everything You Need to Know

People today understand a lot more about oral health than what they did just a decade ago. After all, oral health is directly related to one’s overall health and vice versa. In such a scheme of things, dental insurance has a major role to play. While there are significant and visible disparities in the scope of coverage, one thing stands clear – dental insurance is necessary to address your dental issues and keep your pearly whites in the best shape. 

There are a few things, though, that you must know about dental insurance coverage. You need to understand what your policy covers and what it does not, how and where it is applicable, and how it can have an impact on your dental health. You can also check with your insurance company if they also provide coverage for getting dental implants in your mouth. 

Scope of Dental Insurance 

Before you consider this as any other insurance, know this – dental insurance is nothing like medical insurance. In fact, dental insurance is often regarded as a supplement policy and not something that is essential for overall health. This means not all policies would cover dental insurance, and those that do will often have a limited scope of coverage. A few of those dental insurance policies have steep riders of their own with limited coverage, so make sure that you know what you are signing up for beforehand. 

You can also look for alternative dental health programs, such as private insurance. There are certain public programs as well like CHIP (Children Health Insurance Program) or Medicaid, though these have limited coverage and can vary depending on which U.S. state you are currently in. There is Medicare too, a federal program, but it doesn’t cover oral health at all. This leaves you with fewer options to choose from. 

Dental Insurance is More Beneficial than You Think 

Consider this – what would you rather have, something that you want by paying for it, or getting it for free? 

Dental insurance works in a very similar way for your psyche. If you have dental coverage, you are more likely to go for dental coverage and treatment, fully knowing that the expenses will be borne by your insurance company. But if you didn’t have a policy, you wouldn’t have even considered visiting a doctor, let alone get some treatment done. 

With dental insurance, you can easily keep your oral health in check and ensure that you never have to worry about gum diseases, cavities, or tooth loss. With these sorted, you are assured of being able to lead a high quality of life. 

Does my Insurance Cover Dental Implants 

Most of the conventional dental insurance policies do not cover dental implants. Much of this has to do with a common perception that considers the procedure more of a cosmetic enhancement than a necessary surgery. The costs running into thousands of dollars do nothing to convince the insurance to change their stance either. 

Even then, there are insurance companies that provide some form of coverage for dental implants. While they don’t cover it all, you can still make significant savings while having such coverage before undergoing the procedure for dental implants. 

While there is still a need for adding more to the scope of dental insurance, you can still benefit a lot from them by choosing the right insurer. You can also check with your dentist about the policies that can reduce your financial burden before you decide to get the implants done. Trust your dentist with their decisions like you do with them working on your teeth. They will definitely never be in the wrong! 

Foods that Help Retain Naturally White Teeth

The kind of food you eat can have a lot more impact on your teeth than you know. So, if you are eating healthy food, your teeth will continue to stay strong and healthy. There are a few of those food types that do an additional job of promoting teeth whitening naturally. These food types are easily available and are great to have as well. You might already be having them too! But it will do you a lot of good if you can identify them and ensure that they are incorporated into what you eat on a daily basis.  

Foods That Matter the Most 

Fruits: There are different fruits that do their bit towards keeping your teeth white in their own ways. Strawberries, for instance, have malic acid, an enzyme that can remove any stains accumulated on the surface of your teeth. These also have vitamin C which helps with reducing gum inflammation or other gum problems. Then there are apples that boost saliva production, which naturally cleanses all sides of your mouth and keeps plaque formation in check. You can also relish the amazing pineapple, for besides its sweet taste, it also has an enzyme named bromelain that breaks down protein and helps in keeping teeth free from any stains. Your gums and teeth also stay healthy when you enjoy the flavors of a pineapple. 

Dairy Products: Dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, or even milk are known to be rich in calcium and phosphorus, which can make your tooth enamel stronger and well-protected from any cavity or decay. Cheese also has a protein named casein that fortifies teeth’s surface, thereby securing them from cavities. You could have a piece of it every time you have a meal, for cheese further neutralizes acid formation within the mouth, which in turn, saves your teeth from getting stained. 

Vegetables: Crunchy vegetables such as carrots and celery have high water content in addition to fibrous texture. When you chew these, you boost saliva production inside your mouth, which washes away any stuck food debris and bacteria from around your mouth. Your oral health also gets a major boost when you eat these. You can also go for broccoli, which helps in polishing the teeth, as well as reducing surface stains and plaque formation. Broccoli is known to have high iron content, which forms a sort of protection above your teeth, thereby securing them from erosion caused by acidic foods. 

Seeds and Nuts: Sesame seeds, walnuts, and almonds form another class of foods that help scrub the teeth surface and clean any stains that may have formed there. These foods have high calcium content, which helps keep the enamel strong. You can go for a variety of nuts and seeds in your diet that can keep both your teeth and your overall health in good shape. 

Leafy Greens: In addition to conventional veggies, there are leafy green veggies as well that can do wonders for your teeth. These include lettuce, spinach, and kale, which have high fiber content and help produce more of saliva, thanks to the amount of chewing needed. These foods further have folic acid that helps keep your gums and teeth healthy and shiny. 

Water: If there is one thing you can never go wrong with, it’s water. One of the most natural and purest forms of elements that it is, water helps rinse your mouth, cleanses the stains, and promotes overall health in more ways than you can imagine. Besides, it also does a great deal for your overall health, which again converts to better health of your teeth.  

Your dentist can also help you with a diet chart that can cover everything you can eat throughout the day for teeth whitening, and vary on different days based on your liking. Get in touch with them today to learn more. 

Why and How Invisalign is Revolutionizing Dental Care

Wouldn’t you want to get your teeth to look like how they show them in advertisements? That perfect smile is enticing, and why shouldn’t it be? Everyone aspires for those sparkling pearly whites, perfectly aligned with each other. But if yours aren’t aligned that well, you may go for those metal wires that are uncomfortable to fear and definitely an eye sore.

 

Invisalign, on the other hand, is just how the future of dental treatments is going to look like. These modern teeth aligners come with numerous unique features that focus on your dental health above anything else. As the name suggests, these aligners are also almost unnoticeable, and are very comfortable to wear and remove than braces.

 

Why Use Invisalign

You can choose to use Invisalign if you suffer from any of the following dental concerns:

  • You have overbite, underbite, or crossbite teeth
  • You have space between upper and lower front teeth (open bite)
  • You have some gap between your teeth
  • You have too many misaligned teeth (crowded teeth) or crooked teeth

 

How Does the Treatment Process Go

Your dentist will first come up with a 3D image of your teeth. Based on this, they will determine the best course of action to put them in their proper places. After that, they will come with a set of plastic teeth aligners, with the intent to gradually push teeth into their desired positions. You may have to change your aligners one after the other, depending on the kind of treatment your dentist chooses for you.

 

Top Benefits of Invisalign

Aesthetics: Admit it – metal braces can’t give you the kind of confidence you need while wearing them. Invisalign, on the other hand, will sit atop your teeth without anyone ever noticing them. These are made from high-quality medical-grade clear plastic that is customized based on the shape of your teeth. So, by keeping your natural look as it is, you can continue leading your social life with full confidence and comfort, knowing that your teeth are improving each day.

Maintain Your Oral Hygiene: Conventional teeth braces can make simple things like eating become a major task. You may often find food getting stuck between the wires in your teeth. Invisalign aligners don’t work like that. They can be removed easily, which allows you to eat, brush, or even floss naturally without facing any hassle. You can also clean the teeth aligners as many times as you want when you take them off to maintain your oral hygiene.

Comfortable and Convenient to use: Without any wires that come with braces, aligners are more comfortable to wear. You will never feel any irritation around your mouth even if you keep them for several hours. You only need to get them replaced/redone once every few weeks, so you don’t need to reschedule your busy appointments for the process. The process itself doesn’t take that long.

Effectively and Timely Treatment: You might need to wear your braces for teeth alignment over several years. With Invisalign, though, it might take 6-12 months, if not less. Moreover, these aligners are specifically customized based on your teeth’ positioning. So, they are already curated to help your teeth get properly aligned in a synchronized order. Because they are very comfortable to wear, you could also keep them on for longer times, and without anyone noticing them.

Overall Health Benefits: A lot of problems we face in our daily lives with our health start from our mouth. Pain in the jaw, speech issues, or even how we eat our food, all affect our overall health. With aligners doing their bit to keep your teeth aligned, you will not need to worry about diseases like periodontal disease, which at times can lead to diabetes or certain heart conditions.

Compatible with Your Lifestyle: Invisalign aligners are meant to make your lifestyle as easy and convenient as you like. They help you enjoy your favorite food, indulge in your favorite sports, or socialize with friends and family, without ever worrying about how your teeth look or feel.

 

Learn more about how Invisalign aligners can benefit your teeth by visiting your nearest dentist today!