April 14, 2021

Your interaction with the outside world defines your self-worth. Unfortunately, a dental flaw can kill your self-esteem and affect every aspect of your life, including your relationships. Dental problems like tooth discoloration or broken teeth will make you feel like smiling on the inside, having the temptation to cover your mouth for people not to see your problem. Keith Bram DDS is a professional dentist who has expertise in cosmetic dentistry and will take you through the benefits of various cosmetic procedures. The specialist will also guide you towards a plan that best suits your aesthetic needs. 

Cosmetic Dentistry 101

Cosmetic dentistry is professional oral care that focuses on improving your teeth’ natural appearance. The treatment can give you a better smile, especially if you have crooked, misshapen, or misaligned teeth that affect your smile’s beauty. 

The types of cosmetic procedures your dentist is likely to recommend include:

• Veneers. Dental veneers are thin, custom-made porcelain or resin caps your dentist will use to cover your tooth’s front surface to enhance your appearance. The wafer-thin caps that look identical to your natural teeth resolve multiple cosmetic issues including noticeable teeth gaps and damaged enamel. During the procedure, your dentist will use a dental adhesive to apply the veneer to your tooth’s front.
• Teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is among the least expensive cosmetic procedures your dentist will recommend. The treatment involves removing tartar, plaque, and other debris from your tooth surface before whitening them with a bleaching agent for your teeth to attain a brighter shade of their original color.
• Dental implants. Implants are permanent replacements your dentist will recommend to replace your missing teeth. Your doctor will use titanium posts into your missing tooth’s bone socket to act as your tooth’s roots and hold it in position. During the healing process, your jawbone grows around your titanium ‘root’ and anchors it carefully in place. The procedure is a recommendation when you have a missing or lost tooth.
• Dental crowns. Crowns are tooth-shaped caps your dentist will use to cover your damaged tooth to protect and strengthen it. Dental crowns can address several dental issues including fractured, misshapen, and discolored teeth.
• Composite bonding. The treatment prompts your dentist to repair your damaged teeth using materials that resemble your enamel. During the process, your dentist will drill out your tooth’s affected portion before applying the composite material. The expert will then sculpt the material to the proper shape before curing it with a special high-intensity light.  

What Are the Benefits of Cosmetics Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry has various benefits. Apart from improving your looks, treatments like implants will restore your teeth’ functions and allow you to enjoy your favorite foods. Other benefits of the treatment include:

• Improved appearance. Dental flaws will prevent you from showing off your smile and affect how you interact with others. Cosmetic dentistry, however, will rejuvenate your look, making your chipped teeth look whole.   
• Improved self-confidence. Treatments like bonding enhance the look of your damaged teeth, making you feel confident about your smile.  
• Enhanced dental health. Apart from your appearance, cosmetic dentistry also protects you against future dental problems.

There are various solutions your dentist will use to fix your smile, depending on your aesthetic needs. Do not feel dissatisfied with your smile when you can have the experts help you out. Contact the expert dentists today and discuss the best cosmetic treatment that suits you. 

If toothaches or extreme sensitivity bother you frequently, you might be a good candidate for a root canal. A root canal is designed to save a badly injured tooth instead of removing it. It relieves you of pain. Tooth decay is the main cause of the root canal, and living with it is painful. You should consider visiting the Richmond root canal treatment center for other alternatives.

What is a root canal?

 A root canal is a treatment used to save and repair a badly infected or decayed tooth.  A tooth’s pulp or nerve can become inflamed, infected, and irritated due to deep decay, chip or a crack in the tooth, or repeated dental procedures.

During the root canal treatment procedure,  the pulp and the nerve are extracted, and the inside is then cleaned and sealed. If no treatment, the tissue around the tooth becomes infected, and there is an abscess formation.

 A tooth nerve is not significantly important to a tooth’s function and health after the tooth is visible through the gums. Its function is to give a cold or hot sensation. So the absence of a nerve won’t affect the working of the tooth.

Origin of root canal infections

Root canal causes might vary, but they start the same way with an injured tooth. Whether it is a chip or a crack in the tooth, damage to the tooth pulp, fractured tooth root, or having a tooth with repeated dental procedures, they all can cause root canal infections. But the main cause of a root canal infection is tooth decay.

Before a root canal infection occurs, tooth decay must first develop beyond the enamel, which is harder than a bone. Factors such as the enamel and thickness quality can determine the time taken for a cavity to form.

If you don’t attend checkups, your tooth decay is likely to go through the enamel to the next layer of the tooth, and you are at risk of having a root canal infection. When the decay progresses beyond the dentin to the tooth pulp, inflammation occurs, promoting the growth of a bacteria that spreads the infection.

Root canal recovery

After a root canal treatment, your mouth will be numb for some hours. Many people can resume school, work, or other activities. You might wait until the numbness is gone to eat.  For the first days to complete the root canal, the tooth can be sensitive due to tissue inflammation, mostly if there was infection or pain before the procedure.

Until the root canal procedure is finished, with a permanent crown or filling, avoid chewing with the tooth. This keeps the area clean and prevents the tooth from breaking before it can be fully restored. Floss, brush and use mouthwash regularly and see your dentist at scheduled intervals.

Root canal treatment is very successful, the procedure is 95% effective. Fixing teeth with a root canal can make them last a lifetime. Root canal treatment improves one’s dental health. This procedure can be performed without you getting anxious or fearful when you are sedated. Contact Brightwork Family Dentistry and schedule for a root canal.