Over the years, your teeth begin to lose their brilliance as they yellow, develop permanent stains, chip, break, and become decayed. For some people, it only takes one of these scenarios to happen, and suddenly, their confidence is destroyed. Options are available at the dental office to remedy this situation.
 
Creating Straighter Smiles Enhanced by Cosmetic Dentistry - Invisalign®
 
When your teeth are crooked, it's difficult to look at someone else's smile. In fact, it is often difficult to enjoy life fully, simply because you feel self-conscious about your teeth. If metal braces are keeping you away from the life you want, it's probably time to consider the fact that dentists can create new smiles enhanced by cosmetic dentistry procedures. Invisalign® is one of the newest ways to straighten your teeth using clear aligners that are nearly invisible to the naked eye.
 
Creating Even Smiles Enhanced by Cosmetic Dentistry - Porcelain Veneers
 
Did you know that today's veneers are thin and can be matched to your existing tooth color? If you are in need of a makeover for your teeth, you should find yourself a dentist who creates fresh smiles enhanced by cosmetic dentistry procedures that include veneers. This is a minimally invasive process that restores the beauty of your smile.
 
Creating Happy Smiles Enhanced by Cosmetic Dentistry - Porcelain Crowns
 
If the appearance of your teeth is keeping you from laughing, talking, or smiling, it might be time to call a general dentist. Why not consider the benefit of getting porcelain crowns to restore your confidence in your smile. Porcelain crowns can change the appearance of damaged teeth, while also renewing their strength and durability.
 
Creating Fuller Smiles Enhanced by Cosmetic Dentistry - Dental Implants
 
When you are missing a tooth, it becomes difficult to smile. Unless, you seek the services of a dentist who provides new smiles enhanced by cosmetic dentistry procedures such as dental implants.

Although you might have heard of laser dental treatments, you may remain somewhat confused about exactly what laser dental treatments involves. To complicate matters, the role of the laser will differ depending on the form of laser dental treatments being offered. While the American Dental Association has stated that they are merely 'cautiously optimistic' about dental laser technology, many dentists believe that it can be a huge asset to practitioners and patients alike. This brief guide will help you to understand the role of laser dental treatments in treating a wide range of oral health problems.
 
Surgery
The narrow, intense beam of light that comes from a laser instrument can be used to cut or to vaporize tissue. For example, if your dentist discovers that you are suffering from moderate to serious tooth decay, you might be offered a solution that utilizes laser dental treatments; lasers can be used to remove the decay that is inside your tooth. Similarly, if you need root canal treatment due to a deep infection, laser dental treatments provides a way of removing bacteria (as the concentrated heat will eliminate it). Lasers can also be used to alter the shapes of the gums if you are have gum disease.
 
Fillings
If you are having a filling put in, laser dental treatments can harden the filling very effectively and make the bond stronger.
 
Canker sores
If you often suffer from canker sores, laser dental treatments provides you with a relatively quick and simple way of removing these sores.
 
Wisdom teeth
Sometimes, wisdom teeth are only partially erupted, creating a tissue flap that leaves you more vulnerable to infection. In such cases, laser dental treatments can expose the partially erupted tooth (or teeth).
 
Teeth whitening
Laser dental treatments has enhanced teeth whitening options, as lasers can be used to make the whitening solution work more quickly and effectively. Specifically, some bleaching solutions are activated by the application of lasers.
 
Oral cancer biopsies
If your dentist is concerned about potentially malignant changes in your mouth, she may suggest laser dental treatments be used to excise a tiny part of the worrying tissue so that it can be examined.

Dental bonding is a quick and effective way to repair small imperfections on teeth. During the bonding process, composite resin is applied to repair chipped, decayed, discolored, or fractured teeth. Bonding can be completed in a single visit, and does not cause any pain or discomfort. In addition to cosmetic benefits, dental bonding can also be used to fill cavities. Once the resin has been applied to the teeth, the results are permanent. Learn more about dental bonding to determine if the procedure may be right for you.
 
When Is Dental Bonding Used?
Bonding is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to improve the appearance of your smile. The composite resin used in dental bonding can be easily shaped and polished to match your surrounding teeth for a good looking finish. In addition to fixing chipped or discolored teeth, bonding can also close spaces between teeth, make teeth appear longer, or change the shape of your teeth. The most common reasons people turn to dental bonding includes:
·       To fill a small gap between two teeth
·       To change the shape of a tooth
·       To repair decayed teeth by filling in the cavities
·       To eliminate discoloration
·       To make a tooth appear longer
·       To protect the root of a tooth that has receding gums
 
 
Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Bonding?
To determine if you're a good candidate for dental bonding, you must be examined by a dentist. Once the tooth in question has been analyzed, your dentist can determine the best course of action for treatment. Dental bonding is not suitable in all situations. For example, bonding cannot usually be applied to teeth that undergo a great amount of pressure, typically from chewing or biting. It is also not a good solution for covering big areas of teeth or for major damage. If you only have small imperfections, dental bonding is an excellent choice.
 
How Does Dental Bonding Work?
Dental bonding is a simple, straight-forward procedure that can be completed within one visit to your dentist. Local anesthesia is not typically needed, unless a cavity is being filled. After your dentist examines the tooth, they will decide on a resin color to match the bonding material as closely as possible to your natural teeth. The tooth must then be prepared for bonding by roughening up the surface. Tooth-colored resin is then applied to the area where the dentist will mold and smooth the surface until it resembles your other teeth. A special light is used to harden the resin material.
 
How to Care for Bonded Teeth
Caring for your bonded teeth is virtually the same as caring for your natural teeth. It's essential to maintain good oral hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing. It's also important to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and dental cleaning. During each checkup, ask your dentist to check on your bonded teeth. In some instances, small fixes may need to be made to keep your bonded teeth looking their best.

Gum disease is still the most common cause of tooth loss in adults, outstripping even cavities and decay. Most people will suffer from it to some degree during their lives, but it's a condition that can be treated very effectively, and with proper oral care serious problems can largely be avoided.
 
What Exactly Is Gum Disease?
 
There are two main types of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease. With gingivitis, the gums become swollen and sore, often turning red and inflamed, and will tend to bleed during brushing or when eating harder foods. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress into periodontal disease, where the inflammation spreads to the teeth roots and even the jawbone, making your teeth feel loose to the touch and even eventually fall out completely.
 
What Causes It?
 
Gum disease is ultimately caused by insufficient attention to oral hygiene, that is, not brushing and flossing thoroughly enough. Just as with dental decay, gum problems are the result of a build up of plaque in the mouth. Plaque is a thin layer of bacteria that grows on your teeth after eating, and while most of the bacteria plaque contains are harmless, some types cause irritation to the gums and lead to disease. Good brushing and flossing habits will largely remove this bacteria and stop gum disease from taking hold, or from progressing too far if you already have it.
 
Smokers should note that they are more likely to get gum disease than non-smokers, as tobacco causes a lack of oxygen in the blood to the gums, making them less able to fight off the bacteria and resulting inflammation.
 
Spotting and Treating Gum Disease
 
While sore, inflamed and bleeding gums are a sure sign of problems which need treatment, underlying periodontal disease is unfortunately largely painless and free of symptoms until it has become firmly established and is already causing damage. In severe cases, you may get tooth abscesses and/or signs of infection such as pus oozing around the base of the tooth. If you spot this, you need to see a dentist quickly.
 
More commonly, bleeding teeth and unpleasant smelling breath are the first signs of gum disease.  These symptoms will also need to be checked out by your dental team to make sure that the problem hasn't already gone beyond simple gingivitis and developed into periodontal disease, but if caught in time then treatment can be very effective. Your dentist will give your teeth a complete clean to remove all traces of the plaque and bacteria which is causing the problem, and will advise on improving your dental care at home to stop further flare-ups and help your gums overcome the inflammation.
 
If periodontal disease is detected, a more thorough treatment may be necessary with a procedure known as 'root planing'. This clears any bacteria that has invaded your teeth roots, and will usually require a local anesthetic and cause a little discomfort for a day or two after treatment.
 
In The Long Term
 
A proper regime of brushing and flossing to remove all traces of plaque will stop gum disease in its tracks, and over time any damage can even start to be reversed as your gums begin to recover. However, especially in severe cases of periodontal disease, it's a good idea to have your dentist regularly check that your gums are in good health and that there's no sign of the disease returning.