Dental Videos

Maintaining a healthy smile depends upon keeping your teeth and gums clean through a daily routine of brushing and flossing. According to the recommendations of the American Dental Association, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time with a soft-bristledtoothbrush.

Remember to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and apply gentle pressure so as not to cause damage to your teeth or gums. Also, brush your teeth with a fluoride-containing toothpaste that has the American Dental Association seal of acceptance to help you keep your smile healthy and vibrant. Remember to change your toothbrush every three months or when the bristles are frayed.

Once commonly referred to as, "porcelain jackets," today's all-ceramic crowns are fabricated from aesthetically appealing, lifelike materials. These crowns demonstrate strength and durability that could make it a good alternative to metal and porcelain fused to metal crowns (PFM).

When a tooth requires a full coverage restoration to rebuild its structural integrity and appearance, how good the crown will look and how well it will withstand the forces of oral function are major considerations in choosing the type of crown. In the past, only metal crowns or crowns fabricated out of porcelain fused to an underlying substructure of metal has the strength required to bite and chew without breaking.

While porcelain fused to metal crowns to this day remain a popular choice for strong, attractive and long-lasting restorations to rebuild teeth that are damaged, decayed, misshapen, worn down, undersized, or have had a root canal procedure, there are some drawbacks. For one thing, the thin metal margin at the collar of a PFM crown may be visible at the gumline (especially in the presence of receding gums). Also, due to the presence of an underlying metal shell, porcelain fused to metal crowns do not handle light in the same way as a natural tooth structure or dental ceramics do.

With advances in dental materials and science, dental fillings that are aesthetically pleasing as well as strong and durable are now widely available for the restoration and repair of teeth that have been affected by tooth decay or dental injuries.

Composite fillings, which are frequently referred to as either “tooth-colored fillings” or “white fillings,” are a combination of biocompatible resins and finely ground, glass-like filler materials. Composite fillings, which are manufactured in a complete range of natural looking shades, provide a more cosmetically pleasing alternative to traditional “silver” fillings.

Often used to fill a tooth by replacing tooth structure that is missing due to injury or decay, dental composites can also be placed to modify a tooth’s color or shape to dramatically improve its appearance as well as repair dental defects and close gaps between the teeth.

Teeth whitening procedure or bleaching simply refers to any process that will make the teeth appear whiter. It is considered a non-invasive procedure that is designed to whiten and brighten teeth that are stained, discolored, darkened, or yellowed.

First introduced to the public in the 1980s, teeth whitening products and procedures have exponentially grown in popularity. According to a survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, when respondents were asked, “What would you like to improve most about your smile?” The most common response was “whiter and brighter teeth.”

A home whitening system from the dentist along with custom trays that have been fitted to the teeth is also an excellent option. Custom trays keep the bleaching agent in maximum contact with the teeth and away from the other areas of the mouth. 

Do take note that a take-home teeth whitening system produces results that are less dramatic than an in-office procedure and are typically achieved over a longer period. A home whitening system can be used by itself or as recommended by the dentist as a follow-up to an in-office procedure in order to perfect or maintain the results.