Archive for category General Cosmetic Dentistry
Sleep Sedation Dentistry Vs Pain Free Dentists
Posted by Shannon Dunlevy in General Cosmetic Dentistry on September 25th, 2009
In my last article I explained sleep sedation dentistry from the point of view of an extremely fearful and phobic patient. This time, I’ll give you a bit more detail and technical information on just exactly what sedation and sleep dentistry can accomplish, especially for the patient afraid of extensive or intrusive dental work.
Before I move on, it is worthwhile to mention that sleep dentistry is not limited to those with a fear of dentists, it’s also just as viable and effective a procedure for those who need very extensive work done. People who have avoided the dentist for 10 to even 20 years will need the kind of restorative and cosmetic work done that could take months of long and arduous dental visits. This reality is notably one of the biggest reasons that some will remain in poor dental health, since the enormous commitment of time and discomfort is both cost prohibitive (from lost time at their jobs) and from a wish to avoid long hours sitting in a dentists chair as the work is done fractionally over long periods.
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Is Tooth Bonding A Cosmetic Veneers Procedure?
Posted by Shannon Dunlevy in Dental Tourism, General Cosmetic Dentistry on August 26th, 2009
To answer the title question… no. There are some markedly different procedural considerations between a resin bond and a cosmetic veneers procedure. They both set out to achieve similar results and they both focus on similar dental issues, but the techniques and work involved is really very different – as is the end result.
So now you may ask, is one way better than the other? This question really boils down to many things, such as personal preference, budget, resiliency of the product, amount of damage you’re prepared to endure to the original tooth enamel, and many other things.
Why veneers are often considered the better alternative to bonding lay within the materials, techniques, durability and stain resilience of porcelain. Simply put, porcelain will not stain, whereas most bonding will stain over time, causing the bonds to need repair and reconstruction every few years. Porcelain is also much more durable and sturdy over time. Although the veneer may seem thin on its’ own, (being less than 1 millimeter in width), when bonded to a tooth it becomes extremely strong. Also, porcelain is much more life-like, and while proponents of bonding will argue this until the cows come home, most professionals will tell you a porcelain veneer has a much greater life span.
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Cosmetic Dentistry and The Lagging Economy
Posted by Shannon Dunlevy in General Cosmetic Dentistry, Home Dental Care on August 18th, 2009
In a bad economic situation, of which we are all now experiencing, people all over are not only cutting back on food and travel, but they are neglecting health issues, particularly in the area of dental health. We must however consider that by neglecting the dentist visit now, what will this mean in the long run for our dental health? It’s really no big secret that when you neglect your teeth to save money, you will spend markedly more later down the road just repairing the damage that has happened through neglect.
A good example would be the person who attends a dentist for a filling. A simple filling may cost a few hundred dollars to complete. If that same person looks at their shrinking budget and decides to avoid getting the filling, a few months or maybe a year down the road that person will then require an extensive root canal procedure, which involves not only the root canal treatment, but also a crown, and possible a post. In the end one neglected filling can end up costing thousands, as opposed to a few hundred had it been dealt with immediately.
So the question becomes this: What can we do now – at home – in these penny pinching times, to maintain a healthy mouth? Here’s a few ways that we’ve all heard time and time again:
Don’t Have Fear for Cosmetic Dentistry Veneers!
Posted by Shannon Dunlevy in Dental Spas, Dental Tourism, General Cosmetic Dentistry on August 16th, 2009
Right. Judging by the title, I am running a poetic dental site now. How cool is that! 
And now I digress…
The sight and sound of a dentist’s drill can send shivers up the spine. Even the hardest and most masculine men can cower in the dentist’s office from either childhood fears, or just simply because the tools of a dentist’s trade can look like medieval torture devices. For someone with damaged teeth, the thought of a cosmetic dentistry veneers procedure, or any other dental work, is often met with such debilitating fear that they will choose the more damaging and uncomfortable solution of living with unhealthy teeth. These fears are starting to melt away, with the advent of the dental spa.
Help Is On The Way!
Is it even possible to be smiling on the way to your dental appointment? Yep. Not only is it possible, but now modern and forward thinking dentists have incorporated complete spa retreats within the confines of their offices. These spa like conditions can not only have you more relaxed when faced with a dental procedure, they can actually soothe and relax you from daily stress and leave you feeling invigorated and happy. Yes, going to the dentist can now actually make you happy. Who knew?
Cerec Porcelain Veneers Can Save Trouble and Time
Posted by Shannon Dunlevy in Cerec Dental Restoration, General Cosmetic Dentistry on August 15th, 2009
The Cerec system, or “Ceramic Reconstruction of Natural Tooth Structure” is a procedure used in cosmetic dentistry to speed up and provide a more detailed examination and construct of damaged teeth. This procedure makes it entirely possible to walk out of the dentist’s office with a fully restored and brilliant tooth in a single visit – as opposed to the normal 2 or more visits required for normal cosmetic dentistry veneers procedures.
The bonuses are rather obvious, in that you have to lose no more time from work attending a second visit, there are no temporary veneers to live with (which can actually be both uncomfortable and unpleasant to look at). There is also no need for a second set of needles to cause discomfort or fear.
This speed is possible because Cerec does not need to make a mold impression of the teeth, nor wait as the veneer models are constructed at a secondary location. The process is done in-office, by a computer controlled diamond cutter, based on a digital manipulation. This digital impression is completed by way of digital 3D photography and CAD (Computer Aided Drafting). Once the digital model is completed, it is then manipulated on proprietary computer software, and the finished digital model is then sent to the milling machine to finish constructing the implant. All Cerec systems use diamond head cutters to ensure complete accuracy.
Cosmetic Dentistry Veneers, Explained
Posted by Shannon Dunlevy in Cosmetic Veneers, General Cosmetic Dentistry on August 14th, 2009
A person will normally seek out cosmetic dentistry veneers in order to improve the confidence of their smile. There are many factors as to why teeth become discolored and damaged, in most cases it is of no fault or neglect, just environmental issues (a list is provided below). The problems that arise from having a poor smile or discolored teeth are more serious than most people realize, in that a person with this condition will usually feels less socially confident, they will take care to avoid social situations that would otherwise be enjoyable, they can even suffer professionally from avoiding jobs that require bright lights and substantial human contact.
One very significant side effect, noticed from people with problem smiles, is a decreased instance of normal and comfortable eye contact, and this can lead to other socially akward situations and sometimes even phobias. While this sounds horrible, all of these problems can be solved through cosmetic bonding, or cosmetic veneers.
Cosmetic veneers are an expensive prospect, bonding being the cheaper alternative. However cost is something to consider over a long term “value for your money” case. Bonding is known to last only 5 to 10 years whereas a cosmetic veneer will normally last 20 years or more. In effect this means that any short term cost savings by opting for bonding is usually offset by the future expenses of many corrective procedures.
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The Author
Name: Shannon
Bio: I'm a graduate student and part time model and come from a dentist family. My father and both brothers are dentists, and my mother is a hygienist. I've also once worked as a hygienist in my Dads dental practice, but now I'm in my third year at the University in Scotland, on the way to becoming a Dentist, specializing in cosmetic procedures. One could say career is all in the genes I guess. :)
