cara, Author at Elivad

4 Reasons to Get a Smile Makeover this Fall

As summer comes to a close and millions of kids head back to school, the seasonal freedom fades into extra adult responsibilities once more. Workloads, advancement potential, dating pool options, and new social opportunities are likely to be knocking down your door at some point over the next few months. A beautiful new smile can give your upcoming opportunities a boost beyond your dreams, and your Johns Creek Dentist is the perfect captain to lead you to those new lands. After all, there’s serious psychology behind a full, genuine smile. But why should you really consider getting a smile makeover this fall?

Modern Dental Care Is Incredibly Advanced

Dental treatments themselves have pretty much stayed consistent over the years, but the materials and processes used have evolved greatly. Modern dentists are practically artists. They get into their task and create, sculpt, and apply new materials to existing damaged teeth to transform a broken smile into a brilliant one. Modern equipment, biocompatible materials, and quick, effective, and painless methods keep costs reasonable and patients happy visit after visit.

Even a Little Work Goes a Long Way

Long gone are the days where dental work consistently equated to months of poking, prodding, and painful procedures. A perfect smile makeover can consist of treatments as simple as composite fillings and bonding or professional teeth whitening and a few porcelain veneers. Your Johns Creek Dentist can do a thorough examination and offer several options for you to choose. And since even a little amount of dental change goes a long way, there’s no reason for anxiety to rear its ugly head anymore.

Patient Comfort and Security Are Top Priorities

Anesthesia is rarely needed unless teeth are removed or decay is an issue. So many procedures are minimally invasive to non-invasive. The patient is always given all the pertinent information needed to prepare for the chosen or recommended treatment. So if there are any questions, your Johns Creek Dentist is ready with answers. Pleasant surroundings, knowledgeable and experienced professionals, and even anxiety assistance if needed are all part of patient care. Tell your dentist what will make you more comfortable during the procedure, whether it’s having specific pictures from home, a supportive friend in tow, or your own soundtrack playing through your headphones, and they’ll do what they can to accommodate your needs. The patient is always the top priority.

Regaining Your Confidence and Improving Your Life May Cost a Lot Less Than You Think

Common smile makeover treatments like professional teeth whitening, bonding, Invisalign, porcelain veneers, and dental implants can go a long way toward improving your confidence. That can in turn drastically improve many aspects of your life, including professional, social, and romantic opportunities. So the right smile makeover can quite literally pay for itself in a relatively short time frame. But finances are still often a concern. Modern dental treatments are often more affordable than patients think. And if the treatment is considered a restorative procedure as opposed to a cosmetic one, insurance plans can help. But even if your smile makeover is simply cosmetic, your Johns Creek Dentist can offer deals and finance options to help you finally get the smile you deserve.

4 Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry solutions nationwide. And with countless home kits on the market today, it’s no wonder why. According to Hexa Research, the popularity of teeth whitening agents are just going to increase. And by 2024, the teeth whitening industry will be worth almost $7.5 billion and driven heavily by European and Asian consumers. Professional whitening treatments seriously trump over-the-counter solutions and always will. But what are the benefits of seeing your Moorestown Dentist for the professional version?

Professional Whitening Treatments Are Customized

In-store whitening kits tend to offer big promises that they can’t deliver. That’s because many people believe the hype and either use them sparingly, overuse, or they use them for the wrong conditions. No whitening products can bleach intrinsic stains which can be caused by genetics, medications, or even trauma. Most whitening kit consumers don’t realize this, but your Moorestown Dentist does. Customized professional whitening treatments are created per patient to handle the stains and achieve the level of whitening preferred in each individual case. It’s never a one-size-fits-all solution in the dentist’s chair.

Professional Whitening Treatments Are Faster Than Store-Bought Options

Natural teeth are made of four layers: pulp, dentin, cementum, and enamel. Only the enamel can be brightened by whitening products. Store-bought kits do work for most people if used correctly, although rarely anywhere near as well as they claim. This is because the bleaching agents in over-the-counter whitening kits average between 5 and 10% while the average professional whitening treatments can range between 12 and 30% bleaching agents. Think about it like this, if you really love chocolate chip cookies and see two left on a plate knowing you can only have one, but one has two chips and the other has ten… which one are you going to choose? Professional whitening treatments are faster than store-bought options because they have higher percentages of peroxide bleaching agents.

Professional Whitening Treatments Boost Confidence

Most dental procedures take at least a few office visits to complete. But there’s nothing like walking into an appointment and leaving an hour later looking and feeling completely transformed. Professional whitening treatments have that power. Depending on the customization and bleaching needed, it can take as little as an hour to reinvent your smile. Say goodbye to the focus being on your laugh line and fine or ingrained wrinkles. Years disappear when your smile is the new centerpiece of your face. And just watch your confidence, social, and possibly even romantic opportunities soar.

Professional Whitening Treatments Can Be Affordable Over 50% of adults over 50 believe a smile can still be one of the most attractive features as someone ages. And 80% of adults, regardless of age, agree they’d pay money for age-reducing beauty treatments. People line up at the door for professional hair treatments, manicures, vein removal, and even certain types of plastic surgery or fillers. Yet so many opt for over-the-counter whitening treatments that pale compared to professional whitening treatments. Yes, the store-bought kits can cost as little as $30-$40 for a monthly strip supply. But you’re also getting a fraction of the whitening power per application as you could with one visit to your Moorestown Dentist. Give us a call when you’re ready to be wowed.

Put a Little Spring in Your Smile with a Smile Makeover Featuring Porcelain Veneers

It seems like everyone wants the smile of their dreams nowadays. Reality TV “celebrities” and dazzling red carpet smiles prove anyone can look as though they’re born with those perfect chompers. Of course, few people outside of the Hollywood spotlight have the opportunity to hire round-the-clock beauty teams to achieve that dream. The good news is that you can still have your cake and eat it too with porcelain veneers and your New York City Cosmetic Dentist can serve it to you on a silver platter. But why should you consider putting a little spring in your smile with porcelain veneers as the star of your smile makeover?

Porcelain Veneers Are Quick and Customizable

Veneers are thin porcelain shells that fit over existing teeth to create a seamless and perfect smile. Each veneer or set of veneers is carefully crafted by your professional dentist, taking your needs, desires, and mouth shape into consideration. They’re molded to fit each patient perfectly and dyed carefully to match surrounding teeth so they look like you were born with perfect teeth. After the consultation, porcelain veneers can be completed in as little as two appointments so there’s no reason to wait for a brand new you.

Porcelain Veneers Are Minimally Invasive

Depending on the patient’s sensitivity, a local anesthesia may be needed during the treatment. In most cases, porcelain veneers require a minimal amount of enamel to be removed from the teeth they’re being affixed to in order for the shells to adhere. Some patients may feel some sensitivity or discomfort during the treatment, but most patients are so impressed with the final results that the minimal invasiveness of the procedure is immaterial.

Porcelain Veneers Are Durable

Porcelain veneers are not the same as natural tooth enamel, but the materials used are strong enough to handle normal life demands. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), porcelain veneers may not last a lifetime without repair or replacement needs. But with the right care, your porcelain veneers can last between 10 and 20 years. Fortunately, maintaining your porcelain veneers is an easy process. Simply brush and floss your teeth daily, limit stain-inducing food and drinks, and visit your New York City Cosmetic Dentist annually and/or as needed to keep your smile healthy and brilliant year after year.

Porcelain Veneers Can Improve Your Life

Almost 25% of Americans feel enough embarrassment from their dental issues to avoid smiling altogether. Approximately 20% of adults feel consistent anxiety due to their teeth, and almost 30% of millennials report their dental concerns affect their ability to achieve professional success. Studies have proven, however, that the right dental treatments can improve social, romantic, and career opportunities as well as significantly improve personal confidence. Porcelain veneers can provide an almost instant aesthetic solution to multiple dental issues including stains, cracks, chips, gaps, and even missing or jagged teeth. Contact your Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist when you’re ready to see if porcelain veneers are the right solution for you.

Ditch the Silver! Benefits to Tooth-colored Composite Fillings

Dental amalgam fillings certainly aren’t new, but they may not be as old as some people think. Although silver fillings are the most common restorative option nowadays, they were invented in 1815. They made their way across Europe and finally into America in 1830. And almost immediately, there were reported problems and health concerns. Amalgams are made from several types of metal. And while the combination and consistency haven’t changed, human tolerance to the toxins certainly has. Fortunately, non-mercury tooth fillings can help you avoid amalgams permanently. But what are the benefits of these metal-free fillings?

Non-Mercury Tooth Fillings Are Aesthetically Pleasing

Amalgams are also known as silver fillings due to their uniform gray metallic coloring. While they’re strong and do the intended job, as soon as you smile, laugh, eat, or open your mouth for any reason, there’s no doubt they’re there. Over time, the metal can corrode and stain the teeth they’re protecting as well as surrounding enamel. In many cases, these stains end up being black or blue and they’re often permanent. That’s not the case with composite fillings. The resin alternative is customized to the patient’s needs and dyed to match surrounding teeth. So all anyone can see is your beautiful smile.

Composite Fillings Are Quick and Durable

Tooth-colored resin sets quickly and is easy to work with, so the procedure is relatively fast. In fact, a tooth or two can be filled within an hour. Composite resin isn’t quite as strong as amalgam but it’s not meant to be. It’s customized to match surrounding teeth and then molded into position before being cured. When properly cared for and maintained, composite fillings can last a decade or longer. But bad habits or behaviors such as chewing on ice, hard candy, inedible items, or even fingernails can cause the fillings to loosen and pop out.

Tooth-Colored Fillings Are Biocompatible

Non-mercury tooth fillings are biocompatible which means they provide a non-toxic solution for the body while preserving more of the tooth structure. Unlike amalgams which simply fill the decayed gap in the tooth, composite fillings actually bond to the remaining tooth structure. Tooth-colored fillings are therefore a more conservative treatment and your Fort Lauderdale Holistic Dentist will take every precaution to save as much of the healthy natural tooth as possible.

You Won’t Have to Worry About Mercury

Over 90% of Americans have some form of dental decay, and the average American has lost 12 teeth by the time they reach the age of 50. That includes wisdom teeth, so don’t worry that you’ll suddenly become edentulous. Nonetheless, many Americans eventually need to consider fillings to preserve at least some of their natural teeth. Amalgams may be the most common type of filling material, but it’s important to realize they contain up to 50% elemental mercury. Over time the vapors can leak and absorb into the bloodstream causing the body to break down as a result. While some people seem immune to the effects, serious health consequences can occur for others. Is it really worth the risk? Give your Fort Lauderdale Holistic Dentist when you’re ready for non-mercury tooth fillings.

How to Choose the Right Color for Your Porcelain Veneers

Approximately one-third of Americans admit to being unhappy with their smile, and many more long for the perfect set of chompers they believe to be little more than a pipe dream. The right cosmetic dentistry procedure can turn any dental dream into a reality. And those Hollywood smiles are far from unachievable. Often, it’s as simple as opting for porcelain veneers. These wafer-thin porcelain shells fit directly over your existing teeth and can create a seamless smile worthy of any red carpet A-lister. Of course, while easily customized prior to the final fitting, the shade and shape can’t be changed after the procedure is completed. The last thing anyone wants is to be disappointed in their final outcome, but how do you choose the right color for your porcelain veneers.

Be Realistic and Determine the Type of Change You Want

Most people automatically associate a beautiful smile with the whitest possible shade. But there is such a thing as your teeth being too white. The goal here is to attract the eye, not blind it or scare it away. That doesn’t mean your porcelain veneers can’t be several shades whiter than your natural teeth. In fact, they should be. But they should also look natural. Unless you’re in front of the camera for your career or rely on a flawless smile to make a living, you can probably avoid the whitest shades and opt for something a bit more realistic. After all, you probably still want people to think you were born with a perfect smile.

Consider Your Age, Facial Characteristics, and Lifestyle

Gender and age play a big part in the right shape and coloring of your teeth. Hair coloring, skin tone, and even the whites of your eyes work together to influence the right shade choice. Your porcelain veneers should enhance your beauty, not detract from it or clash with other equally impressive traits. Also be sure to consider your diet, habits, and vices such as coffee addiction, nicotine or alcohol intake. Those won’t stain veneers like they do natural enamel, but they can weaken the bonding agents and dull the edges of the porcelain over time.

Understand How Translucency Factors In

Porcelain veneers are about the width of a contact lens. So while they cover existing dental problems they are also thin enough to allow existing stains or the natural color of your enamel and even light to come through. This translucency factor is often overlooked by patients expecting gleaming white teeth off the bat. Professional tooth whitening can be implemented prior to the veneer treatment to whiten existing enamel, but some staining or dullness may remain. A soft white porcelain color may mute out yellowing enamel while a darker shade may be needed for deeper or permanent stains.

Listen to Your Johns Creek Dentist

Your dentist will show you a shade guide, ask for your preferences, and make suggestions based on those. The patient has the final decision, of course, but your Johns Creek Dentist should be listened to for the best possible outcome. They’ll explain how the translucency of your chosen shades will react with your natural coloring and provide suggestions and options for the most natural solution for your needs and desires. Whitening of the teeth and veneers can be done prior to shell placement. Once that’s completed, the treatment is permanent, and the color can’t be changed. But by following the above steps, you can have a natural looking beautiful smile with your new porcelain veneers.

Spring Into a New Smile with Invisalign Clear Aligners

Achieving the perfect smile is an American dream nowadays, but that wasn’t always the case. In fact, historical evidence proves our ancestors as far back to the cavemen days had what so many of us would consider a practically flawless set of chompers. The main reason for the natural dental imperfection is because the jaw becomes smaller as humanity evolves. An easy and effective modern solution to that problem is to straighten your teeth with Invisalign. But what’s the big deal with crooked teeth and how can your Red Bank New Jersey Dentist help you spring into a new smile?

Crooked Teeth Rarely Straighten on Their Own

Almost all kids have some form of dental issue whether it’s malocclusion (crooked teeth) or a diastema (gap). The jaw and teeth strengthen, adjust, and set as we age and some people are fortunate enough to grow out of those issues. However, most dental concerns increase or get worse with time. Almost 5 million Americans at any given time wear braces and 80% of those are kids between the ages of 6 and 18. Up to 70% of adolescents will wear metal braces before they reach adulthood. Of course, braces aren’t right for everyone and Invisalign offers a clear alternative to the traditional rite of passage.

Crooked Teeth Can Lead to Bite Issues

Crooked teeth cause the jaw to shift and can lead to abnormal wear of the mandible. A weakened jawbone can create bite issues and lead to internal stress which can result in bruxism or TMJ. Invisalign can easily treat even serious bite issues and the aligners can work as mouth guards to protect your teeth from further damage due to habitual stress-related grinding. As the treatment progresses, your jaw can repair itself and realign as you straighten your teeth with Invisalign.

Crooked Teeth Encourage Bacteria and Decay

Tooth decay doesn’t care about age, gender, race, or creed. In fact, it’s so prevalent that over 90% of Americans have cavities and that number soars to 96% in adults over the age of 65. However, bacteria doesn’t just eat away at the teeth. It can attack any surface inside the mouth, including the gums. Poor oral health care and the resulting build-up of bacteria is the primary cause of gum disease. And that’s nothing to smile about. Gum disease begins as gingivitis which involves sore, red, and inflamed gums. That stage is easily treatable if caught early enough. But crooked teeth encourage the bacteria by providing it with extra living spaces. Invisalign can straighten your teeth and help reduce the risks for bacteria-related oral health problems.

Crooked Teeth Can Improve Your Life

According to a national survey, 99.7% of Americans admit to believing a good smile is a necessary social asset while 96% of adults said an attractive smile increases that individual’s romantic potential. Continuing on that vein, around 75% of Americans believe a person’s smile can improve or impede their career success. In fact, when it came to what they first noticed in another person’s smile, straightness of their teeth was mentioned more often than the shade or cleanliness of their teeth, the sincerity of their smile, or even the presence of missing teeth. Give your Red Bank New Jersey Dentist a call to see how springing into a new smile with Invisalign can help improve your life.

Get a Smile Makeover FAST with Snap-on Smile

In a recent national survey, approximately 85% of Americans agree that oral health needs to be prioritized. But fewer than 60% of those surveyed visit their dentist annually, and only a quarter of Americans are satisfied with their overall oral health or smile. Lack of regular dental care can be due to a number of reasons including fear of the dentist chair and financial concerns. But the perfect smile makeover doesn’t have to hurt, nor does it necessarily require a second mortgage. In fact, you can get a smile makeover fast with a Snap-On Smile. But why should you consider this alternative smile makeover treatment?

Snap-On Smile Is Aesthetically Pleasing

A Snap-On Smile is essentially a set of false teeth that are customized to fit over your existing teeth. They provide a seamless and perfect smile and cover several issues simultaneously. They work as a quick, painless, and reasonable alternative to porcelain veneers. And just like veneers, they can provide an almost instant improvement in your overall appearance and significantly lift your confidence levels. So you can be ready for your career, social, and romantic closeups after about two visits to your New York City Cosmetic Dentist.

Snap-On Smile Is Removable

Wait. Is that really a benefit? Well, it definitely can be one. A Snap-On Smile is completely different from permanent procedures such as dentures, dental implants, or even veneers. There are absolutely no surgical or invasive concerns. The Snap-On-tray is custom-created to fit your mouth, but it fits around your teeth. Therefore, it’s not a corrective device, but it is a cosmetic appliance. The snap-on tray is made of dental-grade resin to be strong enough for daily life requirements. But it can be removed at any time to regain full function from your existing teeth or to have other treatments performed later on.

Snap-On Smile Is Affordable

If you’ve ever looked into potential cosmetic or restorative dental solutions such as porcelain veneers or dental implants, the cost factor alone may have bolted that door shut before you could even crack it open. Diving deeper, the irreversibility, potential pain or discomfort, and healing time involved can give even the most determined dental warrior second thoughts. A Snap-On Smile is nowhere near as expensive as implants and is only a fraction of the cost of porcelain veneers. They’re not a permanent option but with proper maintenance, your Snap-On Smile can last years without repair or replacement concerns.

Snap-On Smiles Work for Just About Everyone

A Snap-On Smile is simply an aesthetic solution, but it can work for almost anyone. A Snap-On Smile can hide crooked teeth or gaps, help improve bite issues, completely cover missing teeth, and give you the smile makeover of your dreams… at least during the day. Your Snap-On Smile should be removed at night just like removable dentures, and they need to be maintained and cared for properly just like natural teeth. Give your New York City Cosmetic Dentist a call today to discuss how easy it is to improve your life in a snap.

Play It Safe with a Mouthguard for Spring Sports

Whether organized or free-play sports are a rite of passage for most American adolescents. After all, over 100 million children play some type of team or recreational sports activity annually. But according to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), approximately 84% of kids don’t wear mouth protection while playing unorganized sports. Other equipment such as pads, helmets, and activity-related gear are too often prioritized as they ignore the need or forget to protect teeth from injury. As such, athletes have a 10% chance of experiencing a serious dental or facial injury in a single season of playing their favorite sport. But what are some of the most common injuries that can be avoided by simply wearing a mouthguard for spring sports?

Chipped or Cracked Teeth

Teeth are strong enough to withstand most life requirements, but blunt trauma from sports is another matter altogether. Sometimes the enamel gets craze lines which are small cracks that are little more than a cosmetic issue. But actual cracks that start at the root and spread downward or spiderweb across the tooth can be a severe concern and even lead to chipped teeth or worse. Symptoms usually involve some form of sharp pain which can be felt when biting down or while eating or drinking. The pain may be constant or fade in and out but if any pain is present, you need to schedule an emergency dental appointment with your Moorestown Dentist. Cracked teeth aren’t always visible to the naked eye, but they can still lead to far more serious dental concerns if not diagnosed and treated quickly.

Root Fractures

It’s easy to recognize a dental injury when it occurs in or on the crown of the tooth. But that isn’t always the origin. Sometimes the trauma causes a fracture beneath the gum line and within the root of the tooth. Fractures at this level are often invisible and result in a hairline crack that begins in the root and travels upward to the crown. Moderate to severe pain may be present, but the athlete may not be able to pinpoint exactly where it hurts. In the event of root fractures, it may not even show or present issues until an infection occurs. But because the fracture begins in the root, pulp damage may occur and lead to either a root canal or necrosis which can result in losing the tooth entirely.

Tooth Intrusion

Tooth loss or tooth avulsion is synonymous with sports play, and that can be easily handled by a professional dentist as long as time isn’t wasted in retrieving the tooth and visiting the dentist. However, sometimes the opposite occurs and that can be far more serious and painful. Tooth intrusion occurs when the mouth trauma causes the tooth to be driving back into the jawbone instead of falling out. This injury occurs mostly in boys between the ages of 6 to 12. The intrusion is usually not accompanied by a fracture or further tooth damage. However, root resorption (shortening of the roots) occurs in 70% of the injured teeth. And root necrosis is also possible in this type of injury. Fortunately, a simple mouthguard can protect teeth from injury before the pain, worry, and financial strain become an issue. Visit your Moorestown Dentist to get the right mouthguard for your loved ones so they can play it safe during their spring sports.

New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthier Smile

If you’re like most Americans, you likely can’t count the number of times you’ve vowed to lose weight, increase your income, find love, or otherwise improve your life. And yet fewer and fewer people opt to make resolutions each year. While countless Americans are expected to make resolutions in 2019, fewer than 10% are expected to reach their goals. Of course, just like asking Santa for a pony or the glitziest bauble at Tiffany’s is a waste of a wish for most, many New Year’s resolutions tend to be extreme or complicated ventures that will never actually materialize. Fortunately, dreams of healthy smiles can be achievable resolutions for all with the right outlook and effort. But what are some simple but effective resolutions you can make and achieve to have a healthier smile in the new year?

Brush, Floss, and Rinse

Everyone knows the importance of brushing their teeth, but brushing alone just isn’t enough. Flossing is also important and yet, only 30% of Americans floss daily. Brushing removes stains, debris, and plaque from enamel and gums, but it doesn’t get in between teeth. The only way to do that safely at home is with dental floss. So brush twice and floss once daily. And when you’re done, rinse with a sugar-free, alcohol-free mouthwash or rinse to ensure the mouth is clean and help keep bacteria at bay.

Reduce the Sugar and Improve the Diet

Poor nutrition can weaken the immune system and lead to all sorts of oral health issues including gum disease. This is especially the case when it comes to heavy snacking and processed sugar addictions. Adjusting your diet to include plenty of natural fruits and vegetables can significantly reduce bacteria-causing decay in the mouth while promoting extra saliva and enzymes needed for healthy smiles. You can still have an occasional treat, but focusing on more healthy food options helps achieve healthy smiles and bodies.

Toss the Tobacco

Smoking has declined over 20% since 2005, but almost 38 million Americans still smoke cigarettes. And 16 million of those smokers live with some type of smoking-related disease or condition. Smokers have twice the risk of developing gum disease, and since that progresses so quickly, many long-term smokers end up with advanced stages of the condition and loose or missing teeth before they finally decide to quit. The best thing to do is not start smoking at all. But if you do smoke, decide to quit once and for all. It really can be a matter of life or death.

Visit Your Moorestown Dentist

You could change all the above issues and dental concerns can still arise. The good news is that a single visit to your Moorestown dentist can diagnose the issues, begin necessary treatment to correct or reverse the problems, clean your mouth while you’re there, and even sign off on a good bill of health for the upcoming year. Give us a call when you’re ready to regain control of your health and ring in the New Year with a healthier smile.

Ring in the New Year with a New Smile

As the holiday season comes to a close, Americans nationwide look towards the future and plan their resolutions. While many Americans make some type of clear resolutions, far fewer actually reach those goals by the time the ball drops again. Self-improvement options are always the most popular resolutions with weight loss and financial improvements heading the pack. Of course, those take a lot more time and effort than most people are willing to accept. You can still win the year by ringing in the New Year with a new smile and your Red Bank New Jersey Dentist can help. But what are some of the most achievable and most effective dental options to help create a new you?

Professional Teeth Whitening

In-store whitening kits are popular, but those one-size-fits-all claims just aren’t legit. While they can brighten a few shades, they just don’t offer anywhere near the results of in-office dental applications. Moreover, those in-store kits can get expensive and addictive, not to mention cause extra dental issues if they even work at all. Professional teeth whitening can be customized to each patient’s needs, results can be achieved quickly; and it can be as affordable, if not more so, than over-the-counter options in the long run.

Lumineers

Porcelain veneers are the celebrity “secret” to red carpet smiles, but they’re invasive and irreversible. The porcelain shells are about the width of a contact lens and require some prep to affix correctly to existing teeth. Therefore, a small amount of enamel needs to be removed. Once that’s done, the procedure cannot be reversed. Lumineers, however, work just like their veneer counterpart with a few exceptions. They’re about half the width of porcelain veneers, so no extra prep work is required. Enamel remains intact and allows the patient to reverse the procedure if they change their minds or opt for another solution down the road.

Composite Fillings

You may not have new cavities or need existing fillings repaired. But if you have amalgam (silver) fillings, it may be more beneficial to have them replaced with tooth-colored fillings. Composite fillings use a dental grade resin material that is dyed and cured to match the shade of your surrounding teeth. So say goodbye to metal mouth or spotty smiles. Amalgam fillings also contain up to 50% mercury. And while the ADA insists they’re safe, there’s plenty of scientific evidence to the contrary. If silver fillings have you down, composite alternatives can bring some joy back into your life.

A New Smile Makeover

A smile makeover usually consists of two or more procedures that create a customized new smile for the patient. Your smile makeover may include any number of options including professional teeth whitening and Lumineers, crowns and dental implants, TMJ treatment and dentures, or bonding and composite fillings. Contact your Red Bank New Jersey dentist when you’re ready to discover which options will help you easily reach those resolutions once and for all with a new for the New Year.